FY 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Based in Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. is a leading
supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry and is exporting
into the North American market.
The company operates through eight wholly-owned subsidiaries in China and America and ten Sino-foreign
joint ventures in China.
o Henglong USA Corporation
Great Genesis Holdings Limited
Shenyang Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd.
Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd.
Universal Sensor Application, Inc.
Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd
o
o Wuhu Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd.
o
o Chongqing Henglong Hongyan Automotive System Co., Ltd.
o CAAS Brazil’s Imports And Trade In Automotive Parts Ltd.
o
o
o
Hubei Henglong Group Shanghai Automotive Electronics Research and Development Ltd.
Jingzhou Qingyan Intelligent Automotive Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Hubei Henglong & KYB Automobile Electric Steering System Co., Ltd.
Hyoseong (Wuhan) Motion Mechatronics System Co., Ltd.
o
o Wuhu Hongrun New Material Co., Ltd.
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd
.
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Technology (Testing) Center
Wuhan Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd.
. Wuhan Chuguanjie Automotive Science and Technology Ltd.
Dear Shareholders
2019 was the year that started with fear, but ended
with hope. After a series of meetings and negotiations
among high level officials throughout the year, the U.S. and
China agreed to end the trade war at the end of 2019.
Businesses in both nations joyfully embraced the Phase
One trade deal before the holiday season hoping it
symbolized a new chapter of growth and partnership.
Despite the 6.1% GDP growth in 2019, the slowest annual
growth rate in the last 29 years, China closed the year with
much improved confidence.
According to the China Association of Automobile
Manufacturers (“CAAM”), total vehicle sales in 2019
decreased 8.2% year-over-year to 25.8 million units. Total
passenger vehicle sales were down 9.6% in 2019 to 21.4
million units compared with 2018. This decline followed a
2.8% passenger car sales decrease in the 2018 year. Most
types of passenger cars suffered sales declines in 2019.
Sedan sales were 10.4% lower, but remained the largest
car segment with a 49.7% market share. Crossover and
SUV vehicles registered the smallest decline at 6.7% and
they gained market share attaining a record 43.6% of the
Chinese passenger vehicle market. MPV sales dropped by
18.1% and ended with a 6.7% market share. Chinese
domestic-branded passenger car sales, our main market,
declined by 15.2% for the 2019 year, but lost only 2.9% of
market share. Slower economic growth created anxiety
among consumers which was intensified by the trade
tensions between the U.S. and China. The first phase of the
more stringent National VI emission standards began on
July 1, 2019 for gasoline engine-powered vehicles which
also added additional complexity into an already soft
demand in the Chinese auto market.
Prior to 2019, the star of the passenger vehicle sector
was new energy vehicles (“NEV”) including both electric
vehicles (“EV”) and plug-in hybrids. After years of rapid
growth, for the very first time in China, the annual sales of
NEVs had a correction, down 4.0% to 1.2 million units in
2019. The central government cut subsidies in the second
half of 2019 as some regions and vehicle models lost as
much as 75% of the subsidies and this reduction affected
consumers’ purchase decisions. One key reason the
Chinese government decided to lower subsidies was to
promote the consolidation of the large number of NEV
manufacturers in this promising but overcrowded industry.
As a result, NEV sales were on a steady but gradual decline
since June 2019. Despite the correction, the Chinese
government remains committed to the long-term prospect
of NEVs and plans to continue to roll out programs to
provide more targeted support to the sector leaders.
Compared with the macro environment, we had a
solid year in 2019. Our annual net sales were $431.4
million in 2019 compared to $496.2 million in 2018, a
decline of 13.1%, as legacy hydraulic products and total
electric power steering (“EPS”) system sales both declined.
Sales of our advanced hydraulic steering systems to our
North America customers, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
(“FCA”) and Ford Motor Company (“Ford”), were ONLY
down slightly in 2019 compared with 2018 as overall
North American vehicle sales softened in 2019. On a
brighter note, our Henglong KYB subsidiary, which
primarily supplies passenger vehicle EPS products, had net
sales of $71.0 million in 2019 compared with $23.4 million
for the 2018 year. And our exclusive supply contract with
Great Wall Motor Company to supply EPS systems for their
new ORA R150 all-electric, small vehicle, validates the
performance and capabilities of our advanced EPS systems.
EPS sales represented 19.1% of total revenue in 2019 and
we believe EPS and variations of this technology, will
continue to lead our growth in the future.
The stricter National VI emission standards were
enacted beginning on July 1, 2019 to improve air quality.
Due to the added technology, National VI-compliant
vehicles typically sell at higher retail prices, which in an
uncertain growth environment made consumers wary to
is
purchase new passenger vehicles. This standard
progressively being implemented nationwide during the
2020 year.
For new product development, our Hyoseong (Wuhan)
Motion Mechatronics System Co. Ltd.
subsidiary
successfully completed its development plan for small
powerpack brushless motors for its i-RCB, C-EPS and
P/DP-EPS products. In June 2020, our Hyoseong joint
venture will commence mass production of
these
proprietary brushless electric motors. In 2019, SAIC Maxus
upgraded us to a type A preferred steering supplier for
their Chinese commercial vehicles. In the Americas, a
global tier-1 customer headquartered in North America,
made us the lead developer for a new recirculating-ball
("RCB") steering system ("i-RCB Program") to be used in
their future autonomous vehicles. Another of our new
products under development is scheduled to supply FCA's
Jeep models with mass production starting in the fourth
quarter of 2020.
For Europe, new projects included the development
of steering for the very popular Daily van for IVECO S.p.A.
and we began shipments in 2019 into Europe for the
Italian-made Fiat 520 AWD plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
model.
We further penetrated the South American market by
winning more contracts with the region's largest OEM
producer, FCA South America. Due to our products’ strong
performance and
reliability, our Henglong Brazil
subsidiary was nominated as one of three CHASSIS finalist
for South America's 2018 Best Supplier by FCA as well as
being nominated for the CHASSIS Supplier of the Year. In
North America, we won the Q1 Award, an acronym for
"Quality is No. 1", from Ford. The Q1 Award is the highest
honor for a supplier’s ability to meet Ford's most stringent
quality and execution management.
In summary, 2019 was a better year for us than 2018.
For the 2019 year, our operating income was $6.2 million
compared with an operating loss of $2.9 million in 2018.
Our gross margin increased to 14.7% of net sales and we
streamlined our selling, and research and development
expenses to become more efficient in 2019. Diluted net
income per share was $0.32 in 2019 compared to diluted
income per share of $0.08 in 2018. Net cash flow from
operating activities was $30.3 million in 2019 fiscal year.
In an environment of increased uncertainty, we
continued to maintain a strong financial standing. As of
December 31, 2019, our total cash and cash equivalents,
pledged cash and short-term investments were $112.2
million. For the 2019 year, we repurchased a total of
452,559 shares for consideration of $1.3 million under a
repurchase program which is expected to continue in 2020.
In the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic
struck China hard. In an unprecedented way, the pandemic
dealt a severe blow to the Chinese economy as well as the
auto sector. Since the beginning of the Chinese New Year in
January until mid-March, our operations were
late
interrupted. Shortly after the government
lockdown
restrictions were lifted in mid-March, the majority of our
production centers quickly resumed full operations. In
April, we managed to regain full operation at all facilities.
We have also taken drastic measures to ensure our
workers, our most valuable asset, have a safe and healthy
workplace.
Looking further into 2020, although the outlook for
China and the rest of the world remains clouded and
challenging, the Chinese economy along with production
and consumption are gradually recovering, laying out a
practical blueprint for other nations to study when they
are contemplating reopening their economies. With the
coronavirus infection rate well controlled in China, we
expect the resilient Chinese auto sector is on its way to
regaining its strength in the following quarters of 2020.
We recognize that there will be post-pandemic headwinds
to the Chinese economy and intensified geo-political
challenges in the near term, but we remain hopeful on the
long-term future of the Chinese auto industry as auto
ownership in China will continue to grow and the Chinese
people’s pursuit for a better quality of life will continue.
Lastly, we want to thank our shareholders for their loyalty
and ensure them that we remain committed to building
shareholder value.
Sincerely,
Qizhou Wu
CEO & Director
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
INDEX
PART I ..............................................................................................................................................................................................1
ITEM 1. BUSINESS. ................................................................................................................................................................1
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS. ....................................................................................................................................................7
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS. ................................................................................................................17
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES. .........................................................................................................................................................17
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. .......................................................................................................................................17
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES. ...........................................................................................................................18
PART II ...........................................................................................................................................................................................18
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. ............................................................................................................18
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. ...........................................................................................................................19
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS. .......................................................................................................................................................................19
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK. .........................................30
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. ..........................................................................31
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE. .......................................................................................................................................................................31
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. ....................................................................................................................31
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION. ....................................................................................................................................32
PART III .........................................................................................................................................................................................32
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE. ...............................................32
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. .........................................................................................................................35
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. ...............................................................................................................................................37
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE. .....38
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES. ........................................................................................38
PART IV .........................................................................................................................................................................................39
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ................................................................39
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ...............................................................................................................................40
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME OR LOSS ................................................................................................41
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS..............................................................41
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY ........................................................42
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ........................................................................................................43
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) .............................................................................44
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..............................................................................................44
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future
financial performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,”
“believes,” “expects,” “can,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should”
or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties,
including the matters set forth in this Annual Report or other reports or documents the Company files with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the “SEC,” from time to time, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those
projected. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the
Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Undue reliance should not be placed on
these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company’s expectations are as of the date this Form 10-
K is filed, and the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this Annual Report on
Form 10-K is filed to confirm these statements to actual results, unless required by law.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
COMPANY HISTORY
PART I
China Automotive Systems, Inc., “China Automotive” or the “Company,” was incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 29,
1999. Through its subsidiary, Great Genesis Holdings Limited, “Genesis,” a corporation organized under the laws of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, China, it owns interests in nine Sino-joint ventures and five wholly-owned subsidiaries in the People’s
Republic of China, “China” or the “PRC,” which manufacture power steering systems and/or related products for different segments
of the automobile industry. Genesis also owns interests in a Brazil-based trading company, which engages mainly in the import and
sales of automotive parts in Brazil.
Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA,” which was incorporated on January 8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, and mainly engages in marketing of automotive parts in North America, and provides after sales service
and research and development support accordingly.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the terms “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” to refer to China
Automotive collectively on a consolidated basis.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
The Company is a holding company and has no significant business operations or assets other than its interest in Genesis and
HLUSA. Genesis mainly engages in the manufacture and sale of automotive systems and components through its controlled
subsidiaries and the joint ventures, as described below.
Set forth below is an organizational chart as at December 31, 2019.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 1 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
↓100%
Great Genesis Holdings Limited
↓
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. [NASDAQ:CAAS]
Henglong USA Corporation
↓100%
↓100%
Hubei
Henglong
Automotive
System Group
Co., Ltd.
"Hubei Henglong"1
↓
↓100%
Jingzhou
Henglong
Automotive
Parts
Co., Ltd.
↓100%
Shashi
Jiulong
Power
Steering
Gears
Co., Ltd.
↓70%
Shenyang
Jinbei Henglong
Automotive
Steering System
Co., Ltd.
"Shenyang"2
↓83.34%
Universal
Sensor
↓77.33%
Wuhu
Henglong
Application Automotive
,Inc.
Steering
↓85%
Wuhan
Jielong
Electric
Power
System Co., Steering Co.,
↓100%
Hubei
Henglong
Group
↓70%
Chongqing
Henglong
Hongyan
Automotive
System Co., Automotive Automotive Technology
↓95.84%
CAAS
Brazil's
Imports And
Trade In
↓66.6%
Hubei
Henglong
& KYB
Shanghai Automotive Automobile Mechatronics Material
Electric
Co., Ltd.
Steering
System
Co., Ltd.
Research
Electronics
Research and
Institute
Development Co., Ltd.
↓60%
Jingzhou
Qingyan
Intelligent
↓51%
Hyoseong
(Wuhan)
Motion
↓100%
Wuhu
Hongrun
New
System
Co., Ltd.
Ltd.
Ltd.
Ltd.
Parts Ltd.
"Chongqing
Henglong"8 Henglong"9 Henglong”12 Qingyan”13 KYB”14 Hyoseong”15 Hongrun”16
“Jingzhou “Henglong
“Wuhan
“Wuhu
"Brazil
Ltd.
“Shanghai
"Henglong"3 "Jiulong"4 "USAI"5
"Wuhu"6
↓
↓100%
Jingzhou
Henglong
Automotive
Technology
(Testing)
Center
"Testing
Center"10
"Jielong"7
↓
↓85%
Wuhan
Chuguanjie
Automotive
Science and
Technology
Ltd.
"Wuhan
Chuguanjie"11
1. On March 7, 2007, Genesis established Hubei Henglong, formerly known as Jingzhou Hengsheng Automotive System Co.,
Ltd., its wholly-owned subsidiary, to engage in the production and sales of automotive steering systems. On July 8, 2012, Hubei
Henglong changed its name to Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd.
2. Shenyang was established in 2002 and focuses on power steering parts for light duty vehicles.
3. Henglong was established in 1997 and mainly engages in the production of rack and pinion power steering gears for cars and
light-duty vehicles.
4.
Jiulong was established in 1993 and mainly engages in the production of integral power steering gears for heavy-duty vehicles.
5. USAI was established in 2005 and mainly engages in the production and sales of sensor modules.
6. Wuhu was established in 2006 and mainly engages in the production and sales of automobile steering systems.
7.
Jielong was established in 2006 and mainly engages in the production and sales of automobile steering columns.
8. On February 21, 2012, Hubei Henglong and SAIC-IVECO Hongyan Company, “SAIC-IVECO,” established a Sino-foreign
joint venture company, Chongqing Henglong, to design, develop and manufacture both hydraulic and electric power steering
systems and parts.
9. On August 21, 2012, Brazil Henglong was established as a Sino-foreign joint venture company by Hubei Henglong and two
Brazilian citizens, Ozias Gaia Da Silva and Ademir Dal’ Evedove. Brazil Henglong engages mainly in the import and sale of
automotive parts in Brazil. In May 2017, the Company obtained an additional 15.84% equity interest in Brazil Henglong for nil
consideration. The Company retained its controlling interest in Brazil Henglong and the acquisition of the non-controlling
interest was accounted for as an equity transaction.
10. Testing Center was established in 2009 and mainly engages in the research and development of new products.
11. In May 2014, Jielong formed a subsidiary, Wuhan Chuguanjie Automotive Science and Technology Ltd., “Wuhan Chuguanjie”,
which mainly engages in research and development, manufacture and sales of automobile electronic systems and parts.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 2 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
12. In January 2015, Hubei Henglong formed Hubei Henglong Group Shanghai Automotive Electronics Research and Development
Ltd., “Shanghai Henglong”, which mainly engages in the design and sale of automotive electronics.
13. In November 2017, Hubei Henglong formed Jingzhou Qingyan Intelligent Automotive Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.,
“Jingzhou Qingyan”, which mainly engages in the research and development of intelligent automotive technology.
14. In August 2018, Hubei Henglong and KYB (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (“KYB”) established Hubei Henglong KYB
Automobile Electric Steering System Co., Ltd. (“Henglong KYB”), which mainly engages in design, manufacture, sales and
after-sales service of automobile electronic systems. Hubei Henglong owns 66.6% of the shares of this entity and has
consolidated it since its establishment.
15. In March 2019, Hubei Henglong and Hyoseong Electric Co., Ltd. established Hyoseong (Wuhan) Motion Mechatronics System
Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan Hyoseong”), which mainly engages in the design, manufacture and sales of automotive motors and
electromechanical integrated systems. Hubei Henglong owns 51.0% of the shares of Wuhan Hyoseong and has consolidated it
since its establishment.
16. In December 2019, Hubei Henglong formed Wuhu Hongrun New Material Co., Ltd. (“Wuhu Hongrun”), which mainly engages
in the development, manufacturing and sale of high polymer materials.
The Company has business relationships with more than sixty vehicle manufacturers, including FAW Group and Dongfeng
Auto Group Co., Ltd., two of the five largest automobile manufacturers in China; Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Co., Ltd, the largest light
vehicle manufacturer in China; Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., the largest state owned car manufacturer in China, and BYD Auto Co.,
Ltd. and Zhejiang Geely Automobile Co., Ltd., the largest privately owned car manufacturers in China. The PRC-based joint ventures
of General Motors (GM), Volkswagen, Citroen and Fiat Chrysler North America are all key customers of the Company. Starting in
2008, the Company has supplied power steering gears to the Sino-foreign joint ventures established by GM, Citroen and Volkswagen
in China. The Company has supplied power steering gear to Fiat Chrysler North America since 2009 and to Ford Motor Company
since 2016.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Intellectual Property rights, “IP,” are important in helping the Company maintain its competitive position. Currently, the
Company owns IP rights, including two trademarks covering automobile parts, “HL” and “JL,” and more than eighty-five patents
registered in China covering power steering technology. The Company is in the process of integrating new advanced technologies
such as electronic chips in power steering systems into its current production line and is pursuing aggressive strategies in technology
to maintain a competitive edge within the automobile industry. In December 2009, the Company, through Henglong, formed Testing
Center and cooperated with Nanyang Ind. Co. Ltd. and Tsinghua University to engage in the research and development of new
products, such as Electric Power Steering (“EPS”), integral rack and pinion power steering and high pressure power steering, to
optimize current products design and to develop new, cost-saving manufacturing processes. In January 2015, Hubei Henglong formed
Shanghai Henglong, which mainly engages in the design and sale of automotive electronics, to capture the market opportunities for
EPS, which were included in traditional hydraulic power steering products by many automobile makers. In November 2017, Hubei
Henglong formed Jingzhou Qingyan Intelligent Automotive Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., which mainly engages in the
research and development of intelligent automotive technology. In August 2018, Hubei Henglong established a non-wholly owned
subsidiary, Hubei Henglong KYB Automobile Electric Steering System Co., Ltd., which mainly engages in design, manufacture, sales
and after-sales service of automobile electronic systems. In March 2019, Hubei Henglong established a non-wholly owned subsidiary,
Hyoseong (Wuhan) Motion Mechatronics System Co., Ltd., which mainly engages in the design, manufacture and sales of automotive
motors and electromechanical integrated systems.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The Company’s short to medium term strategic plan is to focus on both domestic and international market expansion. To
achieve this goal and higher profitability, the Company focuses on brand recognition, quality control, cost efficiency, research and
development and strategic acquisitions. Set forth below are the Company’s programs:
—
—
—
Brand Recognition. Under the brands of Henglong and Jiulong, the Company offers four separate series of power steering sets
and 310 models of power steering sets, steering columns and steering hoses.
Quality Control. The Henglong and Jiulong manufacturing facilities obtained the ISO/TS 16949 System Certification in
January 2004, a well-recognized quality control system in the auto industry developed by TUVRheindland of Germany.
Cost Efficiency. By improving the Company’s production ability and enhancing equipment management, optimizing the
process and products structure, perfecting the supplier system and cutting production cost, the Company’s goal is to achieve a
more competitive profit margin.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 3 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
—
—
—
Research and Development. The Company established Testing Center for the research and development of products and, by
partnering with Nanyang Ind. Co. Ltd. and Tsinghua University for the development of advanced steering systems, the
Company’s objective is to gain increased market share in China.
International Expansion. The Company has entered into agreements with several international vehicle manufacturers and auto
parts modules suppliers and carried on preliminary negotiations regarding future development projects.
Acquisitions. The Company is exploring opportunities to create long-term growth through new ventures or acquisitions of
other auto component manufacturers. The Company will seek acquisition targets that meet the following criteria:
companies that can be easily integrated into product manufacturing and corporate management;
companies that have strong joint venture partners that would become major customers; and
companies involved with power steering systems.
CUSTOMERS
The Company’s five largest customers represented 47.4% of the Company’s total sales for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s five largest customers.
Name of Major Customers
Percentage of Total
Revenue in 2019
Fiat Chrysler North America
Beiqi Foton
Great Wall Motors
Ford Motor Company
Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd.
Total
22.7 %
9.7 %
6.2 %
4.7 %
4.1 %
47.4 %
The Company primarily sells its products to the above-mentioned original equipment manufacturing, “OEM”, customers; it also
has excellent relationships with them, including serving as their first-rank supplier and developer for product development for new
models. While the Company intends to continue to focus on retaining and winning this business, it cannot ensure that it will succeed in
doing so. It is difficult to keep doing business with the above-mentioned OEM customers as a result of severe price competition and
customers’ diversification of their supply base. The Company’s business would be materially and adversely affected if it loses one or
more of these major customers.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company’s sales and marketing team has 93 sales persons, which are divided into an OEM team, a sales service team and a
working group dedicated to international business. These sales and marketing teams provide a constant interface with the Company’s
key customers. They are located in all major vehicle producing regions to represent more effectively the Company’s customers’
interests within the Company’s organization, to promote their programs and to coordinate their strategies with the goal of enhancing
overall service and satisfaction. The Company’s ability to support its customers is further enhanced by its broad presence in terms of
sales offices, manufacturing facilities, engineering technology centers and joint ventures.
The Company’s sales and marketing organization and activities are designed to create overall awareness and consideration of,
and therefore to increase sales of the Company’s modular systems and components. To achieve that objective, the Company organized
delegations to visit the United States, Korea, India and Japan and has supplied power steering gear to Fiat Chrysler North America.
Through these activities, the Company has generated potential business interest as a strong base for future development.
DISTRIBUTION
The Company’s distribution system covers all of China. The Company has established sales and service offices with certain
significant customers to deal with matters related to such customers in a timely fashion. The Company also established distribution
warehouses close to major customers to ensure timely deliveries. The Company maintains strict control over inventories. Each of these
sales and service offices sends back to the Company through e-mail or fax information related to the inventory and customers’ needs.
The Company guarantees product delivery in 8 hours for those customers who are located within 200 km from the Company’s
distribution warehouses, and 24 hours for customers who are located outside of 200 km from the Company’s distribution warehouses.
Delivery time is a very important competitive factor in terms of customer decision making, together with quality, pricing and long-
term relationships. The Company has two distribution warehouses in the United States, which are located in Michigan and Texas,
respectively. The warehouses deliver parts to customers every day.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 4 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
EMPLOYEES AND FACILITIES
As of December 31, 2019, the Company employed approximately 4,039 persons, including approximately:
1,101 by Henglong (including Testing Center formed by Henglong) ;
729 by Jiulong;
234 by Shenyang;
31 by USAI;
122 by Wuhu;
242 by Jielong;
56 by Wuhan Chuguanjie;
1,005 by Hubei Henglong;
17 by HLUSA;
135 by Chongqing Henglong;
13 by Brazil Henglong;
27 by Shanghai Henglong;
320 by Henglong KYB; and
7 by Wuhan Hyoseong
As of December 31, 2019, Henglong, Jiulong, Shenyang, Chongqing, Wuhan Chuguanjie, Hubei Henglong and Wuhu had a
manufacturing and administration area of 111,211 square meters, 39,478 square meters, 35,354 square meters, 57,849 square meters,
53,675 square meters, 277,269 square meters and 83,705 square meters, respectively.
Hubei Province, which is home to Dongfeng, one of the largest automakers in China, provides an ample supply of inexpensive
but skilled labor to automotive-related industries. The annual production of one of the Company’s main products, power steering gears,
was approximately 5.5 million units and 8.2 million units in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Although the production process continues
to rely heavily on manual labor, the Company has invested substantially in high-level production machinery to improve capacity and
production quality. Approximately $83.2 million was spent over the last three years to purchase professional-grade equipment and
extend workshops.
RAW MATERIALS
The Company purchases various manufactured components and raw materials for use in its manufacturing processes. The
principal components and raw materials the Company purchases include castings, finished sub-components, aluminum, steel,
fabricated metal electronic parts and molded plastic parts. The most important raw material is steel. The Company enters into purchase
agreements with local suppliers. The annual purchase plans are determined at the beginning of the calendar year but are subject to
revision every three months as a result of customers’ orders. A purchase order is made according to monthly production plans. This
protects the Company from building up inventory when the orders from customers change.
The Company’s purchases from its ten largest suppliers represented in the aggregate 20.3% of all components and raw materials
it purchased for the year ended December 31, 2019, and none of them provided more than 10% of total purchases.
All components and raw materials are available from numerous sources. The Company has not, in recent years, experienced any
significant shortages of manufactured components or raw materials and normally does not carry inventories of these items in excess of
what is reasonably required to meet its production and shipping schedules.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Company owns the Testing Center, a Hubei Provincial-Level technical center, which has been approved by the Hubei
Economic Commission. The center has a staff of about 198, including 40 engineers, primarily focusing on steering system R&D, tests,
production process improvement and new material and production methodology application.
In addition, the Company has formed Shanghai Henglong to engage in the design and sale of automotive electronics, including
key parts of EPS.
The Company believes that its engineering and technical expertise, together with its emphasis on continuing research and
development, allow it to use the latest technologies, materials and processes to solve problems for its customers and to bring new,
innovative products to market. The Company believes that continued research and development activities, including engineering, are
critical to maintaining its pipeline of technologically advanced products. The Company has aggressively managed costs in other
portions of its business in order to increase its total expenditures for research and development activities, including engineering, at
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 5 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
approximately $28.0 million and $33.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In 2019 and 2018, the
sales of such newly developed products accounted for about 19.1% and 21.7%, respectively, of total sales.
COMPETITION
The automotive components industry is extremely competitive. The Company’s customers consider criteria including quality,
price/cost competitiveness, system and product performance, reliability and timeliness of delivery, new product and technology
development capability, excellence and flexibility in operations, degree of global and local presence, effectiveness of customer service
and overall management capability. The power steering system market is fragmented in China, and the Company has seven major
competitors. Of these competitors, two are Sino-foreign joint ventures while the other five are state-owned. Like many competitive
industries, there is pressure on downward selling prices.
