Item 1A.Risk Factors
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Risks attributable to all registrants are not included below. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those not presently known or that the Company believes to be immaterial, also may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Should any such risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the Company’s business and financial results.
Operations Related Risk Factors
The Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic poses the risk that the Company or its affiliates and joint ventures, employees, suppliers, customers, and others may be restricted or prevented from conducting business activities for indefinite or intermittent periods of time, including as a result of employee health and safety concerns, shutdowns, shelter in place orders, travel restrictions, and other actions and restrictions that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities. In addition, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, disruptions or delays in our supply chain as a result of such actions, which is likely to result in higher supply chain costs to us in order to maintain the supply of materials and components for our products. While the Company has implemented measures to mitigate the impact on its results of operations, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful. The Company cannot predict the degree to, or the period over, which its financials and operations will be affected by this outbreak and preventative measures, and the effects could be material.
The Company may also experience impacts from market downturns and changes in consumer behavior related to pandemic fears and impacts on its workforce as a result of COVID-19. In the first half of 2020 the Company experienced a significant decline in demand from its customers as a result of the impact of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and this pattern could repeat. In addition, some customers may choose to delay or abandon projects on which the Company provides products and/or services in response to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact the Company’s financial condition will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new government actions or restrictions, new information that may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19, the longevity of COVID-19, and the impact of COVID-19 on economic activity. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, the Company may continue to experience adverse impacts on its business and financial performance as a result of its global economic impact, including a recession that has occurred or may occur in the future. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic materially adversely affects the Company’s business and financial results, it may also have the effect of significantly heightening many of the other risks associated with the Company’s business, liquidity, and indebtedness.
The Company could be negatively impacted by the distress of its suppliers or other shortages
In an effort to manage and reduce the costs of purchased goods and services, the Company, like many suppliers and automakers, has been consolidating its supply base. As a result, the Company is dependent on single or limited sources of supply for certain components used in the manufacture of its products including semiconductor chips which are integral components of new vehicles and are embedded in multiple vehicle systems including automotive and cockpit electronics. The significant vehicle production slowdown in the first half of 2020 as a result of COVID-19, was followed by increased consumer demand and vehicle production schedules in the second half of 2020, particularly in the fourth quarter. This surge in demand led to a worldwide semiconductor supply shortage in early 2021, as semiconductor suppliers have been unable to rapidly reallocate production lines to serve the automotive industry. In 2021, the Company has experienced semiconductor shortages
9
and if such shortages of semiconductors or other critical components from other suppliers continue, or worsen, it will impact the Company's ability to meet its production schedules for some of its key products or to ship such products to its customers in a timely fashion. Furthermore, unfavorable economic or industry conditions could result in financial distress within the Company's supply base, thereby increasing the risk of supply disruption.
Such disruptions could be caused by any one of a myriad of potential problems, such as closures of one of the Company’s or its suppliers’ plants or critical manufacturing lines due to strikes, mechanical breakdowns, electrical outages, fires, explosions or political upheaval, as well as logistical complications due to weather, global climate change, volcanic eruptions, or other natural or nuclear disasters, mechanical failures, delayed customs processing, the spread of an infectious disease, virus or other widespread illness and more. Additionally, as the Company grows in best cost countries, the risk for such disruptions is heightened. The lack of even a small single subcomponent necessary to manufacture one of the Company’s products, for whatever reason, could force the Company to cease production, even for a prolonged period. Similarly, a potential quality issue could force the Company to halt deliveries while it validates the products. Even where products are ready to be shipped, or have been shipped, delays may arise before they reach the customer. The Company’s customers may halt or delay production for the same reason if one of their other suppliers fails to deliver necessary components. This may cause the Company’s customers, in turn to suspend their orders, or instruct us to suspend delivery, of our products, which may adversely affect our financial performance.
If the Company were to fail to make timely deliveries in accordance with contractual obligations, the Company generally must absorb its own costs for identifying and solving the “root cause” problem as well as expeditiously producing replacement components or products. Generally, the Company must also carry the costs associated with “catching up,” such as overtime and premium freight.Additionally, if the Company is the cause for a customer being forced to halt production, the customer may seek to recoup all of its losses and expenses from the Company. These losses and expenses could be significant, and may include consequential losses such as lost profits. Any supply-chain disruption, however small, could potentially cause the complete shutdown of an assembly line of one of the Company’s customers, and any such shutdown could lead to material claims of compensation.
The Company continues to work closely with suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts of the semiconductor supply shortage and monitor the availability of semiconductor microchips and other component parts and raw materials, customer vehicle production schedules and any other supply chain inefficiencies that may arise, due to this or any other issue. However, if the Company is not able to mitigate the semiconductor shortage impact, any direct or indirect supply chain disruptions may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company’s substantial international operations make it vulnerable to risks associated with doing business in foreign countries
The Company has manufacturing and distribution facilities in many foreign locations. International operations are subject to certain risks inherent in doing business abroad, including:
•changes to international trade agreements;
•local economic conditions, expropriation and nationalization, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, and currency controls;
•withholding, border, and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries;
•investment restrictions or requirements;
•export and import restrictions, including increases in border tariffs;
•the ability to effectively enforce intellectual property rights;
•new or additional governmental sanctions on doing business with or in certain countries or with certain persons; and
•increases in working capital requirements related to long supply chains.
Additionally, the Company’s global operations may also be adversely affected by political events, domestic or international terrorist events, and hostilities or complications due to natural or other disasters.These or any further political or governmental developments or health concerns in Mexico, China, or other countries in which the Company operates could result in social, economic, and labor instability. These uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on the continuity of the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
10
While we have worked to mitigate any adverse impact, existing free trade laws and regulations, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, provide certain beneficial duties and tariffs for qualifying imports and exports, subject to compliance with the applicable classification and other requirements.Despite recent trade negotiations between the U.S. and Chinese governments and between the U.S. and European governments, given the uncertainty regarding the scope and duration of the imposed tariffs, as well as the potential for additional tariffs or trade barriers by the U.S., China or other countries, the Company can provide no assurance that any strategies we implement to mitigate the impact of such tariffs or other trade actions will be successful.
The Company has invested significantly and is expected to continue to invest significantly in joint ventures with other parties to conduct business in China and elsewhere in Asia.These investments may include manufacturing operations, and technical centers as well as research and development activities, to support anticipated growth in the region. If the Company is not able to strengthen existing relationships, secure additional customers, and develop market-relevant advanced driver assistance and autonomous vehicle technologies, it may fail to realize expected rates of return on these investments.The Company’s ability to repatriate funds from these joint ventures depends not only upon their uncertain cash flows and profits but also upon the terms of particular agreements with the Company’s joint venture partners and maintenance of the legal and political status quo. As a result, the Company’s exposure to the risks described above is substantial. The likelihood of such occurrences and its potential effect on the Company vary from country to country and are unpredictable. However, any such occurrences could be harmful to the Company’s business, profitability, and financial condition.
On December 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) officially withdrew from the European Union (“E.U.”), commonly referred to as “Brexit”.The long-term effects of Brexit are uncertain andmay adversely affect European and worldwide economic and market conditions, including vehicle production, significantly reduce global market liquidity, restrict the ability of key market participants to operate in certain financial markets, and could contribute to instability in global financial and foreign exchange markets.While the Company's overall footprint in the U.K. is not significant, the potential impacts of Brexit could adversely impact other global economies, and in particular, the European economy, a region which accounted for approximately 36% of the Company’s total net sales for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company will continue to actively monitor the ongoing potential impacts of Brexit and will seek to minimize its impact on the Company’s business through review of its existing contractual arrangements and obligations, particularly in the European region. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect the Company’s business, business opportunities, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
The Company’s ability to effectively operate could be hindered if it fails to attract and retain key personnel
The Company’s ability to operate its business and implement its strategies effectively depends, in part, on the efforts of its executive officers and other key employees. In addition, the Company’s future success will depend on, among other factors, the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, particularly engineers and other employees with critical expertise and skills that support key customers and products or in emerging regions. The loss of the services of any key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The Company may incur significant restructuring charges
The Company has taken, and expects to take, restructuring actions to realign its engineering organization and to realign and resize its production capacity and cost structure to meet current and projected operational and market requirements. The extent to which these strategies will achieve the desired efficiencies and goals in 2021 and beyond is uncertain because their success depends on a number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control.Charges related to these actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Moreover, there can be no assurances that any future restructuring will be completed as planned or achieve the desired results.
Work stoppages and similar events could significantly disrupt the Company’s business
Because the automotive industry relies heavily on just-in-time delivery of components during the assembly and manufacture of vehicles, a work stoppage at one or more of the Company’s manufacturing and assembly facilities could have material adverse effects on the business. Similarly, if one or more of the Company’s customers were to experience a work stoppage, that customer would likely halt or limit purchases of the Company’s products, which could result in the shutdown of the related manufacturing facilities. A significant disruption in the supply of a key component due to a work stoppage at one of the
11
Company’s suppliers or any other supplier could have the same consequences, and accordingly, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.
