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CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC - Quarter Report: 2009 March (Form 10-Q)

Unassociated Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 (Mark one)

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009
or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to _________
 
Commission file number: 000-33123
 
China Automotive Systems, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
33-0885775
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification number)
 
 
No. 1 Henglong Road, Yu Qiao Development Zone, Shashi District,
Jing Zhou City, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Issuer’s telephone number: (86) 716- 832- 9196 Issuer’s fax number: (86) 716-832-9298
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 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 ¨ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨ 
Accelerated filer ¨ 
Non-accelerated filer ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting
company)
Smaller reporting company x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨   No x

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had 26,983,244 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
 
 


 
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
INDEX

 
Page
Part I — Financial Information
 
Item 1.  Financial Statements
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008
5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 
7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
9
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
36
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
52
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
52
   
Part II — Other Information
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
53
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
53
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
60
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
61
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 61
Item 5.  Other Information
 61
Item 6.  Exhibits
61
Signatures
63

 
2

 

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
China Automotive Systems, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net product sales, including $559,011 and $2,051,082 to related parties at March 31, 2009 and 2008
  $ 44,697,446     $ 41,467,043  
Cost of product sold, including $2,126,737 and $1,952,390 purchased from related parties at March 31, 2009 and 2008
    32,499,615       29,254,673  
Gross profit
    12,197,831       12,212,370  
Add: Gain on other sales
    66,879       134,190  
Less: Operating expenses-
               
Selling expenses
    2,359,166       2,475,341  
General and administrative expenses
    1,801,702       1,616,150  
R&D expenses
    439,922       175,678  
Depreciation and amortization
    571,413       1,294,727  
Total Operating expenses
    5,172,203       5,561,896  
Income from operations
    7,092,507       6,784,664  
Add: Other income, net (note 22)
    -       199,459  
Financial income (expenses) net (note 23)
    (439,480 )     20,693  
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative (note 24)
    (1,560,848 )     -  
Income before income taxes
    5,092,179       7,004,816  
Less: Income taxes (note 25)
    1,449,670       824,395  
Net income
    3,642,509       6,180,421  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    1,383,697       1,750,247  
Net income attributable to common shareholders
    2,258,812       4,430,174  
Net income per common share-
               
Basic and diluted (note 2)
  $ 0.08     $ 0.18  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding –
               
Basic
    26,983,244       23,959,702  
Diluted
    31,947,823       25,936,500  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income
  $ 3,642,509     $ 6,180,421  
Other comprehensive income:
               
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (14,579 )     3,311,329  
Comprehensive income
  $ 3,627,930     $ 9,491,750  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
  
 
   
  
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 37,585,291     $ 37,113,375  
Pledged cash deposits (note 3)
    7,840,724       6,739,980  
Accounts and notes receivable, net, including $1,583,182 and $1,285,110 from related parties at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (note 4)
    103,671,922       96,424,856  
Advance payments and other, including $349,320 and $9,374 to related parties at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    2,221,351       1,442,614  
Inventories (note 6)
    27,945,742       26,571,755  
Total current assets
  $ 179,265,030     $ 168,292,580  
Long-term Assets:
               
Property, plant and equipment, net (note 7)
  $ 55,945,266     $ 51,978,905  
Intangible assets, net (note 8)
    745,474       504,339  
Other receivables, net, including $743,209 and $903,674 from related parties at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (note 5)
    1,439,303       1,349,527  
Advance payments for property, plant and equipment, including $1,442,579 and $2,473,320 to related parties at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    4,659,474       6,459,510  
Long-term investments
    78,995       79,010  
Deferred income tax assets (note 9)
    2,270,161       2,383,065  
Total assets
  $ 244,403,703     $ 231,046 ,936  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Bank loans (note 10)
  $ 5,120,028     $ 7,315,717  
Accounts and notes payable, including $1,522,755 and $1,097,642 to related parties at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (note 11)
    66,304,165       59,246,043  
Convertible notes payable, net, including discount of convertible note payable at March 31, 2009 (note 12)
    33,044,424       32,922,077  
Derivative liabilities (note 13)
    3,065,422       1,502,597  
Customer deposits
    516,736       236,018  
Accrued payroll and related costs
    2,805,411       2,715,116  
Accrued expenses and other payables(note 14)
    13,066,626       12,460,784  
Accrued pension costs (note 15)
    3,714,541       3,806,519  
Taxes payable (note 16)
    9,495,915       5,717,438  
Amounts due to shareholders/directors (note 17)
    337,272       337,370  
Total current liabilities
  $ 137,470,540     $ 126,259,679  
Long-term liabilities:
               
Advances payable (note 18)
    233,679       234,041  
Total liabilities
  $ 137,704,219     $ 126,493,720  
Related Party Transactions and balances (note 27)
               
Commitments and contingencies (note 28
                 
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 - 26,983,244 shares at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (note 19)
    2,698       2,698  
Additional paid-in capital (note 19)
    27,148,206       27,148,206  
Retained earnings-
               
Appropriated
    7,702,835       7,525,777  
Unappropriated
    38,108,270       36,026,516  
Deferred stock compensation (note 20)
 
(500,052
    (500,052 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    11,117,342       11,127,505  
Non-controlling interests (note 21)
    23,120,185       23,222,566  
Total stockholders' equity
  $ 106,699,484     $ 104,553,216  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 244,403,703     $ 231,046,936  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Period Ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008
 
    
Common Stock
   
Additional
   
Retained Earnings
   
Deferred
   
Accumulated
Other
             
    
Shares
   
Par
value
   
Paid-in
Capital
   
Appropriated
   
Unappropriated
   
stock
Compensation
   
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
Non-controlling  
interests
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
    23,959,702     $ 2,396     $ 30,125,951     $ 7,525,777     $ 23,591,275     $     $ 5,989,463     $ 23,166,270     $ 90,401,132  
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008
                            12,435,241                   5,071,408       17,506,649  
Foreign currency translation gain
                                        5,138,042       1,432,977       6,571,019  
Capital contribution
                                                            745,723       745,723  
Issuance of common stock
    3,023,542       302       22,089,698                                     22,090,000  
Issuance of stock options to independent directors and management
    -       -       845,478                   (500,052 )                 345,426  
Payment for acquisition of 35.5% Henglong’s equity
    -       -       (25,912,921 )                             (6,177,079 )     (32,090,000 )
Dividend distribution
                                                            (1,016,733 )     (1,016,733 )
Balance at December 31, 2008
    26,983,244     $ 2,698     $ 27,148,206     $ 7,525,777     $ 36,026,516     $ (500,052 )   $ 11,127,505     $ 23,222,566     $ 104,553,216  
Net income for the year ended March 31, 2009
                            2,258,812                   1,383,697       3,642,509  
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
                                                    (10,163 )     (4,416 )     (14,579 )
Dividend distribution
                            177,058       (177,058 )                   (1,481,662 )     (1,481,662 )
Balance at March 31, 2009
    26,983,244     $ 2,698     $ 27,148,206     $ 7,702,835     $ 38,108,270     $ (500,052 )   $ 11,117,342     $ 23,120,185     $ 106,699,484  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 3,642,509     $ 6,180,421  
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,026,816       2,315,922  
Allowance for doubtful accounts (Recovered)
    (650,590 )     (632,095 )
Deferred income taxes assets
    112,451       (109,320 )
Amortization for discount of convertible note payable
    122,347       99,449  
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivative
    1,560,848       -  
Other operating adjustments
    (1,234 )     (16,769 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
(Increase) decrease in:
               
Pledged deposits
    (1,102,026 )     (596,632 )
Accounts and notes receivable
    (6,482,746 )     (10,110,607 )
Advance payments and other
    (779,329 )     (1,388,073 )
Inventories
    (1,379,040 )     (1,674,877 )
Accounts and notes payable
    7,069,389       5,328,884  
Customer deposits
    280,763       (19,651 )
Accrued payroll and related costs
    90,811       (93,253 )
Accrued expenses and other payables
    690,931       (29,553 )
Accrued pension costs
    (91,254 )     253,894  
Taxes payable
    3,779,564       218,004  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 8,890,210     $ (274,256 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
(Increase) decrease in other receivables
    (111,395 )     (427,014 )
Cash received from equipment sales
    34,020       -  
Cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment
    (4,296,391 )     (2,999,504 )
Cash paid to acquire intangible assets
    (292,573 )     (99,672 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities
  $ (4,666,339 )   $ (3,526,190 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
(Decrease) in proceeds from bank loans
    (2,194,298 )     (712,353 )
Dividends paid to the non-controlling interest holders of Joint-venture companies
    (1,550,637 )     (712,352 )
(Decrease) in amounts due to shareholders/directors
    -       (70,294 )
Proceeds from issuance of convertible note payable
    -       35,000,000  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ (3,744,935 )   $ 33,505,001  
Cash and cash equivalents effected by foreign currency
  $ (7,020 )   $ 770,308  
Net increase  in cash and cash equivalents
    471,916       30,474,863  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    37,113,375       19,487,159  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 37,585,291     $ 49,962,022  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (continued)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash paid for interest
  $ 702,501     $ 257,083  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 294,494     $ 547,541  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Transfer and assign a 35.5% equity interest in Henglong by non-controlling interest holders of Joint-venture companies
  $     $ (6,177,079 )
Difference between the book value of and consideration paid for the 35.5% equity interest of Henglong
          (25,912,921 )
Liabilities in connection with acquisition of 35.5% Henglong equity
          32,090,000  
Issuance of a warrant to purchase common stock
          405,007  
Derivative liabilities
          3,972,068  
Additional warrant of common stock and derivative liabilities for issuance of Convertible Notes are considered as discount of Convertible Notes.
          (4,377,075 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
8

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

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 is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive systems and components, as described below.

Great Genesis Holdings Limited, a company incorporated on January 3, 2003 under The Companies Ordinance in Hong Kong as a limited liability company, “Genesis”, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA”, which was incorporated on January 8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and mainly engages in marketing of automotive parts in North America, and provides after sales service and research and development support accordingly.

 The Company owns the following aggregate net interests in eight Sino-foreign joint ventures organized in the PRC as of  March 31, 2009  and 2008.

   
Percentage Interest
 
Name of Entity
 
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd., “Jiulong”
    81.00 %        81.00 %
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd.,  “Henglong”
    80.00 %     80.00 %
Shenyang Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Shenyang”
    70.00 %     70.00 %
Zhejiang Henglong & Vie Pump-Manu Co., Ltd., “Zhejiang”
    51.00 %     51.00 %
Universal Sensor Application Inc., “USAI”
    83.34 %     75.90 %
Wuhan Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong”
    85.00 %     85.00 %
Wuhu HengLong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Wuhu”
    77.33 %     77.33 %
Jingzhou Hengsheng Automotive System Co., Ltd, “Hengsheng”
    100.00 %     100.00 %
 
Jiulong was established in 1993 and mainly engaged in the production of integral power steering gear for heavy-duty vehicles.
 
Henglong was established in 1997 and mainly engaged in the production of rack and pinion power steering gear for cars and light duty vehicles.

 
9

 

On March 31, 2008, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary,  Genesis, and Wiselink Holdings Limited, “Wiselink”, both controlled by Hanlin Chen and his family, entered into an equity transfer agreement, the “Henglong Agreement”, pursuant to which Wiselink transferred and assigned its 35.5% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong, one of the Company’s currently consolidated subsidiaries, to Genesis for a total consideration of US$32,090,000. The Company now holds an 80% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong.

