UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 13, 2014

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware 000-33123 33-0885775
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

No. 1 Henglong Road, Yu Qiao Development Zone
Shashi District, Jing Zhou City
Hubei Province
The People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (86) 27-8757 0027

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
 

 

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On August 13, 2014, China Automotive Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 attached to this Form 8-K is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)Exhibits

 

Exhibit No Description
   
99.1 Press Release of China Automotive Systems, Inc., dated August 13, 2014.
99.2 Press Release of China Automotive Systems, Inc., dated August 11, 2014.
   

  

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    China Automotive Systems, Inc.
    (Registrant)
       
Date: August 13, 2014   By:  /s/ Hanlin Chen
      Hanlin Chen
      Chairman

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

 

China Automotive Systems Reports 18% Growth in

2014 Second QUARTER sales

 

WUHAN, China, August 13, 2014 -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (“CAAS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAAS), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014.

 

Second Quarter 2014 Highlights

 

·Net sales increased by 18.0% to a second-quarter record of $115.5 million, compared to $97.9 million in the second quarter of 2013.

 

·Gross margin was 18.7%, compared to 18.8% in the second quarter of 2013 and 18.7% in the first quarter of 2014.

 

·Operating margin was 14.3%, compared to 8.0% in the second quarter of 2013 and 8.5% in the first quarter of 2014.

 

·Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $11.0 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.39, compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $5.0 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18, in the second quarter of 2013.

 

·Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $94.2 million and $89.5 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

First Six Months of 2014 Highlights

 

·Net sales increased by 17.8% to a six-month record high of $229.8 million, compared to $195.1 million in the first six months of 2013.

 

·Gross profit increased by 13.7% to $42.9 million, compared to $37.8 million in the first six months of 2013; gross margin was 18.7% in the first six months of 2014, compared to 19.4% in the same period last year.

 

·Operating margin was 11.4%, compared to 8.8% in the first six months of 2013.

 

·Diluted earnings per share attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $0.63, compared to $0.39 in the first six months of 2013.

 

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "We are pleased to report that sales grew by 18.0% in the second quarter of 2014 compared with the second quarter of 2013. Sales set a new second-quarter record as they exceeded the $100 million mark for the first time. We continued to capture market share in the growing passenger vehicle market in China, especially with our joint venture brand customers, and sales continued to grow in the North American market."

 

"Sales to North America increased by 10.2% compared to the same period last year. Our key customer, Chrysler, reported its 51st consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains in June 2014. The Jeep® brand reported that June 2014's sales were the highest June sales in its history. Jeep's 28% sales growth in June was the highest rate among all of Chrysler's segments in June 2014. RAM® pickup truck sales increased by 12% in June, its highest June sales in the last 10 years."

 

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"We remain confident that we have the range of high-quality steering products, and the ability to quickly create new steering models such as our expanding line of electric power steering, to further improve our leading market share in China."

 

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, “We generated positive cash flow from operations as we sold more units in China and North America. With our strong financial condition, CAAS announced its first-ever cash dividend of US$0.18 per share in the second quarter of 2014 and it was paid in July. We continue to strengthen our financial resources to support the expansion of our operations and introduce new products to increase our growth. We are updating established products and expanding our portfolio of new technology products, especially our electric power steering offerings, to improve our growth opportunities. We have increased our operating expenses more slowly than sales in the second quarter to control costs. We continue to focus our product development and operations to further penetrate China and North America, the two largest vehicle markets in the world."

 

Second Quarter of 2014

 

In the second quarter of 2014, net sales increased by 18.0% to a second-quarter record of $115.5 million, compared to $97.9 million in the same quarter of 2013. The net sales increase was mainly due to higher sales of passenger vehicles in China and North America. Sales of certain new products such as mid-level electric power steering ("EPS") units and upgraded legacy products expanded the Company’s market share in China.

 

Gross profit increased by 17.4% to $21.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $18.4 million in the second quarter of 2013. The gross margin was 18.7% in the second quarter of 2014, versus 18.8% in the second quarter of 2013 and 18.7% in the first quarter of 2014. The gross profit mainly increased due to the greater volume of units sold.

 

Selling expenses increased by 13.9% to $4.3 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2013. Selling expenses represented 3.7% of net sales in the second quarter of 2014, compared to 3.9% in the second quarter of 2013. The increase was mainly due to higher warehousing, transporting and travel expenses related to the higher volume sold.

