Motorcar Parts of America Announces Solid Earnings for Fiscal 2009 First Quarter

Net Income Up 90 Percent; Operating Income Up 38 Percent


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:MPAA) today reported sharply improved earnings for its fiscal 2009 first quarter -- reflecting continued benefits of its off-shore initiatives combined with a focus on more efficient manufacturing and supply chain management and the benefit of a $1.3 million accrual reversal.

Net income for the fiscal 2009 first quarter ended June 30, 2008 climbed 90.5 percent to $3.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, from $1.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, a year earlier. Operating income for the fiscal 2009 first quarter was $5.8 million compared with $4.2 million a year ago. Net sales for the fiscal 2009 first quarter were $32.7 million compared with $35.4 million for the same period last year -- reflecting the impact of customer purchasing and return patterns.

Gross profit for the fiscal 2009 first quarter increased 12.5 percent to $11.5 million from $10.2 million for the same period a year ago. Gross margin was 35.1 percent for the fiscal 2009 first quarter compared with 28.8 percent a year earlier, due primarily to lower manufacturing costs realized from improvements in manufacturing efficiencies and the reversal of approximately $1.3 million related to a customs duties appeal resolved during the quarter. Excluding the reversal of the customs duties accrual, gross margin was 31.1 percent for the fiscal 2009 first quarter.

"Fiscal 2009 first quarter results represent a continuation of the company's strong financial performance reported at year end. Margin improvement continues to be enhanced through the successful relocation of a majority of manufacturing to Mexico from California and greater utilization of production at our long-time operation in Malaysia. We remain focused on opportunities to enhance top-line sales growth and earnings performance, supported by organic growth and contributions from complementary acquisitions, such as a recently completed acquisition. Our strategy continues to be concentrated on leveraging the company's efficient manufacturing operations, capacity, sales organization and customer-focused relationships," said Selwyn Joffe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.

Joffe noted the write down of inventory for the quarter to reflect lower current production costs was offset by the reversal of customs duties accrual -- both in the amount of $1.3 million. "Management is encouraged by the company's overall operating performance for the quarter, especially in light of the challenging economic conditions. The company remains on track to meet its net sales guidance of $150 million, including the contributions of synergistic acquisitions," Joffe said.

Teleconference and Web Cast

Selwyn Joffe, chairman, president and chief executive officer, and David Lee, chief financial officer, will host an investor conference call today at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time to discuss the company's financial results and operations for its fiscal 2009 first quarter. The call will be open to all interested investors either through a live audio Web broadcast at www.motorcarparts.com or live by calling (877)-681-3373 (domestic) or (719)-325-4941 (international). For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for seven days on Motorcar Parts of America's website. A telephone playback of the conference call will also be available from 12:00 p.m. Pacific time Monday, August 11, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, August 18 by calling (888)-203-1112 (domestic) or (719)-457-0820 (international) and using access code: 5418737.

About Motorcar Parts of America

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. is a remanufacturer of alternators and starters utilized in imported and domestic passenger vehicles and light trucks. Its products are sold to automotive retail outlets and the professional repair market throughout the United States and Canada, with facilities located in California, Tennessee, Mexico, Singapore and Malaysia. Additional information is available at www.motorcarparts.com

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on the company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company, including the expected benefits from its strategic initiatives the contributions derived from the company's heavy duty sales initiative; the impact of future business derived from consolidation within the industry; and the company's ability to achieve its revenue target. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the company) and are subject to change based upon various factor. Reference is also made to the Risk Factors set forth in the company's Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June 2008 and in its Form 10-Qs filed with the SEC thereafter for additional risks and uncertainties facing the company. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.


