UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

  x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

Or

 

  ¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________ to _________

 

Commission file number: 000-33123

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   33-0885775
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or   (I.R.S. employer identification number)
organization)    

 

No. 1 Henglong Road, Yu Qiao Development Zone, Shashi District

Jing Zhou City, Hubei Province, the People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

  (86) 716- 412- 7868  
  Issuer’s telephone number  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes           x           No           ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes           x           No           ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨
         
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
¨   Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes           ¨           No           x

 

As of November 12, 2015, the Company had 32,121,019 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.

 

INDEX

 

        Page
         
    Part I Financial Information   4
         
Item 1.   Unaudited Financial Statements.   4
    Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014   4
    Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014   5
    Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014   6
    Notes to Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements   8
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.   26
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.   39
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures.   39
         
    Part II Other Information   40
         
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.   40
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.   40
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.   40
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities.   40
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures.   40
Item 5.   Other Information.   40
Item 6.   Exhibits.   40
         
Signatures       41

 

2 

 

 

Cautionary Statement

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “can,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the matters set forth in this Quarterly Report or other reports or documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those projected. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company’s expectations are as of the date this Form 10-Q is filed, and the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed to conform these statements to actual results, unless required by law. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

3 

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

  Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
Net product sales, including $8,137 and $11,890  to related parties for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014  $90,845   $101,735 
Cost of products sold, including $5,721 and $6,069 purchased from related parties for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014   74,933    81,152 
Gross profit   15,912    20,583 
Gain on other sales   877    1,132 
Less: Operating expenses          
Selling expenses   3,319    3,734 
General and administrative expenses   3,080    3,734 
Research and development expenses   5,440    5,441 
Total operating expenses   11,839    12,909 
Income from operations   4,950    8,806 
Other income, net   221    113 
Interest expense   (501)   (728)
Financial income, net   556    1,140 
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   5,226    9,331 
Less: Income taxes   945    1,387 
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   100    82 
Net income   4,381    8,026 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   93    1,293 
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders  $4,288   $6,733 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income  $4,381   $8,026 
Other comprehensive income:          
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of tax   (12,477)   9 
Comprehensive (loss) income   (8,096)   8,035 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests   (483)   1,293 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to parent company  $(7,613)  $6,742 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share          
           
Basic –  $0.13   $0.24 
           
Diluted-  $0.13   $0.24 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          
Basic   32,121,019    28,043,019 
Diluted   32,134,839    28,063,661 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

4 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2015   2014 
Net product sales, including $28,076 and $38,627 to related parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014  $323,455   $331,517 
Cost of products sold, including $18,359 and $20,721 purchased from related parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014   264,080    268,013 
Gross profit   59,375    63,504 
Gain on other sales   3,248    10,267 
Less: Operating expenses          
Selling expenses   10,989    11,104 
General and administrative expenses   11,316    11,056 
Research and development expenses   17,746    16,509 
Total operating expenses   40,051    38,669 
Income from operations   22,572    35,102 
Other income, net   587    491 
Interest expense   (1,040)   (1,552)
Financial income, net   2,018    2,150 
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   24,137    36,191 
Less: Income taxes   4,001    6,488 
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   264    220 
Net income   20,400    29,923 
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests   (56)   5,409 
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders  $20,456   $24,514 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income  $20,400   $29,923 
Other comprehensive income:          
Foreign currency translation loss, net of tax   (12,316)   (2,413)
Comprehensive income   8,084    27,510 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests   (649)   5,006 
Comprehensive income attributable to parent company  $8,733   $22,504 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share          
           
Basic –  $0.64   $0.87 
           
Diluted-  $0.64   $0.87 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          
Basic   32,121,019    28,043,019 
Diluted   32,136,003    28,063,846 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

5 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014
ASSETS              
Current assets:              
Cash and cash equivalents   $  76,064     $ 68,505
Pledged cash deposits      29,675       33,633
Short-term investments      26,801       41,017
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties      242,510       282,348
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties      31,423       22,760
Advance payments and others - unrelated parties     3,673       2,124
Advance payments and others - related parties      812       741
Inventories      67,067       64,419
Current deferred tax assets      7,244       7,078
Total current assets     485,269       522,625
Non-current assets:              
Property, plant and equipment, net     76,012          82,466
Intangible assets, net      2,973       3,419
Other receivables, net - unrelated parties     3,585       1,619
Other receivables, net - related parties      3       76
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties      13,658         6,755
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties     6,185         2,085
Long-term investments      6,203       4,575
Goodwill      621       645
Non-current deferred tax assets     5,388          4,896
Total assets   $ 599,897     $ 629,161
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              
Current liabilities:              
Bank and government loans   $  44,982     $ 43,988
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties      186,286       213,090
Accounts and notes payable - related parties      6,233       4,857
Customer deposits      1,477       1,885
Accrued payroll and related costs      6,259       7,554
Accrued expenses and other payables     33,835       35,429
Accrued pension costs      4,535       5,586
Taxes payable      7,580       11,557
Amounts due to shareholders/directors      358       380
Current deferred tax liabilities      177       189
Total current liabilities     291,722       324,515
Long-term liabilities:              
Advances payable      1,960       6,156
Non-current deferred tax liabilities     280       321
Total liabilities   $  293,962     $ 330,992
               
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 29)              
               
Stockholders’ equity:              
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares; Issued – 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively   $

 

3

    $ 3
Additional paid-in capital      64,522       64,522
Retained earnings-              
Appropriated      10,349       10,178
Unappropriated     199,720          179,435
Accumulated other comprehensive income     24,396         36,119
Treasury stock – 217,283 and 217,283 shares as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively      (1,000)       (1,000)
Total parent company stockholders' equity     297,990          289,257
Non-controlling interests     7,945         8,912
Total stockholders' equity     305,935          298,169
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 599,897     $ 629,161

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

6 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income   $ 20,400   $ 29,923    
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Stock-based compensation     -     193    
Depreciation and amortization     11,509     11,592    
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts     (124)     177    
Inventory write downs     1,522     2,531    
Deferred income taxes     (1,180)     (907 )  
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies                    (236)     (182 )  
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets     2     (7,500 )  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
(Increase) decrease in:                
Pledged deposits     2,696     1,953    
Accounts and notes receivable     19,801     (19,173 )  
Advance payments and others     (1,741)     328    
Inventories     (6,723)     (17,449 )  
Increase (decrease) in:                
Accounts and notes payable     (17,021)     2,363    
Customer deposits     (381)     1,313    
Accrued payroll and related costs      (1,068)     (423 )  
Accrued expenses and other payables     1109       597    
Accrued pension costs      (842)     1,460    
Taxes payable      (3,671)     1,257    
Advances payable      -        8    
Net cash provided by operating activities     24,052     8,061    
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Increase in other receivables     (1,965)     (347 )  
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales     573     6,994    
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment     (24,077)     (11,317 )  
Payments to acquire intangible assets     (947)     (252 )  
Purchase of short-term investments     (12,264)     (46,192 )  
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments     25,038     38,115    
Acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong, net of cash acquired     -        (2,976 )  
Investment under cost method     (1,636)        -    
Net cash used in investing activities     (15,278)     (15,975 )  
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from government and bank loan      11,420     15,836    
Repayments of bank loan      (8,685)     (9,590 )  
Dividends paid to the non-controlling interest holders      (1,121)     (6,048 )  
Dividends paid to the holders of the Company’s common stock     -        (4,291 )  
Increase (decrease) in amounts due to shareholders/directors     (252)     69    
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     1,362     (4,024 )  
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     (2,577)     (472 )  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     7,559     (12,410 )  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     68,505     53,979    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 76,064   $ 41,569    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

7 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Cash paid for interest   $  1,477     $ 893  
Cash paid for income taxes      7,554         3,459  

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Advance payments for acquiring property, plant and equipment   $ 8,456     $ 6,303  
Dividends payable to non-controlling interest holders     318       4,063  
Accounts payable for acquiring property, plant and equipment     292       -  
Non-controlling interests arising as a result of acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong     -       2,793  
Payables for the acquisition of non-controlling interests in Henglong and Jiulong     -       37,314  
Accounts receivable for the sale of land use rights     -       1,890  
Dividends payable to the Company’s shareholders     -       757  
Dividends receivable from joint venture company     -       508  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

8 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

1. Organization and business

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc., “China Automotive,” was incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 29, 1999 under the name Visions-In-Glass, Inc. China Automotive, including, when the context so requires, its subsidiaries and the joint ventures described below, is referred to herein as the “Company.” The Company is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive systems and components, as described below.

 

Great Genesis Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong on January 3, 2003 under the Companies Ordinance in Hong Kong as a limited liability company, “Genesis,” is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Great Genesis is mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive systems and components through its controlled subsidiaries and the joint ventures, as described below.

 

Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA,” incorporated on January 8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and is mainly engaged in marketing of automotive parts in North America, and provides after-sales service and research and development support accordingly.

 

The Company owns the following aggregate net interests in the entities established in the People's Republic of China, the “PRC,” and Brazil as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

    Percentage Interest  
Name of Entity   September 30,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd., “Jiulong” 1     100.00 %     100.00 %
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “Henglong” 2     100.00 %     100.00 %
Shenyang Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Shenyang” 3     70.00 %     70.00 %
Universal Sensor Application Inc., “USAI” 4     83.34 %     83.34 %
Wuhan Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong” 5     85.00 %     85.00 %
Wuhu HengLong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Wuhu” 6     77.33 %     77.33 %
Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd, “Hubei Henglong” 7     100.00 %     100.00 %
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Technology (Testing) Center, “Testing Center” 8     100.00 %     100.00 %
Beijing Henglong Automotive System Co., Ltd., “Beijing Henglong” 9     50.00 %     50.00 %
Chongqing Henglong Hongyan Automotive System Co., Ltd., “Chongqing Henglong” 10     70.00 %     70.00 %
CAAS Brazil’s Imports And Trade In Automotive Parts Ltd., “Brazil Henglong” 11     80.00 %     80.00 %
Fujian Qiaolong Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd., “Fujian Qiaolong” 12     51.00 %     51.00 %
Wuhan Chuguanjie Automotive Science and Technology Ltd., “Wuhan Chuguanjie” 13     85.00 %     85.00 %
Hubei Henglong Group Shanghai Automotive Electronics Research and Development Ltd., “Shanghai Henglong” 14     100.00 %     -  

 

  1. Jiulong was established in 1993 and mainly engages in the production of integral power steering gears for heavy-duty vehicles.

 

  2. Henglong was established in 1997 and mainly engages in the production of rack and pinion power steering gears for cars and light duty vehicles.

 

  3. Shenyang was established in 2002 and focuses on power steering parts for light duty vehicles.

 

  4. USAI was established in 2005 and mainly engages in the production and sales of sensor modules.

 

  5. Jielong was established in 2006 and mainly engages in the production and sales of automotive steering columns.

 

  6. Wuhu was established in 2006 and mainly engages in the production and sales of automobile steering systems.

 

  7. On March 7, 2007, Genesis established Hubei Henglong, formerly known as Jingzhou Hengsheng Automotive System Co., Ltd., its wholly-owned subsidiary, to engage in the production and sales of automotive steering systems. On July 8, 2012, Hubei Henglong changed its name to Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd.

 

  8. In December 2009, Henglong, a subsidiary of Genesis, formed the Testing Center, which mainly engages in the research and development of new products. The registered capital of the Testing Center was RMB30.0 million, equivalent to approximately $4.4 million.

  

  9. Beijing Henglong was established in 2010 and mainly engages in the design, development and manufacture of both hydraulic and electric power steering systems and parts. According to the joint venture agreement, the Company does not have voting control of Beijing Henglong. Therefore, the Company’s consolidated financial statements do not include Beijing Henglong, and such investment is accounted for by the equity accounting method.
     
  10. On February 21, 2012, Hubei Henglong and SAIC-IVECO Hongyan Company, “SAIC-IVECO,” established a Sino-foreign joint venture company, Chongqing Henglong, to design, develop and manufacture both hydraulic and electric power steering systems and parts.

 

9 

 

 

11.On August 21, 2012, Brazil Henglong was established as a Sino-foreign joint venture company by Hubei Henglong and two Brazilian citizens, Ozias Gaia Da Silva and Ademir Dal’ Evedove. Brazil Henglong engages mainly in the import and sales of automotive parts in Brazil.

