FastForward

Johnson Controls Inc.'s research has found consumers growing impatient as they interact with so-called “conveniences” in today's vehicles.

The Ford Expedition's unique innovation a few years ago was a power folding third-row seat. Problem is, it takes a glacial 18 seconds to fold flat.

Seating giant JCI now has a product geared toward impatient motorists. Its FastForward Seating System, on display at the Detroit auto show, allows second- and third-row seats to fold flat in a mere 10 seconds. The seat backs form a flat load floor convenient for plywood and other sizeable cargo.

“Speed is an issue,” says David Ekern, JCI's seating business product portfolio manager. “If you're coming out of Home Depot and you have a lot of stuff to put in your vehicle, why would you want to wait 20 seconds?”

At the show, the concept was installed in a Nissan Quest minivan. JCI supplies the seats for the current-generation Quest. The concept also works for other fullsize SUVs.

Keith Wandell, president of JCI's Automotive Group, says FastForward is ready for integration in '08 model vehicles, and that the technology will be competitive with the Stow 'n Go flat-folding seating now available on the Chrysler Group long-wheelbase minivans.

Competitor Magna Intier Automotive is Chrysler's seat supplier for Stow 'n Go.