BorgWarner Reports Strong First Quarter 2025 Results; Announces Exit of Charging Business; Secures New Business Across Portfolio to Support Future Growth
- Strong eProduct sales growth of 47% year-over-year
- Adjusted operating margin improved by 60 basis points to 10.0%
- Expected $30M annual savings from exiting Charging business
- Additional $20M annual cost savings expected by 2026 from Battery Systems consolidation
- Secured major new business awards including high-volume hybrid eMotor contract
- Overall net sales decreased 2% to $3,515 million
- Net earnings declined to $157 million from $213 million year-over-year
- Negative free cash flow of $(35) million
- Reduced market outlook with weighted light and commercial vehicle markets expected to decline 4-2%
- 20 basis point margin headwind from tariffs
Insights
BorgWarner streamlines portfolio amid challenging market with strong margins and new hybrid/electric program wins, balancing transformation costs with strategic improvements.
BorgWarner delivered a mixed financial picture in Q1 2025, demonstrating resilience despite industry headwinds. While organic sales remained flat year-over-year and GAAP sales decreased by ~2% to
The standout metric is BorgWarner's adjusted operating margin of
BorgWarner's strategic portfolio reshaping is particularly noteworthy. The decision to exit the Charging business will eliminate approximately
The company's success in securing new business across both traditional and electrification technologies positions it well for the industry's evolutionary (rather than revolutionary) transition. The hybrid eMotor win for North American trucks and SUVs is especially strategic, aligning with market preferences for hybrid solutions in larger vehicles.
The guidance revision merits attention - while maintaining revenue projections, BorgWarner reduced its market production outlook and slightly lowered its adjusted operating margin target to
First Quarter Results and Business Update
- BorgWarner's (the "Company") organic sales were relatively flat compared with first quarter 2024, which equated to a
U.S. GAAP net sales decrease of approximately2% . This performance was despite a3.6% decrease in the Company's weighted light and commercial vehicle markets. The Company's outgrowth of approximately3.7% was primarily driven by strong light vehicle eProduct sales, which increased47% year over year. - The Company achieved an adjusted operating margin of
10.0% during the first quarter of 2025, which equated to aU.S. GAAP operating margin of6.7% . The Company's strong performance and focus on cost controls allowed it to expand its adjusted operating margin by approximately 60 basis points compared with first quarter 2024, despite a 20 basis point headwind from tariffs. - The Company announced a number of portfolio actions that are intended to drive focus and enhance its future long-term profitable growth including:
- Exiting its Charging business during the second quarter of 2025. This action is expected to create a more focused portfolio and eliminate approximately
of annualized adjusted operating losses.$30 million - Consolidation of its North American Battery Systems business, which is expected to align the business' cost structure to current market dynamics. This action is expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately
by 2026.$20 million
- Exiting its Charging business during the second quarter of 2025. This action is expected to create a more focused portfolio and eliminate approximately
New Business Awards Across Portfolio
The Company secured multiple new business awards that are expected to support its future long-term profitable growth, these include the following:
- High-volume hybrid eMotor award with a major North American OEM. The eMotor will be used on a series of hybrid full-size trucks and SUVs, as well as a performance vehicle application. This business is expected to launch in 2028.
- High-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) award in
North America with a global OEM for their plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), including mid-size pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans. This business is expected to launch in 2027. - Four program extensions for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) components including valves, coolers and modules with a major North American OEM used in their passenger and light commercial vehicle platforms. Production of these components is expected to continue through the end of 2029.
- Two dual-clutch transmission (DCT) awards in
China , including a seven-year extension with a German OEM inChina and a new award with a prominent transmission manufacturer with production expected to start the end of 2025.
First Quarter Highlights (continuing operations basis):
U.S. GAAP net sales of , a decrease of approximately$3,515 million 2% compared with first quarter 2024.- Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, organic sales increased
0.1% compared with first quarter 2024.
- Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, organic sales increased
U.S. GAAP net earnings of per diluted share.$0.72 - Excluding
of net losses per diluted share related to non-comparable items (detailed in the table below), adjusted net earnings were$(0.39) per diluted share.$1.11
- Excluding
U.S. GAAP operating income of , or$237 million 6.7% of net sales.- Excluding
of pretax expenses related to non-comparable items, adjusted operating income was$115 million , or$352 million 10.0% of net sales.
