Find the Fuel for Johnson Controls

You have to admire Johnson Controls (JCI - commentary - Cramer's Take). Unlike everyone else who has been hostage to Detroit, Johnson has decided, "You know what? We are just going to change the mix. We are going to do more energy controls and less automotive."

The result?

Even though it reported a shortfall a few months ago, this stock has been flying, for a simple reason: Next year at this time, it won't look like an auto parts company. It will look like an energy controls play with some automotive exposure.

The question is, is there something even bigger at work? I am thinking that Johnson Controls could split up into automotive and energy controls, or jettison automotive entirely to one of these private capital guys, leaving you with a pure play on saving money from higher energy costs.

I have to believe something's at work because, frankly, the numbers aren't so good that the stock should be screaming like this.

I know that this is a stock with critics, but this York (YRK - commentary - Cramer's Take) acquisition tipped the balance, and now you have a winner instead of a loser like Lear (LEA - commentary - Cramer's Take) or Delphi or Dana (DCN - commentary - Cramer's Take). For those mutual funds that have a dedicated exposure to autos, and there are many, this is the answer.

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James J. Cramer is a director and co-founder of TheStreet.com. He contributes daily market commentary for TheStreet.com's sites and serves as an adviser to the company's CEO. Outside contributing columnists for TheStreet.com and RealMoney.com, including Cramer, may, from time to time, write about stocks in which they have a position. In such cases, appropriate disclosure is made. To see his personal portfolio and find out what trades Cramer will make before he makes them, sign up for ActionAlertsPLUS by clicking here. While he cannot provide personalized investment advice or recommendations, he invites you to send comments on his column by clicking here. Listen to Cramer's RealMoney Radio show on your computer; just click here. Watch Cramer on "Mad Money" at 6 p.m. ET weeknights on CNBC. Click here to order Cramer's latest book, "Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World," click here to get his second book, "You Got Screwed!" and click here to order Cramer's autobiography, "Confessions of a Street Addict." Cramer appreciates your feedback and invites you to send him an email by clicking here.