Lear CEO Details Strategies for Navigating Tariffs, โAI Integration & Industry Shifts
SOUTHFIELD, MI – Novemberโข 13, 2025 – Lear Corporation, aโ major supplier of automotive seating and electronic systems, is actively addressingโ challenges posed by tariffs, supply chainโค complexities, and the rise of artificial intelligence, according to comments made by President and CEO Ray Scott duringโฃ an Automotive Press Association event at Lear headquarters. The company, based in Southfield, Michigan, is positioning itself as a “valuable asset” in ongoing discussions with original equipment โmanufacturers (OEMs), or automakers.
Lear, a Tier 1 supplier, is responding to tariffs levied by the Trump โฃadministration on vehicles and automotive โparts, โcostsโ frequentlyโ enough passed on to consumers, with the stated goal of increasingโฃ U.S. vehicle and parts production. Scott stated, “I’m all for building more here in the U.S.,” adding that the company can โ”onshore where it’s necessary.”
The company is also re-evaluating its supply chain, focusingโ on regional sourcing. “We have to look more regionally,” Scottโค saeid, emphasizing a need toโค understand “where components come from.”
Lear is investing in artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and design processes. Scott highlighted the implementation โof “digital tools in automation,” noting AI’s ability to analyze pricing and supplier data. “Thesโฃ tools areโฃ optimizing peoples’โฃ jobs,” he explained, allowing purchasing employees to focus on vendor relationships.
Addressing competition, Scott acknowledged the significant challengeโค presented by China‘s rapid innovation and cost reduction in the automotive sector. “We manufacture โfor China, in China,” he said, adding that Lear has been “blown away how quickly thay moved to innovate products” within the Chinese market.
Internally, scott emphasized the importance of aโฃ unified corporate culture, stating, “It only takes oneโ person to take the culture down considerably.” He cited โฃrespectful communication as a key element of the desired environment.
Looking ahead, Scott anticipates consolidation within the automotive supplier base, โขciting “too much capacity” โฃas a driving factor.