---

Lear and Exide Join Forces

30 August 2000

Lear and Exide Join Forces to Integrate Advanced Electrical Power Into Vehicle Interior Systems

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., and READING, Pa., Aug. 30 Lear Corporation and Exide Corporation today announced
that they have signed a letter of intent to enter into a strategic
collaboration to co-develop and market advanced power packaging solutions for
the automotive industry.  The collaboration will focus on designing
state-of-the-art interior systems to meet the increasing complexity and power
requirements of conventional, hybrid and electrical vehicles.
    Exide and Lear will package advanced forms of electrical energy storage as
integral parts of the interior components and systems produced by Lear.  A key
component of these interior modules will be the Exide Select Orbital Battery,
an innovative, cylindrically wound battery that can be configured into unusual
shapes and six-volt modules to meet the power requirements of tomorrow's
vehicles, including 42-volt power-net systems.
    "Consumers are demanding more electronic products in their vehicles than
ever before and we must find creative ways to integrate and power them," said
Lear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ken Way.  "This collaboration will
leverage Lear's leadership in developing and integrating vehicle interior and
electrical systems -- what we call Intertronics(TM) -- with Exide's expertise
in electrical power storage solutions.  Our goal is to provide automotive
companies and their customers with the power and flexibility to add an ever-
expanding array of products and features to their vehicles."
    Exide Chairman Robert A. Lutz noted, "The power requirements of video,
audio, heating, cooling, safety and security control devices will necessitate
higher voltage electrical systems in vehicles and, most likely, multiple
batteries.  By using the advanced technology of the Orbital Battery, we're
increasing the reservoir for powering the vehicle.  It's a situation in which
everybody wins -- especially the consumer."
    The Exide Select Orbital Battery's cylindrical-cell design uses a
non-liquid, leak-proof electrolyte and provides virtually endless packaging
opportunities that make it flexible and capable of taking on unusual shapes
for positioning in multiple locations throughout the vehicle.  In addition,
because the Orbital is sealed and non-gassing, it can be placed within the
passenger compartment.