| Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Unless the context otherwise requires, the use of the terms “PAG,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements refers to Penske Automotive Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Business Overview and Concentrations
We are a diversified international transportation services company that operates automotive and commercial truck dealerships principally in the United States, Canada and Western Europe, and distributes commercial vehicles, diesel engines, gas engines, power systems and related parts and services principally in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2017, our business generated $21.4 billion in total revenue, which is comprised of approximately $19.8 billion from retail automotive dealerships, $1.0 billion from retail commercial truck dealerships and $0.5 billion from commercial vehicle distribution and other operations.
Retail Automotive Dealership. We believe we are the second largest automotive retailer headquartered in the U.S. as measured by the $19.8 billion in total retail automotive dealership revenue we generated in 2017. As of December 31, 2017, we operated 343 retail automotive franchises, of which 155 franchises are located in the U.S. and 188 franchises are located outside of the U.S. The franchises outside the U.S. are located primarily in the U.K.
We are engaged in the sale of new and used motor vehicles and related products and services, including vehicle service, collision repair, and placement of finance and lease contracts, third-party insurance products and other aftermarket products. We operate dealerships under franchise agreements with a number of automotive manufacturers and distributors. In accordance with individual franchise agreements, each dealership is subject to certain rights and restrictions typical of the industry. The ability of the manufacturers to influence the operations of the dealerships, or the loss of a significant number of franchise agreements, could have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, Audi/Volkswagen/Porsche/Bentley franchises accounted for 24% of our total retail automotive dealership revenues, BMW/MINI franchises accounted for 23%, Toyota/Lexus franchises accounted for 13%, and Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter/smart accounted for 10%. No other manufacturers’ franchises accounted for more than 10% of our total retail automotive dealership revenues. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had receivables from manufacturers of $230.1 million and $196.5 million, respectively. In addition, a large portion of our contracts in transit, which are included in accounts receivable, are due from manufacturers’ captive finance companies.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we acquired eight retail automotive franchises, were awarded five retail automotive franchises, and disposed of twenty-five retail automotive franchises. Of the retail automotive franchises acquired, two are located in New Jersey and represent the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, two are located in Arizona and represent the Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter brands, two are located in the U.K. and represent the BMW and MINI brands, and two are located in Germany and represent the Audi and Volkswagen brands. Of the franchises disposed of, nine represented franchises in Puerto Rico, five represented smart franchises in the U.S., and five represented BMW, MINI, and Lexus franchises in the U.K.
In the first quarter of 2017, we acquired CarSense in the U.S. and CarShop in the U.K., both businesses representing stand-alone used vehicle dealerships, which we believe complement our existing franchised retail automotive dealership operations and provide scalable opportunities across our market areas. Our CarSense operations consist of five locations operating in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market areas, including southern New Jersey. Our CarShop operations consist of five retail locations and a vehicle preparation center operating principally throughout Southern England. In January 2018, we expanded our U.K. stand-alone used vehicle dealerships by acquiring The Car People, one of the U.K.’s leading retailers of used vehicles. The Car People has four retail locations operating across Northern England, which complements CarShop’s locations principally in Southern England.
Retail Commercial Truck Dealership. We operate a heavy and medium-duty truck dealership group known as Premier Truck Group (“PTG”) with locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, and Canada. As of December 31, 2017, PTG operated twenty locations, including fourteen full-service dealerships and six collision centers, offering primarily Freightliner and Western Star branded trucks. Four of these locations were acquired in April 2016 in the greater Toronto, Canada market area, and two of these locations were acquired in December 2016 in the Niagara Falls, Canada market area. PTG also offers a full range of used trucks available for sale as well as service and parts departments, providing a full range of maintenance and repair services.
Commercial Vehicle Distribution . We are the exclusive importer and distributor of Western Star heavy-duty trucks (a Daimler brand), MAN heavy and medium-duty trucks and buses (a VW Group brand), and Dennis Eagle refuse collection vehicles, together with associated parts, across Australia, New Zealand and portions of the Pacific. This business, known as Penske Commercial Vehicles Australia (“PCV Australia”), distributes commercial vehicles and parts to a network of more than 70 dealership locations, including eight company-owned retail commercial vehicle dealerships.
