UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

|X|

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

   

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     
   

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2009

     
   

OR

     

|_|

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

   

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     
   

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________



Commission file number: 1-15983

ARVINMERITOR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana

 

38-3354643

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

     

2135 West Maple Road, Troy, Michigan

 

48084-7186

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)



(248) 435-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

[None]

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                             Yes |X|                No |_|

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

                                             Yes |_|                No |_|

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer |X|                                                                                    Accelerated filer |_|          

Non-accelerated filer |_| (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)     Smaller reporting company |_|

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                                              

                                             Yes |_|               No |X|

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

 

Outstanding at March 29, 2009

Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share

 

73,982,889 shares




INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

Page

 

 

 

No.

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations - - Three and Six Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet - -

 

 

 

March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - -

 

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

 

 

of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About

 

 

 

Market Risk

53

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

54

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION:

 

       
 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

54

       
 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

55

       
 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

56

       
 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

57

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

57

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

59



 

1


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

ARVINMERITOR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)


 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

Sales

 

$

1,110

 

$

1,781

 

$

2,480

 

$

3,444

 

Cost of sales

   

(1,022

)

 

(1,614

)

 

(2,319

)

 

(3,147

)

GROSS MARGIN

   

88

   

167

   

161

   

297

 

Selling, general and administrative

   

(69

)

 

(105

)

 

(175

)

 

(197

)

Restructuring costs

   

(56

)

 

(5

)

 

(82

)

 

(15

)

Asset impairment charges

   

   

   

(279

)

 

 

Other expense

   

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

   

(38

)

 

56

   

(376

)

 

84

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates

   

(3

)

 

6

   

1

   

17

 

Interest expense, net

   

(23

)

 

(20

)

 

(45

)

 

(47

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   

(64

)

 

42

   

(420

)

 

54

 

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

   

12

   

(14

)

 

(633

)

 

(24

)

Minority interests

   

   

(4

)

 

10

   

(7

)

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   

(52

)

 

24

   

(1,043

)

 

23

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

   

5

   

(4

)

 

5

   

(15

)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(47

)

$

20

 

$

(1,038

)

$

8

 
                           

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

                         

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.72

)

$

0.33

 

$

(14.41

)

$

0.32

 

Discontinued operations

   

0.07

   

(0.05

)

 

0.07

   

(0.21

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.65

)

$

0.28

 

$

(14.34

)

$

0.11

 
                           

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

                         

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.72

)

$

0.33

 

$

(14.41

)

$

0.32

 

Discontinued operations

   

0.07

   

(0.05

)

 

0.07

   

(0.21

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.65

)

$

0.28

 

$

(14.34

)

$

0.11

 
                           

Basic average common shares outstanding

   

72.6

   

72.2

   

72.4

   

72.0

 

Diluted average common shares outstanding

   

72.6

   

72.5

   

72.4

   

72.5

 
                           

Cash dividends per common share

 

$

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.20

 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

ARVINMERITOR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited) 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

165

 

$

497

 

Receivables, trade and other, net

 

 

783

 

 

1,114

 

Inventories

 

 

506

 

 

623

 

Other current assets

 

 

115

 

 

218

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

1,569

 

 

2,452

 

NET PROPERTY

 

 

530

 

 

775

 

GOODWILL

 

 

423

 

 

522

 

OTHER ASSETS 

 

 

352

 

 

925

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,874

 

$

4,674

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

   

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-term debt

 

$

141

 

$

240

 

Accounts payable

 

 

715

 

 

1,287

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

435

 

 

610

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

1,291

 

 

2,137

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

1,376

 

 

1,063

 

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

 

654

 

 

690

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

272

 

 

247

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

 

50

 

 

75

 

SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):

 

 

   

 

   

 Common stock (March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, 74.0 and 73.8 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)

 

 

72

 

 

72

 

    Additional paid-in capital

 

 

628

 

 

625

 

    Accumulated deficit

 

 

(1,073

)

 

(7

)

Treasury stock (March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, 0.1 shares)

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(396

)

 

(225

)

TOTAL SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

(769

)

 

462

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

$

2,874

 

$

4,674

 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

ARVINMERITOR, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions) 

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,038

)

$

8

 

Less: income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

   

5

   

(15

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

(1,043

)

 

23

 

Adjustments to income (loss) from continuing operations to arrive

 

 

   

 

 

 

at cash used for operating activities:

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

50

 

 

68

 

Asset impairment charges

 

 

279

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

   

632

   

21

 

Restructuring costs, net of payments

 

 

41

 

 

(5

)

Pension and retiree medical expense

 

 

43

 

 

52

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

   

   

3

 

Other adjustments to income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

7

 

 

(8

)

Pension and retiree medical contributions

 

 

(61

)

 

(43

)

Proceeds from terminations of interest rate swaps

   

   

28

 

Changes in off-balance sheet receivable securitization and factoring

 

 

(183

)

 

197

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions,

 

 

   

 

 

 

divestitures, foreign currency adjustments and discontinued operations

 

 

(197

)

 

(430

)

Operating cash flows used for continuing operations

 

 

(432

)

 

(94

)

Operating cash flows used for discontinued operations

 

 

(8

)

 

(14

)

CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(440

)

 

(108

)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(84

)

 

(63

)

Acquisitions of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

(41

)

Proceeds from disposition of property and businesses

 

 

2

 

 

8

 

Proceeds from investments and marketable securities

   

6

   

5

 

Net investing cash flows provided by discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

55

 

CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(76

)

 

(36

)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

   

 

 

 

Borrowings on revolving credit facility, net

 

 

318

 

 

 

Borrowings (payments) on accounts receivable securitization program

 

 

(23

)

 

128

 

Repayment of notes

   

(83

)

 

(5

)

Borrowings on lines of credit and other, net

 

 

6

 

 

4

 

Net change in debt

 

 

218

 

 

127

 

Debt issuance and extinguishment costs

   

   

(6

)

Cash dividends

 

 

(8

)

 

(15

)

CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

210

 

 

106

 

EFFECT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(26

)

 

6

 

CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(332

)

 

(32

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

497

 

 

409

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

165

 

$

377

 



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

1.  Basis of Presentation

ArvinMeritor, Inc. (the company or ArvinMeritor) is a global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components serving commercial truck, trailer, light vehicle and specialty original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and certain aftermarkets. The consolidated financial statements are those of the company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

In the opinion of the company, the unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting solely of adjustments of a normal, recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

The substantial uncertainty and significant deterioration in the worldwide credit markets, the global economic downturn and the current climate in the U.S. and other economies have severely diminished demand for the products of the company’s customers. As a result, commercial and light vehicle production and sales volumes have declined significantly in most markets. Management of the company believes volumes will continue to be at severely depressed levels and that the impact of these lower volumes will continue to impact the company’s profitability and cash flow for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and possibly longer. The company’s cash and liquidity needs have been impacted by the level, variability and timing of its customers’ worldwide vehicle production and other factors outside of its control. In addition, although the company is pursuing a long term strategy to become primarily a commercial vehicle systems business, the financial and economic environment has made this difficult to accomplish in the short term and has left it with servicing the cash outflows of certain of its light vehicle businesses, which have been substantial. Cash flow in the first half of fiscal year 2009 was negatively affected by decreased earnings due to lower sales and will continue to be negatively impacted during the remainder of fiscal year 2009 due to expected production declines, the resulting restructurings and the current volatility in the financial markets, which could affect certain of the company’s customers or vendors. The company saw its usage of the revolving credit facility under its senior secured credit facility throughout the first half of the fiscal year increase significantly to meet working capital and other operational needs. At March 29, 2009, the company had $165 million in cash and cash equivalents and an undrawn amount of $311 million under the revolving credit facility. Availability under the revolving credit facility is subject to a senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio covenant, as defined in the agreement, which may limit borrowings under the agreement as of each quarter end. In addition to the factors described above, in the second quarter, the company’s credit rating was downgraded by credit rating agencies and there were significant declines in its stock price. It is possible the company may be required to obtain an amendment to the senior secured credit facility and its U.S. securitization facility by the end of its third fiscal quarter to allow additional flexibility under the senior secured debt to EBITDA covenant contained therein and, in the absence of a waiver, to prevent a default under such facilities. If such amendments or waivers are not necessary before the end of the third quarter, it is increasingly likely that the company will require them prior to the end of the fiscal year. If such amendments or waivers are needed and are not obtained, the lenders under these facilities could accelerate the company’s obligations, which, through cross defaults, could allow acceleration of obligations under certain of its other debt arrangements, including its outstanding convertible notes. If amendments or waivers are needed, the company would negotiate with the lenders under these facilities in order to obtain an amendment or waiver which would allow the required additional financial flexibility. We have had initial communications with the agent bank regarding a possible amendment or waiver consistent with others accomplished in the industry. However, there can be no assurances as to whether any such amendment or waiver may be obtained or, if obtained, whether the terms and restrictions of such amendment or waiver will be as favorable as current arrangements.

The company’s future liquidity is subject to a number of factors, including access to adequate funding under the senior secured credit facility, vehicle production schedules and customer demand and access to other borrowing arrangements such as factoring or securitization facilities. Even with an amendment or waiver to the senior secured credit facility and the U.S. securitization facility, after taking into account these and other factors, if the current trends in the automotive and commercial vehicle industries continue, management expects accessible liquidity over the next 12 months to be at severely diminished levels as compared to historical levels. Without additional liquidity enhancing actions or improvement in the current industry and financial environment, future levels of liquidity may not be sufficient to offset unforeseen negative trends or developments. The company may be required to take additional liquidity enhancing actions, including, without limitation, exploring asset sales or obtaining additional external sources of liquidity. There can be no assurances that the company will be able to execute these actions or that these actions will be sufficient if the company’s end markets do not recover. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the company will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability or classification of assets or the amounts or classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the company be unable to continue as a going concern.

The company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sundays nearest December 31, March 31 and June 30 and its fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest September 30. The second quarter of fiscal years 2009 and 2008 ended on March 29, 2009 and March 30, 2008, respectively. All year and quarter references relate to the company’s fiscal year and fiscal quarters, unless otherwise stated. For ease of

5

presentation, September 30 and March 31 are used consistently throughout this report to represent the fiscal year end and first quarter end, respectively.

2.  Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. The diluted earnings per share calculation includes the impact of dilutive common stock options, restricted stock, performance share awards and convertible securities, if applicable.

A reconciliation of basic average common shares outstanding to diluted average common shares outstanding is as follows (in millions): 

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 
                   

Basic average common shares outstanding

 

72.6

 

72.2

 

72.4

 

72.0

 

Impact of restricted stock

 

 

0.3

 

 

0.5

 

Diluted average common shares outstanding

 

72.6

 

72.5

 

72.4

 

72.5

 


The potential effects of restricted stock and stock options were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three and six months ended March 31, 2009 because their inclusion in a net loss period would reduce the net loss per share. Therefore, at March 31, 2009, options to purchase 1.9 million shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. In addition, 1.3 million shares of restricted stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share at March 31, 2009. At March 31, 2008, options to purchase 2.0 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price exceeded the average market price for the period and thus their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The company’s convertible senior unsecured notes are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, as the company’s average stock price during the quarter is less than the conversion price.

3.  New Accounting Standards

New accounting standards to be implemented:

On October 1, 2008, the company partially adopted as required, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157 – “Fair Value Measurements” which provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) approved FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” that permits companies to partially defer the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. FSP No. FAS 157-2 does not permit companies to defer recognition and disclosure requirements for financial assets and financial liabilities or for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are remeasured at least annually. The company has elected to defer the adoption of SFAS No. 157 with respect to certain non-financial assets and liabilities as permitted by FSP No. 157-2.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an Amendment of ARB No. 51”. This Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 also changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented by requiring consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. The statement also requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. If a parent retains a noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary, that investment is measured at its fair value. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and will be applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which it is initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements. The presentation and disclosure requirements will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The company is currently assessing the potential impact of the standard on our financial condition and results of operations.

6

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007) (“SFAS 141(R)”), “Business Combinations”, which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements of Statement No. 141 that the acquisition method of accounting (which Statement No. 141 called the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. The new standard extends the acquisition method of accounting to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It retains the guidance in Statement No. 141 for identifying and recognizing intangible assets separately from goodwill; however, it differs from Statement No. 141 in accounting for the negative goodwill and requires it to be recognized as a gain from a bargain purchase. The statement requires the acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the statement. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” The FSP amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The FSP is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset determined under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141(R), and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years and is to be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. Disclosure requirements are to be applied prospectively to all intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to, the effective date. The company is currently evaluating the impact FSP 142-3 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)”, which applies to all convertible debt instruments that have a “net settlement feature”, which means that such convertible debt instruments, by their terms, may be settled either wholly or partially in cash upon conversion. FSP APB 14-1 requires issuers of convertible debt instruments that may be settled wholly or partially in cash upon conversion to separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner reflective of the issuers’ nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not permitted and retroactive application to all periods presented is required. The company is currently evaluating the impact FSP APB 14-1 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.” The FSP addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class method. The FSP affects entities that accrue dividends on share-based payment awards during the awards’ service period when the dividends do not need to be returned if the employees forfeit the award. This FSP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years, with early application not permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this FSP on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets.” The FSP requires new disclosures on investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets, and significant concentrations of risk, and is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, with earlier application permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this FSP on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly.” The FSP provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the market activity for an asset or liability has declined significantly. The FSP is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this FSP on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” The FSP amends SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments," and APB Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments during all interim reporting periods. The FSP is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this FSP on our consolidated financial statements.

7

Accounting standards implemented in fiscal year 2009:

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).” The recognition requirements of SFAS No. 158 related to the funded status of defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans were adopted by the company as of September 30, 2007. SFAS No. 158 also requires that companies measure the funded status of their defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans as of the balance sheet date. Those provisions require the measurement date for plan assets and liabilities to coincide with the sponsor’s year end. The company elected to adopt the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 at October 1, 2008. Prior to adopting these provisions, the company used a measurement date of June 30 for its defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans. Using the “one-measurement” approach, the impact of adopting the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 as of October 1, 2008 was an increase to accumulated deficit of $20 million ($20 million after-tax), representing the net periodic benefit cost for the period between the measurement date utilized in fiscal year 2008 and the beginning of fiscal year 2009, which previously would have been expensed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 on a delayed basis.

On October 1, 2008, the company partially adopted as required, SFAS No. 157 – “Fair Value Measurements” which provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The company adopted the measurement and disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 157 relating to its financial assets and financial liabilities which are measured on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the company’s fair value measurements.

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following levels:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.

The fair value of the company’s financial assets and liabilities that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2009 are as follows (in millions):

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 
                         

Financial Assets and Liabilities:

                       

Foreign exchange forward contracts:

                       

Assets

   

N/A

   

$

6

     

N/A

 

Liabilities

   

N/A

     

32

     

N/A

 


In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active.” FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” and key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP No. 157-3 is effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The issuance of FSP No. 157-3 did not have any impact on the company’s results of operations or financial position.

On January 1, 2009, the company adopted, as required, the provisions of SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” which requires expanded disclosures about derivative and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 has the same scope as SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Enhanced disclosures are required about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement No. 133 and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 did not have a material effect on the company’s financial statements other than providing certain enhanced disclosures. Refer to Note 17 for additional disclosure on derivative instruments and hedging activities.

4. Discontinued Operations

Emissions Technologies

The company’s Emissions Technologies (ET) business supplied exhaust systems and exhaust system components, including mufflers, exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters and exhaust manifolds, primarily to original equipment

8

manufacturers. On May 17, 2007, the company sold its ET business to EMCON Technologies Holdings Limited (EMCON), a private equity affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Gross amounts due from EMCON were $5 million and $18 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, and are included in receivables, trade and other, net in the consolidated balance sheet. Gross amounts due to EMCON were $13 million and $50 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively and are included in other current liabilities (see Note 14). The amounts due from (to) EMCON at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008 primarily relate to amounts received (paid), or expected to be received (paid), by EMCON associated with certain assets and liabilities of ET that were retained by the company.

The company paid approximately $15 million related to these amounts in the first six months of fiscal year 2009. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the company recognized $6 million of pre-tax income related to changes in estimates and other adjustments to certain of these assets and liabilities. This amount is recorded in income (loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the company received the final working capital adjustment of $28 million, which was based upon closing working capital at the time of sale of ET. In addition, pre-sale funding obligations, which were recorded as a receivable from EMCON and an offsetting payable in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2007, were settled in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the company received sale proceeds from escrow in connection with the delayed legal closings of certain ET businesses.

During the first six months of fiscal year 2008, the company recognized approximately $11 million of pre-tax additional costs related to the sale of the ET business. These costs were primarily related to revised estimates for certain pre-sale liabilities retained by the company and are recorded in income (loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations.

5. Impairments of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, to be held and used, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when a long-lived asset’s carrying value is not recoverable and exceeds estimated fair value.

At December 31, 2008, management determined certain impairment reviews were required due to declines in overall economic conditions including tightening credit markets, stock market declines and significant reductions in current and forecasted production volumes for light and commercial vehicles. As a result, the company recognized pre-tax, non-cash impairment charges of $209 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, primarily related to the Light Vehicles Systems (LVS) segment. The estimated fair value of long-lived assets was calculated based on probability weighted cash flows taking into account current expectations for asset utilization and life expectancy. In addition, liquidation values were considered where appropriate, as well as indicated values from recent attempts to divest certain businesses.

The following table describes the significant components of long-lived asset impairments recorded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

   

CVS

 

LVS

 

Total

 

Land and buildings

 

$

5

 

$

41

 

$

46

 

Other (primarily machinery and equipment)

   

3

   

154

   

157

 

Total assets impaired (1)

 

$

8

 

$

195

 

$

203

 


(1) The company also recognized $6 million of non-cash impairment charges associated with certain corporate long-lived assets.

9

Net property at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008 is summarized as follows (in millions):

   

March 31, 2009

 

September 30, 2008

 

Property at cost:

             

Land and land improvements

 

$

48

 

$

66

 

Buildings

   

284

   

368

 

Machinery and equipment

   

1,006

   

1,567

 

Company-owned tooling

   

165

   

231

 

Construction in progress

   

109

   

139

 

Total

   

1,612

   

2,371

 

Less accumulated depreciation

   

(1,082

)

 

(1,596

)

Net property

 

$

530

 

$

775

 


6. Goodwill

     

     In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if significant indications of impairment exist. The goodwill impairment review is a two-step process. Step one compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment loss may be recognized if the review indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The company estimates fair value by using discounted cash flows and market multiples on earnings and any other evidence of value. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, step two requires that the fair value of the reporting unit be allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of that reporting unit, resulting in an implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess.

