Johnson Controls Supplies Sporty, Elegant Seats for the new Ford B-MAX Minivan

BURSCHEID, Germany, September 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Seat tracks from Johnson Controls' CRH brand offer a high level of safety

Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, interiors and electronics, is supplying the complete seating system for the new Ford B-MAX minivan.

"Johnson Controls has developed an innovative seating system for the equally innovative Ford B-MAX that is both sporty and elegant. We are proud to contribute to the value of this new minivan with our expertise," said Beda Bolzenius, president of Johnson Controls Automotive Experience.

Since the Ford B-MAX comes without B-pillars, making it easier to enter and exit the vehicle, a special solution was required to mount the seatbelts. Johnson Controls developed front seats for the minivan with integrated seatbelt mountings, without compromising safety. Until now, such seats, referred to as integrated belt seats, were found primarily in sporty coupes and convertibles.

The minivan's passenger seat offers an additional unique feature: it can be folded over flat, like the split rear seat bench. This creates additional cargo space and makes it easier to load long items.

Johnson Controls supplies the seats in either fabric or part leather with a bicolor design. In addition, customers can select a premium all-leather version.

Johnson Controls also developed and produces the metal structures for the front and rear seats. The seat tracks from the company's CRH brand offer a feature unique in the minivan segment: a permanent engagement latch. This allows the front seats to be locked into place after they are adjusted with at least one locking element per track. This technology which previously had been found only in higher vehicle segments increases passenger safety.

In January 2012, the company opened a seat plant specifically to supply the nearby Ford plant where the B-MAX is produced via a just-in-time process in Craiova, Romania.

Johnson Controls manufactures the minivan's seat components in Romania, too: the metal components are made in the former C. Rob. Hammerstein plant in Jimbolia; the foam components for the seat pads are made in the former Spumotim factory in Timişoara; and the seat covers are made in Piteşti.

With the integration of metal specialist C. Rob. Hammerstein and the automotive division of foam specialist Spumotim, Johnson Controls offers key seating components in Romania from a single source.  

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About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.

About Johnson Controls Automotive Experience
Johnson Controls is a global leader in automotive seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics. We support all major automakers in the differentiation of their vehicles through our products, technologies and advanced manufacturing capabilities. With 240 locations worldwide, we are where our customers need us to be. Consumers have enjoyed the comfort and style of our products, from single components to complete interiors. With our global capability we supply approximately 50 million cars per year.

For more information, please contact:
Johnson Controls GmbH
Automotive Experience
Industriestraße 20-30
51399 Burscheid
Germany

Oliver Herkert
Tel.: +49-2174-65-4348
Fax: +49-2174-65-3219
E-Mail: oliver.herkert@jci.com