FORVIA: FY 2024 RESULTS
NANTERRE (FRANCE)
FEBRUARY 28, 2025
FY 2024 RESULTS
2024: RESILIENT PERFORMANCE AND NET DEBT
REDUCED BY €0.4BN
2025: FOCUS ON PROFITABILITY, CASH GENERATION
AND DELEVERAGING
2024 RESULTS IN LINE WITH GUIDANCE
→ Sales of €27bn (vs. guidance of
between €26.8bn and €27.2bn), up 0.4% on an organic basis, an
outperformance of 150bps vs. a drop of 1.1% in worldwide automotive
production and despite unfavorable customer and geographic
mix.
→ Operating margin of 5.2% of sales
(vs. guidance of between 5.0% and 5.3% of sales), resilient in a
difficult environment, supported by improved performance at
Seating, Clean Mobility and Electronics.
→ Net cash flow generation of €655m
(vs. guidance of ≥ €550m), at 2023 level, supported by capex
reduction and inventories optimization.
→ Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio
below 2.0x at year-end (in line with guidance
of ≤ 2.0x) driven by a reduction of €0.4bn in net debt.
In €m |
2023 |
2024 |
Change |
Worldwide automotive production (in 000 units) |
90,485 |
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
27,248 |
26,974 |
-1.0% |
Organic growth (constant scope & currencies) |
|
|
+0.4% |
Operating
income |
1,439 |
1,400 |
-2.7% |
As % of sales |
5.3% |
5.2% |
-10bps |
Net cash flow
As % of sales |
649
2.4% |
655
2.4% |
+0.9%
stable |
Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA |
2.10x |
1.97x |
|
* Source: S&P Global Mobility forecast
dated February 2025
2025 GUIDANCE: FOCUS ON PROFITABILITY, CASH
AND DELEVERAGING
→ Sales: FORVIA expects sales between
€26.3bn and €27.5bn in 2025 at constant exchange rates, assuming
stable worldwide automotive production in line with S&P’s
latest forecast.
→ Operating margin: FORVIA aims at
reaching an operating margin between 5.2% and 6.0% of sales in
2025, supported by initiatives for operational excellence and fixed
costs reduction.
→ Net cash flow: FORVIA aims at
generating net cash flow ≥ 2024 level (€655m), through margin
expansion and continued actions to reduce capex and
inventories.
→ Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio:
FORVIA aims at organically reducing its Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA
ratio ≤ 1.8x at December 31, 2025, before disposals.
BEYOND THIS ORGANIC DELEVERAGING TARGET, THE
GROUP IS COMMITTED TO RESTORE A SOLID BALANCE SHEET WITH THE
OBJECTIVE TO REDUCE NET DEBT/ADJUSTED EBITDA RATIO BELOW 1.5x IN
2026, SUPPORTED BY DISPOSALS.
-
The 2024 consolidated financial statements have been approved
by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on February 27, 2025,
under the chairmanship of Michel de ROSEN.
-
These financial statements have been audited.
-
All financial terms used in this press release are explained
at the end of this document, under the section “Definitions of
terms used in this document”.
-
All figures related to worldwide or regional automotive
production refer to the S&P Global Mobility forecast dated
February 2025.
2024 KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS
-
Robust order intake of €31 billion, with reduced upfront
costs.
In 2024, FORVIA recorded order intake of €31
billion, a high level reflecting solid momentum of both Faurecia
and FORVIA HELLA (including non-consolidated award for Seating
in North America for €1.8 billion).
The Group continued to reinforce its momentum in
fast-growing segments, as reflected in the following figures:
-
Around €11 billion in Asia, a majority of which being signed
with Chinese OEMs such as BYD, Li Auto and Chery,
-
More than €7 billion in Electronics, including the first
award with Chery,
-
Around €16 billion in High content vehicles, leveraging on
innovative technologies.
It is worth mentioning:
-
An award to take over an OEM in-house Business of LVE Gasoline Hot
End in Germany,
-
A major award for Hydrogen Storage Systems (HSS) with a large truck
maker,
-
An award of Virtual Key for GM North America,
-
A first award with Chery for Cockpit Electronics and Seating,
-
The biggest award for Interiors over €1 billion with a German
premium OEM,
- First
awards with a Chinese new carmaker for Interiors and Seating.
-
Combination with FORVIA HELLA gaining momentum and delivering
additional synergies.
At the end of 2024, cost synergies generated
with FORVIA HELLA represented a cumulated net amount of €334
million.
The Group is fully on track to achieve the
target that was revised upward late September 2024 to €400 million
of cumulated net synergies at the end of 2025.
-
Effective start and first effects of the EU-FORWARD
initiative.
In February 2024, FORVIA announced the launch
of “EU-FORWARD”, a five-year (2024-2028) initiative aiming at
reinforcing the competitiveness and agility of the Group’s
operations in Europe, adapting its European manufacturing and
R&D set-up to the fast-changing regional environment.
EU-FORWARD should impact up to 10,000 jobs over
the five- year period (to be compared with c. 75,500 at end-2023)
and expected savings should reach c. €500 million on an annual
basis in 2028, thus strengthening profitability of the Group’s
operations in Europe.
Late September 2024, to face a further
deterioration in the European market, it has been decided that
EU-FORWARD will be accelerated, with targeted headcount reduction
announced by the end of 2027 representing over 90% of the total
five-year headcount reduction planned.
In 2024, close to 2,900 headcount
reduction was announced, representing P&L savings of c. €140m
on an annualized basis. Operations were announced throughout the
year on a case-by-case basis, and they are implemented locally in
the most socially responsible way. The P&L impact in 2024
amounted to c. €15 million.
By the end of 2025, c. 5,700 cumulated
headcount reduction should have been announced, representing
P&L cumulated savings of c. €300m on an annualized basis.
It is confirmed that headcount reduction
announced by the end of 2027 should already reach over 90% of the
total five-year headcount reduction planned.
