BORGWARNER INC (BWA)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Transportation Equipment > SIC 3714 Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=908255. Latest filing source: 0000908255-26-000011.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read BWA's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read BWA's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 14,316,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-11 |
| Net income | 277,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-11 |
| Assets | 13,769,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-11 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-11. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000908255.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 9,071,000,000 | 9,799,000,000 | 10,530,000,000 | 10,168,000,000 | 10,165,000,000 | 11,803,000,000 | 12,635,000,000 | 14,198,000,000 | 14,086,000,000 | 14,316,000,000 |
| Net income | 595,000,000 | 440,000,000 | 931,000,000 | 746,000,000 | 500,000,000 | 537,000,000 | 944,000,000 | 625,000,000 | 338,000,000 | 277,000,000 |
| Operating income | 973,200,000 | 1,072,000,000 | 1,190,000,000 | 1,303,000,000 | 618,000,000 | 914,000,000 | 1,009,000,000 | 1,160,000,000 | 546,000,000 | 536,000,000 |
| Gross profit | 1,928,700,000 | 2,115,000,000 | 2,230,000,000 | 2,101,000,000 | 1,910,000,000 | 2,173,000,000 | 2,369,000,000 | 2,568,000,000 | 2,648,000,000 | 2,674,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 2.76 | 2.08 | 4.44 | 3.61 | 2.34 | 2.24 | 3.99 | 2.67 | 1.50 | 1.28 |
| Operating cash flow | 1,210,000,000 | 1,180,000,000 | 1,397,000,000 | 1,382,000,000 | 1,648,000,000 | |||||
| Capital expenditures | 500,600,000 | 560,000,000 | 546,000,000 | 481,000,000 | 441,000,000 | 514,000,000 | 622,000,000 | 832,000,000 | 671,000,000 | 469,000,000 |
| Dividends paid | 113,400,000 | 124,000,000 | 142,000,000 | 140,000,000 | 146,000,000 | 162,000,000 | 161,000,000 | 130,000,000 | 98,000,000 | 119,000,000 |
| Share buybacks | 288,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 216,000,000 | 0.00 | 240,000,000 | 177,000,000 | 402,000,000 | 508,000,000 |
| Assets | 8,834,700,000 | 9,788,000,000 | 10,095,000,000 | 9,702,000,000 | 16,029,000,000 | 16,575,000,000 | 16,994,000,000 | 14,453,000,000 | 13,993,000,000 | 13,769,000,000 |
| Liabilities | 9,305,000,000 | 9,313,000,000 | 9,486,000,000 | 8,387,000,000 | 8,287,000,000 | 8,155,000,000 | ||||
| Stockholders' equity | 3,218,300,000 | 3,716,800,000 | 4,226,000,000 | 4,706,000,000 | 6,428,000,000 | 6,948,000,000 | 7,224,000,000 | 5,828,000,000 | 5,532,000,000 | 5,442,000,000 |
| Free cash flow | 696,000,000 | 558,000,000 | 565,000,000 | 711,000,000 | 1,179,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 6.56% | 4.49% | 8.84% | 7.34% | 4.92% | 4.55% | 7.47% | 4.40% | 2.40% | 1.93% |
| Operating margin | 10.73% | 10.94% | 11.30% | 12.81% | 6.08% | 7.74% | 7.99% | 8.17% | 3.88% | 3.74% |
| Return on equity | 18.49% | 11.84% | 22.03% | 15.85% | 7.78% | 7.73% | 13.07% | 10.72% | 6.11% | 5.09% |
| Return on assets | 6.73% | 4.50% | 9.22% | 7.69% | 3.12% | 3.24% | 5.55% | 4.32% | 2.42% | 2.01% |
| Liabilities / equity | 1.45 | 1.34 | 1.31 | 1.44 | 1.50 | 1.50 | ||||
| Current ratio | 1.39 | 1.46 | 1.59 | 1.65 | 1.62 | 1.74 | 1.56 | 1.65 | 1.79 | 2.07 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept Revenues; source concepts us-gaap:Revenues | Gross profit: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations | Capital expenditures: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | Free cash flow: accession 0000908255-26-000011; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000908255-26-000011; filed 2026-02-11. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000908255.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.91 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 1.16 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.93 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 4,520,000,000 | 204,000,000 | 0.87 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 3,622,000,000 | 50,000,000 | 0.21 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 3,522,000,000 | 154,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 3,595,000,000 | 206,000,000 | 0.90 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 3,603,000,000 | 303,000,000 | 1.34 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 3,449,000,000 | 234,000,000 | 1.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 3,439,000,000 | -405,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 3,515,000,000 | 157,000,000 | 0.72 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 3,638,000,000 | 224,000,000 | 1.03 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 3,591,000,000 | 158,000,000 | 0.73 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 3,572,000,000 | -262,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 3,533,000,000 | 242,000,000 | 1.16 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000908255-26-000027; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000908255-26-000027; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000908255-26-000027; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0000908255-26-000027.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
BorgWarner Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “BorgWarner”) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner’s products help improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. The Company manufactures and sells these products worldwide, primarily to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of light vehicles (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, vans and light trucks). The Company’s products are also sold to other OEMs of commercial vehicles (medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses) and off-highway vehicles (agricultural and construction machinery and marine applications). The Company also manufactures and sells its products to certain tier one vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket for light, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Company operates manufacturing facilities serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia and is an original equipment supplier to nearly every major automotive OEM in the world.
BorgWarner Strategy
The Company’s current strategy is to focus on profitable growth across its technology-focused product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles. This entails growing its product portfolio through organic investments and technology-focused acquisitions. The Company’s balanced portfolio is particularly critical as the automotive industry continues to see electric vehicle adoption volatility across different regions. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company’s revenue from eProducts, which include all products utilized on or for electric vehicles (“EVs”) plus those same products and components that are included in hybrid powertrains whose underlying technologies are adaptable or applicable to those used in or for EVs, was approximately $597 million and $637 million, respectively, or 17% and 18% of the Company’s total revenue, respectively.
Lawsuit Against PHINIA
On September 19, 2024, the Company commenced a lawsuit against PHINIA, Inc. (“PHINIA”), seeking to recover from PHINIA approximately $120 million of value added tax (“VAT”) refunds that PHINIA received or expected to receive from governmental agencies as well as damages and interest. These refunds consisted of VAT paid by the Company in periods prior to or directly related to the spin-off (“Spin-Off”) that established PHINIA as an independent company. PHINIA responded to the lawsuit and also asserted counterclaims against the Company. On October 15, 2025, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with PHINIA, pursuant to which PHINIA agreed to pay the Company $78 million, resolving the lawsuit and certain other matters relating to the Spin-Off. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company and PHINIA also entered into an amended and restated tax matters agreement that, among other things, limits the Company’s responsibility to certain defined tax obligations. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a net charge of $40 million, for the reduction of VAT-related receivables, the elimination of certain Company liabilities under the amended and restated tax matters agreement and related legal fees. As of March 31, 2026, after giving effect to the Settlement Agreement and the $52 million received in total, the Company had assets related to these VAT refunds of approximately $26 million in Receivables, net in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, which is due no later than December 1, 2026.Refer toPart 1, Item 1 of this report for more information.
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Portfolio Actions
In February 2025, the Company made the decision to exit its charging business within the reportable segment formerly called Battery & Charging Systems. Production operations ceased during the second quarter of 2025. This decision was made following the Company’s continuing evaluation of its product portfolio and future investments. This action was expected to create a more focused portfolio and eliminate approximately $30 million of annualized adjusted operating losses by 2026. In the first quarter of 2026, as a result of the aforementioned disposition, this reportable segment was renamed Battery Energy Systems. The name change reflects the segment’s revised focus after the divestiture. The change did not impact the composition of the segment or require recasting of prior period segment results. Prior periods continue to be presented as previously reported. Refer to Note 3, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1 of this report for more information.
In February 2025, the Company also made the decision to consolidate its North American battery systems business, which is expected to align the business’ cost structure to current market dynamics. This action is expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately $20 million by 2026.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions have been an integral component of the Company’s growth and value creation strategy. Refer to Note 3, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1 of this report for more information, including a summary of recent acquisitions.
Key Trends and Economic Factors
Economic Conditions. The Company’s financial performance depends on conditions in the global automotive industry. Automotive and truck production is cyclical and sensitive to general economic conditions and other factors, including interest rates, consumer credit and consumer spending and preferences. Government policies, such as the imposition of, termination or invalidation of or other changes in tariffs (including retaliatory tariffs), or the commencement or termination of consumer tax incentives, such as EV tax credits and programs to invest in infrastructure, including EV charging stations, may affect consumer preferences. Economic declines or impacts of tariffs that result in a material reduction in automotive or truck production would have an adverse effect on the Company’s sales. The weighted average market production, as estimated by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2026, was down approximately 3% from the three months ended March 31, 2025. Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by S&P Global, weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
Tariff Refund Recovery. The Company is actively pursuing refund recovery of certain tariffs the Company paid that the U.S. government levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and subsequently invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court on February 20, 2026. The availability, amount and timing of such refunds is uncertain and subject to further developments.
Commodities and Other Inflationary Impacts. During 2025, prices for commodities showed a lower level of volatility in comparison to what the Company had experienced from the beginning of 2021. The Company currently expects commodity prices and other input costs to show a higher level of volatility in 2026 compared to 2025. Commodity markets are influenced by geopolitical instability, which can contribute to supply chain fragmentation, higher logistics costs and increased price across energy, metals and other critical inputs.
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Outlook
The Company expects global industry production to be flat to down modestly year-over-year in 2026. In particular, the Company expects a negative sales impact from declining sales in the Company’s Battery Energy Systems reportable segment. As a result, at the mid-point of its outlook, the Company expects total sales in 2026 to decline year-over-year, excluding the impact of foreign currencies.
The Company maintains a positive long-term outlook for its global business and is committed to new product development and strategic investments to enhance its product leadership strategy. There are several trends that are driving the Company’s long-term growth that management expects to continue, including adoption of product offerings for electrified vehicles and increasingly stringent global emissions standards that support demand for the Company’s products that drive vehicle efficiency as well as power generation industrial solutions growth. The Company expects its power generation industrial solutions growth to be approximately $300 million in 2027.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 vs. Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
The following table presents a summary of our operating results:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||
| Net sales | % of net sales | % of net sales | |||||||||||
| Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ | 1,433 | 40.6 | % | $ | 1,454 | 41.4 | % | |||||
| Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 1,422 | 40.2 | 1,361 | 38.7 | |||||||||
| PowerDrive Systems | 587 | 16.6 | 561 | 16.0 | |||||||||
| Battery Energy Systems | 102 | 2.9 | 150 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (11) | (0.3) | (11) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Total net sales | 3,533 | 100.0 | 3,515 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 2,856 | 80.8 | 2,876 | 81.8 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 677 | 19.2 | 639 | 18.2 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - R&D, net | 177 | 5.0 | 182 | 5.2 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - Other | 151 | 4.3 | 133 | 3.8 | |||||||||
| Restructuring expense | 18 | 0.5 | 31 | 0.9 | |||||||||
| Other operating (income) expense, net | (5) | (0.1) | 17 | 0.5 | |||||||||
| Impairment charges | — | — | 39 | 1.1 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 336 | 9.5 | 237 | 6.7 | |||||||||
| Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax | (6) | (0.2) | (10) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Unrealized loss on equity securities | 1 | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 11 | 0.3 | 12 | 0.3 | |||||||||
| Other postretirement expense | 2 | 0.1 | 3 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 328 | 9.3 | 232 | 6.6 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 73 | 2.1 | 61 | 1.7 | |||||||||
| Net earnings | 255 | 7.2 | 171 | 4.9 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 13 | 0.4 | 14 | 0.4 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ | 242 | 6.8 | % | $ | 157 | 4.5 | % | |||||
| Earnings per share — diluted | $ | 1.16 | $ | 0.72 |
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Net sales
Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 totaled $3,533 million, an increase of $18 million, or 1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The change in net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was primarily driven by the following:
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $167 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro and Chinese Renminbi, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Customer recoveries relating to tariffs increased sales by approximately $32 million.
•Unfavorable volume, mix and net new business decreased sales by approximately $181 million, primarily due a decrease of approximately 3% in the weighted average market production as estimated by the Company and a decrease in the Battery Energy Systems reportable segment.
Cost of sales and gross profit
Cost of sales and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales were $2,856 million and 80.8%, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2026
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
BorgWarner Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “BorgWarner”) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner’s products help improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. The Company manufactures and sells these products worldwide, primarily to original equipment
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Table of Contents
manufacturers (“OEMs”) of light vehicles (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, vans and light trucks). The Company’s products are also sold to OEMs of commercial vehicles (medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses) and off-highway vehicles (agricultural and construction machinery and marine applications). The Company also manufactures and sells its products to certain tier one vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket for light, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Company operates manufacturing facilities serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia and is an original equipment supplier to nearly every major automotive OEM in the world.
BorgWarner Strategy
The Company’s current strategy is to focus on profitable growth across its technology-focused product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles. This entails growing its product portfolio through organic investments and technology-focused acquisitions. The Company’s balanced portfolio is particularly critical as the automotive industry continues to see electric vehicle adoption volatility across different regions. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s revenue from eProducts, which include all products utilized on or for electric vehicles (“EVs”) plus those same products and components that are included in hybrid powertrains whose underlying technologies are adaptable or applicable to those used in or for EVs, was approximately $2.6 billion, $2.3 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, or 18%, 17% and 14% of its total revenue, respectively, and the Company’s revenue from Foundational products, which include all products utilized on internal combustion engines plus those same products and components that are also included in hybrid powertrains, was approximately $11.7 billion, $11.8 billion and $12.2 billion, respectively, or 82%, 83% and 86% of its total revenue, respectively.
Lawsuit Against PHINIA
On September 19, 2024, the Company commenced a lawsuit against PHINIA, seeking to recover from PHINIA approximately $120 million of value added tax (“VAT”) refunds that PHINIA received or expects to receive from governmental agencies as well as damages and interest. These refunds consisted of VAT paid by the Company in periods prior to or directly related to the spin-off that established PHINIA as an independent company. PHINIA responded to the lawsuit and also asserted counterclaims against the Company. On October 15, 2025, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with PHINIA, pursuant to which PHINIA agreed to pay the Company $78 million, resolving the lawsuit and certain other matters relating to the spin-off. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company and PHINIA also entered into an amended and restated tax matters agreement that, among other things, limits the Company’s responsibility to certain defined tax obligations. As a result, the Company recorded a net charge of $40 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, for the reduction of VAT-related receivables, the elimination of certain Company liabilities under the amended and restated tax matters agreement and related legal fees, which is included in Other operating expense, net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2025, after giving effect to the Settlement Agreement and the $31 million payment received during the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company had assets related to these VAT refunds of approximately $47 million included in Receivables, net in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet in Item 8 of this report.
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Portfolio Actions
In February 2025, the Company made the decision to exit its charging business within the Battery & Charging Systems reportable segment. Production operations ceased during the second quarter of 2025. This decision was made following the Company’s continuing evaluation of its product portfolio and future investments. This action was intended to create a more focused portfolio and is expected to eliminate approximately $30 million of annualized adjusted operating losses by 2026. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
The Company also made the decision to consolidate its North American battery systems business, which is expected to align the business’ cost structure to current market dynamics. This action is expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately $20 million by 2026.
North Carolina Facility Hurricane
On September 26, 2024, a hurricane made landfall in North Carolina disrupting operations at the Company’s facility in Arden, North Carolina (the “Arden Plant”). The Arden Plant was largely untouched, but the Company experienced some loss or damage to the Company’s assets amounting to less than $10 million. The Arden plant resumed full operations during the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company’s insurance policies (less applicable deductibles) covered the repair or replacement of the Company’s assets that incurred loss or damage and provided coverage for interruption to its business, including lost profits, and reimbursement for other expenses and costs that were incurred related to the damages and losses sustained. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded committed insurance recoveries of approximately $9 million, which are included as a reduction of Cost of sales in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in Item 8 of this report and were fully collected.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisitions have been an integral component of the Company’s growth and value creation strategy. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information, including a summary of recent acquisitions.
Key Trends and Economic Factors
Economic Conditions. The Company’s financial performance depends on conditions in the global automotive industry. Automotive and truck production and sales are cyclical and sensitive to general economic conditions and other factors, including interest rates, consumer credit and consumer spending and preferences. Government policies, such as the imposition of, termination of or other changes in tariffs (including retaliatory tariffs), or the commencement or termination of consumer tax incentives, such as EV tax credits and programs to invest in infrastructure, including EV charging stations, may affect consumer preferences. Economic declines or impacts of tariffs that result in a material reduction in automotive or truck production would have an adverse effect on the Company’s sales. The weighted average market production, as estimated by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2025, was approximately flat from the year ended December 31, 2024. Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by S&P Global, weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
Commodities and Other Inflationary Impacts. During 2025, prices for commodities showed a lower level of volatility in comparison to what the Company had experienced from the beginning of 2021. The Company expects commodities and other costs to be relatively flat in 2026. However, the Company has experienced impacts from commodity pricing, inflation and tariffs over the last several years. Volatility in these areas and other factors could cause actual costs to be materially higher than expected in 2026.
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Outlook
The Company expects global industry production to be flat to down modestly year-over-year in 2026. The Company expects a negative sales impact from declining sales in the Company’s Battery & Charging Systems segment. As a result, at the mid-point of its outlook, the Company expects total sales in 2026 to decline year-over-year, excluding the impact of foreign currencies.
The Company maintains a positive long-term outlook for its global business and is committed to new product development and strategic investments to enhance its product leadership strategy. There are several trends that are driving the Company’s long-term growth that management expects to continue, including adoption of product offerings for electrified vehicles and increasingly stringent global emissions standards that support demand for the Company’s products that drive vehicle efficiency.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A detailed comparison of the Company’s 2023 operating results to the Company’s 2024 operating results can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 6, 2025.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s operating results:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||
| Net sales | % of net sales | % of net sales | |||||||||||
| Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ | 5,772 | 40.3 | % | $ | 5,887 | 41.8 | % | |||||
| Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 5,654 | 39.5 | 5,577 | 39.6 | |||||||||
| PowerDrive Systems | 2,347 | 16.4 | 1,937 | 13.8 | |||||||||
| Battery & Charging Systems | 590 | 4.1 | 729 | 5.2 | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (47) | (0.3) | (44) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Total net sales | 14,316 | 100.0 | 14,086 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 11,642 | 81.3 | 11,438 | 81.2 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 2,674 | 18.7 | 2,648 | 18.8 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - R&D, net | 710 | 5.0 | 736 | 5.2 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - Other | 594 | 4.1 | 614 | 4.4 | |||||||||
| Restructuring expense | 101 | 0.7 | 74 | 0.5 | |||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 109 | 0.8 | 32 | 0.2 | |||||||||
| Impairment charges | 624 | 4.4 | 646 | 4.6 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 536 | 3.7 | 546 | 3.9 | |||||||||
| Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax | (35) | (0.2) | (27) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities | (3) | — | 1 | — | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 39 | 0.3 | 20 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Other postretirement expense | 11 | 0.1 | 13 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 524 | 3.7 | 539 | 3.8 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 189 | 1.3 | 111 | 0.8 | |||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 335 | 2.3 | 428 | 3.0 | |||||||||
| Net loss from discontinued operations | — | — | (29) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Net earnings | 335 | 2.3 | 399 | 2.8 | |||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax | 58 | 0.4 | 61 | 0.4 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ | 277 | 1.9 | % | $ | 338 | 2.4 | % | |||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations — diluted | $ | 1.28 | $ | 1.63 |
Net sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 totaled $14,316 million, an increase of $230 million, or 2%, from the year ended December 31, 2024. The change in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily driven by the following:
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $154 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro and Thai Baht, partially offset by the weakening of the Korean Won and Brazilian Real, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Customer recoveries relating to tariffs increased sales by approximately $80 million.
•Sales increased approximately $52 million related to favorable volume, mix and net new business and higher eProduct sales, partially offset by unfavorable customer pricing and downtime at one of the Company’s European customers due to a cyber-related shutdown. The weighted average market production as estimated by the Company, was approximately flat from the year ended
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December 31, 2025 in comparison to December 31, 2024. Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by S&P Global, weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
•Sales decreased approximately $56 million related to the exit of its charging business.
Cost of sales and gross profit
Cost of sales and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales were $11,642 million and 81.3%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $11,438 million and 81.2%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2024. The change in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily driven by the following:
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year increase in cost of sales of approximately $133 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro, partially offset by the weakening of the Korean Won and Brazilian Real relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Tariff expense resulted in a year-over-year increase in cost of sales of approximately $108 million.
•Cost of sales decreased approximately $21 million related to an insurance recovery on a resolved historical warranty matter.
•Cost of sales decreased approximately $20 million primarily due to purchasing and restructuring savings, partially offset by favorable volume, mix and net new business.
Gross profit and gross margin were $2,674 million and 18.7%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $2,648 million and 18.8%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2024. The change in gross margin was primarily due to the factors discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $1,304 million as compared to $1,350 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 9.1% and 9.6% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The change in SG&A was primarily attributable to:
•Research and development (“R&D”) costs decreased $26 million. R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, were 5.0% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 5.2% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, was primarily due to decreasing net investment related to the Company’s eProducts.
•SG&A decreased approximately $17 million primarily related to fluctuations in foreign currencies partially offset by incentive compensation.
Restructuring expense was $101 million and $74 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, primarily related to employee termination benefits. Refer to Note 4 “Restructuring” to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
In 2023, the Company announced a $130 million to $150 million restructuring plan to address structural cost primarily in its Foundational products businesses. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded $8 million of restructuring costs related to this plan. The actions under this plan are complete. The resulting gross savings related to this plan are expected to be in the range of at least $80 million to $90 million annually by 2027 and are being utilized to sustain overall operating margin profile and cost competitiveness.
In June 2024, the Company announced a $75 million restructuring plan to address the cost structure in its PowerDrive Systems segment due to increased market volatility, which could include realignment of the segment’s manufacturing footprint. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded $31 million of restructuring costs related to this plan. The resulting annual cost savings related to this plan are expected to be approximately $100 million by 2026.
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During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded $62 million of restructuring costs for individually approved restructuring actions.
Nearly all of the restructuring charges are expected to be cash expenditures, funded by cash on hand.
Other operating expense, net was an expense of $109 million and expense of $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The change in Other operating expense, net was primarily due to:
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a charge of $40 million related to a legal settlement, inclusive of associated legal fees. Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded charges of $23 million related to the exit of its charging business within the Battery & Charging Systems reportable segment. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” and Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a charge of $16 million related to the impairment of an investment without a readily determinable fair value.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded charges of $11 million related to duplicative CEO compensation.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a loss of $9 million related to the sale of equipment from a closed facility in North America and the sale of a building in Europe. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $2 million loss on the sale of fixed assets at a European manufacturing facility.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded expense of $7 million primarily for adjustments related to the contract manufacturing agreement with PHINIA and adjustments to net amounts owed to the Company related to the tax matters agreement between the Company and PHINIA, unrelated to the legal settlement discussed above. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded expense of $17 million primarily for adjustments to net amounts owed to the Company related to the tax matters agreement between the Company and PHINIA.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded merger and acquisition expense, net of $5 million primarily related to professional fees associated with specific acquisition initiatives. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded merger and acquisition expense, net of $2 million, primarily due to professional fees associated with specific acquisition initiatives, mostly offset by a gain of $6 million related to the revision of its expected earn-out-related to the Drivetek acquisition.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a net loss of $2 million related to a business closure in North America, a plant disposal in China and the sale of an operation in Europe. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss on sale of business of $6 million primarily related to the estimated loss on an immaterial business that met held for sale accounting criteria.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $15 million related to the settlement of a commercial contract assumed in its acquisition of the electric hybrid systems business segment of Eldor Corporation.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded other income in the amount of $5 million for net service reimbursements related to the Spin-Off. These transition services were related to information technology, human resources, finance, facilities, procurement, sales, intellectual property and engineering. Refer to Note 26, “Discontinued Operations,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
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Other operating expense, net is primarily comprised of items included within the subtitle “Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings” below.
Impairment charges were $624 million and $646 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The change in Impairment charges was primarily due to:
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded goodwill impairment of $423 million related to goodwill at Battery & Charging Systems. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $577 million related to goodwill at PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” and Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded charges of $174 million related to certain property, plant and equipment at locations in the Company’s Battery & Charging Systems and PowerDrive Systems reporting segments. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded charges of $69 million related to certain property, plant and equipment at locations in the Company’s Battery & Charging Systems and PowerDrive Systems reporting segments. Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
•During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded intangible asset impairment of $27 million, of which $22 million related to the exit of its charging business within the Battery & Charging Systems reportable segment. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Additionally, the Company recorded impairment of $5 million related to intangible assets at PowerDrive Systems.
Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax was $35 million and $27 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This line item is driven by the results of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures.
Unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities was a gain of $3 million and a loss of $1 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This line item reflects the net unrealized gains or losses recognized due to valuing the Company’s investments at fair value.
Interest expense, net was $39 million and $20 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates following the Company’s refinancing and issuance of $1 billion of notes in 2024 and $10 million gain on debt extinguishment in August 2024.
Other postretirement expense was $11 million and $13 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in other postretirement expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily due to lower settlement costs.
Provision for income taxes was $189 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, resulting in an effective tax rate of 36%. This compared to $111 million, or an effective rate of 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2024. In 2025, the Company reflected a $126 million tax impact of non-deductible impairment of goodwill. In addition, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $29 million related to reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for matters remeasured after various audit closures, a tax benefit of $16 million related to the exit of the charging business and a tax benefit of $7 million related to tax law changes.
In 2024, the Company reflected a $151 million tax impact of non-deductible impairment of goodwill. In addition, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $107 million related to reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for matters where the statute of limitations lapsed and a tax benefit of $36 million related to post Spin-Off restructuring.
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For further details, see Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax was $58 million and $61 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in demand for certain of the Company’s Foundational products in China.
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Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings
The Company’s earnings per diluted share were $1.28 and $1.63 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The non-comparable items presented below are calculated after tax using the corresponding effective tax rate discrete to each item and the weighted average number of diluted shares for each of the years then ended. The Company believes the following table is useful in highlighting non-comparable items that impacted its earnings per diluted share:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-comparable items: | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Impairment charges | $ | (2.63) | $ | (2.73) | ||
| Restructuring expense | (0.36) | (0.24) | ||||
| Accelerated depreciation | (0.31) | (0.18) | ||||
| Legal settlement | (0.18) | — | ||||
| Costs to exit charging business | (0.14) | — | ||||
| Impairment of investment | (0.07) | — | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") transition compensation | (0.05) | — | ||||
| Loss on sale of assets | (0.03) | — | ||||
| Adjustments associated with Spin-Off related balances | (0.03) | (0.14) | ||||
| Write-off of customer incentive asset | (0.03) | — | ||||
| Merger and acquisition expense, net | (0.02) | — | ||||
| Loss on sale of businesses | (0.01) | (0.04) | ||||
| Change in accounting method | — | 0.10 | ||||
| Commercial contract settlement | — | (0.07) | ||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | — | 0.01 | ||||
| Unrealized gain on equity securities | 0.01 | — | ||||
| Insurance recovery | 0.07 | — | ||||
| Tax adjustments1 | 0.23 | 0.64 | ||||
| Other non-comparable items | (0.08) | (0.04) | ||||
| Total impact of non-comparable items per share — diluted: | $ | (3.63) | $ | (2.69) |
_____________________
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1 | In 2025, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $29 million related to reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for matters remeasured after various audit closures. In addition, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $16 million related to the exit of the charging business and a tax benefit of $7 million related to tax law changes. In 2024, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $107 million related to reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for matters where the statute of limitations lapsed and a tax benefit of $36 million related to post Spin-Off restructuring. |
Results by Reportable Segment
The Company discloses segment information under four reportable segments, consistent with the way operating results are evaluated by management: Turbos & Thermal Technologies, Drivetrain & Morse Systems, PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems. These segments are strategic business groups, which are managed separately as each represents a specific grouping of related automotive components and systems.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is the measure of segment income or loss used by the Company. Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is comprised of operating income adjusted for restructuring, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, intangible asset amortization expense, impairment charges and other items not reflective of ongoing operating income or loss. The Company believes Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is most reflective of the operational profitability or loss of its reportable segments.
