VC Visteon Corporation

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Full-Year 2011 Highlights

• Product sales of $8.05 billion, up $724 million from prior year
• Net income of $80 million; includes $66 million non-cash impairment charge
• All-time high adjusted EBITDA of $685 million
• New business wins exceed $1 billion – highest ever as a percentage of sales
• Year-end cash balances of $746 million; total debt of $599 million

Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights

• Product sales of $1.86 billion; includes deconsolidation, divestiture and plant closure reductions of $105 million
• Net loss of $26 million, reflects $66 million non-cash impairment charge
• Adjusted EBITDA of $154 million, up 12 percent from 2010 fourth quarter
• Cash generated by operating activities of $120 million – up $169 million year-over-year

Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC) today announced financial results for 2011, reporting full-year product sales of $8.05 billion, an increase of $724 million or 10 percent compared with 2010. Net income for the full year 2011 was $80 million, or $1.54 per diluted share. Visteon's net income of $80 million in 2011 included $66 million of non-cash impairment charges, while net income of $1.03 billion in 2010 included $933 million of net reorganization gains in connection with the company's emergence from Chapter 11 on Oct. 1, 2010.

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Adjusted EBITDA, as defined below, for full-year 2011 reached an all-time high of $685 million, an increase of $71 million compared with 2010. For full-year 2011, customers awarded Visteon more than $1 billion in new business, a record as a percentage of current year revenue.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Visteon reported a net loss of $26 million, or 51 cents per share, on sales of $1.86 billion. For the fourth quarter of 2010, Visteon's net income was $1.13 billion, on sales of $1.89 billion, and included reorganization gains of $1.06 billion. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $154 million, a 12 percent improvement over the same period a year earlier. Visteon generated $120 million in cash from operations in the fourth quarter, up $169 million from the fourth quarter of 2010.

"For the third consecutive year, we improved our sales and adjusted EBITDA, and our customers recognized our competitive strengths by awarding Visteon a record level of new business," said Donald J. Stebbins, chairman, chief executive officer and president. "With our competitive cost structure and global manufacturing and engineering footprint, we are focused on delivering value for our customers and our shareholders."  

Full-Year 2012 Outlook Reaffirmed

Visteon reaffirmed the full-year 2012 guidance it provided at a Jan. 11 analyst conference. Visteon projects 2012 product sales ranging from $7.1 billion to $7.5 billion, adjusted EBITDA in the range of $650 million to $690 million, and free cash flow of $25 million to $50 million.

Net New Business

Visteon reported new business wins of $1.06 billion for the full-year 2011 – an all-time high as a percentage of sales. Visteon has an expected backlog of approximately $1 billion of consolidated net new business for the period 2012 through 2014, with about 85 percent attributable to the climate business. Customers in Asia account for approximately 48 percent of this backlog, while Europe represents 28 percent, North America 16 percent and South America 8 percent.

Other Developments

On Nov. 30, 2011, Visteon and YFV signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with respect to a potential transaction to combine the majority of Visteon's global interiors business with YFV.

Visteon announced Jan. 10, 2012, that it contributed shares of company stock valued at approximately $70 million into its two largest U.S. pension plans. This followed a cash contribution of approximately $15.1 million to one of the plans on Dec. 27, 2011, after the return of funds previously held by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

Fourth quarter 2011 product sales were $1.86 billion, down $27 million year-over-year, primarily due to an $83 million decrease in sales relating to the deconsolidation of Duckyang Industry Co. Ltd. from the company's financial statements effective Oct. 31, 2011. Divestitures and closures had an additional $22 million impact on product sales. These impacts were partially offset by higher vehicle production volumes.

Approximately 31 percent and 26 percent of fourth quarter 2011 product sales were to Hyundai-Kia and Ford, respectively. Renault-Nissan and PSA Peugeot-Citroen collectively accounted for 13 percent of sales. On a regional basis, Asia Pacific and Europe accounted for 41 percent and 37 percent of total product sales, respectively, while North America accounted for 17 percent and South America 5 percent.

Gross margin of $149 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 represented a year-over-year decrease of $98 million. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2010 included $133 million of lower costs associated with the termination of certain U.S. other post retirement employee benefit (OPEB) plans. Gross margin improvements during the fourth quarter of 2011 associated with favorable cost performance and slightly higher vehicle production volumes were partially offset by unfavorable currency.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 totaled $98 million, up $9 million from the fourth quarter of 2010.

The company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $66 million during the fourth quarter of 2011. Other income of $24 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 included $18 million of recoveries from the estate of one of the company's former subsidiaries.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, Visteon recognized $38 million of equity in the net income of non-consolidated affiliates, primarily attributable to Visteon's 50 percent ownership interest in Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Trim Systems Ltd. (YFV) and related affiliate interests.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the company reported a net loss of $26 million. This compares to net income of $1.13 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, which included reorganization gains of $1.06 billion. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $154 million, an improvement of $16 million from the same quarter a year earlier.

