ZHEJIANG, China, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SORL Auto Parts, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORL) ("SORL" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive brake systems as well as other key safety-related auto parts in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2017 and the first six months ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights


    --  Net sales increased 22.7% to $90.2 million compared with $73.5 million
        in the second quarter last year;
    --  Gross margin was 26.3% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to 28.0%
        in the same period of 2016;
    --  Income from operations increased 14.6% to $8.8 million from $7.7 million
        in the same quarter last year.

First Six Months of 2017 Financial Highlights


    --  Net sales increased 28.8% to $164.1 million compared with $127.4 million
        in same period of last year;
    --  Operating income increased 109.7% to $18.4 million from $8.8 million in
        the same period in 2016;
    --  Net income attributable to stockholders increased 66.2% to $12.8
        million, or $0.67 per basic and diluted share, compared with $7.7
        million, or $0.40 in the same period of 2016.

Mr. Xiaoping Zhang, SORL's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, stated," We achieved solid growth in all three business lines led by a 28.8% increase in the segment of our China domestic OEM market. We continued to gain market share as our growth outperformed the overall commercial OEM vehicle market."

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Performance

For the second quarter of 2017, net sales increased by 22.7% to $90.2 million from $73.5 million for the second quarter of 2016. Revenues from the Company's domestic OEM customers increased by 28.9% to $47.3 million from $36.7 million in the second quarter of 2016. Commercial vehicle production and sales increased in the second quarter of 2017 and SORL continued to increase its leading market position. Sales from China's domestic aftermarket increased 20.1% to $22.7 million in the second quarter of 2017 from $18.9 million in the same quarter of 2016. Higher product sales due to the expiration of OEM warranties from prior new vehicle sales drove the Company's aftermarket business in China. Also, the Chinese government's increased support for public transportation due to greater urbanization expanded SORL's bus aftermarket sales. Revenues from international markets increased 12.8% to $20.2 million from $17.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 primarily due to a larger customer base.

The gross profit for the second quarter of 2017 increased 15.5% to $23.7 million from $20.6 million for the second quarter of 2016. Gross margin for the second quarter of 2017 was 26.3%, compared with a gross margin of 28.0% in the same quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to increased sales promotions during the period and higher raw material costs.

Operating expenses increased 12.2% to $16.2 million from $14.4 million in the second quarter of 2016. Operating expenses rose due to higher research and development and selling and distribution expenses with flat general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2017. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 18.9% in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 19.6% in the second quarter of 2016.


    --  Selling and distribution expenses were $9.0 million, or 10.0% of
        quarterly revenues, compared with $7.1 million, or 9.7% in the same
        quarter of 2016. The increase in expenses was mainly due to higher
        packaging and transportation costs as unit sales rose.
    --  General and administrative ("G&A") expenses in the second quarter of
        2017 were $4.7 million, or 5.2% of revenue, compared with $4.9 million,
        or 6.7% in the second quarter of 2016.
    --  Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $2.5 million in the
        second quarter of 2017 compared with $2.4 million in the same quarter of
        2016. As a percentage of revenue, R&D was 2.8% in the second quarter of
        2017 and compared with 3.2% of revenue in the second quarter of 2016.
        The R&D program mainly focused on the development of new, higher-margin,
        electronically controlled mechatronic products and to upgrade the
        Company's legacy brake products to build market leadership.

Income from operations increased 14.6% to $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $7.7 million in the same quarter of 2016.

Other income was only $50 in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $0.85 million in the same quarter of 2016.

Financial expenses were $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2016. The increase was due to a rise in interest rates and a higher amount of average loans outstanding.

Income before income taxes was $7.9 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $9.3 million for the second quarter of 2016. The pretax income margin was 8.8% in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 12.7% in the second quarter of 2016.

The provision for income taxes was $1.3 million in both the second quarters of 2017 and 2016.

Net income attributable to stockholders for the second quarter of 2017 decreased to $5.9 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share, compared with $7.2 million, or $0.37 on per basic and diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016.

First Six Months 2017 Financial Performance

Net sales for the first six months of 2017 increased 28.8% to $164.1 million from $127.4 million for the first six months of 2016. Net sales from the Company's China OEM market increased 37.3% to $89.1 million from $64.8 million in the same period in 2016. Revenues from China's domestic aftermarket increased 27.1% to $40.8 million from $32.1 million in the first six months of 2016. Revenues from international markets increased 12.5% to $34.2 million from $30.4 million in the first six months of 2016.

Gross profit for the first six months of 2017 increased 26.3% to $44.3 million from $35.0 million in the same period in 2016. Gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2017, was 27.0% compared to 27.5% for the first six months of 2016.

Operating income for the first six months of 2017 increased 109.7% to $18.4 million from $8.8 million in the same period in 2016. Operating margin was 11.2% versus 6.9% in first six months of 2016.

