China Automotive Systems Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2017 Results

WUHAN, China, March 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAAS) ("CAAS" or the "Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the audited results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Highlights

Net sales were $143.7 million compared to $149.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016
Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $39.0 million, or diluted loss per share of $1.23, reflecting an accrued one-time corporate tax of $35.6 million recognized in the fourth quarter mandated by the recent U.S. tax reform and additional $4.0 million withholding tax for the planned dividends from the Company's PRC subsidiaries in order to fund the payments of such tax.

Fiscal Year 2017 Highlights

Net sales were $499.1 million, compared to $462.1 million in 2016
Diluted loss per share attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $0.61 compared to diluted income per share attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $0.70 in 2016
Cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $125.7 million as of December 31, 2017
Net cash flow from operating activities was $50.2 million

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "Our growth in 2017 was led by higher sales of our new advanced hydraulic products into the North American market and higher sales of hydraulic products for the commercial vehicle market in China. Our sales to North America grew by 51.4% and accounted for 16.9% of total sales in 2017. Truck sales in China grew by 16.9% in China, led by record sales of 1.1 million units of heavy-duty trucks. With our large and broad line of steering products, we are well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in a number of automotive segments."

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, "We remain focused on increasing our financial strength. We generated $50.2 million in cash flow from operations in 2017."

Fourth Quarter of 2017

In the fourth quarter of 2017, net sales were $143.7 million compared to $149.6 million in the same quarter of 2016. The net sales decrease was mainly due to the exceptionally strong Chinese auto market in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the production for new products targeting the Company's North American customers reaching its full capacity.

Gross profit was $16.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $21.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to the decrease in net sales and change of product mix.

Gain on other sales was $1.7 million, compared to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Selling expenses were $6.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher transportation expenses and increased marketing expenses that were related to increased revenue. Selling expenses represented 4.7% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") increased to $5.5 million from $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. G&A expenses represented 3.8% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 3.2% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in G&A expenses and G&A expenses as a percentage of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 was mainly due to higher personnel costs.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") were $9.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $8.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. R&D expenses represented 6.9% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 5.9% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in R&D expenses was due to ongoing higher investment in EPS product research and development such as brushless motors and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) related projects. Additional engineers, newly acquired technologies, and more testing equipment accounted for most of the increase.

Loss from operations was $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to income from operations of $5.0 million in the same quarter of 2016. The loss was mainly due to lower gross profit and higher investment in R&D and selling expenses.

Interest expense was $0.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to interest expense of $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 due to higher average loans outstanding.

Net financial income was $0.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was consistent with the same quarter of 2016.

Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $39.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily due to the one-time accrued tax of $35.7 million mandated by the recent U.S. tax reform and accrued withholding tax of $4.0 million related to the planned dividend distribution from PRC subsidiaries in order to fulfil the payment of a one-time accrued tax. In the fourth quarter of 2016 net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.8 million. Diluted loss per share was $1.23 in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to diluted income per share of $0.18 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,646,897 in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to 31,711,888 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Fiscal Year 2017

Annual net sales were $499.1 million in 2017, an 8.0% increase compared to $462.1 million in 2016. The overall increase was mainly due to higher sales of advanced legacy hydraulic products offset by the sales of electric power steering systems (EPS) sales which decreased by 6.6% in 2017. EPS sales represented 24.2% of total revenue in 2017.

Gross profit in 2017 was $84.6 million, compared to $80.9 million in 2016. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the increase in net sales.

Gain on other sales mainly consisted of the net amount retained from the sales of materials, property, plant and equipment and scraps. For the year ended December 31, 2017, gain on other sales amounted to $7.6 million, compared to $3.8 million in 2016. The increase in gain on other sales was primarily due to the disposal of a building and higher scrap volume in 2017.

Selling expenses were $19.9 million in 2017, compared to $17.2 million in 2016, which was mainly due to higher transportation and marketing expenses during the year. Selling expenses represented 4.0% in 2017, compared to 3.7% of net sales in 2016.

G&A expenses were $19.5 million in 2017, compared to $16.8 million in 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs and allowance for doubtful accounts. G&A expenses represented 3.9% of net sales in 2017 compared to 3.6% of net sales in 2016.

R&D expenses were $33.5 million in 2017, compared to $27.7 million in 2016. R&D expenses represented 6.7% of net sales in 2017, compared to 6.0% of net sales in 2016. The increase in R&D expenses was due to ongoing higher investment in EPS product research and development such as brushless motors and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)-related projects. Additional engineers, newly acquired technologies, and more testing equipment represented most of the increase.

Operating income was $19.3 million in 2017, compared to $23.0 million in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to higher operating expenses in 2017.

Interest expense was $1.8 million in 2017, compared to interest expense of $0.7 million in 2016 due primarily to an increase in loans outstanding and higher interest rates.

