EX-99.1 2 tm2510511d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

China Automotive Systems Reports 13% Revenue Increase to Annual Record

 

- Electric Power Steering (“EPS”) Sales Increased by 29.9% in 2024 -

 

WUHAN, China, March 28, 2025 -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAAS) (“CAAS” or the “Company”), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the audited results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

 

·Net sales increased by 18.6% year-over-year to $188.7 million

 

·Gross profit was $29.5 million from $34.7 million. Gross margin of 15.6% compared to 21.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023

 

·Operating income was $8.7 million, compared with $13.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023

 

·Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $9.1 million, or diluted net income per share of $0.30, compared to net income of $10.9 million, or diluted net income per share of $0.36 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights

 

·Net sales increased by 12.9% to an annual record of $650.9 million compared to $576.4 million in 2023

 

·Gross profit increased by 5.2% to $109.2 million compared to $103.8 million in 2023. Gross margin was 16.8% compared with 18.0% in 2023

 

·Operating income increased by 2.6% to $40.3 million from $39.2 million in 2023

 

·Diluted net income per share was $0.99 in 2024 compared to $1.25 in 2023

 

·Total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $129.4 million at year end

 

·Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $9.8 million in 2024.

 

Mr. Qizhou Wu, Chief Executive Officer of CAAS, commented, “We had a solid year in 2024 with record annual revenue, continued profitable operations, positive cash flow from operations, provided a special cash dividend to reward shareholders and initiated a share repurchase program.”

 

“Despite modest economic growth in China, our traditional hydraulic steering products continued to grow in 2024 even as our more advanced electric power steering (“EPS”) achieved stronger growth of 29.9%. EPS products comprised 38.9% of total sales in 2024, up from 33.8% a year ago.”

 

“Selling into multiple markets, we experienced a range of growth both domestically and internationally. Our operations in Brazil reported modest growth while demand from North American weakened. Domestically, our steering product sales into the Chinese passenger vehicle market continued healthy. Domestic steering product sales growth into the commercial vehicle market remains sluggish due to lower commercial vehicle sales in 2024.”

 

 

 

 

“We ended the 2024 year strongly as our highest quarterly revenues were in the fourth quarter. For 2024, our subsidiary, Jingzhou Henglong Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (“Jinzhou Henglong”) reported 2024 annual production and sales volume exceeded 5.0 million units, representing an 18.5% year-over-year growth. We also announced in early 2025 that Jingzhou Henglong achieved a production and sales increase of 35% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, and reached a new single monthly record high sales and production in December 2024 of more than 620,000 units, a 46.7% year-over-year increase. In addition, our subsidiary, Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd (“Shashi Jiulong”), won customer awards and accolades from two major vehicle OEM customers, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Shaanxi Automobile Heavy Truck. We remain encouraged as China has initiated a number of economic incentives to bolster economic growth and improve the automobile industry prospects,” Mr. Wu concluded.

 

Mr. Jie Li, Chief Financial Officer of CAAS, commented, “We remain in a strong financial position even after spending over $22.4 million in cash dividends, or $0.80 per share in cash, as well as spending money on share repurchases. Our total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments reached $129.4 million at year end, or approximately $4.29 per share. Our current ratio was 1.3 on December 31, 2024. We continue to have the resources to support our future growth.”

 

Fourth Quarter of 2024

 

In the fourth quarter of 2024, net sales increased by 18.6% to $188.7 million compared to $159.2 million in the same quarter of 2023. The net sales increase was mainly due to a change in the product mix and higher demand for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Gross profit was $29.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $34.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 15.6% compared to 21.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily due to a change in product mix.

 

Selling expenses were $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Selling expenses represented 2.5% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

General and administrative expenses (“G&A expenses”) were $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $9.4 million in the same period in 2023. G&A expenses represented 5.1% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 5.9% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Research and development expenses (“R&D expenses”) were $7.8 million compared with $9.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. R&D expenses represented 4.1% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 5.9% in the fourth quarter of 2023, mainly due to a decrease in miscellaneous development expenses.

 

 

 

 

Operating income was $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $13.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Lower gross profit in the 2024 fourth quarter compared with the same period last year was the main cause.

