China Automotive Systems Reports 2020 Second Quarter Unaudited Financial Results

WUHAN, China, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. ("CAAS" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CAAS), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter 2020 Highlights

    --  Net sales were $83.2 million as compared to $105.7 million in the second
        quarter of 2019;
    --  Gross profit was $7.8 million and the gross margin decreased to 9.4%
        from 14.4% in the second quarter of 2019;
    --  Loss from operations was $5.2 million compared with income from
        operations of $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2019;
    --  Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $4.1
        million, or diluted loss per share of $0.13, compared to net income
        attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $2.5 million, or
        diluted earnings per share of $0.08, in the second quarter of 2019.

First Six Months of 2020 Highlights

    --  Net sales were $156.7 million, compared to $214.9 million in the first
        six months of 2019;
    --  Gross profit decreased to $19.0 million, compared to $29.2 million in
        the first six months of 2019; gross margin decreased to 12.1% in the
        first six months of 2020, compared to 13.6% in the first six months of
        2019;
    --  Loss from operations was $4.2 million compared with income from
        operations of $3.7 million in the first six months of 2019;
    --  Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $4.1
        million compared with net income of $3.9 million in the first six months
        of 2019; diluted loss per share attributable to parent company's common
        shareholders was $0.13, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.12
        in the first six months of 2019;
    --  Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.4 million in the first
        six months of 2020.
    --  Cash and cash equivalents and pledged cash were $105.9 million as of
        June 30, 2020.

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "Our sales in the second quarter of 2020 continued to show the enduring impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the second quarter of 2020, China's economy resumed its growth as GDP increased by 3.2%. This growth rate was far below historical performance but was an improvement over the 6.8% economic contraction of the first quarter of 2020 which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Automobile sales declined by 16.9% year-over-year in the first half of 2020 with passenger vehicle sales down by 22.4% as MPV sales declined by 45.7%, sedan sales decreased by 26.0%, SUV sales were 14.9% lower and crossover vehicle sales were down by 19.8% according to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers ("CAAM)."

"In the United States, the pandemic caused GDP to tumble at an annual rate of 32.9% in the second quarter of 2020, the largest quarterly decline in history. It has been estimated that 15 million Americans have become unemployed since February 2020 and consumer spending in the U.S. is down at a 34.6% annual rate in the second quarter of 2020, the largest decline ever recorded. U.S. auto sales declined by 33.3% in the second quarter of 2020 from a year earlier due to the coronavirus pandemic as passenger car sales declined by 46.9% while sales of trucks, minivans and SUVs for the quarter dropped by 27.7%."

"We believe the worst is behind us in China and the government has rolled out a series of new fiscal and monetary policies to promote continued economic growth," Mr. Wu concluded.

Jie Li, chief financial officer, commented, "We continued to generate positive cash flow despite lower sales and we focused on maintaining our excellent balance sheet to help retain shareholder value."

Second Quarter of 2020

In the second quarter of 2020, net sales decreased by 21.3% to $83.2 million, compared to $105.7 million in the same quarter of 2019. Net sales of traditional steering products declined by 18.5% as demand weakened in the Chinese domestic brand automobile market related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chinese economy and passenger vehicle sales. Additionally, sales to the Company's North American customers declined by $18.2 million due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as production was suspended for much of the second quarter of 2020 as well as COVID-19's impact on the economies in North America and the resulting decline in new automobile vehicle sales. Sales of electric power steering ("EPS") represented 18.6% of total net sales.

Gross profit decreased to $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $15.2 million in the second quarter of 2019. The gross margin was 9.4% in the second quarter of 2020, versus 14.4% in the second quarter of 2019. The gross profit decrease was mainly due to lower sales and changes in the product mix.

Gain on other sales was $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Selling expenses were $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the lower freight expenses, resulting from the suspension of Hubei Henglong's operations for most of the quarter due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact in North America. Selling expenses represented 3.6% of net sales in the second quarter of 2020 compare to 3.7% in the second quarter of 2019.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") were $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2020 compared with $4.4 million for the second quarter of 2019. The increase in expenses was mainly due to higher office and maintenance expenses. G&A expenses represented 5.7% of net sales in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 4.2% in the second quarter of 2019.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") decreased to $6.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $6.8 million in the second quarter of 2019. R&D expenses continue to focus on the development of the Company's EPS and other new products. R&D expenses represented 7.4% of sales in the second quarter of 2020, compared with 6.4% in the second quarter of 2019.

