Lear, Piston Automotive Establish Joint Venture

Autoparts Report, April 25, 2000

Lear Corporation said it created JL Automotive LLC, a joint venture with Piston Automotive LLC, to sequence vehicle interior parts for General Motors Corp. at a new assembly plant in Highland Park, Mich.

The facility will handle the sequencing of door panels, sun visors and headliners for vehicles built at GM facilities located in Hamtramck and Lake Orion, Mich., and potentially for other GM facilities outside of the Detroit area, Lear said. Start-up for the new plant is scheduled for later this month.

"Lear's support of this joint venture demonstrates our continued commitment to our customers and our role as a leader in minority partner alliances," said Jim Comer, president - North American Joint Venture Operations for Lear. "Lear purchased in excess of $200 million in products and services from minority sources last year, more than any other supplier, and we've set a goal to reach $600 million by 2005."

Piston Automotive, currently headquartered in Detroit, was launched in 1996 by former Detroit Piston basketball player, Vinnie Johnson. The 146,000 square-foot facility will initially employ 158 people and add another 123 workers over the next two years as the work expands.

"This new assembly plant is a great boost for Piston Automotive and the city of Highland Park," said Vinnie Johnson, president of Piston Automotive. "I am excited about this partnership with Lear and the new job opportunities it will bring to this area."

"This partnership is another example of General Motors' continued leadership in the support of joint ventures that strengthen minority supplier participation in the automotive industry," said J. David Allen, director, Supplier Diversity Group, General Motors Corp.