Under the terms of the Henglong Agreement, Genesis is deemed to be the owner of Jingzhou Henglong commencing from January 1, 2008. The Henglong Acquisition is considered as a business combination of companies under common control and is being accounted for in a manner of pooling of interests.

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.
 
USAI was established in 2005 and mainly engaged in production and sales of sensor modulars. In 2008, Genesis and Shanghai Hongxi Investment Inc., “Hongxi”, the other shareholder of USAI, agreed to increase USAI’s capital to $2,600,000 from $1,800,000. The increased capital was wholly funded by Genesis. Therefore, the capital contributed by Genesis in USAI increased to $2,166,900 from $1,366,900, accounting for 83.34% of the total capital; while the capital contributed by Hongxi remained unchanged, accounting for 16.66% of the total capital.

Jielong was established in 2006 and mainly engaged in production and sales of electric power steering, “EPS”.

Wuhu was established in 2006 and mainly engaged in production and sales of automobile steering systems.
 
Hengsheng was established in 2007 and mainly engaged in production and sales of automobile steering systems.
 
2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation - For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries include eight Sino-foreign Joint-ventures mentioned in Note 1. Significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

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 period.

 
10

 

In translating the financial statements of the Company from its functional currency into its reporting currency in 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.

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. The dilutive effect of convertible securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the “if converted” method.

The calculations of diluted income per share were: 

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Numerator:
           
Net income attributable to common shareholders
  $ 2,258,812     $ 4,430,174  
Add: interest expenses of convertible notes payable
    284,375       131,250  
Add: Amortization for discount of convertible notes payable
    122,347       99,449  
    $ 2,665,534     $ 4,660,873  
Denominator:
               
Weighted average shares outstanding
    26,983,244       23,959,702  
Effect of dilutive securities
    4,964,579       1,976,798  
      31,947,823       25,936,500  
Net income per common share- diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.18  

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the options and warrants outstanding have not been included in the computation of diluted income per share, except the options issued on December 10, 2008, because such inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect. The shares issuable upon conversion of Convertible Notes have been included in the computation.

Stock-Based Compensation - The Company may periodically issue shares of common stock for services rendered or for financing costs. Such shares will be valued based on the market price on the transaction date. The Company may periodically issue stock options to employees and stock options or warrants to non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and for financing costs.

 
11

 

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. Since the adoption of the stock incentive plan, the Company has issued 411,350 stock options under this plan, and there remain 1,788,650 stock options issuable in the future. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had 388,850 stock options outstanding.

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 on the grant date based on the fair value. The fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The resulting amount is charged to expense on the straight-line basis over the period in which the Company expects to receive benefit, which is generally the vesting period.

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.

Estimation -The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial instruments - Derivative financial instruments, as defined in Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (FAS 133), consist of financial instruments or other contracts that contain a notional amount and one or more underlying, e.g. interest rate, security price or other variable, require no initial net investment and permit net settlement. Derivative financial instruments may be free-standing or embedded in other financial instruments. Further, derivative financial instruments are initially, and subsequently, measured at fair value and recorded as liabilities or, in rare instances, assets.

The Company generally does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks. However, the Company has entered into certain other financial instruments and contracts, such as debt financing arrangements that embody features that are either (i) not afforded equity classification, (ii) embody risks not clearly and closely related to host contracts, or (iii) may be net-cash settled by the counterparty. As required by FAS 133, these instruments are required to be carried as derivative liabilities, at fair value, in the Company’s financial statements.

 
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Registration Payment Arrangements - The Company has entered into registration payment arrangements with certain investors that provide for the payment of damages for failures to register common shares underlying the investor’s financial instruments. FASB Staff Position 00-19-2, Accounting for Registration Payment Arrangements, provides for the exclusion of registration payments, such as the liquidated damages, from the consideration of classification of financial instruments. Rather, such registration payments would be accounted for pursuant to Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 Accounting for Contingencies, which is the Company’s current accounting practice. That is, all registration payments will require recognition when they are both probable and reasonably estimable. The Company does not currently believe that damages are probable.

Fair Value Measurements - Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, except as it applies to those nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities as noted in proposed FSP FAS 157-b. The partial adoption of FAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of the information. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No.157, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51." The objective of SFAS No. 160 is to improve the relevance, comparability and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing additional accounting and reporting standards. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 160, the noncontrolling interests are reported in the equity currently.

Comments - The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but in the opinion of the Company’s management, contain all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position, the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively.

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although the Company’s management believes that the disclosures contained in these financial statements are adequate to make the information presented therein not misleading. For further information, refer to the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
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The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.

3. Pledged cash deposits 
Pledged as guarantee for its notes payable, the Company regularly pays some of its suppliers by bank notes. The Company has to deposit a cash deposit, equivalent to 10%- 40% of the face value of the relevant bank note, at a bank in order to obtain the bank note.

4. Accounts and notes receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 68,262,886     $ 60,345,494  
Notes receivable
    39,535,923       40,989,840  
      107,798,809       101,335,334  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
    (4,126,887 )     (4,910,478 )
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 103,671,922     $ 96,424,856  
  
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 three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 4,910,478     $ 3,827,838  
Amounts provided (recovered) during the period
    (782,657 )     841,078  
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (934 )     241,562  
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 4,126,887     $ 4,910,478  

 
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5. Other receivables

The Company’s other receivables at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Other receivables
  $ 2,120,379     $ 2,009,364  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
    (681,076 )     (659,837 )
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 1,439,303     $ 1,349,527  
 
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.
 
The activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts of other receivable during the three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at beginning of the period
  $ 659,837     $ 652,484  
Amounts provided (recovered) during the period
    21,365       (41,264 )
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (126 )     48,617  
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 681,076     $ 659,837  
  
6. Inventories

The Company’s inventories at March 31, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008 consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Raw materials
  $ 9,208,125     $ 8,354,397  
Work in process
    5,360,423       4,466,720  
Finished goods
    14,858,819       14,826,961  
      29,427,367       27,648,078  
Less: provision for loss
    (1,481,625 )     (1,076,323 )
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 27,945,742     $ 26,571,755  

7. Property, plant and equipment

The Company’s property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Land use rights and buildings
  $ 28,392,392     $ 27,416,977  
Machinery and equipment
    58,379,200       54,405,700  
Electronic equipment
    4,699,878       4,356,475  
Motor vehicles
    2,471,452       2,641,378  
Construction in progress
    1,307,843       1,007,415  
      95,250,765       89,647,945  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (39,305,499 )     (37,669,040 )
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 55,945,266     $ 51,978,905  

 
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Depreciation charge for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 are $1,975,474 and $9,672,948 respectively.

8. Intangible assets
 
The activities in the Company’s intangible asset account at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 504,339     $ 589,713  
Add: additions during the period–
               
Patent technology
    292,573       -  
Management software license
    -       125,550  
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (96 )     41,120  
      796,816       756,383  
Less: Amortization at end of the period
    (51,342 )     (252,044 )
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 745,474     $ 504,339  
 
9. Deferred Income Tax Assets

Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws and regulations, as well as net operating loss, tax credit and other carryforwards. Additionally, deferred taxes have been provided for the purpose of repatriating earnings from consolidated foreign subsidiaries. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (“SFAS 109”), “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods.

The components of estimated deferred income tax assets at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

 
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March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Losses carryforward (U.S.)
  $ 3,190,727     $ 2,300,322  
Losses carryforward (PRC)
    390,461       287,285  
Product warranties and other reserves
    1,707,356       1,737,052  
Property, plant and equipment
    2,507,972       2,471,716  
Bonus accrual
    217,033       297,208  
Other
    115,187       154,348  
      8,128,736       7,247,931  
Valuation allowance *
    (5,858,575 )     (4,864,866 )
Total deferred tax assets
  $ 2,270,161     $ 2,383,065  

*As of March 31, 2009, valuation allowance was $5,858,575, including $3,190,727 and $2,667,848 allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets in the U.S. and  allowance for the Company’s non-U.S. deferred tax assets. As of  December 31, 2008, valuation allowance was $4,864,866, including $2,300,322 allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets in the U.S. and $2,564,544 allowance for the Company’s non-U.S. deferred tax assets. Based on the Company’s current operations in the U.S., the management believes that the deferred tax assets in the U.S are not likely to be realized in the future. For the non-U.S. deferred tax assets, pursuant to certain tax laws and regulations in China, the management believes such amount will not be utilized to offset future taxable income.

10. Bank loans

At March 31, 2009, the Company, through its Sino-foreign joint ventures, had outstanding fixed-rate short-term bank loans of $5,120,028, with weighted average interest rate at 6.14% 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, 2008, the Company, through its Sino-foreign joint ventures, had outstanding fixed-rate short-term bank loans of $7,315,717, with weighted average interest rate at 6.17% per annum. These loans are secured with some of the property and equipment of the Company and are repayable within one year.

11. Accounts and notes payable

The Company’s accounts and notes payable at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Accounts payable
  $ 43,857,187     $ 38,595,446  
Notes payable
    22,446,978       20,650,597  
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 66,304,165     $ 59,246,043  

 
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Notes payable represent accounts payable in the form of bills of exchange whose acceptances and settlements are handled by banks.

The Company has pledged cash deposits, notes receivable and certain property plant and machinery to secure trade financing granted by banks.

12. Convertible notes payable
 
In February 2008, the Company sold to two accredited institutional investors $35 million of convertible notes, the "Convertible Notes", with a scheduled maturity date of February 15, 2013. The Convertible Notes, including any accrued but unpaid interest, are convertible into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $8.8527 per share, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

The Convertible Notes bear annual interest rates of 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5% and 5% for each year of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The interest on the Convertible Notes shall be computed commencing from the issuance date and will be payable in cash in arrears semi-annually on January 15, and July 15 of each year with the first interest payable date being July 15, 2008. From and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default defined in the relevant Convertible Note agreements, the interest rate then in effect shall be increased by two percent (2%) until the event of default is remedied.

The holders of the Convertible Notes will be entitled to convert any portion of the conversion amount into shares of common stock at the conversion price at any time or times on or after the thirtieth (30th) day after the issuance date and prior to the thirtieth (30th) Business Day prior to the expiry date of the Convertible Notes. A damage penalty will be paid if share certificates are not delivered timely after any conversion.

The Company will have the right to require the Convertible Note holders to convert all or any portion of the conversion amount then remaining under the Convertible Note obligation into shares of common stock, “ Mandatory Conversion”, if at any time during a six-month period, the beginning day of each such six-month period, a “Mandatory Conversion Period Start Date”, the arithmetic average of the weighted average price of the common stock for a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive trading days following the Mandatory Conversion Period Start Date equals or exceeds the percentage of $8.8527 set forth in the chart below as applicable to the indicated six month period:

0-6 months:   125%
6-12 months:  125%
12-18 months: 135%
18-24 months: 135%
24-30 months: 145%

 
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30-36 months: 145%
36-42 months: 155%
42-48 months: 155%

On each six month anniversary of the issuance date beginning August 15, 2008, the conversion price will be adjusted downward to the Reset Reference Price, as defined below, if the weighted average price for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the applicable six month anniversary, the “Reset Reference Price”, is less than 95% of the conversion price in effect as of such applicable six month anniversary date. The foregoing notwithstanding, the conversion price will not be reduced via such reset provision to less than $7.0822. The conversion price is also subject to weighted-average antidilution adjustments, but in no event will the conversion price be reduced to less than $6.7417. If and whenever on or after the issuance date, the Company issues or sells its shares of Common Stock or other convertible securities, except for certain defined exempt issuances, for a consideration per share less than a price equal to the conversion price in effect on the issuance date immediately prior to such issue or sale, the original conversion price then in effect shall be adjusted by a weighted-average antidilution formula, but in no event to a new conversion price less than $6.4717.

