Johnson Controls develops and produces seats, entertainment system and starter battery for the new generation Ford Focus - More functionality for the new Ford

Burscheid 3. 12. 2004 (PROTEXT/ots) - Drivers can lookforward to greater comfort in the new Ford Focus as well asfeatures that are ideally suited to this new model. JohnsonControls, one of the worlds leading suppliers of automotiveinterior systems, electronics, and batteries has beensupporting Ford in the development of this vehicle. For thissecond generation Ford Focus, the company has engineered and isproducing the seats, the AutoVision entertainment system, andthe starter battery. After having developed and manufactured theseating system and batteries for the first generation Focus,amongst other Ford Motor Company models, Johnson Controls wascommissioned by the Cologne-based automaker to contribute to thesecond generation as well.

Top rating in EURO-NCAP safety tests The new Ford Focus wasrecently honored with the highest level safety award, theEuroNcap 5 Star, as the best in its vehicle category. One of thereasons given was the behavior of the seats in a crashsituation: the head restraint received awards from twoindependent institutes, Folksam and the International InsuranceWhiplash Prevention Group, for its protective effect in the caseof a rear-end collision. In addition, the sport model featuresreinforced bolsters in the front seats for enhanced lateralsupport, said Jeff DeBest, Vice President and General ManagerFord/PAG Business Unit Europe at Johnson Controls. All versionshave good dynamic and static properties, thus contributing tothe drivers safety in a crash situation. But safety was not theonly aspect examined; comfort also played an important role.

More comfort for the driver The new Ford Focus will beavailable in four variants: from the standard package, to thecomfort and sports-oriented ones, through to the deluxe sportmodel, Johnson Controls supplies seats with correspondingcomfort features. For example, in the two upscale models theseats have an electric six-way adjustment for the driver's seatand integrated side airbags as standard.

The driver alsobenefits from a wider selection of optional features than wereavailable previously, such as memory for the driver andpassenger seat on the three-door vehicle, lumbar support, andseat heating. Ford Focus standard equipment also includes a rearseat with a 60/40 split and a center armrest including cupholders and storage space. For the trim, the customer can choosebetween leather, textile in various colors or a combination ofhalf-leather, half- textile. To enhance quality, the seats havebeen designed to harmonize with the appearance of the overallvehicle interior.

Careful attention was paid to the fit and finish as well asthe tactile properties of the seats and the colors of allseating components were precisely matched.

Cost efficiency with core component strategy By applying ourseating core component strategy, we were able to realize thegoal of providing even greater comfort and craftsmanship than inthe prior model despite tight cost limits, remarked Jeff DeBest.This strategy is based on a high degree of componentcommonality, a design approach that has been applied to theseats in both the Ford Focus and C-Max models as well as inother programs for Ford Motor Company. Beyond seating, JohnsonControls also supported Ford with other proven solutions suchas the AutoVision in-vehicle multimedia entertainment system.

Banishing boredom in the car The AutoVision entertainmentsystem keeps rear-seat passengers happily occupied even duringlong car trips. This versatile system is easy to use andsupports all common formats, such as video DVD, MP3, and (S)VCD.Video game consoles, camcorders, and additional headsets can beplugged in at any time. Infrared stereo headsets are alsoavailable. The system can be comfortably operated using aninfrared remote control. AutoVision is integrated into theoverhead system, folding down at the touch of a button, andstowing away discreetly in the overhead system when the film isover. The drivers view through the rear mirror remainsunobstructed at all times. The system is currently available asstandard for the new Ford Fusion+ and as an option for the FordC-Max, and it will also be available as optional equipment forall Focus station wagon models above the basic version fromspring 2005. The energy to run AutoVision comes from the starterbattery, a product developed by Johnson Controls that proved itsworth in the previous Ford Focus model. The silver-calciumbattery has been used in all Ford models manufactured in Europesince

1998 and worldwide for the Ford Focus and Mondeo.This technology has contributed to reducing warranty costs forFord. Ford is therefore once again placing its trust in provenproducts and new technologies from Johnson Controls and at thesame time benefiting from cross-platform concepts. Our goal hasbeen to assist Ford in introducing a higher performance,competitive new Ford Focus to the consumer, commented JeffDeBest.

Digital photos are available at www.johnsoncontrols-press.com.

Further information is available from: Johnson Controls GmbH Johnson Controls GmbHAutomotive Group Automotive GroupAstrid Schafmeister Ina LongwitzIndustriestr. 2030 Industriestr.2030 51399 Burscheid 51399 BurscheidGermany Germany Tel.: +492174 65-3189 Tel.: +49 2174 65-4343 Fax: +492174 65-3219 Fax: +49 2174 65-3219 E-Mail:astrid.schafmeister@jci.com E-Mail:ina.longwitz@jci.com

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