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Lear Begins Supplying SonoTec EP(TM) Acoustic Material to Saturn

30 November 2000

Lear Corporation Begins Supplying SonoTec EP(TM) Acoustic Material to Saturn

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 30 Lear Corporation
today announced that it has begun supplying its SonoTec EP(TM) lightweight
acoustic material to General Motors Corporation's Saturn unit for
use in dashboard insulators in the new Saturn VUE sport-utility vehicle
produced at Saturn's Spring Hill, Tenn., manufacturing plant.
    SonoTec EP is Lear's patented, thermoplastic material made from recycled
carpet scrap that is 40% lighter than traditional acoustic-barrier material
but costs the same as the material Saturn had been using.  SonoTec EP is also
easier to install, which results in reduced scrap rates and improved assembly
line efficiency.
    "GM's Saturn Corporation is the first original equipment manufacturer to
use this new technology in a major application," said Larry Bowen, tech
manager for SonoTec EP in Carlisle, Penn.  "However, we foresee increased
demand for SonoTec EP in additional automotive applications in the future."
    SonoTec EP is the latest addition to Lear's SonoTec family of recycled
barrier products that are specifically engineered, designed and tested for
automotive noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) control.  SonoTec products,
which can be extruded, injection molded, thermoformed or compression molded
into a variety of components, are currently used as deadeners, as well as
acoustically engineered backings for automotive carpets and throw mats.