The Company’s major competitors, including Shanghai ZF, Nexteer and First Auto FKS, “FKS,” are component suppliers to
specific automobile manufacturers. Shanghai ZF is the joint venture of SAIC and ZF Germany, which is an exclusive supplier to
SAIC-Volkswagen and SAIC-GM. FKS is a joint venture between First Auto Group and Japan’s Koyo Company and its main
customer is FAW-Volkswagen Company.
While the Chinese government limits foreign ownership of auto assemblers to 50%, there is no analogous limitation in the
automotive components industry. Thus, opportunities exist for foreign component suppliers to set up factories in China. These
overseas competitors employ technology that may be more advanced and may have existing relationships with global automobile
assemblers, but they are generally not as competitive as the Company in China in terms of production cost and flexibility in meeting
client requirements.
CHINESE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
The Company is a supplier of automotive parts and most of its operations are located in China. An increase or decrease in the
output and sales of Chinese vehicles could result in an increase or decrease of the Company’s results of operations. According to the
latest statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, “CAAM”, the output and sales volume of passenger
vehicles in 2019 was 21.4 million and 21.4 million units respectively, a decrease of 9.1% and 9.0% compared to 2018. The output and
sales volume of commercial vehicles in 2019 was 4.4 million and 4.3 million units, respectively, an increase of 1.0% and a decrease of
1.0%, respectively, compared to 2018. In 2019, the Company’s sales of steering gears for passenger vehicles decreased by 12.9% and
commercial vehicles decreased by 14.1%, compared to 2018 in China.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
The Company is subject to the requirements of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S., including China’s, environmental and
occupational safety and health laws and regulations. These include laws regulating air emissions, water discharge and waste
management. The Company has an environmental management structure designed to facilitate and support its compliance with these
requirements globally. Although the Company intends to comply with all such requirements and regulations, it cannot provide
assurance that it is at all times in compliance. The Company has made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures to
comply with environmental requirements, although such expenditures were not material during the past two years. Environmental
requirements are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. Accordingly, the Company cannot
assure that environmental requirements will not change or become more stringent over time or that its eventual environmental cleanup
costs and liabilities will not be material.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not make any material capital expenditures relating to
environmental compliance.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Financial information about sales and long-term assets by major geographic region can be found in Note 26, “Segment
Reporting” to the consolidated financial statements in this Report. The following table summarizes the percentage of sales and total
assets by major geographic regions:
Geographic region:
China
United States
Other foreign countries
Total consolidated
Net Sales
Year Ended December 31,
Long-term assets
As of December 31
2019
2018
2019
2018
71.7 %
26.8
1.5
100.0 %
71.5 %
22.8
5.7
100.0 %
99.1 %
0.5
0.4
100.0 %
99.3 %
0.4
0.3
100.0 %
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 6 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
WEBSITE ACCESS TO SEC FILINGS
The Company files electronically with, or furnishes to, the SEC its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-
Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Company makes available free of charge on its web site (www.caasauto.com) all such reports as soon as reasonably practicable
after they are filed.
The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy information and information statements, and other information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Any investment in the Company’s securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described
below, together with the information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report, before you make a decision to invest in the Company.
The Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by many risk
factors. Because of these risk factors, actual results might differ significantly from those projected in any forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause such differences include, among others, the following:
RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
The cyclical nature of automotive production and sales could result in a reduction in automotive sales, which could adversely
affect the Company’s business and results of operations.
The Company’s business relies on automotive vehicle production and sales by its customers, which are highly cyclical and
depend on general economic conditions and other factors, including consumer spending and preferences and the price and availability
of gasoline. They also can be affected by labor relations issues, regulatory requirements and other factors. In the last two years, the
price of automobiles in China has generally declined. Additionally, the volume of automotive production in China has fluctuated from
year to year, which gives rise to fluctuations in the demand for the Company’s products. Therefore, any significant economic decline
could result in a reduction in automotive production and sales by the Company’s customers and could have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s results of operations. Moreover, if the prices of automobiles keep declining, the selling price of automotive parts
also would decrease, which would result in lower revenues and profitability.
Increasing costs for manufactured components and raw materials may adversely affect the Company’s profitability.
The Company uses a broad range of manufactured components and raw materials in its products, including castings, electronic
components, finished sub-components, molded plastic parts, fabricated metal, aluminum and steel and resins. Because it may be
difficult to pass increased prices for these items on to the Company’s customers, a significant increase in the prices of the Company’s
components and materials could materially increase the Company’s operating costs and adversely affect its profit margins and
profitability.
Because the Company is a holding company with substantially all of its operations conducted through its subsidiaries, its
performance will be affected by the performance of its subsidiaries.
The Company almost has no operations independent of those of Genesis and its subsidiaries, and the Company’s principal assets
are its investments in Genesis and its subsidiaries and affiliates. As a result, the Company is dependent upon the performance of
Genesis and its subsidiaries and will be subject to the financial, business and other factors affecting Genesis as well as general
economic and financial conditions. As substantially all of the Company’s operations are and will be conducted through its subsidiaries,
the Company will be dependent on the cash flow of its subsidiaries to meet its obligations.
Because virtually all of the Company’s assets are and will be held by operating subsidiaries, the claims of the Company’s
stockholders will be structurally subordinate to all existing and future liabilities and obligations, and trade payables of such
subsidiaries. In the event of the Company’s bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, its assets and those of its subsidiaries will be
available to satisfy the claims of the Company’s stockholders only after all of its and its subsidiaries’ liabilities and obligations have
been paid in full.
With the automobile parts markets being highly competitive and many of the Company’s competitors having greater resources
than it does, the Company may not be able to compete successfully.
The automobile parts industry is a highly competitive business. The Company’s customers consider criteria including:
quality;
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 7 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
price/cost competitiveness;
system and product performance;
reliability and timeliness of delivery;
new product and technology development capability;
excellence and flexibility in operations;
degree of global and local presence;
effectiveness of customer service; and
overall management capability.
The Company’s competitors include independent suppliers of parts, as well as suppliers formed by spin-offs from the
Company’s customers, who are becoming more aggressive in selling parts to other vehicle manufacturers. Depending on the particular
product, the number of the Company’s competitors varies significantly. Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially
greater revenues and financial resources than it does, as well as stronger brand names, consumer recognition, business relationships
with vehicle manufacturers, and geographic presence than it has. The Company may not be able to compete favorably and increased
competition may substantially harm its business, business prospects and results of operations.
Internationally, the Company faces different market dynamics and competition. The Company may not be as successful as its
competitors in generating revenues in international markets due to the lack of recognition of its products or other factors. Developing
product recognition overseas is expensive and time-consuming and the Company’s international expansion efforts may be more costly
and less profitable than it expects. If the Company is not successful in its target markets, its sales could decline, its margins could be
negatively impacted and it could lose market share, any of which could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations
and profitability.
Pricing pressure by automobile manufacturers on their suppliers may adversely affect the Company’s business and results of
operations.
Recently, pricing pressure from automobile manufacturers has been prevalent in the automotive parts industry in China.
Virtually all vehicle manufacturers seek price reductions each year. Although the Company has tried to reduce costs and resist price
reductions, these reductions have impacted the Company’s sales and profit margins. If the Company cannot offset continued price
reductions through improved operating efficiencies and reduced expenditures, price reductions will have a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations.
The Company’s business, revenues and profitability would be materially and adversely affected if it loses any of its large
customers.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 22.7%, 9.7%, 6.2%, 4.7% and 4.1% of the Company’s sales were to Fiat
Chrysler North America, Beiqi Foton, Great Wall Motors, Ford Motor Company and Dongfeng Auto Group Co Ltd., the Company’s
five largest customers in 2019, respectively. In total, these five largest customers accounted for 47.4% of total sales in 2019. For the
year ended December 31, 2018, approximately 18.6%, 6.1%, 5.2%, 4.8% and 4.6% of the Company’s sales were to Fiat Chrysler
North America, Beiqi Foton, Chery Automobile Co Ltd., Ford Motor Company and Dongfeng Auto Group Co Ltd., the Company’s
five largest customers in 2018, respectively. In total, these five largest customers accounted for 39.3% of total sales in 2018. The loss
of, or significant reduction in purchases by, one or more of these major customers could adversely affect the Company’s business.
The Company may not be able to collect receivables incurred by customers.
The Company currently sells its products on credit and its ability to receive payment for its products depends on the continued
creditworthiness of its customers. Although the Company has long-term relationships with its major customers, the customer base may
change if its sales increase because of the Company’s expanded capacity. If the Company is not able to collect its receivables, its
profitability will be adversely affected.
The Company may be subject to product liability and warranty and recall claims, which may increase the costs of doing
business and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and liquidity.
The Company may be exposed to product liability and warranty claims if its products actually or allegedly fail to perform as
expected or the use of its products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage. The Company started to pay
some of its customers’ increased after-sales service expenses due to consumer rights protection policies of “recall” issued by the
Chinese government in 2004, such as the recalling flawed vehicles policy. Beginning in 2004, automobile manufacturers unilaterally
required their suppliers to pay a “3-R Guarantees” service charge for repair, replacement and refund in an amount of about 2%–6% of
the total amount of parts supplied. Accordingly, the Company has experienced and will continue to experience higher after sales
service expenses. Product liability, warranty and recall costs may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 8 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
On January 3, 2017, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (“Chongqing Changan”) registered a recall plan with
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (“AQSIQ”) pursuant to the “Regulation on the
Administration of Recall of Defective Auto Products”. The recall plan relates to the recall of 108,642 Eulove vehicles manufactured
between November 7, 2012 and November 13, 2015. The recall commenced on March 1, 2017. According to the supplier, the torque
sensor on the upper steering shaft subassembly in the recalled vehicles is subject to abnormal wear after long-term usage, posing a
safety risk in extreme situations. Chongqing Changan implemented a recall to replace the upper steering shaft subassembly in the
recalled vehicles free of charge to mitigate the safety risk. As of December 31, 2019, the case has closed.
On January 22, 2017, Jiangxi Changhe Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd. (“Jiangxi Changhe”) registered a recall plan with AQSIQ
pursuant to the “Regulation on the Administration of Recall of Defective Auto Products”. The recall plan relates to the recall of
44,169 Liana A6 vehicles manufactured between September 7, 2013 and April 28, 2015. The recall commenced on February 24, 2017.
According to the supplier, the electronic-assist ECU may malfunction under certain circumstances, which may lead the steering assist
to enter safety protection status, posing a safety risk in extreme situations. Jiangxi Changhe implemented the recall to conduct a
technical upgrade of the ECU in the recalled vehicles free of charge to mitigate the safety risk. As of December 31, 2019, the case has
closed.
Management has concluded that the defect that led to each of the recalls arose due to the erosion of the contact sensor after
long-term use only in vehicles equipped with first-generation EPS. The Company has taken technical measures to reduce the contact
sensor erosion in first-generation EPS. The contact sensors in current EPS products have been largely replaced by non-contact sensors.
The Company is subject to environmental and safety regulations, which may increase the Company’s compliance costs and may
adversely affect its results of operations.
The Company is subject to the requirements of environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations in China.
The Company cannot provide assurance that it has been or will be at all times in full compliance with all of these requirements, or that
it will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these requirements. Additionally, these regulations may change in a
manner that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The capital
requirements and other expenditures that may be necessary to comply with environmental requirements could increase and become a
material expense of doing business.
Non-performance by the Company’s suppliers may adversely affect its operations by delaying delivery or causing delivery
failures, which may negatively affect demand, sales and profitability.
The Company purchases various types of equipment, raw materials and manufactured component parts from its suppliers. The
Company would be materially and adversely affected by the failure of its suppliers to perform as expected. The Company could
experience delivery delays or failures caused by production issues or delivery of non-conforming products if its suppliers fail to
perform, and it also faces these risks in the event any of its suppliers becomes insolvent or bankrupt.
The Company’s business and growth may suffer if it fails to attract and retain key personnel.
The Company’s ability to operate its business and implement its strategies effectively depends on the efforts of its executive
officers and other key employees. The Company depends on the continued contributions of its senior management and other key
personnel. The Company’s future success also depends on its ability to identify, attract and retain highly skilled technical staff,
particularly engineers and other employees with mechanics and electronics expertise, and managerial, finance and marketing
personnel. The Company does not maintain a key person life insurance policy on Mr. Hanlin Chen or Mr. Qizhou Wu. The loss of the
services of any of the Company’s key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could substantially harm
the Company’s business.
The Company’s management controls approximately 63.3% of its outstanding common stock and may have conflicts of interest
with the Company’s minority stockholders.
As of December 31, 2019, members of the Company’s management beneficially own approximately 63.3% of the outstanding
shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result, except for the related party transactions that require approval of the audit
committee of the board of directors of the Company, these majority stockholders have control over decisions to enter into any
corporate transaction, which could result in the approval of transactions that might not maximize overall stockholders’ value.
Additionally, these stockholders control the election of members of the Company’s board, have the ability to appoint new members to
the Company’s management team and control the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of the holders of the Company’s common
stock. The interests of these majority stockholders may at times conflict with the interests of the Company’s other stockholders. The
Company regularly engages in transactions with entities controlled by one or more of its officers and directors, including those
controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the chairman of the board of directors of the Company and its controlling stockholder.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 9 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
There is a limited public float of the Company’s common stock, which can result in the Company’s stock price being volatile
and prevent the realization of a profit on resale of the Company’s common stock or derivative securities.
There is a limited public float of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 36.7% of the
Company’s outstanding common stock is considered part of the public float. The term “public float” refers to shares freely and
actively tradable on the NASDAQ Capital Market and not owned by officers, directors or affiliates, as such term is defined under the
Securities Act. As a result of the limited public float and the limited trading volume on some days, the market price of the Company’s
common stock can be volatile, and relatively small changes in the demand for or supply of the Company’s common stock can have a
disproportionate effect on the market price for its common stock. This stock price volatility could prevent a security holder seeking to
sell the Company’s common stock or derivative securities from being able to sell them at or above the price at which the stock or
derivative securities were bought, or at a price which a fully liquid market would report.
The Company is subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define so-called “penny stock” as an equity security that has a market price
less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. As of December 31, 2019, the
closing price for the Company’s common stock was $3.15. If the Company’s stock is a “penny stock”, it may become subject to Rule
15g-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the “Penny Stock Rule.” This rule imposes
additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than established customers and
“accredited investors,” generally, individuals with a net worth in excess of $1.0 million or annual incomes exceeding $0.2 million, or
$0.3 million together with their spouses. For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability
determination for the purchaser and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. As a result, this rule
may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell the Company’s securities and may affect the ability of purchasers to sell any of the
Company’s securities in the secondary market.
For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require delivery, prior to any transaction in a penny stock,
of a disclosure schedule prepared by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. Disclosure also is required to be made about sales
commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally,
monthly statements are required to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information
on the limited market in penny stock.
There can be no assurance that the Company’s common stock will qualify for exemption from the Penny Stock Rule. In any
event, even if the Company’s common stock were exempt from the Penny Stock Rule, the Company would remain subject to Section
15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the SEC the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny
stock if the SEC finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.
Provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the General Corporation Law of Delaware may
discourage a takeover attempt.
Provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the state in
which it is organized, could make it difficult for a third party to acquire the Company, even if doing so might be beneficial to the
Company’s stockholders. Provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws impose various procedural and other
requirements, which could make it difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions and possibly prevent transactions that
would maximize stockholders’ value.
Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, results of operations and the trading price of its shares.
The Company is subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission, the
“SEC,” as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has adopted rules requiring public companies to include a
report of management in its annual report that contains an assessment by management of the effectiveness of such company’s internal
control over financial reporting.
If the Company fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal controls in the future, it will not be able to ensure that it can
conclude on an ongoing basis that it has effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary for the Company to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help
prevent fraud. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence
in the reliability of the Company’s financial statements, which in turn could harm its business and negatively impact the trading price
of its common stock. Furthermore, the Company may need to incur additional costs and use additional management and other
resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other requirements going forward.
The Company generally does not pay cash dividends on its common stock.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 10 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Although the Company announced a special cash dividend of $0.18 per common share to the Company’s shareholders of record
as of the close of business on June 26, 2014, it does not anticipate paying any other cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The
Company currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to finance operations and the expansion of its business. Any future
determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will be based upon the
Company’s financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, plans for expansion, restrictions imposed by any financing
arrangements and any other factors that the Company’s board of directors deems relevant.
Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the Company’s common stock.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the
intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the
value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller
expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s best interests for the price of the stock to
decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business
prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a stock short. These short
attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.
In the recent past, public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling.
Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered around allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial
reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of
adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and
external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.
It is not clear what effect such negative publicity would have on the Company, if any. If the Company were to become the
subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, the Company could have to expend a
significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend itself. While the Company would strongly defend against
any such short seller attacks, the Company may be constrained in the manner in which it can proceed against the relevant short seller
by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and
time-consuming, and could distract the Company’s management from growing the Company. Even if such allegations are ultimately
proven to be groundless, allegations against the Company could severely impact its business operations and stockholders’ equity, and
any investment in the Company’s stock could be greatly reduced or rendered worthless.
The Company’s secured credit facilities contain certain financial covenants that it may not satisfy, which, if not satisfied, could
result in the acceleration of the amounts due under the Company’s secured credit facilities and the limitation of the Company’s ability
to borrow additional funds in the future.
The agreements governing the Company’s secured credit facilities subject it to various financial and other restrictive covenants
with which the Company must comply on an ongoing or periodic basis. These covenants include, but are not limited to, restrictions on
the utilization of the funds and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. If the Company violate any of these covenants, the
Company’s outstanding debt under the Company’s secured credit facilities could become immediately due and payable, the
Company’s lenders could proceed against any collateral securing such indebtedness and the Company’s ability to borrow additional
funds in the future may be limited. Alternatively, the Company could be forced to refinance or renegotiate the terms and conditions of
the Company’s secured credit facilities, including the interest rates, financial and restrictive covenants and security requirements of
the secured credit facilities, on terms that may be significantly less favorable to the Company.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES BESIDES THE UNITED STATES
The Company may face a severe operating environment during times of economic recession.
The sales volume of the Company’s core products is largely influenced by the demand for its customers’ end products which are
mostly sold in the Chinese markets. Future economic crises, either within China or without, may lead to a drastic drop in demand for
the Company’s products.
Inflation in China could negatively affect the Company’s profitability and growth.
China’s economy has experienced rapid growth, much of it due to the issuance of debt over the last few years. This debt-fueled
economic growth has led to growth in the money supply, causing rising inflation. If prices for the Company’s products rise at a rate
that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the cost of production, it may harm the Company’s profitability. In order to control
inflation, the Chinese government has imposed controls on bank credit, limits on loans and other restrictions on economic activities.
Such policies have led to a slowing of economic growth. Additional measures could further slow economic activity in China, which
could, in turn, materially increase the Company’s costs while also reducing demand for the Company’s products.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 11 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The Chinese government’s macroeconomic policies could have a negative effect on the Company’s business and results of
operations.
The Chinese government has implemented various measures from time to time to control the rate of economic growth in the
PRC. Some of these measures may have a negative effect on the Company over the short or long term. Recently, to cope with high
inflation and economic imbalances, the Chinese government has tightened monetary policy and implemented floating exchange rate
policy. In addition, in order to alleviate some of the effects of unbalanced growth and social discontent, the Chinese government has
enacted a series of social programs and anti-inflationary measures. These, in turn, have increased the costs on the financial and
manufacturing sectors, without having alleviated the effects of high inflation and economic imbalances. The Chinese government’s
macroeconomic policies, even if effected properly, may significantly slow down China’s economy or cause great social unrest, all of
which would have a negative effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
The economic, political and social conditions in China could affect the Company’s business.
Most of the Company’s business, assets and operations are located in China. The economy of China differs from the economies
of most developed countries in many respects, including government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of
foreign exchange and allocation of resources. The economy of China has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more
market-oriented economy. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces
for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in
business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government.
In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry by imposing industrial policies. It
also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
Therefore, the Chinese government’s involvement in the economy could adversely affect the Company’s business operations, results
of operations and/or financial condition.
Because the Company’s operations are mostly located outside of the United States and are subject to Chinese laws, any change
of Chinese laws may adversely affect its business.
Most of the Company’s operations are in the PRC, which exposes it to risks, such as exchange controls and currency restrictions,
currency fluctuations and devaluations, changes in local economic conditions, changes in Chinese laws and regulations, exposure to
possible expropriation or other PRC government actions, and unsettled political conditions. These factors may have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s operations or on its business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s international expansion plans subject it to risks inherent in doing business internationally.
The Company’s long-term business strategy relies on the expansion of its international sales outside China by targeting markets,
such as the United States and Brazil. Risks affecting the Company’s international expansion include challenges caused by distance,
language and cultural differences, conflicting and changing laws and regulations, foreign laws, international import and export
legislation, trading and investment policies, foreign currency fluctuations, the burdens of complying with a wide variety of laws and
regulations, protectionist laws and business practices that favor local businesses in some countries, foreign tax consequences, higher
costs associated with doing business internationally, restrictions on the export or import of technology, difficulties in staffing and
managing international operations, trade and tariff restrictions, and variations in tariffs, quotas, taxes and other market barriers. These
risks could harm the Company’s international expansion efforts, which could in turn materially and adversely affect its business,
operating results and financial condition.
On September 17, 2012, the United States filed a trade case with the World Trade Organization, “WTO,” against the PRC with
respect to the PRC government’s purported provision of subsidies to the automobile and automobile-parts enterprises in the PRC. If
the WTO rules against China in this trade case, the cost of sales of the Company could increase due to the imposition of any tariff
and/or the Company’s ability to export products to the United States could be limited, which could affect the Company’s business and
operating results.
In addition, under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC has adopted
additional disclosure requirements related to the source of certain “conflict minerals” for issuers for which such “conflict minerals” are
necessary to the functionality or production of a product manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, by that issuer. The metals
covered by the rules include tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, commonly referred to as “3TG.” If these materials are necessary to the
functionality or production of a product manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, the rules require a reasonable country of
origin inquiry be conducted to determine if an issuer knows, or has reason to believe, that any of the minerals used in the production
process may have originated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. In such a case, if an issuer were not
able to determine that the minerals did not originate from a covered country or conclude that there is no reason to believe that the
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 12 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
minerals used in the production process may have originated in a covered country, that issuer could be required to perform supply
chain due diligence on members of its supply chain. Global supply chains can have multiple layers, thus the costs of complying with
these new requirements could be substantial. These new requirements may also reduce the number of suppliers that provide conflict-
free metals, and may affect a company’s ability to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. If the Company was
to source such 3TG minerals that are necessary to the functionality or production of a product manufactured, or contracted to be
manufactured, compliance costs with these rules and/or the unavailability of raw materials could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s results of operations.
The Company faces risks associated with currency exchange rate fluctuations; any adverse fluctuation may adversely affect its
operating margins.
Although the Company is incorporated in the State of Delaware, in the United States, the majority of its current revenues are in
Chinese currency. Conducting business in currencies other than U.S. dollars subjects the Company to fluctuations in currency
exchange rates that could have a negative impact on its reported operating results. Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative
to other currencies impact the Company’s revenues, cost of revenues and operating margins and result in foreign currency translation
gains and losses. Historically, the Company has not engaged in exchange rate hedging activities. Although the Company may
implement hedging strategies to mitigate this risk, these strategies may not eliminate its exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations
and involve costs and risks of their own, such as ongoing management time and expertise requirements, external costs to implement
the strategy and potential accounting implications.
If relations between the United States and China worsen, the Company’s stock price may decrease and the Company may have
difficulty accessing the U.S. capital markets.
At various times during recent years, the United States and China have had disagreements over political and economic issues.
Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries. Any political or trade controversies between the United States and
China could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock and its ability to access U.S. capital markets. Political
events, international trade disputes and other business interruptions could harm or disrupt international commerce and the global
economy, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company, its customers and its other business partners.
The Chinese government could change its policies toward private enterprise, which could adversely affect the Company’s
business.
The Company’s business is subject to political and economic uncertainties in China and may be adversely affected by China’s
political, economic and social developments. Over the past several years, the Chinese government has pursued economic reform
policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. The Chinese government
may not continue to pursue these policies or may alter them to the Company’s detriment from time to time. Changes in policies, laws
and regulations, or in their interpretation or the imposition of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions or
prohibitions on dividend payments to stockholders, devaluations of currency or the nationalization or other expropriation of private
enterprises could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. Nationalization or expropriation could result in the total
loss of the Company’s investment in China.
Government control of currency conversion and future movements in exchange rates may adversely affect the Company’s
operations and financial results.
The Company receives most of its revenues in Chinese Renminbi, “RMB”. A portion of such revenues will be converted into
other currencies to meet the Company’s foreign currency obligations. Foreign exchange transactions under the Company’s capital
account, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, continue to be subject to significant
foreign exchange controls and require the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in China. These limitations could
affect the Company’s ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, or to obtain foreign exchange for capital
expenditures.
The Chinese government controls its foreign currency reserves through restrictions on imports and conversion of RMB into
foreign currency. In July 2005, the Chinese government has adjusted its exchange rate policy from “Fixed Rate” to “Floating Rate”.
From July 2005 to December 2019, the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar appreciated from RMB1.00 to $0.1205 to
RMB1.00 to $0.1436. Any significant appreciation of the RMB is likely to decrease the income of export products and the cash flow
of the Company.
Because the Chinese legal system is not fully developed, the Company and its security holders’ legal protections may be limited.
