What Lear makes

Lear operates two divisions: Seating and E-Systems. Together they cover complete seat assemblies and the wiring and electronics that distribute power and data throughout the vehicle.

The Seating division supplies finished seat systems, not just components. Lear designs and manufactures surface materials through its Eagle Ottawa leather and Guilford Performance Textiles businesses, blends its own foam in-house including a US-sourced soy-based variant, and produces seat structures, mechanisms, recliners, tracks, and latches internally. The company describes itself as the most vertically integrated automotive seating supplier, and that claim is consistent with the breadth of its in-house capabilities. It holds more than 2,500 patents in the seating space. Notable product lines include Configure+, a tetherless powered reconfigurable seating system that won an Automotive News PACE Award; the ComfortFlex module combining heat, ventilation, and massage (launched with Volvo as an industry first in 2024); and the ComfortMax Seat thermal comfort system. FlexAir, a 100% recyclable foam replacement made from air and looped polyethylene, debuted in production vehicles in 2026 and reduces seat weight by up to 20%. ReNewKnit is a trim fabric made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Lear claims seven top-four finishes in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study, more than any other seating supplier for the third consecutive year.

The E-Systems division covers the vehicle's electrical backbone. It produces wire harnesses for both low-voltage (12-48V) and high-voltage (60-800V) electrified architectures, terminals and connectors, battery connection systems including intercell connect boards and busbars, Battery Disconnect Units (BDU), and power distribution modules. A 2024 product, a solid aluminum wire harness, reduces harness weight by up to 35% and appeared on Automobilwoche's Top 25 Products to Watch list for that year. The Zone Control Module, which enables zonal electrical architectures with algorithmic circuit protection, won the 2025 Automotive News PACE Award. Lear says more than three million electric vehicles are expected to use its high-voltage battery connection systems as their primary battery-to-vehicle interface by 2030. E-Systems revenue in FY2024 was $6.1 billion, growing 3% from 2023 when the Seating segment was flat.

Financial performance

Lear reported FY2025 revenue of $23.3 billion, flat year-over-year in US dollar terms against $23.3 billion in FY2024. The Berylls by AlixPartners Top-100 Automotive Suppliers study, which measures on a EUR basis, puts FY2025 automotive-sector revenue at EUR 20,583 million, down 4.4% from the EUR 21,532 million recorded in FY2024, a divergence driven by the dollar's appreciation against the euro during the period.

Core operating earnings for FY2025 were $1,062 million, or 4.6% of revenue, compared to $1,096 million and 4.7% in FY2024. Both figures are consistent with the 4.6% EBIT margin in the Berylls study. Adjusted earnings per share grew for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $12.80 in 2025 against $12.62 in 2024, sustained by ongoing share repurchases that have reduced the share count by roughly 59% since 2011. Free cash flow for FY2025 was $527 million, against $561 million in FY2024. The company held $1.0 billion in cash at year-end 2025 and total liquidity of $3.0 billion.

By segment in FY2025, Seating margins were 5.5% reported and 6.4% adjusted. E-Systems margins were 3.1% reported and 4.9% adjusted, reflecting the cost of restructuring the segment's manufacturing footprint. Lear reduced global hourly headcount by 9% in Seating and 8% in E-Systems in 2024, and is targeting margin expansion in both segments through automation and restructuring in 2026.

The company employed approximately 164,300 people worldwide as of 2026, across 258 facilities in 36 countries. It ranks 174 on the Fortune 500.

Ownership and history

Lear was founded in 1917 in Detroit as American Metal Products. It entered the automotive seating business in the 1950s and later expanded into electrical distribution. The company went through bankruptcy in 2009 and re-emerged as Lear Corporation, relisting on the NYSE under ticker LEA in 1994 after an earlier public history. Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, it serves every major automaker globally and maintains manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. North America accounted for $9.7 billion of FY2024 revenue, Europe and Africa $8.3 billion, and Asia $4.4 billion.

