Umm... The kind stripped from the cheapest bovine's derriere? This is the General we're talking about, not something like Rolls Royce which uses their "Connolly" leather...

Just out of curiosity... What's your reason for asking?

 

Because it is a question I asked...... Thanks for your vague answer.

 

Actually, my 1995 Seville STS came with a tag that told what kind of leather (processing type) and the manufacturer's name. My wife's 2002 SLS has a different type of leather for the seat services so check your owner's manual to see care instructions.

It has been my experience that the leather in Cadillacs stands up better that the Connolly Leather in Jaguars. Although both hold up very well over the years iF cleaned and maintained. For leather smell, Connolly can't be beat!

 

For leather smell, Connolly can't be beat!

For this we can definitely agree Orconn... Not to mention for pure suppleness in it's freshest state!

 

Pulled out my 2001 Seville brochure; Cadillac calls it Nuance leather. It's perforated on the STS, not on the SLS, but it's the same kind of leather according to Cadillac. And while it doesn't have that same wonderful smell of a British car (nor its craptacular electrical system), there is a nice aroma of leather when I get in the car after it's been sitting outside on a warm day. And I second Orconn; properly maintained, quality leather holds up well. My car is nearly 10 years old, and it still looks like new, inside and out.

 

As gdwriter already explained it's Nuance leather seating. According to a few sources, Cadillac developed this scent quite a while back to keep the leather smelling new even after the car ages. This type of leather was introduced on the 1992 Seville STS and I believe is still being used in Cadillac's today, though not as much as it was 10 years ago. My leather is still in really good shape, and my car is about 50 miles shy of 88k miles. It's never been conditioned either(which reminds me, I should do that soon), just wiped with damp cloth to get all the dirt off.

"Nuance leather in GM vehicles is the trade name used for the process of preparing the leather, which leaves a long-term "leather smell" in the product - and thus you will think it is a higher-quality due to the long-term smell. The process was developed by Cadillac."

 

Thanks... So the 2003 STS has Nuance leather seating. Appreciate the answer.:yup:

 

As ryannel mentioned, the "nuance"-ness of the leather is nothing but a manufactured scent process added to the leather... The actual leather used in the process is again, most likely sourced from the cheapest supplier.

As to my prior question - there was no sarcasm intended... It was simply a very random, very unusual question. If it was out of nothing but pure curiosity then that's fine... but generally questions asked on here have a more pertinent reason behind them, hence my question.

 

While I seriously doubt that GM/Cadillac farms their leather work out to the cheapest bidder, perhaps some intense Google work can come up with the name/location of the GM satellite or contractor involved in the leather work for the Seville/Deville series from about 1998 - 2003.

 

Doubtful that it's the "cheapest leather" because the sides and other pieces wear very well. Many leather seats have only "leather seating areas" because the side bolsters do not wear as well as vinyl.

Considering the age, mileage and prior owner of mine, I was specifically impressed with the quality of the nine year-old leather which after cleaning and conditioning was excellent.

Perhaps implying "cheapest" or lowest-grade quality leather was a bit of exaggeration... I agree, the leather used - or at least the tanning/manufacturing process used on it provides for a very durable product.

However... This was "old GM" we're talking about - so I don't doubt for one second that the supplier contract was indeed farmed out to the cheapest bidder.

Surprisingly, there's very little information out there regarding the supplier used. I've only found one which even slightly references the Nuance-manufacturing process, that being the Eagle Ottawa tannery, but even then it only indicates 2000+ manufacturing date. Either way, there is no indication made towards the grade of leather used and we can all surely agree that these are highly worked swaths of cow hide - so who knows?

Regardless... I still find myself perplexed by the question. Although in hindsight (or would that be hind-search?), I see the OP has been in the "process or getting" one of our beauties for a while now... So perhaps the type of leather used in our cars has some unknown bearing on the purchase decision.... :cookoo:

 

Doubtful that it's the "cheapest leather" because the sides and other pieces wear very well. Many leather seats have only "leather seating areas" because the side bolsters do not wear as well as vinyl.

Considering the age, mileage and prior owner of mine, I was specifically impressed with the quality of the nine year-old leather which after cleaning and conditioning was excellent.

 

When I was at the Chicago Auto Show this year with the club, I was somewhat appalled by the coarse, stiff-feeling leather on some of the other luxury makes (I'm looking at you, BMW). If you want soft leather in a BMW, you have to shell out for a 7-Series. Even the leather in my sister's '06 Honda Odyssey Touring, which was $36K new, is softer than the BMW, although not nearly as nice as my Seville.

 

My 2006 STS has Tuscany leather which is Italian and is a $1200 option. What impresses me most is how durable it is. My special needs boy has peed on it profusely, my dogs have barfed on it, and it cleans right up without a trace.

 

Now that you mention "Eagle Ottawa" I remember that is the name that was on the tag attached to my 1995 Seville STS when I bought it. So I guess that company has been supplying leather to the American auto industry. Since the auto industry worldwide is a "nickle and dime" business I would assume that car manufacturers award contracts for their components on the basis of "lowest price" for conponents that meet their specifications. So I believe the "cheapest supplier" of leather is mute, regardless of auto manufacturer.

 

Interestingly enough Eagle Ottawa Tannery is a major supplier of automotive leather for manufacturers worldwide, including: Mercedes, BMW, Audi/VW, Lexus, Infiniti, Cadillac, Lincoln and most other brands.

 

I found something on my question that I had.
http://www.eagleottawa.com/wmv/NEWCAR.wmv
http://www.eagleottawa.com/Index.aspx?pageid=13&gid=1&cid=EN