DETROIT — Building on its experience, global footprint and product portfolio, Johnson Controls will showcase how its automotive seating, interiors, electronics and batteries “translate globally” at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit. The global fluency theme will be highlighted in the exhibit, as the company displays its newest components and systems, as well as future technologies and concepts.

For the 16th year, Johnson Controls will have a major NAIAS presence as an event sponsor and exhibitor. Its 10,000-square-foot exhibit in room D2-15 will be open to journalists and invited guests. In the company’s exhibit area, a press conference focusing on its global product innovations will be held at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan 10.

“In today’s competitive automotive environment, vehicle interior and battery solutions that are efficiently tailored to the new global market are more important than ever,” said Beda Bolzenius, president for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience. “The North American International Auto Show provides us with an opportunity to showcase our innovations that will delight our customers, help them differentiate their vehicles and deliver sustainable results around the world.”

An overview of some of the products, technologies and concepts that Johnson Controls will showcase at the 2011 NAIAS event include:

• The ie3 demonstrator vehicle, a five-passenger prototype that balances eco-friendly materials with stylish, affordable and innovative seating, interior, electronic and battery solutions, while delivering increased space, reduced weight and improved comfort for the global market

• Flexible and sustainable seating solutions

• Electronic innovations, including a connected center stack and enhancements to the company’s HomeLink product

• Current- and future-generation batteries for conventional cars and trucks; advanced lead-acid batteries for start-stop vehicles; and advanced energy storage solutions for hybrid and electric vehicles

• Other industry innovations in instrument panels, door panels, overhead consoles and more

The NAIAS event – one of the world’s premier automotive exhibitions – opens to the media and industry officials on Monday, Jan. 10. It will open to the public from Saturday, Jan. 15 through Sunday, Jan. 23.

For the 15th consecutive year, Johnson Controls will serve as the host sponsor of the AutoWeek Design Forum. The one-day event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13 at the College for Creative Studies A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in Detroit. The event brings together automotive and design enthusiasts from varied backgrounds – students, car industry professionals, and designers. It recognizes and celebrates design as the ultimate differentiating factor that drives consumers’ interest and purchase decisions.

At 9:15 a.m., Michael Warsaw, vice president, industrial design for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience, will participate in a design panel and will speak about the inspiration behind design.