Introducing A Car With Stadium Seating

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Want a small electric car that looks like a movie theater or even a stadium inside? Johnson Controls shows the ie.3 concept car at NAIAS. Sure, it has a battery. But it also has spring loaded flip-up seats, just like at the movies. Or at he ballpark.

Johnson Controls says the flip-up seats create something that is sorely needed in small cars: Space. You can put some suitcases on the floor when the seats are flipped up. Johnson Controls produces batteries and interiors for vehicles. But they don’t make cars. “The ie:3 could be an attractive model for electric car buyers, although unfortunately it won’t go on sale,” writes an impressed Independent.

Maybe some other automaker will take them up on the idea. Flip a coin?

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Fincar1 Fincar1 on Jan 11, 2011

    Some guy on Bainbridge Island set up a dealership last October for electric bicycles and "cars", which from the photo in the news article look more like golf carts. He hasn't sold any of the golf carts yet, and seems to have finally figured out that you can't sell vehicles in this climate if they don't have doors. My first glance at the doorless cutaway graphic reminded me of this....

    • Newcarscostalot Newcarscostalot on Jan 11, 2011

      I wonder how many people read your post and thought, Where the hell is Bainbridge Island? And then proceeded to google it lol.

  • Tosh Tosh on Jan 11, 2011

    How about inflatable chairs? Now THAT would save space! (You may have my idea for a nominal fee.)

  • Dilengineer Dilengineer on Jan 11, 2011

    Looks like a cut up Kia

  • Slow kills Slow kills on Jan 11, 2011

    What is the advantage of a suitcase on the floor over a suitcase on a seat? Having to bend over further to pick it up? I toss stuff where it is convenient, and picking things up off the floor is most certainly not convenient.

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