Vehicle Interior Supplier Johnson Controls Demonstrates Consumer Knowledge
6 January 2000
In Detroit, Vehicle Interior Supplier Johnson Controls Demonstrates Consumer Knowledge, Integration of Technologies, and Innovation2000 North Amorm for Johnson Controls' 'Real Life Solutions' PLYMOUTH, Mich., Jan. 6 -- Johnson Controls delivers innovative solutions for the people who buy cars, trucks and vans -- and the companies worldwide that build them. "Real Life Solutions" is the theme of the company's exhibit at the 2000 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), set to kick-off on Sunday, January 9, 2000 for members of the news media and automotive community. The automotive interior supplier is showing its latest products and advanced concepts at a 9,000-square-foot pavilion at Detroit's Cobo Center (room D2-15). This year marks the sixth consecutive time that Johnson Controls has participated in the annual NAIAS, as both a corporate sponsor and exhibitor. "At Johnson Controls, we pride ourselves on understanding the automotive interior needs of consumers in every market segment," said Rande Somma, president of worldwide marketing and development for Johnson Controls. "More than anything, our display this year demonstrates our knowledge of the consumer and our ability to integrate a full spectrum of technologies into vehicle interiors that optimize innovation, craftsmanship and value to automakers and consumers alike." A full array of products and technologies will be on display in the Johnson Controls pavilionlectronics, brand-name products, seating systems, safety and security devices, overhead systems, instrument panels, automotive battery technologies and more. Five major concepts are being unveiled: * Vios, a unique, small-car prototype with an interior that can be readily adapted to meet the changing needs and lifestyles of a vehicle owner throughout the person's life; * A Safety and Comfort Concept Interior integrated into a luxury sedan, offering an advanced occupant-position sensing system; self-adjusting comfort seat technology; anti-whiplash rear seats; and an anti-drowsiness system that wakes up a dozing driver with vibrations from a massaging seat; * The Electronics Concept Vehicle, a year-2000 Ford Expedition outfitted with an integrated DVD video system; an electronic conversation mirror; a rear-vision system for use when backing up; and other advanced electronics for enhanced enAcoustics Concept Minivan, a virtual acoustics laboratory on wheels that simulates the interior sound quality of a vehicle, based on different types of driving conditions and acoustics product applications; and * A Truck Interior Concept, which is being used to demonstrate Johnson Controls' products and technologies for personalizing and customizing vehicles. The kick-off event for Johnson Controls' participation in the NAIAS is a news conference scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000 at 5 p.m. in room D2-15 at Cobo Center in Detroit. Senior officials from the automotive supplier will discuss the company's latest concepts, technologies and products. Johnson Controls also will host executives from The LEGO Company and a major automaker as plans to offer the LEGO(R) PlaySeat(TM) to the public are announced. The LEGO(R) PlaySeat(TM) activity center is an innovative, rear-seat system that features a LEGO play surface, writing and drawing desktop, two power ports, holders for juice boxes and cups and a storage compartment for LEGO bricks, writing materials, books and other toys. For the fourth consecutive year, the company is sponsoring a one-day design symposium associated with the Detroit Auto Show -- the NAIAS Design Forum. Coordinated by AutoWeek magazine, the conference will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13 at Cobo Center. The annual event, which is designed to promote innovation, attracts top designers and engineers from the automotive, fashion, furniture and retail industries. Johnson Controls also is among the corporate cosponsors of the Fourth Annual Automotive Awards program presented by American Woman Motorscene magazine. At an awards ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 12, automakers will be honored for outstanding products in 10 categories. The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls -- which employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide -- achieved US$12.1 billion in sales for the 1999 fiscal year. In model-year 2000, it will supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles. 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: A media kit with additional news releases and photographs of the Johnson Controls concepts, products and technologies on display at the 2000 North American International Auto Show can be obtained by calling David Roznowski at 734-254-5632, or by visiting http://www.newscom.com. For access to other Johnson Controls news release and additional company information, visit the company's web site on the World Wide Web at http://www.johnsoncontrols.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