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China Zenix Auto International Limited Reports 28% Revenue Growth in 2017 First Quarter

May 18, 2017

- Revenue rose by 28% to RMB670.4 million (US$97.4 million) -

- Returned to profitability and net profit was RMB12.9 million (US$1.9 million) -

ZHANGZHOU, China, May 18, 2017 /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 first quarter ended March 31, 2017. 

Financial Highlights

First Quarter 2017:

  • Revenue was RMB670.4 million (US$97.4 million), up 28% year-over-year
  • Sales to the Chinese OEM market nearly doubled year-over-year
  • Sales of aluminum wheels increased by 159.1% year-over-year
  • Gross margin was 15.8%;
  • Net profit and total comprehensive income for the period was RMB12.9 million (US$1.9 million) with earnings per American Depositary Share ("ADS") of RMB0.25 (US$0.04) compared with net loss and total comprehensive loss of RMB2.9 million with loss per ADS of RMB0.06 in the first quarter of 2016.

Mr. Junqiu Gao, Deputy CEO and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Zenix Auto, commented, "We are excited to have generated strong top line growth in the first quarter. After a number of years of weak market environment, we are seeing the profound impact from replacement of old trucks. Our tubeless steel wheel, industrial wheel and aluminum wheel products all experienced different degrees of strong growths as the Chinese economy resumed growths and government policy is geared toward emission control and road safety."

Mr. Martin Cheung, CFO of Zenix Auto, commented, "Our gross margin was affected by the higher steel price during the first quarter. However, we expect to pass on the cost inflation to our customers in the coming quarters. As we are closely tracking collections on receivables, we are confident to produce cash inflow in 2017."

2017 First Quarter Results

Revenue for the first quarter was RMB670.4 million (US$97.4 million) from RMB525.4 million for the first quarter of 2016. The increase in revenue on a year-over-year basis was mainly due to strong sale to the domestic truck OEM driven by Chinese government enforcement against truck overloading. The increase of total revenue was also attributable to the higher price adjustment in response to the rising raw material costs.

Sales to the Chinese OEM market increased by 99.9% year-over-year to RMB347.6 million (US$50.5 million) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to RMB173.9 million in the same quarter of 2016. Total unit sales in the OEM market increased by 38.2% year-over-year during the first quarter of 2017.

Aftermarket sales in China decreased by 9.9% year-over-year to RMB231.5 million (US$33.6 million) in the first quarter of 2017 from RMB257.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. Total unit sales in the aftermarket decreased by 31.4% year-over-year as the aftermarket wheel segment remained weak.

International sales decreased by 3.5% year-over-year to RMB91.2 million (US$13.3 million) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to sales of RMB94.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. Total unit sales in the international sales decreased by 15.0% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2017 mainly due to continued weak demand in Southeastern Asian countries.

In the first quarter of 2017, domestic OEM sales, domestic aftermarket sales and international sales contributed 51.9%, 34.5% and 13.6% of revenue, respectively.

Sales of tubed steel wheels comprised 44.9% of 2017 first quarter revenue compared to 54.8% in the same quarter in 2016. Tubeless steel wheel sales represented 45.4% of 2017 first quarter revenue compared to 38.2% in the same quarter of 2016. While tubed and tubeless steel wheel sales remain the main sources of revenue for the Company, sales of aluminum wheels increased by 159.1% year-over-year and accounted for 5.8% first quarter revenue as compared to 2.9% in the same quarter a year ago. The tightened regulation by Chinese government to curb emissions and increase road safety fueled high demand for light-weight tubeless and aluminum wheels.

First quarter gross profit increased by 5.1% to RMB105.7 million (US$15.4 million), compared to RMB100.6 million in the same quarter in 2016. Gross margin was 15.8%, compared with 19.1% in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin on a year-over-year basis was mainly due to the rise of raw material cost. The Company raised selling prices during the first quarter but they were not high enough to offset the increase of the raw material costs.

