CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC - Annual Report: 2006 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
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x
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ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF
1934.
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For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
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TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934.
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For
the transition period from ____________ to
____________.
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Commission
File Number 000-33123
CHINA
AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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33-0885775
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction
of
Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
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No.
1 Henglong Road, Yu Qiao Development Zone
Shashi
District, Jing Zhou City Hubei Province,
China
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434000
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(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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(86)
716-8329196
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(Registrant’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common
Stock, $ 0.0001 par value
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chaper) is not contained herein, and will not
be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one):
Large
Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated
Filer x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The
Company’s revenues for its most recent fiscal year were $95,766,439
Aggregate
market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates
of
the registrant as of June 30, 2006, based upon the closing price of the common
stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “CAAS”
on such date, was approximately $22,855,706.
23,959,702
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 27, 2007.
2
CHINA
AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
FORM
10-K
INDEX
Page
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PART
I
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Item
1. Description of Business
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4
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Item
1A. Risk Factors
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12
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Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
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19
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Item
2. Description of Property
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19
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Item
3. Legal Proceedings
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20
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Item
4. Submission of Matters of a Vote of Security Holders
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20
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PART
II
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Item
5. Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
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20
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Item
6. Selected Financial Data
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22
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Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
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22
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Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
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46
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Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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47
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Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and
Financial Disclosure
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47
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Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
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47
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Item
9B Other Information
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48
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PART
III
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Item
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
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48
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Item
11. Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis
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52
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Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
and
Related Stockholder Matters
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55
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Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
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55
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Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
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56
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PART
IV
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Item
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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57
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Signatures
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58
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Financial
Statements
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60
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3
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,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,”
“plans,” “potential,” “predict,” “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 report or
other
reports or documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission 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.
PART
I
ITEM
1.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.
COMPANY
HISTORY
China
Automotive Systems, Inc., “China Automotive” or the “Company”, was incorporated
in the State of Delaware on June 29, 1999 under the name Visions-In-Glass,
Inc..
On
or
around March 5, 2003, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding
equity interests of Great Genesis Holding Limited, “Genesis”, a corporation
organized under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China,
by issuance of 20,914,250 shares of common stock to certain sellers. After
the acquisition, the Company continued the operations of Genesis. Genesis
owns all of the capital stock of Ji Long Enterprises Investment Corp. Ltd.,
a
Hong Kong Company, “Ji Long”. Ji Long in turn owns interests in seven
Sino-joint ventures, which manufacture power steering systems and/or related
products for different segments of the automobile industry in
China.
On
May
19, 2003, the Company changed its name from Visions-In-Glass, Inc. to China
Automotive Systems, Inc.
Effective
July 17, 2006, Hanlin Chen, Qizhou Wu, Andy Yiu Wong Tse, Robert Tung, Haimian
Cai, William E. Thomson and Guangxun Xu began serving their terms as members
of
the Company’s Board of Directors. The newly elected directors appointed Hanlin
Chen as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Qizhou Wu as the Chief Operating Officer and Daming Hu as Chief Financial
Officer.
BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Unless
the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the terms “the Company”, “we”,
“our” and “us” to refer to Genesis and China Automotive collectively on a
consolidated basis. The Company is a holding company and has no significant
business operations or assets other than its interest in Genesis. Through
Genesis, the Company manufactures power steering systems and other component
parts for automobiles. All operations are conducted through seven Sino-foreign
joint ventures in China. Set forth below is an organizational chart as at
December 31, 2006.
4
China
Automotive Systems, Inc.
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(100%)
Great
Genesis Holdings Limited
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(100%)
Ji
Long
Enterprise Investment Limited
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44.5%
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81%
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70%
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51%
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60%
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(77.33%)
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(85%)
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Jingzhou
Henglong
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Shashi
Jiulong
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Shenyang
Jinbei
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Zhejiang
Henglong
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Universal
Sensor
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Wuhu Henglong |
Wuhan
Jielong
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Automotive
Parts
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Power
Steering
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Henglong
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&
VIE Pump
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Application.,
Inc.
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Automotive
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Electric
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Co.,
Ltd.
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Co.,
Ltd.
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Automotive
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Co.,
Ltd.
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Steering
System
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Power Steering | ||
Steering
System
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Co.,
Ltd.
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Co.,
Ltd.
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Co.,
Ltd.
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("Henglong)
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("Jiulong")
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("Shenyang")
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("Zhejiang")
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(“USAI”)
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(“Wuhu”)
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(“Jielong”)
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Jiulong
was established in 1993 and mainly engaged in the production of integral power
steering gears for heavy-duty vehicles.
Henglong
was established in 1997 and mainly engaged in the production of rack and pinion
power steering gears for cars and light duty vehicles.
Shenyang
was established in 2002 and focuses on power steering parts for light duty
vehicles.
Zhejiang
was established in 2002 to focus on power steering pumps.
On
April
12, 2005, Great Genesis, entered into a joint-venture agreement with Shanghai
Hongxi Investment Inc., “Hongxi”, a company controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the
Company’s Chairman, and Sensor System Solution Inc., “Sensor”, to establish a
joint venture, Universal Sensor Application Inc., “USAI”, in the Wuhan East Lake
Development Zone. The registered capital of the Joint-venture is $10 million.
Great Genesis and Hongxi will invest $6 million and $1 million, respectively,
including cash and land and building, which will account for 60% and 10% of
the
total registered capital, respectively. Sensor will invest $3 million in
technology, accounting for 30% of the total registered capital. As of December
31, 2006, Great Genesis has contributed $900,337, the equivalent of RMB7,200,000
and Hongxi has contributed $436,954 in cash, the equivalent of RMB3,500,000.
Even though the Company had not yet contributed 60% of the total capital, all
parties had agreed that the Company was a 60% owner during 2006 and on December
31, 2006. USAI reported a net loss in 2006. Pursuant to the above joint venture
agreement, Sensor has failed to contribute it's sensor-related technologies
and
thereby failed to fulfill it's capital contribution commitment as of March
20,
2007. As a result Sensor has withdrawn from USAI and another technology supplier
is being sought.
On
April
14, 2006, Great Genesis, entered into a joint-venture agreement with Hong Kong
Tongda, “Tongda”, to establish a joint venture, Wuhan Jielong Electric Power
Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong”, in the Wuhan East Lake Development Zone. Jielong
is mainly engaged in the production and sales of electric power steering, “EPS”.
The registered capital of the joint-venture is $6 million, the equivalent of
RMB48,000,000. Great Genesis and Tongda will invest $5,100,000 and $900,000,
respectively, amounting to 85% and 15% of the total registered capital,
respectively. As of December 31, 2006, Great Genesis and Tongda have contributed
$765,000 and $135,034 in cash, the equivalent of RMB6,136,830 and RMB1,081,620
respectively.
5
On
March
31, 2006, as amended on May 2, 2006, Great Genesis, entered into a joint-venture
agreement with Wuhu Chery Technology Co., Ltd., “Chery Technology”, to establish
a Joint-venture, Wuhu Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd in the Wuhu
Technological Development Zone. Wuhu is mainly engaged in the production
and sales of automobile steering system. The registered capital of the
Joint-venture is $3,750,387, the equivalent of RMB30,000,000. Great Genesis
and
Chery Technology will invest $2,900,300, the equivalent of RMB23,200,000 and
$848,938, the equivalent of RMB6,800,000 respectively, which will account for
77.33% and 22.67% of the total registered capital, respectively. As of December
31, 2006, the capital of $3,750,387, the equivalent of RMB30,000,000, has been
totally contributed in Wuhu.
The
Company has business relations with more than sixty vehicle manufacturers,
including FAW Group and Dongfeng Auto Group, two of the five largest automobile
manufacturers in China; Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Co., Ltd., the largest van
manufacturers in China; Cherry Automobile Co., Ltd, the largest state owned
car
manufacturer in China, and Zhejiang Geely Automobile Co., Ltd., the largest
private owned car manufacturer. In 2005 and 2006, the Company has supplied
the power steering pumps for SAIC GM Wuling Co., one of the Sino-Foreign joint
ventures established by General Motors (GM).
The
Company currently owns two trademarks covering automobile parts and twelve
Chinese patents 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 2001, the Company signed a Ten-Year Licensing Agreement
with Bishop Steering Technology Limited, a leader in automotive steering gear
technology innovation which is expected to offer advanced technology for
steering valves within the contract period. In 2003, the Company signed a
Technology Transfer Agreement with Nanyang Ind. Co. Ltd., a leading steering
column maker, for the technology necessary for electronic power steering (EPS)
systems. In addition, the Company established with Tsinghua University a
steering systems research institute designed to develop Electronic Power
Steering (EPS) and Electronic Hydraulic Steering Systems (EHPS).
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, decreasing costs,
research and development and strategic acquisitions. Set forth below are the
Company’s programs:
-
Brand
Recognition. Under the Henglong and Jiulong brands, the Company offers four
separate series of power steering sets and 310 models of power steering sets,
steering columns, steering oil pumps and steering hoses.
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Quality
Control. The Henglong and Jiulong manufacturing facilities passed the ISO/TS
16949 System Certification in January 2004, a well-recognized quality control
system in the auto industry developed by TUVRheindland of Germany.
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Decrease Cost. 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.
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Research and Development. By partnering with Bishop Steering Technology Limited,
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.
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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.
6
-
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 fulfill the following
criteria:
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companies that can be easily integrated into product manufacturing and corporate
management;
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companies that have strong joint venture partners that would become major
customers; and
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companies involved with power steering systems, oil pump or engine-cooling
systems.
CUSTOMERS
The
Company’s ten largest customers represent 72.6% of the Company’s total sales for
the year ended December 31, 2006. The following table sets forth information
regarding the Company’s ten largest customers.
Name
of Major Customers
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Percentage
of Total
Revenue
in 2006
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Chery
Automobile Co., Ltd
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16.4
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%
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Brilliance
China Automotive Holdings Limited
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13.3
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%
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Beiqi
Foton Motor Co., Ltd.
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11.1
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%
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Zhejiang
Geely Holding Co., Ltd
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10.3
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%
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Xi’an
BYD Electric Car Co., Ltd
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7.2
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%
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Dongfeng
Auto Group Co., Ltd
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4.6
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%
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China
FAW Group Corporation
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3.2
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%
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Shanxi
Heavy Auto Co., Ltd
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2.5
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%
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Shenyang
Zhongshun Auto Co., Ltd
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2.1
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%
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Great
Wall Motor Company Limited
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1.9
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%
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Total
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72.6
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%
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We
primarily sell our products to the above-mentioned customers; we also have
excellent relationships with them, including as their first-ranking supplier
and
developer for new product development for new models. While we intend to
continue to focus on retaining and winning this business, we cannot ensure
that
we will succeed in doing so. It is difficult to keep these contracts 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 102 sales persons, which are divided into
an original equipment manufacturing, (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 more effectively represent
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.
7
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
met
with potential customers. Through these activities, the Company has generated
potential business interests 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.
EMPLOYEES
AND FACILITIES
As
of
December 31, 2006, the Company employed approximately 2,042 persons,
including approximately 1,452 by Henglong and Jiulong, approximately 217 by
Shengyan, approximately 264 by Zhejiang, approximately 43 by USAI and
approximately 66 by Wuhu.
As
of
December 31, 2006, each of Henglong and Jiulong, Shenyang, Zhejiang and Wuhu
has
a manufacturing and administration area of 448,612 square meters, 35,354 square
meters, 27,756 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 the Company’s main product, power steering
gears, was approximately 450,000 units, 510,000 units and 800,000 units in
2004,
2005 and 2006 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
$21.5 million was spent over the last three years on professional-grade
equipment -- approximately 88% of which is already in place and in use as of
December 31, 2006.
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, electronic parts, molded plastic parts,
finished sub-components, fabricated metal, aluminum and steel. 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 represent in the aggregate
21.9% of all components and raw materials it purchased for the year ended
December 31, 2006, with no single supplier providing more than 10% of total
purchases.
8
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 has a ten-year consulting and licensing agreement with Bishop Steering
Technology Ltd, one of the leading design firms in power steering
systems. Bishop’s technology in power steering systems is currently used by
carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes Benz. Pursuant to the agreement, the
Company has implemented the Bishop steering valve technology into the Henglong
brand R&P power steering gear.
Henglong
owns a Hubei Provincial-Level Technical Center, which is approved by the Hubei
Economic Commission. The center has a staff of 122, including 12 senior
engineers, 2 foreign experts and 68 engineers, primarily focused on steering
system R&D, tests, production process improvement and new material and
production methodology application.
In
addition, the Company has partnered with Tsinghua University to establish a
steering system research center, called Tsinghua Henglong Automobile Steering
Research Institute, for the purposes of R&D and experimentation for
Electronic-controlled Power Steering (EPS).
We
believe that our engineering and technical expertise, together with our emphasis
on continuing research and development, allow us to use the latest technologies,
materials and processes to solve problems for our customers and to bring new,
innovative products to market. We believe that continued research and
development activities, including engineering, are critical to maintaining
our
pipeline of technologically advanced products. We have aggressively managed
costs in other portions of our business in order to maintain our total
expenditures for research and development activities, including engineering,
at
approximately $1,100,000, $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In 2006, the sales of
newly developed products accounted for about 9.6% of total sales.
COMPETITION
The
automotive components industry is extremely competitive. Criteria for the
Company’s customers include 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 downward pressure on selling prices. For the
year ended December 31, 2006, the selling price of the Company’s principal
products was reduced by an average of 9.5% compared with 2005.
The
Company’s major competitors, including Shanghai ZF and 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. First Auto 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 all of its operations are located
in China. An increase or decrease in 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, in 2006, the output and sales volume of domestic made
vehicles has reached 5,233,100 and 5,176,000 units respectively, with an
increase of 32.76% and 30.02% compared with the same period of last
year. The sales volume of national brand vehicles had reached 982,800
units, representing 25.67% of total passenger vehicles sales, an increase of
4.13% as compared with 21.54% market share in 2005. The output and sales volume
of commercial vehicles has reached 2,050,000 and 2,040,000 units respectively
with an increase of 15.0% and 14.0% over last year. National brand vehicles
maintained a lead in the commercial vehicle market obtaining more than 96%
thereof.
9
In
2006,
due to the increased sales volume of Chinese vehicles, the Company’s sales of
steering gear and steering pumps for passenger vehicles increased by 50.5%
and
70.6%, respectively, as compared with the corresponding period in 2005, however,
the Company’s sales of steering gears for commercial vehicles increased by 43.3%
as compared with the corresponding period in 2005.
The
Company expects that in 2007, China’s automobile market will develop steadily.
Lei
Jiang, the Secretary General of the China Association of Automotive
Manufacturers and Chairman of the Automobile Industry of the China Council
for
the promotion of International Trade, predicted that in 2007, there will be
healthy development for the Chinese auto market, and the output and sales of
vehicles will increase by approximately 15%. Based on this prediction,
management believes that the Company’s net sales would increase by
15%-20%.
CHINESE
ECONOMY
Management
believes that the most important factor in understanding the Chinese automobile
industry is the country’s rapid economic growth. Chinese economic growth
maintained high levels in 2006. According to data from State Statistical
Bureau, the Chinese economic growth reached 10.7% in 2006. Because of the growth
of the Chinese economy and the increased income level of its residents, the
investment by Chinese enterprises and consumption by Chinese residents will
continue to increase rapidly.
Management
believes that the continued investment and consumption growth will have a
favorable effect on the sales of commercial vehicles and passenger
vehicles.
HIGHWAY
DEVELOPMENT
Management
believes that the continuing development of the highway system will have a
significant positive impact on the manufacture and sale of private automobiles.
Statistics from the Ministry of Communications show that 94,000 kilometers
of
highway and 4,300 kilometers of expressway were developed in 2006. Total
highways and expressways now amount to 2,014,000 kilometers and 44,000
kilometers, respectively.
10
DOING
BUSINESS IN CHINA
CHINESE
LEGAL SYSTEM
The
practical effect of the Chinese legal system on the Company’s business
operations in China can be viewed from two separate but intertwined
considerations. First, as a matter of substantive law, the Foreign Invested
Enterprise Laws provide significant protection from government interference.
In
addition, these laws guarantee the full enjoyment of the benefits of corporate
articles and contracts to Foreign Invested Enterprise participants. These laws,
however, do impose standards concerning corporate formation and governance,
which are not qualitatively different from the general corporation laws of
other
provinces. Similarly, the Chinese accounting laws mandate accounting practices,
which are not consistent with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
The
Chinese accounting laws require that an annual “statutory audit” be performed in
accordance with Chinese accounting standards and that the books of account
of
Foreign Invested Enterprises be maintained in accordance with Chinese accounting
laws. Article 14 of the People’s Republic of China Wholly Foreign-Owned
Enterprise Law requires a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise to submit certain
periodic fiscal reports and statements to designated financial and tax
authorities. Otherwise, there is risk that its business license will be
revoked.
Second,
while the enforcement of substantive rights may appear less clear than those
in
the United States, the Foreign Invested Enterprises and Wholly Foreign-Owned
Enterprises are Chinese registered companies which enjoy the same status as
other Chinese registered companies in business dispute resolution. Because
the
terms of the Company’s various Articles of Association provide that all business
disputes pertaining to Foreign Invested Enterprises will be resolved by the
Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce in Stockholm, Sweden
applying Chinese substantive law, the Chinese minority partner in the Company’s
joint venture companies will not assume any advantageous position regarding
such
disputes. Any award rendered by this arbitration tribunal is, by the express
terms of the various Articles of Association, enforceable in accordance with
the
“United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign
Arbitral Awards (1958).” Therefore, as a practical matter, although no
assurances can be given, the Chinese legal infrastructure, while different
from
its United States counterpart, should not present any significant impediment
to
the operation of Foreign Invested Enterprises.
ECONOMIC
REFORM ISSUES
Although
the Chinese Government owns the majority of productive assets in China, in
the
past several years the Government has implemented economic reform measures
that
emphasize decentralization and encourage private economic activity. Because
these economic reform measures may be inconsistent or ineffectual, there is
no
assurance that:
-
The Company will be able to capitalize on economic reforms;
-
The Chinese Government will continue its pursuit of economic reform
policies;
-
The economic policies, even if pursued, will be successful;
-
Economic policies will not be significantly altered from time to time;
and
-
Business operations in China will not become subject to the risk of
nationalization.
Negative
impact resulting from economic reform policies or nationalization could result
in a total investment loss in the Company’s common stock.
Since
1979, the Chinese Government has reformed its economic system. Because many
reforms are unprecedented or experimental, they are expected to be refined
and
readjusted. Other political, economic and social factors, such as political
changes, changes in the rates of economic growth, unemployment or inflation,
or
disparities in per capita wealth between regions within China, could lead to
further readjustment of the reform measures. This refining and readjustment
process may negatively affect the Company’s operations.
11
Over
the
last few years, China’s economy has registered a high growth rate. Recently,
there have been indications that the rate of inflation has increased. In
response, the Chinese Government recently has taken measures to curb the
excessively expansive economy. These measures included implementation of a
unitary and well-managed floating exchange rate system based on market supply
and demand for the exchange rates of Renminbi, restrictions on the availability
of domestic credit, reduction of the purchasing capability of its citizens,
and
centralization of the approval process for purchases of certain limited foreign
products. These austerity measures alone may not succeed in slowing down the
economy’s excessive expansion or control inflation, and may result in severe
dislocations in the Chinese economy. The Chinese Government may adopt additional
measures to further combat inflation, including the establishment of freezes
or
restraints on certain projects or markets.
To
date
reforms to China’s economic system have not adversely affected the Company’s
operations and are not expected to adversely affect the Company’s operations in
the foreseeable future; however, there can be no assurance that reforms to
China’s economic system will continue or that the Company will not be adversely
affected by changes in China’s political, economic, and social conditions and by
changes in policies of the Chinese Government, such as changes in laws and
regulations, measures which may be introduced to control inflation, changes
in
the rate or method of taxation, imposition of additional restrictions on
currency conversion and remittance abroad, reduction in tariff protection and
other import restrictions.
ITEM
1A.
RISK FACTORS.
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
the
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include,
among others, the following:
Risks
Related to the Company’s Business and Industry
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 has no operations independent of those of Great Genesis and its
subsidiaries, and its principal assets are its investments in Great Genesis
and
its subsidiaries. As a result, the Company is dependent upon the performance
of
Great Genesis and its subsidiaries and will be subject to the financial,
business and other factors affecting Great 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, it 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 its 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, the Company’s assets and those of its subsidiaries will be
available to satisfy the claims of its stockholders only after all of the
Company’s 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.
12
The
automobile parts industry is a highly competitive business. Criteria for the
Company’s customers include:
· 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
Company’s competitors include independent suppliers of parts, as well as
suppliers formed by spin-offs from its 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 the Company
could lose market share, any of which could materially harm the Company’s
business, results of operations and profitability.
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. They also can
be
affected by labor relations issues, regulatory requirements, and other factors.
In addition, in the last two years, the price of automobiles in China has
generally declined. As a result, the volume of automotive production in China
has fluctuated from year to year, which give rise to fluctuations in the demand
for the Company’s products. Any significant economic decline that results in a
reduction in automotive production and sales by the Company’s customers would
have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. Moreover, if the
prices of automobiles do not remain low, then demand for automobile parts could
fall and 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,
moulded 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 its operating costs and adversely affect
its
profit margins 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, including requiring suppliers to pay a “3-R
Guarantees “ service charge for repair, replacement and refund in an amount
equal to one percent of the total amount of parts supplied. 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.
13
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, 2006, approximately 16.4% of the Company’s sales were to
Chery Automobile Co., Ltd, approximately 13.3% were to Brilliance China
Automotive Holdings Limited, approximately 11.1% were to Beiqi Foton Motor
Co.,
Ltd, and approximately 10.3% were to Zhejiang Geely Holding Co., Ltd, the
Company’s four largest customers. 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 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 to 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 equal to one percent of the total amount of parts supplied. Accordingly,
the Company has experienced and shall 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.
The
Company is subject to environmental and safety regulations, which may increase
the Company’s compliance costs and may adversely affect the Company’s results of
operation.
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 failed to perform,
and
the Company 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 electronics expertise, together
with managerial, finance and marketing personnel. The Company does not maintain
a key person life insurance policy on Mr. Hanlin Chen. 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.
14
The
Company’s management controls approximately 83.8% of its outstanding common
stock and may have conflicts of interest with its minority stockholders.
Members
of the Company’s management beneficially own approximately 83.8% of the
outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result, these majority
stockholders have control over decisions to enter into any corporate transaction
and have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval
of
stockholders, which could result in the approval of transactions that might
not
maximize 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.
There
is a limited public float of the Company’s common stock, which can result in its
stock price being volatile and prevent the realization of a profit on resale
of
the Company’s common stock
There
is
a limited public float of the Company’s common stock. Of the Company’s
outstanding common stock, approximately 16.2% is considered part of the public
float. The term “public float” refers to shares freely and actively tradable on
the NASDAQ SmallCap Market and not owned by officers, directors or affiliates,
as such term is defined under the Securities Act. Due to the Company’s
relatively small public float and the limited trading volume of its common
stock, purchases and sales of relatively small amounts of the Company’s common
stock can have a disproportionate effect on the market price for the Company’s
common stock. As a result, the market price of the Company’s common stock can be
volatile. This stock price volatility could prevent a stockholder seeking to
sell Company common stock from being able to sell it at or above the price
at
which the stock was bought.
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 the Company 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.
Risks
Related to Doing Business in China and other International
Countries
Because
the Company’s operations are all located outside of the United States and are
subject to Chinese laws, any change of Chinese laws may adversely affect the
Company’s business.
All
of
the Company’s operations are outside the United States and in China, 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 Chinese government actions, and unsettled political conditions. These
factors may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or on the
Company’s 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 the Company’s
international sales outside China by targeting markets, such as the United
States. 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 the Company’s business, operating results and financial
condition.
15
The
Company faces risks associated with currency exchange rate fluctuations, any
adverse fluctuation may adversely affect the Company’s operating margins.
Although
the Company is incorporated in the United States, the majority of its current
revenues is in Chinese currency. Conducting business in currencies other than
US
dollars subjects the Company to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that
could have a negative impact on the Company’s reported operating results.
Fluctuations in the value of the US 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
the
Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and involve costs and
risks of their own, such as ongoing management time and expertise, 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 the Company’s ability to access US capital markets.
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 its 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.
The
economic, political and social conditions in China could affect the Company’s
business.
All
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 recently 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 the financial
condition.
16
The
significant but uneven growth in the economy of China in the past 20 years
could
have an adverse 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. Some of these measures benefit the overall economy
of China, but may have a negative effect on the Company.
Government
control of currency conversion and future movements in exchange rates may
adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial results.
The
Company receives substantially all of its revenues in Renminbi, the currency
of
China. 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 Renminbi into foreign currency. Although the
exchange rate of the Renminbi to the US dollar has been stable since January
1,
1994, and the Chinese Government has stated its intention to maintain the
stability of the value of Renminbi, there can be no assurance that exchange
rates will remain stable. The Renminbi could devalue against the US dollar.
The
Company’s financial condition and results of operations may also be affected by
changes in the value of certain currencies other than the Renminbi in which
the
Company’s earnings and obligations are denominated. In particular, a devaluation
of the Renminbi is likely to increase the portion of the Company’s cash flow
required to satisfy the Company’s foreign currency-denominated
obligations.
Because
the Chinese legal system is not fully developed, the Company’s 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, 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’s management or the Company.
All
of
the Company’s assets are located in China and three out of the Company’s
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.
17
Risks
Related to the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (“SEDA”)
Future
sales by the Company’s stockholders may adversely affect its stock price and its
ability to raise funds in new stock offerings.