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Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) excludes certain corporate costs, which primarily represent headquarters’ expenses not directly attributable to the individual segments. Corporate expenses not allocated to Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) were $261 million and $279 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
A detailed comparison of the Company’s 2023 net sales and Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to the Company’s 2024 net sales and Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) for the Company’s reportable segments can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 6, 2025.
The following tables present net sales and Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) for the Company’s reportable segments:
Year Ended December 31, 2025 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2024
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | Year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | |||||||||||||||
| Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ | 5,772 | $ | 879 | 15.2 | % | $ | 5,887 | $ | 877 | 14.9 | % | |||||||||
| Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 5,654 | 1,041 | 18.4 | % | 5,577 | 1,010 | 18.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| PowerDrive Systems | 2,347 | (83) | (3.5) | % | 1,937 | (144) | (7.4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Battery & Charging Systems | 590 | (39) | (6.6) | % | 729 | (47) | (6.4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (47) | — | (44) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 14,316 | $ | 1,798 | $ | 14,086 | $ | 1,696 |
Turbos & Thermal Technologies net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 decreased $115 million, or 2%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $2 million from the year ended December 31, 2024. The sales decrease was primarily due to volume of approximately $192 million driven by lower volumes in Europe, partially offset by higher volumes in the Americas and aftermarket. These decreases were partially offset by the impact of foreign currencies, which resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $77 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro and British Pound, partially offset by the weakening of the Brazilian Real and Korean Won, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 15.2% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 14.9% in the year ended December 31, 2024. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to supply chain savings, manufacturing efficiencies and restructuring savings, partially offset by decremental conversion on lower sales.
Drivetrain & Morse Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased $77 million, or 1%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $31 million from the year ended December 31, 2024. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $42 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro and Thai Baht, partially offset by the weakening of the Korean Won, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase was also due to approximately $35 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by higher transfer case volumes in the Americas, partially offset by lower sales in China and downtime at one of the Company’s European customers due to a cyber related shutdown. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 18.4% in the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 18.1% in the year ended December 31, 2024. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to incremental conversion on higher sales, supply chain savings and manufacturing efficiencies.
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PowerDrive Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased $410 million, or 21%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss decreased $61 million from the year ended December 31, 2024. The sales increase was primarily due to approximately $388 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by eProducts growth in China and Europe. Foreign currencies also resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $22 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro, partially offset by the weakening of the Korean Won, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (3.5)% in the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to (7.4)% in the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in Segment Adjusted Operating margin was primarily due to incremental conversion on higher sales, customer volume recoveries and supply chain and restructuring savings.
Battery & Charging Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 decreased $139 million, or 19%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss decreased $8 million from the year ended December 31, 2024. The sales decrease was primarily due to approximately $65 million of lower volume, mix and net new business primarily due to lower battery back volumes. Additionally, sales decreased approximately $56 million related to the exit of the charging business. Finally, a decrease in normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements decreased net sales by $31 million. These decreases were partially offset by the impact of foreign currencies, which resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $13 million, primarily due to the strengthening in the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (6.6)% in the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to (6.4)% in the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in the Segment Adjusted Operating margin was primarily due to lower sales and higher depreciation costs, offset by restructuring savings, customer recoveries and other operational improvements.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company maintains various liquidity sources, including cash and cash equivalents and the unused portion of its multi-currency revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had liquidity of $4,313 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalent balances of $2,313 million and an undrawn revolving credit facility of $2,000 million. The Company was in full compliance with its covenants under the revolving credit facility and had full access to its undrawn revolving credit facility. The total debt expected to mature through the end of 2026 is $5 million. Given the Company’s strong liquidity position, management believes that it will have sufficient liquidity and will maintain compliance with all covenants through at least the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2025, cash balances of $1,350 million were held by the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the United States. Cash and cash equivalents held by these subsidiaries are used to fund foreign operational activities and future investments, including acquisitions. The majority of cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States is available for repatriation. The Company uses its U.S. liquidity primarily for various corporate purposes, including but not limited to debt service, share repurchases, dividend distributions, acquisitions and other corporate expenses.
The Company has a $2.0 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, which includes a feature that allows the facility to be increased by $1.0 billion with bank group approval. This facility matures in September 2028. The credit facility agreement contains customary events of default and one key financial covenant, which is a debt-to-EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenant at December 31, 2025. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
The Company’s commercial paper program allows the Company to issue up to $2.0 billion of short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes under the limits of its multi-currency revolving credit facility. Under this program, the Company may issue notes from time to time and use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under this program as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The total current combined borrowing capacity under the multi-currency revolving credit facility and commercial paper program cannot exceed $2.0 billion.
In addition to the revolving credit facility, the Company’s universal shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provides the Company with the ability to issue various debt and equity securities subject to market conditions.
On February 6, 2025 and April 30, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.11 per share of common stock, respectively. The dividends declared in the first quarter and second quarter were paid on March 17, 2025 and June 16, 2025, respectively. On July 30, 2025 and November 12, 2025 , the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.17 per share of common stock, respectively. The dividends declared in the third quarter and fourth quarter were paid on September 15, 2025 and December 15, 2025, respectively.
From a credit quality perspective, the Company has a credit rating of BBB from Standard & Poor’s, Baa1 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch Ratings. The current outlook from each of Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch is stable. None of the Company's debt agreements requires accelerated repayment in the event of a downgrade in credit ratings.
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Cash Flows
Operating Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | $ | 335 | $ | 428 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: | ||||||
| Depreciation and tooling amortization | 653 | 604 | ||||
| Intangible asset amortization | 66 | 69 | ||||
| Restructuring expense, net of cash paid | 36 | 6 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 66 | 62 | ||||
| Loss on sales of assets | 9 | — | ||||
| Loss on sales of businesses | 2 | 6 | ||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | — | (10) | ||||
| Asset impairments | 624 | 646 | ||||
| Impairment of investment | 16 | — | ||||
| Change in accounting method | — | (29) | ||||
| Unrealized and realized (gain) loss on equity securities | (3) | 1 | ||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | (133) | (156) | ||||
| Other non-cash adjustments | 35 | 8 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | 1,371 | 1,207 | ||||
| Retirement plan contributions | (24) | (45) | ||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Receivables | 2 | 143 | ||||
| Inventories | 105 | 31 | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (207) | (292) | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities | 66 | (90) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | $ | 1,648 | $ | 1,382 |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,648 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $1,382 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared with the year ended December 31, 2024, was primarily due to higher net earnings adjusted for non-cash charges, lower pension contributions and change in working capital.
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Investing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | $ | (469) | $ | (671) | ||
| Customer advances related to capital expenditures | 29 | 18 | ||||
| Insurance proceeds received for damage to property, plant and equipment | 4 | — | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of businesses, net | 7 | 8 | ||||
| Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges, net | 18 | 46 | ||||
| Payments for investments in equity securities, net | — | (8) | ||||
| Proceeds from asset disposals and other, net | 43 | 4 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations | $ | (368) | $ | (603) |
Net cash used in investing activities was $368 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $603 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 3.3% and 4.8% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The year-over-year decline in capital expenditures primarily reflects lower eProduct investments.
Financing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Payments on notes payable | $ | (5) | $ | — | ||
| Additions to debt | — | 1,008 | ||||
| Repayments of debt, including current portion | (409) | (525) | ||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | — | (9) | ||||
| Payments for purchase of treasury stock | (508) | (402) | ||||
| Payments for stock-based compensation items | (22) | (23) | ||||
| Payments for business acquired, net of cash acquired | — | (4) | ||||
| Payments for contingent consideration | (4) | (1) | ||||
| Dividends paid to BorgWarner stockholders | (119) | (98) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders | (49) | (113) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations | $ | (1,116) | $ | (167) |
Net cash used in financing activities was $1,116 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $167 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily related to $508 million of BorgWarner share repurchases, $409 million of debt repayments associated with the maturity of the Company’s 3.375% senior notes on March 15, 2025 and other short-term borrowings, $119 million in dividends paid to the Company’s stockholders and $49 million in dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders of the Company’s consolidated joint ventures.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company’s significant cash requirements for contractual obligations as of December 31, 2025 primarily consisted of the principal and interest payments on its notes payable and long-term debt, non-cancelable financing lease obligations, capital spending obligations and purchase obligations. The principal amount of notes payable due within the next twelve months was $5 million and long-term debt was $3,925 million, excluding the impact of unamortized premiums and discounts of approximately $31 million, as of December 31, 2025. The projected interest payments over the terms of that debt due within the next twelve months and beyond were $109 million and $805 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2025. Refer to Note 14, “Debt,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
As of December 31, 2025, non-cancelable operating lease obligations due within twelve months and beyond were $39 million and $165 million, respectively. Refer to Note 22, “Leases and Commitments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Capital spending obligations due within the next twelve months were $116 million as of December 31, 2025.
The Company enters into agreements with its suppliers to assist in meeting its customers’ production needs. These agreements vary as to duration and terms, and historically, most do not provide for minimum purchases by the Company, or they are requirements-based arrangements. However, as of December 31, 2025, the Company had contractual purchase commitments of approximately $180 million for certain electronics components to be paid through 2027.
Management believes that the combination of cash from operations, cash balances, available credit facilities, and the universal shelf registration capacity will be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s cash needs for its current level of operations and its planned operations for the foreseeable future. Management will continue to balance the Company’s needs for organic growth, inorganic growth, debt reduction, cash conservation and return of cash to shareholders.
Postretirement Defined Benefits
The Company’s policy is to fund its defined benefit pension plans in accordance with applicable government regulations and to make additional contributions when appropriate. At December 31, 2025, all legal funding requirements had been met. The Company contributed $23 million, $39 million and $21 million to its defined benefit pension plans in the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company expects to contribute approximately $25 million into its defined benefit pension plans during 2026. Of the $25 million in projected 2026 contributions, $8 million are contractually obligated, while any remaining payments would be discretionary.
The funded status of all pension plans was a net unfunded position of $36 million and $66 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in the net unfunded position was a result of a higher pension assets, which was primarily due to asset returns during the period and the impact of foreign exchange. Of the total net unfunded amounts, $17 million and $32 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, were related to plans in Germany, where there is no tax deduction allowed under the applicable regulations to fund the plans; hence, the common practice is to make contributions as benefit payments become due.
Other postemployment benefits primarily consist of health care benefits for certain former employees and retirees of the Company’s U.S. operations. The Company funds these benefits as retiree claims are incurred. Other postemployment benefits had an unfunded status of $27 million and $29 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
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In August 2025, the Company executed an amendment to the plan document of one of the Company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plans (“U.S. Pension Plan”) to terminate the plan effective October 31, 2025. The termination of the U.S. Pension Plan is expected to take up to eighteen months to complete. As part of the termination process, the Company expects to settle benefit obligations under the U.S. Pension Plan through a combination of lump sum payments to eligible plan participants and the purchase of a group annuity contract under which future benefit obligations and administration will be transferred to a third-party insurance company. Such settlements will be funded primarily from plan assets. At December 31, 2025, the U.S. Pension Plan’s projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of the assets by $4 million under U.S. GAAP.
In December 2024, the Company entered into a second buy-in contract (the first buy-in contract was entered into in 2019) with an insurance company related to its U.K. pension plan. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company liquidated approximately $50 million of pension plan assets to invest in an insurance annuity. At December 31, 2025, the U.K. pension plan had plan assets of $131 million, all held by the insurance company. The projected benefit obligation of the U.K. pension plan at December 31, 2025 was $104 million under U.S. GAAP. The U.K. pension plan was overfunded by $27 million as of December 31, 2025, under U.S. GAAP.
The Company believes it will be able to fund the requirements of these plans through cash generated from operations or other available sources of financing for the foreseeable future.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement benefits.
OTHER MATTERS
Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is party to various commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints, including matters involving warranty claims, intellectual property claims, governmental investigations and related proceedings, general liability and other risks. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether or not the Company will ultimately be successful in any of these commercial and legal matters or what the impact might be. The Company does not believe that adverse outcomes in any of these commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. An adverse outcome could, nonetheless, be material to the results of operations or cash flows as the ultimate resolutions of these matters are inherently unpredictable.
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Lawsuit Against PHINIA
On September 19, 2024, the Company commenced a lawsuit against PHINIA, seeking to recover from PHINIA approximately $120 million of VAT refunds that PHINIA received or expects to receive from governmental agencies as well as damages and interest. These refunds consisted of VAT paid by the Company in periods prior to or directly related to the Spin-Off that established PHINIA as an independent company. PHINIA responded to the lawsuit and also asserted counterclaims against the Company. On October 15, 2025, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement with PHINIA, pursuant to which PHINIA agreed to pay the Company $78 million, resolving the lawsuit and certain other matters relating to the Spin-Off. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company and PHINIA also entered into an amended and restated tax matters agreement that, among other things, limits the Company’s responsibility to certain defined tax obligations. As a result, the Company recorded a net charge of $40 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, for the reduction of VAT-related receivables, the elimination of certain Company liabilities under the amended and restated tax matters agreement and related legal fees, which is included in Other operating expense, net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2025, after giving effect to the Settlement Agreement and the $31 million payment received during the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company had assets related to these VAT refunds of approximately $47 million included in Receivables, net on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Environmental
The Company and certain of its current and former direct and indirect corporate predecessors, subsidiaries and divisions have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and certain state environmental agencies and private parties as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at various hazardous waste disposal sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Superfund”) and equivalent state or local laws and, as such, may have been liable for the cost of clean-up and other remedial activities at 16 and 17 such sites as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Responsibility for clean-up and other remedial activities at a Superfund site is typically shared among PRPs based on an allocation formula.
The Company believes that none of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Generally, this is because either the estimates of the maximum potential liability at a site are not material or the liability will be shared with other PRPs, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such matter.
Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for further details and information respecting the Company’s environmental liability.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management makes estimates and assumptions about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are discussed below.
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Business combinations The Company allocates the cost of an acquired business to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess value of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities will impact the determination of future operating results. The Company uses a variety of information sources to determine the value of acquired assets and liabilities, including third-party appraisers for the values and lives of property, identifiable intangibles and inventories, and actuaries for defined benefit retirement plans. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the date of the related acquisition. If goodwill is assigned to more than one reporting unit, the Company utilizes a method that is consistent with the manner in which the amount of goodwill in a business combination is determined. Costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred.
Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, developed technology and trade names. The Company estimates the fair value of acquired intangible assets using various valuation techniques. The primary valuation techniques used include forms of the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings valuation methods. Under these valuation approaches, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions from a market participant perspective, which may include revenue growth rates, estimated earnings, royalty rates, obsolescence factors, contributory asset charges, customer attrition and discount rates. Under the multi-period excess earnings method, value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the asset, in excess of the returns required on the investment in contributory assets that are necessary to realize those benefits. The intangible asset’s estimated earnings are determined as the residual earnings after quantifying estimated earnings from contributory assets. When the Company estimates fair value using the relief-from-royalty method, it calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the assets. Assumed royalty rates are applied to projected revenue for the remaining useful lives of the assets to estimate the royalty savings.
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions, fair value estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in acquisition valuations and intangible asset and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Impairment of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, whether held for use or disposal, including other amortizing intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360. In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management generally considers individual facilities to be the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. A recoverability review is performed using the undiscounted cash flows if there is a triggering event. If the undiscounted cash flow test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, management will perform a fair value analysis. Management determines fair value under ASC Topic 820 using the appropriate valuation technique of market, income or cost approach. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is
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recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value, calculated based on independent appraisals, discounted cash flows, estimated salvage value, or estimated orderly liquidation value, giving consideration to the highest and best use of the relevant assets.
Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair value assumptions are reasonable; however, changes in assumptions underlying these estimates could affect the valuations. Significant judgments and estimates used by management when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment include (i) an assessment as to whether an adverse event or circumstance has triggered the need for an impairment review; (ii) undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset; and (iii) fair valuation of the asset. Events and conditions that could result in impairment in the value of long-lived assets include changes in the industries in which the Company operates, particularly the impact of a downturn in the global economy, as well as competition and advances in technology, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company tests goodwill for impairment by either performing a qualitative assessment or a quantitative analysis. In addition, the Company may test goodwill in between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that could indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.
The qualitative assessment evaluates various events and circumstances, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, relevant events and financial trends, that may impact a reporting unit's fair value. Using this qualitative assessment, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value. If it is determined that it is not more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds the carrying value, or upon consideration of other factors, including recent acquisition, restructuring or disposal activity or to refresh the fair values, the Company performs a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis.
During the first quarter of 2025, as a result of the Company’s plan to exit the charging business, the Company separately allocated the goodwill from its historical reporting unit of Battery & Charging Systems to the battery systems business and to the charging business on a relative fair value basis. The Company estimated the allocated fair values of the businesses from the historical reporting unit based upon the present value of their anticipated future cash flows. The estimated fair value of the charging business was determined using a cost approach. The Company’s determination of fair value involved judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions. During the first quarter, the relative fair value analysis resulted in an allocation, and subsequent impairment, of $13 million related to the goodwill allocated to the charging business. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
In conjunction with the goodwill allocation in the first quarter of 2025, the Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment of the Battery & Charging Systems’ goodwill after the impairment of the charging business’ goodwill. Based on the interim impairment test in the first quarter of 2025, the Battery & Charging Systems reporting unit had an estimated fair value that exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill, by approximately 18%, resulting in no impairment at that time.
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During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company performed a qualitative analysis on its Turbos & Thermal Technologies and Drivetrain & Morse Systems reporting units and performed a quantitative analysis on its Battery & Charging Systems reporting unit. The goodwill associated with the Company’s PowerDrive Systems reporting unit was fully impaired during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s qualitative assessment indicated it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the Turbos & Thermal Technologies and Drivetrain & Morse Systems reporting units exceeded their carrying values. For the quantitative analysis, the estimated fair values were determined using an income approach. Under the income approach, fair value is determined based on present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate. The Company used internal forecasts to estimate future cash flows and included an estimate of long-term future growth rates based on the Company’s most recent views of the long-term outlook for its business.
For the reporting unit for which the Company performed a quantitative analysis, the Company believes the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair value are reasonable. Different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The significant assumptions affecting the Company’s 2025 goodwill quantitative impairment review were as follows:
•Discount rates: The Company used a 14% weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as the discount rates for future cash flows. The WACC is intended to represent a rate of return that would be expected by a market participant.
•Operating income (loss) margin: The Company used historical and expected operating income (loss) margins, which may vary based on the projection of the reporting unit being evaluated.
•Revenue growth rates: The Company used a global automotive market industry growth rate forecast adjusted to estimate its own market participation for product lines.
In addition to the above significant assumptions, the Company noted the following risks to volume and operating income assumptions that could have an impact on the discounted cash flow models:
•The automotive industry is cyclical, and the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by industry downturns.
•The automotive industry is evolving, and if the Company does not respond appropriately, its results of operations could be adversely affected.
•The Company is dependent on market segments that use its key products and could be affected by decreasing demand in those segments.
•The Company is subject to risks related to international operations.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements, the Company noted deterioration in the forecast for its Battery & Charging Systems business. This deterioration was due to dual sourcing actions by certain customers, pricing pressures from competitors and electric vehicle adoption delays in North America. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $410 million related to the Battery & Charging Systems reporting unit.
The fair value of the Battery & Charging Systems reporting unit’s goodwill is sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows, including changes in the projected revenue, projected operating margin and discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of these assets and market multiples assumptions applied by the Company. Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates from those used in valuations and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the
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two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Similar to goodwill, the Company can elect to perform the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trade names) using a qualitative analysis, considering similar factors as outlined in the goodwill discussion, to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the trade names is less than the respective carrying values. If the Company elects to perform or is required to perform a quantitative analysis, the test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief-from-royalty method, which it believes is an appropriate and widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief-from-royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trade names and not being required to pay a royalty for their use.
Refer to Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding goodwill.
Product warranties The Company provides warranties on some, but not all, of its products. The warranty terms are typically from one to three years. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and industry developments and recoveries from third parties. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. Costs of product recalls, which may include the cost of the product being replaced as well as the customer’s cost of the recall, including labor to remove and replace the recalled part, are accrued as part of the Company’s warranty accrual at the time an obligation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, if actual claims incurred differ from the original estimates or there are changes in our assumptions, it could materially affect the Company’s financial statements.
At December 31, 2025, the total accrued warranty liability was $254 million. The accrual is represented as $86 million in Other current liabilities and $168 million in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Refer to Note 13, “Product Warranty,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding product warranties.
Postretirement defined benefits The Company provides postretirement defined benefits to a number of its current and former employees. Costs associated with postretirement defined benefits include pension and other postemployment health care expenses for former employees, retirees and surviving spouses and dependents.
The Company’s defined benefit pension and other postemployment benefit plans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715. The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for its pension and other postemployment benefits, such as retiree health care, is dependent on certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate, rates of increase in compensation and health care costs trends are described in Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. The effects of any modification to those assumptions, or actual results that differ from assumptions used, are either recognized immediately or amortized over future periods in accordance with GAAP.
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The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s accounting for employee benefits under ASC Topics 712 and 715 as of December 31, 2025 are as follows:
•Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets: The expected long-term rate of return is used in the calculation of net periodic benefit 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, however, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual earned long-term returns. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets has been determined 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 return, inflation and other variables. The Company also considers the impact of active management of the plans’ invested assets. In determining its pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company used long-term rates of return on plan assets ranging from 2.8% to 7.9% outside of the U.S. and 5% in the U.S. The primary funded non-U.S. plans are in the U.K. and Germany.
Actual returns on U.S. pension assets were 7.3% and 0.6% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 5% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Actual returns on U.K. pension assets were 5.9% and (3.7)% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumption of 4.8% and 4.0%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on German pension assets were 0.8% and 7.0% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 4.2% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
•Discount rate: The discount rate is used to calculate pension and other postemployment benefit (“OPEB”) obligations. In determining the discount rate, the Company utilizes a full-yield approach in the estimation of service and interest components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. For its significant plans, the Company used discount rates ranging from 1.0% to 10.5% to determine its pension and other benefit obligations as of December 31, 2025, including weighted average discount rates of 4.1% in the U.S., 4.6% outside of the U.S. (including 5.5% in the U.K.) and 4.9% for U.S. other postemployment health care plans. The U.S. and U.K. discount rates reflect the fact that the U.S. and U.K. pension plans have been closed for new participants.
•Health care cost trend: For postemployment employee health care plan accounting, the Company reviews external data and Company-specific historical trends for health care cost to determine the health care cost trend rate assumptions. In determining the projected benefit obligation for postemployment health care plans as of December 31, 2025, the Company used health care cost trend rates of 6.8%, declining to an ultimate trend rate of 4.8% by the year 2034.
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 and OPEB and its future expense.
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The sensitivity to a 25 basis point change in the assumptions for discount rate related to 2026 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is expected to be negligible.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in expected return on assets related to 2026 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in expected return on assets | $ | 8 | $ | 1 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in expected return on assets | $ | (8) | $ | (1) |
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in discount rate for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans on its pension obligations:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 3 | $ | 14 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | $ | (3) | $ | (13) |
The sensitivity to a 25 basis point change in the discount rate assumption and to the assumed health care cost trend related to the Company’s OPEB obligation and service and interest cost is expected to be negligible.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding the Company’s retirement benefit plans.
Restructuring Restructuring costs may occur when the Company takes action to exit or significantly curtail a part of its operations or implements a reorganization that affects the nature and focus of operations. A restructuring charge can consist of severance costs associated with reductions to the workforce, costs to terminate a contract, professional fees and other costs incurred related to the implementation of restructuring activities.
The Company generally records costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance. Costs for involuntary separation programs are recorded when management has approved the plan for separation, the employees are identified and aware of the benefits to which they are entitled and it is unlikely that the plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded upon agreement. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are expensed over the required service period.
Restructuring accruals can include estimates related to employee termination costs. Actual costs may vary from these estimates. These accruals are reviewed on a quarterly basis and changes to restructuring accruals are appropriately recognized when identified.
Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized 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 carryforwards. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting for income taxes is complex, in part because the Company conducts business globally and, therefore, files income tax returns in numerous tax jurisdictions. Management judgment is required in
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determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities, including accruals for unrecognized tax benefits and assessing the need for valuation allowances. In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim period. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation recording the net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance may be necessary.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. at the federal and state level and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. The determination of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits includes the application of complex tax laws in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company's global operations. Management judgment is required in determining the accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is less than certain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are established when, despite the belief that tax positions are supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The Company has certain U.S. state income tax returns and certain non-U.S. income tax returns that are currently under various stages of audit by applicable tax authorities. At December 31, 2025, the Company had a liability for tax positions the Company estimates are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained based on the technical merits, which is included in Other non-current liabilities. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
The Company records valuation allowances to reduce the carrying value of certain deferred tax assets to amounts that it expects are more-likely-than-not to be realized. Existing deferred tax assets, net operating losses and tax credits by jurisdiction and expectations of the ability to utilize these tax attributes are assessed through a review of past, current and estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
Estimates of future taxable income, including income generated from prudent and feasible tax planning strategies resulting from actual or planned business and operational developments, could change in the near term, perhaps materially, which may require the Company to consider any potential impact to the assessment of the recoverability of the related deferred tax asset. Such potential impact could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations for an individual reporting period.
In future periods, the Company’s effective tax rate and tax liability may be impacted due to changes in U.S. and non-U.S. tax laws and as a result of regulatory or legislative developments related to such laws. This could include U.S. and non-U.S. tax law developments related to changes to long-standing tax principles arising from proposals made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development that seek to allocate greater taxing rights to countries where customers are located and establish a global minimum tax rate of at least 15%.
Refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding new applicable accounting pronouncements.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000908255-25-000007.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
BorgWarner Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “BorgWarner”) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner’s products help improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. The Company manufactures and sells these products worldwide, primarily to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of light vehicles (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles (“SUVs”), vans and light trucks). The Company’s products are also sold to other OEMs of commercial vehicles (medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses) and off-highway vehicles (agricultural and construction machinery and marine applications). The Company also manufactures and sells its products to certain tier one
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vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket for light, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Company operates manufacturing facilities serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia and is an original equipment supplier to nearly every major automotive OEM in the world.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a $19 million increase in Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the correction of misstatements related to certain accruals, of which $12 million related to 2023 (the remainder relates to periods prior to 2023). The Company has evaluated the effect of these out-of-period adjustments for the current reporting period, as well as on the previous interim and annual periods in which they should have been recognized, and concluded that these adjustments are not material to any of the periods affected.