Selling and distribution expenses decreased by 2.2% to RMB42.4 million (US$6.2 million) from RMB43.4 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in selling and distribution costs was primarily due to lower marketing and advertising expenses in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the same quarter last year. As a percentage of revenue, selling and distribution costs were 6.3% in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 8.3% in the same quarter a year ago.

Research and development ("R&D") expenses decreased by 31.0% to RMB14.0 million (US$2.0 million), compared to RMB20.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. R&D as a percentage of revenue was 2.1% in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 3.9% in the same quarter a year ago. As the Company's aluminum products continue to mature, R&D expenses were lowered.

Administrative expenses decreased by 8.5% to RMB31.6 million (US$4.6 million) from RMB34.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. As a percentage of revenue, administrative expenses were 4.7%, compared to 6.6% of revenue in the first quarter of 2016.

Net income and total comprehensive income were RMB12.9 million (US$1.9 million) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to net loss and total comprehensive loss of RMB2.9 million for the first quarter of 2016. 

Basic and diluted income per ADS were RMB0.25 (US$0.04) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to basic and diluted loss per ADS of RMB0.06 in the first quarter of 2016.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded net cash outflows from operating activities of RMB167.0 million (US$24.3 million). Higher sales to domestic OEM market increased total account receivables which affected operating cash-flows. However, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) remained at 58 days in the first quarter of 2017, flat in comparison with 60 days during the full year of 2016. Capital expenditures for the purchase of property, plant and equipment in the first quarter were RMB 0.2 million (US$35,450).

During the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, the weighted average number of ordinary shares was 206.5 million and the weighted average number of ADSs was 51.6 million.

As of March 31, 2017, Zenix Auto had bank balances and cash of RMB717.7 million (US$104.3 million) and fixed bank deposits with a maturity period over three months of RMB290.0 million (US$42.1 million). Total bank borrowings were RMB558.0 million (US$81.1 million). Total equity attributable to owners of the Company was RMB2,550.5 million (US$370.5 million).

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call, to be simultaneously webcast, on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. ET/ 8:00 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.

A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the conference call through June 18, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Interested parties may access the replay by dialing +1-877-481-4010 (U.S. Toll Free) or +1-919-882-2331 (International) and using Conference ID 10374 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 RMB6.883 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate as of March 31, 2017 in The City of New York, for cable transfers of RMB as set forth in the 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. The Company offers more than 772 series of aluminum wheels, tubed steel wheels, tubeless steel wheels, and off-road steel wheels in the aftermarket and OEM markets in China and internationally. The Company's customers include large PRC commercial vehicle manufacturers, and it also exports products to over 80 distributors in more than 28 countries worldwide. With six large, strategically located manufacturing facilities in multiple regions across China, the Company has a designed annual production capacity of approximately 15.5 million units of steel and aluminum wheels as of March 31, 2017. For more information, please visit: www.zenixauto.com/en.

Safe Harbor

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
Kevin Theiss
Investor Relations
Awaken Advisors
Tel: +1-(212) 521-4050
Email: Kevin.Theiss@awakenlab.com

- tables follow –

China Zenix Auto International Limited
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
and Other Comprehensive Income
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands, except number of shares and ADSs and per share data)






Three Months Ended March 31,




2016


2017


2017



RMB' 000


RMB' 000


US$' 000

Revenue



525,399


670,356


97,393

Cost of sales



(424,846)


(564,640)


(82,034)

Gross profit



100,553


105,716


15,359

Other operating income 



487


6,416


932

Net exchange gain



(144)


(306)


(44)

Selling and distribution costs

(43,404)


(42,435)


(6,165)

Research and development expenses

(20,321)


(14,017)


(2,036)

Administrative expenses



(34,551)


(31,621)


(4,594)

Finance costs



(5,435)


(5,290)


(769)

(Loss) profit before taxation 



(2,815)


18,463


2,683

Income tax expense



(95)


(5,546)


(806)

(Loss) profit and total
comprehensive income
(loss) for the period



(2,910)


