DELPHI 2013 Annual Report Download - page 76

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addition, there may be soil or groundwater contamination at several of our properties resulting from historical, ongoing or
nearby activities.
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the undiscounted reserve for environmental investigation and remediation was
approximately $21 million (of which $3 million was recorded in accrued liabilities and $18 million was recorded in other long-
term liabilities) and $21 million (of which $3 million was recorded in accrued liabilities and $18 million was recorded in other
long-term liabilities). Delphi cannot ensure that environmental requirements will not change or become more stringent over
time or that its eventual environmental remediation costs and liabilities will not exceed the amount of its current reserves. In the
event that such liabilities were to significantly exceed the amounts recorded, Delphi’s results of operations could be materially
affected.
Legal Proceedings
For a description of our legal proceedings, see Item 3. Legal Proceedings and Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
to the audited consolidated financial statements included herein.
Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies to the audited consolidated
financial statements included herein. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by
management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are
subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing
contracts, our evaluation of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other
outside sources, as appropriate.
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:
• It requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time we were making the estimate, and
• Changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected would have had a material impact on our
financial condition or results of operations.
Acquisitions
In accordance with accounting guidance for the provisions in FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations, we allocate the
purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the
purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill.
We use all available information to estimate fair values. We typically engage outside appraisal firms to assist in the fair
value determination of identifiable intangible assets and any other significant assets or liabilities. We adjust the preliminary
purchase price allocation, as necessary, up to one year after the acquisition closing date as we obtain more information
regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.
Our purchase price allocation methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions
and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. Management estimates the fair value of assets
and liabilities based upon quoted market prices, the carrying value of the acquired assets and widely accepted valuation
techniques, including discounted cash flows and market multiple analyses. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur
which could affect the accuracy of our fair value estimates, including assumptions regarding industry economic factors and
business strategies.
Other estimates used in determining fair value include, but are not limited to, future cash flows or income related to
intangibles, market rate assumptions, actuarial assumptions for benefit plans and appropriate discount rates. Our estimates of
fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain, and therefore, may not be
realized. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be
realized, and actual results could vary materially.
Warranty Obligations
Estimating warranty obligations requires us to forecast the resolution of existing claims and expected future claims on
products sold. We base our estimate on historical trends of units sold and payment amounts, combined with our current
understanding of the status of existing claims and discussions with our customers. The key factors which impact our estimates
are (1) the stated or implied warranty period; (2) OEM source; (3) OEM policy decisions regarding warranty claims; and
(4) OEMs seeking to hold suppliers responsible for product warranties. These estimates are re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Actual warranty obligations could differ from the amounts estimated requiring adjustments to existing reserves in future
periods. Due to the uncertainty and potential volatility of the factors contributing to developing these estimates, changes in our
assumptions could materially affect our results of operations.