WABCO Holdings Inc., a global technology leader and tier-one supplier to the commercial vehicle industry, today reported that Q1 2009 sales totaled $334 million, down 53 percent from prior year and down 45 percent in local currencies, reflecting the anticipated continued deep decline in global demand for new commercial vehicles.

WABCO reported a Q1 2009 gross profit margin of 17.4 percent versus 27.8 percent a year ago. Excluding separation and streamlining costs, performance gross profit was 24.0 percent versus 27.9 percent a year ago.

WABCO reported a Q1 2009 operating loss of $30.0 million versus operating income of $83.7 million a year ago. Performance operating income was $3.0 million, down 97 percent from prior year and down 96 percent from prior year in local currencies.

WABCO reported a Q1 2009 operating margin of negative 9.0 percent versus positive 11.9 percent a year ago. Performance operating income margin was 0.9 percent versus 13.0 percent a year ago.

"Our results in Q1 2009 show that WABCO continues to successfully weather the global economic crisis as we remain focused on our strategy of excellence in execution, global expansion and technology leadership," said Jacques Esculier, WABCO Chief Executive Officer. "Sales significantly declined in Q1 2009, as anticipated, and we demonstrated the power of our execution by maintaining a positive performance operating margin. We achieved cost savings of $20 million in operating expenses, well ahead of our plan, representing a reduction of approximately 20 percent year on year. Such success reflects major progress in our streamlining program with 1,200 positions eliminated through Q1 2009, as well as cost reductions across our organization, including flexible work schedules in our offices, reductions in discretionary expenses, and our decision to decrease executive and senior management compensation, among other measures."

"We also achieved approximately $12 million of materials and conversion productivity in Q1 2009 through outstanding execution despite a challenging environment, powering Q1 2009 to near record levels of productivity," said Esculier. "Our aftermarket business also contributed to our positive performance operating margin as Q1 2009 aftermarket sales declined by 14 percent, less than expected, driven by increased market penetration and tough winter conditions in Europe."

On a U.S. GAAP basis, Q1 2009 reported a net loss of $36.4 million or $0.57 per diluted share versus net income of $61.3 million or $0.91 per diluted share a year ago. Excluding separation and streamlining costs, and discrete tax items, Q1 2009 resulted in a performance net loss of $5.4 million versus performance net income of $70.3 million a year ago.

Impacting net income for the quarter, equity investments generated a loss of $4.8 million, which is predominantly due to the non-brakes Indian joint venture. Performance earnings per diluted share was a loss of $0.08 versus income of $1.04 per diluted share a year ago.

WABCO generated $33.9 million in net cash from operating activities in Q1 2009 and $23.3 million of free cash flow.

"In an environment where the commercial vehicle market has deteriorated significantly for two consecutive quarters, we generated operating cash flow of $33.9 million in Q1 2009, another mark of WABCO's ability to execute efficiently, under control and with maximum flexibility," said Esculier. "Anticipating lower levels of market demand as early as eight months ago, we took clear and quick measures to mitigate adverse market conditions. The power of our execution delivered outstanding results in Q1 2009: positive performance operating margin, cost savings of $20 million in operating expenses, well ahead of plan, productivity at near record levels, and strong cash flow."

"Our strategy of investing in global expansion is proving to be increasingly powerful. As in Q1 2009, emerging markets such as China and Brazil are expanding their share of WABCO's total revenues while business conditions for commercial vehicles in these markets seem less affected by the global economic crisis," said Esculier. "We have established WABCO as a leading supplier in China and, through our joint venture, in India. We expect these markets will suffer least during the industry's current downturn and be fastest to recover, providing additional growth while we fully leverage our investments and continue to execute our globalization strategy. Furthermore, we look forward to taking majority control of our joint venture in India, one of the world's most promising commercial vehicle markets, giving us additional access to unique resources and capabilities in manufacturing, sourcing and engineering to further power WABCO's growth."

WABCO Suspends Cash Dividend

WABCO paid $4.5 million in dividends in Q1 2009. Given the current state of the commercial vehicle industry and the pending decision by the European Commission regarding the previously disclosed civil fine against entities in Europe of the former American Standard Companies Inc., WABCO has decided to suspend payment of dividends.

