SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consumer demand for
more environmentally responsible vehicles is growing. Lear promotes "green"
manufacturing in its plants and works closely with automakers and suppliers to
reduce the environmental impact of its products. This includes eliminating
hazardous materials through the education of its engineers in Design for
Environment fundamentals and reducing the environmental aspects of the
manufacturing process.
Lear has also turned its proprietary expertise in Electronics and
Electrical Distribution products, such as wire harnesses, smart junction
boxes, terminals and connectors, fuses and more to developing hybrid solutions
for its customers.
"Due to new regulations and the increasing price of crude oil, more
consumers are choosing vehicles, such as hybrids, that have increased fuel-
efficiency and a more positive environmental impact," said Douglas DelGrosso,
president and chief operating officer of Lear. "Today, Lear is delivering
high-voltage wiring harnesses for Ford hybrids and working on a program for a
European automaker as well as developing prototypes for hybrid vehicles to be
introduced in the near future."
Since hybrid vehicles require higher-voltage electrical distribution
systems than conventional vehicles, these systems need to be managed safely.
New products to handle high currents and voltage, such as Power PCB (400
micron), DC-AC inverters for electrical machines and DC-DC converters and
stabilizers for the different voltages used are being developed in a wide
spectrum of power ranges. Connectors and wiring systems must pass through an
adaptation process to the new requirements and needs.
Additionally, automakers who respond to consumer demands for fuel-
efficient vehicles are putting their emphasis on improved manufacturing
processes and lightweight, high-performance or recyclable materials.
Lear's soybean oil-based polyurethane foam helps eliminate dependency on
petroleum and can be used in head restraints, armrests, and seating cushion
systems. Other lightweight substitute foam materials in Lear seating systems
improve fuel economy, reduce weight and optimize cost. Lear's FabFoam(TM)
seat concept is a combination of durable polyurethane skin and flexible foam
which create a trim- and fabric-less seat. This environmentally friendly
process offers styling flexibility of the surface finish with dynamic colors,
textures and gloss.
Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is one of the world's largest suppliers of
automotive interior systems and components. Lear provides complete seat
systems, electronic products and electrical distribution systems and other
interior products. With annual net sales of $17.1 billion, Lear ranks #127
among the Fortune 500. The company's world-class products are designed,
engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of 115,000 employees at 282
locations in 34 countries. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan,
and Lear is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol [LEA].
Further information about Lear is available on the Internet at
http://www.lear.com .
SOURCE Lear Corporation
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CONTACT:
Andrea Puchalsky, Director - Corporate
Communications of Lear Corporation, +1-248-447-1651
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