---

Lear Corporation's OASys(TM) Integrated Speaker Headliner Wins Automotex Innovation in Industry Design Award

27 November 2000

Lear Corporation's OASys(TM) Integrated Speaker Headliner Wins Automotex Innovation in Industry Design Award

    LONDON, Nov. 27 Lear Corporation has won the
Automotex Innovation in Industry Award for its design of OASys(TM), Lear's
overhead audio system that effectively transforms a vehicle's entire headliner
into a speaker system.
    OASys is one of the highlights in Lear's Intertronics(TM) product line
that focuses on integrating electronics into the vehicle's interior.  OASys
incorporates a network of embedded sound zones into a vehicle's headliner.
Using new audio reproduction technology together with advanced material and
acoustics, the headliner membrane produces full audio sound.
    In addition to the potential space, weight and cost savings for
automakers, OASys offers the vehicle's passengers an enhanced audio
experience.
    "Integrating the speaker into the headliner, not only frees up valuable
interior space, it also offers an enhanced sound experience within the vehicle
since it is positioned around the occupant's head area," said Jim Masters,
president of Lear's Technology Division.  "OASys is a superb example of an
automotive innovation that embodies systems and functionality integration,
while improving the performance at the same time."
    The Automotex Innovation in Industry awards acknowledge innovative ideas,
designs and practices.  The awards program was held on November 22 in
conjunction with Automotex, the European Automotive Technology and Motorsports
Engineering Exhibition held November 21-23, at the London International
Exhibition Center.

    Other Lear products displayed at Automotex include:
    *  Lear's Self-Aligning Head Restraint System
    *  A Dual-Voltage Advanced Smart Junction Box
    *  The SonoTec(TM) AT Lightweight Acoustic System

    Lear Corporation, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Southfield,
Mich., USA, focuses on automotive interiors and electronics and is the world's
fifth-largest automotive supplier.  Sales in 1999 were $12.4 billion.  The
company's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by
more than 120,000 employees in over 300 facilities located in 33 countries.
Information about Lear and its products is available on the Internet at
http://www.lear.com .