- Excluding
- Net cash provided by operating activities of
.$82 million - Free cash flow of
.$(35) million
- Free cash flow of
Financial Results (continuing operations basis):
The Company believes the following table is useful in highlighting non-comparable items that impacted its
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Earnings per diluted share | $ 0.72 | $ 0.93 | |
Non-comparable items: | |||
Impairment charges | 0.15 | — | |
Restructuring expense | 0.11 | 0.06 | |
Costs to exit charging business | 0.11 | — | |
Merger and acquisition expense, net | 0.01 | 0.01 | |
Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities | — | 0.01 | |
Adjustments associated with Spin-Off related balances | (0.01) | — | |
Tax adjustments | 0.01 | — | |
Other non-comparable items | 0.01 | 0.02 | |
Adjusted earnings per diluted share | $ 1.11 | $ 1.03 |
Net sales were
Full Year 2025 Guidance Update: The Company has provided a 2025 full year guidance update. Net sales are expected to be in the range of
The Company expects operating margin to be in the range of
At 9:30 a.m. ET today, a brief conference call concerning first quarter 2025 results and guidance will be webcast at: https://www.borgwarner.com/investors. Additionally, an earnings call presentation will be available at https://www.borgwarner.com/investors.
For more than 130 years, BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) has been a transformative global product leader bringing successful mobility innovation to market. Today, we're accelerating the world's transition to eMobility -- to help build a cleaner, healthier, safer future for all.
Forward Looking Statements: This release may contain forward-looking statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current outlook, expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "continues," "could," "designed," "effect," "estimates," "evaluates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "guidance," "initiative," "intends," "may," "outlook," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "project," "pursue," "seek," "should," "target," "when," "will," "would," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Further, all statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this release that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future regarding our financial position, business strategy and measures to implement that strategy, including changes to operations, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of our business and operations, plans, references to future success and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. Accounting estimates, such as those described under the heading "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Item 7 of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K"), are inherently forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and the Company's actual results may differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in or by the forward-looking statements.
You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in or by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, among others, include: supply disruptions impacting us or our customers, commodity availability and pricing, and an inability to achieve expected levels of recoverability in commercial negotiations with customers concerning these costs; competitive challenges from existing and new competitors, including original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") customers; the challenges associated with rapidly changing technologies, particularly as they relate to electric vehicles, and our ability to innovate in response; the difficulty in forecasting demand for electric vehicles and our electric vehicles revenue growth; potential disruptions in the global economy caused by wars or other geopolitical conflicts; the ability to identify targets and consummate acquisitions on acceptable terms; failure to realize the expected benefits of acquisitions on a timely basis; the possibility that our 2023 tax-free spin-off of our former Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments into a separate publicly traded company will not achieve its intended benefits; the failure to promptly and effectively integrate acquired businesses; the potential for unknown or inestimable liabilities relating to the acquired businesses; our dependence on automotive and truck production, which is highly cyclical and subject to disruptions; our reliance on major OEM customers; impacts of any future strikes involving any of our OEM customers and any actions such OEM customers take in response; fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on information systems; the uncertainty of the global economic environment; the outcome of existing or any future legal proceedings, including litigation with respect to various claims, or governmental investigations, including related litigation; future changes in laws and regulations, including, by way of example, taxes and tariffs, in the countries in which we operate; impacts from any potential future acquisition or disposition transactions; and the other risks noted in reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Form 10-K and/or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We do not undertake any obligation to update or announce publicly any updates to or revisions to any of the forward-looking statements in this release to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions, circumstances, or assumptions underlying the statements.
BorgWarner Inc. | |||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Net sales | $ 3,515 | $ 3,595 | |
Cost of sales | 2,876 | 2,951 | |
Gross profit | 639 | 644 | |
Gross margin | 18.2 % | 17.9 % | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 315 | 329 | |
Restructuring expense | 31 | 19 | |
Other operating expense, net | 17 | 1 | |
Impairment charges | 39 | — | |
Operating income | 237 | 295 | |
Equity in affiliates' earnings, net of tax | (10) | (5) | |
Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities | — | 2 | |
Interest expense, net | 12 | 5 | |
Other postretirement expense | 3 | 3 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | 232 | 290 | |
Provision for income taxes | 61 | 62 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | 171 | 228 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations | — | (7) | |
Net earnings | 171 | 221 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest | 14 | 15 | |
Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ 157 | $ 206 | |
Amounts attributable to BorgWarner Inc.: | |||
Net earnings from continuing operations | $ 157 | $ 213 | |
Net loss from discontinued operations | — | (7) | |
Net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ 157 | $ 206 | |
Earnings per share from continuing operations — basic | $ 0.72 | $ 0.94 | |
Loss per share from discontinued operations — basic | — | (0.03) | |