Industry and Competition Related Risk Factors
The automotive industry is cyclical and significant declines in the production levels of the Company’s major customers could reduce the Company’s sales and harm its profitability
Demand for the Company’s products is directly related to the automotive vehicle production of the Company’s major customers.Automotive sales and production are cyclical and can be affected by general economic or industry conditions, labor relations issues, fuel prices, regulatory requirements, government initiatives, trade agreements, the cost and availability of credit, and other factors.Due to overall global economic conditions, including COVID-19, in 2020, the automotive industry experienced decreased global customer sales and production schedules. Compared to 2019, global light vehicle production in 2020 decreased by 5% in China, 22% in the Americas, 21% in Europe and 16% globally. As a result, the Company has experienced and may continue to experience reductions in orders from OEM customers in certain regions.
The Company must continue to develop, introduce, and achieve market acceptance of new and enhanced products in order to grow its sales in the future
The growth of the Company's business will be dependent on the demand for innovative automotive electronics products, including but not limited to advanced driver assistance and autonomous vehicle technologies. In order to increase sales in current markets and gain entry into new markets, the Company must innovate to maintain and improve existing products, including software, while successfully developing and introducing distinctive new and enhanced products that anticipate changing customer and consumer preferences and capitalize upon emerging software technologies. However, the Company may experience difficulties that delay or prevent the development, introduction, or market acceptance of its new or enhanced products, or undiscovered software errors, bugs, and defects in its products may injure the Company's reputation. Furthermore, these new technologies have also attracted increased competition from outside the traditional automotive industry, and any of these competitors may develop and introduce technologies that gain greater customer or consumer acceptance, which could adversely affect the future growth of the Company.
The Company may not realize sales represented by awarded business
The Company estimates awarded business using certain assumptions, including projected future sales volumes. The OEM customers generally do not guarantee production volumes. In addition, awarded business may include business under arrangements that OEM customers have the right to terminate without penalty. Therefore, the Company’s actual sales volumes, and thus the ultimate amount of revenue that it derives from such sales, are not committed. If actual production orders from its customers are not consistent with the projections used by the Company in calculating the amount of its awarded business, the Company could realize substantially less revenue over the life of these projects than the projected estimate.
The discontinuation or loss of business, or lack of commercial success, with respect to a particular product for which the Company is a significant supplier could reduce the Company’s sales and harm its profitability
Although the Company has purchase orders from many of its customers, these purchase orders generally provide for the supply of a customer’s annual requirements for a particular vehicle model and assembly plant, or in some cases, for the supply of a customer’s requirements for the life of a particular vehicle model, rather than for the purchase of a specific quantity of products.In addition, certain customers have communicated an intent to manufacture components internally that are currently produced by outside suppliers, such as the Company. If the Company's OEM customers successfully insource products currently manufactured by the Company the discontinuation or loss of business for products which the Company is a significant supplier, could reduce the Company’s sales and harm the Company’s profitability.
Escalating price pressures from customers may adversely affect the Company’s business
Downward pricing pressures by automotive manufacturers, while characteristic of the automotive industry, are increasing.Virtually all automakers have implemented aggressive price-reduction initiatives and objectives each year with their suppliers, and such actions are expected to continue in the future. In addition, estimating such amounts is subject to risk and uncertainties because any price reductions are a result of negotiations and other factors. Accordingly, suppliers must be able to reduce their
12
operating costs in order to maintain profitability. The Company has taken steps to reduce its operating costs and other actions to offset customer price reductions; however, price reductions have impacted the Company’s sales and profit margins and are expected to continue to do so in the future. If the Company is unable to offset customer price reductions in the future through improved operating efficiencies, new manufacturing processes, sourcing alternatives, and other cost-reduction initiatives, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition will likely be adversely affected.
The Company is highly dependent on Ford Motor Company and decreases in this customer’s vehicle production volumes would adversely affect the Company
Ford is one of the Company’s largest ultimate customers and accounted for 22%, 22% and 26% of sales in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accordingly, any change in Ford's vehicle production volumes may have a significant impact on the Company’s sales volume and profitability.
Product Related Risk Factors
The Company's inability to effectively manage the timing, quality, and costs of new program launches could adversely affect its financial performance
In connection with the award of new business, the Company often obligates itself to deliver new products and services that are subject to its customers’ timing, performance, and quality standards. Additionally, as a Tier 1 supplier, the Company must effectively coordinate the activities of numerous suppliers in order to launch programs successfully. Given the complexity of new program launches, especially involving new and innovative technologies, the Company may experience difficulties managing product quality, timeliness, and associated costs. In addition, new program launches require a significant ramp up of costs; however, the sales related to these new programs generally are dependent upon the timing and success of the introduction of new vehicles by the Company's customers. The Company's inability to effectively manage the timing, quality, and costs of these new program launches could adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows from operations.
Warranty claims, product liability claims, and product recalls could harm the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition
The Company faces the inherent business risk of exposure to warranty and product liability claims in the event that its products fail to perform as expected or such failure results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury or property damage (or both). In addition, if any of the Company’s designed products are defective or are alleged to be defective, the Company may be required to participate in a recall campaign. The Company’s products contain increasingly significant amounts of software and a successful cyberattack on such products could cause materially adverse effects on the Company’s business, results of operations, and reputation. As suppliers become more integrally involved in the vehicle design process and assume more of the vehicle assembly functions, automakers are increasingly expecting them to warrant their products and are increasingly looking to suppliers for contributions when faced with product liability claims or recalls. A successful warranty or product liability claim against the Company in excess of its available insurance coverage and established reserves, or a requirement that the Company participate in a product recall campaign, could have materially adverse effects on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Developments or assertions by or against the Company relating to intellectual property rights could materially impact its business
The Company owns significant intellectual property, including a number of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets and is involved in numerous licensing arrangements. The Company’s intellectual property plays an important role in maintaining its competitive position in a number of the markets served. The Company may utilize intellectual property in its products that requires a license from a third-party. While the Company believes that such licenses generally can be obtained, there is no assurance that the necessary licenses can be obtained on commercially acceptable terms or at all.Failure to obtain the right to use third-party intellectual property could preclude the Company from selling certain products and have materially adverse effects on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Developments or assertions by or against the Company relating to intellectual property rights could materially impact the Company’s business.
The Company also derives significant revenue from countries outside the U.S. (including China) and significant intellectual property assets are licensed to joint ventures and customers in foreign jurisdictions.While the Company is not aware of any material intellectual property theft or forced transfer and believes it has appropriate protections in place, if such action were to
13
occur it could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, the Company has continued to see an increase in patent claims related to connectivity-enabled products where other patent-holding companies are seeking royalties and often enter into litigation based on patent infringement allegations. Significant technological developments by others also could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Privacy and security concerns relating to the Company's current or future products and services could damage its reputation and deter current and potential users from using them
The Company may gain access to sensitive, confidential, or personal data or information that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations, and customer-imposed controls. Concerns about the Company's practices with regard to the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related matters, even if unfounded, could damage its reputation and adversely affect its operating results.
Furthermore, regulatory authorities around the world are considering a number of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning cybersecurity and data protection. In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere are often uncertain and in flux. Complying with these various laws could cause the Company to incur substantial costs.
Tax Related Risk Factors
The Company’s expected annual effective tax rate could be volatile and could materially change as a result of changes in mix of earnings and other factors
Changes in the Company’s debt and capital structure, among other items, may impact its effective tax rate. The Company is in a position whereby losses incurred in certain tax jurisdictions generally provide no current financial statement benefit. In addition, certain jurisdictions have statutory rates greater than or less than the United States statutory rate. As such, changes in the mix and source of earnings between jurisdictions could have a significant impact on the Company’s overall effective tax rate in future periods.Changes in tax law and rates, changes in rules related to accounting for income taxes, or adverse outcomes from tax audits that are regularly in process in any of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates could also have a significant impact on the Company’s overall effective rate in future periods.
The Company may not be able to fully utilize its U.S. net operating losses and other tax attributes
The Company has net operating losses ("NOLs") and other tax attributes which could be limited if there is a subsequent change of ownership. If the Company were to have a change of ownership within the meaning of IRC Sections 382 and 383, its NOLs and other tax attributes could be limited to an amount equal to its market capitalization at the time of the ownership change multiplied by the federal long-term tax exempt rate. The Company cannot provide any assurance that such an ownership change will not occur, in which case the availability of the Company's NOLs and other tax attributes could be significantly limited or possibly eliminated. Certain tax benefit preservation provisions of its corporate documents could delay or prevent a change of control, even if that change would be beneficial to stockholders.
Recent changes in the U.S. federal income tax rules could adversely affect us and our shareholders
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law, making significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Changes included, but were not limited to, a corporate income tax rate decrease, the migration from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system with a one-time transition tax on cumulative post-1986 foreign earnings, a modification of the characterization and treatment of certain intercompany transactions, and the creation of a new U.S. corporate minimum tax on certain earnings of foreign subsidiaries.Any future changes in U.S. federal income tax rules could adversely impact Visteon’s financial results.
Market Related Risk Factors
The Company is subject to significant foreign currency risks and foreign exchange exposure
14
As a result of Visteon's global presence, a significant portion of the Company's revenues and expenses is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company is therefore subject to foreign currency risks and foreign exchange exposure. The Company's primary exposures are to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Brazilian real, Indian rupee, and Bulgarian lev. While the Company employs financial instruments to mitigate transactional foreign exchange exposure, including multi-year contracts, exchange rates are difficult to predict and such actions may not completely insulate the Company from those exposures. As a result, volatility in certain exchange rates could adversely impact Visteon financial results and comparability of results from period to period.