-
WEST-TO-EAST strategy to accelerate growth with Chinese OEMs and
in the rest of Asia.
Capitalizing on its strong presence in China,
representing 21% of FORVIA’s total sales in 2024 with an accretive
double-digit operating margin, FORVIA is continuously developing
its activity with Chinese OEMs in China and outside China.
In 2024, FORVIA continued to strengthen its
business with Chinese OEMs:
-
FORVIA and BYD (FORVIA’s current largest customer in China
with sales exceeding €1.1 billion in 2024) have agreed to further
develop their partnership in Europe; after having awarded
FORVIA/BYD Joint Venture for the launch of its first European
location in Hungary, the car manufacturer has chosen FORVIA/BYD JV
as supplier for its next-to-open plant in Turkey,
-
FORVIA and CHERY (FORVIA’s fastest growing customer in China
in 2024, with sales more than doubling vs. 2023) extended strategic
cooperation in the field of smart and sustainable cockpit through
the creation of a “Cockpit of the Future” Joint Venture Company in
Wuhu, targeted to design, develop, manufacture, and supply the full
cabin scope related systems and modules including seats, interiors
and cockpit electronics with low CO2 emission materials
and processes. It also includes an R&D center dedicated to
industrial design and cockpit integration capabilities, enabling
both FORVIA and CHERY to offer disruptive, sustainable and
competitive consumer experience.
In 2024, out of the €5.6 billion of sales posted
in China, 48% were recorded with Chinese OEMs. After having
underperformed the local automotive production in 2024 due to
strong comparable, unfavorable customer mix evolution and delayed
SOPs, FORVIA should resume outperforming the automotive
production in China in 2025.
In Asia excluding China, which represented 6%
of FORVIA’s total sales in 2024, the Group set up a dedicated
organization to foster development in Japan, India, Korea and Asean
(‘JIKA’)
In these markets, FORVIA recorded continued
outperformance above 10 percentage points, driven by successes with
Japanese OEMs and robust growth in India.
-
Deleveraging priority: disposals achieved for c. €250 million,
contributing to one quarter of the second disposal program
announced in October 2023.
In 2024, FORVIA closed:
-
the disposal by FORVIA HELLA of its stake in BHTC to AUO
Corporation,
-
the sale of Hug Engineering, its Clean Mobility business
specialized in depollution systems for high horsepower engines, to
Ogepar.
These two transactions together represent c.
€250 million, i.e. one quarter of the second disposal program of €1
billion that was announced by FORVIA in October 2023.
FORVIA continues to be active on its disposal
program designed to accelerate the Group’s deleveraging, on top of
organic deleveraging gaining momentum through increase in recurring
cash generation. Based on a comprehensive review of its portfolio,
the Group evaluates various disposal opportunities, including large
size assets.
The group is committed to restore a solid
balance sheet with the objective to reduce Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA
ratio below 1.5x in 2026, supported by disposals.
-
Extended Group average maturity through active debt
management.
In 2024, the Group has successfully issued
cumulated amount of €2.3 billion of new debt instruments
essentially maturing in 2029 and 2031, at an average interest rate
of 5.35% (average interest rate on Group debt is 4.6%).
The proceeds were used to buy back 2025 and 2026
maturities, as well as refinance a 2024 bond, thus extending the
Group average debt maturity.
As regards the €2.3 billion of new debt
instruments, they consisted of:
-
€1.2 billion from a dual tranche senior bond consisting of:
-
€500 million 5.125% senior notes due 2029,
- €700
million 5.50% senior notes due 2031.
Taking into consideration the interest rate
pre-hedging arrangement executed in December 2023 and January 2024,
the economic yield of the new notes amounts to 4.96% for the notes
due 2029 and 5.37% for the notes due 2031.
-
Above €0.9 billion from Schuldschein private placements:
- €0.2
billion placed by FORVIA HELLA with terms of 3, 5 and 7 years,
- More
than €0.7 billion placed by FORVIA with terms of 2, 4, 5 and 7
years.
- A bank
loan of €155 million maturing in 2027.
In parallel, the Group has repaid €2.3
billion of 2024 to 2026 maturities, through:
-
Tender offers on two bonds for a combined amount of €1.05 billion,
including a tranche of €580 million out of the 2.625% senior notes
due 2025 and a tranche of €470 million out of the 7.250%
sustainability-linked notes due 2026,
- Call
of €420 million on the residual 2.625% senior notes due 2025,
-
Repayments of €800 million, including €300 million FORVIA HELLA
bond maturing in May 2024 and €500 million of Schuldschein and
other bank loans.
This entirely cleared 2024 maturities and almost
all 2025 maturities.
These transactions allowed FORVIA to extend
its average debt maturity, of 3.2 years at end-2024.
The Group has now no significant debt
repayment before June 2026.
-
Further progress on Sustainability.
In 2024, FORVIA continued to make progress on
its climate commitments, reinforcing its role in the transition to
a low-carbon future. Back in 2022, the Group set a Net Zero
trajectory for 2045, validated by SBTi. FORVIA is already ahead of
its commitment on scopes 1 & 2, achieving a 67% reduction in
emissions in 2024 versus 2019. This progress has been driven by a
30% reduction in energy intensity since 2019 and an increased share
of renewable energy, now representing 57% of total consumption.
On scope 3, continuous progress remains a
priority, with a 15% reduction in 2024 driven by deeper supply
chain collaboration, greater use of sustainable materials, and the
acceleration of the "designed for scope 3" strategy: developing
products with lower emissions than industry standards. All the
progress made on scopes 1, 2, and 3 leads to a 16% reduction in
CO2 footprint in 2024 compared to 2019.
In March, the Sustainability & Supplier Days
reinforced engagement with key stakeholders, where FORVIA shared
both its achievements and a detailed roadmap for its scope 3
initiatives towards 2030. The launch of the Blue Effect program
later in 2024 has also helped strengthen internal awareness and
teams’ engagement.
