Investments

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

From a Group perspective, the associates Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Ltd., Hongkong (Sinotruk), Bertrandt AG, Ehningen (Bertrandt) and There Holding B.V., Rijswijk (There Holding) were material at the reporting date.

Sinotruk

Sinotruk is one of the largest truck manufacturers in the Chinese market. There is an agreement in place between Group companies and Sinotruk regarding a long-term strategic partnership, under which the Group participates in the local market. In addition to the partnership with Sinotruk in the volume segment, exports of MAN vehicles to China are also helping to expand access to the small, but fast-growing premium truck market. Sinotruk’s principal place of business is in Hongkong, China.

As of December 31, 2015, the quoted market price of the shares in Sinotruk amounted to €251 million (previous year: €317 million).

Bertrandt

On July 2, 2014, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, increased its interest in Bertrandt by just under 4%. Following this acquisition, Volkswagen indirectly holds just under 29% of the voting shares of Bertrandt. There has been no change in the intention not to exercise any influence on Bertrandt’s supervisory board or management board. Bertrandt has been included in the Volkswagen Group’s consolidated financial statements as an equity-accounted associate from the date on which the additional shares were acquired. In the previous year, the amounts resulting from the fair value measurement of the shares amounting to €148 million that had previously been recognized outside profit or loss in the other reserves in this connection were recognized in profit or loss in the other financial result.

Bertrandt is an engineering partner to companies in the automotive and aviation industry. Its portfolio of services ranges from developing individual components through complex modules to end-to-end solutions. Bertrandt’s principal place of business is in Ehningen.

As of December 31, 2015, the quoted market price of the shares in Bertrandt amounted to €327 million (previous year: €338 million).

There Holding

Audi, the BMW Group and Daimler AG each acquired a 33.3% interest in There Holding, which was formed in 2015. Effective December 4, 2015, There Holding acquired all shares in the HERE Group through a wholly owned subsidiary, There Acquisition B.V., Rijswijk (the Netherlands), for a purchase price of €2,602 million. HERE develops and sells high-resolution maps with real-time location information. The purchase price was financed largely by way of capital contributions at There Holding. Audi’s share of it amounts to €668 million. The remainder of the purchase price was financed through bank loans at There Acquisition B.V. There Acquisition B.V. was renamed HERE International B.V. on January 29, 2016.

There Holding is an associate that is accounted for using the equity method. As the acquisition took place near the end of the reporting period, it was not possible to fully identify all hidden reserves and liabilities. This is expected to be done in the first quarter of 2016. In light of this, and also for reasons of materiality, There Holding was not included at the reporting date on the basis of the Group’s share of profit or loss.

  (XLS:) Download

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON MATERIAL ASSOCIATES ON A 100% BASIS:

€ million

 

Sinotruk1

 

Bertrandt2

 

There Holding3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Balance sheet amounts refer to the June 30 reporting date and income statement amounts refer to the period from July 1 to June 30.

2

Balance sheet amounts refer to the September 30 reporting date. The income statement amounts for fiscal year 2015 refer to the period from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, while those for fiscal 2014 refer to the period from July 2 to September 30, 2014.

3

The information relating to the balance sheet is based on the financial statement information available at the acquisition date of the HERE Group in December 2015.

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest (%)

 

25

 

29

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

2,299

 

604

 

3,115

Current assets

 

4,472

 

341

 

365

Noncurrent liabilities

 

484

 

155

 

1,093

Current liabilities

 

3,204

 

205

 

384

Net assets

 

3,083

 

585

 

2,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

4,079

 

935

 

Post-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

64

 

15

 

Post-tax profit or loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−2

 

0

 

Total comprehensive income

 

62

 

15

 

Dividends received

 

5

 

7

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest (%)

 

25

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

1,922

 

616

 

Current assets

 

4,112

 

305

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

168

 

168

 

Current liabilities

 

3,377

 

161

 

Net assets

 

2,490

 

592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

3,886

 

243

 

Post-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

70

 

−3

 

Post-tax profit or loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−1

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

69

 

−3

 

Dividends received

 

3

 

 

  (XLS:) Download

RECONCILIATION OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO THE CARRYING AMOUNT OF THE EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS:

€ million

 

Sinotruk

 

Bertrandt1

 

There Holding2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Reconciliation presented for Bertrandt in 2014 as of July 2, 2014, the date from which it was accounted for using the equity method.

2

In the case of There Holding, the net carrying amount at the acquisition date of the HERE Group in December 2015 is shown.