General Risk Factors
A disruption in the Company's information technology systems could adversely affect its business and financial performance
The Company relies on the accuracy, capacity, and security of its information technology systems as well as those of its customers, suppliers, partners, and service providers to conduct its business. Despite the security and risk-prevention measures the Company has implemented, the Company's systems could be breached, damaged, or otherwise interrupted by a system failure, cyber-attack, malicious computer software (malware), unauthorized physical or electronic access, or other natural or man-made incidents or disasters. The Company is also susceptible to security breaches that may go undetected.Such a breach or interruption could result in business disruption, theft of the Company intellectual property or trade secrets, and unauthorized access to personnel information. To the extent that business is interrupted or data is lost, destroyed, or inappropriately used or disclosed, such disruptions could adversely affect the Company’s competitive position, relationships with customers, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
The Company is involved from time to time in legal proceedings and commercial or contractual disputes, which could have an adverse effect on its business, results of operations, and financial position
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and commercial or contractual disputes that, from time to time, are significant.These are typically claims that arise in the normal course of business including, without limitation, commercial or contractual disputes (including disputes with suppliers), intellectual property matters, personal injury claims, and employment matters. No assurances can be given that such proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s profitability and financial position.
Climate change, climate change regulations and greenhouse effects could adversely impact the Company’s operations and markets
Climate change and its association with greenhouse gas emissions is receiving increased attention from the scientific and political communities. The U.S. federal government, certain U.S. states, and certain other countries and regions have adopted or are considering legislation or regulation imposing overall caps or taxes on greenhouse gas emissions from certain sectors including automotive. Failure to comply with any legislation or regulation could potentially result in substantial fines, criminal sanctions, or operational changes. Moreover, even without such legislation or regulation, increased awareness of, or any adverse publicity regarding, the effects of greenhouse gases could harm the Company’s reputation or reduce customer demand for our products and services.
Legislation to address global climate change, including but not limited to CO2 emission restrictions in Europe, may lead to early termination of current production contracts and/or reduced vehicle sales.
Additionally, as severe weather events become increasingly common, operations of the Company, its customers, and/or suppliers may be disrupted, which could result in increased operational costs or reduced demand for products and services. While the Company has invested in administration of programs and physical loss prevention improvements to mitigate the risk of natural disasters causing disruption to its ability to serve its customers and communities in times of need, extended periods of disruptions could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.
The Company’s pension expense and funding levels of pension plans could materially deteriorate or the Company may be unable to generate sufficient excess cash flow to meet increased pension benefit obligations
The Company’s assumptions used to calculate pension obligations as of the annual measurement date directly impact the expense to be recognized in future periods. While the Company’s management believes that these assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in these assumptions may materially affect the Company’s
15
pension obligations and future expense. For more information on sensitivities to changing assumptions, please see “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 and Note 12, “Employee Benefit Plans” in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
Item 2. Properties
The Company's principal executive offices are located in Van Buren Township, Michigan. At December 31, 2020, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries owned or leased approximately:
•30 corporate offices, technical and engineering centers and customer service centers in 14 countries around the world, all of which were leased. .
•15 Electronics manufacturing and/or assembly facilities in Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Tunisia, India, Japan, China, Thailand, and Brazil, of which 12 were leased and 3 were owned.
In addition, the Company's non-consolidated affiliates operate approximately 6 manufacturing and/or assembly locations, primarily in the Asia Pacific region. The Company considers its facilities to be adequate for its current uses.
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
Certain legal proceedings in which the Company is involved are discussed in Note 19, "Commitments and Contingencies" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 3, "Legal Proceedings."
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
None
16
Item 4A. Information about Executive Officers and Key Employees
The following table shows information about the executive officers of the Company and other key employees as of February 1, 2021:
Name Age Position
Sachin S. Lawande 53 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jerome J. Rouquet 53 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Abigail S. Fleming 39 Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Matthew M. Cole 51 Senior Vice President, Product Delivery
Jochen Ladwig 47 Senior Vice President, Global Quality and Procurement
Brett D. Pynnonen 52 Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Joao Paulo Ribeiro 51 Senior Vice President, Operations and Supply Chain
Kristin E. Trecker 55 Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Robert R. Vallance 60 Senior Vice President, Customer Business Groups
Sachin S. Lawande has been Visteon’s Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of the Company since June 29, 2015. Before joining Visteon, Mr. Lawande served as Executive Vice President and President, Infotainment Division of Harman International Industries, Inc., an automotive supplier, from July 2013 to June 2015. From July 2011 to June 2013, he served as Executive Vice President and President of Harman’s Lifestyle Division, and from July 2010 to June 2011 as Executive Vice President and Co-President, Automotive Division. Prior to that he served as Harman’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since February 2009. Mr. Lawande joined Harman International in 2006, following senior roles at QNX Software Systems and 3Com Corporation. He also serves on the board of directors of Cognex Corporation, a leading worldwide provider of machine vision products that are widely used in automotive, consumer electronics, life sciences and logistics industries. Within the last five years, he also served on the board of directors of DXC Technology Company.
Jerome J. Rouquet has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2020 (after joining the Company as Senior Vice President, Finance in January 2020). Prior to that, he held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Federal-Mogul (a global supplier of automotive and industrial products), including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from January 2016 to September 2018, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller from July 2010 to January 2016, and Finance Director from March 1999 to July 2010. Following the acquisition of Federal-Mogul by Tenneco, Inc., he most recently served as Senior Vice President Finance, Motorparts from October 2018 to December 2019. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Rouquet served in various roles at Imaje SA, from Logistics Manager to Financial Controller.
Abigail S. Fleming has been Visteon’s Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since joining the Company in August 2020. Prior to joining Visteon, Ms. Fleming was Executive Director and Assistant Controller of Tenneco Inc. (formerly Federal-Mogul, LLC), an automotive supplier, from March 2017 to August 2020, and Director, Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from March 2015 to March 2017. Ms. Fleming began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in August 2004, and is a certified public accountant.
Matthew M. Cole has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President, Product Delivery since January 2020 and Senior Vice President, Product Development from December 2016 to December 2019. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Product Development upon rejoining the Company in July 2014. From July 2011 to June 2014, he served as Vice President, Engineering at Johnson Controls, Inc., an automotive supplier. From July 2010 to June 2011, he served as Johnson Controls' Vice President, Product Management. Prior to that, he spent 19 years at Ford Motor Company and Visteon in product development, engineering and leadership positions in the U.S. and Asia.
Jochen Ladwig has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President, Global Quality and Procurement since January 2020. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Global Procurement and Supplier Quality since joining the Company in October 2017. From April 2014 to September 2017, he served as Head of Procurement & Supplier Quality Connected Systems, Displays & Digital Content for Daimler AG. Prior to that, he held management positions of increasing responsibility at Daimler AG and DaimlerChrysler in procurement and supplier quality.
Brett D. Pynnonen has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel since December 2016. Prior to that, he was Vice President and General Counsel since joining the Company in March 2016. Before joining Visteon he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation, a global automotive supplier,
17
from November 2007 to March 2016. Prior to that, he was General Counsel and Secretary of Covansys Corporation, a technology services company, and an attorney at the law firm of Butzel Long.
Joao Paulo Ribeiro has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Supply Chain since March 2020. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Manufacturing Operations since March 2014, and Managing Director, European Operations from October 2010 to March 2014. During his career with Visteon and Ford Motor Company, he has held management positions of increasing responsibility in manufacturing and operations.
Kristin E. Trecker has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer ("CHRO") since joining the Company in May 2018. Before joining Visteon, she served as Executive Vice President and CHRO for Integer Holdings Corp. (formerly Greatbatch, Inc.), a medical device outsource manufacturer, from November 2015 to May 2017, and as Senior Vice President and CHRO of MTS Systems Corp., a global engineering firm, from February 2012 to October 2015. Prior to that Ms. Trecker spent 16 years with Lawson Software, Inc. in roles of increasing responsibility, ranging from Director of Compensation and Benefits to Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
Robert R. Vallance has been Visteon’s Senior Vice President, Customer Business Groups since December 2016. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Customer Business Groups upon rejoining the Company in July 2014. From February 2008 to June 2015, he served as Vice President, Electronics Business Group of Johnson Controls, Inc., an automotive supplier. Prior to that, he spent 23 years at Ford Motor Company and Visteon in product development, program and commercial management, strategy and planning, product marketing and manufacturing.
18
Part II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
As of February 11, 2021, the Company had 27,915,661 shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding, which were owned by 3,384 shareholders of record.
No dividends were paid by the Company on its common stock during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company’s Board evaluates the Company’s dividend policy based on all relevant factors. The Company’s credit agreements limit the amount of cash payments for dividends that may be made. Additionally, the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to transfer assets is subject to various restrictions, including regulatory requirements and governmental restraints.
No sales of the Company’s common stock were made by or on behalf of the Company or an affiliated purchaser during the fourth quarter of 2020.
The following information in Item 5 is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing.
19
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return from December 31, 2015, through December 31, 2020, for Visteon's existing common stock, the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index. The graph below assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2015, in each of the Company's common stock, the stocks comprising the S&P 500 Index and the stocks comprising the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index, and that all that dividends have been reinvested.
The above comparisons are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of the Company's common stock or the referenced indices.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
None
20
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of the Company. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Item 8 of this Form 10-K “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
Executive Summary
Strategic Priorities
Visteon is a global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative automotive electronics and connected car solutions for the world’s major vehicle manufacturers. The automotive electronics market is expected to grow faster than underlying vehicle production volumes as the vehicle shifts from analog to digital and towards device and cloud connectivity, electric vehicles, and more advanced safety features.
