Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

22.    CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, the Company may become involved in regulatory proceedings, or become liable for legal, contractual and other claims by various parties, including customers, suppliers, former employees, class action plaintiffs and others. On an ongoing basis, the Company attempts to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these proceedings or claims, together with potential ranges of probable costs and losses. A determination of the provision required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analysis of each individual issue. The required provision may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters.

[a] In September 2014, the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica [“CADE”], Brazil’s Federal competition authority, attended at one of the Company’s operating divisions in Brazil to obtain information in connection with an ongoing antitrust investigation relating to suppliers of automotive door latches and related products [“access mechanisms”].

In May 2019, CADE informed the Company that it completed its preliminary investigation and, based on a review of the evidence, had commenced a formal administrative proceeding into alleged anticompetitive behaviour relating to access mechanisms involving the Company.

Administrative proceedings of this nature can often continue for several years. At this time, management is unable to predict the duration or outcome of the Brazilian administrative proceeding, including whether any operating divisions of the Company will be found liable for any violation of law or the extent or magnitude of any liability, if any. In the event that wrongful conduct is found, CADE may impose administrative penalties or fines taking into account several mitigating and aggravating factors. Administrative fines are tied to the sales in Brazil of the applicable Magna companies in the fiscal year prior to the commencement of the formal administrative proceeding.

The Company’s policy is to comply with all applicable laws, including antitrust and competition laws. Based on a previously completed global review of legacy antitrust risks which led to a September 2020 settlement with the European Commission where Magna received full immunity regarding two separate bilateral cartels involving the supply of closure systems, Magna does not currently anticipate any material liabilities. However, we could be subject to restitution settlements, civil proceedings, reputational damage and other consequences, including as a result of the matters specifically referred to above.

[b] The Company is at risk for product warranty costs, which include product liability and recall costs, and is currently experiencing increased customer pressure to assume greater warranty responsibility. For most types of products, the Company only accounts for existing or probable product warranty claims. However, for certain complete vehicle assembly, powertrain systems and electronics contracts, the Company records an estimate of future warranty-related costs based on the terms of the specific customer agreements and/or the Company’s warranty experience. Product liability and recall provisions are established based on the Company’s best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle existing claims, which typically take into account: the number of units that may be returned; the cost of the product being replaced; labour to remove and replace the defective part; and the customer’s administrative costs relating to the recall. Where applicable, such provisions are booked net of recoveries from sub-suppliers and along with related insurance recoveries. Due to the uncertain nature of the net costs, actual product liability costs could be materially different from the Company’s best estimates of future costs [note 14].