Loss from operations was $5.2 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to income from operations of $2.6 million in the same quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to much lower sales and gross profit related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Net financial expense in the second quarter of 2020 was $0.06 million, compared to net financial income of $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Loss before income tax expenses and equity in earnings/(loss) of affiliated companies was $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings/ (loss) of affiliated companies of $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $2.5 million in the corresponding quarter of 2019. Diluted loss per share was $0.13 in the second quarter of 2020, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.08 in the second quarter of 2019. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,174,045 in the second quarter of 2020, compared to 31,499,577 in the second quarter of 2019.

First Six Months of 2020

Net sales decreased 27.1% to $156.7 million in the first six months of 2020, compared to $214.9 million in the first six months of 2019. Six-month gross profit was $19.0 million, compared to $29.2 million in the corresponding period last year. Six-month gross margin was 12.1% in the first six months of 2020 compared to 13.6% in the corresponding period in 2019. The gain on other sales was $1.4 million in the first six months of 2020 compared to $3.8 million in the corresponding period last year. Loss from operations was $4.2 million in the first six months of 2020, compared to income from operations of $3.7 million in the first six months of 2019.

Net loss attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $4.1 million in the first six months of 2020, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $3.9 million in the corresponding period in 2019. Diluted loss per share was $0.13 in the first six months of 2020, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.12 in the corresponding period of 2019.

As of June 30, 2020, cash and equivalents, and pledged cash were $105.9 million. Total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $188.4 million. Accounts and notes payable were $172.0 million and short-term loans were $55.2 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $280.0 million as of June 30, 2020, compared to $289.3 million as of December 31, 2019.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.4 million in the first six months of 2020 compared with net cash used in operating activities of $25.7 million in the first six months of 2019. Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment were $4.5 million compared with $10.3 million in the first six months of 2019.

Business Outlook

In April, the Company regained its full operating capacity after lockdown restrictions were removed and reopened its Wuhan headquarters after a temporary relocation to Jingzhou City in March. However, due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19, it has taken substantial time to create economic growth, restore consumer confidence and bring supply chains into full capacity in China. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to afflict our North and South American markets.

Management reiterates its 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.

Second Quarter 2020 Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call on August 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:



            Phone Number:                +1-877-407-8031 (North America)



            Phone Number:                +1-201-689-8031 (International)


             China Toll Free:    
             +86-400-120-2840

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website in 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 and 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 May 14, 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.
Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

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

-- tables follow -


                      
              
                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 June 30,



                                                          2020                                           2019

                                                                                                         ---

               Net product sales ($16,105
                and $14,310 sold to related
                parties for                                       $
              83,184                            $
            105,748
    the three months ended June 30, 2020
     and 2019)


               Cost of products sold ($6,152 and
                $6,130 purchased from related                               75,353                                       90,563
    parties for the three months ended June
     30, 2020 and 2019)




              Gross profit                                                  7,831                                       15,185




              Gain on other sales                                             838                                        2,485




              Less: Operating expenses



              Selling expenses                                              2,977                                        3,859


               General and administrative expenses                           4,759                                        4,434


               Research and development expenses                             6,125                                        6,752




              Total operating expenses                                     13,861                                       15,045



               (Loss)/income from operations                               (5,192)                                       2,625



              Other income/(expense), net                                   1,257                                        (447)



              Interest expense                                              (446)                                       (731)


               Financial (expense)/income, net                                (59)                                       1,552



               (Loss)/income before income tax
                expenses and equity in                                     (4,440)                                       2,999
    earnings/(loss) of affiliated companies


               Less: Income tax (benefit)/expense                             (31)                                         674


               Equity in earnings/(loss) of
                affiliated companies                                           169                                        (207)




              Net (loss)/income                                           (4,240)                                       2,118


               Net loss attributable to non-
                controlling interests                                        (142)                                       (332)



               Net (loss)/income
                attributable to parent
                company's common                                 $
              (4,098)                             $
            2,450
    shareholders

                                                                                                                             ===


              Comprehensive income:



              Net (loss)/income                                 $
              (4,240)                             $
            2,118



              Other comprehensive income:


               Foreign currency translation income/
                (loss), net of tax                                             358                                      (6,881)




              Comprehensive loss                                          (3,882)                                     (4,763)


               Comprehensive loss attributable to non-
                controlling interests                                         (86)                                       (776)