The Chinese legal system is based on written statutes and their interpretation by the Supreme People’s Court. Although the
Chinese government introduced new laws and regulations to modernize its business, securities and tax systems on January 1, 1994,
China does not yet possess a comprehensive body of business law. Because Chinese laws and regulations are relatively new,
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 13 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
interpretation, implementation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties and inconsistencies and it may be
difficult to enforce contracts. In addition, as the Chinese legal system develops, changes in such laws and regulations, their
interpretation or their enforcement may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business operations. Moreover, interpretative
case law does not have the same precedential value in China as in the United States, so legal compliance in China may be more
difficult or expensive.
It may be difficult to serve the Company with legal process or enforce judgments against the Company or its management.
Most of the Company’s assets are located in China and twelve of its directors and officers are non-residents of the United States,
and all or substantial portions of the assets of such non-residents are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be
possible to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons to originate an action in the United States. Moreover,
there is uncertainty that the courts of China would enforce judgments of U.S. courts against the Company, its directors or officers
based on the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state, or an original action brought in China
based upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.
The Company may be subject to fines and legal sanctions imposed by State Administration of Foreign Exchange, “SAFE”, or
other Chinese government authorities if it or its Chinese directors or employees fail to comply with recent Chinese regulations
relating to employee share options or shares granted by offshore listed companies to Chinese domestic individuals.
On December 25, 2006, the People’s Bank of China, or PBOC, issued the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign
Exchange Control, and the corresponding Implementation Rules were issued by SAFE on January 5, 2007. Both of these regulations
became effective on February 1, 2007. According to these regulations, all foreign exchange matters relating to employee stock holding
plans, share option plans or similar plans with Chinese domestic individuals’ participation require approval from the SAFE or its
authorized branch. On March 28, 2007, the SAFE issued the Application Procedure of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic
Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Holding Plan or Stock Option Plan of Overseas-Listed Company, or the Stock Option
Rule. Under the Stock Option Rule, Chinese domestic individuals who are granted share options or shares by an offshore listed
company are required, through a Chinese agent or Chinese subsidiary of the offshore listed company, to register with the SAFE and
complete certain other procedures. As the Company is an offshore listed company, its Chinese domestic directors and employees who
may be granted share options or shares shall become subject to the Stock Option Rule. Under the Stock Option Rule, employees stock
holding plans, share option plans or similar plans of offshore listed companies with Chinese domestic individuals’ participation must
be filed with the SAFE. After the Chinese domestic directors or employees exercise their options, they must apply for the amendment
to the registration with the SAFE. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has completed such SAFE registration and other related
procedures according to PRC law. If the Company or its Chinese domestic directors or employees fail to comply with these
regulations in the future, the Company or its Chinese domestic directors or employees may be subject to fines or other legal sanctions
imposed by the SAFE or other Chinese government authorities.
Capital outflow policies in China may hamper the Company’s ability to declare and pay dividends to its stockholders.
China has adopted currency and capital transfer regulations. These regulations may require the Company to comply with
complex regulations for the movement of capital. Although the Company’s management believes that it will be in compliance with
these regulations, should these regulations or the interpretation of them by courts or regulatory agencies change, the Company may not
be able to pay dividends to its stockholders outside of China. In addition, under current Chinese law, the Company’s joint-ventures
and wholly-owned enterprise in China must retain a reserve equal to 10% of its net income after taxes, not to exceed 50% of its
registered capital. Accordingly, this reserve will not be available to be distributed as dividends to the Company’s stockholders. The
Company presently does not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. The Company’s board of directors intends to follow a
policy of retaining all of its earnings to finance the development and execution of its strategy and the expansion of its business.
The audit report included in this annual report is prepared by an auditor that is not inspected by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this report, as
an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts
regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Since our auditor is located in China, a
jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our investors
are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
In May 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation
with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative
framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by the
PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. The PCAOB continues to be in
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 14 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
discussions with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered
with PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.
On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S.
regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China.
On April 21, 2020, the SEC and the PCAOB issued another joint statement reiterating the greater risk that disclosures will be
insufficient in many emerging markets, including China, compared to those made by U.S. domestic companies. In discussing the
specific issues related to the greater risk, the statement again highlights the PCAOB’s inability to inspect audit work papers and
practices of accounting firms in China, with respect to their audit work of U.S. reporting companies. However, it remains unclear what
further actions, if any, the SEC and the PCAOB will take to address the problem.
Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit
procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality.
The lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of our
independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, we and our investors are deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB
inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the
effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to
auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock
to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.
Proceedings instituted by the SEC against PRC affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, including our independent
registered public accounting firm, could result in our financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the
requirements of the Exchange Act.
Starting in 2011, the Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, including our independent registered public
accounting firm, were affected by a conflict between U.S. and Chinese law. Specifically, for certain U.S.-listed companies operating
and audited in mainland China, the SEC and the PCAOB sought to obtain from the Chinese firms access to their audit work papers
and related documents. However, the firms were advised and directed that under Chinese law, they could not respond directly to the
U.S. regulators on those requests, and that requests by foreign regulators for access to such papers in China had to be channeled
through the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC.
In late 2012, this impasse led the SEC to commence administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and
also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the Chinese accounting firms, including our independent registered public
accounting firm. A first instance trial of the proceedings in July 2013 in the SEC’s internal administrative court resulted in an adverse
judgment against the firms. The administrative law judge proposed penalties on the firms including a temporary suspension of their
right to practice before the SEC, although that proposed penalty did not take effect pending review by the Commissioners of the SEC.
On February 6, 2015, before a review by the Commissioners had taken place, the firms reached a settlement with the SEC. Under the
settlement, the SEC accepted that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents will normally be made to the CSRC.
The firms were to receive matching Section 106 requests, and were required to abide by a detailed set of procedures with respect to
such requests, which in substance required them to facilitate production via the CSRC. If they failed to meet specified criteria, the
SEC retained authority to impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure.
Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four China-based accounting firms was deemed
dismissed with prejudice four years after entry of the settlement. The four-year mark occurred on February 6, 2019. We cannot predict
whether the SEC will further challenge the four China-based accounting firms’ compliance with U.S. law in connection with U.S.
regulatory requests for audit work papers or if the results of such a challenge would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as
suspensions. If additional remedial measures are imposed on the Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, including our
independent registered public accounting firm, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the
requirements of the Exchange Act.
If our independent registered public accounting firm were denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and
we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our
financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination
could ultimately lead to the delisting of our common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market or deregistration from the SEC, or both,
which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our common stock in the United States.
The non-U.S. activities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries may be subject to U.S. taxation.
The majority of our subsidiaries are based in China and are subject to income taxes in the PRC. These China-based subsidiaries
conduct substantially all of our operations, and generate most of our income in China. The Company is a Delaware corporation and is
subject to income tax in the United States. New U.S. federal tax legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 15 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
“U.S. Tax Reform”), was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The U.S. Tax Reform significantly modified the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code by, among other things, reducing the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2017; limiting and/or eliminating many business deductions; migrating the U.S. to a territorial tax
system with a one-time transition tax on a mandatory deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings of certain foreign
subsidiaries; subject to certain limitations, generally eliminating U.S. corporate income tax on dividends from foreign subsidiaries;
and providing for new taxes on certain foreign earnings. Taxpayers may elect to pay the one-time transition tax over eight years, or in
a single lump-sum payment.
Certain activities conducted in the PRC or other jurisdictions outside of the U.S. may give rise to U.S. corporate income tax.
These taxes would be imposed on the Company when its subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) generate
income that is subject to Subpart F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or “Subpart F”. Passive income, such as rents, royalties,
interest, dividends, and gain from disposal of our investments is among the types of income subject to taxation under Subpart F. Any
income taxable under Subpart F is taxable in the U.S. at federal corporate income tax rates of up to 21% for taxable years beginning
after December 31, 2017. Subpart F income is taxable to the Company, even if it is not distributed to the Company.
The U.S. Tax Reform also includes provisions for a new tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) effective for tax
years of non-U.S. corporations beginning after December 31, 2017. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of
a deemed return on tangible assets of CFCs, subject to the possible use of foreign tax credits and a deduction equal to 50 percent to
offset the income tax liability, subject to some limitations.
Information technology dependency and cyber security vulnerabilities could lead to reduced revenue, liability claims, or
competitive harm.
The Company is dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure (“IT systems”) to conduct its business. Our IT
systems may be vulnerable to disruptions from human error, outdated applications, computer viruses, natural disasters, unauthorized
access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions. Any significant disruption, breakdown, intrusion, interruption or corruption of these
systems or data breaches could cause the loss of data or intellectual property, equipment damage, downtime, and/or safety related
issues and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have, from time to time, experienced incidents related to our IT
systems, and expect that such incidents will continue, including malware and computer virus outbreaks, unauthorized access, systems
failures and disruptions. We have measures and defenses in place against such events, but we may not be able to prevent, immediately
detect, or remediate all instances of such events. A material security breach or disruption of our IT systems could result in theft,
unauthorized use, or publication of our intellectual property and/or confidential business information, harm our competitive position,
disrupt our manufacturing, reduce the value of our investment in research and development and other strategic initiatives, impair our
ability to access vendors and suppliers or otherwise adversely affect our business.
Additionally, we believe that utilities and other operators of critical infrastructure that serve our facilities face heightened
security risks, including cyber-attack. In the event of such an attack, disruption in service from our utility providers could disrupt our
manufacturing operations which rely on a continuous source of power (electrical, gas, etc.).
Our business operations have been and may continue to be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19).
An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan city, Hubei province, PRC, where the Company’s
headquarters is located, in December 2019 and has been expanding within the PRC and globally. The new strain of COVID-19 is
considered to be highly contagious and poses a serious public health threat. On January 23, 2020, the PRC government announced the
lockdown of Wuhan city in an attempt to quarantine the city. Since then, other measures including travel restrictions have been
imposed in other major cities in the PRC and throughout the world in an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. The World Health
Organization (the “WHO”) is closely monitoring and evaluating the situation. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of
COVID-19 a pandemic, expanding its assessment of the threat beyond the global health emergency it had announced in January. As
our headquarters are located in Wuhan, we closed our headquarters effective January 23, 2020 and reopened in late March 2020.
Any outbreak of such epidemic illness or other adverse public health developments in the PRC or elsewhere in the world may
materially and adversely affect the global economy, our markets and our business. In the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19
pandemic caused disruptions in our manufacturing operations, interruption of supply chain and decline in demand by our customers.
As a result, we expect to report that our net product sales decreased by approximately 50% to 60% in the first quarter of 2020
compared with the same quarter in 2019. 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 for the rest of 2020 and beyond.
We cannot foresee whether the pandemic of COVID-19 will be effectively contained, nor can we predict the severity and
duration of its impact. If the pandemic 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
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 16 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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.
Our business is subject to natural disasters, health epidemics and other catastrophic incidents.
In addition to COVID-19, China has in the past experienced significant natural disasters, including earthquakes, extreme
weather conditions, as well as health scares related to epidemic diseases, and any similar event could materially impact our business in
the future. If a disaster or other disruption were to occur in the future that affects the regions where we operate our business, our
operations could be materially and adversely affected due to loss of personnel and damage to property. Even if we are not directly
affected, such a disaster or disruption could affect the operations or financial conditions of our customers, which could harm our
results of operations.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company’s headquarters are located at No. 1 Henglong Road, Yu Qiao Development Zone, Shashi District, Jing Zhou City
Hubei Province, the PRC. Set forth below are the manufacturing facilities operated by each joint venture. The Company has forty-five
to fifty years long-term rights to use the lands and buildings (in thousands of USD, except for references to area in square meters).
Name of Entity
Product
Henglong
Automotive Parts
Jiulong
Shenyang
Chongqing
Jielong (1)
Wuhan Chuguanjie
USAI (1)
Henglong KYB (1)
Hubei Henglong
Wuhu
Total
Power Steering Gear
Automotive Steering
Gear
Power Steering Gear
Electric Power
Steering
Electric Power
Steering
Sensor Modular
Automotive Steering
Gear
Automotive Steering
Gear
Automotive Steering
Gear
Total Area Building Area Original Cost of
(sq.m.)
Equipment
(sq.m.)
Site
97,818
13,393
39,478
35,354
57,849
20,226 $
13,707 $
24,734 $
18,041 $
22,812 $
56,839 Jingzhou City, Hubei Province
- Wuhan City, Hubei Province
38,548 Jingzhou City, Hubei Province
Shenyang City, Liaoning
8,003
Province
3,383 Chongqing City
-
- $
4,813 Jingzhou City, Hubei Province
53,675
-
24,334 $
- $
10,329 Wuhan City, Hubei Province
892 Wuhan City, Hubei Province
-
- $
7,671 Jingzhou City, Hubei Province
277,269
78,833 $
84,788 Jingzhou City, Hubei Province
83,705
658,541
27,288 $
229,975 $
8,063 Wuhu City, Anhui Province
223,329
(1) Jielong, USAI and Henglong KYB do not own land use rights or buildings by themselves. They rent buildings from Jiulong,
Henglong and Hubei Henglong, respectively.
The Company is not involved in investments in real estate or interests in real estate, real estate mortgages, and securities of or
interests in persons primarily engaged in real estate activities, as all of its land rights are used for production purposes.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
On January 7, 2019, three purported stockholders of the Company filed a stockholder derivative complaint on behalf of the
Company against the Company’s directors Hanlin Chen, Qizhou Wu and Guangxun Xu and former directors Arthur Wong and Robert
Tung in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging that they had (a) breached their fiduciary duties by approving and paying excessive
compensation to the non-employee directors of the Company, Arthur Wong, Guangxun Xu and Robert Tung, and (b) failed to make
full and accurate disclosure of all material information with respect to director qualification and director compensation paid in 2017 in
the Company’s annual proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 10, 2018. The directors have engaged their own counsel to
answer this complaint. On April 9, 2019, the Company moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion to dismiss was denied on July 17,
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 17 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
2019. The directors of the Company will continue to answer this complaint. Management expects the impact of the suit on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements to be immaterial.
Other than as described above, the Company is not a party to any pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any
threatened legal proceedings and no director, officer or affiliate of the Company, or owner of record of more than five percent of the
securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or has a
material interest adverse to the Company in reference to pending litigation.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CAAS”.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
On December 18, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program under which the
Company was permitted to repurchase up to $5.0 million of its common stock from time to time in the open market at prevailing
markets prices or in privately negotiated transactional through December 17, 2016. The repurchase program terminated on December
17, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, under the repurchase program, the Company repurchased 477,015 shares of the
Company’s common stock for cash consideration of $1.9 million on the open market.
On December 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program under which the Company
was permitted to repurchase up to $5.0 million of its common stock from time to time in the open market at prevailing markets prices
or in privately negotiated transactions through December 4, 2019. The Company has extended the program to December 4, 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, under the repurchase program, the Company repurchased 452,559 shares of the
Company’s common stock for cash consideration of $1.0 million on the open market. There were no common stock repurchases from
January 1, 2020 to the date of this report.
STOCKHOLDERS
The Company’s common shares are issued in registered form. Securities Transfer Corporation in Frisco, Texas is the registrar
and transfer agent for the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2019, there were 31,174,045 shares of the Company’s
common stock (excluding 1,164,257 shares of the Company’s treasury stock) issued and outstanding and the Company had
approximately 57 stockholders of record.
DIVIDENDS
The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to retain
future earnings, if any, to finance operations and the expansion of its business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be
at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will be based upon the Company’s financial condition, operating results,
capital requirements, plans for expansion, restrictions imposed by any financing arrangements and any other factors that the
Company’s board of directors deems relevant.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at December 31, 2019 are as follows:
Plan category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Number of securities to be Weighted average Number of securities
remaining available for
issued upon exercise of exercise price of
future issuance
outstanding options
2,200,000 $
outstanding options
4.99
1,563,650
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 18 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The stock option plan was approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 28, 2005 and extended for ten years at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 16, 2014. The maximum common shares for issuance under the plan are
2,200,000. The term of the plan was extended to June 27, 2025.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and
the related notes thereto and other financial information contained elsewhere in this report.
GENERAL OVERVIEW
China Automotive Systems, Inc., including, when the context so requires, its subsidiaries and the subsidiaries’ interests in the
Sino-foreign joint ventures described below, is referred to herein as the “Company.” The Company, through its Sino-foreign joint
ventures, engages in the manufacture and sales of automotive systems and components in the People’s Republic of China, the “PRC,”
or “China.” Genesis, a company incorporated on January 3, 2003 under the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong as a limited liability
company, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA,” which was incorporated on January
8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and mainly engages in marketing of automotive parts in
North America, and provides after sales service and research and development support accordingly. Furthermore, the Company owns
the following aggregate net interests in the subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC and Brazil as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Name of Entity
Aggregate Net Interest
December 31,
2019
December 31,
2018
Henglong
Jiulong
Shenyang
USAI
Wuhu
Jielong
Hubei Henglong
Testing Center
Chongqing Henglong
Brazil Henglong
Wuhan Chuguanjie
Shanghai Henglong
Jingzhou Qingyan
Henglong KYB
Wuhan Hyoseong
Wuhu Hongrun
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
83.34 %
77.33 %
85.00 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
95.84 %
85.00 %
100.00 %
60.00 %
66.60 %
51.00 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
83.34 %
77.33 %
85.00 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
95.84 %
85.00 %
100.00 %
60.00 %
66.60 %
- %
- %
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Selected highlights from our operations (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Net product sales
Cost of products sold
Net gain on other sales
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Operating income/(loss)
Other income, net
Interest expense
Financial income, net
Income/(loss) before income tax expenses and equity in
$
2019
2018
Change
Change%
431,427 $
368,076
5,067
14,270
19,976
27,992
6,180
1,957
(3,034 )
2,456
7,559
496,158 $
430,745
3,940
18,949
19,761
33,551
(2,908 )
1,173
(2,928 )
2,162
(2,501 )
(64,731 )
(62,669 )
1,127
(4,679 )
215
(5,559 )
9,088
784
(106 )
294
10,060
-13.0 %
-14.5 %
28.6 %
-24.7 %
1.1 %
-16.6 %
-312.5 %
66.8 %
3.6 %
13.6 %
-402.2 %
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 19 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
earnings of affiliated companies
Income taxes
Net income
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Net income attributable to parent company’s common
shareholders
Net Product Sales and Cost of Products Sold
586
8,379
(1,580 )
(1,465 )
79
(2,298 )
2,051
8,300
718
-140.0 %
10,506.3 %
-31.2 %
9,959
2,377
7,582
319.0 %
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, net sales and cost of sales are summarized as follows (figures are in
thousands of USD):
2019
2018
Change
2019
2018
Change
Net Sales
Cost of sales
Henglong
Jiulong
Shenyang
Wuhu
Hubei
Henglong
Henglong KYB
Other Entities
Eliminations
Total
$ 164,142 $ 250,532 $
102,994
25,941
30,356
88,469
20,247
20,384
121,719
70,952
64,619
(119,105 )
123,237
23,423
72,421
(132,746 )
$ 431,427 $ 496,158 $
(86,390 )
(14,525 )
(5,694 )
(9,972 )
(1,518 )
47,529
(7,802 )
13,641
(64,731 )
-34.5 % $ 155,667 $ 235,894 $
93,471
81,234
-14.1
23,430
16,606
-21.9
29,638
19,259
-32.9
(80,227 )
(12,237 )
(6,824 )
(10,379 )
97,777
-1.2
22,763
202.9
58,527
-10.8
-10.3
(130,755 )
-13.0 % $ 368,076 $ 430,745 $
94,470
67,330
51,690
(118,180 )
(3,307 )
44,567
(6,837 )
12,575
(62,669 )
-34.0 %
-13.1
-29.1
-35.0
-3.4
195.8
-11.7
-9.6
-14.5 %
Net Product Sales
Net product sales were $431.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $496.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $64.8 million, or 13.1%.
Net sales of traditional steering products were $348.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $388.3
million for 2018, representing a decrease of $39.4 million, or 10.1%. Net sales of EPS were $82.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 2019, compared to $107.9 million for 2018, representing a decrease of $25.4 million, or 23.5%. As a percentage of net
sales, the sales of EPS were 19.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to 21.7% for 2018.
The decrease in net product sales was due to the effects of three major factors: (i) the decrease in sales volume led to a sales
decrease of $33.3 million due to the soft demand in the China domestic brand automobile market; (ii) the decrease in average selling
price led to a sales decrease of $6.8 million; and (iii) the depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar in 2019 led to a sales
decrease of $24.7 million.
Further analysis is as follows:
— Henglong mainly engages in providing passenger vehicle steering systems. Net sales for Henglong were $164.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 2019, compared with $250.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of
$86.4 million, or 34.5%, which was mainly due to soft demand in the China domestic brand automobile market in 2019 and the
shift of production capacity to Henglong KYB after its establishment. A decrease in sales volume led to a sales decrease of $59.9
million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $15.2 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the
RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $11.3 million.
— Jiulong mainly engages in providing commercial vehicle steering systems. Net sales for Jiulong were $88.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2019, compared with $103.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of
$14.5 million, or 14.1%. A decrease in sales volume led to a sales decrease of $10.3 million, an increase in selling price led to a
sales increase of $0.2 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales
decrease of $4.4 million.
— Shenyang mainly engages in providing vehicle steering systems to Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co., LTD., “Jinbei”,
one of the major automotive manufacturers in China. Net sales for Shenyang were $20.2 million for the year ended December
31, 2019, compared with $25.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $5.7 million, or
22.0%. A decrease in sales volume led to a sales decrease of $2.6 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of
$2.2 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $0.9
million.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 20 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
— Wuhu mainly engages in providing vehicle steering systems to Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., “Chery”, one of the major
automotive manufacturers in China. Net sales for Wuhu were $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared
with $30.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $10.0 million, or 32.9%. A decrease in
sales volume led to a sales decrease of $8.0 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales decrease of $0.6 million, and the
effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $1.4 million.
— Hubei Henglong mainly engages in providing vehicle steering systems to Chrysler and Ford. Net sales for Hubei Henglong
were $121.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with $123.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2018, representing a decrease of $1.5 million, or 1.2%. A decrease in sales volume led to a sales decrease of $7.5 million, an
increase in selling price led to a sales increase of $11.1 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB
against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease of $5.1 million.
— Henglong KYB mainly engages in providing passenger EPS products. Net sales for Henglong KYB were $71.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2019, compared with $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of
$47.6 million. An increase in sales volume led to a sales increase of $50.1 million, a decrease in selling price led to a sales
decrease of $1.7 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a sales decrease
of $0.8 million.
— Net sales for Other Entities were $64.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with $72.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $7.8 million, or 10.8%, mainly contributed by Jielong, which
manufactures automobile steering columns for both Hydraulic Power Steering (“HPS”) and EPS.
Cost of Products Sold
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the cost of sales was $368.1 million, compared with $430.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $62.6 million, or 14.5%. The decrease in cost of sales was mainly due to the effect of
the following major factors: (i) the change in product mix, i.e. the increase in high margin products as a portion of our sales; (ii) the
decrease in sales volumes with a cost of sales decrease of $31.7 million; (iii) the decrease in unit cost with a cost of sales decrease of
$9.6 million; and (iv) the depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar with a cost of sales decrease of $21.3 million. Further
analysis is as follows:
— Cost of sales for Henglong was $155.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $235.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $80.2 million, or 34.0%. A decrease in sales volumes resulted in a cost of
sales decrease of $57.8 million, a decrease in unit material and subcomponents costs led to a cost of sales decrease of $11.8
million and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar led to a cost of sales decrease of $10.6
million.
— Cost of sales for Jiulong was $81.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $93.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $12.3 million, or 13.2%. The decrease in cost of sales was mainly due to a
decrease in sales volumes resulting in a cost of sales decrease of $9.3 million, an increase in unit cost resulting in a cost of sales
increase of $1.0 million, and the depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar resulting in a cost of sales decrease of $4.0
million.
— Cost of sales for Shenyang was $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with $23.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $6.8 million, or 29.1%. The decrease in cost of sales was mainly due to a
decrease in sales volumes resulting in a cost of sales decrease of $2.8 million, a decrease in unit cost resulting in a cost of sales
decrease of $3.3 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar resulting in a cost of
sales decrease of $0.7 million.
— Cost of sales for Wuhu was $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $29.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $10.3 million, or 34.8%. The decrease in cost of sales was mainly due to a
decrease in sales volumes resulting in a cost of sales decrease of $7.9 million, a decrease in unit cost resulting in a cost of sales
decrease of $1.5 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar resulting in a cost of
sales decrease of $0.9 million.
— Cost of sales for Hubei Henglong was $94.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with $97.8 million for
the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $3.3 million, or 3.4%. The decrease in cost of sales was mainly
due to a decrease in sales volumes resulting in a cost of sales decrease of $5.6 million, an increase in unit cost resulting in a cost
of sales increase of $6.3 million, and the depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar resulting in a cost of sales decrease of
$4.0 million.
— Cost of sales for Henglong KYB was $67.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $22.8 million for the
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 21 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $44.5 million. The increase in cost of sales was mainly due to an
increase in sales volumes resulting in a cost of sales increase of $46.5 million, a decrease in unit cost resulting in a cost of sales
decrease of $1.0 million, and the depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar resulting in a cost of sales decrease of $1.0
million.
— Cost of sales for Other Entities was $51.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $58.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $6.8 million, or 11.6%. The decrease in cost of sales for Other Entities
was mainly due to the decrease in cost of sales of Jielong, primarily due to the decrease in sales.
Gross margin was 14.7% for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing a 1.5% increase from 13.2% for the year ended
December 31, 2018, mainly due to the change in product mix in 2019.
