Car parts maker Visteon UK Ltd, with plants in Basildon, Belfast and Enfield, has filed for administration putting around 600 jobs at risk.

However, American-owned Visteon said its other UK operations were not in administration, including Visteon Engineering Services, which employs around 400 people.

Chairman and chief executive Donald Stebbins explained Visteon was committed to taking decisive actions in view of the “challenging” environment, to protect its long-term interests.

He said: “Despite extensive restructuring efforts, the UK plants have continued to incur substantial losses.

“Regrettably, having exhausted all options, the Visteon UK Ltd board of directors had no alternative but to file for administration.”

The administration order places Visteon UK Ltd under the control of court-appointed administrators from KPMG.

Stebbins added: “Addressing the unfavourable financial performance of our UK manufacturing operations is an important step in positioning the company for future success.

“Visteon maintains strong engineering, development and services capabilities in the UK, and continues to serve global vehicle manufacturers through our broad manufacturing and engineering resources throughout Europe.”

Visteon designs, engineers and manufactures climate, interior, electronic and lighting products for car manufacturers.