 

12.In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a 51.0% ownership interest in Fujian Qiaolong Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd., “Fujian Qiaolong”, a special purpose vehicle manufacturer and dealer with automobile repacking qualifications, based in Fujian, China. Fujian Qiaolong mainly manufactures and distributes drainage and rescue vehicles with mass flow, drainage vehicles with vertical downhole operation, crawler-type mobile pump stations, high-altitude water supply and discharge drainage vehicles, long-range control crawler-type mobile pump stations and other vehicles.

 

13.In May 2014, together with Hubei Wanlong, Jielong formed a subsidiary, Wuhan Chuguanjie Automotive Science and Technology Ltd., “Wuhan Chuguanjie”, which mainly engages in research and development, manufacture and sales of automobile electronic systems and parts. Wuhan Chuguanjie is located in Wuhan, China. The registered capital of Wuhan Chuguanjie is RMB30.0 million, equivalent to approximately $4.9 million. Jielong has completed the capital injection of RMB30.0 million, equivalent to approximately $4.9 million.

 

14.In January 2015, Hubei Henglong formed Hubei Henglong Group Shanghai Automotive Electronics Research and Development Ltd., “Shanghai Henglong”, which mainly engages in the design and sales of automotive electronics. The registered capital of Shanghai Henglong was RMB3.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.5 million. Hubei Henglong has completed the capital injection of RMB3.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.5 million.

 

On September 22, 2014, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with seven other parties to establish a venture capital fund, the “Venture Fund”, which mainly focuses on investments in emerging automobiles and parts industries. Total share capital of the Venture Fund is RMB280.0 million, equivalent to approximately $45.5 million. The initial term of the fund is eight years. Hubei Henglong has committed to make investments into the Venture Fund of 17.9% or RMB50.0 million, equivalent to approximately $8.1 million, which will be paid in three installments. Hubei Henglong is a limited partner of the Venture Fund. It has no seat on the investment committee of the Venture Fund and does not have any other rights that give it significant influence on the operation and decision-making of the Venture Fund. Furthermore, such investment has no readily determinable fair value. Therefore, this investment will be accounted for using the cost method. On October 20, 2014, Hubei Henglong made its first capital contribution of RMB5.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.8 million. On April 24, 2015, Hubei Henglong made its second capital contribution of RMB10.0 million, equivalent to approximately $1.6 million (See Note 29).

 

2. Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies

 

  (a) Basis of Presentation

 

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The details of subsidiaries are disclosed in Note 1. Significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions in Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by such accounting principles for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but in the opinion of the Company’s management, contain all necessary adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments, for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although the Company’s management believes that the disclosures contained in these financial statements are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. For further information, please refer to the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  

The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

 

10 

 

 

Estimation - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  (b) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. ASU 2014-09 will eliminate transaction-specific and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle-based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will require that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. The ASU also will require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Management is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and the effect of the standard on the Company’s ongoing financial reporting.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-3, "Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. For the Company, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" (“ASU 2015-11”) which applies to inventory that is measured using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") or average cost method. Under the updated guidance, an entity should measure inventory that is within scope at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory that is measured using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and should be applied prospectively with early adoption permitted at the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company expects that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.” Under this ASU, an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The effect on earnings of changes in depreciation or amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date, must be recorded in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined rather than retrospectively. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim reporting periods within those annual periods. The Company expects that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

  (c) Significant Accounting Policies

 

There have been no updates to the significant accounting policies set forth in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

3. Acquisition

 

In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a 51.0% ownership interest in Fujian Qiaolong, a special purpose vehicle manufacturer and dealer with automobile repacking qualification, based in Fujian, China. Fujian Qiaolong mainly manufactures and distributes drainage and rescue vehicle with mass flow, drainage vehicles with vertical downhole operation, crawler-type mobile pump stations, high-altitude water supply and discharge drainage vehicles, long-range control crawler-type mobile pump stations and other vehicles. The acquisition expands the Company’s scope of business and improves the Company’s product mix. The results of Fujian Qiaolong have been included since the date of acquisition and are reflected in the Company’s Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The total purchase price was approximately $3.0 million. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

The following table summarizes the allocation of consideration and the respective fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Fujian Qiaolong acquisition as of the date of purchase (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

Total purchase price:        
Cash consideration paid to acquire ownership interest   $ 3,007  
         
Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 31  
Current assets, net of cash acquired     8,428  
Deferred tax asset     69  
Property and equipment     3,694  
Intangible assets     864  
Goodwill     642  
Total assets consolidated into the Company   $ 13,728  
Liabilities        
Current liabilities, excluding current deferred tax liabilities     (7,352 )
Deferred tax liabilities     (448 )
Other liabilities     (128 )
Total liabilities consolidated into the Company     (7,928 )
Non-controlling interests at fair value     (2,793 )
Total equity consolidated into the Company   $ (3,007 )

 

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Pro forma results of operations for the acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong have not been presented because it is not material to the consolidated results of operations.

  

For the acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong, intangible assets which have been assessed and recognized, such as patents and developed technology, have a weighted-average useful life of 4.7 years.

  

4. Pledged cash deposits

 

Pledged cash deposits are used as guarantees for the Company’s notes payable and their use is restricted. The Company regularly pays some of its suppliers by bank notes. The Company has to make a cash deposit, generally equivalent to 30% - 100% of the face value of the relevant bank note in order to obtain the bank note.

 

5. Short-term investments

 

Short-term investments comprise time deposits with maturity terms of more than three months but due within one year. The carrying values of time deposits approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The interest earned is recognized in the condensed unaudited statements of operations and comprehensive income over the contractual term of the deposit.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had pledged short-term investments of RMB33.0 million, equivalent to approximately $5.4 million, and RMB 15.0 million, equivalent to approximately $2.4 million, respectively, to secure loans under the credit facility issued by HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited Hong Kong branch, “HSBC HK” (see Note 14), and notes payable under Hubei Bank, and the use of the pledged short-term investments is restricted.

 

6. Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

The Company’s accounts and notes receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Accounts receivable - unrelated parties (1)   $ 117,129     $ 137,165  
Notes receivable - unrelated parties (2) (3)     126,615       146,597  
Total accounts and notes receivable- unrelated parties     243,744       283,762  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts - unrelated parties     (1,234)       (1,414 )
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties     242,510       282,348  
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties     31,423       22,760  
Accounts and notes receivable, net   $ 273,933     $ 305,108  

 

  (1) As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has pledged $33.0 million and $34.3 million, respectively, of accounts receivable as security for its comprehensive credit facilities with banks in China.

 

  (2) Notes receivable represent accounts receivable in the form of bills of exchange for which acceptances are guaranteed and settlements are handled by banks.

 

  (3)

As of September 30, 2015, Henglong collateralized its notes receivable in an amount of RMB232.6 million, equivalent to approximately $36.6 million, including RMB207.1 million, equivalent to approximately $32.6 million, as security in favor of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Jingzhou Branch, “ICBC Jingzhou,” for the purpose of obtaining the Henglong Standby Letter of Credit (as defined in Note 14) which is used as security for the non-revolving credit facility in the amount of $30.0 million provided by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, “ICBC Macau”, and RMB25.5 million, equivalent to approximately $4.0 million, as security in favor of the Chinese government for the low-interest government loan (See Note 14).

 

As of December 31, 2014, Henglong collateralized its notes receivable in an amount of RMB232.5 million, equivalent to approximately $38.0 million, as security for the credit facilities with banks in China and the Chinese government, including RMB201.8 million, equivalent to approximately $33.0 million, in favor of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Jingzhou Branch, “ICBC Jingzhou,” for the purpose of obtaining the Henglong Standby Letter of Credit which is used as security for the non-revolving credit facility in the amount of $30.0 million provided by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, “ICBC Macau,” and RMB30.7 million, equivalent to approximately $5.0 million, in favor of the Chinese government as security for the low-interest government loan.

 

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7. Payment to customer

 

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company made a $2.4 million payment to a customer for new product testing services provided by the customer. As the Company cannot reasonably demonstrate that such payment amount represents the fair value of the services provided by its customer, the payment was recorded as a reduction of net sales in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

  

8. Inventories

 

The Company’s inventories as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Raw materials   $ 15,060     $ 15,842  
Work in process     13,468       11,849  
Finished goods     38,539       36,728  
Total   $ 67,067     $ 64,419  

 

Provision for inventories amounted to $1.5 million and $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

9. Other receivables, net

 

The Company’s other receivables as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Other receivables - unrelated parties (1)   $ 1,400     $ 707  
Other receivables - employee housing loans (2)     2,249       990  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts- unrelated parties     (64)       (78 )
Other receivables, net - unrelated parties   $ 3,585     $ 1,619  

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Other receivables - related parties (1)   $ 643     $ 725  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts- related parties     (640)       (649 )
Other receivables, net - related parties   $ 3     $ 76  

 

  (1) Other receivables consist of amounts advanced to both related and unrelated parties, primarily as unsecured demand loans. These receivables originate as part of the Company's normal operating activities and are periodically settled in cash.

 

  (2) On May 28, 2014, the board of directors of the Company approved a loan program under which the Company will lend an aggregate of up to RMB50.0 million, equivalent to approximately $8.1 million, to the employees of the Company to assist them in purchasing houses. Employees are required to pay interest at an annual rate of 5.4%. The term of the loans is generally five years.

  

10. Long-term investments

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s balance of long-term investment was $6.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively. For the long-term investments in which the Company has significant influence but no controlling power, such investments were accounted for using the equity method; for long-term investments in which the Company has no significant influence and such investments have no readily determinable fair values, such investments were accounted for using the cost method.

 

The Company’s share of net assets and net income is reported as “long-term investment” on the condensed unaudited consolidated balance sheets and “equity in earnings of affiliated companies” on the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The Company’s condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect the equity earnings of non-consolidated affiliates of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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11. Property, plant and equipment, net

 

The Company’s property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Land use rights and buildings   $ 52,538     $ 48,956  
Machinery and equipment     116,759       119,597  
Electronic equipment     7,693       7,706  
Motor vehicles     4,686       4,609  
Construction in progress     4,611       5,463  
Total amount of property, plant and equipment (1)     186,287       186,331  
Less: Accumulated depreciation (2)     (110,275)       (103,865 )
Total amount of property, plant and equipment, net (3)   $ 76,012     $ 82,466  

  

  (1) Through the acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong in the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired $3.7 million of property, plant and equipment, consisting of $3.4 million of land use rights and buildings, $0.2 million of machinery and equipment, and $0.1 million of motor vehicles, which are depreciated over a weighted average life of 43.0 years, 3.5 years, and 3.1 years, respectively.

 

  (2) Depreciation charges were $3.4 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $11.0 million and $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

  (3) As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had pledged property, plant and equipment with net book value of $41.0 million and $45.5 million, respectively, for its comprehensive credit facilities with banks in China.

 

  (4) During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, $1.6 million of government subsidies were recorded as a reduction of the cost of property, plant and equipment.

 

  12. Intangible assets

 

The Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Costs:                
Patent technology   $ 4,536     $ 4,887  
Management software license     1,015       932  
Total intangible assets (1)      5,551       5,819  
Less: Amortization (2)     (2,578)       (2,400 )
Total intangible assets, net   $ 2,973     $ 3,419  

 

  (1) Through the acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong in the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired $0.9 million of intangible assets, consisting of $0.9 million of patent technology and $nil of management software licenses, which are amortized over a weighted average life of 4.7 years and 1.1 years, respectively.

 

  (2) Amortization expenses were $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

13. Deferred income tax assets

 

In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, the Company assesses, on a quarterly basis, its ability to realize its deferred tax assets. Based on the more likely than not standard in the guidance and the weight of available evidence, the Company believes a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets is necessary. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considered the following significant factors: an assessment of recent years’ profitability and losses by tax authorities; the Company’s expectation of profits based on margins and volumes expected to be realized, which are based on current pricing and volume trends; the long period in all significant operating jurisdictions before the expiry of net operating losses, noting further that a portion of the deferred tax asset is composed of deductible temporary differences that are subject to an expiry period until realized under tax law. The Company will continue to evaluate the provision of valuation allowance in future periods.

