Johnson Controls presents new solutions at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris

Electronic concepts for enhanced driving comfort now close to production

Burscheid (ots) - Johnson Controls, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive interior systems, will present new solutions in the areas of infotainment, telematics and energy management in Paris from

26 September to 13 October. In addition, the company will be intro-ducing innovations in all product zones of the automotive interior.

The company's Analyst and Press Conference will take place on

27 September, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. in Booth 241, Hall 4.

Johnson Controls' latest infotainment concepts show how infotainment systems can organize the continuous flow of information in a clear, easy-to-operate way. In addition to optimizing the interface between people and technology, the infotainment concept also focuses on the holistic integration of electronic components.

A mobile theater for rear-seat passengers

AutoVision from Johnson Controls provides an ideal solution for making vehicle trips more entertaining. The system can be used to play both DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) movies and audio CDs (Compact Discs). This new rear seat entertainment system provides a more comfortable way to travel for the whole family. The rear-seat passengers can use AutoVision at any time, without disturbing the driver or front seat passenger. Renault will be offering AutoVision as optional equipment for the new Renault Vel Satis, integrated into the center console, by the end of the year.

Improved seating comfort with EcoClimate

With EcoClimate, Johnson Controls is presenting the first seat featuring natural air and moisture transfer. EcoClimate offers a cost-effective alternative to seats with active cooling systems and was developed especially for Entry Level cars and vehicles in the Small to Lower Medium segments. The special combination of breathable and moisture-absorbing materials in EcoClimate provides a pleasant seating climate, even in hot weather. This considerably improves seating comfort. EcoClimate is the first seat on the market that has this kind of system.

Special visual effects with the Special Effect Door

The Special Effect Door from Johnson Controls shows that it is possible to design an unconventional door panel. Company designers and engineers experimented with new colors and material mixes. Transparent materials, special visual effects and color combinations took center stage here. The various design and color variations for the newly developed door module were chosen based on research of current trends. The Special Effect Door was developed especially for Entry Level cars and vehicles in the Lower Medium segment.

Lifestyles Rail System brings flexibility to the overhead console

With the new Lifestyles Rail System from Johnson Controls, overhead space that was often neglected in the past now gains a whole new appeal. The rail system is integrated into the overhead and can be configured individually, allowing the user to incorporate a variety of electronic and non-electronic modules. Apart from a CD/DVD player or a video display, storage bins or a first-aid kit can also be integrated. An easy-to-use "plug-and-play" mechanism makes the modules easy to install and just as easy to remove again.

In a consumer study the Lifestyles Rail System was rated positively both for functionality and design.

The vlies.tec automotive battery opens up new perspectives

The vlies.tec automotive battery represents a new development in the Johnson Controls battery range. In conventional automotive batteries the acid circulates freely. By contrast, the new vlies.tec battery is equipped with absorbent glass fleece, which surrounds and binds the battery acid. This prevents any acid from leaking out, even if the battery box is severely damaged. Since the vlies.tec battery is also lower in weight and volume than conventional automotive batteries, it doesn't have to be mounted in the engine compartment, but fits into a variety of places in the vehicle and can even be installed in a tilted position. The battery also offers a longer product service life than common batteries, together with an extremely high cold start performance. The 12-volt vlies.tec automotive battery was developed to fulfill the steadily increasing power demands of today's technically ever more complex vehicles. The battery was previously produced in small volume quantity for the automotive industry, but is now going into high-volume production and will also be available in the aftermarket.

If you would like to learn more about these new products and solutions, Johnson Controls would be delighted to invite you to visit the company at Booth B 241 in Hall 4. The Analyst and Press Conference will also take place there on 27 September, 2002 at 11:00 a.m.

All press material and photos will be available under

www.johnsoncontrols-press.co.uk from 27 September, 2002.

Johnson Controls, Inc. is one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive interior systems and facility management and control.

In the automotive market, it is one of the largest manufacturers of seating and interior systems as well as automotive batteries. For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services, energy management and integrated facility management.

Johnson Controls (New York Stock Exchange: JCI), founded in 1885, has its corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The European headquarters is in Burscheid, Germany. Its sales for 2001 totaled US$18.4 billion, the Automotive Systems Group alone accounting for US$13.6 billion of this figure. In the current "Industry Week" business magazine rankings, Johnson Controls has been listed as one of the top 100 best run companies in the world for the fifth consecutive year

ots Original Text Service: Johnson Controls GmbH

Internet: http://www.presseportal.de