We are also a leading distributor of diesel and gas engines and power systems, principally representing MTU, Detroit Diesel, Mercedes-Benz Industrial, Allison Transmission and MTU Onsite Energy. This business, known as Penske Power Systems (“PPS”), offers products across the on- and off-highway markets in Australia, New Zealand and portions of the Pacific and supports full parts and aftersales service through a network of branches, field locations and dealers across the region. The on-highway portion of this business complements our PCV Australia distribution business, including integrated operations at retail locations selling PCV brands.
Penske Truck Leasing. We currently hold a 28.9% ownership interest in Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. (“PTL”), a leading provider of transportation services and supply chain management. PTL is capable of meeting customers’ needs across the supply chain with a broad product offering that includes full-service truck leasing, truck rental and contract maintenance, along with logistic services such as dedicated contract carriage, distribution center management, transportation management and lead logistics provider. On July 27, 2016, we acquired an additional 14.4% ownership interest in PTL from subsidiaries of GE Capital Global Holdings, LLC (collectively, “GE Capital”) for approximately $498.5 million in cash to bring our ownership interest to 23.4%. Prior to this acquisition, we held a 9.0% ownership interest in PTL. On September 7, 2017, we acquired an additional 5.5% ownership interest from GE Capital for approximately $239.1 million in cash. At the same time, affiliates of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”), our second largest shareholder, acquired an additional 10.0% ownership interest in PTL at the same valuation. PTL is currently owned 41.1% by Penske Corporation, 28.9% by us, and 30.0% by Mitsui. GE Capital no longer owns any ownership interests in PTL. We account for our investment in PTL under the equity method, and we therefore record our share of PTL’s earnings on our statements of income under the caption “Equity in earnings of affiliates,” which also includes the results of our other equity method investments.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include all majority‑owned subsidiaries. Investments in affiliated companies, representing an ownership interest in the voting stock of the affiliate of between 20% and 50% or an investment in a limited partnership or a limited liability corporation for which our investment is more than minor, are stated at the cost of acquisition plus our equity in undistributed net earnings since acquisition. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements, including the comparative periods presented, have been adjusted for entities that have been treated as discontinued operations prior to adoption of ASU No. 2014-08 in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounts requiring the use of significant estimates include accounts receivable, inventories, income taxes, intangible assets, and certain reserves.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly‑liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Contracts in Transit
Contracts in transit represent receivables from unaffiliated finance companies relating to the sale of customers’ installment sales and lease contracts arising in connection with the sale of a vehicle by us. Contracts in transit, included in accounts receivable, net in our consolidated balance sheets, amounted to $356.1 million and $322.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Inventory Valuation
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost for new and used vehicle inventories includes acquisition, reconditioning, dealer installed accessories, and transportation expenses and is determined using the specific identification method. Inventories of dealership parts and accessories are accounted for using the “first‑in, first‑out” (“FIFO”) method of inventory accounting and the cost is based on factory list prices.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over estimated useful lives using the straight‑line method. Useful lives for purposes of computing depreciation for assets, other than leasehold improvements, range between 3 and 15 years. Leasehold improvements and equipment under capital lease are depreciated over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, not to exceed 40 years.
Expenditures relating to recurring repair and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that increase the useful life or substantially increase the serviceability of an existing asset are capitalized. When equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet, with any resulting gain or loss being reflected in income.
Income Taxes
Tax regulations may require items to be included in our tax return at different times than when those items are reflected in our financial statements. Some of the differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible on our tax return, and some are temporary differences, such as the timing of depreciation expense. Temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that will be used as a tax deduction or credit in our tax return in future years which we have already recorded in our financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent deductions taken on our tax return that have not yet been recognized as an expense in our financial statements. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets if the amount of expected future taxable income is not more likely than not to allow for the use of the deduction or credit.