Net financial income was $2.2 million in 2017, compared to net financial income of $1.4 million in 2016 due primarily to an increase in interest income.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $20.4 million for 2017, compared to $24.9 million for 2016. This decline was mainly due to lower income from operations and higher interest expense.

Income tax expense was $41.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, representing an increase of $39.1 million. The increase in 2017 resulted primarily from a one-time accrued tax of $35.6 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017 that represented management's estimate of the amount of U.S. corporate income tax for the mandatory repatriation of the Company's share of previously deferred earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company as mandated by the recent U.S. tax reform. We elected to pay the one-time accrued tax over eight years commencing in April 2018. In addition, withholding tax of $4.0 million was accrued in the fourth quarter of 2017 in order to fund the payment of such one-time accrued tax since the Company plans to distribute dividends from its PRC subsidiaries to the Company. Excluding the one-time accrued tax and withholding tax discussed above, income tax expense was $1.9 million, representing a decrease of $0.6 million which was mainly due to the decrease in income before income tax. The effective tax rate (excluding the impact of the one-time transition tax) was consistent from 2016 to 2017 at approximately 10%.

Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $19.3 million in 2017, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $22.5 million in 2016. Diluted loss per share was $0.61 in 2017, compared to diluted income per share of $0.70 in 2016.

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,646,897 in 2017, compared to 31,957,052 in 2016.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2017, total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $125.7 million, total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $294.1 million, accounts payable were $240.2 million and bank and government loans were $73. million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $299.4 million as of December 31, 2017, compared to $305.9 million as of December 31, 2016. Net cash flow from operating activities was $50.2 million in 2017.

Business Outlook

Management has provided revenue guidance for the full year 2018 of $510 million. This target is based on the Company's current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through eight Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 6 million sets of steering gears, columns and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. in China, and Chrysler Group LLC in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the qualitative and quantitative effects of the accounting errors, the periods involved, the nature of the Company's review and any anticipated conclusions of the Company or its management and other statements that are not historical facts. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. As a result, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2018, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Jie Li
Chief Financial Officer
China Automotive Systems, Inc.
Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

Kevin Theiss
Investor Relations
+1-212-521-4050
Email: Kevin.Theiss@awakenlab.com

- Tables Follow -

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)
	December 31,
	2017		2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	64,558	$	31,092
Pledged cash		31,535		30,799
Short-term investments		29,587		30,475
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties		274,989		285,731
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties		19,086		20,984
Advance payments and others - unrelated parties		12,790		10,203
Advance payments and others - related parties		20,841		624
Inventories		79,217		68,050
Total current assets		532,603		477,958
Non-current assets:
Long-term time deposits		-		865
Property, plant and equipment, net		126,033		101,478
Intangible assets, net		661		617
Other receivables, net - unrelated parties		2,188		2,252
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties		9,657		14,506
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties		5,264		5,005
Long-term investments		27,596		16,431
Deferred tax assets		13,367		12,587
Total assets	$	717,369	$	631,699

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank and government loans	$	72,711	$	40,820
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties		233,048		216,993
Accounts and notes payable - related parties		7,168		6,803
Customer deposits		1,128		700
Accrued payroll and related costs		8,577		6,971
Accrued expenses and other payables		40,127		35,882
Accrued pension costs		4,051		4,130
Taxes payable		5,927		11,674
Amounts due to shareholders/directors		343		312
Advances payable (current portion)		383		382
Total current liabilities		373,463		324,667
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term government loan		306		608
Advances payable		359		339
Deferred tax liabilities		4,393		193
Long-term taxes payable		32,719		-
Total liabilities		411,240		325,807
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 31)
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares Issued – 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively		3		3
Additional paid-in capital		64,406		64,764
Retained earnings-
Appropriated		10,707		10,549
Unappropriated		209,459		228,963
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		17,780		(892)
Treasury stock – 694,298 and 694,298 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively		(2,907)		(2,907)
Total parent company stockholders' equity		299,448		300,480
Non-controlling interests		6,681		5,412
Total stockholders' equity		306,129		305,892
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	717,369	$	631,699

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)
	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016

Net product sales ($37,583 and $39,845 sold to related parties for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016)	$	499,063	$	462,050
Cost of products sold ($28,994 and $27,747 purchased from related parties for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016)		414,429		381,131
Gross profit		84,634		80,919
Net gain on other sales		7,635		3,803
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses		19,912		17,159
General and administrative expenses		19,543		16,841
Research and development expenses		33,544		27,706
Total operating expenses		72,999		61,706
Operating income		19,270		23,016
Other income, net		678		1,116
Interest expense		1,753		656
Financial income, net		2,180		1,428
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies		20,375		24,904
Less: Income taxes		41,633		2,484
Add: Investment income, net		2,619		557
Net (loss)/income		(18,639)		22,977
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		707		466
Net (loss)/income attributable to parent company's common shareholders		(19,346)		22,511

