US group Johnson Controls, the world's largest independent supplier of automotive batteries (Energizer), seating and interior systems such as instrument panels and consoles, is planning to invest more than $50 million in a productive capacity in Romania.
"The value and location of this investment are to be decided yet, depending on the number of contracts we will sign with carmakers in Romania and in other CEE countries," officials of the Investor Relations Department within Johnson Controls told Ziarul Financiar.
The company's clients include: Renault, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rover, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Dacia officials say Johnson Controls is already in Pitesti through the part production outsourcing programme, to make all the necessary seating for both the current range of models and for the one to come.
"Our goal is to benefit from the competencies and expertise Johnson Controls has, to make sure that the clients in Romania get the best possible seats for Dacia range.
This is why we asked those at Johnson Controls to make all seating and components in Romania, but complying with Renault quality," a company official said.
He is hoping that Johnson Controls would have a second expansion stage and be able to provide services for other carmakers.
"More than a third of the cars produced in North America are equipped with Johnson Control's electronics. General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler account for about 40% of sales," Johnson officials say.
The American group is also the world's leading auto battery maker and producer of the Energizer batteries, the most popular with the main carmakers. "We think that Energizer batteries will soon be made in Romania.
It's all up to the trend of the Romanian economy and the legislative framework in this country," the company representatives added.
The Energizer batteries in Romania would enter a market ruled by the Romanian-based producer Rombat.
Johnson Controls in 2000 sold $17.2 billions' worth. To the large automotive parts and car producers, the Romanian market must seem promising, since more and more such makers are relocating their factories from the West to Romania. In principle, the moment when cars can be assembled from parts is not very far: Johnson Controls seating and instrument panels, Autoliv safety equipment, Bilstein dampers, Nissan chassis, Renault engines and Goodyear tyres.
US-Swedish group Autoliv Inc., world leading automotive safety equipment maker, has already transferred part of its safety belts and airbags production in Romania.
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