 

Interest expense was $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Financial income was $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $8.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Income tax benefit was $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to income tax expense of $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $9.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $10.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Diluted income per share was $0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to diluted income per share of $0.36 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 30,180,947 compared to 30,185,702 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Fiscal Year 2024

 

Net sales increased by 12.9% to $650.9 million in 2024, compared to $576.4 million in 2023. This increase was mainly due to higher sales of passenger vehicles in China, as total sales of the Company’s EPS systems increased by 29.9% year-over-year and sales of the Henglong subsidiary’s steering systems to the Chinese passenger vehicle market increased by 20.0% year-over-year. Brazil Henglong’s net sales grew by 5.7% year-over-year to $51.0 million in 2024. This growth partially offset a sales reduction by North American customers in 2024. EPS sales represented 38.9% of total revenue in 2024 compared to 33.8% in 2023.

 

Gross profit in 2024 increased by 5.2% year-over-year to $109.2 million, compared to $103.8 million in 2023. The gross margin was 16.8% compared with 18.0% in 2023 mainly due to a change in our product mix and lower average selling prices for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Net gain on other sales in 2023 was $4.3 million compared to $5.8 million in 2023 mainly due to lower material sales in 2024.

 

Selling expenses rose by 14.4% year-over-year to $17.9 million in 2024 from $15.6 million in 2023, mainly due to an increase in marketing and office expenses. Selling expenses represented 2.7% of net sales in 2024 and 2023.

 

 

 

 

G&A expenses increased by 8.7% year-over-year to $27.7 million in 2024, compared to $25.5 million in 2023. G&A expenses represented 4.3% of net sales in 2024, compared to 4.4% of net sales in 2023. This expense increase was mainly due to higher office, property and other taxes and maintenance and repair expense.

 

R&D expenses were $27.6 million in 2024, compared to $29.2 million in 2023. Lower R&D expenses reflect less investment in traditional product upgrades and miscellaneous research expenses. R&D expenses were 4.2% of net sales in 2024, compared to 5.1% of net sales in 2023.

 

Operating income increased by 2.6% to $40.3 million in 2023, compared to $39.2 million in 2023. The increase in operating income was mainly due to a 5.2% increase in gross profit combined with a change in R&D expenses.

 

Interest expense was $1.8 million in 2024, compared to $1.0 million in 2023, primarily due to an increase in bank loans in 2024 compared with 2023.

 

Net financial expense was $0.09 million in 2024, compared to financial income of $4.7 million for 2023. This decrease in financial income of $4.8 million was primarily due to higher foreign exchange gains in 2023.

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $44.1 million in 2024 compared with $48.2 million in 2023. The change was primarily due to lower operating income in 2024.

 

Income tax expense was $5.9 million in 2024 compared to $5.1 million in 2023. This increase was mainly due to a valuation allowance reversal, and a one-time income tax expense settlement for subsidiaries in the PRC and the U.S. this year.

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $30.0 million in 2024 compared to $37.7 million in 2023. Diluted net income per share was $0.99 in 2024 compared to $1.25 in 2023.

 

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 30,184,513 in 2024 compared with 30,189,421 in 2023.

 

Balance Sheet

 

As of December 31, 2024 total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $129.4 million. Total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $343.5 million. Accounts payable including notes payable were $292.8 million and short-term bank loans were $72.6 million. Total parent company stockholders’ equity was $349.6 million as of December 31, 2024 compared to $344.5 million as of December 31, 2023. Net cash flow from operating activities was $9.8 million in 2024. Cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment and land use rights was $43.7 million in 2024 and cash received from property, plant and equipment sales was $20.5 million.

 

 

 

 

Business Outlook

 

Management provides revenue guidance for the fiscal year 2025 of $700.0 million. This target is based on the Company’s current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

 

Conference Call

 

Management will conduct a conference call on March 28, 2025 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 with pin 826041:

 

Phone Number: +1-888-506-0062 (North America)

Phone Number: +1-973-528-0011 (International)

Mainland China Toll Free: +86-400-120-3199

 

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

 

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

 

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through its sixteen Sino-foreign joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries. 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 8 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 Stellantis N.V. and Ford Motor Company in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2025, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any of these factors and other factors beyond our control, could have an adverse effect on the overall business environment, cause uncertainties in the regions where we conduct business, cause our business to suffer in ways that we cannot predict, and materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. A prolonged disruption or any further unforeseen delay in our operations of the manufacturing, delivery and assembly process within any of our production facilities could continue to result in delays in the shipment of products to our customers, increased costs and reduced revenue. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jie Li