Sales
of
the Company’s common stock in the public market following the SEDA could lower
the market price of its common stock. Sales may also make it more difficult
for
the Company to sell equity securities or equity-related securities in the future
at a time and price that management deems acceptable, or at all. Of the
23,959,702 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 27,
2007,
all such shares are, or will be, freely tradable without restriction, unless
held by our “affiliates.” Some of these shares may be resold under
Rule 144.
Existing
stockholders could experience significant dilution from the Company’s sale of
shares under the SEDA.
The
Company’s financial needs will be partially provided from the SEDA. The issuance
of shares of the Company’s common stock under the SEDA, at below-market prices,
will have a dilutive impact on its other stockholders and the issuance or even
potential issuance of such shares could have a negative effect on the market
price of its common stock. As a result, the Company’s net income per share could
decrease in future periods, and the market price of the Company’s common stock
could decline. In addition, the lower the Company’s stock price, the more shares
of common stock it will have to issue under the SEDA to draw down the full
amount. If the Company’s stock price is lower, then its existing stockholders
would experience greater dilution.
Under
the SEDA, Cornell Capital Partners will pay less than the then-prevailing market
price of the Company’s common stock.
The
common stock to be issued under the SEDA will be issued at a 1.5% discount
to
the lowest daily Volume Weighted Average Price, VWAP, of the Company’s common
stock during the five consecutive trading day period immediately following
the
date the Company notifies Cornell Capital Partners that it desires to access
the
SEDA; provided, that the price per share paid by Cornell Capital Partners will
in no event be less than a minimum of 90% of the closing bid price for the
Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date that it
delivers an advance request. Further, Cornell Capital Partners will retain
4.5%
of each advance under the SEDA. Based on this discount, Cornell Capital Partners
will have an incentive to sell immediately to realize the gain on the 1.5%
discount. These sales could cause the price of the Company’s common stock to
decline, based on increased selling of its common stock.
The
sale of the Company’s stock under the SEDA could encourage short sales by third
parties, which could contribute to the future decline of the Company’s stock
price.
In
many
circumstances, the provisions of a SEDA have the potential to cause a
significant downward pressure on the price of a company’s common stock. This is
especially the case if the shares being placed into the market exceed the
market’s ability to take up the increased stock or if the Company has not
performed in such a manner to show that the equity funds raised will be used
for
growth. Such an event could place further downward pressure on the price of
the
Company’s common stock. The Company may request numerous drawdowns pursuant to
the terms of the SEDA. Even if the Company uses the SEDA to invest in ways
that
are materially beneficial to it, the opportunity exists for short sellers and
others to contribute to the future decline of the Company’s stock price. If
there are significant short sales of stock, the price decline that would result
from this activity in turn may cause long holders of the stock to sell their
shares thereby contributing to sales of stock in the market. If there is an
imbalance on the sell side of the market for the Company’s common stock, the
price will decline.
It
is not
possible to predict those circumstances whereby short sales could materialize
or
the extent to which the stock price could drop. In some companies that have
been
subjected to short sales the stock price has dropped significantly. This could
happen to the Company’s stock price.
18
Cornell
Capital Partners may sell shares of the Company’s common stock after it delivers
an advance notice during the pricing period, which could cause the Company’s
stock price to decline.
Cornell
Capital Partners is deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock
corresponding to a particular advance on the date that the Company delivers
an
advance notice to Cornell Capital Partners, which is prior to the date the
stock
is delivered to Cornell Capital Partners. Cornell Capital Partners may sell
such
shares any time after the Company delivers an advance notice. Accordingly,
Cornell Capital Partners may sell such shares during the pricing period. Such
sales may cause the Company’s stock price to decline and if so would result in a
lower VWAP during the pricing period, which would result in the Company having
to issue a larger number of shares of common stock to Cornell Capital Partners
in respect of the advance.
The
Company may not be able to obtain a cash advance under the SEDA if Cornell
Capital Partners holds more than 9.9% of the Company’s common
stock.
In
the
event Cornell Capital Partners holds more than 9.9% of our then-outstanding
common stock, the Company will be unable to obtain a cash advance under the
SEDA. A possibility exists that Cornell Capital Partners may own more than
9.9%
of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a time when it would otherwise plan
to request an advance under the SEDA. In that event, if the Company is unable
to
obtain additional external funding, it could fail to achieve the corporate
objectives that it had hoped to use the cash to achieve.
ITEM
1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not
Applicable.
ITEM
2.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY.
The
Company’s headquarters are located at No. 1 Henglong Road, Yu Qiao Development
Zone Shashi District, Jing Zhou City Hubei Province, PRC. Set forth below are
the manufacturing facilities operated by each joint venture. The Company has
long-term rights, forty to fifty years, to use the land and owns all of the
land
improvements.
Name
of Entity
|
|
Product
|
|
Total
Area (M2)
|
|
Building
Area (M2)
|
|
Original
Cost of Equipment
|
|
Site
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
Henglong
|
Automotive
Parts
|
395,741
|
20,226
|
$
|
17,383,308
|
Jingzhou
City, Hubei Province
|
||||||||||
13,393
|
13,707
|
-
|
Wuhan
City, Hubei Province
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Jiulong
|
Power
Steering Gears
|
39,478
|
23,728
|
9,851,256
|
Jingzhou
City, Hubei Province
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Shenyang
|
Automotive
Steering Gears
|
35,354
|
16,369
|
1,958,812
|
Shenyang
City, Liaoning Province
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Zhejiang
|
Steering
Pumps
|
27,756
|
7,262
|
3,369,420
|
Zhuji
City, Zhejiang Province
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
USAI
|
Sensor
Modular
|
—
|
—
|
368,205
|
Wuhan
City, Hubei Province
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Wuhu
|
Automotive
Steering Gears
|
83,705
|
15,197
|
8,472
|
Wuhu
City, Anhue Province
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Jielong
|
Electric
Power
Steering
|
—
|
—
|
33,000
|
Wuhan
City, Hubei Province
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
|
595,427
|
96,489
|
$
|
32,972,473
|
19
The
Company is not involved in investments in (i) real estate or interests in real
estate, (ii) real estate mortgages, and (iii) 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.
The
Company is not a party to any pending or to the best of the Company’s knowledge,
any threatened legal proceedings. No director, officer or affiliate of the
Company, or owner of record of more than five percent (5%) 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.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
During
the fiscal year 2006, we held a shareholder meeting, elected directors and
approved the engagement of Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP as independent
auditor.
PART
II
ITEM
5.
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES
OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
(a)
MARKET PRICES OF COMMON STOCK
The
Company’s common stock has been traded on the NASDAQ Small Cap market under the
symbol “CAAS”. The high and low bid intra-day prices of the common stock in 2006
and 2005 were reported on NASDAQ for the time periods indicated on the table
below. Accordingly, the table below contains the high and low bid closing
prices of the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ for the time periods
indicated.
Price
Range
|
|||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||
High
|
Low
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||||||
First
Quarter
|
$
|
14.04
|
$
|
6.57
|
$
|
12.46
|
$
|
8.53
|
|||||
Second
Quarter
|
11.19
|
6.41
|
9.8
|
6.14
|
|||||||||
Third
Quarter
|
8.14
|
6.52
|
7.85
|
4.1
|
|||||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$
|
12.49
|
$
|
6.68
|
$
|
10.00
|
$
|
4.27
|
The
above
quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or
commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
20
(b)
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 February 27, 2007, there were 23,959,702 shares of
the Company’s common stock outstanding and the Company had approximately 76
stockholders of record.
(c)
DIVIDENDS
The
Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock and
it
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 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 Board of Directors deems
relevant.
(d)
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The
securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at December
31, 2006 are as follows:
Plan
category
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding
options
|
Weighted
average exercise price of outstanding options
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance
|
|||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
2,200,000
|
$
|
6.42
|
2,132,500
|
The
stock
options plan was approved in the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and the
maximum common shares for issuance under this plan are 2,200,000 with a period
of 10 years.
21
ITEM
6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The
following selected financial data reflects the results of operations and balance
sheet data for the years ended 2002 to 2006. The data below should be read
in
conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The
financial information presented may not be indicative of our future
performance.
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002(1)
|
||||||||||||
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
sales
|
$
|
95,766,439
|
$
|
63,572,301
|
$
|
58,185,845
|
$
|
53,624,868
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Net
income
|
4,811,704
|
3,315,478
|
6,867,337
|
3,871,269
|
4,159,000
|
|||||||||||
Basic &
Diluted earnings per share
|
0.21
|
0.15
|
0.30
|
0.18
|
0.20
|
|||||||||||
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
152,108,538
|
119,529,723
|
105,486,645
|
95,846,750
|
19,427,000
|
|||||||||||
Total
liabilities
|
75,615,581
|
60,851,575
|
55,776,357
|
51,145,176
|
13,330,000
|
|||||||||||
Minority
interests
|
23,112,667
|
21,751,043
|
17,571,838
|
18,686,712
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Shareholders
equity
|
$
|
53,380,290
|
$
|
36,927,105
|
$
|
32,138,450
|
$
|
26,014,862
|
$
|
6,097,000
|
(1).
The
minority joint venture partners have the right to participate in management
before January 1, 2003. Pursuant to EITF 96-16, the Company accounted for its
interest in these joint ventures under the equity method for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001. During early 2003, the directors of the Company
and
the other joint ventures in the Company’s Sino-foreign joint ventures executed
“Act in Concert” agreements, accordingly, the Company has accounted for the
above joint ventures on a consolidated basis since January 1, 2003 because
the
Company has exercised sufficient control over their management and
operations.
ITEM
7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATION.
The
following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors
which have affected the Company’s financial position and operating results
during the periods included in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements, as well as information relating to the plans of its current
management. This report includes forward-looking statements. 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,” “continue,” “could,”
“estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predict,”
“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 report or other reports or documents
the
Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 undertakes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements. 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.
22
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 Form 10-K.
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, engaged in the manufacture and sales of
automotive systems and components in the People’s Republic of China, the “PRC”
or “China”, as described below.
The
Company owns the following aggregate net interests in seven Sino-foreign joint
ventures organized in the PRC as of December 31, 2006.
Percentage
Interest
|
||||||||||
Name
of Entity
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||
Jingzhou
Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd."Henglong"
|
44.5
|
%
|
44.5
|
%
|
44.5
|
%
|
||||
Shashi
Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd."Jiulong"
|
81.0
|
%
|
81.0
|
%
|
81.0
|
%
|
||||
Shenyang
Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd."Shenyang"
|
70.0
|
%
|
70.0
|
%
|
70.0
|
%
|
||||
Zhejiang
Henglong & Vie Pump-Manu Co., Ltd."Zhejiang"
|
51.0
|
%
|
51.0
|
%
|
51.0
|
%
|
||||
Universal
Sensor Application Inc.“USAI”
|
60.0
|
%
|
60.0
|
%
|
—
|
|||||
Wuhan
Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd. (“Jielong”)
|
85.0
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Wuhu
HengLong Auto Steering System Co., Ltd. (“Wuhu”)
|
77.33
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
Jiulong
and Henglong were formed in 1993 and 1997 respectively, and they are mainly
engaged in the production of rack and pinion power steering gear and integral
power steering gear for cars and light and heavy-duty vehicles. Shenyang and
Zhejiang were established in 2002 for the production of power steering parts
and
power steering pumps, respectively. USAI was established in 2005 and mainly
engaged in the production and sales of sensor modular. Jielong and Wuhu were
established in 2006, and they are mainly engaged in the production of rack
and
pinion power steering gear for cars and light vehicles and electric power
steering, “EPS”. During 2006, USAI has entered into small batch production,
Jielong and Wuhu were in the early technology and production preparation stage,
and expected to start its small batch production in 2007.
Jingzhou
Henglong Fulida Textile Co., Ltd. (“Jingzhou”) was formed in February 2003 to
produce environmental textiles and raw materials, and was owned 51% by the
Company. Effective August 31, 2004, in order to concentrate on its main
products, namely steering and automotive parts, the Company disposed of its
51%
interest in Jingzhou by entering into an equity exchange agreement with Hubei
Wanlong Investment Co., Ltd., for its 2.5% equity interest in
Henglong.
The
divested non-core business of Jingzhou has been treated as a discontinued
operation under SFAS No. 144. Jingzhou’s results of operation and related
charges have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the Company’s
consolidated statements of operations in 2004.
23
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The
following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain items from the
Company's Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net
sales and the percentage change in the dollar amount of each such item from
that
in the indicated previous year.
Percentage
on net sales
|
Change
in percentage
|
|||||||||||||||
December
31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005 |
2004
|
2005
to 2006
|
2004
to 2005
|
||||||||||||
Income
from continued operations:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
sales
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
50.6
|
%
|
9.3
|
%
|
||||||
Cost
of sales
|
65.6
|
64.7
|
60.2
|
52.9
|
17.3
|
|||||||||||
Gross
profit
|
34.4
|
35.3
|
39.8
|
46.5
|
(2.9
|
)
|
||||||||||
Gain
on other sales (a)
|
0.3
|
0.6
|
1.4
|
(22.4
|
)
|
(54.7
|
)
|
|||||||||
Less:
operating expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
Selling
expenses (a)
|
8.1
|
9.1
|
6.6
|
33.9
|
50.2
|
|||||||||||
General
and administrative expenses (a)
|
8.2
|
8.0
|
10.6
|
53.3
|
(17.1
|
)
|
||||||||||
R
& D expenses
|
1.1
|
1.5
|
2.6
|
10.3
|
(36.3
|
)
|
||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
3.9
|
4.1
|
1.5
|
46.5
|
204.0
|
|||||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
21.3
|
22.7
|
21.3
|
41.4
|
16.7
|
|||||||||||
Operating
income
|
13.3
|
13.2
|
19.9
|
52.3
|
(27.5
|
)
|
||||||||||
Other
income (a)
|
0.1
|
0.2
|
1.5
|
(37.5
|
)
|
(82.4
|
)
|
|||||||||
Financial
expenses
|
(0.9
|
)
|
(1.8
|
)
|
(1.3
|
)
|
(28.6
|
)
|
59.5
|
|||||||
Income
before income tax from continued operations
|
12.6
|
11.6
|
20.1
|
63.2
|
(37.0
|
)
|
||||||||||
Income
tax
|
1.7
|
2.2
|
1.1
|
21.7
|
121.8
|
|||||||||||
Income
before minority interests from continued operations
|
10.8
|
9.4
|
19.0
|
72.7
|
(45.8
|
)
|
||||||||||
Minority
interests
|
5.8
|
4.2
|
7.2
|
106.9
|
(35.9
|
)
|
||||||||||
Net
income from continued operations
|
5.0
|
5.2
|
—
|
45.1
|
(51.9
|
)
|
||||||||||
Net
loss from discontinued operations
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
loss from discontinued operations
|
—
|
—
|
(0.04
|
)
|
—
|
(100.0
|
)
|
|||||||||
Net
income
|
5.0
|
%
|
5.2
|
%
|
11.8
|
%
|
45.1
|
%
|
(51.7
|
%)
|
(a)
For
the convenience of comparability, the Company has reclassified warranty expenses
from general and administrative expenses into selling expenses, also
reclassified non-cash compensation into general and administrative expenses,
and
part of non-operating income which was attributable to operating income into
Gain on other sales, to be consistent with the presentation of its financial
statement for the year 2006.
24
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS: 2006 VERSUS 2005
NET
SALES
The
increase in net product
sales of the Company is summarized as follows:
Increase
|
|||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
(Decrease)
|
|||||||||||
Item
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
Percentage %
|
|||||||||
Steering
gear for commercial vehicles
|
$
|
25,135,726
|
$
|
17,534,929
|
$
|
7,600,797
|
43.3
|
%
|
|||||
Steering
gear for passenger vehicles
|
60,248,178
|
40,044,635
|
20,203,543
|
50.5
|
|||||||||
Steering
pumps
|
10,221,478
|
5,992,737
|
4,228,741
|
70.6
|
|||||||||
Sensor
modular
|
161,057
|
-
|
161,057
|
-
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
95,766,439
|
$
|
63,572,301
|
$
|
32,194,138
|
50.6
|
%
|
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006, net product sales were $95,766,439, as compared
to
$63,572,301 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $32,194,138
or
50.6%. The increase in net sales in 2006 as compared to 2005 was a result of
several factors.
(1)
Increases in the income of Chinese residents and the growth of consumption
led
to an increase in the sales of passenger vehicles and the increase in the
Company’s sales of steering gear and pumps was due to these factors. As a
result, sales of steering gear and pumps for domestic passenger vehicles for
the
year ended December 31, 2006 increased 50.5% and 70.6% over the same periods
of
2005, respectively.
(2)
Increased investments in China led to an increase in sales of commercial
vehicles. For the year ended December 31, 2006, sales of steering gears and
accessories for commercial vehicles increased by 43.3% as compared to the same
period of 2005, mainly due to the Company having expanded its market share
by
adopting technical innovation.
(3)
Through technological improvement to the Company’s production lines, the
technological contents in, and production efficiency, of the Company’s products
were raised, thus satisfying market needs.
Based
on the above reasons, the Company’s increase of net sales was 50.6% in 2006,
which exceeded the anticipated increase of 15%-20%. In 2007, the Company
intends to strive to increase net sales by 15%-20% by expanding its sales market
both domestically and internationally. In the domestic market, the Company
will strive to reach the sales targets for new model 323 sedan of Hainan Mazda
Co., Ltd., LIONCEL sedan of Southeast Motor Co., Ltd. and ZX sedan of Dongfeng
Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd. As for the international market, the
Company will strive to reach the sales targets for the City Mini system and
the
commercial system of TATA motors, one of the biggest automakers in
India.
GAIN
ON
OTHER SALES
Gain
on
other sales consisted of net amount retained from sales of materials and other
assets. For the year ended December 31, 2006, gain on other sales were $279,216,
as compared to $359,986 for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of
$80,770 or 22.4%. Sales of materials for the year ended December 31, 2006 were
$295,826, which decreased
by
$23,579
or 7.4%,
as
compared with $319,405 for the same period of 2005, due to decreased sales
volume of materials. Loss from sales of other assets for the year ended December
31, 2006 was $16,610, which decreased
by
$57,191,
as compared with profit from sales of other assets of $40,581 for the same
period of 2005.
25
GROSS
PROFIT FROM PRODUCT SALES
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006, the gross profit was $32,909,814, as compared
to
$22,466,823 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $10,422,991
or
46.5%, as a result of following factors:
1.
Increased product sales: In the domestic passenger vehicles and commercial
vehicles markets, the output and sales in 2006 greatly increased as compared
to
2005 as a result of rapid and steady growth in consumption demand and government
investment. Accordingly, the Company’s sales of steering parts of 2006 increased
by 50.6% as compared with the corresponding period in 2005. Increased product
sales contributed $11,454,944 or 51.0% to the increase on gross profit.
2.
Lower price. The year 2006 was still a “low price” year for the Chinese
auto industry with an average price reduction of 5.6% during that period, and
low prices have become the norm for many automobile manufacturers. To expand
its
market share, the Company also reduced the prices of its principal products
by
9.5% on average in 2006. Lower prices led a decreased gross profit of $6,013,393
or 26.8% in 2006.
3.
Costs of goods sold: The advanced production equipment, which the Company
acquired recently, has achieved the expected positive effects. In 2006,
manufacturing efficiency was improved, and cost control over the production
process was enhanced, resulting in a cost reduction of the Company’s products by
8.8% on average. The effect of cost reductions was to increase the Company’s
gross profit by $5,001,440 or 22.3% for the year ended December 31,
2006.
In
2006,
the overall gross margin decreased to 34.4% from 35.3% in 2005 because the
decline in selling price was higher than the cost reductions.
It
is
estimated that the sales of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles will
increase in quantity at the rate of 15% in 2007 as a result of rapid and steady
growth in consumption demand and government investment. The Company will want
to
seize the opportunity to stabilize the commercial vehicle market and expand
the
passenger vehicles market, and to increase its gross margin steadily by
increasing output and sales.
In
2007,
the Chinese automobile manufacturers will continue to use price reductions
to
keep and enhance their market share. China National Information Center made
a
projection for the Chinese automobile market in 2007 that automobile prices
will
decline approximate 5%-7% as compared to 2006, and the Company, as an auto
parts
supplier, would be adversely affected with a reduction in its gross margins.
The
Company estimates that auto parts prices will be cut back following similar
reductions in automobile prices. The Company intends to take the following
measures to reduce costs in order to meet its target of 30% gross
profit.
1.
Reduce manufacturing costs by optimizing product design and production
techniques. During 2007, the Company’s technical personnel will improve product
design and production techniques to reduce wastage in the production process
and
improve manufacturing efficiency, thus reducing costs. The Company estimates
the
manufacturing costs will be reduced by 1.5% as compared to 2006 as a result
of
the optimized product design and production techniques.
2.
Reduce the cost of raw materials. In 2007, the Company plans to continue
controlling the costs of raw materials by two means: Firstly, volume purchase
of
major raw materials will be made through a bidding process, and for purchases
of
other smaller quantities of non major materials, “target prices” will be set to
guide such purchases. Secondly, to set “target profit” to further control
purchase cost of raw materials. The Company estimated that material cost will
be
reduced by 1.6% as a result of these measures.
26
SELLING
EXPENSES
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, selling expenses are summarized as
follows:
Increase
|
|||||||||||||
2006
|
2005(a)
|
(Decrease)
|
Percentage
|
||||||||||
Item
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
%
|
|||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
$
|
1,489,699
|
$
|
182,165
|
$
|
1,307,534
|
717.8
|
%
|
|||||
Supplies
expense
|
34,062
|
11,570
|
22,492
|
194.4
|
|||||||||
Travel
expense
|
302,052
|
347,072
|
(45,020
|
)
|
(13.0
|
)
|
|||||||
Transportation
expense
|
1,495,765
|
856,087
|
639,678
|
74.7
|
|||||||||
After
sales service expense
|
3,770,432
|
3,960,468
|
(190,036
|
)
|
(4.8
|
)
|
|||||||
Rent
expense
|
230,240
|
214,532
|
15,708
|
7.3
|
|||||||||
Office
expense
|
103,172
|
76,232
|
26,940
|
35.3
|
|||||||||
Advertising
expense
|
30,297
|
15,484
|
14,813
|
95.7
|
|||||||||
Entertainment
expense
|
230,939
|
86,718
|
144,221
|
166.3
|
|||||||||
Insurance
expense
|
5,618
|
18,062
|
(12,444
|
)
|
(68.9
|
)
|
|||||||
Other
expense
|
79,792
|
36,288
|
43,504
|
119.9
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
7,772,068
|
$
|
5,804,678
|
$
|
1,967,390
|
33.9
|
%
|
(a)
For
the convenience of comparability, the warranty reserve of $1,219,108, which
was
classified under general and administrative expenses in 2005, has been merged
into after sales service expense under selling expenses, to be consistent with
the presentation of the Company’s financial statement for the year
2006.
Selling
expenses were $7,772,068 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared
to $
5,804,678 for 2005, an increase of $1,967,390 or 33.9%. Significant expense
items that increased by more than $100,000 in 2006 as compared to 2005 were
salaries and wages, transportation expense, and entertainment expenses.
The
increase in salaries and wages expense was due to bonuses paid to sales staff
for exceeding the sales target of 2006, while in 2005 there was no bonus paid
because they failed to achieve the sales target for that year.
The
increase in transportation expense was due to increased sales and a rise in
the
price of oil, which led to increases in domestic transportation
prices.
The
increase in entertainment expenses was due to increased customer
visits.
After
sales service expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 decreased by $190,036
or 4.8% as compared with the same period of last year, mainly due to the Company
strengthening quality control in the production process and resulting in the
enhancement of product quality.
27
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, general and administrative expenses
are
summarized as follows:
2006
|
2005(a)
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
Percentage
|
||||||||||
Item
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
%
|
|||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
$
|
2,788,494
|
$
|
1,777,985
|
$
|
1,010,509
|
56.8
|
%
|
|||||
Travel
expenses
|
316,565
|
413,630
|
(97,065
|
)
|
(23.5
|
)
|
|||||||
Office
expenses
|
379,345
|
188,483
|
190,862
|
101.3
|
|||||||||
Supplies
expenses
|
232,853
|
351,103
|
(118,250
|
)
|
(33.7
|
)
|
|||||||
Repairs
expenses
|
226,779
|
100,450
|
126,329
|
125.8
|
|||||||||
Entertainment
expenses
|
142,496
|
84,661
|
57,835
|
68.3
|
|||||||||
Labor
insurance expenses
|
761,971
|
593,940
|
168,031
|
28.3
|
|||||||||
Labor
union dues expenses
|
33,360
|
55,045
|
(21,685
|
)
|
(39.4
|
)
|
|||||||
Board
of directors expense
|
100,476
|
39,475
|
61,001
|
154.5
|
|||||||||
Taxes
|
453,337
|
170,094
|
283,243
|
166.5
|
|||||||||
Provision
for bad debts
|
995,440
|
90,214
|
905,226
|
1,003.4
|
|||||||||
Impairment
of inventories
|
(1,520
|
)
|
248,907
|
(250,427
|
)
|
(100.6
|
)
|
||||||
Training
expenses
|
43,498
|
60,897
|
(17,399
|
)
|
(28.6
|
)
|
|||||||
Listing
expenses
|
875,103
|
590,010
|
285,093
|
48.3
|
|||||||||
Others
expenses
|
461,990
|
329,494
|
132,496
|
40.2
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
7,810,187
|
$
|
5,094,388
|
$
|
2,715,799
|
53.3
|
%
|
(a)
For
the convenience of comparability, warranty reserve of $1,219,108, which was
classified under general and administrative expenses in 2005, has been
reclassified into after sales service expense under selling expenses, and
non-cash compensation of $68,850 has been merged into salaries under general
and
administrative expenses, to be consistent with the presentation of the Company’s
financial statement for the year 2006.