The Company will not effect any conversion of the Convertible Notes, and each holder of the Convertible Notes will not have the right to convert any portion of the Convertible Notes to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, such holders would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion.

The Company will not effect a Mandatory Conversion of more than twelve percent (12%) of the original principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with the applicable accrued but unpaid interest, in any six month period or twenty-four percent (24%) of the original principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with the applicable accrued but unpaid interest, in any twelve (12) month period.

Upon the occurrence of an event of default with respect to the Convertible Notes, the Convertible Note holders may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Convertible Notes. Each portion of the Convertible Notes subject to redemption by the Company will be redeemed by the Company at a price equal to the sum of (i) the conversion amount to be redeemed and (ii) the Other Make Whole Amount. The “Other Make Whole Amount” will mean a premium to the conversion amount such that the total amount received by the Convertible Note holder upon redemption represents a gross yield to the Convertible Note holders on the original principal amount as of the redemption date equal to thirteen percent (13%), with interest computed on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year. The events of default includes the Company’s failure to cure a conversion failure by delivery of the required number of shares of Common Stock, the Company’s failure to pay to the Convertible Note holder any amount of principal, interest, late charges or other amounts when and as due under the Convertible Notes and other events as defined in the Convertible Note agreements.

Upon the consummation of a change of control as defined in the Convertible Note agreements, the Convertible Note holder may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Convertible Notes. The portion of the Convertible Notes subject to redemption shall be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to the sum of the conversion amount of being redeemed and the Other Make Whole Amount as defined above.

 
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On each of February 15, 2010 and February 15, 2011, the Convertible Note holders will have the right, in their sole discretion, to require that the Company redeem the Convertible Notes in whole but not in part, by delivering written notice thereof to the Company. The portion of this Convertible Note subject to redemption pursuant to this annual redemption right will be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to the sum of the conversion amount being redeemed and the Annual Redemption Make Whole Amount. The “Annual Redemption Make Whole Amount” will mean a premium to the conversion amount such that the total amount received by the Convertible Note holder upon any annual redemption represents a gross yield on the original principal amount of eleven percent (11%), with interest computed on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year.

In the event that the Company has not completed the necessary filings to list the conversion shares on its principal market by the date that is ninety (90) days after the issuance date or has not so listed the conversion shares by the date that is ninety (90) days after the issuance date or the shares of the Company’s common stock are terminated from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, the Convertible Note holders will have the right, in its sole discretion, to require that the Company redeem all or any portion of the Convertible Notes. The portion of the Convertible Notes subject to redemption in connection with this listing default will be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to the sum of the conversion amount being redeemed and the Other Make Whole Amount as mentioned above.

At any time following February 15, 2009, if the Weighted Average Price (WAP) for twenty (20) consecutive trading days is less than 45% of the Conversion Price in effect on the Issuance Date, as adjusted, namely $3.187, the Convertible Note holder shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require that the Company redeem all or any portion of the Convertible Notes. The portion of this Convertible Note subject to redemption in connection with the share price change of the underlying common stock will be redeemed by the Company in cash at a price equal to the sum of the conversion amount being redeemed and the Other Make Whole Amount as mentioned above.

Since the Companys stock Weighted Average Price for twenty (20) consecutive trading days ended on March 16, 2009 was below $3.187, which is less than 45% of the Conversion Price in effect of the Issuance Date, as adjusted, the “WAP Default”, each Convertible Note holder shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to require that the Company redeem all or any portion of the Convertible Notes by delivering written redemption notice to the Company within five (5) business days after the receipt of the Companys notice of the WAP Default.  

On March 17, 2009, the Company delivered two WAP Default notices to the Convertible Note holders.  On March 27, 2009, the Company received a letter from YA Global, one of the Convertible Note holders, electing to require the Company to redeem all the three Convertible Notes it held in the total principal amount of $5,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount as defined in Section 5(d) of the Convertible Notes. After negotiation, the Company and YA Global reached a settlement agreement on April 8, 2009 whereby the Company paid a redemption amount of $5,041,667 to YA Global and YA Global waived its entitlement to the Other Make Whole Amount.

 
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Following the WAP Default notices, the Company received a letter from the provisional liquidator acting on behalf of Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, the “LBCCA Liquidator”, the other Convertible Note holder, requesting that it be granted an extension of time until April 24, 2009 to consider its rights under the Convertible Notes.  The Company has granted an extension to April 15, 2009.  The LBCCA Liquidator further requested another extension to April 24, 2009.  On April 24, 2009, LBCCA’s lawyers sent three Holder Redemption Notices via fax electing to redeem the entire outstanding principal of $30,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount, to be paid on July 23, 2009. The Company is reviewing whether the LBCCA letter, request for extension, its three Holder Redemption Notices and other matters have followed the terms of the securities purchase agreement dated February 1, 2008 and the Convertible Notes and the Company will negotiate with LBCCA Liquidator to resolve this situation.

In connection with the Convertible Notes, the Company issued 1,317,864 detachable warrants, the “Warrants,” to purchase from the Company shares of common stock of the Company at the exercise price of $8.8527 per share. The Warrants are exercisable immediately and expired on February 15, 2009. The Warrants require net cash settlement in the event that there is a fundamental transaction, contractually defined as a merger, sale of substantially all assets, tender offer or share exchange. Due to this contingent redemption provision, the warrants require liability classification under SFAS 150 and must be recorded at fair value each reporting period. As of the issuance date, i.e., February 15, 2008, the fair value of warrants was $798,626, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The Company has evaluated the convertible notes for terms and conditions that are not clearly and closely associated with the risks of the debt-type host instrument. Generally, such features require separation from the host contract and treatment as derivative financial instruments. Certain features, such as the conversion option, were found to be exempt. Other features, such as puts and redemption features, were found to require bifurcation and recognition as derivative liabilities. These derivative liabilities are recognized initially at fair value, using forward cash-flow valuation techniques. As of February 15, 2008, the compound derivative value amounted to $1,703,962. This derivative will be adjusted to its estimated fair value at the completion of each reporting period until the debt arrangement is ultimately settled, converted or paid.

When a financial instrument contains embedded derivatives that require bifurcation, such as the redemption put, and freestanding instruments that are recorded at fair value each period, such as the warrants, the accounting is to record the embedded derivative and the freestanding instruments at fair value on inception and the residual proceeds are allocated to the debt instrument. Based on this premise, upon inception of the debt instruments, the Company recorded the redemption put at fair value $1,703,962 and the Company recorded the warrants at fair value $798,626. The remaining proceeds were then allocated to the debt instrument.

 
21

 

As indicated above, according to the terms of the convertible notes, the conversion price was reset to $7.0822 as of August 15, 2008 based on the weighted average price of the stock on that date.  In accordance with EITF 00-27, a contingency feature that cannot be measured at inception of the instrument, should be recorded when the contingent event occurs.  Therefore, on the date of the reset, the difference in the number of indexed shares prior to the reset was compared to the indexed shares subsequent to the reset and this incremental number of shares was multiplied by the commitment date stock price to determine the incremental intrinsic value that resulted from the adjustment to the conversion price.  This difference was recorded in equity as a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) and the related discount reduced the carrying value of the note and is being amortized over the remaining life of the instrument.

The Financing Agreements embody a contingent conversion feature (reset conversion price). EITF 98-5 provides that the beneficial conversion feature, if any, embodied in a convertible debt instrument requires recognition and reclassification to stockholders' equity in an amount "not to exceed" the financing basis. For purposes of calculating the beneficial conversion feature, EITF 00-27, provides that the contractual conversion rate should give effect to the allocation of proceeds to other financial instruments, as required by APB 14.  Accordingly, the "effective" conversion rate is calculated as the basis allocated to the debt instruments divided by the number of indexed shares.  The reset conversion price was a contingent conversion price that was not known at inception of the agreement.  Under the guidance of EITF 98-5, the beneficial conversion feature should be recalculated once the contingent conversion feature is known.  The reset conversion feature was determined to be $7.0822 on August 15, 2008.  The BCF was then calculated as if the reset amount was known at inception of the agreement in order to determine what the APB 14 allocation would have been using a conversion price of $7.0822.

Issue 7 (EITF 00-27) states that "the number of shares that would be received upon conversion based on the adjusted conversion price would be compared to the number that would have been received prior to the occurrence of the contingent event. The excess number of shares multiplied by the commitment date stock price equals the incremental intrinsic value that results from the resolution of the contingency and the corresponding adjustment to the conversion price." The guidance in Issue 7 does not specify whether the contingent BCF should only be calculated if the contingent conversion feature is below the market price of the stock and would have intrinsic value. The Company is of an opinion that the Issue 7 approach was not intended to override the intrinsic value method addressed in EITF Topic D-60, EITF 98-5 and EITF 00-27, and that the BCF should be calculated as the intrinsic spread between the adjusted effective conversion price and the market price at the commitment date.

As of August 15, 2008, the number of indexed shares was 3,953,596 and 4,941,967 at the inception conversion price and reset conversion price, respectively. At the commitment date, the stock price was $6.09, and the “effective” conversion price was $6.93. Accordingly, since the effective conversion price is higher than the market value of the stock, the debt instruments are not considered "in the money" and no beneficial conversion feature is present.

On the date of inception, allocation of basis in the financing arrangement to the warrants and derivative liability has resulted in an original issue discount to the face value of the convertible notes in the amount of $2,502,588, which amount is subject to amortization over the Convertible Note’s term using the effective method. As of March 31, 2009, the amortization expense balance recorded by the Company was $547,012. As the convertible note has been elected by the holders to be redeemed, the unamortized discount on the convertible note will be written off as expense on the redemption date.

 
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13. Derivative liabilities

The Company has evaluated the convertible notes for terms and conditions that are not clearly and closely associated with the risks of the debt-type host instrument (see Note 12). Generally, such features require separation from the host contract and treatment as derivative financial instruments. Certain features, such as the conversion option, were found to be exempt. Other features, such as puts and redemption features were found to require bifurcation and recognition as derivative liabilities. These derivative liabilities are recognized initially at fair value, using forward cash-flow valuation techniques. As of February 15, 2008, the compound derivative value amounted to $1,703,962. This derivative will be adjusted to its estimated fair value at the completion of each reporting period until the debt arrangement is ultimately settled, converted or paid. As of March 31, 2009, the compound derivative value amounted to $3,065,422. The income from adjustment of fair value of compound derivative has been recorded in the income statement as gain or loss on change in fair value of derivative. (See note 12 and 24)

14. Accrued expenses and other payables

The Company’s accrued expenses and other payables at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Accrued expenses
  $ 2,576,652     $ 2,441,352  
Other payables
    1,586,555       1,690,046  
Warranty reserves*
    6,980,977       6,335,613  
Dividend payable to non-controlling interest shareholders of Joint-ventures
    1,922,442       1,991,796  
Liabilities in connection with warrants**
    -       1,977  
Balance at the end of the period
  $ 13,066,626     $ 12,460,784  

*The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties when the products are sold. Such estimates of product warranties were based on, among other things, historical experience, product changes, material expenses, service and transportation expenses arising from the manufactured product. Estimates will be adjusted on the basis of actual claims and circumstances.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2008, the warranties activities were as follows:

 
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March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at the beginning of period
  $ 6,335,613     $ 4,919,491  
Additions during the period-
    1,294,487       5,861,782  
Settlement within period, by cash or actual material
    (647,918 )     (4,797,457 )
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (1,205 )     351,797  
Balance at end of period
  $ 6,980,977     $ 6,335,613  
 
**In connection with the Convertible Notes, the Company issued 1,317,864 of detachable warrants, “Warrants,” to purchase from the Company shares of common stock at the exercise price of $8.8527 per share, subject to adjustments upon certain events occurring. The Warrants are exercisable immediately and expired on February 15, 2009.