 

General and administrative expenses (“G&A expenses”) increased by 17.4% to $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $3.2 million in the same quarter of 2013. The increase was mainly due to higher personnel costs. G&A expenses represented 3.3% of net sales in both the second quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2013.

 

Research and development expenses (“R&D expenses”) increased by 12.2% to $5.2 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2013. The increase in R&D expenses was mainly due to higher expenditures for the development of our EPS products, and included higher personnel-related expenses and mold improvement expenses. R&D expenses represented 4.5% of net sales in the second quarter of 2014, which was a decrease from 4.7% in the second quarter of 2013.

 

Income from operations increased by 111.5% to $16.5 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $7.8 million in the same quarter of 2013. The increase in income from operations was primarily due to higher gross profit, and a $7.5 million gain on other sales mainly from the sales of idle land use rights. As a percentage of net sales, the operating margin was 14.3% in the second quarter of 2014, compared to 8.0% in the second quarter of 2013.

 

Net financial expenses in the second quarter of 2014 were nil compared with expense of $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2013. The decrease was mainly due lower interest income from a decline in time deposits, and an increase in gain on foreign currency exchange.

 

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Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $16.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $7.7 million in the second quarter of 2013. The increase of $8.9 million in the second quarter of 2014 was mainly due to an increase in operating income of $8.7 million.

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $11.0 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $5.0 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013. Diluted earnings per share were $0.39 in the second quarter of 2014, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.18 in the second quarter of 2013. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 28,064,376 in the second quarter of 2014, compared to 28,048,789 in the second quarter of 2013.

 

First Six Months of 2014

 

Net sales increased by 17.8% to a six-month record high of $229.8 million, compared to $195.1 million in the first six months of 2013. Six-month gross profit was $42.9 million, compared to $37.8 million in the corresponding period last year. Six-month gross margin was 18.7%, compared to 19.4% for the corresponding period in 2013. The gain on other sales of $9.1 million in the first six months of 2014 consisted of income from the sale of idle land use rights, which represented a pre-tax gain of $7.5 million calculated as the difference between the selling price and net book value of related land use rights. Income from operations was $26.3 million, compared to $17.2 million in the first six months of 2013. Operating margin was 11.4%, compared to 8.8% for the corresponding period of 2013. Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $17.8 million in the first six months of 2014, compared to $10.9 million in the corresponding period in 2013. Diluted earnings per share were $0.63 in the first six months of 2014, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.39 for the corresponding period in 2013.

 

As of June 30, 2014, total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $94.2 million, compared to $89.5 million as of December 31, 2013. Working capital was $181.9 million as of June 30, 2014, compared to $179.3 million as of December 31, 2013. Cash flow from operations was $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $237.4 million as of June 30, 2014, compared to $226.7 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

Business Outlook

 

Management reiterates its revenue guidance of 15% year-over-year growth for the full year 2014. This target is based on the Company’s current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

 

Conference Call

 

Management will conduct a conference call on August 13, 2014 at 8:00 A.M. EDT/8:00 P.M. Beijing Time to discuss these results. A question and answer session will follow management’s presentation. To participate, please call the following numbers 10 minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the “China Automotive Systems” conference call:

 

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

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

 

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 11:59 P.M. EDT on September 16, 2014. The dial-in details for the replay are:

 

U.S. Toll Free Number +1-877-660-6853

International dial-in number +1-201-612-7415

 

Use Conference ID “13587802" to access the replay.

 

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

 

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through eight Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 4.5 million sets of steering gears, columns and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. in China, and Chrysler N.A. in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the qualitative and quantitative effects of the accounting errors, the periods involved, the nature of the Company's review and any anticipated conclusions of the Company or its management and other statements that are not historical facts. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. As a result, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2014, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jie Li

Chief Financial Officer

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

 

Kevin Theiss

Investor Relations

Grayling

Tel: +1-646-284-9409

Email: kevin.theiss@grayling.com

(Tables Follow)

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated) 

 