General
and administrative expenses were $7,810,187 for the year ended December 31,
2006, as compared to $5,094,388 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an
increase of $2,715,799 or 53.3%.
The
expense items that increased more than $100,000 in 2006 as compared to 2005
were
salaries and wages, office expenses, repair expenses, labor insurance expenses,
taxes, provision for bad debts and listing expenses. Significant expense items
that decreased more than $100,000 in 2006 were supplies expenses and impairment
of inventories. Listing expenses consisted of the costs associated with legal,
accounting and auditing fees for operating a public company.
The
increase in salaries and wages expense was due to bonuses paid to management
for
their exceeding the business target of 2006, while in 2005 there was no bonus
paid because they failed to achieve the business target for that
year.
The
increase in office expenses was attributable to additional management
organization and staff due to expanded business, and corresponding increases
in
office expenses such as utility, meeting costs, entertainment and transportation
costs. The two joint-ventures which were established in 2006 also increased
office expenses.
The
increase in repairs expense was due to a more significant repair on property,
plant and equipment in 2006.
The
increase in labor insurance expenses was attributable to additional employees
due to expanded business.
The
increase in tax expenses was due to payment of more real estate tax due to
acquisition of additional real estate property.
The
increase in the provision for bad debts was due to increased accounts receivable
arising from increased sales. Management believes that additional provision
for
bad debts should be made to avoid credit loss.
28
The
increase in listing expenses was due to increased costs associated with legal,
accounting and auditing fees for operating a public company, as a result of
expanded business.
The
decrease in supplies expenses was attributed to our control on consumption
of
supplies. Slightly damaged supplies are now repaired instead of
replaced.
The
decrease in impairment of inventories was attributable to further control on
supplies, which accelerated turnover; reduced idled supplies, and led to a
decrease in provision for loss in value in inventories.
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Research
and development expenses were $1,066,050 for the year ended December 31, 2006,
as compared to $966,782 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of
$99,268 or 10.3%, as a result of the Company’s enhanced research and development
activities on steering columns.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006, depreciation and amortization expenses excluded
from that recorded under cost of sales were $3,776,003, as compared to
$2,577,944 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $1,198,059
or
46.5%, as a result of the Company’s increasing ownership of property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets, which resulted in additional depreciation
and
amortization expenses of $679,489 and $518,570 respectively.
INCOME
FROM OPERATIONS
Income
from operations was $12,764,722 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as
compared to $8,383,017 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of
$4,381,705 or 52.3%, mainly consisting of a decrease of $80,770 or 22.4% from
net sales from materials and others; an increase of $10,442,991 or 46.5% from
gross profit from increased product sales, and a decrease of operating profit
of
$5,980,516 or 41.4% as a result of increased costs and expenses.
OTHER
INCOME
Other
income was $94,257 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared to $150,809
for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of $56,552 or 37.5%, primarily
as a result of decreased government subsidies.
Interest
subsidies mean the refunds by the Chinese Government of interest charged by
banks to companies which are entitled to such subsidies. This kind of subsidies
applies only to loan interest related to production facilities expansion. During
2003 and 2004, the Company had used this special loan to improve technologically
its production line in order to enlarge capability and enhance quality. The
expansion project was completed and new facilities were put into use at the
end
of 2004 and 2005 respectively.
During
2005 and 2006, the experts sent by the Chinese Government reviewed and assessed
the actual usage of technologically improved production facilities on site
in
order to confirm whether the improvement has achieved its expected goal of
production expansion and quality enhancement. Whether or not a company can
receive interest subsidies from the Chinese Government depends on the company’s
achieving the two goals set forth above after the technological
improvement.
FINANCIAL
EXPENSES
Financial
expenses were $832,844 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared to
$1,166,167 for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of $333,323 or
28.6%, primarily as a result of a decrease on note discounting expenses. During
2006, the Company generated cash from stock issuance, which led to a reduction
in cash generated from note discounting.
29
INCOME
BEFORE INCOME TAXES
Income
before income taxes was $12,026,135 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as
compared to $7,367,659 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of
$4,658,476 or 63.2%, consisting of increased income from operations of
$4,381,705 or 52.3%, decreased other income of $56,552 or 37.5%, and decreased
finance expenses of $333,323 or 28.6%.
INCOME
TAXES
Income
tax expense was $1,669,081 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared
to
$1,371,863 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $297,218 or
21.7%, mainly because of:
1.
Increased income before income taxed resulted in increased income tax of
$798,858
2.
One of
the Company’s Sino-foreign joint ventures, Zhejiang, has finished its tax
holiday by December 31, 2005. In 2006, Zhejiang has an income tax payable of
$426,468.
3.
The
Company has received an income tax refund of $928,108 during 2006. In 2005,
because the income tax paid by the Company was less than that in 2004, the
Company did not qualify to receive any income tax refund for domestic equipment
purchased. In accordance with the relevant regulations of income taxes
stipulated by the Ministry of Finance and Administration of Taxation, 40% of
domestic equipment purchases can be refundable from increased income taxes
for
the purchasing year over those of the previous year.
INCOME
BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
Income
before minority interest was $10,357,054 for the year ended December 31, 2006,
as compared to $5,995,796 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase
of
$4,361,258 or 72.7%, in income before income taxes of $4,658,476 or 63.2%,
and a
decrease of $297,218 or 21.7% due to increased income tax expenses.
MINORITY
INTEREST
The
Company recorded minority interests’ share in the earnings of the Sino-foreign
joint ventures aggregating $5,545,350 for the year ended December 31, 2006,
and
compared to $2,680,318 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of
$2,865,032 or 106.9%.
The
Company owns different equity interests in seven Sino-foreign joint ventures,
through which it conducts its operations. All the operating results of these
seven Sino-foreign joint ventures were consolidated in the Company’s financial
statements of December 31, 2006 and 2005. The Company records the minority
interests' share in the earnings of the respective Sino-foreign joint ventures
for each period.
In
2006,
minority interest increased greatly as compared to 2005, primarily as income
from Henglong, one of the Company’s joint ventures, which was owned 55.5% by
minority interest holders increased greatly.
NET
INCOME
Net
income was $4,811,704 for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared to
$3,315,478 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $1,496,226
or
45.1%, consisting of increased income before minority interest of $4,361,258
or
72.7%, and a increased minority interest of $2,865,032 or 106.9%, which
decreased net income.
30
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS: 2005 VERSUS 2004
NET
SALES
FROM PRODUCT
The
increase in net product sales of the Company is summarized as
follows:
2005
|
2004
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|||||||||||
Item
|
Amount
($)
|
|
Amount
($)
|
|
Amount
($)
|
%
|
|||||||
Steering
gear for commercial vehicles
|
$
|
17,534,929
|
$
|
26,656,495
|
($9,121,566
|
)
|
(34.2
|
%)
|
|||||
Steering
gear for passenger vehicles
|
40,044,635
|
27,269,558
|
12,775,077
|
46.9
|
|||||||||
Steering
pumps
|
5,992,737
|
4,259,792
|
1,732,945
|
40.6
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
63,572,301
|
$
|
58,185,845
|
$
|
5,386,456
|
9.3
|
%
|
For
the
year ended December 31, 2005, net sales were $63,572,301, as compared to
$58,185,845 for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $5,386,456
or
9.3%. The increase in net sales in 2005 as compared to 2004 was a result of
several factors.
1.
Primarily, the increase in sales was due to an increase in sales of
passenger vehicles. In 2005, the unfavorable conditions of price decline and
sales turndown for passenger vehicles which commenced in 2004 have been
reversed. Therefore, the Company has adjusted its marketing strategies
accordingly and concentrated on manufacturing and selling of steering gears
for
passenger vehicles and steering pumps, which led to sales from steering gears
and pumps for the year ended December 31, 2005 increasing 46.9% and 40.6% over
the same period of 2004, respectively.
2.
During 2005, sales of steering gear and accessories for commercial
vehicles decreased by 34.2% as compared to 2004, as a result of the adjustment
of the real estate and coal markets by the Government, which resulted in a
significant slowdown in growth in demand for commercial vehicles, accordingly
the Company as a supplier of steering gears for commercial vehicles was also
affected.
GAIN
ON
OTHER SALES
Gain
on
other sales consisted of the net amount retained of sales of materials and
other
assets. For the year ended December 31, 2005, gain on other sales was $359,986,
as compared to $794,621 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of
$434,635 or 54.7%. Sales of materials for the year ended December 31, 2005
were
$319,405, which decreased by
$379,702
or 54.3%,
as
compared with $699,107 for the same period of 2004, due to decreased sales
volume of materials. Profit from sales on other assets for the year ended
December 31, 2005 were $40,581, which decreased
by
$54,933
or 57.5%, as compared with $95,514 for the same period of 2004.
GROSS
PROFIT FROM PRODUCT
For
the
year ended December 31, 2005, the gross profit from product was $22,466,823,
as
compared to $23,143,493 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of
$676,670 or 2.9%, as a result of following factors:
1.
Decreased sales: In the domestic commercial vehicles market, the output
and sales in 2005 have greatly decreased as compared to 2004 as a result of
a
number of factors, including increased prices of gasoline and raw materials,
the
Government’s influence on rectifying the over-sized and over-loaded commercial
vehicle market, the adjustment of the real estate and coal markets by the
Government, etc. During 2005, sales of steering gears for commercial vehicles
decreased by 34.2% as compared to 2004, which led to a decrease of gross profit
of $3,283,764.
31
In
2005,
the demand of the domestic passenger vehicles market has recovered to a steady
and rapid growth trend after “the blowout period” in 2002 and 2003 and a
significant drop in 2004. Therefore, the Company has adjusted its marketing
strategies accordingly and concentrated on manufacturing and selling of steering
gears for passenger vehicles and steering pumps, which led to sales for the
year
ended December 31, 2005 increasing 46.9% and 40.6% over the same period of
2004
respectively, and the gross profit increasing $5,155,144. The gross profit
for
the year ended December 31, 2005 increased $1,871,380 as compared to the same
period of 2004, because increased sales of steering gear and steering pumps
for
passenger vehicles more than compensated for decreased sales of steering gear
for commercial vehicles.
2.
Lower prices. The year 2005 was still a “low price” year for the Chinese
auto industry with an average price reduction of 10.2% during that period,
and
low prices have become the norm for many automobile manufacturers. To keep
its
market share, the Company also reduced the prices of its principal products:
steering gear by 10.6%, steering pumps by 28.3%, and steering accessories by
4.9% at the request of its customers. Lower prices lead a decrease of gross
profit of $8,342,905 in 2005.
3.
Costs of goods sold: The advanced production equipment, which the Company
acquired in 2003 has achieved the expected positive effects. In 2005,
manufacturing efficiency was improved, and cost control over the production
process was enhanced, resulting in a cost reduction of the Company’s main
products, steering gears were reduced by 5%; steering pumps were reduced by
1%
and steering accessories were reduced by 6%. The effect of these cost reductions
was to increase the company’s gross profit by $5,794,856 for the year ended
December 31, 2005.
In
2005,
the overall gross margin decreased to 35% from 40% in 2004 because the decline
in selling price was higher than cost reduction.
SELLING
EXPENSES
For
the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, selling expenses are summarized as
follows:
2005(a)
|
2004(a)
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
Percentage
|
||||||||||
Item
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
%
|
|||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
$
|
182,165
|
$
|
872,720
|
($690,555
|
)
|
(79.1
|
%)
|
|||||
Supplies
expense
|
11,570
|
29,698
|
(18,128
|
)
|
(61.0
|
)
|
|||||||
Travel
expense
|
347,072
|
300,082
|
46,990
|
15.7
|
|||||||||
Transportation
expense
|
856,087
|
793,474
|
62,613
|
7.9
|
|||||||||
After
sales service expense
|
3,960,468
|
1,591,078
|
2,369,390
|
148.9
|
|||||||||
Rent
expense
|
214,532
|
103,451
|
111,081
|
107.4
|
|||||||||
Office
expense
|
76,232
|
78,979
|
(2,747
|
)
|
(3.5
|
)
|
|||||||
Advertising
expense
|
15,484
|
18,666
|
(3,182
|
)
|
(17.0
|
)
|
|||||||
Entertainment
expense
|
86,718
|
37,617
|
49,101
|
130.5
|
|||||||||
Insurance
expense
|
18,062
|
18,813
|
(751
|
)
|
(4.0
|
)
|
|||||||
Other
expense
|
36,288
|
20,576
|
15,712
|
76.4
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
5,804,678
|
$
|
3,865,154
|
$
|
1,939,524
|
50.2
|
%
|
32
(a)
For
the convenience of comparability, warranty reserve of $1,219,108 and $391,350,
which were classified under general and administrative expenses in the years
2005 and 2004, respectively, has been merged into after sales service expenses
under selling expenses, to be consistent with the presentation of the Company’s
financial statement for the year 2006.
Selling
expenses were $5,804,678 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared
to
$3,865,154 for 2004, an increase of $1,939,524 or 50.2%. Significant expense
items that increased by more than $50,000 in 2005 as compared to 2004 were
transportation expense, after sales service expense and rent expense.
The
increase in transportation expense was due to increased sales and the rise
in
the price of oil, which led to increases in domestic transportation prices.
After
sales service expense includes “3-R Guarantees” service charge and estimated
warranty reserve. After sales service expense for the year ended December 31,
2005 was increased $2,369,390 or 148.9% as compared with the same period of
last
year, consisting of an increased “3-R Guarantees” service charge of $1,541,632
or 128.5%, and an increased warranty reserve of $827,758 or 211.5%.
The
increase in “3-R Guarantees” service charge was due to the consumer rights
protection policies of "recall" issued by the Chinese Government in 2004, which
was fully implemented in 2005, including the recalling of flawed vehicles
policy. Accordingly, the automobile manufacturers introduced a policy
unilaterally requiring the automotive parts suppliers to pay a "3-R Guarantees
"
service charge (for repair, replacement and refund) in an amount equal to one
percent (1%) of the total value of parts supplied.
Warranty
reserves represent the Company’s obligation to repair or replace defective
products under certain conditions. The estimate of the warranty reserves is
based on historical experience. In 2005, the warranty rate was determined to
be
2.78% of net sales, while in 2004 it was determined to be 0.9% of net sales.
The
significant increase in warranty reserves was due to the increased rate of
warranty reserves adjusted by the Company.
The
Company increased its warranty rate mainly due to the following
factors:
1.
The
Company extended the term of service from one year to three years in order
to
improve its product competitiveness in the market. Management estimated that
it
could result in an increase of warranty reserves.
2.
In
2005 the Chinese Government had fully implemented the consumer rights protection
policies of "recall" which began in 2004 (including the recalling of flawed
vehicles policy), which led to increased warranty reserves.
The
increase in rent expense was due to the addition of new service branches to
enhance service quality, which was increased nearly 50% as compared to the
prior
year. All the new offices in new service branches were rented, which led to
increased rent expense.
Significant
expense items that decreased more than $50,000 in 2005 as compared to 2004
were
salaries and wages. The decrease in salaries and wages was due to the failure
of
sales personnel to achieve the sales growth target of 20%. Therefore, the
Company reduced their sales bonus.
33
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
For
the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, general and administrative expenses
are
summarized as follows:
2005(a)
|
2004(a)
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
Percentage
|
||||||||||
Item
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
Amount
($)
|
%
|
|||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
$
|
1,777,985
|
$
|
1,952,067
|
($174,082
|
)
|
(8.9
|
%)
|
|||||
Travel
expenses
|
413,630
|
377,452
|
36,178
|
9.6
|
|||||||||
Office
expenses
|
188,483
|
196,058
|
(7,575
|
)
|
(3.9
|
)
|
|||||||
Supplies
expenses
|
351,103
|
329,323
|
21,780
|
6.6
|
|||||||||
Repairs
expenses
|
100,450
|
235,400
|
(134,950
|
)
|
(57.3
|
)
|
|||||||
Entertainment
expenses
|
84,661
|
37,966
|
46,695
|
123.0
|
|||||||||
Labor
insurance expenses
|
593,940
|
1,105,911
|
(511,971
|
)
|
(46.3
|
)
|
|||||||
Labor
union dues expenses
|
55,045
|
84,663
|
(29,618
|
)
|
(35.0
|
)
|
|||||||
Board
of directors expense
|
39,475
|
56,330
|
(16,855
|
)
|
(29.9
|
)
|
|||||||
Taxes
|
170,094
|
196,619
|
(26,525
|
)
|
(13.5
|
)
|
|||||||
Provision
for bad debts
|
90,214
|
136,205
|
(45,991
|
)
|
(33.8
|
)
|
|||||||
Impairment
of inventories
|
248,907
|
187,871
|
61,036
|
32.5
|
|||||||||
Training
expenses
|
60,897
|
68,272
|
(7,375
|
)
|
(10.8
|
)
|
|||||||
Listing
expenses
|
590,010
|
823,852
|
(233,842
|
)
|
(28.4
|
)
|
|||||||
Others
expenses
|
329,494
|
354,645
|
(25,151
|
)
|
(7.1
|
)
|
|||||||
$
|
5,094,388
|
$
|
6,142,634
|
($1,048,246
|
)
|
(17.1
|
%)
|
(a)
For
the convenience of comparability, warranty reserve of $1,219,108 and $391,350,
which were classified under general and administrative expenses in the years
2005 and 2004, respectively, has been reclassified into after sales service
expenses under selling expenses, and non-cash compensation of $68,850 and
$55,125 has been merged into salaries under general and administrative expenses,
to be consistent with the presentation of the Company’s financial statement for
the year 2006.
General
and administrative expenses were $5,094,388 for the year ended December 31,
2005, as compared to $6,142,634 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease
of $1,048,246 or 17.1%.
Significant
expense items that decreased more than $100,000 in 2005 were salaries and wages,
repairs expense, labor insurance expense and listing expenses. Listing expenses
consisted of the costs associated with legal, accounting and auditing fees
for
operating a public company.
The
decrease in salaries and wages was due to the failure of management to achieve
a
net income growth target. Therefore, the Company reduced their management
bonuses.
The
decrease in repair expenses was a result of the Company’s comprehensive
maintenance of all the operating sites and equipment in 2004, while in 2005
the
Company carried out normal maintenance for only part of its operating sites
and
equipment.
The
decrease in labor insurance expenses was due to Henglong and Jiulong, two of
the
Company’s subsidiaries, changing their calculation base for endowment insurance
expenses set by the local Government policy, which was 20% of the minimum salary
ratified by the authority in 2005. In 2004, the endowment insurance expenses
were recorded as 20% of the salary actually paid.
The
decrease in listing expenses was due to the Company’s payment of $70,000 of
reverse merger costs for the acquisition of a controlling interest in a public
company in 2004, while there were no such expenses in 2005. In addition, the
Company also reduced its consulting service expenses and general and
administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005.
34
Although
the entertainment expenses did not increase by more than $100,000, they
increased by 123% to $84,661 in 2005, due to there are more visitors visiting
the Company as compared to last year, including Government officers, technology
experts, and economists etc. .
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Research
and development expenses were $966,782 for the year ended December 31, 2005,
as
compared to $1,518,512 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of
$551,730 or 36.0%, as a result of the Company’s R&D department focusing on
applications of prior purchased technologies and hence reducing the R&D
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
For
the
year ended December 31, 2005, the depreciation and amortization expenses
excluded from that recorded in cost of sales were $2,577,944, as compared to
$848,009 for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $1,729,935 or
204.0%. The main reasons are:
1.
The new office building constructed in 2004 was completed and came into
use in 2005, which led to an additional depreciation of approximately
$310,000.
2.
The equipment purchased in 2004 was delivered and came into use in 2005,
which led to additional depreciation of approximately $1,320,000.
INCOME
FROM OPERATIONS
Income
from operations was $8,383,017 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared
to $11,563,805 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of $3,180,788
or
27.5%, consisting of a decrease of net sales from material and others of
$434,635 or 54.7%, a decrease of gross profit from product sales of $676,670
or
2.9%, and increased costs and expenses of $2,069,483 or 16.7%.
OTHER
INCOME
Other
income consisted of Government subsidy income and income arising from the write
off of accounts payable
For
the
year ended December 31, 2005, other income was $150,809, as compared to $856,939
for the same period of 2004, a decrease of $706,130 or 82.4%, mainly due to
decreased income arising from the write off of accounts payable.
During
2004, the Company recorded $680,980 income arising from the write off of amounts
payable related to trial products obtained from various suppliers 2 or 3 years
ago for the purpose of product development. It was determined by the Company’s
management in 2004 that these amounts payable would no longer be payable and
since these recoveries happened very infrequently and did not relate to the
normal operations of the company in 2004, we recorded them in other income
rather than income from operations. There was no such income during
2005.
FINANCIAL
EXPENSES
Financial
expenses were $1,166,167 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared
to
$730,962 for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $435,205 or 59.5%,
primarily as a result of an increase of interest payments of $134,180 due to
increased amount of loans and increased interest rates, and an increase of
$301,025 due to increased note discount expenses.
35
INCOME
BEFORE INCOME TAXES
Income
before income taxes was $7,367,659 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as
compared to $11,689,782 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of
$4,322,123 or 37.0%, consisting of decreased income from operations of
$3,180,788 or 27.5%, decreased other income of $706,130 or 82.4%, and increased
finance expenses of $435,205 or 59.5%.
INCOME
TAXES
Income
tax expense was $1,371,863 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared
to
$618,400 for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $753,463 or
121.8%, mainly because of:
(1)
The Chinese Government provides enterprise income tax preferences to joint
ventures for purchasing domestic equipment, and the regulations are as follows:
The allowable tax credit of an enterprise with foreign investment or foreign
enterprise shall not exceed its newly increased enterprise income tax of the
purchasing year over that of the year before. If the amount of newly increased
enterprise income tax is not sufficient for tax credit, the remaining part
of
investment outside tax credit shall be refundable from the newly increased
tax
of the next year over that of the year before the purchasing year. However,
the
period for continuous tax credit shall not exceed five years.
Two
of
the Company’s Sino-foreign joint ventures, Henglong and Jiulong, received an
income tax benefit of $901,600 in 2004 for purchase of domestic equipment,
which
has been reflected as a reduction to income tax expense in the Company’s
consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004.
In
2005, as a result of the fact that income taxes in Henglong and Jiulong were
less than 2004, they were not entitled to the tax refund benefit
policy.
(2) The
tax holiday of Shenyang, one of the Company’s Sino-foreign joint ventures,
matured in 2005, therefore increasing the Company’s income taxes by
$177,226.
(3)
The
consolidated income before income taxes of Jiulong in 2005 was less than that
in
2004, which led to a decrease of $325,363 in income taxes.
INCOME
BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
Income
before minority interest was $5,995,796 for the year ended December 31, 2005,
as
compared to $11,071,382 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of
$5,075,586 or 45.8%, due to decreased income before income taxes of $4,322,123
or 37%, and increased income tax expenses of $753,463 or 121.8%.
MINORITY
INTEREST
The
Company recorded the minority interests’ share in the earnings of the
Sino-foreign joint ventures aggregating $2,680,318 for the year ended December
31, 2005, as compared to $4,182,454 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a
decrease of $1,502,136 or 35.9%.
The
Company owned equity interests in five Sino-foreign joint ventures, through
which it conducts its operations. All of the operating results of these five
Sino-foreign joint ventures were consolidated in the Company’s financial
statements of December 31, 2005 and 2004. USAI has not generated any operating
income/loss for the year ended December 31,2005. The equity interest of Jingzhou
was sold effective August 31, 2004. The Company records the minority interests’
share in the earnings of the respective Sino-foreign joint ventures for each
period.
As
compared with 2004, the decreased minority interest for the year ended December
31, 2005 consisted of a decrease of $1,144,880 caused by decreased income before
minority interest of Sino-foreign joint ventures, and a decrease of $357,256
caused by decreased minority interest percentage in Sino-foreign joint
ventures.
36
NET
INCOME FROM CONTINUED OPERATIONS.
Net
income was $3,315,478 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared to
$6,888,928 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of $3,573,450 or
51.9%, consisting a decreased income before minority interest of $5,075,586
or
45.8%, and a decreased minority interest of $1,502,136 or 35.9%, which increased
net income.
NET
LOSS
FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Effective
August 31, 2004, in order to concentrate on its main products, namely steering
and other automotive parts, the Company disposed of its 51% interest in Jingzhou
by entering into the Exchange Agreement with HBWL,
which is
controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the Company’s Chairman. Pursuant to the Exchange
Agreement, the 51% equity interest in Jingzhou owned by Ji Long was exchanged
for 2.5% of Hubei Wanlong’s equity interest in Henglong based on their
respective fair market values as determined by an independent appraisal firm.
Accordingly, the Company does not own any Jingzhou equity.
The
divested non-core business of Jingzhou has been treated as a discontinued
operation under SFAS No. 144. The net loss of $21,591 from discontinued
operations of Jingzhou was included in the consolidated statements of operations
of 2004.
NET
INCOME
Net
income was $3,315,478 for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared to
$6,867,337 for the year ended December 31, 2004, a decrease of $3,551,859 or
51.7%, consisting of decreased net income from continued operations of
$3,573,450 or 51.9%, and decreased net loss from discontinued operations of
$21,591.
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’
acceptance, issuances of capital stock and internally generated cash. As of
December 31, 2006, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $27,418,500,
as
compared to $12,374,944 as of December 31, 2005, an increase of $15,043,556
or
121.6%.
The
Company had working capital of $29,136,373 as of December 31, 2006, as compared
to $8,006,688 as of December 31, 2005, an increase of $21,129,685 or
263.9%.