               Comprehensive loss
                attributable to parent
                company                                          $
              (3,796)                           $
            (3,987)

                                                                                                                             ===



               Net (loss)/income attributable to
                parent company's common s
    hareholders per share -





              Basic                                              $
              (0.13)                              $
            0.08

                                                                                                                             ---




              Diluted                                            $
              (0.13)                              $
            0.08

                                                                                                                             ---

               Weighted average number of common
                shares outstanding -



              Basic                                                    31,174,045                                   31,497,723



              Diluted                                                  31,174,045                                   31,499,577


                         
              
                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)




                                                                                   Six 
                Months Ended June 30,



                                                                 2020                                           2019

                                                                                                                ---

               Net product sales ($23,599 and
                $27,146 sold to related
                parties for the six                                     $
              156,739                               $
            214,941
    months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019)


               Cost of products sold ($9,286 and $11,634
                purchased from related                                            137,756                                         185,711
    parties for the six months ended June 30,
     2020 and 2019)




              Gross profit                                                        18,983                                          29,230




              Gain on other sales                                                  1,438                                           3,754




              Less: Operating expenses



              Selling expenses                                                     5,095                                           6,944


               General and administrative expenses                                  8,188                                           9,024


               Research and development expenses                                   11,318                                          13,355




              Total operating expenses                                            24,601                                          29,323




              (Loss)/income from operations                                      (4,180)                                          3,661



              Other income, net                                                    1,374                                             960



              Interest expense                                                     (811)                                        (1,299)


               Financial (expense)/income, net                                      (590)                                            887



               (Loss)/income before income tax expenses
                and equity in (loss)/earnings                                     (4,207)                                          4,209
    of affiliated companies



              Less: Income taxes                                                     483                                             872


               Equity in (loss)/earnings of affiliated
                companies                                                           (178)                                              4




              Net (loss)/income                                                  (4,868)                                          3,341


               Net loss attributable to non-controlling
                interests                                                           (742)                                          (575)



               Net (loss)/income attributable
                to parent company's common                              $
              (4,126)                                $
            3,916
    shareholders

                                                                                                                                       ===


              Comprehensive income:



              Net (loss)/income                                        $
              (4,868)                                $
            3,341



              Other comprehensive income:


               Foreign currency translation loss, net of
                tax                                                               (4,603)                                          (518)




              Comprehensive (loss)/income                                        (9,471)                                          2,823


               Comprehensive loss attributable to non-
                controlling interests                                             (1,139)                                          (562)



               Comprehensive (loss)/income
                attributable to parent
                company                                                 $
              (8,332)                                $
            3,385

                                                                                                                                       ===



               Net (loss)/income attributable to parent
                company's common
    shareholders per share -





              Basic                                                     $
              (0.13)                                 $
            0.12

                                                                                                                                       ---




              Diluted                                                   $
              (0.13)                                 $
            0.12

                                                                                                                                       ---

               Weighted average number of common shares
                outstanding -



              Basic                                                           31,174,045                                      31,501,889



              Diluted                                                         31,174,082                                      31,505,721


                                          
              
     China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                          
              
     Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                          
              
     (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)




                                                                    June 30
                                                                          ,                             December 31,
                                                                       2020                                      2019

                                                                                                                 ---


              ASSETS



              Current assets:


               Cash and cash equivalents                                       $
              80,376                            $
            76,715



              Pledged cash                                                              25,504                                      29,688


               Accounts and notes receivable, net -
                unrelated parties                                                       170,059                                     211,841


               Accounts and notes receivable -related
                parties                                                                  18,383                                      21,164



              Inventories                                                               82,861                                      82,931



              Other current assets                                                      37,086                                      18,974




              Total current assets                                                     414,269                                     441,313



              Non-current assets:


               Property, plant and equipment, net                                       131,657                                     140,481



              Land use rights, net                                                      10,062                                      10,346



              Long-term investments                                                     43,774                                      39,642



              Other non-current assets                                                  31,431                                      28,374




              Total assets                                                   $
              631,193                           $
            660,156

                                                                                                                                         ===



               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



              Current liabilities:



              Short-term loans                                                $
              55,191                            $
            46,636


               Accounts and notes payable -unrelated
                parties                                                                 162,803                                     180,175


               Accounts and notes payable -related
                parties                                                                   9,233                                       6,492


               Accrued expenses and other payables                                       47,758                                      45,341



              Other current liabilities                                                 22,629                                      25,135




              Total current liabilities                                                297,614                                     303,779



