28.3.2003
Opel awarded for Best Seat-Design

Aktion gesunder Rucken (AGR), which stands for "Campaign for Healthier Backs" and is an independent committee comprised of ergonomics experts and specialized medical professionals, has recognized Opel's seat design with its seldom-awarded seal of approval.

Eighty percent of the adult population experience backaches and a third of them suffer from chronic back pain. Aside from the classic back problems suffered by men and women who spend much of their time sitting down, drivers who spend a lot of time at the wheel are particularly susceptible to an above average frequency of back pain. Although automobile technical standards are higher than ever, until now only a few expensive luxury cars provide optimized seating.

"The majority of car seats are not ergonomically acceptable," said Ulrich Strauss, a director at Aktion gesunder Rücken (AGR) [Campaign for Healthier Backs] – an independent committee of ergonomics experts and specialized medical professionals. Opel is the exception. A study conducted by AGR confirmed that Opel vehicles are already equipped with elaborately constructed seats de-signed with comfort and ergonomics in mind.

Adam Opel AG has a firm commitment, and has invested significantly, to further optimize seating ergonomics for all of its vehicles. For example, Opel has invested approximately 75 million Euros in order to provide the new Vectra with the best seats in its class.

When Opel's engineers at the International Technical Development Center (ITDC) design car seats they orient themselves around a catalogue of specifications formulated by the AGR. These features include generous seat height, length and seat back angle adjustments. The AGR experts call for seat cushions with adjustable extensions and height-adjustable lumbar support. They also set a minimum height for backrests and head restraints (850 mm in total). These dimensions ensure an ergonomically optimized seating position for car drivers and passengers of different sizes.

"Development of a modular seating system was the basis for reaching our goals," says Opel's seat expert Andrew Leuchtmann, adding, "this system is already in use in the new Vectra." The intelligent design of the Vectra's standard seats already fulfills many of the criteria set by the AGR. "The Vectra's seats offer even more generous dimensions in some areas than are recommended by the AGR. The height of the seatback is just one example. Only really high seat backs can guarantee effective shoulder support. This is a prerequisite for relaxed and correct posture based on recognized ergonomic considerations," adds Leuchtmann.

AGR has recognized Opel's seat design with its seldom-awarded seal of approval. With its multi-contour seat for the driver, Opel has created its first generation of seats to be hoored with the AGR seal. AGR seats, which will be optional on all Vectra models and on the new Opel Signum starting in the fall of 2003, differ from the standard Vectra seats in three areas: Opel's climate controlled, multi-contour driver's seat features height-adjustable lumbar support and seat cushions with adjustable extensions, and the active climate control contributes to driver comfort.