Net income attributable to stockholders for the first six months of 2017 was $12.8 million, or $0.67 per basic and diluted share, compared with $7.7 million, or $0.40 per basic and diluted share, in the same period in 2016.

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $7.9 million. Inventories increased to $84.0 million at June 30, 2017 from $65.8 million at December 31, 2016. Bank acceptance notes from customers increased to $55.1 million on June 30, 2017 from $42.7 million, and accounts receivables were $121.2 million compared with $102.1 million on December 31, 2016. Total equity was $180.8 million at June 30, 2017. On June 30, 2017, working capital was $91.0 million with a current ratio of 1.5 to 1.

Business Outlook

For the fiscal year 2017, management has reiterated its expectation for annual net sales to be approximately $315 million and net income to be approximately $27.5 million. These targets are based on the Company's current views on the operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 8:00 A.M. EDT/ 8:00 P.M. Beijing Time to discuss its 2017 second quarter and six months results. Listeners may access the call by dialing U.S. toll free number +1-877-407-0778 and +1-201-689-8565 for international callers, and Mainland China toll free +86-400-120-2840. A live web cast of the conference call will also be available at http://www.sorl.cn.

A replay of the call will be available shortly after the conference call through 8:00 A.M. EDT on September 14, 2017, or 8:00 P.M. Beijing Time on September 15, 2017. The replay dial-in numbers are: U.S. toll free number +1-877-481-4010 or the international number +1-919-882-2331; using Conference ID "19821" to access the replay.

About SORL Auto Parts, Inc.

As a global tier one supplier of brake and control systems to the commercial vehicle industry, SORL Auto Parts, Inc. is the market leader for commercial vehicles brake systems, such as trucks and buses in China. The Company distributes products both within China and internationally under the SORL trademark. SORL is listed among the top 100 auto component suppliers in China, with a product range that includes 65 categories with over 2000 specifications in brake systems and others. The Company has four authorized international sales centers in UAE, India, the United States and Europe. SORL is working to establish a broader global sales network. For more information, please visit http://www.sorl.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should" or similar expressions. For example, when the Company describes the evaluation of the preliminary non-binding proposal letter, it is using forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may also include statements about the Company's proposed discussions related to its business or growth strategy, which are subject to change. Such information is based upon expectations of the Company's management that were reasonable when made, but may prove to be incorrect. All of such assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond the Company's control and upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. The Company does not undertake to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to general political, economic and business conditions which may impact the demand for commercial vehicles or passenger vehicles in China and the other significant markets where the Company's products are sold, uncertainty regarding such political, economic and business conditions, trends in consumer debt levels and bad debt write-offs, general uncertainty related to possible recessions, natural disasters, the political stability of China and the impact of any of those events on demand for commercial or passenger vehicles, changes in consumer confidence, new product development and introduction, competitive products and pricing, seasonality, availability of alternative sources of supply in the case of the loss of any significant supplier or any supplier's inability to fulfill the Company's orders, cost of labor and raw materials, the loss of or curtailed sales to significant customers, the Company's dependence on key employees and officers, the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights, potential effects of competition in the Company's business, the dependency of the Company upon the normal operation of its sole manufacturing facility, potential effect of the economic and currency instability in China and countries to which the Company sold its products, the ability of the Company to successfully manage its expenses on a continuing basis, the continued availability to the Company of financing and credit on favorable terms, business disruptions, disease, general risks associated with doing business in China or other countries including, without limitation, foreign trade policies, import duties, tariffs, quotas, political and economic stability, and the other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause the Company's results to differ from its projected results, please see its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of filings made with the SEC are available through the SEC's electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system (EDGAR) at http://www.sec.gov.

Contact Information

Phyllis Huang
+86-151-6770-5972
+86-577-6581-7721
phyllis@sorl.com.cn

Kevin Theiss
Investor Relations
Awaken Advisors
646-726-6511
kevin.theiss@awakenlab.com



                                                     SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                       June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016


                                                                                                             June 30, 2017                 December 31, 2016
                                                                                                             -------------                 -----------------

                                                                                                              (Unaudited)

    Assets

    Current Assets

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                               US                  $7,892,336  US                    $8,057,155

    Accounts receivable, net, including $0 and                                                                               121,195,863                       102,129,294
                                                                        $5,025,509 from related parties at June 30, 2017
    and December 31, 2016, respectively

    Bank acceptance notes receivable                                                                                          55,051,719                        42,697,276

    Inventories                                                                                                               84,010,792                        65,776,517

    Prepayments, current                                                                                                       5,505,494                        10,797,601

    Restricted cash                                                                                                              362,390                         5,476,621

    Other current assets                                                                                                       4,402,609                         1,124,608

