Johnson Controls' Headliner-integrated Audio to Debut in 2002 Minivans
29 June 1999
Headliner-integrated Audio from Johnson Controls Slated for Debut in Model-year 2002 Minivans
An 'industry first' - new Headline Audio technology
offers interior packaging benefits, great sound quality
PLYMOUTH, Mich., June 29 -- Thanks to an innovative
technology from Johnson Controls , some "near-future" minivans will
have premium sound systems with headliner-integrated speakers. The company,
the world's leading supplier of automotive interior systems, will provide the
industry's first Headline Audio(TM) systems for model-year 2002 minivans
assembled in North America.
Headline Audio -- a brand-name technology from Johnson Controls --
consists of lightweight, low-profile speakers integrated into a vehicle's
headliner. The speakers, which weigh less than 5 ounces each, deliver high-
quality sound -- crisp and distortion-free -- with optimum placement for
listening pleasure. Traditional speakers, mounted in vehicle doors and
instrument panels, typically weigh 1 to 2 pounds each.
"Locating speakers in the vehicle headliner makes great sense for both
audio system performance and interior packaging," said Michael Suman, group
vice president of advanced sales, marketing and development - worldwide for
Johnson Controls. "Sound has a direct, unobstructed path to the ears of the
driver and passengers -- and a considerable amount of interior 'real estate'
is freed up for other uses."
Johnson Controls' latest innovation in vehicle-entertainment technology is
winning praise for its performance. Wixom, Michigan-based DLC Design, a world
leader in audio design, engineering and consulting, helped Johnson Controls
achieve "Best-in-Class" ratings for Headline Audio in consumer testing and
competitive analysis studies.
Suman says Headline Audio sounds good to automakers too, given the
benefits the technology offers. It will enable car companies to cut costs,
parts, and inventory; simplify interior designs; and add new features where
traditional speakers now are mounted -- in door panels, package trays,
instrument panels and pillars.
Tooling and installation costs for brackets, speaker grills and hardware
-- which are used to mount traditional speakers in various cabin locations --
will be minimized with Headline Audio technology.
"The time is right for Headline Audio -- an approach that will redefine
premium audio -- and Johnson Controls is the ideal company to deliver this
technology," said Suman. "We're a leader in overhead systems, and we have
extensive experience in integrating electronics inside cars, trucks and vans."
Johnson Controls is working with many of the industry's top audio
suppliers to bring Headline Audio and other vehicle entertainment products to
market.
Headliner-integrated audio systems have been under development at Johnson
Controls since 1992. Future generations of this innovative technology may use
flat-panel speakers, which are smaller and lighter in weight than cone
speakers.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive operations of Johnson Controls
will supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles in 1999 and
achieved US$9.3 billion in sales for the 1998 fiscal year.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls,
founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 1998
totaled US$12.6 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For access to other Johnson Controls news releases and
additional company information, visit the company's site on the World Wide Web
at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632.
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