Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of General Motors Corporation and domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned, principally General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Subsidiaries (GMAC), (collectively referred to as the “Corporation,” “General Motors” or “GM”). In addition, GM consolidates variable interest entities (VIEs) for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. General Motors’ share of earnings or losses of associates, in which at least 20% of the voting securities is owned, is included in the consolidated operating results using the equity method of accounting, except for investments where GM is not able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial decisions of the investee, in which case, the cost method of accounting is used. GM encourages reference to the GMAC Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004, filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Certain amounts for 2003 and 2002 have been reclassified to conform with the 2004 classifications.
Nature of Operations, Financial Statement Presentation, and Supplemental Information
GM presents its primary financial statements on a fully consolidated basis. Transactions between businesses have been eliminated in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. These transactions consist principally of borrowings and other financial services provided by Financing and Insurance Operations (FIO) to Automotive and Other Operations (Auto & Other). A master intercompany agreement governs the nature of these transactions to ensure that they are done on an arms length basis, in accordance with commercially reasonable standards.
To facilitate analysis, GM presents supplemental information to the statements of income, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows for the following businesses: (1) Auto & Other, which consists of the design, manufacturing, and marketing of cars, trucks, locomotives, and related parts and accessories; and (2) FIO, which consists primarily of GMAC. GMAC provides a broad range of financial services, including consumer vehicle financing, full-service leasing and fleet leasing, dealer financing, car and truck extended service contracts, residential and commercial mortgage services, vehicle and homeowners’ insurance, and asset-based lending.
Statements of Cash Flows
After considering the concerns raised by the staff of the SEC, management has concluded that certain prior year balances in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows should be reclassified to appropriately present net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities.
The Corporation’s previous policy was to classify all the cash flow effects of providing wholesale loans to its independent dealers by GM’s Financing and Insurance Operations as an investing activity in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This policy, when applied to the financing of inventory sales, had the effect of presenting an investing cash outflow and an operating cash inflow even though there was no cash inflow or outflow on a consolidated basis. The Corporation has changed its policy to eliminate this intersegment activity from its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and, as a result of this change, all cash flow effects related to wholesale loans are reflected in the operating activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for 2004. This reclassification better reflects the financing of the sale of inventory as a non-cash transaction to GM on a consolidated basis and eliminates the effects of intercompany transactions. The following table shows the effects of this reclassification on prior years, consistent with the 2004 presentation.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Sales generally are recorded when products are shipped (when title and risks and rewards of ownership have passed), or when services are rendered to independent dealers or other third parties. Provisions for dealer and customer sales incentives, allowances, and rebates are made at the time of vehicle sales. Incentives, allowances, and rebates related to vehicles previously sold are recognized as reductions of sales when announced.
Financing revenue is recorded over the terms of the receivables using the interest method. Income from operating lease assets is recognized on a straight-line basis over the scheduled lease terms.
Insurance premiums are earned on a basis related to coverage provided over the terms of the policies. Commissions, premium taxes, and other costs incurred in acquiring new business are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related policies on the same basis as premiums are earned.
Advertising and Research and Development
Advertising, research and development, and other product-related costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising expense was $5.1 billion in 2004, $4.7 billion in 2003, and $4.4 billion in 2002. Research and development expense was $6.5 billion in 2004, $6.2 billion in 2003 and $6.0 billion in 2002.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expenditures for special tools placed in service after January 1, 2002 are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Expenditures for special tools placed in service prior to January 1, 2002, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, primarily using the units of production method. Replacements of special tools for reasons other than changes in products are charged directly to cost of sales. As of January 1, 2001, the Corporation adopted the straight-line method of depreciation for real estate, plants, and equipment placed in service after that date. Assets placed in service before January 1, 2001, continue generally to be depreciated using accelerated methods. The accelerated methods accumulate depreciation of approximately two-thirds of the depreciable cost during the first half of the estimated useful lives of property groups as compared to the straight-line method, which allocates depreciable costs equally over the estimated useful lives of property groups. Management believes the adoption of the straight-line amortization/depreciation method for special tools placed into service after January 1, 2002, and real estate, plants, and equipment placed into service after January 1, 2001, better reflects the consistent use of these assets over their useful lives.
Equipment on operating leases is depreciated using the straight-line method over the term of the lease agreement. For Auto & Other, the difference between the net book value and the proceeds of sale or salvage on items disposed of is accounted for as a charge against or credit to sales allowances.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
GM periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used in the business, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, and assets held for sale when events and circumstances warrant, generally in conjunction with the annual business planning cycle. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value for assets to be held and used. For assets held for sale, such loss is further increased by costs to sell. Fair market value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale are considered held and used until disposed of.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
Foreign currency exchange transaction and translation losses, including the effect of derivatives, net of taxes, included in con‚solidated net income in 2004, 2003, and 2002, pursuant to SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” amounted to $167 million, $122 million, and $103 million, respectively.
Policy and Warranty
Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranties are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information on the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve vehicle quality and minimize warranty claims. (See Note 14.)