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

2,490

 

592

 

2,003

Profit or loss

 

64

 

15

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−2

 

0

 

Changes in reserves

 

5

 

2

 

Foreign exchange differences

 

555

 

 

Dividends

 

−28

 

−24

 

Net assets at December 31

 

3,083

 

585

 

2,003

Proportionate equity

 

771

 

169

 

668

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−452

 

163

 

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

318

 

332

 

668

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

2,574

 

595

 

Profit or loss

 

70

 

−3

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−1

 

 

Changes in reserves

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences

 

−136

 

 

Dividends

 

−18

 

 

Net assets at December 31

 

2,490

 

592

 

Proportionate equity

 

622

 

171

 

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−313

 

163

 

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

309

 

334

 

  (XLS:) Download

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUALLY IMMATERIAL ASSOCIATES ON THE BASIS OF THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP’S PROPORTIONATE INTEREST:

€ million

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

Post-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

−1

 

4

Post-tax profit or loss from discontinued operations

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

1

 

−2

Total comprehensive income

 

0

 

2

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

40

 

72

Unrecognized losses relating to investments in associates totaled €3 million (previous year: €– million). Contingent liabilities relating to associates amounted to €0 million (previous year: €3 million).

INTERESTS IN JOINT VENTURES

From a Group perspective, the joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company, Ltd., Changchun, SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd., Shanghai (formerly: Shanghai-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd., Shanghai), SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company Ltd., Shanghai (SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company) and Global Mobility Holding B.V., Amsterdam (Global Mobility Holding) were material at the reporting date due to their size.

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company develops, produces and sells passenger cars. There is an agreement in place between Group companies and the joint venture partner China FAW Corporation Limited regarding a long-term strategic partnership. The principal place of business is in Changchun, China.

SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company

SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company develops and produces passenger cars. There is an agreement in place between Group companies and the joint venture partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation regarding a long-term strategic partnership. The principal place of business is in Shanghai, China.

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company sells passenger cars for SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company. There is an agreement in place between Group companies and the joint venture partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation regarding a long-term strategic partnership. The principal place of business is in Shanghai, China.

Global Mobility Holding

Through its 50% interest in the joint venture Global Mobility Holding B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands (GMH), the Volkswagen Group holds a 50% indirect stake in the joint venture’s subsidiary, LeasePlan Corporation N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands (LeasePlan). GMH’s business activity consists of holding the interest in LeasePlan. LeasePlan is a Dutch financial services group whose core business is leasing and fleet management. GMH’s principal place of business is in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

In 2010, Volkswagen agreed with Fleet Investments B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands, an investment company belonging to the von Metzler family, that Fleet Investments would become the new co-investor in Global Mobility Holding. The previous co-investors were instructed by Volkswagen AG to transfer their shares to Fleet Investments B.V. on February 1, 2010 for the purchase price of €1.4 billion. Volkswagen AG has granted the new co-investor a put option on its shares. If this option is exercised, Volkswagen must pay the original purchase price, less purchase price reductions, plus accumulated pro rata preferred dividends. Additionally, Volkswagen AG has a preemptive right of purchase at any applicable higher fair value. The put option is accounted for at fair value.

In addition, Volkswagen has pledged claims under certificates of deposit with Bankhaus Metzler in the amount of €1.3 billion to secure a loan granted to Fleet Investments B.V. by Bankhaus Metzler. This pledge does not increase the Volkswagen Group’s risk arising from the above-mentioned short position. In fiscal year 2015, the put option and the certificates of deposit were prolonged until a maximum of September 30, 2018, subject to several conditions.

On July 23, 2015, GMH sold its 100% interest in LeasePlan to a consortium of international investors. The legal transfer of the shares is subject to the condition precedent that the necessary official approvals are issued during the further course of the sale. The transaction could not be completed in the past fiscal year because official approvals are still outstanding. With respect to the final official approvals issued in January 2016, please refer to the disclosures on “Events after the balance sheet date”.

Volkswagen AG did not grant additional credit lines either to the consortium of investors or to LeasePlan in connection with the intended sale of the indirect interest in LeasePlan. On completion of the transaction, the existing credit line of €1.3 billion provided by the Volkswagen Group will be cancelled.

  (XLS:) Download

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON THE MATERIAL JOINT VENTURES ON A 100% BASIS:

€ million

 

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company*

 

Global Mobility Holding

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company sells passenger cars for SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company. Therefore, the sales revenue reported for SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company was mostly generated from its business with SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company.