     The impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded. Discounted cash flow methods are dependent upon assumptions of future sales trends, market conditions and cash flows of each reporting unit over several years. Actual cash flows in the future may differ significantly from those previously forecasted. Other significant assumptions include growth rates and the discount rate applicable to future cash flows.
     
     During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, both light and commercial vehicle industries
experienced significant declines in overall economic conditions including tightening credit markets, stock market declines and significant reductions in current and forecasted production volumes for light and commercial vehicles. This, along with other factors, led to a significant decline in the company’s market capitalization subsequent to September 30, 2008. As a result, the company completed an impairment review of goodwill balances for its Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) and LVS reporting units during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

     Step one of the company’s first quarter goodwill impairment review indicated that the carrying value of the LVS reporting unit significantly exceeded its estimated fair value. As a result, the company recorded a $70 million non-cash impairment charge in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 to write-off the entire goodwill balance of its LVS reporting unit. This charge is included in asset impairment charges in the consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of this reporting unit was estimated using earnings multiples and other available information, including indicated values from recent attempts to divest certain businesses. The company’s step one impairment review of goodwill associated with its CVS reporting unit did not indicate an impairment existed as of December 31, 2008.
 
     A summary of the changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by segment, is as follows (in millions):

   

CVS

 

LVS

 

Total

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

451

 

$

71

 

$

522

 

Impairment charge

   

   

(70

)

 

(70

)

Foreign currency translation

   

(28

)

 

(1

)

 

(29

)

Balance at March 31, 2009

 

$

423

 

$

 

$

423

 


10

7. Restructuring Costs

At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, $48 million and $30 million, respectively, of restructuring reserves related to unpaid employee termination benefits remained in the consolidated balance sheet. The changes in restructuring reserves for the six months ended March 31, 2009 are as follows (in millions):

   

Employee Termination
Benefits

 

Asset Impairment

 

Plant Shutdown & Other

 

Total

Balance at September 30, 2008

   

$

30

     

$

     

$

     

$

30

 

Activity during the period:

                                       

   Charges to continuing operations – Fiscal Year 2009 Actions

     

38

       

       

       

38

 

   Charges to continuing operations – Performance Plus

     

22

       

6

       

16

       

44

 

   Asset write-offs

     

       

(6

)

     

       

(6

)

Retirement plan curtailment charges (see Note 18)

     

       

       

(16

)

     

(16

)

Cash payments

     

(41

)

     

       

       

(41

)

Currency translation and other

     

(1

)

     

       

       

(1

)

Balance at March 31, 2009

   

$

48

     

$

     

$

     

$

48

 


Fiscal Year 2009 Actions: During the first six months of fiscal year 2009, the company approved certain restructuring actions in response to a significant decline in global market conditions. These actions primarily related to the reduction of approximately 2,850 salaried, hourly and temporary positions worldwide. The company recorded restructuring costs of $38 million associated with these actions during the first six months of fiscal year 2009. The company’s CVS and LVS segments recorded approximately $16 million and $18 million, respectively, of costs associated with this restructuring program in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, with the remaining costs recorded at corporate locations.

Performance Plus: During fiscal year 2007, the company launched a profit improvement and cost reduction initiative called “Performance Plus.” As part of this program, the company identified significant restructuring actions which would eliminate up to 2,800 positions in North America and Europe and rationalize certain global facilities. The company’s CVS and LVS businesses recorded $30 million and $14 million, respectively, of costs associated with this restructuring program during the first six months of fiscal year 2009. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, as part of Performance Plus, the company announced the closure of its CVS brakes plant in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada (Tilbury) and its LVS coil spring operations in Milton, Ontario, Canada (Milton). Costs associated with these closures included $18 million for estimated employee severance benefits, $16 million primarily associated with pension termination benefits (see Note 18) and $4 million associated with certain asset impairment charges. In addition, the company recognized approximately $6 million of costs, including asset impairment charges of $2 million, associated with previously announced plant closures.

Cumulative restructuring costs recorded for this program are $137 million as of March 31, 2009 and primarily relate to employee termination costs of $102 million in connection with a reduction of approximately 1,800 salaried and hourly employees, $16 million, primarily associated with pension termination benefits, asset impairment charges of $17 million and other shutdown costs of $2 million. Remaining costs of this restructuring program will be incurred over the next several years.

8. Income Taxes

For each interim reporting period, the company makes an estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The rate so determined is used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis. Jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or an actual year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of including these jurisdictions on the quarterly effective rate calculation could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the company recorded a charge of $665 million to establish valuation allowances against its U.S. net deferred tax assets and the net deferred tax assets of its 100% owned subsidiaries in France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS No. 109), the company evaluates the deferred income taxes quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. SFAS No. 109 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. As previously disclosed in the fiscal year 2008 Form 10-K, the company had determined in prior periods that a valuation allowance

11

was not necessary for the deferred tax assets in the U.S. based on several factors including: (a) numerous restructuring initiatives the company undertook in fiscal years 2007 and 2008, generating significant savings in future periods; (b) the expected recovery of the commercial vehicle market; (c) the implementation of a major cost reduction and value creation program to generate additional improvements in earnings in future periods and (d) the repatriation of foreign earnings, which would generate significant taxable income in fiscal year 2009 and reduce future net interest expense in certain tax jurisdictions.

The company believes that these valuation allowances are now required due to events and developments that occurred during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. In conducting the first quarter 2009 analysis, the company utilized a consistent approach which considers its three-year historical cumulative income (loss) including an assessment of the degree to which any losses were driven by items that are unusual in nature and incurred in order to improve future profitability. In addition, the company reviewed changes in near-term market conditions and any other factors arising during the period which may impact future operating results. Both positive and negative evidence were considered in the analysis. Significant negative evidence exists due to the ongoing deterioration of the global markets. The analysis for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 showed a three-year historical cumulative loss in the U.S., France, Germany, Italy and Sweden. The losses continue to exist even after adjusting the results to remove unusual items and charges, which is considered a significant factor in the analysis as it is objectively verifiable and therefore, significant negative evidence. In addition, the recent global market deterioration reduced the expected impact of tax planning strategies that were included in our analysis. Accordingly, based on a three year historical cumulative loss, combined with significant and inherent uncertainty as to the timing of when the company would be able to generate the necessary level of earnings to recover its deferred tax assets in the U.S., France, Germany, Italy and Sweden, the company concluded that valuation allowances were required.

 In the first six months of fiscal year 2009, the company recorded approximately $625 million of net unfavorable tax items discrete to this period primarily related to the valuation allowances recorded in certain jurisdictions and the tax effect of fixed asset impairments and restructuring charges. These discrete items increased the company’s effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2009.

As of September 30, 2008, the company had approximately $131 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits of which $87 million represents the amount that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. At March 31, 2009, the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits and the amount that would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods are $116 million and $30 million, respectively. The change in amount of tax benefits to be recognized in March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008 is primarily due to the valuation allowances that were recorded during the period.

9.      Acquisitions

In December 2007, the company’s CVS business acquired Mascot Truck Parts Ltd (Mascot) for a cash purchase price of $19 million. Mascot remanufactures transmissions, drive axles, steering gears and drivelines.

On October 4, 2004, the company formed two joint ventures in France with AB Volvo to manufacture and distribute axles. The company acquired its 51-percent interest for a purchase price of €19 million ($25 million). The company had an option to purchase and AB Volvo had an option to require the company to purchase the remaining 49-percent interest in one of the joint ventures beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 for €16 million ($23 million) plus interest at EURIBOR rates, plus a margin. In December 2007, this option was exercised and the related liability was settled. The option to purchase the minority interest was essentially a financing arrangement, as the minority shareholder did not participate in any profits or losses of the joint venture. Therefore, no minority interest was recognized in prior periods for the 49-percent interest in this joint venture.

10. Accounts Receivable and Securitization and Factoring

Off-balance sheet arrangements

The company participates in an arrangement to sell trade receivables through certain of its European subsidiaries. Under the arrangement, the company sells, at any point in time, up to €125 million of eligible trade receivables. The receivables under this program are sold at face value and are excluded from the company’s consolidated balance sheet. The company continues to perform collection and administrative functions related to these receivables. Costs associated with this securitization arrangement were $3 million and $4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are included in operating income (loss) in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross amount of proceeds received from the sale of receivables under this arrangement was $200 million and $326 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The company’s retained interest in receivables sold was $11 million and $16 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. The company had utilized, net of retained interests, €73 million ($98 million) and €114 million ($167 million) of this accounts receivable securitization facility as of March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively.

12

In addition, several of the company’s subsidiaries, primarily in Europe, factor eligible accounts receivable with financial institutions. Certain receivables are factored without recourse to the company and are excluded from accounts receivable. The amount of factored receivables excluded from accounts receivable was $128 million and $243 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. Costs associated with these factoring arrangements were $3 million and $5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are included in operating income (loss) in the consolidated statement of operations.

On-balance sheet arrangements

The company also participates in a U.S. accounts receivable securitization program to enhance financial flexibility and lower interest costs. This program is provided on a committed basis by SunTrust Bank (with Three Pillars Funding LLC acting as the conduit lender) and expires in September 2009. The lender under this securitization program has notified the company that it does not intend to renew the facility when it expires in September 2009.Under this program, which was originally established in September 2005, amended in fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and renewed in fiscal year 2008, the company sells substantially all of the trade receivables of certain U.S. subsidiaries to ArvinMeritor Receivables Corporation (ARC), a wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary. The maximum borrowing capacity under this program was voluntarily lowered from $175 million to $125 million during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. ARC funds these purchases with borrowings under a loan agreement with a bank. Amounts outstanding under this agreement are collateralized by eligible receivables purchased by ARC and are reported as short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 16). At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the company had utilized $88 million and $111 million, respectively, of this accounts receivable securitization facility. Borrowings under this arrangement are collateralized by approximately $163 million of receivables held at ARC at March 31, 2009. This arrangement, as most recently renewed, includes the same financial covenants as the company’s senior secured credit facility (see Note 16).

11. Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (using FIFO or average methods) or market (determined on the basis of estimated realizable values) and are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Finished goods          

 

$

202

 

$

237

 

Work in process     

 

 

65

 

 

102

 

Raw materials, parts and supplies     

 

 

239

 

 

284

 

Total   

 

$

506

 

$

623

 



12. Other Current Assets

Other current assets are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Current deferred income tax assets, net (see Note 8)

 

$

15

 

$

110

 

Customer reimbursable tooling and engineering

 

 

25

 

 

27

 

Asbestos-related recoveries (see Note 19)

 

 

8

 

 

8

 

Deposits and collateral

   

23

   

19

 

Prepaid income taxes

   

23

   

31

 

Investment in debt defeasance trust (see Note 16)

   

   

6

 

Prepaid and other

 

 

21

 

 

17

 

Other current assets

 

$

115

 

$

218

 



Costs incurred for tooling and engineering, principally for light vehicle products, for which customer reimbursement is contractually guaranteed are classified as customer reimbursable tooling and engineering. These costs are billed to the customer based on the terms of the contract. Provisions for losses are provided at the time management expects costs to exceed anticipated customer reimbursements.

13

13. Other Assets

Other assets are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Non-current deferred income tax assets, net (see Note 8)

 

$

70

 

$

530

 

Investments in non-consolidated joint ventures

 

 

119

 

 

134

 

Assets for uncertain tax positions (see Note 8)

   

22

   

34

 

Long-term receivables (see Note 15)

   

   

45

 

Prepaid pension costs (see Note 18)

 

 

1

 

 

25

 

Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

26

 

 

29

 

Capitalized software costs, net

 

 

22

 

 

25

 

Asbestos-related recoveries (see Note 19)

 

 

45

 

 

44

 

Note receivable due from EMCON, net of discount

   

15

   

13

 

Other

   

32

   

46

 

Other assets

 

$

352

 

$

925

 



The long-term receivable of $45 million at September 30, 2008 was related to certain Canadian income tax payments made by the company on behalf of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (Rockwell). Prior to the spin-off of the automotive business to Meritor (a predecessor of the company) from Rockwell International (now Rockwell Automation, Inc.) in fiscal year 1997, a Tax Allocation Agreement was signed between Rockwell and Meritor. Subsequent to the spin-off, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) began performing a Canadian Tax audit over certain of the company’s financing activities. As a result, the CRA issued tax reassessments to ArvinMeritor, for which Rockwell was liable under the Tax Allocation Agreement. ArvinMeritor appealed the reassessments on behalf of Rockwell. Between fiscal years 2004 and 2008, Rockwell transferred funds to ArvinMeritor to cover the required tax payments while the appeal was pending. At that time, ArvinMeritor recorded a long-term receivable and corresponding liability (see Note 15) for these funds in the company’s consolidated balance sheet. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the appeal was resolved and a majority of the long-term receivable and liability were settled. The remaining receivable and liability of approximately $5 million are expected to settle during the third quarter of fiscal year 2009.

The note receivable due from EMCON bears interest at a rate of 4 percent per annum and is payable in June 2012 or earlier upon a change in control. EMCON may prepay the note at any time. The company recorded the note, net of a $7 million and $8 million discount at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, to reflect the difference between the stated rate per the agreement of 4 percent and the effective interest rate of approximately 9 percent. This discount will be amortized over the term of the note as interest income.

In accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use,” costs relating to internally developed or purchased software in the preliminary project stage and the post-implementation stage are expensed as incurred. Costs in the application development stage that meet the criteria for capitalization are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line basis over the estimated economic useful life of the software.

Patents, licenses and other intangible assets were $7 million and $6 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, and are amortized over their contractual or estimated useful lives, as appropriate. The company anticipates amortization expense for patents, licenses and other intangible assets of approximately $6 million to be recorded over the remaining five years of the assets’ useful lives.

14

14. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

152

 

$

239

 

Due to EMCON (see Note 4)

   

13

   

50

 

Income taxes (see Note 8)

 

 

13

 

 

35

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

39

 

 

54

 

Product warranties

 

 

42

 

 

58

 

Restructuring (see Note 7)

 

 

48

 

 

30

 

Foreign currency hedge contracts (see Note 17)

   

28

   

16

 

Reserve for commercial dispute

   

   

25

 

Asbestos-related liabilities (see Note 19)

 

 

14

 

 

15

 

Interest

 

 

6

 

 

7

 

Environmental (see Note 19)

 

 

8

 

 

8

 

Other               

 

 

72

 

 

73

 

Other current liabilities      

 

$

435

 

$

610

 



The company’s CVS segment records product warranty costs at the time of shipment of products to customers. Warranty reserves are primarily based on factors that include past claims experience, sales history, product manufacturing and engineering changes and industry developments. Liabilities for product recall campaigns are recorded at the time the company’s obligation is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Product warranties, including recall campaigns, not expected to be paid within one year are recorded as a non-current liability.

The company’s LVS segment records product warranty liabilities based on individual customer or warranty-sharing agreements. Product warranties are recorded for known warranty issues when amounts can be reasonably estimated.

A summary of the changes in product warranties is as follows (in millions):

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Total product warranties – beginning of period            

 

$

102

 

$

103

 

Accruals for product warranties               

 

 

22

 

 

29

 

Payments                       

 

 

(19

)

 

(34

)

Foreign currency translation

   

(7

)

 

4

 

Change in estimates and other                   

 

 

(8

)

 

(6

Total product warranties – end of period              

 

 

90

 

 

96

 

Less: Non-current product warranties (see Note 15)     

 

 

(48

)

 

(46

)

Product warranties – current

 

$

42

 

$

50

 



15

15. Other Liabilities

Other liabilities are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Asbestos-related liabilities (see Note 19)

 

$

58

 

$

54

 

Non-current deferred income tax liabilities (see Note 8)

 

 

67

 

 

4

 

Liabilities for uncertain tax positions (see Note 8)

   

58

   

52

 

Product warranties (see Note 14)

 

 

48

 

 

44

 

Environmental (see Note 19)

 

 

9

 

 

10

 

Long-term payable (see Note 13)

 

 

 

 

45

 

Other

 

 

32

 

 

38

 

Other liabilities

 

$

272

 

$

247

 



16. Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt, net of discounts where applicable, is summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

7-1/8 percent notes due March 2009

 

 

6

 

6.8 percent notes due February 2009

 

 

 

 

77

 

8-3/4 percent notes due 2012

 

 

276

 

 

276

 

8-1/8 percent notes due 2015

 

 

251

 

 

251

 

4.625 percent convertible notes due 2026(1)

 

 

300

 

 

300

 

4.0 percent convertible notes due 2027(1)

 

 

200

 

 

200

 

Revolving credit facility

   

318

   

 

Accounts receivable securitization (see Note 10)

 

 

88

 

 

111

 

Lines of credit and other

 

 

58

 

 

52

 

Unamortized gain on swap unwind

   

26

   

30

 

Subtotal

 

 

1,517

 

 

1,303

 

Less: current maturities

 

 

(141

)

 

(240

)

Long-term debt                  

 

$

1,376

 

$

1,063

 


(1) The 4.625 percent and 4.0 percent convertible notes contain a put and call feature, which allows for earlier redemption beginning in 2016 and 2019, respectively (see Convertible Securities below).

Debt Securities

 

In February and March 2009, the company repaid the $77 million outstanding 6.8 percent notes and the $6 million outstanding 7 1/8 percent notes, respectively. Both notes were repaid in full upon maturity and no gain or loss on debt extinguishment was recognized for either transaction.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

The company has a $700 million revolving credit facility, which matures in June 2011. Due to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in 2008, $34 million of these commitments are unavailable. The remaining amount of availability under this facility is dependent upon various factors, including principally performance against certain financial covenants. These financial covenants are based on (i) the ratio of the company’s senior secured indebtedness to EBITDA and (ii) the amount of annual capital expenditures. The company is required to maintain a total senior secured-debt-to-EBITDA ratio, as defined in the agreement, no greater than 2.50 to 1 on the last day of any fiscal quarter through and including the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009 and (ii) 2.00 to 1 on the last day of any fiscal quarter thereafter. At March 31, 2009, the company was in compliance with all covenants.

16

The revolving credit facility includes a $150 million limit on the issuance of letters of credit. At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, approximately $37 million and $38 million of letters of credit were issued, respectively. The company had an additional $10 million and $13 million outstanding at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, on letters of credit available through other facilities.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are collateralized by approximately $637 million of the company’s assets, primarily consisting of eligible domestic U.S. accounts receivable, inventory, plant, property and equipment, intellectual property and the company’s investment in all or a portion of certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are subject to interest based on quoted LIBOR rates plus a margin, and a commitment fee on undrawn amounts, both of which are based upon the company’s current credit rating for the senior secured facility. At March 31, 2009, the margin over the LIBOR rate was 275 basis points, and the commitment fee was 50 basis points.