The exercise price or the number of shares to be converted by the Warrant will be adjusted in the event of no effective Registration Statement or delayed effectiveness of the Registration Statement. In addition, a damage penalty will be paid if the delivery of share certificates occurs upon the Warrants conversion.

The Company will not effect any conversion of a Warrant, and each holder of any Warrant will not have the right to convert any portion of such Warrant to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion, each of these two holders would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion.

If and whenever on or after the issuance date, the Company issues or sells its shares of common stock or other convertible securities for a consideration per share less than a price equal to the exercise price of a Warrant in effect on the issuance date immediately prior to such issue or sale, the exercise price of such Warrant then in effect will be adjusted.

The warrants issued in connection with the financial arrangement were derivative instruments. The warrants require net cash settlement in the event that there is a fundamental transaction, contractually defined as a merger, sale of substantially all assets, tender offer or share exchange.

As a result of FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 150-5, it appears that the warrants require liability classification due to the possible cash redemption upon the event of an all cash acquisition.The FSP clarifies that warrants that contain any redemption features, including contingent redemption features, must be recorded as liabilities and marked to fair value each reporting period. As of the issuance date, i.e, February 15, 2008, the fair value of warrants was $798,626. Such warrant liabilities will be adjusted to its estimated fair value at the completion of each reporting period until the maturity of February 15, 2009.

The warrant agreements contain strike price adjustment provisions.  In accordance with Section 8(iii), if the rate at which any Convertible Instruments are convertible into changes at any time, the warrant exercise price in effect at the time of the change will be adjusted based on the formula provided in Section 8(a) of the warrant agreement.  Accordingly, the warrants will be valued at the exercise price of $8.55 as of August 15, 2008 and thereafter.

 
24

 

As of August 15, 2008, the Company valued the warrant using conversion price at inception and reset respectively.  The fair value of the warrant is $489,719 at the inception conversion price of $8.8527, and $551,131 at the reset conversion price of $8.5500, respectively. Such difference resulting from using the reset conversion price has increased warrant liabilities by $61,412.

As of March 31, 2009, the fair value of warrant was $0 due to its expiration on February 15, 2009. The income from adjustment of fair value of liabilities in connection with warrants amount of gain has been recorded in the income statement as gain or loss on change in fair value of derivative. (see note 24)

15. 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 and various employment benefits in accordance with the relevant Chinese social security laws, which is substantially based on a total of 31% of base salary as required by local governments. Base salary levels are the average salary determined by the local governments.

The activities in the Company’s pension account during the three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at beginning of the period
  $ 3,806,519     $ 3,622,729  
Amounts provided during the period
    628,018       2,311,049  
Settlement during the period
    (719,272 )     (2,381,047 )
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (724 )     253,788  
Balance at end of period
  $ 3,714,541     $ 3,806,519  

 
25

 

16. Taxes payable

The Company’s taxes payable at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Value-added tax payable
  $ 8,985,306     $ 6,279,089  
Income tax payable
    389,984       (652,865 )
Other tax payable
    120,625       91,214  
Balance at end of the period
  $ 9,495,915     $ 5,717,438  

17. Amounts due to shareholders/ directors

The activities in the amounts due to shareholders/directors at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at the beginning of period
  $ 337,370     $ 304,601  
Increase (decrease) during the period
    -       2,415  
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (98 )     30,354  
Balance at end of period
  $ 337,272     $ 337,370  

The amounts due to shareholders/directors were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

18. Advances payable

The amounts mainly represent advances made by the Chinese government to the Company 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 advance does not continue to qualify for the subsidy (see notes 22).

19. Share Capital and Additional paid-in capital

 The activities in the Company’s share capital and additional paid-in capital account during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

 
26

 

   
Share Capital
     
   
Shares
   
Par Value
   
Additional paid-in
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
    23,959,702     $ 2,396     $ 30,125,951  
Issuance of common stock*
    3,023,542       302       22,089,698  
Decrease in additional paid-in capital in connection with Henglong equity acquisition **
    -       -       (25,912,921 )
Issuance of stock options to independent directors and management***
    -     $ -     $ 845,478  
Balance at December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009
    26,983,244     $ 2,698     $ 27,148,206  

*On March 31, 2008, Wiselink Holdings Limited, “Wiselink”, Great Genesis Holdings Limited, “Genesis”, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Automotive Systems, Inc., “the Company” and other parties entered into an equity transfer transaction, the “Acquisition”, documented by an Equity Transfer Agreement, the “Agreement”, pursuant to which Wiselink agreed to transfer and assign a 35.5% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co. Ltd., “Henglong” to Genesis for a total consideration of $32,090,000, the “Consideration”.

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Consideration is to be paid as follows: $10,000,000 cash was paid by Genesis to Wiselink on April 30, 2008, and the balance of the purchase price ($22,090,000) was paid by issuance of 3,023,542 shares of common stock of the Registrant, in its capacity as the 100% parent company of Genesis.

**Under the terms of the above agreement, Genesis is deemed to be the owner of the equity concerned commencing from January 1, 2008. In accordance with FASB 141 and APB 14, the above acquisition is considered as a business combination of companies under common control and is being accounted for in a manner similar to that of pooling of interests.

On April 22 and June 30, 2008, the Company issued 1,170,000 and 1,853,542 shares of common stock, respectively, at an issuance price of $7.3060, par value of $0.0001. The difference between issuance price and par value was credited into additional paid-in capital.

 
27

 

As of January 1, 2008, the net book value of 35.5% equity of Henglong was $6,177,079. The difference between the acquisition consideration of $32,090,000 and 35.5% equity of Henglong, which was $25,912,921, has been debited 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. Since the adoption of the stock incentive plan, the Company has issued 411,350 stock options under this plan, and there remain 1,788,650 stock options issuable in future. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had 388,850 stock options outstanding.
 
The Company issued 312,350 common stock options to independent directors and management, and the fair value of the options at the grant date was $845,478, for the year of 2008, which was calculated based on Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value was credited in additional paid-in capital, debited in operating expenses using straight line method over the expected beneficiary period. As of March 31, 2009, the Company has amortized $345,426 and the remaining 199,233 stock options, valued at $500,052, are reflected as deferred stock compensation under shareholders' equity in the balance sheet.

20. Deferred stock compensation
 
The Company issued 312,350 common stock options to independent directors and management, and the fair value of the options at the grant date was $845,478, for the year of 2008, which was calculated based on Black-Scholes option pricing model. As of March 31, 2009,  the Company has amortized $345,426 and the remaining 199,233 stock options, valued at $500,052, are reflected as deferred stock compensation under shareholders' equity in the balance sheet.

21. Non-controlling interests

The Company’s activities in respect of the amounts of the non-controlling interests’ equity at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Balance at beginning of the period
  $ 23,222,566     $ 23,166,270  
Add: Additions during the period–
               
Income attributable to non-controlling interests
    1,383,697       5,071,408  
Capital Contribution from the non-controlling interest  holders of Joint-venture companies
    -       745,723  
Less: Decreases during the period
               
Dividends declared to the non-controlling interest holders of Joint-venture companies
    (1,481,662 )     (1,016,733 )
Transfer and assign equity interest in Henglong and USAI by non-controlling interest holders of Joint-venture companies*
    -       (6,177,079 )
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
    (4,416 )     1,432,977  
Balance at end of period
  $ 23,120,185     $ 23,222,566  

 
28

 

*On March 31, 2008, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Genesis and Wiselink, both controlled by Hanlin Chen and his family, entered into an equity transfer agreement, pursuant to which Wiselink agreed to transfer and assign its 35.5% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong, one of the Company’s currently consolidated subsidiaries, to Genesis for a total consideration of $32,090,000.

Under the terms of the above agreement, Genesis is deemed to be the owner of the equity concerned commencing from January 1, 2008. In accordance with FASB 141 and APB 14, the acquisition is considered as a business combination of companies under common control and is being accounted for in a manner of pooling of interests.

On January 1, 2008, the net book value of 35.5% equity of Henglong, which was transferred from non-controlling shareholders, was $6,177,079.

22. Other Income

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, there was no other income in the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, other income was $199,459, mainly was Government subsidies.

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. The Company recorded the refunded interest which achieved its goals into Other income, and refunded interest which has not achieved its goals into advances payable.

23. Financial income (expenses)

During the three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and 2008, the Company recorded financial income (expenses) which is summarized as follows:

   
Three Months Ended  March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Interest income (expenses),net
  $ (288,279 )   $ (263,769 )
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net
    (14,568 )     376,638  
Income (loss) of note discount, net
    (110 )     18,036  
Amortization for discount of convertible note payable
    (122,347 )     (99,449 )
Handling charge
    (14,176 )     (10,763 )
Total
  $ (439,480 )   $ 20,693  

 
29

 

24.Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative

During the three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and 2008, the Company recorded gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative is summarized as follows:

 
Three Months Ended  March 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
Income from adjustment of fair value of liabilities in connection with warrants
  $ 1,977     $ -  
Income (loss) from adjustment of fair value of compound derivative liabilities
    (1,562,825 )     -  
Total
  $ 1,560,848     $ -  

25. Income taxes

The Company’s subsidiaries registered in the PRC are subject to state and local income taxes within the PRC at the applicable tax rate of 25% on the taxable income as reported in their PRC statutory financial statements in accordance with the relevant income tax laws applicable to foreign invested enterprise. The Company’s PRC subsidiaries, which are in the stage of its enterprise income tax exemption currently, are to remain subject to enterprise fixed income tax at a statutory rate of 33%, which comprises 30% national income tax and 3% local income tax.

On January 1, 2007, Jiulong has used up its enterprise income tax exemption. During 2008, Jiulong was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. During 2008, Jiulong was to be awarded the title of Advanced Technology Enterprises, and subjected to enterprise income tax at a rate of 15% for 2009.

On January 1, 1999, 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. Henglong is subject to enterprise national income tax at a rate of 15% for 2008 and 2009.

On January 1, 2003, Shenyang was granted an enterprise income tax holiday of a 100% enterprise income tax exemption for two years commencing from 2003, a 75% enterprise national income tax deduction and a 100% local income tax deduction for the next three years thereafter, from 2005 to 2007, and a 50% enterprise national income tax deduction, from January 1, 2008, for income tax purposes and was subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 18%. Commencing from 2009, Shenyang is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 20% .

 
30

 

On January 1, 2004, 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. During 2008, Zhejiang is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 16.5%, which comprises of 15% enterprise national income tax and 1.5% local income tax, and is subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% commencing from January 1, 2009.

