Visteon wins GM interiors business

Visteon Corp., the top supplier to Ford Motor Co., manages a coup of sorts by winning a spot in General Motors Corp.'s strategy to outsource vehicle interiors to suppliers. The Dearborn, MI, company makes fewer seats and components than the dedicated interior mega-suppliers. But Visteon says it has an advantage: more experience with cockpits, electronics, climate control, steering and audio systems. Visteon has 11 plants producing instrument panels in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Thailand.

During the Detroit auto show, GM identifies for the first time the five interior suppliers involved and the next-generation platforms they have been assigned. Visteon will develop small-car interiors. The others are Johnson Controls Inc. (minivans and midsize cars), Lear Corp. (fullsize cars and fullsize trucks), Magna International's Intier Automotive (fullsize sport/utility vehicles) and Venture Industries (Hummer H2). GM will retain control over sourcing decisions, but the Tier 1 suppliers will be responsible for the entire interior, including managing other suppliers.