TRW Said to Get Takeover Approach From ZF Friedrichshafen

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., the world’s biggest car-safety equipment supplier, has received a preliminary takeover approach from Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen AG, in a bid to create the world’s second-largest auto-parts supplier by sales.

TRW confirmed in a statement yesterday that it has received a preliminary, non-binding proposal, without identifying the potential buyer. It has retained Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as a financial adviser. ZF said in an e-mailed statement it’s in talks with TRW about a possible offer and no decision has been made yet.