The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Wonder Auto Reports Its Record First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

JINZHOU CITY, China, May 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Wonder Auto Technology, Inc. ("Wonder Auto" or "the Company"), a leading manufacturer of automotive electrical parts, suspension products and engine accessories in China, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

  Operational Highlights for the first quarter of 2010:
  -- Sales revenue increased 59.1% year-over-year to $63.6 million;
  -- Gross profit rose 54.8% year-over-year to $15.6 million from $10.1
     million;
  -- Non-GAAP Net income attributable to Wonder Auto increased 43.4% year-
     over-year to $7.41 million;
  -- Non-GAAP EPS was $ 0.22, representing a 14.2% increase from $ 0.19
     compared with first quarter 2009;
  -- Sales revenue from outside PRC increased $4.91 million, or 163.7% year-
     over-year, from $3.00 million in the first quarter 2009, or increased
     to 12.4% of total sales revenue from 7.5% in the first quarter 2009.

  *(Notes):
                            For the quarter ended    For the quarter ended
                                   March 31, 2010           March 31, 2009
  GAAP Net income                      $5,781,077               $5,171,624
  Share-based compensation             $1,634,895                       --
  Non-GAAP Net income                  $7,415,972               $5,171,624
  GAAP EPS                                  $0.17                    $0.19
  Non-GAAP EPS                              $0.22                    $0.19

  Business outlook

For the second quarter of 2010, our sales revenue is expected to be above $66.0 million.

Growth drivers

Our products are increasingly demanded attributable to the following advantages:

  -- Market oriented focus. Our alternator and starter products are
     primarily for mid-to-small sized engine vehicles, which are encouraged
     in sales by China's government in the stimulus plans. Also the momentum
     increase of this market segment contributes our sales revenue in and
     outside China.
  -- Favorable government policies. China has implemented a series of
     stimulus policies to bolster its auto industry.

  Selected Financial performance

Sales revenue increased by approximately $23.6 million, or 59.1%, to approximately $63.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared with $40.0 million of the same period last year. This increase was mainly attributable to the higher increased market demand for our products in and outside China.

Sales revenue from China increased by approximately $18.7 million, or 50.7%, to approximately $55.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, as compared to approximately $37.0 million for the same period last year. This increase was mainly attributable to the higher increased market demand for our products in expanded automobile market. Sales revenue outside China increased by approximately $4.9 million, or 163.7%, to approximately $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared with approximately $3.0 million for the same period last year. This increase was mainly attributable to the recovery of international automobile market. Export accounted for approximately 12.4% of our total sales revenue in this quarter.

Sales revenue from alternators and starters was $19.5 million and $20.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to $14.4 million and $13.3 million in the same quarter last year, respectively. Sales in China continue to be our major source of sales revenue. Sales revenue from sales of alternators and starter in China increased by approximately $10.2 million or 37.8% to approximately $37.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $27.1 million of the same quarter in 2009. The increase mainly resulted from the increased automobile market in China, especially the market for mid- to-small engine automobiles.

Sales revenue from rods and shafts was $7.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, an increase of $2.4 million from the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to export sales increase of approximately $1.5 million. Sales of engine valve and tappet were approximately $16.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, up $9.4 million from the same period last year. This increase was mainly attributable to the domestic sales increase of approximately $7.7 million.

Our cost of sales increased by approximately $18.1 million, or 60.6%, to approximately $48.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from approximately $29.9 million during the same period in 2009. This increase was mainly due to the increase of our sales volume. As a percentage of sales revenue, the cost of sales increased slightly by approximately 0.7% to 75.4 % during the three months ended March 31, 2010 from 74.7 % for the same period of 2009. The percentage increase in the first quarter of 2010 was due to fact that a large portion of our total sales revenue was generated from alternators and starters with mid-to-small displacement as compared to the same period last year. Our alternators and starters with small displacement generally have a lower margin than our alternators and starters with larger displacement.

Our gross profit increased by approximately $5.5 million, or 54.8 %, to approximately $15.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared with approximately $10.1 million for the same period in 2009 as a result of increased sales volume driving by the strong market demand for our products. Gross margin was 24.6 % for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, as compared to 25.3 % of the same period last year. Such slight decrease was mainly due to the increase of the cost of sales on a percentage basis as discussed above.

