Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates [Abstract]

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

	December 31,
	2023		2022
	(In thousands)
Foshan FGD SMP Automotive Compressor Co. Ltd	$	18,426	$	16,747
Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.		3,128		4,098
Orange Electronic Co. Ltd		2,496		2,490
Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd.		—		18,410
Total	$	24,050	$	41,745

Investment in Foshan FGD SMP Automotive Compressor Co. Ltd.

In November 2017, we formed Foshan FGD SMP Automotive Compressor Co., Ltd., a 50/50 joint venture with Foshan Guangdong Automotive Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. (“FGD”), a China-based manufacturer of automotive belt driven air conditioning compressors. We acquired our 50% interest in the joint venture for approximately $12.5 million.  We determined that due to a lack of a voting majority, and other qualitative factors, we do not control the operations of the joint venture and accordingly, our investment in the joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made purchases from the joint venture of approximately $44.1 million and $43.5 million, respectively.

Investment in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

In August 2019, we acquired an approximate 29% minority interest in Foshan Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“CYJ”) for approximately $5.1 million.  CYJ is a manufacturer of automotive electric air conditioning compressors and is located in China.  Our minority interest in CYJ is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

In December 2021, Standard Motor Products (Hong Kong), Ltd., (“SMP HK”), a subsidiary of Standard Motor Products, Inc., entered into an unsecured loan agreement with CYJ.  Under the terms of the loan agreement, CYJ shall have the right to borrow from SMP HK, as lender, up to an aggregate principal amount of $4 million, with interest calculated on the basis of simple interest of five percent (5%) per annum and a maturity date of November 30, 2023, subject to extension by SMP HK at its sole discretion. In September 2023, the loan agreement was extended through November 30, 2025. Outstanding borrowings under the loan agreement at December 31, 2023 were $4 million.

In October 2022, we acquired an additional 3.55% equity interest in CYJ for RMB 1.7 million (approximately $242,000), increasing our minority ownership interest in CYJ from an approximate interest of 29% to 33%. We will continue to account for our minority interest in CYJ using the equity method of accounting. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, purchases we made from CYJ were not material.

Investment in Orange Electronic Co. Ltd.

In January 2013, we acquired a minority interest in Orange Electronic Co., Ltd. (“Orange”) for $6.3 million.  Orange is a manufacturer of tire pressure monitoring system sensors and is located in Taiwan.  As of December 31, 2022, our minority interest in Orange of 19.4% is accounted for using the equity method of accounting as we have the ability to exercise significant influence. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made purchases from Orange of approximately $3.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

Investment in Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd.

In April 2014, we formed Foshan GWO YNG SMP Vehicle Climate Control & Cooling Products Co. Ltd. (“Gwo Yng”), a 50/50 joint venture with Gwo Yng Enterprise Co., Ltd., a China-based manufacturer of air conditioner accumulators, filter driers, hose assemblies and switches.  We acquired our 50% interest in the joint venture for approximately $14 million.  In March 2018, we acquired an additional 15% equity interest in the joint venture for RMB 26,475,583 (approximately $4.2 million), thereby increasing our equity interest in the joint venture to 65%.  While we increased our equity interest in the joint venture to 65%, the minority shareholder maintained substantive participating rights that allowed it to participate in certain significant financial and operating decisions that occur in the ordinary course of business.  As a result, we continued to account for our investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting.

In July 2023, we acquired an additional 15% equity interest in the joint venture for RMB 27,378,290 (approximately $4 million), thereby increasing our equity interest in Gwo Yng to 80%.  In connection with the transaction, we amended and restated the charter documents of Gwo Yng to remove all minority shareholder substantive participating rights, giving SMP control of Gwo Yng.  As a result, as of the closing date of the transaction, Gwo Yng will be accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages (“a step acquisition”).  Accordingly, commencing on the closing of the transaction, we will report the results of Gwo Yng on a consolidated basis with the minority ownership interest reported as a noncontrolling interest.

During the year ended December 31, 2023 and through the date of our step acquisition in July 2023, we made purchases from the joint venture of approximately $10.3 million.  Purchases made from the joint  venture approximated $16.2 million during the year ended December 13, 2022.

For additional information related to Gwo Yng, see Note 2, “Business Acquisitions and Investments,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.