• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Mercedes E-Class Knocked for Faux Leather

March 23, 2018 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - Mercedes E-Class Knocked for Faux Leather

Mercedes-Benz recently got into some hot water when a customer found out the seats in his 2018 E-Class SE weren’t entirely upholstered in leather, despite an advertisement implying that was the case.

The customer, who purchased the vehicle for about $46,000 from a UK dealer, was disappointed with some of the upholstery on the seats and became suspicious it wasn’t genuine leather.

To satisfy his curiosity, he sent samples of the upholstery to a laboratory. Tests concluded that the seat faces were genuine “bovine” leather, but the sides were vinyl. (Of course, any auto upholstery shop could have told him that)

The man was so furious he lodged a complaint with Mercedes-Benz.

Misleading brochure

According to Daily Mail, a brochure for the E-Class SE says it comes standard with leather seats, but doesn’t reveal the material is partially fake.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman admitted the automaker could have been clearer about the upholstery fabric, but stopped short of saying customers were misled.

“As standard, the E-Class SE has leather upholstery, which means the main surface area of the seats is covered in genuine leather. Some parts of the seat – the sides, and underneath – are upholstered in a synthetic material. We are investigating altering the wording in our brochures to ensure this is made clearer.”

The customer has since returned the E-Class and purchased an Audi A7 with full leather seats.

Industry-wide epidemic

Of course, this isn’t the first time an automaker hasn’t been forthright with its claims of leather upholstery. Both Kia Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation have been accused of misleading customers.

Unfortunately, the issue isn’t limited to a few automakers. Passing off faux leather for the genuine article has become an industry-wide epidemic.

The practice, which is misleading at best and illegal at worst, has raised numerous red flags with consumer advocates. However, shrewd legal protections — namely through the use of technical terms and complicated fine print — has allowed it to continue.

What’s more, the deceitful practice isn’t likely to end any time soon. Recent advancements that make it difficult to discern between fake and real leather, coupled with the industry’s push to make affordable cars look and feel more premium, will ensure that.

These days, it seems, auto upholstery shops who purchase their leather from reputable suppliers like Hydes Leather are the last bastion in genuine leather craftsmanship.

Filed Under: Archive, Industry Trends & Reports, Rants & Raves Tagged With: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Faux Leather, Mercedes-Benz

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Leather Craft
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Hyde Leather
  • Albright's Supply
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - How to Make Your Own Hog Ring Pliers

How to Make Your Own Hog Ring Pliers

Lost your hog ring pliers? Ran out of hog … [more] about How to Make Your Own Hog Ring Pliers

Don’t Just Paint Interior Trim, Flock It!

You may not have heard of flocking, but … [more] about Don’t Just Paint Interior Trim, Flock It!

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery News - Dan Kirkpatrick Interiors

10 Questions for Trim Master Dan Kirkpatrick

With so much attention cast on auto … [more] about 10 Questions for Trim Master Dan Kirkpatrick

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 1974 Lamborghini Espada

Lambo Stitching with Brent Parker 2

Earlier this month, Brent Parker of Brent … [more] about Lambo Stitching with Brent Parker 2

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Vinyl Top Bubble

Botched Jobs Give Trimmers a Bad Name

Customers come to me all the time inquiring … [more] about Botched Jobs Give Trimmers a Bad Name

Is Leather Really Better Than Vinyl?

In the past, when manufacturing restrictions … [more] about Is Leather Really Better Than Vinyl?

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Do Dark Car Interiors Really Get Hotter Than Light Ones?
  • Trimmer Douglas Kasten Dies at 90
  • This Cadillac’s Wood Trim is Actually Recycled Newspapers
  • 6 Ways Auto Trimmers Can Stay Cool in a Heat Wave
  • Save Your SEMA Receipts! The Show is Tax Deductible

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in