Net Gain on Other Sales
Gain on other sales mainly consisted of rental income, gain on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment,
and R&D revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2019, gain on other sales amounted to $5.1 million, as compared to $3.9 million
for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $1.2 million, mainly due the increase in gain on disposal of
intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
Selling Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, selling expenses are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of
USD):
Transportation expense
Salaries and wages
Marketing and office expense
Warehousing and inventory handling expenses
Other expense
Total
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
Increase/(Decrease) Percentage
$
$
5,773 $
3,064
3,555
1,800
78
14,270 $
6,468 $
4,241
5,506
2,503
231
18,949 $
(695 )
(1,177 )
(1,951 )
(703 )
(153 )
(4,679 )
-10.7 %
-27.8 %
-35.4 %
-28.1 %
-66.2 %
-24.7 %
Selling expenses were $14.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. As compared to $18.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, there was a decrease of $4.6 million, or 24.3%, which was mainly due to salaries and wages, transportation
expenses and marketing and office expense as a result of decreased sales transactions and marketing activities.
General and Administrative Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, general and administrative expenses are summarized as follows (figures are
in thousands of USD):
Salaries and wages
Labor insurance expenses
Maintenance and repair expenses
Property and other taxes
Provision of allowance for doubtful accounts
Office expense
Depreciation and amortization expense
Listing expenses (1)
Others expenses
Total
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
Increase/(Decrease) Percentage
$
$
8,615 $
2,613
1,336
1,016
(441 )
3,097
1,474
1,838
428
19,976 $
7,148 $
2,412
1,215
1,013
887
3,044
1,490
2,153
399
19,761 $
1,467
201
121
3
(1,328 )
53
(16 )
(315 )
29
215
20.5 %
8.3 %
10.0 %
0.3 %
-149.7 %
1.7 %
-1.1 %
-14.6 %
7.3 %
1.1 %
(1)
Listing expenses consisted of the costs associated with legal, accounting and auditing fees for operating a public company. The
expenses also included share-based compensation expense for options granted to independent directors.
General and administrative expenses were $20.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 which was slightly higher than
$19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was mainly due to the increase in labor costs.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 22 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses, “R&D” expenses, were $28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared
to $33.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $5.6 million, or 16.7%, which was primarily due to
cost control on research and development activities.
The global automotive parts industry is highly competitive; winning and maintaining new business requires suppliers to rapidly
produce innovative products on a cost-competitive basis. In the past several years, the Company has continued to purchase advanced
manufacturing equipment for newly developed products, hiring senior technicians and actively seeking external technical support.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net was $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $1.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $0.8 million, or 66.6%, primarily due to an increase in the government subsidies
recognized in 2019.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $2.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 3.4%, which was primarily due to higher interest rates.
Financial Income, Net
Financial income, net was $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $2.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $0.3 million, or 13.6%, which was primarily due to an increase in the interest income
of short-term investments.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to income tax benefit of $1.5 million for
the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase in income tax expense of $2.1 million. The increase in 2019 resulted
primarily from the increase in income before income tax expenses of $10.1 million.
Net Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests
The Company recorded a net loss attributable to non-controlling interests of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019,
compared to a net loss of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $0.7 million, or 30.4%.
Net Income Attributable to Parent Company’s Common Shareholders
Net income attributable to parent company was $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $2.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $7.6 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Capital Resources and Use of Cash
The Company has historically financed its liquidity requirements from a variety of sources, including short-term borrowings
under bank credit agreements, bankers’ acceptances, issuances of capital stock and notes and internally generated cash. As of
December 31, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $82.5 million, compared with $103.9
million as of December 31, 2018, a decrease of $21.4 million, or 20.6%.
The Company had working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $137.4 million as of December 31, 2019, compared
with $154.1 million as of December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of $16.7 million, or 10.8%.
Except for the expected distribution of dividends from the Company’s PRC subsidiaries to the Company in order to fund the
payment of the one-time transition tax due to the U.S. Tax Reform, the Company intends to indefinitely reinvest the funds in
subsidiaries established in the PRC.
The pandemic of COVID-19 has had material and adverse impacts on our cash flow for the first quarter of 2020 with potential
continuing impacts on subsequent periods. However, based on our liquidity assessment, we believe that our current cash position, cash
flow from operations and proceeds from our financing activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 23 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for the foreseeable future and for at least 12 months subsequent to the filing
of this annual report.
Capital Source
The Company’s capital source is multifaceted, such as bank loans and banks’ acceptance facilities. In financing activities and
operating activities, the Company’s banks require the Company to sign line of credit agreements and repay such facilities within one
to two years. On the condition that the Company can provide adequate mortgage security and has not violated the terms of the line of
credit agreement, such facilities can be extended for another one to two years.
The Company had short-term loans of $46.6 million, long-term loans of $7.2 million and bankers’ acceptance notes of $69.9
million as of December 31, 2019.
The Company currently expects to be able to obtain similar bank loans, i.e., RMB loans, and bankers’ acceptance facilities in
the future if it can provide adequate mortgage security following the termination of the above-mentioned agreements, see the table
under “Bank Arrangements” below for more information. If the Company is not able to do so, it will have to refinance such debt as it
becomes due or repay that debt to the extent it has cash available from operations or from the proceeds of additional issuances of
capital stock. Due to a depreciation of assets, the value of the mortgages securing the above-mentioned bank loans and banker's
acceptances is expected to be reduced by approximately $12.5 million over the next 12 months. If the Company wishes to obtain the
same amount of bank loans and banker's acceptances, it will have to provide additional mortgages of $12.5 million as of the maturity
date of such line of credit agreements, see the table under “Bank Arrangements” below for more information. The Company can still
obtain a reduced line of credit with a reduction of $8.5 million, which is 68.2%, the mortgage ratio, of $12.5 million, if it cannot
provide additional mortgages. The Company expects that the reduction in bank loans will not have a material adverse effect on its
liquidity.
Bank Facilities
As of December 31, 2019, the principal outstanding under the Company’s credit facilities and lines of credit was as follows
(figures are in thousands of USD).
Bank
Due
Date
Amount
Available (3)
Amount
Used (4)
Assessed
Mortgage
Value (5)
1. Comprehensive
credit facilities
Hubei Bank (1)
Nov 2019
25,802
16,624
54,093
2. Comprehensive
credit facilities
Shanghai Pudong
Development Bank(2)
Jul 2020
18,635
7,975
21,072
3. Comprehensive
credit facilities
China CITIC Bank (2)
China CITIC Bank
Jun 2020
Jun 2022
73,106
3,096
24,910
2,573
20,421
6,322
4. Comprehensive
credit facilities
China Everbright
Bank (1)
Feb 2020
4,300
4,300
9,129
5. Comprehensive
credit facilities
6. Comprehensive
credit facilities
Bank of Chongqing
Sep 2021
717
242
2,239
Bank of China (2)
Sep 2020
16,628
6,594
7. Comprehensive
credit facilities
China Merchants
Bank (1) (2)
Feb 2020
21,502
12,078
8. Comprehensive
credit facilities
Hankou Bank (1) (2)
Dec 2019
15,768
5,734
-
-
-
9. Comprehensive
credit facilities
Agricultural Bank of
China (1)
Mar 2020
10. Comprehensive Huishang Bank
May 2020
1,003
2,150
1,003
3,982
-
-
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 24 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
credit facilities
Total
$
182,707 $
82,033 $
117,258
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
These facilities have expired. The comprehensive credit facility with China Everbright Bank was extended to March 11, 2021
with an available amount of RMB 30.0 million (equivalent to $4.3 million as of December 31, 2019). The comprehensive credit
facility with Agriculture Bank of China was extended to March 27, 2021. The Company is currently in the process of
negotiating with the rest of these banks to renew the credit facilities.
The comprehensive credit facilities with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank are guaranteed by Jielong and Huibei Henglong
in addition to the above pledged assets. The comprehensive credit facilities with China CITIC Bank are guaranteed by
Henglong and Hubei Henglong in addition to the above pledged assets. The comprehensive credit facilities with Bank of China
are guaranteed by Hubei Henglong. The comprehensive credit facilities with Hankou Bank are guaranteed by Henglong. The
comprehensive credit facilities with China Merchants Bank are guaranteed by Hubei Henglong.
“Amount available” is used for the drawdown of bank loans and issuance of bank notes at the Company’s discretion. If the
Company elects to utilize the facility by issuance of bank notes, additional collateral is requested to be pledged to the bank.
“Amount used” represents the credit facilities used by the Company for the purpose of bank loans or notes payable during the
facility contract period. The loans or notes payable under the credit facilities will remain outstanding regardless of the
expiration of the relevant credit facilities until the separate loans or notes payable expire. The amount used includes bank loans
of $44.2 million and notes payable of $37.8 million as of December 31, 2019.
(5)
In order to obtain lines of credit, the Company needs to pledge certain assets to banks. As of December 31, 2019, the pledged
assets included property, plant and equipment and land use rights with assessed value of $117.3 million.
The Company may request the banks to issue notes payable or bank loans within its credit line using a 365-day revolving line.
The Company renewed its existing short-term loans and borrowed new loans during 2019 at annual interest rates ranging from
3.0% to 5.7%, and the Company’s loan terms range from 4 months to 36 months. The large spread in interest rates was due to the
different lenders (interest rates for government loans are normally lower than for commercial bank loans). Pursuant to the
comprehensive credit line arrangement, the Company pledged and guaranteed:
1. Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $21.1 million as security for its revolving comprehensive
credit facility with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.
2. Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $20.4 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility
with China CITIC Bank Wuhan branch.
3. Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $6.3 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility
with China CITIC Bank Shenyang branch.
4. Equipment with an assessed value of approximately $54.1 million as security for its revolving comprehensive credit facility with
Hubei Bank.
5. Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $9.1 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility
with China Everbright Bank.
6. Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $4.0 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility
with Agricultural Bank of China.
7. Land use rights and buildings with an assessed value of approximately $2.2 million as security for its comprehensive credit facility
with Bank of Chongqing.
Cash Requirements
The following table summarizes the Company’s expected cash outflows resulting from financial contracts and commitments.
The Company has not included information on its recurring purchases of materials for use in its manufacturing operations. These
amounts are generally consistent from year to year, closely reflecting the Company’s levels of production, and are not long-term in
nature (being less than three months in length).
Payment Due Dates
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 25 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Short-term and long-term loans including
interest payable
Notes payable (1)
Taxes payable and withholding tax liabilities
due to U.S. Tax Reform (See Note 20)
Obligation for investment contract (2)
Other contractual purchase commitments,
including service agreements
Total
(1) Notes payable do not bear interest.
( in thousands of USD)
Total
Less than 1
year
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than 5
Years
$
53,803 $
69,929
46,636 $
69,929
7,167 $
-
- $
-
29,503
4,702
2,810
4,272
5,620
430
12,292
-
23,116
181,053 $
19,928
143,575 $
3,188
16,405 $
-
12,292 $
$
-
-
8,781
-
-
8,781
(2)
In November 2019, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties and committed to purchase 70% of the
shares of Hefei Senye Light Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. for total consideration of RMB 33.6 million, equivalent to
approximately $4.8 million. As of December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has paid the amount of RMB 18 million, equivalent
to approximately $2.6 million. According to the agreement, the remaining consideration of RMB 15.6 million, equivalent to
approximately $2.2 million, will be paid in 2020 and 2021.
In April 2019, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties and committed to contribute RMB 5.0 million,
equivalent to approximately $0.7 million, to Jiangsu Intelligent Networking Automotive Innovation Center Co. Ltd., “Jiangsu
Intelligent”, for 19.2% of the shares of Jiangsu Intelligent. As of December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has completed a capital
contribution of RMB 3.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.4 million. According to the agreement, the remaining capital
commitment of RMB 2.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.3 million, will be paid upon capital calls.
In March 2018, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties to establish a venture capital fund, the “Hubei
Venture Fund”. Hubei Henglong has committed to make an investment of RMB 76.0 million, equivalent to approximately
$10.9 million, in the Hubei Venture Fund in three installments, representing 27.1% of the Hubei Venture Fund’s shares. As of
December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has completed a capital contribution of RMB 60.8 million, equivalent to approximately
$8.7 million. According to the agreement, the remaining capital commitment of RMB 15.2 million, equivalent to
approximately $2.2 million, will be paid upon capital calls received from the Hubei Venture Fund.
Short-term and Long-term Loans
The following table summarizes the contract information of short-term and long-term borrowings between the banks,
government and the Company as of December 31, 2019 (figures are in thousands of USD).
Bank
Government
Bank of Chongqing (1)
Bank of Chongqing (1)
China CITIC Bank (1)
China CITIC Bank (1)
China CITIC Bank (1)
China Merchants Bank (1)
Purpose
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Mar 05,
2019
Mar 15,
2019
Mar 15,
2019
Mar 15,
2019
Mar 18,
2019
Borrowing
Date
Borrowing
Term
(Months)
Annual
Interest
Rate
Date of
Interest
Payment Due Date
Amount
Payable on
Due Date
Jan 30, 2019
12
5.66 %
monthly Jan 29, 2020
79
Pay
12
5.66 %
monthly Mar 3, 2020
164
Pay
Mar 9, 2020
1,039
12
3.52 %
12
3.52 %
12
3.63 %
Pay in
arrear
Pay in
arrear
Pay in
arrear
Mar 11,
2020
Mar 13,
2020
12
5.00 %
Pay
monthly
Mar 18,
2020
2,021
4,010
6,522
287
Agricultural Bank of China
(1)
Working
Capital
May 10,
2019
10
4.35 %
Pay
monthly
Mar 25,
2020
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 26 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Agricultural Bank of China
(1)
Working
Capital
Agricultural Bank of China
(1)
Working
Capital
Agricultural Bank of China
(1)
Working
Capital
China CITIC Bank (1)
China CITIC Bank (1)
Bank of China
China CITIC Bank
Hankou Bank
China CITIC Bank
China CITIC Bank
China CITIC Bank
China CITIC Bank
China CITIC Bank
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
287
287
143
Oct 08, 2019
6
4.35 %
Dec 10, 2019
4
4.35 %
Pay
monthly
Mar 25,
2020
Pay
monthly
Mar 25,
2020
Mar 27,
2019
Mar 26,
2019
Aug 23,
2019
May 27,
2019
12
4.35 %
Pay
monthly
Mar 26,
2020
12
3.52 %
Pay in
arrear
Pay
Mar 24,
2020
1,121
8
4.80 %
monthly Apr 23, 2020
1,433
12
4.35 %
Pay
monthly
May 26,
2020
6,594
Jun 26, 2019
12
3.49 %
Pay in
arrear
Pay
Jun 19, 2020
900
Jun 28, 2019
12
4.80 %
monthly Jun 28, 2020
5,734
July 01,
2019
July 08,
2019
July 09,
2019
July 09,
2019
Aug 06,
2019
12
3.49 %
12
3.47 %
12
3.47 %
12
3.47 %
Pay in
arrear
Pay in
arrear
Pay in
arrear
Pay in
arrear
Pay
Jun 24, 2020
471
Jul 3, 2020
1,310
Jul 7, 2020
4,376
Jul 7, 2020
1,787
12
5.22 %
monthly Aug 6, 2020
2,007
Financial Bureau of Jingzhou
Development Zone
Working
Capital
China CITIC Bank
China CITIC Bank
Working
Capital
Working
Capital
Sep 03, 2019
22
3.80 %
annually Jun 30, 2021
4,300
Pay
Sep 11, 2019
12
3.15 %
Sep 20, 2019
12
3.04 %
Pay in
arrear
Pay in
arrear
Sep 9, 2020
2,570
Sep 11, 2020
1,058
Wuhu Municipal Science and
Technology Bureau
Working
Capital
Nov 13,
2017
36
4.75 %
Pay
quarterly
Nov 12,
2020
287
Financial Bureau of Jingzhou
Development Zone
Working
Capital
Dec 26, 2019
12
3.48 %
annually Dec 25, 2020
2,149
Pay
Financial Bureau of Jingzhou
Development Zone
Total
Working
Capital
Aug 07,
2019
Pay
23
3.80 %
annually Jun 30, 2021
$
2,867
53,803
(1) These bank loans were repaid between January and April 2020 when they became due.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 27 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The Company must use the loans for the purpose described and repay the principal outstanding on the specified date in the table.
If it fails to do so, it will be charged additional 30% to 100% penalty interest.
The Company had complied with such financial covenants as of December 31, 2019, and management believes it will continue
to comply with them.
Notes Payable
The following table summarizes the contract information of issuing notes payable between the banks and the Company as of
December 31, 2019 (figures are in thousands of USD):
Purpose
Working Capital (1)
Working Capital (1)
Working Capital (1)
Working Capital (1)
Working Capital
Working Capital
Total
Term (Month)
6
6
6
6
6
6
(1) The notes payable were repaid in full on their respective due dates.
Due Date
Amount Payable on
Due Date
Jan. 2020 $
Feb. 2020
Mar. 2020
Apr. 2020
May 2020
Jun. 2020
$
14,364
12,108
5,932
14,914
10,245
12,366
69,929
The Company must use notes payable for the purpose described in the table. If it fails to do so, the banks will no longer issue
the notes payable, and it may have an adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and capital resources. The Company has to deposit a
sufficient amount of cash on the due date of notes payable for payment to the suppliers. If the bank has advanced payment for the
Company, it will be charged an additional 50% penalty interest. The Company complied with such financial covenants as of
December 31, 2019, and management believes it will continue to comply with them.
Cash flows
(a) Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $30.3 million, compared with $12.5
million for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $17.8 million, which was mainly due to (1) the increase in
net income excluding non-cash items by $3.8 million and (2) the increase in cash inflows from movements of operating assets and
liabilities by $14.0 million.
(b) Investing Activities
The Company had net cash of $27.3 million used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with
net cash provided of $2.5 million in 2018, representing an increase in cash outflow of $29.8 million, which was mainly due to the net
effect of (1) a decrease in cash inflows due to the repayment of the loan to a related party by $20.4 million, (2) an increase in
payments to acquire property, plant and equipment and land use rights by $8.6 million, and (3) a combination of other factors
contributed an increase of cash outflows by $0.8 million, including an increase in cash prepaid for acquisition of a subsidiary by $2.6
million, offset by the increase in cash received from disposal of property, plant and equipment, government subsidies, and the exit
from an investment.
(c) Financing Activities
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had net cash of $10.7 million used in financing activities, compared to
net cash of $10.1 million provided by financing activities for 2018, representing an increase in outflow of $20.8 million, which was
mainly due to the net effect of (1) a decrease in proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions by $11.8 million, (2) a decrease in cash
received from capital contributions by non-controlling interest holders by $12.2 million, (3) a decrease in cash inflow from borrowings
by $21.8 million, and (4) an increase in payments for repurchase of common stock by $1.0 million, offset by a decrease in repayments
of bank loans by $26.6 million.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be
considered off-balance sheet arrangements.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 28 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019 and continuing in the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s businesses,
results of operations, financial position and cash flows were materially and adversely affected in the first quarter of 2020 with
potential continuing impacts on subsequent periods, including but not limited to the material adverse impact on the Company’s
revenues as result of the suspension of operations, interruption of supply chain and decline in demand by the Company’s customers.
We expect to report that our net product sales decreased by approximately 50% to 60% in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the
same quarter in 2019. Because of the significant uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, which are still evolving, the extent of the
business disruption, including the duration and the related financial impact on subsequent periods cannot be reasonably estimated at
this time. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Our business operations have been and may continue to be materially and adversely affected
by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)” for more information.
INFLATION AND CURRENCY MATTERS
China’s economy has experienced rapid growth recently, mostly through the issuance of debt. Debt-induced economic growth
can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. If prices for the Company’s products rise at a rate that is insufficient to
compensate for the rise in the cost of supplies, it may harm the Company’s profitability. In order to control inflation, the Chinese
government has imposed controls on bank credit, limits on loans for fixed assets and restrictions on state bank lending. Such policies
can lead to a slowing of economic growth. Rises in interest rates by the central bank would likely slow economic activity in China
which could, in turn, materially increase the Company’s costs and also reduce demand for the Company’s products.
Foreign operations are subject to certain risks inherent in conducting business abroad, including price and currency exchange
controls, and fluctuations in the relative value of currencies. During 2019, the Company mainly supplied products to North America
and settled in cash in U.S. dollars. As a result, appreciation or currency fluctuation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would increase
the cost of export products, and adversely affect the Company’s financial performance.
In July 2005, the Chinese government adjusted its exchange rate policy from “Fixed Rate” to “Floating Rate.” During December
2018 to December 2019, the exchange rate between RMB and U.S. dollar depreciated from RMB1.00 to $0.1454 to RMB1.00 to
$0.1436. The depreciation of the RMB may continue. Significant depreciation of the RMB is likely to decrease the Company’s income
generated from China.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Information regarding new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements
and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management periodically evaluates the estimates and
judgments made. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various factors that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates as a result of different assumptions or conditions.
The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:
it requires the Company to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time it was making the estimate; and
changes in the estimate or different estimates that the Company could have selected would have had a material impact on the
Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
The table below presents information about the nature and rationale for the Company critical accounting estimates:
Critical
Balance Sheet Estimate
Caption
Item
Warranty
obligations
Accrued
liabilities and
other long-
term liabilities
Nature of Estimates Required
Estimating warranty requires the
Company to forecast the resolution of
existing claims and expected future
claims on products sold. OEMs are
increasingly seeking to hold suppliers
Assumptions/Approaches
Used
Key Factors
The Company bases its estimate
on historical trends of units sold
and payment amounts, combined
with its current understanding of
the status of existing claims and
OEM sourcing
OEM policy decisions
regarding warranty claims
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 29 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
responsible for product warranties, which
may impact the Company’s exposure to
these costs.
discussions with its customers.
Valuation of
long- lived
assets and
investments
Property, plant
and
equipment,
intangible
assets and
other long-
term assets
The Company is required from time-to-
time to review the recoverability of
certain of its assets based on projections
of anticipated future cash flows,
including future profitability assessments
of various product lines.
The Company estimates cash
flows using internal budgets
based on recent sales data,
independent automotive
production volume estimates and
customer commitments.
Future production
estimates
Customer preferences
and decisions
Accounts
receivable
Allowance
for doubtful
accounts
The Company is required from time to
time to review the credit of customers
and make timely provision of allowance
for doubtful accounts.
The Company estimates the
collectability of the receivables
based on the future cash flows
using historical experiences.
Customer credit
Inventory
Provision for
inventory
impairment
The Company is required from time to
time to review the turnover of inventory
based on projections of anticipated future
cash flows, including provision of
inventory impairment for over market
price and undesirable inventories.
The Company estimates cash
flows using internal budgets
based on recent sales data,
independent automotive
production volume estimates and
customer commitments.
Future production
estimates
Customer preferences
and decisions
Deferred
income taxes
Recoverability
of deferred tax
assets
The Company is required to estimate
whether recoverability of its deferred tax
assets is more likely than not based on
forecasts of taxable earnings in the
related tax jurisdiction.
The Company uses historical and
projected future operating
results, based upon approved
business plans, including a
review of the eligible carry
forward period, tax planning
opportunities and other relevant
considerations.
Tax law changes
Variances in future
projected profitability,
including by taxing entity
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. For purposes of
specific risk analysis, the Company uses sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and the majority of its revenues will be settled in RMB and U.S. dollars.
The Company’s currency exchange rate risks come primarily from the sales of products to international customers. Most of the
Company’s assets are denominated in RMB except for part of cash and accounts receivable. As a result, the Company is exposed to
foreign exchange risk as its revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S.
dollar and the RMB.
The value of the RMB fluctuates and is affected by, among other things, changes in China's political and economic conditions.
In addition, the RMB is not readily convertible into U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions
continue to take place either through the Bank of China or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange
rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar has been generally
based on rates set by the People's Bank of China, which are set daily based on the previous day's interbank foreign exchange market
rates and current exchange rates on the world financial markets. On December 31, 2019 and 2018, the exchange rates of RMB against
U.S. dollar were RMB1.00 to $0.1436 and RMB1.00 to $0.1454, respectively. Any significant future appreciation of the RMB is
likely to decrease the Company’s profits generated from overseas.
In order to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk, the Company and its international customers established a price negotiation
mechanism that provides that, if the currency exchange rate fluctuation is more than 8% since the last price negotiation, the Company
and the customers would adjust the prices for future sales. Normally the adjustment to future sales prices would reflect half of the
impact from the change in exchange rate.
CREDIT RISK
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 30 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts
receivable. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support client receivables since most of its customers are
large, well-established companies. The Company's credit risk is also mitigated because its customers are all selected enterprises
supported by the local government. One customer, Fiat Chrysler North America, accounted for more than 10% (22.7%) of the
Company’s consolidated revenues in 2019. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for any potential credit losses
related to its trade receivables. The Company does not use foreign exchange contracts to hedge the risk in receivables denominated in
foreign currencies and the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates results primarily from its credit facility borrowings. As of December 31,
2019, the Company had nil of outstanding indebtedness, which is subject to interest rate fluctuations.
The Company’s level of outstanding indebtedness fluctuates from time to time and may result in additional payable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
(a)
(b)
The financial statements required by this item begin on page 64.
Selected quarterly financial data for the past two years are summarized in the following table (figures are in thousands of USD,
except those for items headed “Basic” and “Diluted”):
First
Quarterly Results of Operations
Second
Third
Fourth
Net sales
Gross profit
Income/(loss) from operations
Net income/(loss)
Net (loss)/income attributable to non-
controlling interest
Net income/(loss) attributable to
parent company’s common
shareholders
Net income/(loss) attributable to
parent company’s common
shareholders per share-
Basic
Diluted
2018
2019
2019
$ 109,193 $ 134,018 $ 105,748 $ 125,782 $ 100,542 $ 112,084 $ 115,944 $ 124,274
14,045 21,639 15,185 17,021 17,317 15,366 16,804 11,387
(9,916 )
(5,327 )
(1,912 )
845
4,315
4,077
1,830
378
1,037
1,224
2,740
2,233
4,594
4,032
584
996
2018
2019
2019
2018
2018
(243 )
(280 )
(277 )
149
(172 )
1
(888 )
(2,168 )
1,467
4,312
2,510
847
4,249
377
1,733
(3,159 )
$
$
0.05 $
0.05 $
0.14 $
0.14 $
0.08 $
0.08 $
0.03 $
0.03 $
0.13 $
0.13 $
0.01 $
0.01 $
0.06 $
0.06 $
(0.10 )
(0.10 )
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial
officer, Messrs. Wu Qizhou and Li Jie, respectively, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures
as of December 31, 2019, the end of the period covered by this Report. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and
other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports, such
as this Form 10-K, that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time
periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and
procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the
Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief
financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, Messrs. Wu and Li
concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2019.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 31 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.
Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, is a
process designed by, or under the supervision of, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer and effected by the board of
directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
a.
b.
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of
the Company’s assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are
being made only in accordance with appropriate authorization of the Company’s management and board of directors; and
c.
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the
Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management, under the supervision and with the
participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in "Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013)."
Management has assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 and determined
that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.
This report does not include an auditors' report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to SEC rules
that exempt smaller reporting companies such as CAAS from providing such a report.
INHERENT LIMITATIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS
A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the
benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no
evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues
and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments
in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be
circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls.
Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31,
2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The following table and text set forth the names and ages of all directors and executive officers of the Company as of December
31, 2019. The Board of Directors is comprised of only one class. All of the directors will serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal. Also
provided herein are brief descriptions of the business experience of each director and executive officer during the past five years and
an indication of directorships held by each director in other companies subject to the reporting requirements under the federal
securities laws.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 32 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Hanlin Chen
Tong Kooi Teo
Guangxun Xu
Heng Henry Lu
Qizhou Wu
Jie Li
Andy Tse
Yijun Xia
Haimian Cai
Name
Age
62
Position(s)
Chairman of the Board
63
69
54
55
50
49
57
56
Director
Director
Director
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors
Hanlin Chen has served as the chairman of the board of directors and an executive officer since March 2003. Since January
2013, Mr. Chen has been a standing committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and vice president
of Foreign Investors Association of Hubei Province. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Chen was the general manager of Shashi Jiulong Power
Steering Gears Co., Ltd. Since 1997, he has been the chairman of the Board of Henglong Automotive Parts, Ltd. Mr. Hanlin Chen is
the brother-in-law of the Company’s senior vice president, Mr. Andy Tse.
Qizhou Wu has served as a director since March 2003 and as the chief executive officer of the Company since September 2007.
He served as chief operating officer from 2003 to 2007. He was the executive general manager of Shashi Jiulong Power Steering
Gears Co., Ltd. from 1993 to 1999 and the general manager of Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Wu
graduated from Tsinghua University in Beijing with a Master’s degree in automobile engineering.
Heng Henry Lu has served as an independent director of the Company since July 2019. He has been an adviser to NBS Group
since February 2016. Dr. Lu was a partner of SVC China from 2012 to 2014 and Chief Representative of William Blair & Company,
L.L.C., Shanghai Representative Office from 2006 to 2011. Prior to that, Dr. Lu was with McKinsey & Company advising global and
domestic companies on their growth and financial strategies. Dr. Lu received a Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University in
1997 and a Master of Business Administration from University of Chicago Business School in 2000.
Tong Kooi Teo has served as an independent director of the Company since July 2019. He is the Chief Executive Officer of
DPS Corporate Advisory Company Limited, Beijing, China, a member of Head International Group, China since March 2018. He is a
Non-Executive Director of Guocoland (China) Limited since February 2018. He was the Managing Director of Guoco Investment
(China) Ltd., Hong Kong from 2014 to 2018, after serving as the Group Managing Director of Guocoland (China) Ltd. from 2012 to
2014. Prior to that, Mr. Teo was the Chief Executive Officer (China and Vietnam Operations) of WCT Holdings Bhd, Malaysia from
2011 to 2012. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Asia Ltd (HLA), which is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange
from 2004 to 2010. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Teo was the Managing Director of Tasek Corporation Bhd, Malaysia, which is listed on
the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. From 1994 to 2002, Mr. Teo was General Manager of Corporate Banking Division and Chief
Operating Officer of Hong Leong Bank Malaysia. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Teo was with Deutsche Bank Malaysia where his last held
position was Head of Corporate Banking.
Guangxun Xu has served as an independent director of the Company since December 2009. He is a member of the audit and
compensation committees, and the chairman of the nominating committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Xu has been the Chief
Representative of NASDAQ in China and a managing director of the NASDAQ Stock Market International, Asia for over 10 years.
With a professional career in the finance field spanning over 30 years, Mr. Xu’s practice focuses on providing package services on
U.S. and U.K. listings, advising on and arranging for private placements, PIPEs, IPOs, pre-IPO restructuring, M&A, corporate and
project finance, corporate governance, post-IPO IR compliance and risk control.
Executive Officers
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 33 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Jie Li has served as the chief financial officer since September 2007. Prior to that position he served as the corporate secretary
from December 2004. Prior to joining the Company in September 2003, Mr. Li was the assistant president of Jingzhou Jiulong
Industrial Inc. from 1999 to 2003 and the general manager of Jingzhou Tianxin Investment Management Co. Ltd. from 2002 to 2003.
Mr. Li has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Science and Technology of China. He also completed his graduate studies in
economics and business management at the Hubei Administration Institute.
Andy Tse has served as a senior vice president of the Company since March 2003. He has also served as chairman of the board
of Shenyang. He was the vice GM of Jiulong from 1993 to 1997 and the vice GM of Henglong. Mr. Tse has over 10 years of
experience in automotive parts sales and strategic development. Mr. Tse has an MBA from the China People University. He is brother
in-law to Hanlin Chen.
Yijun Xia has served as a vice president of the Company since December 2009. He also served as the general manager of
Henglong from April 2005 to December 2011. Prior to that position he served as the Vice-G.M. of Henglong from December 2002.
Mr. Xia graduated from Wuhan University of Water Transportation Engineering with a bachelor degree in Metal Material and Heat
Treatment.
Haimian Cai was an independent director of the Company from September 2003 to December 2009, and also a member of the
Company’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees. Dr. Cai is a technical specialist in the automotive industry. Prior to
that, Dr. Cai was a staff engineer in ITT Automotive Inc. Dr. Cai has written more than fifteen technical papers and co-authored a
technical book regarding the Powder Metallurgy industry for automotive application. Dr. Cai has more than ten patents including
pending patents. Dr. Cai holds a B.S. Degree in Automotive Engineering from Tsinghua University and a M.S. and Ph. D. in
manufacturing engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Since December 2009, Mr. Cai has not served as independent
director and a member of the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation and Nominating Committees, because he was nominated as
vice president of the Company.
BOARD COMPOSITION AND COMMITTEES
Audit Committee and Independent Directors
The Company has a standing Audit Committee of the Board of Directors established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of
the Exchange Act, as amended. The Audit Committee is operated under a written charter. The Audit Committee consists of the
following individuals, all of whom the Company considers to be independent, as defined under the SEC’s rules and regulations and
the Nasdaq’s definition of independence: Mr. Tong Kooi Teo, Mr. Guangxun Xu and Mr. Heng Henry Lu. Mr. Guangxun Xu is the
Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Guangxun Xu is the audit committee financial expert, as
defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K, serving on the Company’s Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Company has a standing Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee is responsible
for determining compensation for the Company’s executive officers. Three of the Company’s independent directors, as defined under
the SEC’s rules and regulations and the Nasdaq’s definition of independence, Mr. Tong Kooi Teo, Mr. Guangxun Xu and Mr. Heng
Henry Lu serve on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Tong Kooi Teo is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Board
has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock
Market, as applicable. The Compensation Committee administers the Company’s benefit plans, reviews and administers all
compensation arrangements for executive officers, and establishes and reviews general policies relating to the compensation and
benefits of the Company’s officers and employees. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter that is made
available on the Company’s website, www.caasauto.com.
The Company’s Compensation Committee is empowered to review and approve the annual compensation and compensation
procedures for the executive officers of the Company. The primary goals of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of
Directors with respect to executive compensation are to attract and retain the most talented and dedicated executives possible and to
align executives’ incentives with stockholder value creation. The Compensation Committee evaluates individual executive
performance with a goal of setting compensation at levels the committee believes are comparable with executives in other companies
of similar size and stage of development operating in similar industry while taking into account the Company’s relative performance
and its strategic goals.
The Company has not retained a compensation consultant to review its policies and procedures with respect to executive
compensation. The Company conducts an annual review of the aggregate level of its executive compensation, as well as the mix of
elements used to compensate its executive officers. The Company compares compensation levels with amounts currently being paid to
executives in its industry and most importantly with local practices in China. The Company is satisfied that its compensation levels are
competitive with local conditions.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 34 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Nominating Committee
The Company has a standing Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. Director candidates are nominated by the
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee will consider candidates based upon their business and financial experience,
personal characteristics, and expertise that are complementary to the background and experience of other Board members, willingness
to devote the required amount of time to carry out the duties and responsibilities of Board membership, willingness to objectively
appraise management performance, and any such other qualifications the Nominating Committee deems necessary to ascertain the
candidates’ ability to serve on the Board. The Nominating Committee will not consider nominee recommendations from security
holders, other than the recommendations received from a security holder or group of security holders that beneficially owned more
than 5 percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock for at least one year as of the date the recommendation is made. Three of
the Company’s independent directors, as defined under the SEC’s rules and regulations and the Nasdaq’s definition of independence,
Mr. Tong Kooi Teo, Mr. Guangxun Xu and Mr. Heng Henry Lu, serve on the Nominating Committee. Mr. Xu is the Chairman of the
Nominating Committee.
Stockholder Communications
Stockholders interested in communicating directly with the Board of Directors, or individual directors, may email the
Company’s independent director Mr. Guangxun Xu at guangxunxu@hotmail.com. Mr. Xu will review all such correspondence and
will regularly forward to the board of directors of the Company copies of all such correspondence that deals with the functions of the
Board or committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review all of the
correspondence received that is addressed to members of the board of directors of the Company and request copies of such
correspondence. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters will immediately be brought to the attention of
the Audit Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters.
Family Relationships
Mr. Hanlin Chen and Mr. Andy Tse are brothers-in-law.
Code of Ethics and Conduct
The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct which is applicable to all officers, directors and employees.
The Code of Ethics and Conduct was filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which was filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2010.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In 2003, the Board of Directors established a Compensation Committee consisting only of independent Board members, which
is responsible for setting the Company’s policies regarding compensation and benefits and administering the Company’s benefit plans.
At the end of fiscal year 2019, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Tong Kooi Teo, Mr. Guangxun Xu and Mr. Heng Henry
Lu. The members of the Compensation Committee approved the amount and form of compensation paid to executive officers of the
Company and set the Company’s compensation policies and procedures during these periods.
The primary goals of the Company’s compensation committee with respect to executive compensation are to attract and retain
highly talented and dedicated executives and to align executives’ incentives with stockholder value creation.
The Compensation Committee will conduct an annual review of the aggregate level of the Company’s executive compensation,
as well as the mix of elements used to compensate the Company’s executive officers. The Company compares compensation levels
with amounts currently being paid to executives at similar companies in the same area and the same industry. Most importantly, the
Company compares compensation levels with local practices in China. The Company believes that its compensation levels are
competitive with local conditions.
Elements of Compensation
The Company’s executive compensation consists of the following elements:
Base Salary
Base salaries for the Company’s executives are established to be amounts of compensation that are similar to those paid by other
companies to executives in similar positions and with similar responsibilities. Base salaries are adjusted from time to time to realign
salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. The Compensation
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 35 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Committee established a salary structure to determine base salaries and is responsible for initially setting executive officer
compensation in employment arrangements with each individual. The base salary amounts are intended to reflect the Company’s
philosophy that the base salary should attract experienced individuals who will contribute to the success of the Company’s business
goals and represent cash compensation that is commensurate with the compensation of individuals at similarly situated companies.
The Company’s Board of Directors and Compensation Committee have approved the current salaries for executives: RMB 2.5
million (equivalent to approximately $0.36 million) for the Chairman, RMB 1.6 million (equivalent to approximately $0.23 million)
for the CEO, and RMB 1.0 million (equivalent to approximately $0.14 million) individually for other officers in 2019.
Performance Bonus
a.
b.
c.
Grantees: Mr. Hanlin Chen, Mr. Qizhou Wu, Mr. Andy Tse, Mr. Jie Li, and Mr. Yijun Xia.
Conditions: based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, (i) the year over year growth rate of sales for
2019 must be 5% or higher; or (ii) the year over year growth rate of sales for 2019 must be 10% or higher;
Bonus: If condition (i) is satisfied, 25% of each officer’s annual salary in 2019. If condition (ii) is satisfied, 50% of each
officer’s annual salary in 2019.
The Company did not award any performance bonus for each Named Executive Officer in 2019 as the Company did not reach
any of the above conditions.
Stock Option Awards
The stock options plan proposed by management, which aims to incentivize and retain core employees, to meet employees’
benefits, the Company’s long term operating goals and stockholder benefits, was approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
held on June 28, 2005, and extended for ten years at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 16, 2014. The maximum
common shares available for issuance under the plan is 2,200,000. The term of the plan was extended to June 27, 2025.
There were no stock options granted to management in 2019.
Other Compensation
Other than the base salary for the Company’s Named Executive Officers, the performance bonus and the stock option awards
referred to above, the Company does not have any other benefits and perquisites for its Named Executive Officers. However, the
Compensation Committee in its discretion may provide benefits and perquisites to these executive officers if it deems advisable to do
so.
Compensation Tables
Executive Officers
The compensation that Named Executive Officers received for their services for fiscal years ended 2019 and 2018 were as
follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Name and principal position
Hanlin Chen (Chairman)
Qizhou Wu (CEO)
Jie Li (CFO)
Haimian Cai (Vice President)
Year
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
2019
2018
Salary (1) Bonus (2)
312 $
$
246 $
$
Option Awards (3)
- $
- $
- $
- $
$
$
$
$
$
$
208 $
164 $
125 $
98 $
327 $
150 $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
Total
312
246
208
164
125
98
327
150
(1) Salary – Please refer to Base Salary disclosed under “Elements of compensation” section above for further details.
(2) Bonus – Please refer to Performance Bonus disclosed under “Elements of compensation” section above for further details.
(3) Option Awards – Please refer to Stock Option Awards disclosed under “Elements of compensation” section above for further
details.
Compensation for Directors
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 36 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Based on the number of the board of directors’ service years, workload and performance, the Company decides on their pay.
The management believes that the pay for the members of the Board of Directors was appropriate as of December 31, 2019. The
compensation that directors received for serving on the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2019 was as follows (figures are in
thousands of USD):
Name
Tong Kooi Teo (2)
Guangxun Xu
Heng Henry Lu (3)
Robert Tung (4)
Arthur Wong (5)
Option awards
(1)
Fees earned or paid in cash
15 $
$
59 $
$
15 $
$
33 $
$
33 $
$
Total
15
59
15
33
33
- $
- $
- $
- $
- $
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Other than the cash payment based on the number of a director’s service years, workload and performance, the Company
grants option awards to each director every year. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, the cost of the above mentioned stock
options issued to directors was measured on the grant date based on their fair value. The fair value is determined using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model and certain assumptions. The Company did not grant option awards to directors in 2019.
Tong Kooi Teo has served on the Board of Directors since July 2019.
Heng Henry Lu has served on the Board of Directors since July 2019.
Robert Tung served on the Board of Directors until July 2019.
Arthur Wong served on the Board of Directors until July 2019.
The cost of the above-mentioned compensation paid to directors was measured based on investment, operating, technology, and
consulting services they provided. All other directors did not receive compensation for their service on the Board of Directors.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
As used in this section, the term beneficial ownership with respect to a security is defined by Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as consisting of sole or shared voting power, including the power to vote or direct the vote, and/or
sole or shared investment power, including the power to dispose of or direct the disposition of, with respect to the security through any
contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, subject to community property laws where applicable. The percentage
ownership is based on 31,174,045 shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2019 (exclusive of 1,164,257 shares of
treasury stock).
Name/Title
Total Number of Shares Percentage Ownership
Hanlin Chen, Chairman (1)
Li Ping Xie (1)
Wiselink Holdings Limited, “Wiselink” (1)
Qizhou Wu, CEO and Director
Guangxun Xu, Director
Tong Kooi Teo, Director
Heng Henry Lu, Director
Haimian Cai, Director
Jie Li, CFO (2)
Tse Andy, Sr. VP
Yijun Xia, VP
All Directors and Executive Officers (9 persons)
17,849,014
17,849,014
17,849,014
1,325,136
-
-
-
-
124,997
400,204
17,200
19,716,551
57.26 %
57.26 %
57.26 %
4.25 %
- %
- %
- %
- %
0.40 %
1.28 %
0.06 %
63.25 %
(1) These 17,849,014 shares of common stock include: (i) 13,322,547 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Hanlin
Chen; (ii) 1,502,925 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Ms. Liping Xie, Mr. Hanlin Chen’s wife; and (iii) 3,023,542
shares of common stock beneficially owned by Wiselink, a company controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen.
(2) Includes 50,000 shares held as nominee for Jingzhou Jiulong Machinery and Electronic Manufacturing Co., Ltd. On October 13,
2014, the Company issued 4,078,000 of its common shares in a private placement to nominee holders of Jingzhou Jiulong
Machinery and Electronic Manufacturing Co., Ltd. for the acquisition of the 19.0% and 20.0% equity interest in Jiulong and
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 37 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Henglong held by Jingzhou Jiulong Machinery and Electronic Manufacturing Co., Ltd., respectively. All of the nominee holders
of Jingzhou Jiulong Machinery and Electronic Manufacturing Co., Ltd. are unrelated parties except for Mr. Jie Li (CFO).
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
For the information required by Item 13 please refer to Note 2 (Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies–
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions) and Note 23 (Related Party Transactions) to the consolidated financial statements in
this Report.
The Company’s Audit Committee’s charter provides that one of its responsibilities is to review and approve related party
transactions defined as those transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the rules and regulations under
the Exchange Act. The Company has a formal written set of policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of related
party transactions. Where a related party transaction is identified, the Audit Committee reviews and, where appropriate, approves the
transaction based on whether it believes that the transaction is at arm’s length and contains terms that are no less favorable than what
the Company could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional audit services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the
audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and other services provided in the fiscal years 2019 and 2018. The Audit
Committee has approved all of the following fees (figures are in thousands of USD):
Audit Fees
Other Fees
Total Fees
AUDIT COMMITTEE’S PRE-APPROVAL POLICY
Fiscal Year Ended
2019
2018
$
$
670 $
-
670 $
674
104
778
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors adopted policies and
procedures for the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent auditor and for the
prohibition of certain services from being provided by the independent auditor. The Company may not engage the Company’s
independent auditor to render any audit or non-audit service unless the service is approved in advance by the Audit Committee or the
engagement to render the service is entered into pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures. On an
annual basis, the Audit Committee may pre-approve services that are expected to be provided to the Company by the independent
auditor during the fiscal year. At the time such pre-approval is granted, the Audit Committee specifies the pre-approved services and
establishes a monetary limit with respect to each particular pre-approved service, which limit may not be exceeded without obtaining
further pre-approval under the policy. For any pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission on auditor independence.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 38 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
PART IV
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China Automotive Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the
“Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income or loss, of comprehensive income
or loss, of changes in stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred
to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the
Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we
engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements,
whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test
basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China
May 14, 2020
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2010.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 39 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Pledged cash
Short-term investments
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties
Accounts and notes receivable - related parties
Advance payments and others, net - unrelated parties
Advance payments and others - related parties
Inventories
Total current assets
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net
Land use rights, net
Intangible assets, net
Operating lease assets
Other receivables, net
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties
Long-term investments
Deferred tax assets
Other non-current assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank and government loans
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties
Accounts and notes payable - related parties
Customer deposits
Accrued payroll and related costs
Accrued expenses and other payables
Accrued pension costs
Taxes payable
Operating lease liabilities - current portion
Amounts due to shareholders/directors
Advances payable (current portion)
Total current liabilities
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term government loan
Advances payable
Operating lease liabilities - non-current portion
Other long-term payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Long-term taxes payable
$
$
$
December 31,
2019
2018
76,708 $
29,688
5,832
211,841
21,164
11,714
1,287
82,931
441,165
140,437
10,346
1,352
376
307
6,157
2,311
39,642
15,291
2,580
659,964 $
46,636 $
180,175
6,492
1,303
8,400
45,337
3,161
11,492
116
309
353
303,774
7,167
3,486
271
4,948
4,253
26,693
86,346
29,623
17,543
237,519
18,825
16,270
1,281
88,021
495,428
122,310
7,543
605
-
1,799
6,135
8,723
32,620
15,336
-
690,499
60,952
205,643
4,477
750
7,346
47,032
3,282
11,137
-
317
364
341,300
291
1,654
-
8,726
4,198
29,503
Total liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 24)
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, 2019 and 2018, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings-
350,592
385,672
3
64,429
3
64,429
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 40 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Appropriated
Unappropriated
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income
Treasury stock - 1,164,257 and 711,698 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively
Total parent company stockholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
11,265
221,237
(3,462 )
(4,261 )
289,211
20,161
309,372
659,964 $
11,104
211,439
1,855
(2,953 )
285,877
18,950
304,827
690,499
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income or Loss
(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)
Net product sales ($50,740 and $37,606 sold to related parties for the years ended December 31,
2019 and 2018)
Cost of products sold ($23,814 and $25,558 purchased from related parties for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018)
Gross profit
Net gain on other sales
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Total operating expenses
Operating income/(loss)
Other income, net
Interest expense
Financial income, net
Income/(loss) before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies
Less: Income taxes
Add: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies
Net income
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share -
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Basic
Diluted
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
431,427 $
496,158
368,076
63,351
5,067
430,745
65,413
3,940
14,270
19,976
27,992
62,238
6,180
1,957
(3,034 )
2,456
7,559
586
1,406
8,379
(1,580 )
9,959
18,949
19,761
33,551
72,261
(2,908 )
1,173
(2,928 )
2,162
(2,501 )
(1,465 )
1,115
79
(2,298 )
2,377
$
$
0.32 $
0.08
0.32 $
0.08
31,456,828 31,643,813
31,458,926 31,645,594
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income or Loss
(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 41 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Net income
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation loss
Comprehensive income/(loss)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to parent company
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
8,379
79
(5,735 )
2,644
(1,998 )
4,642 $
(16,548 )
(16,469 )
(2,921 )
(13,548 )
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)
Common Stock
Balance at January 1, 2019 and 2018 - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively
Balance at December 31, 2019 and 2018 - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively
Additional Paid-in Capital
Balance at January 1
Stock-based compensation
Balance at December 31
Retained Earnings - Appropriated
Balance at January 1
Appropriation of retained earnings
Balance at December 31
Unappropriated
Balance at January 1
Net income attributable to parent company
Appropriation of retained earnings
Balance at December 31
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income
Balance at January 1
Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to parent company
Balance at December 31
Treasury Stock
Balance at January 1, 2019 and 2018 - 711,698 and 694,298 shares, respectively
Repurchase of common stock in 2019 and 2018 - 452,559 shares and 17,400 shares, respectively
Balance at December 31, 2019 and 2018 - 1,164,257 and 711,698 shares, respectively
Total parent company stockholders’ equity
Non-controlling Interest
Balance at January 1
Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to non-controlling interest
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Contribution by non-controlling shareholder
Distribution of retained earnings
Balance at December 31
Total stockholders' equity
2019
2018
3 $
3 $
3
3
64,429 $
-
64,429 $
64,406
23
64,429
11,104 $
161
11,265 $
10,707
397
11,104
211,439 $
9,959
(161 )
221,237 $
209,459
2,377
(397 )
211,439
1,855 $
(5,317 )
(3,462 ) $
17,780
(15,925 )
1,855
(2,953 )
(1,308 )
(4,261 )
(2,907 )
(46 )
(2,953 )
289,211 $
285,877
18,950 $
(418 )
(1,580 )
3,542
(333 )
20,161 $
6,681
(623 )
(2,298 )
15,728
(538 )
18,950
309,372 $
304,827
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 42 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
(Reversal)/accrual of provision for doubtful accounts
Equity in net loss/(earnings) of affiliates
Gain on disposal of fixed assets
(Increase)/decrease in:
Accounts and notes receivable
Advance payments and others
Inventories
Increase/(decrease) in:
Accounts and notes payable
Customer deposits
Accrued payroll and related costs
Accrued expenses and other payables
Accrued pension costs
Taxes payable
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
Decrease in demand loans and employee housing loans included in other receivables
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales
Government subsidy received for purchase of property, plant and equipment
Cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment and land use rights (including $5,238 and
$9,207 paid to related parties for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)
Cash paid to acquire intangible assets
Cash received from long-term investment
Cash received from repayment of the loan to a related party
Investment under equity method
Cash prepaid for acquisition of a subsidiary
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank and government loans
Repayment of bank and government loans
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction
Payment to broker agents for repurchase of common stock
Repayments of the borrowing for sale and leaseback transaction
Dividends paid to the non-controlling interest holders of non-wholly owned subsidiaries
Decrease in amounts due to shareholders/directors
Cash received from capital contributions by non-controlling interest holder
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
8,379 $
79
-
17,841
16
(441 )
(1,406 )
(632 )
21,036
4,733
3,992
(22,138 )
561
1,115
(1,340 )
(96 )
(1,326 )
30,294
(19,647 )
31,268
1,504
1,561
1,898
(34,396 )
(1,505 )
579
-
(6,018 )
(2,560 )
(27,316 )
57,101
(65,576 )
-
(1,308 )
(4,164 )
(333 )
-
3,542
(10,738 )
23
16,816
(2,502 )
887
(1,115 )
(445 )
27,526
(3,790 )
(11,614 )
(22,491 )
(346 )
(964 )
8,893
(646 )
2,215
12,526
(22,923 )
34,175
337
1,022
1,322
(25,764 )
(189 )
-
20,430
(5,957 )
-
2,453
78,917
(92,215 )
11,758
(300 )
(3,218 )
(524 )
(26 )
15,728
10,120
Cash and cash equivalents affected by foreign currency
(1,813 )
(5,223 )
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 43 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at end of year
(9,573 )
115,969
106,396 $
19,876
96,093
115,969
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest
Cash paid for income taxes
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Non-cash investing activities:
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
3,390 $
4,607 $
3,852
3,717
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
Property, plant and equipment recorded during the year which previously were advance payments
Accounts payable for acquiring property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment and inventories used for investment in an associated company
$
$
$
13,964 $
782 $
492 $
13,347
1,046
-
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization and Business
China Automotive Systems, Inc., “China Automotive,” was incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 29, 1999 under the
name of Visions-In-Glass, Inc. China Automotive, including, when the context so requires, its subsidiaries, is referred to herein as the
“Company.” The Company is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive systems and components, as described
below.
