US - The new plant, which is located in Flint, Michigan, will provide seats for just-in-time delivery to the nearby General Motors Flint Assembly plant as well as its Fort Wayne plant in Indiana. Both these facilities house production of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick-ups.

"Flint is the definition of a community-driven city, fueled by dedicated people who are committed to making things happen," said Ray Scott, Lear's president and CEO. "I see the opening of this plant as a way to show appreciation for Flint and bring together some of the hardest-working people in Michigan, while producing innovative, highest-quality products for our customers."

The new plant spans across an area of 156,000 sq.ft and will employ around 600 workers by the end of 2019. It includes a conveyor system that uses the 'Lear Production System' - which essentially monitors key elements of the seat during assembly.

The facility is the first from a major automotive supplier to be constructed in Flint in over 30 years. Its opening comes soon after the company appointed John Absmeier as chief technology officer, and said that it hopes to continue with its recently recorded positive sales results.