SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interiors have become
a hot topic in the automotive industry for one reason: consumers form their
opinion on a vehicle based on the look and feel of its components and the
level of perceived quality. Regardless of how well a car is engineered, if
the fit and finish doesn't match or any of the components look inexpensive,
consumers believe that the entire vehicle is lacking in quality. Increasing
consumer attention to "look and feel" has spurred heightened automaker focus
on interior quality and craftsmanship.
Automakers are keenly focused on interior craftsmanship as they seek to
set appearance goals that set their products apart from the competition.
According to Experian and the Warwick Manufacturing Group, the quality of a
vehicle's craftsmanship is more important to owners than its drive -- or even
reliability -- when influencing brand loyalty in the highly competitive
premium car segment. Repeat purchasing is directly linked to consumer
satisfaction and craftsmanship.
"Craftsmanship is about quality of design execution that gives the product
the appearance of being well made and well functioning at its very early
interaction with the customer," said Douglas DelGrosso, Lear's president and
chief operating officer.
"Perception is not always conscious, but perception can be influenced," he
continued. "As the result of extensive consumer research, Lear is relentless
about establishing appearance goals for interiors based on five Harmony and
Craftsmanship principles -- precise appearance, harmonious integration of
parts, appropriate materials, functional interface and perceived spacious
environment."
Lear engineers and designers have developed new manufacturing techniques,
such as the Two-Shot molding process and the innovative use of new materials
like Spray PUR(TM) polyurethane applications to improve craftsmanship, design
flexibility and reliability for automakers.
Two-shot technology is an injection-molding process that first shoots a
material on a substrate then moves or rotates to shoot a second color or
material -- all in one mold cycle. This produces a part that can be a
combination of two different colors, materials or textures. With one molding
cycle and reduction of assembly time, there can be considerable cost savings,
as well as increased design flexibility and craftsmanship.
Spray PUR is the process of spraying polyurethane over a tool for a soft
skin automotive part. The urethane is typically two components: icocyanate
plus polyol which react in the tool or mixing head to form one polyurethane
skin. The benefits are improved craftsmanship, with superior grain definition
and low gloss, as well as a softer touch and multi-tone option. The finish
also offers excellence performance/durability and scratch resistance.
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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http://www.lear.com
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
Andrea Puchalsky, Director - Corporate
Communications of Lear Corporation, +1-248-447-1651
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