Two US automotive equipment companies, Donnelly Corporation and Lear Corporation, recently announced that they have agreed to form a joint venture for the design, development, marketing and production…
Two US automotive equipment companies, Donnelly Corporation and Lear Corporation, recently announced that they have agreed to form a joint venture for the design, development, marketing and production of overhead systems for the global automotive market. The joint venture will be called Lear-Donnelly Overhead Systems, L.L.C., and will be a 50:50 partnership between the two companies. In addition to complete overhead systems, the joint venture will market headliners, overhead consoles and lighting components, vehicle electrification interfaces, electronic components and assist handles. The deal still has to be approved by the European Commission, however, and by other regulatory authorities. Under the terms of the agreement, Lear and Donnelly will each contribute certain technologies and assets for the creation of the venture. Included will be Lear operations in Marlette, Michigan, US, and Prestice, in the Czech Republic. Donnelly will include its interior lighting and trim facility in Holland, Michigan, and its Irish lighting and trim operations, based just outside Dublin. “This is the right move, with the right partner, at the right time,” said Dwane Baumgardner, Donnelly Chairman and CEO. “Lear is the global leader in automotive interior systems and we are tremendously excited about working together with them to set the new world standard in overhead systems. The preliminary response from our OEM customers has been very positive.”