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Lucas Body Systems Wins $10 Million Contract From Toyota

8 September 1997

Lucas Body Systems Wins $10 Million Contract From Toyota

    RUSHFORD, Minn., Sept. 8 -- Lucas Body Systems, a business of
LucasVarity's Electrical and Electronic Systems Division, has been awarded a
$10 million contract initially over four years to supply the Heating,
Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) panel controls from Toyota Motor
Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK), Georgetown, Ky., for the Toyota Sienna
minivan.  The HVAC controls are manufactured at the Lucas Body Systems plant
in Rushford, Minn.
    Lucas Body Systems will provide front air conditioning and heater
controls, rear manual air conditioning controls, rear blower switches and rear
electric air conditioning controls for the Sienna. The HVAC instrument panel
controls contain rotary knobs that control the mode, air temperature and fan
speed, all ergonomically developed to provide driver comfort.  The rear
electric controls are available in ivory or light blue, depending on the
vehicle interior colors, and all controls are designed with easy-to-read
graphics.  The graphics appear white in daylight and are backlit to appear
white at night.
    The Toyota Sienna, referred to as the "Camry of minivans," is built
exclusively in North America, right alongside the Toyota Camry.  The Sienna's
development takes full advantage of Toyota's growing base of North American
suppliers like Lucas Body Systems.
    Lucas Body Systems is the sole North American supplier for manual style
HVAC controls for Toyota vehicles manufactured in North America and is the
world's second largest supplier of Original Equipment Manufacturer HVAC
controls.  Other products manufactured by Lucas Body Systems include
actuators, panel controls, column controls, rain sensors, transmission switch
sensors and electronic modules.  In addition, Lucas Body Systems offers
contract assembly services.
    LucasVarity's Electrical and Electronic Systems Division is a world class
supplier of advanced electronic controls, wiring and body electrical systems.
LucasVarity designs, manufactures and supplies advanced technology systems,
products and services in the world's automotive, diesel engine, aftermarket
and aerospace industries.

SOURCE  Lucas Body Systems