Quantum Fuel Systems: Q2 Results

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LAKE FOREST, California - Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (QTWW), a global leader in compressed natural gas (CNG) storage systems, integration and vehicle system technologies, reported its results for the second quarter of 2014.  Conference call information is provided below.

Second Quarter and First Half 2014 Highlights:

    Second quarter revenues grew 7% to $6.5 million and first half revenues grew 38% to $14.5 million, compared to the corresponding prior year periods
    Net loss attributable to stockholders decreased 52% for the second quarter and 53% for the first half of 2014 compared to the corresponding prior year periods
    S,G&A expenses decreased 16% for the first half of 2014 compared to the prior year period driven by continued cost reductions and facility consolidations
    Strong momentum and expanding customer base for new storage system product offerings, including:
        Q-CabLITE™, our innovative light-weight Back-of-Cab CNG fuel storage module storing up to 123 Diesel Gallon Equivalents
        Q-RailLITE™, our next generation of rail mounted CNG fuel storage module for medium and heavy duty applications
    Continuation of significant levels of engineering design and development activities associated with a CNG fuel storage system for heavy duty truck aftermarket program and General Motors passenger vehicle program
    General Motors Chevrolet CNG Impala program on track for production units beginning near the end of the third quarter of 2014

Second Quarter 2014 Operating Results Overview

Total revenues from continuing operations increased 7% to $6.5 million for the second quarter of 2014 compared to $6.1 million for the same period in the prior year.

Product revenue  recognized in the second quarter totaled $4.8 million.  Product revenue was generated primarily from the  sale of CNG fuel storage tanks and complete modules, including initial shipments of the Company's new Q-CabLITE product line.

The Company's backlog for products associated with CNG fuel storage tanks and systems was $13.6  million at June 30, 2014.

The Company reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2014, as compared to an operating loss of $2.4 million for the second quarter of 2013.

During the second quarter, the Company  received additional product orders from new and existing customers across the US and Canada for its Q-Lite® CNG tank storage systems and our complete fully-integrated fuel storage modules, including our Q-CabLITE and Q-RailLITE,  that incorporate the Q-Lite storage systems.

"We continue to put important focus and efforts into transitioning our resources into delivering complete natural gas storage systems into the heavy duty truck market.  These efforts have led to success, especially in terms of gaining new customers, establishing high volume production capacity, validating our innovative and light-weight storage systems, and delivering product to market," said Mr. Brian Olson, President and CEO of Quantum.  "We expect the momentum to build during the second half of 2014 and enable us to grow this emerging segment of our business, complemented by a continued focus on OEM level systems for our other natural gas vehicle platforms including passenger vehicle programs," continued Mr. Olson.

Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems Segment

All revenues from continuing operations are generated by the Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems segment.

During the second quarter, product revenues increased slightly to $4.8 million compared to $4.7 million recognized in the prior year quarter.  Current period product revenue was primarily composed of CNG fuel storage tanks and packaged systems, including initial shipments of the Company's  Q-CabLITE product line.

Product gross margin was 18% in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to 27% in the same period in the prior year. The decline in margin was primarily due to increased manufacturing overheads related to the Company's expanded manufacturing operation and higher than normal validation and scrap costs related to bringing new equipment on line during the quarter.

Contract services revenue for this segment increased 27% to $1.7 million compared to the second quarter of 2013. Contract revenue is derived primarily from system development, application engineering and qualification testing of products and systems under funded contracts with OEMs and other customers.

The increase in contract services revenue is primarily due to higher levels of engineering services related to CNG fuel storage system integration and next generation storage technologies programs, partially offset by a decrease in engineering activities associated with hydrogen programs. CNG related engineering activities in the second quarter of 2014 primarily consisted of engineering services provided to ZHRO Solutions related to our design, development and validation of a complete packaged CNG fuel storage and delivery system for aftermarket use for heavy and medium-duty trucks   that will enable diesel powered trucks to be converted to run on a dedicated CNG injection/engine conversion system developed by ZHRO.  The Company also continued to perform development and certification activities during the second quarter of 2014 for the General Motors Impala CNG bi-fuel program.

Costs of contract services represent costs associated with customer funded engineering development programs.  Contract services gross margin was 28% in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to 43% in the same period in the prior year. The prior year period was favorably impacted by a non-recurring gain related to the closing out of a certain program that enabled higher margins than the Company has historically realized.  Conversely, the current year period was negatively impacted by a change in future cost estimates related to certain ongoing programs.

