Lear Environmentally Friendly Products Meet the Need for Improved Fuel Economy and Recyclability

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 3 -- Consumer demand for more environmentally responsible vehicles is growing. Lear promotes "green" manufacturing in its plants and works closely with automakers and suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of its products. This includes eliminating hazardous materials through the education of its engineers in Design for Environment fundamentals and reducing the environmental aspects of the manufacturing process.

Lear has also turned its proprietary expertise in Electronics and Electrical Distribution products, such as wire harnesses, smart junction boxes, terminals and connectors, fuses and more to developing hybrid solutions for its customers.

"Due to new regulations and the increasing price of crude oil, more consumers are choosing vehicles, such as hybrids, that have increased fuel- efficiency and a more positive environmental impact," said Douglas DelGrosso, president and chief operating officer of Lear. "Today, Lear is delivering high-voltage wiring harnesses for Ford hybrids and working on a program for a European automaker as well as developing prototypes for hybrid vehicles to be introduced in the near future."

Since hybrid vehicles require higher-voltage electrical distribution systems than conventional vehicles, these systems need to be managed safely. New products to handle high currents and voltage, such as Power PCB (400 micron), DC-AC inverters for electrical machines and DC-DC converters and stabilizers for the different voltages used are being developed in a wide spectrum of power ranges. Connectors and wiring systems must pass through an adaptation process to the new requirements and needs.

Additionally, automakers who respond to consumer demands for fuel- efficient vehicles are putting their emphasis on improved manufacturing processes and lightweight, high-performance or recyclable materials.

Lear's soybean oil-based polyurethane foam helps eliminate dependency on petroleum and can be used in head restraints, armrests, and seating cushion systems. Other lightweight substitute foam materials in Lear seating systems improve fuel economy, reduce weight and optimize cost. Lear's FabFoam(TM) seat concept is a combination of durable polyurethane skin and flexible foam which create a trim- and fabric-less seat. This environmentally friendly process offers styling flexibility of the surface finish with dynamic colors, textures and gloss.

Lear Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers of automotive interior systems and components. Lear provides complete seat systems, electronic products and electrical distribution systems and other interior products. With annual net sales of $17.1 billion, Lear ranks #127 among the Fortune 500. The company's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of 115,000 employees at 282 locations in 34 countries. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan, and Lear is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol [LEA]. Further information about Lear is available on the Internet at http://www.lear.com/ .