Lear Infotainment Systems Answer The Call For In-Vehicle Multimedia Solutions

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 3 -- Since music listening was revolutionized 25 years ago by the Sony Walkman, incarnations and adaptations of digital portable audio products have flourished. With North American commuters spending an estimated 500 million hours each week in their vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the concept of "entertainment on the go" has rapidly spread to the automotive segment. As this trend increases, consumers will eventually seek out automakers that capture their attention with innovative features.

The market for in-vehicle entertainment systems continues to be impacted by new digital audio systems, digital broadcasting technologies, and emerging display-based entertainment systems. By the end of 2012, in-vehicle audio infotainment systems are estimated to account for $36 billion in sales of original equipment and aftermarket systems across North America, Europe and Japan -- increasing from $24 billion in 2005, according to a report by Strategy Analytics.

"In addition to its ability to transform the passenger compartment into a comfortable, home-like place, Lear is capable of providing high-end passenger entertainment systems to deliver performance consumers had only previously experienced through the latest home-based sound systems and electronics," said Douglas DelGrosso, Lear's president and chief operating officer. "Our latest high-resolution filtering technology provides the same exceptional sound experience to all passengers, on any seat in the car."

Lear Sound Systems and Audio Amplifiers can provide features like true surround sound in Dolby Digital (ACS) or DTS multi-channel quality, virtual surround sound like Dolby Pro Logic II and/or dts NEO:6, dynamic sound equalization (DySOp(TM)) that compensate for environmental noise in real time and speed dependent volume settings and equalization.

In a trend that initially emerged in Europe and Japan, Lear was the first to produce TV receivers to meet the challenging requirements of the automotive industry. Lear's hybrid TV receivers can receive both analog and digital TV signals and offer best-in-class performance for in-car TV reception in rural and urban areas, as well as highest quality picture performance and audio.

The Telemetric Research Group predicts that in the next four years, 25% of all vehicles sold will have rear-seat entertainment systems, compared with nearly 10% sold in 2004. Lear is prepared to meet this growing demand with its Rear Seat Entertainment multi-media that offer a full range of on-demand features: video, audio, multi-standard DVD players, wired or wireless headphones with surround sound, USB ports and digital and analog displays from 6.5 to 10 inches to provide automotive consumers with home cinema features on the road. Lear also developed MediaConsole as an integrated solution to package a video display seamlessly into the floor console lid in vehicles where overhead space is limited.

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/ .