Visteon has revealed it is supplying what it describes as “an innovative climate system” for the New Ford Ecosport SUV, which has been launched recently in Brazil and will be sold in other global markets.
Visteon designed and is manufacturing key heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components for the Ecosport.
Climate products supplied by Visteon on the Ecosport include a compact, centre-mounted HVAC system; compressor; condenser with integrated receiver dryer; and air conditioning lines with ‘zero leak’ metal seal fittings. The Ecosport’s air conditioning system is said to be among the first to apply a 45mm ‘tube-fin’’evaporator construction, for maximum performance in transferring heat out of the vehicle interior for quick, efficient passenger cooling.
Andreas Jancso, Director – climate, South America at Visteon, commented: “Visteon’s global climate engineering and manufacturing resources provide the foundation for ensuring Ford’s quality standards are met around the world, while aligning with the specific needs and regulations of various regional markets.”
Visteon’s new Chief Executive Officer, Tim Leuliette recently outlined in a presentation to investors what was described as a “value-creating action plan for each key business and joint venture.” This indicated the company plans to sell its climate business to Halla Climate Control (HCC) for cash, thereby creating the Halla-Visteon Climate Group (HVCG). In the first six months of 2012, the company’s Climate unit generated 60% of consolidated group revenue.
Visteon’s Climate business includes 70% ownership of HCC and Visteon’s own climate unit. Together they rank number two, with a share of 13%, in the global climate business behind Denso and are one of the only two full-line suppliers. By selling the climate business to HCC, Visteon will “have taken half of this company and made it an Asian-traded equity,” Leuliette said in a subsequent interview. Leuliette indicated in the 19 September presentation that consolidation of the two operations into one had been a major customer demand. Target transaction completion is during Q1 2013. HVCG will be headquartered in South Korea with global customer presence and Korean leadership supported by an international management team. The plan is to transfer limited S,G&A and operating resources to make the business globally “self-capable.”
