Lear Commonization Offers Reusable Content Across Designs Resulting In Quality Improvements & Lower Cost

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 3 -- "Commonization" is a term used within the automotive industry referring to the use of a common solution for multiple customer groups that share the same requirements in a particular product area. Making fifty different seat designs when only two or three are actually needed can be a waste of time and resources. Streamlining these products into fewer architectures greatly increases quality and lowers costs.

Through the utilization of common systems, Lear offers a high level of reusable content across designs. This reduces costs but maintains the flexibility that automakers require to differentiate vehicle platforms. While not a specific area of request by consumers, the benefits from commonization are passed by the automaker to vehicle consumers through cost and quality improvements.

"The utilization of common systems allows Lear to meet the needs of our customer base with higher quality products at a lower cost," said Douglas DelGrosso, president and chief operating officer of Lear. "Commonization is necessary in this industry to sustain a competitive advantage."

Lear Flexible Seat Architecture (LFSA) is a modular/flexible seat structure accommodating various vehicle architecture and comfort feature needs. The backbone of every seat system is the seat structure which is made up of a cushion frame, a back frame, a seat-back recliner and seat adjuster. LFSA was incorporated into more than forty seat systems across several customer platforms beginning in 2005.

Lear's Smart and Passive Junction Boxes form the foundation for a vehicle's electrical and electronic systems by use of a printed circuit board design which allows for efficient system changes or upgrades. These highly reliable and adaptable products reduce vehicle assembly time by reducing the number of components and optimizing size, weight and cost.

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/ .