The
Company can obtain bank loans and banker’s acceptance bills line of credit
agreement, which will have a one year term . On the condition that the Company
can provide adequate mortgage security and does not violate the terms of the
line of credit agreement , it can extend the one year term.
The
Company had bank loans maturing in less than one year of $15,384,615 and
bankers’ acceptances of $15,130,653 as of December 31, 2006, including
$1,246,175 which was not part of the line of credit and was mortgaged by notes
receivable.
The
Company currently expects to be able to obtain similar bank loans and bankers’
acceptance bills in the future if it can provide adequate mortgage security
following the termination of the above mentioned agreements. 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 depreciation, the
value of the mortgages securing the above-mentioned bank loans and banker's
acceptance bills will be devalued by $3,820,792. If the Company wishes to obtain
the same amount of bank loans and banker's acceptance bills, it will have
to provide $3,820,792 additional mortgages. The Company can obtain a
reduced line of credit with a reduction of $1,996,560 if it cannot provide
additional mortgages ($3,820,792 at 52% mortgage rates). The Company anticipates
that the reduction of bank loans will not have a material adverse effect on
its
liquidity. On March 20, 2006, the Company has entered into a $15,000,000 equity
line through a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement with Cornell Capital
Partners, LP. As of December 31, 2006, the Company has adequate working capital,
as well as $9,000,000 available under the above-mentioned equity line of credit.
The Company views these capitals as providing an ample available source of
back-up liquidity in case of an unanticipated event.
37
Financing
activities:
(a)
Bank
loans
As
of
December 31, 2006, the principal outstanding under the Company’s credit
facilities and lines of credit was as follows:
|
Bank
|
Amount
available
|
Amount
borrowed
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
credit facilities*
|
Bank
of China
|
$
|
9,487,179
|
$
|
11,249,170
|
|||||
Comprehensive
credit facilities
|
China
Construction Bank
|
8,974,359
|
7,051,282
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
credit facilities
|
CITIC
Industrial Bank
|
2,564,102
|
2,564,102
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
credit facilities
|
Shanghai
Pudong Development Bank
|
5,128,205
|
4,699,538
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
credit facilities
|
Jingzhou
Commercial Bank
|
6,410,256
|
2,560,769
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
credit facilities
|
Industrial
and Commercial Bank of China
|
1,410,256
|
1,144,231
|
|||||||
Total
|
$
|
33,974,359
|
$
|
29,269,092
|
*
The
Bank of China has renewed its line of credit agreement with the Company. The
Company will repay $1,761,999 without replacing the amount available. As
discussed above, the Company anticipates it will not have a material adverse
effect on its liquidity.
The
Company may request banks to issue notes payable or bank loans within its credit
line using a 364-day revolving line.
The
Company refinanced its short-term debt during early 2006 at annual interest
rates of 5.58% to 7.25%, and for terms of six to twelve months. Pursuant to
the
refinancing arrangement, the Company pledged $18,918,617 of equipment,
$5,134,718 land use right and $3,706,462 building as security for its
comprehensive credit facility with Bank of China; pledged $2,616,218 land use
and $2,188,744 building as security for its comprehensive credit facility with
CITIC Industrial Bank; pledged $1,534,256 land use right and $6,656,397 building
as security for its comprehensive credit facility with Shanghai Pudong
Development Bank; pledged $8,572,115 land use right as security for its
comprehensive credit facility with Jingzhou Commercial Bank; pledged $1,380,683
land use right and $932,767 building as security for its comprehensive credit
facility with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; and pledged $1,034,872
land use right and $3,207,872 building as security for its comprehensive credit
facility with China Construction Bank.
(b)
Financing from investors:
On
March
20, 2006, the Company entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement
with
Cornell Capital Partners, LP for a total amount of $15 million. The Company
has
utilized $6,000,000 as of December 31, 2006. Under the agreement, Cornell
Capital Partners, LP has committed to provide funding to be drawn down over
a
stated period at the Company’s discretion.
38
If
the
Company fails to obtain the same or similar terms for any debt or equity
refinancing to meet its debt obligations, e.g. the financing terms with China
Construction Bank have changed into security mortgages instead of a guarantee,
it will result in a shortage of approximately $4,700,000. The Company intends
to
pledge more equipment, but there is no assurance that it will succeed, or if
the
Company fails to obtain extensions of the maturity dates of these obligations
as
they become due, its overall liquidity and capital resources will be adversely
affected.
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.
Payment
Due Dates
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Less
than 1 year
|
1-3
years
|
3-5
years
|
More
than 5 years
|
||||||||||||
Short-term
bank loan
|
$
|
15,384,615
|
$
|
15,384,615
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Notes
payable
|
15,130,653
|
15,130,653
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Other
contractual purchase commitments, including information
technology
|
6,046,684
|
4,481,999
|
1,344,685
|
220,000
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
36,561,952
|
$
|
34,997,267
|
$
|
1,344,685
|
$
|
220,000
|
$
|
—
|
Short-term
bank loans:
The
following table summarizes the contract information of short-term borrowings
between the banks and the Company during 2006:
Bank
|
Purpose
|
Borrowing
Date
|
Borrowing
Term (Year)
|
Annual
Percentage Rate
|
Date
of Interest Payment
|
Date
of payment
|
Amount
|
|||||||
Bank
of China
|
Working
Capital
|
7-Feb-06
|
1
|
5.58%
|
Pay
monthly
|
7-Feb-07
|
$641,026
|
|||||||
Bank
of China
|
Working
Capital
|
8-Mar-06
|
1
|
5.58%
|
Pay
monthly
|
7-Mar-07
|
1,923,077
|
|||||||
Bank
of China
|
Working
Capital
|
16-May-06
|
1
|
5.58%
|
Pay
monthly
|
15-May-07
|
2,564,103
|
|||||||
Jingzhou
Commercial Bank
|
Working
Capital
|
28-Mar-06
|
1
|
7.25%
|
Pay
monthly
|
28-Mar-07
|
1,282,050
|
|||||||
CITIC
Industrial Bank
|
Working
Capital
|
15-Jun-06
|
1
|
5.58%
|
Pay
monthly
|
14-Jun-07
|
2,564,103
|
|||||||
Shanghai
Pudong Development Bank
|
Working
Capital
|
14-Sep-06
|
1
|
6.12%
|
Pay
monthly
|
13-Sep-07
|
2,564,103
|
|||||||
China
Construction Bank
|
Working
Capital
|
20-Jan-06
|
1
|
5.58%
|
Pay
monthly
|
19-Jan-07
|
2,564,103
|
|||||||
China
Construction Bank
|
Working
Capital
|
16-Feb-06
|
1
|
5.58%
|
Pay
monthly
|
15-Feb-07
|
1,282,050
|
|||||||
Total
|
$15,384,615
|
39
The
Company must use the loans for the purpose described in the table. If the
Company fails, it will be charged a penalty interest at 100% of the specified
loan rate. The Company has to pay interest under the interest rate described
in
the table on the 20th of each month. If the Company fails, it will be charged
a
compounded interest at the specified rate. The Company has to repay the
principal outstanding on the specified date in the table. If it fails, it will
be charged a penalty interest at 50% of the specified loan rate. Management
believes that the Company had complied with such financial covenants as of
December 31, 2006, and will continue to comply with them.
The
following table summarizes the contract information of issuing notes payable
between the banks and the Company:
Purpose
|
Term
(Month)
|
Due
Date
|
Amount
Payable
on
Due Date
|
|||||||
Working
Capital
|
3-6
|
Jan,
2007
|
$
|
4,771,945
|
||||||
Working
Capital
|
3-6
|
Feb,
2007
|
2,580,769
|
|||||||
Working
Capital
|
3-6
|
Mar,
2007
|
1,537,051
|
|||||||
Working
Capital
|
6
|
April,
2007
|
2,046,974
|
|||||||
Working
Capital
|
6
|
May,
2007
|
1,550,690
|
|||||||
Working
Capital
|
6
|
Jun,
2007
|
2,643,224
|
|||||||
Total
|
$
|
15,130,653
|
The
Company must use the loan for the purpose described in the table. If it fails,
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 sufficient cash in the designated account of the bank 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 a penalty interest at 150% of the specified
loan
rate. Management believes that the Company had complied with such financial
covenants as of December 31, 2006, and will continue to comply with them.
The
Company had approximately $6,046,684 of capital commitment as of December 31,
2006, arising from equipment purchases for expanding production capacity. The
Company intends to pay off $4,481,999 in 2007 using its working capital.
Management believes that it will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s liquidity.
Cash
flows:
(a)
Operating activities
40
The
Company’s operations provided cash of $7,969,150 during the year ended December
31, 2006, $12,320,207 during the same period of 2005, and $21,365,367 for during
same period of 2004.
Net
cash
generated from operations in 2006 decreased by $4,351,057 compared with that
in
2005, primarily due to increased accounts and notes receivable. First, cash
outflow increased by $9,300,000 along with increased accounts receivables,
mainly due to an increase in sales this year of 50.6% as compared to the same
period of 2005. The credit terms on sale of goods between customers and the
Company generally range from 3 - 4 months, which resulted in increased accounts
receivable as sales increased. This is a normal capital circulation and the
Company believes that it will not have a material adverse effect on future
cash
flows. Second, cash outflow increased by $7,600,000 along with increased notes
receivable, mainly due to the Company having sufficient working capital this
year and reducing the discount on notes receivable to save interest expenses.
Since the notes receivable were based on bank credit standing, they may turn
into cash any time the Company elects. Therefore, the increase of notes
receivable will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future
operating activities.
Cash
generated from operations in 2005 decreased by $9,045,160 as compared to that
in
2004, primarily due to a decreased operational income of $5,000,000 as a result
of the Government’s policy on investment control. The Company’s accounts
receivable increased $3,400,000 due to the deferred payment from automobile
manufacturers which also suffered a shortage of cash as a result of the
Government’s policy on investment control. In 2004, the Company recovered the
advance to a related party, Sino-American Inc., which increased its working
capital.
(b)
Investing activities
The
Company expended net cash of $1,219,103 in investment activities during the
year
ended December 31, 2006, $12,618,696 during the same period of 2005, and
$18,230,256 during the same period of 2004.
Net
cash
used in investment activities in 2006 decreased by $11,399,593 compared to
that
in 2005, primarily due to the receipt of other receivable of $5,700.000, and
a
decrease of $3,600,000 in equipment purchase payments as a result of delayed
equipment and plant construction. During 2006, the Company paid instalments
for
equipment, with the remaining $5,500,000 to be paid in subsequent years.
Management believes that these investing activities will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity.
Cash
used
in investment activities in 2005 decreased by $5,611,560 compared to that in
2004, primarily due to payment for a large number of equipment during 2004
which
was ordered in 2003 for production facilities expansion. During 2005, the
Company reduced equipment purchases due to the Government’s policy on investment
control.
(c)
Financing activities
The
Company obtained net cash of $7,470,971 through financing activities during
the
year ended December 31, 2006, $180,954 during the same period of 2005, and
expended net cash of $2,701,354 for the same period of 2004.
Net
cash
obtained from financing activities during 2006 increased by $7,290,017 as
compared to that during the year ended December 31, 2005, as a result of
following factors:
(1)
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company raised $10,300,000 of
cash
by issuing 1,216,675 shares of common stock to institutional investors, and
raised an additional $100,000 in cash through the exercise of options by
independent directors. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company
did
not issue any shares.
(2)
Net
cash provided in financing activities increased during the period as a result
of
an increase in capital investment by minority shareholders in joint
ventures: The minority shareholders in joint ventures contributed $1,420,926
during the year ended December 31, 2006, including Shanghai Hongxi Investment
Inc., the minority shareholder of USAI ,investing $436,954; HongKong Tongda,
the
minority shareholder of Jielong, investing $135,034; and Wuhu Chery Technology
Co., Ltd., the minority shareholder of Wuhu, investing $848,938 by cash. During
the year ended December 31, 2005, there was no such capital contribution in
minority shareholders in Sino-foreign joint ventures.
41
(3)
The
Company’s joint ventures paid minority shareholders of Sino-foreign joint
ventures more dividends in the year 2006 as compared to year 2005. Net cash
obtained from financing activities during 2005 increased by $2,882,308 as
compared to that during the year ended December 31, 2004, as a result of a
decrease in dividends paid to minority shareholders of Sino-foreign joint
ventures, and a decrease in repayment of a director’s loan due to insufficient
working capital which occurred as a result of the Government’s policy on
investment control.
OFF-BALANCE
SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
At
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company did not have any transactions,
obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet
arrangements.
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
The
following table summarizes the Company’s contractual payment obligations and
commitments as of December 31, 2006:
Payment
Obligations by Period
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Obligations
for service agreement
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
550,000
|
|||||||
Obligations
for purchasing agreement
|
4,371,999
|
1,124,685
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
5,496,684
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
4,481,999
|
$
|
1,234,685
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
6,046,684
|
SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
On
January 17, 2007, the Company raised $1,200,000 in a private placement (PIPE)
to
Cornell Capital Partners, LP, “Investor”, by issuing 108,121 shares of common
stock.
Pursuant
to the joint venture agreement entered into with Sensor as set out in note
2
regarding the formation of USAI, Sensor has failed to contribute its
sensor-related technologies and thereby failed to fulfill its capital
contribution commitment as of March 20, 2007, Sensor agreed to withdraw from
USAI and another technology supplier is being sought. There is no effect on
the
Company's existing production, but it may materially affect USAI's future
development.
INFLATION
AND CURRENCY MATTERS
In
the
most recent decade, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid
economic growth as well as relatively high rates of inflation, which in turn
has
resulted in the periodic adoption by the Chinese Government of various
corrective measures designed to regulate growth and contain inflation.
Foreign
operations are subject to certain risks inherent in conducting business abroad,
including price and currency exchange controls, and fluctuations in the relative
value of currencies. The Company conducts virtually all of its business in
China
and, accordingly, the sale of its products is settled primarily in RMB. As
a
result, devaluation or currency fluctuation of the RMB against the US$ would
adversely affect the Company’s financial performance when measured in US
dollars.
42
Until
1994, the Renminbi experienced a significant devaluation against US dollars
but
since then the value of the Renminbi relative to the US dollar has remained
stable. In addition, the Renminbi is not readily convertible into US 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.
RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs — An Amendment of
Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Chapter 4” (SFAS 151). SFAS 151 clarifies
that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and
spoilage should be expensed as incurred and not included in overhead as an
inventory cost. The new statement also requires that allocation of fixed
production overhead costs to conversion costs should be based on normal capacity
of the production facilities. The provisions in SFAS 151 must be applied
prospectively and became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006.
The Company adopted this statement beginning in the first quarter of
2006.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 152 “Accounting for Real Estate
Time-Sharing Transactions - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 66 and 67”
(“SFAS 152”). This statement amends FASB Statement No. 66 “Accounting for Sales
of Real Estate” to reference the financial accounting and reporting guidance for
real estate time-sharing transactions that is provided in AICPA Statement of
Position 04-2 “Accounting for Real Estate Time-Sharing Transactions” (“SOP
04-2”). SFAS 152 also amends FASB Statement No. 67 “Accounting for Costs and
Initial Rental operations of Real Estate Projects” to state that the guidance
for incidental operations and costs incurred to sell real estate projects does
not apply to real estate time-sharing transactions, with the accounting for
those operations and costs being subject to the guidance in SOP 04-2. The
provisions of SFAS 152 are effective in fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2005. The Company adopted this statement beginning in the third quarter of
2006.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based
Payment” (“SFAS 123R”). This statement requires financial statement recognition
of compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions. Share-based
payment transactions within the scope of SFAS 123R include stock options,
restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights,
and
employee share purchase plans. The provisions of SFAS 123R are effective for
the
first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. However, in April 2005, the
SEC
deferred the effective date of SFAS 123R for SEC registrants to the first
interim period beginning after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, the Company adopted
this statement beginning in the first quarter of 2006.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153 “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an
amendment of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29” (“SFAS 153”). This
statement amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 29, “Accounting
for Nonmonetary Transactions” to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception
for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that have no commercial substance. Under
SFAS 153, if a nonmonetary exchange of similar productive assets meets a
commercial-substance criterion and fair value is determinable, the transaction
must be accounted for at fair value resulting in recognition of any gain or
loss. SFAS 153 was effective for nonmonetary transactions in fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted this statement beginning
in
the first quarter of 2006.
In
March
2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143” (“FIN 47”).
Under FIN 47, we are required to recognize a liability for the fair value of
a
conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability
can
be reasonably estimated. Any uncertainty about the amount and/or timing of
future settlement should be factored into the measurement of the liability
when
sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have
sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value. The provisions
of
FIN 47 were required to be applied no later than the end of fiscal years ending
after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted this statement beginning in the
first quarter of 2006.
43
In
May
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections —
a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“SFAS 154”). This
statement changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of
a
change in accounting principle and applies to all voluntary changes in
accounting principle. It also applies to changes required by an accounting
pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include
specific transition provisions. When a pronouncement includes specific
transition provisions, those provisions should be followed. APB No. 20 required
that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including
in net income, of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing
to
the new accounting principle. This statement requires retrospective application
to prior period financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless
it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the
cumulative effect of the change. The provisions of SFAS 154 are effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted this
statement beginning in the first quarter of 2006.
In
February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain
Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“SFAS 155”). This Statement amends FASB
Statements No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, and No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. This Statement resolves
issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application
of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” SFAS
No. 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial
instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require
bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips
are
not subject to the requirements of Statement 133, and establishes a requirement
to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests
that
are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that
contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. It also clarifies that
concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded
derivatives and amends Statement 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a
qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument
that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial
instrument. This Statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired
or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after
September 15, 2006. The Company has not yet determined the impact of the
adoption of SFAS No. 155 on its financial statements, if any.
In
March
2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets” (“SFAS 156”). This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting
for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of
Liabilities, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing
assets and servicing liabilities. This Statement requires an entity to recognize
a servicing asset or servicing liability each time it undertakes an obligation
to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract in indicated
situations; requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing
liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable; permits
an
entity to choose relevant subsequent measurement methods for each class of
separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities; at its initial
adoption, permits a one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities
to trading securities by entities with recognized servicing rights, without
calling into question the treatment of other available-for-sale securities
under
Statement 115, provided that the available-for-sale securities are identified
in
some manner as offsetting the entity’s exposure to changes in fair value of
servicing assets or servicing liabilities that a servicer elects to subsequently
measure at fair value; and requires separate presentation of servicing assets
and servicing liabilities subsequently measured at fair value in the statement
of financial position and additional disclosures for all separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. The Company has determined that
the
adoption of SFAS No. 156 did not have a material impact on Consolidated
Financial Statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS
157”), to define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expand disclosures
about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 requires quantitative disclosures using
a tabular format in all periods (interim and annual) and qualitative disclosures
about the valuation techniques used to measure fair value in all annual periods.
The provisions of this Statement shall be effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. The Company will be required to adopt the provisions
of this statement as of January 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating
the
impact of adopting SFAS 157.
44
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - An amendment of FASB
Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”). This Statement enhances
disclosure regarding the funded status of an employer’s defined benefit
postretirement plan by (a) requiring companies to include the funding status
in
comprehensive income, (b) recognize transactions and events that affect the
funded status in the financial statements in the year in which they occur,
and
(c) at a measurement date of the employer’s fiscal year-end. Statement No. 158
effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, and is not expected
to apply to the Company.
In
February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No.
115 (“ SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair values. SFAS 159 is effective
for fiscal years after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating
the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on our financial statements.
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our
significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our
consolidated financial statements. Certain of our accounting policies require
the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the
appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature,
these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These
judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts,
our evaluation of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers
and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate.
We
consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:
· It
requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time
we
were making the estimate, and
· Changes
in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected would have
had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
The
table
below presents information about the nature and rationale for the Company
critical accounting estimates:
Balance
Sheet Caption
|
Critical
Estimate Item
|
Nature
of Estimates
Required
|
Assumptions/Approaches
Used
|
Key
Factors
|
||||
Accrued
liabilities and other long-term liabilities
|
Warranty
obligations
|
Estimating
warranty requires us to forecast the resolution of existing claims
and
expected future claims on products sold. VMs are increasingly seeking
to
hold suppliers responsible for product warranties, which may impact
our
exposure to these costs.
|
We
base our estimate on historical trends of units sold and payment
amounts,
combined with our current understanding of the status of existing
claims
and discussions with our customers.
|
· VM
sourcing
· VM
policy decisions
regarding warranty claims
|
||||
Property,
plant and equipment, intangible assets and other long-term
assets
|
Valuation
of long- lived assets and investments
|
We
are required from time-to-time to review the recoverability of certain
of
our assets based on projections of anticipated future cash flows,
including future profitability assessments of various product lines.
|
We
estimate 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
|
45
In
addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require
estimation, but are not as critical as those discussed above. These include
the
allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and reserves for excess and obsolete
inventory. Although not significant in recent years, changes in estimates used
in these and other items could have a significant effect on our consolidated
financial statements.
ITEM
7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The
Company is subject to market risk exposures of varying correlations and
volatilities, including credit risk, foreign exchange rate risk, interest rate
risk and inventory price risk.
CREDIT
RISK: The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentration of
credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts
receivable from customers
Cash
and
cash equivalents are deposited with major state-owned banks in the PRC.
Management has not evaluated the credit risk from banks based on its notion
that
state-owned banks command considerable funds with good reputation.
The
Company’s business activity is primarily with customers in the PRC. The Company
periodically performs credit analysis and monitors the financial condition
of
its clients in order to minimize credit risk. Because of the increase of its
activities and business, and the increase of customers’ accounts receivable,
there is no assurance that the foresaid measures will be completely effective.
The Company has approximately $41,000,000 in accounts receivable as of December
31, 2006. The Company’s revenues and/or operating cash flow would be materially
and adversely affected if a 3% allowance for doubtful accounts is introduced,
which will mean a reduction of approximately $1,230,000 revenues for the
Company.
CURRENCY
EXCHANGE RATE RISK: The Company’s currency exchange rate risks consist primarily
of currency from financing. The Company’s financing activities were settled in
US dollars and deposited in its bank account in US dollars, while the Company
conducts virtually all of its business and investment activity in China and
the
value of its business is effectively denominated in Renminbi. The Company
converts US dollars into RMB to conduct its investment activities and business.
The Company does not hedge its RMB - US dollar exchange rate exposure. If RMB
appreciates against US Dollars, the Company’s revenues and/or operating cash
flow might be adversely affected. The Company has dollar holdings of
approximately $7,400,000 as at December 31, 2006, if the exchange rate between
RMB and US Dollars were to increase by 10%, the Company would potentially suffer
a loss of approximately $740,000. Currently, the Company has not chosen any
financial instruments (hedges) that can provide offsets or limits to its
exposures.
MARKET
INTEREST RATE RISK: The Company has $34,000,000 short-term revolving credit
lines with annual interest expenses of $2,000,000 if these lines are fully
utilized at current rates. Bank loan rates in China have a history of volatility
and have been rising recently, and if market interest rates increase by 10%,
such increases could result in increased loan interest for the
company.
RISK
OF
INVENTORY PRICES: The risk to inventory prices of the Company comes from the
upward movement in prices of raw materials and the downward movement of selling
prices. Management believes the latter one is more material. In recent years,
price fluctuation on raw materials was not excessive, but selling prices for
steering gears have fluctuated significantly. During the years 2004 to 2006,
selling prices for steering gears have decreased approximately 10% each year
on
an average basis. As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s finished goods amount
was approximately $7,500,000. If selling prices of steering gears decrease
by
10% in 2007, then the income of the Company will decrease by $750,000.
46
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
(a)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
following financial statements are set forth at the end hereof.
1.
Report of Independent Auditors
2.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005
3.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004
4.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
5.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
6.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004
7.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)
Selected
quarterly financial data for the past two years appears in the following
table:
Quarterly
Results of Operations
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
First
|
Second
|
Third
|
Fourth
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||||||||
Net
Sales
|
$
|
20,964,452
|
$
|
13,976,450
|
$
|
24,747,912
|
$
|
16,763,309
|
$
|
22,399,673
|
$
|
14,262,933
|
$
|
27,654,402
|
$
|
18,569,609
|
|||||||||
Gross
Profit
|
6,945,197
|
5,030,341
|
9,271,145
|
5,966,751
|
8,133,159
|
5,508,916
|
8,560,313
|
5,960,815
|
|||||||||||||||||
Operating
Income
|
2,619,649
|
1,638,777
|
3,144,980
|
1,694,404
|
3,398,569
|
2,794,094
|
3,601,524
|
2,255,742
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
1,094,398
|
866,183
|
751,636
|
502,054
|
1,532,123
|
1,076,912
|
1,433,547
|
870,229
|
|||||||||||||||||
Earnings
Per Share
|
$
|
0.05
|
$
|
0.04
|
$
|
0.03
|
$
|
0.02
|
$
|
0.07
|
$
|
0.05
|
$
|
0.06
|
$
|
0.04
|
ITEM
9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
Not
applicable.