 

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The components of estimated deferred income tax assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
             
Losses carry forward (U.S.) (1)   $ 6,877     $ 7,014  
Losses carry forward (Non-US) (1)     2,781       2,000  
Product warranties and other reserves     4,505       4,531  
Property, plant and equipment     4,623       4,684  
Share-based compensation     266       266  
Bonus accrual     476       372  
Other accruals     1,053       1,319  
Others     1,397       1,496  
Total deferred tax assets     21,978       21,682  
Less: taxable temporary difference related to revenue recognition     (187)       (472 )
Total deferred tax assets, net     21,791       21,210  
Less: Valuation allowance     (9,159)       (9,236 )
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance (2)   $ 12,632     $ 11,974  

  

  (1) The net operating losses carry forward for the U.S. entities for income tax purposes are available to reduce future years' taxable income. These losses will expire, if not utilized, in 20 years. Net operating losses carry forward for China entities can be carried forward for 5 years to offset taxable income. However, as of September 30, 2015, the valuation allowance was $9.2 million, including $7.1 million allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets in the United States and $2.1 million allowance for the Company’s non-U.S. deferred tax assets in China. Based on the Company’s current operations in the United States, management believes that the deferred tax assets in the United States are not likely to be realized in the future. For the deferred tax assets in China, pursuant to certain tax laws and regulations in China, the management believes such amount will not be used to offset future taxable income.

 

  (2) Approximately $5.4 million and $4.9 million of net deferred income tax asset as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, are included in non-current deferred tax assets in the accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The remaining $7.2 million and $7.1 million of net deferred income tax assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, are included in current deferred tax assets.

 

14. Bank and government loans

 

Loans consist of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Short-term bank loan (1)   $ 6,052     $ 4,085  
Short-term bank loan (2) (3)     35,000       35,000  
Short-term government loan (4)     3,930       4,903  
Bank and government loans   $ 44,982     $ 43,988  

 

  (1) These loans are secured by property, plant and equipment of the Company and are repayable within one year (See Note 11). As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the weighted average interest rate was 7.0% and 6.5% per annum, respectively. Interest is paid on the twentieth day of each month or quarter, as applicable, and the principal repayment is at maturity.

 

  (2)

On May 18, 2012, the Company entered into a credit facility agreement, the “Credit Agreement,” with ICBC Macau to obtain a non-revolving credit facility in the amount of $30.0 million, the “Credit Facility”. The Credit Facility would have expired on November 3, 2012 unless the Company drew down the line of credit in full prior to such expiration date, and the maturity date for the loan drawdown was the earlier of (i) 18 months from the drawdown or (ii) 1 month before the expiry of the standby letter of credit obtained by Henglong from ICBC Jingzhou as security for the Credit Facility, the “Henglong Standby Letter of Credit”. The interest rate of the Credit Facility is calculated based on a three-month LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum, subject to the availability of funds and fluctuation at ICBC Macau’s discretion. The interest is calculated daily based on a 360-day year and it is fixed one day before the first day of each interest period. The interest period is defined as three months from the date of drawdown. As security for the Credit Facility, the Company was required to provide ICBC Macau with the Henglong Standby Letter of Credit for a total amount not less than $31.6 million if the Credit Facility is fully drawn.

 

On May 22, 2012, the Company drew down the full amount of $30.0 million under the Credit Facility and provided the Henglong Standby Letter of Credit for an amount of $31.6 million in favor of ICBC Macau. The Henglong Standby Letter of Credit issued by ICBC Jingzhou is collateralized by Henglong’s notes receivable of RMB207.1 million, equivalent to approximately $32.6 million. The Company also paid an arrangement fee of $0.1 million to ICBC Macau and $0.1 million to ICBC Jingzhou. The original maturity date of the Credit Facility was May 22, 2013.

 

On May 7, 2013, ICBC Macau agreed to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to May 13, 2014. The interest rate of the Credit Facility under the extended term was revised as the three-month LIBOR plus 2.0% per annum. Except for the above, all other terms and conditions as stipulated in the Credit Agreement remained unchanged.

 

On May 13, 2014, ICBC Macau agreed to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to May 12, 2015. The interest rate of the Credit Facility under the extended term was revised as the three-month LIBOR plus 2.55% per annum. Except for the above, all other terms and conditions as stipulated in the Credit Agreement remained unchanged.

 

On May 8, 2015, ICBC Macau agreed to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to May 13, 2016. The interest rate of the Credit Facility under the extended term is revised as the three-month LIBOR plus 1.40% per annum. Except for the above, all other terms and conditions as stipulated in the Credit Agreement remain unchanged. As of September 30, 2015, the interest rate of the Credit Facility was 1.73% per annum.

 

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  (3) On July 16, 2014, Great Genesis entered into a credit facility agreement with HSBC HK to obtain a non-revolving credit facility in the amount of $5.0 million, the “HSBC Credit Facility”. The HSBC Credit Facility expired on July 1, 2015, and had an annual interest rate of 1.7%. Interest was paid on the twentieth day of each month and the principal repayment was at maturity. As security for the HSBC Credit Facility, the Company’s subsidiary Hubei Henglong was required to provide HSBC HK with the Standby Letter of Credit for a total amount of not less than $5.4 million if the HSBC Credit Facility was fully drawn. 

  

   

On July 22, 2014, Great Genesis drew down a loan amounting to $5.0 million provided by HSBC HK and Hubei Henglong provided a Standby Letter of Credit for an amount of $5.4 million in favor of HSBC HK. Hubei Henglong’s Standby Letter of Credit was issued by HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited Wuhan branch and is collateralized by short-term investments of Hubei Henglong of RMB33.0 million, equivalent to approximately $5.4 million.

 

On October 6, 2015, HSBC HK agreed to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to July 1, 2016. The interest rate of the Credit Facility under the extended term is revised as 1.5% per annum. Except for the above, all other terms and conditions as stipulated in the Credit Agreement remained unchanged.

 

  (4) On March 31, 2015, the Company received a Chinese government loan of RMB25.0 million, equivalent to approximately $4.1 million, with an interest rate of 2.5% per annum. The government loan will mature on April 20, 2016. Henglong pledged RMB25.3 million, equivalent to approximately $4.1 million, of notes receivable as security for such Chinese government loan (See Note 6).

  

15. Accounts and notes payable

 

The Company’s accounts and notes payable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Accounts payable - unrelated parties   $ 112,791     $ 132,389  
Notes payable - unrelated parties (1)     73,495       80,701  
Total accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties     186,286       213,090  
Total accounts and notes payable - related parties     6,233       4,857  
Total accounts and notes payable   $ 192,519     $ 217,947  

 

  (1) Notes payable represent accounts payable in the form of bills of exchange whose acceptances are guaranteed and settlements are handled by banks. The Company has pledged cash deposits, notes receivable and certain property, plant and equipment to secure notes payable granted by banks.

 

16. Accrued expenses and other payables

 

The Company’s accrued expenses and other payables as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Accrued expenses   $ 7,353     $ 6,988  
Accrued interest     69       121  
Other payables     1,612       1,735  
Dividends payable to common shareholders (1)     508       757  
Dividends payable to non-controlling interests  (2)     -       817  
Warranty reserves (3)     24,293       25,011  
Total   $ 33,835     $ 35,429  

 

  (1) On May 27, 2014, the Company announced the payment of a special cash dividend of $0.18 per common share to the Company’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 26, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, dividends payable of $0.5 million remained unpaid.

 

  (2) In accordance with the resolution of the board of directors of Shenyang, in March 2015, Shenyang declared a dividend amounting to $1.1 million to its shareholders, of which $0.3 million was payable to the holder of the non-controlling interests. As of September 30, 2015, all of the dividends have been paid to the holder of the non-controlling interests.

 

  (3) The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties when the products are sold. Such estimates of product warranties are based on, among other things, historical experience, product changes, material expenses, services and transportation expenses arising from the manufactured products. Estimates will be adjusted on the basis of actual claims and circumstances.

 

16 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, the warranties activities were as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014  
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 25,011     $ 22,104     $ 22,104  
Additions during the period     6,779       8,333       12,341  
Settlement within period, by cash or actual materials     (6,543)       (5,816)       (9,354)  
Foreign currency translation loss     (954)       (200)       (80)  
Balance at end of the period   $ 24,293     $ 24,421     $ 25,011  

  

17. Taxes payable

 

The Company’s taxes payable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    September 30, 2015     December 31, 2014  
Value-added tax payable   $ 5,146     $ 6,393  
Income tax payable     2,122       4,537  
Other tax payable     312       627  
Total   $ 7,580     $ 11,557  

 

18. Advances payable

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, advances payable by the Company were $2.0 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

The amounts are special subsidies made by the Chinese government to the Company to offset the costs and charges related to the improvement of production capacities and improvement of the quality of products. For the government subsidies with no further conditions to be met, the amounts are recorded as other income when received; for the amounts with certain operating conditions, the government subsidies are recorded as advances payable when received and will be recorded as a deduction of related expenses and cost of acquired assets when the conditions are met.

 

The balances are unsecured, interest-free and will be repayable to the Chinese government if the usage of such advance does not continue to qualify for the subsidy.

   

19. Additional paid-in capital

 

The Company’s positions in respect of the amounts of additional paid-in capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended 
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014  
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 64,522     $ 39,565     $ 39,565  
Return of  common shareholders’ investment cost  (1)     -       (5,047)       (5,047 )
Acquisition of the non-controlling interests in Henglong and Jiulong (2)     -       (7,502)       (7,502 )
Issuance of common stock in exchange for the non-controlling interests in Henglong and Jiulong  (2)     -       -       37,313  
Share-based compensation (3)     -       193       193  
Balance at end of the period   $ 64,522     $ 27,209     $ 64,522  

 

  (1) On May 27, 2014, the Company announced a special cash dividend of $0.18 per common share to the Company’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 26, 2014. As China Automotive Systems, the parent company, had an accumulated deficit position as of the date of the dividend declaration, the dividends distributed to the Company’s common shareholders described above are treated as a return of common shareholders’ investment cost.

 

  (2) On August 11, 2014, the Company entered into the Exchange Agreement with Jiulong Machinery Electricity, under which the Company issued 3,260,000 and 818,000 of its common shares in consideration for the acquisition of the 20% and 19% equity interests in Henglong and Jiulong, respectively, held by Jiulong Machinery Electricity. On September 26, 2014, the Company obtained the 20% and 19% equity interests in Henglong and Jiulong, respectively, and completed its share registrations with the local government administrative bureau. The Company owned 100% of the equity interests in both Henglong and Jiulong as of September 30, 2014. The Company’s acquisitions of the non-controlling interests were accounted for as equity transactions in the year ended December 31, 2014. The total carrying value for the non-controlling interests in both Henglong and Jiulong was $34.5 million, including the accumulated other comprehensive income of $4.7 million related to the noncontrolling interests acquired and other non-controlling interests of $29.8 million. Therefore, the total carrying value of $34.5 million for the non-controlling interests acquired was reclassified from non-controlling interests to the controlling interest’s equity as of September 30, 2014. On October 13, 2014, the Company completed its issuance of 4,078,000 common shares to nominee holders designated by Jiulong Machinery Electricity. The fair market value of the Company’s common stock issued was $37.3 million or $9.15 per share, which was determined on the issuance date of the common shares. The difference between the fair market value of $37.3 million for the Company’s common shares issued and the carrying value of $34.5 million for the non-controlling interest acquired of $2.8 million was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. Additional paid-in capital of the Company was also decreased by $4.7 million and the accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Henglong and Jiulong was increased by a corresponding amount.

 

17 

 

 

  (3) On September 16, 2014, the Company granted 22,500 stock options to the Company’s independent directors, with the exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock traded on NASDAQ on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options was determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option model requires management to make various estimates and assumptions, including expected term, expected volatility, risk-free rate and dividend yield. The expected term represents the period of time that stock-based compensation awards granted are expected to be outstanding and is estimated based on considerations including the vesting period, contractual term and anticipated employee exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in relation to the contractual life of stock-based compensation instruments. The dividend yield assumption is based on historical patterns and future expectations for the Company’s dividends.

 

Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options on the grant dates are as follows:

 

Issuance Date  Expected volatility   Risk-free rate   Expected term (years)   Dividend yield 
                     
September 16, 2014   120.6%   1.78%   5    0.00%

 

The above stock options were vested and exercisable immediately. Their fair value on the grant dates of September 16, 2014 and August 13, 2013 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expenses of $0.2 million.

