►Subscribe here: kzread.info ►Also subscribe to our KZread shorts channel: kzread.info/dron/mKVmuPc9wUlLuuhnIeP7_w.html ►Follow us on Facebook / Instagram / TikTok @autogefuehl 00:00 Alcantara for the Kimera EVO37 01:34 Factory tour: first raw material 02:34 Unraveling for fine structure 03:33 Condensing for make it sturdy 04:00 Second ingredient 04:16 Dyeing process for coloring 05:07 Individual styles and stitching 07:52 Alcantara fashion and furniture 08:18 The plastic argument #Alcantara Transparency note: Autogefühl videos are independent and free from editorial influence on opinion and rating. But since manufacturers enable us to do the reviews in the first place, for legal reasons this video is marked as _advertisement_.

@kam_iko

6 ай бұрын

11:41 yes, but you could also compare it to vegetable tanned leather that comes from pasture raised cattle, slaughtered on-site/pasture and as a byproduct of meat production. meat production isn’t going away anytime soon, so the “production” chain might as well be heavily regulated with regards to animal welfare. and while you probably can’t push this thru on national/EU level (yet), you certainly could push it on car manufacturer level 🤷‍♂️ (disclaimer: i’m a flexitarian and prefer alcantara/velour/fabric seats to leather/leatherette)

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

@@kam_iko The "byproduct" argument counts as little as we should take the skins of dead dogs because their skin is available. If we pay for dead mammals in a car, we fund the industry that earns money with killing.

@leiflillandt1488

6 ай бұрын

Plastic is a kind of "HC" combination. With wind and solar power we can extract H from water (H2O), and C from CO2. Then we "put" H and C together. Then we could talk of a short circuit, instead of the long circuit in the nature. The first step is made that's it to make H2 of solar and wind power.

@kmet2000

6 ай бұрын

This material is missing in the Tesla option list. Plastic seats and poor ergonomy put me of from buying T3. Bought Superb Scout wit alcantata instead. Prrfect ergonomy and nice seats. Same price range 😉

@badbasic

6 ай бұрын

​​@@autogefuehlThey are still going to be killed for food, so the leather is available anyway. Far more animals are being slaughtered for food then they are for their leather, abandoning leather all together would mean that that resource just gets wasted. What I really question about leather is, sure, animal leather is biodegradable as it is, but I have never seen a study to see how degradable it is after being processed. That would be interesting information, since it's almost impossible to recycle, unless you have a good piece that fits your use and just re-treat it.

This is a great new development in Autogefuhl content. It gets away from just coverage of new vehicles and tells us more about the industries which go into the vehicles. So thank you Thomas. That is not to say I want to see a whole series on seat cover technology. It does however open up content about energy storage technologies for vehicles (batteries, hydrogen, fuel cells) where a lot is happening; developments in the thousands of chips which now go into our cars; energy recuperation technology, much of it from F1; and of course there are the new electric motor developments. There is a whole lot to mine here and keep us informed. I still want the car reviews though.

Thomas is so clever and he also looks the part , a really look up to him he's just so class and handsome ❤

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks my friend !

My back hurts like hell but videos like this one here help distract 🤩

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

enjoy! Also got some back ache atm I know what you are talking about...

As someone who has worked in a landfill. Leather seats decompose. Microfibre ones dont.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

A microfibre seat you can easily burn and gain energy from it. A car leather seat is tanned and coated in order not to decompose

@gn0s1s

6 ай бұрын

People are also not really taking into account how damaging the microplastics from these products entering our ecosystem and bodies is, in terms of cancers, immune dysfunction etc. I understand some of the "humane" arguments but the accumulation of plastics will end up wiping out everything in the end anyways. Many of the whitepapers and detection rates of the microplastics released this year are scary.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

I m totally pro plant fibres, however car seats is the least problem of microplastics

Fantastic video, Thomas. Thank you for this deep dive. It’s great to see how Alcantara is being made and especially the Complex Manufacturing shows how much work goes into a special car seat. THANK YOU! 😊

