Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the financial statements; some of these are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis. Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared. Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when required by particular events or circumstances. In determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, the Company uses various valuation techniques. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For many financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.

The Company assesses the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy. The hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.

Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity rates and yield curves. The Company uses the market approach to derive the fair value for its level 2 fair value measurements. Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using publicly quoted spot and forward prices; commodity contracts are valued using publicly quoted prices, where available, or dealer quotes; interest rate swaps are valued using publicized swap curves; and investments in marketable securities and cash equivalents are valued using publicly quoted prices.

Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The use of observable and unobservable inputs is reflected in the hierarchy assessment disclosed in the following tables.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31 (in thousands):



	Balance as of 2014		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	737,024	$	482,686	$	254,338	$	—
Marketable securities	91,140		33,815		57,325		—
Derivatives	32,244		—		32,244		—
Total	$	860,408	$	516,501	$	343,907	$	—
Liabilities:
Derivatives	$	2,027	$	—	$	2,027	$	—



	Balance as of 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	836,387	$	516,173	$	320,214	$	—
Marketable securities	129,181		30,172		99,009		—
Derivatives	1,932		—		1,932		—
Total	$	967,500	$	546,345	$	421,155	$	—
Liabilities:
Derivatives	$	3,925	$	—	$	3,925	$	—

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Repossessed inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value through a nonrecurring fair value measurement. The nonrecurring fair value measurement represents the loss recognized to adjust the related finance receivable to the fair value of the repossessed inventory. Repossessed inventory was $13.4 million and $13.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, for which the fair value adjustment was $5.0 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Fair value is estimated using level 2 inputs based on the recent market values of repossessed inventory.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade receivables, finance receivables, net, trade payables, debt, foreign currency contracts and interest rate swaps (derivative instruments are discussed further in Note 9). Under U.S. GAAP certain of these items are required to be recorded in the financial statements at fair value, while others are required to be recorded at historical cost.

The following table summarizes the fair value and carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31 (in thousands):



	2014				2013
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	906,680	$	906,680	$	1,066,612	$	1,066,612
Marketable securities	$	91,140	$	91,140	$	129,181	$	129,181
Accounts receivable, net	$	247,621	$	247,621	$	261,065	$	261,065
Derivatives	$	32,244	$	32,244	$	1,932	$	1,932
Finance receivables, net	$	6,519,500	$	6,432,881	$	6,086,441	$	5,999,563
Restricted cash	$	122,052	$	122,052	$	144,807	$	144,807
Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	196,868	$	196,868	$	239,794	$	239,794
Derivatives	$	2,027	$	2,027	$	3,925	$	3,925
Unsecured commercial paper	$	731,786	$	731,786	$	666,317	$	666,317
Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility	$	166,912	$	166,912	$	174,241	$	174,241
Medium-term notes	$	3,502,536	$	3,334,398	$	3,087,852	$	2,858,980
Senior unsecured notes	$	—	$	—	$	305,958	$	303,000
Term asset-backed securitization debt	$	1,270,656	$	1,271,533	$	1,259,314	$	1,256,632

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Accounts Receivable, Net and Accounts Payable – With the exception of certain cash equivalents, the carrying value of these items in the financial statements is based on historical cost. The historical cost basis for these amounts is estimated to approximate their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.

Marketable Securities – The carrying value of marketable securities in the financial statements is based on fair value. The fair value of marketable securities is determined primarily based quoted prices for identical instruments or on quoted market prices of similar financial assets. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.

Finance Receivables, Net – The carrying value of retail and wholesale finance receivables in the financial statements is amortized cost less an allowance for credit losses. The fair value of retail finance receivables is generally calculated by discounting future cash flows using an estimated discount rate that reflects current credit, interest rate and prepayment risks associated with similar types of instruments. Fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs. The amortized cost basis of wholesale finance receivables approximates fair value because they either are short-term or have interest rates that adjust with changes in market interest rates.

Derivatives – Foreign currency exchange contracts and commodity contracts are derivative financial instruments and are carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The fair value of foreign currency exchange and commodity contracts is determined using publicly quoted prices. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

Debt – The carrying value of debt in the financial statements is generally amortized cost. The carrying value of unsecured commercial paper approximates fair value due to its short maturity. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

The carrying value of debt provided under the Canadian Conduit approximates fair value since the interest rates charged under the facility are tied directly to market rates and fluctuate as market rates change. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

The fair values of the medium-term notes are estimated based upon rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

The fair value of the senior unsecured notes is estimated based upon rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

The fair value of the debt related to term asset-backed securitization transactions is estimated based on pricing currently available for transactions with similar terms and maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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