BorgWarner Strategy
In 2021, the Company announced its accelerated electrification strategy. There were three primary elements of the strategy: (1) profitably scaling organic growth in electric vehicles (“EVs”); (2) executing mergers and acquisitions that expand our EV products; and (3) optimizing our combustion portfolio through planned dispositions of between $3 billion and $4 billion of annual revenue. In June 2023, the Company announced the next phase of its strategy, which focused on advancing its position as a leader in eProducts (all products utilized on or for EVs plus those same products and components that are included in hybrid powertrains whose underlying technologies are adaptable to those used in or for EVs), while maximizing the value of its combustion portfolio or Foundational products (all products utilized in internal combustion engines plus those same products and components that are also included in hybrid powertrains). The Company’s current strategy is to focus on profitable growth across its technology-focused product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles. This entails growing its product portfolio through organic investments and technology-focused acquisitions. The Company’s balanced portfolio is particularly critical as the automotive industry continues to see electric vehicle adoption volatility across different regions. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s eProduct revenue was approximately $2.3 billion, $2.0 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, or 17%, 14% and 12% of its total revenue, respectively, and the Company’s Foundational products revenue was approximately $11.8 billion, $12.2 billion and $11.2 billion, respectively, or 83%, 86% and 88% of its total revenue, respectively.
On July 3, 2023, BorgWarner completed the previously announced spin-off (“Spin-Off”) of its Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments in a transaction intended to qualify as tax free to the Company’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which was accomplished by the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common stock of PHINIA, Inc. (“PHINIA”) to holders of record of common stock of the Company on a pro-rata basis. PHINIA is an independent public company trading under the symbol “PHIN” on the New York Stock Exchange.
The historical results of operations and the financial position of PHINIA for periods prior to the Spin-Off are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Lawsuit Against PHINIA
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On September 19, 2024, the Company commenced a lawsuit against PHINIA, seeking to recover from PHINIA approximately $120 million of value added tax (“VAT”) refunds that PHINIA has received or expects to receive from governmental agencies as well as damages and interest, which PHINIA has refused to pay to the Company. These refunds consist of VAT paid by the Company in periods prior to or directly related to the Spin-Off through which the Company established PHINIA as an independent company. Prior to the initiation of the lawsuit, PHINIA had paid certain VAT refund amounts to the Company. The Company asserts PHINIA’s obligation to pay the Company these VAT refunds and related amounts is plainly set forth in a binding tax matters agreement between the Company and PHINIA, which the parties agreed to prior to the Spin-Off. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had an asset related to these VAT refunds of approximately $120 million, which is included in Receivables, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Because the Company is unable to predict the timing of collection of these VAT refunds from the applicable governmental agencies, the Company has not included these amounts in its 2025 free cash flow guidance.
North Carolina Facility Hurricane
On September 26, 2024, a hurricane made landfall in North Carolina disrupting operations at the Company’s facility in Arden, North Carolina (the “Arden Plant”). The Arden Plant was largely untouched, but the Company experienced some loss or damage to the Company’s assets amounting to less than $10 million. The Company’s insurance policies (less applicable deductibles) are expected to cover the repair or replacement of the Company’s assets that incurred loss or damage. In addition, the Company’s insurance policies are expected to provide coverage for interruption to its business, including lost profits, and reimbursement for other expenses and costs that have been incurred relating to the damages and losses sustained. The Arden plant resumed full operations during the fourth quarter of 2024.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions have been an integral component of the Company’s growth and value creation strategy. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information, including a summary of recent acquisitions.
Key Trends and Economic Factors
Economic Conditions. The Company’s financial performance depends on conditions in the global automotive industry. Automotive and truck production and sales are cyclical and sensitive to general economic conditions and other factors, including interest rates, consumer credit, and consumer spending and preferences. Government policies, such as the commencement or termination of consumer tax incentives, such as EV tax credits, and programs to invest in infrastructure, including EV charging stations, may affect consumer preferences. Economic declines that result in significant reduction in automotive or truck production would have an adverse effect on our sales. The weighted average market production, as estimated by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024, was down approximately 3% from the year ended December 31, 2023. Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by S&P Global, weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
Commodities and Other Inflationary Impacts. During 2024, prices for commodities showed a lower level of volatility in comparison to what the Company had experienced from the beginning of 2021. At the same time, many economies, including the United States, are still experiencing elevated levels of inflation, which continues to put pressure on other input costs (e.g. labor, energy, other materials). The Company expects commodities to be relatively flat in 2025.
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Outlook
The Company expects global industry production to decrease modestly year over year in 2025. However, the Company expects net new business-related sales growth to drive a sales increase in excess of the change in industry production outlook. As a result, the Company expects sales to be relatively flat in 2025, excluding the impact of foreign currencies.
The Company maintains a positive long-term outlook for its global business and is committed to new product development and strategic investments to enhance its product leadership strategy. There are several trends that are driving the Company’s long-term growth that management expects to continue, including adoption of product offerings for electrified vehicles and increasingly stringent global emissions standards that support demand for the Company’s products that drive vehicle efficiency.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A detailed comparison of the Company’s 2022 operating results to its 2023 operating results can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 8, 2024.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s operating results:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Net sales | % of net sales | % of net sales | |||||||||||
| Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ | 5,887 | 41.8 | % | $ | 6,012 | 42.3 | % | |||||
| Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 5,577 | 39.6 | 5,549 | 39.1 | |||||||||
| PowerDrive Systems | 1,937 | 13.8 | 2,166 | 15.3 | |||||||||
| Battery & Charging Systems | 729 | 5.2 | 546 | 3.8 | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (44) | (0.3) | (75) | (0.5) | |||||||||
| Total net sales | 14,086 | 100.0 | 14,198 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 11,438 | 81.2 | 11,630 | 81.9 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 2,648 | 18.8 | 2,568 | 18.1 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - R&D, net | 736 | 5.2 | 717 | 5.1 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - Other | 614 | 4.4 | 599 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| Restructuring expense | 74 | 0.5 | 79 | 0.6 | |||||||||
| Other operating expense (income), net | 32 | 0.2 | (16) | (0.1) | |||||||||
| Impairment charges | 646 | 4.6 | 29 | 0.2 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 546 | 3.9 | 1,160 | 8.2 | |||||||||
| Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax | (27) | (0.2) | (30) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities | 1 | — | 174 | 1.2 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 20 | 0.1 | 10 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Other postretirement expense | 13 | 0.1 | 15 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 539 | 3.8 | 991 | 7.0 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 111 | 0.8 | 289 | 2.0 | |||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 428 | 3.0 | 702 | 4.9 | |||||||||
| Net loss from discontinued operations | (29) | (0.2) | (7) | — | |||||||||
| Net earnings | 399 | 2.8 | 695 | 4.9 | |||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax | 61 | 0.4 | 70 | 0.5 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ | 338 | 2.4 | % | $ | 625 | 4.4 | % | |||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations — diluted | $ | 1.63 | $ | 2.70 |
Net sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $14,086 million, a decrease of $112 million, or 1%, from the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by the following:
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $122 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Favorable volume, mix and net new business increased sales approximately $116 million. This increase was primarily driven by growth despite a decline in market production, which the Company believes reflects higher demand for its products. The weighted average market production as estimated by the Company, was down approximately 3% from the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by S&P Global, weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
•Acquisitions contributed $32 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2024.
•Normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements reduced sales by $138 million.
Cost of sales and gross profit
Cost of sales and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales were $11,438 million and 81.2%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $11,630 million and 81.9%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by the following:
•Purchasing savings, partially offset by higher sales volume, mix and net new business, decreased cost of sales by approximately $19 million.
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in cost of sales of approximately $93 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won relative to the U.S. Dollar.
Gross profit and gross margin were $2,648 million and 18.8%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $2,568 million and 18.1%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the factors discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1,350 million as compared to $1,316 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 9.6% and 9.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in SG&A was primarily attributable to:
•Research and development (“R&D”) costs increased $19 million. R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, were 5.2% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 5.1% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, was primarily due to increasing net investment related to the Company’s eProducts.
•Employee-related costs increased $17 million, which includes incentive compensation.
Restructuring expense was $74 million and $79 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, primarily related to employee termination benefits. Refer to Note 4 “Restructuring” to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
In 2023, the Company announced a $130 million to $150 million restructuring plan to address structural costs in its Foundational products businesses. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $61 million of restructuring costs related to this plan. The resulting gross savings related to this plan are expected to be in the range of at least $80 million to $90 million annually by 2027 and are being utilized to sustain overall operating margin profile and cost competitiveness.
In June 2024, the Company announced a $75 million restructuring plan to address the cost structure in its PowerDrive Systems segment due to electric vehicle adoption volatility across different regions, which could include realignment of the segment’s manufacturing footprint. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $13 million of restructuring costs related to this plan. The resulting annual cost savings related to this plan are expected to be approximately $100 million by 2026.
Nearly all of the restructuring charges are expected to be cash expenditures, funded by cash on hand.
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Impairment charges During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $577 million related to the goodwill at PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems. Refer to Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded charges of $69 million related to certain property, plant and equipment at locations in the Company’s Battery & Charging Systems and PowerDrive Systems reporting segments. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company noted deterioration in the forecast of its PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems businesses due to further decreases in demand for eProducts as compared to the Company’s expectations as a result of electric vehicle adoption volatility across different regions. This was viewed as a triggering event, and as a result, individual facilities were tested for recoverability. These impairment charges related to locations that failed a recoverability test or where management had initiated plans to liquidate certain assets.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded charges of $29 million primarily related to the write down of a customer incentive asset, a service and lease agreement termination and impairment of certain property, plant and equipment.
Other operating expense (income), net was an expense of $32 million and income of $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in Other operating expense (income), net was primarily due to:
•During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded expense of $17 million primarily for adjustments to net amounts owed to the Company related to the tax matters agreement between the Company and PHINIA.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $15 million related to the settlement of a commercial contract assumed in its acquisition of the electric hybrid systems business segment of Eldor.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a charge of $6 million related to the estimated loss on an immaterial business that met held for sale accounting criteria. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a gain on sale of business of $5 million.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded expense of $2 million, which related to merger and acquisition activity and was offset by a gain of $6 million related to a revision of the Company’s expected earn-out related to the Drivetek acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded expense of $23 million, which primarily related to professional fees for specific acquisition initiatives.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded other income in the amount of $5 million and $10 million, respectively, for net service reimbursements related to the Spin-Off.
•During the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded a $2 million loss and $13 million gain, respectively, on sale of a European manufacturing facility and other fixed assets.
Other operating expense (income), net is primarily comprised of items included within the subtitle “Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings” below.
Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax was $27 million and $30 million in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This line item is driven by the results of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures.
Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities was $1 million and $174 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This line item reflects the net realized and unrealized gains or losses recognized due to valuing the Company’s investments at fair value. For the year ended December 31, 2023, this primarily related to losses recognized to adjust the Company’s
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investment in Wolfspeed Inc. (“Wolfspeed”) convertible debt securities to fair value. The Company sold its Wolfspeed convertible debt securities during the third and fourth quarters of 2023.
Interest expense, net was $20 million and $10 million in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Included in net interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was a gain on extinguishment of $10 million and $28 million, respectively. The gains on debt extinguishment are primarily due to the partial extinguishment of the Company’s 3.375% senior notes and full extinguishment of the Company’s 5.000% senior notes during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Other postretirement expense was $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in other postretirement expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to lower interest in 2024.
Provision for income taxes was $111 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 resulting in an effective tax rate of 21%. This compared to a provision of $289 million, or an effective rate of 29%, for the year ended December 31, 2023. In 2024, the Company reflected a $151 million tax impact of non-deductible impairment of goodwill. In addition, the Company recorded a discrete tax benefit of $107 million related to reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for matters where the statute of limitations lapsed, and a discrete tax benefit of $36 million related to post Spin-Off restructuring.
In 2023, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $19 million related to the resolution of tax audits and reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to matters for which the statute of limitation had lapsed. In addition, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $50 million in relation to the Spin-Off, a discrete tax benefit of approximately $30 million in relation to various changes in filling positions for prior years, and a discrete tax expense of approximately $79 million in relation to changes in judgment related to the recovery of deferred tax assets, primarily due to the impact of the Spin-Off on the allocation of the Company’s profits across jurisdictions for tax purposes as well as various tax structuring actions and strategies.
For further details, see Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax of $61 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $9 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in demand for certain of the Company’s Foundational products in China as well as a reduction arising from the Company’s 2023 purchase of the noncontrolling interest related to SeohanWarner Turbo Systems Ltd. in Korea.
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Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings
The Company’s earnings per diluted share were $1.63 and $2.70 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The non-comparable items presented below are calculated after tax using the corresponding effective tax rate discrete to each item and the weighted average number of diluted shares for each of the years then ended. The Company believes the following table is useful in highlighting non-comparable items that impacted its earnings per diluted share:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-comparable items: | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Impairment charges | $ | (2.73) | $ | (0.10) | ||
| Restructuring expense | (0.24) | (0.24) | ||||
| Accelerated depreciation | (0.18) | (0.01) | ||||
| Adjustments associated with Spin-Off related balances | (0.14) | — | ||||
| Commercial contract settlement | (0.07) | — | ||||
| (Loss) gain on sale of business | (0.04) | 0.02 | ||||
| Merger and acquisition expense, net | — | (0.09) | ||||
| Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities | — | (0.73) | ||||
| Gain on sale of assets | — | 0.04 | ||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | 0.01 | 0.09 | ||||
| Change in accounting method | 0.10 | — | ||||
| Tax adjustments1 | 0.64 | 0.05 | ||||
| Other non-comparable items | (0.04) | (0.06) | ||||
| Total impact of non-comparable items per share — diluted: | $ | (2.69) | $ | (1.03) |
_____________________
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1 | In 2024, the Company recorded a discrete tax benefit of $107 million related to reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for matters where the statute of limitations lapsed and a discrete tax benefit of $36 million related to post Spin-Off restructuring. In 2023, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $19 million related to the resolution of tax audits and reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to matters for which the statute of limitations had lapsed. In addition, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $50 million related to the Spin-Off, a discrete tax benefit of approximately $30 million due to various changes in filling positions for prior years, and a discrete tax expense of approximately $79 million for changes in judgement on the recovery of certain deferred tax assets. |
Results by Reportable Segment
The Company discloses segment information under four reportable segments, consistent with the way operating results are evaluated by management: Turbos & Thermal Technologies, Drivetrain & Morse Systems, PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems. These segments are strategic business groups, which are managed separately as each represents a specific grouping of related automotive components and systems. In the third quarter of 2024, the Company implemented a new business unit and management structure designed to further enhance the execution of the Company’s strategy. Previously, the Company presented its results under three reportable segments: Air Management, Drivetrain & Battery Systems and ePropulsion. Prior period reportable segment disclosures have been updated accordingly, including recasting prior period information for the new reporting structure.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is the measure of segment income or loss used by the Company. Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is comprised of operating income adjusted for restructuring, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, intangible asset amortization expense, impairment charges and other items not reflective of ongoing operating income or loss. The Company believes Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is most reflective of the operational profitability or loss of its reportable segments.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) excludes certain corporate costs, which primarily represent headquarters’ expenses not directly attributable to the individual segments. Corporate expenses not
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allocated to Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) were $279 million and $278 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following tables present net sales and Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) for the Company’s reportable segments:
Year Ended December 31, 2024 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2023
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | |||||||||||||||
| Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ | 5,887 | $ | 877 | 14.9 | % | $ | 6,012 | $ | 874 | 14.5 | % | |||||||||
| Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 5,577 | 1,010 | 18.1 | % | 5,549 | 958 | 17.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| PowerDrive Systems | 1,937 | (144) | (7.4) | % | 2,166 | (90) | (4.2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Battery & Charging Systems | 729 | (47) | (6.4) | % | 546 | (116) | (21.2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (44) | — | (75) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 14,086 | $ | 1,696 | $ | 14,198 | $ | 1,626 |
Turbos & Thermal Technologies net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $125 million, or 2%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $3 million from the year ended December 31, 2023. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $37 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Korean Won and Brazilian Real relative to the U.S. Dollar. The decrease excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $47 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by a decline in weighted average market production compared to the prior year. Additionally, a decrease in normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements decreased net sales by $41 million. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 14.9% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 14.5% in the year ended December 31, 2023. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin was relatively flat as lower sales were offset by manufacturing efficiencies, supply chain and restructuring savings.
Drivetrain & Morse Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $28 million, or 1%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $52 million from the year ended December 31, 2023. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $61 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Korean Won and Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding these items was primarily due to approximately $107 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products despite a decline in weighted average market production compared to the prior year. Additionally, a decrease in normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements decreased net sales by $18 million. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 18.1% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 17.3% in the year ended December 31, 2023. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to conversion on higher sales and manufacturing efficiencies, supply chain and restructuring savings.
PowerDrive Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $229 million, or 11%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss increased $54 million from the year ended December 31, 2023. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $22 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won relative to the U.S. Dollar. Acquisitions contributed $27 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $234 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by decreased demand for the Company’s light vehicle Foundational products, which was partially offset by customer recoveries related to the volume decrease. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (7.4)% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to (4.2)% in the year ended
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December 31, 2023. The increase in Segment Adjusted Operating Loss was primarily due to lower sales and impacts related to the Eldor acquisition, partially offset by supply chain and restructuring savings.
Battery & Charging Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $183 million, or 34%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss decreased $69 million from the year ended December 31, 2023. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $2 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Brazilian Real, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. Acquisitions contributed $5 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $255 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for battery system products in Europe. Additionally, a decrease in normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements decreased net sales by $75 million. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (6.4)% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to (21.2)% in the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the Segment Adjusted Operating Loss was primarily due to conversion on higher sales and customer recoveries.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2022
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | |||||||||||||||
| Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ | 6,012 | $ | 874 | 14.5 | % | $ | 5,455 | $ | 783 | 14.4 | % | |||||||||
| Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 5,549 | 958 | 17.3 | % | 5,028 | 783 | 15.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| PowerDrive Systems | 2,166 | (90) | (4.2) | % | 1,906 | (88) | (4.6) | % | |||||||||||||
| Battery & Charging Systems | 546 | (116) | (21.2) | % | 335 | (44) | (13.1) | % | |||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (75) | — | (89) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 14,198 | $ | 1,626 | $ | 12,635 | $ | 1,434 |
Turbos & Thermal Technologies net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $557 million, or 10.2%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $91 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $21 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro, partially offset by the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $477 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year, non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 14.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 14.4% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The slight increase in Segment Adjusted Operating margin was due to the conversion on higher sales, which was partially offset by higher costs due to inflation not recovered through customer pricing.
Drivetrain & Morse Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $521 million, or 10.4%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $175 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $54 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding these items was primarily due to approximately $546 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year, non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 17.3% in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 15.6% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to conversion on higher sales.
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PowerDrive Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $260 million, or 13.6%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss increased $2 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $43 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar. Acquisitions contributed $28 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $224 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year, non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (4.2)% in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to (4.6)% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin was relatively flat as conversion on higher sales related to eProduct growth and customer recoveries were offset by higher R&D for eProducts, higher input costs due to inflation and additional depreciation expense.
Battery & Charging Systems net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $211 million, or 63.0%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss decreased $72 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year increase in sales of approximately $10 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar. Acquisitions contributed $24 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $158 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (21.2)% in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to (13.1)% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin decrease was primarily related to new business acquisition, higher research and development costs, higher input costs due to inflation and additional depreciation expense.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company maintains various liquidity sources, including cash and cash equivalents and the unused portion of its multi-currency revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had liquidity of $4,094 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalent balances of $2,094 million and an undrawn revolving credit facility of $2,000 million. The Company was in full compliance with its covenants under the revolving credit facility and had full access to its undrawn revolving credit facility. The total debt expected to mature through the end of 2025 is $398 million. Given the Company’s strong liquidity position, management believes that it will have sufficient liquidity and will maintain compliance with all covenants through at least the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2024, cash balances of $891 million were held by the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the United States. Cash and cash equivalents held by these subsidiaries are used to fund foreign operational activities and future investments, including acquisitions. The majority of cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States is available for repatriation. The Company uses its U.S. liquidity primarily for various corporate purposes, including but not limited to debt service, share repurchases, dividend distributions, acquisitions and other corporate expenses.
The Company has a $2.0 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, which includes a feature that allows the facility to be increased by $1.0 billion with bank group approval. This facility matures in September 2028. The credit facility agreement contains customary events of default and one key financial covenant, which is a debt-to-EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenant at December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
The Company’s commercial paper program allows the Company to issue $2.0 billion of short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes under the limits of its multi-currency revolving credit facility. Under this program, the Company may issue notes from time to time and use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under this program as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The total current combined borrowing capacity under the multi-currency revolving credit facility and commercial paper program cannot exceed $2.0 billion.
In addition to the revolving credit facility, the Company’s universal shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provides the Company with the ability to issue various debt and equity securities subject to market conditions.
On February 7, 2024, April 24, 2024, July 23, 2024 and November 6, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.11 per share of common stock, respectively. These dividends were paid on March 15, 2024, June 17, 2024, September 16, 2024 and December 16, 2024, respectively.
From a credit quality perspective, the Company has a credit rating of BBB from Standard & Poor’s, Baa1 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch Ratings. The current outlook from each of Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch is stable. None of the Company's debt agreements requires accelerated repayment in the event of a downgrade in credit ratings.
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Cash Flows
Operating Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | $ | 428 | $ | 702 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: | ||||||
| Depreciation and tooling amortization | 604 | 515 | ||||
| Intangible asset amortization | 69 | 67 | ||||
| Restructuring expense, net of cash paid | 6 | 66 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 62 | 58 | ||||
| Loss (gain) on sales of businesses | 6 | (5) | ||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | (10) | (28) | ||||
| Asset impairments | 646 | 29 | ||||
| Change in accounting method | (29) | — | ||||
| Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities | 1 | 174 | ||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | (156) | (44) | ||||
| Other non-cash adjustments | 8 | (25) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | 1,207 | 807 | ||||
| Retirement plan contributions | (45) | (19) | ||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Receivables | 143 | (482) | ||||
| Inventories | 31 | (72) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (292) | 375 | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities | (90) | 86 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | $ | 1,382 | $ | 1,397 |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,382 million and $1,397 million in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to higher net earnings adjusted for non-cash charges, offset by changes in working capital.
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Investing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | $ | (671) | $ | (832) | ||
| Customer advances related to capital expenditures | 18 | — | ||||
| Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired | — | (109) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash divested | 8 | 9 | ||||
| Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges, net | 46 | 25 | ||||
| (Payments for) proceeds from investments in debt and equity securities, net | (8) | 284 | ||||
| Proceeds from asset disposals and other, net | 4 | 30 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations | $ | (603) | $ | (593) |
Net cash used in investing activities was $603 million and $593 million in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In 2023, the Company acquired the electric vehicle solution, smart grid and smart energy businesses of Hubei Surpass Sun Electric and the electric hybrid systems business segment of Eldor Corporation. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 4.8% and 5.9% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Financing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Additions to debt | $ | 1,008 | $ | 18 | ||
| Repayments of debt, including current portion | (525) | (451) | ||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | (9) | (3) | ||||
| Payments for purchase of treasury stock | (402) | (177) | ||||
| Payments for stock-based compensation items | (23) | (25) | ||||
| Payments for business acquired, net of cash acquired | (4) | — | ||||
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | — | (15) | ||||
| Payments for contingent consideration | (1) | (23) | ||||
| Net distribution from PHINIA | — | 401 | ||||
| Dividends paid to BorgWarner stockholders | (98) | (130) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders | (113) | (116) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations | $ | (167) | $ | (521) |
Net cash used in financing activities was $167 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $521 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily related to the purchase and extinguishment of $503 million of senior notes, $402 million of BorgWarner share repurchases, $113 million in dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders of the Company’s consolidated joint ventures and $98 million in dividends paid to the Company’s stockholders. These were partially offset by cash provided by the Company’s issuance of $500 million of 4.950% senior notes due August 2029 and $500 million of 5.400% senior notes due August 2034.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company executed the Spin-Off and received a net distribution, part of which was utilized to purchase and extinguish a portion of senior notes due in 2025.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company’s significant cash requirements for contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024 primarily consisted of the principal and interest payments on its notes payable and long-term debt, non-cancelable lease obligations, capital spending obligations and purchase obligations. The principal amount of notes payable due within the next twelve months was $398 million and long-term debt was $3,799 million as of December 31, 2024. The projected interest payments over the terms of that debt due within the next twelve months and beyond were $113 million and $898 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 14, “Debt,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
As of December 31, 2024, non-cancelable lease obligations due within twelve months and beyond were $46 million and $219 million, respectively. Refer to Note 22, “Leases and Commitments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Capital spending obligations due within the next twelve months were $111 million as of December 31, 2024.
On November 16, 2022, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Wolfspeed pursuant to which the Company invested $500 million in Wolfspeed’s convertible debt securities and simultaneously entered into an agreement under which Wolfspeed agreed to provide a silicon carbide manufacturing capacity corridor to the Company. Under this agreement, beginning in 2024, the Company originally expected to purchase silicon carbide parts with an aggregate total price equal to or greater than the corridor amount totaling a minimum of $184 million, annually through 2029. The Company only purchased approximately $78 million of these parts from Wolfspeed in 2024, which is lower than previously stated due to a variety of factors, including a need for flexibility based on market demands and the Company’s need to secure volume commitments for replacement parts with another supplier due to Wolfspeed’s rejection of orders. For 2025, the Company expects to purchase silicon carbide parts with an aggregate total price of approximately $130 million. The Company anticipates a similar volume of purchases in 2026 and 2027. For 2028 and beyond, there is no established obligation.
On September 21, 2023, and November 15, 2023, the Company sold $100 million and the remaining $400 million, respectively, of the Wolfspeed convertible debt securities. The silicone carbine parts agreement is independent of the sale of the convertible debt securities and remains effective as of December 31, 2024.
Management believes that the combination of cash from operations, cash balances, available credit facilities, and the universal shelf registration capacity will be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s cash needs for its current level of operations and its planned operations for the foreseeable future. Management will continue to balance the Company’s needs for organic growth, inorganic growth, debt reduction, cash conservation and return of cash to shareholders.
Postretirement Defined Benefits
The Company’s policy is to fund its defined benefit pension plans in accordance with applicable government regulations and to make additional contributions when appropriate. At December 31, 2024, all legal funding requirements had been met. The Company contributed $39 million, $21 million and $22 million to its defined benefit pension plans in the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company expects to contribute a total of $20 million into its defined benefit pension plans during 2025. Of the $20 million in projected 2025 contributions, $6 million are contractually obligated, while any remaining payments would be discretionary.
The funded status of all pension plans was a net unfunded position of $66 million and $94 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in the net unfunded position was a result of a lower projected benefit obligation, which was primarily due to benefits paid and actuarial gains during the
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period. The main driver of these gains was the increase of 0.40% in the weighted average discount rate for U.S. plans. Of the total net unfunded amounts, $32 million and $39 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were related to plans in Germany, where there is no tax deduction allowed under the applicable regulations to fund the plans; hence, the common practice is to make contributions as benefit payments become due.
