Unions have made clear their opposition to any sell-off.

The Jersey Marine plant near Swansea employs more than 1,000 workers making chassis components for cars.

A �22m investment in the plant was announced in March, but now it's reported that Visteon is looking for greater independence, which could involve spinning off from Ford or finding a buyer.

Duncan Fletcher AEEU: We will not agree to our members currently within the Ford family to be taken out.

Duncan Simpson of the AEEU says the union would oppose any moves to remove Visteon from the Ford operation.

"Any move to take our people who are currently involved in the plants concerned will be totally opposed in all the countries - that is the UK, France, Germany and the United States," he said.

"We are saying these people are part of our 'family' and we expect them to remain in it."

Ford says Visteon is not under any pressure

However, the Ford Motor Company denies Visteon is in doubt.

Ford's Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer W. Wayne Booker said on Wednesday that the world's No. 2 automaker has no plans to take any action with its Visteon parts unit.