Great Genesis Holdings Limited, a company incorporated on January 3, 2003 under the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong as
a limited liability company, “Genesis,” is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA,” which was incorporated on January 8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, and mainly engages in marketing of automotive parts in North America, and provides after-sales service
and research and development support accordingly.
The Company owns interests in the following subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC and Brazil as of December 31, 2019 and
2018.
Name of Entity
Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd., “Jiulong” 1
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “Henglong” 2
Shenyang Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Shenyang” 3
Universal Sensor Application Inc., “USAI” 4
Percentage Interest
December 31,
2019
December 31,
2018
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
83.34 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
83.34 %
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 44 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Wuhan Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong” 5
Wuhu Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Wuhu” 6
Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd., “Hubei Henglong” 7
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Technology (Testing) Center, “Testing Center” 8
Chongqing Henglong Hongyan Automotive System Co., Ltd., “Chongqing Henglong” 9
CAAS Brazil’s Imports and Trade In Automotive Parts Ltd., “Brazil Henglong” 10
Wuhan Chuguanjie Automotive Science and Technology Ltd., “Wuhan Chuguanjie” 11
Hubei Henglong Group Shanghai Automotive Electronics Research and Development Ltd.,
“Shanghai Henglong” 12
Jingzhou Qingyan Intelligent Automotive Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., “Jingzhou
Qingyan”13
Hubei Henglong & KYB Automobile Electric Steering System Co., Ltd., “Henglong KYB”14
Hyoseong (Wuhan) Motion Mechatronics System Co., Ltd., “Wuhan Hyoseong”15
Wuhu Hongrun New Material Co., Ltd., “Wuhu Hongrun”16
85.00 %
77.33 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
95.84 %
85.00 %
85.00 %
77.33 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
70.00 %
95.84 %
85.00 %
100.00 %
100.00 %
60.00 %
66.60 %
51.00 %
100.00 %
60.00 %
66.60 %
-
-
1. Henglong was established in 1997 and mainly engages in the production of rack and pinion power steering gears for cars and light
duty vehicles.
2.
Jiulong was established in 1993 and mainly engages in the production of integral power steering gears for heavy-duty vehicles.
3. Shenyang was established in 2002 and focuses on power steering parts for light duty vehicles.
4. USAI was established in 2005 and mainly engages in the production and sales of sensor modules.
5.
Jielong was established in 2006 and mainly engages in the production and sales of automobile steering columns.
6. Wuhu was established in 2006 and mainly engages in the production and sales of automobile steering systems.
7. On March 7, 2007, Genesis established Hubei Henglong, formerly known as Jingzhou Hengsheng Automotive System Co., Ltd.,
its wholly-owned subsidiary, to engage in the production and sales of automotive steering systems. On July 8, 2012, Hubei
Henglong changed its name to Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd.
8.
In December 2009, Henglong, a subsidiary of Genesis, formed the Testing Center, which mainly engages in the research and
development of new products.
9. On February 21, 2012, Hubei Henglong and SAIC-IVECO Hongyan Company, “SAIC-IVECO,” established Chongqing
Henglong to design, develop and manufacture both hydraulic and electric power steering systems and parts.
10. On August 21, 2012, Brazil Henglong was established by Hubei Henglong and two Brazilian citizens, Ozias Gaia Da Silva and
Ademir Dal’ Evedove. Brazil Henglong engages mainly in the import and sale of automotive parts in Brazil. In May 2017, the
Company obtained an additional 15.84% equity interest in Brazil Henglong for nil consideration. The Company retained its
controlling interest in Brazil Henglong and the acquisition of the non-controlling interest was accounted for as an equity
transaction.
11. In May 2014, together with Hubei Wanlong, Jielong formed a subsidiary, Wuhan Chuguanjie Automotive Science and
Technology Ltd., “Wuhan Chuguanjie”, which mainly engages in research and development, manufacture and sales of
automobile electronic systems and parts.
12. In January 2015, Hubei Henglong formed Hubei Henglong Group Shanghai Automotive Electronics Research and Development
Ltd., “Shanghai Henglong”, which mainly engages in the design and sale of automotive electronics.
13. In November 2017, Hubei Henglong formed Jingzhou Qingyan Intelligent Automotive Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.,
“Jingzhou Qingyan”, which mainly engages in the research and development of intelligent automotive technology.
14. In August 2018, Hubei Henglong and KYB (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (“KYB”) established Hubei Henglong KYB Automobile
Electric Steering System Co., Ltd. (“Henglong KYB”), which mainly engages in design, manufacture, sales and after-sales
service of automobile electronic systems. Hubei Henglong owns 66.6% of the shares of this entity and has consolidated it since its
establishment.
15. In March 2019, Hubei Henglong and Hyoseong Electric Co., Ltd. established Hyoseong (Wuhan) Motion Mechatronics System
Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan Hyoseong”), which mainly engages in the design, manufacture and sales of automotive motors and
electromechanical integrated systems. Hubei Henglong owns 51.0% of the shares of Wuhan Hyoseong and has consolidated it
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 45 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
since its establishment.
16. In December 2019, Hubei Henglong formed Wuhu Hongrun New Material Co., Ltd., “Wuhu Hongrun”, which mainly engages in
the development, manufacturing and sale of high polymer materials.
2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation - For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, which are described in Note 1. Significant inter-company balances and transactions
have been eliminated upon consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Shenyang was formed in 2002, with 70% owned and controlled by the Company, and 30% owned by Shenyang Automotive
Industry Investment Corporation, “JB Investment.” The highest authority of Shenyang is its board of directors, which is comprised of
seven directors, four of whom, 57%, are appointed by the Company, and three of whom, 43%, are appointed by JB Investment. As for
day-to-day operating matters, approval by more than two-thirds of the members of such board of directors, 67%, is required. The
chairman of such board of directors is appointed by the Company. In March 2003, the Company and Jinbei entered into an act -in-
concert agreement, under which the directors appointed by Jinbei agree to act in concert with the directors appointed by the Company.
As a result, the Company obtained control of Shenyang in March 2003. The general manager of Shenyang is appointed by the
Company.
USAI was formed in 2005. At December 31, 2019, 83.34% of USAI was owned by the Company, and 16.66% of USAI was
owned by Hubei Wanlong Investment Inc., “Hubei Wanlong.” The highest authority USAI is its board of directors, which is
comprised of three directors, two of whom, 67%, are appointed by the Company, one of whom, 33%, is appointed by Hubei Wanlong.
As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by at least two-thirds of the members of such board of directors is required. The
chairman of such board of directors is appointed by the Company. The general manager of USAI is appointed by the Company.
Jielong was formed in April 2006. As at December 31, 2019, 85% of Jielong was owned by the Company, and 15% of Jielong
was owned by Hubei Wanlong. The highest authority of Jielong is its board of directors, which is comprised of three directors, two of
whom, 67%, are appointed by the Company, and one of whom, 33%, is appointed by Hubei Wanlong. As for day-to-day operating
matters, approval by at least two-thirds of the members of such board of directors is required. Both the chairman of such board of
directors and the general manager of Jielong are appointed by the Company.
Wuhu was formed in May 2006, with 77.33% owned by the Company, and 22.67% owned by Wuhu Chery Technology Co.,
Ltd., “Chery Technology.” The highest authority of Wuhu is its board of directors, which is comprised of five directors, three of
whom, 60%, are appointed by the Company, and two of whom, 40%, are appointed by Chery Technology. As for day-to-day operating
matters, approval by at least two-thirds of the members of such board of directors is required. The directors of the Company and Chery
Technology executed an “Act in Concert” agreement, resulting in the Company having voting control in Wuhu. The chairman of such
board of directors is appointed by the Company. The general manager of Wuhu is appointed by the Company.
Chongqing Henglong was formed in 2012, with 70% owned by the Company and 30% owned by SAIC-IVECO. The highest
authority of the Chongqing Henglong is its board of directors, which is comprised of five directors, three of whom, 60%, are
appointed by the Company, and two of whom, 40%, are appointed by SAIC-IVECO. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by
at least two-thirds of the members of such board of directors is required. In February 2012, the Company and SAIC-IVECO entered
into an “Act in Concert” agreement. According to the agreement, the directors appointed by SAIC-IVECO agreed to execute the “Act
in Concert” agreement with the directors designated by the Company, resulting in the Company having voting control of Chongqing
Henglong. The chairman of such board of directors and the general manager of Chongqing Henglong are both appointed by the
Company.
Brazil Henglong was formed in 2012, with 80% owned by the Company and 20% owned by Mr. Ozias Gaia Da Silva and Mr.
Ademir Dal’ Evedove. In May 2017, the Company obtained an additional 15.84% equity interest in Brazil Henglong for nil
consideration. The Company retained its controlling interest in Brazil Henglong and the acquisition of the non-controlling interest was
accounted for as an equity transaction. After the acquisition, the Company owns 95.84% of Brazil Henglong’s shares. The highest
authority of Brazil Henglong is its board of directors. In making operational decision, approval by voting rights representing at least
3/4 of the capital, 75%, is required and 95.84% of voting rights were owned by the Company. The chairman of such board of directors
is appointed by the Company. The general manager is Mr. Ozias Gaia Da Silva.
Wuhan Chuguanjie was formed in 2014, with 85% owned by the Company and 15% owned by Hubei Wanlong. The highest
authority of Wuhan Chuguanjie is its board of directors, which is comprised of three directors, two of whom, 67%, are appointed by
the Company, and one of whom, 33%, is appointed by Hubei Wanlong. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by at least two-
thirds of the members of such board of directors is required. Both of the chairman of such board of directors and the general manager
of Chuguanjie are appointed by the Company.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 46 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Jingzhou Qingyan was formed in 2017, with 60% owned by the Company and 40% owned by the other two parties. Hubei
Honglong owns 60% of the shares of Jingzhou Qingyan and the remaining shares were owned by the other two parties. The highest
authority of Jingzhou Qingyan is its board of directors, which is comprised of five directors, three of whom are appointed by the
Company, and two of whom were appointed by the other two parties. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by at least three-
fifths of the members of such board of directors is required. Both of the chairman of the board of directors and the general manager
are appointed by the Company.
Henglong KYB was formed in 2018, with 66.60% owned by the Company and 33.40% owned by KYB. The highest authority
of Henglong KYB is its board of directors, which is comprised of five directors, three of whom are appointed by the Company, and
two of whom are appointed by KYB. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by at least three-fifths of the members of such
board of directors is required. The chairman of such board of directors is appointed by the Company and the general manager is
appointed by KYB.
Wuhan Hyoseong was formed in 2019, with 51% owned by the Company and 49% owned by Hyoseong. The highest authority
of Wuhan Hyoseong is its board of directors, which is comprised of five directors, three of whom are appointed by the Company, and
two of whom are appointed by Hyoseong. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by at least three-fifths of the members of
such board of directors is required. The chairman of such board of directors is appointed by the Company and the vice chairman is
appointed by Wuhan Hyoseong.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company is of the opinion that the significant estimates related to valuation of long
term assets and investment, the realizable value of accounts receivable and inventories, the accrual of warranty obligations and the
recoverability of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include all highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three
months or less at the date of purchase.
Pledged Cash - Pledged as collateral for the Company's notes payable and restricted to use. The Company regularly pays some
of its suppliers by bank notes. The Company has to deposit a cash deposit, equivalent to 30%-100% of the face value of the relevant
bank note, in order to obtain the bank note.
Short-term Investments - Short-term investments are comprised of time deposits with original terms of three months to one year
and wealth management financial products maturing within one year. The carrying values of time deposits approximate fair value
because of their short-term maturities. The interest earned is recognized in the consolidated statements of income or loss over the
contractual term of the deposits. The wealth management financial products are measured at fair value and classified as Level 3 within
the fair value measurement hierarchy. Changes in the fair value are reflected in other income in the consolidated statements of income
or loss.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - In order to determine the value of the Company’s accounts receivable, the Company records
a provision for doubtful accounts to cover estimated credit losses. Management reviews and adjusts this allowance periodically based
on historical experience and its evaluation of the collectability of outstanding accounts receivable. The Company evaluates the credit
risk of its customers utilizing historical data and estimates of future performance.
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is calculated on the moving-average basis
and includes all costs to acquire and other costs to bring the inventories to their present location and condition. The Company
evaluates the net realizable value of its inventories on a regular basis and records a provision for loss to reduce the computed moving-
average cost if it exceeds the net realizable value.
Advance Payments - These amounts represent advances to acquire various assets to be utilized in the future in the Company’s
normal business operations, such as machine equipment, raw materials and technology. Such amounts are paid according to their
respective contract terms. Advance payment for machinery and equipment is classified as advance payment for property, plant and
equipment in the consolidated balance sheet and advance payment of raw materials and technology are classified as advance payments
and others in the consolidated balance sheet.
Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Major renewals and improvements are
capitalized; minor replacements and maintenance and repairs are charged to operations. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
Category
Estimated Useful Life (Years)
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 47 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Buildings
Machinery and equipment
Electronic equipment
Motor vehicles
25
6
4
8
Land use rights – Land use rights represent acquisition costs to purchase land use rights from the PRC government, which are
evidenced by property certificates. The periods of these purchased land use rights are either 45 years or 50 years. The Company
classifies land use rights as long-term assets on the balance sheet and cash outflows related to acquisition of land use rights as
investing activities.
Land use rights are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Amortization is computed using
the straight-line method over the term specified in the land use right certificate for 45 years or 50 years, as applicable.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had pledged land use rights with a net book value of approximately $5.5
million and $5.7 million, respectively, as security for its comprehensive credit facilities with banks in China.
Construction in Progress - represent buildings under construction and plant and equipment pending installation— are stated at
cost. Cost includes construction and acquisitions, and interest charges arising from borrowings used to finance assets during the period
of construction or installation and testing. No provision for depreciation is made on assets under construction until such time as the
relevant assets are completed and ready for their intended commercial use.
Gains or losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds
and the carrying amount of the relevant asset, and are recognized in the consolidated statements of income or loss on the date of
disposal.
Interest Costs Capitalized - Interest costs incurred in connection with borrowings for the acquisition, construction or installation
of property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated as part of the asset’s total cost when the respective asset is placed into
service. Interest costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were $0.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
Intangible Assets - Intangible assets, representing patents and technical know-how acquired, are stated at cost less accumulated
amortization and impairment losses. Amortization is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 5 to 15
years.
Long-Lived Assets - The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 360, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets.” Property, plant and equipment and definite life intangible assets are reviewed periodically for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If required,
an impairment loss is recognized as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the assets.
In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management considered the Company’s product line portfolio, customers and
related commercial agreements, and other factors in grouping assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows
are largely independent. The Company considers projected future undiscounted cash flows, trends and other factors in its assessment
of whether impairment conditions exist. Whilst the Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different
assumptions regarding such factors as future automotive production volumes, customer pricing, economics and productivity and cost
saving initiatives, could significantly affect its estimates. In determining fair value of long-lived assets, management uses appraisals,
management estimates or discounted cash flow calculations.
Long-term Investments – The Company’s long-term investments include investments in corporations and investments in limited
partnerships. Investments in corporations which the Company has the ability to exert significant influence are accounted for using the
equity method. Investments in limited partnerships which the Company has more than virtually no influence are accounted for using
the equity method.
The Company continually reviews its investment to determine whether a decline in fair value below the carrying value is other
than temporary. The primary factors the Company considers in its determination are the length of time that the fair value of the
investment is below the Company’s carrying value and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the
investee. In addition, the Company considers the reason for the decline in fair value, including general market conditions, industry-
specific or investee-specific reasons, changes in valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date and the Company’s intent and ability to
hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be
other than temporary, the carrying value of the security is written down to fair value. There were no impairment losses for its long-
term investment in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Revenue Recognition - The Company has adopted ASC Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Products sales to
customers are made pursuant to master agreements entered into between the Company and its customers that provide for transfer of
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 48 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
both title and risk of loss upon the Company’s delivery to the location specified in the contracts. The Company’s sales arrangements
generally do not contain variable considerations and are short-term in nature. A period of credit term is granted to the customers after
the delivery and before making payment. The Company recognizes revenue at a point in time based on management’s evaluation of
when the customer obtains control of the products. Revenue is recognized when all performance obligations under the terms of a
contract with the customer are satisfied and control of the product has been transferred to the customer. Sales of goods do not include
multiple product and/or service elements.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration management expects the Company to receive in exchange for transferring
goods pursuant to the contracts. Value-added tax that the Company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities is excluded
from revenue. Incidental contract costs that are not material in the context of the delivery of goods and services are recognized as
expense.
At the time revenue is recognized, allowances are recorded, with the related reduction to revenue, for estimated price discounts
based upon historical experience and related terms of customer arrangements. Where the Company has offered product warranties, the
Company also establishes liabilities for estimated warranty costs based upon historical experience and specific warranty provisions.
Warranty liabilities are adjusted when experience indicates the expected outcome will differ from initial estimates of the liability.
The Company accounts for shipping and handling fees as a fulfillment cost since control of the products is usually transferred to
the customer after the delivery.
Revenue Disaggregation
Revenue disaggregation under the segment reporting standard is measured on the same basis as under the revenue standard.
Management has concluded that the disaggregation level is the same under both the revenue standard and the segment reporting
standard, and does not repeat the disaggregation of revenue under both standards.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
Contract assets, such as costs to obtain or fulfill contracts, are an insignificant component of the Company’s revenue recognition
process. The majority of the Company’s cost of fulfillment as a manufacturer of products is classified as inventory, fixed assets and
intangible assets, which are accounted for under the respective guidance for those asset types. Other costs of contract fulfillment are
immaterial due to the nature of the Company’s products and their respective manufacturing processes.
Contract liabilities are mainly customer deposits.
Customer Deposits
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has customer deposits of $1.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During
the year ended December 31, 2019, $0.8 million was received and $1.5 million (including $0.8 million from the beginning balance of
customer deposits) was recognized as net product sales revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2018, $2.5 million was received
and $2.8 million (including $1.1 million from the beginning balance of customer deposits) was recognized as net product sales
revenue. Customer deposits represent non-refundable cash deposits for customers to secure rights to an amount of products produced
by the Company under supply agreements. When the products are shipped to customers, the Company will recognize revenue and bill
the customers to reduce the amount of the customer deposit liability.
Practical Expedient and Exemptions
The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length
of one year or less.
The Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component since
the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers promised goods to the customers and
when the customers pay for the goods will be less than one year.
Government Subsidies - The Company’s PRC based subsidiaries received government subsidies according to related policy
from local government. For the subsidies for which the Chinese government has specified their purpose, such as product development
and renewal of production facilities, the Company recorded specific purpose subsidies as advances payable when received. Upon
government acceptance of the related project development or assets acquisition, the specific purpose subsidies are recognized to
reduce related R&D expenses or cost of acquired assets. The Company recognized the subsidies that do not have specific purpose as
other income upon receipt.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 49 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Sales Taxes - The Company is subject to value added tax, “VAT.” The applicable VAT tax rate is 13% for products sold in the
PRC. Products exported overseas are exempted from VAT. The amount of VAT liability is determined by applying the applicable tax
rate to the invoiced amount of goods sold less VAT paid on purchases made with the relevant supporting invoices. VAT is collected
from customers by the Company on behalf of the PRC tax authorities and is therefore not charged to the consolidated statements of
income or loss.
Uncertain Tax Positions - In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Company applies a more likely than not threshold and a
two-step approach for tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. For the two-step approach, the first step is to
evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that
the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the
tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the
Company has no uncertain tax positions.
Product Warranties - The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties when the products are sold. Such
estimates of product warranties were based on, among other things, historical experience, product changes, material expenses, service
and transportation expenses arising from the manufactured product. Estimates will be adjusted on the basis of actual claims and
circumstances.
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the warranties activities were as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Balance at the beginning of year
Additions during the year
Settlement within the year
Foreign currency translation
Balance at end of year
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
31,085 $
18,991
(16,670 )
(499 )
32,907 $
29,033
24,102
(20,599 )
(1,451 )
31,085
Pension - Most of the operations and employees of the Company are located in China. The Company records pension costs and
various employment benefits in accordance with the relevant Chinese social security laws, which is approximately at a total of 34% of
base salary. Base salary levels are the average salary determined by the local governments. For employees in overseas countries
(mainly U.S. and Brazil), the Company records pension costs and various employment benefits in accordance with the relevant
overseas social security regulations, which is approximately at a total of 28% of base salary.
Concentration of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit
risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable.
In 2019, the Company’s five largest customers accounted for 47.4 % of the Company’s consolidated sales, with one customer
accounting for more than 10% of consolidated sales (i.e., 22.7% of consolidated sales, which comprised a total of $97.8 million in
sales included in the Hubei Henglong segment (Note 26)).
In 2018, the Company’s five largest customers accounted for 39.3 % of the Company’s consolidated sales, with one customer
accounting for more than 10% of consolidated sales (i.e., 18.6% of consolidated sales, which comprised a total of $91.4 million in
sales included in the Hubei Henglong segment (Note 26)).
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately 6.2% and 6.2% of accounts receivable were from trade transactions with the
aforementioned customer (accounting for more than 10% of consolidated sales).
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations with respect to the financial condition of its debtors, but does not require
collateral, and records a provision for doubtful accounts to cover probable credit losses. Management reviews and adjusts this
allowance periodically based on historical experience and its evaluation of the collectability of outstanding accounts receivable.
Income Taxes - Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for
income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the
relevant tax jurisdictions. Deferred income taxes are provided using the balance sheet liability method. Under this method, deferred
income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of significant temporary differences by applying enacted statutory rates
applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and
liabilities. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purposes. The effect on deferred
taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period enacted. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of
deferred tax assets if it is considered unlikely that some portion of, or all of, the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company
applies ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements and prescribes a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 50 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and
liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with
tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.
If the amount of the Company’s taxable income or income tax liability is a determinant of the amount of a grant, the grant is
treated as a reduction of the income tax provision in the year the grant is realized.
Gain on other sales - Gain on other sales mainly consists of rental income, gain on disposal of intangible assets and property,
plant and equipment and technical services revenue.
Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Advertising, Shipping and Handling Costs – Advertising, shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in
selling expenses. Shipping and handling costs relating to sales of $5.8 million and $6.5 million were included in selling expenses for
the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Leases -
Prior to the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019:
Leases, mainly leases of offices, where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the lessor were
accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases were recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over
the lease term. The Company had no capital leases for any of the years stated herein. Future minimum lease payments for the
Company’s operating leases as of December 31, 2018 under ASC 840 were as follows:
Year Ending December 31,
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Total
$
$
127
131
132
132
22
544
Upon and after the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019:
The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, and other related ASUs (collectively, “ASC 842”) on January 1, 2019, using the
modified retrospective method of adoption. The Company elected the transition method, which allows entities to initially apply the
requirements of ASC 842 by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of
adoption. As a result of electing this transition method, prior periods have not been restated. There is no material impact on the
balance of retained earnings, right of use assets or associated lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019 as a result of the adoption of ASC
842. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within ASC 842, which
includes not reassessing lease classification of existing leases. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient. The
Company determines if an arrangement is a lease upon inception. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to
control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of an asset includes
the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of the underlying asset and the right to direct how and for what purpose
the asset is used. The Company’s major plants and buildings are self-owned and limited temporary small offices were rented. For
leases with a term of 12 months or less, the Company makes an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to
recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The Company recognizes lease expenses for such leases on a straight-line basis over the
lease term. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments
over the lease term. The discount rate used to calculate present value is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the
rate implicit in the lease. The Company determines the incremental borrowing rate for each lease based primarily on the lease term
and the economic environment of the applicable country or region. The discount rate used by the Company for its operating lease was
4.49%. As of December 31, 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term was 3 years. The Company did not have finance lease
arrangements as of December 31, 2019.
Income Per Share - Basic income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Under the two-class method,
net income is allocated between ordinary shares and other participating securities, including convertible note holders, if any, based on
their participating rights. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders, as
adjusted for the effects on income of participating securities as if they were dilutive ordinary shares, if any, by the weighted average
number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Ordinary equivalent shares consist of
ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of the convertible notes using the if-converted method, and shares issuable upon the
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 51 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
exercise of stock options and warrants for the purchase of ordinary shares using the treasury stock method. Ordinary equivalent shares
are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive.
Comprehensive Income – ASC Topic 220 establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income, its
components and accumulated balances in a full set of general purpose financial statements. ASC Topic 220 defines comprehensive
income to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including
adjustments to minimum pension liabilities, accumulated foreign currency translation, and unrealized gains or losses on marketable
securities.