USAI, Wuhu, Jielong and Hengsheng are at their start up stage in 2009 and 2008, accordingly, there is no assessable profit for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 subject to PRC enterprise income tax. They have an enterprise income tax exemption in 2008 and 2009, and are subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 16.5% for the next three years thereafter, from 2010 to 2012, and a 25% enterprise national income tax for the years commencing from January 1, 2013.

No provision for Hong Kong tax is made as Genesis is an investment holding company, and has no assessable income in Hong Kong for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. The enterprise income tax of Hong Kong is 17.5%.

No provision for US tax is made as the Company has no assessable income in the US for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. The enterprise income tax of US is 35%.

 
31

 
 
26. 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.

During the three months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited), the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 74.2% of its consolidated net sales, with each of four customers individually accounting for more than 10% of consolidated net sales, i.e. 13.8%, 11.7%, 11.1% and 10.9% individually, or an aggregate of 47.5%.  At March 31, 2009, approximately 39.7% of accounts receivable were from trade transactions with the aforementioned four customers.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2008 (unaudited), the Company’s ten largest customers accounted for 67.7% of the Company’s consolidated net sales, with each of four customers individually accounting for more than 10% of consolidated net sales, i.e. 13.1%, 11.5%, 11.3% and 10.2% individually, or an aggregate of 46.1%.  At March 31, 2008, approximately 33.4% of accounts receivable were from trade transactions with the aforementioned four customers.
 
27. Related party transactions and balances

Related party transactions with companies with common directors are as follows:
Related sales (unaudited):

   
Three Months Ended  March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Merchandise Sold to Related Parties
  $ 559,011     $ 2,051,082  

 
32

 

Related purchases (unaudited):

   
Three Months Ended  March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Materials Purchased from Related Parties
  $ 2,126,737     $ 1,952,390  
Technology Purchased from Related Parties
    43,886       -  
Equipment Purchased from Related Parties
    1,076,335       417,438  
Total
  $ 3,246,958     $ 2,369,828  

Purchase of 35.5% equity interest in Jinzhou Henglong during the three months ended March 31, 2008 (refer to note 19)

Related receivables (March 31, 2009 unaudited):

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 1,583,182     $ 1,285,110  
Other receivables
    743,209       903,674  
Total
  $ 2,326,391     $ 2,188,784  

Related advances (March 31, 2009 unaudited):
 
   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Advanced Equipment Payment to Related Parties
  $ 1,442,579     $ 2,473,320  
Advanced Expenses and Others to Related Parties
    349,320       9,374  
Total
  $ 1,791,899     $ 2,482,694  

 Related payables (March 31, 2009 unaudited)
 
   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Accounts payable
  $ 1,522,755     $ 1,097,642  
 
These transactions were consummated under similar terms as those with the Company's customers and suppliers.
 
28. 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.

 
33

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s major contractual payment obligations and commitments as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited):

 
Payment Obligations by Period
 
 
2009 (a)
 
2010
   
2011
   
2012
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Obligations for service agreements
  $ 110,000     $ 110,000     $ 110,000     $ -     $ -     $ 330,000  
Obligations for purchasing agreements
    5,013,714       1,239,355     $     $       -       6,253,069  
Total
  $ 5,123,714     $ 1,349,355     $ 110,000     $ -     $ -     $ 6,583,069  

(a) Remaining 9 months in 2009

29. Off-balance sheet arrangements

At March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet arrangements.

30. 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.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited), the Company had nine product sectors, five of them were principal profit makers, which were reported as separate sectors which engaged in the production and sales of power steering (Henglong), power steering (Jiulong), power steering (Shenyang), power pumps (Zhejiang), and power steering (Wuhu). The other four sectors which were established in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively, engaged in the production and sales of sensor modular (USAI), electronic power steering (Jielong), power steering (Hengsheng), and provider of after sales and R&D services (HLUSA). Since the revenues, net income and net assets of these four sectors are less than 10% of its segment in the consolidated financial statements, the Company incorporated these four sectors into “other sectors”.

 
34

 

The Company’s product sectors information is as follows:
 
 
 
Henglong
   
Jiulong
   
Shenyang
   
Zhejiang
   
Wuhu
   
Other sector
   
Other (1)
   
Total
 
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
31-Mar-09
                                               
Revenue
                                               
Net product sales – external
  $ 18,075,293     $ 9,764,562     $ 6,405,993     $ 5,422,811     $ 4,828,229     $ 200,558     $     $ 44,697,446  
Net product sales – internal
    8541,592       214,904       502,829       120,086                   (9,379,411 )     -  
Gain on other sales
    42,460       (13,040 )     14,530       3,420       18,135       2,878       (1,504 )     66,879  
Total revenue
  $ 26,659,345     $ 9,966,426     $ 6,923,352     $ 5,546,317     $ 4,846,364     $ 203,436     $ (9,380,915 )   $ 44,764,325  
Net income
  $ 4,865,838     $ 426,272     $ 763,816     $ 505,084     $ (190,181 )   $ (336,051 )   $ (2,392,269 )   $ 3,642,509  
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
    973,167       80,992       229,144       247,491    
 (43,114)
   
 (37,144)
   
 (66,839)
   
 1,383,697
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
  $ 3,892,671     $ 345,280     $ 534,672     $ 257,593     $ (147,067 )   $ (298,907 )   $ (2,325,430 )   $ 2,258,812  
 
 
 
Henglong
   
Jiulong
   
Shenyang
   
Zhejiang
   
Wuhu
   
Other sector
   
Other (1)
   
Total
 
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
31-Mar-08
                                               
Revenue
                                               
Net product sales – external
  $ 14,925,533     $ 11,269,992     $ 6,212,496     $ 3,724,796     $ 5,295,038     $ 39,188     $     $ 41,467,043  
Net product sales – internal
    7,363,909       598,839       418,131       276,836                   (8,657,715        
Gain on other sales
    105,119       (8,611 )     31,323       (4,172 )     12,894       (898 )     (1,465 )     134,190  
Total revenue
  $ 22,394,561     $ 11,860,220     $ 6,661,950     $ 3,997,460     $ 5,307,932     $ 38,290     $ (8,659,180 )   $ 41,601,233  
Net income
  $ 4,635,973     $ 806,534     $ 795,935     $ 805,012     $ (275,594 )   $ (244,766 )   $ (342,673 )   $ 6,180,421  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 927,195
   
 153,240
   
 238,781
   
 394,456
   
 (62,477)
   
 (18,901)
   
 117,953
   
 1,750,247
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders
  $ 3,708,778     $ 653,294     $ 557,154     $ 410,556     $ (213,117 )   $ (225,865 )   $ (460,626 )   $ 4,430,174  

(1)Other includes activity not allocated to the product sectors and elimination of inter-sector transactions.

 
35

 

31. Subsequent events

On March 17, 2009, the Company delivered two WAP Default notices to the Convertible Note holders.  On March 27, 2009, the Company received a letter dated March 26, 2009 via fax from YA Global, one of the Convertible Note holders, electing to exercise its redemption right. On April 8, 2009, the Company and YA Global reached a settlement agreement whereby the Company paid a redemption amount of $5,041,667 to YA Global for the redemption of  three Convertible Notes it held in a total principal amount of $5,000,000 and YA Global waived its entitlement to the Other Make Whole Amount as defined in Section 5(d) of the Convertible Notes.

On April 24, 2009, the provisional liquidator acting on behalf of Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, the “LBCCA Liquidator”, the other Convertible Note holder, notified the Company to redeem the entire outstanding principal of $30,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount, to be paid on July 23, 2009. The Company is reviewing whether the LBCCA letter, request for extension, its three Holder Redemption Notices and other matters have followed the terms of the securities purchase agreement dated February 1, 2008 and the Convertible Notes and the Company will negotiate with LBCCA Liquidator to resolve this situation.
 
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Statement Pursuant to Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009 contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Generally, the words “believes”, “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “continue,” and similar expressions or the negative thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s expectations regarding its working capital requirements, financing requirements, business prospects, and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.  Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the matters set forth in this Quarterly 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.  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.  In addition, the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009 involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein.  Please see the discussion on risk factors in Item 1A of Part II of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 
36

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW:
 
China Automotive Systems, Inc., including, when the context so requires, its subsidiaries and the subsidiaries’ interests in the Sino-foreign joint ventures described below, is referred to herein as the “Company”. The Company, through its Sino-foreign joint ventures, engages in the manufacture and sales of automotive systems and components in the People’s Republic of China, the “PRC” or “China”, as described below.

Great Genesis Holdings Limited, a company incorporated on January 3, 2003 under The Companies Ordinance in Hong Kong as a limited liability company, “Genesis”, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Henglong USA Corporation, “HLUSA”, which was incorporated on January 8, 2007 in Troy, Michigan, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and mainly engages in marketing of automotive parts in North America, and provides after sales service and research and development support accordingly.

 The Company owns the following aggregate net interests in eight Sino-foreign joint ventures organized in the PRC as of March 31, 2009 and 2008.
   
   
Percentage Interest
 
Name of Entity
 
March 31, 2009 
   
March 31, 2008
 
Shashi Jiulong Power Steering Gears Co., Ltd.,  “Jiulong”
     81.00 %        81.00 %
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., “Henglong”
     80.00 %     80.00 %
Shenyang Jinbei Henglong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Shenyang”
     70.00 %     70.00 %
Zhejiang Henglong & Vie Pump-Manu Co., Ltd., “Zhejiang”
     51.00 %     51.00 %
Universal Sensor Application Inc., “USAI”
     83.34 %     75.90 %
Wuhan Jielong Electric Power Steering Co., Ltd., “Jielong”
     85.00 %     85.00 %
Wuhu HengLong Automotive Steering System Co., Ltd., “Wuhu”
     77.33 %     77.33 %
Jingzhou Hengsheng Automotive System Co., Ltd, “Hengsheng”
     100.00 %     100.00 %
 
Jiulong was established in 1993 and mainly engaged in the production of integral power steering gear for heavy-duty vehicles.
 
Henglong was established in 1997 and mainly engaged in the production of rack and pinion power steering gear for cars and light duty vehicles.

 
37

 

On March 31, 2008, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Genesis, and Wiselink Holdings Limited, “Wiselink”, both controlled by Hanlin Chen and his family, entered into an equity transfer agreement, the “Henglong Agreement”, pursuant to which Wiselink agreed to transfer and assign its 35.5% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong, one of the Company’s currently consolidated subsidiaries, to Genesis for a total consideration of US$32,090,000. The Company now holds an 80% equity interest in Jingzhou Henglong.

Under the terms of the Henglong Agreement, Genesis is deemed to be the owner of Jingzhou Henglong commencing from January 1, 2008. The Henglong Acquisition is considered as a business combination of companies under common control and is being accounted for in a manner of pooling of interests.

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.
 
USAI was established in 2005 and mainly engaged in production and sales of sensor modulars.  In 2008, Genesis and Shanghai Hongxi Investment Inc., “Hongxi”, the other shareholder of USAI, agreed to increase USAI’s capital to $2,600,000 from $1,800,000. The increased capital was wholly funded by Genesis. Therefore, the capital contributed by Genesis in USAI increased to $2,166,900 from $1,366,900, accounting for 83.34% of the total capital; while the capital contributed by Hongxi remained unchanged, accounting for 16.66% of the total capital.

Jielong was established in 2006 and mainly engaged in production and sales of electric power steering, “EPS”.

Wuhu was established in 2006 and mainly engaged in production and sales of automobile steering systems.
 
