Morrissey Calls On GM to Offer Vegan Leather in Eco-Friendly Cars

Singer’s Request Comes After PETA Exposé of Horrific Cruelty to Cows Used for Leather Car Interiors

For Immediate Release:
November 22, 2016

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

On the eve of his Detroit concert, rock icon Morrissey has challenged General Motors (GM) to make the Chevrolet Volt and Bolt truly eco-friendly by offering vegan leather interiors. His appeal comes less than a week after a PETA video exposé of gruesome cruelty to animals on ranches that supply leather for GM.

“GM is named in PETA’s brand-new investigation of cattle ranches, on which animals are branded on the face, electro-shocked, and beaten before they’re slaughtered to become leather interiors for car companies, including yours,” writes Morrissey to GM CEO Mary T. Barra.

The singer, who has been a PETA member since his years with The Smiths, performs Wednesday at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. His full letter is below.

Morrissey’s letter to GM CEO Mary T. Barra follows.

Mary T Barra

Chair and CEO

General Motors Company

21 November 2016

Dear Ms Barra,

As I head to Detroit to play the Royal Oak Music Theatre, I’m writing to ask GM to make Chevy’s Volt and Bolt more eco-friendly by giving buyers the option to choose vegan leather interiors – including steering wheels and gear shifts. GM is named in PETA’s brand-new investigation of cattle ranches, on which animals are branded on the face, electro-shocked, and beaten before they’re slaughtered and used to make leather interiors for car companies, including yours.

More and more people are opting for vegan leather for the sake of both cows and the environment. A staggering 51 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture. Animal skins also have to be treated with a toxic soup of chemicals in order to keep them from decomposing, and runoff from leather tanneries poisons vital waterways.

Given that the Volt and Bolt are being marketed to eco-conscious buyers, entirely vegan options would only broaden their appeal. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Morrissey