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

👍🙏

Perfect work Thomas great Video. I think Alcantara first introduction in Autobianchi Y10 1985. Later renamed Lancia Y10. Had some in the interior and a small handy document bag that came with the car. That is what I remember from my Dad's car. The Autobianchi Y10 in 1985 it was amazing, had lots of luxury and tech for the price. We had one, the colour name was Petro Blue. Funny cocktail with the black trunk. Do you remember that car? Autobianchi Y10 and Autobianchi Y10 Turbo. Curiosity Alcantara is also a place in Lisbon were we lived. 🎉🎉thank you for your great video

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Good info thanks 🙏

@deltajohnny

6 ай бұрын

I remember that car and its alcantara interior. It looked great! 😍😍

Fantastic work Thomas. The best automotive journalist in my eyes. And personally I absolutely love the German lessons you provide us with! Thank you

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much m8!

I'm also amazed at those who design the factory machines.

Best Car Channel 💪🔥 without the nonsense and straight to the point and great car Rewievs...

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks so much !!

Very very good video again Thomas. Thanks! Especially the explanation in the end about plastic use in car fabrics.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks m8!

wow I had no idea, I figured it was a natural fiber. really impressive to see behind the curtain.

Alcantara is made from Microfiber, the same thing that inexpensive bed linen is made of. Just woven differently.

@RovexHD

6 ай бұрын

And it causes allergies

@Carsfromthepast

6 ай бұрын

It's a cheap material that kind of looks premium but is fragile and difficult to maintain

@peterrolt6403

6 ай бұрын

Horrible stuff, pig's ear rather than silk purse

@user-io4sr7vg1v

6 ай бұрын

It's basically plastic. Some precipitate from some petrol related reaction. Not sure why this is good but I guess the Ministry of Truth has repeated it enough so it must be good.

@newolde1

6 ай бұрын

Yummy yummy microplastics, eat them up yum yum!

THIS is why your channel is the best car review channel on the internet! Very good and informative video!!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

🙏🙏

Excellent! More videos like this! Autogefuhl is the best!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

😎👍

thank you very much for this visit and to explain us how Alcantara is made. The most interesting was your conclusion on plastic and environment and I totally agree with you and your questions on alternatives and the major levers to pull. great job Thomas.

Awesome video, I've been working with this stuff for over 15 years in my own Automotive upholstery business. It's nice to see it come together.

An awesome video Thomas!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

and now it's only natural that you visit the vegan leather factory!

@alanincentraljersey

6 ай бұрын

Lol!

@Londonistan_Calling

6 ай бұрын

@@alanincentraljersey why

@Zoranurai13

6 ай бұрын

You mean the plastic factory?

@AntEsp

6 ай бұрын

The nylon factory!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

there we go with the plastic argument again 🥱

The video I never knew I needed😅

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

hehe awesome =)

What a great video of not just car reviews but also how the materials are made. Makes you appreciate it more. Fantastic work

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks so much! please recommend our channel :-)

Interesting and informative,, 👍‍‍👍‍‍ Thank you Thomas.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

👍

Really really appreciate this video!! Thank you Thomas! Good to know all this details.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Appreciated!

Great video, I definitely learned some things about Alcantara!

Thomas, I love these types of videos because it’s not possible to get this type of unbiased information anywhere else. I have seen people argue that the animal skin from cows is from the meat industry and these skins are going to be thrown away if there is no market for them. Is any of that true? We are only talking about mass production vehicles, not Rolls Royce level animal skin. Thank you so much Thomas, your channel is awesome.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Cheers! U re welcome!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

What is true is that the meat consumption of "modern" countries has become that excessive that you have a lot of dead mammal body parts available. The crucial point is however that by every new funding of that process, including giving money to factories to use animal hide, you make killing mammals more profitable. As a customer, you pay for what shall be done. I rather pay for new modern materials where companies try their best to minimize their impact while not using animals or oppressing humans.

@mitchellbarnow1709

6 ай бұрын

@@autogefuehlThank you Thomas! I now have the information that I was missing when combatting those that don’t care about using non animal products when making choices about what to buy. The best thing that I learned from you years ago is to call it what it is, animal skin and not leather, because that sounds like a wonderful product.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Highly appreciated my friend!

