BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

Principles Of Consolidation

The Company consolidates into its financial statements the accounts of the Company, all wholly-owned subsidiaries, and any partially-owned subsidiary that the Company has the ability to control. Control generally equates to ownership percentage, whereby investments that are more than 50% owned are consolidated, investments in affiliates of 50% or less but greater than 20% are accounted for using the equity method, and investments in affiliates of 20% or less are accounted for using the cost method. See Note 12, Investment in Nonconsolidated Affiliates, for discussion regarding the Company's subsidiaries that are subject to regulatory control.

The Company does not consolidate any entity for which it has a variable interest based solely on power to direct the activities and significant participation in the entity’s expected results that would not otherwise be consolidated based on control through voting interests. Further, the Company’s affiliates are businesses established and maintained in connection with the Company’s operating strategy. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications from the prior year presentation have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of E

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be based upon amounts that differ from these estimates.

Cash And Equivalents

Cash and Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of accounts receivable, cash investments and derivative instruments. The Company’s customer base includes virtually every significant global light and commercial vehicle manufacturer and a large number of distributors, installers and retailers of automotive aftermarket parts. The Company’s credit evaluation process and the geographical dispersion of sales transactions help to mitigate credit risk concentration. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net sales during 2015 and one customer accounts for approximately 11.2% of the Company’s net accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2015. The Company requires placement of cash in financial institutions evaluated as highly creditworthy. See Note 7 for further discussion related to derivatives.

Divestitures

Divestitures: In connection with its strategic planning process, the Company assesses its operations for market position, product technology and capability, and profitability. Those businesses determined by management not to have a sustainable competitive advantage are considered non-core and may be considered for divestiture or other exit activities. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company divested its sintered components operations located in France, its connecting rod manufacturing facility located in Canada, its camshaft foundry located in the United Kingdom and its fuel pump business, which included an aftermarket business component and a manufacturing and research and development facility located in the United States. These divestitures have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 6, Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, for further details.

Trade Accounts Receivable And Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: Trade accounts receivable is stated at net realizable value, which approximates fair value. The Company does not generally require collateral for its trade accounts receivable. Accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on management’s evaluation of specific balances as the balances become past due, the financial condition of its customers, and the Company’s historical experience of write-offs. The Company’s general policy for uncollectible accounts, if not reserved through specific examination procedures, is to reserve based upon the aging categories of accounts receivable and whether amounts are due from an original equipment manufacturer or servicer (“OE”) or aftermarket customer. Past due status is based upon the invoice date of the original amounts outstanding. Included in selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses are bad debt expenses of $13 million, $5 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $27 million and $18 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Factoring of Accounts Receivable: The Company has subsidiaries in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and the United States which are party to accounts receivable factoring and securitization facilities. Amounts factored under these facilities consist of the following:



	As of December 31
	2015		2014
Gross accounts receivable factored	$	408	$	306
Gross accounts receivable factored, qualifying as sales	401		293
Undrawn cash on factored accounts receivable	1		2

Proceeds from the factoring of accounts receivable qualifying as sales and expenses associated with the factoring of accounts receivable are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31
	2015			2014			2013
Proceeds from factoring qualifying as sales	$	1,550		$	1,679		$	1,482
Financing charges	(9		)	(6		)	(7		)

Accounts receivables factored but not qualifying as a sale, as defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, were pledged as collateral and accounted for as secured borrowings and recorded in the consolidated balance sheets within “Accounts receivable, net” and “Short-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt.”

The financing charges totaled $9 million as of December 31, 2015 and are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations within “Other income (expense), net.” Where the Company receives a fee to service and monitor these transferred receivables, such fees are sufficient to offset the costs and as such, a servicing asset or liability is not recorded as a result of such activities.

Certain of the facilities contain terms that require the Company to share in the credit risk of the sold receivables.

Inventories

Inventories: The Company values inventory at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Cost of inventory includes direct materials, labor, and applicable manufacturing overhead costs. The value of inventories are reduced for excess and obsolescence based on management’s review of on-hand inventories compared to historical and estimated future sales and usage.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment are recorded at fair value established at acquisition or cost unless the expected future use of the assets indicate a lower value is appropriate. Definite-lived intangible assets have been stated at fair value established at acquisition or at cost. Long-lived assets are periodically reviewed for impairment indicators. If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required analysis and records an impairment charge, if required, in accordance with the subsequent measurement provisions of ASC 360, Property, Plant & Equipment. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Depreciation and amortization is computed principally by the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes.

