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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation
Lear consolidates all entities, including variable interest entities, in which it has a controlling financial interest. Investments in affiliates in which Lear does not have control, but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for under the equity method (Note 6, "Investments in Affiliates and Other Related Party Transactions").
Fiscal Period Reporting
The Company’s annual financial results are reported on a calendar year basis, and quarterly interim results are reported using a thirteen week reporting calendar.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less. Restricted cash includes cash that is legally restricted as to use or withdrawal.
Accounts Receivable
The Company records accounts receivable as title is transferred to its customers. The Company’s customers are the world’s major automotive manufacturers. Generally, the Company does not require collateral for its accounts receivable.
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, "Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," using a modified retrospective approach. The standard amends several aspects of the measurement of credit losses related to certain financial instruments, including the replacement of the existing incurred credit loss model and other models with the current expected credit losses ("CECL") model. The cumulative effect of adoption resulted in an increase of $0.8 million in the allowance for credit loss and a corresponding decrease in retained earnings as of January 1, 2020.
The Company’s allowance for credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, primarily accounts receivable, reflects management’s estimate of credit losses over the remaining expected life of such assets, measured primarily using historical experience, as well as current conditions and forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Expected credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as changes to expected credit losses during the period, are recognized in earnings. The Company also considers geographic and segment specific risk factors in the development of expected credit losses. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, accounts receivable are reflected net of reserves of $35.3 million and $36.0 million, respectively. Changes in expected credit losses were not significant during the year ended December 31, 2020.
The Company receives bank notes from its customers, which are classified as other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets, for certain amounts of accounts receivable, primarily in Asia. The Company may hold such bank notes until maturity, exchange them with suppliers to settle liabilities or sell them to third-party financial institutions in exchange for cash.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. The Company records reserves for inventory in excess of production and/or forecasted requirements and for obsolete inventory in production and service inventories. A summary of inventories is shown below (in millions):
December 31,20202019
Raw materials$1,051.6 $906.3 
Work-in-process109.8 107.0 
Finished goods396.9 380.4 
Reserves(157.2)(135.5)
Inventories$1,401.1 $1,258.2 
Engineering and Development ("E&D") and Tooling Costs
In 2020, the Company recorded E&D costs of $557.0 million, including $280.7 million (or 2% of related sales) in its Seating business, $259.8 million (or 6% of related sales) in its E-Systems business and $16.5 million at its headquarters location.
Pre-Production Costs Related to Long-Term Supply Agreements
The Company incurs pre-production E&D and tooling costs related to the products produced for its customers under long-term supply agreements. The Company expenses all pre-production E&D costs for which reimbursement is not contractually guaranteed by the customer. In addition, the Company expenses all pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is not contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which the Company does not have a non-cancelable right to use the tooling.
During 2020 and 2019, the Company capitalized $229.7 million and $211.2 million, respectively, of pre-production E&D costs for which reimbursement is contractually guaranteed by the customer. During 2020 and 2019, the Company also capitalized $174.0 million and $231.6 million, respectively, of pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which the Company has a non-cancelable right to use the tooling. These amounts are included in other current and long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. During 2020 and 2019, the Company collected $354.6 million and $408.3 million, respectively, of cash related to E&D and tooling costs.
The classification of recoverable customer E&D and tooling costs related to long-term supply agreements is shown below (in millions):
December 31,20202019
Current$212.0 $157.2 
Long-term121.4 113.8 
Recoverable customer E&D and tooling$333.4 $271.0 
Other E&D Costs
Costs incurred in connection with product launches, to the extent not recoverable from the Company’s customers, are recorded in cost of sales as incurred and totaled $135.0 million, $138.2 million and $140.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
All other E&D costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred and totaled $192.3 million, $178.4 million and $156.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Costs associated with the repair and maintenance of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with improvements which extend the life, increase the capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related asset. Depreciable property is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, using principally the straight-line method as follows:
Buildings and improvements
10 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment
5 to 10 years
A summary of property, plant and equipment is shown below (in millions):
December 31,20202019
Land$114.1 $113.1 
Buildings and improvements880.7 831.3 
Machinery and equipment4,339.2 3,844.1 
Construction in progress311.1 382.4 
Total property, plant and equipment5,645.1 5,170.9 
Less – accumulated depreciation(2,908.9)(2,466.7)
Net property, plant and equipment$2,736.2 $2,704.2 
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, depreciation expense was $474.0 million, $447.6 million and $433.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, capital expenditures recorded in accounts payable totaled $118.4 million, $131.6 million and $156.2 million, respectively.
Impairment of Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. Impairment testing is required more often than annually if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment is more likely than not to have occurred. In conducting its annual impairment testing, the Company may first perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is required. If it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, or if the Company elects not to perform a
qualitative assessment of a reporting unit, the Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit to the related net book value. If the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is measured and recognized.
The Company utilizes an income approach to estimate the fair value of each of its reporting units and a market valuation approach to further support this analysis. The income approach is based on projected debt-free cash flow which is discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. The Company believes that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting unit’s expected long-term operating cash flow performance. This approach also mitigates the impact of cyclical trends that occur in the industry. Fair value is estimated using recent automotive industry and specific platform production volume projections, which are based on both third-party and internally developed forecasts, as well as commercial and discount rate assumptions. The discount rate used is the value-weighted average of the Company’s estimated cost of equity and of debt ("cost of capital") derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics. The Company’s weighted average cost of capital is adjusted by reporting unit to reflect a risk factor, if necessary. Other significant assumptions include terminal value growth rates, terminal value margin rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. While there are inherent uncertainties related to the assumptions used and to management’s application of these assumptions to this analysis, the Company believes that the income approach provides a reasonable estimate of the fair value of its reporting units. The market valuation approach is used to further support the Company’s analysis and is based on recent transactions involving comparable companies.
The annual goodwill impairment assessment was completed as of the first day of the Company's fourth quarter. The Company performed a qualitative assessment for each reporting unit except for one within the Seating operating segment where a quantitative analysis was performed. The qualitative assessments indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value. The quantitative analysis indicated that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value. The quantitative analysis reflected the Company’s best estimates of the COVID-19 pandemic’s ultimate impact on industry conditions, including consumer demand, as well as economic recovery. The reporting unit is at risk of failing a future quantitative assessment if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is more severe or if economic recovery is slower or weaker than anticipated. As of December 31, 2020, the goodwill of the reporting unit represents approximately 1% of the Company’s total goodwill. The Company does not believe that any other reporting units is at risk for impairment.
A summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each of the periods in the two years ended December 31, 2020, is shown below (in millions):
SeatingE-SystemsTotal
Balance as of December 31, 2018$1,244.3 $161.0 $1,405.3 
Acquisition— 219.0 219.0 
Foreign currency translation and other(8.9)(1.1)(10.0)
Balance as of December 31, 20191,235.4 378.9 1,614.3 
Foreign currency translation and other33.4 8.1 41.5 
Balance as of December 31, 2020$1,268.8 $387.0 $1,655.8 
For further information related to the acquisition, see Note 4, "Acquisition."
Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2020, intangible assets consist primarily of certain intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisitions of Guilford Mills in 2012, the parent company of Eagle Ottawa, LLC in 2015, AccuMED Holdings Corp. in 2016, Grupo Antolin's automotive seating business in 2017 and Xevo Inc. ("Xevo") in 2019 (Note 4, "Acquisition"). These intangible assets were recorded at their estimated fair value, based on independent appraisals, as of the transaction or acquisition date. The value assigned to technology intangibles is based on the royalty savings method, which applies a hypothetical royalty rate to projected revenues attributable to the identified technologies. Royalty rates were determined based primarily on analysis of market information. The customer-based intangible asset includes the acquired entity's established relationships with its customers and the ability of these customers to generate future economic profits for the Company. The value assigned to customer-based intangibles is based on the present value of future earnings attributable to the asset group after recognition of required returns to other contributory assets.
A summary of intangible assets as of December 31, 2020, is shown below (in millions):
Gross Carrying
Value		Accumulated
Amortization		Net Carrying
Value		Weighted
Average Useful
Life (years)
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer-based$528.0 $(232.0)$296.0 11.8
Licensing agreements71.9 (24.4)47.5 5.0
Technology35.1 (21.2)13.9 7.2
$635.0 $(277.6)$357.4 10.8
Unamortized intangible assets:
In-process research and development10.8 — 10.8 
Balance as of December 31, 2020$645.8 $(277.6)$368.2 
Intangible assets with a gross carrying value of $25.6 million became fully amortized in 2020 and are no longer included in the gross carrying value or accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2020.