Hengsheng was established in 2007 and mainly engaged in production and sales of automobile steering systems.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

The Company prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management periodically evaluates the estimates and judgments made. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates as a result of different assumptions or conditions. The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
38

 

The Company considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:
 
• It requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time the Company was making the estimate, and

• Changes in the estimate or different estimates that the Company could have selected would have had a material impact on its 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 the Company 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 the Company’s exposure to these costs.
 
 
The Company bases its estimate on historical trends of units sold and payment amounts, combined with its current understanding of the status of existing claims and discussions with its customers.
 
 
• VM (Vehicle Manufacturer) sourcing
• VM policy decisions regarding warranty claims
VMs
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other long-term assets
 
 
Valuation of long- lived assets and investments
 
 
The Company is required from time-to-time to review the recoverability of certain of its assets based on projections of anticipated future cash flows, including future profitability assessments of various product lines.
 
The Company estimates cash flows using internal budgets based on recent sales data, independent automotive production volume estimates and customer commitments.
 
 
• Future Production estimates
• Customer preferences and decisions
 


 
39

 

Accounts and notes receivables
 
Provision for doubtful accounts and notes receivable
 
Estimating the provision for doubtful accounts and notes receivable require the Company to analyze and monitor each customer’s credit standing and financial condition regularly. The Company grants credit to its customers, generally on an open account basis. It will have material adverse effect on the Company’s cost disclosure if such assessment were improper.
 
The Company grants credit to its customers for three to four months based on each customer’s current credit standing and financial data. The Company assesses an allowance on an individual customer basis, under normal circumstances; the Company does not record any provision for doubtful accounts for those accounts receivable amounts which were in credit terms. For those receivables out of credit terms, certain proportional provision, namely 25% to 100%, will be recorded based on respective overdue terms.
 
• Customers’ credit standing and financial condition
                 
Deferred income taxes
 
 
Recoverability of deferred tax assets
 
 
The Company is required to estimate whether recoverability of the Company’s deferred tax assets is more likely than not based on forecasts of taxable earnings in the related tax jurisdiction.
 
 
The Company uses historical and projected future operating results, based upon approved business plans, including a review of the eligible carryforward period, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations.
 
• Tax law changes
• Variances in future projected profitability, including by taxing entity
 

In addition, there are other items within the Company’s financial statements that require estimation, but are not as critical as those discussed above. These include the allowance for 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 the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS——THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008:

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.

 
40

 
 
   
Percentage on net sales
   
Change in percentage
 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009  vs 2008
 
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     7.8 %
Cost of sales
    72.7       70.5       11.1  
Gross profit
    27.3       29.5       (0.1 )
Gain on other sales
    0.1       0.3       (50.2 )
Less: operating expenses
                       
Selling expenses
    5.3       6.0       (4.7 )
General and administrative expenses
    4.0       3.9       11.5  
R & D expenses
    1.0       0.4       150.4  
Depreciation and amortization
    1.3       3.1       (55.9 )
Total operating expenses
    11.6       13.4       (7.0 )
Operating income
    15.9       16.4       4.5  
Other income
    -       0.5       (100.0 )
Financial income (expenses)
    (1.0 )     -       (2223.8 )
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative
    (3.5 )     -       -  
Income before income tax
    11.4       16.9       (27.3 )
Income tax
    3.2       2.0       75.8  
Net income
    8.2       14.9       (41.1 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    3.0       4.2       (20.9 )
Net income attributable to common shareholders
    5.2     10.7     (49.0 ) %

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008:

NET SALES:

Net sales were $44,697,446 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $41,467,043 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $3,230,403, or 7.8%.  The increase in net sales in 2009 as compared to 2008 was a result of the following 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 an increase in the Company’s sales of steering gear and pumps. As a result, sales of steering gear and pumps for domestic passenger vehicles for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $29,309,514 and $5,422,811, as compared to $26,433,067 and $3,724,796 for the same period of 2008, an increase of $2,876,447 and $1,698,015, or 10.9% and 45.6%, respectively.

(2) Influenced by global financial crisis, investments and business activities in China have decreased, which led to a decrease in sales of commercial vehicles and a decrease in the Company’s sales of steering gear and accessories. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, sales of steering gear and accessories for commercial vehicles was $9,764,562, as compared to $11,269,992 for the same period of 2008, a decrease of $1,505,429, or 13.4%.

 
41

 

(3) The Company has raised the technological contents in, and production efficiency of, its products as a result of technological improvement to its production lines, allowing the Company to reduce its costs and, correspondingly, its sales prices which led to increased sales volumes.
 
GROSS PROFIT
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, gross profit was $12,197,831, as compared to $12,212,370 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $14,539, or 0.1%. 

The increase of sales volume contributed to an increase of $1,672,036 in gross profit, the decrease of selling prices contributed to a decrease of $2,249,826 in gross profit, while the decrease in unit cost resulted in an increase of $563,250 in gross profit.

Gross margin was 27.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, a decrease of 2.2% from 29.5% for the same period of 2008, primarily due to a decrease in selling price. The Company plans to take the following measures in the remaining nine months of 2009 to increase gross profit levels and to meet its yearly gross margin target of not less than 28%.

1. Reduce manufacturing costs by optimizing product design and production techniques. During 2009, 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 its manufacturing costs will be reduced by 2.0% as compared to 2008 as a result of the optimized product design and production techniques.

2. Reduce purchase costs by decreasing materials price. During 2009, the Company projects to reduce materials price by 5% to 10%.

GAIN ON OTHER SALES
 
Gain on other sales consists of net amount retained from sales of materials and other assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, gain on other sales was $66,879, as compared to $134,190 for the same period of 2008, a decrease of $67,311, or 50.2%, mainly due to decreased sales of materials.

SELLING EXPENSES
 
Selling expenses were $2,359,166 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $2,475,341 for the same period of 2008, a decrease of $116,175, or 4.7%. Material decreases were transportation expenses. 

The decrease in transportation expenses was due to decreased gasoline price.

 
42

 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses were $1,801,702 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $1,616,150 for the same period of 2008, an increase of $185,552, or 11.5%. Material increase was salaries and wages expense, as a result of the Company improved employee’s welfare in 2009.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

Research and development expenses were $439,922 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $175,678 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $264,244, or 150.4%, as a result of the Company’s new product development and more R&D personnel involved with the new product research and development program.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the depreciation and amortization expense, excluding those recorded in cost of sales, was $571,413, as compared to $1,294,727 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $723,314, or 55.9%, as a result of adoption of an accelerated depreciation method in previous years, so that no further depreciation has to be recorded for those fixed assets which were fully depreciated but are still in use.

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
 
Income from operations was $7,092,507 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $6,784,664 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $307,843, or 4.5%, as a result of a decrease of $14,539, or 0.1%, in gross profit, a decrease of $67,311, or 50.2%, in gain on other sales, and a decrease of $389,693, or7.0%, in operating expenses.

OTHER INCOME

Other income was $199,459 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily attributable to government subsidies. There was no such income in the same period in 2009.

Whether or not a government subsidy can be classified as other income depends on whether the company’s technological improvement has achieved its expected goal of production expansion and quality enhancement.

FINANCIAL EXPENSES

Financial expenses were $439,480 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to financial income of $20,693 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $460,173, primarily as a result of a decrease of foreign currency exchange gain, an increase in convertible note interest expense, and an increase in convertible note discount amortization.

 
43

 

LOSS ON CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVE

Loss on change in fair value of derivative was $1,560,848 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Income before income taxes was $5,092,179 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $7,004,816 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $1,912,637, or 27.3%, as a result of an increase in income from operations of $307,843, a decrease in other income of $199,459, an increase in financial expenses of $460,173 and an increase in loss on change in fair value of derivative of $1,560,848.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax income was $1,449,670 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $824,395 of income tax expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $625,275, mainly because of:

1. The Company has received an income tax refund of $267,844 for domestic equipment purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, and there was no such tax refund for the same period of 2009.

2. Increase of income tax benefit resulted from China tax law adjustment caused a decrease in income tax by $363,862.

3. Increase of accrued valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets caused an increased in income tax by $721,293.

NET INCOME

Net income was $3,642,509 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to a net income of $6,180,421 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $2,537,912, or 41.1%, as a result of a decrease in income before income taxes of $1,912,637, or 27.3%, and an increase in income taxes expenses of $625,275, or 75.8%.

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Minority interests in the earnings of the Sino-foreign Joint-ventures amounted to $1,383,697 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $1,750,247 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $366,550, or 20.9%.

The Company owns different equity interest in eight Sino-foreign joint ventures, through which it conducts its operations. All the operating results of these eight Sino-foreign joint ventures were consolidated in the Company’s financial statements as of March 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company records the non-controlling interests' share in the earnings of the respective Sino-foreign joint ventures for each period.

 
44

 

In 2009, non-controlling interest decreased significantly as compared to 2008, primarily as a result of Jiulong and Zhejiang, the Company’s Sino-foreign joint ventures, having lower net income in 2008.
 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
Net income was $2,258,812 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to a net income of $4,430,174 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $2,171,362, or 49.0%, mainly due to the loss in fair value of derivative.

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 notes and internally generated cash. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $37,585,291, as compared to $49,962,022 as of March 31, 2008, a decrease of $12,376,731, or 24.8%.

The Company had working capital of $41,794,491 as of March 31, 2009, as compared to $43,046,747 as of March 31, 2008, a decrease of $1,252,256, or 2.9%.

Financing activities:

For the Company’s bank loans and banker’s acceptance bill facilities, the Company’s banks require the Company to sign documents to repay such facilities within one year. On the condition that the Company can provide adequate mortgage security and has not violated the terms of the line of credit agreement, it can extend such one year facilities for another year.

The Company had bank loans maturing in less than one year of $5,120,028 and bankers’ acceptances of $22,446,978 as of March 31, 2009.

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 (See the table in section (a) Bank loan). 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. Owing to depreciation, the value of the mortgages securing the above-mentioned bank loans and banker's acceptance bills will be devalued by approximately $7,547,760. If the Company wishes to obtain the same amount of bank loans and banker's acceptance bills, it will have to provide $7,547,760 additional mortgages as of the mature date of such agreements (See the table in section (a) Bank loan). The Company still can obtain a reduced line of credit with a reduction of $3,465,197, which is 46% (the mortgage rates) of $7,547,760, if it cannot provide additional mortgages. The Company expects that the reduction of bank loans will not have a material adverse effect on its liquidity.

 
45

 

On February 15, 2008, the Company issued $35,000,000 of convertible notes to Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, LBCCA, and YA Global Investments, L.P., YA Global, maturing in 5 years. According to the terms of the Senior Convertible Notes (as described in Note 12), convertible notes may be required to be repaid in cash on or prior to their maturity.  For example, Convertible Note holders are entitled to require the Company redeem all or any portion of the Convertible Notes in cash, if the Weighted Average Price (WAP) for twenty (20) consecutive trading days is less than $3.187 at any time following February 15, 2009, the “WAP Default”, by delivering written redemption notice to the Company within five (5) business days after the receipt of the Company’s notice of the WAP Default.

As a result of the recent worldwide financial turmoil, the Company’s stock’s WAP for twenty (20) consecutive trading days ended on March 16, 2009 was below $3.187. On March 17, 2009, the Company delivered two WAP Default notices to the Convertible Note holders. On March 27, 2009, the Company received a letter dated March 26, 2009 via fax from YA Global, one of the Convertible Note holders, electing to require the Company to redeem all the three Convertible Notes it held in the total principal amount of $5,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount as defined in Section 5(d) of the Convertible Notes. After negotiation, the Company and YA Global reached a settlement agreement on April 8, 2009 whereby the Company paid a redemption amount of $5,041,667 to YA Global and YA Global waived its entitlement to the Other Make Whole Amount.
 
