How Opel and Vauxhall Fight Driver Fatigue

Many Opel and Vauxhall models have seats that were designed in collaboration with the Campaign for Healthier Backs (AGL, or Aktion Gesunder Rücken). These ergonomic seats have been designed to provide excellent long-distance seating and back comfort thanks to a range of adjustment functions. Opel is the first volume manufacturer to receive the AGR stamp of approval for their seats. 

“Seats are veritable engineering masterpieces that include lightweight material, specific foam structures and numerous motors to carry out a multitude of tasks, such as heating and adjustments,” says Senior Manager GM Interiors, Andrew Leuchtmann. “Today, our seats are made to suit every size of person – tall, short, big, small – and this is critical to reduce fatigue on short or long trips.”

The AGL, an independent association supported by doctors and therapists that works on preventing back problems, has been working with Opel and Vauxhall designing ergonomic seats since 2003. Special attention is made for four-way lumbar support, cushion tilt, cushion length adjustment, and contour and body support. The seats, available on most Opel and Vauxhall models, are developed in-house with safety in mind, so they include airbags, occupant sensors, and seat-belt tensioners. All these functions ensure that Opel drivers and passengers arrive safely in comfort.

Adds Leuchtmann, “We worked together and combined their know-how with ours. In the early days, different manufacturers claimed their seats were the best, but fleet managers often received complaints from drivers suffering from back and other pain. Put simply, two-thirds of a person’s body should be in contact with the seat to avoid pressure points, which eventually translate into aches and discomfort. Our seats can be enlarged or made smaller to provide an ideal fit for any driver.”

For the Insignia and Cascada, they have the advantage of having ventilated seats to keep drivers and passengers warm or cool in different conditions. “The seat climate is very important as you need to ensure, that moisture generated by the occupant is removed. Integrated channels make fabrics breathable and remove this moisture. With ventilated seats, small fans are inserted that effectively help keep drivers cool and dry. We heat nearly the entire seat surface,” says Leuchtmann.