FORVIA’s ESG progress gained further
recognition, with improved ratings, including a 3-point increase
from Moody’s at 65, a 2-point evolution from Sustainalytics,
positioning the Group at a Negligible ESG risk level, an A rating
maintained on climate by CDP, and an upgrade from B to A- on water
compared to 2023.
Celebrating five years of impact, the FORVIA
Foundation remains a catalyst for employee-driven initiatives
supporting local communities.
2024 KEY FIGURES
-
Worldwide automotive market was down 1.1% in 2024.
The worldwide automotive production stood at
89.5 million LVs in 2024, down 1.1% vs. 2023: it was broadly stable
in H1 (-0.1%) and down 2.0% in H2.
2024 |
% of Group Sales |
LVs
(in m) |
Change vs. 2023 |
% of WW auto production |
|
|
|
|
Europe ex. Russia |
46% |
15.7 |
-6.2% |
18% |
|
|
North America |
24% |
15.4 |
-1.5% |
17% |
|
|
South America |
3% |
3.0 |
+1.7% |
3% |
|
|
China |
21% |
29.8 |
+3.7% |
33% |
|
|
Rest of Asia |
6% |
21.8 |
-4.5% |
24% |
|
|
Worldwide production |
|
89.5 |
-1.1% |
100% |
|
|
Source :
S&P Mobility February 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is worth mentioning that, between 2023 and
2024, the share of Europe excluding Russia out of worldwide
automotive production lost one percentage point, while the share of
China gained 1.5 percentage point.
The geographic mix of FORVIA’s sales vs. the
geographic mix of worldwide automotive production represented an
unfavorable effect estimated at c. 200bps in 2024.
In 2024, the pace of electrification slowed down
in Europe and North America, with EV production respectively down
7% (Europe excl. Russia) and up only 3% year-on-year, while in
China EV production continued to grow in the double-digits (+16%
year-on-year).
- 2024
Group consolidated sales and operating income
GROUP (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
Scope effect |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
|
|
change |
Worldwide auto. Production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
27,248 |
-302 |
111 |
-82 |
26,974 |
-1.0% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-1.1% |
+0.4% |
-0.3% |
|
|
|
outperformance (bps) |
|
|
+150bps |
|
|
|
Operating income |
1,439 |
|
|
|
1,400 |
-2.7% |
|
% of sales |
5.3% |
|
|
|
5.2% |
-10bps |
* S&P forecast dated February 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 consolidated sales of €26,974 million,
down 1.0% on a reported basis and up 0.4% on an organic basis,
representing an outperformance of 350bps excluding the unfavorable
geographic mix effect of c. 200bps.
-
Organic growth amounted to €111 million or +0.4% of last year’s
sales, representing an outperformance of +150bps compared to
worldwide automotive production that was down 1.1% during the
period.
Organic growth was significantly impacted by an
unfavorable customer mix, primarily as activity of Stellantis
(FORVIA’s second largest customer) was lower in 2024, impacting
sales in Europe and North America. Between 2023 and 2024, FORVIA’s
sales to Stellantis dropped by 20% on an organic basis and the
share of Stellantis within Group sales fell from 12% to 10%.
Organic growth included a significant increase
of tooling sales, mostly related to the Interiors Business
Group.
-
Negative scope effect of €(82) million or -0.3% of last year’s
sales included:
-
A negative impact of €(353) million related to the disposal
of CVI activities in North America and Europe that was closed on
October 2, 2023,
-
A positive impact of €271 million related to the consolidation as
of January 1st, 2024, of HBBL, a joint venture in
Lighting held by FORVIA HELLA in China (previously consolidated by
the equity method).
-
Negative currency effect of €(302) million or -1.1% of last year’s
sales, mainly due to the depreciation of the Chinese yuan,
Brazilian real and Turkish lira vs. the euro, mitigated by the
positive impact of the Argentinean peso in Q4 2024.
SEATING, INTERIORS AND ELECTRONICS
(REPRESENTING COMBINED 67% OF GROUP SALES) CONTRIBUTED TO THE
GROUP’S SALES OUTPERFORMANCE.
2024 consolidated operating income of €1,400
million represented 5.2% of sales.
In 2024, the Group posted a resilient operating
margin of 5.2% of sales, down 10bps vs. the 5.3% recorded in
2023.
The 2024 operating margin included a €47 million
negative impact from Interiors North American operations that was
already flagged in our H1 2024 performance. As announced in July
2024, Interiors North American operations were back to profit in H2
2024, even if not yet fully recovering to 2023 levels.
The net €39 million year-on-year decrease in
operating income, from €1,439 million in 2023 to €1,400 million in
2024, mainly reflected:
-
-
An organic negative combined effect of €(24) million,
-
A positive scope effect of €13 million,
-
A negative currency effect of €(28 million).
BY BUSINESS GROUP: SEATING, CLEAN MOBILITY
AND ELECTRONICS IMPROVED OPERATING MARGIN YEAR-ON-YEAR.
BY GEOGRAPHY: OPERATING MARGIN WAS STABLE IN
EMEA AND IMPROVED IN AMERICAS BY 40bps. ASIA, DESPITE LOWER
OPERATING MARGIN VS. 2023, CONFIRMED DOUBLE-DIGIT OPERATING MARGIN
IN 2024.
