Isadora Bell: Johnson Controls shows super-slim stowable pickup seats

Monday, April 4, 2011

Johnson Controls shows super-slim stowable pickup seats

Johnson Controls super-slim stowable pickup seats - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever wondered why the rear seats in pickup trucks are so bulky? Johnson Controls apparently had similar thoughts, as the supplier has unveiled a styling buck showcasing its super-slim stowable pickup seats.

The seats offer improvements in two respects. Johnson Controls says they're lightweight, which should help improve fuel economy, and they take up a third less space, meaning that when stowed, the seats should allow for greater cargo capacity. The seats in the Johnson Controls mock-up also are also 3.9 inches lower than most standard seats, which improves rear visibility and passenger safety, though we wonder if that'll also result in an awkward knees-up posture for the backseat riders. That said, the seats reportedly contain 50 percent more padding, which should translate to more comfort.

Johnson Controls claims that in addition to the improvements detailed above, the new seats are fully compliant with all applicable safety standards. Hit the jump to read the official press release, and have a close look at the low-profile seats in the gallery below.

Gallery: Johnson Controls super-slim stowable pickup seats