Other postemployment benefits primarily consist of health care benefits for certain former employees and retirees of the Company’s U.S. operations. The Company funds these benefits as retiree claims are incurred. Other postemployment benefits had an unfunded status of $29 million and $33 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In December 2024, the Company entered into a second buy-in contract with an insurance company related to its U.K. pension plan. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company liquidated approximately $50 million of pension plan assets to invest in an insurance annuity. At December 31, 2024, the U.K. pension plan had plan assets of $118 million, of which 83% were held by the insurance company and invested in insurance annuities. The remaining plan assets of 17% were held in cash and transferred to the insurance company in January 2025. The projected benefit obligation of the U.K. pension plan at December 31, 2024 was $98 million under U.S. GAAP. The U.K. pension plan was overfunded by $20 million and $18 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, under U.S. GAAP.
The Company believes it will be able to fund the requirements of these plans through cash generated from operations or other available sources of financing for the foreseeable future.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement benefits.
OTHER MATTERS
Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is party to various commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints, including matters involving warranty claims, intellectual property claims, governmental investigations and related proceedings, general liability and other risks. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether or not the Company will ultimately be successful in any of these commercial and legal matters or what the impact might be. The Company does not believe that adverse outcomes in any of these commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. An adverse outcome could, nonetheless, be material to the results of operations or cash flows as the ultimate resolutions of these matters are inherently unpredictable.
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Lawsuit Against PHINIA
On September 19, 2024, the Company commenced a lawsuit against PHINIA, seeking to recover from PHINIA approximately $120 million of value added tax (“VAT”) refunds that PHINIA has received or expects to receive from governmental agencies as well as damages and interest, which PHINIA has refused to pay to the Company. These refunds consist of VAT paid by the Company in periods prior to or directly related to the Spin-Off through which the Company established PHINIA as an independent company. Prior to the initiation of the lawsuit, PHINIA had paid certain VAT refund amounts to the Company. The Company asserts PHINIA’s obligation to pay the Company these VAT refunds and related amounts is plainly set forth in a binding tax matters agreement between the Company and PHINIA, which the parties agreed to prior to the Spin-Off. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had an asset related to these VAT refunds of approximately $120 million, which is included in Receivables, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Environmental
The Company and certain of its current and former direct and indirect corporate predecessors, subsidiaries and divisions have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and certain local environmental agencies and private parties as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at various hazardous waste disposal sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Superfund”) and equivalent state or local laws and, as such, may be currently and may have been liable for the cost of clean-up and other remedial activities at 17 such sites as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. Responsibility for clean-up and other remedial activities at a Superfund site is typically shared among PRPs based on an allocation formula.
The Company believes that none of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Generally, this is because either the estimates of the maximum potential liability at a site are not material or the liability will be shared with other PRPs, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such matter.
Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for further details and information respecting the Company’s environmental liability.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management makes estimates and assumptions about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are discussed below.
Business combinations The Company allocates the cost of an acquired business to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess value of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities will impact the determination of future operating results. The Company uses a variety of information sources to determine the value of acquired assets and liabilities, including third-party appraisers for the values
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and lives of property, identifiable intangibles and inventories, and actuaries for defined benefit retirement plans. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the date of the related acquisition. If goodwill is assigned to more than one reporting unit, the Company utilizes a method that is consistent with the manner in which the amount of goodwill in a business combination is determined. Costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred.
Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, developed technology and trade names. The Company estimates the fair value of acquired intangible assets using various valuation techniques. The primary valuation techniques used include forms of the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings valuation methods. Under these valuation approaches, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions from a market participant perspective, which may include revenue growth rates, estimated earnings, royalty rates, obsolescence factors, contributory asset charges, customer attrition and discount rates. Under the multi-period excess earnings method, value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the asset, in excess of the returns required on the investment in contributory assets that are necessary to realize those benefits. The intangible asset’s estimated earnings are determined as the residual earnings after quantifying estimated earnings from contributory assets. When the Company estimates fair value using the relief-from-royalty method, it calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the assets. Assumed royalty rates are applied to projected revenue for the remaining useful lives of the assets to estimate the royalty savings.
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions, fair value estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in acquisition valuations and intangible asset and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Impairment of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, whether held for use or disposal, including other amortizing intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review under ASC Topic 360. In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management generally considers individual facilities to be the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. A recoverability review is performed using the undiscounted cash flows if there is a triggering event. If the undiscounted cash flow test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, management will perform a fair value analysis. Management determines fair value under ASC Topic 820 using the appropriate valuation technique of market, income or cost approach. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.
Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair value assumptions are reasonable; however, changes in assumptions underlying these estimates could affect the valuations. Significant judgments and estimates used by management when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment include (i) an assessment as to whether an adverse event or circumstance has triggered the need for an impairment review; (ii) undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset; and (iii) fair valuation of
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the asset. Events and conditions that could result in impairment in the value of long-lived assets include changes in the industries in which the Company operates, particularly the impact of a downturn in the global economy, as well as competition and advances in technology, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company tests goodwill for impairment by either performing a qualitative assessment or a quantitative analysis. In addition, the Company may test goodwill in between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that could indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.
The qualitative assessment evaluates various events and circumstances, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, relevant events and financial trends, that may impact a reporting unit's fair value. Using this qualitative assessment, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value. If it is determined that it is not more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds the carrying value, or upon consideration of other factors, including recent acquisition, restructuring or disposal activity or to refresh the fair values, the Company performs a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company reduced the outlook of its PowerDrive Systems business in response to volatility in actual and expected customer production schedules. This was viewed as a triggering event, and as a result, the Company performed an interim quantitative analysis of the fair value of the PowerDrive Systems reporting unit. Based on this interim impairment test, the PowerDrive Systems reporting unit had an estimated fair value that exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill, by approximately 5%, resulting in no impairment at that time.
During the third quarter of 2024, as a result of the previously disclosed reportable segment realignment, the Company disaggregated certain entities within one of the Company’s historical goodwill reporting units across two reporting units: Drivetrain & Morse Systems and Battery & Charging Systems. As a result of this change, the Company allocated goodwill to these two reporting units on a relative fair value basis. The Company estimated the fair values of the businesses to be split from the historical reporting unit based upon the present value of their anticipated future cash flows. The Company’s determination of fair value involved judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions. In conjunction with the goodwill allocation, the Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment of the historical reporting units’ goodwill immediately before and after the segment realignment. The quantitative analyses did not result in any impairment charges as the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value. The disclosures below have been updated accordingly, which included recasting prior period information for the new reporting structure.
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company performed a qualitative analysis on two of its reporting units and performed a quantitative analysis on the other two reporting units. The Company’s qualitative assessment indicated it was more-likely-than-not the fair value of these reporting units exceeded the carrying value. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company performed a quantitative analysis on all reporting units. For the quantitative analyses, the estimated fair values were determined using an income and market approach. The market approach was based on market multiples (revenue and “EBITDA”, defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and required an estimate of appropriate multiples based on market data for comparable companies. The market valuation models and other financial ratios used by the Company require certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to the Company’s facts and circumstances.
For the reporting units for which the Company performed a quantitative assessment, the Company believes the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair value are reasonable. Different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s 2024 goodwill quantitative impairment review are as follows:
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•Discount rates: The Company used a range of 13.5% to 14.5% weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as the discount rates for future cash flows. The WACC is intended to represent a rate of return that would be expected by a market participant.
•Operating income margin: The Company used historical and expected operating income margins, which may vary based on the projections of the reporting unit being evaluated.
•Revenue growth rates: The Company used a global automotive market industry growth rate forecast adjusted to estimate its own market participation for product lines.
In addition to the above primary assumptions, the Company noted the following risks to volume and operating income assumptions that could have an impact on the discounted cash flow models:
•The automotive industry is cyclical, and the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by industry downturns.
•The automotive industry is evolving, and if the Company does not respond appropriately, its results of operations could be adversely affected.
•The Company is dependent on market segments that use its key products and could be affected by decreasing demand in those segments.
•The Company is subject to risks related to international operations.
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements, the Company noted deterioration in the forecast for its PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems businesses. This deterioration was due to further decreases in demand for eProducts as compared to the Company’s expectations as a result of electric vehicle adoption volatility across different regions. This downward revision to the outlooks of these businesses was due to volatility in actual and expected customer production schedules. The Company had made capital investments to support new eProducts business that has been delayed and/or launched with lower-than-expected volumes. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $468 million and $109 million, related to the PowerDrive Systems and Battery & Charging Systems reporting units, respectively.
These charges resulted in full impairment of the PowerDrive Systems goodwill. The goodwill impairment charges related to Battery & Charging Systems represent the difference between carrying value and fair value, meaning the carrying value for this reporting unit now approximates its fair value. The fair value of the Battery & Charging Systems reporting unit’s goodwill is sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows, including changes in the projected revenue, projected operating margin and discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of these assets and market multiples assumptions applied by the Company. Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates from those used in acquisition-related valuations and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Similar to goodwill, the Company can elect to perform the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trade names) using a qualitative analysis, considering similar factors as outlined in the goodwill discussion, to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the trade names is less than the respective carrying values. If the Company elects to perform or is required to perform a quantitative analysis, the test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief-from-royalty method, which it believes is an appropriate and widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived
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from the relief-from-royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trade names and not being required to pay a royalty for their use.
Refer to Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding goodwill.
Product warranties The Company provides warranties on some, but not all, of its products. The warranty terms are typically from one to three years. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and industry developments and recoveries from third parties. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. Costs of product recalls, which may include the cost of the product being replaced as well as the customer’s cost of the recall, including labor to remove and replace the recalled part, are accrued as part of the Company’s warranty accrual at the time an obligation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, if actual claims incurred differ from the original estimates or there are changes in our assumptions, it could materially affect the Company’s financial statements.
At December 31, 2024, the total accrued warranty liability was $215 million. The accrual is represented as $88 million in Other current liabilities and $127 million in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Refer to Note 13, “Product Warranty,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding product warranties.
Postretirement defined benefits The Company provides postretirement defined benefits to a number of its current and former employees. Costs associated with postretirement defined benefits include pension and other postemployment health care expenses for former employees, retirees and surviving spouses and dependents.
The Company’s defined benefit pension and other postemployment benefit plans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715. The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for its pension and other postemployment benefits, such as retiree health care, is dependent on certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate, rates of increase in compensation and health care costs trends are described in Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. The effects of any modification to those assumptions, or actual results that differ from assumptions used, are either recognized immediately or amortized over future periods in accordance with GAAP.
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The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s accounting for employee benefits under ASC Topics 712 and 715 as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:
•Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets: The expected long-term rate of return is used in the calculation of net periodic benefit 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, however, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual earned long-term returns. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets has been determined 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 return, inflation and other variables. The Company also considers the impact of active management of the plans’ invested assets. In determining its pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company used long-term rates of return on plan assets ranging from 3% to 8% outside of the U.S. and 5% in the U.S. The primary funded non-U.S. plans are in the U.K. and Germany.
Actual returns on U.S. pension assets were 0.6 % and 5.2% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 5% and 5%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on U.K. pension assets were (3.7)% and 3.2% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumption of 4.0% and 5.3%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on German pension assets were 7% and 9.9% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 4.2% and 4.5%, respectively, for the same years ended.
•Discount rate: The discount rate is used to calculate pension and other postemployment benefit (“OPEB”) obligations. In determining the discount rate, the Company utilizes a full-yield approach in the estimation of service and interest components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. For its significant plans, the Company used discount rates ranging from 1.0% to 22.3% to determine its pension and other benefit obligations as of December 31, 2024, including weighted average discount rates of 5.5% in the U.S., 4.3% outside of the U.S. (including 5.6% in the U.K.) and 5.4% for U.S. other postemployment health care plans. The U.S. and U.K. discount rates reflect the fact that the U.S. and U.K. pension plans have been closed for new participants.
•Health care cost trend: For postemployment employee health care plan accounting, the Company reviews external data and Company-specific historical trends for health care cost to determine the health care cost trend rate assumptions. In determining the projected benefit obligation for postemployment health care plans as of December 31, 2024, the Company used health care cost trend rates of 7.0%, declining to an ultimate trend rate of 4.75% by the year 2026.
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 and OPEB and its future expense.
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The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the assumptions for discount rate related to 2025 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is expected to be negligible.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in expected return on assets related to 2025 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in expected return on assets | $ | 7 | $ | 1 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in expected return on assets | $ | (7) | $ | (1) |
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in discount rate for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans on its pension obligations:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 2 | $ | 15 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | $ | (2) | $ | (14) |
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the discount rate assumption and to the assumed health care cost trend related to the Company’s OPEB obligation and service and interest cost is expected to be negligible.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding the Company’s retirement benefit plans.
Restructuring Restructuring costs may occur when the Company takes action to exit or significantly curtail a part of its operations or implements a reorganization that affects the nature and focus of operations. A restructuring charge can consist of severance costs associated with reductions to the workforce, costs to terminate a contract, professional fees and other costs incurred related to the implementation of restructuring activities.
The Company generally records costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance. Costs for involuntary separation programs are recorded when management has approved the plan for separation, the employees are identified and aware of the benefits to which they are entitled and it is unlikely that the plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded upon agreement. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are expensed over the required service period.
Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized 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 carryforwards. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting for income taxes is complex, in part because the Company conducts business globally and, therefore, files income tax returns in numerous tax jurisdictions. Management judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities, including accruals for unrecognized tax benefits and assessing the need for valuation allowances. In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim
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period. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation recording the net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance may be necessary.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. at the federal and state level and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. The determination of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits includes the application of complex tax laws in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company's global operations. Management judgment is required in determining the accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is less than certain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are established when, despite the belief that tax positions are supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The Company has certain U.S. state income tax returns and certain non-U.S. income tax returns that are currently under various stages of audit by applicable tax authorities. At December 31, 2024, the Company had a liability for tax positions the Company estimates are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained based on the technical merits, which is included in Other non-current liabilities. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
The Company records valuation allowances to reduce the carrying value of certain deferred tax assets to amounts that it expects are more-likely-than-not to be realized. Existing deferred tax assets, net operating losses and tax credits by jurisdiction and expectations of the ability to utilize these tax attributes are assessed through a review of past, current and estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
Estimates of future taxable income, including income generated from prudent and feasible tax planning strategies resulting from actual or planned business and operational developments, could change in the near term, perhaps materially, which may require the Company to consider any potential impact to the assessment of the recoverability of the related deferred tax asset. Such potential impact could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations for an individual reporting period.
In future periods, the Company’s effective tax rate and tax liability may be impacted due to changes in U.S. and non-U.S. tax laws and as a result of regulatory or legislative developments related to such laws. This could include U.S. and non-U.S. tax law developments related to changes to long-standing tax principles arising from proposals made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development that seek to allocate greater taxing rights to countries where customers are located and establish a global minimum tax rate of at least 15%.
Refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding new applicable accounting pronouncements.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000908255-24-000007.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
BorgWarner Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries (the “Company” or “BorgWarner”) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner’s products help improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. These products are manufactured and sold worldwide, primarily to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of light vehicles (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles (“SUVs”), vans and light trucks). The Company’s products are also sold to other OEMs of commercial vehicles (medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses) and off-highway vehicles (agricultural and construction machinery and marine applications). The Company also manufactures and sells its products to certain tier one vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket for light, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Company operates manufacturing facilities serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia and is an original equipment supplier to nearly every major automotive OEM in the world.
Charging Forward - Electrification Portfolio Strategy
In 2021, the Company announced its strategy to aggressively grow its eProducts over time through organic investments and technology-focused acquisitions. eProducts include all products utilized on or for electric vehicles (“EVs”) plus those same products and components that are included in hybrid powertrains whose underlying technologies are adaptable or applicable to those used in or for EVs. The Company believes it is well positioned for the industry’s anticipated migration to EVs.
In June 2023, the Company announced the next phase of its Charging Forward strategy, which focuses on profitably growing eProducts while maximizing the value of the Company’s Foundational products portfolio. Foundational products include all products utilized on internal combustion engines plus those same products and components that are also included in hybrid powertrains. As a result of executing its strategy, the Company expects that by 2027, it will achieve over $10 billion in annual eProduct sales, deliver eProduct adjusted operating margin of approximately 7% and maintain its double-digit adjusted operating margin for its Foundational products portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s eProduct revenue was approximately $2.0 billion, or 14% of its total revenue.
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On July 3, 2023, BorgWarner completed the previously announced spin-off (“Spin-Off”) of its Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments in a transaction intended to qualify as tax free to the Company’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which was accomplished by the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common stock of PHINIA, Inc. (“PHINIA”) to holders of record of common stock of the Company on a pro-rata basis. Each holder of record of common stock of the Company received one share of PHINIA common stock for every five shares of common stock of the Company held on June 23, 2023, the record date for the distribution (“Distribution Date”). In lieu of fractional shares of PHINIA, shareholders of the Company received cash. PHINIA is an independent public company trading under the symbol “PHIN” on the New York Stock Exchange.
The historical results of operations and the financial position of PHINIA for periods prior to the Spin-Off are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Acquisitions
Eldor Corporation’s Electric Hybrid Systems Business
On December 1, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of the electric hybrid systems business segment of Eldor Corporation (“Eldor”), which is headquartered in Italy. The acquisition is expected to complement its existing ePropulsion product portfolio by enhancing the Company’s engineering capabilities in power electronics. The Company paid €72 million ($78 million) at closing, with up to €175 million ($191 million) in earn-out payments that could be paid over the two years following closing. The Company’s current estimates indicate that the minimum threshold for the earn-out target will not be achieved, thus no amount of the earn-out payment has been included in the purchase consideration.
Hubei Surpass Sun Electric Charging Business
On March 1, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of the electric vehicle solution, smart grid and smart energy businesses of Hubei Surpass Sun Electric, pursuant to an Equity Transfer Agreement. The acquisition is expected to complement the Company’s existing European and North American charging footprint by adding a presence in China. The total consideration was ¥288 million ($42 million), including ¥268 million ($39 million) of base purchase price and ¥20 million ($3 million) of estimated earn-out payments. The Company paid ¥217 million ($31 million) of the base purchase price in the year ended December 31, 2023. The remaining ¥51 million ($8 million) of base purchase price is payable in two installments with the last payment due before April 30, 2025. In addition, pursuant to the agreement, the Company could be obligated to remit up to ¥103 million ($15 million), in the form of contingent payments over approximately two years following the closing.
Drivetek AG
On December 1, 2022, the Company acquired Drivetek AG, an engineering and product development company located in Switzerland. This acquisition is expected to strengthen the Company’s power electronics capabilities in auxiliary inverters to accelerate the growth of the High Voltage eFan business. The total consideration was ₣27 million ($29 million) of base purchase price paid at closing, and ₣10 million ($10 million) of estimated earn-out payments that could be paid in the form of contingent payments over the three years following closing.
Rhombus Energy Solutions
On July 29, 2022, the Company acquired Rhombus Energy Solutions, a provider of charging solutions in the North American market. The acquisition is expected to complement the Company’s existing European charging footprint to accelerate organic growth and adds North American regional presence to its charging business. The Company paid $131 million at closing, and up to $30 million could be paid in the
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form of contingent payments over the three years following closing. The Company’s current estimates indicate that the minimum thresholds for these earn-out targets will not be achieved, thus no amount for the earn-out payments has been included in the purchase consideration.
Santroll Automotive Components
On March 31, 2022, the Company acquired Santroll Automotive Components, a carve-out of Santroll Electric Auto’s eMotor business. The acquisition is expected to strengthen the Company’s vertical integration, scale and portfolio breadth in light vehicle eMotors while allowing for increased speed to market. The total final consideration was $192 million, including approximately ¥1.0 billion ($152 million) of base purchase price and ¥0.25 billion ($40 million) of originally estimated earn-out payments. The Company paid approximately ¥1.0 billion ($157 million) of base purchase price in the year ended December 31, 2022 and no longer expects to recapture a previously anticipated $5 million of post-closing adjustments, which has been recorded in Other operating expense, net. Pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement for the acquisition, the obligation of the Company to remit up to ¥0.3 billion (approximately $47 million) of earn-out payments was contingent upon achievement of certain sales volume targets and certain estimated future volume targets associated with newly awarded business. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid approximately ¥0.2 billion ($24 million) to settle the remaining earn-out liability and related adjustments.
AKASOL AG
On June 4, 2021, the Company completed a voluntary public takeover offer for shares of AKASOL AG (“AKASOL”), resulting in ownership of 89% of AKASOL’s outstanding shares. The Company paid approximately €648 million ($788 million) to settle the offer. During 2021, the Company increased its ownership to 93% through the subsequent purchase of additional shares. On February 10, 2022, the Company completed a merger squeeze-out process to obtain the remaining shares, resulting in 100% ownership. The acquisition is expected to further strengthen BorgWarner’s commercial vehicle and industrial electrification capabilities, which positions the Company to capitalize on what it believes to be a fast-growing battery module and pack market.
Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Results of operations for these acquisitions are included in the Company’s financial information following their respective dates of acquisition.
Key Trends and Economic Factors
Commodities and Other Inflationary Impacts. Prices for commodities remain volatile, and since the beginning of 2021, the Company has experienced price increases for base metals (e.g., steel, aluminum and nickel), precious metals (e.g., palladium), silicon carbide, and raw materials that are primarily used in batteries for electric vehicles (e.g., lithium and cobalt). In addition, many global economies, including the United States, are experiencing elevated levels of inflation more generally, which is driving an increase in other input costs. As a result, the Company has experienced, and is continuing to experience, higher costs.
In 2022 and 2023, following non-contractual negotiations, the Company reached agreement for the pass through and recovery of higher costs with various customers. These agreements did not enable the Company to recover 100 percent of its increased costs, and as a result, the Company’s operating margins were negatively impacted.
Foreign Currency Impacts. The rapid strengthening of the U.S. Dollar in 2022, which continued in 2023, albeit to a lesser extent, relative to major foreign currencies, including the Euro, Korean Won and Chinese Renminbi, and related translation of these currencies to the U.S. Dollar, unfavorably impacted
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the Company’s net sales, earnings and cash flows. Continued significant fluctuations of foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar may further negatively impact the Company’s financial results.
Outlook
The Company expects global industry production to be flat or to decrease modestly year over year in 2024. However, the Company expects net new business-related sales growth, due to the increased penetration of BorgWarner products, including eProducts, to drive a sales increase in excess of the change in industry production outlook. As a result, the Company expects increased revenue in 2024, excluding the impact of foreign currencies. The Company expects the earnings benefit of this revenue growth to be partially offset by the negative earnings impact of the acquisition of Eldor.
The Company maintains a positive long-term outlook for its global business and is committed to new product development and strategic investments to enhance its product leadership strategy. There are several trends that are driving the Company’s long-term growth that management expects to continue, including adoption of product offerings for electrified vehicles and increasingly stringent global emissions standards that support demand for the Company’s products that drive vehicle efficiency.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A detailed comparison of the Company’s 2021 operating results to its 2022 operating results can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 9, 2023.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s operating results:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||
| Net sales | % of net sales | % of net sales | |||||||||||
| Air Management | $ | 7,833 | 55.2 | % | $ | 7,137 | 56.5 | % | |||||
| Drivetrain & Battery Systems | 4,348 | 30.6 | 3,735 | 29.6 | |||||||||
| ePropulsion | 2,166 | 15.3 | 1,906 | 15.1 | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (149) | (1.0) | (143) | (1.1) | |||||||||
| Total net sales | 14,198 | 100.0 | 12,635 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 11,630 | 81.9 | 10,266 | 81.3 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 2,568 | 18.1 | 2,369 | 18.7 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - R&D, net | 717 | 5.1 | 701 | 5.5 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - Other | 599 | 4.2 | 589 | 4.7 | |||||||||
| Restructuring expense | 79 | 0.6 | 48 | 0.4 | |||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 13 | 0.1 | 22 | 0.2 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 1,160 | 8.2 | 1,009 | 8.0 | |||||||||
| Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax | (30) | (0.2) | (28) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Realized and unrealized loss on debt and equity securities | 174 | 1.2 | 73 | 0.6 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 10 | 0.1 | 51 | 0.4 | |||||||||
| Other postretirement expense | 15 | 0.1 | — | — | |||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 991 | 7.0 | 913 | 7.2 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 289 | 2.0 | 195 | 1.5 | |||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | 702 | 4.9 | 718 | 5.7 | |||||||||
| Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations | (7) | — | 308 | 2.4 | |||||||||
| Net earnings | 695 | 4.9 | 1,026 | 8.1 | |||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax | 70 | 0.5 | 82 | 0.6 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ | 625 | 4.4 | % | $ | 944 | 7.5 | % | |||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations — diluted | $ | 2.70 | $ | 2.69 |
Net sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $14,198 million, an increase of $1,563 million, or 12%, from the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by the following:
•Favorable volume, mix and net new business increased sales approximately $1,418 million, or 10%. This increase was primarily driven by higher weighted average market production as estimated by the Company, which was up approximately 11% from the year ended December 31, 2022. The remaining increase primarily reflects the sales growth above market production, which the Company believes reflects higher demand for its products. Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by IHS weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $66 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar.
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•Recoveries from the Company’s customers of material cost inflation arising from non-contractual commercial negotiations with those customers and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements increased net sales by approximately $158 million.
•Acquisitions contributed $53 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Cost of sales and gross profit
Cost of sales and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales were $11,630 million and 81.9%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $10,266 million and 81.3%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by the following:
•Higher sales volume, mix and net new business increased cost of sales by approximately $1,012 million.
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in cost of sales of approximately $30 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Cost of sales was also impacted by material cost inflation of approximately $170 million arising from non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual supplier commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s suppliers.
Gross profit and gross margin were $2,568 million and 18.1%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $2,369 million and 18.7%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to the factors discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1,316 million as compared to $1,290 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 9.3% and 10.2% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in SG&A was primarily attributable to:
•Research and development (“R&D”) costs increased $16 million. R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, were 5.1% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 5.5% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, was primarily due to increasing net investment related to the Company’s eProduct portfolio. The Company will continue to invest in R&D programs, which are necessary to support short- and long-term growth.
•Increased administrative expenses of $19 million, primarily related to IT and travel.
Restructuring expense was $79 million and $48 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, primarily related to employee benefit costs. Refer to Note 4 “Restructuring” to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
In 2023, the Company announced a $130 million to $150 million restructuring plan to address structural costs in its Foundational products businesses. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $79 million of restructuring costs related to this plan.
Other operating expense, net was $13 million and $22 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, merger and acquisition expenses, net were $23 million and $9 million, respectively, primarily related to professional fees associated with specific acquisition initiatives.
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During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded charges of $29 million, primarily related to the write down of a customer incentive asset, a service and lease agreement termination and impairment of certain property, plant and equipment.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a $13 million gain, primarily related to the sale of a European manufacturing facility and other fixed assets. The sale of the facility was pursuant to a formal restructuring plan.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a gain of $22 million in connection with the sale of its interest in BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC, in which the Company owned a 60% interest.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $30 million to remove the AKASOL indefinite-lived trade name as the Company no longer plans to utilize this trade name in the business.
Other operating expense, net is primarily comprised of items included within the subtitle “Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings” below.
Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax was $30 million and $28 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This line item is driven by the results of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures.
