The chief executive of German tire and car parts maker Continental this week reiterated his interest in buying VDO, and the Financial Times said U.S. car parts supplier TRW Automotive Holdings was also considering making a bid.

Continental CEO Manfred Wennemer said he was in regular contact with Siemens about VDO, adding that he would consider acquiring a minority stake but wanted management control over the business.

He said he valued VDO, which makes products including sensors and safety and navigation systems, at between $7.9 billion and 10.5 billion.

A Siemens spokesman said Siemens wanted to keep control over the running of VDO and was going ahead with its IPO plans.

Earlier, the newspaper cited three people involved in the bidding process as saying TRW was considering a bid for VDO, and said other profitable U.S. suppliers were also eyeing the business.

Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters last month Siemens had already invited investment banks to compete to run a planned initial public offering of VDO.