Select trim levels of BMW and Mini cars will be shipping with vegan-friendly interiors starting next year, the companies report. Leather will continue to be available in other trims, but the vegan lineup will stay completely free of animal components.
Instead of genuine leather, both companies intend to use substitutes found to be at least as durable and aesthetically pleasant. The press release mentions a study that predicts a major increase of interest towards such nature-friendly trims in the United States, Europe and China in the near future. BMW intends to take advantage of the situation and spearhead the move towards animal-friendly interiors.
This is not to say this is the only goal. According to researchers, opting out of the leather-wrapped steering wheel alone will reduce total CO2 emissions down the production line by 85 percent. Using synthetic floor mats will rid the air of 23,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, and the land of 1,600 metric tons of waste.