Excellent work Thomas. Appreciate you and your team. 👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Highly appreciated!!

Alcantata:Microfiber to Kleenex:Tissue THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. Been curious about that for so long.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

😁

very cool format. Please keep making this kind of content, it's very interesting and informative!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

cheers !

@UncleChrisOfficial

6 ай бұрын

I bet Mat Watson will do the similar video soon 🤣🤣🤣

What I'm curious about is the markup they put on Alcantara. Being a mass produced plastic product I would imagine it's a pretty cheap product to make overall. I suppose what bugs me about it is I get the impression it's one of those products that's mostly marketing and they're over charging for what the product should be. Now, some will argue if they can charge that much and people will pay it then good for them. OK, sure. But that doesn't mean I have to fall for it. I personally try to avoid supporting products like that.

Surprisingly interesting! Thank you

fantastičan proces

Excellent informative video. Essentially, [recycled] plastic pellets are shown to become an ultra durable synthetic suede like material through many processes. Really interesting stuff.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

👍👍

Great tour, and what a fun new facts-video 😊 Great job 👍👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks m8👍👍

Very informative. Thank you.

Wonderful restomod Wonderful Alcantara

Wow! Thank you for that lengthy chat on the environmental impact. I was surprised in the beginning to learn that microfiber/alcantara is made from plastic pellets. Then your chat at the end was very good. Learned lots there as well about the environmental impact, which levers to pull. Much appreciated

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks so much! Glad you liked it !

Great and unique video Thomas. Thanks.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

👍👍

Very interesting, thank you for this excellent production!

Very informative video. I have new respect for the material's expense. Thanks!

This is a very informative video of a very unique topic. Great job.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

highly appreciated !

interesting video Thomas , would definitely watch similar topics. the enviro talk at the end was informative too! ps. a review of that lancia would be amazing ?!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Appreciated!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Yeah sadly didnt have time for the Kimera

....Wow very well done-absoloutely amazing video, learned so much new info, thank you so much for the video😃😃.. Takecare..

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks keep tuning in !

Thank you, very interesting. I dont particularly like leather car seats and would prefer fabric, however the cows will still be killed for their meat. So unless that changes it seems to make more sense to use the byproduct which would otherwise be thrown away than use oil/plastic products.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your interest in this topic. I also bought cars with animal skin leather seats before I did my research and got to know the industry. The most important thing is: With today's modern materials, you have nothing to lose, just to gain. You achieve the same kind of luxury and comfort or even better while having the same or better durability with less impact on humans, animals and the environment. You can use fabric/cloth, microfibre or leatherette. The classic approach is using oil/plastic as source material. Overall, a vehicle contains about 300 kg plastic. A car seat needs about 5 kg plastic. So the overall plastic share for the seats is very low and it is at this moment the most efficient way to produce a car seat. A couple of litres of fuel equals a car seat basically. So if you want to save oil/plastic, rather look at consumption for energy, fuel and heating and to other car parts than the seat. Note that animal skin leather also always contains a plastic coating for durability. However, long-term we should of course find raw oil alternatives. So going further, seats can be made from recyclables (e.g. from PET-bottles or old fishing nets) or even increased share of plant-based materials (like pine oil, canola oil or start-up materials like Pinatex from pineapple leaves or Desertex from cactus fibre or the mixed-plant-based Mirum, so be seen at kzread.info/dash/bejne/hWWVsLyen8Tanag.html). On a calculation base, by ditching animal skin leather from car interiors, the amount of emissions (CO2e) is reduced by 85 (!) % (www.press.bmwgroup.com/africa-dom-easteurope/article/detail/T0403389EN/on-the-market-from-2023:-bmw-and-mini-models-with-vegan-interiors?language=en) - and that is a very conservative calculation. So it is at this moment the most important thing you can do to make car interiors more sustainable. A good example for high-end luxury with ventilated animal free seats is the BMW X7 with Sensafin: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y6SGsM2QadHYoto.html And the Kia EV9 with plant-based oil share: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aKqMx7KKmcKzcc4.html New leatherette materials can be superior in every aspect, even for cleaning: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p21ou7qDZ5W7hKQ.html More and more natural materials are rising: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oIaH1bp-ntqudNI.html Also check out what the animal skin leather industry tried to with our channel: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oISTpdiFnMSsnKw.html For seeing how the animals are being treated and transported in the global leather industry, watch this footage: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pp-epaOmoZTFaKg.html Note that the footage is genuine and was recorded by a highly decorated investigative journalist in Germany I know myself personally. In a high animal skin grade, the animals are specifically raised for this matter. However even if meat is the "first" misuse case, the hide remains a profitable body part. That means: If manufacturers put animal leather in a car and you demand it as a customer, you give your money to an industry that earns money by oppressing humans, animals and harms the environment, you make them more profitable. Alternatively, you could support industries with your wallet which try to improve the sustainability of materials. Also, if you turn the argument around to "meat is the waste of the leather industry" you realize that it doesn't make sense (and is ethically doubtful) to discuss the primary use of individual body parts of mammals. Mind experiment: You are getting slain down on the street; would it matter to you if it was for your smartphone or for your purse? We cannot change what we have bought in the past, but with more information and compassion we can change how we decide in the future.