ITEM
9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures:
As
of
December 31, 2006, the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s
chief executive officer and its chief financial officer reviewed and evaluated
the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). As of the end of that
period, based on that evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and
chief financial officer concluded that from October 1, 2006 to date, the
disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material
information the Company must disclose in the reports that it files or submits
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the “Exchange Act”, is
recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, and that
information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files
or
submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s
chief executive officer and chief financial officer as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting:
As
previously reported, we identified various control weaknesses, identified below,
in our internal controls over financial reporting. Commencing October 1, 2006,
we had remedied by increasing our review procedures, both during and at the
end
of each quarter, to try our bests to ensure that information required to be
disclosed, both financial and non-financial, was recorded, processed, summarized
and reported in a timely fashion. In addition, as noted below, we continued
to
make progress in our remediation plans related to these control weaknesses
and
had adopted interim procedures to further support the existing controls. In
2006, under the guidance of our disclosure committee, the internal auditors
had
further enhanced controls including, but not limited to, the following: (1)
check revenue and expenses recorded to confirm their consistency in
classification, accuracy and completeness, (2) review to ensure all inter
company transactions in the period are in compliance with relevant accounting
principles, (3) review accounting estimates for reasonableness, including
amortization and depreciation terms for long-term assets, impairment reserve
of
assets and warranty reserve, (4) confirm that all accounting units had counted
inventory, capital assets and construction materials, etc. and had disclosed
the
results in financial reports, and recorded any differences appropriately in
accordance with GAAP, (5) review expenditures to determine whether they should
be classified as capital expenditures or as current expenses in the period,
and
(6) confirm that significant accounting policies had been adhered to and were
in
accordance with GAAP. Prior to the completion of our periodic filings with
the
SEC, the above-mentioned information would be collected and communicated to
management, including the CEO and CFO.
The
following table summarizes the status of the remediation plans as of
December 31, 2006:
Control
Deficiency Noted in Form 10-K and 10Q
|
Remediation
Plans
|
Current
Status of Remediation Plans
|
||
Inappropriate
presentation of reclassifications, other income and warranty reserves
in
financial statements.
|
Implement
additional oversight to ensure the financial statements comply with
US
GAAP
·
Management
is increasing the number of qualified accountants on its global accounting
staff by actively recruiting additional certified public accountants
to
ensure the financial statements would be in compliance with US
GAAP.
· Management
has committed to provide the finance staff with additional support
and
training in order to enable them to identify unusual or complex
transactions requiring further consideration by technical accounting
experts or others within the organization.
· Management
will conduct training sessions throughout the organization to explain
the
accounting policies and procedures and require that accounting
conclusions, assumptions and estimates be better documented and supported
by such accounting policies or relevant accounting literature in
accordance with US GAAP.
· Management
and the audit committee will assess the effectiveness of the Company’s
adherence to the accounting policies through ongoing monitoring
activities.
|
· The
Company has hired several qualified accountants at both its headquarters
and various operating units. Additional hiring efforts are
ongoing.
· Trainings
on a variety of accounting and reporting related topics have occurred
and
additional trainings have been carried out during the fourth quarter
of
2006.
· To
address identified weaknesses, Management continues to perform the
following procedures:
- More
transactions are reviewed by the chief accounting officer particularly
in
those areas where control weaknesses have been identified;
- Management
has strengthened its requirement and review of the documentation
supporting the accounting for transactions;
- External
experts are being retained, when deemed necessary, to assist in preparing
and reviewing the appropriate accounting documentation.
· After
the Company has fully implemented the remediation plan, we will be
relying
on the management procedures indicated above to mitigate the risk
of this
control deficiency.
|
47
· Management
will have all subsidiaries adopt management process
consistently.
· Management
has finalized control processes and will test periodically and assess
their effectiveness in order to minimize further breakdown of controls.
· Management
recognizes that many of the remedial actions it has taken or will
take
require continuous monitoring and evaluation for effectiveness, which
will
depend on maintaining a strong internal audit function. Until such
time as
the Company is able to identify a suitable candidate to lead its
internal
audit function, it will look to external experts to supplement its
existing staff.
|
· Management
conducted training sessions with the finance staff of each division
to
implement these policies and to increase staff’s awareness and focus on
the issues covered by the new policies and will continue to monitor
their
progress.
· Management
will provide training to reinforce the new accounting policies in
February
2007.
· In
early January 2007, senior members of the Company’s executive management
attended a training session focusing on management control and business
ethics. Other members of the executive management team will attend
this
training in June 2007. The entire salaried workforce will be trained
in
December 2007.
· The
Company is still actively seeking to fill the leadership role in
the
internal audit function.
|
ITEM
9B.
OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART
III
ITEM
10.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The
following table and text set forth the names and ages of all directors and
executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2006. 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.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|||
Hanlin
Chen
|
|
49
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
|
|
||||
Qizhou
Wu
|
|
42
|
|
Chief
Operating Officer and Director
|
|
||||
Daming
Hu
|
|
48
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
||||
Tse,
Yiu Wong Andy
|
|
36
|
|
Sr.
VP, Director
|
|
||||
Shengbin
Yu
|
|
53
|
|
Sr.
VP
|
|
||||
Shaobo
Wang
|
|
44
|
|
Sr.
VP
|
|
||||
Robert
Tung
|
|
50
|
|
Director
|
|
||||
Dr.
Haimian Cai
|
|
43
|
|
Director
|
|
||||
William
E. Thomson
|
|
65
|
|
Director
|
Guangxun
Xu
|
56
|
Director
|
48
(a) |
BIOGRAPHIES
OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS:
|
Hanlin
Chen has served as chairman of the board and CEO since March 2003. Mr. Chen
is a
standing board member of the Political Consulting Committee of Jingzhou city
and
vice president of Foreign Investors Association of Hubei Province. He was the
general manager of Jiulong from 1993 to 1997. Since 1997, he has been the
Chairman of the Board of Henglong. Mr. Chen graduated from Barrington University
with an MBA Degree.
Qizhou
Wu
has served as the Chief Operating Officer since March 2003. He was the Managing
Vice General Manager of Jiulong from 1993 to 1999 and GM of Henglong from 1999
to 2002. Mr. Wu graduated from Tsinghua University in Beijing with a Masters
degree in Automobile Engineering.
Daming
Hu
has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 2003.
He is
in charge of corporate account planning, reporting and tax planning. Mr. Hu
was
the Finance Manager of Jiulong from 1996 to 1999 and Finance Manager of Heng
Long from 1999 to 2002. Mr.
Hu
graduated from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law as an accountant
bachelor.
Tse,
Yiu
Wong Andy has served as Sr. VP of the Company since March 2003. He has also
served as the general manager of the Henglong and Jiulong joint ventures and
the
chairman of the board of Shenyang since 2003. 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.
Shengbin
Yu has served as Sr. VP of the Company and had overall charge of the production
since March 2003. Mr. Yu was the Vice-G.M. of Jiulong from 1993 to 1996 and
Executive Vice-G.M. of Henglong from 1997 to 2003.
Shaobo
Wang has served as Sr. VP of the Company and had overall charge of the
technology since March 2003. He was the Vice-G.M. of Jiulong from 1993 to 2003.
Mr. Wang graduated from Tsinghua University in Beijing with a Masters degree
in
Automobile Engineering.
Robert
Tung has been a Director of the Company since September 2003 and a member of
the
Company’s Audit and Nominating Committees. Mr. Tung is currently the President
of Multi-Media Communications, Inc., and Executive Vice President of Super
Microbial Sciences International, LLC. Mr. Tung holds a M.S. in Chemical
Engineering from the University of Virginia and B.S. degrees in Computer Science
and Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland and National Taiwan
University, respectively.
Dr.
Haimian Cai has been a Director since September 2003 and a member of the
Company’s 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 power of 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.
William
E. Thomson, CA, has been a Director of the Company since September 2003 and
is a
member of the Company’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees. Mr.
Thomson has been the president of Thomson Associates, Inc., a leading merchant
banking and crisis management company, since 1978. Mr. Thomson’s current
additional directorships include: Nasdaq - Atlast Pain & Injury Solutions,
Inc. (Healthcare),Maxus Technology Inc. (eWaste Management Solutions);
TSX-Venture Exchange - Open EC Technologies (Software); TSX-Score Media Inc.
(Media); Private-ReWorks Inc. (Environmental/Agriculture), Electrical Contacts
Ltd. (Electrical Contacts), Redpearl funding Corporation (IT Financing), Wright
Environmental Management Inc. (Waste Management Solutions). YTW Growth Capital
Management Corporation (CPC facilitation), Han Wind Energy (BVI) (Sustainable
Energy), Summit Energy Management (Oil and Gas, Paradox Financial Solutions
Inc.
(Supply Chain Financing), Debt Freedom Canada Inc. (Financing), Confederazione
degli Imprenditory Italianinel Mondo Canada - Confederation of Italian
Entrepreneurs Worldwide Canada.
49
Mr.
Guangxun Xu currently serves as the leader of NASDAQ Listing Services Limited,
a
company he founded in April 2004, with a professional career in the finance
field spanning over 25 years. His practice focuses on providing package services
on US and UK listings, advising on and arranging for Private Placements, PIPEs
and IPOs, pre-IPO restructuring, M&A, Corporate and Project Finance, IPOs,
corporate governance, post-IPO IR and compliance, Risk Control, etc. Prior
to
founding NASDAQ Listing Services Limited, Mr. Xu served as a managing director
with the NASDAQ Stock Market International, Asia for over 10 years. He holds
an
MBA from Middlesex University, London. He is a member of the Company’s Audit,
Compensation and Nominating.
(b)
|
COMPENSATION
FOR DIRECTORS AND OTHER MATTERS
|
The
compensation that directors receive for serving on the Board of Directors for
the fiscal year 2006 was as follows:
Name
|
Fees
earned or paid in cash
|
Stock
awards
|
Option
awards
|
Non-equity
incentive plan compensation
|
Change
in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation
earnings
|
All
other compensation
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
||||||||||||||||
Haimian
Cai
|
$
|
28,000
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
43,875
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
71,875
|
||||||||
William
E. Thomson
|
28,000
|
-
|
43,875
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
71,875
|
|||||||||||||||
Robert
Tung
|
28,000
|
-
|
43,875
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
71,875
|
|||||||||||||||
Guangxun
Xu
|
$
|
16,000
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
16,000
|
In
accordance with SFAS No. 123R, the cost of the above mentioned stock options
and
warrants 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.
All
other
directors did not receive compensation for their service on the Board of
Directors.
(c) |
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 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: Robert Tung, Guangxun Xu, and
William Thomson. Mr. William Thomson is the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
The
Board has determined that Mr. William Thomson is the Audit Committee financial
expert, as defined in Item 401(h)(2)of Regulation S-K, serving on the Company’s
audit committee.
50
(d) |
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, Guangxun Xu, Haimian Cai and William Thomson, serve on the
Compensation Committee. Dr. Haimian Cai is the Chairman of the Compensation
Committee.
(e) |
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 five (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, Robert Tung,
Guangxun Xu and Haimian Cai, serve on the Nominating Committee. Mr. Robert
Tung
is the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
(f) |
STOCKHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS
|
Stockholders
interested in communicating directly with the Board of Directors, or individual
directors, may email the Company’s independent director William Thomson at
Bill.Thomson@chl.com.cn. Mr. Thomson will review all such correspondence and
will regularly forward to the Board 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
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.
(g) |
FAMILY
RELATIONSHIPS
|
Mr.
Hanlin Chen and Mr. Tse, Yiu Wong Andy are brothers-in-law.
(h) |
INVOLVEMENT
IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
|
To
the
best of the Company’s knowledge, during the past five years, none of the
following occurred with respect to a present or former director or executive
officer of the Company: (1) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any
business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either
at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (2) any
conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal
proceeding, excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses; (3) being
subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended
or vacated, of any court of any competent jurisdiction, permanently or
temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement
in any type of business, securities or banking activities; and (4) being found
by a court of competent jurisdiction, in a civil action, the SEC or the
Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state
securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended
or vacated.
51
(i) |
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 is filed as
an
exhibit to this Form 10-K, which incorporates it by reference from the Form
10-KSB for year ended December 31, 2003)
(ii) |
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP COMPLIANCE
|
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company’s
executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports
of
changes in ownership and annual reports concerning their ownership of common
stock and other of the Company’s equity securities, on Forms 3, 4 and 5
respectively. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders
are required by Commission regulations to furnish the Company with copies of
all
Section 16(a) reports they file. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, based
solely upon a review of the Form 3, 4 and 5 filed, no officer, director or
10%
beneficial shareholder failed to file on a timely basis any reports required
by
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
ITEM
11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Compensation
Discussion And Analysis
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 our 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 our relative performance and our own strategic goals.
We
have
not retained a compensation consultant to review our policies and procedures
with respect to executive compensation. We conduct an annual review of the
aggregate level of our executive compensation, as well as the mix of elements
used to compensate our executive officers. We compare compensation levels with
amounts currently being paid to executives in our industry and most importantly
with local practices in China. We are satisfied that our compensation levels
are
competitive with local conditions.
Elements
of Compensation
Executive
compensation consists of following elements:
Base
Salary. Base salaries for our executives are established based on the scope
of
their responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation
paid
by other companies for similar positions. Generally, we believe that executive
base salaries should be targeted near the median of the range of salaries for
executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities at comparable
companies, in line with our compensation philosophy. Base salaries are reviewed
annually, and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels
after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and
experience. We reviewed compensation levels in December 2006.
Discretionary
Annual Bonus. The Compensation Committee has the authority to award
discretionary annual bonuses to our executive officers under the Compensation
Committee Charter. So far, no discretionary bonus has been awarded. Bonuses,
if
they are awarded, are intended to compensate officers for achieving financial
and operational goals and for achieving individual annual performance
objectives. These objectives vary depending on the individual executive, but
relate generally to strategic factors such as the financial performance, results
of operation and per share performance of our common stock.
52
Our
executive officers are eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, the specific
amount of which will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The actual
amount of discretionary bonus is determined following a review of each
executive’s individual performance and contribution to our strategic goals
conducted during the first quarter of each fiscal year. The Compensation
Committee has not fixed a maximum payout for any officers’ annual discretionary
bonus.
Long-Term
Incentive Program. We believe that long-term performance is achieved through
an
ownership culture that encourages such performance by our key employees through
the use of stock options. Our stock compensation plan has been established
to
provide certain of our employees with incentives to help align those employees’
interests with the interests of stockholders. The Compensation Committee
believes that the use of stock options offers the best approach to achieving
our
compensation goals. We have not adopted stock ownership guidelines. We believe
that the annual aggregate value of these awards should be set near competitive
median levels for comparable companies.
Options.
Our stock option plan authorizes us to grant options to purchase shares of
common stock to our employees, directors and consultants. Li Jie, our board
secretary, is the administrator of the stock option plan. The stock options
plan
was approved in the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the maximum number
of common shares for issuance under this plan is 2,200,000 with a period of
10
years. During 2004, the Company issued options to purchase 7,500 shares of
common stock to each of its three independent directors. Such share options
vested immediately upon grant and are exercisable at $4.50 per share over a
period of two years. On June 28, 2005, the Company issued additional options
to
purchase 7,500 shares of common stock to each of its three independent
directors. Such stock options vested immediately upon grant and are exercisable
at $6.83 per share over a period of five years. On July 6, 2006, the Company
issued options to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock to each of its three
independent directors. Such stock options vested immediately upon grant and
are
exercisable at $7.94 per share over a period of five years. The exercise price
represents the fair market value based on the grant date of the stock options.
These grants were made to encourage an ownership culture among our independent
directors. None of our executive officer nor the chief operating officers has
been granted any stock options.
The
Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No.
123R, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, which establishes a fair value
method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. In accordance with
SFAS
No. 123R, the cost of stock options and warrants issued to employees is measured
at 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 benefit, which is generally the vesting period.
Stock
Option Plan. Our Stock Option Plan authorizes us to grant incentive stock
option, nonstatutory stock option, stock options, cash awards and stock awards
to our employees, directors and consultants. Mr. Li Jie is the administrator
of
the plan. The board of directors will review and approve stock option awards
to
executive officers, directors and other key employees based upon a review of
competitive compensation data, its assessment of individual performance, a
review of each executive’s existing long-term incentives, and retention
considerations.
Stock
Appreciation Rights. We currently do not have any Stock Appreciation Rights
Plan
that authorizes us to grant stock appreciation rights.
Other
Compensation. Other than the annual salary for our executive officers and the
bonus that may be awarded to them at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee, we do not have any other benefits and perquisites for our executive
officers; however, the Compensation Committee in its discretion may provide
benefits and perquisites to these executive officers if it deems it advisable.
53
Summary
Compensation Table:
Name
and principal position
|
Year
|
Salary
|
Bonus
|
Stock
awards
|
Option
awards
|
Non-equity
incentive plan compensation
|
Change
in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation
earnings
|
All
other compensation
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Hanlin
Chen
|
2006
|
$
|
100,000
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
100,000
|
|||||||||||||
CEO
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hu
Damming
|
2006
|
$
|
60,000
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
60,000
|
|||||||||||||
CFO
|
Grants
of
Plan-Based Awards:
Not
Applicable.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End:
Not
Applicable.
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested:
Not
Applicable.
Pension
Benefits:
Name
|
Plan
name
|
Number
of years credited service
(#)
|
Present
value of accumulated benefit
($)
|
Payments
during last fiscal year
($)
|
|||||||||
Hanlin
Chen
CEO
|
Purchase
of pension
|
13
|
$
|
30,000
|
—
|
||||||||
Hu
Damming
CFO
|
Purchase
of pension
|
10
|
$
|
23,000
|
—
|
Principal
executive
officer and employees of the Company purchase pension insurance in accordance
with pay 20% of salary amount, which was verified by the Government. Every
year
the Government pays to amount of $2,300 to principal executive officer after
his
or her retirement.
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation:
Not
Applicable.
54
(b)
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
For
the
twelve months ended December 31, 2006, none of our executive officers had a
relationship that would constitute an interlocking relationship with executive
officers or directors of another entity or insider participation in compensation
decisions.
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
23,959, 702 shares of common stock outstanding at February 27,
2007.
Name/Title
|
Total
Number of Shares
|
Percentage
Ownership
|
|||||
Hanlin
Chen, CEO, Chairman and President(1)
|
15,371,972
|
64.16
|
%
|
||||
Qizhou
Wu, COO, Director
|
2,195,996
|
9.17
|
%
|
||||
Daming
Hu, CFO
|
—
|
—
|
|||||
Li
Ping Xie(2)
|
15,371,972
|
64.16
|
%
|
||||
Tse,
Yiu Wong Andy, Sr. VP, Director
|
1,129,426
|
4.71
|
%
|
||||
Shaobo
Wang, Sr. VP
|
731,998
|
3.06
|
%
|
||||
Shengbin
Yu, Sr. VP
|
627,429
|
2.62
|
%
|
||||
Robert
Tung, Director
|
7,500
|
0.03
|
%
|
||||
Dr.
Haimian Cai, Director
|
7,500
|
0.03
|
%
|
||||
William
E. Thomson, Director
|
—
|
—
|
|||||
Guanxun
Xu, Director
|
—
|
—
|
|||||
All
Directors and Executive Officers (10 persons)
|
20,071,821
|
83.78
|
%
|
(1)
Includes
2,091,425 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Chen’s wife, Ms.
Xie.
(2)
Includes
13,280,547 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Ms. Xie’s husband, Mr.
Chen.
In
July
2004, the Company adopted a stock option plan subject to shareholders approval,
which was approved at the Company’s annual general meeting on June 28, 2005. The
stock option plan provides for the issuance to the Company’s officers,
directors, management and employees of options to purchase shares of the
Company’s common stock.
ITEM
13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Effective
August 31, 2004, in order to concentrate on its main products, namely steering
and automotive parts, the Company disposed of its 51% interest in Jingzhou
by
entering into the Exchange Agreement with HBWL, which is controlled by Mr.
Hanlin Chen, the Chairman of the Company. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement,
the 51% equity interest in Jingzhou owned by Ji Long was exchanged for 2.5%
of
HBWL’s equity interests in Henglong based on their respective fair market values
as determined by an independent appraisal firm. The difference between the
fair
value and the book value resulting from the disposition of the joint venture
interest in Jingzhou was debited to additional paid-in capital. With respect
to
consideration paid by the Company in excess of the Chairman’s basis in his
investment, such excess has been charged to additional paid-in capital as a
distribution to the Chairman, resulting in the acquired 2.5% equity interests
in
Henglong being recorded by the Company at the Chairman’s original cost basis.
The Company paid approximately $90,000 to Hubei Wanlong in conjunction with
this
transaction.
55
Henglong,
one of the Company’s Joint-ventures, has constructed seven buildings dedicated
to research and administration for its operations in Wuhan. Due to the unified
building guidance and planning on floor and building areas by the government
of
Wuhan, the actual building areas were greater than the areas the Company
needed. And in 2005 the Company decided to dispose of two of its seven
buildings, construction cost at $2,468,574, to WuHan Geological University
Information S&T Development Co., Ltd. "WuHan Information", a Chinese company
controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the Chairman of the Company, at fair market
value of $2,636,444, which was determined by an independent appraisal
firm.
ITEM
14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
The
following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional audit services
rendered by Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP for the audit of the Company’s annual
financial statements for the fiscal years 2006 and 2005 and 2004, and fees
billed for other services provided by Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP for fiscal
years 2006, 2005 and 2004. The Audit Committee has approved all of the following
fees.
Fiscal
Year Ended
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Audit
Fees
|
$
|
244,500
|
$
|
190,000
|
$
|
190,000
|
||||
Audit-Related
Fees(1)
|
19,715
|
9,000
|
—
|
|||||||
Tax
Fees (2)
|
7,000
|
5,000
|
||||||||
Total
Fees Paid
|
$
|
271,215
|
$
|
204,000
|
$
|
190,000
|
(1)
Includes accounting and reporting consultations related to financing and
internal control procedures.
(2)
Includes fees for service related to tax compliance services, preparation and
filing of tax returns and tax consulting services.
Audit
Committee’s Pre-Approval Policy
During
fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, 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.
56
PART
IV
ITEM
15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)
List
of Financial Statements/Schedules
1.
Report
of Independent Auditors
2.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005
3.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004
4.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
5.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
6.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004
7.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)
EXHIBITS
The
following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits that were previously filed are
incorporated by reference.
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
||
3.1(i)
|
|
Certificate
of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from the filing on Form
10SB
File No. 000-33123.)
|
|
|
|
3.1(ii)
|
|
Bylaws
(incorporated by reference from the Form 10KSB for the year ended
December
31, 2002.)
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Code
of Ethics (incorporated by reference from the Form 10-KSB for the
year
ended December 31, 2003)
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Schedule
of Subsidiaries*
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
Consent
of Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP., independent
auditors*
|
57
31.1
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification*
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification*
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Section
1350 Certification*
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Section
1350 Certification*
|
*
Filed
herewith
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company caused
this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
|
CHINA
AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Hanlin Chen
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Hanlin
Chen
|
|
Title:
|
Chairman,
CEO and President
|
In
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Hanlin Chen
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Hanlin
Chen
|
|
Title:
|
Chairman,
CEO and President
|
|
|
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Daming Hu
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Daming
Hu
|
|
Title:
|
CFO
|
|
|
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Qizhou Wu
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Qizhou
Wu
|
|
Title:
|
COO,
Director
|
|
|
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Guanxun Xu
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Guanxun
Xu
|
|
Title:
|
Director
|
58
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Tse Yiu Wong Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Tse,
Yiu Wong Andy
|
|
Title:
|
Sr.
VP, Director
|
|
|
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Robert Tung
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Robert
Tung
|
|
Title:
|
Director
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
Dr. Haimian Cai
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Name:
Dr. Haimian Cai
|
|
Title:
|
Director
|
|
|
|
Dated:
April 2, 2007
|
|
/s/
William E. Thomson
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
William
E. Thomson
|
|
Title:
|
Director
|
59
REPORT
OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of China Automotive Systems,
Inc.:
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China Automotive
Systems, Inc. as at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the management of China Automotive Systems,
Inc.. Our responsibility is to express opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In
our
opinion, these consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of China Automotive
Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of
America.
