China Automotive Systems Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019 Results

WUHAN, China, May 14, 2020 /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, 2019.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights

    --  Net sales were $115.9 million compared with $124.3 million in the fourth
        quarter of 2018
    --  Gross profit was $16.8 million compared with $11.4 million in the fourth
        quarter of 2018; gross margin was 14.5% compared with 9.6% in the fourth
        quarter of 2018
    --  Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $1.7
        million, or diluted income per share of $0.06, compared to a net loss of
        $3.2 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.10, in the fourth quarter
        of 2018.

Fiscal Year 2019 Highlights

    --  Net sales were $431.4 million compared to $496.2 million in 2018
    --  Operating income was $6.2 million compared to an operating loss of $2.9
        million last year
    --  Diluted income per share attributable to parent company's common
        shareholders was $0.32 compared to diluted income per share attributable
        to parent company's common shareholders of $0.08 in 2018
    --  Cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were
        $112.2 million as of December 31, 2019
    --  Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $30.3 million in 2019
        compared to $12.5 million for 2018
    --  Approximately 452,559 shares of common stock were repurchased during
        2019.

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "Our sales continued to mirror the continuing slow economic growth in the Chinese economy in 2019, as well as the trade dispute between the U.S. and China, the introduction of more stringent emission standards, and significantly reduced automobile subsidies. Chinese GDP grew by 6.1% in 2019, the slowest annual rate of economic growth for China since 1990, and car sales weakened in December 2019 compared with the same month a year ago, marking 18 consecutive months of decline. However, Chinese-branded cars, our main market, lost only 2.9% of market share in 2019."

"On the other hand, our sales to our tier-1 North American customers remained stable. In addition, our electric motor subsidiary, Hyoseong (Wuhan) Motion Mechatronics System, successfully completed its phase one development plan for powerpack brushless motors to address significant market opportunities. With three new highly automated production lines installed and tested, the mass production of our proprietary brushless electric motors will start in June 2020. We are also producing EPS systems to steer the new all-electric small vehicle, model ORA R150, for Great Wall Motor. Furthermore, SAIC Maxus, an SUV and commercial vehicle subsidiary of SAIC Motor, also selected us as their type A preferred supplier. For the international markets, we began producing a new steering system for our customer in North America. And our Brazilian operation was nominated as one of three chassis finalists for South America's 2018 Best Supplier by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA)," Mr. Wu concluded.

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, "Our operations continued to generate positive cash flow in 2019. We have reduced our operating expenses to become more efficient while the sales of our higher-margin products are expanding."

Fourth Quarter of 2019

Net sales were $115.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $124.3 million in the same quarter of 2018. The net sales decrease was mainly due to a change in the product mix and lower demand for Chinese domestic-branded automobiles in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with the fourth quarter of 2018.

Gross profit was $16.8 million compared to $11.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2019 was 14.5% compared to 9.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase in gross profit and gross margin was primarily due to a change in the product mix and reduced costs compared with the fourth quarter of 2018.

Gain on other sales was $0.2 million, compared to $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Selling expenses were $3.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decline was primarily due to better cost controls with lower personnel costs, and reduced transportation expenses related to decreased volume. Selling expenses represented 3.3% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2018.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") decreased by 9.7% to $6.5 million from $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. G&A expenses represented 5.6% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 5.8% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in G&A expenses in the fourth quarter of 2019 was mainly due to improved cost controls.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") were $8.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. R&D expenses represented 7.4% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 8.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Loss from operations was $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to a loss from operations of $9.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The much reduced loss was mainly due to higher gross profit and lower operating expenses compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.

Interest expense was $0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to a net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Diluted income per share was $0.06 in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to diluted loss per share of $0.10 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,333,740 in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 31,645,510 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Fiscal Year 2019

Annual net sales were $431.4 million in 2019 compared to $496.2 million in 2018. The decrease was due to lower sales of legacy hydraulic products and total EPS systems. EPS sales represented 19.1% of total revenue in 2019 compared with 21.7% in 2018. Net sales of vehicle steering systems to the Company's North America customers were down slightly in 2019 compared with 2018.

