Raymond Scott on trade policy
From Lear CEO Ray Scott: AI, Automation, Vertical Integration & Other Keys To Competitiveness - AAH 777 · · Autoline Network
“I'd like to see USMCA stay intact and for North American trade rules to remain competitive — keeping that balance lets us bring jobs back while still being able to export and compete globally.”
On , Raymond Scott, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at LEAR CORP, spoke about trade policy during Lear CEO Ray Scott: AI, Automation, Vertical Integration & Other Keys To Competitiveness - AAH 777 on Autoline Network.
About Raymond Scott
Ray Scott, president and CEO of Lear Corporation, discussed the company’s performance and strategy in a February 2026 interview following its year-end earnings report, which he described as a strong year that provided momentum heading into 2026. He addressed the impact of tariffs on the industry and expressed support for keeping USMCA intact, stating that maintaining competitive North American trade rules allows for bringing jobs back while remaining able to export globally. Scott also emphasized the importance of a "survival mindset" and continuous improvement, noting that Lear benchmarks against competitors both inside and outside the automotive industry. In a November 2025 discussion, Scott highlighted Lear’s growth in China, where the company serves a mix of domestic Chinese brands such as BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely, as well as legacy OEMs. He described the Chinese market as moving with "incredible speed" and a focus on rapid innovation and high-quality manufacturing, driven by a "fierce survival instinct" among over 100 OEMs. Scott said Lear has learned from this environment to "blow up traditional paradigms" and adopt modular concepts and parallel processes to stay competitive. He also noted that the story of China’s development and excess capacity is still unfolding.