Johnson Controls Says 2001 Outlook To Meet Expectations.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Johnson Controls Inc. said it expects 2001 earnings to slightly exceed last year's $5.09 per share, and said 2002 earnings "can approach" the same level despite economic uncertainties. Wall Street analysts had forecast 2001 earnings ranging from $4.94 to $5.10 per share for the October-to-September fiscal year, with a mean estimate of $5.05.

Johnson Controls, which makes parts and systems for auto interiors, said it faced uncertainty in 2002. The company said most of the year's weakness in the domestic automotive market will occur during the company's first half, through March 2002.

The company was assuming that North American light vehicle production, which hit 17.4 million units in its 2000 fiscal year, would slide to an estimated 15.6 million in fiscal 2001 and then hit 15.1 million vehicles in fiscal 2002. European production is expected to fall less sharply to 15.6 million vehicles for 2001 from 15.8 million, it said.

The company expected its automotive segment to achieve sales growth of about 5 percent in fiscal 2002, reflecting new contracts, strong auto battery sales, and acquisitions in Europe.

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