Katzkin Leather Revolutionizes Vehicle Interior Transformation

MONTEBELLO, Calif., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Katzkin's global leadership stance in vehicle interior transformation will be elevated even higher when it showcases its ongoing relationship with OEMs during the 2012 Chicago Auto Show (February 10-19, 2012), including Katzkin's design and execution partnership with Mopar Performance vehicles, such as those highlighting Mopar's 75th anniversary. 

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Mopar vehicles including the Fiat 500 "Stinger," Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute, Mopar 12 "300," and the Jeep Compass "True North" will all launch at the Chicago show with Katzkin leather interiors, defining Katzkin's emerging role with OEMs to enable a new "genre" of specialty vehicles.  Katzkin additionally is a chosen supplier for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Ford and Shelby American, and as such, continues to create enhancements that take design elements beyond mere functionality.

According to David O'Connell, Chief Designer for Katzkin Leather, innovative design is what clearly differentiates the Katzkin brand from its competitors. "While still seeking cost efficiencies, today's consumers are pursuing ways to create the ultimate statement and personalization to their vehicles, and in general, their lifestyles," said O'Connell.  "Katzkin offers customers a choice in interior transformation that far exceeds any factory level option, including distinguished designs created for hundreds of individual vehicle models -- designs that inspire the unique character of the vehicle, while transforming its interior to an ultimate statement."

Katzkin brings design to the forefront with the production and marketing of three levels of pre-designed interiors – all of which are backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.  The company's products are custom interiors that combine industry-leading quality with unique designs that allow self-expression through choice, and include:

• Premium - leather interiors designed to match the factory leather option
• Custom - enhancing the factory match option with custom design features such as custom stitching, piping, perforation and, in some cases, two-tone color combinations
• Limited Edition - unique, one-of-a-kind designs crafted to match the personality and style of the vehicle

Developing the Buzz
One key to Katzkin's success has been its ability to ultimately give consumers more choices, and OEMs have appreciated the opportunity to provide these types of options within their own networks.  As the only authorized and approved leather source for Mopar since 2003, Katzkin's relationship with Mopar has evolved into a true partnership.  "Our involvement with Mopar has grown tremendously, thanks to consumer demand for vehicles that offer more style and customized features/accessories resonating within their lifestyles," said Brooks Mayberry, CEO of Katzkin Leather. 

In working with Mopar, Mayberry noted that Katzkin has developed unique, one-of-a-kind interiors that meet these demands and are showcased in "buzz vehicles" such as the recent Mopar 11 Charger and the Fast Five Charger (of "Fast & Furious" movie fame). 

In fact, when Michigan-based Ram dealers wanted to enhance their partnership with the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, and celebrate the Ram truck's status as "Official Truck of the Red Wings," local dealers began selling a limited number of special Red Wings Edition Ram trucks – and Katzkin created the specialized interior to include Katzkin leather and a Red Wings logo.  Katzkin expects to expand these niche segments for 2012 with additional interior design and execution for more regional lifestyle vehicles including Ram's "Big Horn," "Lone Star" and "Mile High" models.

Mayberry sees these specialized opportunities as a partnership proposition which allows OEMs to create niche products that large-scale manufacturers can't easily capture, due to sheer volume constraints.  Mayberry concedes, "We've become the enabler that can help a large manufacturer reach a boutique audience and create a powerful branding message for the OEM -- while providing the customer a sense of empowerment through choice and exclusivity."

Strategic Partnerships
Katzkin maintains exclusive relationships with many leading companies in the automotive industry that allow consumers to choose interior transformations that previously were not an option; these include:

• OEM partnerships
  • Katzkin is the only Chrysler tested and approved leather seat accessory for use on Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles
  • Official leather supplier for the Ford Motor Company
  • Exclusive leather interior supplier for Shelby American Inc.
• Retail partnerships
  • Exclusive leather interior accessory for CarMax nationwide
  • Exclusive leather interior provider for AutoNation in Florida

About Katzkin Leather, Inc.
Founded in 1983 by Mitchell Katz, Katzkin Leather, Inc., of Montebello, Calif., is the leading manufacturer of custom leather interiors.  With a nationwide installer base featuring over 2,500 restyling locations, Katzkin has created more than one million exciting vehicle interiors in the past 28 years.  Katzkin maintains more than 3,000 interior patterns, 135 colors and materials, and more custom options than any other interior manufacturer.  For more information or to become a Katzkin restyler, visit Katzkin online at www.katzkin.com  or call 800.842.0590.

Contact: Deb Pollack, for Katzkin Leather, Inc.
(t) 805-320-9248 (e) [email protected]

SOURCE Katzkin