Chrysler Group today announced
its preliminary financial results for the first quarter
of 2011, reporting that it achieved its first quarterly
net income since the post bankruptcy company began
operations in June 2009.
In Q1 2011, Net Revenues
increased 35 percent to $13,124 million compared to Q1
2010. The increase was primarily due to increased
volumes and positive pricing and mix resulting from the
successful reception of the 16 all-new or significantly
refreshed products in the marketplace.
The Company posted a
Modified Operating Profit of $477 million in Q1 2011
(3.6 percent of Net Revenues) compared to $143 million
(1.5 percent of Net Revenues) in Q1 2010. The Q1 2011
improved operating performance was primarily
attributable to increased volumes and positive pricing
and mix, partially offset by increased advertising
investments and industrial costs associated with the
volume ramp up of newly launched models.
"Chrysler Group’s improved
sales and financial performance in the first quarter
show that our rejuvenated product lineup is gaining
momentum in the marketplace and resonating with
customers," said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive
Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. "These results are a
testament to the hard work and dedication of our
employees, suppliers and dealers, all of whom are
helping Chrysler create a new corporate culture built on
the quality of our products and processes, and simple,
sound management principles. We remain focused on
delivering great products to our customers and
continuing to achieve the sales and financial targets
outlined in our 2010-2014 business plan," added
Marchionne.
Modified Earnings Before
Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Modified
EBITDA) was $1,171
million, or 8.9 percent of Net Revenues, reflecting a
$384 million improvement from Q1 2010.
Interest Expense
in Q1 2011 was $348 million,
including non-cash interest accretion of $58 million.
Interest Expense in Q1 2010 was $311 million, including
non-cash interest accretion of $56 million.
Net Income
in Q1 2011 was $116 million
compared to a net loss of $197 million in Q1 2010.
Cash
at March 31, 2011, was $9.9
billion compared to $7.3 billion at December 31, 2010,
and $7.4 billion at March 31, 2010. An additional $2.3
billion remains available to be drawn under Chrysler
Group’s U.S. Treasury and Canadian governments’ loan
agreements, bringing total available liquidity to $12.1
billion at March 31, 2011.
Free Cash Flow
for the first quarter totaled $2.5
billion reflecting primarily the improved cash from
operations as a result of increased shipments, partially
offset by capital expenditures.
Gross Industrial Debt
at March 31, 2011, totaled $13.3 billion, slightly
higher than the $13.1 billion at December 31, 2010.
Net Industrial Debt decreased to $3.4 billion at the
end of Q1 2011, a $2.4 billion improvement from December
31, 2010, primarily due to the increase in cash.
Worldwide vehicle sales
of 394,000 in Q1 2011
represented an increase of 18 percent (60,000 vehicles)
compared to 334,000 vehicles in Q1 2010. The improvement
reflected greater availability at dealerships of the 16
all-new or significantly refreshed products launched in
2010 and was boosted by successful launch campaigns,
along with an improving U.S. automotive industry. This
contributed to an increase in Chrysler Group’s U.S.
market share to 9.2 percent in Q1 2011, compared to 9.1
percent in the same period of 2010. Canadian market
share increased to 14.7 percent for Q1 2011 compared to
13.7 percent for Q1 2010.
Worldwide vehicle shipments
in Q1 2011 were 485,000, an
increase of 28 percent versus the 380,000 vehicles
shipped in Q1 2010. U.S. vehicle shipments in Q1 2011
totaled 358,000 compared to 268,000 vehicles in Q1 2010.
U.S. dealer inventory
increased to 302,000
vehicles at March 31, 2011, primarily to fulfill dealer
orders and consumer demand for the new and significantly
refreshed 2011 model year products that began production
in late Q4 2010. Days supply is at 67 days. 3 | P a g e
Significant Events: First
Quarter and Subsequent to March 31, 2011
Corporate
On April 12, Chrysler Group
announced that Fiat’s ownership interest in the Company
increased from 25 percent to 30 percent upon the
Company’s achievement of the second of three
performance-related milestones outlined in an amendment
to its June 10, 2009 LLC Operating Agreement. The second
milestone required Chrysler Group to achieve cumulative
revenues of more than $1.5 billion attributable to
Company sales made outside of Canada, Mexico and the
United States after June 10, 2009, and to enter into
agreements related to the distribution of Chrysler Group
vehicles in Europe and Brazil, and the pooling of
Chrysler Group and Fiat vehicle fleets in the European
Union for CO2 emissions ratings. It also provided for
compensation to the Company for the use of its
technology by Fiat or its affiliates outside of North
America.
