Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it would not come to the aid of struggling Visteon Corp., one of its main parts dealers, despite the breakdown that would occur in the supply chain should it fail.

Speaking on a conference call regarding Ford's fourth-quarter earnings, Chief Executive Alan Mulally said the company wouldn't rush in to aid Visteon, a 2000 spinoff.

"Visteon and Ford are clearly in a different place," he said, adding that Visteon supplies parts to other auto companies as well. "They have really diversified their portfolio."

Van Buren Township, Mich.-based Visteon has cut 2,800 jobs in recent months and earlier this month said it would shift 2,000 additional workers in Michigan to a four-day work week and cut their pay. Visteon has about 35,000 employees in 27 countries.

The company delayed its fourth-quarter results, but expects to report lower product sales for the quarter and full-year 2008. It is also on track to cut 800 salaried employees by the end of the first fiscal quarter.

Ford, looking to stem its worst annual loss in its 105-year history amid a global downturn in sales said rescuing Visteon is not a part of its plan.

"We not contemplating any dramatic action," said Ford Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth. "No. All we have seen is the press reports."