Johnson Controls offers $1.25 billion for Visteon unit

MILWAUKEE -- Johnson Controls Inc. has offered $1.25 billion for the automotive interiors and electronics business at Visteon Corp., saying the acquisition would expand its presence in China.

Johnson Controls, which builds automotive interiors, batteries and other components, said Friday it sent a letter to Visteon expressing interest in the acquisition.

"This acquisition would significantly expand our automotive interior technologies and capabilities," Johnson Controls CEO Stephen Roell said in a statement. "Importantly, it would broaden and deepen our global automotive customer relationships."

A Visteon spokesman did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Visteon, which is based in Van Buren Township, Mich., is a major parts supplier for Ford Motor Co. and is operating under bankruptcy protection.

Johnson Controls, headquartered in Milwaukee, said the acquisition would be a good fit within its automotive parts business. It would also give it a bigger foothold in China, where Visteon is a key a player and where Johnson Controls has 23 joint ventures and 40 manufacturing facilities.

Locally, Johnson Controls has operations in Arlington Heights, Sycamore, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Chicago and Mt. Prospect.

If its bid is successful, Johnson Controls said its revenue from its auto parts business in China could exceed $7 billion in 2011.

Shares of Johnson Controls rose 34 cents to $28.02 in morning trading Friday.