Intangible Assets
Our principal intangible assets relate to our franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers and distributors, which represent the estimated value of franchises acquired in business combinations, our distribution agreements with commercial vehicle manufacturers, which represent the estimated value of distribution rights acquired in business combinations, and goodwill, which represents the excess of cost over the fair value of tangible and identified intangible assets acquired in business combinations. We believe the franchise values of our automotive dealerships and the distribution agreements of our commercial vehicle distribution operations have an indefinite useful life based on the following:
·
Automotive retailing and commercial vehicle distribution are mature industries and are based on franchise and distribution agreements with the vehicle manufacturers and distributors;
·
There are no known changes or events that would alter the automotive retailing franchise or commercial vehicle distribution environments;
·
Certain franchise agreement terms are indefinite;
·
Franchise and distribution agreements that have limited terms have historically been renewed by us without substantial cost; and
·
Our history shows that manufacturers and distributors have not terminated our franchise or distribution agreements.
Impairment Testing
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment annually on October 1 and upon the occurrence of an indicator of impairment through a comparison of its carrying amount and estimated fair value. An indicator of impairment exists if the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value and an impairment loss may be recognized up to that excess. The fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow approach, which includes assumptions about revenue and profitability growth, profit margins, and the cost of capital. We also evaluate in connection with the annual impairment testing whether events and circumstances continue to support our assessment that the other indefinite-lived intangible assets continue to have an indefinite life.
Goodwill impairment is assessed at the reporting unit level annually on October 1 and upon the occurrence of an indicator of impairment. Our operations are organized by management into operating segments by line of business and geography. We have determined that we have four reportable segments as defined in generally accepted accounting principles for segment reporting: (i) Retail Automotive, consisting of our retail automotive dealership operations; (ii) Retail Commercial Truck, consisting of our retail commercial truck dealership operations in the U.S. and Canada; (iii) Other, consisting of our commercial vehicle and power systems distribution operations and other non-automotive consolidated operations; and (iv) Non-Automotive Investments, consisting of our equity method investments in non-automotive operations. We have determined that the dealerships in each of our operating segments within the Retail Automotive reportable segment are components that are aggregated into six reporting units for the purpose of goodwill impairment testing, as they (A) have similar economic characteristics (all are automotive dealerships having similar margins), (B) offer similar products and services (all sell new and/or used vehicles, service, parts and third-party finance and insurance products), (C) have similar target markets and customers (generally individuals), and (D) have similar distribution and marketing practices (all distribute products and services through dealership facilities that market to customers in similar fashions). The reporting units are Eastern, Central, and Western United States, CarSense, International, and CarShop. Our Retail Commercial Truck reportable segment has been determined to represent one operating segment and reporting unit. The goodwill included in our Other reportable segment relates primarily to our commercial vehicle distribution operating segment. There is no goodwill recorded in our Non-Automotive Investments reportable segment.
For our Retail Automotive, Retail Commercial Truck, and Other reporting units, we prepared a quantitative assessment of the carrying value of goodwill. We estimated the fair value of our reporting units using an “income” valuation approach. The “income” valuation approach estimates our enterprise value using a net present value model, which discounts projected free cash flows of our business using the weighted average cost of capital as the discount rate. In connection with this process, we also reconcile the estimated aggregate fair values of our reporting units to our market capitalization. We believe this reconciliation process is consistent with a market participant perspective. This consideration would also include a control premium that represents the estimated amount an investor would pay for our equity securities to obtain a controlling interest, and other significant assumptions including revenue and profitability growth, franchise profit margins, residual values and the cost of capital. We concluded that the fair value of each of these reporting units exceeded its carrying value.
Investments
We account for each of our investments under the equity method, pursuant to which we record our proportionate share of the investee’s income each period. The net book value of our investments was $1,256.6 million and $893.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, including $1,185.6 million and $823.8 million relating to PTL as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In July 2016, we increased our ownership interest in PTL from 9.0% to 23.4% as a result of our acquisition of an additional 14.4% ownership interest, and in September 2017, we acquired an additional 5.5% ownership interest, as discussed previously. We currently hold a 28.9% ownership interest in PTL.
