Strong North American Market Drives Increased Sales Revenue As Delphi Posts Solid Third-Quarter Results/ Cash Generation Remains Strong - Supporting $300 Millio
18.10.1999, 07:56
TROY, Mich. (PROTEXT) - Sales up 18 Percent Over Strike-
Depressed Q3 1998 - Non-GM Sales Climb
Propelled by strong North American volumes and continued
increases in sales to customers other than General Motors, Delphi
Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH) today reported earnings of $136
million, or $0.24 per share on a diluted basis.
"The third quarter is typically a challenging period for us,"
said Delphi Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President J.T.
Battenberg III. "This year, despite the usual production changes
for the new model year and the seasonality of OEM schedules, we
were able to post very solid results. These results reflect the
continued strong North American vehicle market as well as
increases in sales to customers other than GM."
The $136 million in third-quarter net income compares to a pro
forma, strike-impacted third quarter 1998 loss of $214 million*,
or ($0.38) per share on a diluted basis.
Sales revenue of $6.8 billion was up 18 percent over strike-
impacted 1998 levels after adjusting for the impact of businesses
divested in late 1998. Sales to customers other than GM totaled
$1.7 billion for the quarter, climbing 16 percent on a comparable
basis.
The increased sales revenue is largely the result of new
Delphi content on several vehicle models that went into
production this quarter. Importantly, the third quarter marked
the start of production of the 2000 Fiat Punto featuring Delphi's
E-STEER(TM) Electric Power Steering system, several Volkswagen
models featuring Delphi's Monsoon(TM) audio system, the 2000 Land
Rover Discovery featuring Delphi's Dynamic Body Control system,
and the 2000 Jaguar XKR sports coupe featuring Delphi's
FOREWARN(TM) Adaptive Cruise Control system.
*See attached highlights for description of 1998 pro forma net
loss and 1998 shares outstanding calculations.
Balance Sheet/Cash Generation
Delphi generated $484 million in operating cash flow during
the quarter, primarily driven by improvements in working capital
and the high cash content of earnings. This continued strong cash
generation allowed Delphi to make a pension contribution of $300
million, bringing the total voluntary pension contributions for
the year to $900 million.
"The pension contributions strengthen our balance sheet and
demonstrate our commitment to fund employee pension plans," said
Delphi's Chief Financial Officer Alan Dawes. "This action
delivers value to our shareholders by positively influencing our
earnings in 2000 and beyond."
The Delphi Board of Directors also announced a regular
quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share on Delphi $0.01 par value
common stock. The dividend is payable October 18, 1999, to
shareholders of record as of September 20, 1999.
New Business Bookings
In line with the company's objective of diversifying its
customer base, Delphi booked new business totaling $2 billion
with customers other than GM. In addition, the company booked $8
billion of new business with its largest customer, GM. The impact
of this new business will be reflected in Delphi's revenues in
the years 2001 and beyond, over an average five-year contract
life.
In addition, Delphi yesterday announced it signed a
significant contract with Caterpillar Inc., the world's leading
manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and
natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. Delphi Delco
Electronics Systems, a division of Delphi, will co-develop engine
controllers for all of Caterpillar's diesel engines and many
Caterpillar machines starting in mid-2001. In addition, Delphi
Delco will partner with Delphi Energy & Engine Management
Systems, also a Delphi division, to develop a new line of
hydraulic control modules for Caterpillar.
Other contracts* announced during the quarter include:
- PSA Peugeot Citroen -- wiring harnesses for a 2001 model
year vehicle
- Volkswagen -- airbags for a future global program
- Opel -- driver and passenger airbags for a program on a
global basis
- DaimlerChrysler -- Level 3 Modular Door Systems for the
Mercedes-Benz Actros
- DaimlerChrysler -- modular cockpits for the M-Class through
a four-year contract with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in
Graz, Austria
Aftermarket
Separately, Delphi today announced the creation of a new
division, Delphi Aftermarket, to bolster its brand support and
sales in the aftermarket. The announcement was made at Equip
'Auto, a vehicle and aftermarket show in Paris.** Sector
Financial Results
Sector
Q3 1999 Q3 1998 Q3 1999
Q3 1998
Sales
Sales Operating (Pro Forma
Basis)
Income
Operating
Income
(Loss)
(Loss)
Electronics &
Mobile
Communication
$1,225
$995
$110
$(13)
Safety, Thermal &
Electrical
Architecture
2,445
2,126
62
19
Dynamics &
Propulsion
3,267
2,749
46
(187)
Other***
(147)
(101)
(12)
(91)
Sales, Divested
Business
--
246
--
--
Total
$6,790
$6,015
$206
$(272)
* While these contracts are significant, they do not
represent a complete listing of contracts awarded during the
period. Delphi respects customer confidentiality and therefore
does not disclose all contracts awarded. Unless Delphi receives
customer permission, it does not discuss customer business
information with any external audience.
** Press release is available at http://www.delphiauto.com.
*** Corporate and intra-company items.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich.,
USA, is a world leader in automotive components and systems
technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics &
Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and
Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive
solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately
201,000 employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 38 joint ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices,
and 27 technical centers in 37 countries. Regional headquarters
are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be
found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com.
Forward Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the
"Act") provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made
by us or on our behalf. All statements which address operating
performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate
may occur in the future, including statements relating to volume
growth, awarded sales contracts, and earnings per share growth or
statements expressing general optimism about future operating
results, are forward looking statements. These statements are
made on the basis of management's views and assumptions; as a
result, there can be no assurance that management's expectations
will necessarily come to pass. A list of factors which could
impact future events and performance is included in the Delphi
Automotive Systems Corporation 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ots Original
Text Service: Delphi Automotive Systems Internet:
http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Peter C. Rowe, 248-813-2985,
or Jennifer L. Tew, 248-813-2527, both of Delphi Automotive
Systems (in the USA) Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/076666.html or fax, 800-758-5804,
ext. 076666 (in the USA) Web site: http://www.delphiauto.com
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