Adient and Autoliv agree to collaborate on safety, comfort and convenience for seats of the future

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Sep 12, 2017, 09:00 ET

DETROIT, Sept. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Adient (NYSE: ADNT) the world's leading automotive seating supplier, and Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, are collaborating to address vehicle seating challenges presented by designs for the future car and the incorporation of autonomous driving.

The interior of automated driving vehicles will play an important role, as drivers and passengers will spend more time on non-driving activities. Once vehicles have the capability to be computer-driven, passengers will demand far more flexibility from a vehicle's interior space than ever before, resulting in alternative seating positions to relax, work and socialize. At the same time, completely new safety and comfort challenges arise with these flexible car using opportunities. By looking beyond traditional forward-facing seats, Adient and Autoliv feel this development agreement will create optimal integrated products and solutions to address these challenges.

Even in automated vehicles, seatbelts, pretensioners and buckles remain the primary means of restraint should an accident occur. The cooperation between Adient and Autoliv will initially be focused on optimal integration of Autoliv's safety components into the non-traditional seating arrangements of the future car and on enhancing existing seat-mounted airbag systems and new far-side systems for Euro NCAP. The target for offering these solutions is the second half of 2018.

Future plans include the co-development of highly integrated solutions for enhanced safety, comfort and convenience for future mobility. Both companies are also interested in investigating the potential value in expanding to non-automotive applications if necessary to keep people safe as they travel or commute.

"This is a tremendously exciting time for the automotive industry, with mobility on the cusp of a fundamental disruption. With our world-class technologies and capabilities, we are more than ready to provide the next generation of advanced vehicle seating systems," said R. Bruce McDonald, Adient Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Working with Autoliv means combining the strengths of two leading companies to improve safety, comfort and convenience in the interior of future autonomous vehicles."

"Our purpose is to provide the latest technology and the highest quality to save more lives," said Mikael Bratt, President, Autoliv Passive Safety. "Utilizing our global engineering resources to reinforce occupant safety remains our top priority, and working with Adient provides the ultimate package upgrade to give consumers confidence and added assurance that their vehicle is equipped with advanced interior protection."

About Adient:
Adient is a global leader in automotive seating. With 75,000 employees operating 230 manufacturing/assembly plants in 33 countries worldwide, we produce and deliver automotive seating for all vehicle classes and all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat making process. Our integrated, in-house skills allow us to take our products from research and design all the way to engineering and manufacturing – and into more than 25 million vehicles every year. For more information on Adient, please visit adient.com.

About Autoliv:
Autoliv, Inc., the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures, Autoliv has more than 80 facilities and 70,000 employees in 27 countries. In addition, the company has 22 technical centers in ten countries around the world, with 19 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in 2016 amounted to about US$10.1 billion. The company's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and its Swedish Depository Receipts on the Nasdaq Stockholm (ALIV sdb). For more information about Autoliv, please visit our company website at www.autoliv.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Adient plc has made statements in this document that are forward-looking and, therefore, are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements in this document other than statements of historical fact are statements that are, or could be, deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this document, statements regarding Adient's future financial position, sales, costs, earnings, cash flows, other measures of results of operations, capital expenditures or debt levels and plans, objectives, outlook, targets, guidance or goals are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "should," "forecast," "project" or "plan" or terms of similar meaning are also generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Adient cautions that these statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Adient's control, that could cause Adient's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to: the ability of Adient to meet debt service requirements, the availability and terms of financing, general economic and business conditions, the strength of the U.S. or other economies, automotive vehicle production levels, mix and schedules, energy and commodity prices, the availability of raw materials and component products, currency exchange rates, and cancellation of or changes to commercial arrangements. A detailed discussion of risks related to Adient's business is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Adient's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on November 29, 2016 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov. Potential investors and others should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, unless otherwise specified, and, except as required by law, Adient assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this document.

In addition, this document includes certain projections provided by Adient with respect to the anticipated future performance of Adient's businesses. Such projections reflect various assumptions of Adient's management concerning the future performance of Adient's businesses, which may or may not prove to be correct. The actual results may vary from the anticipated results and such variations may be material. Adient does not undertake any obligation to update the projections to reflect events or circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent events. No representations or warranties are made as to the accuracy or reasonableness of such assumptions or the projections based thereon.

SOURCE Adient