Johnson Controls Delivers Six Millionth HomeLink(R) Unit
7 December 1999
Johnson Controls Delivers Six Millionth HomeLink(R) Unit
More than six million North American Vehicles
now feature popular safety and convenience feature
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Dec. 7 -- Johnson Controls
marked a milestone this month with the delivery of its six millionth
HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver. HomeLink is a three-button transceiver
integrated into the overhead console, sun visor or rear-view mirror of 103
different model year 2000 vehicles in North America. HomeLink allows vehicle
drivers to operate garage doors, home lighting, security systems, entry door
locks, estate gates, and other radio frequency devices from the safety and
comfort of their vehicles.
"We are excited that we have reached this milestone with HomeLink," said
Michael Suman, group vice president advanced sales, marketing and development
- worldwide for Johnson Controls. "We have really brought this product a long
way during the last four years -- it has transcended from a product that could
only open garage doors to a product that can also turn on the lights, open
entry door locks and security gates -- in addition to your garage door.
HomeLink is a device that facilitates a seamless transition from your vehicle
to your home."
When HomeLink was launched in 1995, it was offered on 14 different vehicle
models and compatible with more than 99 percent of the garage door openers on
the market. In 1997, rolling-code technology was introduced in the Access
Control Industry. This added security feature was integrated into the second
generation HomeLink, allowing this product to maintain its 99 percent plus
compatibility rating on 48 vehicle models.
In 1999, HomeLink was packaged on 96 nameplates. In that same year, more
than 2.4 million units were produced. Johnson Controls also offered HomeLink
packaged with Johnson Controls' TravelNote(R) as an option on the 1999 Mercury
Villager and Mountaineer and on the 1999 Ford Explorer. TravelNote is a
digital voice recorder with up to three minutes of record/play time. It
provides drivers with a simple and convenient way to record important
information while driving.
HomeLink III, launching in January 2000, will be available on 103
different vehicle models. It will add functionality by acting as the receiver
for remote keyless entry systems and Johnson Controls' PSI(TM) (Pressure
Safety Information), a tire pressure monitoring system. This feature will
eliminate the need for redundant receivers and provide substantial cost
savings to vehicle manufacturers.
Last month, Johnson Controls and Gentex entered into a partnership and
supply agreement that gives Gentex an exclusive license to integrate HomeLink
into its automatic-dimming rearview mirrors.
"This relationship provides value to consumers because it allows
automakers to offer HomeLink in vehicles that Johnson Controls may not
supply," said Suman. "We are constantly looking at products and services that
can be integrated with HomeLink to provide comfort, safety, and convenience to
vehicle occupants."
Johnson Controls has developed a number of other strategic partnerships
with manufacturers of home convenience products to ensure increased
functionality of HomeLink.
"A major part of the success of HomeLink needs to be credited to the
relationships Johnson Controls continues to have with the Garage Door Opener
Manufacturers," Suman said. "When an automotive consumer can go into any
retail, building materials or major home center location and see 'HomeLink
Compatible' printed on product packaging, it connects and completes the value
story."
The HomeLink partners, segmented by product type are:
* Garage door openers: Chamberlain, Craftsman, Genie, Overhead Door,
Lift-Master, Stanley and Wayne Dalton;
* Home-entry locks: Weiser Lock, KwikSet;
* Estate gates: Link, Genie, and Stanley;
* Home security systems: ITI and Westar Security Systems;
* Home lighting and automation products: Radio Shack, and X-10; and
* Technology: Microchip
"Without these valuable partnerships, HomeLink wouldn't be what it is
today," added Suman. "We are looking to expanding our relationships with other
companies to further increase HomeLink's capabilities."
Johnson Controls also formed a winning partnership on the race track in
1999. The Team HomeLink Mustang made its racing debut in the 1999 BFGoodrich
Tires Trans-Am Series. Paul Gentilozzi, one of the most accomplished and well-
respected road racing professionals, sped to victory for Johnson Controls and
Team HomeLink as the series champion for a second consecutive season.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls
employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide. In model year
2000, it will supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles. The
automotive business achieved US$12.1 billion in sales for the 1999 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 1999 totaled US$16.1 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: 1) For more information about the HomeLink(R) Universal
Transceiver, visit the Johnson Controls HomeLink website at
http://www.homelink.jci.com. 2) A photo of the HomeLink Universal Transceiver is
available from David Roznowski at 734-254-5632, and also at
http://www.newscom.com.
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, Inc., 734-254-5632
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547
Web site: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com