  

20. Retained earnings

 

Appropriated

 

Pursuant to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the profits distribution of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries, which are based on their PRC statutory financial statements, rather than the financial statement that was prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are available for distribution in the form of cash dividends after these subsidiaries have paid all relevant PRC tax liabilities, provided for losses in previous years, and made appropriations to statutory surplus at 10%.

 

When the statutory surplus reserve reaches 50% of the registered capital of a company, additional reserve is no longer required. However, the reserve cannot be distributed to venture partners. Based on the business licenses of the PRC subsidiaries, the registered capital of Henglong, Jiulong, Shenyang, Jielong, Wuhu, Hubei Henglong and Chongqing are $10.0 million, $4.2 million (equivalent to RMB35.0 million), $8.1 million (equivalent to RMB67.5 million), $6.0 million, $3.8 million (equivalent to RMB30.0 million), $39 million and $9.5 million (equivalent to RMB60.0 million), respectively, and the registered capital of USAI is $2.6 million.

 

The Company’s activities in respect of the amounts of appropriated retained earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended  
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014  
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 10,178     $ 10,048     $ 10,048  
Appropriation of retained earnings     171       130       130  
Balance at end of the period   $ 10,349     $ 10,178     $ 10,178  

 

Unappropriated

 

The Company’s activities in respect of the amounts of the unappropriated retained earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014  
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 179,435     $ 146,023     $ 146,023  
Net income attributable to parent company     20,456       24,514       33,542  
Appropriation of retained earnings     (171)       (130)       (130 )
Balance at end of the period   $ 199,720     $ 170,407     $ 179,435  

 

18 

 

 

21. Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

The Company’s activities in respect of the amounts of the accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014  
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 36,119     $ 32,061     $ 32,061  
Other comprehensive income related to the non-controlling interests
acquired by the Company (See Note 19)
    -       4,743       4,743  
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to parent company     (11,723)       (2,010)       (685 )
Balance at end of the period   $ 24,396     $ 34,794     $ 36,119  

  

22. Non-controlling interests

 

The Company’s activities in respect of the amounts of the non-controlling interests’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):  

  

    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2015     2014     2014  
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 8,912     $ 45,071     $ 45,071  
Fair value of the non-controlling interests arising from the acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong (1)     -       2,793       2,793  
Acquisition of the non-controlling interests in Henglong and Jiulong (See Note 19)     -       (29,812)       (29,812 )
Other comprehensive income related to the non-controlling interests acquired by the Company (See Note 19)     -       (4,743)       (4,743 )
Income attributable to non-controlling interests     (56)       5,409       6,052  
Dividends declared to the non-controlling interest holders of joint-venture companies (See Note 16)     (318)       (10,077)       (10,077 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to non-controlling interests     (593)       (403)       (372 )
Balance at end of the period   $ 7,945     $ 8,238     $ 8,912  

 

  (1) In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a 51.0% equity interest in Fujian Qiaolong (See Note 3). The fair value of the non-controlling interest of Fujian Qiaolong is $2.8 million.

 

23. Gain on other sales

 

Gain on other sales mainly consisted of net amount retained from sales of materials, property, plant and equipment, land use rights, and scraps. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, gain on other sales amounted to $3.2 million as compared to $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $7.1 million. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company sold the remaining land use rights and recognized a gain of $7.5 million, which represented the difference between the selling price of $8.4 million and the net book value of the land use rights of $0.9 million. There was no such gain in the same period in 2015.

 

24. Financial income, net

 

During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded financial income, net which is summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
             
Interest income   $ 873     $ 1,404  
Foreign exchange loss, net      (172)       (63)  
Gain of cash discount, net      13       3  
Bank fees      (158)       (204)  
Total financial income, net   $  556     $ 1,140  

 

19 

 

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
             
Interest income   $ 2,259     $ 2,657  
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net     205       (62)  
Gain of cash discount, net     41       65  
Bank fees     (487)       (510)  
Total financial income, net   $ 2,018     $ 2,150  

 

25. Income tax rate

 

The Company’s subsidiaries registered in the PRC are subject to national and local income taxes within the PRC at the applicable tax rate of 25% on the taxable income as reported in their PRC statutory financial statements in accordance with the relevant income tax laws applicable to foreign invested enterprise, unless preferential tax treatment is granted by local tax authorities. If the enterprise meets certain preferential terms according to the China income tax law, such as assessment as a “High & New Technology Enterprise” by the government, then, the enterprise will be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15%.

 

Pursuant to the New China Income Tax Law and the Implementing Rules, “New CIT”, which became effective as of January 1, 2008, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign investors will be subject to a 10% withholding tax if the foreign investors are considered as non-resident enterprises without any establishment or place within China or if the dividends payable have no connection with the establishment or place of the foreign investors within China, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement.

 

Genesis, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and the direct holder of the equity interests in the Company’s subsidiaries in China, is incorporated in Hong Kong. According to the Mainland China and Hong Kong Taxation Arrangement, dividends paid by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its direct holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of no more than 5%, if the foreign investor owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the foreign-invested enterprise. Under the New CIT, if Genesis is regarded as a non-resident enterprise, it is required to pay an additional 5% withholding tax for any dividends payable to it from the PRC subsidiaries.

  

According to PRC tax regulation, the Company should withhold income taxes for the profits distributed from the PRC subsidiaries to Genesis, the subsidiaries’ holding company incorporated in Hong Kong. For the profits that the PRC subsidiaries intended to distribute to Genesis, the Company accrues the withholding income tax as deferred tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities of $0.17 million for the remaining undistributed profits to Genesis of $3.4 million. The Company intended to re-invest the remaining undistributed profits generated from the PRC subsidiaries in those subsidiaries permanently. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company still has undistributed earnings of approximately $201.1 million and $188.3 million, respectively, from investment in the PRC subsidiaries that are considered permanently reinvested. Had the undistributed earnings been distributed to Genesis and not permanently reinvested, the tax provision as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 of approximately $10.1 million and $9.4 million, respectively, would have been recorded. Such undistributed profits will be reinvested in Genesis and not further distributed to the parent company incorporated in the United States going forward.

 

In 2014, Jiulong was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% from 2014 to 2016.

 

In 2014, Henglong was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% from 2014 to 2016.

 

In 2009, Shenyang was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% for 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2012, the Company passed the re-assessment of the government based on PRC income tax laws. Accordingly, it continued to be taxed at the 15% tax rate in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2015, the Company passed the re-assessment of the government based on PRC income tax laws. Accordingly, it continues to be taxed at the 15% tax rate in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

 

In 2012, Wuhu was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% for 2013 and 2014. In 2015, the Company passed the re-assessment of the government based on PRC income tax laws. Accordingly, it continues to be taxed at the 15% tax rate in 2015 and 2016.

 

In 2013, Jielong was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% for 2013, 2014 and 2015.

 

In November 2011, Hubei Henglong was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise”. Based on the PRC income tax law, it was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% for 2013. The Company has passed the re-assessment in 2014 and continues to qualify as a “High & New Technology Enterprise”. Accordingly, it continues to be taxed at the 15% tax rate in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

 

According to the New CIT, USAI and Testing Center are subject to income tax at a rate of 25% in 2014 and 2015.

 

20 

 

 

Chongqing Henglong was established in 2012. According to the New CIT, Chongqing Henglong is subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 25%. No provision for Chongqing Henglong is made as it had no assessable income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Based on Brazilian income tax laws, Brazil Henglong is subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 15%, and a resident legal person is subject to additional tax at a rate of 10% for the part of taxable income over $0.12 million, equivalent to approximately BRL 0.24 million. The Company had no assessable income in Brazil for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Fujian Qiaolong was acquired in the second quarter of 2014. In November 2011, Fujian Qiaolong was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% for 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2014, the Company passed the re-assessment of the government based on PRC income tax laws. Accordingly, it will continue to be taxed at the 15% tax rate in 2014, 2015 and 2016. No provision for Fujian Qiaolong is made as it had no assessable income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

The profits tax rate of Hong Kong is 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong tax is made as Genesis is an investment holding company, and had no assessable income in Hong Kong for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

The enterprise income tax rate of the United States is 35%. No provision for U.S. tax is made for the Company as the Company had no assessable income in the United States for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 18.1% and 16.6% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared with 14.9% and 17.9% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

   

26. Income per share

 

Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share is calculated using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive ordinary share equivalents outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options is determined based on the treasury stock method.

 

The calculation of basic and diluted income per share attributable to the parent company for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, was (figures are in thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts):

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Numerator:                
Net income attributable to the parent company’s common shareholders – Basic and Diluted   $ 4,288     $ 6,733  
Denominator:                
Weighted average shares outstanding     32,121,019       28,043,019  
Dilutive effects of stock options     13,820       20,642  
Denominator for dilutive income per share – Diluted     32,134,839       28,063,661  
                 
Net income per share attributable to parent company’s common shareholders – Basic   $ 0.13     $ 0.24  
Net income per share attributable to parent company’s common shareholders – Diluted   $ 0.13     $ 0.24  

 

As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the exercise prices for 60,000 shares and 60,000 shares, respectively, of outstanding stock options were above the weighted average market price of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and these stock options were excluded from the calculation of the diluted income per share for the corresponding periods presented.

 

The calculation of basic and diluted income per share attributable to the parent company for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, were (figures are in thousands of USD , except share and per share amounts):

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Numerator:                
Net income attributable to the parent company’s common shareholders – Basic and Diluted   $ 20,456     $ 24,514  
Denominator:                
Weighted average shares outstanding     32,121,019       28,043,019  
Dilutive effects of stock options     14,984       20,827  
Denominator for dilutive income per share – Diluted     32,136,003       28,063,846  
                 
Net income per share attributable to parent company’s common shareholders – Basic   $ 0.64     $ 0.87  
Net income per share attributable to parent company’s common shareholders – Diluted   $ 0.64     $ 0.87  

 

21 

 

 

As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the exercise prices for 60,000 shares and 60,000 shares, respectively, of outstanding stock options were above the weighted average market price of the Company’s common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and these stock options were excluded from the calculation of the diluted income per share for the corresponding periods presented.

  

27. Significant concentrations

 

A significant portion of the Company’s business is conducted in China where the currency is the RMB. Regulations in China permit foreign owned entities to freely convert the RMB into foreign currency for transactions that fall under the "current account," which includes trade related receipts and payments, interest and dividends. Accordingly, the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries may use RMB to purchase foreign exchange for settlement of such "current account" transactions without pre-approval. However, pursuant to applicable regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with the PRC law. In calculating accumulated profits, foreign investment enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their annual net income each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds, including mandated employee benefits funds, unless these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises.

 

Transactions other than those that fall under the "current account" and that involve conversion of RMB into foreign currency are classified as "capital account" transactions; examples of "capital account" transactions include repatriations of investment by or loans to foreign owners, or direct equity investments in a foreign entity by a China domiciled entity. "Capital account" transactions require prior approval from China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its provincial branch to convert a remittance into a foreign currency, such as USD, and transmit the foreign currency outside of China.

  

This system could be changed at any time and any such change may affect the ability of the Company or its subsidiaries in China to repatriate capital or profits, if any, outside China. Furthermore, SAFE has a significant degree of administrative discretion in implementing the laws and has used this discretion to limit convertibility of current account payments out of China. Whether as a result of a deterioration in the Chinese balance of payments, a shift in the Chinese macroeconomic prospects or any number of other reasons, China could impose additional restrictions on capital remittances abroad. As a result of these and other restrictions under the laws and regulations of the PRC, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the parent. The Company has no assurance that the relevant Chinese governmental authorities in the future will not limit further or eliminate the ability of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries to purchase foreign currencies and transfer such funds to the Company to meet its liquidity or other business needs. Any inability to access funds in China, if and when needed for use by the Company outside of China, could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and its business.

 

The Company grants credit to its customers including Xiamen Joylon, Xiamen Automotive Parts, Shanghai Fenglong and Jiangling Yude, which are related parties of the Company. The Company’s customers are mostly located in the PRC.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 69.6% of its consolidated net product sales, with one customer individually accounting for more than 10% of consolidated net sales, i.e., 13.4%. As of September 30, 2015, approximately 6.9% of accounts receivable were from trade transactions with the aforementioned one customer, and there was no individual customer with a receivables balance of more than 10% of total accounts receivable.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 68.0% of its consolidated net product sales, with one customer individually accounting for more than 10% of consolidated net sales, i.e., 12.1%. As of September 30, 2014, approximately 6.2% of accounts receivable were from trade transactions with the aforementioned one customer, and there was one other individual customer with a receivables balance of more than 10% of total accounts receivable, i.e. 12.9%.