Our total operating expenses increased by approximately $4.9 million, or 121.7 %, to approximately $ 8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to approximately $4.0 million for the same period in 2009. As a percentage of sales revenue, our total expenses increased to 13.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared from 10.0% for the same period last year. The percentage increase was primarily attributable to the increase of non-cash share-based compensation, selling expenses and research and development expenses as discussed below.

Administrative expenses consist of the costs associated with staff and support personnel who manage our business activities, professional fees paid to third parties and non-cash share-based compensation. Our administrative expenses increased by approximately $2.8 million, or 119.3%, to approximately $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from approximately $2.7 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales revenue, administrative expenses increased to 8.0% for the three month ended March 31, 2010, from 5.8% for same period last year. The increases in amount and percentage were mainly due to the non-cash share-based compensation of approximately $1.5 million incurred this quarter, which not incurred last quarter, the consolidation of the operating results of Friend Birch and the increased professional expenses related to the investment in Applaud Group Limited.

Our administrative expenses excluding non-cash share based compensation increased by approximately $1.3 million, or 55.5 %, to approximately $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from approximately $2.3 million for the same period last year. The amount increase was primarily due to the consolidation of the operating results of Friend Birch and the increased professional expenses related to the investment in Applaud Group Limited. As a percentage of sales revenue, administrative expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation decreased 0.1% to 5.7 % for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from 5.8% for the same period last year. The decrease on a percentage basis was mainly attributable to the increase of sales revenue.

Research and development expenses consist of amounts spent on developing new products, enhancing our existing products, and non-cash share-based compensation. Our research and development expenses increased by $893,297, or 195.8%, to approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from $456,232 for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales revenue, research and development expenses increased to 2.1% for three month ended March 31, 2010, from 1.1% for the same period last year. The increases in amount and percentage were mainly due to the non-cash share-based compensation of $91,782 incurred this quarter, which not incurred for the same period last year, the increased expenses associated with development of new products, including alternative energy vehicle parts.

Our research and development expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation increased $801,515, or 175.7 %, to approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $456,232 for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales revenue, research and development expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation increased to 2.0 % from 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Such dollar and percentage increases were primarily attributable to the increased expenses associated with development of new products, including alternative energy vehicle parts.

Our selling expenses increased by approximately $1.2 million, or 98.6%, to approximately $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from approximately $1.2 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales revenue, selling expenses increased to 3.8% for three months ended March 31, 2010, from 3.0% for the same period last year. The increases in amount was mainly due to the non-cash share-based compensation of $65,419 incurred this quarter, the increases in salaries from the increased sales personnel to expand market share, provision for product warranties and freight resulting from the increased sales volume. The increase in percentage was mainly due to the increases in salaries from the increased sales personnel to expand market share.

Our selling expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation increased approximately $1.1 million, or 93.2% to approximately $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from approximately $1.2 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales revenue, our selling expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation was 3.7 % for the three months ended March 31, 2010, which was 3.0 % in the first quarter last year. The increase in the amount was mainly due to the increases in salaries from the increased sales personnel to expand market share, provision for product warranties and freight resulting from the increased sales volume. The percentage increase was mainly due to the increase in salaries from the increased sales personnel to expand market share.

Our net finance cost increased by $546,839, or 651.1% to $630,828 for the three months ended on March 31, 2010 from $83,989 for the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to the interest expenses resulted from the enlarged bank loan volume of approximately $18.1 million and the interest income decrease resulting from the reduced volume of restricted cash by end of this quarter.

Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests increased by approximately $1.1 million or 17.8 %, to approximately $7.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 from approximately $6.3 million during the same period in 2009. Income before income taxes as a percentage of sales revenue increased to 11.7 % during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to 15.8% for the same period last year due to the factors described above.

Our income taxes increased by $528,085, or 57.4%, to approximately $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $920,005 for the same period last year. Our effective income tax rate was approximately 19.5% for the first quarter in 2009, as compared to 14.6% for the same period last year.

Our financial statements reflect an adjustment to our consolidated group net income, and our net income attributable to non-controlling interests decreased $15,197, or 6.8% to $208,238 for the first quarter in 2010 from $223,435 for the same period last year, reflecting the net income attributable to non-controlling interests held by third parties in Jinzhou DongWoo, Jinzhou Hanhua and Jinzhou Karham.

Our net income attributable to Wonder Auto Technology, Inc. common stockholders increased by approximately $609,453, or 11.8%, to approximately $5.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 from approximately $5.2 million during the same period last year, as a result of the factors described above.

Events overview

On March 7th 2010, Wonder Auto's Chairman and CEO Mr. Qingjie Zhao had been elected Executive Deputy Chairman of China Overseas Listed Corporations Association (COLCA). By joining COLCA, Wonder Auto has become a member of this great organization of enterprises with common interests. Wonder Auto can share with other members the resources in terms of funds, market, industry and capital, reduce business operating costs, find more opportunities for business development in China and overseas, and generate sustainable high-yield returns for its investors.

On January 19th 2010, Wonder Auto announced strategic acquisition of a Hong Kong-listed company. After this acquisition, Wonder Auto becomes the largest shareholder of Applaud Group Limited, who is the controlling shareholder of Jinheng Automotive Safety Technology Holdings Limited (HKG: 0872) ("Jinheng"). With this strategic acquisition, Wonder Auto expands into the auto parts business with tremendous growth potential in areas such as automotive safety systems and auto electronic systems.

On January 4th 2010, Wonder Auto's electric motor had been installed in electrical taxis. One of its major customers, WEV (Wonder Electric Vehicle Ltd) has obtained 100 AEV licenses for its electric taxis from the local government. Wonder Auto's electric motor had been installed in these taxis. This was not only a sign of adopting electronic cars as taxis for the first time globally, but also a remarkable moment for WATG that its electric motors' quality and techniques satisfy the driving systems of electric vehicles.

Conference call

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, May 6, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, or 8:00 p.m. Beijing Time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation. Mr. Qingjie Zhao (Chairman & CEO), Mr. Ryan Yuan (CFO), Mr. Qingdong Zeng (Vice President), Mr. Patrick Sun (Investor Relations Manager) and Mr. Peng Li (CEO Assistant) will be the primary speakers for the call.

To participate, please call the following numbers ten minutes before the call start time:

  Phone number:  +1 866 242 1388     (United States)
  Phone number:  +852 800 968 831    (Hong Kong)
  Phone number:  +86 10 800 264 0084 (China, China Telecom)
  Phone number:  +86 10 800 640 0084 (China, NetCom Users)
  Phone number:  +44 08082347860     (United Kingdom)
  Conference ID: 71424376

Investors can also listen to the conference call in real time by visiting http://www.watg.cn/ . To access the listen-only audio webcast, visit the Wonder Auto's website at http://www.watg.cn/ , and select the webcast link from the Investor Relations page.

About Wonder Auto

Based in Jinzhou City, Liaoning, China, Wonder Auto Technology, Inc., through its Chinese subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures and sells automotive electrical parts, suspension products and engine components. Wonder Auto ranked second and third in sales revenue in the Chinese market for automobile alternators and starters in 2008, respectively. Wonder Auto's products are used in a wide range of passenger and commercial automobiles with special focus on the fast-growing small- to medium-engine passenger vehicle market. For more information, please log on http://www.watg.cn/ .

Safe harbor statement

This press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected 2009 financial results, our expected financial performance in 2010 and future strategic and operational plans, our future operating results, our expectations regarding the market for our products, our expectations regarding the continued growth of the automobile market, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about our relative strength and about future events. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "believe," "expect," "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "anticipate," "future," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "estimate" or similar expressions. Such information is based upon assumptions and expectations of our management that were reasonable when made but may prove to be incorrect. All of such assumptions and expectations are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control and based upon premises with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. We do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, except as required under applicable law. For a description of the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, see our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and our subsequent SEC filings. Copies of filings made with the SEC are available through the SEC's electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system at http://www.sec.gov/ . All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release.