Earnings per share attributable to BorgWarner Inc. — basic | $ 0.72 | $ 0.91 | |
Earnings per share from continuing operations — diluted | $ 0.72 | $ 0.93 | |
Loss per share from discontinued operations — diluted | — | (0.03) | |
Earnings per share attributable to BorgWarner Inc. — diluted | $ 0.72 | $ 0.90 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||
Basic | 217.2 | 227.7 | |
Diluted | 218.1 | 228.3 |
BorgWarner Inc. | |||
Net Sales by Reportable Segment (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ 1,454 | $ 1,574 | |
Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 1,361 | 1,419 | |
PowerDrive Systems | 561 | 436 | |
Battery & Charging Systems | 150 | 177 | |
Inter-segment eliminations | (11) | (11) | |
Net sales | $ 3,515 | $ 3,595 | |
Segment Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ 235 | $ 228 | |
Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 243 | 253 | |
PowerDrive Systems | (43) | (62) | |
Battery & Charging Systems | (22) | (15) | |
Segment Adjusted Operating Income | 413 | 404 | |
Corporate, including stock-based compensation | 61 | 65 | |
Impairment charges | 39 | — | |
Restructuring expense | 31 | 19 | |
Costs to exit charging business | 26 | — | |
Intangible asset amortization expense | 17 | 17 | |
Merger and acquisition expense, net | 2 | 2 | |
Loss on sale of businesses | 1 | — | |
Adjustments associated with Spin-Off related balances | (3) | — | |
Other non-comparable items | 2 | 6 | |
Equity in affiliates' earnings, net of tax | (10) | (5) | |
Unrealized and realized loss on equity and debt securities | — | 2 | |
Interest expense, net | 12 | 5 | |
Other postretirement expense | 3 | 3 | |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest | $ 232 | $ 290 | |
Provision for income taxes | 61 | 62 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | 171 | 228 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest | 14 | 15 | |
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to BorgWarner Inc. | $ 157 | $ 213 |
BorgWarner Inc. | |||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions) | |||
March 31, | December 31, | ||
ASSETS | |||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ 1,707 | $ 2,094 | |
Receivables, net | 3,144 | 2,843 | |
Inventories, net | 1,205 | 1,251 | |
Prepayments and other current assets | 323 | 333 | |
Total current assets | 6,379 | 6,521 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 3,552 | 3,575 | |
Other non-current assets | 3,899 | 3,897 | |
Total assets | $ 13,830 | $ 13,993 | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||
Short-term debt | $ 59 | $ 398 | |
Accounts payable | 2,060 | 2,032 | |
Other current liabilities | 1,111 | 1,216 | |
Total current liabilities | 3,230 | 3,646 | |
Long-term debt | 3,803 | 3,763 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 907 | 878 | |
Total liabilities | 7,940 | 8,287 | |
Total BorgWarner Inc. stockholders' equity | 5,720 | 5,532 | |
Noncontrolling interest | 170 | 174 | |
Total equity | 5,890 | 5,706 | |
Total liabilities and equity | $ 13,830 | $ 13,993 |
BorgWarner Inc. | |||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations | $ 82 | $ (118) | |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | |||
Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | (119) | (190) | |
Customer advances related to capital expenditures | 2 | — | |
Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges, net | 12 | 12 | |
Proceeds from the sale of business, net | — | 3 | |
Proceeds from asset disposals and other, net | 11 | — | |
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations | (94) | (175) | |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS | |||
Payments of notes payable | (5) | — | |
Repayments of debt, including current portion | (346) | (12) | |
Payments for purchase of treasury stock | — | (100) | |
Payments for stock-based compensation items | (18) | (23) | |
Dividends paid to BorgWarner stockholders | (24) | (25) | |
Dividends paid to noncontrolling stockholders | (4) | (23) | |
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations | (397) | (183) | |
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS | |||
Operating activities of discontinued operations | — | (10) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations | — | (10) | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 22 | (11) | |
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (387) | (497) | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 2,094 | 1,534 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations at end of period | $ 1,707 | $ 1,037 | |
Supplemental Information (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Depreciation and tooling amortization | $ 138 | $ 133 | |
Intangible asset amortization | $ 17 | $ 17 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains information about BorgWarner's financial results that is not presented in accordance with
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management, investors and banking institutions in their analyses of the Company'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
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin
The Company defines adjusted operating income as operating income adjusted to exclude the impact of restructuring expense, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, intangible asset amortization expense, other net expenses, discontinued operations and other gains and losses not reflective of the Company's ongoing operations. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating income divided by net sales.
Adjusted Net Earnings
The Company defines adjusted net earnings as net earnings attributable to BorgWarner Inc. adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring expense, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, other net expenses, discontinued operations and other gains and losses not reflective of the Company's ongoing operations and related tax effects. The impact of intangible asset amortization expense continues to be included in adjusted net earnings.
Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share
The Company defines adjusted earnings per diluted share as earnings per diluted share adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring expense, merger, acquisition and divestiture expense, other net expenses, discontinued operations and other gains and losses not reflective of the Company's ongoing operations and related tax effects. The impact of intangible asset amortization expense continues to be included in adjusted earnings per share.
Free Cash Flow
The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities minus capital expenditures, net of customer advances related to capital expenditures. The Company believes this measure is useful to both management and investors in evaluating the Company's ability to service and repay its debt.
