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Interiors slip into something leather; new processes offer softer, more luxurious materials as inviting as a fine jacket - cars
Automotive Industries
May, 1998 by Mark Phelan
New processes offer softer, more luxurious materials as inviting as a fine jacket.
Leather is as good as gold for automakers. It literally reeks of luxury, and has never been in greater demand than today. Trimming a car with leather seats costs around $200, suppliers say, but the option adds $1,000 to the sticker price.
Despite the price, automotive leather is a far cry from what consumers expect in fine clothes and accessories. Meeting 10-year/100,000 mile durability standards frequently leads to leather that looks and feels little different from a good piece of vinyl. The proof of that lies in the many vehicles with "leather seating surfaces"-- the places your body actually touches -- and vinyl everywhere else.
"The vinyl suppliers have done a fine job replicating the grain and appearance of leather," says Jaguar design chief Geoff Lawson. "I even have a hard time telling the difference myself."
That's in part because few automotive seats today have leather with a natural grain. Processing the hides to meet automotive standards erases it. Automakers spec the grain just like they specify coatings for color and durability. A former leather executive tells AI that some suppliers even sand off the top layer of the hides to produce a bland, even surface and reduce wasted material.
"Consumers now say they're ready to accept more wear in exchange for softer, richer smelling leather with less coating," says Thelma Sibley, manager of Johnson Controls' color, materials and mastering studio.
Several new proprietary technologies from suppliers may make that possible in the near future. Eagle Ottawa, the largest supplier of automotive leather, is working on seat leather that matches the soft, rich feel of a good leather jacket or purse. "It won't look new forever, but some customers appreciate the character leather acquires over time," says marketing manager Jeffrey Bonnello. Eagle Ottawa also developed a new printing technology that allows it to put a subtle pattern over the top of the grain for seats in the new Cadillac Seville SLS.
Recaro will have a new leather on the market as part of its Artline family of seat coverings beginning this July.
"Normal leathers are like plastic," says Artline project manager Helge Vester. "We want to offer leather like a fine jacket." One version of the leather will have the material's natural grain and very little coating. The second will have an embossed grain and a life nearly as long as heavily coated leathers, he says.
Seton Co.'s leather division has a new leather called Seton Softie "which is magnificent, considering that it's just as hard-wearing as previous leathers," says Trevor Creed, Chrysler chief of interior design.
Seat design also plays a role in leather's appeal, says Seton Technical Service Representative Bill Bimbi. "You lose some of leather's attributes when you stretch it tight over a seat. Looser covers allow more bunching, wrinkles and other wear characteristics."
There are excellent "artificial leathers" available, Creed says, but they cost as much as genuine leather. "If it looks like leather, but isn't leather and costs as much as leather, it doesn't make much sense."
However, new materials can offer benefits justifying high prices. This spring, Chrysler will offer a new artificial suede seat covering from Milliken Fabrics in its Town & Country minivan, Creed says. "It's the hardest-wearing fabric we've ever come across. It costs as much as leather, but there's no way you can use real suede for automotive, and it's so delightful that it's worth the cost."
The cattle are happy, too.
Automotive Industries
May, 1998 by Mark Phelan
New processes offer softer, more luxurious materials as inviting as a fine jacket.
Leather is as good as gold for automakers. It literally reeks of luxury, and has never been in greater demand than today. Trimming a car with leather seats costs around $200, suppliers say, but the option adds $1,000 to the sticker price.
Despite the price, automotive leather is a far cry from what consumers expect in fine clothes and accessories. Meeting 10-year/100,000 mile durability standards frequently leads to leather that looks and feels little different from a good piece of vinyl. The proof of that lies in the many vehicles with "leather seating surfaces"-- the places your body actually touches -- and vinyl everywhere else.
"The vinyl suppliers have done a fine job replicating the grain and appearance of leather," says Jaguar design chief Geoff Lawson. "I even have a hard time telling the difference myself."
That's in part because few automotive seats today have leather with a natural grain. Processing the hides to meet automotive standards erases it. Automakers spec the grain just like they specify coatings for color and durability. A former leather executive tells AI that some suppliers even sand off the top layer of the hides to produce a bland, even surface and reduce wasted material.
"Consumers now say they're ready to accept more wear in exchange for softer, richer smelling leather with less coating," says Thelma Sibley, manager of Johnson Controls' color, materials and mastering studio.
Several new proprietary technologies from suppliers may make that possible in the near future. Eagle Ottawa, the largest supplier of automotive leather, is working on seat leather that matches the soft, rich feel of a good leather jacket or purse. "It won't look new forever, but some customers appreciate the character leather acquires over time," says marketing manager Jeffrey Bonnello. Eagle Ottawa also developed a new printing technology that allows it to put a subtle pattern over the top of the grain for seats in the new Cadillac Seville SLS.
Recaro will have a new leather on the market as part of its Artline family of seat coverings beginning this July.
"Normal leathers are like plastic," says Artline project manager Helge Vester. "We want to offer leather like a fine jacket." One version of the leather will have the material's natural grain and very little coating. The second will have an embossed grain and a life nearly as long as heavily coated leathers, he says.
Seton Co.'s leather division has a new leather called Seton Softie "which is magnificent, considering that it's just as hard-wearing as previous leathers," says Trevor Creed, Chrysler chief of interior design.
Seat design also plays a role in leather's appeal, says Seton Technical Service Representative Bill Bimbi. "You lose some of leather's attributes when you stretch it tight over a seat. Looser covers allow more bunching, wrinkles and other wear characteristics."
There are excellent "artificial leathers" available, Creed says, but they cost as much as genuine leather. "If it looks like leather, but isn't leather and costs as much as leather, it doesn't make much sense."
However, new materials can offer benefits justifying high prices. This spring, Chrysler will offer a new artificial suede seat covering from Milliken Fabrics in its Town & Country minivan, Creed says. "It's the hardest-wearing fabric we've ever come across. It costs as much as leather, but there's no way you can use real suede for automotive, and it's so delightful that it's worth the cost."
The cattle are happy, too.
