Trend to Leather-wrapped Car Interiors Across All Vehicle Segments

BURSCHEID, Germany--July 24, 2012:

Johnson Controls supplies interior components for new Mercedes B-Class including premium version

Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, interiors and electronics, is increasingly using leather-wrapped surfaces for high-quality vehicle interiors. For the new Mercedes

B-Class, Johnson Controls supplies the instrument panel and door panels including a premium wrapped version as option. In 2010, Johnson Controls acquired Seton's leather wrapping business to address this trend, positioning the company as a global leader in this field.

As an interiors expert, Johnson Controls not only enhances the surfaces for the premium interior version of the B-Class but designs and manufactures structural and safety components such as instrument panels featuring a luxury wrapped surface.

"We believe leather-wrapping represents a growth market in the automotive industry. We continue to see more vehicles with leather-wrapped interior components, as a standalone solution or in combination with other surface technologies," said Han Hendriks, vice president of global product development, interiors at Johnson Controls Automotive Experience.

The look and feel of interior components is becoming more important across all vehicle segments, especially for seats, instrument panels, door panels, floor consoles and headliners. Leather-wrapping is increasing in popularity with automakers and consumers as a preferred surface technology. It symbolizes craftsmanship and requires precision, trained staff and strict quality controls in order to integrate the stitching of the various components seamlessly.

Digital images are available online from Johnson Controls Press.