 

28. Related party transactions and balances

 

Related party transactions are as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

Related sales

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Merchandise sold to related parties   $ 8,137     $ 11,890  
Rental income obtained from related parties     48       199  
Materials and others sold to related parties     418       657  
Total   $ 8,603     $ 12,746  

  

22 

 

 

    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Merchandise sold to related parties   $ 28,076     $ 38,627  
Rental income obtained from related parties     104       199  
Materials and others sold to related parties     1,411       657  
Total   $ 29,591     $ 39,483  

 

Related purchases

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Materials purchased from related parties   $ 5,721     $ 6,069  
Technology purchased from related parties     145       114  
Equipment purchased from related parties     1,386       1,274  
Others purchased from related parties     106       -  
Total   $ 7,358     $ 7,457  

  

    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2015     2014  
Materials purchased from related parties   $ 18,359     $ 20,721  
Technology purchased from related parties     292       278  
Equipment purchased from related parties     4,456       2,528  
Others purchased from related parties     460       -  
Total   $ 23,567     $ 23,527  

 

Related receivables

 

    September 30,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
Accounts and notes receivable from related parties   $ 31,423     $ 22,760  
Other receivables from related parties     3       76  
Total   $ 31,426     $ 22,836  

 

Related advances

 

    September 30,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
Advance equipment payment to related parties   $ 6,185     $ 2,085  
Advance payments and others to related parties     812       741  
Total   $ 6,997     $ 2,826  

 

Related payables

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Accounts and notes payable  $6,233   $4,857 
           

 

These transactions were consummated under similar terms as those with the Company's third party customers and suppliers.

 

Related parties pledged certain land use rights and buildings as security for the Company’s credit facilities provided by banks.

 

As of November 12, 2015, Hanlin Chen, the Company’s Chairman, owns 55.6% of the common stock of the Company and has the effective power to control the vote on substantially all significant matters without the approval of other stockholders.

 

29. Commitments and contingencies

 

Legal proceedings

 

The Company is not a party to any pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any threatened legal proceedings. In addition, no director, officer or affiliate of the Company, or owner of record of more than five percent of the securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in reference to pending litigation.

 

23 

 

 

Other commitments and contingencies

 

In addition to the bank loans, notes payables and the related interest, the following table summarizes the Company’s major commitments and contingencies as of September 30, 2015 (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Payment obligations by period  
    2015 (1)     2016     2017     2018     Thereafter     Total  
Obligations for investment contracts (2)     -     $ 3,256     $ 2,442     $ -     $ -     $ 5,698  
Obligations for purchasing and service agreements     23,388       1,859       397       -       -       25,644  
Total   $ 23,388     $ 5,115     $ 2,839     $ -     $ -     $ 31,342  

 

  (1) Remaining 3 months in 2015.

 

  (2) Capital Commitment to the Venture Fund
     
    As disclosed in Note 1, on September 22, 2014, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with seven other parties to establish the Venture Fund, under which Hubei Henglong has committed to make investments of 17.9% or RMB50.0 million, equivalent to approximately $8.1 million, into the Venture Fund in three installments. On October 20, 2014, Hubei Henglong made its first capital contribution of RMB5.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.8 million. On April 24, 2015, Hubei Henglong made its second capital contribution of RMB10.0 million, equivalent to approximately $1.6 million. The remaining capital commitment of RMB35.0 million, equivalent to approximately $5.7 million, will be paid upon capital calls received from the Venture Fund.

  

30. Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any significant transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

31. Segment reporting

 

The accounting policies of the product sectors are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies except that the disaggregated financial results for the product sectors have been prepared using a management approach, which is consistent with the basis and manner in which management internally disaggregates financial information for the purposes of assisting them in making internal operating decisions. Generally, the Company evaluates performance based on stand-alone product sector operating income and accounts for inter segment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, at current market prices.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had 13 product sectors, five of which were principal profit makers and were reported as separate sectors and engaged in the production and sales of power steering (Henglong, Jiulong, Shenyang, Wuhu and Hubei Henglong), and one holding company (Genesis). The other eight sectors were engaged in the production and sale of sensor modular (USAI), automobile steering columns (Jielong), provision of after sales and R&D services (HLUSA), production and sale of power steering (Chongqing Henglong), trade (Brazil Henglong), commercial vehicle repacking and sales (Fujian Qiaolong), manufacture and sales of automobile electronic systems and parts (Wuhan Chuguanjie), and design and sales of automobile electronics (Shanghai Henglong). Since the revenues, net income and net assets of these eight sectors collectively are less than 10% of consolidated revenues, net income and net assets, respectively, in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements, the Company incorporated these eight sectors into “Other Sectors.”

 

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 10 product sectors, five of which were principal profit makers and were reported as separate sectors and engaged in the production and sales of power steering (Henglong, Jiulong, Shenyang, Wuhu and Hubei Henglong), and one holding company (Genesis). The other five sectors were engaged in the production and sale of sensor modular (USAI), automobile steering columns (Jielong), provision of after sales and R&D services (HLUSA), production and sale of power steering (Chongqing Henglong) and trade (Brazil Henglong). Since the revenues, net income and net assets of these five sectors collectively are less than 10% of consolidated revenues, net income and net assets, respectively, in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements, the Company incorporated these five sectors into “Other Sectors.”

 

24 

 

 

The Company’s product sector information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, is as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

  

    Net Product Sales     Net Income (Loss)  
    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
Henglong   $           53,932     $ 60,902     $           2,866     $ 5,127  
Jiulong               16,183       15,964                    154       168  
Shenyang                 7,516       8,988                    609       998  
Wuhu                 3,925       5,941                  (110)       (88)  
Hubei Henglong               13,818       14,425                 1,737       1,110  
Other Sectors                 8,656       9,887                  (260)       252  
Total Segments             104,030       116,107                 4,996       7,567  
Corporate     -       -                  (996)       231  
Eliminations             (13,185)       (14,372)                    381       228  
Total   $           90,845     $ 101,735     $           4,381     $ 8,026  

 

    Net Product Sales     Net Income (Loss)  
    Nine Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
Henglong   $ 206,061     $ 203,987     $ 15,768     $ 22,660  
Jiulong     53,251       57,753       75       1,750  
Shenyang     24,056       32,928       1,418       1,760  
Wuhu     16,096       18,345                  (181)       (167)  
Hubei Henglong     44,463       41,708       5,594       44,512(1)  
Other Sectors     27,433       30,210               (1,021)       1,246  
Total Segments     371,360       384,931       21,653       71,761  
Corporate                       -          -               (1,538)       (1,792)  
Eliminations             (47,905)       (53,414)                    285       (40,046)  
Total   $ 323,455     $ 331,517     $ 20,400     $ 29,923  

 

(1) $ 40.3 million included in the balance of $ 44.5 million was income from the investment in Henglong in 2014, which has been eliminated at the consolidation level.

 

25 

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and the other financial information contained elsewhere in this Report.

 

General Overview

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading power steering systems supplier for the China automobile industry. The Company has business relations with more than sixty vehicle manufacturers, including SAIC Group, BAIC Group, FAW Group, Dongfeng Auto Group and Changan Automobile Group, the five largest automobile manufacturers in China; Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Co., Ltd., the largest light vehicle manufacturer in China; Chery Automobile Co., Ltd, the largest state owned car manufacturer in China; BYD Auto Co., Ltd and Zhejiang Geely Automobile Co., Ltd., the largest privately owned car manufacturers in China. The PRC-based joint ventures of General Motors (GM), Volkswagen, Citroen and Chrysler North America are all key customers. Starting in 2008, the Company has supplied power steering pumps and power steering gear to the Sino-foreign joint ventures established by GM, Citroen and Volkswagen in China. The Company has supplied power steering gears to Chrysler North America since 2009.

 

Most of the Company’s production and research and development institutes are located in China. The Company has approximately 3,000 employees dedicated to design, development, manufacture and sales of its products. By leveraging its extensive experience, innovative technology and geographic strengths, the Company aims to grow leading positions in automotive power steering systems and to further improve overall margins, long-term operating profitability and cash flows. To achieve these goals and to respond to industry factors and trends, the Company is continuing work to improve its operations and business structure and achieve profitable growth.

 

Corporate Structure

 

The Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sales of automotive systems and components. Great Genesis Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong on January 3, 2003 under the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong as a limited liability company, “Genesis,” is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the holding company of the Company’s joint ventures in the PRC. Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA,” incorporated on January 8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and mainly engages in marketing of automotive parts in North America, and provides after-sales service and research and development support. CAAS Brazil’s Imports And Trade In Automotive Parts Ltd., “Brazil Henglong,” was established by Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd., formerly known as Jingzhou Hengsheng Automotive System Co., Ltd, “ Hubei Henglong,” as a Sino-foreign joint venture company with two Brazilian citizens in Brazil in August 2012. Fujian Qiaolong was acquired by the Company in the second quarter of 2014, as a joint venture company that mainly manufactures and distributes drainage and rescue vehicles with mass flow, drainage vehicles with vertical downhole operation, crawler-type mobile pump stations, high-altitude water supply and discharge drainage vehicles, long-range control crawler-type mobile pump stations and other vehicles.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The Company prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management periodically evaluates the estimates and judgments made. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates as a result of different assumptions or conditions. The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

 

  · It requires the Company to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time it was making the estimate, and

 

  · Changes in the estimate or different estimates that the Company could have selected would have had a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

26 

 

 

The table below presents information about the nature and rationale for the Company’s critical accounting estimates:

 

Balance Sheet
Caption
  Critical
Estimate
Item
  Nature of Estimates
Required
  Assumptions/Approaches
Used
  Key Factors

Accrued

liabilities and

other long-term

liabilities

 

 

Warranty

obligations

 

  Estimating warranty requires the Company to forecast the resolution of existing claims and expected future claims on products sold. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are increasingly seeking to hold suppliers responsible for product warranties, which may impact the Company’s exposure to these costs.   The Company bases its estimate on historical trends of units sold and payment amounts, combined with its current understanding of the status of existing claims and discussions with its customers.    

·OEM sourcing

·OEM policy decisions regarding warranty claims

 

                 
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other long-term assets  

Valuation of long- lived assets and investments

 

  The Company is required from time to time to review the recoverability of certain of its assets based on projections of anticipated future cash flows, including future profitability assessments of various product lines.   The Company estimates cash flows using internal budgets based on recent sales data, independent automotive production volume estimates and customer commitments.   

 ·Future production estimates

·Customer preferences and decisions 

                 

Inventory

 

 

Write-down of inventory

 

  The Company is required from time to time to review the cashability of inventory based on projections of anticipated future cash flows, including write-down of inventory for prices that are higher than market price and undesirable inventories.   The Company estimates cash flows using internal budgets based on recent sales data, independent automotive production volume estimates and customer commitments.  

·Future production estimates 

·Customer preferences and decisions

                 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

Recoverability of deferred tax assets

 

  The Company is required to estimate whether recoverability of its deferred tax assets is more likely than not based on forecasts of taxable earnings in the related tax jurisdiction.   The Company uses historical and projected future operating results, based upon approved business plans, including a review of the eligible carry forward period, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations.    

·Tax law changes

·Variances in future projected profitability, including by taxing entity

 

                 

Tax payable and deferred tax assets/liabilities

 

 

Uncertain tax positions

 

  The Company is required to determine and assess all material positions, including all significant uncertain positions in all tax years that are still subject to assessment or challenge under relevant tax statutes.     The Company applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. For the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement.  

·An allocation or a shift of income between jurisdictions

·The characterization of income or a decision to exclude reporting taxable income in a tax return

·A decision to classify a transaction, entity, or other position in a tax return as tax exempt

 

27 

 

  

In addition, there are other items within the Company’s financial statements that require estimation, but are not as critical as those discussed above, including provision of accounts and notes receivable. Although not significant in recent years, changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Please see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Report.

 

Results of Operations

 

In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a 51.0% equity interest in Fujian Qiaolong. Pursuant to ASC Topic 805, the results of Fujian Qiaolong have been included since the date of acquisition and are reflected in the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and under “Other Sectors” in the Company’s segment reporting. Please refer to Note 3 to the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements in this Report.

