ZHANGZHOU, China, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- China Zenix Auto International Limited (NYSE: ZX) ("Zenix Auto" or "the Company"), the largest commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer in China in both the aftermarket and OEM market by sales volume, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and the first nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Financial Highlights

Third Quarter of 2014

• Revenue of RMB694.9 million (US$113.2 million) compared with RMB930.1 million in the third quarter of 2013;
• Gross margin of 14.6%;
• Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period was RMB12.3 million (US$2.0 million) with loss per share of RMB0.06 (US$0.01) or per American Depositary Share ("ADS") of RMB0.24 (US$0.04).

First Nine Months of 2014

• Revenue of RMB2,550.7 million (US$415.6 million) compared with RMB2,819.6 million in the same period of 2013;
• Gross margin of 18.7%;
• Profit and total comprehensive income for the period was RMB92.9 million (US$15.1 million) with earnings per share of RMB0.45 (US$0.07) or per ADS of RMB1.80 (US$0.29);
• Bank balances and cash was RMB836.8 million (US$136.3 million) as of September 30, 2014.

Mr. Jianhui Lai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zenix Auto, commented, "During the third quarter, demand in China's commercial vehicle market was soft due to the implementation of the more stringent National IV emission standard that weakened the 'pre-buy' of current model of National-III vehicles. In the OEM market segment, wheel sales decreased as truck manufacturers cut back on new vehicle production in order to streamline inventory. Macroeconomic uncertainty and a slowdown in construction activities led to sluggish demand for wheels in the aftermarket. Our sales in international markets were negatively impacted by the appreciation of the RMB. Despite the challenges, we continued to produce superior tubed and tubeless wheel products and implemented competitive pricing to maintain our market leadership. For the first nine months of 2014, our sales volume declined by only 4.7% while the overall truck market was down 8.4%."

Mr. Martin Cheung, Chief Financial Officer of Zenix Auto, commented, "We further solidified our financial position by growing our bank balances and cash. We generated strong cash flows from operations of US$19.6 million for the third quarter of 2014 and US$47.9 million for the first nine months of 2014."

2014 Third Quarter Results

Revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 was RMB694.9 million (US$113.2 million) compared with RMB930.1 million for the third quarter of 2013.

Aftermarket sales in China decreased by 23.6% year-over-year to RMB364.0 million (US$59.2 million) in the third quarter of 2014 from RMB476.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease in sale in the third quarter of 2014 was mainly attributable to reduced construction and infrastructure related projects.  

Sales to the Chinese OEM market decreased by 30.0% year-over-year to RMB226.8 million (US$37.0 million) in the third quarter of 2014 compared with RMB324.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease in sale in the third quarter of 2014 was mainly attributable to less demand for current models of National III vehicles.

International sales decreased by 19.9% year-over-year to RMB104.1 million (US$17.0 million) in the third quarter of 2014 compared with RMB130.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. The year-over-year decrease in international sales in the third quarter was mainly due to shrinking sales volume associated with the appreciation of the RMB currency in international markets.

In the third quarter of 2014, domestic aftermarket sales, domestic OEM sales and international sales contributed 52.4%, 32.6% and 15.0% of revenue, respectively.

Tubed steel wheel sales accounted for 57.8% of 2014 third quarter revenue compared with 59.3% in the same quarter of 2013. Tubeless steel wheel sales accounted for 37.1% of 2014 third quarter revenue compared with 36.9% in the same quarter of 2013. Tubed steel wheel sales and tubeless steel wheel sales remain the main sources of revenue for the Company.

Third quarter gross profit was RMB101.7 million (US$16.6 million), compared with RMB197.0 million in the same quarter of 2013. Gross margin was 14.6% compared with 21.2% in the third quarter of 2013. The year-over-year decline in gross margin was mainly attributable to a reduction in selling prices across the Company's wheel product segments, following the implementation of competitive pricing.