                       Wonder Auto Technology, Inc.
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
            For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
                               (Unaudited)
                          (Stated in US Dollars)

                                              Three months ended
                                                   March 31,
                                            2010                2009

  Sales revenue                          $63,620,565         $39,976,020
  Cost of sales                           47,994,842          29,881,662

  Gross profit                            15,625,723          10,094,358

  Operating expenses
      Administrative expenses
       (included share-based
       compensation of $1,477,694
       in 2010, $Nil in 2009)              5,078,798           2,315,992
      Research and development
       expenses (included
       share-based compensation
       of $91,782 in 2010, $Nil
       in 2009)                            1,349,529             456,232
      Selling expenses (included
       share-based compensation
       of $65,419 in 2010, $Nil in
       2009)                               2,408,261           1,212,659

                                           8,836,588           3,984,883

  Income from operations                   6,789,135           6,109,475
      Other income                           528,795             114,516
      Government grants                      201,511             175,062
      Equity in net income of an
       non-consolidated affiliate            548,792                  --
      Net finance costs                     (630,828)            (83,989)

  Income before income taxes and
   noncontrolling interests                7,437,405           6,315,064
  Income taxes                            (1,448,090)           (920,005)

  Net income before noncontrolling
   interests                               5,989,315           5,395,059
  Net income attributable to
   noncontrolling interests                 (208,238)           (223,435)

  Net income attributable to Wonder
   Auto Technology, Inc. common
   stockholders                           $5,781,077          $5,171,624

  Net income before noncontrolling
   interests                              $5,989,315          $5,395,059
  Other comprehensive income
      Foreign currency translation
       adjustments                                (4)            (65,109)

  Comprehensive income                     5,989,311           5,329,950
  Comprehensive income attributable
   to noncontrolling interests              (208,238)           (208,020)

  Comprehensive income attributable
   to Wonder Auto Technology, Inc.
   common stockholders                    $5,781,073          $5,121,930

  Earnings per share attributable to
   Wonder Auto Technology, Inc.
   common stockholders:
      basic and diluted                        $0.17               $0.19

  Weighted average number of shares
   outstanding:
      basic and diluted                   33,859,994          26,959,994

                       Wonder Auto Technology, Inc.
                  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
                          (Stated in US Dollars)

                                            March 31,          December 31,
                                              2010                 2009
                                           (Unaudited)           (Audited)

  ASSETS
      Current assets
          Cash and cash equivalents        $68,548,780         $82,414,287
          Restricted cash                   11,803,871          15,753,748
          Trade receivables, net            48,280,371          49,522,583
          Bills receivable                  30,069,035          21,965,065
          Other receivables,
           prepayments and deposits         13,112,782          14,826,460
          Inventories                       55,024,719          51,119,562
          Deferred taxes                     1,063,524           1,186,410

      Total current assets                 227,903,082         236,788,115
      Restricted cash                          586,800                  --
      Intangible assets                     31,595,891          32,907,720
      Property, plant and equipment,
       net                                  72,531,432          73,770,329
      Land use rights                       10,083,377          10,618,853
      Deposits for acquisition of
       property, plant and equipment         8,750,363           7,435,563
      Investment in a non-consolidated
       affiliate                            15,411,369                  --
      Deferred taxes                           851,496             731,575

  TOTAL ASSETS                            $367,713,810        $362,252,155

                                             March 31,          December 31,
                                                2010                2009
                                            (Unaudited)           (Audited)

  LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

  LIABILITIES
      Current liabilities
          Trade payables                   $37,830,098         $34,126,534
          Bills payable                     19,387,872          29,388,653
          Other payables and accrued
           expenses                         15,553,707          14,886,909
          Provision for warranty             2,593,327           2,272,322
          Income tax payable                 1,439,306             892,340
          Secured borrowings                58,524,564          57,082,779
          Early retirement benefits
           cost                                363,831             353,584

      Total current liabilities            135,692,705         139,003,121
      Secured borrowings                    22,252,100          20,908,721
      Deferred revenue - government
       grants                                3,209,466           3,315,762
      Early retirement benefits cost           461,179             550,397