@tonyc3995

6 ай бұрын

@@autogefuehl thank you for the detailed reply. In my last 3 cars there was no choice but leather, hopefully next time there will be an alternative. Keep up the excellent car reviews, they are the best on you tube 👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

very educational! Keep up the good work.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks please share 🙏

Oh wow. Love these type of video as well as others about M cars ONLY😁

Great video. A lot of people like the ease of cleaning, that comes with the leather seats. It would have been interesting to hear a bit materials, that try to match those features. I've also seen some manufacturers use wool on seats.

This is great. I would like more of stuff like this.

A very fine and informative presentation!

Very interesting and informative thank you for sharing! - (Also the Lancia was incredibly beautiful!) 😁

Based Thomas. Sweet tour.

I remember those seats from my old man’s thema interior there was nothing like it. 👌🏻

@jami7772

6 ай бұрын

Yes and I had a Lancia (Autobianci) Y10 Turbo with Alcantara ® on the dash board. A luxurious place to be in !

very insightful! thanks Thomas

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Highly appreciated!

A very interesting & informative video really good well done 👍👍👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Highly appreciated!

How have I missed this video? Very informative and cool!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks! Please share! =)

Thank you for this vid. As a car enthusiast, working in car world, I'm reading about and using the name Alcantara for the whole of my 47 years. And I'm today years old to discover what it really is!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

highly appreciated! Keep tuning in !

Excellent point on the seats/ covering making up only a small percentage of unfashionable materials used in an average vehicle.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

👍

Alcantara is also a very nice material for watch straps 🤩

great video , Thomas more vdeos like this please

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks m8!

Great video, Thomas.👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks my friend !

Stunning automobile ❤

I like ALL your items, but this one had my special interest because I recently ordered a Hyundai Kona Hybrid N-line with Alcantara seats. Thanks for the insight!

Very informative and interesting video. We added it to the Alcantara section of our large "Seat upholstery & materials" article for seats. Maybe you get the possibility to visit the Dinamica factory also. They claim to be more sustainable than Alcantara. (But I know they have been fighting in the courts over that claims). Keep up the good work for the car community!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

I love my Alcantara couch.

I had no idea it’s plastic, I still really like it

Excellent. A good balanced account.

In my former business, I used to visit factories on a regular basis. I sold equipment they would use on their machines. It’s always great to see something being created that we take for granted. Thank you for sharing your experience. Now I have to go see if my car has Alcantara or Microfiber.

Great video

@autogefuehl

2 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

The Downpart of Alcantara is that it wears out rather quickly compared to leather or cloth. It is also high maintenance as it gets dirty quickly.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

all depends on the quality grade that is used in comparison. There are bad quality grades of materials out there and good quality grades

@davidperry3531

6 ай бұрын

I agree - nothing is as good as genuine, quality leather for ease of cleaning, longevity and the feel which improves with age.