Gross profit in 2019 was $63.4 million compared to $65.4 million in 2018. The gross margin increased to 14.7% from 13.2% in 2018 mainly due to increased sales of higher margin products.

Gain on other sales mainly consisted of the net amount retained from rental income, gain on disposal of intangible assets and the sales of property, plant and equipment and technical service revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2019, gain on other sales amounted to $5.1 million compared to $3.9 million in 2018. This increase was primarily due to the increase in gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment.

Selling expenses were $14.3 million in 2019 compared to $18.9 million in 2018, mainly due to lower net sales resulting in decreased personnel expenses and marketing expenditures. Selling expenses represented 3.3% of net sales in 2019 compared to 3.8% in 2018.

G&A expenses were $20.0 million generally consistent with $19.8 million in 2018. G&A expenses represented 4.6% of net sales in 2019 compared to 4.0% of net sales in 2018.

R&D expenses were $28.0 million in 2019 compared to $33.6 million in 2018. R&D expenses represented 6.5% of net sales in 2019, compared to 6.8% of net sales in 2018.

Operating income was $6.2 million in 2019 compared to an operating loss of $2.9 million in 2018. The change was primarily due to lower selling and research and development expenses in 2019.

Interest expense was $3.0 million in 2019 generally consistent with $2.9 million in 2018.

Net financial income was $2.5 million in 2019 compared with $2.2 million in 2018 due to an increase in interest income.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $7.6 million compared to a loss before income tax expenses and equity in loss of affiliated companies of $2.5 million for 2018. This increase was mainly due to the higher operating profit.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $10.0 million in 2019 compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $2.4 million in 2018. Diluted net income per share was $0.32 in 2019 compared to diluted income per share of $0.08 in 2018.

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,458,926 in 2019 compared to 31,645,594 in 2018.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2019, total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $112.2 million, total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $233.0 million, accounts payable including notes payable were $186.7 million and short-term bank and government loans were $46.6 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $289.2 million as of December 31, 2019, compared to $285.9 million as of December 31, 2018. During 2019, a total of 452,559 shares were repurchased for aggregate consideration of $1.3 million under a repurchase program approved on December 5, 2018. Net cash flow from operating activities was $30.3 million in 2019.

Business Outlook

By mid-March, most of the Company's production operations were up and running after the lockdown restrictions were lifted by the respective local governments as the COVID-19 outbreak subsided. In April, the Company regained its full operating capacity and reopened its Wuhan headquarters after a temporary relocation to Jingzhou City in March.

Management provides revenue guidance for the full year 2020 of $360 million. This target is based on the Company's current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call on May 14, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. EDT/8:00 P.M. Beijing Time to discuss these results. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation. To participate, please call the following numbers 10 minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the "China Automotive Systems" conference call:



            US Toll Free:                       +1-877-407-8031



            International:                      +1-201-689-8031



            China (toll free):                  +86 400 120 2840

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website under the investor relations section.

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 ten 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, Ford Motor Company 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 28, 2019, in the form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2020 and May 11, 2020, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If the outbreak of COVID-19 is not effectively and timely controlled, our business operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected as a result of the deteriorating market outlook for automobile sales, the slowdown in regional and national economic growth, weakened liquidity and financial condition of our customers or other factors that we cannot foresee. Any of these factors and other factors beyond our control, could have an adverse effect on the overall business environment, cause uncertainties in the regions where we conduct business, cause our business to suffer in ways that we cannot predict and materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. A prolonged disruption or any further unforeseen delay in our operations of the manufacturing, delivery and assembly process within any of our production facilities could continue to result in delays in the shipment of products to our customers, increased costs and reduced revenue. 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.
jieli@chl.com.cn

Kevin Theiss
Awaken Advisors
+1-212-521-4050
Kevin@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,



                                                                                                                                                               2019                   2018




              ASSETS



              Current assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                             $
            76,708       $
       86,346



              Pledged cash                                                                                                                                                    29,688            29,623



