Every year, AutoPacific surveys thousands of U.S. drivers to understand what they want in their next vehicle. In 2025, their Future Attribute Demand Study reveals that 38% of respondents ranked heated steering wheels and 37% ranked heated and ventilated front seats as their most‑wanted features among new‑vehicle technologies. That places both comfort amenities firmly in the top 15, showing that consumers increasingly expect their vehicles to deliver not just performance and safety, but everyday comfort.
At Gentherm, we’re proud to pioneer these comfort technologies, helping automakers deliver features consumers increasingly see as essential.
Climate Controlled Interior (CCI™) Steering Wheel Heat
Gentherm’s advanced thermal technology in our CCI™ Steering Wheel Heat makes it possible for OEMs to incorporate this popular amenity in any steering wheel design. Combined with our cutting-edge Hands-On Detection (HOD) system, it’s the pinnacle of driving comfort and safety, which matters to modern consumers.
Climate Controlled Seat (CCS®) Heat
For more than six decades, Gentherm has led the way in seat heating innovation, delivering solutions that combine durability, efficiency and comfort. Our CCS® Heat technology ensures drivers and passengers warm up quickly while conserving energy, which is especially important for Electric Vehicles.
Key features include:
- Zonal heating for targeted comfort where it’s needed most
- Power boost for rapid warm‑up times
- Wire and carbon heating solutions for proven reliability and seamless integration
CCS® Vent and CCS® Active
Gentherm also sets the benchmark in seat cooling and ventilation, creating personalized microclimates that keep drivers comfortable in every season. Our CCS® Vent and CCS® Active technologies deliver efficient airflow and intelligent climate control.
Key features include:
- Fast, efficient ventilation with push or pull technology
- Optimized blower design for quiet performance and space efficiency
- Intelligent Micro Thermal Module (iMTM) for localized cooling zones
- Smart energy management to conserve onboard power
Extending Comfort Across Every Environment
With heated steering wheels and heated and ventilated seats ranked among the most‑wanted features by more than a third of surveyed drivers, it’s clear that comfort is at the forefront of consumer expectations. Gentherm’s innovations ensure these features deliver warmth, cooling, efficiency and reliability, making everyday comfort one of the defining essentials of modern mobility.
Our comfort technologies are expanding beyond the road, reflecting the same shift we see in automotive: comfort is no longer a nice‑to‑have, it’s non‑negotiable. From the sofa or recliner at home to the office chair or heavy equipment vehicles at work, people expect warmth, cooling, comfort and wellness wherever they spend their time. Gentherm is extending our innovations to meet these expectations, transforming how comfort enhances everyday life across industries.
