Deliberations are in the early stages, and KKR could still decide to keep the business, according to the people. A representative for KKR declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Marelli said it was the company’s policy not to comment on market speculation.
Marelli was formed in 2019, after KKR completed its acquisition of Magneti Marelli from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and combined it with existing portfolio company Calsonic Kansei. The company operates about 170 facilities and research and development centers across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia Pacific, according to its website.
A sale of the business would add to $21 billion worth of transactions involving auto parts and equipment companies this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s up by more than three quarters on the same period in 2020.
Marelli ranks No. 14 on the Automotive News list of the 100 top global suppliers, with sales to automakers of $14.9 billion in fiscal 2019.
