Faux-Leather Ford?

[ceryna]

Automobile environmental concerns aside, I have heard that Ford automobiles with leather trim are not, in fact, actually leather-trimmed. I was told that the leather used is synthetic.

While I'm not in the market for a new auto at the moment, sometimes the higher trim level vehicles that people enjoy (with power options and the like) come standard with leather. The leather would be a dealbreaker for me, but if it were synthetic, that might be a nice option.

Do any of you know about this?

[Michael]

I would be shocked if that's the case. I don't think they can call it "leather-trimmed" if it's not actually trimmed with leather.

[FalafelsRule]

I drive a Ford Taurus and the leather is faux, it is not animal leather. A lot of things are called leather and actually are not. I was shopping for some bar stools that were decribed as leather but are actually synthetic leather.

Kind of makes the remarks about me earlier null and void.

[FalafelsRule]

BTW, here is some interesting information on faux leather:


Consumers who still choose leather do so because they are attracted to the advertising or to the look and feel of leather, not to the fact that it comes off the backs of tortured animals. Thus, if DaimlerChrysler decided to use a material that looked and felt just like leather (or better), it would be praised as a progressive, compassionate, ethical and environmentally conscious company and would still win the business of all consumers, including those who are attracted to the look and feel of leather.

Synthetic leather has been manufactured in the U.S. since 1963. Since then, technology has advanced, and these days, it’s often impossible to tell the difference between leather and synthetic leather without looking at labels. Synthetic leather is now widely used because of its uniformity, ease of care, versatility, breathability, ability to hold dye, durability, and many other advantages.

Leather and synthetic leather
Leather and synthetic leather. Which is which?
BMW and Audi already offer 'pleather' (synthetic leather) in some models. Jaguar UK offers synthetic leather and fabric options for all its vehicles. These days, there is a variety of luxurious synthetic leather options, so car companies can choose non-leather fabrics based on their appearance and durability. Ultrafabrics makes beautiful, soft faux leather for cars that is up to six times more durable than leather.

Textile Fabric Consultants, Inc., reports that pleather now represents the most daring and cutting-edge textile available. It is a predominant fabric in designs by Tom Ford of Gucci, Moschino, Prada, FUBU, Sean Jean and others. Top designers like Stella McCartney and Todd Oldham refuse to use leather in their designs and, in doing so, represent the sentiments of millions of consumers. Many celebrities - such as Sir Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson, Moby, Alicia Silverstone - also refuse to use leather.

Even the world's top shoe manufacturers - Nike, Reebok and Adidas - are using increasing amounts of synthetic leather in their products, and PETA just gave trendy shoemaker Steve Madden an award for his line's huge variety of non-leather shoes.

In addition to fashion, cars and shoes, pleather is widely used for furniture, toys, luggage, handbags, boat interiors and more. Pottery Barn has its own line of luxurious faux suede, and Carol House Furniture, the largest independent furniture chain in Missouri, has gone totally leather-free. Todd Oldham is designing a vegan line of furniture for La-Z-Boy. Taiwan makes millions of dollars by selling its synthetic leather handbags worldwide, with the US and Europe purchasing the majority of the products.

Ford owns Jaguar. The same faux leather used in some Jaguars is used in my Taurus.

[MsRuthieB]

Good for your FR. I'm glad you got this posted, about your car. Proves to some that it never pays to speculate and make assumptions regarding other folks business.

[Kurmudgeon]

Kind of makes the remarks about me earlier null and void.

It certainly does, FR.

[MsRuthieB]

Yep. If they weren't veg*n I'd tell them to eat crow! :lol:

[spud]

I drive a Ford Taurus and the leather is faux, it is not animal leather. A lot of things are called leather and actually are not. I was shopping for some bar stools that were decribed as leather but are actually synthetic leather.

Kind of makes the remarks about me earlier null and void.

Good for you :up:

I bought a UK Nissan Micra in May. The next model up had air con and real leather trim. The sales rep was somewhat amazed when I said that I'd decline it on both counts. So, no alloys or go faster stripes for me.

[FalafelsRule]

Unfortunately all cars have animal products in them. Even the faux leather will have byproducts in the material. The glue used to hold any type of seat together has byproducts. The rubber used in the tires has animal products, the plastics in ones car, etc. Basically, if you don't drive a car, I guess you are more vegan. I guess "noodles" (insert name of vb'er/former vb'er of choice), you should quit driving their car before they try (and still fail miserably) to put someone else on the spot. Yes, I did refer to my seats as being leather, because that is what they are (synthetic leather). I did that because I knew that one day "noodles" would come out and say something and in the end make herself look like ... well I don't even have to say, it is obvious.

Anyway, there is a good chance that the leather in the cars with all of the options (the fully loaded cars), may have synthetic leather. I bought my car used so there wasn't any room to play with the options but if you are buying a new car, you can always have the car keep all of the options and opt to have different seating put in (if in fact it has animal leather). :)

[spud]

I read somewhere that the roads we drive upon have animal byproducts in too, so short of growing wings...

[FalafelsRule]

Yes, the concrete that we walk on and the roads we drive on can have animal byproducts in them.

BTW, I did want to thank all the folks the sent messages of support to my box. :up:

[Michael]

I just called Ford's customer service and asked...

Me: "I had a question about the leather, I had heard it's synthetic and was wondering whether or not that's true.
Him: "You mean like fake?"
Me: "Yes."
Him: "On what vehicle?"
Me: "I guess a 2004 Ford Taurus."
Him: "No, they're all actual leather."

Now, since I had to confirm what "synthetic" means and he still knew right off the top of his head I'm not sure how much stock to put in his answer. Maybe someone else can try it and see what answer they get.

[FalafelsRule]

I received my information from Ford directly and the car salesman that they are synthetic. He told me that car companies often do not make this common knowledge as some people may be turned off by it. People have been brought up to think that faux leather equates to an inferior product. It is really obvious when touching the seating in my car that is is not animal leather and there is absolutely no animal leather smell to it.

Ford will actually be marketing the leather option in the new Ford Escape hybrid model as synthetic leather for the first time. Their thinking behind this is that people interested in buying that vehicle have ethical concerns.

Like I also have stated I bought my car used. Buying a used car with actual leather would not make a person non-vegan or an animal hater. It is the same as vegans who buy used leather from a thrift shop.

[rincaro]

I wonder if that's true for Mercedes.