Johnson Controls combines new colors and materials in its Special Effect Door

Unique design and translucent colors give a whole new look toautomotive interiors

Burscheid, Germany 12.12. 2002 (ots/PROTEXT) - JohnsonControls, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotiveinterior systems, shows how new trends are changing the look andfeel of auto-motive interiors. Designers and engineers at thecompany have been experimenting with new colors and materialcombinations, and the result is the Special Effect Door. Itdemonstrates what door panels might look like in futuregenerations of Small and Lower Medium segment vehicles .

The basic model used to create the prototypes is the Smartdoor trim, manufactured by Johnson Controls. Company designersmodeled several variations on the new approach in which uniquematerials and unusual colors meld together to create aharmonious look.

Responding to the request of a European automaker looking forinnovative materials for a new Small segment vehicle, thecompany developed three prototypes of the Special Effect Door.But first, consumer researchers, designers and engineers atJohnson Controls set out to learn more about the small cardriver - to get an idea of his or her lifestyle and expectationsfrom a new vehicle.

Johnson Controls identified three trend types

The traditional small car owner is modern and open to newideas. This attitude is demonstrated in both fashion tastes andthe way modern homes are decorated. And it should also beembodied in the car that fits this lifestyle. Johnson Controlsdefined three basic trend types among Small segment vehicleowners, according to their predominant characteristics. Thesetypes can be classified as "Young Trendsetter", "Active Life"and "Glamour".

The company matched the three different styles to specificmaterials and colors, as can be seen in the correspondingprototypes. The "Young Trendsetter" thrives on change and enjoysfun and games. Lively colors and unique details appeal to thistype.

This is reflected in the door prototype: the door panelcarrier is a translucent light blue, like the color of frostedglass; door handle and map pocket glow in blue and white tones,while the middle section is covered in green fabric.

The "Active Life" type, on the other hand, is dynamic andinterested in sports and fitness. Their vehicle has to befunctional, down-to-earth and sturdy enough to support a varietyof adventures. The "Active Life" prototype was designed to fitthese conditions: plain green and olive tones are the dominantcolors of the door panel. The highlight here is a solid-coloredtextured fabric, reminiscent of high-end upholstered furniture.

"Glamour" types love to make a grand entrance: chic andextravagant are the catchwords for this style. The "Glamour"Special Effect Door provides a glowing example of where ajourney through the worlds of fashion and home design can lead:the carrier is glittering cherry red, with a fabric insert in astrongly contrasting beige tone. This glittering polypropylene,injection molded using a special coloring process, was developedjointly by Johnson Controls and partner company ClariantMasterbatch. Other special effects for the plastic surfaces ofthe Special Effect Door prototypes were also created incooperation with this specialist in the area of plasticconcentrates and technical compounds.

Futuristic design doesn't stop at doors

In creating these prototypes, Johnson Controls looked forinspiration from trends outside the world of the automotiveindustry. Colors quite different from the familiar spectrum ofblack, gray and beige can be found in these new interiors. Inaddition to new colors, fabrics typically associated with thefurniture industry are now making their way into the world ofcars. Thanks to the use of fresh colors, glitter effects andtranslucence, even conventional injection molding, thetraditional standard for automotive interiors, is showing abrand new face.

The earlier Johnson Controls is included in the developmentprocess, the higher the level of design flexibility. In additionto the use of new materials and colors, the language of form canalso be changed, thus offering automakers new opportunities inbrand differentiation.

Johnson Controls, Inc. is one of the world's leadingsuppliers of automotive interior systems and facility managementand control.

In the automotive market, it is one of the largestmanufacturers of seating and interior systems as well asautomotive batteries. For non-residential facilities, JohnsonControls provides building control systems and services, energymanagement and integrated facility management.

Johnson Controls (New York Stock Exchange: JCI), founded in1885, has its headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Europeanheadquarters is in Burscheid, Germany. Its sales for 2002totaled 20.1 billion US-Dollars, the Automotive Systems Groupalone accounting for 15 billion US-Dollars of this figure. In thecurrent "Industry Week" business magazine rankings, JohnsonControls has been listed as one of the top 100 best runcompanies in the world for the fifth time in succession.

ots Original Text Service: Johnson Controls GmbH Internet:http://www.presseportal.de

Further information is available from:

Johnson Controls GmbH European Headquarters AstridSchafmeister Industriestraße 20-30 51399 Burscheid

Tel.: +49 2174 65-3189 Fax: +49 2174 65-3219

A photo of the Special Effect Door can be obtained athttp://www.johnsoncontrols-press.com/GB/gb_img.asp

Further press material and photos of Johnson Controls areavailable in the internet under www.johnsoncontrols-press.comand www.johnsoncontrols-presse.de in English, French and German.

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