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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements of Adient have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). During fiscal 2020, Adient faced an unprecedented situation with the coronavirus pandemic identified in late 2019 ("COVID-19") and the related significant interruption it had on Adient's operations. Adient's China facilities (including both consolidated and non-consolidated joint ventures) were effectively shut down during the lunar New Year festival (at the end of January 2020) and returned to operations by the end of March 2020. Beginning in late March 2020, Adient experienced the shutdown of effectively all of its facilities in the Americas and European regions coinciding with the shutdown of its customer facilities in those regions. Adient also experienced the shutdown of approximately 50% of its plants in Asia (outside China) during late March and early April 2020. During May and June 2020, production started to resume in the Americas, European and Asia (outside China) regions concurrent with Adient's customers resuming operations and production continued to ramp up throughout Adient’s fiscal fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 in all regions in line with customer production. Virtually all of Adient's plants had resumed production by the end of first quarter of fiscal 2021. During the second half of fiscal 2021, Adient faced, along with the entire global automotive industry, widespread supply chain disruptions primarily related to semiconductor chip shortages. Although Adient’s seating products are not highly dependent directly on semiconductor chips, Adient is directly impacted by the lower production levels at OEM’s as a direct result of these supply chain disruptions. These disruptions have led to unplanned down time at Adient’s production facilities, often with very little warning, which creates operating inefficiencies and limits Adient’s ability to adequately mitigate such inefficiencies.
Principles of Consolidations
Principles of Consolidations
Adient consolidates its wholly-owned subsidiaries and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in partially-owned affiliates are accounted for by the equity method when Adient's interest exceeds 20% and does not have a controlling interest.
Consolidated VIEs
Consolidated VIEs
Based upon the criteria set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810, "Consolidation," Adient has determined that it was the primary beneficiary in two variable interest entities (VIEs) for the reporting periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as Adient absorbs significant economics of the entities and has the power to direct the activities that are considered most significant to the entities.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The consolidated financial statements reflect management's estimates as of the reporting date. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term debt and accounts payable approximate their carrying values. See Note 10, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," and Note 11, "Fair Value Measurements," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for fair value of financial instruments, including derivative instruments and hedging activities.
ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement," defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes information used in developing assumptions when pricing an asset or liability 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 where there is little or no market data, which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
ASC 820 requires the use of observable market data, when available, in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Adient considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash is managed by legal entity, with cash pooling agreements in place for all participating entities on a global basis, as applicable.
Receivables ReceivablesReceivables consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers and revenues that have been recognized for accounting purposes but not yet billed to customers. Adient extends credit to customers in the normal course of business and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical experience, existing economic conditions and any specific customer collection issues Adient has identified. Adient enters into supply chain financing programs in certain foreign jurisdictions to sell accounts receivable without recourse to third-party financial institutions. Sales of accounts receivable are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable on the consolidated statements of financial position and the proceeds are included in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs.
Pre-Production Costs Related to Long-Term Supply Arrangements Pre-Production Costs Related to Long-Term Supply ArrangementsAdient's policy for engineering, research and development, and other design and development costs related to products that will be sold under long-term supply arrangements requires such costs to be expensed as incurred or capitalized if reimbursement from the customer is contractually assured. Income related to recovery of these costs is recorded within selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income. The reimbursable costs are recorded in other current assets if reimbursement will occur in less than one year and in other noncurrent assets if reimbursement will occur beyond one year.Costs for molds, dies and other tools used to make products that will be sold under long-term supply arrangements are capitalized within property, plant and equipment if Adient has title to the assets or has the non-cancelable right to use the assets during the term of the supply arrangement. Capitalized items, if specifically designed for a supply arrangement, are amortized over the term of the arrangement; otherwise, amounts are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The carrying values of assets capitalized in accordance with the foregoing policy are periodically reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and from 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment.
Leases
Leases
On October 1, 2019, Adient adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, "Leases" (ASC 842) using the modified retrospective transition approach and electing the package of practical expedients. This resulted in the recognition of right-of-use (ROU) assets of $380 million and corresponding operating lease liabilities of $384 million. The adoption date ROU asset balance was adjusted by $4 million, reflecting impairment of ROU assets for certain real estate leases (within the North America and Europe asset groups) of which the Company determined the carrying value of the initial operating lease ROU asset exceeded its fair value. The adjustment was recorded as an increase to the opening accumulated deficits. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have any significant impact on the consolidated statement of income or cash flows.
Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement dates. ROU assets also include payments made in advance and exclude lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that such options are to be exercised. Adient uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate of interest it would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term to the lease in a similar economic environment, for discounting lease consideration as most lease agreements do not provide an implicit rate. Refer to Note 8, “Leases” of the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information regarding Adient’s leases.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill reflects the cost of an acquisition in excess of the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. Adient reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired. Adient performs impairment reviews for its reporting units, which have been determined to be Adient's reportable segments using a fair value method based on management's judgments and assumptions or third party valuations. The fair value of a reporting unit refers to the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In estimating the fair value, Adient primarily uses an income approach utilizing discounted cash flow analyses. Adient also uses a market approach utilizing published multiples of earnings of comparable entities with similar operational and economic characteristics to further support the fair value estimates. The inputs utilized in the analyses are classified as Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy as defined in ASC 820, "Fair Value
Measurement." The estimated fair value is then compared with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including recorded goodwill. An impairment is recorded to the extent the estimated fair value is below the carrying amount of the reporting unit.
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are subject to impairment testing if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Adient reviews long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets with definite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset's carrying amount may not be recoverable. Adient conducts its long-lived asset impairment analyses in accordance with ASC 360-10-15, "Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." ASC 360-10-15 requires Adient to group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities and evaluate the asset group against the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows. If the undiscounted cash flows do not indicate the carrying amount of the asset is recoverable, an impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value based on discounted cash flow analysis or appraisals. Refer to Note 16, "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for information regarding the results of Adient's impairment analysis.
Impairment of Investments in Partially-Owned Affiliates
Impairment of Investments in Partially-Owned Affiliates
Adient monitors its investments in partially-owned affiliates for indicators of other-than-temporary declines in value on an ongoing basis. If Adient determines that an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred, it recognizes an impairment loss, which is measured as the difference between the recorded book value and the fair value of the investment. Fair value is generally determined using an income approach based on discounted cash flows or negotiated transaction values. Refer to Note 19, "Nonconsolidated Partially-Owned Affiliates," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information on Adient’s partially-owned affiliates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
Adient provides production and service parts to its customers under awarded multi-year programs. The duration of a program is generally consistent with the life cycle of a vehicle, however, an awarded program does not reach the level of a performance obligation until Adient receives either a purchase order and/or a materials release from the customer for a specific number of parts at a specified price, at which point an enforceable contract exists. Sales revenue is recognized at the point in time when parts are shipped and control has transferred to the customer, at which point an enforceable right to payment exists. Contracts may provide for annual price reductions over the production life of the awarded program, and prices are adjusted on an ongoing basis to reflect changes in product content/cost and other commercial factors. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that Adient expects to be entitled to in exchange for such products based on purchase orders, annual price reductions and ongoing price adjustments. Refer to Note 2, "Revenue Recognition," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for information on Adient's revenue recognition.
Research and Development Costs Research and Development CostsExpenditures for research activities relating to product development and improvement (other than those expenditures that are contractually guaranteed for reimbursement from the customer) are charged against income as incurred and included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
Foreign Currency Translation Foreign Currency TranslationSubstantially all of Adient's international operations use the respective local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of international entities have been translated at period-end exchange rates, and income and expenses have been translated using average exchange rates for the period. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies are adjusted to reflect period-end exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair values of all derivatives are recorded in the consolidated statements of financial position. The change in a derivative's fair value is recorded each period in current earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and if so, the type of hedge transaction. Refer to Note 10, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," and Note 11, "Fair Value Measurements," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for disclosure of Adient's derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is initially measured at the fair value of the awards on the grant date and is recognized in the financial statements over the period the employees are required to provide services in exchange for the awards. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the number of units granted and the stock price on the grant date. The fair value of performance-based share unit, or PSU, awards is based on the stock price at the grant date and the assessed probability of meeting future performance targets. The fair value of option awards is measured on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of each stock appreciation right, or SAR, is estimated using a similar method described for stock options. The fair value of cash settled awards are recalculated at the end of each reporting period and the liability and expense are adjusted based on the new fair value. Refer to Note 12, "Stock-Based Compensation," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for Adient's stock based compensation disclosures.
Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Adient utilizes a mark-to-market approach for recognizing pension and postretirement benefit expenses, including measuring the market related value of plan assets at fair value and recognizing actuarial gains and losses in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or at the date of a remeasurement event. Refer to Note 14, "Retirement Plans," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for disclosure of Adient's pension and postretirement benefit plans.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and other loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Adient records a valuation allowance that primarily represents operating and other loss carryforwards for which realization is uncertain. Management judgment is required in determining Adient's provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the valuation allowance recorded against Adient's net deferred tax assets.

Adient reviews the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a review is required. In determining the requirement for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial results of the legal entity or combined group recording the net deferred tax asset are considered, along with any other positive or negative evidence. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to Adient's valuation allowances may be necessary.

Adient is subject to income taxes in Ireland, the U.S. and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Judgment is required in determining its worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of Adient's business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Adient's income tax returns for various fiscal years remain under audit by the respective tax authorities. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, management believes that it has appropriate support for the positions taken on its tax returns and that its annual tax provisions included amounts sufficient to pay assessments, if any, which may be proposed by the taxing authorities. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
Adient does not generally provide for additional income taxes which would become payable upon repatriation of undistributed earnings of wholly owned foreign subsidiaries. Adient's intent is for such earnings to be reinvested by the subsidiaries or to be repatriated only when it would be tax efficient.

Refer to Note 17, "Income Taxes," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for Adient's income tax disclosures.
Earnings Per Share Potentially dilutive securities whose effect would have been antidilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share which for fiscal 2020 and 2019 is a result of being in a loss position.
New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements

Standards Adopted During Fiscal 2021

On October 1, 2020, Adient adopted Accounting Standards Codification 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for financial assets measured at amortized cost, requiring presentation at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses will now be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The adoption of this guidance on October 1, 2020 did not significantly impact Adient's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2021.

ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, eliminates, adds, and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amendments with respect to changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty are to be applied prospectively. All other amendments are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance on October 1, 2020 did not significantly impact Adient's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2021.

ASU 2018-17, Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, affects reporting entities that are required to determine whether they should consolidate a legal entity under the guidance within the Variable Interest Entities Subsections of Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation - Overall. The adoption of this guidance on October 1, 2020 did not significantly impact Adient's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2021.
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying existing guidance to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions when transitioning from using the London interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) to using alternative reference rates. The guidance was effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not significantly impact Adient's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2021.


Standards Effective After Fiscal 2021

Adient has considered the ASUs summarized below, effective after fiscal 2021, none of which are expected to significantly impact the consolidated financial statements:
Standard Pending AdoptionDescriptionDate Effective
ASU 2018-14 Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20)ASU 20218-14 eliminates, adds, and modifies certain disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The guidance is to be applied on a retrospective basis.October 1, 2021
ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income TaxesASU 2019-12 modifies ASC 740, Income Taxes, by simplifying accounting for income taxes. As part of its overall simplification initiative to reduce costs and complexity of applying accounting standards while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements, the FASB’s amendments may impact both interim and annual reporting periods.October 1, 2021
ASU 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity by reducing the number of accounting models for convertible debt and convertible preferred stock.October 1, 2022