General Motors’ Saturn unit has begun using Lear’s SonoTec EP lightweight
acoustic material in dashboard insulators for the new VUE sport-utility vehicle
produced at the Spring Hill, Tennesse, manufacturing plant.

SonoTec EP is a patented, thermoplastic material made from recycled carpet
scrap that is 40% lighter than traditional acoustic-barrier material but costs
the same as the material Saturn had previously been using. Lear claims that
SonoTec EP is also easier to install, which results in reduced scrap rates and
improved assembly line efficiency.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

"GM’s Saturn Corporation is the first original equipment manufacturer
to use this new technology in a major application," said Larry Bowen, tech
manager for SonoTec EP. "However, we foresee increased demand for it in
additional automotive applications in the future."

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact