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Investor News
8/27/2024
Milestone Moments: AAM Launches EcoTrac®
Picture a sunny day where your vehicle intuitively knows when to switch from all-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, optimizing fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. This is the brilliance behind EcoTrac®—a technology that demonstrates AAM’s commitments to Quality, Technology Leadership and Operational Excellence. For the past 30 years, we've been turning simple ideas into state-of-the-art automotive technologies. Read on as we dive into the story of EcoTrac, one of AAM’s most ingenious innovations.
EcoTrac is AAM’s cutting-edge disconnecting all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology. This system allows an AWD vehicle to disconnect the mechanical components driving the rear wheels when AWD isn’t necessary, effectively turning the vehicle into a front-wheel-drive (FWD) powerhouse. The main advantage? Significantly improved fuel economy. Imagine reaping the benefits of an AWD system without the constant fuel consumption—EcoTrac makes that possible!
The journey of EcoTrac began in the early 2000s. AAM’s Jim Downs, Executive Director – PE Innovation, was frustrated with the challenge of selling automotive clutches and came into the office one day with a bold new idea. He sketched the concept on a whiteboard, and from there, it went from drawing to reality. The goal was simple yet revolutionary: to create a system that could disconnect the automotive driveline seamlessly and untraditionally. This innovation was the first of its kind, earning a patent in the late 2000s.
EcoTrac's development was a collaborative effort that combined the expertise of AAM's Advanced Engineering team with other electronics and software teams. The team initially started their development with a 2005 Chevy Equinox, eventually expanding their efforts to include other vehicles, such as the Dodge Journey. This process was hands-on and dynamic; they even drove a prototype car to business meetings to personally demonstrate the technology's capabilities. This direct approach not only showcased the effectiveness of EcoTrac but also played a crucial role in securing business by impressively outperforming competitors in real-world demonstrations.
The concept behind EcoTrac is both simple and brilliant. When conditions are optimal, like that sunny drive during a clear day, the system disengages the driveline to the rear wheels, offering fuel economy akin to a FWD vehicle. It achieves this through a combination of a wet friction plate clutch in the rear (inside the Rear Drive Module (RDM) and a mechanical dog clutch in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU)). Advanced software seamlessly synchronizes the engagements and disengagements, ensuring drivers never notice the transitions.
EcoTrac stands out with a few industry-first features and benefits. It uses AAM-developed vehicle controls and a smart actuator, providing improved vehicle handling and off-road capability. Optional two-speed disconnecting PTU and two-speed RDM with electronic locking capability make it more versatile. By disconnecting at the PTU, EcoTrac stops the driveshaft from spinning when the system is off, leading to reduced fuel consumption and fewer emissions.
But EcoTrac isn’t only about fuel efficiency; it's also about smart performance. Dozens of triggers, such as freezing temperatures, windshield wiper activity and slower speeds, signal the system to re-engage AWD preemptively to provide safety and stability when needed. This dual functionality means that drivers enjoy optimal fuel savings without sacrificing the safety and performance benefits of AWD.
Today, fuel economy is more critical than ever, and AWD remains highly desirable for its safety and performance benefits. EcoTrac bridges these needs, delivering the best of both worlds. As the automotive industry continues to change, EcoTrac stands as an example of AAM’s commitment to innovation.
Learn more about EcoTrac here.
AAM Milestone Moments is a monthly series celebrating and reflecting on key achievements in AAM’s 30-year history. Ranging from watershed innovations and technological advances to foundational programs and community initiatives that are part of AAM’s DNA, these AAM Milestone Moments will each tell an important piece of the AAM story.
8/9/2024
AAM Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results
DETROIT, August 9, 2024 -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), (NYSE: AXL) today reported its financial results for the second quarter 2024.
Second Quarter 2024 Results
“AAM’s solid second quarter results reflect positive contributions from volume and mix and continued operational performance,” said AAM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David C. Dauch. “Looking ahead, AAM will maintain and develop a comprehensive product portfolio to support current and future powertrain solutions while focusing on quality, technology leadership, and operational excellence.”
AAM's sales in the second quarter of 2024 were $1.63 billion as compared to $1.57 billion in the second quarter of 2023. Sales for the second quarter of 2024 were favorably impacted by volume and mix.
AAM's net income in the second quarter of 2024 was $18.2 million, or $0.15 per share and 1.1% of sales, as compared to net income of $8.0 million, or $0.07 per share and 0.5% of sales in the second quarter of 2023.
Adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2024 was $0.19 compared to Adjusted earnings per share of $0.12 in the second quarter of 2023.
In the second quarter of 2024, Adjusted EBITDA was $208.4 million, or 12.8% of sales, as compared to $191.6 million, or 12.2% of sales, in the second quarter of 2023.
AAM's net cash provided by operating activities for the second quarter of 2024 was $142.8 million as compared to $132.8 million for the second quarter of 2023.
AAM's Adjusted free cash flow for the second quarter of 2024 was $97.9 million as compared to $95.8 million for the second quarter of 2023.
AAM's 2024 Updated Financial Outlook
AAM's full year 2024 financial targets are as follows:
These targets are based on the following assumptions for 2024:
Second Quarter 2024 Conference Call Information
A conference call to review AAM's second quarter results is scheduled today at 10:00 a.m. ET. Interested participants may listen to the live conference call by logging onto AAM's investor web site at http://investor.aam.com or calling (877) 883-0383 from the United States or (412) 902-6506 from outside the United States with access code 5418526. A replay will be available one hour after the call is complete until August 16, 2024 by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the United States or (412) 317-0088 from outside the United States. When prompted, callers should enter replay access code 2733759.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) included within this press release, AAM has provided certain information, which includes non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted free cash flow. Such information is reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and is included in the attached supplemental data.
Certain of the forward-looking financial measures included in this earnings release are provided on a non-GAAP basis. A reconciliation of non-GAAP forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable forward-looking financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP has been provided. The amounts in these reconciliations are based on our current estimates and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking estimates for many reasons, including potential event driven transactional and other non-core operating items and their related effects in any future period, the magnitude of which may be significant.
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management, investors, and banking institutions in their analysis of AAM's business and operating performance. Management also uses this information for operational planning and decision-making purposes.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not and should not be considered a substitute for any GAAP measure. Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures as presented by AAM may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Definition of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
AAM defines Adjusted earnings per share to be diluted earnings per share excluding the impact of impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, gains or losses on equity securities, pension curtailment and settlement charges and non-recurring items, including the tax effect thereon.
AAM defines EBITDA to be earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, gains or losses on equity securities, pension curtailment and settlement charges and non-recurring items.
AAM defines free cash flow to be net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and government grants. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow excluding the impact of cash payments for restructuring and acquisition-related costs, and cash payments related to the Malvern fire, including payments for capital expenditures, net of recoveries.
Company Description
As a leading global Tier 1 Automotive and Mobility Supplier, AAM (NYSE: AXL) designs, engineers and manufactures Driveline and Metal Forming technologies to support electric, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Headquartered in Detroit, with over 80 facilities in 18 countries, AAM is bringing the future faster for a safer and more sustainable tomorrow. To learn more, visit aam.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this earnings release, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. The terms such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” "target," and similar words or expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: global economic conditions, including the impact of inflation, recession or recessionary concerns, or slower growth in the markets in which we operate; reduced purchases of our products by General Motors Company (GM), Stellantis N.V. (Stellantis), Ford Motor Company (Ford) or other customers; our ability to respond to changes in technology, increased competition or pricing pressures; our ability to develop and produce new products that reflect market demand; lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products; our ability to attract new customers and programs for new products; reduced demand for our customers' products (particularly light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by GM, Stellantis and Ford); risks inherent in our global operations (including tariffs and the potential consequences thereof to us, our suppliers, and our customers and their suppliers, adverse changes in trade agreements, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), compliance with customs and trade regulations, immigration policies, political stability or geopolitical conflicts, taxes and other law changes, potential disruptions of production and supply, and currency rate fluctuations); supply shortages and the availability of natural gas or other fuel and utility sources in certain regions, labor shortages, including increased labor costs, or price increases in raw material and/or freight, utilities or other operating supplies for us or our customers as a result of pandemic or epidemic illness such as COVID-19, geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters or otherwise; a significant disruption in operations at one or more of our key manufacturing facilities; risks inherent in transitioning our business from internal combustion engine vehicle products to hybrid and electric vehicle products; our ability to realize the expected revenues from our new and incremental business backlog; negative or unexpected tax consequences, including those resulting from tax litigation; risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and networks, including cloud-based applications, and risks associated with current and emerging technology threats and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber attacks and other similar disruptions; our suppliers', our customers' and their suppliers' ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid or minimize work stoppages; cost or availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development (R&D) or other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, as well as our ability to comply with financial covenants; our customers' and suppliers' availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, R&D or other general corporate purposes; an impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets if our business or market conditions indicate that the carrying values of those assets exceed their fair values; liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our customers; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to successfully launch new product programs on a timely basis; risks of environmental issues, including impacts of climate-related events, that could result in unforeseen issues or costs at our facilities, or risks of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations, including reputational damage; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages; our ability to consummate and successfully integrate acquisitions and joint ventures; our ability to achieve the level of cost reductions required to sustain global cost competitiveness or our ability to recover certain cost increases from our customers; price volatility in, or reduced availability of, fuel; our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend against assertions made against us; adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions affecting our products or our customers' products; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to comply with regulatory requirements and the potential costs of such compliance; changes in liabilities arising from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in key positions and functions; and other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.
# # #
For more information:
Investor Contact
David H. Lim
Head of Investor Relations
(313) 758-2006
david.lim@aam.com
Media Contact
Christopher M. Son
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
(313) 758-4814
chris.son@aam.com
On this website and elsewhere in attached materials, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. The terms such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” "target," and similar words or expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.