   June 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents  $55,757   $53,979 
Pledged cash deposits   26,959    33,963 
Short-term investments   38,472    35,510 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties   285,182    267,639 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties   24,658    17,194 
Advance payments and others - unrelated parties   2,441    3,156 
Advance payments and others - related parties   625    866 
Inventories   63,308    51,392 
Assets held for sale   -    925 
Current deferred tax assets   6,032    5,783 
Total current assets    503,434    470,407 
Non-current assets:          
Property, plant and equipment, net   83,698    80,018 
Intangible assets, net   1,424    686 
Other receivables, net - unrelated parties   441    252 
Other receivables, net - related parties   61    108 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties   3,633    3,488 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties   1,522    2,097 
Long-term investments   4,114    4,023 
Goodwill   642    - 
Non-current deferred tax assets   4,660    4,528 
Total assets   $603,629   $565,607 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Bank and government loans  $42,840   $37,381 
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties   207,889    198,419 
Accounts and notes payable - related parties   4,921    4,634 
Customer deposits   1,723    1677 
Accrued payroll and related costs   6,201    7,052 
Accrued expenses and other payables   43,968    29,062 
Accrued pension costs   5,086    4,626 
Taxes payable   8,287    7,792 
Amounts due to shareholders/directors   376    312 
Current deferred tax liabilities   217    117 
Total current liabilities   321,508    291,072 
Long-term liabilities:          
Advances payable   2,867    2,764 
Non-current deferred tax liabilities   339    - 
Total liabilities   $324,714   $293,836 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          

Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares; Issued– 28,260,302 and 28,260,302 shares at

June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

  $3   $3 
Additional paid-in capital   34,518    39,565 
Retained earnings-          
Appropriated   10,178    10,048 
Unappropriated   163,674    146,023 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   30,044    32,061 
Treasury stock – 217,283 and 217,283 shares at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively   (1,000)   (1,000)
Total parent company stockholders' equity    237,417    226,700 
Non-controlling interests   41,498    45,071 
Total stockholders' equity   278,915    271,771 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $603,629   $565,607 

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited, in thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2014   2013 
Net product sales, including $14,928 and $9,035 to related parties for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013  $115,476   $97,889 
Cost of products sold, including $7,461 and $6,006z purchased from related parties for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013   93,893    79,500 
Gross profit   21,583    18,389 
Gain on other sales   8,226    1,058 
Less: Operating expenses          
Selling expenses   4,327    3,800 
General and administrative expenses   3,776    3,217 
Research and development expenses   5,180    4,616 
Total operating expenses   13,283    11,633 
Income from operations   16,526    7,814 
Other income, net   139    3 
Financial income (expenses), net   (28)   (108)
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   16,637    7,709 
Less: Income taxes   3,126    1,571 
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   75    68 
Net income   13,586    6,206 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   2,580    1,225 
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders  $11,006   $4,981 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income  $13,586   $6,206 
Other comprehensive income (loss):          
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax   (25)   3,436 
Comprehensive income   13,561    9,642 
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests   2,576    1,808 
Comprehensive income attributable to parent company  $10,985   $7,834 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share          
           
Basic –  $0.39   $0.18 
           
Diluted-  $0.39   $0.18 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          
Basic   28,043,019    28,043,019 
Diluted   28,064,376    28,048,789 

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

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

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2014   2013 
Net product sales, including $26,738 and $17,178 to related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013  $229,782   $195,052 
Cost of products sold, including $14,652 and $12,671 purchased from related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013   186,861    157,302 
Gross profit   42,921    37,750 
Gain on other sales   9,135    1,732 
Less: Operating expenses          
Selling expenses   7,369    6,964 
General and administrative expenses   7,322    7,343 
Research and development expenses   11,068    8,016 
Total operating expenses   25,759    22,323 
Income from operations   26,297    17,159 
Other income, net   378    73 
Financial income (expenses), net   186    (309)
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   26,861    16,923 
Less: Income taxes   5,101    3,317 
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   137    126 
Net income   21,897    13,732 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   4,116    2,811 
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders  $17,781   $10,921 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income  $21,897   $13,732 
Other comprehensive income (loss):          
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax   (2,422)   4,048 
Comprehensive income   19,475    17,780 
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests   3,712    3,497 
Comprehensive income attributable to parent company  $15,763   $14,283 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share          
           
Basic –  $0.63   $0.39 
           
Diluted-  $0.63   $0.39 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          
Basic   28,043,019    28,043,019 
Diluted   28,063,939    28,049,863 