Exit or Disposal Activities
Costs to consolidate or close facilities and relocate employees are expensed as incurred. Costs to terminate a contract without economic benefit to the Corporation are expensed at the time the contract is terminated. One-time termination benefits that are not subject to contractual arrangements provided to employees who are involuntarily terminated are recorded when management commits to a detailed plan of termination, that plan is communicated to employees, and actions required to complete the plan indicate that significant changes are not likely. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to earn the termination benefit, the benefits are recognized ratably over the future service period.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly-liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
Statements of Cash Flows Supplementary Information
During 2004 and 2003, Auto & Other made investments in companies, net of cash acquired, of approximately $50 million and $60 million, respectively. During 2002, Auto & Other made investments in companies, net of cash acquired, of approximately $700 million. This amount consists primarily of GM’s purchase of a 44.6% equity interest in GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company (GM-DAT) for approximately $251 million and GM’s investments in Isuzu-related entities for $180 million.
FIO made investments in companies, net of cash acquired, of approximately $10 million, $140 million, and $180 million, in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
Derivative Instruments
GM is party to a variety of foreign exchange rate, interest rate and commodity forward contracts, and options entered into in connection with the management of its exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, and certain commodity prices. These financial exposures are managed in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. Effective changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation are recorded in net unrealized gain / (loss) on derivatives, a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) when the underlying hedged item affects earnings. All ineffective changes in fair value are recorded currently in earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recorded currently in earnings offset, to the extent the derivative was effective, by changes in fair value of the hedged item. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded currently in earnings.
New Accounting Standards
Beginning January 1, 2003, the Corporation began expensing the fair market value of newly granted stock options and other stock-based compensation awards to employees pursuant to SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” The fair value of stock option grants are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of other stock compensation awards is determined by the market price of GM $1-2/3 par value common stock on the date of grant. The total expense for 2004 and 2003 was $61 million ($38 million net of tax) and $229 million ($142 million net of tax), respectively, recorded in cost of sales and other expenses. For 2002 and prior years, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, GM applied the intrinsic value method of recognition and measurement under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No. 25), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” to its stock options and other stock-based employee compensation awards. No compensation expense related to employee stock options is reflected in net income for these periods, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant.
In accordance with the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” since GM adopted the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation pursuant to SFAS No. 123 effective January 1, 2003, for newly granted stock-based compensation awards only, the following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if compensation cost for all outstanding and unvested stock options and other stock-based employee compensation awards had been determined based on their fair values at the grant date (dollars in millions except per share amounts):
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) revised SFAS No. 123 (SFAS No. 123R) requiring companies to record share-based payment transactions as compensation expense at fair market value. SFAS No. 123R further defines the concept of fair market value as it relates to such arrangements. The provisions of this statement will be effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Corporation began expensing the fair market value of newly granted stock options and other stock-based compensation awards to employees pursuant to SFAS No. 123 in 2003; therefore this statement is not expected to have a material effect on GM’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Effective July 1, 2003, the Corporation began consolidating certain variable interest entities to conform to FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46). GM adopted the revision to FIN 46, FIN 46R, which clarified certain provisions of the original interpretation and exempted certain entities from its requirements. As of January 1, 2004, the adoption of FIN 46R did not have a significant effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.
On May 19, 2004 the FASB released FASB Staff Position FAS No. 106-2 (FSP 106-2), which provides accounting guidance with respect to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Medicare Act). FSP 106-2 provides guidance on accounting for the prescription drug benefit of the Medicare Act, prescribes the transition to the new guidance, and sets forth new disclosure requirements. GM’s adoption as of July 1, 2004 of the accounting provisions of FSP 106-2 did not have a significant effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations. Note 16 includes the disclosures required by FSP 106-2.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, “Inventory Pricing,” for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) requiring that those items be recognized as current-period expenses regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.” This statement also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The statement is effective for inventory costs incurred during the fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. Management does not expect this statement to have a material impact on GM’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” is based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. SFAS No. 153 amends APB Opinion No. 29, eliminating the exception to fair value accounting for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception to fair value accounting for nonmonetary exchanges that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The statement is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Management does not expect this statement to have a material impact on GM’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Labor Force
GM, on a worldwide basis, has a concentration of its labor supply in employees working under union collective bargaining agreements, of which certain contracts expired in 2003.
The 2003 United Auto Workers (UAW) labor contract was ratified on October 6, 2003, covering a four-year term from 2003–2007. The contract included a $3,000 lump sum payment per UAW employee paid in October 2003, and a 3% performance bonus per UAW employee was paid in October 2004. GM amortizes these payments over the 12-month period following the respective payment dates. UAW employees will receive a gross wage increase of 2% in 2005 and 3% in 2006. Active UAW employees were also granted pension benefit increases. There were no pension benefit increases granted to current retirees and surviving spouses. However, the contract does provide for four lump sum payments and two vehicle discount vouchers for current retirees and surviving spouses. The retiree lump sum payments and vehicle discount vouchers resulted in a charge to GM’s 2003 cost of sales of approximately $1.2 billion ($725 million after tax).