Thank you for a great and informative video about Alcantara. In the closing climate speech I agree with many of the points made. I don't think animals are killed just to give us leather car interiors, shoes and what not. These leather things are bi-products and why feel bad about putting something to use, which otherwise probably is burnt to produce heat.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your interest in this topic. I also bought cars with animal skin leather seats before I did my research and got to know the industry. The most important thing is: With today's modern materials, you have nothing to lose, just to gain. You achieve the same kind of luxury and comfort or even better while having the same or better durability with less impact on humans, animals and the environment. You can use fabric/cloth, microfibre or leatherette. The classic approach is using oil/plastic as source material. Overall, a vehicle contains about 300 kg plastic. A car seat needs about 5 kg plastic. So the overall plastic share for the seats is very low and it is at this moment the most efficient way to produce a car seat. A couple of litres of fuel equals a car seat basically. So if you want to save oil/plastic, rather look at consumption for energy, fuel and heating and to other car parts than the seat. Note that animal skin leather also always contains a plastic coating for durability. However, long-term we should of course find raw oil alternatives. So going further, seats can be made from recyclables (e.g. from PET-bottles or old fishing nets) or even increased share of plant-based materials (like pine oil, canola oil or start-up materials like Pinatex from pineapple leaves or Desertex from cactus fibre or the mixed-plant-based Mirum, so be seen at kzread.info/dash/bejne/hWWVsLyen8Tanag.html). On a calculation base, by ditching animal skin leather from car interiors, the amount of emissions (CO2e) is reduced by 85 (!) % (www.press.bmwgroup.com/africa-dom-easteurope/article/detail/T0403389EN/on-the-market-from-2023:-bmw-and-mini-models-with-vegan-interiors?language=en) - and that is a very conservative calculation. So it is at this moment the most important thing you can do to make car interiors more sustainable. A good example for high-end luxury with ventilated animal free seats is the BMW X7 with Sensafin: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y6SGsM2QadHYoto.html And the Kia EV9 with plant-based oil share: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aKqMx7KKmcKzcc4.html New leatherette materials can be superior in every aspect, even for cleaning: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p21ou7qDZ5W7hKQ.html More and more natural materials are rising: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oIaH1bp-ntqudNI.html Also check out what the animal skin leather industry tried to with our channel: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oISTpdiFnMSsnKw.html For seeing how the animals are being treated and transported in the global leather industry, watch this footage: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pp-epaOmoZTFaKg.html Note that the footage is genuine and was recorded by a highly decorated investigative journalist in Germany I know myself personally. In a high animal skin grade, the animals are specifically raised for this matter. However even if meat is the "first" misuse case, the hide remains a profitable body part. That means: If manufacturers put animal leather in a car and you demand it as a customer, you give your money to an industry that earns money by oppressing humans, animals and harms the environment, you make them more profitable. Alternatively, you could support industries with your wallet which try to improve the sustainability of materials. Also, if you turn the argument around to "meat is the waste of the leather industry" you realize that it doesn't make sense (and is ethically doubtful) to discuss the primary use of individual body parts of mammals. Mind experiment: You are getting slain down on the street; would it matter to you if it was for your smartphone or for your purse? We cannot change what we have bought in the past, but with more information and compassion we can change how we decide in the future.

This is really interesting! Big thanks Thomas and the team.👍👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

thanks for tuning in !

A kind of „SENDUNG MIT DER 🐭 „ 👍

Your video was clear to point out the marketing hype and greenwashing the manufacturer was implying. Good to know.

I look forward to your tour of the Tesla Giga Factory, that measuring device will be very useful and don't forget to check the door sound

Very interesting

I bought a 2023 BMW X1 with black Alcantara seats with blue stitching. They are easy to clean, look very high end and comfortable.