The company amended this revolving credit facility in December 2007 and recognized a $3 million loss on debt extinguishment associated with the write-off of debt issuance costs. This loss on debt extinguishment is recorded in interest expense, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

Certain of the company’s subsidiaries, as defined in the credit agreement, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee amounts outstanding under the amended revolving credit facility. Similar subsidiary guarantees are provided for the benefit of the holders of the publicly-held notes outstanding under the company’s indentures (see Note 22).

Investment in Debt Defeasance Trust

The company had $6 million of U.S. government securities in an irrevocable trust, for the sole purpose of funding payments of principal and interest through the stated maturity on the $6 million of outstanding 7-1/8 percent notes due March 2009, in order to defease certain covenants under the associated indenture. As these securities were restricted and could only be withdrawn and used for payments of the principal and interest on the aforementioned notes, the assets of the trust were recorded in Other Current Assets (see Note 12) in the consolidated balance sheet. As this debt matured during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, it was repaid with the securities in the trust.

Convertible Securities

In February 2007, the company issued $200 million of 4.00 percent convertible senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the 2007 convertible notes).  In March 2006, the company issued $300 million of 4.625 percent convertible senior unsecured notes due 2026 (the 2006 convertible notes). The 2007 convertible notes bear cash interest at a rate of 4.00 percent per annum from the date of issuance through February 15, 2019, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. After February 15, 2019, the principal amount of the notes will be subject to accretion at a rate that provides holders with an aggregate annual yield to maturity of 4.00 percent. The 2006 convertible notes bear cash interest at a rate of 4.625 percent per annum from the date of issuance through March 1, 2016, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year. After March 1, 2016, the principal amount of the notes will be subject to accretion at a rate that provides holders with an aggregate annual yield to maturity of 4.625 percent.

Conversion Features – convertible securities

The 2007 convertible notes are convertible into shares of the company’s common stock at an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, equivalent to 37.4111 shares of common stock per $1,000 initial principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $26.73 per share. If converted, the accreted principal amount will be settled in cash and the remainder of the company’s conversion obligation, if any, in excess of such accreted principal amount will be settled in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination thereof, at the company’s election. Holders may convert their notes at any time on or after February 15, 2025. The maximum number of shares of common stock the 2007 convertible notes are convertible into is approximately 7 million.

The 2006 convertible notes are convertible into shares of the company’s common stock at an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, equivalent to 47.6667 shares of common stock per $1,000 initial principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $20.98 per share. If converted, the accreted principal amount will be settled in cash and the remainder of the company’s conversion obligation, if any, in excess of such accreted principal amount will be settled in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination thereof, at the company’s election. Holders may convert their notes at any time on or after March 1, 2024. The maximum number of shares of common stock the 2006 convertible notes are convertible into is approximately 14 million.

17

Prior to February 15, 2025 (2007 convertible notes) and March 1, 2024 (2006 convertible notes), holders may convert their notes only under the following circumstances:

·     

during any calendar quarter, if the closing price of the company’s common stock for 20 or more trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter exceeds 120 percent of the applicable conversion price;



·     

during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which the average trading price per $1,000 initial principal amount of notes is equal to or less than 97 percent of the average conversion value of the notes during such five consecutive trading day period;


·     

upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions, including, without limitation, a Change of Control and Termination of Trading (as defined therein); or


·     

if the notes are called by the company for redemption.


     Redemption Features – convertible securities

On or after February 15, 2019, the company may redeem the 2007 convertible notes, in whole or in part, for cash at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of the accreted principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest. On each of February 15, 2019 and 2022, or upon certain fundamental changes (which include a Change of Control and Termination of Trading, as defined therein), holders may require the company to purchase all or a portion of their 2007 convertible notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100 percent of the accreted principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

On or after March 1, 2016, the company may redeem the 2006 convertible notes, in whole or in part, for cash at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of the accreted principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest. On each of March 1, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024, or upon certain fundamental changes, holders may require the company to purchase all or a portion of their 2006 convertible notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100 percent of the accreted principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

The 2007 and 2006 convertible notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the company that currently guarantee the company’s obligations under its senior secured credit facility and other publicly-held notes (see Senior Secured Credit Facilities above).

Accounts Receivable Securitization

The company participates in a U.S. accounts receivable securitization program to enhance financial flexibility and lower interest costs (see Note 10). This program is provided on a committed basis by SunTrust Bank (with Three Pillars Funding LLC acting as the conduit lender) and expires in September 2009. The lender under this securitization program has notified the company that it does not intend to renew the facility when it expires in September 2009.The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under this arrangement was approximately 3.04% percent at March 31, 2009. Amounts outstanding under this agreement are reported as short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet and are collateralized by $163 million of eligible receivables purchased and held by ARC at March 31, 2009. If certain receivables performance-based covenants are not met, it would constitute a termination event, which, at the option of the banks, could result in termination of the accounts receivable securitization arrangement. At March 31, 2009, the company was in compliance with all covenants. This program, as most recently renewed, includes the same financial covenants as the company’s senior secured credit facility agreement.

Related Parties

A 57-percent owned consolidated joint venture of the company has a $6 million, 6.5-percent loan with its minority partner. This loan matures in March 2010 and is included in short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

In January 2008, the company terminated all of its interest rate swap agreements and received proceeds from these terminations, including interest received, of $28 million. The unamortized fair value adjustment of the notes associated with these and previous interest rate swap terminations was $26 million and $30 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. The fair value adjustment of the notes is classified as long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet and is amortized to earnings as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining term of the debt.

18

Leases

The company has various operating leasing arrangements. Future minimum lease payments under these operating leases are $24 million in 2009, $21 million in 2010, $18 million in 2011, $15 million in 2012, $13 million in 2013 and $24 million thereafter.

17. Financial Instruments

The company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt, long-term debt and foreign exchange forward contracts. The company uses derivatives for hedging and non-trading purposes in order to manage its foreign exchange rate exposures.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

The company’s operations are exposed to global market risks, including the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company has a foreign currency cash flow hedging program to reduce the company’s exposure to changes in exchange rates. The company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the company’s exposures arising from foreign currency exchange risk. Gains and losses on the underlying foreign currency exposures are partially offset with gains and losses on the foreign currency forward contracts.

Under this program, the company has designated the foreign exchange contracts (the “contracts”) as cash flow hedges of underlying forecasted foreign currency purchases and sales. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the contracts is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) in the consolidated balance sheet and is recognized in operating income when the underlying forecasted transaction impacts earnings. The fair values of derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis as the company does not have any derivative contracts which are subject to master netting arrangements. The company does not have any hedges that required the posting of collateral as of March 31, 2009.

The company’s foreign exchange contracts generally mature within 12-18 months. At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the company had outstanding contracts with notional amounts of $243 million and $422 million, respectively. These notional values consist primarily of contracts for the European euro, British pound sterling and Swedish Krona, and are stated in U.S. dollar equivalents at spot exchange rates at the respective dates.

Fair values of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2009 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

Classification

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Classification

 

 

Fair Value

 

Foreign exchange contracts:

                         

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under FASB Statement No. 133

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

6

   

Other current liabilities

 

$

25

 
 

 

 

           

Other liabilities

   

4

 

Total

       

$

6

       

$

29

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB Statement No. 133

               

Other current liabilities

 

$

3

 
                           

Total derivatives

       

$

6

       

$

32

 


19

The effect of derivative instruments on comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2009 is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss) at
March 31, 2009

 

 

Location of

 

 

Three

 

 

Six

 

 

Gain (Loss)

 

 

Months Ended

 

 

Months Ended

 

 

 

             

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCL (effective portion)

AOCL

 

$

12

 

$

(26

)

Amount of loss reclassified from AOCL into income (effective portion)

Cost of sales

 

$

(6

)

$

(16

)

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and on discontinuance of cash flow hedges

Cost of sales

 

$

1

 

$

(3

)

                 


At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, there was a loss of $17 million and $10 million, respectively, recorded in AOCL. The company expects to reclassify this amount from AOCL to operating income during the next eighteen months as the forecasted hedged transactions are recognized in earnings.

The company classifies the cash flows associated with the contracts in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. This is consistent with the classification of the cash flows associated with the underlying hedged item.

Fair Value

Fair values of financial instruments are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Fair

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

165

   

165

   

497

   

497

 

Foreign exchange contracts - asset

 

 

6

   

6

   

4

   

4

 

Investment in debt defeasance trust

 

 

   

   

6

   

6

 

Foreign exchange contracts - liability

 

 

32

   

32

   

16

   

16

 

Short-term debt

 

 

141

   

141

   

240

   

240

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,376

   

597

   

1,063

   

882

 


Cash and cash equivalents — All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The carrying value approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Foreign exchange forward contracts — The company uses foreign exchange forward purchase and sale contracts with terms of two years or less to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts is based on a model which incorporates observable inputs including quoted spot rates, forward exchange rates and discounted future expected cash flows utilizing market interest rates with similar quality and maturity characteristics.

Short-term debt and long-term debt — Fair values are based on interest rates that would be currently available to the company for issuance of similar types of debt instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities.

20

18. Retirement Benefit Liabilities

Retirement benefit liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Retiree medical liability            

 

$

536

 

$

568

 

Pension liability          

 

 

139

 

 

135

 

Other                 

 

 

34

 

 

42

 

Subtotal                      

 

 

709

 

 

745

 

Less: current portion (included in compensation and benefits)       

 

 

(55

)

 

(55

)

Retirement benefit liabilities                

 

$

654

 

$

690

 


The components of net periodic pension and retiree medical expense for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

   

2009

 

2008

 
   

Pension

 

Retiree Medical

 

Pension

 

Retiree Medical

 

Service cost

 

$

5

 

$

 

$

7

 

$

 

Interest cost

   

27

   

10

   

26

 

 

9

 

Assumed return on plan assets

   

(31

)

 

 

 

(31

)

 

 

Amortization of prior service costs

   

1

   

(2

)

 

1

 

 

(2

)

Recognized actuarial loss

   

5

   

7

   

9

 

 

7

 

Total expense

 

$

7

 

$

15

 

$

12

 

$

14

 



The components of net periodic pension and retiree medical expense for the six months ended March 31 are as follows:

   

2009

 

2008

 
   

Pension

 

Retiree Medical

 

Pension

 

Retiree Medical

 

Service cost

 

$

10

 

$

1

 

$

14

 

$

1

 

Interest cost

   

54

   

19

   

52

 

 

18

 

Assumed return on plan assets

   

(62

)

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

Amortization of prior service costs

   

1

   

(4

)

 

2

 

 

(4

)

Recognized actuarial loss

   

10

   

14

   

18

 

 

14

 

Total expense

 

$

13

 

$

30

 

$

23

 

$

29

 



The company recognizes the funded status of its benefit plans in accordance with the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).” The company elected to adopt the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 at October 1, 2008. Those provisions require the measurement date for plan assets and liabilities to coincide with the sponsor’s year-end. Using the “one-measurement” approach, the impact of adopting the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 at October 1, 2008 was an increase to accumulated deficit of approximately $20 million ($20 million after-tax), representing the net periodic benefit cost for the period between the measurement date utilized in fiscal year 2008 and the beginning of fiscal year 2009, which previously would have been expensed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 on a delayed basis.

On November 12, 2008, the company settled a lawsuit with the United Steel Workers with respect to certain retiree medical plan amendments for approximately $28 million. This settlement was paid in November 2008 and will increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) by approximately $23 million. The increase in APBO will be reflected in the company’s September 30, 2009 actuarial valuation as an increase in actuarial losses and will be amortized into periodic retiree medical expense over an average expected remaining service life of approximately ten years.

On February 24, 2009, the company announced the closure of its CVS brakes plant in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. All salaried and hourly employees at this facility participate in both a salaried or hourly pension plan and a retiree medical plan. The expected

21

closure of this facility triggered plan curtailments requiring the remeasurement of each plan. The measurement date of these valuations was February 28, 2009. SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits” requires a plan curtailment loss to be recognized in earnings when it is probable that a curtailment will occur and the effects are reasonably estimable. Including termination benefits of approximately $15 million required to be paid under the terms of the plans, the company recognized plan curtailment losses of approximately $16 million, which were recorded in restructuring costs (see Note 7) in the consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, the remeasurements resulted in an $11 million ($8 million after-tax) increase in the projected benefit obligation (PBO), offset by a $7 million ($5 million after-tax) decrease in the APBO. The net increase in the benefit obligation was reflected as an increase in actuarial losses that will be amortized into expense over the plan participants’ average remaining life expectancy of approximately 20 years. The remeasurement of these plans resulted in a reduction of the prepaid pension costs (see Note 13) of $25 million.

On March 5, 2009, the company announced its plans to close its LVS coil spring operations in Milton, Ontario, Canada. This expected closure also triggered a plan curtailment, which was not significant to the company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The terms of the plans provide for certain termination benefits which are subject to various benefit elections by the affected employees. In addition, certain terms associated with the plant closure are subject to further negotiations with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union. Depending upon the outcome of these matters, the company estimates the range of termination benefits to be between zero and $5 million, which will be recognized as expense in the consolidated statement of operations when the amount can be reasonably estimated.

19. Contingencies

Environmental

Federal, state and local requirements relating to the discharge of substances into the environment, the disposal of hazardous wastes and other activities affecting the environment have, and will continue to have, an impact on the manufacturing operations of the company. The process of estimating environmental liabilities is complex and dependent upon evolving physical and scientific data at the sites, uncertainties as to remedies and technologies to be used and the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies. The company records liabilities for environmental issues in the accounting period in which its responsibility and investigation and remediation plans become probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated. At environmental sites in which more than one potentially responsible party has been identified, the company records a liability for its allocable share of costs related to its involvement with the site, as well as an allocable share of costs related to insolvent parties or unidentified shares. At environmental sites in which ArvinMeritor is the only potentially responsible party, the company records a liability for the total probable and estimable costs of remediation before consideration of recovery from insurers or other third parties.

The company has been designated as a potentially responsible party at seven Superfund sites, excluding sites as to which the company’s records disclose no involvement or as to which the company’s potential liability has been finally determined. Management estimates the total reasonably possible costs the company could incur for the remediation of Superfund sites at March 31, 2009 to be approximately $21 million, of which $3 million is recorded as a liability.

In addition to the Superfund sites, various other lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been asserted against the company, alleging violations of federal, state and local environmental protection requirements, or seeking remediation of alleged environmental impairments, principally at previously disposed-of properties. For these matters, management has estimated the total reasonably possible costs the company could incur at March 31, 2009 to be approximately $56 million, of which $14 million is recorded as a liability.

Included in the company’s environmental liabilities are costs for on-going operation, maintenance and monitoring at environmental sites in which remediation has been put into place. This liability is discounted using a discount rate of 5-percent and is approximately $7 million at March 31, 2009. The undiscounted estimate of these costs is approximately $10 million.

Following are the components of the Superfund and non-Superfund environmental reserves (in millions):

   

Superfund Sites

 

Non-Superfund Sites

 

Total

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

   

$

3

     

$

15

   

$

18

 

Payments

     

 

     

(2

)

   

(2

)

Change in cost estimates

     

 

     

1

     

1

 

Balance at March 31, 2009

   

$

3

     

$

14

   

$

17

 


Environmental reserves are included in Other Current Liabilities (see Note 14) and Other Liabilities (see Note 15).

22

The actual amount of costs or damages for which the company may be held responsible could materially exceed the foregoing estimates because of uncertainties, including the financial condition of other potentially responsible parties, the success of the remediation, discovery of new contamination and other factors that make it difficult to predict actual costs accurately. However, based on management’s assessment, after consulting with outside advisors that specialize in environmental matters, and subject to the difficulties inherent in estimating these future costs, the company believes that its expenditures for environmental capital investment and remediation necessary to comply with present regulations governing environmental protection and other expenditures for the resolution of environmental claims will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, in future periods, new laws and regulations, changes in remediation plans, advances in technology and additional information about the ultimate clean-up remedies could significantly change the company’s estimates. Management cannot assess the possible effect of compliance with future requirements.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The company has identified conditional asset retirement obligations for which a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made because the potential settlement dates cannot be determined at this time. Due to the long term, productive nature of the company’s manufacturing operations, absent plans or expectations of plans to initiate asset retirement activities, the company was not able to reasonably estimate the settlement date for the related obligations. Therefore, the company has not recognized conditional asset retirement obligations for which there are no plans or expectations of plans to retire the asset.

Asbestos

Maremont Corporation (“Maremont”), a subsidiary of ArvinMeritor, manufactured friction products containing asbestos from 1953 through 1977, when it sold its friction product business. Arvin Industries, Inc., a predecessor of the company, acquired Maremont in 1986. Maremont and many other companies are defendants in suits brought by individuals claiming personal injuries as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products. Maremont had approximately 30,000 pending asbestos-related claims at March 31, 2009 down from approximately 35,000 at September 30, 2008. Although Maremont has been named in these cases, in the cases where actual injury has been alleged, very few claimants have established that a Maremont product caused their injuries. Plaintiffs’ lawyers often sue dozens or even hundreds of defendants in individual lawsuits on behalf of hundreds or thousands of claimants, seeking damages against all named defendants irrespective of the disease or injury and irrespective of any causal connection with a particular product. For these reasons, Maremont does not consider the number of claims filed or the damages alleged to be a meaningful factor in determining its asbestos-related liability.

Maremont’s asbestos-related reserves and corresponding asbestos-related recoveries are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

September 30, 2008

 

Asbestos-related reserves for pending and future claims     

 

$

55

 

$

53

 

Asbestos-related recoveries        

 

 

36

 

 

36

 



A portion of the asbestos-related recoveries and reserves are included in Other Current Assets and Liabilities, with the majority of the amounts recorded in Other Assets and Liabilities (see Notes 12, 13, 14 and 15).

Prior to February 2001, Maremont participated in the Center for Claims Resolution (“CCR”) and shared with other CCR members in the payment of defense and indemnity costs for asbestos-related claims. The CCR handled the resolution and processing of asbestos claims on behalf of its members until February 2001, when it was reorganized and discontinued negotiating shared settlements. Upon dissolution of the CCR in February 2001, Maremont began handling asbestos-related claims through its own defense counsel and has taken a more aggressive defensive approach that involves examining the merits of each asbestos-related claim. Although the company expects legal defense costs to continue at higher levels than when it participated in the CCR, the company believes its litigation strategy has reduced the average indemnity cost per claim.

Pending and Future Claims: Maremont engages Bates White LLC (Bates White), a consulting firm with extensive experience estimating costs associated with asbestos litigation, to assist with determining the estimated cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims that have been, and could reasonably be expected to be, filed against Maremont, as well as the cost of Maremont’s share of committed but unpaid settlements entered into by the CCR. Bates White prepares these cost estimates on a semi-annual basis in March and September each year. Although it is not possible to estimate the full range of costs because of various uncertainties, Bates White advised Maremont that it would be possible to determine an estimate of a reasonable forecast of the cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims based on historical data and certain assumptions with respect to events that may occur in the future.

