Lear President and CEO Ray Scott. | Lear Corporation/Facebook
Lear President and CEO Ray Scott. | Lear Corporation/Facebook
A global automotive electrification sub-systems technology leader will expand operations in Independence Township, Traverse City and Sterling Heights.
Southfield-based Lear Corporation seeks to manufacture cutting-edge batteries to meet the demands of car manufacturers, according to a news release from the state government. The measure comes with a $112.5 million investment from the company that is expected to create 500 new jobs.
“Lear is proud to select Independence Township as the future home of an all-new production facility, and we thank the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for its support,” Ray Scott, Lear president and CEO, said in the release. “The plant is slated to start production in early 2024 and will provide battery disconnect units and other vehicle electrification technologies. As a Michigan-headquartered company, it’s important to make this investment in our backyard as we continue to grow our portfolio of products for electric vehicles.”
The production of advanced components will transfer power from the car’s battery to its electrical systems, which will help electric vehicles to charge faster and go further much like demand in electric SUVs and light-duty trucks.
The Independence Township facility will produce the components, the Sterling Heights facility enhancement will allow for more engineered plastics needed for the new components and the Traverse City plant will assemble components associated with the EV battery pack.
The projects are backed by a $4.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant with the state chosen for the development over other competing sites.
“Lear Corporation is a longstanding and significant member of our regional manufacturing sector,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect. “With the support of our community and the MEDC, this expansion will provide significant economic value to our regional economy and is an important next step in growing the segment of our workforce engaged in advanced and high-technology manufacturing.”
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