Fair Value Measurements – For purposes of fair value measurements, the Company applies the applicable provisions of ASC
820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Accordingly, fair value for the Company’s financial accounting and reporting
purposes represents the estimated price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the designated measurement date. With an objective to increase consistency and comparability in fair
value measurements and related disclosures, the Financial Accounting Standard Board established the fair value hierarchy which
prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels.
Level 1 Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the
ability to access at the measurement date. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or
liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active
market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available. As at December
31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any fair value assets and liabilities classified as Level 1.
Level 2 Inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either
directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the
full term of the asset or liability. As at December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any fair value assets and liabilities
classified as Level 2.
Level 3 Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent
that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or
liability at the measurement date. However, the fair value measurement objective remains the same, that is, an exit price from the
perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability. Therefore, unobservable inputs shall reflect the reporting
entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including
assumptions about risk). As at December 31, 2019 and 2018, wealth management financial products with amounts of $5.8 million and
$17.5 million, respectively, were classified as Level 3.
The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash, time deposits, accounts
and notes receivable, accounts and notes payable, advance payment or payable, other receivable or payable, accrued expenses and
bank loans. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the respective carrying values of all financial instruments approximated fair value
because any changes in fair value, after considering the discount rate, are immaterial.
Segment Reporting - Based on the criteria established by ASC 280 “Segment Reporting,” the Company currently operates and
manages its business by product sectors and each of them is a reportable segment. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker
(“CODM”) is the chief executive officer. The CODM reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources for the
Company and assessing performance of its segments. Since most of the revenue generated of the Company and assets held by the
Company are in PRC while others are generated and held in other countries, information by geographic region is also presented.
Stock-Based Compensation - The Company may issue stock options to employees and stock options or warrants to non-
employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and for financing costs. The Company has adopted ASC Topic 718,
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which establishes a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based
compensation plans. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, the cost of stock options and warrants issued to employees and non-
employees is measured on the grant date based on the fair value. The fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model. The resulting amount is charged to expense on the straight-line basis over the period in which the Company expects to receive
the benefit, which is generally the vesting period.
Foreign Currencies - China Automotive, the parent company, and HLUSA maintain their books and records in United States
Dollars, “USD,” which is their functional currency. The Company’s subsidiaries based in the PRC and Genesis maintain their books
and records in Renminbi, “RMB,” which is their functional currency. The Company’s subsidiary based in Brazil maintains its books
and records in Brazilian reais, “BRL,” which is its functional currency. In accordance with ASC Topic 830, “FASB Accounting
Standards Codification”, foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured
into the functional currency at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date for monetary items. Nonmonetary items are
remeasured at historical rates. Income and expenses are remeasured at the rate in effect on the transaction dates. Transaction gains and
losses, if any, are included in the determination of net income for the period.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 52 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
In translating the financial statements of the Company’s China and Brazil subsidiaries and Genesis from their functional
currency into the Company's reporting currency of United States dollars, balance sheet accounts are translated using the closing
exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expense accounts are translated using an average exchange rate
prevailing during the reporting period. Adjustments resulting from the translation, if any, are included in cumulative other
comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The following are the related parties of the Company. The Company or the major shareholders of the Company directly or
indirectly have interests in these related parties:
Jingzhou Henglong Fulida Textile Co., Ltd., “ Fulida ”
Jiangling Tongchuang Machining Co., Ltd., “ Jiangling Tongchuang ”
Xiamen Joylon Co., Ltd., “ Xiamen Joylon ”
Shanghai Tianxiang Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “ Shanghai Tianxiang ”
Shanghai Jinjie Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd., “ Shanghai Jinjie ”
Changchun Hualong Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., “ Changchun Hualong ”
Shanghai Hongxi Investment Inc, “ Hongxi ”
Hubei Wiselink Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., “ Hubei Wiselink ”
Jingzhou Derun Agricultural S&T Development Co., Ltd., “ Jingzhou Derun ”
Jingzhou Tongying Alloys Materials Co., Ltd., “ Jingzhou Tongying ”
Wuhan Dida Information S&T Development Co., Ltd., “ Wuhan Dida ”
Hubei Wanlong Investment Co., Ltd., “ Hubei Wanlong ”
Jingzhou Yude Machining Co., Ltd., “ Jingzhou Yude ”
Wiselink Holdings Limited, “ Wiselink ”
Beijing Hainachuan HengLong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “ Beijing Henglong ”
Honghu Changrun Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “ Honghu Changrun ”
Jingzhou Henglong Real Estate Co., Ltd., “ Henglong Real Estate ”
Xiamen Joylon Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “Xiamen Automotive Parts ”
Wuhan Tongkai Automobile Motor Co., Ltd., “ Wuhan Tongkai ”
Jingzhou Natural Astaxanthin Inc, “Jingzhou Astaxanthin”
Hubei Asta Biotech Inc., “Hubei Asta”
Shanghai Yifu Automotive Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., “Shanghai Yifu”
Suzhou Qingyan Venture Capital Fund L.P., “Suzhou Qingyan”
Chongqing Qingyan Venture Capital Fund L.P., “Chongqing Qingyan”
Chongqing Jinghua Automotive Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Research Co., Ltd., “Chongqing Jinghua”
Jingzhou WiseDawn Electric Car Co., Ltd., “Jingzhou WiseDawn”
Hubei Zhirong Automobile Technology Co., Ltd., “Hubei Zhirong”
Hubei Tongrun Automotive Parts Industry Development Co., Ltd., “Hubei Tongrun”
Hubei Henglongtianyu Pipe system Co.,Ltd., “Henglong Tianyu”
Wuhan Ewinlink Intelligent System Co., Ltd., “Ewinlink”
Jingzhou Jiulong Machinery and Electronic Trading Co., Ltd., “ Jiulong Machinery ”
Principal policies of the Company in connection with transactions with related parties are as follows:
Products Sold to Related Parties – The Company sold products to related parties at fair market prices, and also granted them
credit of three to four months. These transactions were consummated under similar terms as the Company's other customers’.
Materials Purchased from Related Parties – The Company purchased materials from related parties at fair market prices, and
also received from them credit of three to four months. These transactions were consummated under similar terms as the Company's
other suppliers’.
Equipment and Production Technology Purchased from Related Parties - The Company purchased equipment and production
technology from related parties at fair market prices, or reasonable cost-plus pricing if fair market prices are not available. The
Company sometimes was required to pay in advance based on the purchase agreement, because equipment manufacturing and
technology development normally requires a long period. These transactions are consummated under similar terms as the Company's
other suppliers’.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 53 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Short-term Loans Extended to Related Parties - The Company provides short-term loans to related parties and assists the
borrowing entities in addressing certain cash flow needs. In general, the Company charges interest by referencing to the prevailing
borrowing interest rates published by PBOC.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit
Losses on Financial Instruments, which eliminates the probable recognition threshold for credit impairments. The new guidance
broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either
collectively or individually to include forecasted information, as well as past events and current conditions. There is no specified
method for measuring expected credit losses, and an entity is allowed to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the
credit loss estimate. For public business entities that are SEC filers, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This standard is effective for the Company beginning on
January 1, 2020. Based on the conducted analyses and due to the nature and extent of the Company’s financial instruments in the
scope of this ASU (primarily accounts receivable) and the historical, current and expected credit quality of its customers, the adoption
impact of ASU 2016-13 will increase the Company’s allowance for credit losses by approximately $0.9 million, with an after-tax
reduction to retained earnings of approximately $0.8 million.
In May 2017, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2017-09: Scope of Modification Accounting. The amendments in ASU
2017-09 to Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a
share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. An entity should account for the effects of a
modification unless all of the following conditions are met: the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the
original award immediately before the original award is modified; the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the
vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and the classification of the modified
award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the
original award is modified. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The
amendments are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 31, 2019.
Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The adoption of this guidance did not have material impact on
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB released ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the
Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value
measurements. The provisions of ASU 2018-13 are to be applied using a prospective or retrospective approach, depending on the
amendment, and are effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after October 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.
This ASU provides an exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss
exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. This update also (1) requires an entity to recognize a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is
partially based on income as an income-based tax and account for any incremental amount incurred as a non-income-based tax, (2)
requires an entity to evaluate when a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in
which goodwill was originally recognized for accounting purposes and when it should be considered a separate transaction, and (3)
requires that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the
interim period that includes the enactment date. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
3. Accounts and Notes Receivable
The Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of
USD):
Accounts receivable - unrelated parties (1)
Notes receivable - unrelated parties (2) (3)
Total accounts and notes receivable - unrelated parties
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts - unrelated parties
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties
Accounts and notes receivable - related parties
Accounts and notes receivable, net
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
141,423 $
72,797
214,220
(2,379 )
211,841
21,164
233,005 $
149,100
90,412
239,512
(1,993 )
237,519
18,825
256,344
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 54 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
(1) Notes receivable represents accounts receivable in the form of bills of exchange whose acceptances and settlements are handled
by banks.
(2) As of December 31, 2019, the Company pledged its notes receivable in an amount of RMB 67.7 million, equivalent to
approximately $9.7 million, as collateral in favor of the Chinese government for the government loan (See Note 10).
As of December 31, 2018, the Company pledged its notes receivable in an amount of RMB 126.3 million, equivalent to
approximately $18.4 million, as collateral for certain credit facilities with banks and the Chinese government (See Note 10).
The activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts of accounts receivable during the years ended December 31,
2019 and 2018, is summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Balance at beginning of year
Amounts provided for during the year
Amounts reversed of collection during the year
Foreign currency translation
Balance at end of year
4. Advance Payments and Others
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
1,993 $
586
(167 )
(33 )
2,379 $
1,083
989
(27 )
(52 )
1,993
The Company’s advance payments and others as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, consisted of the following:
Input VAT
Prepayments for purchase of raw materials
Employee advances
Prepayments for advertising fee
Rental and other deposits
Others
Total advance payments and others
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
Advance payments and others, net
5. Inventories
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
5,554 $
4,283
944
293
264
1,736
13,074
(73 )
13,001 $
5,975
8,630
1,595
-
184
2,074
18,458
(907 )
17,551
The Company’s inventories at December 31, 2019 and 2018, consisted of the following (figures are in thousands of USD):
Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods
Balance at end of year
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
21,464 $
9,469
51,998
82,931 $
27,190
11,932
48,899
88,021
The Company recorded $3.9 million and $6.2 million of inventory write-down to cost of product sold for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company’s property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in
thousands of USD):
Costs:
Buildings
Machinery and equipment
December 31,
2019
2018
$
51,750 $
199,536
51,176
192,538
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 55 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Electronic equipment
Motor vehicles
Construction in progress
Less: Accumulated depreciation
Balance at end of year
5,799
5,229
33,063
295,377
(154,940 )
140,437 $
5,810
4,852
12,526
266,902
(144,592 )
122,310
$
Depreciation charges for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were $17.5 million and $16.8 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has pledged buildings, machinery and equipment with an aggregate net book
value of approximately $50.9 million and $50.2 million, respectively, as security for its comprehensive credit facilities with banks in
China.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, nil government subsidy was recorded as a reduction of the cost of
property, plant and equipment.
7. Intangible Assets
The Company’s intangible assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Costs:
Patent technology
Management software license
Total intangible assets - at cost
Less: Accumulated amortization
Balance at end of year, net
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
2,040 $
2,639
4,679
(3,327 )
1,352 $
2,063
1,504
3,567
(2,962 )
605
(1) Amortization expenses were $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
2020
Estimated Amortization Expenses
2022
2023
2021
2024
Amortization expenses
$
365 $
365 $
298 $
283 $
101
8. Long-term Investments
The Company’s long-term investments at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of
USD):
Chongqing Venture Fund
Suzhou Venture Fund
Hubei Venture Fund
Beijing Henglong
Henglong Tianyu
Chongqing Jinghua
Jiangsu Intelligent
Total
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
15,085 $
9,141
8,730
4,630
1,122
523
411
39,642 $
13,074
9,637
5,488
4,191
-
-
230
32,620
In January 2010, the Company invested $3.1 million to establish a joint venture company, Beijing Henglong, with Beijing
Hainachuan Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “Hainachuan”. The Company owns 50% equity in Beijing Henglong and can exercise
significant influence over Beijing Henglong’s operating and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using the equity
method. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $4.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of net equity in Beijing
Henglong.
In September 2014, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties to establish a venture capital fund, the
“Suzhou Venture Fund”. Hubei Henglong has committed to make investments of RMB 50 million, equivalent to $7.6 million, in
Suzhou Venture Fund. Hubei Henglong has made investments of RMB 50.0 million, equivalent to approximately $7.6 million,
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 56 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
representing 12.5% of the Suzhou Venture Fund’s equity. As a limited partner, Hubei Henglong has more than virtually no influence
over the Suzhou Venture Fund’s operating and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. As of
December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $9.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, of net equity in the Suzhou Venture Fund.
In April 2019, the Suzhou Venture Fund made distributions that were proportional to each owner’s allocated share of the fund,
pursuant to which Hubei Henglong received RMB 3.9 million, equivalent to approximately $0.6 million, recorded as a reduction of
the investment’s carrying value.
In May 2016, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties to establish a venture capital fund, the “Chongqing
Venture Fund”. Hubei Henglong has committed to make investments of RMB 100 million, equivalent to $14.5 million, in Chongqing
Venture Fund. As of December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has made investments of RMB 100.0 million, equivalent to approximately
$14.5 million, representing 18.5% of Chongqing Venture Fund’s equity. As a limited partner, Hubei Henglong has more than virtually
no influence over Chongqing Venture Fund’s operating and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using the equity
method. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $15.1 million and $13.1 million, respectively, of net equity in
Chongqing Venture Fund.
In October 2016, Hubei Henglong invested RMB 3.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.5 million, to establish an associate
company, Chongqing Jinghua Automotive Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Research Co., Ltd., “Chongqing Jinghua”, with five
other parties. The Company owns 30% of the equity in Chongqing Jinghua, and can exercise significant influence over Chongqing
Jinghua’s operating and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. As of December 31, 2019 and
2018, the Company had $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of net equity in Chongqing Jinghua.
In March 2018, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties to establish a venture capital fund, the “Hubei
Venture Fund”. Hubei Henglong has committed to make investments of RMB 76.0 million, equivalent to approximately $11.5 million.
As of December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has made investments of RMB 60.8 million, equivalent to approximately $8.7 million,
representing 27.1% of Hubei Venture Fund’s equity. As a limited partner, Hubei Henglong has more than virtually no influence over
the Hubei Venture Fund’s operating and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. As of December
31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $8.7 million and $5.5 million, respectively, of net equity in the Hubei Venture Fund.
In April 2019, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties and committed to contribute RMB 5.0 million,
equivalent to approximately $0.7 million, to Jiangsu Intelligent Networking Automotive Innovation Center Co. Ltd., “Jiangsu
Intelligent”, representing 19.2% of Jiangsu Intelligent’s equity. Hubei Henglong can exercise significant influence over Jiangsu
Intelligent’s operational and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. As of December 31, 2019,
Hubei Henglong has made a capital contribution of RMB 3.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.4 million. As of December 31,
2019, the Company had $0.4 million of net equity in Jiangsu Intelligent.
In June 2019, the Company invested RMB 8.0 million, equivalent to approximately $1.2 million, to establish an associate
company, “Henglong Tianyu”, with Jingzhou Tianyu Auto Parts Co., Ltd. The Company owns 40% of the equity in Henglong Tianyu,
and can exercise significant influence over Henglong Tianyu’s operating and financial policies. The investment is accounted for using
the equity method. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $1.1 million of net equity in Henglong Tianyu.
The Company’s consolidated statements of income or loss and comprehensive income included equity in earnings of affiliated
companies of $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
9. Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (figures are in thousands
of USD):
Losses carryforward (U.S.) (1)
Losses carryforward (Non-U.S.) (1)
Product warranties and other reserves
Property, plant and equipment
Share-based compensation
Bonus accrual
Other accruals
Deductible temporary difference related to revenue recognition
Others
Total deferred tax assets
Less: Valuation allowance (1)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
$
December 31,
2019
2018
2,816 $
8,557
5,907
4,589
62
150
1,547
1,476
2,250
27,354
(10,485 )
16,869
3,023
5,132
5,695
4,884
131
363
1,858
1,756
1,528
24,370
(7,522 )
16,848
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 57 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Deferred withholding tax for dividend distribution from PRC subsidiaries (Note 20)
Other taxable temporary differences
Total deferred tax liabilities
4,253
1,578
5,831 $
4,198
1,512
5,710
$
(1) The net operating loss carry forwards for the U.S. entity for income tax purposes are available to reduce future years' taxable
income. These carry forwards will not expire if not utilized, and the Company may carry the losses forward indefinitely. Net
operating losses for China entities can be carried forward for 5 years to offset taxable income except for entities that qualify as a
High & New Technology Enterprise, for which the net operating loss can be carried forward for 10 years. However, as of
December 31, 2019, valuation allowance was $10.5 million, including $2.9 million allowance for the Company’s deferred tax
assets in the United States and $7.6 million allowance for the Company’s non-U.S. deferred tax assets primarily in China. Based
on the Company’s current operations, management believes that all deferred tax assets in the United States and certain deferred
tax assets in non-U.S. regions are not likely to be realized in the future.
The deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified in the consolidated balance sheets as follows (figures are in thousands of
USD):
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
December 31,
2019
2018
$
15,291 $
4,253
15,336
4,198
The activity in the Company’s valuation allowance for deferred tax assets during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018,
are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Balance at beginning of year
Amounts provided for during the year
Amounts used during the year
Foreign currency translation
Balance at end of year
10. Bank and Government Loans
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
7,522 $
3,261
(227 )
(71 )
10,485 $
6,058
2,288
(713 )
(111 )
7,522
Loans consist of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 (figures are in thousands of USD):
Short-term bank loans (1)
Short-term bank loans (2)
Short-term government loan (3)(4)
Current portion of long-term government loan (5)
Subtotal
Long-term government loan (5)(6)
Less: Current portion of long-term government loan (5)
Subtotal
$
December 31,
2019
2018
23,536 $
20,663
2,150
287
46,636
7,454
(287 )
7,167
29,146
24,521
7,285
-
60,952
291
-
291
Total bank and government loans
$
53,803 $
61,243
(1) These loans are secured by property, plant and equipment and land use rights of the Company and are repayable within one year
(See Note 6). As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the weighted average interest rate was 4.8% and 5.3% per annum,
respectively. Interest is paid monthly or quarterly on the twentieth day of the applicable month or quarter and the principal
repayment is at maturity.
(2) On October 27, 2017, Henglong and Hubei Henglong entered into credit facility agreements with China CITIC Bank, the “CITIC
Credit Facility”. The maturity date of the CITIC Credit Facility was originally set on October 27, 2018 and was extended to
October 26, 2019. On December 5, 2019, the CITIC Credit Facility was further extended to June 5, 2020. The Company’s
property, plant and equipment and land use rights with book value amounting to $10.0 million were pledged as collateral for such
loans. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has drawn down loans with an aggregated amount of $20.7 million and
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 58 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
$24.5 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of the loans for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was
3.46% and 3.89% per annum, respectively.
(3) On September 27, 2018, the Company borrowed from the Chinese government a loan of RMB 50.0 million, equivalent to
approximately $7.3 million, with an interest rate of 3.48% per annum. Henglong pledged RMB 51.5 million, equivalent to
approximately $7.5 million, of notes receivable as collateral for the loan (See Note 3). The Company repaid this government loan
on June 20, 2019.
(4) On December 26, 2019, the Company borrowed from the Chinese government a loan of RMB 15.0 million, equivalent to
approximately $2.2 million, with an interest rate of 3.48% per annum, which is due for repayment on December 25, 2020.
Henglong pledged RMB 15.8 million, equivalent to approximately $2.3 million, of notes receivable as collateral for the loan (See
Note 3).
(5) On November 13, 2017, the Company borrowed from the Chinese government a loan of RMB 2.0 million, equivalent to
approximately $0.3 million, with an interest rate of 4.75% per annum, which is due for repayment on November 12, 2020.
(6) On August 7 and September 3, 2019, the Company received Chinese government loans of RMB 20.0 million and RMB 30.0
million, equivalent to approximately $2.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively. These loans are due for repayment on June 30,
2021 with an interest rate of 3.80% per annum. Henglong pledged RMB 51.9 million, equivalent to approximately $7.4 million,
of notes receivable as collateral for the Chinese government loans (See Note 3).
The Company must use the loans for the purpose specified in the borrowing agreement. If it fails to do so, it may be charged
penalty interest or triggered early repayment. The Company complied with such financial covenants as of December 31, 2019, and
management believes it will continue to comply with them.
11. Accounts and Notes Payable
The Company’s accounts and notes payable at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in
thousands of USD):
Accounts payable - unrelated parties
Notes payable - unrelated parties (1)
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties
Accounts payable - related parties
Balance at end of year
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
110,246 $
69,929
180,175
6,492
186,667 $
124,610
81,033
205,643
4,477
210,120
(1) Notes payable represent payables in the form of notes issued by the bank. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has
pledged cash of $29.7 million and $29.6 million, respectively, notes receivable of $7.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and
property, plant and equipment and land use rights with net book value of $56.4 million and $55.9 million, respectively, as
collateral for banks to endorse the payment to the noteholder upon maturity.
12. Accrued Expenses and Other Payables
The Company’s accrued expenses and other payables at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in
thousands of USD):
Accrued expenses
Warranty reserves (See Note 2)
Other payables
Current portion of other long-term payable (See Note 14)
Accrued interest
Balance at end of year
13. Taxes Payable
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
6,306 $
32,907
2,427
3,593
104
45,337 $
8,341
31,085
3,783
3,400
423
47,032
The Company’s taxes payable at December 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 59 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Value-added tax payable
Income tax payable
Long-term taxes payable - current portion (1)
Other tax payable (1)
Short-term taxes payable
Long-term taxes payable
Less: Long-term taxes payable - current portion (1)
Long-term taxes payable (1)
December 31,
2019
2018
4,357 $
2,916
2,810
1,409
11,492 $
3,790
3,778
2,810
759
11,137
December 31,
2019
2018
29,503 $
(2,810 )
26,693 $
32,313
(2,810 )
29,503
$
$
$
$
(1) A one-time transition tax of $35.6 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017 that represented management’s estimate of
the amount of U.S. corporate income tax based on the deemed repatriation to the United States of the Company’s share of
previously deferred earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company mandated by the U.S. Tax Reform. The Company
elected to pay the one-time transition tax over eight years commencing in April 2018. During the years ended December 31, 2019
and 2018, $2.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, was paid by the Company. See Note 20 for more details about the U.S. Tax
Reform.
14. Other Long-term Payable
On January 31, 2018, the Company entered into an equipment sales agreement with a third party (the “buyer-lessor”) and
simultaneously entered into a four-year contract to lease back the equipment from the buyer-lessor. The carrying value of the
equipment was $13.1 million and the sales price was $14.3 million. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, the Company is required to
pay to the buyer-lessor lease payments over 4 years with a quarterly lease payment of approximately $1.0 million and is entitled to
obtain the ownership of this equipment at a nominal price upon the expiration of the lease. The Company is of the view that the
transaction does not qualify as a sale. Therefore, the transaction was accounted for as a financing transaction by the Company. As of
December 31, 2019 and 2018, $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, was recognized as other payable (See Note 12); and $4.9
million and $8.7 million, respectively, was recognized as other long-term payable to the buyer-lessor. For the years ended December
31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of interest expense related to the lease back
transaction.
15. Stock Options
The stock option plan was approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 28, 2005, and extended to June 27,
2025 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 16, 2014. The maximum common shares available for issuance under
this plan is 2,200,000. The stock incentive plan provides for the issuance, to the Company’s officers, directors, management and
employees who served over three years or have given outstanding performance, of options to purchase shares of the Company’s
common stock. The Company has issued 636,350 stock options under this plan as of December 31, 2019.
Under the aforementioned plan, the stock options granted will have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the
Company’s common stock traded on NASDAQ one day before the date of grant, and will expire two to five years after the grant date.
Except for the 298,850 options granted to management in December 2008, which became exercisable on a ratable basis over the
vesting period (3 years), the options were exercisable immediately on the grant dates. Stock options will be settled in shares of the
Company’s common stock upon exercise and are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets under the caption
“Additional paid-in capital.” As of December 31, 2019, the Company has sufficient unissued registered common stock for settlement
of the stock incentive plan mentioned above.
The fair value of stock options was determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-
Scholes option model requires management to make various estimates and assumptions, including expected term, expected volatility,
risk-free rate, and dividend yield. The expected term represents the period of time that stock-based compensation awards granted are
expected to be outstanding and is estimated based on considerations including the vesting period, contractual term and anticipated
employee exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate is based
on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in relation to the contractual life of stock-based compensation instruments. The dividend yield
assumption is based on historical patterns and future expectations for the Company dividends.
No stock options were granted in 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 225,000 shares to the independent directors. Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options on the grant
dates are as follows:
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 60 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Issuance Date
December 5, 2018
Expected volatility Risk-free rate
44.72 %
2.79 %
Expected term (years) Dividend yield
5
0.00 %
The stock options granted during 2018 were exercisable immediately and their fair value on the grant date using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model was $0.02 million. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized stock-
based compensation expenses of nil and $0.02 million, respectively.
The activities of stock options are summarized as follows, including granted, exercised and forfeited.