 

Results of Operations—Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

   Net Product Sales   Cost of Products Sold 
   (in thousands of USD,
except percentages)
   (in thousands of USD,
except percentages)
 
   2015   2014   Change   2015   2014   Change 
Henglong  $53,932   $60,902    (6,970)   -11.4%  $46,126   $49,218   $(3,092)   -6.3%
Jiulong   16,183    15,964    219    1.4    14,750    13,953    797    5.7 
Shenyang   7,516    8,988    (1,472)   -16.4    6,199    7,124    (925)   -13.0 
Wuhu   3,925    5,941    (2,016)   -33.9    3,649    5,388    (1,739)   -32.3 
Hubei Henglong   13,818    14,425    (607)   -4.2    10,848    11,989    (1,141)   -9.5 
Other Sectors   8,656    9,887    (1,231)   -12.5    6,751    8,080    (1,329)   -16.4 
Total Segments   104,030    116,107    (12,077)   -10.4    88,323    95,752    (7,429)   -7.8 
Elimination   (13,185)   (14,372)   1,187    -8.3    (13,390)   (14,600)   1,210    -8.3 
Total  $90,845   $101,735   $(10,890)   -10.7%  $74,933   $81,152   $(6,219)   -7.7%

 

Net Product Sales

 

Net product sales were $90.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $101.7 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $10.9 million, or 10.7%. The decrease was mainly due to the economic slowdown in China. The year-over-year GDP growth rate was 6.9% for the third quarter of 2015, which was the lowest rate since 2009. As the major part of the Company’s business is in China, the slower economy in China led to decreased vehicle sales, which correspondingly led to a decreased sales volume of the Company as an auto parts supplier. The product mix change also caused a decline in the Company’s net product sales. With more passenger vehicles installing electronic power steering (EPS), the share of hydraulic power steering gears, the Company’s traditional products, is shrinking. Though the Company’s sales of EPS increased substantially, they only partially offset the decline in sales of hydraulic power steering gears due to the low percentage of EPS in the product mix.

 

Net sales of traditional hydraulic power steering products were $44.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $66.8 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $22.1 million, or 33.1%. Net sales of EPS were $20.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $9.1 million for the same period in 2014, representing an increase of $11.2 million, or 123.1%. As a percentage of net sales, sales of EPS were 22.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 8.9% for the same period in 2014.  

 

The depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar in the third quarter of 2015 also caused a decrease in net sales as more than 80% of the Company’s business is conducted in China.

 

In summary, the Company had a decrease in sales volume leading to a sales decrease of $6.0 million, a decrease in selling price of steering gears leading to a sales decrease of $2.6 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, which led to a sales decrease of $2.3 million.

 

Further analysis by segment (before elimination) is as follows:

 

  Net product sales for Henglong were $53.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $60.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $7.0 million, or 11.4%, which was mainly due to the decrease in sales of hydraulic power steering gears, partially offset by the increase in sales of EPS. A decrease in sales volume led to a sales decrease of $5.6 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $0.2 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $1.2 million.

 

28 

 

 

  Net product sales for Jiulong were $16.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, consistent with $16.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. An increase in sales volume led to a sales increase of $0.9 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $0.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.2 million.

 

  Net product sales for Shenyang were $7.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $1.5 million, or 16.4%. The products of Shenyang are mainly sold to Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co., LTD, “Jinbei”, which increasingly uses EPS on its passenger vehicles, while Shenyang mainly engages in the production and sales of hydraulic power steering gears for passenger vehicles, so the sales volumes of Shenyang decreased accordingly. A decrease in sales volumes led to a sales decrease of $0.5 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $0.8 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.2 million.  

 

  Net product sales for Wuhu were $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $5.9 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $2.0 million, or 33.9%. The products of Wuhu are mainly sold to Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., “Chery”. Sales volumes of Chery have decreased continuously since 2012. Therefore, Wuhu’s ability to increase its sales is limited. A decrease in sales volumes led to a sales decrease of $2.0 million, an increase in selling price led to a sales increase of $0.1 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Net product sales for Hubei Henglong were $13.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $14.4 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $0.6 million, or 4.2%. An increase in sales volumes led to a sales increase of $0.3 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $0.7 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.2 million.

 

  Net product sales for Other Sectors were $8.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $9.9 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $1.2 million, or 12.5%, mainly due to a decrease of $2.0 million in the sales of Jielong (which engages in the production and sale of automotive steering columns) and an increase of $0.7 million in the sales of HLUSA (which engages in the marketing of automotive parts in North America).

 

Cost of Products Sold

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, the cost of products sold was $74.9 million, compared to $81.2 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $6.2 million, or 7.7%. The decrease in the cost of products sold was mainly due to the net effect of a net decrease in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $5.2 million, an increase in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold increase of $1.0 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $2.0 million. Further analysis is as follows:

 

  Cost of products sold for Henglong was $46.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $49.2 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $3.1 million, or 6.3%. A decrease in sales volumes led to a cost of products sold decrease of $4.3 million, an increase in unit cost led to a cost of products sold increase of $2.1 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.9 million.

 

   • Cost of products sold for Jiulong was $14.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $14.0 million for the same period of 2014, representing an increase of $0.8 million, or 5.7%. An increase in sales volumes led to a cost of products sold increase of $0.4 million, an increase in unit cost led to a cost of products sold increase of $0.6 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.2 million.

 

  Cost of products sold for Shenyang was $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $7.1 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $0.9 million, or 13.0%. The decrease in cost of products sold was mainly due to a decrease in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.2 million, a decrease in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.6 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

   

  Cost of products sold for Wuhu was $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $5.4 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $1.7 million, or 32.3%. The decrease in cost of products sold was mainly due to a decrease in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $1.8 million, an increase in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold increase of $0.2 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Cost of products sold for Hubei Henglong was $10.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $12.0 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $1.1 million, or 9.5%. The decrease in cost of products sold was mainly due to an increase in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold increase of $0.1 million, a decrease in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $1.1 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

 

29 

 

 

  Cost of products sold for Other Sectors was $6.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $8.1 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $1.3 million, or 16.4%. The decrease in sales volumes led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.8 million, a decrease in unit cost led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.4 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

 

Gross margin was 17.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 20.2% in the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of 2.7%, mainly due to the product mix and the overall revenue decrease in 2015.

 

Gain on Other Sales

 

Gain on other sales mainly consisted of net amount retained from sales of materials, property, plant and equipment, land use rights, and scraps. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, gain on other sales amounted to $0.9 million as compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $0.3 million, which was mainly due to the decrease in sales volumes of materials.

 

Selling Expenses

 

Selling expenses were $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $3.7 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $0.4 million, or 11.1%, mainly due to a decrease in transportation fees of $0.4 million and a decrease in marketing expenses of $0.1 million, offset by an increase in rental expense of $0.1 million,.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $3.7 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $0.7 million, or 17.5%, mainly due to a decrease in salaries and wages cost of $0.2 million, a decrease in professional service fees of $0.2 million, a decrease in office facilities improvement expenses of $0.1 million and a decrease in entertainment expenses of $0.1 million.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses were $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, consistent with $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Company’s research and development expenses were mainly used for the development and trial production of EPS and other new products. Research and development expenditures have continued to be significant in the past three years.

 

The global automotive parts industry is highly competitive; winning and maintaining new business requires suppliers to rapidly produce innovative products on a cost-competitive basis. In the past three years, the Company has continued to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment for newly developed products, hiring senior technicians and actively seeking external technical support.

 

Income from Operations

 

Income from operations was $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $3.9 million, or 43.8%, including a decrease of $4.7 million in gross profit, a decrease of $0.3 million in gain on other sales and a decrease of $1.1 million in operating expenses.

 

Other Income, Net

 

Other income, net was $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 95.6%, primarily resulting from increased government subsidies.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense was $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $0.2 million, or 31.2%, primarily due to the lower annual interest rate of the USD loan from ICBC Macau which was 1.7% during the three months ended September 30, 2015, while it was 2.8% in the same period of last year.

 

Financial Income, Net

 

Financial income, net, was $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $0.6 million, or 51.2%, which was mainly due to a decrease in interest income of $0.5 million.

 

Income Before Income Tax Expenses and Equity In Earnings Of Affiliated Companies 

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $9.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $4.1 million, or 44.0%, which was mainly due to a decrease in operating income of $3.8 million, an increase in other income of $0.1 million and a decrease in financial income, net of $0.4 million.

 

30 

 

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense was $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.4 million of income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $0.4 million, or 31.9%, which was mainly due to decreases in income before income tax and the effective tax rate. The income before income tax decreased to $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 from $9.3 million for the same period in 2014 and the effective tax rate increased to 18.1% from 14.9%, which was mainly due to an increase in income before tax of high effective tax rate subsidiaries and a decrease in income before tax of low effective tax rate subsidiaries.

 

Net Income

 

Net income was $4.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net income of $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $3.6 million, or 45.4%, which was mainly due to a decrease in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies of $4.1 million, offset by a decrease in income tax expenses of $0.5 million.

 

Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, while net income attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 

The Company owns equity interests in eight non-wholly owned subsidiaries established in the PRC and Brazil, through which it conducts its operations. Except for Beijing Henglong, which is accounted for under the equity method, all the operating results of these non-wholly owned subsidiaries were consolidated in the Company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and 2014. The decrease in net income attributable to non-controlling interests was mainly due to the Company’s acquisition of the non-controlling interests of Henglong and Jiulong in September 2014.

 

Net Income Attributable to Parent Company’s Common Shareholders

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $2.4 million, or 36.3%, which was mainly due to a decrease in net income of $3.6 million and a decrease in net income attributable to non-controlling interests of $1.2 million.

 

Results of Operations—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a 51.0% equity interest in Fujian Qiaolong. Pursuant to ASC Topic 805, the results of Fujian Qiaolong have been included since the date of acquisition and are reflected in the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and under “Other Sectors” in the Company’s segment reporting. Please refer to Note 3 to the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements in this Report.

 

   Net Product Sales   Cost of Products Sold 
   (in thousands of USD,
except percentages)
   (in thousands of USD,
except percentages)
 
   2015   2014   Change   2015   2014   Change 
Henglong  $206,061   $203,987    2,074    1.0%  $172,713   $168,223   $4,490    2.7%
Jiulong   53,251    57,753    (4,502)   -7.8    47,955    49,392    (1,437)   -2.9 
Shenyang   24,056    32,928    (8,872)   -26.9    20,183    28,608    (8,425)   -29.5 
Wuhu   16,096    18,345    (2,249)   -12.3    14,956    16,718    (1,762)   -10.5 
Hubei Henglong   44,463    41,708    2,755    6.6    34,118    33,650    468    1.4 
Other Sectors   27,433    30,210    (2,777)   -9.2    22,339    25,096    (2,757)   -11.0 
Total Segments   371,360    384,931    (13,571)   -3.5    312,264    321,687    (9,423)   -2.9 
Elimination   (47,905)   (53,414)   5,509    -10.3    (48,184)   (53,674)   5,490    -10.2 
Total  $323,455   $331,517   $(8,062)   -2.4%  $264,080   $268,013   $(3,933)   -1.5%

 

  Net Product Sales

 

Net product sales were $323.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $331.5 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $8.1 million, or 2.4%. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in sales of hydraulic power steering gears for passenger vehicles, partially offset by the continuing increase in sales of EPS.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company made a $2.4 million payment to a customer for new product testing services provided by the customer. As the Company cannot reasonably demonstrate that such payment amount represents the fair value of the services provided by its customer, the payment was recorded as a reduction of net sales in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

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Net sales of traditional hydraulic power steering products were $181.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $218.8 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $37.0 million, or 16.9%. Net sales of EPS were $66.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $37.9 million for the same period in 2014, representing an increase of $28.9 million, or 76.3%. As a percentage of net sales, sales of EPS were 20.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 11.4% for the same period in 2014.

 

In summary, the Company had a decrease in sales volume leading to a sales decrease of $8.3 million, an increase in selling price of steering gears leading to a sales increase of $1.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, which led to a sales decrease of $1.3 million.

 

Further analysis by segment (before elimination) is as follows:

 

  Net product sales for Henglong were $206.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $204.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $2.1 million, or 1.0%, which was mainly due to an increase in sales volume for passenger vehicles in the China market. An increase in sales volume led to a sales increase of $2.7 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.6 million.