Full-Year 2011 Results

Product sales for full year 2011 were $8.05 billion, up $724 million, or nearly 10 percent, from 2010, reflecting higher customer vehicle production volumes and favorable currency. The improved production environment was partially offset by $249 million related to divestitures and plant closures completed in 2010 and the first half of 2011, and the deconsolidation of Duckyang. Approximately 31 percent and 27 percent of 2011 product sales were to Hyundai-Kia and Ford, respectively. Renault-Nissan and PSA Peugeot-Citroen collectively accounted for 14 percent of sales. On a regional basis, Asia Pacific and Europe accounted for 42 percent and 36 percent of total product sales, respectively, while North America accounted for 16 percent and South America 6 percent.

Gross margin for 2011 was $643 million, decreasing $166 million from full year 2010. Gross margin for full year 2010 included $192 million of savings related to OPEB terminations.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2011 totaled $398 million compared with $381 million for 2010, an increase of $17 million. Year-over-year, intangibles amortization costs associated with the adoption of fresh-start accounting increased $10 million.

Full-year 2011 results include a $24 million loss on debt extinguishment associated with the refinancing of the company's $500 million term loan, which was completed in April. The company also recorded restructuring charges of $24 million in connection with the announced closure of an electronics plant in Spain. Negotiations with local unions, works council committee and appropriate public authorities regarding specific closure arrangements were completed in February 2012. The company anticipates recording about $47 million of additional costs in the first quarter of 2012 associated with these arrangements.  

Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates of $168 million for full year 2011 represented a $22 million increase over 2010. The increase in 2011 reflects significantly higher vehicle production in China and continued growth of YFV.

Visteon reported net income of $80 million for full year 2011 which included $66 million of non-cash impairment charges. In 2010, Visteon reported reorganization gains of $933 million, including $956 million related to the settlement of obligations previously recorded as liabilities subject to compromise and $106 million related to the adoption of fresh-start accounting, partially offset by reorganization costs of $129 million.

Adjusted EBITDA of $685 million for 2011 represented an increase of $71 million, or 12 percent, over full year 2010.

Cash and Debt Balances

As of Dec. 31, 2011, Visteon had global cash balances totaling $746 million, including restricted cash of $23 million, and total debt of $599 million.

For full year 2011, Visteon generated $175 million of cash from operations, including a use of about $50 million for Chapter 11-related items. Capital expenditures of $258 million in 2011 were $49 million higher than in 2010. For 2011, free cash flow, as defined below, was negative $83 million, compared with negative $35 million for 2010.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Visteon generated $120 million of cash from operations, compared with a use of $49 million in the same period a year earlier. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2011 were $73 million, down from $92 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Free cash flow was $47 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with a use of $141 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Fresh-Start Accounting

The company adopted fresh-start accounting in connection with the Oct. 1, 2010, emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Accordingly, for illustrative purposes, the company has combined certain predecessor periods with successor periods to derive combined results for the three and 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2010 (the "Combined Company"). However, because of various financial statement adjustments in connection with the adoption of fresh-start accounting, including adjustments necessary to give effect to the plan of reorganization and adjustments of assets and liabilities to fair value, the results of operations for the Successor Company are not comparable to those of the Combined Company.

Visteon is a leading global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, electronic, interior and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers, and also provides a range of products and services to aftermarket customers. With corporate offices in Van Buren Township, Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai, China; and Chelmsford, UK; the company has facilities in 27 countries and employs approximately 26,000 people. Learn more at www.visteon.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains information about Visteon's financial results which is not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Such non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to their closest GAAP financial measures at the end of this press release. The provision of these comparable GAAP financial measures for full-year 2012 is not intended to indicate that Visteon is explicitly or implicitly providing projections on those GAAP financial measures, and actual results for such measures are likely to vary from those presented. The reconciliations include all information reasonably available to the company at the date of this press release and the adjustments that management can reasonably predict.

Forward-looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:  (1) our ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; including our ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on terms acceptable to us; our ability to comply with financial and other covenants in our credit agreements; and the continuation of acceptable supplier payment terms; (2) our ability to satisfy pension and other post-employment benefit obligations; (3) our ability to access funds generated by foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures on a timely and cost-effective basis; (4) conditions within the automotive industry, including (i) the automotive vehicle production volumes and schedules of our customers, and in particular Ford's and Hyundai-Kia's vehicle production volumes, (ii) the financial condition of our customers or suppliers and the effects of any restructuring or reorganization plans that may be undertaken by our customers or suppliers or work stoppages at our customers or suppliers, and (iii) possible disruptions in the supply of commodities to us or our customers due to financial distress, work stoppages, natural disasters or civil unrest; (5) new business wins, re-wins and backlog do not represent firm orders or firm commitments from customers, but are based on various assumptions, including the timing and duration of product launches, vehicle productions levels, customer price reductions and currency exchange rates; (6) general economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and fuel prices; the timing and expenses related to internal restructurings, employee reductions, acquisitions or dispositions and the effect of pension and other post-employment benefit obligations; (7) increases in raw material and energy costs and our ability to offset or recover these costs, increases in our warranty, product liability and recall costs or the outcome of legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are or may become a party; and (8) those factors identified in our filings with the SEC (including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2011).

Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which represent our view only as of the date of this release, and which we assume no obligation to update.

SOURCE Visteon Corporation