    Deferred tax assets                                                                                                        3,282,926                         3,210,575
                                                                                                                               ---------                         ---------

    Total Current Assets                                                                                                     281,704,129                       239,269,647


    Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                        64,897,237                        53,737,706

    Land use rights, net                                                                                                       8,364,804                         8,309,333

    Intangible assets, net                                                                                                         7,279                            11,438

    Prepayments, non-current                                                                                                  16,530,890                                 -

    Total Non-current Assets                                                                                                  89,800,210                        62,058,477

    Total Assets                                                                                            US                $371,504,339  US                  $301,328,124
                                                                                                                                     ===                               ===


    Liabilities and Equity

    Current Liabilities

    Accounts payable and bank acceptance notes to
    vendors, including $4,063,994 and $1,953,707
    due to related parties at June 30, 2017 and
    December 31, 2016, respectively


                                                                                                            US                 $66,616,160  US                   $65,672,626

    Deposit received from customers                                                                                           31,797,486                        22,733,742

    Short term bank loans                                                                                                     47,005,701                        27,416,376

    Income tax payable                                                                                                         1,466,131                           996,522

    Accrued expenses                                                                                                          17,999,096                        20,103,392

    Due to related party                                                                                                      23,299,371                                 -

    Other current liabilities                                                                                                  2,517,997                         2,013,943
                                                                                                                               ---------                         ---------

    Total Current Liabilities                                                                                                190,701,942                       138,936,601


    Total Liabilities                                                                                                        190,701,942                       138,936,601


    Equity

    Preferred stock - no par value; 1,000,000                                                                             -                                -
    authorized; none issued and outstanding as of
    June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

    Common stock - $0.002 par value; 50,000,000                                                                                   38,609                            38,609
    authorized, 19,304,921 issued and outstanding as
    of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                              (28,582,654)                     (28,582,654)

    Reserves                                                                                                                  16,414,768                        15,129,935

    Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                     9,838,499                         6,117,042

    Retained earnings                                                                                                        157,916,027                       146,352,530
                                                                                                                             -----------                       -----------

    Total SORL Auto Parts, Inc. Stockholders' Equity                                                                         155,625,249                       139,055,462

    Noncontrolling Interest In Subsidiaries                                                                                   25,177,148                        23,336,061
                                                                                                                              ----------                        ----------

    Total Equity                                                                                                             180,802,397                       162,391,523

    Total Liabilities and Equity                                                                            US                $371,504,339  US                  $301,328,124
                                                                                                                                     ===                               ===



                                                              SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                    Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

                                              For The Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)


                                                                                                 Three Months Ended June 30,                   Six Months Ended June 30,

                                                                                                       2017                            2016                            2017               2016
                                                                                                    ----                            ----                            ----               ----


    Sales                                                                   US                 $90,214,630    US               $73,535,732  US                $164,110,411  US   $127,372,460

    Include: sales to related parties                                                            900,859                       3,968,105                       3,927,783          6,548,951


    Cost of sales                                                                             66,507,343                      52,941,316                     119,855,419         92,338,965
                                                                                              ----------                      ----------                     -----------         ----------

    Gross profit                                                                              23,707,287                      20,594,416                      44,254,992         35,033,495


    Expenses:

    Selling and distribution expenses                                                          8,985,562                       7,125,085                      14,594,185         12,687,517

    General and administrative expenses                                                        4,710,522                       4,909,129                       8,755,435         11,838,987

    Research and development expenses                                                          2,481,563                       2,379,962                       4,536,659          4,123,649
                                                                                               ---------                       ---------                       ---------          ---------

    Total operating expenses                                                                  16,177,647                      14,414,176                      27,886,279         28,650,153


    Other operating income, net                                                                1,253,856                       1,484,939                       2,042,324          2,399,144


    Income from operations                                                                     8,783,496                       7,665,179                      18,411,037          8,782,486


    Interest income                                                                               11,475                         925,586                          22,025          1,013,688

    Government grants                                                                             84,395                         140,255                         113,304            145,012

    Other income                                                                                      50                         845,165                             714            890,754

    Interest expenses                                                                          (542,176)                      (126,113)                    (1,023,336)         (300,573)

    Other expenses                                                                             (442,608)                      (129,663)                      (650,139)         (767,292)
                                                                                                --------                        --------                        --------           --------


    Income before income taxes provision                                                       7,894,632                       9,320,409                      16,873,605          9,764,075


    Income taxes provision                                                                     1,311,509                       1,277,277                       2,597,683          1,242,453
                                                                                               ---------                       ---------                       ---------          ---------


    Net income                                                              US                  $6,583,123    US                $8,043,132  US                 $14,275,922  US     $8,521,622


    Net income attributable to noncontrolling                                                    658,312                         804,313                       1,427,592            852,162
    interest in subsidiaries