Realized and unrealized loss on debt and equity securities was $174 million and $73 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This line item reflects the net realized and unrealized gains or losses recognized due to valuing the Company’s investments at fair value. For the year ended December 31, 2023, this primarily related to losses recognized to adjust the Company’s investment in Wolfspeed Inc. (“Wolfspeed”) convertible debt securities to fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sold all of the $500 million in convertible debt securities.
Interest expense, net was $10 million and $51 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to recognition of a $28 million gain on extinguishment of the Company’s 3.375% and 5.000% Senior Notes and higher interest rates on cash and cash equivalents balances and lower expense related to the Company’s cross-currency swaps.
Other postretirement expense was $15 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to an immaterial amount in the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in other postretirement expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to higher interest cost in 2023.
Provision for income taxes was $289 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 resulting in an effective tax rate of 29%. This compared to $195 million or 21% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
In 2023, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $19 million related to the resolution of tax audits and reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to matters for which the statute of limitation had lapsed. In addition, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $50 million in relation to the Spin-Off, a discrete tax benefit of approximately $30 million in relation to various changes in filling positions for prior years, and a discrete tax expense of approximately $79 million in relation to changes in judgment related to the recovery of deferred tax assets, primarily due to the impact of the Spin-Off on the allocation of the Company’s profits across jurisdictions for tax purposes as well as various tax structuring actions and strategies.
In 2022, the Company recognized discrete tax benefits of $23 million, primarily related to a reduction in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to a matter for which the statute of limitations had lapsed and favorable provision-to-return adjustments.
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For further details, see Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax of $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $12 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in demand for certain of the Company’s Foundational products in China as well as the reduction arising from the Company’s 2023 purchase of the noncontrolling interest related to SeohanWarner Turbo Systems Ltd. in Korea.
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Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings
The Company’s earnings per diluted share were $2.70 and $2.69 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The non-comparable items presented below are calculated after tax using the corresponding effective tax rate discrete to each item and the weighted average number of diluted shares for each of the years then ended. The Company believes the following table is useful in highlighting non-comparable items that impacted its earnings per diluted share:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-comparable items: | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Restructuring expense | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.15) | ||
| Merger and acquisition expense, net | (0.09) | (0.03) | ||||
| Asset impairments and lease modifications | (0.10) | (0.13) | ||||
| Gain on sales of businesses | 0.02 | 0.04 | ||||
| Other non-comparable items | (0.07) | — | ||||
| Realized and unrealized loss on debt and equity securities | (0.73) | (0.25) | ||||
| Gain on sale of assets | 0.04 | — | ||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | 0.09 | — | ||||
| Tax adjustments1 | 0.05 | 0.10 | ||||
| Total impact of non-comparable items per share — diluted: | $ | (1.03) | $ | (0.42) |
_____________________
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1 | In 2023, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $19 million related to the resolution of tax audits and reductions in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to matters for which the statute of limitations had lapsed. In addition, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of approximately $50 million related to the Spin-Off, a discrete tax benefit of approximately $30 million due to various changes in filling positions for prior years, and a discrete tax expense of approximately $79 million for changes in judgement on the recovery of certain deferred tax assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized discrete tax benefits of $23 million, primarily related to a reduction in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for a matter in which the statute of limitations had lapsed. |
Results by Reportable Segment
The Company’s business is aggregated into three reportable segments: Air Management, Drivetrain & Battery Systems and ePropulsion. These segments are strategic business groups, which are managed separately as each represents a specific grouping of related automotive components and systems. In previous years, the Company presented its results under four reportable segments: Air Management, ePropulsion & Drivetrain, Fuel Systems and Aftermarket. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company elected to disaggregate Air Management and ePropulsion & Drivetrain segments into Air Management, Drivetrain & Battery Systems and ePropulsion and reported its results in a total of five reportable segments: Air Management, Drivetrain & Battery Systems, ePropulsion, Fuel Systems and Aftermarket. As a result of the Spin-Off, Fuel Systems and Aftermarket are no longer reportable segments.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is the measure of segment income or loss used by the Company. Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is comprised of operating income adjusted for restructuring, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, intangible asset amortization expense, impairment charges and other items not reflective of ongoing operating income or loss. The Company believes Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is most reflective of the operational profitability or loss of its reportable segments.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income excludes certain corporate costs, which primarily represent headquarters’ expenses not directly attributable to the individual segments. Corporate expenses not allocated to Segment Adjusted Operating Income were $278 million and $282 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in corporate expenses in 2023 is primarily related to cost savings realized post PHINIA spin-off.
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The following table presents net sales and Segment Adjusted Operating Income for the Company’s reportable segments:
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | % margin | |||||||||||||||
| Air Management | $ | 7,833 | $ | 1,171 | 14.9 | % | $ | 7,137 | $ | 1,073 | 15.0 | % | |||||||||
| Drivetrain & Battery Systems | 4,348 | 545 | 12.5 | % | 3,735 | 449 | 12.0 | % | |||||||||||||
| ePropulsion | 2,166 | (90) | (4.2) | % | 1,906 | (88) | (4.6) | % | |||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (149) | — | (143) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 14,198 | $ | 1,626 | $ | 12,635 | $ | 1,434 |
The Air Management segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $696 million, or 10%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $98 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $6 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. Acquisitions contributed $25 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $596 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year, non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 14.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 15.0% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin decrease was primarily due to the impacts of charging business losses.
The Drivetrain & Battery Systems segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $613 million, or 16%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $96 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $17 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro, in each case relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding these items was primarily due to approximately $604 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year, non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 12.5% in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 12.0% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to conversion on higher sales and customer recoveries, partially offset by higher costs due to inflation and battery systems business losses.
The ePropulsion segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $260 million, or 14%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Loss increased $2 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $43 million, primarily due to the weakening of the Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar. Acquisitions contributed $28 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $224 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year, non-contractual commercial negotiations and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements with the Company’s customers. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was (4.2)% in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to (4.6)% in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Segment Adjusted Operating Loss was primarily due to investments in R&D for eProducts. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin was relatively flat as conversion on higher sales related to eProduct growth and customer recoveries were offset by higher R&D for eProducts, higher input costs due to inflation and additional depreciation expense.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company maintains various liquidity sources, including cash and cash equivalents and the unused portion of its multi-currency revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had liquidity of $3,534 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalent balances of $1,534 million and an undrawn revolving credit facility of $2,000 million. The Company was in full compliance with its covenants under the revolving credit facility and had full access to its undrawn revolving credit facility. The total debt expected to mature through the end of 2024 is $73 million. Given the Company’s strong liquidity position, management believes that it will have sufficient liquidity and will maintain compliance with all covenants through at least the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2023, cash balances of $891 million were held by the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the United States. Cash and cash equivalents held by these subsidiaries are used to fund foreign operational activities and future investments, including acquisitions. The majority of cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States is available for repatriation. The Company uses its U.S. liquidity primarily for various corporate purposes, including but not limited to debt service, share repurchases, dividend distributions, acquisitions and other corporate expenses.
The Company has a $2.0 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, which includes a feature that allows the facility to be increased by $1.0 billion with bank group approval. This facility matures in September 2028. The credit facility agreement contains customary events of default and one key financial covenant, which is a debt-to-EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenant at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
The Company’s commercial paper program allows the Company to issue $2.0 billion of short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes under the limits of its multi-currency revolving credit facility. Under this program, the Company may issue notes from time to time and use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under this program as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The total current combined borrowing capacity under the multi-currency revolving credit facility and commercial paper program cannot exceed $2.0 billion.
In addition to the revolving credit facility, the Company’s universal shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provides the Company with the ability to issue various debt and equity securities subject to market conditions.
On February 8, 2023, April 26, 2023, July 26, 2023 and November 8, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.17, $0.17, $0.11 and $0.11 per share of common stock, respectively. These dividends were paid on March 15, 2023, June 15, 2023, September 15, 2023 and December 15, 2023, respectively. The Company’s third and fourth quarter cash dividend rate compared to the second quarter dividend rate reflects the impact of the Spin-Off.
From a credit quality perspective, the Company has a credit rating of BBB from Standard & Poor’s, Baa1 from Moody’s and BBB+ from Fitch Ratings. The current outlook from each of Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s is stable. None of the Company's debt agreements require accelerated repayment in the event of a downgrade in credit ratings.
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Cash Flows
Operating Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | $ | 702 | $ | 718 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: | ||||||
| Depreciation and tooling amortization | 515 | 483 | ||||
| Intangible asset amortization | 67 | 69 | ||||
| Restructuring expense, net of cash paid | 66 | 41 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 58 | 64 | ||||
| (Gain) loss on sales of businesses | (5) | (16) | ||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | (28) | — | ||||
| Realized and unrealized loss on debt and equity securities | 174 | 73 | ||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | (44) | (76) | ||||
| Other non-cash adjustments | 4 | (3) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | 1,509 | 1,353 | ||||
| Retirement plan contributions | (19) | (21) | ||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Receivables | (482) | (409) | ||||
| Inventories | (72) | (158) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 375 | 433 | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities | 86 | (18) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | $ | 1,397 | $ | 1,180 |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,397 million and $1,180 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to higher net earnings adjusted for non-cash charges partially offset by changes in working capital.
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Investing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | $ | (832) | $ | (622) | ||
| Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash and restricted cash acquired | (109) | (312) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash divested | 9 | 27 | ||||
| Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges, net | 25 | 40 | ||||
| Proceeds from (payments for) investments in debt and equity securities, net | 284 | (473) | ||||
| Proceeds from asset disposals and other, net | 30 | 20 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations | $ | (593) | $ | (1,320) |
Net cash used in investing activities was $593 million and $1,320 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In 2023, the Company acquired the electric vehicle solution, smart grid and smart energy businesses of Hubei Surpass Sun Electric and the electric hybrid systems business segment of Eldor Corporation. In 2022, the Company acquired Rhombus Energy Solutions, Santroll Automotive Components and Drivetek AG. Additionally, in 2022, the Company invested $500 million in Wolfspeed convertible debt securities, which were sold in 2023. These impacts were partially offset by proceeds related to the liquidation of the Company’s investment in Romeo Power, Inc., the sale of the Company’s 60% interest in BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC and proceeds from net investment hedges. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 5.9% and 4.9% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Financing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Additions to debt | $ | 18 | $ | 5 | ||
| Repayments of debt, including current portion | (451) | (13) | ||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | (3) | — | ||||
| Payments for purchase of treasury stock | (177) | (240) | ||||
| Payments for stock-based compensation items | (25) | (18) | ||||
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | (15) | (56) | ||||
| Payments for contingent consideration | (23) | — | ||||
| Net distribution from PHINIA | 401 | — | ||||
| Dividends paid to BorgWarner stockholders | (130) | (161) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders | (116) | (81) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations | $ | (521) | $ | (564) |
Net cash used in financing activities was $521 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $564 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily related to the $177 million of BorgWarner share repurchases, $130 million in dividends paid to the Company’s stockholders, $116 million in dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders of the Company’s consolidated joint ventures and $23 million in contingent consideration payments. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company used $15 million to purchase the noncontrolling interest related to SeohanWarner Turbo Systems Ltd. in Korea. Finally, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company executed the Spin-Off and received a net distribution, part of which was utilized to purchase and extinguish a portion of senior notes due in 2025.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company’s significant cash requirements for contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023 primarily consisted of the principal and interest payments on its notes payable and long-term debt, non-cancelable lease obligations, capital spending obligations and purchase obligations. The principal amount of notes payable and long-term debt was $3,785 million as of December 31, 2023. The projected interest payments over the terms of that debt were $761 million as of December 31, 2023. Refer to Note 14, “Notes Payable and Debt,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
As of December 31, 2023, non-cancelable lease obligations were $225 million. Refer to Note 22, “Leases and Commitments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Capital spending obligations were $148 million as of December 31, 2023.
On November 16, 2022, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Wolfspeed in which the Company invested $500 million in Wolfspeed’s convertible debt securities and simultaneously entered into an agreement under which Wolfspeed agreed to provide a silicon carbide manufacturing capacity corridor to the Company. Under this agreement, beginning in 2024, the Company will purchase silicon carbide parts with an aggregate total price equal to or greater than the corridor amount totaling a minimum of $184 million, annually through 2029. On September 21, 2023, and November 15, 2023, the Company sold $100 million and the remaining $400 million, respectively, of the Wolfspeed convertible debt securities. The silicone carbine parts agreement is independent of the sale of the convertible debt securities and remains effective as of December 31, 2023.
Management believes that the combination of cash from operations, cash balances, available credit facilities, and the universal shelf registration capacity will be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s cash needs for its current level of operations and its planned operations for the foreseeable future. Management will continue to balance the Company’s needs for organic growth, inorganic growth, debt reduction, cash conservation and return of cash to shareholders.
Postretirement Defined Benefits
The Company’s policy is to fund its defined benefit pension plans in accordance with applicable government regulations and to make additional contributions when appropriate. At December 31, 2023, all legal funding requirements had been met. The Company contributed $21 million, $22 million and $24 million to its defined benefit pension plans in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company expects to contribute a total of $20 million to $30 million into its defined benefit pension plans during 2024. Of the $20 million to $30 million in projected 2024 contributions, $6 million are contractually obligated, while any remaining payments would be discretionary.
The funded status of all pension plans was a net unfunded position of $94 million and $173 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in the net unfunded position was a result of a lower projected benefit obligation, which was primarily due to discontinued operations and actuarial losses during the period. The main driver of these losses was the decrease of 0.70% in the weighted average discount rate for Non-U.S. plans. Of the total net unfunded amounts, $39 million and $34 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were related to plans in Germany, where there is no tax deduction allowed under the applicable regulations to fund the plans; hence, the common practice is to make contributions as benefit payments become due.
Other postemployment benefits primarily consist of health care benefits for certain former employees and retirees of the Company’s U.S. operations. The Company funds these benefits as retiree claims are
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incurred. Other postemployment benefits had an unfunded status of $33 million and $37 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company believes it will be able to fund the requirements of these plans through cash generated from operations or other available sources of financing for the foreseeable future.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement benefits.
OTHER MATTERS
Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is party to various commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints, including matters involving warranty claims, intellectual property claims, governmental investigations and related proceedings, general liability and other risks. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether or not the Company will ultimately be successful in any of these commercial and legal matters or, if not, what the impact might be. The Company’s management does not believe that adverse outcomes in any of these commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. An adverse outcome could, nonetheless, be material to the results of operations or cash flows.
Environmental
The Company and certain of its current and former direct and indirect corporate predecessors, subsidiaries and divisions have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and certain state environmental agencies and private parties as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at various hazardous waste disposal sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Superfund”) and equivalent state laws and, as such, may be presently liable for the cost of clean-up and other remedial activities at 17 such sites. Responsibility for clean-up and other remedial activities at a Superfund site is typically shared among PRPs based on an allocation formula.
The Company believes that none of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Generally, this is because either the estimates of the maximum potential liability at a site are not material or the liability will be shared with other PRPs, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such matter.
Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for further details and information respecting the Company’s environmental liability.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management makes estimates and assumptions about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are discussed below.
Business combinations The Company allocates the cost of an acquired business to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess value of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities will impact the determination of future operating results. The Company uses a variety of information sources to determine the value of acquired assets and liabilities, including third-party appraisers for the values and lives of property, identifiable intangibles and inventories, and actuaries for defined benefit retirement plans. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the date of the related acquisition. If goodwill is assigned to more than one reporting unit, the Company utilizes a method that is consistent with the manner in which the amount of goodwill in a business combination is determined. Costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred.
Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, developed technology and trade names. The Company estimates the fair value of acquired intangible assets using various valuation techniques. The primary valuation techniques used include forms of the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings valuation methods. Under these valuation approaches, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions from a market participant perspective, which may include revenue growth rates, estimated earnings, royalty rates, obsolescence factors, contributory asset charges, customer attrition and discount rates. Under the multi-period excess earnings method, value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the asset, in excess of the returns required on the investment in contributory assets that are necessary to realize those benefits. The intangible asset’s estimated earnings are determined as the residual earnings after quantifying estimated earnings from contributory assets. When the Company estimates fair value using the relief-from-royalty method, it calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the assets. Assumed royalty rates are applied to projected revenue for the remaining useful lives of the assets to estimate the royalty savings.
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions, fair value estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in acquisition valuations and intangible asset and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
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Impairment of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, whether held for use or disposal, including other amortizing intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review under ASC Topic 360. In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management generally considers individual facilities to be the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. A recoverability review is performed using the undiscounted cash flows if there is a triggering event. If the undiscounted cash flow test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, management will perform a fair value analysis. Management determines fair value under ASC Topic 820 using the appropriate valuation technique of market, income or cost approach. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.
Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair value assumptions are reasonable; however, changes in assumptions underlying these estimates could affect the valuations. Significant judgments and estimates used by management when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment include (i) an assessment as to whether an adverse event or circumstance has triggered the need for an impairment review; (ii) undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset; and (iii) fair valuation of the asset. Events and conditions that could result in impairment in the value of long-lived assets include changes in the industries in which the Company operates, particularly the impact of a downturn in the global economy, as well as competition and advances in technology, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company tests goodwill for impairment by either performing a qualitative assessment or a quantitative analysis. The qualitative assessment evaluates various events and circumstances, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, relevant events and financial trends, that may impact a reporting unit's fair value. Using this qualitative assessment, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value. If it is determined that it is not more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds the carrying value, or upon consideration of other factors, including recent acquisition, restructuring or disposal activity or to refresh the fair values, the Company performs a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis. In addition, the Company may test goodwill in between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that could more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.
The Company performs a quantitative analysis on each reporting unit to refresh its respective fair value using a combined income and market approach. The market approach is based on market multiples (revenue and “EBITDA”, defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and requires an estimate of appropriate multiples based on market data for comparable companies. The market valuation models and other financial ratios used by the Company require certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to the Company’s facts and circumstances.
The Company believes the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair value are reasonable. Different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s 2023 goodwill quantitative impairment review are as follows:
•Discount rates: The Company used a range of 12.5% to 14.5% weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as the discount rates for future cash flows. The WACC is intended to represent a rate of return that would be expected by a market participant.
•Operating income margin: The Company used historical and expected operating income margins, which may vary based on the projections of the reporting unit being evaluated.
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•Revenue growth rates: The Company used a global automotive market industry growth rate forecast adjusted to estimate its own market participation for product lines.
In addition to the above primary assumptions, the Company notes the following risks to volume and operating income assumptions that could have an impact on the discounted cash flow models:
•The automotive industry is cyclical, and the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by industry downturns.
•The automotive industry is evolving, and if the Company does not respond appropriately, its results of operations could be adversely affected.
•The Company is dependent on market segments that use its key products and could be affected by decreasing demand in those segments.
•The Company is subject to risks related to international operations.
Based on the assumptions outlined above, the impairment testing conducted in the fourth quarter of 2023 indicated the Company’s goodwill assigned to the respective reporting units was not impaired. Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates from those used in acquisition-related valuations and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. Due to the Company’s recent acquisitions, there is less headroom (the difference between the carrying value and the fair value) associated with certain of the Company’s reporting units. Based on the impairment testing conducted in 2023, the amounts by which the estimated fair values of the Company’s goodwill reporting units exceeded their carrying values ranged from 22% to 139%. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Similar to goodwill, the Company can elect to perform the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trade names) using a qualitative analysis, considering similar factors as outlined in the goodwill discussion, in order to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the trade names is less than the respective carrying values. If the Company elects to perform or is required to perform a quantitative analysis, the test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief-from-royalty method, which it believes is an appropriate and widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief-from-royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trade names and not being required to pay a royalty for their use.
Refer to Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding goodwill.
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Product warranties The Company provides warranties on some, but not all, of its products. The warranty terms are typically from one to three years. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and industry developments and recoveries from third parties. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. Costs of product recalls, which may include the cost of the product being replaced as well as the customer’s cost of the recall, including labor to remove and replace the recalled part, are accrued as part of the Company’s warranty accrual at the time an obligation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, if actual claims incurred differ from the original estimates or there are changes in our assumptions, it could materially affect the Company’s financial statements.
At December 31, 2023, the total accrued warranty liability was $196 million. The accrual is represented as $91 million in Other current liabilities and $105 million in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Refer to Note 13, “Product Warranty,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding product warranties.
Postretirement defined benefits The Company provides postretirement defined benefits to a number of its current and former employees. Costs associated with postretirement defined benefits include pension and other postemployment health care expenses for former employees, retirees and surviving spouses and dependents.
The Company’s defined benefit pension and other postemployment benefit plans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715. The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for its pension and other postemployment benefits, such as retiree health care, is dependent on certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate, rates of increase in compensation and health care costs trends are described in Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. The effects of any modification to those assumptions, or actual results that differ from assumptions used, are either recognized immediately or amortized over future periods in accordance with GAAP.
The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s accounting for employee benefits under ASC Topics 712 and 715 as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
•Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets: The expected long-term rate of return is used in the calculation of net periodic benefit 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, however, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual earned long-term returns. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets has been determined 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 return, inflation and other variables. The Company also considers the impact of active management of the plans’ invested assets. In determining its pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company used long-term rates of return on plan assets ranging from 1.3% to 12% outside of the U.S. and 5% in the U.S.
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Actual returns on U.S. pension assets were 5.2 % and (17.9)% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 5% and 4.8%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on U.K. pension assets were 3.2% and (34.8)% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumption of 5.3% and 4.1%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on German pension assets were 9.9% and (19.7)% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 4.5% and 4.0%, respectively, for the same years ended.
•Discount rate: The discount rate is used to calculate pension and other postemployment benefit (“OPEB”) obligations. In determining the discount rate, the Company utilizes a full-yield approach in the estimation of service and interest components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. For its significant plans, the Company used discount rates ranging from 1.8% to 11.8% to determine its pension and other benefit obligations as of December 31, 2023, including weighted average discount rates of 5.1% in the U.S., 4.2% outside of the U.S. (including 4.6% in the U.K.) and 5.1% for U.S. other postemployment health care plans. The U.S. and U.K. discount rates reflect the fact that the U.S. and U.K. pension plans have been closed for new participants.
•Health care cost trend: For postemployment employee health care plan accounting, the Company reviews external data and Company-specific historical trends for health care cost to determine the health care cost trend rate assumptions. In determining the projected benefit obligation for postemployment health care plans as of December 31, 2023, the Company used health care cost trend rates of 6.3%, declining to an ultimate trend rate of 4.75% by the year 2026.
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 and OPEB and its future expense.
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the assumptions for discount rate and expected return on assets related to 2024 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is expected to be negligible.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in discount rate for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans on its pension obligations:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 3 | $ | 16 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | $ | (3) | $ | (16) |
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the discount rate assumption and to the assumed health care cost trend related to the Company’s OPEB obligation and service and interest cost is expected to be negligible.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding the Company’s retirement benefit plans.
Restructuring Restructuring costs may occur when the Company takes action to exit or significantly curtail a part of its operations or implements a reorganization that affects the nature and focus of
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operations. A restructuring charge can consist of severance costs associated with reductions to the workforce, costs to terminate an operating lease or contract, professional fees and other costs incurred related to the implementation of restructuring activities.
The Company generally records costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance. Costs for involuntary separation programs are recorded when management has approved the plan for separation, the employees are identified and aware of the benefits they are entitled to and it is unlikely that the plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded upon agreement. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are expensed over the required service period.
Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized 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 carryforwards. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting for income taxes is complex, in part because the Company conducts business globally and, therefore, files income tax returns in numerous tax jurisdictions. Management judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities, including accruals for unrecognized tax benefits and assessing the need for valuation allowances. In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim period. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation recording the net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance may be necessary.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. at the federal and state level and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. The determination of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits includes the application of complex tax laws in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company's global operations. Management judgment is required in determining the accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is less than certain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are established when, despite the belief that tax positions are supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The Company has certain U.S. state income tax returns and certain non-U.S. income tax returns that are currently under various stages of audit by applicable tax authorities. At December 31, 2023, the Company had a liability for tax positions the Company estimates are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained based on the technical merits, which is included in Other non-current liabilities. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
The Company records valuation allowances to reduce the carrying value of certain deferred tax assets to amounts that it expects are more-likely-than-not to be realized. Existing deferred tax assets, net operating losses and tax credits by jurisdiction and expectations of the ability to utilize these tax attributes are assessed through a review of past, current and estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
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Estimates of future taxable income, including income generated from prudent and feasible tax planning strategies resulting from actual or planned business and operational developments, could change in the near term, perhaps materially, which may require the Company to consider any potential impact to the assessment of the recoverability of the related deferred tax asset. Such potential impact could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations for an individual reporting period.
In future periods, the Company’s effective tax rate and tax liability may be impacted due to changes in U.S. and non-U.S. tax laws and as a result of regulatory or legislative developments related to such laws. This could include U.S. and non-U.S. tax law developments related to changes to long-standing tax principles arising from proposals made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development that seek to allocate greater taxing rights to countries where customers are located and establish a global minimum tax rate of at least 15%.
Refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding new applicable accounting pronouncements.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000908255-23-000013.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
BorgWarner Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries (the “Company” or “BorgWarner”) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner’s products help improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. These products are manufactured and sold worldwide, primarily to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of light vehicles (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles (“SUVs”), vans and light trucks). The Company’s products are also sold to other OEMs of commercial vehicles (medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses) and off-highway vehicles (agricultural and construction machinery and marine applications). The Company also manufactures and sells its products to certain tier one vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket for light, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Company operates manufacturing facilities serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia and is an original equipment supplier to nearly every major automotive OEM in the world.
Charging Forward - Electrification Portfolio Strategy
In 2021, the Company announced its strategy to aggressively grow its electrification product portfolio over time through organic investments and technology-focused acquisitions. The Company believes it is well positioned for the industry’s anticipated migration to electric vehicles (“EV”). The Company is targeting its revenue from products for pure electric vehicles to be over 25% of its total revenue by 2025 and approximately 45% of its total revenue by 2030. The Company believes it is on track to exceed its 2025 organic EV-related sales target and over the last two years has announced or completed five acquisitions. On December 6, 2022, the Company announced its intention to execute a tax-free spin-off of its Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments into a separate, publicly traded company. The intended separation of its Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments would support optimizing the Company’s combustion portfolio and advancing its electrification journey, while at the same time creating a new, focused company that would be able to pursue growth opportunities in alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, and in Aftermarket. The Company expects to complete the transaction in late 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary conditions. In 2022, the Company’s EV-related revenue was approximately $870 million, or 6%, of its total revenue. Based on new business awards and actions announced to date, the Company believes it is on track to achieve $4.3 billion of EV revenue by 2025.
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Acquisitions
Hubei Surpass Sun Electric Charging Business
On September 20, 2022, the Company announced that it had entered into an Equity Transfer Agreement under which BorgWarner will acquire the electric vehicle solution, smart grid and smart energy businesses of Hubei Surpass Sun Electric. The transaction has an enterprise value up to ¥410 million ($60 million), of which approximately ¥267 million ($39 million) will be delivered at or soon after closing, and up to ¥143 million ($21 million) could be paid in the form of contingent payments over approximately two years following the closing. The acquisition complements the Company’s existing European and North American charging footprint by adding a presence in China. The transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023.
Drivetek AG
On December 1, 2022, the Company acquired Drivetek AG, an engineering and product development company located in Switzerland. This acquisition strengthens the Company’s power electronics capabilities in auxiliary inverters, which it expects to accelerate the growth of the High Voltage eFan business. The Company paid ₣27 million ($29 million) at closing, and up to ₣10 million ($10 million) could be paid in the form of contingent payments over the three years following closing.