On April 21, Fiat announced its
commitment to exercise its call option to increase its
ownership interest in Chrysler Group by 16 percent in
the event that Chrysler Group refinances and
concurrently fully repays its loans from the United
States and Canadian governments during the second
quarter of 2011. Fiat’s ownership interest will increase
to 51 percent upon the Company’s achievement of the
final performance-related milestone which is expected in
the fourth quarter 2011.
Product
The January North American
International Auto Show in Detroit brought the world
premiere of the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan and
introduction of the new, redesigned 2011 Jeep® Compass.
The Company followed with the worldwide debut of the new
2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible in Chicago in February,
and the Jeep brand celebrated its 70th anniversary at
the Geneva Motor Show with the introduction of a line of
special 70th Anniversary Edition models. The brand also
showcased a new diesel powertrain for the all-new Jeep
Grand Cherokee, as well as a new Jeep Compass with
diesel and gas engine options, both for international
markets. At the New York Auto Show, Chrysler Group
introduced the all-new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8®,
the all-new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 and the new 2012 Fiat
500 Cabrio.
In February, the Chrysler brand
chose one of the world’s most watched televised sporting
events, Super Bowl XLV, to launch a new brand
positioning advertising campaign with an unprecedented
two-minute commercial featuring internationally known
Detroit musician, Eminem. The spot, showcasing the new
Chrysler 200 and tagline, "Imported from Detroit,"
garnered worldwide media coverage, more than 10 million
views on YouTube and was voted the "Best Super Bowl Ad"
by YouTube’s Ad Blitz. Both Edmunds.com and Kelly Blue
Book reported significant increased consideration for
Chrysler Group products and online traffic for the
Chrysler 200 following the Super Bowl. The commercial
heightened consumer awareness of the Chrysler 200,
contributing to sales increasing 191 percent in March
2011 versus February 2011.
The all-new Jeep Grand
Cherokee, which has captured 29 awards since its 2010
introduction, continued to garner significant
international accolades. New honors included Car and
Driver’s "2011 Editors’ Choice Awards/Mid-size
SUVs"; "4x4 of the Year" from 4x4 Australia Magazine;
"Best Imported 4x4 (between 40,000 and 60,000 Euros)" by
Auto Bild Allrad; Kelley Blue Book "2011 Top 10
Family Cars"; MotorWeek’s "Drivers’ Choice
Award"; and various "Best SUV" picks from automotive
journalist groups including the Northwest Automotive
Press Association and Rocky Mountain Press Association.
Jeep Grand Cherokee sales were up 64 percent in Q1 2011
compared to Q1 2010.
Kelley Blue Book also selected
the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 as one of the "2011 Top 10
Family Cars" and TrueCar.com named the vehicle "One of
the Ten Winning Cars for 2011." Additional awards in Q1
2011 included the 2011 Dodge Durango picking up the
"Drivers’ Choice Award" from MotorWeek magazine;
the Ram 1500 receiving both Car and Driver’s
"2011 Editors’ Choice Awards/Pickups" and Consumer
Guide’s "Best Buy" in the large pick-up truck
category; and The Car Book picking the 2011
Chrysler Town & Country as a "2011 Best Bets."
The first Fiat 500 Prima
Edizione special-edition models were delivered to
customers throughout the United States and Canada in the
first quarter. The limited-edition 2012 Fiat 500 models
were offered to Fiat enthusiasts, as a reward for their
years of steadfast loyalty, and represent the first Fiat
vehicles to be sold in the U.S. since 1983.
2011 Guidance
The targets for 2011 are
confirmed as follows:
Net Revenues of >$55 billion
Modified Operating Profit of >$2.0 billion
Modified EBITDA of >$4.8 billion
Net Income of $0.2 - $0.5 billion
Free Cash Flow of >$1.0 billion