Net (loss)/income attributable to parent company's common shareholders per share –
Basic	$	(0.61)	$	0.70

Diluted	$	(0.61)	$	0.70

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding –
Basic		31,644,004		31,954,407
Diluted		31,646,897		31,957,052

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)
	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016

Net (loss)/income	$	(18,639)	$	22,977
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation income/(loss)		19,384		(19,996)
Comprehensive income		745		2,981
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest		1,352		(226)
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to parent company	$	(607)	$	3,207

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)
	2017		2016

Common Stock
Balance at January 1, 2017 and 2016– 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively	$	3	$	3
Balance at December 31, 2017 and 2016– 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively	$	3	$	3

Additional Paid-in Capital
Balance at January 1	$	64,764	$	64,627
Stock-based compensation		100		137
Acquisition of the non-controlling interest in Brazil Henglong		(458)		-
Balance at December 31	$	64,406	$	64,764

Retained Earnings— Appropriated
Balance at January 1	$	10,549	$	10,379
Appropriation of retained earnings		158		170
Balance at December 31	$	10,707	$	10,549

Unappropriated
Balance at January 1	$	228,963		206,622
Net (loss)/income attributable to parent company		(19,346)		22,511
Appropriation of retained earnings		(158)		(170)
Balance at December 31	$	209,459	$	228,963

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income
Balance at January 1	$	(892)		18,412
Other comprehensive loss related to the non-controlling interests acquired by the Company		(67)		-
Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to parent company		18,739		(19,304)
Balance at December 31	$	17,780	$	(892)

Treasury Stock
Balance at January 1, 2017 and 2016 – 694,298 and 217,283 shares, respectively		(2,907)		(1,000)
Repurchase of common stock in 2017 and 2016 – nil and 477,015 shares, respectively		-		(1,907)
Balance at December 31, 2017 and 2016 – 694,298 and 694,298 shares, respectively	$	(2,907)		(2,907)

Total parent company stockholders' equity	$	299,448	$	300,480

Non-controlling Interest
Balance at January 1	$	5,412	$	8,252
Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to non-controlling interest		645		(692)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		707		466
Other comprehensive income related to the non-controlling interests acquired by the Company		67		-
Acquisition of the non-controlling interest in Brazil Henglong		458		-
Non-controlling interests change due to the disposal of Fujian Qiaolong		-		(2,150)
Distribution of retained earnings		(608)		(464)
Balance at December 31	$	6,681	$	5,412

Total stockholders' equity	$	306,129	$	305,892

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)
	Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	(18,639)	$	22,977
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation		100		137
Depreciation and amortization		15,358		13,926
Deferred income taxes		4,143		(1,628)
Inventory write downs		5,109		3,210
Accrual/(reversal) of provision for doubtful accounts		887		(21)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		(2,617)		(556)
Gain on disposal of Fujian Qiaolong		-		(698)
Gain on disposal of fixed assets		(2,184)		(23)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of the impact of disposal of Fujian Qiaolong):
(Increase) decrease in:
Pledged cash		1,254		(799)
Accounts and notes receivable		30,908		(56,251)
Advance payments and other		(529)		(2,331)
Inventories		(12,156)		(15,442)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts and notes payable		2,533		35,455
Customer deposits		411		(646)
Accrued payroll and related costs		1,182		1,143
Accrued expenses and other payables		560		10,548
Accrued pension costs		(331)		(231)
Taxes payable		(8,555)		3,130
Long-term taxes payable		32,719		-
Advances payable		-		(75)
Net cash provided by operating activities		50,153		11,825

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments and long-term time deposits		(32,145)		(28,210)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments and long-term time deposits		35,780		20,657
Decrease in other receivables		198		2,388
Cash received from disposal of Fujian Qiaolong		-		1,953
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales		2,231		1,284
Cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment (including $12,691 and $8,021 paid to related parties for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)		(27,096)		(39,585)
Cash paid to acquire intangible assets		(201)		(161)
Loan to a related party		(29,044)		-
Cash received from repayment of the loan to a related party		10,591		-
Investment under equity method		(7,629)		(10,556)
Net cash used in investing activities		(47,315)		(52,230)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank and government loans		72,237		14,313
Repayment of bank and government loans		(43,154)		(6,973)
Repurchase of common stock		-		(1,907)
Dividends paid to the holders of the Company's common stock		-		(544)
Dividends paid to the non-controlling interest holders of joint venture companies		(623)		(464)
Net cash provided by financing activities		28,460		4,425

Cash and cash equivalents affected by foreign currency		2,168		(2,604)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		33,466		(38,584)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year		31,092		69,676
Cash and equivalents at end of year	$	64,558	$	31,092