The Company has laid out the following strategic priorities:
•Technology Innovation - The Company is an established global leader in cockpit electronics and is positioned to provide solutions as the industry transitions to the next generation automotive cockpit experience. The cockpit is becoming fully digital, connected, automated, learning, and voice enabled. Visteon's broad portfolio of cockpit electronics technology, the industry's first wireless battery management system, and the development of the DriveCoreTM advanced safety platform positions Visteon to support these macro trends in the automotive industry.
•Long-Term Growth and Margin Expansion - The Company has continued to win business at a rate that exceeds current sales levels by demonstrating product quality, technical and development capability, new product innovation, reliability, timeliness, product design, manufacturing capability, and flexibility, as well as overall customer service.
•Enhance Shareholder Returns - The Company has returned approximately $3.3 billion to shareholders since 2015 through a combination of ongoing share repurchases and a onetime $1.75 billion special distribution in 2016.
Financial Results
The pie charts below highlight the sales breakdown for Visteon for the year ended December 31, 2020.
*Regional sales are based on the geographic region where sale originates and not where customer is located (excludes inter-regional eliminations).
Global Automotive Market Conditions and Production Levels
During 2020 global light vehicle production decreased 16.2% as compared to 2019 primarily due to closed or significantly reduced production at manufacturing facilities due to COVID-19.
21
Light vehicle production levels for 2020 and 2019 by geographic region are provided below:
Light Vehicle Production
Source: IHS Automotive, January 2021
The automotive industry was negatively impacted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, with industry production coming to a stop at most locations at varying times throughout the first half of the year, followed by a faster than anticipated recovery in the second half of the year.
This recovery has led to a worldwide semiconductor supply shortage in early 2021, as semiconductor suppliers have been unable to rapidly reallocate production lines to serve the automotive industry. The magnitude of the impact on the Company's 2021 financial statements and results of operations and cash flows will depend on the semiconductor supply shortage, related plant production schedules and supply chain impacts.
Company Highlights
Visteon proactively implemented actions early in 2020 focused on actively generating cash and aggressively adjusting its cost base. To mitigate the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Visteon implemented a series of restructuring programs, introduced strict cost controls, reduced discretionary spending, and enacted a temporary salary reduction for all salaried employees. In addition, Visteon implemented a comprehensive set of safety protocols to protect the health and safety of employees and manufactured and donated approximately 50,000 protective face shields to front line workers around the world.
As a result, Adjusted EBITDA (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, as defined in Note 20, "Segment Information and Revenue Recognition" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K) was $192 million or 7.5% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, cash, equivalents, and restricted cash was $500 million and debt was $349 million, equating to a net cash position of $151 million.
Visteon also made significant progress towards its long-term strategic priorities of technology innovation, long-term growth, and margin expansion. In 2020, Visteon continued to set the groundwork for sustainable market out-performance driven by new business wins and new product launches. For the full-year, Visteon was awarded $4.6 billion in new business and 55 new product launches, despite the challenges caused by COVID-19.
Visteon also continued to enhance its technology capabilities through its software platform strategy, which creates scalable, cost-efficient, and quick to market products while also introducing innovative new products. In 2020, Visteon introduced the industry’s first wireless battery management system, which replaces wired connections between the subsystems with highly secure and reliable wireless communication technology. This solution supports multiple charging protocols with a safe, modular, and scalable design to meet OEM cost, weight, battery pack configuration, and packaging requirements.
22
The Company's consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Selling, general and administrative expenses (193) (221) 28
Restructuring expense, net (76) (4) (72)
Interest expense, net (11) (9) (2)
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates 6 6 —
Other income, net 9 10 (1)
Income (loss) before income taxes (20) 106 (126)
Provision for income taxes (28) (24) (4)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (48) 82 (130)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (1) 1
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests (8) (11) 3
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ (56) $ 70 $ (126)
Results of Operations - 2020 Compared with 2019
Net Sales and Cost of Sales
(In millions) Net Sales Cost of Sales Gross Margin
Volume, mix, and net new business (318) 128 (190)
Customer pricing, net (58) — (58)
Engineering costs, net — 93 93
Cost performance, design changes and other (8) 92 84
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $2,548 million, which represents a decrease of $397 million compared with 2019. Unfavorable volumes, primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19, and mix, partially offset by net new business, decreased net sales by $318 million. Customer pricing decreased net sales by $58 million. Unfavorable currency decreased net sales by $13 million, primarily attributable to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Brazilian real and Indian rupee. Other cost performance, primarily related to design changes, reduced sales by $8 million.
Cost of sales decreased $318 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, when compared with 2019. Lower volumes, primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19, partially offset by unfavorable product mix, decreased cost of sales by $128 million. Engineering costs, excluding currency, decreased cost of sales by $93 million. Foreign currency decreased cost of sales by $5 million primarily attributable to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Indian rupee, Brazilian real, and Bulgarian lev. Favorable cost performance including material design, usage, and economics decreased cost of sales by $92 million.
23
A summary of net engineering costs is shown below:
Year Ended December 31,
Gross engineering costs $ (335) $ (440)
Engineering costs, net $ (201) $ (300)
Gross engineering includes program development costs and advanced engineering activities, excluding contractually reimbursable engineering costs. Net engineering costs of $201 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, including the impacts of currency, were $99 million lower than 2019, primarily related to short-term and long-term cost reduction initiatives including the benefits of previously announced restructuring actions implemented to optimize the structure while supporting future growth.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $193 million, or 7.6% of net sales, and $221 million, or 7.5% of net sales, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease of $28 million is primarily related to temporary salary reductions in 2020, other cost reduction initiatives, and the impacts of previously announced restructuring actions.
Restructuring Expense, Net
Restructuring actions initiated during 2020 include the following:
•In January, the Company approved a plan primarily related to European engineering and administrative functions to improve the Company’s efficiency and rationalize its footprint. The Company incurred $26 million of net restructuring expense for cash severance, retention, and termination costs related to this plan.
•In March, the Company approved a global restructuring plan impacting engineering, administrative and manufacturing functions to improve the Company’s efficiency and rationalize its footprint. The Company incurred $16 million of net restructuring expense for cash severance, retention, and termination costs related to this plan.
•In September, the Company approved a plan to respond to COVID-19 impacts while at the same time improving efficiency and rationalizing the Company’s footprint. The Company has incurred $32 million of net restructuring expense related to this plan.
•In December, the Company approved a plan related to engineering, administrative, and manufacturing functions in Asia to improve the Company's efficiency and rationalize its footprints. The Company has incurred $2 million in restructuring costs relation to this plan.
During 2019, the Company recorded approximately $4 million of net restructuring expenses related to end of life of certain products and the optimization of certain operations.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, was $11 million, representing an increase of $2 million as compared to 2019. The increase is primarily due to the first quarter 2020 borrowing of $400 million under the Company's revolving credit facility. The Company fully repaid the amount borrowed during the third quarter of 2020 following stronger than expected industry recovery and improved Company performance.
24
Equity in Net Income of Non-Consolidated Affiliates
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates was $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
Pension financing benefits, net $ 14 $ 10
Pension settlement charge (5) —
During 2020, the Company transferred a portion of the benefit obligation related to its defined benefit U.S. pension plan toa third-party issuer. The transaction met the criteria for settlement accounting, and accordingly the Company recognized a $5 million pension settlement charge in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Income Taxes
The Company's provision for income taxes was $28 million for year ended December 31, 2020 and reflects income tax expense related to those countries where the Company is profitable; accrued withholding taxes; ongoing assessments related to the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax benefits; the inability to record a tax benefit for pretax losses (including the U.S.) and/or recognize tax expense for pretax income in certain jurisdictions due to valuation allowances; and other non-recurring tax items.
The Company's provision for income taxes increased $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with 2019. The increase in tax expense reflects the reassessment of the 2020 valuation allowances in connection with the realization of deferred tax assets in Germany and Brazil, as well as the non-recurrence of a 2019 discrete income tax valuation allowance release in Germany, resulting in an increase in income tax expense of $19 million. Other changes in the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowances did not materially impact net tax expense during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. The increases described above were partially offset by approximately $15 million decrease in income tax expense primarily due to changes in the mix of earnings and differing tax rates between jurisdictions which reflects the overall decrease in earnings in jurisdictions where the Company is profitable and withholding taxes.
Discontinued Operations
During 2019, the Company recorded a $1 million charge for legal expenses related to former employees at a closed plant in Brazil.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Visteon
Net loss attributable to Visteon was $56 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net income of $70 million for 2019. The decrease of $126 million is related to a decrease in gross margin of $79 million, higher restructuring expense of $72 million, and higher provision for income taxes of $4 million. These decreases were partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expense of $28 million, and lower other income, net of $1 million.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $192 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing a decrease of $42 million when compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $234 million for 2019. Unfavorable volumes, primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19, and mix reduced Adjusted EBITDA by $190 million. Foreign currency decreased Adjusted EBITDA by $7 million, primarily attributable to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Brazilian real and Japanese yen, partially offset by the Mexican peso and Bulgarian lev. Lower net engineering costs, excluding currency, increased Adjusted EBITDA by $93 million. Favorable cost performance of $128 million, including material, design, and usage economics, lower manufacturing costs, lower selling and general and administrative expenses more than offset annual customer pricing of $58 million.