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest (%)

 

40.0

 

50.0

 

50.0

 

30.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

7,997

 

6,345

 

12,404

 

486

Current assets

 

12,674

 

8,187

 

9,913

 

3,341

of which: cash, cash equivalents and time deposits

 

5,954

 

4,761

 

1,722

 

231

Noncurrent liabilities

 

1,424

 

1,471

 

9,855

 

10

of which: financial liabilities

 

 

 

8,757

 

Current liabilities

 

11,422

 

7,444

 

8,535

 

3,311

of which: financial liabilities

 

100

 

27

 

6,546

 

Net assets

 

7,825

 

5,618

 

3,927

 

506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

40,462

 

26,018

 

8,298

 

30,035

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

 

1,033

 

907

 

56

 

4

Interest income

 

64

 

79

 

780

 

14

Interest expenses

 

 

 

330

 

Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

6,169

 

4,408

 

608

 

600

Income tax income/expense

 

1,464

 

850

 

165

 

151

Post-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

4,705

 

3,558

 

442

 

449

Post-tax profit or loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−5

 

5

 

16

 

Total comprehensive income

 

4,700

 

3,563

 

458

 

449

Dividends received

 

2,170

 

2,048

 

114

 

143

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest (%)

 

40.0

 

50.0

 

50.0

 

30.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

6,913

 

6,402

 

11,251

 

450

Current assets

 

14,066

 

7,013

 

9,305

 

4,099

of which: cash, cash equivalents and time deposits

 

7,681

 

5,309

 

1,039

 

248

Noncurrent liabilities

 

1,551

 

1,254

 

8,299

 

2

of which: financial liabilities

 

 

 

7,257

 

Current liabilities

 

11,472

 

6,558

 

8,560

 

4,050

of which: financial liabilities

 

3

 

 

6,753

 

Net assets

 

7,956

 

5,603

 

3,697

 

497

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

42,812

 

23,142

 

7,619

 

26,959

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

 

861

 

764

 

83

 

3

Interest income

 

84

 

99

 

794

 

Interest expenses

 

 

 

378

 

Pre-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

6,389

 

4,524

 

468

 

539

Income tax income/expense

 

1,675

 

1,149

 

120

 

135

Post-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

4,714

 

3,376

 

348

 

404

Post-tax profit or loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

−28

 

30

 

Total comprehensive income

 

4,714

 

3,348

 

378

 

404

Dividends received

 

1,400

 

1,328

 

70

 

103

  (XLS:) Download

RECONCILIATION OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO THE CARRYING AMOUNT OF THE EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS:

€ million

 

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company

 

Global Mobility Holding

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

7,956

 

5,603

 

3,697

 

497

Profit or loss

 

4,705

 

3,558

 

442

 

449

Other comprehensive income

 

−5

 

5

 

16

 

Changes in share capital

 

377

 

 

 

Changes in reserves

 

−377

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences

 

594

 

548

 

 

38

Dividends

 

−5,425

 

−4,096

 

−228

 

−478

Net assets at December 31

 

7,825

 

5,618

 

3,927

 

506

Proportionate equity

 

3,130

 

2,809

 

1,964

 

152

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−212

 

−55

 

−13

 

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

2,918

 

2,754

 

1,950

 

152

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

5,986

 

4,515

 

3,459

 

403

Profit or loss

 

4,714

 

3,376

 

348

 

404

Other comprehensive income

 

 

−28

 

30

 

Changes in share capital

 

236

 

 

 

Changes in reserves

 

−236

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences

 

757

 

396

 

 

33

Dividends

 

−3,502

 

−2,656

 

−140

 

−343

Net assets at December 31

 

7,956

 

5,603

 

3,697

 

497

Proportionate equity

 

3,182

 

2,802

 

1,848

 

149

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−187

 

−141

 

−13

 

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

2,995

 

2,661

 

1,835

 

149

  (XLS:) Download

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUALLY IMMATERIAL JOINT VENTURES ON THE BASIS OF THE VOLKSWAGEN GROUP’S PROPORTIONATE INTEREST:

€ million

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

Post-tax profit or loss from continuing operations

 

292

 

281

Post-tax profit or loss from discontinued operations

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

10

 

−9

Total comprehensive income

 

301

 

273

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

1,772

 

1,519

There were no unrecognized losses relating to interests in joint ventures. Contingent liabilities relating to joint ventures amounted to €121 million (previous year: €86 million). Cash funds of €72 million (previous year: €24 million) were deposited as collateral for asset-backed securities transactions and are therefore not available to the Volkswagen Group.

OTHER EQUITY INVESTMENTS

On August 29, 2015, an arbitration ruling was delivered to the parties in the proceedings between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Volkswagen AG. It found that Volkswagen had acted in accordance with the agreement. The arbitration court also confirmed that Suzuki was in breach of contract and, on the merits of this case, acknowledged that Volkswagen had a claim to damages. In addition, the arbitration court established that the parties had the right to give regular notice to terminate the cooperation agreement. It said that Suzuki had exercised this right, ending the partnership. According to the court, the agreements had to be interpreted in such a way that Volkswagen had to sell its equity investment in Suzuki on termination of the partnership. Volkswagen consequently sold its 19.9% equity investment to Suzuki on September 17, 2015 at the quoted market price of €3.1 billion. The sale of the shares generated income in the amount of €1.5 billion, which was recognized in the other financial result.

In February 2016, Volkswagen and Suzuki agreed a settlement in respect of the claims for damages brought by Volkswagen.