[EricT]

When we bought our 2017 Volt, we really wanted the the features of the premier edition, but we were told we could not get it without leather seats. So we had to settle for the standard version.

My great grandparents spent a lot of time on animals. It was the height of tech in the 19th century, not the 21st century! I rent a lot of different cars, flying then renting about 3 times a month. Leather is hot or cold, and slippery and bad for your back. Please give people the choice.

BTW I really don't give two hoots about the dead animal part - just trying to get attention to this issue.

 

[Bacardi]

I no longer have a Volt, but believe even on the cloth seated LT there is leather on the steering wheel and maybe the center console...So what you're technically asking for is a "vegan interior" regardless of trim, it is a "green car" so want not offer a "greener/animal free interior"? It really wouldn't do much for sales, in fact many dealership would probably be happy to swap out a Premiers leather for a LTs cloth...

 

[TSquare]

And I thought that I was just using the wrapper that my steak came in. Waste not want not.

 

[scrambler]

Although I agree it would be nice to have the cloth seat option with premier, it is not available.
But you can always get seat covers

 

[Qinsp]

So I take it you went with the live animal seats?

 

[Fyodor]

I no longer have a Volt, but believe even on the cloth seated LT there is leather on the steering wheel and maybe the center console...So what you're technically asking for is a "vegan interior" regardless of trim, it is a "green car" so want not offer a "greener/animal free interior"? It really wouldn't do much for sales, in fact many dealership would probably be happy to swap out a Premiers leather for a LTs cloth...

No, he's not trying to make any kind of statement other than that he prefers cloth seats. I agree with him.

 

[Ron in Omaha]

Same for me. I bought a cloth seat car because I don't like leather seats. I wear out a lot of leather gloves and leather work boots, but I just don't like sitting on it. I also have no vegan tendencies.

 

[jsmay311]

There's almost always going to be some tension between customers and manufacturers when it comes to bundling options and limiting customer choice for the sake of manufacturer simplicity/efficiency.

But forcing people to get leather seats just because they want some completely unrelated "premium" options -- including life-saving safety features -- always seemed like a particularly bad call to me, even when not considering the wants of people ethically opposed to leather.

Here are some of the options that are unavailable with cloth seats:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Full-speed Forward Automatic Braking
• Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Lane Change Alert
• Lane Keep Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Auto-dimming review mirror
• Intellibeam automatic high beam assist
• Automatic Parking Assist
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Wireless phone charging
• Bose sound system
• Built-in Navigation

 

[ChiVolt]

My wife and I simply prefer the feel of cloth to leather. If cloth were much more expensive than leather, "conspicuous consumption" type consumers would rally around cloth as if were an elitist Apple or Tesla product.

 

[jcanoe]

I have the Premier with leather seats, I had an LT loaner for about a week and thought the cloth seats were very comfortable. Maybe a little more effort to get into the Volt due to less sliding on the fabric covering. This was in early winter, don't know how they are in the summer.

Does anyone remember the nauga? http://modernkiddo.com/the-cutest-lil-ugly-critter-meet-the-nauga/

 

[wws]

... in fact many dealership would probably be happy to swap out a Premiers leather for a LTs cloth...

This would be the most practical solution. The dealer could then give the LT buyer a really good deal on the upgrade.

 

[llninja]

When shopping for my gen1, I also wanted cloth seats, but the premium on the lot had pebble beach suede seats. Absolutely love them. You get the durability of leather with the texture of cloth that doesn't burn the back of your legs in the hot summers. I wonder if these are available for g2?

 

[Coppersnowboarder]

Funny what motivates different buyers: I bought a Premier to have leather seats after seeing the wear marks on the cloth seats in my Prius after 8 years of ownership. I must not be very sensitive in my base layer, insulated pants, down jacket, and other winter clothing because I cannot tell the difference between sitting in a leather or cloth seat in the mountains.

 

[Bacardi]

No, he's not trying to make any kind of statement other than that he prefers cloth seats. I agree with him.

I'm being proactive, the title eludes to a "statement" even though first post dismisses that notion...

 

[mr_raider]

I'm pretty sure the leather in our cars is synthetic and not real.

 

[Bacardi]

I'm pretty sure the leather in our cars is synthetic and not real.

I can't comment on Canada, but like most "leather seats" only the seating surfaces are leather while everything else is synthetic...I can see/feel the difference...This is very common practice in the auto industry until you get into six figures, some exceptions are "premium leather" trims/options but even then you have to look into details...Same with lower end home leather furniture....

 

[ampera_jed]

When we bought our 2017 Volt, we really wanted the the features of the premier edition, but we were told we could not get it without leather seats. So we had to settle for the standard version.

My great grandparents spent a lot of time on animals. It was the height of tech in the 19th century, not the 21st century! I rent a lot of different cars, flying then renting about 3 times a month. Leather is hot or cold, and slippery and bad for your back. Please give people the choice.

BTW I really don't give two hoots about the dead animal part - just trying to get attention to this issue.

It's the same here in England, the Ampera only came with leather seats, and I am just like you, for the same reasons, would prefer a quality fabric.

FWIW Queen Elizabeth also dislikes leather seats, and if you happen to ever see her cars, you might notice leather seats may be replaced with cloth trim, though I think She has acquiesced to permit leather bolsters on occasions.

I take it that this particular preference means we are in good company!

 

[ampera_jed]

Eric, I think we have found our ideal seat material....

"A fully custom interior built by Hield Brothers keeps the Queen and her company comfortable. The rear seats are decked out in lambswool sateen cloth, not leather like you may expect. Don’t confuse sateen with satin, though, as sateen is a very thick and soft weave of cotton that any backside would be proud to sit upon."

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/bentley/2002-bentley-state-limousine-ar130729.html#main

 

[EricT]

Vegan Interior

I no longer have a Volt, but believe even on the cloth seated LT there is leather on the steering wheel and maybe the center console...So what you're technically asking for is a "vegan interior" regardless of trim, it is a "green car" so want not offer a "greener/animal free interior"? It really wouldn't do much for sales, in fact many dealership would probably be happy to swap out a Premiers leather for a LTs cloth...

I'm not asking for a "vegan interior". Only that you can get the upgraded version of the car without slippery, hot/cold seats. Leather (or pleather) seats are OK for those that tote around messy dogs, kids or other vermin; but please don't force the rest of us into inferior leather seats.

Leather as a "upgrade" is a marketing myth. Leather is actually cheaper than good quality cloth seats. Think of how much leather is available from all the burgers and steaks we chow down.

 

[EricT]

Tried that.

This would be the most practical solution. The dealer could then give the LT buyer a really good deal on the upgrade.

Actually I tried that. But it would have taken too long. I live in Wisconsin and we don't have the availability that you have in California. In fact the 2016 Volt was not even offered in the midwest. We still don't have the Bolt.

But thanks for your response.