Interior Systems from Johnson Controls Add Value and Luxury To New Lincoln
22 July 1999
Advanced Interior Systems from Johnson Controls Add Value and Luxury To New Lincoln LS SedanLeading supplier supports all-new vehicle platform
with seats, overhead consoles, door panels and more
PLYMOUTH, Mich., July 21 -- Automotive supplier Johnson
Controls recently launched production of interior systems for the
newest luxury vehicle from Ford Motor Company -- the model-year 2000 Lincoln
LS sport sedan. The company is supplying seat systems, overhead systems, door
panels, floor consoles and other interior trim for the all-new Lincoln LS,
which arrived in dealer showrooms across North America late last month.
The Lincoln LS sedan is Ford's first entry into the car industry's highly
competitive luxury sport segment. Officials at the automaker say it's the most
advanced Lincoln ever built -- an automobile for people who enjoy a finely
crafted vehicle offering both luxury and high performance.
"This Lincoln LS promises to be a major success for Ford Motor Company,
and we're excited to support the vehicle program with outstanding products
that add value, performance and luxury," said Mike Johnston, president of the
North American and Asia/Pacific regions for Johnson Controls.
Designers and engineers at Johnson Controls created interior systems for
the Lincoln LS. The company, acting as a full-service supplier, had a strong
partnership with the vehicle engineering team at Lincoln-Mercury. With room
for five adults, the vehicle cabin is generously appointed with leather trim,
offering the latest features for enhancing comfort and safety.
The front seats have integrated side-impact airbags; lumbar support
systems; and multi-position power adjusters with memory and an "easy
entry/easy exit" feature. Heated seats are available as an option.
Rear seats in the Lincoln LS are positioned more than an inch higher than
the front seats, giving passengers a better view of the road ahead and
providing a feeling of enhanced roominess. With a 60/40 split bench design,
the rear seats can be folded down, allowing expanded trunk storage for
oversized items.
After debuting in North America this year, Lincoln LS series vehicles will
be sold in more than 30 markets, including Europe and Japan. Projected volume
for the first year is 50,000 units.
"With this car, Lincoln is preparing for a long trip around the world,"
said Jac Nasser, president and chief executive officer for Ford. "The time is
right for an American-bred, American-built luxury sport sedan that can compete
with the best in the world."
Lincoln LS vehicles are built at Ford's Wixom, Michigan assembly plant.
Seat systems for the new sedans are produced at Johnson Controls' Plymouth,
Michigan manufacturing facility. The supplier's plants in Holland, Michigan
build overhead systems, door panels, floor consoles and other interior
products for Lincoln LS cars.
The new vehicle from Ford's Lincoln-Mercury Division meets or exceeds all
safety impact standards for the countries in which it will be marketed. All
interior panels in the Lincoln LS meet more stringent head-impact requirements
that recently were adopted in the United States.
Four vehicles now comprise Lincoln's product lineup, including three cars,
the LS, Continental, and Town Car -- and one sport-utility vehicle -- the
Navigator. Johnson Controls supplies interior products for the full array of
Lincoln vehicles, and for a wide range of other cars, trucks and vans produced
worldwide by Ford Motor Company.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive operations of Johnson Controls
will supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles in 1998 and
achieved US$9.3 billion in sales for the 1998 fiscal year.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls,
founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 1998
totaled US$12.6 billion.
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547.