Thank you -Excellent Vid ... This video confirms to me that Alcantara is not a premium material when compared to real leather. I understand why now it is replacing leather more and more and I am ok with this, nor do I not mind it in my own cars but when compared to leather ...no comparison.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your interest in this topic. I also bought cars with animal skin leather seats before I did my research and got to know the industry. The most important thing is: With today's modern materials, you have nothing to lose, just to gain. You achieve the same kind of luxury and comfort or even better while having the same or better durability with less impact on humans, animals and the environment. You can use fabric/cloth, microfibre or leatherette. The classic approach is using oil/plastic as source material. Overall, a vehicle contains about 300 kg plastic. A car seat needs about 5 kg plastic. So the overall plastic share for the seats is very low and it is at this moment the most efficient way to produce a car seat. A couple of litres of fuel equals a car seat basically. So if you want to save oil/plastic, rather look at consumption for energy, fuel and heating and to other car parts than the seat. Note that animal skin leather also always contains a plastic coating for durability. However, long-term we should of course find raw oil alternatives. So going further, seats can be made from recyclables (e.g. from PET-bottles or old fishing nets) or even increased share of plant-based materials (like pine oil, canola oil or start-up materials like Pinatex from pineapple leaves or Desertex from cactus fibre or the mixed-plant-based Mirum, so be seen at kzread.info/dash/bejne/hWWVsLyen8Tanag.html). On a calculation base, by ditching animal skin leather from car interiors, the amount of emissions (CO2e) is reduced by 85 (!) % (www.press.bmwgroup.com/africa-dom-easteurope/article/detail/T0403389EN/on-the-market-from-2023:-bmw-and-mini-models-with-vegan-interiors?language=en) - and that is a very conservative calculation. So it is at this moment the most important thing you can do to make car interiors more sustainable. A good example for high-end luxury with ventilated animal free seats is the BMW X7 with Sensafin: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y6SGsM2QadHYoto.html And the Kia EV9 with plant-based oil share: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aKqMx7KKmcKzcc4.html New leatherette materials can be superior in every aspect, even for cleaning: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p21ou7qDZ5W7hKQ.html More and more natural materials are rising: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oIaH1bp-ntqudNI.html Also check out what the animal skin leather industry tried to with our channel: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oISTpdiFnMSsnKw.html For seeing how the animals are being treated and transported in the global leather industry, watch this footage: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pp-epaOmoZTFaKg.html Note that the footage is genuine and was recorded by a highly decorated investigative journalist in Germany I know myself personally. In a high animal skin grade, the animals are specifically raised for this matter. However even if meat is the "first" misuse case, the hide remains a profitable body part. That means: If manufacturers put animal leather in a car and you demand it as a customer, you give your money to an industry that earns money by oppressing humans, animals and harms the environment, you make them more profitable. Alternatively, you could support industries with your wallet which try to improve the sustainability of materials. Also, if you turn the argument around to "meat is the waste of the leather industry" you realize that it doesn't make sense (and is ethically doubtful) to discuss the primary use of individual body parts of mammals. Mind experiment: You are getting slain down on the street; would it matter to you if it was for your smartphone or for your purse? We cannot change what we have bought in the past, but with more information and compassion we can change how we decide in the future.

Outstanding 2nd part of video! I love someone put all those facts out! In the end, an expert from ex paper factory said that PAPER is one of the worst material and also for recycling, yet plastic bags are banned and replaced with paper ones. As he said, plastic is perfect material, IF (!) we would racycle and not leave everywhere. I almost hate being European lately because so wrong direction we go. Banning plastic straws for drinking ... they could make thick and reusable ones! But now they give worthless paper ones that are wrapped in plastic at delivery. Than limiting vacuum cleaners power will also save a planet. Than changing bottle cap, so it is much harder to open and use ... it made me to start pulling that away and deliberately throw them into the nature, after 30+ years of collecting them and selling PP material. Generally, as you said, plastic is been removed or limited from our general sight and useful everyday aids were replaced by useless alternatives, but actual plastic consumption goes higher every year, especially in fabric industry where it is already ultimately hard to find clothes that are without plastic. Can we blame UK to leave EU? I also regret we opted to join.