           MOTORCAR PARTS OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Consolidated Statements of Operations
                              (Unaudited)

                                              Three Months Ended
                                                   June 30,
                                         ----------------------------
                                             2008            2007
                                         ------------    ------------

 Net sales                               $ 32,705,000    $ 35,441,000
 Cost of goods sold                        21,225,000      25,241,000
                                         ------------    ------------
   Gross profit                            11,480,000      10,200,000
 Operating expenses:
   General and administrative               4,202,000       4,788,000
   Sales and marketing                      1,012,000         929,000
   Research and development                   462,000         275,000
                                         ------------    ------------
     Total operating expenses               5,676,000       5,992,000
                                         ------------    ------------
 Operating income                           5,804,000       4,208,000
 Other expense (income):
   Interest expense                           832,000       1,657,000
   Interest income                            (14,000)        (14,000)
                                         ------------    ------------
 Income before income tax expense           4,986,000       2,565,000
 Income tax expense                         1,954,000         973,000
                                         ------------    ------------

 Net income                              $  3,032,000    $  1,592,000
                                         ============    ============
   Basic net income per share            $       0.25    $       0.16
                                         ============    ============
   Diluted net income per share          $       0.25    $       0.16
                                         ============    ============

 Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding:
   Basic                                   12,070,555       9,904,076
                                         ============    ============
   Diluted                                 12,193,667      10,186,077
                                         ============    ============


           MOTORCAR PARTS OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                        June 30, 2008   March 31, 2008
                                        -------------   --------------
 ASSETS                                  (Unaudited)
 Current assets:
   Cash                                  $    354,000    $  1,935,000
   Short-term investments                     395,000         373,000
   Accounts receivable -- net               9,396,000       2,789,000
   Inventory -- net                        34,455,000      32,707,000
   Deferred income taxes                    5,738,000       5,657,000
   Inventory unreturned                     4,270,000       4,124,000
   Prepaid expenses and other current
    assets                                  1,842,000       1,608,000
                                         ------------    ------------
     Total current assets                  56,450,000      49,193,000
  Plant and equipment -- net               16,257,000      15,996,000
  Long-term core inventory                 54,585,000      50,808,000
  Long-term core inventory deposit         22,687,000      22,477,000
  Long-term accounts receivable                60,000         767,000
  Long-term deferred income taxes           1,345,000       1,357,000
  Goodwill                                    329,000              --
  Intangible assets -- net                  1,673,000              --
  Other assets                                372,000         810,000
                                         ------------    ------------
     TOTAL ASSETS                        $153,758,000    $141,408,000
                                         ============    ============
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                      $ 28,934,000    $ 32,401,000
   Accrued liabilities                        787,000       2,200,000
   Accrued salaries and wages               3,745,000       3,396,000
   Accrued workers' compensation claims     2,339,000       2,042,000
   Income tax payable                       2,211,000         392,000
   Line of credit                          10,745,000              --
   Deferred compensation                      395,000         373,000
   Deferred income                            133,000         133,000
   Other current liabilities                  106,000         448,000
   Current portion of capital lease
    obligations                             1,723,000       1,711,000
                                         ------------    ------------
     Total current liabilities             51,118,000      43,096,000
  Deferred income, less current portion        89,000         122,000
  Deferred core revenue                     3,706,000       2,927,000
  Deferred gain on sale-leaseback           1,210,000       1,340,000
  Other liabilities                           543,000         265,000
  Capitalized lease obligations, less
   current portion                          2,423,000       2,565,000
                                         ------------    ------------
     Total liabilities                     59,089,000      50,315,000
  Commitments and Contingencies
  Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock; par value $.01 per
    share, 5,000,000 shares authorized;
    none issued                                    --              --
   Series A junior participating
    preferred stock; par value $.01 per
    share, 20,000 shares authorized;
    none issued                                    --              --
   Common stock; par value $.01 per
    share, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
    12,070,555 shares issued and
    outstanding at June 30, 2008 and
    March 31, 2008                            121,000         121,000
   Additional paid-in capital              92,892,000      92,663,000
   Additional paid-in capital-warrant       1,879,000       1,879,000
   Shareholder note receivable               (682,000)       (682,000)
   Accumulated other comprehensive income     675,000         360,000
   Accumulated deficit                       (216,000)     (3,248,000)
                                         ------------    ------------
     Total shareholders' equity            94,669,000      91,093,000
                                         ------------    ------------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
      SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY               $153,758,000    $141,408,000
                                         ============    ============


            

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