Cost of sales: Cost of sales for 2017 was $7,809 million, or 84.2 percent of sales, compared to $7,116 million, or 82.8 percent of sales in 2016. The following table lists the primary drivers behind the change in cost of sales ($ millions).
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Year ended December 31, 2016 | | $ | 7,116 | |
Volume and mix | | | 550 | |
Material | | | 35 | |
Currency exchange rates | | | 75 | |
Restructuring | | | 19 | |
Other costs | | | 14 | |
| | | | |
Year ended December 31, 2017 | | $ | 7,809 | |
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The increase in cost of sales was due to the year-over-year increase in volume, higher net material costs, higher other costs, mainly manufacturing, higher restructuring costs and the impact of currency exchange rates.
Gross margin: Revenue less cost of sales for 2017 was $1,465 million, or 15.8 percent of sales, versus $1,483 million, or 17.2 percent of sales in 2016. The effect on gross margin resulting from year-over-year increase in volume and favorable currency impact was more than offset by higher net material costs, higher restructuring costs and higher other costs, mainly manufacturing.
Engineering, research and development: Engineering, research and development expense was $158 million and $154 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A): Selling, general and administrative expense was up $123 million in 2017, at $636 million, compared to $513 million in 2016. 2017 included a $132 million antitrust settlement accrual.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization expense was $224 million and $212 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Goodwill impairment: As a result of our goodwill impairment evaluation in the fourth quarter of 2017, we determined that the estimated fair value of the Europe and South America Ride Performance reporting unit was lower than its carrying value. Accordingly, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $11 million in the fourth quarter, which has been reallocated based on the Company’s revised reportable segments and reporting units. We reached this determination based on updated long-term projections for the Europe and South America Ride Performance reporting unit provided by the Company’s annual budgeting and strategic planning process. The 2017 annual budgeting and strategic planning process indicated that the reporting unit’s recovery period will be longer than previously expected.
Earnings before interest expense, taxes and noncontrolling interests (“EBIT”) was $417 million for 2017, a decrease of $99 million, when compared to $516 million in the prior year. Higher OE light vehicle and commercial truck,off-highway and other vehicle revenues in all regions and new platforms were more than offset by higher manufacturing costs, higher restructuring and related costs, the antitrust settlement accrual of $132 million, a goodwill impairment charge of $11 million in Europe and South America, a warranty settlement with a customer, the timing of steel economics recoveries and continued investments in growth for new programs. EBIT for 2016 also included $72 million in pension buyout charges.
Results from Operations
Net Sales and Operating Revenues for Years 2017 and 2016
The tables below reflect our revenues for 2017 and 2016. We show the component of our OE revenue represented by substrate sales. While we generally have primary design, engineering and manufacturing
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