Interesting show! Thanks….hats off to Volvo for trying the wool approach to its seat coverings!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Volvo wool seats are bad because they are scratching on the skin and get extremely hot, tried them this summer, the other choices in the new volvos are better

Wool is the answer. Cool in the summer and keeps heat in the winter. There is no animal cruelty involved and its not a synthetic material. Toyota uses it for their Crown top of the line cars. Most likely it would be impossible to scale it so that all car manufacturers would use wool for all their trims but its a natural and sustainable approach.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Tested in the recent Volvos, the wool share seat is hot in summer and scratchy on the skin. On the animal side, factory wool production involves cruelty plus the animals are slaughtered when wool quality isn’t sufficient anymore. kzread.info/dash/bejne/lpl8sNGmpNaektI.htmlsi=jvDCOBJBUW3QHk7Q

Thanks for this primer Thomas. You answer manny of my follow on questions When this subject comes up. My preference is to move away from petrol based plastics and on to plant based plastics. All this said, I still love a high quality supple leather. My hope is pinned to the lab grown leather. Need to research further, but sounds promising. Thanks again for your efforts!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

BMW already offers great high grade leatherette. Next step is than plant-based, we ll soon deliver an in-depth feature on this!

Leather works great :) nothing wrong all comes down to cost !

@autogefuehl

5 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your interest in this topic. I also bought cars with animal skin leather seats before I did my research and got to know the industry. The most important thing is: With today's modern materials, you have nothing to lose, just to gain. You achieve the same kind of luxury and comfort or even better while having the same or better durability with less impact on humans, animals and the environment. You can use fabric/cloth, microfibre or leatherette. The classic approach is using oil/plastic as source material. Overall, a vehicle contains about 300 kg plastic. A car seat needs about 5 kg plastic. So the overall plastic share for the seats is very low and it is at this moment the most efficient way to produce a car seat. A couple of litres of fuel equals a car seat basically. So if you want to save oil/plastic, rather look at consumption for energy, fuel and heating and to other car parts than the seat. Note that animal skin leather also always contains a plastic coating for durability. However, long-term we should of course find raw oil alternatives. So going further, seats can be made from recyclables (e.g. from PET-bottles or old fishing nets) or even increased share of plant-based materials (like pine oil, canola oil or start-up materials like Pinatex from pineapple leaves or Desertex from cactus fibre or the mixed-plant-based Mirum, so be seen at kzread.info/dash/bejne/hWWVsLyen8Tanag.html). On a calculation base, by ditching animal skin leather from car interiors, the amount of emissions (CO2e) is reduced by 85 (!) % (www.press.bmwgroup.com/africa-dom-easteurope/article/detail/T0403389EN/on-the-market-from-2023:-bmw-and-mini-models-with-vegan-interiors?language=en) - and that is a very conservative calculation. So it is at this moment the most important thing you can do to make car interiors more sustainable. A good example for high-end luxury with ventilated animal free seats is the BMW X7 with Sensafin: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y6SGsM2QadHYoto.html And the Kia EV9 with plant-based oil share: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aKqMx7KKmcKzcc4.html New leatherette materials can be superior in every aspect, even for cleaning: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p21ou7qDZ5W7hKQ.html More and more natural materials are rising: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oIaH1bp-ntqudNI.html Also check out what the animal skin leather industry tried to with our channel: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oISTpdiFnMSsnKw.html For seeing how the animals are being treated and transported in the global leather industry, watch this footage: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pp-epaOmoZTFaKg.html Note that the footage is genuine and was recorded by a highly decorated investigative journalist in Germany I know myself personally. In a high animal skin grade, the animals are specifically raised for this matter. However even if meat is the "first" misuse case, the hide remains a profitable body part. That means: If manufacturers put animal leather in a car and you demand it as a customer, you give your money to an industry that earns money by oppressing humans, animals and harms the environment, you make them more profitable. Alternatively, you could support industries with your wallet which try to improve the sustainability of materials. Also, if you turn the argument around to "meat is the waste of the leather industry" you realize that it doesn't make sense (and is ethically doubtful) to discuss the primary use of individual body parts of mammals. Mind experiment: You are getting slain down on the street; would it matter to you if it was for your smartphone or for your purse? We cannot change what we have bought in the past, but with more information and compassion we can change how we decide in the future.