Selling and distribution costs decreased by 16.7% year-over-year to RMB56.0 million (US$9.1 million) compared with RMB67.2 million in the third quarter of 2013. Lower selling and distribution costs resulted primarily from decreased transportation costs and decreased port costs as units of volume sold declined. As a percentage of revenue, selling and distribution costs was 8.1% compared with 7.2% in the same quarter a year ago.

Research and development ("R&D") expenses were RMB27.8 million (US$4.5 million) compared with RMB24.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. R&D as a percentage of revenue was 4.0% in the third quarter of 2014 compared with 2.6% in last year's third quarter. The year-over-year increase in R&D expenses as a percentage of total sales was mainly due to lower revenue in the third quarter of 2014. Zenix Auto remains committed to developing new products and innovative solutions to address customer needs, increase wheel quality and performance, and to raise the barriers of entry.

Administrative expenses were RMB37.0 million (US$6.0 million) compared with RMB36.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. As a percentage of revenue, administrative expenses were 5.3% of revenue in the third quarter of 2014 compared with 3.9% in the same quarter of 2013. The year-over-year increase in administrative expenses as a percentage of total sales was mainly derived from an increase in staff costs.                    

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the third quarter of 2014 was RMB12.3 million (US$2.0 million) compared with profit and total comprehensive income of RMB60.9 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Basic and diluted loss per share or per ADS in the third quarter of 2014 were RMB0.06 (US$0.01) or RMB0.24 (US$0.04), respectively, compared with basic and diluted earnings per share of RMB 0.29 or per ADS of RMB1.18 in the third quarter of 2013.

During the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, the weighted average number of ordinary shares was 206.5 million or the weighted average number of ADSs was 51.6 million.

2014 First Nine-Month Results

Revenue for the first nine months ended September 30, 2014, was RMB2,550.7 million (US$415.6 million) compared with RMB2,819.6 million in the first nine months in 2013.

Aftermarket sales declined 9.9% to RMB1,285.0 million in the first nine months of 2014, and represented 50.4% of total nine-month revenue. Sales to the Chinese OEM market decreased by 9.8% to RMB876.0 million and represented 34.3% of revenue. International sales decreased by 7.9% to RMB389.7 million compared with the same period last year, and represented 15.3% of revenue.

Tubed steel wheel sales for the first nine months ended September 30, 2014 declined 11.5% compared with the same period in 2013 and comprised 58.0% of revenue. Tubeless steel wheel sales decreased by 7.8% from the same period a year ago and were 37.5% of the revenue compared with 36.8% of the revenue for the same period in 2013.

Gross profit for the first nine months ended September 30, 2014, was RMB476.8 million (US$77.7 million) compared with RMB593.0 million during the same period in 2013. Gross margin was 18.7% compared with 21.0% in the same period last year. The year-over-year decline in gross margin was mainly attributable to a reduction in selling prices across the Company's wheel product segments, following the implementation of competitive pricing.

Selling and distribution costs decreased by 5.4% year-over-year to RMB191.8 million (US$31.3 million), compared with RMB202.8 million in 2013. Lower selling and distribution costs resulted primarily from decreased transportation costs and decreased port costs as units of volume sold declined. As a percentage of revenue, selling and distribution costs were 7.5% compared with 7.2% in the same period a year ago.

R&D expenses were RMB71.9 million (US$11.7 million), compared with RMB66.8 million in 2013. R&D as a percentage of revenue was 2.8% in 2014, compared with 2.4% in 2013. The year-over-year increase in R&D expenses as a percentage of total sales was mainly due to lower revenue in 2014. Zenix Auto remains committed to developing new products and innovative solutions to address customer needs, increase wheel quality and performance, and to raise the barriers of entry.

Administrative expenses were RMB110.1 million (US$17.9 million), compared with RMB106.1 million in the first nine months of 2013. As a percentage of revenue, administrative expenses were 4.3% of revenue in 2014 compared with 3.8% in 2013. The year-over-year increase in administrative expenses as a percentage of total sales was mainly due to an increase in staff costs.