25
The reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Visteon for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ (56) $ 70 $ (126)
Depreciation and amortization 104 100 4
Restructuring expense, net 76 4 72
Provision for income taxes 28 24 4
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense 18 17 1
Interest expense, net 11 9 2
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests 8 11 (3)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — 1 (1)
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates (6) (6) —
Other, net 9 4 5
The Company's consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Selling, general and administrative expenses (221) (193) (28)
Restructuring expense, net (4) (29) 25
Interest expense, net (9) (7) (2)
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates 6 13 (7)
Income (loss) before income taxes 106 216 (110)
Provision for income taxes (24) (43) 19
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 82 173 (91)
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) 1 (2)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (11) (10) (1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 70 $ 164 $ (94)
26
Results of Operations - 2019 Compared with 2018
Net Sales and Cost of Sales
(In millions) Net Sales Cost of Sales Gross Margin
Volume, mix, and net new business 22 (91) (69)
VFAE consolidation 38 (32) 6
Customer pricing and other (71) — (71)
Engineering cost, net — (21) (21)
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled $2,945 million, which represents a decrease of $39 million compared with 2018. Unfavorable currency decreased net sales by $59 million, primarily attributable to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Brazilian real and Indian rupee. Net new business, partially offset by unfavorable volumes and mix, increased net sales by $22 million. Mix reflects the Company-specific content across programs. The consolidation of a previously non-consolidated affiliate, Changchun Visteon FAWAY Auto Electronics Co., Ltd, ("VFAE"), during the third quarter 2018 increased net sales $38 million. Other reductions, primarily associated with customer pricing, decreased net sales by $71 million. Design changes and other revenue claims increased net sales by $31 million.
Cost of sales increased $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, when compared with 2018. Net new business and mix, partially offset by unfavorable volumes, increased cost of sales by $91 million. Foreign currency decreased cost of sales by $47 million primarily attributable to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Indian rupee, Brazilian real, and Bulgarian lev. Engineering costs, excluding currency and the consolidation of VFAE, increased cost of sales by $21 million. Favorable cost performance including material, design and usage economics, decreased cost of sales by $49 million in 2019. The consolidation of VFAE during 2018 increased cost of sales $32 million.
A summary of net engineering costs is shown below:
Year Ended December 31,
Gross engineering costs $ (440) $ (431)
Engineering costs, net $ (300) $ (286)
Gross engineering includes program development costs and advanced engineering activities, excluding contractually reimbursable engineering costs. Net engineering costs, of $300 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, including the impacts of currency and the consolidation of VFAE, were $14 million higher than 2018, primarily related to costs to support the Company's new business wins.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $221 million, or 7.5% of net sales, and $193 million, or 6.5% of net sales, during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase of $28 million is related to higher stock compensation expense due to the 2018 resolution of a legal matter as further described in Note 19, "Commitments and Contingencies," to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, along with higher incentive compensation costs, bad debt expense, personnel costs, and the consolidation of VFAE, partially offset by favorable currency.
27
Restructuring Expense, Net
During the first quarter of 2019, the Company approved a restructuring program impacting two European manufacturing facilities due to the end of life of certain product lines. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded net restructuring expense of $2 million related to this program.
During the third quarter of 2018, the Company approved a restructuring program impacting engineering and administrative functions to optimize operations. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company recorded net restructuring expense of $1 million and $19 million related to this program.
During the second quarter of 2018, the Company approved a restructuring program impacting legacy employees at a South America facility and employees at North America manufacturing facilities due to the wind-down of certain products. During, the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company recorded net restructuring expense of $1 million and $5 million related to this plan.
During 2016, the Company approved a restructuring program impacting engineering and administrative functions to further align the Company's footprint with its core product technologies and customers. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded net restructuring expense of $5 million related to this program.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded approximately $1 million associated with a former European Interiors facility related to settlement of employee severance litigation.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, was $9 million, representing an increase of $2 million when compared to 2018. The increase is primarily due to lower interest income on short-term investments.
Equity in Net Income of Non-Consolidated Affiliates
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates was $6 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in income is primarily attributable to the Company's equity interest in Yanfeng Visteon Investment Company due to decreases in engineering services, and to the elimination of equity income due to the consolidation of VFAE in the third quarter of 2018.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
Pension financing benefits, net $ 10 $ 13
Transformation initiatives — 4
Gain on non-consolidated affiliate transactions, net — 4
Transformation initiatives during the year ended December 31, 2018 include a $4 million benefit related to the resolution of a legal matter as further described in Note 19, "Commitments and Contingencies" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
On September 1, 2018, Visteon acquired an additional 1% ownership interest in VFAE, a former non-consolidated affiliate, resulting in a total 51% controlling interest and a non-cash gain of $4 million as further described in Note 2, "Discontinued Operations" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
28
Income Taxes
The Company's provision for income taxes was $24 million for year ended December 31, 2019 and reflects income tax expense related to those countries where the Company is profitable; accrued withholding taxes; ongoing assessments related to the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax benefits; the inability to record a tax benefit for pretax losses and/or recognize tax expense for pretax income in certain jurisdictions (including the U.S.) due to valuation allowances; and other non-recurring tax items.
The Company's provision for income taxes decreased $19 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with 2018. The decrease in tax expense includes approximately $15 million primarily attributable to the overall decrease in year-over-year earnings, including changes in the mix of earnings and differing tax rates between jurisdictions, and withholding taxes. During the first quarter of 2019, the closure of tax audits in Germany allowed the Company to initiate a tax planning strategy previously determined not to be prudent. This strategy provided the necessary positive evidence to support the future utilization of a portion of the Company's deferred tax assets in Germany resulting in a $12 million income tax benefit recognized in 2019.
Other changes in the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowances did not materially impact net tax expense during the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2018. These decreases in the tax provision were partially offset by the $8 million increase in tax expense related to uncertain tax positions, primarily attributable by the non-recurrence of a $6 million income tax benefit in connection with uncertain tax positions related to goodwill tax amortization at an affiliate in Asia, and $2 million income tax expense primarily related to certain transfer pricing positions taken between affiliates in Europe and the U.S.
Discontinued Operations
During 2019, the Company recorded a $1 million charge for legal expenses related to former employees at a closed plant in Brazil.
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recognized a $3 million benefit related to the resolution of a legal matter as further described in Note 19, "Commitments and Contingencies" in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. During 2018 the Company recorded a $4 million charge for legal expenses related to former employees at a closed plant in Brazil.
The Company recorded a $4 million income tax benefit during 2018 related to uncertain tax positions in connection with the Climate transaction, resulting from statute expiration.
Net Income
Net income attributable to Visteon was $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net income of $164 million for 2018. The decrease of $94 million includes a decrease in gross margin of $87 million, higher selling, general and administrative expense of $28 million, lower other income, net of $11 million, and lower equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates of $7 million. These decreases were partially offset by lower restructuring expense of $25 million, and lower provision for income taxes of $19 million.
29
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $234 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing a decrease of $96 million when compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $330 million for 2018. Unfavorable volumes and mix reduced Adjusted EBITDA by $69 million. Foreign currency decreased Adjusted EBITDA by $7 million, attributable to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Brazilian real and Japanese yen, partially offset by the Mexican peso and Bulgarian lev. Higher net engineering costs, excluding currency and the consolidation of VFAE, decreased Adjusted EBITDA by $21 million. Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by annual customer pricing of $71 million, which was partially offset by favorable cost performance of $68 million. The consolidation of VFAE, during the third quarter of 2018, increased Adjusted EBITDA by $4 million.
The reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Visteon for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 70 $ 164 $ (94)
Depreciation and amortization 100 91 9
Restructuring expense, net 4 29 (25)
Interest expense, net 9 7 2
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates (6) (13) 7
Provision for income taxes 24 43 (19)
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 1 (1) 2
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 11 10 1
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense 17 8 9
Liquidity
Overview
The Company's primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, existing cash balances, and borrowings under available credit facilities. As we continue to confront the many challenges caused by the impact of COVID-19, including governmental actions to mitigate the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the Company believes that funds from these sources will be sufficient to sustain ongoing operations and support investment in differentiating technologies. The Company will continue to closely monitor and preserve its available liquidity and maintain access to additional liquidity to as needed. The Company's intra-year needs are normally impacted by seasonal effects in the industry, such as mid-year shutdowns, the ramp-up of new model production, and year-end shutdowns at key customers.
A substantial portion of the Company's cash flows from operations are generated by operations located outside of the United States. Accordingly, the Company utilizes a combination of cash repatriation strategies, including dividends and distributions, royalties, and other intercompany arrangements to provide the funds necessary to meet obligations globally. The Company’s ability to access funds from its subsidiaries is subject to, among other things, customary regulatory and statutory requirements and contractual arrangements including joint venture agreements and local credit facilities. Moreover, repatriation efforts may be modified by the Company according to prevailing circumstances.
On March 19, 2020, the Company borrowed the entire $400 million amount available under the revolving credit facility. On September 24, 2020, the Company fully repaid the amount borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility following stronger than expected industry recovery and improved Company performance in the third quarter of 2020.
