Lear Said It Will Develop Electronic System for Ford

Autoparts Report, June 2, 2000

Lear Corp. said that it has been selected by Ford Motor Co. to develop the electronic and electrical architecture, including the smart junction box, for a future Ford vehicle. Lear recently opened Lear Electronics and Electrical Division's new Product Development Center and Intertronics[TM] Innovation Center.

"We are pleased that Ford has chosen Lear to develop this new and advanced electronic and electrical distribution system together with our smart junction box," said Kenneth L. Way, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lear Corporation. "The Ford contract is a testimony to our advanced development work and it significantly strengthens Lear's position in the electronics and electrical segment."

The new electrical architecture is based on the integration of power and signal technology as well as multiplexing and will be developed at Lear's Ford Division facilities in Cologne, Germany. The combination of these technologies enables the number of wires to be significantly reduced and achieves a notable weight reduction while also simplifying the assembly process.

Lear said its smart junction box integrates electronics with the power distribution permitting fewer interconnections, offering greater design flexibility and reducing wire congestion in areas, like the instrument panel, where space is at a premium.

The electronic and electrical distribution system will be produced at Lear facilities in Europe, Asia and North America.