23

Bates White provided an estimate of the reasonably possible range of Maremont’s obligation for asbestos personal injury claims over the next ten years of $52 million to $61 million. After consultation with Bates White, Maremont determined that as of March 31, 2009, the most likely and probable liability for pending and future claims over the next ten years is $52 million. The ultimate cost of resolving pending and future claims is estimated based on the history of claims and expenses for plaintiffs represented by law firms in jurisdictions with an established history with Maremont.

Assumptions: The following assumptions were made by Maremont after consultation with Bates White and are included in their study:

Pending and future claims were estimated for a ten year period ending in fiscal year 2019. The forecast period used to estimate a reasonably possible range of claims was increased from four years at March 2008 to ten years at September 30, 2008. Maremont has reached certain longer-term agreements with key plaintiff law firms that make payments beyond the four year period more reasonably estimable. In addition, filings of mesothelioma claims have been relatively stable over the last four years resulting in an improvement in the reliability of future projections over a longer time period;

Maremont believes that the litigation environment will change significantly beyond ten years and that the reliability of estimates of future probable expenditures in connection with asbestos-related personal injury claims will decline for each year further in the future. As a result, estimating a probable liability beyond ten years is difficult and uncertain;

The ultimate cost of resolving pending and future claims filed in Madison County, Illinois, a jurisdiction where a substantial amount of Maremont’s claims are filed, will decline to reflect average outcomes throughout the United States;

Defense and processing costs for pending and future claims filed outside of Madison County, Illinois will be at the level consistent with Maremont’s prior experience; and

The ultimate indemnity cost of resolving nonmalignant claims with plaintiffs’ law firms in jurisdictions without an established history with Maremont cannot be reasonably estimated. Recent changes in tort law and insufficient settlement history make estimating a liability for these nonmalignant claims difficult and uncertain.



Recoveries: Maremont has insurance that reimburses a substantial portion of the costs incurred defending against asbestos-related claims. The coverage also reimburses Maremont for any indemnity paid on those claims. The coverage is provided by several insurance carriers based on insurance agreements in place. Incorporating historical information with respect to buy-outs and settlements of coverage, and excluding any policies in dispute, the insurance receivable related to asbestos-related liabilities is $36 million. The difference between the estimated liability and insurance receivable is related to proceeds received from settled insurance policies and liabilities for shortfall and other. Certain insurance policies have been settled in cash prior to the ultimate settlement of the related asbestos liabilities. Amounts received from insurance settlements generally reduce recorded insurance receivables. Receivables for policies in dispute are not recorded.

The amounts recorded for the asbestos-related reserves and recoveries from insurance companies are based upon assumptions and estimates derived from currently known facts. All such estimates of liabilities and recoveries for asbestos-related claims are subject to considerable uncertainty because such liabilities and recoveries are influenced by variables that are difficult to predict. The future litigation environment for Maremont could change significantly from its past experience, due, for example, to changes in the mix of claims filed against Maremont in terms of plaintiffs’ law firm, jurisdiction and disease; legislative or regulatory developments; Maremont’s approach to defending claims; or payments to plaintiffs from other defendants. Estimated recoveries are influenced by coverage issues among insurers and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies. If the assumptions with respect to the nature of pending claims, the cost to resolve claims and the amount of available insurance prove to be incorrect, the actual amount of liability for Maremont’s asbestos-related claims, and the effect on the company, could differ materially from current estimates and, therefore, could have a material impact on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Rockwell — ArvinMeritor, along with many other companies, has also been named as a defendant in lawsuits alleging personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos used in certain components of Rockwell products many years ago. Liability for these claims was transferred to the company at the time of the spin-off of the automotive business to Meritor from Rockwell in 1997. Currently there are thousands of claimants in lawsuits that name the company, together with many other companies, as defendants. However, the company does not consider the number of claims filed or the damages alleged to be a meaningful factor in determining asbestos-related liabilities. A significant portion of the claims do not identify any of Rockwell’s products or specify which of the claimants, if any, were exposed to asbestos attributable to Rockwell’s products, and past experience has shown that the vast majority of the claimants will never identify any of Rockwell’s products. For those claimants who do show that they worked with Rockwell’s products, management nevertheless believes it has meritorious defenses, in substantial part due to the integrity of the products involved, the encapsulated nature of any asbestos-containing components, and the lack of any impairing medical condition on the part

24

of many claimants. The company defends these cases vigorously. Historically, ArvinMeritor has been dismissed from the vast majority of these claims with no payment to claimants.

The company engages Bates White to assist with determining whether it would be possible to estimate the cost of resolving pending and future Rockwell legacy asbestos-related claims that have been, and could reasonably be expected to be, filed against the company. Although it is not possible to estimate the full range of costs because of various uncertainties, Bates White advised the company that it would be able to determine an estimate of probable defense and indemnity costs which could be incurred to resolve pending and future Rockwell legacy asbestos-related claims. Accordingly, the company has recorded a $17 million and $16 million liability for defense and indemnity costs associated with these claims at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. The accrual estimates are based on historical data and certain assumptions with respect to events that may occur in the future. The uncertainties of asbestos claim litigation and resolution of the litigation with the insurance companies make it difficult to predict accurately the ultimate resolution of asbestos claims. That uncertainty is increased by the possibility of adverse rulings or new legislation affecting asbestos claim litigation or the settlement process. Subject to these uncertainties and based on the company’s experience defending these asbestos claims, the company does not believe these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Rockwell maintained insurance coverage that management believes covers indemnity and defense costs, over and above self-insurance retentions, for most of these claims. The company has initiated claims against these carriers to enforce the insurance policies. Although the status of one carrier as a financially viable entity is in question, the company expects to recover the majority of defense and indemnity costs it has incurred to date, over and above self-insured retentions, and a substantial portion of the costs for defending asbestos claims going forward. Accordingly, the company has recorded an insurance receivable related to Rockwell legacy asbestos-related liabilities of $17 million and $16 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively.

Guarantees

In December 2005, the company guaranteed a third party’s obligation to reimburse another party for payment of health and prescription drug benefits to a group of retired employees. The retirees were former employees of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company prior to it being acquired by the company. To date, the third party has met its obligations to reimburse the other party. The Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation associated with these retiree medical benefits is considered the maximum potential exposure under this guarantee and is estimated to be approximately $25 million. No amount has been recorded for this guarantee based on the probability of the company having to perform under the guarantee. Due to the nature of this guarantee it is difficult to estimate its approximate term.

Indemnifications

The company has provided indemnifications in conjunction with certain transactions, primarily divestitures. These indemnities address a variety of matters, which may include environmental, tax, asbestos and employment-related matters, and the periods of indemnification vary in duration. The company’s maximum obligations under such indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated. The company is not aware of any claims or other information that would give rise to material payments under such indemnifications.

Other

On March 31, 2008, S&E Quick Lube, a filter distributor, filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut alleging that twelve filter manufacturers, including a prior subsidiary of the company, engaged in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate U.S. customers for aftermarket automotive filters. This suit is a purported class action on behalf of direct purchasers of filters from the defendants. Several parallel purported class actions, including on behalf of indirect purchasers of filters, have been filed by other plaintiffs in a variety of jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. On April 16, 2009, the Attorney General of the State of Florida filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois based on these same allegations. The company intends to vigorously defend the claims raised in all of these actions. The Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is also investigating the allegations raised in these suits. The DOJ has issued subpoenas to certain employees of the defendants, which include the company. The company is fully cooperating with the investigation. The company is unable to estimate a range of exposure, if any, at this time.

Various other lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against the company, relating to the conduct of the company’s business, including those pertaining to product liability, warranty or recall claims, intellectual property, safety and health, and employment matters. Although the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and some lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be disposed of unfavorably to the company, management believes the disposition of matters that are pending will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

25

20. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

On an annual basis, disclosure of comprehensive income (loss) is incorporated into the Consolidated Statement of Shareowners’ Equity (Deficit). This statement is not presented on a quarterly basis. Comprehensive income includes net income (loss) and components of other comprehensive income (loss), such as foreign currency translation adjustments, employee benefit related adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives and equity securities.

Comprehensive income (loss) is summarized as follows (in millions):  

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(47

)

$

20

 

$

(1,038

)

$

8

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   

(11

)

 

52

   

(168

)

 

82

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency contracts, net

   

16

   

(7

)

 

(9

)

 

(13

)

Adjustment to apply measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158, net of tax

   

   

   

9

   

 

Employee benefit related adjustments, net of tax

   

(3

)

 

   

(3

)

 

(3

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(45

)

$

65

 

$

(1,209

)

$

74

 


21. Business Segment Information

The company defines its operating segments as components of its business where separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The company’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) is the Chief Executive Officer.

The company reports operating results under two segments: Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) and Light Vehicle Systems (LVS). CVS supplies drivetrain systems and components, including axles and drivelines, braking systems and suspension systems, for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and specialty vehicles to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the commercial vehicle aftermarket. LVS is a major supplier of aperture systems (roof and door systems), chassis systems (ride control, suspension systems and modules) and wheel products for passenger cars, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, light trucks and sport utility vehicles to OEMs.

The company measures segment operating performance based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and loss on sale of receivables (EBITDA). The company uses EBITDA as the primary basis for the CODM to evaluate the performance of each of the company’s reportable segments.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those applied in the Consolidated Financial Statements, except for the use of EBITDA. The company may allocate certain common costs, primarily corporate functions, between the segments differently than the company would for stand alone financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. These allocated costs include expenses for shared services such as information technology, finance, communications, legal and human resources. The company does not allocate interest expense and certain legacy and other corporate costs not directly associated with the segments’ EBITDA. In anticipation of the planned separation of the light vehicles business from the company, LVS started building its own corporate functions during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 and utilization of common corporate resources by LVS has decreased in the first six months of fiscal year 2009. The company completed an analysis during the three months ended March 31, 2009, and modified its methodology for allocating certain corporate costs to its CVS and LVS segments. Under the revised allocation methodology the company estimates that $1 million of corporate costs per quarter represents a reasonable allocation of common corporate costs to LVS going forward. The company has adjusted the allocation of common corporate costs retroactively to the beginning of the fiscal year resulting in an increase of $6 million to LVS EBITDA (and a corresponding decrease to CVS EBITDA) for the three months ended December 31, 2008. The revised allocations are reflected in the segment EBITDA amounts shown below.

26

Segment information is summarized as follows (in millions):

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Sales:

                         

Commercial Vehicle Systems

 

$

739

 

$

1,192

 

$

1,695

 

$

2,272

 

Light Vehicle Systems

   

371

   

589

   

785

   

1,172

 

Total sales

 

$

1,110

 

$

1,781

 

$

2,480

 

$

3,444

 

Segment EBITDA:

                         

Commercial Vehicle Systems

 

$

15

 

$

84

 

$

45

 

$

155

 

Light Vehicle Systems

   

(29

)

 

19

   

(331

)

 

21

 

Segment EBITDA (1)

   

(14

)

 

103

   

(286

)

 

176

 

Unallocated corporate costs

   

(7

)

 

(4

)

 

(23

)

 

(5

)

Depreciation and amortization

   

(18

)

 

(36

)

 

(50

)

 

(68

)

Loss on sale of receivables

   

(2

)

 

(5

)

 

(6

)

 

(9

)

Interest expense, net

   

(23

)

 

(20

)

 

(45

)

 

(47

)

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

   

12

   

(14

)

 

(633

)

 

(24

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

(52

)

$

24

 

$

(1,043

)

$

23

 


 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

   

2009

 

2008

 

Segment Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Vehicle Systems

 

$

2,014

 

$

2,591

 

Light Vehicle Systems

 

 

689

 

 

1,072

 

Total segment assets(2)

 

 

2,703

 

 

3,663

 

Corporate

   

171

   

1,011

 

Total assets

 

$

2,874

 

$

4,674

 


(1) Segment EBITDA results for the six months ended March 31, 2009 reflect $273 million of non-cash impairment charges recognized in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 (see Notes 5 and 6).

(2) At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, segment assets include $163 million and $212 million, respectively, of receivables sold to ARC under the U.S. accounts receivable securitization agreement (see Note 10).

22. Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

Certain of the company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, as defined in the credit agreement (the Guarantors) irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee amounts outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility. Similar subsidiary guarantees were provided for the benefit of the holders of the publicly-held notes outstanding under the company’s indentures (see Note 16).

In lieu of providing separate financial statements for the Guarantors, the company has included the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements. These condensed consolidating financial statements are presented on the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost and adjusted for the parent’s share of the subsidiary’s cumulative results of operations, capital contributions and distributions and other equity changes. The Guarantor subsidiaries are combined in the condensed consolidating financial statements.

27

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
(In millions)

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Sales

                               

External

 

$

 

$

484

 

$

626

 

$

 

$

1,110

 

Subsidiaries

   

   

19

   

52

   

(71

)

 

 

Total sales

   

   

503

   

678

   

(71

)

 

1,110

 

Cost of sales

   

(7

)

 

(422

)

 

(664

)

 

71

   

(1,022

)

GROSS MARGIN

   

(7

)

 

81

   

14

   

   

88

 

Selling, general and administrative

   

(8

)

 

(20

)

 

(41

)

 

   

(69

)

Restructuring costs

   

(1

)

 

(3

)

 

(52

)

 

   

(56

)

Other expense

   

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

1

   

   

(1

)

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

   

(17

)

 

57

   

(78

)

 

   

(38

)

Equity in losses of affiliates

   

   

(2

)

 

(1

)

 

   

(3

)

Other income (expense), net

   

23

   

37

   

(60

)

 

   

 

Interest income (expense), net

   

(25

)

 

13

   

(11

)

 

   

(23

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   

(19

)

 

105

   

(150

)

 

   

(64

)

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

   

   

(10

)

 

22

   

   

12

 

Equity income from continuing operations of subsidiaries

   

(33

)

 

(404

)

 

   

437

   

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   

(52

)

 

(309

)

 

(128

)

 

437

   

(52

)

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   

5

   

9

   

8

   

(17

)

 

5

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(47

)

$

(300

)

$

(120

)

$

420

 

$

(47

)



28

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
(In millions)

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Sales

                               

External

 

$

 

$

564

 

$

1,217

 

$

 

$

1,781

 

Subsidiaries

   

   

28

   

73

   

(101

)

 

 

Total sales

   

   

592

   

1,290

   

(101

)

 

1,781

 

Cost of sales

   

(14

)

 

(534

)

 

(1,167

)

 

101

   

(1,614

)

GROSS MARGIN

   

(14

)

 

58

   

123

   

   

167

 

Selling, general and administrative

   

(22

)

 

(44

)

 

(39

)

 

   

(105

)

Restructuring costs

   

   

(1

)

 

(4

)

 

   

(5

)

Other expense

   

(1

)

 

   

   

   

(1

)

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

   

(37

)

 

13

   

80

   

   

56

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

   

   

3

   

3

   

   

6

 

Other income (expense), net

   

30

   

(14

)

 

(16

)

 

   

 

Interest income (expense), net

   

(15

)

 

(23

)

 

18

   

   

(20

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   

(22

)

 

(21

)

 

85

   

   

42

 

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

   

7

   

4

   

(25

)

 

   

(14

)

Minority interests

   

   

   

(4

)

 

   

(4

)

Equity income from continuing operations of subsidiaries

   

39

   

51

   

   

(90

)

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   

24

   

34

   

56

   

(90

)

 

24

 

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   

(4

)

 

(2

)

 

(3

)

 

5

   

(4

)

NET INCOME

 

$

20

 

$

32

 

$

53

 

$

(85

)

$

20

 


29

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
(In millions)

  
 

   

Six Months Ended March 31, 2009

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Sales

                               

External

 

$

 

$

1,012

 

$

1,468

 

$

 

$

2,480

 

Subsidiaries

   

   

49

   

114

   

(163

)

 

 

Total sales

   

   

1,061

   

1,582

   

(163

)

 

2,480

 

Cost of sales

   

(17

)

 

(923

)

 

(1,542

)

 

163

   

(2,319

)

GROSS MARGIN

   

(17

)

 

138

   

40

   

   

161

 

Selling, general and administrative

   

(37

)

 

(59

)

 

(79

)

 

   

(175

)

Restructuring costs

   

(4

)

 

(14

)

 

(64

)

 

   

(82

)

Asset impairment charges

   

(6

)

 

(112

)

 

(161

)

 

   

(279

)

Other expense

   

(1

)

 

   

   

   

(1

)

OPERATING LOSS

   

(65

)

 

(47

)

 

(264

)

 

   

(376

)

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates

   

   

(3

)

 

4

   

   

1

 

Other income (expense), net

   

23

   

32

   

(55

)

 

   

 

Interest income (expense), net

   

(50

)

 

25

   

(20

)

 

   

(45

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   

(92

)

 

7

   

(335

)

 

   

(420

)

Provision for income taxes

   

(471

)

 

(129

)

 

(33

)

 

   

(633

)

Minority interest

   

   

   

10

   

   

10

 

Equity income from continuing operations of subsidiaries

   

(480

)

 

(397

)

 

   

877

   

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   

(1,043

)

 

(519

)

 

(358

)

 

877

   

(1,043

)

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   

5

   

9

   

8

   

(17

)

 

5

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(1,038

)

$

(510

)

$

(350

)

$

860

 

$

(1,038

)




 

30

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
(In millions)

 

   

Six Months Ended March 31, 2008

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Sales

                               

External

 

$

 

$

1,089

 

$

2,355

 

$

 

$

3,444

 

Subsidiaries

   

   

60

   

139

   

(199

)

 

 

Total sales

   

   

1,149

   

2,494

   

(199

)

 

3,444

 

Cost of sales

   

(21

)

 

(1,044

)

 

(2,281

)

 

199

   

(3,147

)

GROSS MARGIN

   

(21

)

 

105

   

213

   

   

297

 

Selling, general and administrative

   

(42

)

 

(77

)

 

(78

)

 

   

(197

)

Restructuring costs

   

   

(1

)

 

(14

)

 

   

(15

)

Other expense

   

(1

)

 

   

   

   

(1

)

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

   

(64

)

 

27

   

121

   

   

84

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

   

   

8

   

9

   

   

17

 

Other income (expense), net

   

30

   

(18

)

 

(12

)

 

   

 

Interest expense, net

   

(40

)

 

(3

)

 

(4

)

 

   

(47

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   

(74

)

 

14

   

114

   

   

54

 

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

   

22

   

(10

)

 

(36

)

 

   

(24

)

Minority interests

   

   

   

(7

)

 

   

(7

)

Equity income from continuing operations of subsidiaries

   

75

   

69

   

   

(144

)

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   

23

   

73

   

71

   

(144

)

 

23

 

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   

(15

)

 

(14

)

