Investments

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

From a Group perspective, the associates Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Ltd., Hongkong, China (Sinotruk), Bertrandt AG, Ehningen, Germany (Bertrandt), There Holding B.V., Rijswijk, the Netherlands (There Holding), and Navistar International Corporation, Lisle, Illinois/USA (Navistar), 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, 2020, the quoted market price of the shares in Sinotruk amounted to €1,436 million (previous year: €1,312 million).

Bertrandt

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, Germany.

As of December 31, 2020, the quoted market price of the shares in Bertrandt amounted to €116 million (previous year: €165 million).

There Holding

Together with the BMW Group, Daimler AG and other companies, Volkswagen holds an equity investment in There Holding B.V., Rijswijk (the Netherlands), an investment company. In turn, There Holding B.V. held around 60% of the shares of HERE International B.V., Eindhoven (the Netherlands), as of the end of fiscal year 2020. HERE International B.V. is one of the world’s largest producers of digital road maps for navigation systems. Since the interest held does not grant control in accordance with IFRS 10, HERE International B.V. is included in the financial statements of There Holding B.V. as an associate using the equity method.

Capital increases were implemented at There Holding B.V. in January 2020, in which Volkswagen participated. As a result, the shares in There Holding B.V., which are accounted for using the equity method, increased by €19 million.

As early as in December 2019, it was announced that additional investors would acquire shares in HERE International B.V. Following the signing in December 2019 and after all antitrust approvals had been obtained, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Tokyo (Japan), and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation of Japan (NTT), Tokyo (Japan), jointly acquired 30% of the shares of HERE International B.V. as of May 29, 2020. As a result, the interest held by There Holding B.V. in HERE International B.V. declined from around 85% to around 60%. In June 2020 and September 2020, capital reductions were implemented at the level of There Holding B.V. in connection with the sale of shares. In this process, an amount of €197 million was attributable to the interest held by Volkswagen.

Volkswagen’s ownership interest in There Holding B.V. continues to amount to 29.7%.

Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (Navistar) is a US manufacturer of commercial vehicles; it is based in Lisle, Illinois/USA. Navistar and TRATON GROUP companies have entered into master agreements for strategic technology and supply cooperation, as well as a procurement joint venture.

Since, on the basis of contractual arrangements with Navistar, TRATON SE is entitled to two out of ten seats on the Board of Directors and in view of existing cooperation agreements, the investment in Navistar is reported under equity-accounted investments in the consolidated financial statements.

On November 7, 2020, TRATON SE and Navistar announced that they had entered into a binding merger agreement under which TRATON SE would acquire all outstanding ordinary shares of Navistar not already owned by TRATON SE at a cash price of USD 44.50 per ordinary share. At the time of the agreement, TRATON SE held 16.7% of Navistar’s outstanding shares. Expected to be completed in mid-2021, the transaction is subject to approval by Navistar shareholders, customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

As of December 31, 2020, the quoted market price of the shares in Navistar amounted to €596 million (previous year: €429 million).

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON MATERIAL ASSOCIATES ON A 100% BASIS

€ million

 

Sinotruk1

 

Bertrandt2

 

There Holding

 

Navistar3

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 and income statement amounts refer to the period from October 1 to September 30.

3

Balance sheet amounts refer to the October 31 reporting date and income statement amounts refer to the period from November 1 to October 31.

4

Proportionate dividends are shown net of withholding tax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest in %

 

25

 

29

 

30

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

2,578

 

666

 

1,190

 

1,765

Current assets

 

8,755

 

481

 

24

 

3,921

Noncurrent liabilities

 

185

 

408

 

 

6,072

Current liabilities

 

7,180

 

197

 

0

 

2,888

Net assets

 

3,969

 

541

 

1,214

 

−3,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

9,072

 

915

 

 

6,664

Earnings after tax from continuing operations

 

538

 

−19

 

206

 

−292

Earnings after tax from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−1

 

−1

 

10

 

212

Total comprehensive income

 

537

 

−20

 

216

 

−80

Dividends received4

 

30

 

5

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest in %

 

25

 

29

 

30

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

2,351

 

575

 

1,131

 

1,762

Current assets

 

6,127

 

468

 

467

 

4,441

Noncurrent liabilities

 

50

 

313

 

 

6,336

Current liabilities

 

4,669

 

153

 

0

 

3,206

Net assets

 

3,758

 

578

 

1,597

 

−3,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

8,047

 

1,058

 

 

10,004

Earnings after tax from continuing operations

 

627

 

16

 

−390

 

216

Earnings after tax from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

0

 

−1

 

1

 

7

Total comprehensive income

 

627

 

15

 

−389

 

223

Dividends received4

 

47

 

6

 

 

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

€ million

 

Sinotruk

 

Bertrandt

 

There Holding

 

Navistar

1

Dividends are shown before withholding tax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

3,758

 

578

 

1,597

 

−3,339

Profit or loss

 

538

 

−19

 

206

 

−292

Other comprehensive income

 

−1

 

−1

 

10

 

212

Changes in reserves

 

−124

 

 

−599

 

7

Foreign exchange differences

 

−56

 

 

 

153

Dividends1

 

−146

 

−16

 

 

−15

Net assets at December 31

 

3,969

 

541

 

1,214

 

−3,274

Proportionate equity

 

992

 

157

 

361

 

−547

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−384

 

−36

 

 

923

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

608

 

120

 

361

 

376

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

3,395

 

583

 

1,764

 

−3,461

Profit or loss

 

627

 

16

 

−390

 

216

Other comprehensive income

 

0

 

−1

 

1

 

7

Changes in reserves

 

1

 

 

222

 

−21

Foreign exchange differences

 

−46

 

 

 

−60

Dividends1

 

−218

 

−20

 

 

−20

Net assets at December 31

 

3,758

 

578

 

1,597

 

−3,339

Proportionate equity

 

940

 

167

 

475

 

−560

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−388

 

80

 

 

1,007

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

552

 

247

 

475

 

447

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

€ million

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings after tax from continuing operations

 

−25

 

27

Earnings after tax from discontinued operations

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

0

 

12

Total comprehensive income

 

−26

 

39

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

1,663

 

597

There were unrecognized losses of €7 million (previous year: €54 million) relating to investments in associates. Furthermore, there were no contingent liabilities or financial guarantees relating to associates.