Access to additional capital through the debt or equity markets is influenced by the Company's credit ratings. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s corporate credit rating is Ba3 and BB- by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. See Note 11, "Debt" in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a comprehensive discussion of the Company's debt facilities. Incremental funding requirements of the Company's consolidated foreign entities are primarily accommodated by intercompany cash pooling structures. Affiliate working capital lines, which are
30
utilized by the Company's consolidated joint ventures, had availability of $182 million and the Company had $400 of available credit under the revolving credit facility, as of December 31, 2020.
Cash Balances
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had total cash of $500 million, including $4 million of restricted cash. Cash balances totaling $406 million were located in jurisdictions outside of the United States, of which approximately $190 million is considered permanently reinvested for funding ongoing operations outside of the U.S. If such permanently reinvested funds were repatriated to the U.S., no U.S. federal taxes would be imposed on the distribution of such foreign earnings due to U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017, but the Company would be required to accrue additional tax expense, primarily related to foreign withholding taxes.
Other Items Affecting Liquidity
During the year ended December 31, 2020, cash contributions to the Company's U.S. defined benefit pension plans were $18 million and cash contributions of $6 million related to its non-U.S. employee retirement plans. Contributions related to certain non-U.S. plans of approximately $2 million have been deferred until 2024 due to COVID-19 relief measures. Additionally, the Company expects to make contributions to its U.S. defined benefit pension plans of $17 million and non-US defined benefit pension plans of $7 million during 2021. The Company’s expected 2021 contributions may be revised.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid $32 million related to restructuring activities. Additional discussion regarding the Company's restructuring activities is provided in Note 4, "Restructuring Activities" in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
The Company has committed to make a $15 million investment in two entities principally focused on the automotive sector pursuant to limited partnership agreements. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has contributed $5 million toward the aggregate investment commitments. As a limited partner in each entity, the Company will periodically make capital contributions toward this total commitment amount.
Purchase Obligations
As of December 31, 2020, the Company has contractual purchase obligations of approximately $75 million through 2023.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Notwithstanding the significant actions implemented by the Company to substantially mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company generated $168 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $183 million during 2019 representing a $15 million decrease.
Lower cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to lower net income of $129 million. Favorable changes in accounts receivable, partially attributable to $40 million of higher than anticipated customer receipts during the final month of 2020, were more than offset by unfavorable changes in inventory and accounts payable balances resulting in lower trade working capital of $17 million in 2020 as compared to 2019. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by lower cash tax payments, higher net recoveries of reimbursable taxes and higher net proceeds received from customers to fund the Company's pre-production design, engineering and tooling costs necessary to support current and future programs.
The Company generated $183 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $204 million during 2018, representing a $21 million decrease in cash provided from operations. The decrease in operating cash flows is due to lower net income of $93 million, partially offset by higher depreciation, increased stock based compensation expense, lower equity income of non-consolidated affiliates, net of dividends and other non-cash adjustments totaling $38 million. In addition, improved trade working capital performance of $27 million and favorable changes of other assets and other liabilities of $7 million further reduced the impact of lower net income on net cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2019.
31
Investing Activities
Net cash used by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $98 million, as compared to $128 million in 2019, representing a decrease of $30 million. Net cash used by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 is primarily attributable to capital expenditures of $104 million to support new business, offset by proceeds from net investment hedging transactions and loan repayments received from a non-consolidated affiliate.
Net cash used by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled $128 million, as compared to $98 million in 2018, representing an increase in cash used by investing activities of $30 million. Net cash used by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 is primarily attributable to capital expenditures of $142 million, partially offset by net loan repayment proceeds received from non-consolidated affiliates of $11 million. Net cash used by investing activities during year ended December 31, 2018, included capital expenditures of $127, partially offset by cash acquired from the consolidation of VFAE of $16 million and $13 million of other net proceeds primarily attributable to the settlement of certain agreements related to the Interiors Divestiture.
Financing Activities
Net cash used by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020, totaled $58 million as compared to $49 million for 2019, representing an increase of $9 million, primarily attributable to an increase in short-term debt repayment partially offset by a decrease of common stock repurchases.
Net cash used by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019, totaled $49 million, compared to $335 million for 2018, representing a decrease in net cash used by financing activities of $286 million. Lower net cash used by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to 2018 is primarily attributable to lower share repurchase transactions of $280 million. Activity during 2018 also includes dividends paid to non-controlling interests of $28 million, distribution payments of $14 million and proceeds from an increase in short-term debt of $12 million.
Debt and Capital Structure
See "Liquidity" above and also see Note 11, "Debt" and Note 15, "Stockholders' Equity and Non-controlling Interests" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information.
Fair Value Measurements
See Note 17, "Fair Value Measurements" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s significant accounting policies have been disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes under Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information. Certain policies relate to estimates that involve matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made and different estimates or changes to an estimate could have a material impact on the reported financial position, changes in financial condition or results of operations. Such critical estimates are discussed below. For these, materially different amounts could be reported under varied conditions and assumption. Other items in the Company's consolidated financial statements require estimation, however, in our judgment, they are not as critical as those discussed below.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is measured based on the transaction price and the quantity of parts specified in a contract with a customer. Discrete price adjustments may occur during the vehicle production period in order for the Company to remain competitive with market prices or based on changes in product specifications. Some of these price adjustments are non-routine in nature and require estimation. In the event the Company concludes that a portion of the revenue for a given part may vary from the purchase order, the Company records consideration at the most likely amount to which the Company expects to be entitled based on historical experience and input from customer negotiations. See Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
32
Product Warranty and Recall
The Company accrues for warranty obligations for products sold based on management estimates, with support from the Company’s sales, engineering, quality, and legal functions, of the amount that eventually will be required to settle such obligations. This accrual is based on several factors including contractual arrangements, past experience, current claims, production changes, industry developments, and various other considerations. The Company accrues for product recall claims related to potential financial participation in customer actions to provide remedies as a result of actual or threatened regulatory or court actions or the Company’s determination of the potential for such actions. The Company's accrual for recall claims is based on specific facts and circumstances underlying individual claims with support from the Company’s engineering, quality, and legal functions. Amounts accrued are based upon management’s best estimate of the amount that will ultimately be required to settle such claims. See Note 19, "Commitments and Contingencies" in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Restructuring
The Company accrues costs in connection with its restructuring of the engineering, administration organization and manufacturing. These accruals include estimates primarily related to employee headcount, local statutory benefits, and other employee termination costs. Actual costs may vary from these estimates. These accruals are reviewed on a quarterly basis and changes to restructuring actions are appropriately recognized when identified. See Note 4, “Restructuring Activities” in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Pension Plans
Certain Company employees participate in defined benefit pension plans or retirement/termination indemnity plans. The Company has approximately $304 million in unfunded net pension liabilities as of December 31, 2020, of which approximately $232 million and $72 million are attributable to U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans, respectively. The determination of the Company’s obligations and expense for its pension plans is dependent on assumptions set by the Company used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Assumptions are described in Note 12, “Employee Benefit Plans” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and rate of increase in compensation.
Actual results that differ from assumptions used are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, accordingly, generally affect recognized expense in future periods. Therefore, assumptions used to calculate benefit obligations as of the annual measurement date directly impact the expense to be recognized in future periods. The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s accounting for employee benefits, as of December 31, 2020, are as follows:
•Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets: The expected long-term rate of return is used to calculate net periodic pension cost. The required use of the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets may result in recognized returns that are greater or less than the actual returns on those plan assets in any given year. Over time the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual returns. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets has been estimated based on various inputs, including historical returns for the different asset classes held by the Company’s trusts and its asset allocation, as well as inputs from internal and external sources regarding expected capital market returns, inflation, and other variables.
In determining its pension expense for 2020, the Company used long-term rates of return on plan assets. For U.S. plans, the Company used an expected rate of return of 6.6%. For non-U.S. plans, the Company used expected rates of return ranging from 2.0% to 7.25%. The Company has set the long-term rates of return assumptions for its 2021 pension expense which range from 2.0% to 7.0% outside the U.S. and 6.15% in the U.S. Actual returns on U.S. pension assets for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were 15.0%, 19.9% and (4.5%), respectively.
•Discount rate: The Company uses the spot rate method to estimate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for pension benefits for its U.S. and certain non-U.S. plans. The Company has elected to utilize an approach that discounts individual expected cash flows underlying interest and service costs using the applicable spot rates derived from the yield curve used to determine the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. The discount rate assumption is based on market rates for a hypothetical portfolio of high-quality corporate bonds rated Aa or better with maturities closely matched to the timing of projected benefit payments for each plan at its annual measurement date. The Company used discount rates ranging from 0.8% to 8.75% to determine its pension and other benefit obligations as of December 31, 2020, including weighted average discount rates of 2.60% for U.S. pension plans and 1.78% for non-U.S. pension plan.
33
While the Company believes that these assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in these assumptions may materially affect the Company’s pension benefit obligations and its future expense. The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans on its 2020 funded status and 2021 pretax pension expense.
(a) Assumes all other assumptions are held constant.
(b) Excludes impact of assets used to hedge discount rate volatility.
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and valuation allowances recorded against the Company’s net deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets when, based on all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. This assessment, which is completed on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, requires significant judgment, and in making this evaluation, the evidence considered by the Company includes historical, and projected financial performance, as well as the nature, frequency, and severity of recent losses along with any other pertinent information.