DETAILED 2024 SALES
& PROFITABILITY BY BUSINESS GROUP AND REGION
IS IN APPENDIX (PAGES 17 TO 24)
2024 CONSOLIDATED
INCOME STATEMENT
in €m |
2023 |
2024 |
Change |
Sales |
27,248 |
26,974 |
-1.0% |
Organic growth |
|
|
+0.4% |
Operating income
(before amort. of acquired intangible assets) |
1,439 |
1,400 |
-2.7% |
Amort. of int. assets acquired in
business combinations |
-193 |
-190 |
|
Operating income
(after amort. of acquired intangible assets) |
1,246 |
1,210 |
-2.9% |
Restructuring |
-171 |
-362 |
|
Other non-recurring operating income and
expense |
-11 |
-74 |
|
Finance costs and income from loans,
cash inv. and marketable sec. |
-496 |
-495 |
|
Other financial income and expense |
37 |
-50 |
|
Income before tax of fully consolidated companies |
606 |
229 |
|
Income taxes |
-232 |
-235 |
|
Net
income of fully consolidated companies |
373 |
-7 |
|
Share
of net income of associates |
-2 |
-18 |
|
Net income from continued
operations |
371 |
-24 |
|
Net income from discontinued
operations |
-5 |
0 |
|
Consolidated net income before minority interest |
366 |
-24 |
|
Minority interest |
-143 |
-161 |
|
Consolidated net income, Group share |
222 |
-185 |
|
As detailed by Business Groups and regions in
the Appendix of the document as from page 17, operating income
(before amortization of acquired intangible assets) dropped by
2.7% from €1,439 million in 2023 to €1,400 million in 2024, a drop
of 10bps as a percentage of sales, from 5.3% in 2023 to 5.2% in
2024.
-
Amortization of intangibles assets acquired in business
combinations: net charge of €190 million, similar with the net
charge of €193 million in 2023.
-
Restructuring expenses: net charge of €362 million vs. a net
charge of €171 million in 2023; the strong increase in 2024
reflected the start of the five-year EU-FORWARD project aimed at
reinforcing the competitiveness and agility of the Group’s
operations in Europe. Restructuring expenses in Europe in 2024
amounted to €281 million vs. €92 million in 2023 (mainly Interiors,
Clean Mobility and Lighting), while they remained broadly stable in
the rest of the world.
-
Other non-recurring operating income and expense: net charge
of €74 million vs. a net charge of €11 million in 2023; in 2024,
the non-recurring net expense included costs related to different
litigations, among which the litigation already mentioned in July
related to the supplier issue in Mexico within Interiors North
American operations for €34 million, and costs related to M&A
projects underway.
-
Net financial result: net charge of €495 million vs. a net
charge of €496million in 2023. Out of these amounts, the total cost
of financings represented €625 million in 2024 vs. €586 million in
2023, i.e. a €39 million increase in finance costs that was almost
offset by higher income from loans, cash investment and marketable
securities (that rose from €91 million in 2023 to €129 million in
2024). Other financial income and expense amounted in 2024 to a net
charge of c. €50 million vs. a net profit of €37 million in 2023,
of which €158 million were related to capital gains (mainly owing
to the disposal by FORVIA HELLA of its stake in HBPO) vs. €91
million in 2024 (mainly owing to the disposal by FORVIA HELLA of
its stake in BHTC).
Income before tax of fully consolidated
companies was a profit of €229 million vs. a profit of €606 million
in 2023.
-
Income taxes: net charge of €235 million vs. a net charge of
€232 million in 2023. Broadly stable income tax mostly reflected
the non-repetition of favorable items that positively impacted 2023
and the increase of risks provisions in 2024.
Income after tax of fully consolidated
companies was a loss of €7 million vs. a profit of €373 million in
2023.
After:
-
Deduction of the share of net income of associates (loss of €18
million in 2024 vs. loss of €2 million in 2023),
-
And deduction of minority interest (€161million in 2024 vs. €143
million in 2023),
the consolidated net income, Group share was
a loss of €185 million in 2024 vs. a profit of €222 million in
2023.
2024 CONSOLIDATED
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
in €m |
2023 |
2024 |
Change |
Operating
income |
1,439 |
1,400 |
-2.7% |
Depreciation and amortization, of
which: |
1,889 |
1,955 |
|
- Amortization of R&D intangible
assets |
712 |
742 |
|
- Other depreciation and
amortization |
1,177 |
1,213 |
|
Adj. EBITDA |
3,328 |
3,355 |
+0.8% |
% of sales |
12.2% |
12.4% |
+20bps |
Capex |
-1,137 |
-973 |
|
Capitalized
R&D |
-1,046 |
-1,039 |
|
Change in WCR
(excl. factoring) |
659 |
611 |
|
of which inventories |
-135 |
443 |
|
Change in
factoring |
111 |
-33 |
|
Restructuring |
-170 |
-208 |
|
Financial
expenses |
-529 |
-564 |
|
Taxes |
-515 |
-337 |
|
Other
(operational) |
-51 |
-157 |
|
Net cash flow |
649 |
655 |
+1.0% |
% of sales |
2.4% |
2.4% |
Stable |
Dividends paid
incl. mino. |
-133 |
-188 |
|
Share purchase
& operations on capital |
0 |
-8 |
|
Net financial
investment & Other |
459 |
128 |
|
of which disposals |
719 |
227 |
|
Discontinued
operations |
108 |
0 |
|
IFRS16 impact |
-131 |
-222 |
|
Net debt reduction |
952 |
365 |
|
Net debt at the
beginning of the period |
-7,939 |
-6,987 |
|
Net debt as
published at the end of the period |
-6,987 |
-6,623 |
|
Net-debt-to-Adj. EBITDA ratio |
2.1x |
2.0x |
|
Net cash flow of €655 million in 2024 was mainly driven by
capex reduction and strict inventories management.
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 0.8% to €3,355 million, up 20bps
as percentage of sales to 12.4% of sales (vs. €3,328 million
and 12.2% of sales in 2023).
-
Capex was significantly reduced by €164 million, from €1,137
million or 4.2% of sales in 2023 to €973 million or 3.6% of sales
in 2024.
-
Capitalized R&D were broadly flat at €1,039 million (vs.
€1,046 million in 2023).
-
Change in working capital (excl. factoring) was an inflow
of €611 million (vs. an inflow of €659 million in 2023),
mostly driven by a reduction in inventories of €443 million;
out of this amount, more than 60% was related to destocking of
tooling that was reflected in sales growth.
