The Automotive Seating Systems Report

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Feb 17, 2015, 08:06 ET

DUBLIN, Feb .17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --Research and Markets

(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/qcv226/the_automotive) has announced the addition of the "The Automotive Seating Systems Report" report to their offering.

Seating systems have always been a critical balance between safety, vehicle dynamics and cost.

The Automotive Seating Systems takes an in-depth look at the global seating market including the key changes currently underway in the industry and what the future holds for this key sector. The report considers in-house seat manufacture and supply chain developments along with advances in safety, comfort and convenience.

Fitment rates for various seat features such as powered and memory functions, lumbar support and massage have been increasing and will continue to do so as vehicle interiors become smarter. Much of the technology in today's seats is electric or electronically driven and can be remotely controlled via links on the dashboard or controllers located throughout the vehicle.

The market is opening up to New Tier 1 suppliers as well as Tier 2 and specialist niche technology players all of whom will intensify the competition for supplying the world's leading seating companies.

An inside industry view is provided by an interview with Johnson Controls and the study also considers trends in seat comfort and material developments in foam, plastics and metal structures. This research is complemented by case studies, along with profiles of all the major industry players.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

Introduction
Definitions
Functionality (front seats only)
Technology (front seats only)
Global Market Overview
Global
Europe

2. Key trends and developments in light vehicle seating

Seats show an increase in value-added features
Sourcing patterns for the key seat components have also changed in recent years
Comfort and safety remain the most important features for the consumer.
Light weight materials are the focus of much of the innovation in today's seat systems
Material innovations focus on environmentally friendly and recyclable materials

3. Interview

Andreas Maashoff, Director Industrial Design and Craftsmanship and Consumer and Market Research, Johnson Controls

4. Trends & Developments

Seat Design
Johnson Controls Synergy Seat Gen 3
Head restraint with integrated actuators
Armrest modules allow greater customization
Magna's FutureForm thin seat
Faurecia's one-touch technology
Faurecia Oasis Seat
Sculptured seat covers: The cover shapes the seat
Sculpted light seatback panels
Seating trim and fabrics use innovative coatings, materials and trim
Anthropometric adjustment
Lumbar support technology
GPS-directed comfort
Smart seat control allows automatic seat pre-adjustment based on occupant size
Magna develops the Sedan Slouch concept
Johnson Controls' Second Row Lounge seat
Heated armrests
Ford's Smart seat technology for heart monitoring
Thermal-loss reducing seats
Seat frames for global platforms

5. Recycled materials

Usage of recycled materials gather momentum
Ford Case Study
Ford's usage of recycled materials in visible interior applications is increasing.

6. New Materials

Demand for lower volatile organic compound (VOC) materials rapidly increasing
TDI High Resiliency seat foam
Next generation trim covers from Johnson Controls offer comfort and customization options
Lear has also been working on next generation seat fabrics
Lightweight seat frames and structures
Faurecia supplied lightweight seats to the Volkswagen up!
Johnson Controls forms partnership for future technology for lightweight construction project
Green materials
Ford's green armrests
Faurecia develops hemp-based materials
Toyota Boshoku, Toyota's seat supplier has developed plant-derived seat cushions

7. Vehicle company seat developments