 

(10

)

 

24

   

(15

)

NET INCOME

 

$

8

 

$

59

 

$

61

 

$

(120

)

$

8

 


 

31

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
(In millions)

   

March 31, 2009

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

CURRENT ASSETS

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17

 

$

3

 

$

145

 

$

 

$

165

 

Receivables, net

   

(3

)

 

80

   

706

   

   

783

 

Inventories

   

   

189

   

317

   

   

506

 

Other current assets

   

72

   

(41

)

 

84

   

   

115

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   

86

   

231

   

1,252

   

   

1,569

 

NET PROPERTY

   

10

   

299

   

221

   

   

530

 

GOODWILL

   

   

275

   

148

   

   

423

 

OTHER ASSETS

   

140

   

140

   

72

   

   

352

 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

   

773

   

(333

)

 

   

(440

)

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,009

 

$

612

 

$

1,693

 

$

(440

)

$

2,874

 
                                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

                               

Short-term debt

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

140

 

$

 

$

141

 

Accounts payable

   

31

   

182

   

502

   

   

715

 

Other current liabilities

   

100

   

50

   

285

   

   

435

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   

132

   

232

   

927

   

   

1,291

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

   

1,374

   

   

2

   

   

1,376

 

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

   

481

   

   

173

   

   

654

 

INTERCOMPANY PAYABLE (RECEIVABLE)

   

(352

)

 

(487

)

 

839

   

   

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

   

143

   

108

   

21

   

   

272

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

   

   

   

50

   

   

50

 

SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

   

(769

)

 

759

   

(319

)

 

(440

)

 

(769

)

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

$

1,009

 

$

612

 

$

1,693

 

$

(440

)

$

2,874

 


  

32

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
(In millions)

   

September 30, 2008

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

CURRENT ASSETS

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

174

 

$

24

 

$

299

 

$

 

$

497

 

Receivables, net

   

(1

)

 

86

   

1,029

   

   

1,114

 

Inventories

   

   

207

   

416

   

   

623

 

Other current assets

   

37

   

68

   

113

   

   

218

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   

210

   

385

   

1,857

   

   

2,452

 

NET PROPERTY

   

10

   

185

   

580

   

   

775

 

GOODWILL

   

   

345

   

177

   

   

522

 

OTHER ASSETS

   

484

   

149

   

292

   

   

925

 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

   

1,516

   

608

   

   

(2,124

)

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,220

 

$

1,672

 

$

2,906

 

$

(2,124

)

$

4,674

 
                                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

                               

Short-term debt

 

$

85

 

$

 

$

155

 

$

   

$

240

 

Accounts payable

   

57

   

275

   

955

   

   

1,287

 

Other current liabilities

   

99

   

95

   

416

   

   

610

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   

241

   

370

   

1,526

   

   

2,137

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

   

1,060

   

   

3

   

   

1,063

 

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

   

504

   

   

186

   

   

690

 

INTERCOMPANY PAYABLE (RECEIVABLE)

   

(144

)

 

(419

)

 

563

   

   

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

   

97

   

130

   

20

   

   

247

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

   

   

   

75

   

   

75

 

SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

   

462

   

1,591

   

533

   

(2,124

)

 

462

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY

 

$

2,220

 

$

1,672

 

$

2,906

 

$

(2,124

)

$

4,674

 


 

33

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(In millions)
 
 

                                 
   

Six Months Ended March 31, 2009

 
   

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-
Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

CASH FLOWS USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

$

(129

)

$

(1

)

$

(310

)

$

 

$

(440

)

                                 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                               

Capital expenditures

   

(1

)

 

(20

)

 

(63

)

 

   

(84

)

Proceeds from investments and marketable  securities

   

6

   

   

   

   

6

 

Proceeds from disposition of property and businesses

   

   

   

2

   

   

2

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   

5

   

(20

)

 

(61

)

 

   

(76

)

                                 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                               

Payments on account receivable securitization program

   

   

   

(23

)

 

   

(23

)

Borrowings on revolving credit facility, net

   

318

   

   

   

   

318

 

Repayment of notes

   

(83

)

 

   

   

   

(83

)

Borrowings on lines of credit and other, net

   

   

   

6

   

   

6

 

Intercompany advances

   

(260

)

 

   

260

   

   

 

Cash dividends

   

(8

)

 

   

   

   

(8

)

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   

(33

)

 

   

243

   

   

210

 
                                 

EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   

   

   

(26

)

 

   

(26

)

                                 

CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   

(157

)

 

(21

)

 

(154

)

 

   

(332

)

                                 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

   

174

   

24

   

299

   

   

497

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

17

 

$

3

 

$

145

 

$

 

$

165

 


34

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(In millions)

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

 

 

Parent

 

Guarantors

 

Non-Guarantors

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

$

(16

)

$

12

 

$

(104

)

$

 

$

(108

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(1

)

 

(14

)

 

(48

)

 

 

 

(63

)

Acquisitions of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired

   

   

   

(41

)

 

   

(41

)

Proceeds from disposition of property and businesses

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

8

 

Proceeds from marketable securities

   

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Net investing cash flows provided by discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

52

 

 

 

 

55

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

11

 

 

(11

)

 

(36

)

 

 

 

(36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings on account receivable securitization program

 

 

 

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

 

128

 

Repayment of notes

   

(5

)

 

   

   

   

(5

)

Borrowings on lines of credit and other, net

   

   

   

4

   

   

4

 

Debt issuance and extinguishment costs

   

(6

)

 

   

   

   

(6

)

Cash dividends

 

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(26

)

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

 

106

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

6

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(31

)

 

1

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

182

 

 

5

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

409

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

151

 

$

6

 

$

220

 

$

 

$

377

 


35

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM.

In 2008, we announced our intention to separate our Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) and Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) businesses. We subsequently attempted to complete the separation through a spin-off of the LVS business via a tax-free distribution to ArvinMeritor stockholders. The unprecedented challenges in the credit markets, deterioration in the automotive markets and other factors prompted us to investigate other alternatives for the separation, including a potential sale of all or portions of the business. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, we announced that we will reorganize the LVS business into separate product lines consisting of Body Systems, Chassis and Wheels. We intend to pursue a sale of the Body Systems business separately when market conditions support such actions. We are exploring immediate strategic alternatives for a timely and orderly disposition of the Chassis business. We believe the separation of LVS and CVS represents a major step in our corporate transformation and will improve corporate clarity and management focus. There are risks to the timing and certainty of completing any transaction, including the terms upon which any sale agreement with respect to any portion of the business may be entered into and the amount of any exit costs. During the first six months of fiscal year 2009, we incurred approximately $8 million of costs associated with separation related activities, which are included in the selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1. Financial Statements.

The following table reflects estimated automotive and commercial vehicle production volumes for selected original equipment (OE) markets for the second quarter ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 based on available sources and management’s estimates.

 

 

Quarter ended March 31,

 

Unit

 

Percent 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

 Change

Commercial Vehicles (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America, Heavy-Duty Trucks

 

 

27.5

   

46.4

 

(18.9)

(41

)%

North America, Trailers

 

 

19.6

   

40.1

 

(20.5)

(51

)%

Europe, Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks

 

 

67.0

   

158.6

 

(91.6)

 

(58

)%

Europe, Trailers

 

 

25.3

   

51.5

 

(26.2)

 

(51

)%

South America, Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks

   

21.0

   

35.0

 

(14.0)

 

(40

)%

                       

Light Vehicles (in millions)

 

 

               

 

North America

 

 

1.7

   

3.5

 

(1.8)

 

(51

)%

Europe

 

 

3.3

   

5.8

 

(2.5)

 

(43

)%

South America

 

 

0.7

   

0.9

 

(0.2)

 

(22

)%



We believe that the substantial uncertainty and significant deterioration in the worldwide credit markets, the global economic downturn and the current climate in the U.S. and other economies have, as shown in the above table, impacted the demand for the products of our customers. Many of our customers have experienced sharp declines in production and sales volumes, which started in November 2008 and have continued through March 2009 and are expected to continue at reduced levels in the near term with recovery varying by region. These decreases in production and sales volumes had a significant impact on our revenues and profitability in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and is expected to continue to have a significant impact for the remainder of the fiscal year. Our CVS and LVS businesses were adversely affected in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 by decreased volumes in all of our major markets with most of the declines occurring in North America and Europe. While we have been unable to fully offset these market declines, we are focused on market share improvement and diversification strategies to help offset the decline. These strategies will also position us well as markets recover. OEM production declines during the second quarter were partially offset by higher sales in our specialty and aftermarket product lines compared to the prior year reflecting our efforts to diversify product offerings.

36

Highlights of our consolidated results from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009, are as follows: 

Sales were $1,110 million, down 38 percent compared to the same period last year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which decreased sales by $101 million, sales decreased by 32 percent year over year.

Segment EBITDA margin for our reportable segments was negative 1.3 percent, down from positive 5.8 percent a year ago.

Operating margins were negative 3.4 percent, down from positive 3.1 percent a year ago.

Diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.72, compared to earnings per share of $0.33 in the second fiscal quarter of 2008.



Cash used for operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $440 million (of which $338 million was in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009), compared to $108 million in the same period of last fiscal year. The deterioration in cash flow is primarily attributable to lower earnings and certain working capital usage during the period. Changes in working capital balances (accounts receivable, inventories, accounts payable, and other current assets and liabilities) were in line with the overall sales volume reductions compared to the prior year. However, cash flows generated by working capital during 2009 were more than offset by reductions in accounts receivable securitization and factoring programs. In addition, investments in inventory remain at higher levels relative to current sales volumes due to volatility in customer order and production schedules.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, management determined that an impairment review of goodwill and certain long-lived assets was required due to recent declines in overall economic conditions including tightening credit markets, stock market declines and significant reductions in current and forecasted production volumes for light and commercial vehicles. As a result, we recognized in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 pre-tax, non-cash asset impairment charges of $279 million, primarily related to our LVS segment. In addition to these asset impairment charges, we established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in certain tax jurisdictions, primarily the United States, resulting in a non-cash charge of $665 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

On April 30, 2009, Chrysler LLC (Chrysler) filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. At April 29, 2009, we had approximately $7 million of outstanding receivables subject to Chrysler’s U.S. bankruptcy proceedings. Of that amount, only $3 million are expected to be outside of administrative claim status, which traditionally are collectible under the bankruptcy process. We have determined that if some or all of the receivables outside of the administrative claims process are ultimately not collectible, the impact on our second-quarter results would not be material. We will be impacted by Chrysler’s announcement to idle its facilities during the bankruptcy process. The company anticipates a 30-60 day shutdown to have a negative impact on EBITDA in the range of $2 million to $5 million.

COMPANY OUTLOOK

Our business continues to address a number of challenging industry-wide issues including the following:

Severely reduced production volumes in the light and commercial vehicle industries;

Weakened financial condition (including bankruptcies or potential bankruptcies) of most of the original equipment manufacturers and some suppliers;

Excess capacity;

Changes in product mix in North America;

Disruptions in the financial markets and its impact on the availability and cost of credit;

Higher energy and transportation costs;

OE pricing pressures;

Fluctuating costs for steel and other raw materials;

Pension and retiree medical health care costs; and

Currency exchange rate volatility.



37

Since October we have begun implementing a number of immediate restructuring and cost reduction initiatives aimed at mitigating current market conditions. These actions include:

Temporary or permanent workforce reductions of approximately 3,000 employees, including full-time, contract and temporary workers;

Plant level furlough programs, including government supported programs;

Extended shutdowns at all plants;

Pay reductions for salaried employees worldwide, which was achieved through base salary adjustments and/or curtailed production schedules;

Elimination of the matching contribution for the U.S. 401(k) plan;

Suspension of fiscal year 2009 merit increases for all employees; and

Reduction of Board of Directors annual compensation by 10 percent.



In fiscal year 2009, we expect to achieve an estimated $235 million in savings related to these significant actions of which $140 million is expected to be in our CVS business and $95 million is expected to be in our LVS business. The majority of these actions have already been completed; while the remainder are in process. We expect to incur approximately $38 million of cash expenditures in connection with these actions for severance and related benefits, of which $24 million was paid in the first six months of fiscal year 2009. We continue to implement and execute our profit improvement and cost reduction initiative called “Performance Plus”, which was launched in fiscal year 2007. Including cost reductions identified as part of our “Performance Plus” initiative, we expect these actions will result in savings of approximately $311 million in fiscal year 2009 and $430 million on an annual basis. In addition, we continue to focus on improving cash flow by maintaining tight controls on global inventory, pursuing working capital improvements, reducing capital spending and significantly reducing discretionary spending.

As part of Performance Plus, in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, we announced the closure of our commercial vehicle manufacturing facility in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada and our light vehicle manufacturing facility in Milton, Ontario, Canada. We recognized restructuring costs of approximately $38 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 related to these actions. Restructuring costs consist of estimated employee severance benefits, including termination benefits under the terms of the Tilbury retirement plans. In addition, we expect that the range of pension termination benefits related to the closure of our light vehicle systems coil spring operation in Milton, Ontario, Canada to be between zero and $5 million. We expect a significant portion of the cash payments associated with these closures to be incurred in fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

The substantial uncertainty and significant deterioration in the worldwide credit markets, the global economic downturn and the current climate in the U.S. and other economies have severely diminished demand for our customer’s products. As a result, commercial and light vehicle production and sales volumes have declined significantly in most markets. We believe volumes will continue to be at severely depressed levels and that the impact of these lower volumes will continue to impact our profitability and cash flow for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and possibly longer. Our cash and liquidity needs have been impacted by the level, variability and timing of our customers’ worldwide vehicle production and other factors outside of our control. In addition, although we are pursuing a long term strategy to become primarily a commercial vehicle systems business, the financial and economic environment has made this difficult to accomplish in the short term and has left us with servicing the cash outflows of certain of our light vehicle businesses, which have been substantial. Cash flow in the first half of fiscal year 2009 was negatively affected by decreased earnings due to lower sales and will continue to be negatively impacted during the remainder of fiscal year 2009 due to expected production declines, the resulting restructurings and the current volatility in the financial markets, which could affect certain of our customers or vendors. We saw our usage of the revolving credit facility under our senior secured credit facility throughout the first half of the fiscal year increase significantly to meet working capital and other operational needs. At March 29, 2009, we had $165 million in cash and cash equivalents and an undrawn amount of $311 million under the revolving credit facility. Our availability under the revolving credit facility is subject to a senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio covenant, as defined in the agreement, which may limit our borrowings under the agreement as of each quarter end. In addition to the factors described above, in the second quarter, our credit rating was downgraded by credit rating agencies and there were significant declines in our stock price. It is possible we may be required to obtain an amendment to our senior secured credit facility and our U.S. securitization facility by the end of our third fiscal quarter to allow us additional flexibility under the senior secured debt to EBITDA covenant contained therein and, in the absence of a waiver, to prevent a default under such facilities. If such amendments or waivers are not necessary before the end of the third quarter, it is increasingly likely that we will require them prior to the end of the fiscal year. If such amendments or waivers are needed and are not obtained, the lenders under these facilities could accelerate our obligations, which, through cross defaults, could allow acceleration of obligations under certain of our other debt arrangements, including our outstanding convertible notes. If amendments or waivers are needed, we would negotiate with the lenders under these facilities in order to obtain an amendment or waiver which would allow us the required additional financial flexibility. We have had initial communications with the agent bank regarding a possible amendment or waiver consistent with others accomplished in the industry. However, there can be no assurances as to whether any such amendment or waiver may be obtained or, if obtained, whether the terms and restrictions of such amendment or waiver will be as favorable as current arrangements.

38

Our future liquidity is subject to a number of factors, including access to adequate funding under our senior secured credit facility, vehicle production schedules and customer demand and access to other borrowing arrangements such as factoring or securitization facilities. Even with an amendment or waiver to our senior secured credit facility and our U.S. securitization facility, after taking into account these and other factors, if the current trends in the automotive and commercial vehicle industries continue, management expects accessible liquidity over the next 12 months to be at severely diminished levels as compared to historical levels. Without additional liquidity enhancing actions or improvement in the current industry and financial environment, our future levels of liquidity may not be sufficient to offset unforeseen negative trends or developments. We may be required to take additional liquidity enhancing actions, including, without limitation, exploring asset sales or obtaining additional external sources of liquidity. There can be no assurances that we will be able to execute these actions or that these actions will be sufficient if our end markets do not recover. See “Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors.” The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the company will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability or classification of assets or the amounts or classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Other significant factors that could affect our results and liquidity in fiscal year 2009 include:

Volatility in financial markets around the world;

Timing and extent of recovery of the production and sales volumes in commercial and light vehicle markets around the world;

Our ability to successfully separate our light vehicle’s Body Systems and Chassis businesses from our commercial vehicle business;

Higher than planned price reductions to our customers;

Additional restructuring actions and the timing and recognition of restructuring charges;

The financial strength of our suppliers and customers, including potential bankruptcies;

Any unplanned extended shutdowns or production interruptions;

Our ability to implement planned productivity and cost reduction initiatives;

The impact of any acquisitions or divestitures;

Significant awards or losses of existing contracts;

The impact of currency fluctuations on sales and operating income;

Higher than planned warranty expenses, including the outcome of known or potential recall campaigns;

A significant further deterioration or slow down in economic activity in the key markets we operate;

Further lower volume of orders from key customers;

Ability to implement enterprise resource planning systems at our locations successfully;

Our continued ability to recover steel price increases from our customers; and

The impact of any new accounting rules.



NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), we have provided information regarding “segment EBITDA”. Segment EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and loss on sale of receivables. We use segment EBITDA as the primary basis to evaluate the performance of each of our reportable segments. For a reconciliation of segment EBITDA to loss from continuing operations see “Results of Operations” below.

Management believes segment EBITDA is a meaningful measure of performance as it is commonly utilized by management and investors to analyze operating performance and entity valuation. Management, the investment community and banking institutions routinely use segment EBITDA, together with other measures, to measure operating performance in our industry. Further, management uses segment EBITDA for planning and forecasting future periods.

