Chrysler 2011 Annual Report Download - page 153

Notes
152 Consolidated
Financial
Statements
at 31 December
2011
Pension plans and other post-retirement benefits
Employee benefit liabilities with the related assets, costs and net interest expense are measured on an actuarial basis which requires the
use of estimates and assumptions to determine the net liability or net asset. The actuarial method takes into consideration parameters
of a financial nature such as the discount rate and the expected long term rate of return on plan assets, the growth rate of salaries and
the growth rates of health care costs and the likelihood of potential future events by using demographic assumptions such as mortality
rates, dismissal or retirement rates.
In particular, the discount rates selected are based on yields curves of high quality corporate bonds in the relevant market. The
expected returns on plan assets are determined considering various inputs from a range of advisors concerning long-term capital
market returns, inflation, current bond yields and other variables, adjusted for any specific aspects of the asset investment strategy.
Salary growth rates reflect the Group’s long-term actual expectation in the reference market and inflation trends. Trends in health care
costs are developed on the basis of historical experience, the near-term outlook for costs and likely long-term trends. Changes in any
of these assumptions may have an effect on future contributions to the plans.
As a result of adopting the corridor method for the recognition of the actuarial gains and losses arising from the valuation of employee
benefit liabilities and assets (see the above paragraph - Employee benefits), the effects resulting from revising the estimates of the
above parameters are not recognised in the statement of financial position and income statement when they arise. The disclosure of
the effects of changes in estimates is discussed in Note 26.
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory
The allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory reflects management’s estimate of the loss in value expected by the Group, and
has been determined on the basis of past experience and historical and expected future trends in the used vehicle market. A worsening
of the economic and financial situation could cause a further deterioration in conditions in the used vehicle market compared to that
already taken into consideration in calculating the allowances recognised in the financial statements.
Incentives
At the later of time of sale or the time an incentive is announced to dealers, the Group records the estimated cost of sales allowances
in the form of dealer and customer incentives as a reduction of revenue. There are numerous types of incentives used in the Group,
which may also depend on the time they are granted; for this reason several factors are used to estimate the amount of incentives and
a change in any one of these factors could have a significant effect on the amount of revenue recognised.
Product warranties
The Group makes provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranties at the time products are sold. The estimate of the
provision is based on historical information concerning the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claims. The Group seeks to
improve vehicle quality and minimise warranty expenses arising from claims.
Contingent liabilities
The Group makes a provision for pending disputes and legal proceedings when it is considered probable that there will be an outflow of
funds and when the amount of the losses arising from such can be reasonably estimated. If an outflow of funds becomes possible but
the amount cannot be estimated, the matter is disclosed in the notes. The Group is the subject of legal and tax proceedings covering
a range of matters which are pending in various jurisdictions. Due to the uncertainty inherent in such matters, it is difficult to predict the
outflow of funds which will result from such disputes with any certainty. Moreover, the cases and claims against the Group often derive
from complex and difficult legal issues which are subject to a different degree of uncertainty, including the facts and circumstances of
each particular case, the jurisdiction and the different laws involved. In the normal course of business the Group monitors the stage
of pending legal procedures and consults with legal counsel and experts on legal and tax matters. It is therefore possible that the
provisions for the Group’s legal proceedings and litigation may vary as the result of future developments of the proceedings in progress.