Rhombus Energy Solutions
On July 29, 2022, the Company acquired Rhombus Energy Solutions (“Rhombus”), a provider of charging solutions in the North American market. The acquisition complements the Company’s existing European charging footprint to accelerate organic growth and adds North American regional presence to its charging business. The Company paid $131 million at closing, and up to $30 million could be paid in the form of contingent payments over the three years following closing.
Santroll Automotive Components
On March 31, 2022, the Company acquired Santroll Automotive Components (“Santroll”), a carve-out of Santroll Electric Auto’s eMotor business. The acquisition strengthens the Company’s vertical integration, scale and portfolio breadth in light vehicle eMotors while allowing for increased speed to market. The total final consideration was $192 million, which reflects a reduction of approximately $20 million in the base purchase price since the acquisition closing date resulting from an amendment to the Equity Transfer Agreement and finalization of post-closing adjustments. The consideration includes approximately ¥1.0 billion ($152 million) of base purchase price and ¥0.25 billion ($40 million) of originally estimated earn-out payments. The Company paid approximately $157 million of base purchase price in the year ended December 31, 2022 and expects to recapture approximately $5 million of post-closing adjustments through a reduction of the payment of the second earn-out. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s estimate of the earn-out payments was approximately $21 million. The net amount of the earn-out payment and post-closing adjustments is recorded in Other current liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
AKASOL
On June 4, 2021, the Company completed a voluntary public takeover offer for shares of AKASOL AG (“AKASOL”), resulting in ownership of 89% of AKASOL’s outstanding shares. The Company paid approximately €648 million ($788 million) to settle the offer. During 2021, the Company increased its ownership to 93% through the subsequent purchase of additional shares. On February 10, 2022, the Company completed a merger squeeze-out process (the “Squeeze Out”) to obtain the remaining shares, resulting in 100% ownership. The acquisition further strengthens BorgWarner’s commercial vehicle and industrial electrification capabilities, which positions the Company to capitalize on what it believes to be a fast-growing battery module and pack market.
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Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Results of operations for these acquisitions are included in the Company’s financial information following their respective dates of acquisition.
Key Trends and Economic Factors
COVID-19 and Supplier Disruptions. The impact of COVID-19, including changes in consumer behavior, pandemic fears and market downturns, and restrictions on business and individual activities, has created significant volatility in the global economy. Recent COVID-19 outbreaks in certain regions continue to cause intermittent COVID-19-related disruptions in the Company’s supply chain and local manufacturing operations. For a significant portion of the second quarter of 2022, China imposed lock-downs in many cities due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region, which contributed to a decline in industry production in China during the quarter. The Company also continues to face supplier disruptions due to a global semiconductor shortage in the automotive industry. Further, actions taken by Russia in Ukraine have impacted the automotive industry particularly in Europe, including the Company’s suppliers, its customers and its operations more generally. In 2022, the Company wound down its Aftermarket operation in Russia, which involved purchasing the noncontrolling interest of a joint venture. The Russia operations were not material to the Company’s financial statements.
Commodities and Other Inflationary Impacts. Prices for commodities remain volatile, and since the beginning of 2021, the Company has experienced price increases for base metals (e.g., steel, aluminum and nickel), precious metals (e.g., palladium), and raw materials that are primarily used in batteries for electric vehicles (e.g., lithium and cobalt). In addition, many global economies, including the United States, are experiencing elevated levels of inflation more generally, which is driving an increase in other input costs. As a result, the Company has experienced, and is continuing to experience, higher costs.
In 2022, following non-contractual negotiations, the Company reached agreement for the pass through and recovery of higher costs with various customers. These agreements did not enable the Company to recover 100 percent of its increased costs, and as a result, the Company’s operating margins were negatively impacted.
Foreign Currency Impacts. The rapid strengthening of the U.S. Dollar in 2022 relative to major foreign currencies, including the Euro, Korean Won and Chinese Renminbi, and related translation of these currencies to the U.S. Dollar, unfavorably impacted the Company’s net sales, earnings and cash flows. Continued significant fluctuations of foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar may further negatively impact the Company’s financial results.
Outlook
The Company expects global industry production to be flat to a modest increase year over year in 2023. The Company also expects net new business-related sales growth, due to the increased penetration of BorgWarner products and increasing electric vehicle revenue, to drive a sales increase in excess of the growth in industry production outlook. As a result, the Company expects increased revenue in 2023, excluding the impact of foreign currencies. The Company expects the earnings benefit of this revenue growth to be partially offset by a planned increase in electrification-related Research & Development (“R&D”) expenditures during 2023. This planned R&D increase is to support growth in the Company’s electric vehicle-related products and is primarily related to supporting the launch of recently awarded programs.
The Company maintains a positive long-term outlook for its global business and is committed to new product development and strategic investments to enhance its product leadership strategy. There are several trends that are driving the Company’s long-term growth that management expects to continue,
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including adoption of product offerings for electrified vehicles and increasingly stringent global emissions standards that support demand for the Company’s products driving vehicle efficiency.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A detailed comparison of the Company’s 2020 operating results to its 2021 operating results can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 15, 2022.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s operating results:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Net sales | % of net sales | % of net sales | |||||||||||
| Air Management | $ | 7,129 | 45.1 | % | $ | 6,820 | 46.0 | % | |||||
| e-Propulsion & Drivetrain | 5,625 | 35.6 | 5,086 | 34.3 | |||||||||
| Fuel Systems | 2,314 | 14.6 | 2,237 | 15.1 | |||||||||
| Aftermarket | 1,285 | 8.2 | 1,212 | 8.2 | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (552) | (3.5) | (517) | (3.5) | |||||||||
| Total net sales | 15,801 | 100.0 | 14,838 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 12,700 | 80.4 | 11,983 | 80.8 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 3,101 | 19.6 | 2,855 | 19.2 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - R&D, net | 786 | 5.0 | 707 | 4.8 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - Other | 824 | 5.2 | 753 | 5.1 | |||||||||
| Restructuring expense | 59 | 0.4 | 163 | 1.1 | |||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 58 | 0.4 | 81 | 0.5 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 1,374 | 8.7 | 1,151 | 7.8 | |||||||||
| Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax | (38) | (0.2) | (48) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Unrealized loss on debt and equity securities | 73 | 0.5 | 362 | 2.4 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 52 | 0.3 | 93 | 0.6 | |||||||||
| Other postretirement income | (31) | (0.2) | (45) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 1,318 | 8.3 | 789 | 5.3 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 292 | 1.8 | 150 | 1.0 | |||||||||
| Net earnings | 1,026 | 6.5 | 639 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax | 82 | 0.5 | 102 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ | 944 | 6.0 | % | $ | 537 | 3.6 | % | |||||
| Earnings per share attributable to BorgWarner Inc. — diluted | $ | 3.99 | $ | 2.24 |
Net sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled $15,801 million, an increase of $963 million, or 6%, from the year ended December 31, 2021. The change in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily driven by the following:
•Favorable volume, mix and net new business increased sales approximately $1,235 million, or 8%. This increase was primarily driven by higher weighted average market production as estimated by the Company, which was up approximately 4% from the year ended December 31, 2021. The remaining increase primarily reflects the sales growth above market production, which the Company believes reflects higher demand for its products. Weighted average market production reflects light and commercial vehicle production as reported by IHS weighted for the Company’s geographic exposure, as estimated by the Company.
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•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $961 million primarily due to the weakening of the Euro, Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Customer pricing increased net sales by approximately $622 million. This includes an increase of approximately $585 million related to recoveries from the Company’s customers of material cost inflation arising from non-contractual commercial negotiations with those customers and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements.
•Acquisitions, primarily AKASOL, contributed $154 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2022. In December 2021, the Company sold its Water Valley, Mississippi manufacturing facility, which accounted for $177 million of net sales during the year ended December 31, 2021 that did not recur in 2022.
Cost of sales and gross profit
Cost of sales and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales were $12,700 million and 80.4%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $11,983 million and 80.8%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2021. The change in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily driven by the following:
•Higher sales volume, mix and net new business increased cost of sales by approximately $1,051 million.
•Fluctuations in foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in cost of sales of approximately $780 million primarily due to the weakening of the Euro, Korean Won and Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar.
•Cost of sales was also impacted by material cost inflation of approximately $674 million arising from non-contractual commercial negotiations with the Company’s suppliers and normal contractual supplier commodity pass-through arrangements. This impact was partially offset by $302 million of supply chain savings initiatives.
•In 2021, the Company recorded a higher warranty provision due to an unfavorable customer warranty settlement that resulted in cumulative charges of $124 million that did not repeat in 2022.
Gross profit and gross margin were $3,101 million and 19.6%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $2,855 million and 19.2%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the factors discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1,610 million as compared to $1,460 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 10.2% and 9.8% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The change in SG&A was primarily attributable to:
•Increased research and development (“R&D”) costs of $79 million. R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, were 5.0% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 4.8% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, was primarily due to increasing net investment related to the Company’s electrification product portfolio. The Company will continue to invest in R&D programs, which are necessary to support short- and long-term growth. The Company’s current long-term expectation for R&D spending is in the range of 5.0% to 5.5% of net sales.
•Increased administrative expenses of $34 million, primarily related to IT and travel.
•Increased employee-related costs of $29 million, primarily related to incentive compensation.
Restructuring expense was $59 million and $163 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily related to employee benefit costs. Refer to Note 4 “Restructuring” to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
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During 2022, the Company approved individual restructuring actions that primarily related to specific reductions in headcount. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $18 million of restructuring expense related to these actions.
In February 2020, the Company announced a $300 million restructuring plan to address existing structural costs. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $36 million and $103 million of restructuring expense related to this plan, respectively. Cumulatively, the Company has incurred $287 million of restructuring charges related to this plan. As of December 31, 2022, the plan was substantially complete. The resulting annual gross savings are expected to be in excess of $100 million and are being utilized to sustain overall operating margin profile and cost competitiveness.
Other operating expense, net was $58 million and $81 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, merger, acquisition and divestiture expenses, net were $40 million and $50 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded merger, acquisition and divestiture expense of $54 million primarily related to professional fees associated with the intended separation of its Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments. This merger, acquisition and divestiture expense was partially offset by a $14 million gain related to a change in estimate of the expected earn-out estimate associated with the Santroll acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded merger, acquisition and divestiture expense of $50 million primarily related to professional fees associated with the acquisition of AKASOL, professional fees for integration and other support associated with the Company’s acquisition of Delphi Technologies and other specific acquisition and disposition initiatives.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $22 million in connection with the sale of its interest in BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC (“Romeo JV”), in which the Company owned a 60% interest.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $30 million to remove an indefinite-lived trade name as the Company no longer plans to utilize this trade name in the business.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded pre-tax losses of $22 million on the sale of its Water Valley, Mississippi facility and $7 million in connection with the sale of an e-Propulsion & Drivetrain technical center in Europe. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an additional pre-tax loss of $9 million related to a change in estimate of contingent consideration to be received for the sale of its Water Valley, Mississippi facility.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $14 million to reduce its carrying value of an indefinite-lived trade name to the fair value.
Other operating expense, net is primarily comprised of items included within the subtitle “Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings” below.
Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax was $38 million and $48 million in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This line item is driven by the results of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures.
Unrealized loss on debt and equity securities was $73 million and $362 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This line item reflects the net unrealized gains or losses recognized related to valuing the Company’s investments at fair value. The 2022 amount is primarily related to an unrealized loss of $45 million recognized on debt securities and an unrealized loss of $39
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million related to the Company’s investment in Romeo Power, Inc (“Romeo”). During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Wolfspeed, Inc. (“Wolfspeed”) as part of which the Company invested $500 million in convertible debt securities of Wolfspeed. The 2021 amount was primarily related to the Company’s investment in Romeo. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company sold all of its remaining investment in Romeo. For further details, refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Interest expense, net was $52 million and $93 million in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to higher interest rates on cash and cash equivalents balances and lower expense related to the Company’s cross-currency swaps. In addition, in 2021, the Company incurred a $20 million loss on debt extinguishment related to the early repayment of its €500 million 1.800% senior notes settled on June 18, 2021.
Other postretirement income was $31 million and $45 million in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in other postretirement income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to higher interest cost in 2022.
Provision for income taxes was $292 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 resulting in an effective tax rate of 22%. This compared to $150 million or 19% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
In 2022, the Company recognized discrete tax benefits of $33 million, primarily related to a reduction in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to a matter for which the statute of limitations had lapsed and favorable provision-to-return adjustments.
In 2021, the Company recognized a $55 million tax benefit related to a reduction in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to a matter for which the statute of limitations had lapsed. In addition, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit of $20 million related to an increase in its deferred tax assets as a result of an increase in the United Kingdom (“UK”) tax rate from 19% to 25%. This rate change was enacted in June 2021 and becomes effective April 2023. Further, a net discrete tax benefit of $36 million was recognized, primarily related to changes to certain withholding rates applied to unremitted earnings.
For further details, see Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax of $82 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $20 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in industry production in China related to COVID-19.
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Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings
The Company’s earnings per diluted share were $3.99 and $2.24 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The non-comparable items presented below are calculated after tax using the corresponding effective tax rate discrete to each item and the weighted average number of diluted shares for each of the years then ended. The Company believes the following table is useful in highlighting non-comparable items that impacted its earnings per diluted share:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-comparable items: | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Restructuring expense | $ | (0.20) | $ | (0.58) | ||
| Merger, acquisition and divestiture expense | (0.15) | (0.19) | ||||
| Asset impairments and lease modifications | (0.13) | (0.05) | ||||
| Gain (loss) on sales of businesses | 0.04 | (0.13) | ||||
| Other | (0.06) | 0.01 | ||||
| Unrealized loss on debt and equity securities | (0.25) | (1.15) | ||||
| Customer warranty settlement1 | — | (0.26) | ||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | (0.06) | ||||
| Tax adjustments2 | 0.14 | 0.50 | ||||
| Total impact of non-comparable items per share — diluted: | $ | (0.61) | $ | (1.91) |
_____________________
| 1 | During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reached an agreement with a customer to fully resolve a warranty claim and the Company recognized cumulative charges in the amount of $124 million in connection with the warranty claim. Refer to Note 13, “Product Warranty,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. |
|---|---|
| 2 | In 2022, the Company recognized discrete tax benefits of $33 million, primarily related to a reduction in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to a matter for which the statute of limitations had lapsed and favorable provision-to-return adjustments. In 2021, the Company recognized discrete reductions to tax expense of $124 million. These reductions primarily included a $55 million tax benefit related to the lapse of the statute of limitations for a tax matter, a $20 million benefit related to an increase in deferred tax assets associated with an increase in the UK tax rate, and a $49 million of tax benefit primarily related to changes to certain withholding rates applied to unremitted earnings and other tax adjustments. |
Results by Reporting Segment
The Company’s business is aggregated into four reporting segments: Air Management, e-Propulsion & Drivetrain, Fuel Systems and Aftermarket.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company announced that the starter and alternator business, previously reported in its e-Propulsion & Drivetrain segment, would transition to the Aftermarket segment. The Company also announced that the canisters and fuel delivery modules business, previously reported in its Air Management segment, would transition to the Fuel Systems segment. Both of these transitions were completed during the second quarter of 2022. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company moved its battery systems business, previously reported in its Air Management segment, to the e-Propulsion & Drivetrain segment. The reporting segment disclosures have been updated accordingly which included recasting prior period information for the new reporting structure.
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company updated the definition of its measure of segment income or loss to exclude the impact of intangible asset amortization expense. The Company believes this change improves comparability of ongoing operations given the increasing operating margin impact of intangible asset amortization arising from the Company’s merger and acquisition activity. The prior period information disclosed below has been recast to reflect this change. Further, the Company renamed its measure of segment income or loss from Segment Adjusted EBIT to Segment Adjusted Operating Income.
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Segment Adjusted Operating Income is the measure of segment income or loss used by the Company. Segment Adjusted Operating Income is comprised of operating income adjusted for restructuring, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, intangible asset amortization expense, impairment charges and other items not reflective of ongoing operating income or loss. The Company believes Segment Adjusted Operating Income is most reflective of the operational profitability or loss of its reporting segments.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income excludes certain corporate costs, which primarily represent headquarters’ expenses not directly attributable to the individual segments. Corporate expenses not allocated to Segment Adjusted Operating Income were $289 million and $302 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in corporate expenses in 2022 is primarily related to cost reductions driven by synergies from acquisitions.
The following table presents net sales and Segment Adjusted Operating Income for the Company’s reporting segments:
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income | % margin | Net sales | Segment Adjusted Operating Income | % margin | |||||||||||||||
| Air Management | $ | 7,129 | $ | 1,068 | 15.0 | % | $ | 6,820 | $ | 1,064 | 15.6 | % | |||||||||
| e-Propulsion & Drivetrain | 5,625 | 379 | 6.7 | % | 5,086 | 458 | 9.0 | % | |||||||||||||
| Fuel Systems | 2,314 | 249 | 10.8 | % | 2,237 | 235 | 10.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Aftermarket | 1,285 | 196 | 15.3 | % | 1,212 | 164 | 13.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (552) | — | (517) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 15,801 | $ | 1,892 | $ | 14,838 | $ | 1,921 |
The Air Management segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $309 million, or 5%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $4 million from the year ended December 31, 2021. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $504 million primarily due to the weakening of the Euro, Korean Won and Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $514 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year and approximately $277 million from non-contractual commercial negotiations with the Company’s customers and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 15.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 15.6% in the year ended December 31, 2021. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin decrease was primarily due to higher commodity, labor and energy costs, which were partially offset by the impact of higher sales.
The e-Propulsion & Drivetrain segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $539 million, or 11%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income decreased $79 million, or 17%, from the year ended December 31, 2021. Acquisitions, primarily AKASOL, contributed $151 million in additional sales during the year ended December 31, 2022. In December 2021, the Company sold its Water Valley, Mississippi manufacturing facility, which accounted for $177 million of net sales during the year ended December 31, 2021. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $283 million primarily due to the weakening of the Euro, Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding these items was primarily due to approximately $507 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year and approximately $221 million from non-contractual commercial negotiations with the Company’s customers and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 6.7% in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 9.0% in the year ended December 31, 2021. The Segment
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Adjusted Operating margin decrease was primarily due to approximately $137 million of increased investments in R&D.
The Fuel Systems segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $77 million, or 3%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $14 million, or 6.0%, from the year ended December 31, 2021. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $132 million primarily due to the weakening of the Euro, British Pound and Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $147 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by higher weighted average market production compared to the prior year and approximately $55 million from non-contractual commercial negotiations with the Company’s customers and normal contractual customer commodity pass-through arrangements. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 10.8% in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 10.5% in the year ended December 31, 2021. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to higher sales.
The Aftermarket segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $73 million, or 6%, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased $32 million, or 19.5%, from the year ended December 31, 2021. Foreign currencies resulted in a year-over-year decrease in sales of approximately $42 million primarily due to the weakening of the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar. The increase excluding the impact of foreign currencies was primarily due to approximately $67 million of volume, mix and net new business driven by increased demand for the Company’s products and approximately $32 million of pricing. Segment Adjusted Operating margin was 15.3% in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 13.5% in the year ended December 31, 2021. The Segment Adjusted Operating margin increase was primarily due to the increased pricing and the benefit of higher volumes.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company maintains various liquidity sources, including cash and cash equivalents and the unused portion of its multi-currency revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had liquidity of $3,333 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalent balances of $1,333 million and an undrawn revolving credit facility of $2,000 million. The Company was in full compliance with its covenants under the revolving credit facility and had full access to its undrawn revolving credit facility. Debt maturities through the end of 2023 total $62 million. Given the Company’s strong liquidity position, management believes that it will have sufficient liquidity and will maintain compliance with all covenants through at least the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2022, cash balances of $1,084 million were held by the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the United States. Cash and cash equivalents held by these subsidiaries are used to fund foreign operational activities and future investments, including acquisitions. The majority of cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States is available for repatriation. The Company uses its U.S. liquidity primarily for various corporate purposes, including but not limited to debt service, share repurchases, dividend distributions, acquisitions and other corporate expenses.
The Company has a $2.0 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, which includes a feature that allows the facility to be increased by $1.0 billion with bank group approval. This facility matures in March 2025. The credit facility agreement contains customary events of default and one key financial covenant, which is a debt-to-EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenant at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
The Company’s commercial paper program allows the Company to issue $2.0 billion of short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes under the limits of its multi-currency revolving credit facility. Under this program, the Company may issue notes from time to time and use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under this program as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
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The total current combined borrowing capacity under the multi-currency revolving credit facility and commercial paper program cannot exceed $2.0 billion.
In addition to the credit facility, the Company’s universal shelf registration provides the ability to issue various debt and equity instruments subject to market conditions.
On February 9, 2022, April 27, 2022, July 28, 2022 and November 10, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.17 per share of common stock. These dividends were paid on March 15, 2022, June 15, 2022, September 15, 2022 and December 15, 2022, respectively.
From a credit quality perspective, the Company has a credit rating of BBB+ from Fitch Ratings, BBB from Standard & Poor's and Baa1 from Moody's. The current outlook from each of Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s is stable. None of the Company’s debt agreements require accelerated repayment in the event of a downgrade in credit ratings.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| OPERATING | ||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 1,026 | $ | 639 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: | ||||||
| Depreciation and tooling amortization | 624 | 684 | ||||
| Intangible asset amortization | 97 | 88 | ||||
| Restructuring expense, net of cash paid | 45 | 123 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 75 | 62 | ||||
| (Gain) loss on sales of businesses | (15) | 29 | ||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 20 | ||||
| Unrealized loss on debt and equity securities | 73 | 362 | ||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | (65) | (180) | ||||
| Other non-cash adjustments | (1) | (22) | ||||
| Net earnings adjustments to reconcile to net cash flows from operations | 1,859 | 1,805 | ||||
| Retirement plan contributions | (26) | (30) | ||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Receivables | (564) | (59) | ||||
| Inventories | (215) | (268) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 438 | (134) | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities | 77 | (8) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,569 | $ | 1,306 |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,569 million and $1,306 million in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with the year ended December 31, 2021, was primarily due to higher net earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and improved working capital.
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Investing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| INVESTING | ||||||
| Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | $ | (723) | $ | (666) | ||
| Capital expenditures for damage to property, plant and equipment | — | (2) | ||||
| Insurance proceeds received for damage to property, plant and equipment | — | 5 | ||||
| Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash and restricted cash acquired | (312) | (759) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash divested | 27 | 22 | ||||
| Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges, net | 40 | 11 | ||||
| Payments for investments in debt and equity securities, net | (473) | (20) | ||||
| Proceeds from asset disposals and other, net | 23 | 14 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,418) | $ | (1,395) |
Net cash used in investing activities was $1,418 million and $1,395 million in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, the Company acquired Rhombus Energy Solutions, Santroll Automotive Components and Drivetek AG. Additionally, in 2022, the Company invested $500 million in Wolfspeed convertible debt securities. These impacts were partially offset by proceeds related to the liquidation of the Company’s investment in Romeo Power, Inc., the sale of the Company’s 60% interest in BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC and proceeds from net investment hedges. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 4.6% and 4.5% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Financing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| FINANCING | ||||||
| Net decrease in notes payable | $ | — | $ | (8) | ||
| Additions to debt | 5 | 1,286 | ||||
| Repayments of debt, including current portion | (13) | (699) | ||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | — | (11) | ||||
| Payments for purchase of treasury stock | (240) | — | ||||
| Payments for stock-based compensation items | (18) | (15) | ||||
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | (59) | (33) | ||||
| Dividends paid to BorgWarner stockholders | (161) | (162) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders | (81) | (72) | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | $ | (567) | $ | 286 |
Net cash used in financing activities was $567 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $286 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily related to the $240 million of BorgWarner share repurchases, $161 million in dividends paid to the Company’s stockholders, $57 million paid to settle the AKASOL Squeeze Out and purchase the remaining outstanding shares and $81 million in dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders of the Company’s consolidated joint ventures.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company’s significant cash requirements for contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of the principal and interest payments on its notes payable and long-term debt, non-cancelable lease obligations, capital spending obligations and purchase obligations. The principal amount of notes payable and long-term debt was $4,196 million as of December 31, 2022. The projected interest payments over the terms of that debt were $1,052 million as of December 31, 2022. Refer to Note 14, “Notes Payable and Debt,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
As of December 31, 2022, non-cancelable lease obligations were $239 million. Refer to Note 22, “Leases and Commitments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Capital spending obligations were $241 million as of December 31, 2022.
On November 16, 2022, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Wolfspeed in which the Company invested $500 million in Wolfspeed’s convertible debt securities and simultaneously entered into an agreement under which Wolfspeed agreed to provide a silicon carbide manufacturing capacity corridor to the Company. Under this agreement, beginning in 2024, the Company will purchase silicon carbide parts with an aggregate total price equal to or greater than the corridor amount totaling a minimum of $184 million, annually through 2029.
Management believes that the combination of cash from operations, cash balances, available credit facilities, and the universal shelf registration capacity will be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s cash needs for its current level of operations and its planned operations for the foreseeable future. Management will continue to balance the Company’s needs for organic growth, inorganic growth, debt reduction, cash conservation and return of cash to shareholders.
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits
The Company’s policy is to fund its defined benefit pension plans in accordance with applicable government regulations and to make additional contributions when appropriate. At December 31, 2022, all legal funding requirements had been met. The Company contributed $22 million, $24 million and $174 million to its defined benefit pension plans in the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. On October 1, 2020, as a result of the acquisition of Delphi Technologies, the Company assumed all of the retirement-related liabilities of Delphi Technologies, the most significant of which was the Delphi Technologies Pension Scheme (the “Scheme”) in the United Kingdom. On December 12, 2020, the Company entered into a Heads of Terms Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trustees of the Scheme related to the future funding of the Scheme. Under the Agreement, the Company eliminated the prior schedule of contributions between Delphi Technologies and the Scheme in exchange for a $137 million (£100 million) one-time contribution into the Scheme Plan by December 31, 2020, which was paid on December 15, 2020. The Agreement also contained other provisions regarding the implementation of a revised asset investment strategy as well as a funding progress test that will be performed every three years to determine if additional contributions need to be made into the Scheme by the Company.
The Company expects to contribute a total of $20 million to $30 million into its defined benefit pension plans during 2023. Of the $20 million to $30 million in projected 2023 contributions, $7 million are contractually obligated, while any remaining payments would be discretionary.
The funded status of all pension plans was a net unfunded position of $173 million and $184 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in the net unfunded position was a result of a lower projected benefit obligation which is primarily due to actuarial gains during the period. The main driver of these gains was the increase of 2.97% in the weighted average discount rate for Non-U.S. plans. Of the total net unfunded amounts, $34 million and $89 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were related to plans in Germany, where there is no tax deduction allowed under the
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applicable regulations to fund the plans; hence, the common practice is to make contributions as benefit payments become due.
Other postretirement employee benefits primarily consist of postretirement health care benefits for certain employees and retirees of the Company’s U.S. operations. The Company funds these benefits as retiree claims are incurred. Other postretirement employee benefits had an unfunded status of $37 million and $54 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company believes it will be able to fund the requirements of these plans through cash generated from operations or other available sources of financing for the foreseeable future.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement benefits.