Hoover, Biro, Leatherman, post-its, tipex. Brands so dominant that became known as the actual product. Same with teflon, kevlar and goretex.

I wonder whether these plastics will be like what lead used to be for so many years. It will be an interesting retrospective at some point in the future for sure.

Thank you Thomas. You've always presented a strong opinion on use of animal skin and I've no doubt your content has helped change public opinion and manufacturer support towards more sustainable options. Keep it up. 👍

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

I highly value your support !

@6ftRoy

6 ай бұрын

@@autogefuehlIn fact, the last two cars I've owned, I've chosen more sustainable options (for their interiors at least). A Skoda Superb 280 estate with alcantara seats and more recently a BMW iX with microfibre seats and recycled fishing net based car mats. Driven in a large part by your advocacy.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

cool !

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

what iX trim is it? I think they dont offer microfibre on the iX, do they?

@6ftRoy

6 ай бұрын

@@autogefuehl It’s the “Loft” interior; kind of a stony grey blue colour. Apparently it’s made of natural wool fibres rather than man made microfibre, but at least it’s not animal skin.

❤ I love that warm feeling....but not soo much the stains that sometimes my seats have.😢

It was originally invented and manufactured in JAPAN in one factory. It was specifically designed to be a synthetic version of suede leather.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

that's true!

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I used to think Alcantara was made from leather. I am now a primary fan of microfiber fabrics. Great video!

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

Interesting. Though I like leather seats, and meat.

Nice video. You skated over the interesting parts, like more detail of the needle punch line.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Believe me we did everything as detailed as possible. What we didnt show was disclosed due to company secrecy

@annurch558

6 ай бұрын

@@autogefuehlthanks. Asked because I worked in a technical role in the needle punch business before retiring.

Installed the GT350 "Alcantara" steering wheel on my more ordinary Mustang GT and its sehr schön 😊. I clean it with baby wipes 🤔.

Interesting video. With regards to the CO2 associated with leather, do the calculations assume that the hides used are effectively a waste product from food production? If so, this will alter significantly the amount of carbon for leather, because you’re using a natural product that would otherwise go to waste

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

animal leather is not a natural product, it is highly processed. These calculations are even just based on economic impact (share the profit of the hide has for the producer and this part of the whole co2 output), so the real impact on environment and animals isnt even in that calculation.

Very informative video with very solid argumentation against using animal skin. Recently shopping for a Porsche, I was surprised and disappointed that animal skin seats were the only choice on the "S" trim 718. Alcantara or even fabric would have been superior in my opinion.

@autogefuehl

5 ай бұрын

Cheers m8! Yeah I agree

Animal skin use is definitely more economically feasible, because people just eat cows, pure and simple. Cowhide is a by-product of meat production. Not to mention that leather lasts much longer than anything plastic. An Alcantara steering wheel after 4-5 years is shit, and needs to be replaced, even if you take really good care of it.

I saw this product on the roof af a car some 40 odd years ago and could never work out what it was or where to get it when i too years later wanted to do the same, it looked fabulous like it had a suede lesther roof covering ❤❤❤❤❤

Hello,you should make videos like this,arround the car indastry,how its made and how its applied on vehicles

Mushroom leather its developing as well. I hope one day we will find a good replacement for plastic

You should go visit the Ultrafabric people too

I have watch some DW documentaries about plastic recycling and it seems like most plastics can't be recycled or you can recycle it only once or it is sent to other countries for "recycling". I don't believe companies when they claim how much plastic they recycled because it is just a PR stunt. I do agree that plastic use in cars are for long-term use but at the end of its lifetime the plastic ends up on the rubbish anyway. In the end of the day we must look at how we can reduce the impact. However, companies don't want to pay and rather make the person who bought the product responsible.

@autogefuehl

6 ай бұрын

Recycling indeed only makes sense if it is done correctly and efficient. That's why it is even more important to take the most efficient raw materials

That car would make a cool, hot wheels car!