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2014   2013 
         
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income  $21,897   $13,732 
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   7,751    7,218 
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts   121    (106)
Inventory write downs   1,922    277 
Deferred income taxes   (413)   (143)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   (128)   (126)
Amortization of debt issue cost   -    57 
Gain on fixed assets disposals   (7,506)   (165)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
(Increase) decrease in:          
Pledged deposits   6,695    4,306 
Accounts and notes receivable   (25,139)   (32,734)
Advance payments and others   1,038    (219)
Inventories   (7,461)   (4,211)
Increase (decrease) in:          
Accounts and notes payable   7,948    9,689 
Customer deposits   57    (106)
Accrued payroll and related costs   (790)   73 
Accrued expenses and other payables   191    2,679 
Accrued pension costs   502    44 
Taxes payable   1,007    (66)
Advances payable   -    (32)
Net cash provided by operating activities   7,692    167 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Increase in other receivables   636    (212)
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales   6,777    1,557 
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment   (8,194)   (5,565)
Payments to acquire intangible assets   (5)   (60)
Purchase of short-term investments   (15,882)   (15,376)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments   12,597    - 
Acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong, net of cash acquired   (2,976)   - 
Net cash used in investing activities   (7,047)   (19,656)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from government and bank loan   6,774    14,111 
Repayments of bank loan   (3,251)   (8,069)
Dividends paid to the non-controlling interests   (1,985)   (405)
Increase (decrease) in amounts due to shareholders/directors   69    (40)
Net cash provided by financing activities   1,607    5,597 
Effects of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents   (474)   1,513 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   1,778    (12,379)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   53,979    87,649 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $55,757   $75,270 

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2014   2013 
Cash paid for interest  $603   $739 
Cash paid for income taxes  $3,109   $2,029 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2014   2013 
Advance payments for acquiring property, plant and equipment  $5,155   $3,204 
Non-controlling interests arising as a result of acquisition of Fujian Qiaolong   2,793    - 
Account receivable for selling property, plant and equipment   1,890    - 
Dividends payable to the Company’s shareholders   5,048    - 
Dividends payable to non-controlling interests  $8,127   $167 

 

# # #

 

12



 

exhibit 99.2

 

 

China Automotive Systems TO ACQUIRE

Remaining Shares of Two Key Subsidiaries

 

- Transactions Will Be Immediately Accretive to Earnings Per Share -

 

WUHAN, China, August 11, 2014 -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (“CAAS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAAS), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, announced today that it has entered into a Stock Exchange Agreement to acquire the remaining 20.0% minority interest in Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. (“Jingzhou Henglong”), and the remaining 19.0% minority interest in Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gear Co., Ltd. (“Shashi Jiulong”), from Jiulong Machinery Electricity Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (“Jiulong Machinery Electricity”).

 

The Company will issue a total of 4,078,000 new common shares of CAAS stock to Jiulong Machinery Electricity as consideration for the acquisition of the minority interests. The Company will issue 3,260,000 new shares in exchange for the 20% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong, and 818,000 new shares for the 19% equity interest in Shashi Jiulong. The shares will be issued in a private placement transaction that is exempt from registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The aggregate purchase price of the acquisition will be equivalent to approximately US$ 35.2 million based on the closing price of CAAS stock of $8.62 on the Nasdaq Stock Market on August 8, 2014. The net income of the two subsidiaries totaled $27.8 million in 2013.

 

Hubei Henglong Automotive System Group Co., Ltd. (“Henglong Group”), a wholly owned subsidiary of CAAS, currently owns the other 80.0% and 81.0% equity interests in Jingzhou Henglong and Shashi Jiulong, respectively. The Company expects to complete these acquisitions in the third quarter of 2014. Upon completion of these acquisitions, Jingzhou Henglong and Shashi Jiulong will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Henglong Group.

 

Jingzhou Henglong was founded in 1997, and it is mainly engaged in the production of rack and pinion power steering gear for cars and light-duty vehicles. Founded in 1993, Shashi Jiulong is mainly engaged in the production of integral power steering gear for heavy-duty vehicles.

 

Hanlin Chen, Chairman of China Automotive Systems, commented, “We are pleased to consolidate the remaining shares of two of our key subsidiaries and take full ownership. Their operations and financial results are important to the success of CAAS. With full ownership, we will benefit from having greater control over the operations and future growth of each business. We will also immediately consolidate higher net profits, which will be accretive to our net earnings per share.”

 

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

 

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through eight Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 4.0 million sets of steering gears, columns and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. in China, and Chrysler N.A. in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the qualitative and quantitative effects of the accounting errors, the periods involved, the nature of the Company's review and any anticipated conclusions of the Company or its management and other statements that are not historical facts. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. As a result, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2014, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jie Li

Chief Financial Officer

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

 

Kevin Theiss

Investor Relations

Grayling

Tel: +1-646-284-9409

Email: kevin.theiss@grayling.com

 

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