 

  Net product sales for Jiulong were $53.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $57.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $4.5 million, or 7.8%, mainly due to a decrease in sales volume which led to a sales decrease of $6.9 million, an increase in selling price which led to a sales increase of $2.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a sales decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Net product sales for Shenyang were $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $32.9 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $8.9 million, or 26.9%. The products of Shenyang are mainly sold to Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co., LTD, “Jinbei”. Jinbei primarily uses EPS on its passenger vehicles, while Shenyang mainly engages in the production and sales of hydraulic power steering gears for passenger vehicles, so sales volumes of Shenyang decreased accordingly. A decrease in sales volumes led to a sales decrease of $8.5 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $0.3 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Net product sales for Wuhu were $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $18.3 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $2.2 million, or 12.3%. A decrease in sales volumes led to a sales decrease of $2.6 million, an increase in selling price led to a sales increase of $0.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Net product sales for Hubei Henglong were $44.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $41.7 million for the same period in 2014, representing an increase of $2.8 million, or 6.6%. The net product sales increase was mainly due to the growth of automotive market demand in North America, where Hubei Henglong’s products are sold. An increase in sales volumes led to a sales increase of $2.5 million, an increase in selling price led to a sales increase of $0.4 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.1 million.

  

  Net product sales for Other Sectors were $27.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $30.2 million for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $2.8 million, or 9.2%. A decrease in sales volumes led to a sales decrease of $1.2 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $1.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.1 million. 

 

Cost of Products Sold

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the cost of products sold was $264.1 million, compared to $268.0 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $3.9 million, or 1.5%. The decrease in the cost of products sold was mainly due to the net effect of a net decrease in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $5.4 million, an increase in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold increase of $2.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $1.0 million. Further analysis is as follows:

 

  Cost of products sold for Henglong was $172.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $168.2 million for the same period of 2014, representing an increase of $4.5 million, or 2.7%. An increase in sales volumes led to a cost of products sold increase of $4.5 million, an increase in unit cost led to a cost of products sold increase of $0.4 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.4 million.

 

   • Cost of products sold for Jiulong was $48.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $49.4 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $1.4 million, or 2.9%. A decrease in sales volumes led to a cost of products sold decrease of $6.4 million, an increase in unit cost led to a cost of products sold increase of $5.1 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Cost of products sold for Shenyang was $20.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $28.6 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $8.4 million, or 29.5%. The decrease in cost of products sold was mainly due to a decrease in sales volumes, which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $7.6 million, and a decrease in unit cost, which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.8 million.

  

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  Cost of products sold for Wuhu was $15.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $16.7 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $1.8 million, or 10.5%. The decrease in cost of products sold was mainly due to a decrease in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $2.4 million, an increase in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold increase of $0.7 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Cost of products sold for Hubei Henglong was $34.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $33.7 million for the same period of 2014, representing an increase of $0.5 million, or 1.4%. The increase in cost of products sold was mainly due to an increase in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold increase of $2.0 million, a decrease in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $1.4 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.1 million.

 

  Cost of products sold for Other Sectors was $22.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $25.1 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $2.8 million, or 11.0%. The decrease in cost of products sold was mainly due to a decrease in sales volumes which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $1.2 million, a decrease in unit cost which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $1.4 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar which led to a cost of products sold decrease of $0.2 million.

 

Gross margin was 18.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 19.2% in the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of 0.8%, mainly due to the product mix and the overall revenue decrease in 2015.

 

Gain on Other Sales

 

Gain on other sales mainly consisted of net amount retained from sales of materials, property, plant and equipment, land use rights, and scraps. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, gain on other sales amounted to $3.2 million as compared to $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $7.0 million. The decrease was mainly due to the Company selling the remaining land use rights and recognizing a gain of $7.5 million in the second quarter of 2014, which represented the difference between the selling price of $8.4 million and the net book value of the land use rights of $0.9 million. There was no such gain in the same period in 2015.

 

Selling Expenses

 

Selling expenses were $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $11.1 million for the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.0%, mainly due to the continuing sales growth in North America which led to an increase in salaries and wages cost of $0.5 million, an increase in marketing expenses of $0.2 million, a decrease in transportation fees of $0.5 million, a decrease in advertising expenses of $0.4 million, and an increase in warehouse rental expense of $0.1 million.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were $11.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $11.1 million for the same period of 2014, representing an increase of $0.3 million, or 2.4%, mainly due to an increase in salaries and wages cost of $0.3 million, an increase in rental fee of 0.1 million, a decrease in professional service fees of $0.3 million, and an increase in office facilities improvement expenses of $0.2 million.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses were $17.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $1.2 million, or 7.5%. The Company’s research and development expenses were mainly used for the development and trial production of EPS and other new products. Research and development expenditures have continued to be significant in the past three years. In summary, expenses for mold improvement and direct materials decreased by $0.9 million, external technical support fees increased by $1.1 million, and the salaries and wages expenses of research and development related staff increased by $1.0 million. 

 

Income from Operations

 

Income from operations was $22.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $35.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $12.5 million, or 35.7%, including a decrease of $4.1 million in gross profit, a decrease of $7.0 million in gain on other sales and an increase of $1.4 million in operating expenses. 

 

Other Income, Net

 

Other income, net was $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 19.6%, primarily resulting from increased government subsidies.

 

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Interest expense

 

Interest expense was $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $0.5 million, primarily due to the annual interest rate of the USD loan from ICBC Macau being 1.7% since May 13, 2015, while it was 2.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. 

 

Financial Income, Net

 

Financial income, net, was $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $0.1 million, which was mainly due to a decrease in interest income of $0.4 million and an increase in income of foreign currency exchange of $0.3 million.

 

Income Before Income Tax Expenses and Equity In Earnings Of Affiliated Companies

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $36.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $12.1 million, or 33.3%, which was mainly due to a decrease in operating income of $12.4 million, a decrease in interest expense of $0.5 million, and a decrease in financial income, net of $0.2 million.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense was $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $6.5 million of income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $2.5 million, which was mainly due to decreases in income before income tax and the effective tax rate. The income before income tax decreased to $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from $36.2 million for the same period in 2014 and the effective tax rate decreased to 16.6% from 17.9% as a result of a decrease in income before tax of high effective tax rate subsidiaries and an increase in income before tax of low effective tax rate subsidiaries.

 

Net Income

 

Net income was $20.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net income of $29.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $9.5 million, which was mainly due to a decrease in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies of $12.0 million, offset by a decrease in income tax expenses of $2.5 million.

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $0.1 million, while net income attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

The Company owns equity interests in eight non-wholly owned subsidiaries established in the PRC and Brazil, through which it conducts its operations. Except for Beijing Henglong, which is accounted for under the equity method, all the operating results of these non-wholly owned subsidiaries were consolidated in the Company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and 2014. The decrease in net income attributable to non-controlling interests was mainly due to the Company’s acquisition of the non-controlling interests of Henglong and Jiulong in September 2014.

  

Net Income Attributable to Parent Company’s Common Shareholders

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $20.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $24.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $4.1 million, which was mainly due to a decrease in net income of $9.5 million and the Company’s acquisition of the non-controlling interests of Henglong and Jiulong in September 2014, which led to a decrease in net income attributable to non-controlling interests of $5.4 million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Capital Resources and Use of Cash

 

The Company has historically financed its liquidity requirements from a variety of sources, including short-term borrowings under bank credit agreements, bankers’ acceptances, issuances of capital stock and notes and internally generated cash. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, excluding pledged deposit, of $95.3 million, compared to $109.5 million as of December 31, 2014, representing a decrease of $11.8 million, or 10.8%.

 

The Company had working capital of $193.5 million as of September 30, 2015, compared to $198.1 million as of December 31, 2014, representing a decrease of $4.6 million, or 2.3%.

 

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The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest the funds in subsidiaries established in the PRC.

 

The Company believes that, in view of its current cash position as of September 30, 2015, the cash expected to be generated from the operations and funds available from bank borrowings as detailed in subsequent paragraphs will be sufficient to meet its working capital and capital expenditure requirements, including the repayment of bank loans, for at least twelve months commencing from September 30, 2015.

 

Capital Source

 

The Company’s capital source is multifaceted, such as bank loans and banker’s acceptance facilities. In financing activities and operating activities, the Company’s banks require the Company to sign line of credit agreements and repay all existing borrowings under such facilities within one year. On the condition that the Company can provide adequate mortgage security and has not violated the terms of the line of credit agreement, such one year facilities can be extended for another year.

 

The Company had short-term loans of $45.0 million (See Note 14) and bankers’ acceptances of $74.4 million (See Note 15) as of September 30, 2015.

 

The Company currently expects to be able to obtain similar bank loans, i.e., RMB loans, and bankers’ acceptance facilities in the future if it can provide adequate mortgage security following the termination of the above-mentioned agreements, see the table under “Bank Arrangements” below for more information. If the Company is not able to do so, it will have to refinance such debt as it becomes due or repay that debt to the extent it has cash available from operations or from the proceeds of additional issuances of capital stock. Owing to depreciation, the value of the mortgages securing the above-mentioned bank loans and banker's acceptances will be lowered by approximately $13.6 million over the next 12 months. If the Company wishes to obtain the same amount of bank loans and banker's acceptances, it will have to provide additional mortgages of $13.6 million as of the maturity date of such line of credit agreements, see the table under “Bank Arrangements” below for more information. The Company can still obtain a reduced line of credit with a reduction of $10.2 million, which is 75.04%, the mortgage rate, of $13.6 million, if it cannot provide additional mortgages. The Company expects that the reduction in bank loans will not have a material adverse effect on its liquidity.

 

Bank Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2015, the principal outstanding under the Company’s credit facilities and lines of credit was as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

    Bank   Due
Date
  Amount
Available 
(4)
    Amount
Used
    Assessed 
Mortgage
Value
  (5)
 
1.  Comprehensive credit facilities   Bank of China   Feb-16   $ 22,165     $ -     $ 33,012  
                                 
2.  Comprehensive credit facilities   Jingzhou Commercial Bank(5)   Sep-17     28,296       10,334       57,115  
                                 
3.  Comprehensive credit facilities   Fujian Haixia Bank   Mar-16     2,672       2,565       3,764  
                                 
4.  Comprehensive credit facilities   Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (1)   Sep-16     23,580       15,352       12,745  
                                 
5.  Comprehensive credit facilities   China CITIC Bank (1)   Sep-16     18,864       8,715       9,657  
    China CITIC Bank   Jul-16     4,716       3,301       5,813  
                                 
6.  Comprehensive credit facilities   China Everbright Bank   Sep-16     4,716       3,717       8,049  
                                 
7.  Comprehensive credit facilities   China Huaxia Bank (1)   Jan-16     25,152       23,079       -  
                                 
8.  Comprehensive credit facilities   ICBC Macau   May-16     30,000       30,000       32,554  
                                 
9. Comprehensive credit facilities   HSBC (China) Company Limited   Jul-16     5,000       5,000       5,188  
                                 
Total           $ 165,161     $ 102,063 (2)   $ 167,897 (3)

  

  (1) Each of Henglong’s comprehensive credit facility with China CITIC Bank, Henglong and Jielong's comprehensive credit facility with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, and Henglong's comprehensive credit facility with China Hua Xia Bank, is required to be guaranteed by Jiulong, another subsidiary of the Company, in addition to the above pledged assets.

 

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  (2) Amount used represents the credit facilities used by the Company for the purpose of bank loans or notes payable during the facility contract period. The loans or notes payable under the credit facilities will remain outstanding regardless of the expiration of the relevant credit facilities until the separate loans or notes payable expires. The amount used includes bank loans of $41.1 million and notes payable of $61.3 million as of September 30, 2015. The remainder of $3.9 million of government loan and $13.1 million of notes payable was 100% secured by bank notes and time deposit without utilization of credit lines.

 

  (3) In order to obtain lines of credit, the Company needs to pledge certain assets to banks. As of September 30, 2015, the pledged assets included $69.6 million of accounts and notes receivable, $5.2 million of time deposits, and other pledged assets with an assessed value of $126.7 million.

 

  (4) The amount available is used for the drawdown of bank loans and issuance of bank notes. For the drawdown of bank loans, this amount represents the amount that the Company can borrow immediately; for issuance of bank notes, the Company needs to pledge additional collateral in order to utilize these bank facilities.

 

 

  (5) The pledged cash deposits, which are disclosed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report, were not included in the assessed mortgage value.

 

The Company may request the banks to issue notes payable or bank loans within its credit line using a 365-day revolving line.