Segment EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for the reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Segment EBITDA, as determined and presented by the company, may not be comparable to related or similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

39

Results of Operations

The following is a summary of our financial results (in millions, except per share amounts):

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

SALES:

                         

Commercial Vehicle Systems

 

$

739

 

$

1,192

 

$

1,695

 

$

2,272

 

Light Vehicle Systems

   

371

   

589

   

785

   

1,172

 

TOTAL SALES

 

$

1,110

 

$

1,781

 

$

2,480

 

$

3,444

 

SEGMENT EBITDA:

                         

Commercial Vehicle Systems

 

$

15

 

$

84

 

$

45

 

$

155

 

Light Vehicle Systems

   

(29

)

 

19

   

(331

)

 

21

 

SEGMENT EBITDA (1)

   

(14

)

 

103

   

(286

)

 

176

 

Unallocated legacy and corporate costs (2)

   

(7

)

 

(4

)

 

(23

)

 

(5

)

Depreciation and amortization

   

(18

)

 

(36

)

 

(50

)

 

(68

)

Loss on sale of receivables

   

(2

)

 

(5

)

 

(6

)

 

(9

)

Interest expense, net

   

(23

)

 

(20

)

 

(45

)

 

(47

)

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

   

12

   

(14

)

 

(633

)

 

(24

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

(52

)

$

24

 

$

(1,043

)

$

23

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   

5

   

(4

)

 

5

   

(15

)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(47

)

$

20

 

$

(1,038

)

$

8

 
                           

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

                         

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.72

)

$

0.33

 

$

(14.41

)

$

0.32

 

Discontinued operations

   

0.07

   

(0.05

)

 

0.07

   

(0.21

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.65

)

$

0.28

 

$

(14.34

)

$

0.11

 
                           

DILUTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

   

72.6

   

72.5

   

72.4

   

72.5

 
                           


(1) Segment EBITDA results reflect $273 million ($265 million and $8 million in LVS and CVS, respectively) of non-cash impairment charges recognized in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.
(2) Unallocated legacy and corporate costs represent items that are not directly related to our business segments. These costs include pension and retiree medical costs associated with recently sold businesses, legacy costs for environmental and product liability and certain corporate costs not specifically allocable to any of our segments. Unallocated legacy and corporate costs for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 include $2 million of costs associated with the separation of the LVS business, $1 million of restructuring costs at certain corporate locations, $2 million of costs related to asbestos liabilities and $2 million of costs associated with legacy pension and retiree medical. Unallocated legacy and corporate costs for the first six months of fiscal year 2009 include $8 million of costs associated with the separation of the LVS business, $4 million of restructuring costs at certain corporate locations, $2 million of costs related to asbestos liabilities, $6 million of impairment charges related to certain tax credits and $3 million of costs associated with legacy pension and retiree medical.

40

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

Sales

The following table reflects total company and geographic business segment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. The reconciliation is intended to reflect the trend in business segment sales and to illustrate the impact that changes in foreign currency exchange rates, volumes and other factors had on sales (in millions).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Change Due To

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Dollar

 

%

 

 

 

 

Volume

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

Change

 

Currency

 

 

/ Other

 

CVS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

477

 

$

525

 

$

(48

)

(9

)%

$

(5

 

$

(43

)

Europe

 

 

154

 

 

432

 

 

(278

)

(64

)%

 

(28

 

 

(250

)

South America

   

57

   

108

   

(51

)

(47

)%

 

(19

)

   

(32

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

51

 

 

127

 

 

(76

)

(60

)%

 

(9

 

 

(67

)

 

 

 

739

 

 

1,192

 

 

(453

)

(38

)%

 

(61

 

 

(392

)

LVS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

North America

 

$

117

 

$

187

 

$

(70

)

(37

)%

$

(11

 

$

(59

)

Europe

 

 

147

 

 

271

 

 

(124

)

(46

)%

 

(22

 

 

(102

)

South America

   

81

   

91

   

(10

)

(11

)%

 

(8

)

   

(2

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

26

 

 

40

 

 

(14

)

(35

)%

 

1

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

 

371

 

 

589

 

 

(218

)

(37

)%

 

(40

 

 

(178

)

TOTAL SALES

 

$

1,110

 

$

1,781

 

$

(671

)

(38

)%

$

(101

 

$

(570

)



The following table reflects estimated automotive and commercial vehicle production volumes for selected OE markets for the second quarter ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 based on available sources and management’s estimates.

 

 

Quarter ended March 31,

 

Unit

 

Percent 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

 Change

Commercial Vehicles (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America, Heavy-Duty Trucks

 

 

27.5

 

 

 46.4

(18.9

)

(41

)%

North America, Trailers

 

 

19.6

 

 

 40.1

(20.5

)

(51

)%

Europe, Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks

 

 

67.0

 

 

 158.6

 

(91.6

)

(58

)%

Europe, Trailers

 

 

25.3

   

51.5

 

(26.2

)

(51

)%

South America, Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks

   

21.0

   

35.0

 

(14.0

)

(40

)%

                       

Light Vehicles (in millions)

 

 

               

 

North America

 

 

1.7

   

3.5

 

(1.8

)

(51

)%

Europe

 

 

3.3

   

5.8

 

(2.5

)

(43

)%

South America

 

 

0.7

   

0.9

 

(0.2

)

(22

)%



Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) sales were $739 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, down 38 percent from the same period in fiscal year 2008. The effect of foreign currency translation decreased sales by $61 million. Excluding the effects of foreign currency, sales decreased by $392 million or 33 percent, primarily due to significantly lower OE production volumes in substantially all of the markets we participate in. European heavy- and medium-duty truck production volumes decreased 58 percent compared to the prior year. Production volumes in the North American Class 8 commercial vehicle truck markets were lower by 41 percent compared to the prior year. Continuing weakness in the global economy has also impacted our sales volumes adversely in other regions of the world. Higher sales in our aftermarket and specialty product lines, primarily related to our military and remanufactured products, partially offset the sales declines in our OE truck and trailers businesses. The increase in sales of military products was related to a higher level of initial service orders on recent military programs which are currently expected to be at

41

reduced levels in the third quarter. As a result, overall North American sales volumes were only down 8 percent versus overall industry-wide reductions in truck and trailer volumes of 40 to 50 percent.

Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) sales were $371 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, compared to $589 million in the same period last year. The effect of foreign currency translation decreased sales by $40 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, sales decreased by $178 million or 30 percent compared to the prior year. We believe that the substantial uncertainty and significant deterioration in the worldwide credit markets, the global economic downturn and the current climate in the U.S. and other economies has impacted the demand for light vehicles. As a result, light vehicle production in most regions has declined significantly compared to the prior year, although our volume declines are generally below the overall industry level reductions as shown in the above market data. We expect production volumes in all regions of the world to be significantly lower during the remainder of fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008.

Pass-through sales, primarily in North America, decreased by $13 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year. Pass-through sales are products sold to our customers where we acquire certain components and assemble them into the final product. These pass-through sales carry minimal margins, as we have little engineering or manufacturing responsibility.

Segment EBITDA and EBITDA Margins

The following table reflects segment EBITDA and margins for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in millions).

   

Segment EBITDA

 

Segment EBITDA Margins

 
   

March 31,

         

March 31,

     
   

2009

 

2008

 

$ Change

     

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

CVS

 

$

15

 

$

84

 

$

(69

)

     

2.0

%

 

7.0

%

 

(5.0)

pts

LVS

   

(29

)

 

19

   

(48

)

     

(7.8)

%

 

3.2

%

 

(11.0)

pts

Segment EBITDA

 

$

(14

)

$

103

 

$

(117

)

     

(1.3)

%

 

5.8

%

 

(7.1)

pts



Restructuring costs included in our business segment results during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (in millions):

   

CVS

 

LVS

 

Total

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Performance Plus actions

 

$

30

 

$

 

$

13

 

$

5

 

$

43

 

$

5

 

Fiscal 2009 actions (reduction in workforce)

   

8

   

   

5

   

   

13

   

 

Total

   

38

   

   

18

   

5

   

56

   

5

 

Adjustments and reversals

   

   

   

(1

)

 

   

(1

)

 

 

Total restructuring costs (1)

 

$

38

 

$

 

$

17

 

$

5

 

$

55

 

$

5

 


(1) Total segment restructuring costs do not include those recorded in unallocated corporate costs. These costs were $1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, primarily related to employee termination benefits. There were no unallocated corporate restructuring costs during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008.

42

Significant items impacting year over year segment EBITDA include the following:

   

CVS

 

LVS

 

TOTAL

 

Segment EBITDA–Three months ended March 31, 2008

 

$

84

 

$

19

 

$

103

 

Minority interests

   

3

   

1

   

4

 

Increased restructuring costs

   

(38

)

 

(12

)

 

(50

)

Lower earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

   

(9

)

 

   

(9

)

LVS stand-alone costs

   

   

(2

)

 

(2

)

Reversal of variable incentive compensation reserves

   

9

   

3

   

12

 

Volumes, pricing, performance and other, net of cost reductions

   

(34

)

 

(38

)

 

(72

)

Segment EBITDA – Three months ended March 31, 2009

 

$

15

 

$

(29

)

$

(14

)



CVS EBITDA was $15 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, down $69 million compared to the prior year. EBITDA margin decreased to 2.0 percent from 7.0 percent a year ago. A significant decrease in OE truck and trailer volumes in all regions adversely impacted EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. This decrease was partially offset by higher sales in our aftermarket and specialty product lines, primarily related to our military and remanufactured products; and improvements in pricing, material and manufacturing performance during the quarter. Included in EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 are restructuring costs of $38 million, primarily associated with the announced closure of our Tilbury, Ontario, Canada brakes facility and other reductions in force implemented globally in the second fiscal quarter. Total restructuring costs include $18 million for estimated employee severance benefits, $16 million primarily related to termination pension benefits and $4 million for asset impairment charges. EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was also impacted adversely by $9 million due to lower earnings from unconsolidated affiliates. Our unconsolidated affiliates are also being significantly impacted by the current economic climate and lower production volumes.

LVS EBITDA was negative $29 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, compared to positive EBITDA of $19 million in the same period last year. The decrease in EBITDA is primarily due to the impact of lower sales in all regions of the world. The continuing downturn in the global economy has significantly affected the light vehicle production volumes resulting in lower sales to our customers. Included in EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 are restructuring costs of $17 million compared to $5 million in the second fiscal quarter of prior year. Restructuring costs for the three months ended March 31, 2009 primarily relate to the announced closure of our coil spring operations in Milton, Ontario, Canada and other reductions in force implemented globally in the second fiscal quarter. Also included in EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 are $2 million of costs incurred to prepare LVS to be a stand alone business. These costs were related to certain information technology investments and headcount and are not expected to be significant during the remainder of the year.

Other Income Statement Items

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized as follows (in millions):

   

2009

 

2008

 

Increase (Decrease)

SG&A

 

Amount

   

% of sales

   

Amount

   

% of sales

                 

LVS separation costs

 

$

(2

)

 

(0.2)

%

 

$

(2

)

 

(0.1)

%

 

$

   

0.1

pts

 

    Loss on sale of receivables

   

(2

)

 

(0.2)

%

   

(5

)

 

(0.3)

%

   

(3

)

 

(0.1)

pts

 

    Variable incentive compensation

   

10

   

0.9

%

   

(12

)

 

(0.7)

%

   

(22

)

 

(1.6)

pts

 

    All other SG&A

   

(75

)

 

(6.7)

%

   

(86

)

 

(4.8)

%

   

(11

)

 

1.9

pts

 

Total SG&A

 

$

(69

)

 

(6.2)

%

$

(105

)

 

(5.9)

%

 

$

(36

)

 

0.3

pts



LVS separation costs are third-party transaction related costs incurred in connection with the planned separation of the LVS business. Loss on sale of receivables decreased as the amount of receivables we sold during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was significantly lower than the prior year due to a decrease in sales. All other SG&A represents normal selling, general and administrative expenses. The decrease in all other SG&A compared to the prior year is a result of lower incentive compensation expenses and savings associated with various restructuring and other cost reduction initiatives, including salaried payroll reductions, elimination of matching contribution to the 401(k) plan and significant headcount reductions. Based on the current year financial results, we have eliminated substantially all variable incentive compensation pay for the current fiscal year. In addition, we continued our restructuring

43

actions started in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, which have resulted in the reduction of approximately 325 salaried positions in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009.

Operating loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $38 million, compared to operating income of $56 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008. The operating loss in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was a result of the items explained above. In addition, depreciation expense was $18 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to $36 million in the prior year. The reduction in depreciation expense is primarily due to the significant asset impairment charges recorded in our LVS segment in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

Equity in earnings of affiliates was a loss of $3 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, compared to earnings of $6 million in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to lower earnings from our CVS affiliates in Brazil, Mexico, India and the United States. Profitability of these joint ventures was impacted by lower truck and trailer production volumes in each of these regions.

Interest expense, net was $23 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, compared to $20 million in the prior year. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to higher borrowings on our revolving credit facility. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, we borrowed significantly higher amounts from our revolving credit facility to fund our operations compared to the prior year. We had $318 million outstanding on our revolving credit facility at March 31, 2009. There was no balance outstanding at March 31, 2008.

Benefit for income taxes in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $12 million compared to tax expense of $14 million in the prior year. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the company recorded approximately $15 million of favorable tax items discrete to the quarter, primarily related to the tax effect of restructuring charges recorded in certain jurisdictions during the quarter. The income tax benefit for the quarter was unfavorably impacted by losses in certain tax jurisdictions where tax benefits are no longer being recognized, partially offset by benefits in other jurisdictions where the company is able to recognize such tax benefits. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the company recorded approximately $1 million of unfavorable tax items discrete to the quarter.

Minority interest expense in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was zero compared to $4 million in the prior year. Minority interests represent our minority partners’ share of income or loss associated with our less than 100-percent owned consolidated joint ventures. The decrease in the minority interest expense was due to lower earnings at our consolidated joint ventures compared to the prior year.

Loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $52 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared to income of $24 million, or $0.33 per diluted share in fiscal year 2008. The reasons for the loss are discussed above.

Income from discontinued operations for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $5 million, compared to a loss of $4 million in the prior year. The current year income is primarily related to changes in estimates and other adjustments to certain assets and liabilities originally recorded at the time of sale of our Emissions Technologies (ET) business in fiscal year 2007. Prior year loss from discontinued operations primarily consisted of miscellaneous net adjustments resulting from activity related to our sold ET and Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) businesses.

44

Six Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2008

Sales

The following table reflects total company and geographic business segment sales for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. The reconciliation is intended to reflect the trend in business segment sales and to illustrate the impact that changes in foreign currency exchange rates, volumes and other factors had on sales (in millions).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Change Due To

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Dollar

 

%

 

 

 

 

Volume

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

Change

 

Currency

 

 

/ Other

 

CVS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

994

 

$

986

 

$

8

 

1

%

$

(12

 

$

20

 

Europe

 

 

431

 

 

841

 

 

(410

)

(49

)%

 

(55

 

 

(355

)

South America

   

152

   

197

   

(45

)

(23

)%

 

(44

)

   

(1

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

118

 

 

248

 

 

(130

)

(52

)%

 

(12

 

 

(118

)

 

 

 

1,695

 

 

2,272

 

 

(577

)

(25

)%

 

(123

 

 

(454

)

LVS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

North America

 

$

262

 

$

390

 

$

(128

)

(33

)%

$

(20

 

$

(108

)

Europe

 

 

321

 

 

526

 

 

(205

)

(39

)%

 

(42

 

 

(163

)

South America

   

152

   

180

   

(28

)

(16

)%

 

(13

)

   

(15

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

50

 

 

76

 

 

(26

)

(34

)%

 

3

 

 

 

(29

)

 

 

 

785

 

 

1,172

 

 

(387

)

(33

)%

 

(72

 

 

(315

)

TOTAL SALES

 

$

2,480

 

$

3,444

 

$

(964

)

(28

)%

$

(195

 

$

(769

)



The following table reflects estimated automotive and commercial vehicle production volumes for selected OE markets for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 based on available sources and management’s estimates.

 

 

Six Months Ended March 31,

 

Unit

 

Percent 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

 Change

Commercial Vehicles (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America, Heavy-Duty Trucks

 

 

73.0

   

89.0

 

(16.0)

(18

)%

North America, Trailers

 

 

54.2

   

91.3

 

(37.1)

(41

)%

Europe, Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks

 

 

187.0

   

294.3

 

(107.3)

 

(36

)%

Europe, Trailers

 

 

44.7

   

97.5

 

(52.8)

 

(54

)%

South America, Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks

   

55.6

   

73.0

 

(17.4)

 

(24

)%

                       

Light Vehicles (in millions)

 

 

               

 

North America

 

 

4.4

   

7.1

 

(2.7)

 

(38

)%

Europe

 

 

7.4

   

10.5

 

(3.1)

 

(30

)%

South America

 

 

1.4

   

1.9

 

(0.5)

 

(26

)%



CVS sales were $1,695 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, down 25 percent from the same period in fiscal year 2008. The effect of foreign currency translation decreased sales by $123 million. Excluding the effects of foreign currency, sales decreased by $454 million or 20 percent, primarily due to significantly lower OE production volumes in substantially all of the markets we participate in. European heavy- and medium-duty truck production volumes decreased 36 percent compared to the same period in the prior year. Production volumes in the North American Class 8 commercial vehicle truck markets were lower by 18 percent compared to the prior year. Continuing weakness in the global economy has also impacted our sales volumes adversely in other regions of the world. Higher sales in our aftermarket and specialty product lines, primarily related to our military and remanufactured products, partially offset the sales declines in our OE truck and trailers businesses. As a result, our overall North American sales volumes increased approximately 2 percent versus overall industry-wide reductions in truck and trailer volumes of 18

45

percent and 41 percent, respectively. In addition, the acquisitions of our Mascot and Trucktechnic remanufacturing businesses during fiscal year 2008 increased sales by $9 million in the six months ended March 31, 2009.

LVS sales were $785 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, compared to $1,172 million in the same period last year. The effect of foreign currency translation decreased sales by $72 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, sales decreased by $315 million or 27 percent compared to the prior year. The prevailing uncertainty and significant deterioration in the worldwide credit markets, the global economic downturn and the current climate in the U.S. and other economies have impacted the demand for light vehicles. As a result, light vehicle production in most regions has continued to decline significantly compared to the prior year. We expect production volumes in all regions of the world to be significantly lower during the remainder of fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008.

Also contributing to the decrease in sales are lower pass-through sales, primarily in North America, which decreased $36 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, compared to the same period in the prior year. Pass-through sales are products sold to our customers where we acquire certain components and assemble them into the final product. These pass-through sales carry minimal margins, as we have little engineering or manufacturing responsibility.

Segment EBITDA and EBITDA Margins

The following table reflects segment EBITDA and margins for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in millions).

   

Segment EBITDA

 

Segment EBITDA Margins

 
   

March 31,

         

March 31,

     
   

2009

 

2008

 

$ Change

     

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

CVS

 

$

45

 

$

155

 

$

(110

)

     

2.7

%

 

6.8

%

 

(4.1)

pts

LVS

   

(331

)

 

21

   

(352

)

     

(42.2

)%

 

1.8

%

 

(44.0)

pts

Segment EBITDA

 

$

(286

)

$

176

 

$

(462

)

     

(11.5

)%

 

5.1

%

 

(16.6)

pts



Restructuring costs included in our business segment results during the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (in millions):

   

CVS

 

LVS

 

Total

 
   

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Performance Plus actions

 

$

30

 

$

 

$

15

 

$

16

 

$

45

 

$

16

 

Fiscal Year 2009 actions (reduction in workforce)

   

16

   

   

18

   

   

34

   

 

Total

   

46

   

   

33

   

16

   

79

   

16

 

Adjustments and reversals

   

   

   

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Total restructuring costs (1)

 

$

46

 

$

 

$

32

 

$

15

 

$

78

 

$

15

 


(1) Total segment restructuring costs do not include those recorded in unallocated corporate costs. These costs were $4 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, primarily related to employee termination benefits. There were no corporate restructuring costs during the first six months of fiscal year 2008.