A summary of intangible assets as of December 31, 2019, is shown below (in millions):
Gross Carrying
Value		Accumulated
Amortization		Net Carrying
Value		Weighted
Average Useful
Life (years)
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer-based$531.9 $(203.0)$328.9 11.6
Licensing agreements75.0 (10.2)64.8 5.0
Technology35.0 (15.9)19.1 7.0
Other1.4 (1.3)0.1 2.5
$643.3 $(230.4)$412.9 10.5
Unamortized intangible assets:
In-process research and development10.8 — 10.8 
Balance as of December 31, 2019$654.1 $(230.4)$423.7 
Excluding the impact of any future acquisitions, the Company’s estimated annual amortization expense for the five succeeding years is shown below (in millions):
YearExpense
2021$65.3 
202264.4 
202362.9 
202447.4 
202519.8 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company monitors its long-lived assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required impairment analysis by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is estimated based upon a combination of market and cost approaches, as appropriate.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $21.3 million, $8.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively, in conjunction with its restructuring actions (Note 5, "Restructuring"). For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2018, the Company recognized additional asset impairment charges of $4.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Asset impairment charges are recorded in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Impairment of Investments in Affiliates
The Company monitors its investments in affiliates for indicators of other-than-temporary declines in value on an ongoing basis in accordance with GAAP. If the Company 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.
Accrued Liabilities
A summary of accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, is shown below (in millions):
December 31,20202019
Compensation and employee benefits$297.7 $319.2 
Income and other taxes payable287.7 256.6 
Restructuring139.0 157.7 
Current portion of lease obligations116.3 113.9 
Other1,080.2 963.8 
Accrued liabilities$1,920.9 $1,811.2 
Leases
Accounting Policy
The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. For all asset classes, the Company utilizes the short-term lease exemption as provided under GAAP. A short-term lease is a lease that, at the commencement date, has a term of twelve months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset. For all asset classes, the Company accounts for each lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component, rather than allocating a standalone value to each component of a lease.
For purposes of calculating operating lease obligations under the standard, the Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such option. The Company's leases do not contain material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease terms.
Discount Rate
The discount rate used to measure a lease obligation should be the rate implicit in the lease; however, the Company’s operating leases generally do not provide an implicit rate. Accordingly, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to determine the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is an entity-specific rate which represents the rate of interest a lessee would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term with similar payments.
Revenue Recognition and Sales Commitments
The Company enters into contracts with its customers to provide production parts generally at the beginning of a vehicle’s life cycle. Typically, these contracts do not provide for a specified quantity of products, but once entered into, the Company is often expected to fulfill its customers’ purchasing requirements for the production life of the vehicle. Many of these contracts may be terminated by the Company’s customers at any time. Historically, terminations of these contracts have been infrequent. The Company receives purchase orders from its customers, which provide the commercial terms for a particular production part, including price (but not quantities). Contracts may also provide for annual price reductions over the production life of the vehicle, and prices may be adjusted on an ongoing basis to reflect changes in product content/cost and other commercial factors.
Revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the product is transferred to the customer under standard commercial terms, as the Company does not have an enforceable right to payment prior to such transfer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products based on the annual purchase orders, annual price reductions and ongoing price adjustments. In 2020 and 2019, revenue recognized related to prior years represented less than 1% of consolidated net sales. The Company's customers pay for products received in accordance with payment terms that are customary within the industry. The Company's contracts with its customers do not have significant financing components.
The Company records a contract liability for advances received from its customers. As of December 31, 2020, there were no significant contract liabilities recorded. Further, there were no significant contract liabilities recognized in revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling costs are included in net sales in the consolidated statements of income. Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.
Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from revenue.
Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Cost of sales includes material, labor and overhead costs associated with the manufacture and distribution of the Company’s products. Distribution costs include inbound freight costs, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company’s distribution network. Selling, general and administrative expenses include selling, engineering and development and administrative costs not directly associated with the manufacture and distribution of the Company’s products.
Restructuring Costs
Restructuring costs include employee termination benefits, asset impairment charges and contract termination costs, as well as other incremental costs resulting from the restructuring actions. Employee termination benefits are recorded based on existing union and employee contracts, statutory requirements, completed negotiations and Company policy. Other incremental costs principally include equipment and personnel relocation costs. In addition to restructuring costs, the Company also incurs incremental manufacturing inefficiency costs at the operating locations impacted by the restructuring actions during the related restructuring implementation period. Restructuring costs are recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Generally, charges are recorded as restructuring actions are approved and/or implemented.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net includes non-income related taxes, foreign exchange gains and losses, gains and losses related to certain derivative instruments and hedging activities, losses on the extinguishment of debt, gains and losses on the disposal of fixed assets, gains and losses on the consolidation and deconsolidation of affiliates, the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost and other miscellaneous income and expense. A summary of other expense, net is shown below (in millions):
For the year ended December 31,202020192018
Other expense$72.2 $52.2 $43.8 
Other income(17.0)(27.6)(12.2)
Other expense, net$55.2 $24.6 $31.6 
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax loss and credit 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.
