Johnson Controls to unveil seating and interior innovations at Auto Shanghai

Johnson Controls is to showcase the company’s growth plans in China by displaying the newest advancements in seating, interiors and batteries at its booth at the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2015) at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center from April 20. This is in line with the company’s focus on global automotive industry trends such as urban mobility, comfort, fuel economy and autonomous driving.

The company will showcase two vehicle interior concepts that address global trends. The 2015 Automotive Seating Demonstrator ‘SD15’ (pictured above) and the Automotive Interiors Demonstrator ‘ID15’ display innovative new products that offer enhanced comfort, personalisation options and other unique features, which can also be used in autonomous vehicles. Johnson Controls will also showcase its new 12-volt lithium-ion battery for advanced start-stop vehicles, which will help automakers meet increasing fuel efficiency and emission reduction regulations.

The ID15 (pictued below) addresses automotive market demand for sustainable, cost-effective, premium solutions in the luxury segment. It features more than 30 technologies and innovations that enable consumers of autonomous vehicles to utilize non-driving time.

China is the major growth market for Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company, which had US$ $8.5 billion in revenue in 2014 in China. The company estimates annual revenue in China by 2019 of more than $20 billion.  The company's commitment to growing in China is evidenced by the current construction of a second global headquarters in Shanghai set to open in 2017.

"At Johnson Controls, we are always thinking ahead, so our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and the auto-buying public in China and elsewhere have the right solutions for their vehicles," said Beda Bolzenius, president of Johnson Controls Automotive Experience and vice- chairman Johnson Controls Asia Pacific. "Our seating, interior and battery solutions help enhance automakers' brands and make driving more enjoyable for their customers.

In addition to the debut of SD15 and ID15, Johnson Controls will also display the following:

- Automotive seating systems that enhance comfort, expand personalisation and improve performance while achieving lighter weight through products such as the new Loft rear seat, protective FreshPer4mance seat coating, innovative and lightweight magnesium and steel hybrid back frame, as well as a specifically designed commercial vehicle seat concept for the Chinese market, developed by Johnson Controls and Recaro in cooperation with local joint venture partners.

- A new Recaro Sport Seat Platform, an innovative, lightweight and highly modular concept for global OEM sports car manufacturers.

- Interior materials and flexible designs for door panels, instrument panels, floor consoles and overhead consoles that increase consumer's perception of value across all segments through mass reduction and enhanced functionality.

- A full spectrum of battery systems for conventional, Start-Stop, Advanced Start-Stop, Micro Hybrid, hybrid and electric vehicles that meet the evolving needs of the global market.