46

Significant items impacting year over year segment EBITDA include the following:

   

CVS

 

LVS

 

TOTAL

 

Segment EBITDA– Six months ended March 31, 2008

 

$

155

 

$

21

 

$

176

 

Asset impairment charges

   

(8

)

 

(265

)

 

(273

)

Minority interest(1)

   

3

   

14

   

17

 

Increased restructuring costs

   

(46

)

 

(17

)

 

(63

)

Lower earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

   

(16

)

 

   

(16

)

LVS stand-alone costs

   

   

(9

)

 

(9

)

Reversal of variable incentive compensation reserves

   

9

   

3

   

12

 

Prior year charge for contingency reserve

   

   

9

   

9

 

Prior year benefit for change in employee vacation policy

   

(10

)

 

(3

)

 

(13

)

Volumes, pricing, performance and other, net of cost reductions

   

(42

)

 

(84

)

 

(126

)

Segment EBITDA – Six months ended March 31, 2009

 

$

45

 

$

(331

)

$

(286

)



(1) The change in minority interest for LVS is primarily due to the impact of asset impairment and restructuring charges at majority-owned consolidated affiliates.

CVS EBITDA was $45 million, down from $155 million compared to the prior year. EBITDA margin decreased to 2.7 percent from 6.8 percent a year ago. The impact of lower truck volumes in all regions adversely impacted EBITDA for the first six months of fiscal year 2009. Higher sales in our aftermarket and specialty product lines, primarily related to our military and remanufactured products and improvements in pricing, material and manufacturing performance partially offset the decrease in EBITDA resulting from lower truck and trailer volumes. Included in EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 are restructuring costs of $46 million, primarily associated with the announced closure of our Tilbury, Ontario, Canada brakes facility and other reductions in force implemented globally in the first six months of fiscal year 2009. Total restructuring costs include $26 million for estimated employee severance benefits, $16 million primarily related to pension termination benefits and $4 million for asset impairment charges. Also impacting EBITDA for the current year are $8 million of asset impairment charges associated with specific production equipment and $16 million of lower earnings from unconsolidated affiliates primarily due to lower earnings as a result of lower truck volumes. EBITDA in the first six months of fiscal year 2008 was favorably impacted by $10 million due to a change in our employee vacation policy.

LVS EBITDA was negative $331 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, compared to positive $21 million in the prior year. Included in EBITDA in the current fiscal year are non-cash impairment charges of $265 million recorded during the first quarter, of which $195 million relates to certain fixed assets and $70 million relates to goodwill. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, management determined an impairment review of goodwill and certain long-lived assets was required due to recent declines in overall economic conditions including tightening credit markets and significant reductions in current and forecasted production volumes for light vehicles. These events contributed to a significant decline in the fair value of our LVS business during the first quarter.

The impact of lower light vehicle volumes in all regions along with higher material costs, primarily steel, also significantly impacted LVS EBITDA. Included in EBITDA for the first six months of fiscal year 2009 are restructuring costs of $32 million, compared to $15 million in the prior year. Restructuring costs for the six months ended March 31, 2009 primarily relate to the announced closure of our coil spring operations in Milton, Ontario, Canada and other reductions in force implemented globally. The reduction in force primarily related to the elimination of the LVS divisional structure. LVS’s segment EBITDA was also unfavorably impacted in the first six months of fiscal year 2009 by $9 million of costs incurred to prepare LVS to be a stand alone business. These costs were related to certain information technology investments and headcount and were significantly reduced in the second quarter and are not expected to be significant during the remainder of the year. The prior year segment EBITDA included a $9 million charge related to recording an additional contingency reserve for a legal and commercial dispute with a customer and a favorable impact of $3 million related to a change in our employee vacation policy.

47

Other Income Statement Items

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized as follows (in millions):

   

2009

 

2008

 

Increase (Decrease)

SG&A

 

Amount

   

% of sales

   

Amount

   

% of sales

                 

LVS separation costs

 

$

(8

)

 

(0.3)

%

 

$

(2

)

 

(0.0)

%

 

$

6

   

0.3

pts

 

Loss on sale of receivables

   

(6

)

 

(0.3)

%

   

(9

)

 

(0.3)

%

   

(3

)

 

0.0

pts

 

Variable incentive compensation

   

10

   

0.4

%

   

(11

)

 

(0.3)

%

   

(21

)

 

(0.7)

pts

 

All other SG&A

   

(171

)

 

(6.9)

%

   

(175

)

 

(5.1)

%

   

(4

)

 

1.8

pts

 

Total SG&A

 

$

(175

)

 

(7.1)

%

$

(197

)

 

(5.7)

%

 

$

(22

)

 

1.4

pts



LVS separation costs are third-party transaction related costs incurred in connection with the planned separation of the LVS business. Loss on sale of receivables decreased as the amount of receivables we sold during the current fiscal year were significantly lower than the prior year due to a decrease in our sales. All other SG&A represents normal selling, general and administrative expenses. The decrease in all other SG&A compared to the prior year is a result of lower incentive compensation expenses and savings associated with various restructuring and other cost reduction initiatives, including salaried payroll reductions, elimination of matching contribution to the 401(k) plan and significant headcount reductions. Based on the current year financial results, we have eliminated substantially all variable incentive compensation pay for the current fiscal year. In addition, we continued our restructuring actions started in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, which have resulted in the reduction of approximately 550 salaried positions in the first six months of fiscal year 2009.

Operating loss for the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $376 million, compared to operating income of $84 million in the six months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in operating income in the first six months of fiscal year 2009 is primarily due to the reasons previously discussed. In addition, depreciation expense was $50 million in the six months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $68 million in the prior year. The reduction in depreciation expense is primarily due to the significant asset impairment charges recorded in our LVS segment in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

Equity in earnings of affiliates was $1 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, compared to $17 million in the prior year. As discussed earlier, the decrease is primarily due to lower earnings from our CVS affiliates in Brazil, Mexico, the United States, India and Turkey. Profitability of these joint ventures was impacted by lower truck and trailer production volumes in each of these regions.

Interest expense, net was $45 million, compared to $47 million in the same period last year. Included in interest expense, net for the prior year were charges of $3 million related to a debt extinguishment in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. These charges included legal and other professional fees, unamortized debt issuance costs and premiums paid to repurchase and pay down debt. Unfavorably impacting interest expense in the first six months of fiscal year 2009 were higher borrowings under our revolving credit facility. During the current fiscal year, we borrowed significantly higher amounts from our revolving credit facility to fund our operations compared to the prior year. We had $318 million outstanding on our revolving credit facility at March 31, 2009. There was no balance outstanding at March 31, 2008.

The provision for income taxes was $633 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $24 million in the same period last year. Included in the current year tax provision are discrete tax items of $625 million consisting of a $665 million charge for recording valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions, primarily the United States and France, and a benefit of $40 million for the effect of fixed asset impairments and restructuring charges recorded during the period. Based on our assessment of historical tax losses, combined with significant uncertainty as to the timing of recovery in the global markets, we concluded that valuation allowances were required against the deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. Income tax expense in the first six months of fiscal year 2009 was also unfavorably impacted by higher losses in certain tax jurisdictions where tax benefits are no longer being recognized. The prior year tax provision was impacted by $7 million of unfavorable discrete tax items, primarily related to the resolution of a tax matter that arose just prior to the ArvinMeritor merger in fiscal year 2000.

Loss from continuing operations for the first six months of fiscal year 2009 was $1,043 million, or $14.41 per diluted share, compared to income of $23 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the prior year. The reasons for the significant loss in current year are discussed above.  

Income from discontinued operations was $5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, compared to a loss of $15 million a year ago. The current year income is primarily related to changes in estimates and adjustments to certain accruals originally recorded at the time of sale of our ET business during fiscal year 2007. As the contingencies underlying the accrued amounts did not materialize, the accruals are no longer necessary. In the first six months of fiscal year 2008, we recognized approximately $15 million of additional expenses primarily associated with the sale of our ET and LVA businesses.

48

Financial Condition

Cash Flows (in millions)

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

OPERATING CASH FLOWS

             

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

(1,043

)

$

23

 

Depreciation and amortization

   

50

   

68

 

Asset impairment charges

   

279

   

 

Deferred income tax expense

   

632

   

21

 

Restructuring costs, net of payments

   

41

   

(5

)

Loss on debt extinguishment

   

   

3

 

Pension and retiree medical expense

   

43

   

52

 

Pension and retiree medical contributions

   

(61

)

 

(43

)

Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps

   

   

28

 

Changes in sale of receivables

   

(183

)

 

197

 

Increase in working capital

   

(197

)

 

(430

)

Other

   

7

   

(8

)

Cash flows used in continuing operations

   

(432

)

 

(94

)

Cash flows used in discontinued operations

   

(8

)

 

(14

)

CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

$

(440

)

$

(108

)



Cash used for operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $440 million (of which $338 million was in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009), compared to $108 million in the same period of last fiscal year. The deterioration in cash flow is primarily attributable to lower earnings and certain working capital usage during the period. Changes in working capital balances (accounts receivable, inventories, accounts payable, and other assets and liabilities) were in line with the overall sales volume reductions compared to the prior year. However, cash flows generated by working capital during 2009 were more than offset by reductions in accounts receivable securitization and factoring programs. In addition, investments in inventory remain at higher levels relative to current sales volumes due to volatility in customer order and production schedules.

Also unfavorably impacting current year cash flows were higher pension and retiree medical contributions, primarily related to a $28 million payment in our first fiscal quarter for the settlement of a retiree medical lawsuit and a $25 million payment in our first fiscal quarter associated with a previously announced settlement of a commercial matter with a customer. Operating cash flows in the prior year include proceeds of $28 million from the termination of our interest rate swaps in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008. Cash flows used in discontinued operations primarily relate to payments associated with retained liabilities from the sale of our ET business in fiscal year 2007, net of related cash collections.

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

INVESTING CASH FLOWS

             

Capital expenditures

 

$

(84

)

$

(63

)

Acquisitions of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired

   

   

(41

)

Proceeds from disposition of property and businesses

   

2

   

8

 

Proceeds from investments and marketable securities

   

6

   

5

 

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

   

   

55

 

CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

$

(76

)

$

(36

)



Cash used for investing activities was $76 million and $36 million in the first six months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. Capital expenditures increased $21 million in the first six months fiscal year 2009 from $63 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in capital expenditures primarily related to our new commercial vehicle facility in Monterrey, Mexico. We expect capital expenditures for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 to be in the range of $55 million to $65 million. We used $41 million of cash in the first six months of fiscal year 2008 to fund the acquisition of Mascot Truck Parts Ltd and to fund a deferred purchase obligation with AB Volvo.

Discontinued operations provided $55 million during the first six months of fiscal year 2008. This amount primarily consisted of delayed proceeds from the sale of our ET business, including $28 million associated with the final working capital purchase price adjustment and $20 million associated with amounts held in escrow in connection with the delayed legal closings of

49

certain ET businesses. We also received proceeds of $12 million from the sale of certain retained properties of our sold ET and LVA businesses.

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

FINANCING CASH FLOWS

             

Borrowings on revolving credit facility, net

 

$

318

 

$

 

Borrowings (payments) on accounts receivable securitization program

   

(23

)

 

128

 

Repayment of notes

   

(83

)

 

(5

)

Borrowings on lines of credit and other

   

6

   

4

 

Net change in debt

   

218

   

127

 

Cash dividends

   

(8

)

 

(15

)

Debt issuance and extinguishment costs

   

   

(6

)

CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

$

210

 

$

106

 


Cash provided by financing activities was $210 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2009, compared to $106 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2008. The increase reflects higher borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund cash used for operating activities (see “Operating Cash Flows” above) and debt maturities. In February and March 2009, we repaid our $77 million outstanding 6.8 percent notes and our $6 million outstanding 7 1/8 percent notes, respectively, upon their respective maturity dates. We also paid cash dividends of $8 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2008 and $15 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2008. In February 2009, we announced that the Board of Directors suspended the company’s quarterly dividend until further notice. During the first six months of fiscal year 2008, we paid $6 million of debt issuance and extinguishment costs associated with amendments to our revolving credit facility.

Liquidity

Our outstanding debt, net of discounts where applicable, is summarized as follows (in millions). For a detailed discussion of terms and conditions related to this debt, see Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

   

March 31,

 

September 30,

 
   

2009

 

2008

 

Fixed-rate debt securities

 

$

527

 

$

610

 

Fixed-rate convertible notes

   

500

   

500

 

Revolving credit facility

   

318

   

 

Borrowings under U.S. accounts receivable securitization program

   

88

   

111

 

Lines of credit and other

   

84

   

82

 

Total debt

 

$

1,517

 

$

1,303

 


Overview – Our principal capital requirements are for working capital needs, capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements and funding of restructuring and product development programs. We expect capital expenditures in fiscal year 2009 to be lower than the fiscal year 2008 amount of $172 million. Restructuring cash costs are expected to be approximately $72 million during fiscal year 2009.

We expect to fund our capital needs in the next twelve months primarily with cash on hand, our various accounts receivable securitization and factoring arrangements and availability under our revolving credit facility. The accounts receivable securitization and factoring programs and the revolving credit facility are discussed below.

In any event, subsequent to the expiration of our current revolving facility in June 2011, we will require new or renegotiated liquidity sources. Our ability to access additional capital in the long-term will depend on availability of capital markets and pricing on commercially reasonable terms as well as our credit profile at the time we are seeking funds. We continuously evaluate our capital structure to ensure the most appropriate and optimal structure and may, from time to time, retire or redeem outstanding indebtedness or enter into new lending arrangements if conditions warrant.

The substantial uncertainty and significant deterioration in the worldwide credit markets, the global economic downturn and the current climate in the U.S. and other economies have severely diminished demand for our customers’ products. As a result, commercial and light vehicle production and sales volumes have declined significantly in most markets. We believe volumes will continue to be at severely depressed levels and that the impact of these lower volumes will continue to impact our profitability and cash flow for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and possibly longer. Our cash and liquidity needs have been impacted by the level, variability and timing of our customers’ worldwide vehicle production and other factors outside of our control. In addition, although we are pursuing a long term strategy to become primarily a commercial vehicle systems business, the financial and economic environment has made this difficult to accomplish in the short term and has left us with servicing the cash outflows of certain of our

50

light vehicle businesses, which have been substantial. Cash flow in the first half of fiscal year 2009 was negatively affected by decreased earnings due to lower sales and will continue to be negatively impacted during the remainder of fiscal year 2009 due to expected production declines, the resulting restructurings and the current volatility in the financial markets, which could affect certain of our customers or vendors. We saw our usage of the revolving credit facility under our senior secured credit facility throughout the first half of the fiscal year increase significantly to meet working capital and other operational needs. At March 29, 2009, we had $165 million in cash and cash equivalents and an undrawn amount of $311 million under the revolving credit facility. Our availability under the revolving credit facility is subject to a senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio covenant, as defined in the agreement, which may limit our borrowings under the agreement as of each quarter end. In addition to the factors described above, in the second quarter, our credit rating was downgraded by credit rating agencies and there were significant declines in our stock price. It is possible we may be required to obtain an amendment to our senior secured credit facility and our U.S. securitization facility by the end of our third fiscal quarter to allow us additional flexibility under the senior secured debt to EBITDA covenant contained therein and, in the absence of a waiver, to prevent a default under such facilities. If such amendments or waivers are not necessary before the end of the third quarter, it is increasingly likely that we will require them prior to the end of the fiscal year. If such amendments or waivers are needed and are not obtained, the lenders under these facilities could accelerate our obligations, which, through cross defaults, could allow acceleration of obligations under certain of our other debt arrangements, including our outstanding convertible notes. If amendments or waivers are needed, we would negotiate with the lenders under these facilities in order to obtain an amendment or waiver which would allow us the required additional financial flexibility. We have had initial communications with the agent bank regarding a possible amendment or waiver consistent with others accomplished in the industry. However, there can be no assurances as to whether any such amendment or waiver may be obtained or, if obtained, whether the terms and restrictions of such amendment or waiver will be as favorable as current arrangements.

Our future liquidity is subject to a number of factors, including access to adequate funding under our senior secured credit facility, vehicle production schedules and customer demand and access to other borrowing arrangements such as factoring or securitization facilities. Even with an amendment or waiver to our senior secured credit facility and our U.S. securitization facility, after taking into account these and other factors, if the current trends in the automotive and commercial vehicle industries continue, management expects accessible liquidity over the next 12 months to be at severely diminished levels as compared to historical levels. Without additional liquidity enhancing actions or improvement in the current industry and financial environment, our future levels of liquidity may not be sufficient to offset unforeseen negative trends or developments. We may be required to take additional liquidity enhancing actions, including, without limitation, exploring asset sales or obtaining additional external sources of liquidity. There can be no assurances that we will be able to execute these actions or that these actions will be sufficient if our end markets do not recover. See “Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors.” The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the company will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability or classification of assets or the amounts or classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Revolving Credit Facility – We have a $700 million revolving secured credit facility that matures in June 2011. Due to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in fiscal year 2008, $34 million of these commitments are unavailable. The remaining amount of availability under this facility is dependent upon various factors, including principally performance against certain financial covenants. At March 31, 2009, $318 million was outstanding under this facility. No amount was outstanding at September 30, 2008. The $700 million revolving credit facility includes $150 million of availability for the issuance of letters of credit. At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, approximately $37 million and $38 million letters of credit were issued, respectively.

In October and December 2007, we amended the revolving credit facility to modify certain financial covenants. Under the terms of the December amendment, the borrowing capacity of the credit facility was reduced to $700 million from $900 million. The amended facility replaced the existing financial covenants with new financial covenants based on (i) the ratio of the company’s senior secured indebtedness (consisting principally of amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility) to EBITDA and (ii) the amount of annual capital expenditures. The company is required to maintain a total senior secured-debt-to-EBITDA ratio, as defined in the agreement, (i) no greater than 2.50 to 1 on the last day of any fiscal quarter through and including the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009 and (ii) 2.00 to 1 on the last day of any fiscal quarter thereafter. At March 31, 2009, we were in compliance with the above noted covenants. Certain of the company’s subsidiaries, as defined in the credit agreement, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are subject to interest based on quoted LIBOR rates plus a margin, and a commitment fee on undrawn amounts, both of which are based upon the company’s current credit rating for the senior secured facilities. At March 31, 2009, the margin over the LIBOR rate was 275 basis points, and the commitment fee was 50 basis points. Although a majority of our revolving credit loans are LIBOR based, overnight revolving credit loans are at the prime rate plus a margin of 175 basis points.

