Johnson Controls Develops Innovative Seating Solutions for the All-New 2009 Dodge Journey Crossover Vehicle

Company's products help to deliver versatility, enhanced storage and rear-seat accessibility

By Johnson Controls

For more than two decades, Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) has delivered ingenious technology and outstanding value in automotive seat systems and components for its customers. The 2009 Dodge Journey mid-size crossover vehicle features a number of exciting seating innovations designed and manufactured by the company, including new solutions for enhanced versatility, comfort, accessibility and storage.

For the all-new Journey model, which is being shown off this week at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Johnson Controls is providing seat systems and batteries. The global model, which blends the best attributes of a minivan, sport-utility vehicle and a passenger car in a crossover package, will be available in North American markets in the first quarter of 2008 and in other world markets by mid-2008. Among the seating innovations developed for the Journey by Johnson Controls are the Flip 'N Stow(TM) in-seat storage in the front passenger seat; stadium Tip 'N Slide(TM) second-row seats for easy third-row access with one-hand, one-motion operation; 5+2, 50/50-split third-row seat with recline feature; fold-flat seating for versatility; a child presentation feature to allow easy access to a child in the second row; integrated child booster seats; and theater seating for enhanced visibility and comfort in the rear rows.

This week at the NAIAS, Johnson Controls officials are showing the company's seating innovations at its product and technology exhibit in room D2-15 of Cobo Center.

"Innovation is the key to how Johnson Controls adds value and helps our customers' products to really stand out in the marketplace," said Jeff Williams, the company's group vice president and general manager, North America for the Automotive Experience business. "Our seating products feature new technologies that make the Dodge Journey's interior more versatile, comfortable, family-friendly and simple to use."

For the Journey's seating system, Johnson Controls is providing a variety of components, including its Gemini seat tracks, seat frames, DR2K recliners, trim covers and headrests. The front row features two bucket seats, front-seat-mounted side airbags and the available Flip 'N Stow seating. It makes storing items under the seat easy, with a front passenger seat cushion that flips forward to reveal a large 10.75 by 8.75-inch (273 x 222-millimeter) bin under the cushion. The bin is large enough to store a purse, portable electronics devices, umbrella or headphones with the seat down. The seat cushion is hinged, and when flipped forward, provides access to the storage area that's integrated into the seat frame. The cushion can remain in the forward position to prevent items from sliding onto the floor. Or when it's folded flat, it has a table-like surface for added cargo flexibility.