In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the final tax determination is uncertain. The Company is regularly audited by tax authorities. Where appropriate, the Company accrues for contingencies related to income tax risks and non-income tax risks. See Note 14, "Income Taxes" in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company uses fair value measurements in the preparation of its financial statements, utilizing various inputs including those that can be readily observable, indirectly observable or are unobservable. The Company utilizes market-based data and valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs. Additionally, the Company applies assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. See Note 17, "Fair Value Measurements" in the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Company's consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
34
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained or incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K which are not statements of historical fact constitute “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events. Words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “seek”, “estimate” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance signify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and estimates, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including those discussed in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent the Company’s estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Form 10-K. The Company does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statement is made and qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
You should understand that various factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document, could affect the Company’s future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements, including:
•Continued and future impacts of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic on the Visteon’s financial condition and business operations including global supply chain disruptions, market downturns, reduced consumer demand, and new government actions or restrictions.
•Significant or prolonged shortage of critical components from Visteon’s suppliers including, but not limited to semiconductors, and particularly those components from suppliers who are sole or primary sources.
•Significant changes in the competitive environment in the major markets where Visteon procures materials, components, or supplies or where its products are manufactured, distributed, or sold.
•Visteon’s ability to satisfy its future capital and liquidity requirements; Visteon’s ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on terms acceptable to Visteon; Visteon’s ability to comply with covenants applicable to it; and the continuation of acceptable supplier payment terms.
•Visteon’s ability to access funds generated by its foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures on a timely and cost-effective basis.
•Changes in the operations (including products, product planning and part sourcing), financial condition, results of operations, or market share of Visteon’s customers.
•Changes in vehicle production volume of Visteon’s customers in the markets where it operates.
•Increases in commodity costs or disruptions in the supply of commodities, including resins, copper, fuel, and natural gas.
•Visteon’s ability to generate cost savings to offset or exceed agreed-upon price reductions or price reductions to win additional business and, in general, improve its operating performance; to achieve the benefits of its restructuring actions; and to recover engineering and tooling costs and capital investments.
•Visteon’s ability to compete favorably with automotive parts suppliers with lower cost structures and greater ability to rationalize operations; and to exit non-performing businesses on satisfactory terms, particularly due to limited flexibility under existing labor agreements.
•Restrictions in labor contracts with unions that restrict Visteon’s ability to close plants, divest unprofitable, noncompetitive businesses, change local work rules and practices at a number of facilities and implement cost-saving measures.
•The costs and timing of facility closures or dispositions, business or product realignments, or similar restructuring actions, including potential asset impairment or other charges related to the implementation of these actions or other adverse industry conditions and contingent liabilities.
35
•Legal and administrative proceedings, investigations and claims, including shareholder class actions, inquiries by regulatory agencies, product liability, warranty, employee-related, environmental and safety claims and any recalls of products manufactured or sold by Visteon.
•Changes in economic conditions, currency exchange rates, changes in foreign laws, regulations or trade policies or political stability in foreign countries where Visteon procures materials, components or supplies or where its products are manufactured, distributed, or sold.
•Shortages of materials or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor in the major markets where Visteon purchases materials, components or supplies to manufacture its products or where its products are manufactured, distributed or sold.
•Visteon’s ability to satisfy its pension and other postretirement employee benefit obligations, and to retire outstanding debt and satisfy other contractual commitments, all at the levels and times planned by management.
•Changes in laws, regulations, policies or other activities of governments, agencies and similar organizations, domestic and foreign, that may tax or otherwise increase the cost of, or otherwise affect, the manufacture, licensing, distribution, sale, ownership, or use of Visteon’s products or assets.
•Possible terrorist attacks or acts of war, which could exacerbate other risks such as slowed vehicle production, interruptions in the transportation system, changes in fuel prices, and disruptions of supply.
•The cyclical and seasonal nature of the automotive industry.
•Visteon’s ability to comply with environmental, safety, and other regulations applicable to it and any increase in the requirements, responsibilities and associated expenses and expenditures of these regulations.
•Visteon’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights and to respond to changes in technology and technological risks and to claims by others that Visteon infringes their intellectual property rights.
•Visteon’s ability to quickly and adequately remediate control deficiencies in its internal control over financial reporting.
•Other factors, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Visteon’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
36
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The primary market risks to which the Company is exposed include changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and certain commodity prices. The Company manages these risks through derivative instruments and various operating actions including fixed price contracts with suppliers and cost sourcing arrangements with customers. The Company's use of derivative instruments is limited to mitigation of market risks, including hedging activities. However, derivative instruments are not used for speculative or trading purposes, as per clearly defined risk management policies. Additionally, the Company's use of derivative instruments creates exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counter-party to the derivative financial instruments. The Company limits this exposure by entering into agreements directly with a variety of major financial institutions with high credit standards and that are expected to fully satisfy their obligations under the contracts. Additionally, the Company's ability to utilize derivatives to manage market risk is dependent on credit conditions and market conditions given the current economic environment.
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company’s net cash inflows and outflows exposed to the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates arise from the sale of products in countries other than the manufacturing source, foreign currency denominated supplier payments, debt and other payables, subsidiary dividends, investments in subsidiaries, and anticipated foreign currency denominated transaction proceeds. Where possible, the Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate risks. Forward and option contracts may be utilized to reduce the impact to the Company's cash flow from adverse movements in exchange rates. Foreign currency exposures are reviewed periodically and any natural offsets are considered prior to entering into a derivative financial instrument. The Company’s primary hedged foreign currency exposures include the euro and Mexican peso and Brazilian real. Where possible, the Company utilizes a strategy of partial coverage for transactions in these currencies. The Company's policy requires that hedge transactions relate to a specific portion of the exposure not to exceed the aggregate amount of the underlying transaction.
In addition to the transactional exposure described above, the Company's operating results are impacted by the translation of its foreign operating income into U.S. dollars. The Company does not enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate this exposure. The hypothetical pretax gain or loss in fair value from a 10% favorable or adverse change in quoted currency exchange rates would be approximately $31 million and $32 million for foreign currency derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These estimated changes assume a parallel shift in all currency exchange rates and include the gain or loss on financial instruments used to hedge investments in subsidiaries. Because exchange rates typically do not all move in the same direction, the estimate may overstate the impact of changing exchange rates on the net fair value of the Company's financial derivatives. It is also important to note that gains and losses indicated in the sensitivity analysis would generally be offset by gains and losses on the underlying exposures being hedged.
Interest Rate Risk
See Note 18, "Financial Instruments" to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Commodity Risk
The Company's exposures to market risk from changes in the price of production material are managed primarily through negotiations with suppliers and customers, although there can be no assurance that the Company will recover all such costs. The Company continues to evaluate derivatives available in the marketplace and may decide to utilize derivatives in the future to manage select commodity risks if an acceptable hedging instrument is identified for the Company's exposure level at that time, as well as the effectiveness of the financial hedge among other factors.
37
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Visteon Corporation and Subsidiaries
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page No.
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 40
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 45
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 48
38
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive and financial officers of the Company, an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was conducted based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“the COSO 2013 Framework”) of the Treadway Commission.
Based on the evaluation performed under the COSO 2013 Framework as of December 31, 2020, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective. Additionally, Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, as stated in their report which is included herein.
39
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Visteon Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Visteon Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule included in Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework),and our report dated February 18, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
40
Revenue Recognition
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
Detroit, Michigan
February 18, 2021
41
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Visteon Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Visteon Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Visteon Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2020 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 18, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Detroit, Michigan
February 18, 2021
42
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
Selling, general and administrative expenses (193) (221) (193)
Restructuring expense, net (76) (4) (29)
Interest expense (16) (13) (14)
Interest income 5 4 7
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates 6 6 13
Income (loss) before income taxes (20) 106 216
Provision for income taxes (28) (24) (43)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (48) 82 173
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (1) 1
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests (8) (11) (10)
Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ (56) $ 70 $ 164
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Discontinued operations — (0.04) 0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Discontinued operations — (0.04) 0.03
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
43
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
Year Ended December 31,
Foreign currency translation adjustments 45 (13) (46)
Net investment hedge (19) 9 7
Benefit plans, net of tax (a) (51) (43) (8)
Unrealized hedging gains (losses), net of tax (b) (5) (6) 1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (30) (53) (46)
Comprehensive income (loss) (78) 28 128
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 15 9 6
(a) Benefit plans, net of tax reflects tax expense of less than $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, tax benefit of $5 million for the year ended December 31,2019, and tax expense of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(b) Unrealized hedging gains (losses), net of tax reflects no income tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and tax expense of less than $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
44
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
December 31,
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents $ 496 $ 466
Restricted cash 4 3
Accounts receivable, net 484 514
Property and equipment, net 436 436
Investments in non-consolidated affiliates 60 48
Other non-current assets 135 150
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Short-term debt $ — $ 37
Accrued employee liabilities 83 73
Current lease liability 32 30
Other current liabilities 209 147
Total current liabilities 824 798
Non-current lease liability 146 139
Deferred tax liabilities 28 27
Other non-current liabilities 92 72
Stockholders’ equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (304) (267)
Total Visteon Corporation stockholders’ equity 387 480
Non-controlling interests 123 115
Total liabilities and equity $ 2,271 $ 2,271
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
45
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS1
(In millions)
Year Ended December 31,
Operating Activities
Non-cash stock-based compensation 18 17 8
Transaction gains — — (8)
Other non-cash items 7 8 3
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets and other liabilities 56 (70) (77)
Net cash provided from operating activities 168 183 204
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including intangibles (104) (142) (127)
Net investment hedge transactions 8 — —
Loans to non-consolidated affiliate, net of repayments 2 11 —
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired — — 16
Net cash used by investing activities (98) (128) (98)
Financing Activities
Borrowings on debt 400 — —
Principal payments on debt (400) — —
Repurchase of common stock (16) (20) (300)
Short-term debt, net (37) (19) 12
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (7) (9) (28)
Distribution payments — — (14)
Stock-based compensation tax withholding payments — — (7)
Net cash used by financing activities (58) (49) (335)
Effect of exchange rates 19 (4) (13)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, equivalents, and restricted cash 31 2 (242)
Cash, equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period 469 467 709
Cash, equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period $ 500 $ 469 $ 467
Supplemental Disclosures:
Cash paid for interest $ 18 $ 14 $ 15
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds $ 19 $ 40 $ 47
1The Company has combined cash flows from discontinued operations with cash flows from continuing operations within the operating, investing and financing categories.