Outstanding - January 1, 2018
Granted
Expired
Outstanding - December 31, 2018
Expired
Outstanding - December 31, 2019
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Weighted-Average
Contractual
Term (years)
Shares
135,000 $
22,500
(22,500 )
135,000 $
(105,000 )
30,000 $
6.93
2.37
10.00
5.66
5.85
4.99
5
5
5
5
5
5
The following is a summary of the range of exercise prices for stock options that are outstanding and exercisable at December
31, 2019:
Range of Exercise Prices
$2.00 - $10.00
Outstanding Stock Weighted Average Weighted Average Number of Stock
Options Exercisable
30,000
Remaining Life Exercise Price
2.35 $
30,000
Options
4.99
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total intrinsic value of the Company’s stock options that were exercisable was nil and
$0.1 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, no stock options were exercised.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the weighted average fair value of the Company’s stock options granted was $1.01.
16. Retained Earnings
Pursuant to the relevant PRC laws, the profits distribution of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are based on their PRC
statutory financial statements, are available for distribution in the form of cash dividends after these subsidiaries have paid all relevant
PRC tax liabilities, provided for losses in previous years, and made appropriations to statutory surplus at 10% of their respective after-
tax profits each year. When the statutory surplus reserve reaches 50% of the registered capital of a company, no additional reserve is
required. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the subsidiaries in China appropriated statutory reserves of $0.2 million
and $0.4 million, respectively.
17. Treasury Stock
Treasury stock represents shares repurchased by the Company that are no longer outstanding and are held by the Company.
Treasury stock is accounted for under the cost method. On December 5, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a
share repurchase program under which the Company was permitted to repurchase up to $5.0 million of its common stock from time to
time in the open market at prevailing market prices not to exceed $4.00 per share through December 4, 2019. The Board of Directors
of the Company approved the extension of such program to December 4, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company
repurchased 452,559 shares of the Company’s common stock for aggregate cash consideration of $1.3 million on the open market. For
the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 17,400 shares of the Company’s common stock for aggregate cash
consideration of $0.05 million on the open market. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had cumulatively repurchased 1,164,257
shares of the Company’s common stock since inception. The repurchased shares are not cancelled and are presented as “treasury stock”
on the balance sheet.
18. Other Income, Net
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded other income which is summarized as follows
(figures are in thousands of USD):
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 61 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Government subsidy
Penalties income
Charity donation
Transaction gains recorded in earnings
Total other income, net
19. Financial Income, Net
2,094
449
(717 )
131
1,957 $
1,717
-
(729 )
185
1,173
$
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded financial income which is summarized as follows
(figures are in thousands of USD):
Interest income
Foreign exchange gain, net
Bank fees
Total financial income, net
20. Income Taxes
PRC Corporate Income Tax
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
2,087 $
752
(383 )
2,456 $
2,275
457
(570 )
2,162
The Company’s subsidiaries registered in the PRC are subject to national and local income taxes within the PRC at the
applicable tax rate of 25% on the taxable income as reported in their PRC statutory financial statements in accordance with the
relevant income tax laws applicable to foreign invested enterprise, unless preferential tax treatment is granted by local tax authorities.
If the enterprise meets certain preferential terms according to the China income tax law, such as assessment as a “High & New
Technology Enterprise” by the government, then, the enterprise will be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15%.
Pursuant to the New China Income Tax Law and the Implementing Rules, “New CIT”, which became effective as of January 1,
2008, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign investors will be subject to
a 10% withholding tax if the foreign investors are considered as non-resident enterprises without any establishment or place within
China or if the dividends payable have no connection with the establishment or place of the foreign investors within China, unless any
such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement.
Genesis, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and the direct holder of the equity interests in the Company’s subsidiaries in
China, is incorporated in Hong Kong. According to the Mainland China and Hong Kong Taxation Arrangement, dividends paid by a
foreign-invested enterprise in China to its direct holding company in Hong Kong would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%
if Genesis could not obtain the Hong Kong tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department. If Genesis
obtains the Hong Kong tax resident certificate, owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the foreign invested enterprise and is
qualified as the beneficial owner, it could benefit from a lower rate of 5%.
According to PRC tax regulation, the Company should withhold income taxes for the profits distributed from the PRC
subsidiaries to Genesis, the subsidiaries’ holding company incorporated in Hong Kong. For the profits that the PRC subsidiaries
intended to distribute to Genesis, the Company accrues the withholding income tax as deferred tax liabilities. As of December 31,
2019 and 2018, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities of $4.3 million and $4.2 million for the undistributed profits of
$42.9 million and $42.3 million, respectively, which are expected to be distributed to Genesis in the future. The Company intended to
re-invest the remaining undistributed profits generated from the PRC subsidiaries in those subsidiaries indefinitely. As of December
31, 2019 and 2018, the Company still has undistributed earnings of approximately $309.5 million and $296.3 million, respectively,
from investment in the PRC subsidiaries that are considered indefinitely reinvested. Had the undistributed earnings been distributed to
Genesis and not indefinitely reinvested, the tax provision as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, of approximately $30.9 million and
$29.6 million, respectively, would have been recorded. Such undistributed profits will be reinvested in Genesis and not further
distributed to the parent company incorporated in the United States going forward.
In 2014, Henglong, Jiulong, Hubei Henglong and Wuhu were awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise”, and
based on the PRC income tax law, they were subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% from 2014 to 2016. They passed the
reassessment of “High & New Technology Enterprise” in 2017. Therefore, they are subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15%
from 2017 to 2019. The Companies estimated the applied tax rate in 2019 to be 15% as it is probable that they will pass the re-
assessment in 2020 and continue to qualify as “High & New Technology Enterprise”.
In 2015, Shenyang was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise”, and based on the PRC income tax law, it
was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% from 2015 to 2017. In 2016, Jielong was awarded the title of “High & New
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 62 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% from 2016 to
2018. It passed the reassessment of “High & New Technology Enterprise” in 2019. Therefore, it is subject to enterprise income tax at
a rate of 15% from 2019 to 2021.
In 2017, Chuguanjie was awarded the title of “High & New Technology Enterprise” and, based on the PRC income tax law, it is
subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% from 2017 to 2019. The Company estimated the applied tax rate in 2019 to be 15% as
it is probable that it will pass the re-assessment in 2020 and continue to qualify as “High & New Technology Enterprise”.
According to the New CIT, USAI, Shanghai Henglong, Testing Center, Chongqing Henglong, Henglong KYB and Wuhan
Hyoseong are subject to income tax at a rate of 25%.
Brazil Corporate Income Tax
Based on Brazilian income tax laws, Brazil Henglong is subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 15%, and a resident legal
person is subject to additional tax at a rate of 10% for the part of taxable income over BRL 0.24 million, equivalent to approximately
$0.06 million. The Company had no assessable income in Brazil for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Hong Kong Corporate Income Tax
The profits tax rate of Hong Kong is 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong tax is made as Genesis is an investment holding
company, and had no assessable income in Hong Kong for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
U.S. Corporate Income Tax
The Company is a Delaware corporation that is subject to U.S. corporate income tax on its taxable income at a rate of up to 21%
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and U.S. corporate income tax on its taxable income of up to 35% for prior tax
years. Recent U.S. federal tax legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “U.S. Tax Reform”), was signed
into law on December 22, 2017. The U.S. Tax Reform significantly modified the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by, among other things,
reducing the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017;
limiting and/or eliminating many business deductions; migrating the U.S. to a territorial tax system with a one-time transition tax on a
mandatory deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries; subject to certain limitations,
generally eliminating U.S. corporate income tax on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; and providing for new taxes on certain
foreign earnings. Taxpayers may elect to pay the one-time transition tax over eight years, or in a single lump sum.
The U.S. Tax Reform also includes provisions for a new tax on GILTI effective for tax years of foreign corporations beginning
after December 31, 2017. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of
controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”), subject to the possible use of foreign tax credits and a deduction equal to 50 percent to
offset the income tax liability, subject to some limitations.
To the extent that portions of the Company’s U.S. taxable income, such as Subpart F income or GILTI, are determined to be
from sources outside of the U.S., subject to certain limitations, the Company may be able to claim foreign tax credits to offset its U.S.
income tax liabilities. If dividends that the Company receives from its subsidiaries are determined to be from sources outside of the
U.S., subject to certain limitations, the Company will generally not be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on those dividends.
Any liabilities for U.S. corporate income tax will be accrued in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and
estimated tax payments will be made when required by U.S. law.
One-Time Transition Tax Related to U.S. Tax Reform
In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recognized a one-time transition tax of $35.6 million that represented management’s
estimate of the amount of U.S. corporate income tax based on the deemed repatriation to the United States of the Company’s share of
previously deferred earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company mandated by the U.S. Tax Reform. The Company
elected to pay the one-time transition tax over eight years commencing in April 2018. According to the 2017 U.S. federal income tax
return of the Company filed in October 2018, the one-time transition tax was updated to $35.1 million. The Company made a true-up
adjustment of $0.5 million in 2018.
The provision for income taxes was calculated as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Tax rate
Income before income taxes
Income tax at federal statutory tax rate
Tax benefit of super deduction of R&D expense
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
21 %
7,559 $
1,587
(3,688 )
21 %
(2,501 )
(525 )
(3,731 )
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 63 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Effect of differences in foreign tax rate
Change in provision on valuation allowance for deferred income tax - U.S.
Change in provision on valuation allowance for deferred income tax - Non-U.S.
Other differences
Total income tax expense
(572 )
(275 )
3,309
225
586 $
(749 )
(583 )
2,158
1,965
(1,465 )
$
The combined effects of the income tax exemption and reduction available to the Company are as follows (figures are in
thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated):
Tax holiday effect
Basic net income per share effect
Diluted net income per share effect
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
572 $
0.02
0.02
749
0.02
0.02
The Company is subject to examination in the United States and China. The Company's tax years for 2015 through 2019 are still
open for examination in China. The Company's tax years for 2010 through 2019 are still open for examination in the United States.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company did not have any uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
21. Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of the ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
For diluted income per share, the Company uses the treasury stock method for options, assuming the issuance of common shares,
if dilutive, resulting from the exercise of options.
The calculations of basic and diluted income per share attributable to the parent company were (figures are in thousands of
USD):
Numerator:
Net income attributable to the parent company’s common shareholders - Basic and Diluted
Denominator:
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - Basic
Dilutive effects of stock options
Denominator for dilutive income per share - Diluted
Net income per share attributable to the parent company’s common shareholders
Basic
Diluted
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
9,959
2,377
31,456,828 31,643,813
1,781
31,458,926 31,645,594
2,098
0.32
0.32
0.08
0.08
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the exercise prices for 22,500 shares and 112,500 shares, respectively, of outstanding stock
options were above the weighted average market price of the Company’s common stock during the years ended December 31, 2019
and 2018, respectively, and these stock options were excluded from the calculation of the diluted income per share for the
corresponding periods presented.
22. Significant Concentrations
A significant portion of the Company’s business is conducted in China where the currency is the RMB. Regulations in China
permit foreign owned entities to freely convert the RMB into foreign currency for transactions that fall under the "current account",
which includes trade related receipts and payments, interest and dividends. Accordingly, the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries may use
RMB to purchase foreign exchange for settlement of such "current account" transactions without pre-approval.
China Automotive, the parent company, may depend on Genesis and HLUSA dividend payments, which are generated from
their subsidiaries in China, “China-based Subsidiaries,” after they receive payments from the China-based Subsidiaries. Regulations in
the PRC currently permit payment of dividends of a PRC company only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with
accounting standards and regulations in China. Under PRC law China-based Subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of their
after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to their general reserves until the cumulative amount reaches 50% of
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 64 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
their paid-in capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends, or as loans or advances. These foreign-invested enterprises
may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits, at the discretion of their boards of directors, to their staff welfare and bonus funds.
Any amounts so allocated may not be distributed and, accordingly, would not be available for distribution to Genesis and HLUSA.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the
remittance of currencies out of China, the China-based Subsidiaries may experience difficulties in completing the administrative
procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currencies. If China Automotive is unable to receive dividend payments from its
subsidiaries and China-based subsidiaries, China Automotive may be unable to effectively finance its operations or pay dividends on
its shares.
Transactions other than those that fall under the "current account" and that involve conversion of RMB into foreign currency are
classified as "capital account" transactions; examples of "capital account" transactions include repatriations of investment by or loans
to foreign owners, or direct equity investments in a foreign entity by a China domiciled entity. "Capital account" transactions require
prior approval from China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its provincial branch to convert a remittance into
a foreign currency, such as U.S. Dollars, and transmit the foreign currency outside of China.
This system could be changed at any time and any such change may affect the ability of the Company or its subsidiaries in
China to repatriate capital or profits, if any, outside China. Furthermore, SAFE has a significant degree of administrative discretion in
implementing the laws and has used this discretion to limit convertibility of current account payments out of China. Whether as a
result of a deterioration in the Chinese balance of payments, a shift in the Chinese macroeconomic prospects or any number of other
reasons, China could impose additional restrictions on capital remittances abroad. As a result of these and other restrictions under the
laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, or the PRC, the Company’s China subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to
transfer a portion of their net assets to the parent. The Company has no assurance that the relevant Chinese governmental authorities in
the future will not limit further or eliminate the ability of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries to purchase foreign currencies and
transfer such funds to the Company to meet its liquidity or other business needs. Any inability to access funds in China, if and when
needed for use by the Company outside of China, could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and its business.
23. Related Party Transactions
Related party transactions during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, are as shown below (figures are in thousands of
USD):
Merchandise Sold to Related Parties
Beijing Henglong
Xiamen Automotive Parts
Hubei Hongrun
Other related parties
Total
Rental Income Obtained from Related Parties
Rental Income
Materials Sold to Related Parties
Honghu Changrun
Jingzhou Tongying
Jingzhou Yude
Beijing Henglong
Other related parties
Total
Materials Purchased from Related Parties
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
41,762 $
4,337
4,021
620
50,740 $
31,291
5,739
-
576
37,606
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
383 $
375
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
577 $
566
313
39
153
1,648 $
637
279
636
-
1
1,553
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 65 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Jingzhou Tongying
Jiangling Tongchuang
Wuhan Tongkai
Honghu Changrun
Hubei Wiselink
Other related parties
Total
Technology and Services Provided by Related Parties (recorded in R&D Expenses)
Changchun Hualong
Jingzhou Derun
Jingzhou Yude
Other related parties
Total
Property, Plant and Equipment Purchased from Related Parties
Hubei Wiselink
Ewinlink
Henglong Real Estate
Total
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
7,496 $
7,039
6,782
1,751
424
322
23,814 $
9,091
7,066
6,849
1,665
884
3
25,558
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
543 $
27
-
1
571 $
496
25
263
51
835
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
5,238 $
1,052
-
6,290 $
5,281
-
2
5,283
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and advance payments between
the Company and related parties are as shown below (figures are in thousands of USD):
Accounts and Notes Receivable from Related Parties
Beijing Henglong
Xiamen Automotive Parts
Hubei Hongrun
Jingzhou Yude
Xiamen Joylon
Other related parties
Total
Accounts Payable to Related Parties
Jingzhou Tongying
Wuhan Tongkai
Hubei Wiselink
Henglong Tianyu
Jiangling Tongchuang
Honghu Changrun
Other related parties
Total
Advance Payments for Property, Plant and Equipment to Related Parties
December 31,
2019
2018
14,743 $
1,957
1,786
1,450
1,110
118
21,164 $
13,640
2,527
-
1,398
1,129
131
18,825
December 31,
2019
2018
1,672 $
1,586
1,538
782
661
208
45
6,492 $
1,199
1,081
914
-
584
325
374
4,477
$
$
$
$
December 31,
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 66 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Hubei Wiselink
Henglong Real Estate
Total
Other Advance Payments and Others to Related Parties
Honghu Changrun
Ewinlink
Henglong Tianyu
Changchun Hualong
Wuhan Tongkai
Hubei Hongrun
Jingzhou Yude
Jingzhou WiseDawn
Other related parties
Total
2019
2018
$
$
1,283 $
1,028
2,311 $
7,679
1,044
8,723
December 31,
2019
2018
662
160
139
71
69
68
-
-
118
1,287 $
470
-
-
73
57
-
120
533
28
1,281
$
As of May 14, 2020, the date the Company issued the financial statements, Hanlin Chen, Chairman, owns 57.3% of the common
stock of the Company and has the effective power to control the vote on substantially all significant matters without the approval of
other stockholders.
24. Commitments and Contingencies
a. Legal proceedings
On January 7, 2019, three purported stockholders of the Company filed a stockholder derivative complaint on behalf of the
Company against the Company’s directors Hanlin Chen, Qizhou Wu and Guangxun Xu and former directors Arthur Wong and Robert
Tung in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging that they had (a) breached their fiduciary duties by approving and paying excessive
compensation to the non-employee directors of the Company, Arthur Wong, Guangxun Xu and Robert Tung, and (b) failed to make
full and accurate disclosure of all material information with respect to director qualification and director compensation paid in 2017 in
the Company’s annual proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 10, 2018. The directors have engaged their own counsel to
answer this complaint. On April 9, 2019, the Company moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion to dismiss was denied on July 17,
2019. The directors of the Company will continue to answer this complaint. Management expects the impact of the suit on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements to be immaterial.
Other than as described above, the Company is not a party to any pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any
threatened legal proceedings; and no director, officer or affiliate of the Company, or owner of record of more than five percent of the
securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or has a
material interest adverse to the Company in reference to pending litigation.
b. Commitments
In addition to bank loans, notes payables and the related interest, the following table summarizes the Company’s non-cancelable
commitments and contingencies as of December 31, 2019 (figures are in thousands of USD):
Obligations for investment contracts (1)
Obligations for purchasing and services
Total
2020
$
$
4,272 $
19,928 $
24,200 $
Payment Obligations by Period
2022
2021
Thereafter
430 $
3,188
3,618 $
- $
-
- $
- $
-
- $
Total
4,702
23,116
27,818
(1) In November 2019, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties and committed to purchase 70% of the shares of
Hefei Senye Light Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. for total consideration of RMB 33.6 million, equivalent to approximately $4.8
million. As of December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has paid the amount of RMB 18.0 million, equivalent to approximately $2.6
million, which was reported in other non-current assets as the transfer of shares had not been consummated. According to the
agreement, the remaining consideration of RMB 15.6 million, equivalent to approximately $2.2 million, will be paid in 2020 and
2021.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 67 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
In April 2019, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties and committed to contribute RMB 5.0 million,
equivalent to approximately $0.7 million, to Jiangsu Intelligent Networking Automotive Innovation Center Co. Ltd., “Jiangsu
Intelligent”, for 19.2% of the shares of Jiangsu Intelligent. As of December 31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has completed a capital
contribution of RMB 3.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.4 million. According to the agreement, the remaining capital
commitment of RMB 2.0 million, equivalent to approximately $0.3 million, will be paid upon capital calls.
In March 2018, Hubei Henglong entered into an agreement with other parties to establish a venture capital fund, the “Hubei
Venture Fund”. Hubei Henglong has committed to make an investment of RMB 76.0 million, equivalent to approximately $10.9
million, in the Hubei Venture Fund in three installments, representing 27.1% of the Hubei Venture Fund’s shares. As of December
31, 2019, Hubei Henglong has completed a capital contribution of RMB 60.8 million, equivalent to approximately $8.7 million.
According to the agreement, the remaining capital commitment of RMB 15.2 million, equivalent to approximately $2.2 million,
will be paid upon capital calls received from the Hubei Venture Fund.
25. Subsequent Events
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019 and continuing in the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s businesses,
results of operations, financial position and cash flows were materially and adversely affected in the first quarter of 2020 with
potential continuing impacts on subsequent periods, including but not limited to the material adverse impact on the Company’s
revenues as result of the suspension of operations, interruption of supply chain and decline in demand by the Company’s customers.
The Company expects to report that its net product sales decreased by approximately 50% to 60% in the first quarter of 2020
compared with the same quarter in 2019. Because of the significant uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, which are still evolving, the
extent of the business disruption, including the duration and the related financial impact on subsequent periods, cannot be reasonably
estimated at this time.
26. Segment Reporting
The accounting policies of the product sectors are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies
except that the disaggregated financial results for the product sectors have been prepared using a management approach, which is
consistent with the basis and manner in which management internally disaggregates financial information for the purposes of assisting
them in making internal operating decisions. Generally, the Company evaluates performance based on stand-alone product sector
operating income and accounts for inter segment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, at current market
prices.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had 14 product sectors, six of which were principal profit makers and were reported as
separate sectors and engaged in the production and sales of power steering (Henglong, Jiulong, Shenyang, Wuhu, Henglong KYB and
Hubei Henglong), and one holding company (Genesis). The other eight sectors were engaged in the production and sale of modular
sensors (USAI), automobile steering columns (Jielong), provision of after sales and R&D services (HLUSA), production and sale of
power steering (Chongqing Henglong), trade (Brazil Henglong), manufacture and sales of automobile electronic systems and parts
(Wuhan Chuguanjie), research and development of intelligent automotive technology (Jingzhou Qingyan) and manufacture and sales
of automotive motors and electromechanical integrated systems (Wuhan Hyoseong).
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had 13 product sectors, six of which were principal profit makers and were reported as
separate sectors and engaged in the production and sales of power steering (Henglong, Jiulong, Shenyang, Wuhu, Henglong KYB and
Hubei Henglong), and one holding company (Genesis). The other seven sectors were engaged in the production and sale of sensor
modular (USAI), automobile steering columns (Jielong), provision of after sales and R&D services (HLUSA), production and sale of
power steering (Chongqing Henglong), trade (Brazil Henglong), manufacture and sales of automobile electronic systems and parts
(Wuhan Chuguanjie) and research and development of intelligent automotive technology (Jingzhou Qingyan).
The Company’s product sector information is as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Henglong
Jiulong
Shenyang
Wuhu
Hubei Henglong
Henglong KYB
Other Entities
Total Segments
Corporate
Net Sales
Net Income (Loss)
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
$
164,142 $
88,469
20,247
20,384
121,719
70,952
64,619
550,532
-
250,532 $
102,994
25,941
30,356
123,237
23,423
72,421
628,904
-
3,058 $
694
1,104
(1,059 )
8,801
(5,306 )
3,582
10,874
(2,262 )
(496 )
932
(148 )
(1,067 )
8,957
(6,560 )
3,664
5,282
(3,150 )
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 68 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Eliminations
Total consolidated
Henglong
Jiulong
Shenyang
Wuhu
Hubei Henglong
Henglong KYB
Other Entities
Total Segments
Corporate
Eliminations
Total consolidated
Henglong
Jiulong
Shenyang
Wuhu
Hubei Henglong
Henglong KYB
Other Entities
Total Segments
Corporate
Eliminations
Total consolidated
(119,105 )
431,427
(132,746 )
496,158 $
$
(233 )
8,379 $
(2,053 )
79
Depreciation and Amortization
Year Ended December 31,
Capital Expenditures
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
3,620 $
2,916
605
670
7,794
720
1,464
17,789
52
-
17,841 $
4,633 $
2,876
595
617
6,003
187
1,863
16,774
42
-
16,816 $
15,500 $
1,663
627
1,506
20,376
3,695
4,172
47,539
-
(694 )
46,845 $
6,622
3,439
610
256
15,513
6,089
2,558
35,087
-
(6,050 )
29,037
$
$
Total Assets
December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
278,266 $
82,506
34,275
22,394
349,172
59,865
79,888
906,366
75,185
(321,587 )
659,964 $
305,311
81,063
36,728
32,763
358,445
63,364
96,881
974,555
81,218
(365,274 )
690,499
Financial information segregated by geographic region is as follows (figures are in thousands of USD):
Geographic region:
China
United States
Other foreign countries
Total consolidated
Net Sales (1)
Year Ended December 31,
Long-term assets
December 31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
$
$
309,212 $
115,810
6,405
431,427 $
354,749 $
113,124
28,285
496,158 $
161,031 $
756
727
162,514 (2) $
177,870
770
490
179,130 (2)
(1) Revenue is attributed to each country based on location of customers.
(2) Pursuant to ASC 280-10-50-41, the deferred tax assets of $15.3 million and $15.3 million and the intangible assets, net of $1.4
million and $0.6 million were excluded from long-term assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. 69 FY2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Investor Information
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of China Automotive Systems
stockholders will be held on August 17, 2020
(Monday) at 10 am local time at the Second Floor
Meeting Room, D8 Henglong Building in Optics
Valley Software Park, Guanshan First Road, Wuhan
City, Hubei Province, PRC
Independent Public Accountant
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ZHONG TIAN LLP
11/F PricewaterhouseCoopers Center
2 Corporate Ave., 202 Hu Bin Road
Huangpu District, Shanghai, PRC
www.pwccn.com
Transfer Agent and Registrar
SECURITIES TRANSFER CORPORATION
2591 Dallas Parkway Suite102
Frisco, Texas 75034, USA
Phone: +1-469-633-0101
www.stctransfer.com
Investor Relations
Awaken Advisors
800 Third Ave, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: +1-212-521-4050
Kevin@awakenlab.com
Corporate Headquarters
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
D8 Henglong Building
Optics Valley Software Park
No. 1 Guanshan Avenue
Wuhan City
No. 1 Henglong Road
Yu Qiao Development Zone
Shashi District, Jingzhou City
Hubei Province
People’s Republic of China
www.caasauto.com
Board of Directors
HANLIN CHEN
Chairman
QIZHOU WU
Director, Chief Executive Officer
GUANGXUN XU
Independent Non-executive Director
HENG HENRY LU
Independent Non-executive Director
TONG KOOI TEO
Independent Non-executive Director
Executive Officers
QIZHOU WU
Chief Executive Officer
JIE LI
Chief Financial Officer
ANDY YIU WONG TSE
Senior Vice President
YIJUN XIA
Vice President
HAIMIAN CAI
Vice President
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Henglong Building, D8 Optics Valley Software Park
No.1 Guanshan Avenue, East Lake Hi-tech Zone
Wuhan City, Hubei Province, 430073, PR of China
Tel: +86(27) 8757 0027 Fax: +86(27) 8757 0088
http://www.caasauto.com