INTERESTS IN JOINT VENTURES

From a Group perspective, the joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd., Changchun, China, SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company Ltd., Shanghai, China, and SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company Ltd., Shanghai, China, 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.

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

€ million

 

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company1

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company

1

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.

2

Excluding trade liabilities.

3

Proportionate dividends are shown net of withholding tax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest in %

 

40

 

50

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

11,504

 

8,871

 

932

Current assets

 

9,844

 

6,509

 

3,889

of which cash and cash equivalents

 

3,525

 

2,711

 

123

Noncurrent liabilities

 

1,062

 

843

 

130

of which financial liabilities2

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

12,759

 

10,601

 

4,291

of which financial liabilities2

 

 

 

Net assets

 

7,528

 

3,936

 

399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

46,282

 

20,350

 

23,446

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,785

 

1,776

 

25

Interest income

 

126

 

62

 

5

Interest expenses

 

6

 

38

 

Earnings before tax from continuing operations

 

4,937

 

2,187

 

465

Income tax expense

 

1,272

 

444

 

118

Earnings after tax from continuing operations

 

3,665

 

1,743

 

347

Earnings after tax from discontinued operations

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

24

 

−9

 

Total comprehensive income

 

3,689

 

1,734

 

347

Dividends received3

 

1,308

 

1,230

 

149

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest in %

 

40

 

50

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

12,069

 

9,355

 

896

Current assets

 

11,876

 

8,251

 

4,477

of which cash and cash equivalents

 

5,423

 

6,513

 

210

Noncurrent liabilities

 

1,221

 

1,130

 

160

of which financial liabilities2

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

15,321

 

11,674

 

4,665

of which financial liabilities2

 

29

 

1

 

Net assets

 

7,403

 

4,802

 

548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales revenue

 

44,181

 

26,922

 

32,115

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,825

 

2,190

 

21

Interest income

 

125

 

53

 

5

Interest expenses

 

4

 

2

 

Earnings before tax from continuing operations

 

4,775

 

3,594

 

659

Income tax expense

 

1,251

 

845

 

166

Earnings after tax from continuing operations

 

3,524

 

2,749

 

493

Earnings after tax from discontinued operations

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−49

 

3

 

Total comprehensive income

 

3,475

 

2,752

 

493

Dividends received3

 

1,332

 

1,732

 

153

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

€ million

 

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive Company

 

SAIC-Volkswagen Sales Company

1

Dividends are shown before withholding tax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

7,403

 

4,802

 

548

Profit or loss

 

3,665

 

1,743

 

347

Other comprehensive income

 

24

 

−9

 

Changes in share capital

 

 

 

Changes in reserves

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences

 

−149

 

−33

 

0

Dividends1

 

−3,416

 

−2,567

 

−497

Net assets at December 31

 

7,528

 

3,936

 

399

Proportionate equity

 

3,011

 

1,968

 

120

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−792

 

−803

 

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

2,219

 

1,165

 

120

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at January 1

 

7,358

 

5,538

 

549

Profit or loss

 

3,524

 

2,749

 

493

Other comprehensive income

 

−49

 

3

 

Changes in share capital

 

 

 

Changes in reserves

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences

 

54

 

37

 

16

Dividends1

 

−3,483

 

−3,524

 

−509

Net assets at December 31

 

7,403

 

4,802

 

548

Proportionate equity

 

2,961

 

2,401

 

164

Consolidation/Goodwill/Others

 

−760

 

−803

 

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

2,201

 

1,599

 

164

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

€ million

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings after tax from continuing operations

 

166

 

434

Earnings after tax from discontinued operations

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

−186

 

3

Total comprehensive income

 

−20

 

436

Carrying amount of equity-accounted investments

 

3,447

 

1,887

There were unrecognized losses of €26 million (previous year: €29 million) relating to investments in joint ventures. Contingent liabilities to joint ventures amounted to €248 million (previous year: €224 million), while financial guarantees stood at €70 million (previous year: €134 million). Cash funds of joint ventures amounting to €197 million (previous year: €276 million) are deposited as collateral for asset-backed securities transactions and are therefore not freely available.

IFRS 5 – NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

As of December 31, 2019, the RENK AG subgroup and the consolidated subsidiary Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID) were classified as disposal groups held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 and measured at their carrying amounts. Assets of €795 million and liabilities of €370 million attributable to the disposal groups were reported in a separate balance sheet item as of December 31, 2019.

The sale of RENK was completed on October 6, 2020 following the required regulatory approvals. The sale price was €0.5 billion.

The contribution of AID was effected as of June 1, 2020. After proportional profit elimination, the contribution of AID to Argo AI at fair value resulted in a non-cash gain of €0.8 billion, which was recognized in the other operating result.