Chief Financial Officer

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Email: [email protected]

 

Kevin Theiss

Investor Relations

+1-212-510-8922

Email: [email protected]

 

-Tables Follow –

 

 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

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

 

   December 31, 
   2024   2023 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $56,961   $114,660 
Pledged cash   44,863    40,534 
Short-term investments   27,563    11,084 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties (Allowance for credit losses of $11,783 and $15,599, respectively)   329,275    261,237 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties (Allowance for credit losses of $1,463 and $1,404, respectively)   14,224    8,169 
Advance payments and others, net - unrelated parties (Allowance for credit losses of $34 and $22, respectively)   10,838    14,008 
Advance payments and others - related parties   2,202    1,991 
Inventories   112,558    112,392 
Other assets   4,154     
Total current assets   602,638    564,075 
Non-current assets:          
Property, plant and equipment, net   103,820    101,359 
Land use rights, net   8,835    9,233 
Intangible assets, net   3,417    3,865 
Operating lease assets   94    278 
Long-term time deposits   40,057    8,647 
Other receivables, net (Allowance for credit losses of $56 and $49, respectively)   452    598 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties   2,414    3,554 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties   6,570    5,759 
Other non-current assets   3,202     
Long-term investments   64,332    60,173 
Deferred tax assets   14,748    8,899 
Total assets  $850,579   $766,440 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Short-term bank loans  $72,566   $48,005 
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties   281,065    240,739 
Accounts and notes payable - related parties   11,743    12,839 
Customer deposits   4,447    8,633 
Accrued payroll and related costs   12,063    11,282 
Accrued expenses and other payables   59,238    44,771 
Taxes payable   15,308    17,267 
Operating lease liabilities - current portion   52    203 
Total current liabilities   456,482    383,739 
Long-term liabilities:          
Advances payable   278    282 
Operating lease liabilities - non-current portion       52 
Long-term loans   145    1,221 
Deferred tax liabilities   3,885    3,943 
Long-term taxes payable       8,781 
           
Total liabilities   460,790    398,018 
Commitments and Contingencies          
Mezzanine equity:          
Redeemable non-controlling interests       613 
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, 2024 and 2023, respectively   3    3 
Additional paid-in capital   69,656    63,731 
Retained earnings-          
Appropriated   12,180    11,851 
Unappropriated   290,273    284,832 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   (14,780)   (8,258)
Treasury stock – 2,167,600 and 2,152,600 shares at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively   (7,763)   (7,695)
Total parent company stockholders’ equity   349,569    344,464 
Non-controlling interests   40,220    23,345 
Total stockholders’ equity   389,789    367,809 
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity  $850,579   $766,440 

 

 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income or Loss

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

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
Net product sales ($48,860 and $47,514 sold to related parties for the years ended December 31,2024 and 2023)  $650,935   $576,354 
Cost of products sold ($30,088 and $27,288 purchased from related parties for the years ended December 31,2024 and 2023)   541,751    472,603 
Gross profit   109,184    103,751 
Net gain on other sales   4,303    5,788 
Operating expenses:          
Selling expenses   17,855    15,610 
General and administrative expenses   27,728    25,503 
Research and development expenses   27,649    29,181 
Total operating expenses   73,232    70,294 
Operating income   40,255    39,245 
Other income, net   5,776    5,345 
Interest expense   (1,813)   (1,021)
Financial (expense)/income, net   (87)   4,666 
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   44,131    48,235 
Less: Income taxes   5,892    5,137 
Add: Equity in loss of affiliated companies   (340)   (360)
Net income   37,899    42,738 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest   7,897    5,050 
Accretion to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests   (23)   (30)
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders   29,979    37,658 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share -          
Basic  $0.99   $1.25 
           
Diluted  $0.99   $1.25 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-          
Basic   30,184,513    30,185,702 
Diluted   30,184,513    30,189,421 

  