    Net income attributable to common                                       US                  $5,924,811    US                $7,238,819  US                 $12,848,330  US     $7,669,460
    stockholders



    Comprehensive income:


    Net income                                                              US                  $6,583,123    US                $8,043,132  US                 $14,275,922  US     $8,521,622

    Foreign currency translation adjustments                                                   3,223,520                     (4,596,167)                      4,134,952        (3,489,527)
                                                                                               ---------                      ----------                       ---------         ----------

    Comprehensive income                                                                       9,806,643                       3,446,965                      18,410,874          5,032,095

    Comprehensive income attributable to                                                         980,664                         344,696                       1,841,087            503,209
    noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries


    Comprehensive income attributable to                                    US                  $8,825,979    US                $3,102,269  US                 $16,569,787  US     $4,528,886
    common stockholders



    Weighted average common share - basic                                                     19,304,921                      19,304,921                      19,304,921         19,304,921


    Weighted average common share - diluted                                                   19,304,921                      19,304,921                      19,304,921         19,304,921


    EPS - basic                                                             US                       $0.31    US                     $0.37  US                       $0.67  US          $0.40


    EPS - diluted                                                           US                       $0.31    US                     $0.37  US                       $0.67  US          $0.40



                                                                                   SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                         For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                 Six Months Ended June 30,

                                                                                                                                                      2017                              2016
                                                                                                                                                   ----                              ----


    Cash Flows From Operating Activities

    Net income                                                                                                                       US       $14,275,922    US                  $8,521,622

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

    used in operating activities:

    Allowance for doubtful accounts                                                                                                             381,715                         5,399,425

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                             4,187,811                         3,436,677

    Deferred income tax                                                                                                                           4,566                         (950,451)


    Changes in assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable                                                                                                                    (16,819,493)                     (19,302,545)

    Bank acceptance notes receivable                                                                                                          3,181,918                      (14,353,761)

    Other currents assets                                                                                                                   (3,197,226)                          566,936

    Inventories                                                                                                                            (16,436,720)                       14,139,460

    Prepayments, current                                                                                                                      4,815,945                       (7,284,955)

    Prepaid capital lease interest                                                                                                       -                           69,239


    Accounts payable and bank acceptance notes to vendors                                                                                     (395,358)                        1,817,414

    Income tax payable                                                                                                                          438,458                         1,466,704

    Deposits received from customers                                                                                                          8,402,222                         3,782,517

    Other current liabilities and accrued expenses                                                                                          (2,087,738)                          535,090

    Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities                                                                                             (3,247,978)                      (2,156,628)


    Cash Flows From Investing Activities

    Change in short term investments                                                                                                     -                       57,261,374

    Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment and land use right                                                                       (29,561,593)                      (7,315,047)

    Advance to related party                                                                                                             -                     (18,247,384)

    Repayment of advance to related party                                                                                                -                       18,247,384

    Change in restricted cash                                                                                                                 5,198,792                           377,608

    Net Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities                                                                              (24,362,801)                       50,323,935


    Cash Flows From Financing Activities

    Proceeds from bank loans                                                                                                                 41,540,998                        31,796,224

    Repayment of bank loans                                                                                                                (23,035,449)                     (29,597,070)

    Distribution to controlling shareholder in connection with plant and                                                                                       (70,781,668)
    land use rights exchange with entity under common control


                                                                                                                                         -

    Repayment of capital lease                                                                                                           -                      (1,779,040)

    Proceeds from related party                                                                                                              62,786,671                                 -

    Repayment to related party                                                                                                             (54,076,148)                                -
                                                                                                                                            -----------                               ---


    Net Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities                                                                                27,216,072                      (70,361,554)


    Effects on changes in foreign exchange rate                                                                                                 229,888                           271,744
                                                                                                                                                -------                           -------


    Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                   (164,819)                     (21,922,503)


    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period                                                                                       8,057,155                        30,230,828


    Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period                                                                                    US        $7,892,336    US                  $8,308,325
                                                                                                                                                    ===                               ===



    Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:

    Interest paid                                                                                                                    US          $785,502    US                    $450,677
                                                                                                                                                    ===                               ===

    Income taxes paid                                                                                                                US        $2,154,659    US                  $1,288,659
                                                                                                                                                    ===                               ===


    Non-cash Investing and Financing Transactions:

    Transfer of plant and land use right to entity under common control                                                              US$                -   US                 $17,342,372
                                                                                                                                     ===                    ===

    Liabilities assumed in connection with the plant and land use right                                                              US$                -   US                  $5,351,196
    exchange


    Loan from related party in form of bank acceptance notes                                                                         US       $14,375,855    US$                          -
                                                                                                                                                    ===                               ===

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SOURCE SORL Auto Parts, Inc.