Goodwill

Goodwill: Goodwill is determined as the excess of fair value over amounts attributable to specific tangible and intangible assets, including developed technology and customer relationships. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, in accordance with the subsequent measurement provisions of ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This impairment analysis compares the fair values of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values. If a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, the Company must then calculate the reporting unit’s implied fair value of goodwill and impairment charges are recorded for any excess of the goodwill carrying value over the implied fair value of goodwill. The reporting units’ fair values are based upon consideration of various valuation methodologies, including projected future cash flows discounted at rates commensurate with the risks involved, guideline transaction multiples, and multiples of current and future earnings.

Trademarks and Brand Names

Trademarks and Brand Names: Trademarks and brand names are stated at fair value established at acquisition or cost. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, in accordance with the subsequent measurement provisions of ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This impairment analysis compares the fair values of these assets to the related carrying values, and impairment charges are recorded for any excess of carrying values over fair values. These fair values are based upon the prospective stream of hypothetical after-tax royalty cost savings discounted at rates that reflect the rates of return appropriate for these intangible assets.

Pension and Other Postemployment Obligations

Pension and Other Postretirement Obligations: The cost of benefits provided by defined benefit pension and postretirement plans is recorded in the period employees provide service. Future pension expense for certain significant funded benefit plans is calculated using an expected return on plan asset methodology. The market-related value of plan assets is fair value. Actuarial gains and losses are accumulated and amortized into net income once they exceed a corridor, which is 10% of the projected benefit obligation, over the expected future working lifetime or life expectancy of the plan participants.

The discount rate assumption is established at the measurement date. In the U.S., the Company uses a cash flow matching approach that uses projected cash flows matched to spot rates along a high quality corporate yield curve to determine the present value of cash flows to calculate a single equivalent discount rate. The benefit obligation for pension plans in Belgium, France, and Germany represents 91% of the non-U.S. pension benefit obligation at December 31, 2015. The discount rates for plans in Belgium, France, and Germany are determined using a cash flow matching approach similar to the U.S. approach.

Investments with registered investment companies, common and preferred stocks, and certain government debt securities are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the securities are traded.

Corporate debt securities are valued by third-party pricing sources using the multi-dimensional relational model using instruments with similar characteristics.

Hedge funds and the collective trust are valued at net asset value (NAV) per share which are provided by the respective investment sponsors or investment advisers.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: The Company records sales when products are shipped and the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and the collectability of revenue is reasonably assured. Accruals for sales returns and other allowances are provided at point of sale based upon past experience. Adjustments to such returns and allowances are made as new information becomes available.

Rebates

Rebates: The Company accrues for rebates pursuant to specific arrangements with certain customers, primarily in the aftermarket. Rebates generally provide for price reductions based upon the achievement of specified purchase volumes and are recorded as a reduction of sales as earned by such customers.

Sales and Sales Related Taxes

Sales and Sales Related Taxes: The Company collects and remits taxes assessed by various governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with revenue-producing transactions with its customers. These taxes may include, but are not limited to, sales, use, value-added, and some excise taxes. The collection of these taxes is reported on a net basis (excluded from revenues).

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs: The Company recognizes shipping and handling costs as incurred as a component of "Cost of products sold" in the consolidated statements of operations.

Engineering and Tooling Costs

Engineering and Tooling Costs: Pre-production tooling and engineering costs that the Company will not own and that will be used in producing products under long-term supply arrangements are expensed as incurred unless the supply arrangement provides the Company with the noncancelable right to use the tools, or the reimbursement of such costs is agreed to by the customer. Pre-production tooling costs that are owned by the Company are capitalized as part of machinery and equipment, and are depreciated over the shorter of the tool’s expected life or the duration of the related program.

