"Joining our two interiors businesses is a natural extension of our already very successful existing partnership with Yenfang in automotive seating, which has flourished over the past 15 years, said Alex Molinaroli, Johnson Controls chairman and chief executive officer. "It creates a strong combined company with a market leading position and a foundation for sustained global growth. This also aligns with Johnson Controls' corporate commitment to China, which is increasingly becoming a major center for the global automotive industry."

The new company will be headquartered in Shanghai with global engineering, development and customer centers in the United States, Europe, China, Japan and India. The product portfolio will include instrument panels and cockpit systems, door panels and floor consoles. The transaction is subject to limited conditions and is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2015.