Everything New Is Brown Again
 Audi used deep brown seats, reminiscent of offerings in its A8 sedan and TT roadster, when it launched its new, production-bound Cross Coupe Concept at the Shanghai Motor Show. |
Washington DC May 10, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that after decades of obscurity, brown leather car interiors are making a comeback.
The Wall Street Journal reported a growing number of auto makers are offering coffee- or chocolate-colored hides in high-end models as well as some lower-cost vehicles.
Amid the popularity of brown-leather interiors, some makers are using the color for exteriors as well. Buick is using brown as its "lead color" for the launch of its new Enclave luxury vehicle. General Motors' Saturn division began offering two-tone "Morocco" brown upholstery in its mass-market Aura sedan.
The company says it was surprised when 20% of buyers initially ordered the color when it introduced the car last year. The so-called take rate has since risen to 30%. Chris Webb, color designer for GM, says Cadillac for the 2008 model year will offer a combination of Mocha Metallic exterior with Cocoa interior on most of its models.
Even the budget-price Mazda 5 compact van is available with caramel-toned leather seats.