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
February
2, 2007, except
for
note 26 as to which
the
date is March 28, 2007
|
/s/
Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP
Schwartz
Levitsky Feldman LLP
Chartered
Accountants
|
60
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
December
31, 2006 and 2005
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
27,418,500
|
$
|
12,374,944
|
|||
Pledged
cash deposits
|
3,484,335
|
1,185,660
|
|||||
Accounts
and notes receivable, net, including $1,770,933 and $1,829,075 from
related parties at December 31, 2006 and 2005, net of an allowance
for
doubtful accounts of $4,086,218 and $2,856,025 at December 31, 2006
and
2005
|
57,234,383
|
41,580,320
|
|||||
Advance
payments and other, including $487,333 and $312,036 to related
parties at December 31, 2006 and 2005
|
837,014
|
1,029,892
|
|||||
Inventories
|
15,464,571
|
12,385,833
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
$
|
104,438,803
|
$
|
68,556,649
|
|||
Long-term
Assets:
|
|||||||
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
$
|
40,848,046
|
$
|
39,796,033
|
|||
Intangible
assets, net
|
3,140,548
|
3,503,217
|
|||||
Other
receivables, net, including $738,510 and $3,966,509 from related
parties
at December 31, 2006 and 2005, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts
of $898,203 and $1,040,169 at December 31, 2006 and 2005
|
966,715
|
6,503,629
|
|||||
Advance
payment for property, plant and equipment, including $488,873 and
$599,729
to related parties at December 31, 2006 and 2005
|
2,640,708
|
1,096,121
|
|||||
Long-term
investments
|
73,718
|
74,074
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
152,108,538
|
$
|
119,529,723
|
|||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Bank
loans
|
$
|
15,384,615
|
$
|
14,814,815
|
|||
Accounts
and notes payable, including $640,405 and $383,578 to related parties
at
December 31, 2006 and 2005
|
37,647,913
|
31,375,599
|
|||||
Customer
deposits
|
146,171
|
157,919
|
|||||
Accrued
payroll and related costs
|
1,506,251
|
1,418,093
|
|||||
Accrued
expenses and other payables
|
11,078,186
|
5,191,617
|
|||||
Accrued
pension costs
|
3,266,867
|
2,653,064
|
|||||
Taxes
payable
|
5,914,362
|
4,172,212
|
|||||
Amounts
due to shareholders/directors
|
358,065
|
766,642
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
$
|
75,302,430
|
$
|
60,549,961
|
|||
Long-term
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Advances
payable
|
313,151
|
301,614
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
$
|
75,615,581
|
$
|
60,851,575
|
|||
Minority
interests
|
$
|
23,112,667
|
$
|
21,751,043
|
|||
Stockholders'
equity:
|
|||||||
Preferred
stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 20,000,000 shares Issued
and
outstanding - None
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
|||
Common
stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares Issued
and
Outstanding - 23,851,581 shares and 22,574,543 shares at December
31, 2006
and 2005, respectively
|
2,385
|
2,257
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
28,651,959
|
18,146,722
|
|||||
Retained
earnings-
|
|||||||
Appropriated
|
6,209,909
|
4,923,262
|
|||||
Unappropriated
|
16,047,237
|
12,522,180
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
2,468,800
|
1,332,684
|
|||||
Total
stockholders' equity
|
$
|
53,380,290
|
$
|
36,927,105
|
|||
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
$
|
152,108,538
|
$
|
119,529,723
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
61
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
||||||||||
Net
product sales, including $3,278,444, $2,290,129 and $1,682,625 to
related
parties at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
|
$
|
95,766,439
|
$
|
63,572,301
|
$
|
58,185,845
|
||||
Cost
of product sold, including $2,850,283, $1,667,685 and $1,703,179
purchased
from related parties at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
|
62,856,625
|
41,105,478
|
35,042,352
|
|||||||
Gross
profit
|
$
|
32,909,814
|
$
|
22,466,823
|
$
|
23,143,493
|
||||
Add:
Gain on other sales
|
279,216
|
359,986
|
794,621
|
|||||||
Less:
Operating expenses
|
||||||||||
Selling
expenses
|
7,772,068
|
5,804,678
|
3,865,154
|
|||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
7,810,187
|
5,094,388
|
6,142,634
|
|||||||
R&D
expenses
|
1,066,050
|
966,782
|
1,518,512
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
3,776,003
|
2,577,944
|
848,009
|
|||||||
Total
Operating
expenses
|
20,424,308
|
14,443,792
|
12,374,309
|
|||||||
Income
from operations
|
$
|
12,764,722
|
$
|
8,383,017
|
$
|
11,563,805
|
||||
Add:
Other income, net
|
94,257
|
150,809
|
856,939
|
|||||||
Financial
(expenses)
|
(832,844
|
)
|
(1,166,167
|
)
|
(730,962
|
)
|
||||
Income
before income taxes
|
12,026,135
|
7,367,659
|
11,689,782
|
|||||||
Less:
Income taxes
|
1,669,081
|
1,371,863
|
618,400
|
|||||||
Income
before minority interests
|
10,357,054
|
5,995,796
|
11,071,382
|
|||||||
Less:
Minority
interests
|
5,545,350
|
2,680,318
|
4,182,454
|
|||||||
Net
income from continuing operations
|
$
|
4,811,704
|
$
|
3,315,478
|
$
|
6,888,928
|
||||
Net
loss from discontinued operations
|
-
|
-
|
(21,591
|
)
|
||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
4,811,704
|
$
|
3,315,478
|
$
|
6,867,337
|
||||
Net
income per common share
|
||||||||||
Net
income from continuing operations -
Basic
and diluted
|
$
|
0.21
|
$
|
0.15
|
$
|
0.30
|
||||
Net
income from discontinued operations -
Basic
and diluted
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
(0.00
|
)
|
||||||
Total
net income per common share
Basic
and diluted
|
$
|
0.21
|
$
|
0.15
|
$
|
0.30
|
||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding -
|
||||||||||
Basic
|
23,198,113
|
22,574,543
|
22,574,543
|
|||||||
Diluted
|
23,210,675
|
22,588,713
|
22,582,494
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
62
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
4,811,704
|
$
|
3,315,478
|
$
|
6,867,337
|
||||
Other
comprehensive income:
|
||||||||||
Foreign
currency translation gain
|
1,136,116
|
1,329,624
|
7,210
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
5,947,820
|
$
|
4,645,102
|
$
|
6,874,547
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
63
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Common
Stock
|
Preferred
Stock
|
Additional
Paid-in Capital
|
||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Par
Value
|
Shares
|
Par
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2003
|
22,574,543
|
$
|
2,257
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
18,779,880
|
||||||||
Foreign
currency translation
gain
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Deemed
distribution to
shareholders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(831,837
|
)
|
||||||||||
Deemed
distribution to minority shareholders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Issuance
of stock options to
independent
directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
55,125
|
|||||||||||
Net
income for the year ended December, 31, 2004
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Appropriation
of retained
earnings
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
22,574,543
|
$
|
2,257
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
18,003,168
|
||||||||
Foreign
currency translation
gain
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Deemed
distribution to shareholders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
74,704
|
|||||||||||
Issuance
of stock options to
independent
directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
68,850
|
|||||||||||
Net
income for the year ended December, 31, 2005
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Appropriation
of retained
earnings
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
22,574,543
|
$
|
2,257
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
18,146,722
|
||||||||
Foreign
currency translation gain
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Sale
of common stock
|
1,216,675
|
122
|
—
|
—
|
10,899,872
|
|||||||||||
Exercise
of stock options by independent directors
|
22,500
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
101,248
|
|||||||||||
Cash
paid for retaining fee, commissions
and placement agent fee in connection with offering
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(627,504
|
)
|
||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock related to financing services
|
37,863
|
4
|
—
|
—
|
449,996
|
|||||||||||
Payment
of financing services by issuance of common stock in accordance
with
Cornell Partners, LP.
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(450,000
|
) | ||||||||||
Issuance
of a warrant to purchase common stock
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
832,639
|
|||||||||||
Payment
of commissions and placement agent fee by issuance of common stock
warrants in accordance with Cornell Partners, LP
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(832,639
|
) | ||||||||||
Issuance
of stock options to
independent
directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
131,625
|
|||||||||||
Net
income for the year ended December, 31, 2006
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Appropriation
of retained
earnings
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
23,851,581
|
$
|
2,385
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
28,651,959
|
64
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (continued)
Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Retained
Earnings
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income
|
||||||||||||
Appropriated
|
Unappropriated
|
(Loss)
|
Total
|
||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2003
|
$
|
3,775,254
|
$
|
3,461,621
|
$
|
(4,150
|
)
|
$
|
26,014,862
|
||||
Foreign
currency translation gain
|
—
|
—
|
7,210
|
7,210
|
|||||||||
Deemed
distribution to shareholders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(831,837
|
)
|
||||||||
Deemed
distribution to minority
shareholders
|
25,753
|
—
|
—
|
25,753
|
|||||||||
Issuance
of stock options to
independent
directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
55,125
|
|||||||||
Net
income for the year ended
December
31,2004
|
—
|
6,867,337
|
—
|
6,867,337
|
|||||||||
Appropriation
of retained earnings
|
595,332
|
(595,332
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Balance,
ended December 31, 2004
|
$
|
4,396,339
|
$
|
9,733,626
|
$
|
3,060
|
$
|
32,138,449
|
|||||
Foreign
currency translation gain
|
—
|
—
|
1,329,624
|
1,
329,624
|
|||||||||
Deemed
distribution to shareholders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
74,704
|
|||||||||
Issuance
of stock options to
independent
directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
68,850
|
|||||||||
Net
income for the year ended
December
31,2005
|
—
|
3,315,478
|
—
|
3,315,478
|
|||||||||
Appropriation
of retained earnings
|
526,923
|
(526,923
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Balance,
ended December 31, 2005
|
$
|
4,923,262
|
$
|
12,522,180
|
$
|
1,332,684
|
$
|
36,927,105
|
|||||
Foreign
currency translation gain
|
—
|
—
|
1,136,116
|
1,136,116
|
|||||||||
Sale
of common stock
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
10,899,994
|
|||||||||
Exercise
of stock option by independent directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
101,250
|
|||||||||
Cash
paid for retaining fee, commissions
and placement agent fee in connection with offering
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(627,504
|
)
|
||||||||
Issuance
of common stock related to financing services
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
450,000
|
|||||||||
Payment
of financing services by issuance of common stock in accordance
with Cornell Partners, LP
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(450,000
|
) | ||||||||
Issuance
of a warrant to purchase common stock
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
832,639
|
|||||||||
Payment
of commissions and placement agent fee
by issuance
of common stock warrants
in accordance with
Cornell
Partners, LP
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(832,639
|
) | ||||||||
Issuance
of stock options to
independent
directors
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
131,625
|
|||||||||
Net
income for the year ended
December
31,2006
|
—
|
4,811,704
|
—
|
4,811,704
|
|||||||||
Appropriation
of retained earnings
|
1,286,647
|
(1,286,647
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
$
|
6,209,909
|
$
|
16,047,237
|
$
|
2,468,800
|
$
|
53,380,290
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
65
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Item
|
2006
|
2005
(As
Restated See Note 4)
|
2004
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Net
income from continuing operations
|
$
|
4,811,704
|
$
|
3,315,478
|
$
|
6,888,928
|
||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided
by
operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Minority
interests
|
5,545,350
|
2,680,318
|
4,182,454
|
|||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
131,625
|
68,850
|
55,125
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
6,476,214
|
4,908,243
|
2,006,052
|
|||||||
Allowance
for doubtful accounts (Recovered)
|
995,440
|
(74,911
|
)
|
(126,370
|
)
|
|||||
Other
operating adjustments
|
3,121
|
0
|
7,208
|
|||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||
(Increase)
decrease in:
|
||||||||||
Pledged
deposits
|
(2,194,003
|
)
|
656,876
|
(570,468
|
)
|
|||||
Accounts
and notes receivable
|
(14,785,434
|
)
|
(3,786,037
|
)
|
846,504
|
|||||
Advance
payments and other
|
219,491
|
1,417,550
|
5,953,500
|
|||||||
Inventories
|
(2,534,133
|
)
|
(100,143
|
)
|
(2,882,650
|
)
|
||||
Increase
(decrease) in:
|
||||||||||
Accounts
and notes payable
|
4,932,755
|
2,856,879
|
5,640,160
|
|||||||
Customer
deposits
|
(17,355
|
)
|
(69,470
|
)
|
(425,086
|
)
|
||||
Accrued
payroll and related costs
|
32,735
|
47,517
|
(183,809
|
)
|
||||||
Accrued
expenses and other payables
|
2,313,144
|
(277,738
|
)
|
2,912,148
|
||||||
Accrued
pension costs
|
498,345
|
214,093
|
922,322
|
|||||||
Taxes
payable
|
1,540,213
|
357,466
|
(2,505,976
|
)
|
||||||
Advances
payable
|
(62
|
)
|
105,236
|
(169
|
)
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities from continued
operations
|
$
|
7,969,150
|
$
|
12,320,207
|
$
|
22,719,873
|
||||
Net
cash (used in) operating activities from discontinued
operations
|
—
|
—
|
(1,354,506
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
$
|
7,969,150
|
$
|
12,320,207
|
$
|
21,365,367
|
||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||||
(Increase)
decrease in other receivables
|
$
|
5,873,453
|
$
|
(1,687,647
|
)
|
$
|
316,185
|
|||
Cash
received from equipment sales
|
461,280
|
280,735
|
2,483,415
|
|||||||
Cash
paid to acquire property, plant and equipment
|
(7,378,910
|
)
|
(11,026,397
|
)
|
(20,294,671
|
)
|
||||
Cash
paid to acquire intangible assets
|
(174,926
|
)
|
(185,387
|
)
|
(230,448
|
)
|
||||
Cash
paid in other investing activities
|
—
|
—
|
(626,506
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash (used in) investing activities from continued
operations
|
$
|
(1,219,103
|
)
|
$
|
(12,618,696
|
)
|
$
|
(18,352,025
|
)
|
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities from discontinued
operations
|
—
|
—
|
121,769
|
|||||||
Net
cash (used in) investing activities
|
$
|
(1,219,103
|
)
|
$
|
(12,618,696
|
)
|
$
|
(18,230,256
|
)
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||||
Increase
in proceeds from bank loans
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
1,200,357
|
$
|
3,975,904
|
||||
Dividends
paid to the minority interest holders of Joint-venture
companies
|
(3,894,634
|
)
|
(1,196,451
|
)
|
(4,469,379
|
)
|
||||
Increase
(decrease) in amounts due to shareholders/directors
|
(429,061
|
)
|
177,048
|
(4,639,687
|
)
|
|||||
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock
|
10,373,740
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Capital
Contribution from the minority interest holders of Joint-venture
companies
|
1,420,926
|
—
|
1,251,085
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continued
operations
|
$
|
7,470,971
|
$
|
180,954
|
$
|
(3,882,077
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash provided by financing activities from discontinued
operations
|
—
|
—
|
1,180,723
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
$
|
7,470,971
|
$
|
180,954
|
$
|
(2,701,354
|
)
|
|||
Cash
and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency
|
$
|
822,538
|
$
|
1,327,840
|
$
|
—
|
||||
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents
|
||||||||||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents from continued
operations
|
$
|
15,043,556
|
$
|
1,210,305
|
$
|
485,771
|
||||
Net
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued
operations
|
—
|
—
|
(52,014
|
)
|
||||||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
15,043,556
|
$
|
1,210,305
|
$
|
433,757
|
||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, at the beginning of year
|
12,374,944
|
11,164,639
|
10,730,882
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, at the end of year
|
$
|
27,418,500
|
$
|
12,374,944
|
$
|
11,164,639
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
66
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
Years
Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Cash
paid for interest
|
$
|
834,406
|
$
|
915,066
|
$
|
641,277
|
||||
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
$
|
1,738,773
|
$
|
1,205,523
|
$
|
1,676,290
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Invested
in technology by minority interest holder of a joint venture
company
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
(3,066,000
|
)
|
$
|
—
|
|||
Intangible
assets contributed by minority interest holder of a joint venture
company
|
—
|
3,066,000
|
—
|
|||||||
Disposal
of property, plant and equipment on a cashless basis
|
—
|
(2,468,574
|
)
|
—
|
||||||
Other
receivable in connection with disposal of property, plant and equipment
on
a cashless basis
|
—
|
2,636,444
|
—
|
|||||||
Contribution
by shareholders in connection with disposal of property, plant and
equipment on a cashless basis
|
—
|
(
74,704
|
)
|
—
|
||||||
Additional
interest to minority interest holders in connection with disposal
of
property, plant and equipment on a cashless basis
|
—
|
(93,168
|
)
|
—
|
||||||
Deemed
distribution to chairman of the company
|
—
|
—
|
(831,837
|
)
|
||||||
Issuance
of common shares on a non-cash basis
|
4
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Financing
services fee related to issuance of common shares
|
(4
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Increase
in capital by minority shareholders of Joint-venture companies on
a
non-cash basis
|
921,785
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Dividends
payable to minority shareholders of Joint-venture companies being
converted into capital
|
$
|
(921,785
|
)
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
67
China
Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes
to
Consolidated Financial Statements
Years
Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005
1.
Organization and Business
China
Automotive Systems, Inc., “ China Automotive”, was incorporated in the State of
Delaware on June 29, 1999 under the name Visions-In-Glass, Inc. China
Automotive, 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 described below, is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale
of
automotive systems and components in the People’s Republic of China, the “PRC”
or “China”, as described below.
Great
Genesis Holding Limited, a company incorporated on January 3, 2003 under The
Companies Ordinance in Hong Kong as a limited liability company, “Great
Genesis”, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Ji Long Enterprise
Investment Limited was incorporated on October 8, 1992 under the Companies
Ordinance in Hong Kong as a limited liability company, “Ji Long”. Ji Long is an
investment holding company. Effective March 4, 2003, all of the shareholders
of
Ji Long exchanged their 100% shareholder interest for a 100% shareholder
interest in Great Genesis, as a result of which Ji Long became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Great Genesis.
The
Company owns the following aggregate net interests in seven Sino-foreign joint
ventures organized in the PRC as of December 31, 2006. (Jingzhou Henglong Fulida
Textile Co., Ltd, “Jingzhou”, was sold in August 2004).
Percentage
Interest
|
||||||||||
Name
of Entity
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||
Jingzhou
Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., "Henglong"
|
44.5
|
%
|
44.5
|
%
|
44.5
|
%
|
||||
Shashi
Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd., "Jiulong"
|
81.0
|
%
|
81.0
|
%
|
81.0
|
%
|
||||
Shenyang
Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd.,
”Shenyang"
|
70.0
|
%
|
70.0
|
%
|
70.0
|
%
|
||||
Zhejiang
Henglong & Vie Pump-Manu Co., Ltd., "Zhejiang"
|
51.0
|
%
|
51.0
|
%
|
51.0
|
%
|
||||
Universal
Sensor Application Inc., “USAI”
|
60.0
|
%
|
60.0
|
%
|
—
|
|||||
Wuhan
Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong”
|
85.0
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Wuhu
HengLong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Wuhu”
|
77.33
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
Jiulong
was established in 1993 and mainly engaged in the production of integral power
steering gears for heavy-duty vehicles.
Henglong
was established in 1997 and mainly engaged in the production of rack and pinion
power steering gears for cars and light duty vehicles.
Shenyang
was established in 2002 and focuses on power steering parts for light duty
vehicles.
Zhejiang
was established in 2002 to focus on power steering pumps.
On
April
12, 2005, Great Genesis entered into a Joint-venture agreement with Shanghai
Hongxi Investment Inc., “Hongxi”, a company controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the
Company’s Chairman, and Sensor System Solution Inc., “Sensor”, to establish a
joint venture, Universal Sensor Application Inc., “USAI”, in the Wuhan East Lake
development zone to engage in production and sales of sensor modulars. The
registered capital of the Joint-venture is $10 million. Great Genesis and Hongxi
will invest $6 million and $1 million, respectively, including cash and land
and
building, which will account for 60% and 10% of the total registered capital,
respectively. Sensor will invest $3 million in technology, accounting for 30%
of
the total registered capital. Renminbi, RMB, is the currency of the PRC. As
of
December 31, 2006, Great Genesis has contributed $900,337, the equivalent of
RMB7,200,000 and Hongxi has contributed $436,954 in cash, the equivalent of
RMB3,500,000. Pursuant to the above joint venture agreement, Sensor has failed
to contribute it's sensor-related technologies and thereby failed to fulfill
it's capital contribution commitment as of March 20, 2007. As a result Sensor
has withdrawn from USAI and another technology supplier is being
sought.
68
On
April
14, 2006, Great Genesis entered into a Joint-venture agreement with Hong Kong
Tongda, “Tongda”, to establish a joint venture, Wuhan Jielong Electric Power
Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong”, in the Wuhan East Lake development zone. Jielong
is mainly engaged in the production and sales of electric power steering, “EPS”.
The registered capital of the Joint-venture is $6 million, the equivalent of
RMB48,000,000. Great Genesis and Tongda will invest $5,100,000 and $900,000,
respectively, amounting to 85% and 15% of the total registered capital,
respectively. As of December 31, 2006, Great Genesis and Tongda have contributed
$765,000 and $135,034 in cash, the equivalent of RMB6,136,830 and RMB1,081,620,
respectively.
On
March
31, 2006, as amended on May 2, 2006, Great Genesis, entered into a Joint-venture
agreement with Wuhu Chery Technology Co., Ltd., “Chery Technology”, to establish
a Joint-venture, Wuhu Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Wuhu”, in
the Wuhu Technological Development Zone. Wuhu is mainly engaged in the
production and sales of automobile steering system. The registered capital
of
the Joint-venture is $3,750,387, the equivalent of RMB30,000,000. Great Genesis
and Chery Technology invested $2,900,300 and $848,938, respectively, which
accounts for 77.33% and 22.67% of the total registered capital, respectively.
During
the year 2006, USAI, Jielong
and Wuhu were in the early technology and production preparation
stage.
Jingzhou
was divested from the Company’s operations as of August 31, 2004, and Jingzhou
generated revenues of $2,746,389 and a net loss of $42,337, including $20,746
belonging to minority holders, during the consolidation
period.
The
divested non-core business of Jingzhou has been treated as a discontinued
operation under SFAS No. 144. Jingzhou’s results of operation and related
charges have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the Company’s
consolidated statements of operations in 2004.
2.
Basis
of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis
of
Presentation - For the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its seven subsidiaries, which are mentioned 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.
During
early 2003, the Directors of the Company and the other joint venture partners
in
the Company’s Sino-foreign joint ventures executed “Act in Concert” agreements,
resulting in the Company having voting control in such Sino-foreign joint
ventures. Consequently, effective January 1, 2003, the Company changed from
equity accounting to consolidation accounting for its investments in
Sino-foreign joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2003. Prior to
January 1, 2003, the Company used the equity method pursuant to Emerging Issues
Task Force Issue No. 96-16, as described as follows.
Henglong
was formed in 1997, with 44.5% owned by the Company, 36.5% owned by Hubei
Wanlong Investment Co., Ltd., “HBWL”, controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the
Company’s Chairman ,19% owned by Jingzhou Jiulong Machinery and Electronic
Manufacturing Co., Ltd., “JLME”. The highest authority of the joint venture is
the Board of Directors, which is comprised of five directors, two of which,
40%,
are appointed by the Company, two of which, 40%, are appointed by HBWL, and
one
of which, 20%, is appointed by JLME. Because of the Company’s control over the
operation and assets of Henglong, the minority shareholders of Henglong have
no
right to select, terminate and set the compensation of management responsible
for implementing the enterprise’s policies and procedures, nor do they have any
right to establish operating and capital decisions of Henglong.
Jiulong
was formed in 1993, with 81% owned by the Company, 10% owned by Jingzhou Jiulong
Machinery and Electronic Manufacturing Co., Ltd., “JLME”, and 9% owned by
Jingzhou Tianxin Investment Consulting Co., Ltd., “Tianxin”. The highest
authority of the joint venture is the Board of Directors, which is comprised
of
five directors, four of which, 80%, are appointed by the Company, and one of
whom, 20%, are appointed by JLME. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval
by more than two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors, 67%, is
required. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is appointed by JLME. The
general manager is appointed by the Company.
69
Shenyang
was formed in 2002, with 70% owned by the Company, 30% owned by Shengyang
Automotive Industry Investment Corporation, “JB Investment”. The highest
authority of the joint venture is the 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 the Board of Directors,
67%,
is required. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is appointed by the Company.
The general manager is appointed by the Company.
Zhejiang
was formed in 2002, with 51% owned by the Company and 49% owned by Zhejiang
Vie
Group, “ZVG”. The highest authority of the joint venture is the 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 ZVG. As for
day-to-day operating matters, approval by more than two-thirds of the members
of
the Board of Directors, 67%, is required. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
is appointed by ZVG. The general manager is appointed by the Company.
USAI
was
formed in 2005, with 60% owned by the Company, 30% owned by Sensor System
Solutions Inc. in America, “Sensor”, and 10% owned by Shanghai Hongxi Investment
Inc., “Hongxi”, controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the Company’s Chairman. The
highest authority of the joint venture is the 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 Sensor. As for day-to-day operating matters,
approval by more than two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors,
67%,
is required. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is appointed by the Company.
The general manager is appointed by Sensor. Pursuant to the joint venture
agreement regarding the formation of USAI, Sensor has failed to contribute
it's
sensor-related technologies and thereby failed to fulfill it's capital
contribution commitment as of March 20, 2007. As a result Sensor has withdrawn
from USAI and another technology supplier is being sought.
Jielong
was formed in April 2006, with 85% owned by the Company, 15% owned by Hong
Kong
Tongda, “Tongda”. The highest authority of the joint venture is the 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 Tongda. As for
day-to-day operating matters, approval by more than two-thirds of the members
of
the Board of Directors, 67%, is required. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
is appointed by the Company. The general manager is appointed by the
Company.
Wuhu
was
formed in May 2006, with 77.33% owned by the Company, 22.67% owned by Wuhu
Chery
Technology Co., Ltd., “Chery Technology”. The highest authority of the joint
venture is the Board of Directors, which is comprised of five directors, three
of whom, 60%, are appointed by the Company, two of whom, 40%, is appointed
by
Chery Technology. As for day-to-day operating matters, approval by more than
two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors, 67%, is required. The
Chairman of the Board of Directors is appointed by the Company. The general
manager is appointed by the Company.
With
the
exception of Sensor System Solutions Inc., an American listed company, the
minority partners of each of the joint ventures are all private companies not
controlled, directly or indirectly, by any PRC municipal government or other
similar government entity.
Use
of
Estimates - The preparation of 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
date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting periods. The Company feels that the significant
items were warranty reserves, long term assets and investment, the realizable
value of accounts receivable and inventories, useful lives of property, plant
and equipment, accruals and warranty liabilities. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
70
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 Deposits - The Company has pledged cash deposits to secure trade financing
provided by banks.
Accounts
Receivable - 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
collectibility 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 incurred in 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 or prepayments to acquire various
assets to be utilized in the future in the Company’s normal business operations.
Such amounts are paid according to their respective contract terms and are
classified as a current asset 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 provided on the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets
as
follows:
Category
|
|
Estimated
Useful Life (Years)
|
|
||
Land
use rights and buildings:
|
|
|
Land
use rights
|
|
45-50
|
Buildings
|
|
25
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
|
6
|
Electronic
equipment
|
|
4
|
Motor
vehicles
|
|
6
|
Assets
under construction- 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 operations
on the date of disposal.