-
Change in receivables factoring was a limited outflow of €33
million (vs. an inflow of €111 million in 2023 that reflected
the redistribution of SAS outstanding factoring to the rest of the
Group); total receivables factoring was broadly stable year-on-year
at €1.3 billion at December 31, 2024.
-
Restructuring cash-out amounted to €208 million (vs. €170
million in 2023), partially reflecting the increase in P&L
restructuring expenses.
-
Financial expenses cash-out amounted to €564 million (vs.
€529 million in 2023), an increase primarily reflecting costs
related to refinancing the 2025 and 2026 bonds.
-
Cash-out from taxes amounted to €337 million (vs. €515
million in 2023); 2024 accounts notably included the reversal in H1
2024 of the withholding tax of €68 million paid in H1 2023, related
to the extraordinary dividend received from FORVIA HELLA with
respect to the sale of its stake in HBPO. Restated for this
withholding tax, cash-out from taxes was down year-on-year.
-
Other (operational) for a net cash-out of €157 million in
2024 (vs. a net cash-out of €51 million in 2023) included
combined cash-out from various one-offs for €202 million (vs. €126
million in 2023).
Net cash flow increased by 1% to €655
million (vs. €649 million in 2023) and stood at 2.4% of
sales (stable vs. 2023).
-
Dividends paid to minorities amounted to €90 million (vs. €133
million in 2023 that included the extraordinary dividend paid to
FORVIA HELLA’s minority shareholders).
-
Dividends also included the dividend paid by FORVIA SE to its
shareholders for €98 million (€0.50 per share paid in June 2024 vs.
no dividend paid in 2023).
-
Net financial investment and other was a net inflow of €128 million
(vs. an inflow of €459 million in 2023); they included €227 million
from the two disposals related to the second €1 billion disposal
program (disposal by FORVIA HELLA of its stake in BHTC and sale of
Hug Engineering).
-
IFRS16 impact amounted to €222 million (vs. €131 million in 2023,
whose low level reflected the impact of the disposal of SAS).
As a result, net financial debt as of
December 31, 2024 stood at €6.6 billion, down €0.4 billion year-on
year and Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio stood below 2.0x, at 1.97x,
vs. 2.1x at December 31, 2023.
AVAILABLE CASH OF €4.5 BILLION AT DECEMBER
31, 2024
As of December 31, 2024, the Group available cash amounted to
€4.5 billion.
The Group has two fully undrawn facilities for c. €2 billion:
€1.5 billion from a FORVIA Senior Credit Facility and €450 million
from a FORVIA HELLA Senior Credit Facility.
2025 DIVIDEND
At its last meeting held on February 27, 2025,
the Board of Directors decided to propose no dividend to be paid in
2025, in order to accelerate the Group’s top priority of
deleveraging.
FY 2025 GUIDANCE: FOCUS ON
PROFITABILITY, CASH GENERATION AND DELEVERAGING
As regards market assumptions for 2025,
FORVIA takes into consideration S&P’s latest forecast date
February 2025:
2025
market assumptions |
% of Group Sales |
H1 |
H2 |
FY |
% of ww auto production |
LVs
(in m) |
yoy change |
LVs
(in m) |
yoy change |
LVs
(in m) |
yoy change |
Europe ex. Russia |
46% |
7.7 |
-8.7% |
7.2 |
-0.4% |
14.9 |
-4.9% |
17% |
North America |
24% |
7.7 |
-4.9% |
7.4 |
+0.9% |
15.1 |
-2.1% |
17% |
South America |
3% |
1.5 |
+10.5% |
1.7 |
+3.5% |
3.2 |
+6.6% |
4% |
China |
21% |
14.1 |
+7.8% |
16.2 |
-2.8% |
30.4 |
+1.9% |
34% |
Rest of Asia |
6% |
10.8 |
+0.3% |
11.2 |
+1.8% |
22.1 |
+1.1% |
25% |
Worldwide production |
|
43.7 |
+0.1% |
45.8 |
-0,2% |
89.5 |
0,0% |
100% |
Source : S&P Mobility February 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Worldwide, S&P latest forecast estimates
that automotive production should be stable year-on-year at 89.5
million light vehicles.
At FORVIA’s mix of sales, this should
correspond to an organic growth of -2.0% in FY 2025 vs. FY 2024,
with a significant imbalance between H1 and H2 (-4.0% in H1 and
broadly stable in H2).
With this production assumption, and assuming
also:
-
No major disruption materially impacting production or retail sales
in any major automotive region during the year,
-
Constant average exchange rates year-on-year,
FORVIA expects sales between €26.3 billion
and €27.5 billion in 2025.
As regards operating margin, FORVIA aims at
reaching an operating margin between 5.2% and 6.0% of sales in
2025, supported by initiatives for operational excellence and
fixed costs reduction.
In addition, FORVIA aims at generating net
cash flow ≥ 2024 level (€655m), through margin expansion and
continued actions to reduce capex and inventories.
As regards financial leverage, FORVIA aims at
organically reducing its Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio ≤ 1.8x at
December 31, 2025, before disposals.
BEYOND THIS ORGANIC DELEVERAGING TARGET, THE
GROUP IS COMMITTED TO RESTORE A SOLID BALANCE SHEET WITH THE
OBJECTIVE TO REDUCE NET DEBT/ADJUSTED EBITDA RATIO BELOW 1.5x IN
2026, SUPPORTED BY DISPOSALS.
As regards US
tariffs, measures already enforced as of today are included in this
guidance. Due to current uncertainty related to additional measures
(in terms of scope, implementation, duration, as well as potential
impact on industry volume), no impact is included in this guidance.
The Group remains alert to developments and ready to implement
appropriate action plans.
FINANCIAL
CALENDAR
-
April 17,
2025
Q1 2025 Sales (before market hours)
-
May 28,
2025
Annual Shareholders’ Meeting (Nanterre)
-
July 28,
2025
H1 2025 Results (before market hours)
-
October 20, 2025 Q3 2025
Sales (before market hours)
A webcasted conference call will be held today
at 10:30am (CET).