The Company’s current and future provision for income taxes is impacted by the initial recognition of and changes in valuation allowances in certain countries. The Company intends to maintain these allowances until it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company’s future provision for income taxes will include no tax benefit with respect to losses incurred and, except for certain jurisdictions, no tax expense with respect to income generated in these countries until the respective valuation allowances are eliminated. Accordingly, income taxes are impacted by changes in valuation allowances and the mix of earnings among jurisdictions. The Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. In completing this evaluation, the Company considers all available evidence in order to determine whether, based on the weight of the evidence, a valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets is necessary. Such evidence includes historical results, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and expectations for future taxable income (exclusive of the reversal of temporary differences and carryforwards), as well as the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. If, based on the weight of the evidence, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. If operating results improve or decline on a continual basis in a particular jurisdiction, the Company’s decision regarding the need for a valuation allowance could change, resulting in either the initial
recognition or reversal of a valuation allowance in that jurisdiction, which could have a significant impact on income tax expense in the period recognized and subsequent periods. In determining the provision for income taxes for financial statement purposes, the Company makes certain estimates and judgments, which affect its evaluation of the carrying value of its deferred tax assets, as well as its calculation of certain tax liabilities.
The calculation of the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits and liabilities includes uncertainties in the application of, and changes in, complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across its global operations. The Company recognizes tax benefits and liabilities based on its estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. The Company adjusts these benefits and liabilities based on changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of these uncertainties and the impact of tax audits, the ultimate resolutions may differ significantly from the Company’s estimates.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") enacted on December 22, 2017, created the global intangible low-tax income ("GILTI") provision that imposes U.S. tax on certain earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are subject to foreign tax below a certain threshold. GILTI taxes are recorded in current income tax expense as incurred.
Effective January 1, 2019, ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," allows for the reclassification of "stranded" tax effects as a result of the Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Company elected not to reclassify such amounts. The Company reclassifies taxes from accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings as the items to which the tax effects relate are similarly reclassified.
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." The standard simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company did not early adopt this standard. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Foreign Currency
Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that use a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenues and expenses of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using an average of the foreign exchange rates in effect during the period. Translation adjustments that arise from translating a foreign subsidiary’s financial statements from the functional currency to the U.S. dollar are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.
Transaction gains and losses that arise from foreign exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, except certain long-term intercompany transactions, are included in the consolidated statements of income as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, other expense, net includes net foreign currency transaction losses of $19.9 million, $20.6 million and $14.4 million, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures stock-based employee compensation expense at fair value in accordance with GAAP and recognizes such expense over the vesting period of the stock-based employee awards.
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Lear
Basic net income per share available to Lear common stockholders is computed using the two-class method by dividing net income attributable to Lear, after deducting the redemption adjustment related to redeemable noncontrolling interest, by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common shares issuable upon the satisfaction of certain conditions pursuant to a contractual agreement are considered common shares outstanding and are included in the computation of basic net income per share available to Lear common stockholders.
Diluted net income per share available to Lear common stockholders is computed using the two-class method by dividing net income attributable to Lear, after deducting the redemption adjustment related to redeemable noncontrolling interest, by the average number of common shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents computed using the treasury stock method and the average share price during the period.
A summary of information used to compute basic and diluted net income per share available to Lear common stockholders is shown below (in millions, except share and per share data):
For the year ended December 31,202020192018
Net income attributable to Lear$158.5 $753.6 $1,149.8 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment— 35.9 (10.4)
Net income available to Lear common stockholders$158.5 $789.5 $1,139.4 
Average common shares outstanding60,254,38061,697,19265,672,164
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents172,582226,336489,652
Average diluted shares outstanding60,426,96261,923,52866,161,816
Basic net income per share available to Lear common stockholders$2.63 $12.80 $17.35 
Diluted net income per share available to Lear common stockholders$2.62 $12.75 $17.22 
For further information related to the redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment, see Note 6, "Investments in Affiliates and Other Related Party Transactions."
Product Warranty
Losses from warranty obligations are accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the related amounts are reasonably estimable.