Interest
Costs Capitalized - Interest costs incurred in connection with specific
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.
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.
71
Long-Lived
Assets - The Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets”. Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are
reviewed periodically for impairment losses 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
January 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets”. The Company did not have any goodwill at December 31, 2006 and
2005.
Impairment
of long-lived assets is monitored on a continuing basis, and is assessed based
on the undiscounted cash flows generated by the underlying assets. In the event
that the carrying amount of long-lived assets exceeds the undiscounted future
cash flows, then the carrying amount of such assets is adjusted to their fair
value.
Long-Term
Investments - Investments in which the Company owns less than 20% of the
investee company and does not have the ability to exert significant influence
are stated at cost, and are reviewed periodically for realizability.
Revenue
from Product Sales Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue when the
significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer
pursuant to PRC law, including factors such as when persuasive evidence of
an
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or
determinable, sales and value added tax laws have been complied with, and
collectibility is probable. The Company recognizes product sales generally
at
the time the product is shipped. Concurrent with the recognition of revenue,
the
Company reduces revenue for estimated product returns. Shipping and handling
costs are included in cost of goods sold. Revenue is presented net of any sales
tax and value added tax.
Revenue
from Materials and Other Assets Sales Recognition - Normally, the Company
purchases materials only for its production. Occasionally, some materials will
be sold to other suppliers in case of temporary inventory overage of such
materials and to make a profit on any price difference. The Company is
essentially the agent in these transactions because it does not have any risk
of
product return. When there is any quality or quantity loss, the suppliers are
obligated to restitution. Income generated from selling materials is recorded
as
the net amount retained, that is, the amount billed to the customers less the
amount paid to suppliers, in the consolidated statement of operations in
accordance with EITF 99-19.
Revenue
from other asset sales represents gains or losses from other assets, for
example, used equipment. Income generated from selling other assets is recorded
as the sales amount less cost of the assets. The Company has classified such
revenue from materials and other asset sales into gain on other sales in its
consolidated statement of operations.
Sales
Taxes - The Company is subject to value added tax, “VAT”. The applicable VAT tax
rate is 17% for products sold in the PRC. 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 operations.
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.
72
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the warranties activities were as
follows:
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Balance
at the beginning of year
|
$
|
1,787,869
|
$
|
548,390
|
|||
Additions
during the reporting period
|
3,956,521
|
1,787,870
|
|||||
Settlement
within reporting period, by cash or actual material
|
(2,858,829
|
)
|
(561,931
|
)
|
|||
Foreign
currency translation
|
68,765
|
13,540
|
|||||
Balance
at the end of year
|
$
|
2,954,326
|
$
|
1,787,869
|
The
Company has recorded $ 2,954,326 and $1,787,869 product warranty reserves for
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, which were included in the accrued
liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Concentration
of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company
to
significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts
receivable. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations with respect to
the
financial condition of its debtors, but does not require collateral. In order
to
determine the value of the Company’s accounts receivable, the Company 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 collectibility of outstanding accounts receivable.
Interest
Rate Risk - Bank loans are charged at fixed interest rates.
Income
Taxes - The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method whereby
deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary
differences by applying statutory tax rates applicable to future years to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases
of certain assets and liabilities. Changes in deferred tax assets and
liabilities, if any, include the impact of any tax rate changes enacted during
the year. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax
assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.
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.
Income
Per Share - Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net income by
the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted
income per share is calculated based on the treasury stock method, assuming
the
issuance of common shares, if dilutive, resulting from the exercise of
warrants.
Actual
weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted income
per share were:
Years
Ended December 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
23,198,113
|
22,574,543
|
|||||
Effect
of dilutive securities
|
12,562
|
14,170
|
|||||
Diluted
shares outstanding
|
23,210,675
|
22,588,713
|
73
The
156,250 shares underlying warrants issued to Cornell Capital Partners, LP on
March 20, 2006 has not been included in the computation of diluted income per
share because such inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive
effect:
Years
Ended December 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Anti-dilutive
securities
|
100,421
|
—
|
Comprehensive
Income - The Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS No. 130”).
SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for the reporting and display of
comprehensive income, its components and accumulated balances in a full set
of
general purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 130 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 of Financial Instruments - The Company believes that the carrying value
of
the its cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and
accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2006 approximates their respective fair
values due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The
fair
values of long-term other receivables and advances payable, discounted at 5.90%,
would be approximately $909,000 and $295,000 respectively as of December 31,
2006.
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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No.
123R, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, which establishes a fair value
method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. In accordance with
SFAS
No. 123R, the cost of stock options and warrants issued to employees and
non-employees is measured at 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 benefit, which is generally the vesting period.
Foreign
Currencies - The Company maintains its books and records in Renminbi, RMB,
the
currency of the PRC, its functional currency. Foreign currency transactions
in
RMB are reflected using the temporal method. Under this method, all monetary
items are translated into the functional currency at the rate of exchange
prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items are translated at
historical rates. Income and expenses are translated 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 year.
In
translating the financial statements of the Company from its functional currency
into its 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.
74
Reclassifications
-Certain amounts included in the prior year's consolidated financial statements
have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such
reclassifications did not have any effect on reported net income and are
immaterial to the consolidated financial statements as a whole.
Certain
Relationships And Related Transactions-
The
following related parties are related through common ownership with the major
shareholders of the Company:
Jingzhou
Henglong Fulida Textile Co., Ltd. (“Jingzhou”)
Xiamen
Joylon Co., Ltd. (“Xiamen Joylon”)
Shanghai
Tianxiang Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Tianxiang”)
Shanghai
Fenglong Materials Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Fenglong”)
Changchun
Hualong Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. (“Changchun Hualong”)
Jiangling
Tongchuang Machining Co., Ltd. (“Jiangling Tongchuang”)
Beijing
Hualong Century Digital S&T Development Co., Ltd. (“Beijing
Hualong”)
Jingzhou
Jiulong Material Co., Ltd. (“Jiulong Material”)
Shanghai
Hongxi Investment Inc. ( “Hongxi”)
Hubei
Wiselink Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (“Hubei Wiselink”)
Jingzhou
Tongyi Special Parts Co., Ltd. (“Jingzhou Tongyi”)
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”).
Principal
policies of the Company in
connection with transactions with the related parties are as
follow:
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 on an open
account basis. These transactions were consummated under similar terms as the
Company's other customers.
Materials
purchases from related parities - The Company purchased materials from related
parties at fair market prices, and also received credit of three to four months
on an open account basis. These transactions were consummated under similar
terms as the Company's other suppliers.
75
Equipment
and production technology purchased from related parties - The Company purchased
equipment and production technology from related parties at fair market prices,
and was required to pay in advance based on the purchase agreement between
the
two parties, because such equipment manufacturing and technology development
was
required for a long period. These transactions were consummated under similar
terms as the Company's other suppliers.
3.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs — An Amendment of
Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Chapter 4” (“SFAS 151”). SFAS 151 clarifies
that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and
spoilage should be expensed as incurred and not included in overhead as an
inventory cost. The new statement also requires that allocation of fixed
production overhead costs to conversion costs should be based on normal capacity
of the production facilities. The provisions in SFAS 151 must be applied
prospectively and became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006.
The Company adopted this statement beginning in the first quarter of
2006.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 152 “Accounting for Real Estate
Time-Sharing Transactions - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 66 and 67”
(“SFAS 152”). This statement amends FASB Statement No. 66 “Accounting for Sales
of Real Estate” to reference the financial accounting and reporting guidance for
real estate time-sharing transactions that is provided in AICPA Statement of
Position 04-2 “Accounting for Real Estate Time-Sharing Transactions” (“SOP
04-2”). SFAS 152 also amends FASB Statement No. 67 “Accounting for Costs and
Initial Rental operations of Real Estate Projects” to state that the guidance
for incidental operations and costs incurred to sell real estate projects does
not apply to real estate time-sharing transactions, with the accounting for
those operations and costs being subject to the guidance in SOP 04-2. The
provisions of SFAS 152 are effective in fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2005. The Company adopted this statement beginning in the third quarter of
2005.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based
Payment” (“SFAS 123R”). This statement requires financial statement recognition
of compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions. Share-based
payment transactions within the scope of SFAS 123R include stock options,
restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights,
and
employee share purchase plans. The provisions of SFAS 123R are effective for
the
first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. However, in April 2005, the
SEC
deferred the effective date of SFAS 123R for SEC registrants to the first
interim period beginning after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, the Company adopted
this statement beginning in the first quarter of 2006.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153 “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an
amendment of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29” (“SFAS 153”). This
statement amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 29, “Accounting
for Nonmonetary Transactions” to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception
for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that have no commercial substance. Under
SFAS 153, if a nonmonetary exchange of similar productive assets meets a
commercial-substance criterion and fair value is determinable, the transaction
must be accounted for at fair value resulting in recognition of any gain or
loss. SFAS 153 was effective for nonmonetary transactions in fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted this statement beginning
in
the first quarter of 2006.
In
March
2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143” (“FIN 47”).
Under FIN 47, we are required to recognize a liability for the fair value of
a
conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability
can
be reasonably estimated. Any uncertainty about the amount and/or timing of
future settlement should be factored into the measurement of the liability
when
sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have
sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value. The provisions
of
FIN 47 were required to be applied no later than the end of fiscal years ending
after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted this statement beginning in the
first quarter of 2006.
76
In
May
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections —
a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“SFAS 154”). This
statement changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of
a
change in accounting principle and applies to all voluntary changes in
accounting principle. It also applies to changes required by an accounting
pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include
specific transitional provisions. When a pronouncement includes specific
transitional provisions, those provisions should be followed. APB No. 20
required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized
by
including in net income, of the period of the change the cumulative effect
of
changing to the new accounting principle. This statement requires retrospective
application to prior period financial statements of changes in accounting
principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific
effects or the cumulative effect of the change. The provisions of SFAS 154
are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company
adopted this statement beginning in the first quarter of 2006.
In
February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain
Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“SFAS 155”). This Statement amends FASB
Statements No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, and No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. This Statement resolves
issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application
of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” SFAS
No. 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial
instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require
bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips
are
not subject to the requirements of Statement 133, and establishes a requirement
to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests
that
are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that
contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. It also clarifies that
concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded
derivatives and amends Statement 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a
qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument
that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial
instrument. This Statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired
or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after
September 15, 2006. The Company has not yet determined the impact of the
adoption of SFAS No. 155 on its financial statements, if any.
In
March
2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets” (“SFAS 156”). This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting
for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of
Liabilities, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing
assets and servicing liabilities. This Statement requires an entity to recognize
a servicing asset or servicing liability each time it undertakes an obligation
to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract in indicated
situations; requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing
liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable; permits
an
entity to choose relevant subsequent measurement methods for each class of
separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities; at its initial
adoption, permits a one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities
to trading securities by entities with recognized servicing rights, without
calling into question the treatment of other available-for-sale securities
under
Statement 115, provided that the available-for-sale securities are identified
in
some manner as offsetting the entity’s exposure to changes in fair value of
servicing assets or servicing liabilities that a servicer elects to subsequently
measure at fair value; and requires separate presentation of servicing assets
and servicing liabilities subsequently measured at fair value in the statement
of financial position and additional disclosures for all separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. The Company has determined that
the
adoption of SFAS No. 156 did not have a material impact on the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS
157”), to define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expand disclosures
about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 requires quantitative disclosures using
a tabular format in all periods (interim and annual) and qualitative disclosures
about the valuation techniques used to measure fair value in all annual periods.
The provisions of this Statement shall be effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. The Company will be required to adopt the provisions
of this statement as of January 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating
the
impact of adopting SFAS 157.
77
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - An amendment of FASB
Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”). This Statement enhances
disclosure regarding the funded status of an employer’s defined benefit
postretirement plan by (a) requiring companies to include the funding status
in
comprehensive income, (b) recognize transactions and events that affect the
funded status in the financial statements in the year in which they occur,
and
(c) at a measurement date of the employer’s fiscal year-end. Statement No. 158
is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, and is not
expected to apply to the Company.
In
February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No.
115 (“ SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair values. SFAS 159 is effective
for fiscal years after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating
the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its financial statements.
4.
Restatement
Subsequent
to the issuance of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2005, the Company’s management determined that its
previously issued consolidated statement of cash flows for 2005 required
restatement to correct the classification of foreign currency cash flow and
others. The previously issued consolidated statement of cash flows separated
the
Cash and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency into operating
activities, investing activities and financing activities, which was
inconsistent with SFAS No. 95. Paragraph 25 of SFAS No. 95 stated that, a
statement of cash flows of an enterprise with foreign transactions or foreign
operations shall report the reporting currency equivalent of foreign currency
cash flows using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the cash flows.
An
appropriately weighted average exchange rate for the period may be used for
translation if the result is substantially the same as if the rate at the dates
of the cash flows were used. The statement shall report the effect of exchange
rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies as a separate part
of
the reconciliation of the change in cash and cash equivalents during the
period.
The
following is a summary of the impact of the restatement on the originally issued
consolidated statement of cash flows as at December 31, 2005:
As
Previously
Reported
|
As
Restated
|
Difference
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
3,315,478
|
$
|
3,315,478
|
$
|
0
|
||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided
by
operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency
|
730,896
|
0
|
(730,896
|
)
|
||||||
Advance
payments and others
|
1,760,393
|
1,417,550
|
(342,843
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
$
|
13,393,946
|
$
|
12,320,207
|
($1,073,739
|
)
|
||||
Cash
received from equipment sales
|
0
|
280,735
|
280,735
|
|||||||
Cash
paid to acquire property, plant and equipment
|
(11,088,505
|
)
|
(11,026,397
|
)
|
62,108
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency
|
947,661
|
0
|
(947,661
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
($12,013,878
|
)
|
($12,618,696
|
)
|
($604,818
|
)
|
||||
Cash
and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency
|
(350,717
|
)
|
0
|
350,717
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
($169,763
|
)
|
$
|
180,954
|
$
|
350,717
|
||||
Cash
and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
1,327,840
|
$
|
1,327,840
|
||||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
1,210,305
|
1,210,305
|
0
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at the beginning of period
|
11,164,639
|
11,164,639
|
0
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at the end of period
|
$
|
12,374,944
|
$
|
12,374,944
|
$
|
0
|
78
5.
Accounts Receivable and Notes Receivable
The
Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as
follows:
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
$
|
41,174,404
|
$
|
31,866,156
|
|||
Notes
receivable
|
20,146,197
|
12,570,189
|
|||||
Less:
allowance for doubtful accounts
|
(4,086,218
|
)
|
(2,856,025
|
)
|
|||
$
|
57,234,383
|
$
|
41,580,320
|
Notes
receivable represent accounts receivable in the form of bills of exchange whose
acceptances and settlements are handled by banks.
The
activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Balance
at beginning of year
|
$
|
2,856,025
|
$
|
2,944,990
|
|||
Add:
amounts provided during the year
|
1,099,092
|
—
|
|||||
Add:
foreign currency translation
|
131,101
|
72,716
|
|||||
Less:
amounts written off in prior year and recovered during the
year
|
—
|
(161,681
|
)
|
||||
Balance
at end of year
|
$
|
4,086,218
|
$
|
2,856,025
|
6.
Other Receivables
The
Company’s other receivables at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as
follows:
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||
Other
receivables
|
$
|
1,864,918
|
$
|
7,543,798
|
|||
Less:
allowance for doubtful accounts
|
(898,203
|
)
|
(1,040,169
|
)
|
|||
Balance
at end of year end
|
$
|
966,715
|
$
|
6,503,629
|
79
The
activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts of other receivable
during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as
follows:
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Balance
at beginning of the year
|
$
|
1,040,169
|
$
|
930,425
|
|||
Add:
amounts provided during the year
|
(210,861
|
)
|
86,770
|
||||
Add:
foreign currency translation
|
68,895
|
22,974
|
|||||
Balance
at end of the year
|
$
|
898,203
|
$
|
1,040,169
|
Other
receivables consist of amounts advanced to both related and unrelated parties,
primarily as unsecured demand loans, with no stated interest rate or due date.
At December 31, 2006, other receivables totaled $966,715, including $738,510
to
related parties, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $898,203, which
included $534,503 made to an investee of Jiulong. At December 31, 2005, other
receivables totaled $6,503,629, including $3,966,509 to related parties, net
of
an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,040,169, which included $313,550 made
to an investee of Jiulong.
With
the
exception of the receivable from the investee of Jiulong of $534,503, which
was
fully recorded in the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company believes
that
all other receivables are collectible, as the related parties are in good
financial condition and are paying their payables to Company pursuant to the
terms of their respective contracts.
7.
Inventories
Inventories
at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Raw
materials
|
$
|
5,381,372
|
$
|
3,025,467
|
|||
Work
in process
|
3,253,192
|
2,559,626
|
|||||
Finished
goods
|
7,548,218
|
7,295,082
|
|||||
16,182,782
|
12,880,175
|
||||||
Less:
provision for loss
|
(718,211
|
)
|
(494,342
|
)
|
|||
$
|
15,464,571
|
$
|
12,385,833
|
8.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property,
plant and equipment at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as
follows:
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Land
use rights and buildings
|
$
|
17,384,534
|
$
|
16,825,598
|
|||
Machinery
and equipment
|
33,466,198
|
30,980,053
|
|||||
Electronic
equipment
|
2,945,454
|
2,023,457
|
|||||
Motor
vehicles
|
2,095,169
|
2,179,161
|
|||||
Construction
in progress
|
3,280,279
|
73,400
|
|||||
59,171,634
|
52,081,669
|
||||||
Less:
Accumulated depreciation
|
(18,323,588
|
)
|
(12,285,636
|
)
|
|||
$
|
40,848,046
|
$
|
39,796,033
|
Depreciation
charge for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are $5,816,922 and
$
4,761,920 respectively.
80
9.
Intangible Assets
The
activity in the Company’s intangible asset account during the year ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Balance
at beginning of year
|
$
|
3,503,217
|
$
|
392,552
|
|||
Add:
Additions during the year -
|
|||||||
Patent
technology
|
109,073
|
3,147,867
|
|||||
Management
software license
|
65,852
|
93,827
|
|||||
Foreign
currency translation
|
121,698
|
9,693
|
|||||
3,799,840
|
3,643,939
|
||||||
Less:
Amortization for the year
|
(659,292
|
)
|
(140,722
|
)
|
|||
Balance
at end of year
|
$
|
3,140,548
|
$
|
3,503,217
|
10.
Accounts Payable
Accounts
payable at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
22,517,260
|
$
|
15,615,402
|
|||
Notes
payable
|
15,130,653
|
15,760,197
|
|||||
$
|
37,647,913
|
$
|
31,375,599
|
Notes
payable represent accounts payable in the form of bills of exchange whose
acceptances and settlements are handled by banks.
81
The
Company has pledged cash deposits, notes receivable and certain property, plant
and machinery to secure trade financing granted by banks.
11.
Bank Loans
At
December 31, 2006, the Company, through its Sino-foreign joint ventures, had
outstanding fixed-rate short-term bank loans of $15,384,615, with weighted
average interest rate at 5.90% per annum. These loans are secured with some
of
the property and equipment of the Company, and are repayable within one year.
At
December 31, 2005, the Company, through its Sino-foreign joint ventures, had
outstanding fixed-rate short-term bank loans of $14,814,815 with weighted
average interest rate at 5.92% per annum. Jiulong, one of the Company’s joint
ventures, has provided Henglong, another of the Company’s joint ventures, with
loan guarantees covering bank loans of $3,086,420. Henglong has provided Jiulong
with loan guarantees covering bank loans of $4,938,272. The remaining balance
of
the loans of $6,790,123 was mortgaged with some of the property and equipment
of
the Company.
12.
Accrued pension costs
Since
the
Company’s operations are all located in China, all the employees are located in
China. The Company records pension costs in accordance with the relevant Chinese
social security laws, that is substantially
based on 20% of salary amount.
The
activities in the Company’s pension account during the years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Balance
at beginning of the year
|
$
|
2,653,064
|
$
|
2,438,971
|
|||
Amounts
provided during the year
|
1,287,609
|
650,576
|
|||||
Settlement
during the year
|
(789,265
|
)
|
(496,704
|
)
|
|||
Foreign
currency translation
|
115,459
|
60,221
|
|||||
Balance
at end of the year
|
$
|
3,266,867
|
$
|
2,653,064
|
13.
Amounts Due to Shareholders/Directors
The
activity in the amounts due to shareholders/directors during the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 is summarized as follows:
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
$
|
589,594
|
||
Advances
from shareholders
|
177,048
|
|||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
766,642
|
|||
Add:
foreign currency translation
|
20,484
|
|||
Repayments
made to shareholders
|
(429,061
|
)
|
||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
$
|
358,065
|
At
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the amounts due to shareholders/directors were
unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
82
14.
Advances payable
The
amounts mainly represent advances made by the Chinese government to the Comapny
as subsidy on interest on loans related to production facilities
expansion.
The
balances are unsecured, interest-free and will be repayable to the Chinese
government if the usage of such advances does not continue to qualify for the
subsidy (see note 19).
15.
Minority Interests’ Equity
The
activities in respect of the amounts of the minority interests’ equity during
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as
follows:
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
$
|
17,571,838
|
||
Add:
contribution by minority shareholders
|
3,066,000
|
|||
Minority
interests’ income
|
2,680,318
|
|||
Additional
interest to minority interest holders in connection with disposal
of
property, plant and equipment on a cashless basis
|
93,168
|
|||
Less:
dividends declared to the minority interest holders of Joint-venture
companies
|
(1,660,281
|
)
|
||
|
||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
$
|
21,751,043
|
||
Add:
contribution by minority shareholders
|
2,332,470
|
|||
Minority
interest’s income
|
5,545,350
|
|||
Foreign
currency translation
|
1,468,787
|
|||
Less:
dividends declared to the minority interest holders of Joint-venture
companies
|
(7,984,983
|
)
|
||
|
||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
$
|
23,112,667
|
16.
Share
Capital
The
activities in the Company’s share capital account during the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
Common
Stock
|
Par
Value
|
Note
|
||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005 and 2004
|
22,574,543
|
$
|
2,257
|
|||||||
Issuance
of common stock for cash in accordance with the standby equity
distribution agreement with Cornell Capital Partners, LP
|
1,216,675
|
122
|
Average
Exercise price at $8.96 per share
|
|||||||
Exercise
of stock option by independent directors
|
22,500
|
2
|
Exercise
price at $4.50 per share
|
|||||||
Pay
commissions and placement agent fee in accordance with the standby
equity
distribution agreement with Cornell Capital Partners, LP
|
37,863
|
4
|
Exercise
price at $11.89 per share
|
|||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
23,851,581
|
$
|
2,385
|
83
On
March
20, 2006, the Company raised gross amount of $5,000,000 in a private placement
(PIPE) to Cornell Capital Partners, LP (“Investor”) by issuing
625,000
shares of common stock.
On March
20, 2006, pursuant to
Placement Agent Agreement, the Investor committed under certain
conditions to purchase, within the next 24 months after an effective resale
registration of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s option, up to $15
million of the Company’ common stock, at an agreed discount from the fair market
value. According to this
agreement, the Company raised gross amount of $5,900,000 in a number of private
placements (PIPE) to Cornell Capital Partners, LP (“Investor”) by
issuing
591,675
shares of common stock in four installments from May to December in 2006.
On
March
20, 2006, the Company issued 37,863 shares of common stock to Cornell Capital
Partners, LP and a placement agent in non-capital raising transactions,
collectively at an exercise price of $11.885 per share as a commitment fee
and a
placement agent fee of $450,000 in connection with the establishment of a
$15,000,000 equity line of credit under a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement
with Cornell Capital Partners, LP. The exercise value of $450,000 by issuing
37,863 shares of common stock was regarded as financing expense and has been
debited to share capital with the excess of exercise value over par value,
$449,996 being credited to additional paid-in capital.
The
common stock to be issued under the Standby
Equity Distribution Agreement (“SEDA”)
will be issued at a 1.5% discount to the lowest daily Volume Weighted Average
Price, (“VWAP”), of the Company’s common stock during the five consecutive
trading day period immediately following the date the Company notifies Cornell
Capital Partners, LP that it desires to access the SEDA; provided, that the
price per share paid by Cornell Capital Partners, LP will in no event be less
than a minimum of 90% of the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock on
the trading day immediately preceding the date that it delivers an advance
request. Further, Cornell Capital Partners, LP will retain 4.5% of each advance
under the SEDA. Based on this discount, Cornell Capital Partners, LP will have
an incentive to sell immediately to realize the gain on the 1.5% discount.
These
sales could cause the price of the Company’s common stock to decline, based on
increased selling of its common stock. In the event Cornell Capital Partners,
LP
holds more than 9.9% of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock, the Company
will be unable to obtain a cash advance under the SEDA. A possibility exists
that Cornell Capital Partners, LP may own more than 9.9% of the Company’s
outstanding common stock at a time when it would otherwise plan to request
an
advance under the SEDA. In that event, if the Company is unable to obtain
additional external funding, it could fail to achieve the corporate objectives
that it had hoped to use the cash to achieve.
The
securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at December
31, 2006 are as follows:
Plan
category
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding
options
|
Weighted
average exercise price of outstanding options
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance
|
|||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
2,200,000
|
$
|
6.42
|
2,132,500
|
84
The
stock
option plan was approved in the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and the
maximum common shares for issuance under this plan are 2,200,000 with a period
of 10 years.
17.
