Bentley Responds to Vegan Luxury Car Demand
Many luxury car enthusiasts find themselves facing a dilemma: how to purchase a lavish $300,000 vehicle without compromising their vegan principles. Bentley is taking the needs of this demographic seriously, as noted by Auto Express, and is actively looking into alternative materials to enhance its opulent interiors while aligning with a cruelty-free ethos.
Stefan Sielaff, Bentley’s design chief, highlighted the importance of addressing the desires of vegan consumers during a recent event with the Financial Times. He remarked, “You simply cannot sell a high-end product like a Bentley, which typically uses 20 leather hides, to someone who follows a vegan lifestyle. We’ve been engaging with customers, particularly in California, to explore how we can accommodate their preferences. We are known for our custom-made and coach-built vehicles, and it’s vital to meet their demands as they represent the forefront of a growing trend.”
Curious about what substitutes Bentley could employ to rival traditional leather in its premier interiors? Sielaff revealed, “Soon, we will unveil a Bentley featuring a vegan interior. It will deliver a luxurious experience using innovative materials such as protein leather, mushroom leather, and jellyfish-based products.”
“Protein leather” is essentially a sophisticated term for faux leather, resembling the synthetic leather found in more affordable jackets, yet crafted to meet Bentley’s high standards. Meanwhile, mushroom leather is derived from mushroom caps instead of animal skins. Jellyfish material presents a biocompatible option, although it may not sit well with Bentley buyers who have an affinity for jellyfish.
While Bentley has not announced a specific release date for this innovative cruelty-free option, luxury car aficionados may have to settle for conventional fabric seats in less prestigious vehicles for the time being—or embrace the thrill of their 600 horsepower W-12, despite its leather interiors.
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