If you wish to follow the presentation using the
webcast, please access the following link:
https://www.sideup.fr/webcast-forvia-2024-fy-results/signin/en
A replay will be available as soon as possible.
You may also follow the presentation via conference call:
-
France
+33 (0)1 70 91 87 06
- United
Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 107 06 13
- United
States
+1 (1) 631 570 56 13
PRESS |
ANALYSTS/INVESTORS |
Christophe MALBRANQUE
Group Influence Director
+33 (0) 6 21 96 23 53
christophe.malbranque@forvia.com |
Sébastien LEROY
Investor Relations
+33 (0) 6 26 89 33 69
sebastien.leroy@forvia.com |
Bénédicte CONSTANS
Group Head of Media Relations
+33 (0) 6 18 37 88 44
benedicte.constans@forvia.com |
|
About FORVIA, which mission is: “We pioneer technology for
mobility experiences that matter to people”.
FORVIA, global automotive technology supplier,
comprises the complementary technology and industrial strengths of
Faurecia and HELLA. With over 290 industrial sites and 78 R&D
centers, 150,000 people, including more than 15,000 R&D
engineers across 40+ countries, FORVIA provides a unique and
comprehensive approach to the automotive challenges of today and
tomorrow. Composed of 6 business groups and a strong IP portfolio
of c. 13,000 patents, FORVIA is focused on becoming the preferred
innovation and integration partner for OEMS worldwide. In 2024, the
Group achieved a consolidated revenue of 27 billion euros. FORVIA
SE is listed on the Euronext Paris market under the FRVIA mnemonic
code and is a component of the CAC SBT 1.5° index. FORVIA aims to
be a change maker committed to foreseeing and making the mobility
transformation happen. www.forvia.com
APPENDIX – 2024
SALES & PROFITABILITY BY BUSINESS GROUP AND REGION
2024 SALES &
PROFITABILITY BY BUSINESS GROUP
-
SEATING (32% of Group consolidated sales in the period):
solid outperformance and continued improvement in
profitability.
SEATING (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
|
change |
Worldwide auto. production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
8,551 |
-73 |
157 |
8,634 |
+1.0% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-0.9% |
+1.8% |
|
|
|
outperformance (bps) |
|
|
+290bps |
|
|
Operating income |
315 |
|
|
434 |
+38.0% |
|
|
3.7% |
|
|
5.0% |
+130bps |
Sales
-
Organic growth of 1.8%, i.e. an outperformance of +290bps
-
Organic growth above 3% in Europe and North America, markets that
were declining year-on-year by respectively 4.3% and 1.5%.
-
Outperformance in Europe was supported by German OEMs and Renault,
while in North America it was driven Ford and GM.
- In
China, sales organically dropped by 2.1%, due to the high 2023
comparable sales to BYD, not fully offset by the acceleration of
sales to Chery or Mercedes.
Operating income
-
Operating margin of 5.0%, up 130bps vs. 2023
-
Strong improvement of operating margin of 100bps, even restated for
the €30 million extra-costs related the Michigan JIT program that
penalized 2023.
-
Improvement was steady, half after half, since H1 2023, driven by
improved execution, inflation recovery and repricing
opportunities.
-
INTERIORS (19% of Group consolidated sales in the period):
strong sales growth driven high number SOPs and tooling;
operating margin significantly penalized by North American
operations in H1 that started recovering in H2.
INTERIORS (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
|
change |
Worldwide auto. production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
4,923 |
-61 |
247 |
5,108 |
+3.8% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-1.2% |
+5,0% |
|
|
|
outperformance (bps) |
|
|
+610bps |
|
|
Operating income |
201 |
|
|
109 |
-45.5% |
|
|
4.1% |
|
|
2.1% |
-200bps |
Sales
-
Organic growth of 5.0%, i.e. a strong outperformance of
+610bps
-
Organic growth was largely driven by North America (+14.8%
year-on-year), due to a high level of SOPs (starts of production)
and tooling sales.
-
Interiors North America started 30 new projects in 2024 (of which
18 in H1 and 12 in H2), an historically high number compared to
less than 10 on a traditional annual pace.
-
In Europe, despite impact from Stellantis, sales grew organically
by 2%, while in China sales dropped by less than 2%, mainly
attributable to sales decline with Volvo.
- In
China, Interiors recorded start of commercial activity with
BYD.
Operating income
-
Operating margin of 2.1%, vs. 4.1% in 2023, a deterioration that
was attributable to Interiors North American operations in H1.
-
In H1 2024, Interiors North America was hit by a supplier-driven
issue in Mexico that resulted into major disruptions until
mid-April. This situation also impacted launch preparation at a
time of record SOPs; the combination of these circumstances
resulted into significant extra-costs of €47 million in H1 2024,
including extraordinary freight costs.
-
In H2 2024, as expected, plant readiness has been significantly
improved, and Interiors North American operations started to
recover and were back to profit.
-
In other regions, profitability was broadly stable
year-on-year.
-
Operating margin recovered by 140bps between H1 and H2 (from
1.4% in H1 2024 to 2.8% in H2 2024).
-
CLEAN MOBILITY (15% of Group consolidated sales in the
period): improved profitability, despite lower sales.
CLEAN MOBILITY (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
Scope |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
effect |
|
change |
Worldwide auto. production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
4,832 |
-69 |
-257 |
-353 |
4,153 |
-14.0% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-1.4% |
-5.3% |
-7.3% |
|
|
|
outperformance (bps) |
|
|
-420bps |
|
|
|
Operating income |
384 |
|
|
|
346 |
-9.5% |
|
|
7.9% |
|
|
|
8.3% |
+40bps |
Sales
-
Organic decline of 5.3%, i.e. an underperformance of -420bps
-
Organic decline in all major regions resulted from continued
electrification process underway.
