Lear and BERU Will Jointly Develop Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., and LUDWIGSBURG, Germany, May 7 Lear
Corporation and BERU Group have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding to jointly design and develop Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
for the global automotive market.  Terms were not disclosed.

    Under this strategic partnership, the two companies will develop Tire
Pressure Monitoring Systems that will relay information to drivers through the
electronic architecture used for the Remote Keyless Entry System.

    The joint venture will combine Lear's capabilities as the North American
leader in Remote Keyless Entry Systems with that of BERU, the market leader in
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems in Europe.

    "This strategic partnership makes sense from a technological standpoint
because both Remote Keyless Entry Systems and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
currently operate on radio-frequency signals," says D. William Pumphrey,
President of the Lear Electronics and Electrical Division.  "This partnership
is especially important in North America because the recently amended United
States Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability and Documentation
(TREAD) Act will require tire pressure warning systems on all new vehicles by
2003.  So this is an excellent growth opportunity for both companies."

    As part of the agreement, Lear will apply BERU's tire pressure monitoring
technologies in conjunction with its Remote Keyless Entry Systems.  BERU and
Lear will have a preferred relationship.  Lear will have the opportunity to
incorporate and sell the BERU products that are fully integrated with the
vehicle's body electronics and Remote Keyless Entry Systems.

    "This agreement will be advantageous for both partners.  It will broaden
BERU's access to the U.S. market for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems and
accelerate its penetration with the BERU sensor-based technology," explains
Ulrich Ruetz, Chairman and CEO of BERU Group.