Additional paid-in capital
The
activities in the Company’s additional paid-in capital account during the year
ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
Additional
paid-in capital
|
Note
|
||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
$
|
18,003,168
|
|||||
Deemed
distribution to shareholders
|
74,704
|
Difference
between fair value and construction cost for the office building
sold to a
company controlled by the Chairman.
|
|||||
Issuance
of 22,500 stock options to independent directors
|
68,850
|
||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
$
|
18,146,722
|
|||||
Issuance
of 1,216,675 common stock for cash in accordance with the standby
equity
distribution agreement with Cornell Capital Partners, LP
|
10,899,872
|
Difference
between exercise value and par value
|
|||||
Exercise
of 22,500 stock options by independent directors
|
101,248
|
Difference
between exercise value and par value
|
|||||
Issuance
of 22,500 stock options to independent directors
|
131,625
|
|
|||||
Issuance
of common stock in accordance with the standby equity distribution
agreement with Cornell Capital Partners, LP
|
449,996
|
Difference
between exercise value and par value
|
|||||
Issuance
of common stock warrants in accordance with the standby equity
distribution agreement with Cornell Capital Partners, LP
|
832,639
|
||||||
Payment
of commissions and placement agent fee by issuance of common stock
in
accordance with the standby equity distribution agreement with Cornell
Capital Partners, LP
|
(449,996
|
)
|
|||||
Payment
of commissions and placement agent fee by issuance of common stock
warrants in accordance with the standby equity distribution agreement
with
Cornell Capital Partners, LP
|
(832,639
|
)
|
|||||
Cash
paid for retaining fee, commissions
and placement agent fee in connection with offering
|
(627,504
|
)
|
|
||||
Payment
of commissions and placement agent fee by issuance of common stock
in
accordance with the standby equity distribution agreement with Cornell
Capital Partners, LP
|
(4
|
)
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
$
|
28,651,959
|
|
85
On
March
20, 2006, the Company issued 37,863 shares of common stock to Cornell Capital
Partners, LP and a placement agent in non-capital raising transactions,
collectively at an exercise price of $11.885 per share as a commitment fee
and a
placement agent fee of $450,000 in connection with the establishment of a
$15,000,000 equity line of credit under a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement
with Cornell Capital Partners, LP. The exercise value of $450,000 by issuing
37,863 shares of common stock was regarded as financing expense and has been
debited to share capital with the excess of exercise value over par value,
$449,996 being credited to additional paid-in capital.
In
July
2004, the Company adopted a stock incentive plan. The maximum number of common
shares for issuance under this plan is 2,200,000 with a period of 10 years.
The
stock incentive plan provides for the issuance, to the Company’s officers,
directors, management and employees, of options to purchase shares of the
Company’s common stock. On July 21, 2004, the Company issued options to purchase
7,500 shares of common stock to each of its three independent directors. Such
stock options vested
immediately upon grant and are exercisable at $4.50 per share over a period
of
two years. The exercise price represents a 11.11% premium from the fair market
value as based upon the grant date of the stock options. On June 28, 2005,
the
Company issued additional options to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock
to
each of its three independent directors. Such stock options vested immediately
upon grant and are exercisable at $6.83 per share over a period of five years.
The exercise price represents the fair market value based on the grant date
of
the stock options. On July 6, 2006, the Company issued options to purchase
7,500 shares of common stock to three of its independent directors. Such stock
options vested immediately upon grant and are exercisable at $7.94 per share
over a period of five years.
The
fair
value of the options at the grant date was $131,625, $68,850 and $55,125 for
the
years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, which was calculated based on
Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value was recorded as compensation
expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. These amounts
have been debited to operating expenses and credited to additional paid-in
capital.
The
weighted-average fair value of options granted during the periods 2006,
2005 and 2004 was $5.85, $3.06 and $2.45, respectively. The fair value of each
option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
valuation model and assumptions noted in the table:
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Expected
volatility
|
93.19
|
%
|
46.00
|
%
|
121.60
|
%
|
||||
Risk-free
rate
|
4.75
|
%
|
3.60
|
%
|
4.00
|
%
|
||||
Expected
term (years)
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
|||||||
Dividend
yield
|
0.00
|
%
|
0.00
|
%
|
0.00
|
%
|
On
March
20, 2006, the Company raised a gross amount of $5,000,000 in a private placement
(PIPE) to Cornell Capital Partners, LP, “Investor” by issuing 625,000 shares of
common stock. As part of the financing cost, the Company issued a warrant to
purchase 86,806 shares of common stock, exercisable for three years at an
exercise price of $14.40 per share, and a warrant to purchase 69,444 shares
of
common stock, exercisable for three years at an exercise price of $18.00 per
share, to Cornell Capital Partners, LP. The fair value of above-mentioned
warrants at the grant date is $832,639, which was measured based on
Black-Scholes option pricing model. This amount was recorded as financing
expenses and debited to additional paid-in capital. Additionally, the same
amount was credited to additional paid-in capital, resulting in zero effect
on
additional paid-in capital and the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The
weighted average fair value of warrants issued during the 2006 year-end was
$5.33. The fair value of the warrants granted was estimated on the date of
grant
using the option valuation model and assumptions noted in the
table:
Expected
volatility
|
|
Risk-free
rate
|
|
Expected
term (years)
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
82.20%
|
|
4.66%
|
|
3
|
|
0%
|
86
A
summary
of option activities under the plans to December 31, 2006 was as
follows:
Shares
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
|
Weighted-Average
Contractual Term (years)
|
||||||||
Outstanding
- January 1, 2005
|
22,500
|
$
|
4.50
|
2
|
||||||
Granted
|
22,500
|
6.83
|
5
|
|||||||
Exercised
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Cancelled
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Outstanding
- December 31, 2005
|
45,000
|
5.67
|
3.5
|
|||||||
Granted
|
22,500
|
7.94
|
5
|
|||||||
Exercised
|
(22,500
|
)
|
4.5
|
—
|
||||||
Cancelled
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Outstanding
- December 31, 2006
|
45,000
|
7.39
|
5
|
The
following is a summary of warrants granted for the year ended December 31,
2006:
Shares
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
|
Weighted-Average
Contractual Term (years)
|
||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Outstanding
- December 31, 2005
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
Granted
|
156,250
|
$
|
16.00
|
3
|
||||||
Exercised
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Cancelled
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Outstanding
- December 31, 2006
|
156,250
|
$
|
16.00
|
3
|
The
following is a summary of the range of exercise prices for stock options that
are outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2006:
Range
of Exercise Prices
|
Outstanding
Stock Options
|
Weighted
Average Remaining Life
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
Number
of Stock Options Exercisable
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
$4.50
- $10.00
|
45,000
|
4.01
|
$
7.39
|
45,000
|
$7.39
|
The
following is a summary of the range of exercise prices for warrants that are
outstanding and exercisable at December
31, 2006:
Range
of Exercise Prices
|
Issued
Warrants
|
Weighted
Average Remaining Life
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
Number
of Warrants Exercisable
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
|||||
$10.01 - $20.00
|
156,250
|
2.22
|
$16.00
|
156,250
|
$16.00
|
87
18.
Retained earnings - Appropriated
The
activities in the Company’s retained earnings - appropriated account during the
year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
$
|
4,396,339
|
||
Retained
earnings - appropriated
|
526,923
|
|||
|
||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
4,923,262
|
|||
Retained
earnings - appropriated
|
1,286,647
|
|||
|
||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
$
|
6,209,909
|
Pursuant
to the relevant laws and regulations of Sino-foreign joint venture enterprises,
the profits of the Company’s Sino-foreign 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%.
When
the
statutory surplus reserve reaches 50% of the registered capital of a company,
additional reserve is no longer required. However, the reserve cannot be
distributed to joint venture partners. Based on the business licenses of the
Sino-foreign joint ventures, the registered capital of Henglong, Jiulong,
Shenyang , Zhejiang, USAI, Jielong, and Wuhu are $10,000,000, $4,283,170
(RMB35,000,000), $8,132,530 (RMB67,500,000), $7,000,000, $10,000,000, $6,000,000
and $3,750,387 (RMB30,000,000) respectively.
Net
income as reported in the US GAAP financial statements differs from that
reported in the PRC statutory financial statements. In accordance with relevant
laws and regulations in the PRC, profits available for distribution are based
on
the statutory financial statements. If the Company has foreign currency
available after meeting its operational needs, the Company may make its profit
distributions in foreign currency to the extent foreign currency is available.
Otherwise, it is necessary to obtain approval and convert such distributions
at
an authorized bank.
19.
Other
Income
During
2006 and 2005, the Company recorded other income, government subsidies, of
$94,257 and $150,809, respectively.
During
2004, the Company recorded other income of $856,939, consisting of Government
subsidies of $175,959 and $680,980 arising from the write off of accounts
payable.
Government
subsidies represent refunds by the Chinese Government of interest paid to banks
by companies entitled to such subsidies. This applies only to interest on loans
related to production facilities expansion. Commencing in 2003 and 2004, the
Company had used this type of special loan to improve its production lines
by
increasing capability and enhancing quality. The expansion was completed and
began to operate at the end of 2004 and 2005. During 2005 and 2006, the Chinese
Government sent experts to review and assess the Company’s usage of its improved
production facilities on site to confirm that the Company’s improvements had
achieved its goals and thereby qualify for the subsidy .
88
The
amounts of income written off against accounts payable related to the Company’s
trial products obtained from a number of suppliers 2 or 3 years ago for product
.These accounts payable would no longer be payable and since these recoveries
happened very infrequently and did not relate to the normal operations of the
Company in 2004, they were recorded in other income rather than income from
operations.
20.
Income Taxes for Continuing Operations
The
Company’s subsidiaries registered in the PRC are subject to state and local
income taxes within the PRC at the applicable tax rate 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. The
Company’s PRC subsidiaries are generally subject to enterprise income tax at a
statutory rate of 33%, which comprises 30% national income tax and 3% local
income tax.
On
January 1, 1996, one of the subsidiary of the Company, Jiulong, was granted
an
enterprise income tax holiday of a 100% enterprise income tax exemption for
two
years commencing from 1996, and a 50% enterprise national income tax
deduction and a 100% local income tax deduction for the next nine years
thereafter (from 1998 to 2006) for income tax purposes.
On
January 1, 1999, one of the subsidiary of the Company, Henglong, was granted
an
enterprise income tax holiday of a 100% enterprise income tax exemption for
two
years commencing from 1999, and a 50% enterprise national income tax deduction
and a 100% local income tax deduction for the next nine years thereafter (from
2001 to 2009) for income tax purposes.
On
January 1, 2003, one of the subsidiary of the Company, Shenyang, was granted
an
enterprise income tax holiday of a 100% enterprise income tax exemption for
two
years commencing from 2003, and a 75% enterprise national income tax deduction
and a 100% local income tax deduction for the next three years thereafter (from
2005 to 2007) for income tax purposes.
On
January 1, 2004, one of the subsidiary of the Company, Zhejiang, was granted
an
enterprise income tax holiday of a 100% enterprise income tax exemption for
two
years commencing from 2004, and a 50% enterprise national income tax deduction
and a 50% local income tax deduction for the next three years thereafter (from
2006 to 2008) for income tax purposes.
USAI,
Wuhu and Jielong are at their start up stage and accordingly, there is no
assessable profit for the year ended December 31, 2006 subject to PRC enterprise
income tax.
No
provision for HongKong tax is made as Jilong and Great
Genesis
are both investment holding companies, and have no assessable income in HongKong
for the years ended on December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
No
provision for US tax is made as the Company has no assessable income in US
for
the years ended on December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
The
account of income tax as of the December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 is summarized
as follows:
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
Tax
rate
|
7.5%-16.5%
|
7.5%-15%
|
15%
|
|||
Taxation
payable
|
2,597,189
|
1,371,863
|
1,520,000
|
|||
Income
tax refund
|
(928,108)
|
-
|
(901,600)
|
|||
Income
tax
|
1,669,081
|
1,371,863
|
618,400
|
21.
Discontinued Operations
Effective
August 31, 2004, in order to concentrate on its main products, namely steering
and automotive parts, the Company disposed of its 51% interest in Jingzhou
by
entering into an equity exchange agreement, the “Exchange Agreement”, with Hubei
Wanlong Investment Co., Ltd., “HBWL”, which is controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen,
the Chairman of the Company. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the 51% equity
interest in Jingzhou owned by the Company was exchanged for 2.5% of HBWL’s
equity interests in Henglong based on their respective fair market values as
determined by an independent appraisal firm. Accordingly, effective August
31,
2004, the Company did not own Jingzhou’s equity.
89
The
disposal of Jingzhou was accounted for as discontinued operations according
as
SFAS No. 144. The operating results and related costs and expenses of Jingzhou
have been shown as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of
operations. Financial statements of prior periods are also changed to reflect
the discontinued operations of Jingzhou. There are no taxes accrued for the
discontinued operating loss.
The
consolidated statement of operations for 2004 included net loss from
discontinued operations of $(21,591).
The
consolidated statement of cash flows for 2004 included decreased net cash flows
from discontinued operations of $52,014, consisting of net cash flows used
in
operating activities from discontinued operations of $1,354,506, net cash
provided by investing activities from discontinued operations of $121,769,
and
net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations of
$1,180,723.
22.
Significant Concentrations
The
Company grants credit to its customers, generally on an open account basis.
The
Company’s customers are all located in the PRC.
In
2006,
the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 72.5% of the Company’s
consolidated sales, with four customers accounting for in excess of 10% of
consolidated sales, i.e. 16.4%, 13.3%, 11.1% and 10.3% of consolidated sales,
or
an aggregate of 51.1% of consolidated sales.
In
2005,
the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 69.9% of the Company’s
consolidated sales, with three customers accounting for in excess of 10% of
consolidated sales, i.e. 14.0%, 11.6% and 11.5% of consolidated sales, or an
aggregate of 37.1% of consolidated sales.
In
2004,
the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 73.1% of the Company’s
consolidated sales, with three customers accounting for in excess of 10% of
consolidated sales, i.e. 19.2%, 16.2% and 10.9% of consolidated sales, or an
aggregate of 46.3% of consolidated sales.
At
December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately 35.5% and 37.0% of accounts receivable
were from trade transactions with the aforementioned
customers.
23.
Related Party Transactions
The
Company’s related party transactions include product sales, material purchases
and purchases of equipment and technology. These transactions were consummated
under similar terms as those with the Company's customers and suppliers. On
some
occasions, the Company’s related party transactions also include purchase/sale
of capital stock of the joint ventures and sale of property, plant and
equipment.
Related
sales and purchases: During the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
the joint-ventures entered into related party transactions with companies with
common directors as shown below:
Merchandise
Sold to Related Parties
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Xiamen
Joylon
|
$
|
2,813,113
|
$
|
1,970,984
|
$
|
1,367,087
|
||||
Shanghai
Fenglong
|
465,331
|
319,145
|
315,538
|
|||||||
Total
|
$
|
3,278,444
|
$
|
2,290,129
|
$
|
1,682,625
|
90
Materials
Purchased from Related Parties
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Xiamen
Joylon
|
$
|
2,909
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||
Shanghai
Fenglong
|
270,597
|
139,008
|
256,212
|
|||||||
Jiangling
Tongchuang
|
2,333,399
|
1,526,573
|
1,446,967
|
|||||||
Jingzhou
Tongyi
|
148,644
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Jingzhou
Tongying
|
94,734
|
2,104
|
—
|
|||||||
Total
|
$
|
2,850,283
|
$
|
1,667,685
|
$
|
1,703,179
|
Technology
Purchased from Related Parties
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Changchun
Hualong
|
$
|
193,719
|
$
|
125,926
|
$
|
175,904
|
Equipment
Purchased from Related Parties
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Hubei
Wiselink
|
$
|
858,115
|
$
|
51,191
|
$
|
—
|
Related
receivables, advance payments and account payable: As at December 31, 2006
and
2005, accounts receivables, advance payments and account payable between the
Company and related party are as shown below:
Due
from
Related Parties
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Xiamen
Joylon
|
$
|
1,521,413
|
$
|
1,554,134
|
|||
Shanghai
Fenglong
|
249,520
|
274,941
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
1,770,933
|
$
|
1,829,075
|
91
Due
to
Related Parties
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Xiamen
Joylon
|
$
|
3,021
|
$
|
—
|
|||
Shanghai
Tianxiang
|
534,216
|
237,888
|
|||||
Shanghai
Fenglong
|
79,417
|
50,208
|
|||||
Jiangling
Tongchuang
|
18,284
|
92,489
|
|||||
Hubei
Wiselink
|
3,111
|
2,648
|
|||||
Jingzhou
Tongyi
|
2,356
|
345
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
640,405
|
$
|
383,578
|
Advanced
Equipment Payment to Related Parties
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Hubei
Wiselink
|
$
|
488,873
|
$
|
599,729
|
Advanced
Expenses and Others to Related Parties
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Shanghai
Fenglong
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
31,733
|
|||
Changchun
Hualong
|
128,205
|
61,111
|
|||||
Jiangling
Tongchuang
|
—
|
173,220
|
|||||
Jingzhou
Tongyi
|
111,620
|
45,972
|
|||||
Jingzhou
Tongying
|
247,508
|
—
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
487,333
|
$
|
312,036
|
Other
Transactions with Related Parties:
Effective
August 31, 2004, in order to concentrate on its main products, namely steering
and automotive parts, the Company disposed of its 51% interest in Jingzhou
by
entering into the Exchange Agreement with HBWL, which is controlled by Mr.
Hanlin Chen, the Chairman of the Company. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement,
the 51% equity interest in Jingzhou owned by the Company was exchanged for
2.5%
of HBWL’s equity interests in Henglong based on their respective fair market
values as determined by an independent appraisal firm. The difference between
the fair value and the book value resulting from the disposition of the joint
venture interest in Jingzhou was debited to additional paid-in capital. With
respect to consideration paid by the Company in excess of the Chairman’s basis
in his investment, such excess has been charged to additional paid-in capital
as
a distribution to the Chairman, resulting in the acquired 2.5% equity interests
in Henglong being recorded by the Company at the Chairman’s original cost basis.
The Company paid approximately $90,000 to Hubei Wanlong in conjunction with
this
transaction.
92
Henglong,
one of the Company’s Joint-ventures, has constructed seven buildings dedicated
to research and administration for its operations in Wuhan. Due to the unified
building guidance and planning on floor and building areas by the government
of
Wuhan, the actual building areas were greater than the areas the Company
needed. In 2005, the Company decided to dispose of two of its seven buildings,
with construction costs of $2,468,574, to WuHan Geological University
Information S&T Development Co., Ltd. "WuHan Information", a Chinese company
controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the Chairman of the Company, at fair market
value of $2,636,444, which was determined by an independent appraisal firm.
As
of
December 31, 2006, WuHan Information has paid receivables of $2,636,444 and
interest revenue of $95,000 to the Company according to the contract
agreement.
24.
Commitments and Contingencies
Legal
Proceedings - The Company is not currently a party to any threatened or pending
legal proceedings, other than incidental litigation arising in the ordinary
course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition
of
these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The
following table summarizes the Company‘s major contractual payment obligations
and commitments as of December 31, 2006:
Payment
Obligations by Period
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Obligations
for service agreements
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
550,000
|
|||||||
Obligations
for purchasing agreements
|
4,371,999
|
1,124,685
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
5,496,684
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
4,481,999
|
$
|
1,234,685
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
110,000
|
$
|
6,046,684
|
25.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
At
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company did not have any transactions,
obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet
arrangements.
26.
Subsequent Events
On
January 17, 2007, the Company raised $1,200,000 in a private placement (PIPE)
to
Cornell Capital Partners, LP, “Investor”, by issuing 108,121 shares of common
stock.
Pursuant
to the joint venture agreement entered into with Sensor as set out in note
2
regarding the formation of USAI, Sensor has failed to contribute its
sensor-related technologies and thereby failed to fulfill its capital
contribution commitment as of March 20, 2007, Sensor agreed to withdraw from
USAI and another technology supplier is being sought. There is no effect on
the Company's existing production, but it may materially affect USAI's future
development.
27.
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.
93
During
2006, the Company had seven product sectors, four of them were principal profit
makers, which were reported as separate sectors who engaged in the
production
and sales of power steering for cars (Henglong), power steering for trucks
(Jiulong) power steering for light duty vehicles (Shenyang), and power pumps
(Zhejiang). The other three sectors which were established in 2005 and 2006
respectively, engaged in the production
and sales of sensor modular (USAI), power steering for special vehicles (Wuhu),
and electronic
power steering (Jielong).since the revenues, net income and net assets of these
three sectors are less than 10% of its segment in the consolidated statement,
the Company incorporated these three sectors into “other sectors”.
During
2004 and 2005, the Company had five product sectors, (Jingzhou was discontinued
in August 2004. Four of them were principal profit makers, which were presented
as separate sectors engaged in the production and sales of power steering for
cars (Henglong), power steering for trucks (Jiulong), power steering for light
duty vehicles (Shenyang), and power pumps (Zhejiang). The sensor
sector (USAI), which was established in 2005, and the textile sector (Jingzhou),
which was discontinued in August 2004, were reported in “other
sectors.”
2006
|
Power
steering for cars
|
Power
steering for trucks
|
Power
steering for light duty vehicles
|
Power
pumps
|
Other
sectors
|
Other(a)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
product sales - external
|
$
|
45,312,457
|
$
|
25,135,726
|
$
|
14,935,722
|
$
|
10,221,478
|
$
|
161,056
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
95,766,439
|
||||||||
Net
product sales - internal
|
8,191,505
|
3,584,952
|
884,979
|
352,030
|
0
|
(13,013,466
|
)
|
0
|
||||||||||||||
Gain
on other sales and
other income - external
|
261,420
|
83,941
|
28,623
|
3,273
|
0
|
(3,784
|
)
|
373,473
|
||||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
$
|
53,765,382
|
$
|
28,804,619
|
$
|
15,849,324
|
$
|
10,576,781
|
$
|
161,056
|
($13,017,250
|
)
|
$
|
96,139,912
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
$
|
3,087,440
|
$
|
1,696,590
|
$
|
415,523
|
$
|
631,094
|
$
|
547,700
|
$
|
97,867
|
$
|
6,476,214
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
3,329,962
|
1,304,902
|
1,627,718
|
789,239
|
(827,957
|
)
|
(1,412,160
|
)
|
4,811,704
|
|||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
74,295,465
|
37,217,985
|
15,279,830
|
14,857,762
|
8,216,363
|
2,241,133
|
152,108,538
|
|||||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
$
|
2,393,008
|
$
|
860,317
|
$
|
688,242
|
$
|
918,305
|
$
|
2,974,934
|
($280,970
|
)
|
$
|
7,553,836
|
2005
|
Power
steering for cars
|
Power
steering for trucks
|
Power
steering for light duty vehicles
|
Power
pumps
|
Other
sectors
|
Other(a)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
product sales - external
|
$
|
30,447,713
|
$
|
17,534,928
|
$
|
9,596,922
|
$
|
5,992,737
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
63,572,301
|
||||||||
Net
product sales - internal
|
4,977,022
|
4,340,931
|
1,837,282
|
283,216
|
0
|
(11,438,450
|
)
|
0
|
||||||||||||||
Gain
on other sales and
other income - external
|
297,759
|
197,150
|
23,779
|
7,182
|
(15,075
|
)
|
510,795
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
$
|
35,722,494
|
$
|
22,073,009
|
$
|
11,457,983
|
$
|
6,283,135
|
$
|
-
|
(11,453,525
|
)
|
$
|
64,083,096
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
$
|
2,413,074
|
$
|
1,405,892
|
$
|
402,653
|
$
|
580,124
|
$
|
6,026
|
$
|
100,474
|
$
|
4,908,243
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
1,275,570
|
1,453,572
|
1,128,038
|
285,572
|
(827,274
|
)
|
3,315,478
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
59,611,582
|
37,400,013
|
13,593,450
|
12,065,965
|
3,608,168
|
(6,749,455
|
)
|
119,529,723
|
||||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
$
|
8,274,746
|
$
|
2,356,095
|
$
|
217,353
|
$
|
143,491
|
$
|
220,100
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
11,211,785
|
94
2004
|
Power
steering for cars
|
Power
steering for trucks
|
Power
steering for light duty vehicles
|
Power
pumps
|
Other
sectors
|
Other
(a)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
product sales - external
|
$
|
18,705,317
|
$
|
26,656,495
|
$
|
8,957,088
|
$
|
3,866,945
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
58,185,845
|
||||||||
Net
product sales - internal
|
10,323,892
|
275,891
|
3,733,121
|
392,846
|
-
|
(14,725,750
|
)
|
-
|
||||||||||||||
Gain
on other sales and
other income - external
|
866,935
|
710,101
|
67,210
|
20,120
|
-
|
(12,806
|
)
|
1,651,560
|
||||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
$
|
29,896,144
|
$
|
27,642,487
|
$
|
12,757,419
|
$
|
4,279,911
|
$
|
-
|
($14,738,556
|
)
|
$
|
59,837,405
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
$
|
771,053
|
$
|
594,593
|
$
|
240,128
|
$
|
320,302
|
-
|
$
|
79,975
|
$
|
2,006,052
|
|||||||||
Net
income
|
1,050,385
|
4,637,097
|
1,510,770
|
602,555
|
(21,591
|
)
|
(911,879
|
)
|
6,867,337
|
|||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
53,962,794
|
35,543,244
|
13,728,122
|
9,725,379
|
-
|
(7,472,894
|
)
|
105,486,645
|
||||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
$
|
13,348,622
|
$
|
4,947,372
|
$
|
603,880
|
$
|
1,620,427
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
4,819
|
$
|
20,525,120
|
(a)
Other includes activity at the corporate level, unrealized income between
product companies (sectors), and elimination of inter-sector transactions.
The
following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Annual
Report.
95