-
In Europe and North America, this was increased by an unfavorable
customer mix effect: sales to Stellantis, which represented 17% of
the Business Group sales in 2023, dropped organically by 26% at the
Business Group level: they dropped by 20% in Europe and 32% in
North America).
Operating income
-
Operating margin of 8.3%, up 40bps vs. 2023
-
This improvement in profitability, despite lower sales, confirmed
efficient operating leverage and reduced R&D expenses.
-
Profitability of the Ultra-Low Emissions operations (Clean Mobility
Business Group excluding hydrogen operations, whose development
continues to weigh on the overall operating margin) stood at 9.7%
in 2024.
-
ELECTRONICS (16% of Group consolidated sales in the period):
significant sales outperformance and improved
profitability.
ELECTRONICS (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
|
change |
Worldwide auto. production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
4,139 |
-57 |
107 |
4,189 |
+1.2% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-1.4% |
+2.6% |
|
|
|
outperformance (bps) |
|
|
+370bps |
|
|
Operating income |
219 |
|
|
230 |
+4.7% |
|
|
5.3% |
|
|
5.5% |
+20bps |
Sales
-
Organic growth of 2.6%, i.e. an outperformance of +370bps
-
All three main regions recorded organic growth in 2024.
-
In Europe and North America, sales grew organically in the low
single-digits, driven by sales to VW in Europe and sales to GM in
North America.
- In
Asia, sales growth was driven by development of Clarion
Electronics, especially to Japanese OEMs.
Operating income
-
Operating margin of 5.5%, up 20bps vs. 2023
-
Improvement in operating margin was driven by continued recovery
from Clarion Electronics, while operating margin for the rest of
Electronics was resilient.
-
LIGHTING (14% of Group consolidated sales in the period):
performance was impacted by sales drop in H2.
LIGHTING (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
Scope |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
effect |
|
change |
Worldwide auto. production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
3,746 |
-36 |
-103 |
271 |
3,879 |
+3.5% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-0.9% |
-2.7% |
+7.2% |
|
|
|
outperformance (bps) |
|
|
-160bps |
|
|
|
Operating income |
193 |
|
|
|
187 |
-2.8% |
|
|
5.1% |
|
|
|
4.8% |
-30bps |
Sales
-
Organic decline of 2.7%, i.e. an underperformance of -160bps
-
Reported sales were up 3.5%, including a positive scope effect of
€271 million related to the consolidation as of January 1st, 2024,
of HBBL, a joint venture in Lighting held by FORVIA HELLA in China
(previously consolidated by the equity method).
-
Organic sales dropped by 2.7%, impacted by a low level of sales in
Q4.
-
In Europe, despite this December effect, sales grew organically by
close to 5%, driven by sales to VW and Nissan.
-
In North America, sales were down on an organic basis, as ramp-up
of new programs did not offset lower volumes with a customer.
- In
China, sales were also down on an organic basis, impacted by
unfavorable customer mix.
Operating income
-
Operating margin of 4.8%, down 30bps vs. 2023
- This
drop reflected higher R&D and distribution costs as percentage
of sales.
- LIFECYCLE
SOLUTIONS (4% of Group consolidated sales in the period):
operating margin remains in the double-digits despite lower
activity on commercial vehicles.
LIFECYCLE SOLUTIONS (in €m) |
2023 |
Currency |
Organic |
2024 |
Reported |
|
|
|
effect |
growth |
|
change |
Worldwide auto. production
(m units) |
90,485 |
|
|
89,489 |
-1.1% |
Sales |
|
1,058 |
-7 |
-40 |
1,011 |
-4.5% |
|
% of last year's sales |
|
-0.7% |
-3.8% |
|
|
Operating income |
128 |
|
|
94 |
-26.8% |
|
|
12.1% |
|
|
9.3% |
-280bps |
Sales
-
Organic decline of 3.8%
-
In Europe (c. 80% of the Business Group), sales were down 4% on an
organic basis, but nevertheless slightly outperformed the market,
as spare parts business continued to be sustained.
-
Lower sales with commercial vehicles such as Agriculture, Trailer
and Construction impacted the business in Europe and Americas.
- In
Asia, sales were up 2.3% on an organic basis.
Operating income
-
Operating margin of 9.3%, down 280bps vs. 2023
-
Negative impact from lower sales volumes.
-
Additional costs related to the acquisition of HELLA Pagid.
-
Increased R&D expenses ahead of new programs.
2024 SALES &
PROFITABILITY BY REGION
|
EMEA |
Americas |
Asia |
TOTAL |
% of 2024 consolidated sales |
47% |
26% |
27% |
100% |
Regional auto. prod. YoY |
-4.1% |
-1.0% |
+0.1% |
-1.1% |
2023 sales (€m) |
12,651 |
7,207 |
7,390 |
27,248 |
Currency effect |
-0.5% |
-1.1% |
-2.2% |
-1.1% |
YoY organic |
+1.3% |
+3.2% |
-3.9% |
+0.4% |
Outperformance (bps) |
+540bps |
+420bps |
-400bps |
+150bps |
Scope effect |
-1.2% |
-2.8% |
+3.7% |
-0.3% |
2024 sales (€m) |
12,607 |
7,152 |
7,216 |
26,974 |
YoY reported |
-0.3% |
-0.8% |
-2.4% |
-1.0% |
2023 operating income (€m) |
316 |
308 |
815 |
1,439 |
% of sales |
2.5% |
4.3% |
11.0% |
5.3% |
2024 operating income (€m) |
313 |
333 |
754 |
1 400 |
% of sales |
2.5% |
4.7% |
10.4% |
5.2% |
YoY change |
Stable |
+40bps |
-60bps |
-10bps |
Sales
-
EMEA (of which Europe represented 97%) posted an organic
growth of 1.3%, i.e. an outperformance of +540bps, driven by
Seating, Interiors, Electronics and Lighting.