 

The Company renewed its existing short-term bank loans and borrowed new bank loans during 2015 at annual interest rates of 1.50%, 7.65% and 8.03%, and loan terms of twelve months. Pursuant to the comprehensive credit line arrangement, the Company pledged and guaranteed:

 

  (1) Accounts receivable with an assessed value of approximately $33.0 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility with the Bank of China;

 

  (2) Equipment with an assessed value of approximately $57.1 million as security for its revolving comprehensive credit facility with Jingzhou Commercial Bank;

 

  (3) Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $3.8 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility with Fujian Haixia Bank;

 

  (4) Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $12.7 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank;

 

  (5) Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $15.5 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility with China CITIC Bank;

  

  (6) Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $8.0 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility with China Everbright Bank;

 

  (7) Henglong’s comprehensive credit facility with China Hua Xia Bank is guaranteed by Jiulong, another subsidiary of the Company;

 

  (8) On May 18, 2012, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with ICBC Macau to obtain the Credit Facility.
     
    The interest rate of the Credit Facility is calculated based on a three-month LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum, subject to the availability of funds and fluctuation at ICBC Macau’s discretion. Interest is calculated daily on a 360-day basis and it is to be fixed one day before the first day of each interest period. The interest period is defined as three months from the date of drawdown.
     
    As security for the Credit Facility, the Company was required to provide ICBC Macau with the Henglong Standby Letter of Credit for a total amount of not less than $31.6 million if the Credit Facility is fully drawn.
     
    On May 22, 2012, the Company drew down the full amount of $30.0 million under the Credit Facility and provided the Henglong Standby Letter of Credit for an amount of $31.6 million in favor of ICBC Macau. The Henglong Standby Letter of Credit issued by ICBC Jingzhou is collateralized by Henglong’s notes receivable of RMB207.1 million, equivalent to approximately $32.6 million. The Company also paid an arrangement fee of $0.1 million to ICBC Macau and $0.1 million to ICBC Jingzhou. The original maturity date of the Credit Facility was May 22, 2013 and extended to May 13, 2016 after being extended three times.
     
  (9) On July 16, 2014, Great Genesis entered into a credit facility agreement with HSBC HK to obtain a non-revolving credit facility in the amount of $5.0 million, the “HSBC Credit Facility”. The HSBC Credit Facility expired on July 1, 2015 and had an annual interest rate of 1.7%. Interest was paid on the twentieth day of each month and the principal repayment was at maturity. As security for the HSBC Credit Facility, the Company’s subsidiary Hubei Henglong was required to provide HSBC HK with the Standby Letter of Credit for a total amount of not less than $5.4 million if the HSBC Credit Facility is fully drawn.
     
   

On July 22, 2014, Great Genesis drew down a loan amounting to $5.0 million provided by HSBC HK and Hubei Henglong provided a Standby Letter of Credit for an amount of $5.4 million in favor of HSBC HK. Hubei Henglong’s Standby Letter of Credit was issued by HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited Wuhan branch and is collateralized by short-term investments of Hubei Henglong of RMB33.0 million, equivalent to approximately $5.4 million.

 

On October 6, 2015, HSBC HK agreed to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to July 1, 2016. The interest rate of the Credit Facility under the extended term is revised as 1.5% per annum. Except for the above, all other terms and conditions as stipulated in the Credit Agreement remain unchanged.

 

36 

 

  

Cash Requirements

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s expected cash outflows resulting from financial contracts and commitments (in thousands of USD). The Company has not included information on its recurring purchases of materials for use in its manufacturing operations. These amounts are generally consistent from year to year, closely reflecting the Company’s levels of production, and are not long-term in nature (being less than three months in length).

 

          Payment Due Dates  
    Total     Less than 1
year
    1-3 years     3-5 years     More than 5
Years
 
Short-term loan including interest payable   $ 45,676     $ 45,676     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Notes payable (1)     74,418       74,418       -       -       -  
Obligation for investment contract (2)     5,698       -       5,698       -       -  
Other contractual purchase commitments, including service agreements     25,644       23,388       2,256       -       -  
Total   $ 151,436     $ 143,482     $ 7,954     $ -     $ -  

 

  (1) Notes payable do not bear interest.

 

  (2) On September 22, 2014, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with seven other parties to establish the Venture Fund, under which Hubei Henglong has committed to make investments of 17.9% or RMB50.0 million, equivalent to approximately $8.1 million, into the Venture Fund in three installments. On October 20, 2014, Hubei Henglong made its first capital contribution of RMB5.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.8 million. On April 24, 2015, Hubei Henglong made its second capital contribution of RMB10.0 million, equivalent to approximately $1.6 million. The remaining capital commitment of RMB35.0 million, equivalent to approximately $5.7 million, will be paid upon capital calls received from the Venture Fund.

  

Short-term Loans 

 

The following table summarizes the contract information of short-term borrowings among the banks and the government of the PRC and the Company as of September 30, 2015 (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

Bank Government   Purpose   Borrowing 
Date
  Borrowing 
Term 
(Months)
    Annual 
Interest 
Rate
    Date of 
Interest 
Payment
  Due Date   Amount 
Payable on 
Due Date
 
                                   
ICBC Macau     Working Capital   13 May 2015     12       1.72 %   Pay quarterly   13 May 2016   $ 30,000  
                                         
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank   Working Capital   16 Dec 2014     12       6.16 %   Pay quarterly   15 Dec 2015     629  
                                         
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank   Working Capital   17 Dec 2014     11       6.16 %   Pay quarterly   13 Nov 2015     629  
                                         
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank   Working Capital   18 Dec 2014     11       6.16 %   Pay quarterly   13 Nov 2015     314  
                                         
China CITIC Bank   Working Capital   29 Dec 2014     12       6.72 %   Pay quarterly   29 Dec 2015     2,358  
                                         
HSBC Limited   Working Capital   1 Jul 2015     12       1.5 %   Pay monthly   1 Jul 2016     5,000  
                                         
Financial Bureau of Jingzhou Development Zone   Working Capital   31 Mar 2015     13       2.5 %   Pay monthly   20 Apr 2016     3,930  
                                         
Fujian Haixia Bank   Working Capital   28 Apr 2015     12       8.03 %   Pay monthly   28 Apr 2016     47  
                                         
Fujian Haixia Bank   Working Capital   20 May 2015     12       7.65 %   Pay monthly   20 May 2016     31  
                                         
Fujian Haixia Bank   Working Capital   20 Mar 2015     12       8.03 %   Pay monthly   20 Mar 2016     2,044  
Total                                   $ 44,982  

 

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The Company must use the loans for the purpose described in the table. For the three bank loans, if the Company fails to do so, it will be charged a penalty interest at 60% to 100% of the specified loan rate listed in the table above. Except for the loan granted by ICBC Macau as disclosed in the section “Capital Source” above, the Company has to pay interest at the interest rate described in the table on the 20th of each month or quarter, as applicable. If the Company fails to do so, it will be charged compound interest at the specified rate in the above table. The Company has to repay the principal outstanding on the specified date in the table. If it fails to do so, it will be charged a penalty interest at 50% of the specified loan rate.

 

Management believes that the Company had complied with such financial covenants as of September 30, 2015, and will continue to comply with them.

 

Notes Payable

 

The following table summarizes the contract information of issuing notes payable between the banks and the Company as of September 30, 2015 (figures are in thousands of USD):

 

Purpose   Term (Month)   Due Date   Amount
Payable on
Due Date
 
Working Capital (1)   3-6   Oct -15   $             12,832  
Working Capital   3-6   Nov -15                 11,546  
Working Capital   3-6   Dec -15                 10,621  
Working Capital   3-6   Jan -16                   9,312  
Working Capital   3-6   Feb -16                 11,665  
Working Capital   3-6   Mar -16                 18,442  
Total           $ 74,418  

 

  (1) The notes payable were repaid in full in October 2015.

 

The Company must use notes payable for the purpose described in the table. If it fails to do so, the banks will no longer issue the notes payable, and it may have an adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and capital resources. The Company has to deposit sufficient cash in the designated account of the bank on the due date of notes payable for payment to the suppliers. If the bank has advanced payment for the Company, it will be charged a penalty interest at 50% of the loan rate that is published by the People’s Bank of China for the same period. The Company complied with such financial covenants as of September 30, 2015, and believes it will continue to comply with them.

 

Cash Flows

 

  (a) Operating activities

  

Net cash provided by operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $24.1 million, compared to net cash provided by operations of $8.1 million for the same period of 2014, representing an increase of $16.0 million.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the increase in net cash provided by operations was mainly due to the net effect of:

 

  (1) The decrease in net income (excluding non-cash items) by $3.9 million compared to the same period last year;

 

  (2) The change in balance of pledge deposits which led to an increase in net cash provided by operations of $0.7 million compared to the same period last year;

 

  (3) The change of the balance of accounts and notes receivable which led to an increase in net cash provided by operations of $39.0 million compared to the same period last year. The Company usually grants credit terms ranging from 4 to 6 months. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there was a significant decrease in the ending balance of accounts receivable compared with the same period last year as a result of the decrease in net sales as well as the Company strengthening its collections;

 

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  (4) The change in balance of inventories led to an increase in net cash provided by operations of $10.7 million compared to the same period last year. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company actively adjusted its production plan to decrease inventory;

 

  (5) The change in balance of accounts and notes payable led to a decrease in net cash provided by operations of $19.4 million compared to the same period last year, which was mainly due to the Company having paid more accounts and notes payable as a result of these accounts and notes payable meeting the terms of payment as of September 30, 2015;

 

  (6) The change in taxes payable which led to a decrease in net cash provided by operations of $4.9 million compared to the same period last year, which was mainly due to the Company paying certain value-added tax and income tax that accrued in the prior year during the current period; and

 

  (7) The change of balance of customer deposits, which led to a decrease in net cash provided by operations of $1.7 million compared to the same period last year.

 

  (b) Investing activities

 

The Company used net cash of $15.3 million in investment activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $16.0 million during the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of $0.7 million, which was mainly due to the investment in the Venture Fund which used cash of $1.6 million, an increase in the payments for purchases of equipment which resulted in an increase in cash used for investment activities of $12.8 million, and purchases of intangible assets which used cash of $0.7 million, offset by sales of property, plant and equipment which provided cash of $6.4 million, a net increase in time deposits in the current period of $20.9 million, and the acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong which used cash of $3.0 million in the same period of last year, while there was no such investment in the current period.

  

  (c) Financing activities

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company had net cash provided by financing activities of $1.4 million, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $4.0 million for the same period of 2014, representing an increase of $5.4 million, which was mainly due to the net effect of (1) a decrease of $4.4 million of bank/government loans received, (2) a decrease of $0.9 million of repayments of bank/government loans, (3) the payment of dividends to non-controlling interest holders having decreased by $4.9 million and (4) payment of dividends on common stock of $4.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, while there were no such payments in the same period this year.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any significant transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

There were no material changes to the disclosure made in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 regarding this matter.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

A. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, Messrs. Wu Qizhou and Li Jie, respectively, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015, the end of the period covered by this Report. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports, such as this Form 10-Q, that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, Messrs. Wu and Li concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.

  

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of its disclosure control system are met. Because of inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

B. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

The Company is not a party to any pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any threatened legal proceedings. In addition, no director, officer or affiliate of the Company, or owner of record of more than five percent of the securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in reference to pending litigation.

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.  

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
     
3.1(i)   Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from the filing on Form 10KSB File No. 000-33123).
     
3.1(ii)   Bylaws (incorporated by reference from the Form 10KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002).
     
10.1   Joint-venture Agreement, dated June 30, 2006, as amended on May 2, 2006, between Great Genesis Holdings Limited and Wuhu Chery Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on May 10, 2006).
     
10.2   Stock Exchange Agreement dated August 11, 2014 by and among Jingzhou City Jiulong Machinery Electricity Manufacturing Co., Ltd., China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report on August 13, 2014).
     
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification*
     
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification*

  

32.1   Section 1350 Certification*
     
32.2   Section 1350 Certification*
     
101*   The following materials from the China Automotive Systems, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, were filed on November 12, 2015 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL):

 

  (i) Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income,

 

  (ii) Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets,

 

  (iii) Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and

 

  (iv) related notes

 

  * filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    (Registrant)
       
Date: November 12, 2015   By: / s/ Qizhou Wu
      Qizhou Wu
      President and Chief Executive Officer
       
Date: November 12, 2015   By: /s/ Jie Li
      Jie Li
      Chief Financial Officer

 

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