OTHER MATTERS
Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is party to various commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints, including matters involving warranty claims, intellectual property claims, general liability and other risks. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether or not the Company will ultimately be successful in any of these commercial and legal matters or, if not, what the impact might be. The Company’s management does not expect that an adverse outcome in any of these commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints that are currently pending will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. An adverse outcome could, nonetheless, be material to the results of operations or cash flows.
Environmental
The Company and certain of its current and former direct and indirect corporate predecessors, subsidiaries and divisions have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and certain state environmental agencies and private parties as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at various hazardous waste disposal sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Superfund”) and equivalent state laws and, as such, may presently be liable for the cost of clean-up and other remedial activities at 26 such sites. Responsibility for clean-up and other remedial activities at a Superfund site is typically shared among PRPs based on an allocation formula.
The Company believes that none of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Generally, this is because either the estimates of the maximum potential liability at a site are not material or the liability will be shared with other PRPs, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such matter.
Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for further details and information respecting the Company’s environmental liability.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management makes estimates and assumptions about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are discussed below.
Business combinations The Company allocates the cost of an acquired business to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess value of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities will impact the determination of future operating results. The Company uses a variety of information sources to determine the value of acquired assets and liabilities, including third-party appraisers for the values and lives of property, identifiable intangibles and inventories, and actuaries for defined benefit retirement plans. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the date of the related acquisition. If goodwill is assigned to more than one reporting unit, the Company utilizes a method that is consistent with the manner in which the amount of goodwill in a business combination is determined. Costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred.
Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, developed technology and trade names. The Company estimates the fair value of acquired intangible assets using various valuation techniques. The primary valuation techniques used include forms of the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings valuation methods. Under these valuation approaches, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions from a market participant perspective which may include revenue growth rates, estimated earnings, royalty rates, obsolescence factors, contributory asset charges, customer attrition and discount rates. Under the multi-period excess earnings method, value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the asset, in excess of the returns required on the investment in contributory assets that are necessary to realize those benefits. The intangible asset’s estimated earnings are determined as the residual earnings after quantifying estimated earnings from contributory assets. When the Company estimates fair value using the relief-from-royalty method, it calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the assets. Assumed royalty rates are applied to projected revenue for the remaining useful lives of the assets to estimate the royalty savings.
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions, fair value estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in acquisition valuations and intangible asset and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
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Impairment of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, whether held for use or disposal, including other amortizing intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review under ASC Topic 360. In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management generally considers individual facilities to be the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. A recoverability review is performed using the undiscounted cash flows if there is a triggering event. If the undiscounted cash flow test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, management will perform a fair value analysis. Management determines fair value under ASC Topic 820 using the appropriate valuation technique of market, income or cost approach. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.
Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair value assumptions are reasonable; however, changes in assumptions underlying these estimates could affect the valuations. Significant judgments and estimates used by management when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment include (i) an assessment as to whether an adverse event or circumstance has triggered the need for an impairment review; (ii) undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset; and (iii) fair valuation of the asset. Events and conditions that could result in impairment in the value of long-lived assets include changes in the industries in which the Company operates, particularly the impact of a downturn in the global economy, as well as competition and advances in technology, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company tests goodwill for impairment by either performing a qualitative assessment or a quantitative analysis. The qualitative assessment evaluates various events and circumstances, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, relevant events and financial trends, that may impact a reporting unit's fair value. Using this qualitative assessment, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value. If it is determined that it is not more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds the carrying value, or upon consideration of other factors, including recent acquisition, restructuring or disposal activity or to refresh the fair values, the Company performs a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis. In addition, the Company may test goodwill in between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that could more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company performed a quantitative analysis on each reporting unit to refresh its respective fair value. Prior to 2022, the estimated fair value was determined based on the income approach. The income approach is based on discounted future cash flows and requires significant assumptions, including estimates regarding future revenue, profitability, capital requirements and discount rates. The basis of the income approach is the Company’s annual budget and long-range plan (“LRP”). The annual budget and LRP includes a five-year projection of future cash flows based on actual new products and customer commitments. Because the projections are estimated over a significant future period of time, those estimates and assumptions are subject to uncertainty. For 2022, the estimated fair value was determined using a combined income and market approach. The market approach is based on market multiples (revenue and “EBITDA”, defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and requires an estimate of appropriate multiples based on market data for comparable companies. The market valuation models and other financial ratios used by the
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Company require certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to the Company’s facts and circumstances.
The Company believes the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair value are reasonable. Different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s 2022 goodwill quantitative impairment review are as follows:
•Discount rates: the Company used a range of 11.0% to 14.5% weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as the discount rates for future cash flows. The WACC is intended to represent a rate of return that would be expected by a market participant.
•Operating income margin: the Company used historical and expected operating income margins, which may vary based on the projections of the reporting unit being evaluated.
•Revenue growth rates: the Company used a global automotive market industry growth rate forecast adjusted to estimate its own market participation for product lines.
In addition to the above primary assumptions, the Company notes the following risks to volume and operating income assumptions that could have an impact on the discounted cash flow models:
•The automotive industry is cyclical, and the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by industry downturns.
•The automotive industry is evolving, and if the Company does not respond appropriately, its results of operations could be adversely affected.
•The Company is dependent on market segments that use its key products and could be affected by decreasing demand in those segments.
•The Company is subject to risks related to international operations.
Based on the assumptions outlined above, the impairment testing conducted in the fourth quarter of 2022 indicated the Company’s goodwill assigned to the respective reporting units was not impaired. Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates from those used in acquisition-related valuations and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. Due to the Company’s recent acquisitions, there is less headroom (the difference between the carrying value and the fair value) associated with certain of the Company’s reporting units. Based on the impairment testing conducted in 2022, the amounts by which the estimated fair values of the Company’s goodwill reporting units exceeded their carrying values ranged from 25% to 153%. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Similar to goodwill, the Company can elect to perform the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trade names) using a qualitative analysis, considering similar factors as outlined in the goodwill discussion, in order to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the trade names is less than the respective carrying values. If the Company elects to perform or is required to perform a quantitative analysis, the test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief-from-royalty method, which it believes is an appropriate and widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief-from-royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trade names and not being required to pay a royalty for their use. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company decided it would no longer utilize a certain trade name in the business and recognized an impairment charge of $30 million.
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Refer to Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding goodwill.
Product warranties The Company provides warranties on some, but not all, of its products. The warranty terms are typically from one to three years. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and industry developments and recoveries from third parties. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. Costs of product recalls, which may include the cost of the product being replaced as well as the customer’s cost of the recall, including labor to remove and replace the recalled part, are accrued as part of the Company’s warranty accrual at the time an obligation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the accrual:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Net sales | $ | 15,801 | $ | 14,838 | ||
| Warranty provision | $ | 117 | $ | 225 | ||
| Warranty provision as a percentage of net sales | 0.7 | % | 1.5 | % |
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of a 25 basis-point change (as a percentage of net sales) in the assumed warranty trend on the Company’s accrued warranty liability:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease (income)/expense | $ | (40) | $ | (37) | ||
| 25 basis point increase (income)/expense | $ | 40 | $ | 37 |
At December 31, 2022, the total accrued warranty liability was $245 million. The accrual is represented as $142 million in Other current liabilities and $103 million in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Refer to Note 13, “Product Warranty,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding product warranties.
Pension and other postretirement defined benefits The Company provides postretirement defined benefits to a number of its current and former employees. Costs associated with postretirement defined benefits include pension and postretirement health care expenses for employees, retirees and surviving spouses and dependents.
The Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715. The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for its pension and other postretirement employee benefits, such as retiree health care, is dependent on certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate, rates of increase in compensation and health care costs trends are described in Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. The effects of any modification to those assumptions, or actual results that differ from assumptions used, are either recognized immediately or amortized over future periods in accordance with GAAP.
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The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s accounting for employee benefits under ASC Topics 712 and 715 as of December 31, 2022 are as follows:
•Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets: The expected long-term rate of return is used in the calculation of net periodic benefit 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, however, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual earned long-term returns. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets has been determined 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 return, inflation and other variables. The Company also considers the impact of active management of the plans’ invested assets. In determining its pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company used long-term rates of return on plan assets ranging from 2.3% to 7.2% outside of the U.S. and 4.8% in the U.S.
Actual returns on U.S. pension assets were (17.9)% and 3.1% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 4.8% and 5.8%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on U.K. pension assets were (34.8)% and 5.4% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumption of 4.1% and 4.0%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on German pension assets were (19.7)% and 5.4% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 4.0% and 5.0%, respectively, for the same years ended.
•Discount rate: The discount rate is used to calculate pension and other postretirement employee benefit (“OPEB”) obligations. In determining the discount rate, the Company utilizes a full-yield approach in the estimation of service and interest components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. For its significant plans, the Company used discount rates ranging from 1.7% to 12.0% to determine its pension and other benefit obligations as of December 31, 2022, including weighted average discount rates of 5.5% in the U.S., 4.9% outside of the U.S. (including 4.9% in the U.K.) and 5.4% for U.S. other postretirement health care plans. The U.S. and U.K. discount rates reflect the fact that the U.S. and U.K. pension plans have been closed for new participants.
•Health care cost trend: For postretirement employee health care plan accounting, the Company reviews external data and Company-specific historical trends for health care cost to determine the health care cost trend rate assumptions. In determining the projected benefit obligation for postretirement employee health care plans as of December 31, 2022, the Company used health care cost trend rates of 6.5%, declining to an ultimate trend rate of 4.75% by the year 2026.
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 and OPEB and its future expense.
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the assumptions for discount rate and expected return on assets related to 2023 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is expected to be negligible.
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The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in discount rate for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans on its pension obligations:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 3 | $ | 45 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | $ | (3) | $ | (42) |
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the discount rate assumption and to the assumed health care cost trend related to the Company’s OPEB obligation and service and interest cost is expected to be negligible.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding the Company’s retirement benefit plans.
Restructuring Restructuring costs may occur when the Company takes action to exit or significantly curtail a part of its operations or implements a reorganization that affects the nature and focus of operations. A restructuring charge can consist of severance costs associated with reductions to the workforce, costs to terminate an operating lease or contract, professional fees and other costs incurred related to the implementation of restructuring activities.
The Company generally records costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance. Costs for involuntary separation programs are recorded when management has approved the plan for separation, the employees are identified and aware of the benefits they are entitled to and it is unlikely that the plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded upon agreement. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are accrued over the required service period.
Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized 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 carryforwards. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting for income taxes is complex, in part because the Company conducts business globally and, therefore, files income tax returns in numerous tax jurisdictions. Management judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities, including accruals for unrecognized tax benefits and assessing the need for valuation allowances. In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim period. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation recording the net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance may be necessary.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. at the federal and state level and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. The determination of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits includes the application of complex tax laws in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company's global operations. Management judgment is required in determining the accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax
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determination is less than certain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are established when, despite the belief that tax positions are supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The Company has certain U.S. state income tax returns and certain non-U.S. income tax returns that are currently under various stages of audit by applicable tax authorities. At December 31, 2022, the Company had a liability for tax positions the Company estimates are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained based on the technical merits, which is included in Other non-current liabilities. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
The Company records valuation allowances to reduce the carrying value of certain deferred tax assets to amounts that it expects are more-likely-than-not to be realized. Existing deferred tax assets, net operating losses and tax credits by jurisdiction and expectations of the ability to utilize these tax attributes are assessed through a review of past, current and estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
Estimates of future taxable income, including income generated from prudent and feasible tax planning strategies resulting from actual or planned business and operational developments, could change in the near term, perhaps materially, which may require the Company to consider any potential impact to the assessment of the recoverability of the related deferred tax asset. Such potential impact could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations for an individual reporting period.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) that was signed into law in December 2017 constituted a major change to the U.S. tax system. The impact of the Tax Act on the Company is based on management’s current interpretations of the Tax Act, recently issued regulations and related analysis. The Company’s tax liability may be materially different based on regulatory developments or enacted changes to the U.S. tax law. In future periods, its effective tax rate could be subject to additional uncertainty as a result of regulatory or legislative developments related to U.S. tax law.
Refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding new applicable accounting pronouncements.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000908255-22-000009.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
BorgWarner Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries (the “Company” or “BorgWarner”) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. BorgWarner’s products help improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. These products are manufactured and sold worldwide, primarily to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of light vehicles (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles (“SUVs”), vans and light trucks). The Company’s products are also sold to other OEMs of commercial vehicles (medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses) and off-highway vehicles (agricultural and construction machinery and marine applications). The Company also manufactures and sells its products to certain tier one vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket for light, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The Company operates manufacturing facilities serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia and is an original equipment supplier to nearly every major automotive OEM in the world.
Charging Forward - Electrification Portfolio Strategy
In 2021, the Company announced its strategy to aggressively grow its electrification portfolio over time through organic investments and technology-focused acquisitions, most recently through the 2021 acquisition of AKASOL AG (“AKASOL”) as well as the 2020 purchase of Delphi Technologies PLC (“Delphi Technologies”). The Company believes it is well positioned for the industry’s anticipated migration to electric vehicles. Additionally, the Company announced a plan to dispose of certain internal combustion assets, targeting dispositions of assets generating approximately $1 billion in annual revenue in the succeeding 12 to 18 months and approximately $3 to $4 billion in annual revenue by 2025. The Company is targeting its revenue from products for pure electric vehicles to be over 25% of its total revenue by 2025 and approximately 45% of its total revenue by 2030.
Acquisition of AKASOL AG
On June 4, 2021, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, ABBA BidCo AG (“ABBA BidCo”), completed its voluntary public takeover offer for shares of AKASOL, resulting in ownership of 89% of AKASOL’s outstanding shares. The Company paid approximately €648 million ($788 million) to settle the offer from current cash balances, which included proceeds received from its public offering of 1.00% Senior Notes due 2031 completed on May 19, 2021. Following the settlement of the offer, AKASOL became a consolidated majority-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company also consolidated approximately €64 million ($77 million) of gross debt of AKASOL. Subsequent to the completion of the voluntary public takeover offer, the Company purchased additional shares of AKASOL for €28 million ($33 million) increasing its ownership to 93% as of December 31, 2021. The acquisition further strengthens BorgWarner’s commercial vehicle and industrial electrification capabilities, which positions the Company to capitalize on what it believes to be a fast-growing battery module and pack market.
On August 2, 2021, the Company initiated a merger squeeze out process under German law for the purpose of acquiring 100% of AKASOL. On December 17, 2021, the shareholders of AKASOL voted to mandatorily transfer to ABBA BidCo. AG, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, each issued and outstanding share of AKASOL held by shareholders that did not tender their shares in the Company’s previously completed exchange offer for AKASOL shares (the “Squeeze Out”). In exchange for the AKASOL shares transferred in the Squeeze Out, the Company will pay appropriate cash compensation, in the amount of €119.16 per share. On February 10, 2022, the Company completed the registration of the Squeeze Out resulting in 100% ownership. The Company expects to settle the Squeeze Out with AKASOL minority shareholders in the first quarter of 2022. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
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Acquisition of Delphi Technologies PLC
On October 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Delphi Technologies from its shareholders pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, dated January 28, 2020, as amended on May 6, 2020, by and between the Company and Delphi Technologies. The acquisition has strengthened the Company’s electronics and power electronics products, strengthened its capabilities and scale, enhanced key combustion, commercial vehicle and aftermarket product offerings, and positioned the Company for greater growth as electrified propulsion systems gain momentum.
Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Results of operations for AKASOL and Delphi Technologies are included in the Company’s financial information following their respective dates of acquisition.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Supply Disruptions
Throughout 2020, COVID-19 materially impacted the Company’s business and results of operations. Following the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, government authorities around the world began to impose shelter-in-place orders and other restrictions. As a result, many OEMs began suspending manufacturing operations, particularly in North America and Europe. This led to various temporary closures of, or reduced operations at, the Company’s manufacturing facilities, late in the first quarter of 2020 and throughout the second quarter of 2020. During the second half of 2020, as global management of COVID-19 evolved and government restrictions were removed or lessened, production levels improved, and substantially all of the Company’s production facilities resumed closer to normal operations by the end of the third quarter of 2020.
During 2021, trailing impacts of the shutdowns and production declines related, in part, to COVID-19 created supply constraints of certain components, particularly semiconductor chips. These supply constraints have had, and are expected to continue to have, significant impacts on global industry production levels. In addition, it is possible a resurgence of COVID-19 could result in adverse impacts in the future. Management cannot reasonably estimate the full impact the ongoing supply constraints or the COVID-19 pandemic could have on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future.
Bond Offering
On May 19, 2021, in anticipation of the acquisition of AKASOL and to refinance the Company’s €500 million 1.8% senior notes due in November 2022, the Company issued €1.0 billion in 1.0% senior notes due May 2031. Interest is payable annually in arrears on May 19 of each year. These senior notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries. On June 18, 2021, the Company repaid its €500 million 1.8% senior notes due November 2022 and incurred a loss on debt extinguishment of $20 million, which is reflected in Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A detailed comparison of the Company’s 2019 operating results to its 2020 operating results can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 22, 2021.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s operating results:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
| Net sales | % of net sales | % of net sales | |||||||||||
| Air Management | $ | 7,298 | 49.2 | % | $ | 5,678 | 55.9 | % | |||||
| e-Propulsion & Drivetrain | 5,378 | 36.2 | 3,989 | 39.2 | |||||||||
| Fuel Injection | 1,826 | 12.3 | 479 | 4.7 | |||||||||
| Aftermarket | 853 | 5.8 | 194 | 1.9 | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (517) | (3.5) | (175) | (1.7) | |||||||||
| Total net sales | 14,838 | 100.0 | 10,165 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 11,983 | 80.8 | 8,255 | 81.2 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 2,855 | 19.2 | 1,910 | 18.8 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - R&D, net | 707 | 4.8 | 476 | 4.7 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses - Other | 753 | 5.1 | 475 | 4.7 | |||||||||
| Restructuring expense | 163 | 1.1 | 203 | 2.0 | |||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 81 | 0.5 | 138 | 1.4 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 1,151 | 7.8 | 618 | 6.1 | |||||||||
| Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax | (48) | (0.3) | (18) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities | 362 | 2.4 | (382) | (3.8) | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 93 | 0.6 | 61 | 0.6 | |||||||||
| Other postretirement income | (45) | (0.3) | (7) | (0.1) | |||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 789 | 5.3 | 964 | 9.5 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 150 | 1.0 | 397 | 3.9 | |||||||||
| Net earnings | 639 | 4.3 | 567 | 5.6 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax | 102 | 0.7 | 67 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ | 537 | 3.6 | % | $ | 500 | 4.9 | % | |||||
| Earnings per share — diluted | $ | 2.24 | $ | 2.34 |
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $14,838 million, an increase of 46% from the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the net impact of acquisitions, primarily related to legacy Delphi Technologies, increased revenues by $3,328 million from the year ended December 31, 2020. Stronger foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, Chinese Renminbi and Korean Won, increased net sales by approximately $270 million. The net increase excluding these items was primarily due to increased demand for the Company’s products. In addition, net sales were favorably impacted by the recovery of global markets from the negative effects of COVID-19 on 2020 production. However, this recovery was largely offset by supply constraints related to certain components, particularly semiconductor chips, that negatively impacted global automotive production in 2021.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 80.8% and 81.2% in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2021, acquisitions, primarily related to legacy Delphi Technologies, increased cost of sales. The Company’s material cost of sales was approximately 54% and 57% of net sales in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in material cost as a percentage of sales reflects the lower material costs associated with the legacy Delphi Technologies business. Gross profit and gross margin were $2,855 million and 19.2%, respectively during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $1,910 million and 18.8%,
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respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in gross margin in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to the impact of increased sales, partially offset by a higher warranty provision due to an unfavorable customer warranty settlement in December 2021 and increases in commodity and other costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $1,460 million and $951 million, or 9.8% and 9.4% of net sales, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in SG&A was primarily related to the acquisition of Delphi Technologies, increased investments in research and development and the reinstated costs related to specific cost reduction actions taken in response to COVID-19 during 2020.
Research and development (“R&D”) costs, net of customer reimbursements, were $707 million, or 4.8% of net sales, in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $476 million, or 4.7% of net sales, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of R&D costs, net of customer reimbursements, in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to the acquisition of Delphi Technologies, which increased R&D costs by approximately $200 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as higher investment to support the continued development of the Company’s electrification portfolio. The Company will continue to invest in R&D programs, which are necessary to support short- and long-term growth. The Company’s current long-term expectation for R&D spending is in the range of 5.0% to 5.5% of net sales.
Restructuring expense was $163 million and $203 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily related to employee benefit costs. Refer to Note 4 “Restructuring” to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
In February 2020, the Company announced a restructuring plan to address existing structural costs. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $103 million and $148 million of restructuring expense related to this plan, respectively. Cumulatively, the Company has incurred $251 million of restructuring charges related to this plan. These actions are expected to result in a total of $300 million of restructuring costs through 2022. The resulting annual gross savings are expected to be $90 million to $100 million and will be utilized to sustain overall operating margin profile and cost competitiveness. Nearly all of the restructuring charges are expected to be cash expenditures.
In 2019, legacy Delphi Technologies announced a restructuring plan to reshape and realign its global technical center footprint and reduce salaried and contract staff. The Company continued actions under this program post-acquisition and has recorded cumulative charges of $62 million since October 1, 2020. This includes approximately $60 million in restructuring charges during the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily for the statutory minimum benefits and incremental one-time termination benefits negotiated with local labor authorities. The majority of these actions under this program have been completed.
Additionally, the Company recorded approximately $54 million in restructuring during the three months ended December 31, 2020, for acquisition-related restructuring charges. In conjunction with the Delphi Technologies acquisition, there were contractually required severance and post-combination stock-based compensation cash payments to legacy Delphi Technologies executive officers and other employee termination benefits.
Other operating expense, net was $81 million and $138 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, merger, acquisition and divestiture related expenses were $50 million and $96 million, respectively. The decrease in 2021 was primarily related to higher professional fees in 2020 associated with the acquisition of Delphi Technologies.
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During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded pre-tax losses of $22 million on the sale of its Water Valley, Mississippi facility and $7 million in connection with the sale of an e-Propulsion & Drivetrain technical center in Europe.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $14 million to reduce its carrying value of an indefinite-lived trade name to the fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded asset impairment costs of $9 million in the Air Management segment and $8 million in the e-Propulsion & Drivetrain segment related to the write downs of property, plant and equipment associated with the announced closures of two European facilities. Additionally, as a result of an evaluation of certain underlying technologies subsequent to the acquisition of Delphi Technologies, the Company reduced the useful life of certain intangible assets during the fourth quarter of 2020 as they no longer provided future economic benefit. This resulted in accelerated amortization expense of $38 million.
Other operating expense, net is primarily comprised of items included within the subtitle “Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings” below.
Equity in affiliates’ earnings, net of tax was $48 million and $18 million in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This line item is driven by the results of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures. The increase in equity in affiliates’ earnings in the year ended December 31, 2021 was due to the recovery from negative effects of COVID-19 on 2020 production.
Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities included a loss of $362 million and a gain of $382 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This line item reflects the net unrealized gains or losses recognized primarily related to the Company’s investment in Romeo Power, Inc. For further details, see Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Interest expense, net was $93 million and $61 million in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to the Company’s $20 million loss on debt extinguishment related to the early repayment of its €500 million 1.800% senior notes settled on June 18, 2021, the Company’s issuance of €1 billion 1.000% senior notes in May 2021 to support the AKASOL acquisition, and the Company’s $1.1 billion senior notes issuance in June 2020.
Other postretirement income was $45 million and $7 million in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in other postretirement income for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to the assumption of Delphi Technologies pension plans.
Provision for income taxes was $150 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 resulting in an effective tax rate of 19%. This compared to $397 million or 41% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
In 2021, the Company recognized a $55 million tax benefit related to a reduction in certain unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest for a matter in which the statute of limitations had lapsed. The Company also recognized a discrete tax benefit of $20 million related to an increase in its deferred tax assets as a result of an increase in the United Kingdom (“UK”) statutory tax rate from 19% to 25%. Further, a net discrete tax benefit of $36 million was recognized, primarily related to changes to certain withholding rates applied to unremitted earnings.
In 2020, the Company recognized $49 million of income tax expense, which primarily related to final U.S. Department of Treasury regulations issued in the third quarter of 2020, which impacted the net tax on
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remittance of foreign earnings, and certain tax law changes in India effective in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, the Company recognized incremental valuation allowances of $53 million in 2020.
For further details, see Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax of $102 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $35 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due to the recovery from negative effects of COVID-19 on 2020 production and the addition of noncontrolling interests from acquisitions.
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Non-comparable items impacting the Company’s earnings per diluted share and net earnings
The Company’s earnings per diluted share were $2.24 and $2.34 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The non-comparable items presented below are calculated after tax using the corresponding effective tax rate discrete to each item and the weighted average number of diluted shares for each of the years then ended. The Company believes the following table is useful in highlighting non-comparable items that impacted its earnings per diluted share:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-comparable items: | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Restructuring expense | $ | (0.58) | $ | (0.86) | ||
| Customer warranty settlement1 | (0.26) | — | ||||
| Merger, acquisition and divestiture expense | (0.19) | (0.38) | ||||
| Loss on sales of businesses | (0.13) | — | ||||
| Asset impairments and lease modifications | (0.05) | (0.08) | ||||
| Net gain on insurance recovery for property damage2 | 0.01 | 0.04 | ||||
| Unrealized (loss) gain on equity securities | (1.15) | 1.36 | ||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (0.06) | — | ||||
| Intangible asset accelerated amortization | — | (0.14) | ||||
| Amortization of inventory fair value adjustment3 | — | (0.10) | ||||
| Delayed-draw term loan cancellation4 | — | (0.01) | ||||
| Pension settlement loss5 | — | (0.02) | ||||
| Tax adjustments6 | 0.50 | (0.23) | ||||
| Total impact of non-comparable items per share — diluted: | $ | (1.91) | $ | (0.42) |
_____________________
| 1 | During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reached an agreement with a customer to fully resolve a warranty claim and the Company recognized cumulative charges in the amount of $124 million in connection with the warranty claim. Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. |
|---|---|
| 2 | During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded a net gain of $3 million and $9 million from insurance recovery proceeds, respectively, which primarily represents the amounts received for replacement cost in excess of carrying value for losses sustained from a tornado that damaged the Company’s plant in Seneca, South Carolina. |
| 3 | Represents the non-cash charges related to the amortization of the fair value adjustment of inventories acquired in connection with the acquisition of Delphi Technologies during the year ended December 31, 2020. Refer to Note 2, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. |
| 4 | Represents loan fees related to term loan cancellation during the year ended December 31, 2020. On April 29, 2020 the Company entered into a $750 million delayed-draw term loan that was subsequently cancelled on June 19, 2020 in accordance with its terms, following the Company’s issuance of $1.1 billion in 2.650% senior notes due July 2027. |
| 5 | During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash pension settlement loss of $4 million related to a European plant closure. |
| 6 | In 2021, the Company recognized discrete reductions to tax expense of $124 million. These reductions primarily included a $55 million tax benefit related to the lapse of the statute of limitations for a tax matter, a $20 million benefit related to an increase in deferred tax assets associated with an increase in the UK tax rate, and a $49 million of tax benefit primarily related to changes to certain withholding rates applied to unremitted earnings and other tax adjustments. In 2020, the Company recognized an increase in tax expense of $54 million for the finalization of the U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations issued in the third quarter of 2020, which impacted the net tax on remittance of foreign earnings, but was partially offset by reductions to tax expense of $5 million related to tax reserves and other tax adjustments. |
Results by Reporting Segment
The Company’s business is comprised of four reporting segments: Air Management, e-Propulsion & Drivetrain, Fuel Injection and Aftermarket.