Recent Highlights

On April 22, 2009, WABCO announced that during 2008 and Q1 2009 the company won contracts with customers globally totaling more than $530 million of expected cumulative incremental business for 2010 through 2014, including customer contracts for WABCO's new generation of single piston NG22MAX Air Disc Brake, as well as incremental orders for electronic braking systems, new generation anti-lock braking systems, electronically controlled air suspension systems, compressors, valves and brake products.

In Q1 2009, King Long, a manufacturer of buses that is headquartered in Xiamen, China, honored WABCO with its 2008 Technology Innovation Award in recognition of WABCO's superbly engineered applications of electronic braking systems. With sales in 55 countries worldwide, King Long is also the leading brand of large and medium size buses in China.

In Q1 2009, Ankai, one of China's major producers of luxury coaches and buses for intercity, urban and special use, named WABCO as Best Supplier 2008 for outstanding product quality, delivery performance and total cost efficiency. Ankai serves the Chinese and foreign markets worldwide.

In Q1 2009, the company's joint venture in North America, Meritor WABCO, was awarded net new business from Maverick USA, including orders for 500 Freightliner Cascadia trucks to be equipped with SmartTrac(TM) stability control systems, OnGuard(TM) collision safety systems, and braking systems for delivery in 2009.

Earlier this month, Meritor WABCO was awarded the 2009 North American Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award by Frost & Sullivan for the OnGuard collision safety system, in recognition that the product represents a significant safety upgrade over competing systems.

As previously announced, WABCO introduced OptiDrive(TM) as the brand name for the company's new modular automated manual transmission system, a breakthrough in transmission automation technology. One of the most creatively engineered products in WABCO's portfolio, the new OptiDrive system continues the company's 20-year track record of technology leadership in transmission automation.

As reported in March 2009, WABCO welcomes the recently approved European Union mandate that sets better standards to improve road safety in Europe. This mandate includes the EU's new regulation to introduce electronic stability control (ESC) systems on new heavy commercial vehicles from November 2011. WABCO pioneered ESC for commercial vehicles in 2001 and has continued to innovate ESC ever since. Currently, less than 10 percent of the total number of heavy duty trucks produced in Europe are equipped with electronic stability controls.

In Q1 2009, WABCO announced an agreement to supply China National Heavy Truck Corporation (CNHTC), the largest producer of heavy duty trucks in China. WABCO's strategic partnership agreement with CNHTC extends to 2016 and is worth several hundred million U.S. dollars in cumulative sales. A supplier to CNHTC since 1997, WABCO will continue to provide air management products, braking systems including anti-lock braking, and transmission control products. WABCO will also be CNHTC's sole supplier of automated manual transmission systems through 2016.

Full Year 2009 Operating Framework

Due to continued uncertainties associated with 2009 market forecasts for commercial vehicles, WABCO is presently not providing full year earnings guidance. Based on market developments, the company expects to operate toward the low end of its previously disclosed operating framework for 2009, which estimated a 2009 sales decline of 25 to 35 percent in local currencies, resulting in full year reported operating margin from negative 1 to positive 2 percent and performance operating margin from 3 to 6 percent.

As a result, WABCO has expanded its previously announced streamlining program to a total of approximately 1,550 positions, of which we anticipate approximately 1,400 positions will be terminated by end of April 2009.

"WABCO will continue to anticipate and mitigate adverse market conditions without compromising our commitment to excellence in execution, global expansion and technology leadership," said Esculier. "Having anticipated the current economic crisis as early as eight months ago, we feel well prepared and sufficiently flexible to continuously align with market demands while our strategy keeps powering the growth potential of WABCO."

About WABCO

WABCO Vehicle Control Systems (NYSE: WBC) is a leading supplier of safety and control systems for commercial vehicles. For over 140 years, WABCO has pioneered breakthrough electronic, mechanical and mechatronic technologies for braking, stability, and transmission automation systems supplied to the world's leading commercial truck, trailer, and bus manufacturers. With sales of $2.6 billion in 2008, WABCO is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.