Certifications and quality

Lear requires all of its production suppliers to hold valid IATF 16949 certification, and the company's own manufacturing facilities operate under IATF 16949, the global quality management standard for the automotive industry. Supplier bulletins published in 2023 and 2024 describe the annual audit and certificate-renewal requirements for the supply base, and the company's Global Requirements Manual updated in June 2024 integrates its customer-specific requirements under IATF 16949. Lear received a record 11 quality awards in its E-Systems segment in 2025, per its own reporting. The production part approval process and advanced product quality planning are standard practice across the company's programs.

Known customers

Lear serves every major original equipment manufacturer globally. Per the company's own investor materials: General Motors is a named customer for complete seat systems, including full-size pickups, SUVs, and the Orion Assembly program awarded in late 2025, described by Lear as its largest conquest seating award in its history. Ford validated the first ComfortMax Seat application and named Lear a 2026 Ford Supplier of the Year for Sustainability. Lear won the 2025 GM Supplier of the Year Award in both Seating and E-Systems. Among Chinese domestic automakers, Lear has documented awards and production programs with BYD, Changan, Dongfeng, Leapmotor, Seres, and Geely. The VW Group received E-Systems awards in Europe and South America in 2025. Volvo launched the industry's first ComfortFlex module, combining heat, ventilation, and massage, in 2024. Lear's FY2024 results note growth with BYD, Leapmotor, Geely, Xiaomi, Changan, and the Dongfeng Group in China.

Recent news

July 2026 -- Lear reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $6.2 billion, up 3% from the second quarter of 2025, and raised the midpoints of its full-year guidance range. Core operating earnings rose 7% year-over-year to $313 million (Lear newsroom, PRNewswire).

June 2026 -- Ford named Lear a 2026 Ford Supplier of the Year for Sustainability at the Ford Supplier Awards and Summit (Lear newsroom).

May 2026 -- GM named Lear a 2025 Supplier of the Year in both its Seating and E-Systems businesses, covering multiple programs across the GM portfolio (Lear newsroom).

Frequently asked questions

What does Lear Corporation make?

Lear Corporation makes automotive seating systems and electrical distribution systems. The Seating division supplies complete seats, surface materials, foam, structures, thermal comfort systems, and advanced innovations such as reconfigurable seating and recyclable cushioning. The E-Systems division produces wire harnesses, terminals, connectors, battery connection systems, Battery Disconnect Units, and zone control modules for electrified and connected vehicles.

Who are Lear Corporation's customers?

Lear serves every major automaker globally. Documented customer relationships include General Motors (full-size pickups, SUVs, Orion Assembly complete seats), Ford (ComfortMax Seat, 2026 Sustainability Supplier of the Year), Volvo (first ComfortFlex production launch), and Chinese domestic automakers including BYD, Changan, Dongfeng, Leapmotor, Seres, and Geely. The VW Group receives E-Systems awards in Europe and South America. These relationships are documented in the company's published investor materials.

What is Lear Corporation's annual revenue?

Lear reported FY2025 revenue of $23.3 billion (USD) per its published results issued February 4, 2026. The Berylls by AlixPartners Top-100 Automotive Suppliers study puts FY2025 automotive-sector revenue at EUR 20.6 billion, ranked 14th globally. FY2024 revenue was also $23.3 billion.

Where is Lear Corporation headquartered?

Lear Corporation is headquartered at 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033. It operates 258 facilities in 36 countries, with significant manufacturing presence in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company employs approximately 164,300 people globally.

Who owns Lear Corporation?

Lear Corporation is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker LEA. It has no controlling parent organization. Since 2011, the company has repurchased approximately 62 million shares representing roughly 59% of its outstanding count at the time the program began, primarily funded by free cash flow.

What is Lear Corporation's EBIT margin?

Lear's EBIT margin for FY2025, as measured by the Berylls Top-100 study, was 4.6%. The company's own reported core operating earnings margin was also 4.6% for FY2025 ($1,062 million on $23,259 million in revenue). Adjusted segment margins for FY2025 were 6.4% in Seating and 4.9% in E-Systems, before restructuring charges and other special items.

Last verified September 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.