Profit before taxation was RMB112.9 million (US$18.4 million), compared with RMB210.2 million during the first nine months of 2013.Profit and total comprehensive income for the first nine months ended September 30, 2014 was RMB92.9 million (US$15.1 million) compared with RMB178.2 million during the same period in 2013. Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS for the first nine months ended September 30, 2014, were RMB0.45 (US$0.07) and RMB1.80 (US$0.29), respectively.

As of September 30, 2014, Zenix Auto had bank balances and cash of RMB836.8 million (US$136.3 million) and fixed bank deposits with a maturity period over three months of RMB260.0 million (US$42.4 million). Bank borrowings were RMB558.0 million (US$90.9 million). Total equity attributable to owners of the Company was RMB2,605.8 million (US$424.5 million).

For the first nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded cash inflows from operating activities of RMB294.2 million (US$47.9 million). Capital expenditures for the purchase of property, plant and equipment in the first nine months were RMB25.9 million (US$4.2 million). Deposits paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment in the first nine months of 2014 were RMB67.1 million (US$10.9 million).

Corporate Development

Recently, the Company agreed to create a new model of aluminum wheel for a new energy bus developed by Yutong Bus Co., Ltd., which is the largest and the most technologically advanced manufacturer of large- and medium-sized buses in the world. The Yutong new energy bus plant is expected to have annual production capacity for 30,000 units upon completion, making it the world's largest manufacturing facility of new energy buses.

In addition, the Company has additional export orders to supply its premium aluminum wheels for new heavy-duty trucks produced by CIMC-Chery Auto's joint venture, C&C Trucks. C&C Trucks is a joint venture between China International Marine Containers Group Ltd. ("CIMC") and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. ("Chery Auto") to produce a variety of premium trucks including heavy-duty road tractors, tippers and mixers, among other truck models. CIMC is a world leading equipment and solution provider in the logistics and energy industries. Chery Auto is China's fourth-largest automaker with 12 vehicle platforms including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and minivans.

The Company engaged Crowe Horwath (HK) CPA Limited ("Crowe Horwath") as Zenix Auto's new independent auditing firm effective October 17, 2014. The appointment of Crowe Horwath was made by the Company's board of directors based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call, to be simultaneously webcast, on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. ET/9:00 p.m. Beijing Time. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing +1-877-407-0782 (U.S. Toll Free) or +1-201-689-8567 (International). Please dial in five minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the "China Zenix Auto" conference call.

In addition, the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet at: http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=173378

Please go to the web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 11:59 P.M. ET on December 13, 2014. The dial-in details for the replay are: U.S. Toll Free Number +1-877-660-6853, International dial-in number +1-201-612-7415 using Conference ID "13594699" to access the replay.

Exchange Rate Information

The United States dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. All translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.138 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate as of September 30, 2014 in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as set forth in H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The percentages stated are calculated based on RMB amounts.

About China Zenix Auto International Limited

China Zenix Auto International Limited is the largest commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer in China in both the aftermarket and OEM market by sales volume. With a large intellectual property portfolio, the Company offers more than 430 series of tubed steel wheels, tubeless steel wheels, and off-road steel wheels in both the aftermarket and OEM market in China and internationally. The Company's customers include group members of a number of large PRC commercial vehicle manufacturers, and it also exports products to over 80 distributors in more than 30 countries worldwide. With five large, strategically located manufacturing facilities in multiple regions across China, the Company has an aggregate annual production capacity of approximately 15.0 million units of steel wheels as of September 30, 2014. For more information, please visit: http://www.zenixauto.com/en.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. The Company may make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these risks is included in our filings with the SEC. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact

Investor Contact:
Kevin Theiss
Grayling
Tel: +1-646-284-9409
Email: zx@grayling.com

SOURCE China Zenix Auto International Limited