Johnson Controls Launches Demo Drive Website to Educate Consumers on Advanced Vehicle Technology

Johnson Controls, Inc., launched its Demo Drive website to educate consumers on the benefits of advanced vehicle technology. This interactive tool allows consumers to compare fuel usage, CO₂ emissions and travel costs among a vehicle with a standard internal combustion engine, a Start-Stop vehicle, and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

Recent research has demonstrated that a majority of consumers don't know the difference among the different types of advanced technology vehicles. We built Demo Drive so that consumers can see for themselves how the various types of vehicle technologies can positively impact their life. It allows people to pick a driving style that is closest to their own and see the cost and emissions benefits of two of the most realistic and globally available technologies - hybrid and start-stop.

—Mary Ann Wright, global vice president for technology and innovation at Johnson Controls Power Solutions

Users choose one of six driving styles such as “countryside commuter” and “motorway maven” that most resembles their daily vehicle usage and follow the virtual route while learning how vehicle performance varies among several engine applications along the way. The interactive Demo Drive experience is intended to give consumers a better understanding of and appreciation for how the various advanced technologies would impact their pocketbook and the environment. Consumers will also be able to share their findings and discuss further on a dedicated Facebook page at www.facebook.com/demodrive.

Demo Drive is one element of Johnson Controls’ global strategy to raise awareness about the spectrum of vehicle technology available to consumers who want to improve fuel economy and decrease CO₂ emissions on their vehicle.

Johnson Controls is the leading supplier of Start-Stop batteries through its VARTA Start-Stop brand, currently providing more than 3 million Start-Stop batteries a year with plans to invest more than $350 million globally over the next two to three years.

Johnson Controls, through its joint venture Johnson Controls-Saft, is also a leading global supplier of Lithium-ion advanced battery systems for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Source: Green Car Congress