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
46
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In millions)
Total Visteon Corporation Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss) — — — — (42) — (42) (4) (46)
Stock-based compensation, net — — (4) — — 10 6 — 6
Repurchase of shares of common stock — — — — — (300) (300) — (300)
Cash dividends — — — — — — — (28) (28)
Business acquisition — — — — — — — 15 15
Other comprehensive income (loss) — — — — (51) — (51) (2) (53)
Stock-based compensation, net — — 5 — — 9 14 — 14
Repurchase of shares of common stock — — — — — (20) (20) — (20)
Cash dividends — — — — — — — (9) (9)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest — — 2 — — — 2 (2) —
Net income (loss) — — — (56) — — (56) 8 (48)
Other comprehensive income (loss) — — — — (37) — (37) 7 (30)
Stock-based compensation, net — — 6 — — 10 16 — 16
Repurchase of shares of common stock — — — — — (16) (16) — (16)
Cash dividends — — — — — — — (7) (7)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
47
VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation: Visteon Corporation (the "Company" or "Visteon") financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") on a going concern basis, which contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates over which the Company does not exercise control, but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. All other investments are measured at cost, less impairment, with changes in fair value recognized in net income.
The Company determines whether the joint venture in which it has invested is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and when a reconsideration event has occurred. An enterprise must consolidate a VIE if it is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. Considerable judgment is involved in making these determinations and the use of different estimates or assumptions could result in significantly different results. Management believes its assumptions and estimates are reasonable and appropriate. However, actual results could differ from those reported herein. Events and changes in circumstances arising after December 31, 2020, including those resulting from the impacts of COVID-19 and related subsequent semiconductor supply shortage, as described below, will be reflected in management's estimates for future periods.
The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant vehicle production slowdown in the first half of 2020, which was followed by increased consumer demand and vehicle production schedules in the second half of 2020, particularly in the fourth quarter. This surge in demand has led to a worldwide semiconductor supply shortage in early 2021, as semiconductor suppliers have been unable to rapidly reallocate production lines to serve the automotive industry. The Company is working closely with suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts, and continues to closely monitor the availability of semiconductor microchips and other component parts and raw materials, customer vehicle production schedules and any other supply chain inefficiencies that may arise, due to this or any other issue. However, any direct or indirect supply chain disruptions may have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations or cash flows. The Company continues to actively monitor the potential supply chain impacts of this worldwide shortage and other ongoing potential impacts of COVID-19 and will seek to aggressively mitigate and minimize its impact on our business.
Foreign Currency: Assets and liabilities for most of the Company’s non-U.S. businesses are translated into U.S. dollars at end-of-period exchange rates. Income and expense accounts of the Company’s non-U.S. businesses are translated into U.S. dollars at average-period exchange rates. The related translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The effects of remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s businesses denominated in currencies other than their functional currency are recorded as transaction gains and losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recorded as transaction gains and losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net transaction gains and losses, inclusive of amounts associated with discontinued operations, decreased net income by $2 million, $3 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.
Revenue Recognition: The Company generates revenue from the production of automotive vehicle cockpit electronics parts sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs"), or Tier 1 suppliers at the direction of the OEM, under long-term supply agreements supporting new vehicle production. Such agreements may also require related production for service parts subsequent to initial vehicle production periods.
48
The Company’s contracts with customers involve various governing documents (sourcing agreements, master purchase agreements, terms and conditions agreements, etc.) which do not reach the level of a performance obligation of the Company until the Company receives either a purchase order and/or a customer release for a specific number of parts at a specified price, at which point the collective group of documents represent an enforceable contract. While the long-term supply agreements generally range from three to five years, customers make no commitments to volumes, and pricing or specifications can change prior to or during production. The Company recognizes revenue when control of the parts produced are transferred to the customer according to the terms of the contract, which is usually when the parts are shipped or delivered to the customer’s premises. Customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery and payment generally occurs within 45 to 90 days and do not include significant financing components. Customers in China are often invoiced one month after shipment or delivery. Customer returns, when they occur, relate to quality rework issues and are not connected to any repurchase obligation of the Company. As of December 31, 2020, all unfulfilled performance obligations are expected to be fulfilled within the next twelve months.
Revenue is measured based on the transaction price and the quantity of parts specified in a contract with a customer. Discrete price adjustments may occur during the vehicle production period in order for the Company to remain competitive with market prices or based on changes in product specifications. Some of these price adjustments are non-routine in nature and require estimation. In the event the Company concludes that a portion of the revenue for a given part may vary from the purchase order, the Company records revenue at the most likely amount to which the Company expects to be entitled based on historical experience and input from customer negotiations. The Company records such estimates within Net sales and Accounts receivable, net, within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The Company adjusts its pricing reserves at the earlier of when the most likely amount of consideration changes or when the consideration becomes fixed. In 2020, revenue recognized related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods represented less than 1% of consolidated sales. The Company has no material contracts assets, contract liabilities or capitalized contract acquisition costs as of December 31, 2020.
Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control of the parts has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of sales.
Restructuring Expense: Restructuring expense includes costs directly associated with exit or disposal activities. Such costs include employee severance and termination benefits, special termination benefits, contract termination fees and penalties, and other exit or disposal costs. In general, the Company records involuntary employee-related exit and disposal costs when there is a substantive plan for employee severance and related costs are probable and estimable. For one-time termination benefits (i.e., no substantive plan) and employee retention costs, expense is recorded when the employees are entitled to receive such benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Contract termination fees and penalties and other exit and disposal costs are generally recorded when incurred.
Debt Issuance Costs: The costs related to issuance or modification of long-term debt are deferred and amortized into interest expense over the life of each respective debt issue. Deferred amounts associated with debt extinguished prior to maturity are expensed upon extinguishment.
Other Costs within Cost of Sales: Repair and maintenance costs, pre-production costs, and research and development expenses are expensed as incurred. Pre-production costs expensed represent engineering and development costs that are not contractually guaranteed for reimbursement by the customer. Research and development expenses include salary and related employee benefits, contractor fees, information technology, occupancy, telecommunications, depreciation, forward model program development, and advanced engineering activities. Research and development expenses were $201 million, $300 million, and $286 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which includes recoveries from customers of $134 million, $140 million and $146 million. Shipping and handling costs are recorded in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations as "Cost of sales."
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Visteon: Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Visteon by the average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Visteon by the average number of common and potential dilutive common shares outstanding after deducting undistributed income allocated to participating securities. Performance based share units are considered contingently issuable shares and are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share if their conditions have been satisfied as if the reporting date was the end of the contingency period.
49
Cash and Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, including short-term time deposits, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and money market funds to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2020 the Company's cash balances are invested in a diversified portfolio of cash and highly liquid cash equivalents including money market funds, commercial paper rated A2/P2 and above with maturity under three months, time deposits and other short-term cash investments, which mature under three months with highly rated banking institutions. The cost of such funds approximates fair value based on the nature of the investment.
Restricted Cash: Restricted cash represents amounts designated for uses other than current operations and includes $3 million related to a Letter of Credit Facility, and $1 million related to cash collateral for other corporate purposes as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, restricted cash includes $2 million related to a Letter of Credit Facility and $1 million related to cash collateral for other corporate purposes.
Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable are stated at the invoiced amount, less an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated amounts not expected to be collected, and do not bear interest.
The Company receives bank notes from certain customers in China to settle trade accounts receivable. The collection on such bank notes are included in operating cash flows based on the substance of the underlying transactions, which are operating in nature. The Company may hold such bank notes until maturity, exchange them with suppliers to settle liabilities, or sell them to third-party financial institutions in exchange for cash. The Company has entered into arrangements with financial institutions to sell certain bank notes, generally maturing within nine months. Bank notes are sold with recourse but qualify as a sale as all rights to the notes have passed to the financial institution.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable based on the current expected credit loss impairment model (“CECL”). The Company elected to apply a historical loss rate based on historic write-offs by region to aging categories. The historical loss rate will be adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future losses, as necessary.The Company may also record a specific reserve for individual accounts when the Company becomes aware of specific customer circumstances, such as in the case of a bankruptcy filing or deterioration in the customer's operating results or financial position.
The allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable and related activity are summarized below:
December 31,
Balance at beginning of year $ 10 $ 6 $ 8
Recoveries (3) (1) —
Write-offs charged against the allowance (4) (1) (4)
Balance at end of year $ 4 $ 10 $ 6