Segment Reporting
The Company has two reportable operating segments: Seating, which consists of the design, development, engineering and manufacture of complete seat systems, seat subsystems and key seat components, and E-Systems, which consists of the design, development, engineering and manufacture of complete electrical distribution and connection systems, electronic systems, and software and connected services. Key components in the Company's complete seat system and subsystem solutions are advanced comfort, wellness, safety and sound offerings, as well as configurable seating product technologies, all of which are compatible with traditional internal combustion engine ("ICE") architectures and the full range of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric architectures. Key components in the Company's electrical distribution portfolio include wire harnesses, terminals and connectors, and engineered components for both ICE and electrified vehicle architectures that require management of higher voltage and power. Key components in the Company's electronic systems portfolio include body domain control modules and products specific to electrification and connectivity trends. Electrification products include on-board battery chargers, power conversion modules, high voltage battery management systems and high voltage power distribution systems. Connectivity products include gateway modules and communication modules to manage both wired and wireless networks and data in vehicles. In addition to electronic modules, the Company offers software that includes cybersecurity, advanced vehicle positioning for automated and autonomous driving applications and full capabilities in both dedicated short-range communication and cellular protocols for vehicle connectivity. The Company's software and connected services offerings include embedded control software and cloud and mobile device-based software and services. The other category includes unallocated costs related to corporate headquarters, regional headquarters and the elimination of intercompany activities, none of which meets the requirements for being classified as an operating segment. Corporate and regional headquarters costs include various support functions, such as information technology, advanced research and development, corporate finance, legal, executive administration and human resources.
Each of the Company’s operating segments reports its results from operations and makes its requests for capital expenditures directly to the chief operating decision maker. The economic performance of each operating segment is driven primarily by automotive production volumes in the geographic regions in which it operates, as well as by the success of the vehicle platforms for which it supplies products. Also, each operating segment operates in the competitive Tier 1 automotive supplier environment and is continually working with its customers to manage costs and improve quality. The Company’s production processes generally make use of hourly labor, dedicated facilities, sequential manufacturing and assembly processes and commodity raw materials.
The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based primarily on (i) revenues from external customers, (ii) pretax income before equity in net income of affiliates, interest expense and other expense ("segment earnings") and (iii) cash flows, being defined as segment earnings less capital expenditures plus depreciation and amortization.
The accounting policies of the Company’s operating segments are the same as those described in this note to the consolidated financial statements.
Derivative Instruments and Hedge Activities
The Company has used derivative financial instruments, including forwards, futures, options, swaps and other derivative contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates and the resulting variability of the Company’s operating results. The Company is not a party to leveraged derivatives. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to master netting arrangements that provide for the net settlement of contracts, by counterparty, in the event of default or termination. On the date that a derivative contract for a hedge instrument is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of the exposure of a forecasted transaction or of the variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge), (3) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (a net investment hedge) or (4) a contract not designated as a hedge instrument.
For a fair value hedge, the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in earnings and reflected in the consolidated statements of income on the same line as the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. When the underlying hedged transaction is realized, the gain or loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is recorded in earnings and reflected in the consolidated statements of income on the same line as the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For a net investment hedge, the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in cumulative translation adjustment, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. When the related currency translation adjustment is required to be reclassified, usually upon the sale or liquidation of the investment, the gain or loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is recorded in earnings and reflected in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income. Changes in the fair value of contracts not designated as hedge instruments are recorded in earnings and reflected in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income. Cash flows attributable to derivatives used to manage foreign currency risks are classified on the same line as the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Upon settlement, cash flows attributable to derivatives designated as net investment hedges are classified as investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash flows attributable to forward starting interest rate swaps are classified as financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
The Company formally documents its hedge relationships, including the identification of the hedge instruments and the related hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. Derivatives are recorded at fair value in other current and long-term assets and other current and long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company also formally assesses whether a derivative used in a hedge transaction is highly effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or the cash flows of the hedged item. When it is determined that a hedged transaction is no longer probable to occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting.
On January 1, 2018, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-12, "Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." The new standard eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness, due to a difference between the economic terms of the hedge instrument and the underlying transaction, and generally requires, for qualifying hedges, the entire change in the fair value of a hedge instrument to be presented in the same line as the hedged item in the consolidated statements of income. The standard also modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and simplifies the application of hedge accounting in certain situations. The provisions of the standard were applied on a modified retrospective basis, and the effects of adoption were not significant.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. During 2020, there were no material changes in the methods or policies used to establish estimates and assumptions. Other matters subject to estimation and judgment include amounts related to accounts receivable realization, inventory obsolescence, asset impairments, useful lives of fixed and intangible assets and unsettled pricing negotiations with customers and suppliers (Note 3, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies"); acquisitions (Note 4, "Acquisition"); restructuring accruals (Note 5, "Restructuring"); deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income taxes (Note 9, "Income Taxes"); pension and other postretirement benefit plan assumptions (Note 10, "Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans"); accruals related to litigation, warranty and environmental remediation costs (Note 14, "Commitments and Contingencies"); and self-insurance accruals. Actual results may differ significantly from the Company’s estimates.