Following the WAP Default notices, the Company received a letter from the provisional liquidator acting on behalf of LBCCA, the “LBCCA Liquidator”, requesting that it be granted an extension of time until April 24, 2009 to consider its rights under the Convertible Notes.  The Company has granted an extension to April 15, 2009.  The LBCCA Liquidator further requested another extension to April 24, 2009.  On April 24, 2009, LBCCA’s lawyers sent three Holder Redemption Notices via fax electing to redeem the entire outstanding principal of $30,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount, to be paid on July 23, 2009. The Company is reviewing whether the LBCCA letter, request for extension, its three Holder Redemption Notices and other matters have followed the terms of the securities purchase agreement dated February 1, 2008 and the Convertible Notes and the Company will negotiate with LBCCA Liquidator to resolve this situation.

The Company’s ability to redeem the Convertible Notes and meet its payment obligations depends on its cash position and its ability to refinance or generate significant cash flow, which is subject to general economic, financial and competition factors and other factors beyond the Company’s control.  The Company cannot assure you that it has sufficient funds available or will be able to obtain sufficient funds to meet its payment obligations under the Convertible Notes, and the Company’s failure to redeem would result in a material adverse effect on its liquidity and capital resources, business, results of operations or financial condition.

 
46

 

(a) Bank loans
 
As of March 31, 2009, the principal outstanding under the Company’s credit facilities and lines of credit was as follows:

   
Bank
 
Due Date
 
Amount available
   
Amount Borrowed
 
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
Bank of China
 
Dec-09
  $ 8,175,954     $ 4,578,768  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
China Construction Bank
 
Oct-09
    8,983,279       3,612,692  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
 
Oct-09
    7,349,342       5,256,806  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
Jingzhou Commercial Bank
 
Oct-09
    11,650,317       5,354,233  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
 
Sep-09
    2,925,730       1,922,205  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
Bank of Communications Co., Ltd
 
Sep-09
    3,335,333       2,794,072  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
China Merchants Bank
 
Sep-09
    2,194,298       1,701,064  
Comprehensive credit facilities
 
China CITIC Bank
 
Jul-09
    6,803,265       2,347,167  
Total
          $ 51,417,518     $ 27,567,007  

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 2009 at annual interest rates of 5.31% to 6.83%, and for terms of six to twelve months. Pursuant to the refinancing arrangement, the Company pledged $30,567,846 of equipment, $5,334,489 of land use rights and $3,177,816 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with the Bank of China; pledged $2,105,054 of land use rights and $11,392,532 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank; pledged $5,863,884 of land use rights and $7,455,433 of equipment as security for its revolving comprehensive credit facility with Jingzhou Commercial Bank; pledged $1,575,707 of land use rights and $1,064,522 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; pledged $1,463,143 of accounts receivable, $7,034,062 of land use rights and $3,660,990 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with China Construction Bank; pledged $2,985,764 of land use rights and $4,252,217 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with China CITIC Bank; pledged $3,465,792 of land use rights and $1,920,101 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with China Merchants Bank; pledged $4,151,801 of land use rights and $2,341,907 of buildings as security for its comprehensive credit facility with Bank of Communications Co., Ltd.

 
47

 

(b) Financing from investors:

On February 15, 2008, the Company sold $30,000,000 and $5,000,000 convertible notes to Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, LBCCA, and YA Global Investments, L.P., YA Global, respectively, with a scheduled maturity date of February 15, 2013 and an initial conversion price for conversion into the Company’s common stock of $8.8527 per share.

The Company and YA Global reached a settlement agreement on April 8, 2009 whereby the Company paid a redemption amount of $5,041,667 to YA Global, which has agreed to waive its entitlement to Other Make Whole Amount as defined in Section 5(d) of the Convertible Notes.

On April 24, 2009, the provisional liquidator acting on behalf of Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, the “LBCCA Liquidator”, the other Convertible Note holder, notified the Company to redeem the entire outstanding principal of $30,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount, to be paid on July 23, 2009. The Company is reviewing whether the LBCCA letter, request for extension, its three Holder Redemption Notices and other matters have followed the terms of the securities purchase agreement dated February 1, 2008 and the Convertible Notes and the Company will negotiate with LBCCA Liquidator to resolve this situation.

The Company’s ability to redeem the Convertible Notes and meet its payment obligations depends on its cash position and its ability to refinance or generate significant cash flow, which is subject to general economic, financial and competition factors and other factors beyond the Company’s control. If the aforementioned convertible notes must be repaid in cash at or before scheduled maturity, and if at that time the Company cannot issue new notes or stock to refinance, or acquire enough bank loans, or cannot extend the maturity dates of such notes, the Company’s 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.

 
48

 

   
Payment Due Dates
 
   
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
More than 5
years
 
Short-term bank loan
  $ 5,120,028     $ 5,120,028     $     $     $  
Notes payable
    22,446,978       22,446,978                    
Convertible notes payable
    35,0000,000       35,0000,000       -       -       -  
Other contractual purchase commitments, including information technology
    6,583,069       5,123,714       1,349,355       110,000        
Total
  $ 69,150,075     $ 67,690,720     $ 1,349,355     $ 110,000     $  
 
Short-term bank loans:

The following table summarizes the contract information of short-term borrowings between the banks and the Company as of March 31, 2009:

Bank
 
Purpose
 
Borrowing
Date
 
Borrowing
Term
(Year)
   
Annual
Percentage
Rate
 
Date of
Interest
Payment
Date of
Payment
 
Amount
Payable on
Due Date
 
Bank of China
 
Working 
Capital
 
31-Oct-08
    1       6.66 %
Pay monthly
31-Oct-09
  $ 2,194,298  
China Construction Bank
 
Working 
Capital
 
29-Dec-08
    1       5.31 %
Pay monthly
29-Dec-09
    2,925,730  
Total
                              $ 5,120,028  
 
The Company must use the loans for the purposes 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 at the interest rate described in the table on the 20th of each month. If the Company fails, it will be charged a compound 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 March 31, 2009, and will continue to comply with them.

The following table summarizes the contract information of issuing notes payable between the banks and the Company as of March 31, 2009:

Purpose
 
Term (Month)
 
Due Date
 
Amount Payable on
Due Date
 
Working Capital
   
3-6
 
Apr-09
  $ 4,986,907  
Working Capital
   
3-6
 
May-09
    594,216  
Working Capital
   
3-6
 
Jun-09
    4,467,927  
Working Capital
   
3-6
 
Jul-09
    3,208,062  
Working Capital
   
3-6
 
Aug-09
    2,869,703  
Working Capital
   
3-6
 
Sep-09
    6,320,163  
Total
            $ 22,446,978  
 
 
49

 

The Company must use the loan for the purposes 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 to 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 March 31, 2009, and will continue to comply with them.

The Company had approximately $6,253,069 of capital commitments as of March 31, 2009, arising from equipment purchases for expanding production capacity. The Company intends to disperse $5,013,715 in the remaining nine months of 2009 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
 
Net cash generated from operations during the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $8,890,210, compared with net cash $274,256 expended from the same period of 2008, an increase of $9,164,466.

Similar to the same period of 2008, the cash outflows from operating activities were primarily due to increases in accounts  receivable and inventories.

First, cash outflow increased by about $7,100,000 owing to increased accounts receivable, mainly due to increased sales in 2009 over 2008. 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, increased inventories led to an increased cash outflow of about $1,400,000, mainly due to the Company’s intention to produce sufficient inventories to meet increasing demands in the second quarter of 2009.

(b) Investing activities
 
The Company expended net cash of $4,666,339 in investment activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009, and $3,526,190 during the same period of 2008.

Similar to 2008, the Company invested cash for equipment purchases and building facility to expand production to meet market needs. Cash used for equipment purchases and building facility during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $4,296,391 and $2,999,504, respectively.

 
50

 

(c) Financing activities
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company expended net cash of $3,744,935 in financing activities, as compared to obtaining net cash of $33,505,001 through financing activities for the same period of 2008, a decrease of $37,249,936 as a result of the following factors:

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company sold $30,000,000 and $5,000,000 of convertible notes to Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, and YA Global Investments, L.P., respectively. During the same period in 2009, there is no such financing activity.

The Company also repaid bank loans of $2,194,298 during the three months ended March 31, 2009 to save interest expenses.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
At March 31, 2009 and 2008, 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 March 31, 2009:
 
 
Payment Obligations by Period
 
 
2009 (a)
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Obligations for service agreements
  $ 110,000     $ 110,000     $ 110,000     $     $     $ 330,000  
Obligations for purchasing agreements
    5,013,714       1,239,355                         6,253,069  
Total
  $ 5,123,714     $ 1,349,355     $ 110,000     $     $     $ 6,583,069  
 
(a) Remaining 9 months in 2009

 
51

 
  
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 17, 2009, the Company delivered two WAP Default notices to the Convertible Note holders.  On March 27, 2009, the Company received a letter dated March 26, 2009 via fax from YA Global, one of the Convertible Note holders, electing to exercise its redemption right. On April 8, 2009, the Company and YA Global reached a settlement agreement whereby the Company paid a redemption amount of $5,041,667 to YA Global, for the redemption of three Convertible Notes it held in a total principal amount of $5,000,000 and YA Global waived its entitlement to the Other Make Whole Amount as defined in Section 5(d) of the Convertible Notes.

On April 24, 2009, the provisional liquidator acting on behalf of Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, the “LBCCA Liquidator”, the other Convertible Note holder, notified the Company to redeem the entire outstanding principal of $30,000,000, together with interest, late charges, if any, and the Other Make Whole Amount, to be paid on July 23, 2009. The Company is reviewing whether the LBCCA letter, request for extension, its three Holder Redemption Notices and other matters have followed the terms of the securities purchase agreement dated February 1, 2008 and the Convertible Notes and the Company will negotiate with LBCCA Liquidator to resolve this situation.

ITEM 3
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Not applicable.

ITEM 4
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

( a )  EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the CEO and the CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2009. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

( b )  CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 that have materially effected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
52

 
 
PART II.— OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1
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.
 
ITEM 1A
RISK FACTORS

 Any investment in the Company’s securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, before you make a decision to invest in the Company. The Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by many risk factors.  Because of these risk factors, actual results might differ significantly from those projected in any forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause such differences include, among others, the following:
 
Risks Related to the Company’s Business and Industry
 
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 Genesis and its subsidiaries, and its principal assets are its investments in Genesis and its subsidiaries.  As a result, the Company is dependent upon the performance of Genesis and its subsidiaries and will be subject to the financial, business and other factors affecting Genesis as well as general economic and financial conditions.  As substantially all of the Company’s operations are and will be conducted through its subsidiaries, the Company will be dependent on the cash flow of its subsidiaries to meet its obligations.
 
Because virtually all of the Company’s assets are and will be held by operating subsidiaries, the claims of its stockholders will be 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 its and its subsidiaries’ liabilities and obligations have been paid in full.
 
The Senior Convertible Notes are the Company’s unsecured obligations, but are not obligations of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Company’s secured commercial debt is senior to the Senior Convertible Notes.

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.

