Award-winning Product Allows Consumers to Personalize, Add Excitement To
Vehicle Interiors
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive supplier Johnson Controls
(NYSE: JCI) is displaying its Railport(TM) Vehicle Personalization System at
the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas this week.
The system will be shown at the Johnson Controls product and technology
display booth (#10672) at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Tuesday,
November 4 through Friday, November 7.
(Logo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030423/JCILOGO )
The SEMA event is the world's largest trade show focused on automotive
accessory products, trends and technologies.
Railport offers consumers the ability to customize the interior of their
vehicles at the point of purchase and throughout a vehicle's lifecycle.
Integrated into a vehicle's overhead system, Railport features flexible
docking technology that provides for the attachment of a variety of modular
devices.
"The Railport system brings exciting new features into vehicles," said
John Gorton, group vice president and general manager, product and business
development for the Automotive Group of Johnson Controls. "The system provides
a new level of versatility and comfort for drivers, who can pick and choose
which accessories they want to add and when they want to add them."
According to Gorton, modular devices can be attached easily into place,
updated as necessary and/or removed by automotive manufacturers, car
dealership personnel, maintenance technicians or vehicle owners.
The Railport technology gives automakers the opportunity to refresh their
vehicles' interiors without having to wait for traditional mid-cycle or major
model changes. It enables them to achieve this at reduced design, engineering
and tooling costs. The system also enables consumers to customize an interior
to meet their unique lifestyles and hobbies.
At the SEMA show, several different Railport modules that are in
production or conceptual are on display in the Johnson Controls booth. They
include:
-- AutoVision(R) system with self-powered speakers - stand-alone,
"plug-and-play" version of Johnson Controls' popular AutoVision video
entertainment system;
-- DVD player with 10-inch screen and tuner - used as an additional screen
for third-row passengers. Also compatible with video game consoles;
-- MP3 media hard drive - removable hard drive allows consumers to store
and play MP3 files through the vehicle's speaker system;
-- BlueConnect(TM) Hands-Free Cellular Phone System - Johnson Controls
technology provides a hands-free voice activated interface with a
Bluetooth-enabled cellular phone;
-- A HomeLink(R) Wireless Control System with TravelNote(R) Digital Voice
Recorder - A Johnson Controls product capable of controlling a variety
of home convenience and safety devices. Bundled with the company's
TravelNote digital voice recorder which provides up to four minutes of
record/play time;
-- GMRS two-way radios - removable hand-held radios are charged while in
the storage module;
-- Satellite Radio - portable module also allows passengers to enjoy
satellite radio outside of the car;
-- Master Lock units - includes a lockable storage bin, a Python storage
bin that contains Master Lock's Python security cable, and an Autosafe
bin for secure storage of valuables; and
-- First Aid Kit - auto-specific first aid kit that includes magnifying
tweezers, seat-belt cutter, reflective blanket, adhesive bandages and
other items.
The Railport system debuted in the 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck, and comes
as standard equipment on the automaker's XLT, FX4 and Lariat SuperCab and
SuperCrew models.
Johnson Controls has been named a 2004 Automotive News Premier Automotive
Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence (PACE) Award finalist for original
equipment suppliers in the product category for the Railport system. The
awards will be presented in March 2004. In 2002, the Railport system received
a bronze Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the consumer product
category from the Industrial Designers Society of America.
Celebrity autograph sessions at Johnson Controls exhibit
Josh Hancock, host of the History Channel's new "Shifting Gears",
television show will appear at the Johnson Controls exhibit on Wednesday,
November 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an autograph session. Johnson Controls
is a sponsor of the Shifting Gears program. Alex Tagliani, driver of the
No. 33 Johnson Controls Lola in the 2003 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car
World Series Powered by Ford racing series will be available for autographs on
Thursday, November 6 from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-
residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services
including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls
(NYSE: JCI), founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.prnewswire.com/micro/sema2003
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com
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NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030423/JCILOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
Debra Lacey of Johnson Controls,
+1-734-254-5735
NOTE TO EDITORS: For access to other Johnson Controls news
releases and additional company information, visit the company's
site on the World Wide Web at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com .
Photos of the Railport Vehicle Personalization System can be
requested from Heidi Parent of Johnson Controls at (734) 254-6220
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