              Long-term liabilities:



              Long-term government loans                                                                             7,167



              Other long-term payable                                                    2,998                                       4,948



              Long-term tax payable                                                     23,884                                      26,693



              Other non-current liabilities                                              8,099                                       8,010




              Total liabilities                                              $
              332,595                           $
            350,597

                                                                                                                                         ---




              Stockholders' equity:


               Common stock, $0.0001 par
                value -Authorized -
                80,000,000 shares; Issued -                                         $
              3                               $
              3
    32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares as of
     June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019,
    respectively



              Additional paid-in capital                                                64,273                                      64,466



              Retained earnings-



              Appropriated                                                              11,265                                      11,265



              Unappropriated                                                           216,383                                     221,298


               Accumulated other comprehensive income                                   (7,668)                                    (3,462)


               Treasury stock -1,164,257 and 1,164,257
                shares as of June 30, 2020 and                                          (4,261)                                    (4,261)
    December 31, 2019, respectively



               Total parent company stockholders'
                equity                                                                  279,995                                     289,309



              Non-controlling interests                                                 18,603                                      20,250




              Total stockholders' equity                                               298,598                                     309,559



               Total liabilities and
                stockholders' equity                                          $
              631,193                           $
            660,156

                                                                                                                                         ===


                     
              
                China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                
              
                Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                     
              
                (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)




                                                                                     Six
                 Months Ended
                                                                                                 June 30
                                                                                                   ,



                                                                   2020                               2019

                                                                                                      ---

               Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net (loss)/income                                          $
              (4,868)                          $
          3,341


               Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income
                from operations to net cash provided
    by/(used in) operating activities:



              Depreciation and amortization                                         10,562                                   9,283


               Reversal of provision for doubtful
                accounts                                                              (239)                                  (673)



              Deferred income taxes                                                     21                                 (1,124)


               Equity in loss/(earnings) of affiliated
                companies                                                               178                                     (4)


               Government subsidy reclassified from
                government loans                                                        287


               Loss/(gain) on fixed assets disposals                                     42                                   (733)



              (Increase)/decrease in:



              Accounts and notes receivable                                         41,917                                     969



              Inventories                                                          (1,281)                                (3,294)



              Other current assets                                                 (1,355)                                  4,760



              Increase/(decrease) in:



              Accounts and notes payable                                          (11,924)                               (31,049)


               Accrued expenses and other payables                                    2,683                                 (3,055)



              Long-term taxes payable                                              (2,809)                                (2,810)



              Other current liabilities                                            (1,835)                                (1,342)



                            Net cash provided by/(used in) operating
                             activities                                              31,379                                (25,731)



               Cash flows from investing activities:


               Decrease/(increase) in demand loans and
                employee housing loans included in other                                (3)                                  1,057
    non-current assets


               Cash received from property, plant and
                equipment sales                                                         586                                     700


               Payments to acquire property, plant and
                equipment (including $760 and $2,271 paid                           (4,525)                               (10,335)
    to related parties for the six months
     ended June 30, 2020 and 2019,
     respectively)


               Payments to acquire intangible assets                                  (390)                                (1,387)


               Investment under the equity method                                   (5,360)                                (2,348)


               Purchase of short-term investments and
                long-term time deposits                                            (27,128)                               (17,031)


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


               Proceeds from maturities of short-term
                investments                                                           5,781                                  17,087


               Cash received from long-term investment                                  448                                     579



                            Net cash used in investing activities                  (30,591)                                (9,780)



               Cash flows from financing activities:



              Proceeds from bank loans                                              36,135                                  29,036



              Repayments of bank loans                                            (33,890)                               (18,910)


               Repayments of the borrowing for sale and
                leaseback transaction                                               (2,041)                                (2,116)


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


               Cash received from capital contributions
                by non-controlling interest holder                                      212                                   1,438


               Deemed distribution to shareholders                                     (88)


               Acquisition of non-controlling interest                                 (81)



              Repurchase of common shares                                                                       (342)



                            Net cash provided by financing activities                    247                                   8,773



               Effects of exchange rate on cash, cash
                equivalents and pledged cash                                        (1,558)                                  (172)



               Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and
                pledged cash                                                          (523)                               (26,910)


               Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at
                beginning of the period                                             106,403                                 115,969



               Cash, cash equivalents and
                pledged cash at end of the
                period                                                    $
              105,880                          $
          89,059

                                                                                                                                 ===

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SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.