Slowing sales hit BYD, other Chinese automakers’ earnings

The sharp declines reflect both slower sales and thinner profit margins in the world’s largest vehicle market, thanks to rising costs and intense competition on price.

BYD, which is backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffet, is forecasting its profit will fall between 35 percent and 65 percent for the full year, though it expects an improvement in the fourth quarter.

The company’s profit fell nearly 86 percent to 352.7 million yuan ($55.5 million) in January-September, though it jumped nearly sixfold in the third-quarter, from a very low base the year before, as sales were energized by the introduction of new models.

Auto sales in China surged in 2009-2010, propelled by subsidies and tax cuts meant to help the industry rebound from the global crisis. Sales rose 32% last year to 18 million vehicles.

But the lackluster growth seen in recent months has prompted most analysts to slash sales forecasts for this year to below 20 million vehicles, or single-digit growth.

“Everybody can have good financial results when the market is growing by double-digits,” said Yale Zhang, managing director of the independent consultancy AutoForesight in Shanghai.

“If it should be in the single digits, then some of the weaker ones will show sluggish performance,” he said.

A tightening of the quota for subsidies for purchases of fuel-efficient vehicles, beginning in October, is likely to slow sales in the fourth quarter, which is usually one of the stronger seasons for auto sales.

BYD’s problems became apparent in the past two years, as its sales of mostly small sedans failed to keep up with rapid expansion of its dealership network. The company, which also makes batteries, phone handsets and energy storage equipment, attributed the weak results so far this year to a decline in auto sales.

BYD sold 326,379 vehicles in the first three quarters, down 15.5% from a year earlier, but saw sales climb 9.1 percent in September-July, to 94,024 vehicles.

The recent introduction of its S6 SUV is helping, said Zhang. “They are stabilized. They’ve passed the worst and should be back on track to do business,” he said.

FAW Car Co., a major state-owned automaker based in the northeast, reported a net loss in the third quarter of 49.9 million yuan ($7.9 million). The company, whose results only reflect sales of its domestic brands and not of its joint ventures with Toyota and Volkswagen AG, said auto restrictions in Beijing and rising oil prices hurt sales.

Dongfeng Motor Group, a partner of Nissan and PSA PeugeotCitroen, said its profit fell 3%in the first three quarters, to 8.6 billion yuan ($1.4 billion). Its performance was hit both by slowing sales and by disruptions related to the March 11 tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Commercial vehicle maker Beiqi Foton  said its third quarter profit fell 60% from a year earlier to 211 million yuan ($33.2 million). The company said its sales of light trucks fell 6 percent while sales of passenger cars dropped 21.4%.

However, not all automakers are suffering such malaise.

Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp., partner of both General Motors and Volkswagen AG, reported its profit jumped 27%in the third quarter, helped by strong demand for new GM and VW models.

Its sales jumped 12% in the first nine months of the year, to almost 3 million vehicles.