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Johnson Controls Earns Award From U.S. National Energy Resources

10 May 2000

Johnson Controls Earns Prestigious Award From U.S. National Energy Resources Organization

Supplier's innovative vehicle interior design for
DaimlerChrysler's ESX3 concept earns environmental honors

    WASHINGTON, May 10 In recognition of the "environmentally
friendly" interior the company designed for DaimlerChrysler's Dodge ESX3
concept vehicle, Johnson Controls received the 2000 National
Energy Resources Organization (NERO) Research and Development Excellence
Award. The recognition program began in 1978 and this is the first time an
automotive supplier has been honored with the award.
    Nate Young, group vice president of new product development, market
planning and industrial design - worldwide for Johnson Controls, accepted the
award at a ceremony held last night in Washington D.C. The NERO awards program
recognizes individuals and organizations in the United States that have made a
commitment to energy efficiency.
    "Our designers and engineers are constantly looking for innovative
approaches in developing vehicle interior products that are both energy
efficient and environmentally friendly," Young said. "Our contribution to the
interior of DaimlerChrysler's ESX3 concept vehicle represents what we may see
in our future vehicles."
    The Dodge ESX3 is a lightweight vehicle with a diesel-electric hybrid
powertrain, created with a focus on energy efficiency. The concept vehicle was
developed by DaimlerChrysler to demonstrate its commitment to the Partnership
for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) project -- a joint initiative of the
U.S. government and the country's domestic auto industry.
    Serving as the interior developer and integrator for the ESX3 concept
vehicle, Johnson Controls created major interior systems and components,
including lightweight seats, instrument panel, overhead system and door trim
panels.
    Some of the ESX3's interior components and technologies developed by
Johnson Controls are:

    *  TechLight(TM) front seats - provide high-comfort seating with fewer
parts, resulting in significant weight reduction compared to conventional seat
systems. They feature tubular aluminum frames and aluminum cushion pans; an
integrated heating and ventilation system -- which reduces the burden on the
vehicle heating and airconditioning unit; and mesh suspension material that
enhances "breathability" and boosts rear-seat legroom. The seat-back panels
are finished in a zinc silver, non-reflective color to reduce heat retention
and increase occupant comfort;
    *  Rear seats - have an efficient, integrated, thin-profile design that
cuts weight, reduces complexity and increases legroom. The structure is molded
into the floor pan and rear compartment, creating a single, ergonomically
contoured unit that is trimmed with thin foam pads;
    * I-Seating(TM) technology - is featured in the driver's seat. I-Seating
-- a major step forward in seat control and electrical architecture -- reduces
weight, wiring, and complexity. The driver's seat offers a six-way power
adjuster, with seat controls located in the floor console;
    *  Lightweight instrument panel - is constructed from recyclable,
"expanded polypropylene" (EPP) materials. Replacing the typical instrument
cluster is a reconfigurable, liquid crystal display that provides the driver
an opportunity to view multiple levels of information. The innovative center
stack -- which resembles a computer tower -- houses a high-performance speaker
and liquid crystal display that corresponds with the floor console interface.
High-efficiency vents provide optimum airflow to all five seating positions.
Front airbags are integrated within the instrument panel. Also offered are
ports for electric power and entertainment systems, including DVD and CD
players;
    *  Overhead system - has a headliner substrate made from 100 percent
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) -- one of the most-recycled plastic resins in
the world. Many "surprise and delight" features are offered, including
overhead lighting, sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors and an exhaust
grille for continuous venting of interior air;
    *  Door panels - are made from EcoCor(TM), an advanced material from
Johnson Controls that contains significant amounts of fiber recycled from
consumer and industrial uses; and
    *  Arched floor console - adjusts fore and aft to meet the driver's
ergonomic needs, contains a simplified interface to the vehicle's DVD, CD,
climate controls, seat, navigation and instrument cluster reconfiguration
controls. This system is the next evolution of Johnson Controls' Infotainment
interface. Rear-passenger ventilation is provided by airducts routed under the
center floor console's aluminum real structure, reducing weight and increasing
rigidity. This enables the console to provide unparalleled ergonomic and
structural performance.