Investments for which there is not a liquid, actively traded market are reviewed periodically by management for indicators of impairment. If an indicator of impairment is identified, management estimates the fair value of the investment using a discounted cash flow approach, which includes assumptions relating to revenue and profitability growth, profit margins, residual values, and our cost of capital. Declines in investment values that are deemed to be other than temporary may result in an impairment charge reducing the investments’ carrying value to fair value.
Foreign Currency Translation
For all of our non-U.S. operations, the functional currency is the local currency. The revenue and expense accounts of our non-U.S. operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period. Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. operations are translated into U.S. dollars using period end exchange rates. Cumulative translation adjustments relating to foreign functional currency assets and liabilities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of equity.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value and also establishes the following three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted market prices in markets that are not active; or model‑derived valuations or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, debt, floor plan notes payable, and forward exchange contracts used to hedge future cash flows. Other than our fixed rate debt, the carrying amount of all significant financial instruments approximates fair value due either to length of maturity, the existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates, or as a result of mark to market accounting.
Our fixed rate debt consists of amounts outstanding under our senior subordinated notes and mortgage facilities. We estimate the fair value of our senior unsecured notes using quoted prices for the identical liability (Level 2), and we estimate the fair value of our mortgage facilities using a present value technique based on our current market interest rates for similar types of financial instruments (Level 2). A summary of the carrying values and fair values of our 5.75% senior subordinated notes, 5.375% senior subordinated notes, 5.50% senior subordinated notes, 3.75% senior subordinated notes, and our fixed rate mortgage facilities are as follows:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
5.75% senior subordinated notes due 2022
$
545.9
$
562.3
$
545.1
$
567.6
5.375% senior subordinated notes due 2024
297.2
300.2
296.8
293.0
5.50% senior subordinated notes due 2026
494.4
505.0
493.7
489.4
3.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020
296.5
301.7
—
—
Mortgage facilities
235.5
233.4
199.9
195.6
Revenue Recognition
Dealership Vehicle, Parts and Service Sales
We record revenue for vehicle sales when vehicles are delivered, which is when the transfer of title and risks and rewards of ownership are considered passed to the customer. We record revenue for service or repair work when the work is completed, and record parts sales when parts are delivered to our customers. Sales promotions that we offer to customers are accounted for as a reduction of revenues at the time of sale. Rebates and other incentives offered directly to us by manufacturers are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales. Reimbursements of qualified advertising expenses are treated as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses. The amounts received under certain manufacturer rebate and incentive programs are based on the attainment of program objectives, and such earnings are recognized either upon the sale of the vehicle for which the award was received, or upon attainment of the particular program goals if not associated with individual vehicles. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis (excluded from revenue).
Dealership Finance and Insurance Sales
Subsequent to the sale of a vehicle to a customer, we sell installment sale contracts to various financial institutions on a non‑recourse basis (with specified exceptions) to mitigate the risk of default. We receive a commission from the lender equal to either the difference between the interest rate charged to the customer and the interest rate set by the financing institution or a flat fee. We also receive commissions for facilitating the sale of various products to customers, including guaranteed vehicle protection insurance, vehicle theft protection and extended service contracts. These commissions are recorded as revenue at the time the customer enters into the contract. In the case of finance contracts, a customer may prepay or fail to pay their contract, thereby terminating the contract. Customers may also terminate extended service contracts and other insurance products, which are fully paid at purchase, and become eligible for refunds of unused premiums. In these circumstances, a portion of the commissions we received may be charged back based on the terms of the contracts. The revenue we record relating to these transactions is net of an estimate of the amount of chargebacks we will be required to pay. Our estimate is based upon our historical experience with similar contracts, including the impact of refinance and default rates on retail finance contracts and cancellation rates on extended service contracts and other insurance products. Aggregate reserves relating to chargeback activity were $24.9 million and $23.5 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Commercial Vehicle Distribution
We record revenue from the distribution of vehicles, engines, and products when the goods are delivered, which is when the transfer of title and risks and rewards of ownership are considered passed to the customer. We record revenue for service or repair work when the work is completed, and record parts sales when parts are delivered to our customers. For our long-term power generation contracts, we record revenue as services are provided in accordance with contract milestones.