Accounts Receivable Securitization and Factoring – As of March 31, 2009, we participate in accounts receivable factoring and securitization programs with total amounts utilized of approximately $314 million of which $246 million were attributable to

51

committed facilities by established banks. At March 31, 2009, of the total $314 million utilized, $226 million relate to off-balance sheet securitization and factoring arrangements (see “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”). In addition, $88 million was attributable to our U.S. securitization facility, which is provided on a committed basis by SunTrust Bank (with Three Pillars Funding LLC acting as the conduit lender) and expires in September 2009. As noted earlier, the lender under our U.S. securitization facility has notified us that it does not intend to renew the facility when it expires in September 2009. This program is described in more detail below.

U.S. Securitization Program: We participate in a U.S. accounts receivable securitization program to enhance financial flexibility and lower interest costs. Under this program, which was originally established in September 2005, amended in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and renewed in fiscal year 2008, we sell substantially all of the trade receivables of certain U.S. subsidiaries to ArvinMeritor Receivables Corporation (ARC), a wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary. The maximum borrowing capacity under this program was voluntarily lowered from $175 million to $125 million during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. ARC funds these purchases with borrowings under a loan agreement with a bank. Amounts outstanding under this agreement are collateralized by eligible receivables purchased by ARC and are reported as short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, $88 million and $111 million, respectively, were outstanding under this program. Borrowings under this arrangement are collateralized by approximately $163 million of receivables held at ARC at March 31, 2009. If certain receivables performance-based covenants are not met, it would constitute a termination event, which, at the option of the bank, could result in termination of the accounts receivable securitization arrangement. At March 31, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants. This program, as most recently renewed, includes the same financial covenants as our revolving credit facility agreement.

Credit Ratings – On February 12, 2009, Standard & Poor’s lowered our corporate credit rating to CCC+ from B and lowered the senior secured credit rating to B- from BB-. On March 17, 2009, Moody’s Investors Service lowered our corporate credit rating to Caa1 from B2 and lowered the senior secured credit rating to B1 from Ba2. As a result of the current ratings, our cost to borrow under the revolving credit facility increased by 25 basis points. Any further lowering of our credit ratings could increase our cost of borrowing and could reduce our access to capital markets and result in lower trading prices for our securities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Accounts Receivable Securitization and Factoring Arrangements – We participate in accounts receivable factoring programs with total amounts utilized at March 31, 2009, of approximately $226 million, of which $98 million and $60 million were attributable to a Swedish securitization facility and a French factoring facility, respectively, both of which involve the securitization or sale of Volvo AB accounts receivables. These programs are described in more detail below.

Swedish Securitization Facility: In March 2006, we entered into a European arrangement to sell trade receivables through one of our European subsidiaries. Under this arrangement, we can sell up to, at any point in time, €125 million of eligible trade receivables. The receivables under this program are sold at face value and excluded from the consolidated balance sheet. We had utilized, net of retained interests, €73 million ($98 million) and €114 million ($167 million) of this accounts receivable securitization facility as of March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively.

French Factoring Facility: In November 2007, we entered into an arrangement to sell trade receivables through one of our French subsidiaries. Under this arrangement, we can sell up to, at any point in time, €125 million of eligible trade receivables. The receivables under this program are sold at face value and excluded from the consolidated balance sheet. We had utilized €44 million ($60 million) and €96 million ($141 million) of this accounts receivable securitization facility as of March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively.

Both of the above facilities are backed by 364-day liquidity commitments from Nordea Bank which were renewed through October 2009. The commitments are subject to standard terms and conditions for these types of arrangements (including, in the case of the French commitment, a sole discretion clause whereby the bank retains the right to not purchase receivables, which to our knowledge has never been invoked).

In addition, several of our subsidiaries, primarily in Europe, factor eligible accounts receivables with financial institutions. Maximum availability under these arrangements is approximately $375 million. The amount of factored receivables was $68 million and $102 million at March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. There can be no assurance that these factoring arrangements will be used or available to us in the future.

Guarantees – In December 2005, we guaranteed a third party’s obligation to reimburse another party (the other party) for payment of health and prescription drug benefits to a group of retired employees. The retirees were former employees of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company prior to its being acquired by the company. To date, the third party has met its obligations to reimburse the other party. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation associated with these retiree medical benefits is considered the maximum potential exposure under this guarantee, and is estimated to be approximately $25 million. No amount has been recorded for this guarantee based on the probability of our having to perform under the guarantee. Due to the nature of this guarantee it is difficult to estimate its approximate term.

52

Contingencies

     Contingencies related to environmental, asbestos and other matters are discussed in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting standards implemented in fiscal year 2009:

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).” The recognition requirements of SFAS No. 158 related to the funded status of defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans were adopted by the company as of September 30, 2007. SFAS No. 158 also requires that companies measure the funded status of their defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans as of the balance sheet date. Those provisions require the measurement date for plan assets and liabilities to coincide with the sponsor’s year end. The company elected to adopt the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 at October 1, 2008. Prior to adopting these provisions, the company used a measurement date of June 30 for its defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans. Using the “one-measurement” approach, the impact of adopting the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 as of October 1, 2008 was an increase to accumulated deficit of $20 million ($20 million after-tax), representing the net periodic benefit cost for the period between the measurement date utilized in fiscal year 2008 and the beginning of fiscal year 2009, which previously would have been expensed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 on a delayed basis.

On October 1, 2008, the company partially adopted as required, SFAS No. 157 – “Fair Value Measurements” which provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The company adopted the measurement and disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 157 relating to its financial assets and financial liabilities which are measured on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the company’s fair value measurements.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active.” FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” and key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP No. 157-3 is effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The issuance of FSP No. 157-3 did not have a significant impact on any financial assets of the company.

On January 1, 2009, the company adopted, as required, the provisions of SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” which requires expanded disclosures about derivative and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 has the same scope as SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Enhanced disclosures are required about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement No. 133 and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 did not have a material effect on the company’s financial statements other than providing certain enhanced disclosures.

New accounting pronouncements to be implemented are discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to certain global market risks, including foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk associated with our debt.

Foreign currency exchange risk is the possibility that our financial results could be better or worse than planned because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Accordingly, we use foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the earnings exposures arising from foreign currency exchange risk. Gains and losses on the underlying foreign currency exposures are partially offset with gains and losses on the foreign currency forward contracts. Under this cash flow hedging program, we have designated the foreign currency contracts (the contracts) as cash flow hedges of underlying foreign currency forecasted purchases and sales. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the contracts is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) in the statement of shareowners’ equity and is recognized in operating income when the underlying forecasted transaction impacts earnings. The contracts generally mature within 12-18 months.

Interest rate risk relates to the gain/increase or loss/decrease we could incur in our debt balances and interest expense. To manage this risk, we enter into interest rate swaps from time to time to economically convert portions of our fixed-rate debt into floating rate exposure, ensuring that the sensitivity of the economic value of debt falls within our corporate risk tolerances. We had no

53

outstanding interest rate swaps at March 31, 2009. It is our policy not to enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes, and therefore, we hold no derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Included below is a sensitivity analyses to measure the potential gain (loss) in the fair value of financial instruments with exposure to market risk. The model assumes a 10% hypothetical change (increase or decrease) in exchange rates and instantaneous, parallel shifts of 50 basis points in interest rates.

Market Risk 

 

 

Assuming a 10% Increase in Rates

 

 

Assuming a 10% Decrease in Rates

 

 

Favorable / (Unfavorable) Impact on

Foreign Currency Sensitivity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward contracts in USD(1)

 

$

(0.7

)

$

0.7

 

 

Fair Value

Foreign currency denominated debt

 

 

1.7

   

(1.7

)

 

Fair Value

Forward contracts in EUR(1)

   

(20.1

)

 

20.1

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Sensitivity:

 

 

Assuming a 50 BPS Increase in Rates

 

 

Assuming a 50 BPS Decrease in Rates

 

 

Favorable / (Unfavorable) Impact on

Debt - fixed rate

 

$

(3.9

)

$

4.0

 

 

Fair Value

Debt - variable rate(2)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

2.1

 

 

Cash Flow



(1)     

Includes only the risk related to the derivative instruments and does not include the risk related to the underlying exposure. The analysis assumes overall derivative instruments and debt levels remain unchanged for each hypothetical scenario.



(2)     

Includes domestic and foreign debt.



At March 31, 2009, a 10% decrease in quoted currency exchange rates would result in potential gains of approximately $0.7 million and $20.1 million in forward contracts in USD and EUR, respectively, and a potential loss of approximately $1.7 million in foreign currency denominated debt.

At March 31, 2009, the fair value of debt outstanding was approximately $738 million. A 50 basis points decrease in quoted interest rates would result in favorable impacts of $4.0 million and $2.1 million in fixed rate debt and variable rate debt, respectively.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures. 

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, management, with the participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2009. Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

There have been no changes in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

In connection with the rule, the company continues to review and document its disclosure controls and procedures, including the company’s internal control over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and ensuring that the company’s systems evolve with the business.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Except as set forth in this Quarterly Report under Note 19 “Contingencies”, there have been no material developments in legal proceedings involving the company or its subsidiaries since those reported in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for

54

the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and those reported in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 28, 2008.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in risk factors involving the company or its subsidiaries from those previously disclosed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

It is possible we may be required to obtain an amendment or waiver to our senior secured credit facility before the end of our 2009 fiscal year and if an amendment or waiver is needed and not obtained, we could be in violation of the financial covenant therein, which would result in a default thereunder and could lead to an acceleration of our obligations under this facility and, potentially, other indebtedness.

It is possible that we may need an amendment or waiver to our senior secured credit facility before the end of our 2009 fiscal year in order to increase the flexibility afforded to us pursuant to the senior secured debt-to-EBITDA covenant of the facility. Under the current terms, beginning at the end of our third fiscal quarter, this ratio changes from having to be no greater than 2.50 to 1 to having to be no greater than 2.00 to 1 on the last day of the quarter. If an amendment or waiver is not needed prior to the end of our third fiscal quarter, it is increasingly likely that an amendment or waiver will be needed before the end of the fiscal year. If an amendment or waiver is needed and not obtained, we would be in violation of that covenant and the lenders would have the right to accelerate the obligations upon the vote of the lenders holding at least 51% of outstanding loans thereunder. A default under the senior secured credit facility could also constitute a default under our outstanding convertible notes as well as our U.S. receivables facility and could result in the acceleration of these obligations. In addition, a default under our senior secured credit facility could result in a cross-default or the acceleration of our payment obligations under other financing agreements. If our obligations under our senior secured credit facility and other financing arrangements are accelerated as described above, our assets and cash flow may be insufficient to fully repay these obligations, and the lenders under our senior secured credit facility could institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets.

Even if an amendment or waiver to our senior secured credit facility is needed and is obtained, the terms and restrictions of such amendment or waiver may not be as favorable as current arrangements and the level of liquidity afforded by such amendment, combined with negative industry factors (including the impact on our ability to generate cash flow from operations), may not be sufficient to fund the cash requirements of our business, which have been substantial, and to offset possible future negative developments.

Given the severely diminished demand for our light vehicle and commercial vehicle customers’ products in view of the world wide economic crisis and the uncertainty of an economic recovery, our ability to generate cash flow from our ongoing operations is being severely challenged. We expect this to continue to be negatively affected for the remainder of the fiscal year and possibly longer. In addition, although we are pursuing a long term strategy to become primarily a commercial vehicle systems business, the financial and economic environment has made this difficult to accomplish in the short term and has left us with servicing the cash outflows of certain of our light vehicle businesses, which have been substantial. Consequently, in the first half of the fiscal year, our cash flow from operations has been a use of $440 million. We have attempted to minimize this cash use through cost cutting measures and working capital improvement programs. However, even with an amendment or waiver to our senior secured credit facility to prevent default and allow further financial flexibility, our financing arrangements may not be sufficient to fund our on-going operations, debt service requirements, restructuring activities, and planned investments for the next 12 months. We may be required to take additional liquidity enhancing actions, including, without limitation, exploring asset sales or obtaining additional external sources of liquidity. There can be no assurances that we will be able to execute these actions or that these actions will be sufficient if our end markets do not recover.

The same financial covenant that is in our senior secured credit facility is contained in our U.S. receivables facility. A violation of that financial covenant could result in a loss of this facility even if an amendment or waiver to the senior secured credit facility is obtained.

The same financial covenant in our senior secured credit facility is contained in our U.S. receivables facility and the lender under our U.S. receivables facility may choose not to grant a waiver or amendment if such covenant is violated, even if the lenders under the senior secured credit facility choose to do so. In that event, the financing available to us under our U.S. receivables facility may not be available to us and we may not be able to replace such facility, which could further erode our liquidity.

55

We have been notified that the lender under our U.S. receivables facility will not be renewing the facility in September 2009. If we are not able to replace this facility, we expect our borrowings under the revolving credit facility of our senior secured facility to be more extensive, which may lead to capacity issues under that facility.

The lender under our U.S. receivables facility has notified us that they will not be renewing the facility when it expires in September 2009. There can be no assurances that we will be able to find a lender to arrange a similar receivables facility. If we do not have a receivables facility available to us in the U.S., we expect to borrow more under the revolving credit facility of our senior secured facility, which facility may not have adequate capacity following any potential amendment to our senior secured facility.

Our common stock may be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). 

On March 17, 2009, we were notified by the NYSE that we had fallen below NYSE’s continued listing standard related to total market capitalization and stockholders’ equity. The NYSE requires, among other things, that the average market capitalization of a listed company be not less than $75 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day period when, at the same time, stockholders’ equity is less than $75 million. On April 28, 2009, we submitted a plan to the NYSE to demonstrate our ability to achieve compliance with the continued listing standards within the allotted 18-month cure period. It is not certain that the NYSE will approve this plan or that we will be able to successfully implement this plan within the time allotted. In addition, it is possible that we may fall below other continued listing standards. Delisting would have an adverse effect on the liquidity of our common stock and, as a result, the market price for our common stock might be adversely affected.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Repurchases

     The independent trustee of our 401(k) plans purchases shares in the open market to fund investments by employees in our common stock, one of the investment options available under such plans, and any matching contributions in Company stock we provide under certain of such plans. In addition, our stock incentive plans permit payment of an option exercise price by means of cashless exercise through a broker and permit the satisfaction of the minimum statutory tax obligations upon exercise of options and the vesting of restricted stock units through stock withholding. However, the Company does not believe such purchases or transactions are issuer repurchases for the purposes of this Item 2 of this Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, our stock incentive plans also permit the satisfaction of tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock through stock withholding. There were 16,820 shares so withheld in the first quarter of 2009 and 216 shares in the second quarter of 2009. 

Period

(a)

Total Number of Shares Purchases (1)

 

(b)
Average Price Paid Per Share

 

(c)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

(d)
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

12/01/08 – 12/31/08

16,820

 

$3.88

 

N/A

 

N/A

01/01/09 – 01/31/09

216

 

$3.88

 

N/A

 

N/A

02/01/09 – 02/28/09

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

03/01/09 – 03/31/09

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

Total

17,036

 

$3.88

 

N/A

 

N/A



(1) Shares of restricted stock were withheld by ArvinMeritor, upon vesting of restricted stock, to satisfy tax withholding requirements.

56

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The annual meeting of shareowners of the company was held on January 30, 2009. The following matters were voted on and received the specified number of votes in favor, votes withheld or against, abstentions and broker non-votes:

(i)     Election of directors: The following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors, with terms expiring at the annual meeting of shareowners in 2012. The number of shares noted below voted in favor of their election or were withheld. Abstentions and broker non-votes were not applicable.

Name of Nominee

Votes in Favor

Votes Withheld

David W. Devonshire

61,650,637

3,210,632

Victoria B. Jackson

61,543,369

3,317,900

James E. Marley

41,335,823

23,525,446



(ii)     Appointment of auditors: The shareowners approved the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company's auditors. A total of 62,017,004 votes were cast in favor, 2,709,238 votes were cast against and there were 136,624 abstentions. Broker non-votes were not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Cautionary Statement

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “are likely to be,” “will” and similar expressions. There are risks and uncertainties relating to: the approval by the New York Stock Exchange of our plan to meet compliance with the listing requirements; our ability to obtain any needed amendment or waivers to our credit agreement; our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings from reduction actions; the company’s announced plans for the Body Systems and Chassis businesses of LVS, including the timing and certainty of completion of any transaction or the terms upon which any sale agreement with respect to any portion of the business and the amount of any exit costs. In addition, actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to global economic and market cycles and conditions, including the recent global economic crisis; whether we will have sufficient liquidity as we continue to be affected by declining vehicle production volumes in the future; the financial condition of the company’s suppliers and customers, including potential bankruptcies; possible adverse effects of any future suspension of normal trade credit terms by our suppliers; the ability of the company to continue to comply with covenants in its financing agreements; the ability of the company to access capital markets; credit ratings of the company’s debt; continued decline in the price of our common stock on the NYSE; the demand for commercial, specialty and light vehicles for which the company supplies products; availability and sharply rising costs of raw materials, including steel; risks inherent in operating abroad (including foreign currency exchange rates and potential disruption of production and supply due to terrorist attacks or acts of aggression); OEM program delays; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; reliance on major OEM customers; labor relations of the company, its suppliers and customers, including potential disruptions in supply of parts to our facilities or demand for our products due to work stoppages; potential difficulties competing with companies that have avoided their existing contracts in bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings; successful integration of acquired or merged businesses; the ability to achieve the expected annual savings and synergies from past and future business combinations and the ability to achieve the expected benefits of restructuring actions; success and timing of potential divestitures; potential impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; potential adjustment of the value of deferred tax assets; competitive product and pricing pressures; the amount of the company’s debt; the outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, including any litigation with respect to environmental or asbestos-related matters; the outcome of actual and potential product liability, warranty and recall claims; rising costs of pension and other postretirement benefits; and possible changes in accounting rules; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed herein and from time to time in other filings of the company with the SEC. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” herein. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

57

Item 6. Exhibits

12

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

23

Consent of Bates White LLC

31-a

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)

31-b

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act

32-a

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

32-b

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350



58

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

ARVINMERITOR, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2009

 

By:

/s/

V. G. Baker, II

 

 

 

 

V. G. Baker, II

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

 

 

 

(For the registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2009

 

By:

/s/

J.A. Craig

 

 

 

 

J.A. Craig

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(as Principal Financial Officer)



 

 

59