Amerigon Climate Control Seat(R) System Selected as Option for Rear Seats of 2010 KIA Opirus

First KIA Vehicle to Offer Heated and Cooled Seat System

NORTHVILLE, Mich., May 5 -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, today announced that its proprietary Climate Control Seat(R) (CCS(R)) system will be offered as an option for the rear seats only in the new 2010 KIA Opirus full-size sedan. The KIA Opirus, the first KIA vehicle to offer CCS, is expected to be in showrooms this summer.

The new KIA Opirus has a more modern look, an enhanced interior with new high-tech features like CCS, and a larger, more powerful and more fuel-efficient V6 gasoline engine.

CCS, the premier actively heated and cooled seat system in the global automotive seat market, delivers year-round comfort to automotive seat occupants by providing both active heating and cooling. The system is completely independent of the automobile's heating and air conditioning system and does not reduce power available to the engine. It also emits no CFCs or other gases and is completely friendly to the environment.

Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker commented, "We are extremely pleased to enter into this partnership with KIA, a brand known and respected all over the world. It is a strong endorsement of our technology for KIA to offer the CCS system in this vehicle. With our climate control seat systems, vehicle occupants will be introduced to an enhanced riding experience in the heat of summer or the cold of winter. We look forward to building a strong relationship with KIA for years to come."