Johnson Controls isn't just a massive supplier to the automotive industry; they've got their own design department and can thus propose solutions, of their own devising, to customers' needs. Manufacturers can then opt to integrate JC's designs into their own vehicles.

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Let's check out some of their recent re-thinks of how car seating should work. First off, simplifying the way the driver's seat moves fore and aft:

That might be an unsexy change that consumers won't even notice. But a change that they surely would is how the center console is here married to the driver's seat:

The most attractive feature to me, and presumably for those of you who have to haul stuff around, is the "Long Track" system on the passenger side. This quickly frees up floor space for cargo:

This next feature is kind of neat, but frankly I can't see the utility. This little trick is achieved by placing the rear seats on a diagonal track:

Finally, JC's "Loft Seat" concept for the rear of a car is pretty cool. In addition to providing a large amount of storage, I like the little details like the height-adjustable, telescoping cup holders:

All of these concepts were presented at last month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.