              Short-term investments                                                                                                                                           5,832            17,543



              Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties                                                                                                         211,841           237,519



              Accounts and notes receivable - related parties                                                                                                                 21,164            18,825



              Advance payments and others, net - unrelated parties                                                                                                            11,714            16,270



              Advance payments and others - related parties                                                                                                                    1,287             1,281



              Inventories                                                                                                                                                     82,931            88,021




                   Total current assets                                                                                                                                      441,165           495,428



              Non-current assets:



              Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                                                             140,437           122,310



              Land use right, net                                                                                                                                             10,346             7,543



              Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                                           1,352               605



              Operating lease assets                                                                                                                                             376



              Other receivables, net                                                                                                                                             307             1,799



              Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties                                                                                            6,157             6,135



              Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties                                                                                              2,311             8,723



              Long-term investments                                                                                                                                           39,642            32,620



              Deferred tax assets                                                                                                                                             15,291            15,336



              Other non-current assets                                                                                                                                         2,580




                   Total assets                                                                                                                                    $
            659,964      $
       690,499






              LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



              Current liabilities:



              Bank and government loans                                                                                                                             $
            46,636       $
       60,952



              Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties                                                                                                                 180,175           205,643



              Accounts and notes payable - related parties                                                                                                                     6,492             4,477



              Customer deposits                                                                                                                                                1,303               750



              Accrued payroll and related costs                                                                                                                                8,400             7,346



              Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                                                                             45,337            47,032



              Accrued pension costs                                                                                                                                            3,161             3,282



              Taxes payable                                                                                                                                                   11,492            11,137



              Operating lease liabilities - current portion                                                                                                                      116



              Amounts due to shareholders/directors                                                                                                                              309               317



              Advances payable (current portion)                                                                                                                                 353               364




                   Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                 303,774           341,300



              Long-term liabilities:



              Long-term government loan                                                                                                                                        7,167               291



              Advances payable                                                                                                                                                 3,486             1,654



              Operating lease liabilities - non-current portion                                                                                                                  271



              Other long-term payable                                                                                                                                          4,948             8,726



              Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                                                         4,253             4,198



              Long-term taxes payable                                                                                                                                         26,693            29,503




                   Total liabilities                                                                                                                                         350,592           385,672




              Stockholders' Equity



              Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized -                                                                                                                       3                 3


              80,000,000 shares Issued - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares at December 31,
    2019 and 2018, respectively



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                      64,429            64,429



              Retained earnings-



              Appropriated                                                                                                                                                    11,265            11,104



              Unappropriated                                                                                                                                                 221,237           211,439



              Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income                                                                                                                  (3,462)            1,855



              Treasury stock - 1,164,257 and 711,698 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018,                                                                                   (4,261)          (2,953)
    respectively




              Total parent company stockholders' equity                                                                                                                      289,211           285,877



              Non-controlling interests                                                                                                                                       20,161            18,950




                   Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                309,372           304,827




                   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                      $
            659,964      $
       690,499


                                                                                                                 
         
            China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                   
         
             Consolidated Statements of Income and Loss


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




                                                                                                                                                                                                  Year Ended December 31,



                                                                                                                                                                                     2019                                 2018






              Net product sales ($50,740 and $37,606 sold to related parties for the years ended December 31,                                                                            $
           431,427                     $
           496,158
    2019 and 2018)



              Cost of products sold ($23,814 and $25,558 purchased from related parties for the years ended                                                                                       368,076                              430,745
    December 31, 2019 and 2018)




              Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                         63,351                               65,413




              Net gain on other sales                                                                                                                                                               5,067                                3,940




              Operating expenses:



              Selling expenses                                                                                                                                                                     14,270                               18,949



              General and administrative expenses                                                                                                                                                  19,976                               19,761



              Research and development expenses                                                                                                                                                    27,992                               33,551




              Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                                             62,238                               72,261




              Operating income/(loss)                                                                                                                                                               6,180                              (2,908)



              Other income, net                                                                                                                                                                     1,957                                1,173