Defined Contribution Plans
We sponsor a number of defined contribution plans covering a significant majority of our employees. Our contributions to such plans are discretionary and are based on the level of compensation and contributions by plan participants. We incurred expenses of $16.8 million, $14.5 million, and $16.0 million relating to such plans during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred or when such advertising takes place. We incurred net advertising costs of $115.8 million, $102.5 million, and $101.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Qualified advertising expenditures reimbursed by manufacturers, which are treated as a reduction of advertising expense, were $18.6 million, $16.6 million, and $17.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
Self-Insurance
We retain risk relating to certain of our general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, vehicle physical damage insurance, property insurance, employment practices liability insurance, directors and officers insurance, and employee medical benefits in the U.S. As a result, we are likely to be responsible for a significant portion of the claims and losses incurred under these programs. The amount of risk we retain varies by program, and for certain exposures, we have pre‑determined maximum loss limits for certain individual claims and/or insurance periods. Losses, if any, above the pre‑determined loss limits are paid by third‑party insurance carriers. Certain insurers have limited available property coverage in response to the natural catastrophes experienced in recent years. Our estimate of future losses is prepared by management using our historical loss experience and industry‑based development factors. Aggregate reserves relating to retained risk were $30.3 million and $28.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed using net income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders and the number of weighted average shares of voting common stock outstanding, including outstanding unvested restricted stock awards which contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends. Diluted earnings per share is computed using net income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders and the number of weighted average shares of voting common stock outstanding, adjusted for any dilutive effects.
A reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
2015
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
85,877,227
86,000,754
89,759,626
Effect of non-participatory equity compensation
—
—
—
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including effect of dilutive securities
85,877,227
86,000,754
89,759,626
Hedging
Generally accepted accounting principles relating to derivative instruments and hedging activities require all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. These accounting principles also define requirements for designation and documentation of hedging relationships, as well as ongoing effectiveness assessments, which must be met in order to qualify for hedge accounting. For a derivative that does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value are recorded in earnings immediately. If the derivative is designated as a fair‑value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash‑flow hedge, effective changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of equity, and recorded in the income statement only when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of the derivative attributable to hedge ineffectiveness are recorded in earnings immediately.
Stock‑Based Compensation
Generally accepted accounting principles relating to share‑based payments require us to record compensation expense for all awards based on their grant‑date fair value. Our share‑based payments have generally been in the form of “non‑vested shares,” the fair value of which are measured as if they were vested and issued on the grant date.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition.” ASU No. 2014-09 will require an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers using a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) — Deferral of the Effective Date” providing for a one-year deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09 and allowing for early adoption as of the original effective date. The FASB has since also issued additional ASUs containing various updates to Topic 606 which will all be adopted along with ASU 2014-09 (collectively, “the new revenue recognition standard,” “ASC 606”). For public companies, the new revenue recognition standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. These ASUs can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented under the full retrospective approach, or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption under the modified retrospective approach. We intend to adopt these ASUs on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach and will apply the adoption only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption, with no restatement of comparative periods, and a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings recognized as of the date of adoption.
As part of the adoption of ASC 606, we performed an assessment of the impact the new revenue recognition standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. Based on our assessment performed, we concluded that the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements, as we expect the timing of our revenue recognition for most of our revenue streams to generally remain the same; however, we have identified certain revenue streams impacted by the new revenue recognition standard with resulting changes in our revenue recognition practices.
For our Retail Automotive and Retail Commercial Truck reportable segments, under legacy guidance we have recognized revenues at a point in time upon meeting relevant revenue recognition criteria. Under ASC 606, the timing of revenue recognition for our service and collision revenue stream will change, as we concluded the performance obligations for service and collision work are satisfied over time under the new revenue recognition standard. Although there is a change in timing of our revenue recognition for our service and parts reven |