12,917


1,877

(Loss) earnings per share








Basic



(0.01)


0.06


0.01

Diluted



(0.01)


0.06


0.01

(Loss) earnings per ADS








Basic



(0.06)


0.25


0.04

Diluted



(0.06)


0.25


0.04

Shares



206,500,000


206,500,000


206,500,000

ADSs



51,625,000


51,625,000


51,625,000

 

China Zenix Auto International Limited
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands)










December 31,
2016


March 31,

2017


March 31,
2017



RMB'000


RMB'000


US$'000

ASSETS







Current Assets







Inventories


138,740


194,439


28,249

Trade and other receivables and prepayments


695,856


895,030


130,035

Prepaid lease payments


9,425


9,425


1,369

Pledged bank deposits


32,100


36,690


5,331

Fixed bank deposits with maturity period over
three months


 

290,000


 

290,000


 

42,133

Bank balances and cash


896,799


717,727


104,275

Total current assets


2,062,920


2,143,311


311,392

Non-Current Assets







Property, plant and equipment


1,379,287


1,342,945


195,109

Prepaid lease payments


376,449


374,093


54,350

Deferred tax assets


23,836


23,854


3,466

Intangible assets


17,000


17,000


2,470

Total non-current assets


1,796,572


1,757,892


255,395

Total assets


3,859,492


3,901,203


566,787








EQUITY AND LIABILITIES







Current Liabilities







Trade and other payables and accruals


668,633


695,082


100,985

Amount due to a shareholder


1,398


-


-

Taxation payable


109


2,116


307

Short- term bank borrowings


558,000


558,000


81,069

Total current liabilities


1,228,140


1,255,198


182,361

Non-current liabilities







Deferred tax liabilities


85,286


87,222


12,672

Deferred income


8,496


8,296


1,205

Total non-current liabilities


93,782


95,518


13,877

Total liabilities


1,321,922


1,350,716


196,238

 

EQUITY







Share capital


136


136


20

Paid in capital


392,076


392,076


56,963

Reserves


2,145,358


2,158,275


313,566

Total equity attributable to owners of the company


2,537,570


2,550,487


370,549

Total equity and liabilities


3,859,492


3,901,203


566,787


 

China Zenix Auto International Limited
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2017
(RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands)







OPERATING ACTIVITIES


Three Months Ended March 31, 2017





RMB' 000


US$' 000


Profit before taxation


18,463


2,683


Adjustments for:







Amortization of prepaid lease payments


2,356


342



Depreciation of property plant and equipment


37,050


5,383



Release of deferred income


(200)


(29)



Finance costs


5,290


768



Interest income


(2,844)


(413)



Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

15


2


Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

60,130


8,736


Increase in inventories


(55,699)


(8,092)


Increase in trade and other receivables and prepayments

(201,604)


(29,290)


Increase in trade and other payables and accruals


26,686


3,877


Cash generated from operations


(170,487)


(24,769)


Interest received


3,604


524


PRC income tax paid


(109)


(16)


NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES


(166,992)


(24,261)


 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES






Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(244)


(35)


Placement of pledged bank deposits


(4,590)


(667)


Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment


13


1


Placement of fixed bank deposits with maturity periods over
three months

(240,000)


(34,869)


Withdrawal of fixed bank deposits with maturity periods over
three months

240,000


34,869


NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES


(4,821)


(701)


 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES






New bank borrowings raised


255,000


37,048


Repayment of bank borrowings


(255,000)


(37,048)


Interest paid


(6,019)


(874)


Repayment to a shareholder


(1,398)


(203)


NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES


(7,417)


(1,077)


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


(179,230)


(26,039)


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period


896,799


130,292


Effect of foreign exchange rate changes


158


22


Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period


717,727


104,275


 

SOURCE China Zenix Auto International Limited


Telephone: 4001161988   Address: No.1608, North Circle Road State Highway, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, China
© Copyright 2008 China Zenix Auto International Limited. All rights reserved. 闽ICP备09025520号