Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales increased by 11.1% year over year to $176.2 million in Q2 2025 compared to $158.6 million in Q2 2024 [6][14] - Gross profit increased by 4.2% year over year to $30.5 million, with a gross profit margin decreasing to 17.3% from 18.5% due to increased tariffs and a shift in product mix [10][16] - Income from operations rose by 20.2% to $13 million in Q2 2025 from $10.8 million in Q2 2024 [19] - Net income attributable to parent common shareholders was $7.6 million in Q2 2025 compared to $7.1 million in Q2 2024, with diluted earnings per share at $0.25 versus $0.24 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales of electric power steering (EPS) systems increased by 31.1% year over year to $72.9 million, representing 41.4% of total sales [6][15] - Sales from traditional steering products increased slightly to $103.3 million [15] - Sales of commercial vehicle steering systems rose by 25.6% to $23.5 million [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American sales increased by 14.9% year over year to $30.8 million, primarily due to higher sales to Stellantis [7] - Brazilian sales surged by 49.4% year over year, accounting for 10.1% of total sales [7][8] - Total vehicle unit sales in China increased by 11.4% year over year, with passenger vehicle sales growing by 13% and commercial vehicle sales by 2.6% [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to change its corporate registration from Delaware to the Cayman Islands to reduce costs and regulatory burdens, while maintaining its listing on Nasdaq [13][52] - The focus remains on developing high-quality EPS products, particularly for electric vehicles, with 80% of R&D expenditures directed towards EV-related products [12][35] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised revenue guidance for the full fiscal year 2025 to $720 million based on current operating and market conditions [24] - The Chinese economy's GDP growth was reported at 5.2% year over year, slightly down from 5.4% [8] - Management expressed confidence in the growth of the Brazilian market, which is now a significant contributor to total revenue [40] Other Important Information - R&D expenses remained stable at $8.1 million, with a projected annual spending of $30-35 million, representing about 5% of total revenue [10][35] - The company invested $18.5 million in capital expenditures in 2025 to enhance R&D and production capabilities [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why has the income tax rate increased in Q2 2025? - The increase in income tax is due to higher pretax profit and a slight uptick in the tax rate, along with a prior year's tax adjustment affecting the current provision [29][30] Question: Why was R&D flat at $8.1 million in Q2 2025? - R&D expenses were flat due to overspending in the first quarter, with a total of $16.8 million for the first half of 2025, up from $13.5 million in the same period last year [32][34] Question: What is the capacity utilization and need for more capital investment in Brazil? - Capacity utilization in Brazil is about 90%, with plans to add another production line for EPS products, requiring an estimated $3.5 million in capital expenditures [40][42] Question: Can you clarify the company's share buyback and management options? - The company is buying back shares due to perceived undervaluation and issuing options to incentivize management, similar to practices at major US companies [46][47] Question: What are the advantages of moving to the Cayman Islands? - The move aims to reduce overall costs of being a listed company, with lower reporting requirements while maintaining shareholder programs and flexibility for global operations [50][52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales increased by 19.9% to $167.1 million in Q1 2025 compared to $139.4 million in Q1 2024 [6][14] - Gross profit rose by 18.8% to $28.6 million, with a gross margin of 17.1% [11][16] - Net income attributable to parent company shareholders decreased to $7.1 million from $8.3 million year-over-year [20][21] - Diluted income per share was $0.24, down from $0.27 in the previous year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales of electric power steering (EPS) systems increased by 54% year-over-year to $73 million, representing approximately 43.7% of total sales [15][16] - Traditional steering products and parts saw a 2.3% increase in sales to $94.1 million [14] - The Henlong subsidiary reported a 37.5% increase in sales of traditional hydraulic steering systems [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chinese GDP growth was 5.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025 [8] - Combined unit sales of passenger and commercial vehicles in China increased by 11.2% to 7.5 million units [8][10] - New energy vehicle unit sales grew by 47.1% year-over-year to 3.1 million units, representing 41.2% of total car sales in China [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain a revenue guidance of $700 million for the full fiscal year 2025, based on current market conditions [23] - The strategy includes seeking more market share through competitive pricing, which has resulted in revenue growth [39] - The company is focusing on advanced gearing technologies and a diverse product portfolio to address market opportunities [14] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the Chinese economy has stabilized but still faces challenges [8] - The company anticipates maintaining a gross margin similar to Q1 2025 for the rest of the year, with slight improvements expected [39] - The impact of proposed U.S. tariffs has been minimal, with continued order flow and strategic planning for global expansion [46] Other Important Information - R&D expenses increased by 64% to $8.7 million, primarily due to advancements in EPS product development [11][18] - Operating expenses rose by 41.3%, leading to a 10.5% reduction in income from operations [12][19] - The company has begun mass production of its new R EPS product, which features advanced steering assist technologies [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why did R&D increase by 64% in Q1 2025? - The increase was due to heightened efforts in EPS product development, including staffing and equipment design [27][28] Question: What is the outlook for inventory levels and revenue in 2025? - Inventory increased due to advanced shipments in response to potential tariff pressures, but overall revenue is expected to maintain healthy levels [32][34] Question: What is the outlook for gross margin for the rest of 2025? - The gross margin is expected to remain similar to Q1 2025, with slight improvements anticipated [38][39] Question: What is the impact of U.S. proposed tariffs on new order flow? - The impact has been minimal, with continued order flow and proactive measures taken to manage inventory [46] Question: Update on the manufacturing of the R EPS product? - Mass production has begun, with orders from multiple OEMs including Cherry Auto and Iveco [49] Question: Update on Sentient operation and autonomous driving systems? - Significant progress has been made, with contracts from Volvo Truck and BYD, targeting substantial unit shipments for 2025 [50][52]