Organic Net Sales Change
The Company defines organic net sales changes as net sales change year-over-year excluding the estimated impact of foreign exchange (FX) and net mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin (Unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
(in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | |
Net sales | $ 3,515 | $ 3,595 | |
Operating income | $ 237 | $ 295 | |
Operating margin | 6.7 % | 8.2 % | |
Non-comparable items: | |||
Impairment charges | $ 39 | $ — | |
Restructuring expense | 31 | 19 | |
Costs to exit charging business | 26 | — | |
Intangible asset amortization expense | 17 | 17 | |
Merger and acquisition expense, net | 2 | 2 | |
Loss on sale of businesses | 1 | — | |
Adjustments associated with Spin-Off related balances | (3) | — | |
Other non-comparable items | 2 | 6 | |
Adjusted operating income | $ 352 | $ 339 | |
Adjusted operating margin | 10.0 % | 9.4 % |
Free Cash Flow Reconciliation (Unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
(in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations | $ 82 | $ (118) | |
Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | (119) | (190) | |
Customer advances related to capital expenditures | 2 | — | |
Free cash flow | $ (35) | $ (308) |
First Quarter 2025 Organic Net Sales Change (Unaudited) | |||||||||
(in millions) | Q1 2024 | FX | Organic | Q1 2025 | Organic | ||||
Turbos & Thermal Technologies | $ 1,574 | $ (44) | $ (76) | $ 1,454 | (4.8) % | ||||
Drivetrain & Morse Systems | 1,419 | (25) | (33) | 1,361 | (2.3) % | ||||
PowerDrive Systems | 436 | (12) | 137 | 561 | 31.4 % | ||||
Battery & Charging Systems | 177 | (4) | (23) | 150 | (13.0) % | ||||
Inter-segment eliminations | (11) | — | — | (11) | — % | ||||
Net sales | $ 3,595 | $ (85) | $ 5 | $ 3,515 | 0.1 % |
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin Guidance Reconciliation (Unaudited) | |||
Full-Year 2025 Guidance | |||
(in millions) | Low | High | |
Net sales | $ 13,600 | $ 14,200 | |
Operating income | $ 1,098 | $ 1,223 | |
Operating margin | 8.1 % | 8.6 % | |
Non-comparable items: | |||
Restructuring expense | $ 80 | $ 90 | |
Intangible asset amortization | 65 | 65 | |
Impairment charges | 39 | 39 | |
Costs to exit charging business | 26 | 26 | |
Merger and acquisition expense, net | 2 | 2 | |
Loss on sale of business | 1 | 1 | |
Adjustment associated with Spin-Off related balances | (3) | (3) | |
Other non-comparable items | 2 | 2 | |
Adjusted operating income | $ 1,310 | $ 1,445 | |
Adjusted operating margin | 9.6 % | 10.2 % |
Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share Guidance Reconciliation (Unaudited) | |||
Full-Year 2025 Guidance | |||
Low | High | ||
Earnings per Diluted Share | $ 3.44 | $ 3.85 | |
Non-comparable items: | |||
Restructuring expense | 0.28 | 0.32 | |
Impairment charges | 0.15 | 0.15 | |
Costs to exit charging business | 0.11 | 0.11 | |
Merger and acquisition expense, net | 0.01 | 0.01 | |
Adjustment associated with Spin-Off related balances | (0.01) | (0.01) | |
Tax adjustments | 0.01 | 0.01 | |
Other non-comparable items | 0.01 | 0.01 | |
Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share | $ 4.00 | $ 4.45 |
Free Cash Flow Guidance Reconciliation (Unaudited) | |||
Full-Year 2025 Guidance | |||
(in millions) | Low | High | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 1,323 | $ 1,375 | |
Capital expenditures, including tooling outlays | (675) | (625) | |
Customer advances related to capital expenditures | 2 | — | |
Free cash flow | $ 650 | $ 750 |
Full Year 2025 Organic Net Sales Change Guidance Reconciliation From Continuing Operations (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||
(in millions) | FY 2024 Net | FX | Organic Net | FY 2025 Net | Organic Net | LV/CV | Outgrowth % | ||||||
Low | $ 14,086 | $ (160) | $ (326) | $ 13,600 | (2.3) % | (4.0) % | 1.7 % | ||||||
High | $ 14,086 | $ (160) | $ 274 | $ 14,200 | 1.9 % | (2.0) % | 3.9 % |
Full Year 2025 Estimated Year-Over-Year Change in Production (Unaudited) | ||||||||
Total | ||||||||
Light vehicle | (12)% to (7)% | (5)% to (3.5)% | (3)% to (1)% | |||||
Commercial vehicle | (6)% to (5.5)% | |||||||
BorgWarner-Weighted | (11.5)% to (6.5)% | (3.5)% to (2)% | (4)% to (2)% |
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SOURCE BorgWarner