  TOTAL LIABILITIES                        161,615,450         163,778,001

  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Preferred stock: par value
       $0.0001 per share; authorized
       10,000,000 shares in 2010 and
       2009; none issued and outstanding            --                  --
      Common stock: par value $0.0001
       per share; authorized 90,000,000
       shares in 2010 and 2009; issued
       and outstanding 33,859,994 shares
       in 2010 and 2009                          3,386               3,386
      Additional paid-in capital           139,177,597         137,542,702
      Statutory and other reserves          10,186,701          10,186,701
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                9,647,047           9,647,051
      Retained earnings                     41,051,673          35,270,596

  TOTAL WONDER AUTO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                    200,066,404         192,650,436

  NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS                   6,031,956           5,823,718

  TOTAL EQUITY                             206,098,360         198,474,154

  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            $367,713,810        $362,252,155

                       Wonder Auto Technology, Inc.
             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
            For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
                               (Unaudited)
                          (Stated in US Dollars)

                                            Three months ended March 31,
                                                2010              2009

  Cash flows from operating activities
      Net income before noncontrolling
       interests                             $5,989,315        $5,395,059
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
       before noncontrolling interests to
       net cash (used in) provided by
       operating activities:
              Depreciation                    1,668,523         1,373,739
              Amortization of intangible
               assets and land use rights       387,015            98,848
              Deferred taxes                      2,964           125,167
              (Recovery of) provision for
               doubtful accounts               (102,611)           10,794
              Provision of obsolete
               inventories                       71,807            19,498
              Exchange gain on translating
               of monetary assets and
               liabilities                     (603,606)         (762,035)
              Loss (gain) on disposal of
               property, plant and equipment     33,066              (296)
              Deferred revenue amortized       (106,296)          (61,329)
              Equity in net income of an
               non-consolidated affiliate      (548,792)               --
              Share-based compensation        1,634,895                --
      Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities:
          Trade receivables                   1,344,744        (5,749,760)
          Bills receivable                   (8,123,041)        2,203,465
          Other receivables, prepayments
           and deposits                      (2,633,496)        4,142,968
          Inventories                        (4,626,870)        2,650,725
          Trade payables                      3,696,142           504,105
          Early retirement benefit costs        (79,184)         (107,547)
          Other payables and accrued
           expenses                             652,579        (2,050,977)
          Provision for warranty                321,006           190,783
          Income tax payable                    487,524           652,399

  Net cash flows (used in) provided by
   operating activities                       $(534,316)       $8,635,606

  Cash flows from investing activities
  Payments to acquire and for deposits
   for acquisition of property, plant
   and equipment                            $(3,284,627)      $(1,422,433)
  Proceeds from sales of property, plant
   and equipment                                     --             5,421
  Net cash received from Winning              8,013,693                --
  Net cash paid to acquire Applaud          (14,862,577)               --
  Net cash paid for disposal of Jinzhou
   Jiade                                       (114,517)               --
  Net cash paid to acquire Yearcity                  --        (2,197,500)

  Net cash flows used in investing
   activities                               (10,248,028)       (3,614,512)

  Cash flows from financing activities
      Bills payable                          (9,981,710)      (14,042,025)
      Decrease in restricted cash             3,363,077        11,092,454
      Repayment of secured borrowings        (5,779,980)      (10,662,270)
      Proceeds from secured borrowings        9,315,450        14,064,001

  Net cash flows (used in) provided by
   financing activities                      (3,083,163)          452,160

  Effect of foreign currency translation
   on cash and cash equivalents                      --              (888)

  Net (decrease) increase in cash and
   cash equivalents                         (13,865,507)        5,472,366

  Cash and cash equivalents - beginning
   of period                                 82,414,287         8,159,156

  Cash and cash equivalents - end of
   period                                   $68,548,780       $13,631,522

  Supplemental disclosures for cash flow
   information:
      Cash paid for:
          Interest                             $975,228          $923,530
          Income taxes                         $908,961          $103,140

  Non-cash investing and financing
   activities:
          Acquisition of Yearcity by
           offsetting with receivable
           from disposal of an
           unconsolidated affiliate                 $--        $5,950,000
          Settlement of amount due to
           Hony Capital II, L.P. ("Hony
           Capital") by offsetting with
           amount due from Hony Capital             $--        $7,626,804

  For more information, please contact:

   Patrick Sun
   Investor Relations Manager
   Tel:   +86-10-8478-5339
   Cell:  +86-153-1161-1742
   Email: ir@watg.cn