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income or Loss

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
         
Net income   37,899    42,738 
Other comprehensive income:          
Foreign currency translation loss   (7,123)   (5,191)
Comprehensive income   30,776    37,547 
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest   7,296    4,704 
Accretion to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interest   (23)   (30)
Comprehensive income attributable to parent company  $23,457   $32,813 

 

 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

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

 

   2024   2023 
Common Stock          
Balance at January 1, 2024 and 2023 - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively  $3   $3 
Balance at December 31, 2024 and 2023 - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares, respectively  $3   $3 
           
Additional Paid-in Capital          
Balance at January 1  $63,731   $63,731 
Change in non-controlling shareholder's interest in the Brazil Henglong   (66)    
Contribution by the non-controlling interest of Henglong KYB   5,991     
Balance at December 31  $69,656   $63,731 
           
Retained Earnings - Appropriated          
Balance at January 1  $11,851   $11,851 
Appropriation of retained earnings   329     
Balance at December 31  $12,180   $11,851 
           
Unappropriated          
Balance at January 1  $284,832   $247,174 
Net income attributable to parent company   30,002    37,688 
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests   (23)   (30)
Appropriation of retained earnings   (329)    
Dividend payables to common shareholders   (24,149)    
Dividend payables to non-controlling interests   (60)    
Balance at December 31  $290,273   $284,832 
           
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss          
Balance at January 1  $(8,258)  $(3,413)
Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to parent company   (6,522)   (4,845)
Balance at December 31  $(14,780)  $(8,258)
           
Treasury Stock          
Balance at January 1, 2024 and 2023 –2,152,600 and 2,152,600 shares, respectively  $(7,695)  $(7,695)
Repurchase of common stock in 2024 and 2023 –15,000 and nil shares, respectively   (68)    
Balance at December 31, 2024and 2023 – 2,167,600 and 2,152,600 shares, respectively  $(7,763)  $(7,695)
           
Total parent company stockholders’ equity  $349,569   $344,464 
           
Non-controlling Interest          
Balance at January 1  $23,345   $15,182 
Net foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to non-controlling interest   (601)   (346)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest   7,897    5,050 
Change in non-controlling shareholder's interest in the Brazil Henglong   66     
Contribution by non-controlling shareholder of Henglong KYB   9,513     
Contribution by non-controlling shareholder of Wuhan Hyoseong       3,459 
Balance at December 31  $40,220   $23,345 
           
Total stockholders’ equity  $389,789   $367,809 

 

 

 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $37,899   $42,738 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   20,224    18,708 
Deferred income taxes   (6,036)   (1,319)
Reversal of credit losses   (953)   1,564 
Equity in loss of affiliates   340    360 
Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment   886    794 
Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets   1,300    (3)
(Increase)/decrease in:          
Other assets and other non-current assets   (7,356)    
Accounts and notes receivable   (77,692)   (50,699)
Advance payments and others   1,540    (3,881)
Inventories   (1,791)   (1,654)
Other receivables   138    (556)
Increase/(decrease) in:          
Accounts and notes payable   40,391    22,024 
Customer deposits   (4,097)   3,091 
Accrued payroll and related costs   956    77 
Accrued expenses and other payables   13,275    (2,667)
Taxes payable   (10,457)   (6,835)
Advances payable   1,209    (1,836)
Net cash provided by operating activities   9,776    19,906 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of short-term investments and long-term time deposits   (77,859)   (68,550)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments   29,442    63,240 
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales   20,510    2,790 
Cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment and land use right (including $6,343 and $5,336 paid to related parties for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (43,656)   (18,235)
Cash paid to acquire intangible assets   (804)   (3,445)
Cash received from long-term investment   316    3,292 
Investment under equity method   (5,880)   (7,729)
Net cash used in investing activities   (77,931)   (28,637)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from bank loans   83,357    64,776 
Repayment of bank loans and loans   (58,995)   (61,437)
Dividends paid to the common shareholders   (22,433)    
Repurchase of common shares   (68)    
Cash received from capital contributions by a non-controlling interest holder   15,504    3,459 
Net cash provided by financing activities   17,365    6,798 
           
Cash and cash equivalents affected by foreign currency   (2,580)   (1,824)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash   (53,370)   (3,757)
Cash,cash equivalents and pledged cash at beginning of year   155,194    158,951 
Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at end of year  $101,824   $155,194