-
Americas (of which North America represented 89%) posted
a compound organic growth of 3.2%:
-
Sales in North America were up 1.1% on an organic basis, i.e. an
outperformance of +260bps, mainly driven by Interiors (record high
number of SOPs) but also Seating and Electronics.
-
Sales in South America were up 21.8%, boosted by hyperinflation
effect.
- Asia (of
which China represented 78%) posted a compound organic drop of
3.9%:
-
Sales in China were down 6.4% on an organic basis, i.e. an
underperformance of 10.1 percentage points; they were mainly
impacted by sales drops with BYD, on a strong comparison basis, and
a major US EV carmaker, not compensated by growing sales to new
Chinese customers and German OEMs.
- Sales
in other Asian countries were up 5.9% on an organic basis, i.e. an
outperformance of 10.4 percentage points, mainly driven by Japanese
OEMs.
Operating income
-
Operating margin was resilient at 5.2% of sales (vs. 5.3% of
sales in 2023):
-
Operating margin in EMEA was stable at 2.5% of sales,
-
Operating margin in Americas improved by 40bps from 4.3% in 2023 to
4.7% in 2024, including the positive impact of the exit of the
loss-making Seating program in Highland Park, on the one hand, and
the negative impact of Interiors North American operations, on the
other hand,
-
Operating margin in Asia remained in the double digits, at 10.4% of
sales demonstrating robustness of operating margin in the region
despite year-on-year organic sales drop.
DISCLAIMER
This presentation contains certain
forward-looking statements concerning FORVIA. Such forward-looking
statements represent trends or objectives and cannot be construed
as constituting forecasts regarding the future FORVIA’s results or
any other performance indicator. In some cases, you can identify
these forward-looking statements by forward-looking words, such as
"estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend,"
"objective", "believe," "forecast," "foresee," "likely," "may,"
"should," "goal," "target," "might," "would,", “will”, "could,",
"predict," "continue," "convinced," and "confident," the negative
or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward
looking statements in this document include, but are not limited
to, financial projections and estimates and their underlying
assumptions including, without limitation, assumptions regarding
present and future business strategies (including the successful
integration of HELLA within the FORVIA Group), expectations and
statements regarding FORVIA's operation of its business, and the
future operation, direction and success of FORVIA's business.
Although FORVIA believes its expectations are based on reasonable
assumptions, investors are cautioned that these forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous various risks, whether known or
unknown, and uncertainties and other factors, all of which may be
beyond the control of FORVIA and could cause actual results to
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements. For a detailed description of these risks and
uncertainties and other factors, please refer to public filings
made with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (“AMF”), press
releases, presentations and, in particular, to those described in
the section 2."Risk factors & Risk management” of FORVIA's 2023
Universal Registration Document filed by FORVIA with the AMF on
February 27, 2024 under number D. 24-0070 (a version of which is
available on www.forvia.com). Subject to regulatory requirements,
FORVIA does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of these
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Any information relating to past
performance contained herein is not a guarantee of future
performance. Nothing herein should be construed as an investment
recommendation or as legal, tax, investment or accounting advice.
The historical figures related to HELLA included in this
presentation have been provided to FORVIA by HELLA within the
context of the acquisition process. These historical figures have
not been audited or subject to a limited review by the auditors of
FORVIA. FORVIA HELLA remains a listed company. For more information
on FORVIA HELLA, more information is available on www.hella.com.
This presentation does not constitute and should not be construed
as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy FORVIA
securities.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
USED IN THIS DOCUMENT
Sales growth
FORVIA’s year-on-year sales evolution is made of
three components:
-
-
A “Currency effect”, calculated by applying average currency rates
for the period to the sales of the prior year,
-
A “Scope effect” (acquisition/divestment),
-
And “Growth at constant currencies”.
As “Scope effect”, FORVIA presents all
acquisitions/divestments, whose sales on an annual basis amount to
more than €250 million.
Other acquisitions below this threshold are
considered as “bolt-on acquisitions” and are included in “Growth at
constant currencies”.
In 2021, there was no effect from “bolt-on
acquisitions”; as a result, “Growth at constant currencies” is
equivalent to sales growth at constant scope and currencies also
presented as organic growth.
Operating income
Operating income is the FORVIA group’s principal
performance indicator. It corresponds to net income of fully
consolidated companies before:
-
-
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business
combinations.
-
Other non-recurring operating income and expense, corresponding to
material, unusual and non-recurring items including reorganization
expenses and early retirement costs, the impact of exceptional
events such as the discontinuation of a business, the closure or
sale of an industrial site, disposals of non-operating buildings,
impairment losses recorded for property, plant and equipment or
intangible assets, as well as other material and unusual
losses.
-
Income on loans, cash investments and marketable securities;
Finance costs.
-
Other financial income and expense, which include the impact of
discounting the pension benefit obligation and the return on
related plan assets, the ineffective portion of interest rate and
currency hedges, changes in value of interest rate and currency
instruments for which the hedging relationship does not satisfy the
criteria set forth in relationship cannot be demonstrated under
IFRS 9, and gains and losses on sales of shares in
subsidiaries.
-
Taxes.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is Operating income as defined
above + depreciation and amortization of assets; to be fully
compliant with the ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority)
regulation, this term of “Adjusted EBITDA” will be used by the
Group as of January 1, 2022, instead of the term “EBITDA” that was
previously used (this means that “EBITDA” aggregates until 2021 are
comparable with ‘Adjusted EBITDA” aggregates as from 2022).
Net cash flow
Net cash flow is defined as follow: Net cash
from (used in) operating and investing activities less
(acquisitions)/disposal of equity interests and businesses (net of
cash and cash equivalents), other changes and proceeds from
disposal of financial assets. Repayment of IFRS 16 debt is not
included.
Net financial debt
Net financial debt is defined as follow: Gross
financial debt less cash and cash equivalents and derivatives
classified under non-current and current assets. It includes the
lease liabilities (IFRS 16 debt).
- 2025 02 28 FORVIA FY 2024 RESULTS PR
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