Research and Development

Research and Development: The Company expenses research and development (“R&D”) costs as incurred. R&D expense, including product engineering and validation costs, was $189 million, $192 million and $173 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. R&D expense is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations within “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs: Advertising and promotion expenses for continuing operations are expensed as incurred and were $48 million, $47 million, and $41 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Advertising and promotion expenses are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations within “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”

Restructuring

Restructuring: Restructuring is comprised of two types of costs: employee costs (principally termination benefits) and facility closure costs. Termination benefits are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Compensation – Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits and are recorded when it is probable employees will be entitled to benefits and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of termination benefits are based on the frequency of past termination benefits, the similarity of benefits under the current plan and prior plans, and the existence of statutory required minimum benefits. Termination benefits are also accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations (“ASC 420”), for one-time termination benefits and are recorded dependent upon future service requirements. Facility closure and other costs are accounted for in accordance with ASC 420 and are recorded when the liability is incurred.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation: Exchange adjustments related to international currency transactions and translation adjustments for international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the United States dollar (principally those located in highly inflationary economies) are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Translation adjustments of international subsidiaries for which the local currency is the functional currency are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Deferred taxes are not provided on translation adjustments as the earnings of the subsidiaries are considered to be permanently reinvested.

Environmental Liabilities

Environmental Liabilities: The Company recognizes environmental liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations ("ASC 410") when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Such liabilities are generally not subject to insurance coverage. Engineering and legal specialists within the Company estimate each environmental obligation based on current law and existing technologies. Such estimates are based primarily upon the estimated cost of investigation and remediation required and the likelihood that other potentially responsible parties will be able to fulfill their commitments at the sites where the Company may be jointly and severally liable with such parties. The Company regularly evaluates and revises its estimates for environmental obligations based on expenditures against established accruals and the availability of additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations: The Company records asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) in accordance with ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations. The Company’s primary ARO activities relate to the removal of hazardous building materials at its facilities. The Company records AROs when liabilities are probable and amounts can be reasonably estimated.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments: The Company uses interest rate swaps, commodity forward contracts and currency swaps to manage volatility of underlying exposures. The Company recognizes all of its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated, and is effective, as a hedge and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Gains and losses related to a hedge are either recognized in income immediately to offset the gain or loss on the hedged item or are deferred and reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. The change in fair value of the ineffective portion of a financial instrument, determined using the hypothetical derivative method, is recognized in earnings immediately. The gain or loss related to financial instruments that are not designated as hedges are recognized immediately in earnings. Cash flows related to hedging activities are included in the operating section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company’s objectives for holding derivatives are to minimize risks using the most effective and cost-efficient methods available.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and provides a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards and will require revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Adoption of the new rules could affect the timing of revenue recognition for certain transactions. The FASB, through the issuance of ASU No. 2015-14, approved a one year delay of the effective date and the new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of this pronouncement and the implementation approach to be used.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. This ASU amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting to clarify the SEC staff’s position on presenting and measuring debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line-of-credit arrangements. ASU No. 2015-15 is effective upon issuance. Upon adoption of aforementioned guidance the Company will present debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from its debt liability. The Company expects the retroactive adoption of this guidance will decrease debt by approximately $9 million as of December 31, 2015.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU requires entities to measure most inventory “at the lower of cost and net realizable value,” thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. ASU No. 2015-11 is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of this pronouncement.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. Under this ASU, an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The effect on earnings of changes in depreciation or amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date, must be recorded in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined rather than retrospectively. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim reporting periods within those annual periods. The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this update simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes and require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This update applies to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. These amendments may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. If the guidance is applied prospectively, disclosure is made in the first interim and first annual period of change, the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle and a statement that prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted. If the guidance is applied retrospectively, disclosure is made in the first interim and first annual period of change, the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle and quantitative information about the effects of the accounting change on prior periods. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is allowed for any interim or annual financial statements that have not been issued. The Company has elected early to adopt this ASU for the year ended December 31, 2015 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The updated guidance enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The amendments in the ASU are effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, with early adoption not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of this pronouncement.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:



	Level	1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
	Level	2: Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
	Level	3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

An asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company estimates the fair value of its derivative contracts using an income approach based on valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single, discounted amount. Estimates of the fair value of foreign currency and commodity derivative instruments are determined using exchange traded prices and rates.

Intangibles Goodwill and Other

The Company conducts its review for goodwill impairments on October 1 of each year for all reporting units.