 
53

 

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 its competitors have substantially greater revenues and financial resources than the Company does, as well as stronger brand names, consumer recognition, business relationships with vehicle manufacturers, and geographic presence than the Company has.  The Company may not be able to compete favorably and increased competition may substantially harm its business, business prospects and results of operations.
  
Internationally, the Company faces different market dynamics and competition.  The Company may not be as successful as its competitors in generating revenues in international markets due to the lack of recognition of its products or other factors.  Developing product recognition overseas is expensive and time-consuming and the Company’s international expansion efforts may be more costly and less profitable than it expects.  If the Company is not successful in its target markets, its sales could decline, its margins could be negatively impacted and it could lose market share, any of which could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations and profitability.
 
The cyclical nature of automotive production and sales could result in a reduction in automotive sales, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company’s business relies on automotive vehicle production and sales by its customers, which are highly cyclical and depend on general economic conditions and other factors, including consumer spending and preferences and the price and availability of gasoline.  They also can be affected by labor relations issues, regulatory requirements, and other factors.  In 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 gives 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.

 
54

 

Increasing costs for manufactured components and raw materials may adversely affect the Company’s profitability.

The Company uses a broad range of manufactured components and raw materials in its products, including castings, electronic components, finished sub-components, molded plastic parts, fabricated metal, aluminum and steel, and resins.  Because it may be difficult to pass increased prices for these items on to the Company’s customers, a significant increase in the prices of its components and materials could materially increase the Company’s 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 its sales and profit margins.  If the Company cannot offset continued price reductions through improved operating efficiencies and reduced expenditures, price reductions will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.  
 
The Company’s business, revenues and profitability would be materially and adversely affected if the Company loses any of its large customers.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, approximately 10.9% of the Company’s sales were to Zhejiang Geely Holding Co., Ltd, approximately 11.7% were to Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited, approximately 13.8% were to Xi’an BYD Electric Car Co., Ltd, and approximately 11.1% were to Beiqi Foton Motor 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 its financial condition and liquidity.

The Company may be exposed to product liability and warranty claims if its products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of its products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage.  The Company started to pay some of its customers’ increased after-sales service expenses due to consumer rights protection policies of “recall” issued by the Chinese Government in 2004, such as the recalling flawed vehicles policy.  Beginning in 2004, automobile manufacturers unilaterally required their suppliers to pay a “3-R Guarantees” service charge for repair, replacement and refund in an amount equal to one percent of the total amount of parts supplied.  Accordingly, the Company has experienced and will continue to experience higher after sales service expenses.  Product liability, warranty and recall costs may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

 
55

 
 
The Company is subject to environmental and safety regulations, which may increase its compliance costs and may adversely affect its results of operation.

The Company is subject to the requirements of environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations in China.  It 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 the Company’s 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 it also faces these risks in the event any of its suppliers becomes insolvent or bankrupt.
 
The Company’s business and growth may suffer if it fails to attract and retain key personnel.

The Company’s ability to operate its business and implement its strategies effectively depends on the efforts of its executive officers and other key employees.  The Company depends on the continued contributions of its senior management and other key personnel.  The Company’s future success also depends on its ability to identify, attract and retain highly skilled technical staff, particularly engineers and other employees with electronics expertise, and managerial, finance and marketing personnel.  The Company does not maintain a key person life insurance policy on Mr. Hanlin Chen or Mr. Qizhou Wu.  The loss of the services of any of its key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could substantially harm the Company’s business.
 
The Company’s management controls approximately 82.9% of its outstanding common stock and may have conflicts of interest with its minority stockholders.

Members of the Company’s management beneficially own approximately 82.9% of the outstanding shares of its 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 its management team and control the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of the holders of its common stock.  The interests of these majority stockholders may at times conflict with the interests of the Company’s other stockholders. The Henglong Acquisition was a transaction involving the Company and a counterparty controlled by Mr. Hanlin Chen, the Company’s Chairman and controlling stockholder. The Company regularly engages in transactions with entities controlled by one of more of its officers and directors.

 
56

 

Covenants contained in the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Senior Convertible Notes may restrict the Company’s operating flexibility.

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 or derivative securities.
 
There is a limited public float of the Company’s common stock. Of the Company’s outstanding common stock, approximately 17.1% is considered part of the public float.  The term “public float” refers to shares freely and actively tradable on the NASDAQ GlobalMarket and not owned by officers, directors or affiliates, as such term is defined under the Securities Act.  As a result of the limited public float and the limited trading volume on some days, the market price of the Company’s common stock can be volatile, and relatively small changes in the demand for or supply of the Company’s common stock can have a disproportionate effect on the market price for its common stock. This stock price volatility could prevent a securityholder seeking to sell the Company’s common stock or derivative securities from being able to sell them at or above the price at which the stock or derivative securities were bought, or at a price which a fully liquid market would report.
 
Provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the General Corporation Law of Delaware may discourage a takeover attempt.
 
Provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the state in which it is organized, could make it difficult for a third party to acquire the Company, even if doing so might be beneficial to its 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.
 
The Company does not pay cash dividends on its common stock.
 
The Company has never paid common stock cash dividends and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Securities Purchase Agreement prohibits the Company from paying cash dividends on common stock without the approval of the holders of the Senior Convertible Notes.

 
57

 
 
Risks Related to Doing Business in China and Other Countries Besides the United States
 
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 its business.

All of the Company’s operations are outside the United States and in China, which exposes the Company 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 its business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
The Company’s international expansion plans subject it to risks inherent in doing business internationally.
 
The Company’s long-term business strategy relies on the expansion of its international sales outside China by targeting markets, such as the United States.  Risks affecting the Company’s international expansion include challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences, conflicting and changing laws and regulations, foreign laws, international import and export legislation, trading and investment policies, foreign currency fluctuations, the burdens of complying with a wide variety of laws and regulations, protectionist laws and business practices that favor local businesses in some countries, foreign tax consequences, higher costs associated with doing business internationally, restrictions on the export or import of technology, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, trade and tariff restrictions, and variations in tariffs, quotas, taxes and other market barriers.  These risks could harm the Company’s international expansion efforts, which could in turn materially and adversely affect its business, operating results and financial condition.

The Company faces risks associated with currency exchange rate fluctuations; any adverse fluctuation may adversely affect its operating margins.
 
Although the Company is incorporated in the United States (Delaware), the majority of the Company’s current revenues are in Chinese currency.  Conducting business in currencies other than US dollars subjects us 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 its exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and involve costs and risks of their own, such as ongoing management time and expertise requirements, external costs to implement the strategy and potential accounting implications.

If relations between the United States and China worsen, the Company’s stock price may decrease and the Company may have difficulty accessing the U.S. capital markets.
 
At various times during recent years, the United States and China have had disagreements over political and economic issues.  Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries.  Any political or trade controversies between the United States and China could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock and its  ability to access US capital markets.

 
58

 

The Chinese Government could change its policies toward private enterprise, which could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s business is subject to political and economic uncertainties in China and may be adversely affected by China’s political, economic and social developments.  Over the past several years, the Chinese Government has pursued economic reform policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater economic decentralization.  The Chinese Government may not continue to pursue these policies or may alter them to the Company’s detriment from time to time.  Changes in policies, laws and regulations, or in their interpretation or the imposition of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions or prohibitions on dividend payments to stockholders, devaluations of currency or the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.  Nationalization or expropriation could result in the total loss of the Company’s investment in China.
  
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 financial condition.
 
The Chinese Government’s macroeconomic policies could have a negative effect on the Company’s business and results of operations
 
The Chinese Government has implemented various measures from time to time to control the rate of economic growth. Some of these measures benefit the overall economy of China, but may have a negative effect on us.

 
59

 

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 its 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 its foreign currency-denominated obligations.

Because the Chinese legal system is not fully developed, the Company’s and the securityholders’ 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 of its directors and officers are non-residents of the United States, and all or substantial portions of the assets of such non-residents are located outside the United States.  As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons to originate an action in the United States.  Moreover, there is uncertainty that the courts of China would enforce judgments of U.S. courts against the Company, its directors or officers based on the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state, or an original action brought in China based upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.  
 
ITEM 2 UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

 
60

 


ITEM 3 DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4 SUBMISSIONS OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5 OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
     
3.1(i)
 
Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from the filing on Form 10KSB File No. 000-33123.)
     
3.1(ii)
 
Bylaws (incorporated by reference from the Form 10KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002.)
     
10.1
 
Registration Rights Agreement dated March 20, 2006 between us and Cornell Capital Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333 - 133331) filed on April 17, 2006)
     
10.2
 
Investor Registration Rights Agreement dated March 20, 2006 between us and Cornell Capital Partners, LP. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333 - 133331) filed on April 17, 2006)
     
10.3
 
Warrant to purchase 86,806 shares of common stock at $14.40 per share, issued to Cornell Capital Partners, LP. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333 - 133331) filed on April 17, 2006 )
     
10.4
 
Warrant to purchase 69,444 shares of common stock at $18.00 per share, issued to Cornell Capital Partners, LP. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333 - 133331) filed on April 17, 2006 )
     
10.5
 
Joint-venture Agreement, dated March 31, 2006, as amended on May 2, 2006, between Great Genesis Holdings Limited and Wuhu Chery Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to the exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10Q Quarterly Report on May 10, 2006 )
     
10.6
 
Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 1, 2008 among us, Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, and YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.7
 
Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 15, 2008 between us and the investors. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
 
 
61

 
 
10.8
 
Escrow Agreement dated February 15, 2008 among us, U.S. Bank National Association, Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, and YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.9
 
Registration Rights Agreement dated February 15, 2008 among us, Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited, and YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.10
 
Senior Convertible Note dated February 15, 2008 in the original principal amount of $8,571,429 issued by us in favor of TFINN & CO. as nominee for Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.11
 
Senior Convertible Note dated February 15, 2008 in the original principal amount of $6,428,571 issued by us in favor of TFINN & CO. as nominee for Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
10.12
 
Senior Convertible Note dated February 15, 2008 in the original principal amount of $15,000,000 issued by us in favor of TFINN & CO. as nominee for Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.13
 
Closing Warrant to purchase 564,799 shares of common stock at $8.8527 per share, dated February 15, 2008, issued by us in favor of TFINN & CO. as nominee for Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.14
 
Escrow Warrant to purchase 564,799 shares of common stock at $8.8527 per share, dated February 15, 2008, issued by us in favor of TFINN & CO. as nominee for Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia Limited. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.15
 
Senior Convertible Note dated February 15, 2008 in the original principal amount of $1,428,571 issued by us in favor of YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.16
 
Senior Convertible Note dated February 15, 2008 in the original principal amount of $1,071,429 issued by us in favor of YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.17
 
Senior Convertible Note dated February 15, 2008 in the original principal amount of $2,500,000 issued by us in favor of YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.18
 
Closing Warrant to purchase 94,133 shares of common stock at $8.8527 per share, dated February 15, 2008, issued by us in favor of YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
10.19
 
Escrow Warrant to purchase 94,133 shares of common stock at $8.8527 per share, dated February 15, 2008, issued by us in favor of YA Global Investments, L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.)
     
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification*
 
 
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31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification*
     
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification*
     
32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification*
  
* Filed herewith

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

   
CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
   
(Registrant)
     
Date: May 12, 2009
By: 
/s/ Qizhou Wu
   
Qizhou Wu
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date:  May 12, 2009
By:
/s/ Jie Li
   
Jie Li
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
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