              Interest expense                                                                                                                                                                    (3,034)                             (2,928)



              Financial income, net                                                                                                                                                                 2,456                                2,162




              Income/(loss) before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies                                                                                               7,559                              (2,501)



              Less: Income taxes                                                                                                                                                                      586                              (1,465)



              Add: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies                                                                                                                                       1,406                                1,115




              Net income                                                                                                                                                                            8,379                                   79



              Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                                                                                   (1,580)                             (2,298)




              Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders                                                                                                                       9,959                                2,377






              Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders per share -



              Basic                                                                                                                                                                         $
           0.32                        $
           0.08






              Diluted                                                                                                                                                                       $
           0.32                        $
           0.08






              Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -



              Basic                                                                                                                                                                            31,456,828                           31,643,813



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                                          31,458,926                           31,645,594


                                  Year Ended December 31,



                         2019                             2018





     Net income                    8,379                                 79


     Other comprehensive
      loss:


     Foreign currency
      translation loss           (5,735)                          (16,548)



     Comprehensive
      income/(loss)                2,644                           (16,469)


     Comprehensive loss
      attributable to
      non-controlling
      interest                   (1,998)                           (2,921)



     Comprehensive
      income/(loss)
      attributable to
      parent company          $
       4,642                       $
      (13,548)


                                                                                                       
       
          China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                     
       
       Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity


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




                                                                                                                                                                        2019                 2018






       
                Common Stock

    ---


       Balance at January 1, 2019 and 2018 - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively                                                                                      $
           3           $
             3



       Balance at December 31, 2019 and 2018 - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively                                                                                    $
           3           $
             3






       
                Additional Paid-in Capital

    ---


       Balance at January 1                                                                                                                                                  $
          64,429       $
            64,406



       Stock-based compensation                                                                                                                                                                                23



       Balance at December 31                                                                                                                                                $
          64,429       $
            64,429






       
                Retained Earnings - Appropriated

    ---


       Balance at January 1                                                                                                                                                  $
          11,104       $
            10,707



       Appropriation of retained earnings                                                                                                                                               161                    397




       Balance at December 31                                                                                                                                                $
          11,265       $
            11,104






       
                Unappropriated

    ---


       Balance at January 1                                                                                                                                                 $
          211,439      $
            209,459



       Net income attributable to parent company                                                                                                                                      9,959                  2,377



       Appropriation of retained earnings                                                                                                                                             (161)                 (397)




       Balance at December 31                                                                                                                                               $
          221,237      $
            211,439






       
                Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

    ---


       Balance at January 1                                                                                                                                                   $
          1,855       $
            17,780



       Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to parent company                                                                                                   (5,317)              (15,925)




       Balance at December 31                                                                                                                                               $
          (3,462)       $
            1,855






       
                Treasury Stock

    ---


       Balance at January 1, 2019 and 2018 - 711,698 and 694,298 shares, respectively                                                                                               (2,953)               (2,907)



       Repurchase of common stock in 2019 and 2018 - 452,559 shares and 17,400 shares, respectively                                                                                 (1,308)                  (46)




       Balance at December 31, 2019 and 2018 - 1,164,257 and 711,698 shares, respectively                                                                                   $
          (4,261)               (2,953)






       Total parent company stockholders' equity                                                                                                                            $
          289,211      $
            285,877






       
                Non-controlling Interest

    ---


       Balance at January 1                                                                                                                                                  $
          18,950        $
            6,681



       Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                                           (418)                 (623)



       Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                                                                            (1,580)               (2,298)



       Contribution by non-controlling shareholder                                                                                                                                    3,542                 15,728



       Distribution of retained earnings                                                                                                                                              (333)                 (538)




       Balance at December 31                                                                                                                                                $
          20,161       $
            18,950






       Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                           $
          309,372      $
            304,827


                                                      
              
             China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                           
              
             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                                      
              
             (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)




                                                                                                   Year Ended December 31,



                                                                                 2019                                       2018





               Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net income                                                                      $
              8,379                    $
            79


               Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
                cash provided by operating activities:



              Stock-based compensation                                                                                                      23



              Depreciation and amortization                                                              17,841                          16,816



              Deferred income taxes                                                                          16                         (2,502)


               (Reversal)/accrual of provision for doubtful
                accounts                                                                                   (441)                            887


               Equity in net loss/(earnings) of affiliates                                               (1,406)                        (1,115)



              Gain on disposal of fixed assets                                                            (632)                          (445)



              (Increase)/decrease in:



              Accounts and notes receivable                                                              21,036                          27,526



              Advance payments and others                                                                 4,733                         (3,790)



              Inventories                                                                                 3,992                        (11,614)



              Increase/(decrease) in:



              Accounts and notes payable                                                               (22,138)                       (22,491)



              Customer deposits                                                                             561                           (346)



              Accrued payroll and related costs                                                           1,115                           (964)


               Accrued expenses and other payables                                                       (1,340)                          8,893



              Accrued pension costs                                                                        (96)                          (646)



              Taxes payable                                                                             (1,326)                          2,215



                                 Net cash provided by operating activities                                30,294                          12,526





               Cash flows from investing activities:



              Purchase of short-term investments                                                       (19,647)                       (22,923)


               Proceeds from maturities of short-term
                investments                                                                               31,268                          34,175


               Decrease in demand loans and employee housing
                loans included in other                                                                    1,504                             337
    receivables


               Cash received from property, plant and
                equipment sales                                                                            1,561                           1,022


               Government subsidy received for purchase of
                property, plant and equipment                                                              1,898                           1,322


               Cash paid to acquire property, plant and
                equipment and land used rights                                                          (34,396)                       (25,764)
    (including $5,238 and $9,207 paid to related
     parties for the year ended
    December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)


               Cash paid to acquire intangible assets                                                    (1,505)                          (189)


               Cash received from long-term investment                                                       579


               Cash received from repayment of the loan to a
                related party                                                                                                            20,430



              Investment under equity method                                                            (6,018)                        (5,957)


               Cash prepaid for acquisition of a subsidiary                                              (2,560)



                                 Net cash (used in)/provided by investing
                                  activities                                                            (27,316)                          2,453





               Cash flows from financing activities:


               Proceeds from bank and government loans                                                    57,101                          78,917


               Repayment of bank and government loans                                                   (65,576)                       (92,215)


               Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction                                                                              11,758


               Payment to broker agents for repurchase of
                common stock                                                                             (1,308)                          (300)


               Repayments of the borrowing for sale and
                leaseback transaction                                                                    (4,164)                        (3,218)


               Dividends paid to the non-controlling
                interest holders of non-wholly                                                             (333)                          (524)
    owned subsidiaries


               Decrease in amounts due to shareholders/
                directors                                                                                                                  (26)


               Cash received from capital contributions by
                non-controlling interest                                                                   3,542                          15,728
    holder



                    Net cash (used in)/provided by financing
                     activities                                                                         (10,738)                         10,120





               Cash and cash equivalents affected by foreign
                currency                                                                                 (1,813)                        (5,223)



               Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
                equivalents                                                                              (9,573)                         19,876


               Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at
                beginning of year                                                                        115,969                          96,093



               Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at
                end of year                                                                  $
              106,396                 $
          115,969



     SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:




                                                    Year Ended December 31,



                                 2019                                     2018



      Cash paid
       for
       interest                         $
              3,390                      $
     3,852


      Cash paid
       for income
       taxes                            $
              4,607                      $
     3,717



     SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:





     Non-cash investing activities:




                                                         Year Ended December 31,



                                                   2019                          2018





       Property,
       plant                                   advance
       and                                     payments
       equipment
       recorded
       during
       the
       year
       which
       previously
       were                                             $
              13,964                $
      13,347


       Accounts
       payable
       for
       acquiring
       property,
       plant
       and
       equipment                                           $
              782                 $
      1,046


       Property,
       plant                                   company
       and
       equipment
       and
       inventories
       used
       for
       investment
       in an
       associated                                          $
              492            
     $

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SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.