With sales of USD 12bn (1998) and more than 100,000 employees at over 300 locations in 33 countries, the Lear Corporation (HQ: Southfield, MI 48086-5008, USA) is one of the world´s biggest suppliers to the auto industry. At the IAA in Frankfurt, the company confidently projected itself as “well equipped to face the challenges of the future – also in the third millennium”. Lear´s leading position in vehicle interior systems had, the company said, been significantly strengthened by technical innovations, corporate acquisitions and the tapping of new areas of expertise. In many segments, Lear holds a leading position. For example, it is the world´s biggest manufacturer of car seats, number two for roof liners, and number three for door trim, floor linings and soundproofing systems. It is also the third largest player in the field of electrical and electronic control systems and the sixth largest for dashboards.

In Europe, according to company statistics, Lear is the biggest manufacturer of seats, number three for electrical and electronic control systems and headliners, number seven for door trim, and number 12 for floor liners and sound insulation systems. The European headquarters in Germany is Lear Corporation GmbH & Co. KG (Otto-Volger-Str. 1-9, D-65843 Sulzbach). From 1994 to 1998, total European sales increased more than sixfold to USD 3.8bn – including more than ten company acquisitions. In the first half of 1999, sales jumped by as much as 45% (!).

According to Kenneth I. Way, Chairman and ceo of Lear Corporation, the world market for Lear products now has a volume of USD 70bn, and will rise in the near future to USD 130bn. “We are in a good position to win a large share of this billion-dollar market”, says Way. The automotive industry was tending towards fully integrated interior fittings with an average value of USD 2,100 per vehicle. At present, the costs were estimated at USD 500 for seats and USD 1,000 for interior components per vehicle. In accordance with this development, the company had recently completed the building of a technology center in Southfield in the US state of Michigan. The investment has resulted in a considerable increase in capacities in the fields of design and construction and of testing.

Lear recently obtained an order from the French auto company PSA, which owns the Peugeot and Citroen marques, for the seating unit of a new vehicle generation. This is Lear´s first such contract from a French car manufacturer. Lear will supply PSA on a just-in-time basis.

READER SERVICE: IAA press releases from Lear (with new products), German: PIE-No. 44123 – English: PIE-No. 44124 – Company profile brochures, German: PIE-No. 44125 – English: PIE-No. 44126.