Segment Adjusted EBIT is the measure of segment income or loss used by the Company. Segment Adjusted EBIT is comprised of earnings before interest, income taxes and noncontrolling interest (“EBIT”) adjusted for restructuring, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, impairment charges, affiliates’ earnings and other items not reflective of ongoing operating income or loss. The Company believes
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Segment Adjusted EBIT is most reflective of the operational profitability or loss of its reporting segments. Segment Adjusted EBIT excludes certain corporate costs, which primarily represent headquarters’ expenses not directly attributable to the individual segments. Corporate expenses not allocated to Segment Adjusted EBIT were $302 million and $192 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in corporate expenses in 2021 related to the acquisition of Delphi Technologies in 2020 and reinstated costs related to specific cost reduction actions taken in response to COVID-19 during 2020.
The following table presents net sales and Segment Adjusted EBIT for the Company’s reporting segments:
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | Year ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Net sales | Segment Adjusted EBIT | % margin | Net sales | Segment Adjusted EBIT | % margin | |||||||||||||||
| Air Management | $ | 7,298 | $ | 1,070 | 14.7 | % | $ | 5,678 | $ | 762 | 13.4 | % | |||||||||
| e-Propulsion & Drivetrain | 5,378 | 486 | 9.0 | % | 3,989 | 359 | 9.0 | % | |||||||||||||
| Fuel Injection | 1,826 | 170 | 9.3 | % | 479 | 39 | 8.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Aftermarket | 853 | 107 | 12.5 | % | 194 | 22 | 11.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (517) | — | (175) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 14,838 | $ | 1,833 | $ | 10,165 | $ | 1,182 |
The Air Management segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $1,620 million, or 29%, and Segment Adjusted EBIT increased $308 million, or 40%, from the year ended December 31, 2020. The net impact of acquisitions, related to Delphi Technologies and AKASOL, increased Air Management revenues by $880 million in 2021. Stronger foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar, primarily the Euro, Chinese Renminbi, and Korean Won, increased net sales by approximately $154 million from the year ended December 31, 2020. The net increase excluding these items was primarily due to increased demand for the Company’s products. In addition, net sales were favorably impacted by the recovery of global markets from the negative effects of COVID-19 on 2020 production. However, this recovery was largely offset by supply constraints related to certain components, particularly semiconductor chips, that negatively impacted global automotive production in 2021. Segment Adjusted EBIT margin was 14.7% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 13.4% in the year ended December 31, 2020. The Segment Adjusted EBIT margin increase was primarily due to the impact of higher sales and savings arising from the Company’s restructuring initiatives, partially offset by higher commodity costs in 2021.
The e-Propulsion & Drivetrain segment’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $1,389 million, or 35%, and Segment Adjusted EBIT increased $127 million, or 35%, from the year ended December 31, 2020. The Delphi Technologies acquisition increased e-Propulsion & Drivetrain revenues by $779 million in 2021. Stronger foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar, primarily the Euro, Chinese Renminbi, and Korean Won, increased net sales by approximately $126 million from the year ended December 31, 2020. The net increase excluding these items was primarily due to increased demand for the Company’s products. In addition, net sales were favorably impacted by the recovery of global markets from the negative effects of COVID-19 on 2020 production. However, this recovery was largely offset by supply constraints related to certain components, particularly semiconductor chips, that negatively impacted global automotive production in 2021. Segment Adjusted EBIT margin was 9.0% in the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 as the impact of higher sales was offset by higher commodity costs and increased net R&D investments.
The Fuel Injection segment’s net sales and Segment Adjusted EBIT for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $1,826 million and $170 million, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, net sales and Segment Adjusted EBIT were $479 million and $39 million, respectively. This was a new reporting segment following the acquisition of Delphi Technologies on October 1, 2020. Segment Adjusted EBIT margin was 9.3% in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 8.1% in the three
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months ended December 31, 2020. The Segment Adjusted EBIT margin increase was primarily due to cost improvement measures and higher engineering cost recoveries in 2021.
The Aftermarket segment’s net sales and Segment Adjusted EBIT for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $853 million and $107 million, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, net sales and Segment Adjusted EBIT were $194 million and $22 million, respectively. This was a new reporting segment following the acquisition of Delphi Technologies on October 1, 2020. Segment Adjusted EBIT margin was 12.5% in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 11.3% in the three months ended December 31, 2020. The Segment Adjusted EBIT margin increase was primarily related to increased pricing in 2021.
Outlook
The Company expects global industry production to increase year over year in 2022, as supply of certain components, particularly semiconductor chips, is expected to improve modestly during the year. The Company also expects net new business-related sales growth, due to increased penetration of BorgWarner products around the world, to drive sales increase in excess of the growth in industry production outlook. As a result, the Company expects increased revenue in 2022, excluding the impact of foreign currencies.
The Company expects its results to be impacted by a planned increase in Research & Development (“R&D”) expenditures during 2022. This planned R&D increase is to support growth in the Company’s electric vehicle-related products and is primarily related to supporting the launch of recently awarded programs. The Company also expects higher commodity cost, particularly related to steel and petroleum-based resin products, and other supplier cost increases to negatively impact its results of operations. These items are expected to be partially mitigated by cost reductions due to the Company’s restructuring activities and synergies related to the acquisition of Delphi Technologies.
The Company maintains a positive long-term outlook for its global business and is committed to new product development and strategic investments to enhance its product leadership strategy. There are several trends that are driving the Company’s long-term growth that management expects to continue, including adoption of product offerings for electrified vehicles and increasingly stringent global emissions standards that support demand for the Company’s products driving vehicle efficiency.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company maintains various liquidity sources including cash and cash equivalents and the unused portion of its multi-currency revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had liquidity of $3,841 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalent balances of $1,841 million and an undrawn revolving credit facility of $2,000 million. The Company was in full compliance with its covenants under the revolving credit facility and had full access to its undrawn revolving credit facility. Debt maturities through the end of 2022 total $66 million. Given the Company’s strong liquidity position, management believes that it will have sufficient liquidity and will maintain compliance with all covenants through at least the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2021, cash balances of $1,361 million were held by the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the United States. Cash and cash equivalents held by these subsidiaries is used to fund foreign operational activities and future investments, including acquisitions. The majority of cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States is available for repatriation. The Company uses its U.S. liquidity primarily for various corporate purposes, including but not limited to debt service, share repurchases, dividend distributions, acquisitions and other corporate expenses.
The Company has a $2.0 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, which includes a feature that allows the facility to be increased by $1.0 billion with bank group approval. This facility matures in March 2025. The credit facility agreement contains customary events of default and one key financial covenant,
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which is a debt-to-EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) ratio. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenant at December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this facility.
The Company’s commercial paper program allows the Company to issue $2.0 billion of short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes under the limits of its multi-currency revolving credit facility. Under this program, the Company may issue notes from time to time and use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under this program as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The total current combined borrowing capacity under the multi-currency revolving credit facility and commercial paper program cannot exceed $2.0 billion.
In addition to the credit facility, the Company’s universal shelf registration provides the ability to issue various debt and equity instruments subject to market conditions.
On February 12, 2021, April 28, 2021, July 28, 2021 and November 9, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.17 per share of common stock. These dividends were paid on March 16, 2021, June 15, 2021, September 15, 2021 and December 15, 2021, respectively.
During 2020, due to the business disruptions from COVID-19 and uncertainties surrounding the Delphi Technologies acquisition, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the Company's rating from BBB+ with a stable outlook to BBB with a negative outlook. Additionally, Moody's and Fitch adjusted their outlooks from stable to negative but maintained the Company’s credit ratings at Baa1 and BBB+, respectively. In April 2021, Moody’s reaffirmed the Company’s Baa1 credit rating and adjusted its outlook from negative to stable. In May 2021, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed the Company’s BBB+ rating and adjusted its outlook from negative to stable. In December 2021, Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed the Company’s rating of BBB with a negative outlook. None of the Company’s debt agreements require accelerated repayment in the event of a downgrade in credit ratings.
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Cash Flows
Operating Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| OPERATING | ||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 639 | $ | 567 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: | ||||||
| Depreciation and tooling amortization | 684 | 479 | ||||
| Intangible asset amortization | 88 | 89 | ||||
| Restructuring expense, net of cash paid | 123 | 135 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 62 | 41 | ||||
| Loss on sales of businesses | 29 | — | ||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | 20 | — | ||||
| Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities | 362 | (382) | ||||
| Deferred income tax (benefit) provision | (180) | 123 | ||||
| Other non-cash adjustments | (22) | (5) | ||||
| Net earnings adjustments to reconcile to net cash flows from operations | 1,805 | 1,047 | ||||
| Retirement plan contributions | (30) | (182) | ||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Receivables | (59) | 27 | ||||
| Inventories | (268) | (28) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (134) | 186 | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities | (8) | 134 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,306 | $ | 1,184 |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,306 million and $1,184 million in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to higher net earnings adjusted for non-cash charges, partially offset by higher working capital, due to higher inventory levels and lower accounts payable as the current volatile market environment led to unanticipated reductions in customer production. During 2020, there were lower net investments in working capital (excluding working capital acquired in the Delphi Technologies acquisition), partially offset by incremental retirement benefit plan contributions made in December 2020 to the Delphi Technologies Pension Scheme in the United Kingdom, which is discussed further below.
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Investing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| INVESTING | ||||||
| Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | $ | (666) | $ | (441) | ||
| Capital expenditures for damage to property, plant and equipment | (2) | (20) | ||||
| Insurance proceeds received for damage to property, plant and equipment | 5 | 20 | ||||
| Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash and restricted cash acquired | (759) | (449) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash divested | 22 | — | ||||
| Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges, net | 11 | 10 | ||||
| (Payments for) proceeds from other investing activities | (6) | 14 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,395) | $ | (866) |
Net cash used in investing activities was $1,395 million and $866 million in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in cash used during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to cash outflows related to the 2021 acquisition of AKASOL. In addition, in 2021, capital expenditures, including tooling outlays, were higher primarily due to the acquisition of Delphi Technologies. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 4.5% and 4.3% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Financing Activities
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| FINANCING | ||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in notes payable | $ | (8) | $ | 8 | ||
| Additions to debt | 1,286 | 1,178 | ||||
| Repayments of debt, including current portion | (699) | (331) | ||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | (11) | (10) | ||||
| Payments for purchase of treasury stock | — | (216) | ||||
| Payments for stock-based compensation items | (15) | (13) | ||||
| (Purchase of) capital contribution from noncontrolling interest | (33) | 4 | ||||
| Dividends paid to BorgWarner stockholders | (162) | (146) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders | (72) | (37) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 286 | $ | 437 |
Net cash provided by financing activities was $286 million and $437 million in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to the Company’s repayment of its €500 million 1.800% senior notes due November 2022, partially offset by no share repurchases 2021. Additionally, net cash provided by financing activities for 2021 included the Company’s public offering and issuance of €1.0 billion in 1.000% senior notes due May 2031, a $51 million increase in dividends paid to BorgWarner and noncontrolling stockholders, as compared to 2020, and $33 million paid to acquire additional shares in AKASOL.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company’s significant cash requirements for contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021, primarily consist of the principal and interest payments on its notes payable and long-term debt, non-cancelable lease obligations and capital spending obligations. The principal amount of notes payable and long-term debt was $4,277 million as of December 31, 2021. The projected interest payments on that debt were $1,042 million as of December 31, 2021. Refer to Note 14, “Notes Payable and Debt,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information.
As of December 31, 2021, non-cancelable lease obligations were $227 million. Refer to Note 22, “Leases and Commitments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information. Capital spending obligations were $142 million as of December 31, 2021.
Management believes that the combination of cash from operations, cash balances, available credit facilities, and the universal shelf registration capacity will be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s cash needs for its current level of operations and its planned operations for the foreseeable future. Management will continue to balance the Company’s needs for organic growth, inorganic growth, debt reduction, cash conservation and return of cash to shareholders.
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits
The Company’s policy is to fund its defined benefit pension plans in accordance with applicable government regulations and to make additional contributions when appropriate. At December 31, 2021, all legal funding requirements had been met. The Company contributed $24 million, $174 million and $26 million to its defined benefit pension plans in the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. On October 1, 2020, as a result of the acquisition of Delphi Technologies, the Company assumed all of the retirement-related liabilities of Delphi Technologies, the most significant of which was the Delphi Technologies Pension Scheme (the “Scheme”) in the United Kingdom. On December 12, 2020, the Company entered into a Heads of Terms Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trustees of the Scheme related to the future funding of the Scheme. Under the Agreement, the Company eliminated the prior schedule of contributions between Delphi Technologies and the Scheme in exchange for a $137 million (£100 million) one-time contribution into the Scheme Plan by December 31, 2020, which was paid on December 15, 2020. The Agreement also contained other provisions regarding the implementation of a revised asset investment strategy as well as a funding progress test that will be performed every three years to determine if additional contributions need to be made into the Scheme by the Company. At this time, the Company anticipates that no additional contributions will need to be made into the Scheme until 2026 at the earliest.
The Company expects to contribute a total of $20 million to $30 million into its defined benefit pension plans during 2022. Of the $20 million to $30 million in projected 2022 contributions, $7 million are contractually obligated, while any remaining payments would be discretionary.
The funded status of all pension plans was a net unfunded position of $184 million and $501 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in the net unfunded position was a result of a lower projected benefit obligation which is primarily due to actuarial gains during the period. The main driver of these gains was the increase of 0.53% in the weighted average discount rate for Non-U.S. plans. Of the total net unfunded amounts, $89 million and $139 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were related to plans in Germany, where there is no tax deduction allowed under the applicable regulations to fund the plans; hence, the common practice is to make contributions as benefit payments become due. Additionally, $186 million of the net unfunded position at December 31, 2020 related to the acquired Delphi Technologies Pension Scheme in the United Kingdom, which reflects the impact of the $137 million contribution discussed above.
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Other postretirement employee benefits primarily consist of postretirement health care benefits for certain employees and retirees of the Company’s U.S. operations. The Company funds these benefits as retiree claims are incurred. Other postretirement employee benefits had an unfunded status of $54 million and $65 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company believes it will be able to fund the requirements of these plans through cash generated from operations or other available sources of financing for the foreseeable future.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement benefits.
OTHER MATTERS
Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is party to various commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints, including matters involving warranty claims, intellectual property claims, general liability and other risks. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether or not the Company will ultimately be successful in any of these commercial and legal matters or, if not, what the impact might be. The Company’s management does not expect that an adverse outcome in any of these commercial and legal claims, actions and complaints that are currently pending will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. An adverse outcome could, nonetheless, be material to the results of operations or cash flows.
The Company previously disclosed a warranty claim that an OEM customer asserted. The claim was related to certain combustion-related products, and the Company and the customer continued to work through the warranty process in the fourth quarter of 2021. In December 2021, as a result of discussions that occurred in the fourth quarter, the Company (without any admission of liability) and the customer reached an agreement to fully resolve the claim for $130 million, which the Company paid in 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded cumulative charges of $124 million in connection with the warranty claim. The Company is pursuing a partial recovery of this claim through its insurance coverage. However, there is no assurance that there will be any recovery.
Environmental
The Company and certain of its current and former direct and indirect corporate predecessors, subsidiaries and divisions have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and certain state environmental agencies and private parties as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at various hazardous waste disposal sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Superfund”) and equivalent state laws and, as such, may presently be liable for the cost of clean-up and other remedial activities at 26 such sites. Responsibility for clean-up and other remedial activities at a Superfund site is typically shared among PRPs based on an allocation formula.
The Company believes that none of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Generally, this is because either the estimates of the maximum potential liability at a site are not material or the liability will be shared with other PRPs, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such matter.
Refer to Note 21, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for further details and information respecting the Company’s environmental liability.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management makes estimates and assumptions about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are discussed below.
Business combinations The Company allocates the cost of an acquired business to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess value of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities will impact the determination of future operating results. The Company uses a variety of information sources to determine the value of acquired assets and liabilities, including third-party appraisers for the values and lives of property, identifiable intangibles and inventories, and actuaries for defined benefit retirement plans. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the date of the related acquisition. If goodwill is assigned to more than one reporting unit, the Company utilizes a method that is consistent with the manner in which the amount of goodwill in a business combination is determined. Costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred.
Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, developed technology and trade names. The Company estimates the fair value of acquired intangible assets using various valuation techniques. The primary valuation techniques used include forms of the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings valuation methods. Under these valuation approaches, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions from a market participant perspective which may include revenue growth rates, estimated earnings, royalty rates, obsolescence factors, contributory asset charges, customer attrition and discount rates. Under the multi-period excess earnings method, value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the asset, in excess of the returns required on the investment in contributory assets that are necessary to realize those benefits. The intangible asset’s estimated earnings are determined as the residual earnings after quantifying estimated earnings from contributory assets.
The Company estimates the fair value of trade names and developed technology using the relief from royalty method, which calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the assets. Assumed royalty rates are applied to projected revenue for the remaining useful lives of the assets to estimate the royalty savings.
While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions, fair value estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in acquisition valuations and intangible asset and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead
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to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Impairment of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, whether held for use or disposal, including other amortizing intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review under ASC Topic 360. In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management generally considers individual facilities to be the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. A recoverability review is performed using the undiscounted cash flows if there is a triggering event. If the undiscounted cash flow test for recoverability identifies a possible impairment, management will perform a fair value analysis. Management determines fair value under ASC Topic 820 using the appropriate valuation technique of market, income or cost approach. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.
Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair value assumptions are reasonable; however, changes in assumptions underlying these estimates could affect the valuations. Significant judgments and estimates used by management when evaluating long-lived assets for impairment include (i) an assessment as to whether an adverse event or circumstance has triggered the need for an impairment review; (ii) undiscounted future cash flows generated by the asset; and (iii) fair valuation of the asset. Events and conditions that could result in impairment in the value of long-lived assets include changes in the industries in which the Company operates, particularly the impact of a downturn in the global economy, as well as competition and advances in technology, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, or other factors leading to reduction in expected long-term sales or profitability.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company qualitatively assesses its goodwill assigned to each of its reporting units. This qualitative assessment evaluates various events and circumstances, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, relevant events and financial trends, that may impact a reporting unit's fair value. Using this qualitative assessment, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value. If it is determined that it is not more-likely-than-not the reporting unit's fair value exceeds the carrying value, or upon consideration of other factors, including recent acquisition, restructuring or disposal activity or to refresh the fair values, the Company performs a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis. In addition, the Company may test goodwill in between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that could more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.
Similar to goodwill, the Company can elect to perform the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trade names) using a qualitative analysis, considering similar factors as outlined in the goodwill discussion in order to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the trade names is less than the respective carrying values. If the Company elects to perform or is required to perform a quantitative analysis, the test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief-from-royalty method, which it believes is an appropriate and widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief-from-royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trade names and not being required to pay a royalty for their use.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company performed an analysis on each reporting unit. Given the macroeconomic environment, the Company performed quantitative goodwill impairment analyses for the majority of reporting units to refresh their respective fair values. This requires the Company to make
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significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. The basis of this goodwill impairment analysis is the Company’s annual budget and long-range plan (“LRP”). The annual budget and LRP includes a five-year projection of future cash flows based on actual new products and customer commitments. Because the projections are estimated over a significant future period of time, those estimates and assumptions are subject to uncertainty. Further, the market valuation models and other financial ratios used by the Company require certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to the Company’s facts and circumstances.
The Company believes the assumptions and estimates used to determine the estimated fair value are reasonable. Different assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair value. The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s 2021 goodwill quantitative impairment review are as follows:
•Discount rates: the Company used a range of 12.4% to 13.6% weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as the discount rates for future cash flows. The WACC is intended to represent a rate of return that would be expected by a market participant.
•Operating income margin: the Company used historical and expected operating income margins, which may vary based on the projections of the reporting unit being evaluated.
•Revenue growth rate: the Company used a global automotive market industry growth rate forecast adjusted to estimate its own market participation for product lines.
In addition to the above primary assumptions, the Company notes the following risks to volume and operating income assumptions that could have an impact on the discounted cash flow models:
•The automotive industry is cyclical, and the Company’s results of operations would be adversely affected by industry downturns.
•The automotive industry is evolving, and if the Company does not respond appropriately, its results of operations would be adversely affected.
•The Company is dependent on market segments that use its key products and would be affected by decreasing demand in those segments.
•The Company is subject to risks related to international operations.
Based on the assumptions outlined above, the impairment testing conducted in the fourth quarter of 2021 indicated the Company’s goodwill assigned to the respective reporting units was not impaired. Future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates from those used in acquisition-related valuations and goodwill impairment testing, including discount rates or future operating results and related cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values in the future. Due to the Company’s recent acquisitions, there is less headroom (the difference between the carrying value and the fair value) associated with several of the Company’s reporting units. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially affect the Company’s financial statements in any given year.
Refer to Note 12, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding goodwill.
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Product warranties The Company provides warranties on some, but not all, of its products. The warranty terms are typically from one to three years. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and industry developments and recoveries from third parties. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. Costs of product recalls, which may include the cost of the product being replaced as well as the customer’s cost of the recall, including labor to remove and replace the recalled part, are accrued as part of the Company’s warranty accrual at the time an obligation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the accrual:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Net sales | $ | 14,838 | $ | 10,165 | ||
| Warranty provision | $ | 225 | $ | 105 | ||
| Warranty provision as a percentage of net sales | 1.5 | % | 1.0 | % |
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of a 25 basis-point change (as a percentage of net sales) in the assumed warranty trend on the Company’s accrued warranty liability:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease (income)/expense | $ | (37) | $ | (25) | ||
| 25 basis point increase (income)/expense | $ | 37 | $ | 25 |
At December 31, 2021, the total accrued warranty liability was $236 million. The accrual is represented as $128 million in current liabilities and $108 million in non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Refer to Note 13, “Product Warranty,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding product warranties.
Pension and other postretirement defined benefits The Company provides postretirement defined benefits to a number of its current and former employees. Costs associated with postretirement defined benefits include pension and postretirement health care expenses for employees, retirees and surviving spouses and dependents.
The Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715. The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for its pension and other postretirement employee benefits, such as retiree health care, is dependent on certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate, rates of increase in compensation and health care costs trends are described in Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. The effects of any modification to those assumptions, or actual results that differ from assumptions used, are either recognized immediately or amortized over future periods in accordance with GAAP.
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The primary assumptions affecting the Company’s accounting for employee benefits under ASC Topics 712 and 715 as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
•Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets: The expected long-term rate of return is used in the calculation of net periodic benefit 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, however, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is designed to approximate actual earned long-term returns. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets has been determined 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 return, inflation and other variables. The Company also considers the impact of active management of the plans’ invested assets. In determining its pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company used long-term rates of return on plan assets ranging from 1.5% to 7.7% outside of the U.S. and 5.8% in the U.S.
Actual returns on U.S. pension assets were 3.1% and 9.3% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 5.8% and 6.0%, respectively, for the same years ended.
Actual returns on U.K. pension assets were 5.4% and 4.0% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumption of 4.0% for the same years ended.
Actual returns on German pension assets were 5.4% and 4.3% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, compared to the expected rate of return assumptions of 5.0% and 6.0%, respectively, for the same years ended.
•Discount rate: The discount rate is used to calculate pension and other postretirement employee benefit (“OPEB”) obligations. In determining the discount rate, the Company utilizes a full-yield approach in the estimation of service and interest components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. For its significant plans, the Company used discount rates ranging from 0.91% to 3.50% to determine its pension and other benefit obligations as of December 31, 2021, including weighted average discount rates of 2.73% in the U.S., 1.97% outside of the U.S. (including 1.91% in the U.K.) and 2.46% for U.S. other postretirement health care plans. The U.S. and U.K. discount rates reflect the fact that the U.S. and U.K. pension plans have been closed for new participants.
•Health care cost trend: For postretirement employee health care plan accounting, the Company reviews external data and Company-specific historical trends for health care cost to determine the health care cost trend rate assumptions. In determining the projected benefit obligation for postretirement employee health care plans as of December 31, 2021, the Company used health care cost trend rates of 6.25%, declining to an ultimate trend rate of 4.75% by the year 2026.
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 and OPEB and its future expense.
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the assumptions for discount rate and expected return on assets related to 2022 pre-tax pension expense for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is expected to be negligible.
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The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in discount rate for Company sponsored U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans on its pension obligations:
| (in millions) | Impact on U.S. PBO | Impact on Non-U.S. PBO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 4 | $ | 102 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | $ | (4) | $ | (95) |
The sensitivity to a 25 basis-point change in the discount rate assumption and to the assumed health care cost trend related to the Company’s OPEB obligation and service and interest cost is expected to be negligible.
Refer to Note 18, “Retirement Benefit Plans,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding the Company’s retirement benefit plans.
Restructuring Restructuring costs may occur when the Company takes action to exit or significantly curtail a part of its operations or implements a reorganization that affects the nature and focus of operations. A restructuring charge can consist of severance costs associated with reductions to the workforce, costs to terminate an operating lease or contract, professional fees and other costs incurred related to the implementation of restructuring activities.
The Company generally records costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance. Costs for involuntary separation programs are recorded when management has approved the plan for separation, the employees are identified and aware of the benefits they are entitled to and it is unlikely that the plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded upon agreement. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are accrued over the required service period.
Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized 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 carryforwards. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting for income taxes is complex, in part because the Company conducts business globally and, therefore, files income tax returns in numerous tax jurisdictions. Management judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities, including accruals for unrecognized tax benefits and assessing the need for valuation allowances. In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim period. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation recording the net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance may be necessary.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. at the federal and state level and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. The determination of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits includes the application of complex tax laws in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company's global operations. Management judgment is required in determining the accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax
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determination is less than certain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are established when, despite the belief that tax positions are supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The Company has certain U.S. state income tax returns and certain non-U.S. income tax returns that are currently under various stages of audit by applicable tax authorities. At December 31, 2021, the Company had a liability for tax positions the Company estimates are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained based on the technical merits, which is included in Other non-current liabilities. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
The Company records valuation allowances to reduce the carrying value of certain deferred tax assets to amounts that it expects are more likely than not to be realized. Existing deferred tax assets, net operating losses, and tax credits by jurisdiction and expectations of the ability to utilize these tax attributes are assessed through a review of past, current and estimated future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
Estimates of future taxable income, including income generated from prudent and feasible tax planning strategies resulting from actual or planned business and operational developments, could change in the near term, perhaps materially, which may require the Company to consider any potential impact to the assessment of the recoverability of the related deferred tax asset. Such potential impact could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations for an individual reporting period.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) that was signed into law in December 2017 constituted a major change to the U.S. tax system. The impact of the Tax Act on the Company is based on management’s current interpretations of the Tax Act, recently issued regulations and related analysis. The Company’s tax liability may be materially different based on regulatory developments or enacted changes to the U.S. tax law. In future periods, its effective tax rate could be subject to additional uncertainty as a result of regulatory or legislative developments related to U.S. tax law.
Refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for more information regarding new applicable accounting pronouncements.