The operating results of this segment include research and development expenses associated with internally funded engineering development programs.  The expenses for these programs amounted to $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2013.  Internally funded research and development in 2014 primarily related to efforts to advance CNG tank and storage module technologies.

This segment reported an operating loss of $1.2 million for the second quarter in 2014, as compared to an operating loss of $0.7 million reported for the second quarter of 2013.

Capital expenditures increased to $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2014 from $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2013 related primarily to the expansion of the Company's manufacturing infrastructure.

Corporate Segment

Corporate expenses were $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to $1.7 million for the same period in the prior year.

Renewable Energy Segment - held for sale

As previously announced, the Company is in the process of selling the assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, Schneider Power Inc. (Schneider Power), and is actively pursuing buyers for the remaining business operations.  Schneider Power, an operator of the 10 megawatt Zephyr Wind Farm and holder of interests in certain renewable energy projects, represents the entire operations of the Company's Renewable Energy business segment.  As a result of the Company's intent to sell the remaining assets of the business, the historical activities and balances of the Renewable Energy business segment are reported as discontinued operations held for sale in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial information presented herein.

The Renewable Energy segment reported net income after taxes of $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to net loss after taxes of $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2013.

Net income reported for discontinued operations includes the recognition of $0.6 million of revenue from energy sales in the second quarter of  2014 and $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2013. Operating expenses in the second quarter of 2014 were $0.2 million, as compared to $1.3 million in the same period in 2013. The increase to net income from discontinued operations during the second quarter of 2014 as compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a $0.8 million of impairment charge recognized in the prior year quarter, as well as a $0.2 million decrease in selling, general and administrative costs. Interest expense on long-term project financing obligations was $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2013.

Non-Reporting Segment Results

Interest Expense. Interest expense of continuing operations, net of interest income, amounted to $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2014, as compared to $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2013.  Interest expense represents both cash payments based on stated contractual rates and non-cash imputed rates associated with equity-linked characteristics (e.g. warrants and debt principal conversion features), accelerated maturities and/or other contractual provisions of the debt securities.  Included in the second quarters of 2014 and 2013 are non-cash interest costs of $0.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively.  Non-cash interest expense in the second quarter of 2014 primarily related to the imputed interest costs associated with convertible notes issued in September 2013.

Fair Value Adjustments of Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments consisted of embedded features contained within certain warrant contracts.  Fair value adjustments of derivative instruments represent non-cash unrealized gains or losses. The share price of our common stock and applicable expiration dates represent the primary underlying variables that impact the value of the derivative instruments. The $2.7 million net gain recognized during the second quarter of 2014 was primarily due to the expiration of certain derivative warrants in April 2014 and a decrease in our closing share price that decreased the fair value of the derivative instrument liabilities ($9.68 at March 31, 2014 to $5.78 at June 30, 2014).

Other expenses.  The Company recognized charges of $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2014 in connection with the litigation matter involving Iroquois Master Fund related to a contractual provision contained in a warrant contract issued in 2006.

Consolidated Net Loss - Second Quarter and First Half

The consolidated net loss for the second quarter of 2014 was $2.2 million, compared to a net loss of $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2013, representing an improvement of 52%. The $2.4 million improvement in net loss was primarily attributable to the effects of non-operating activities, which included a $2.5 million increase in gains resulting from the change in fair value of derivative instruments and a $1.2 million decrease in net interest expense, partially offset by a $1.8 million increase in other expenses as a result of damages and legal expenses related to the Iroquois litigation. The consolidated net loss for the first half of 2014 was $5.4 million, compared to a net loss of $11.5 million for the first half of 2013, representing an improvement of 53%.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

For its continuing operations, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.2 million, positive working capital of $15.0 million and $5.0 million of availability under a line of credit as of June 30, 2014.

About Quantum

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. is a leader in the innovation, development and production of natural gas fuel storage systems and the integration of vehicle system technologies, including engine and vehicle control systems and drivetrains. Quantum produces one of the most innovative, advanced, and light-weight compressed natural gas storage tanks in the world, and supplies these tanks, in addition to fully integrated natural gas storage systems, to truck and automotive OEMs and aftermarket and OEM truck integrators. Quantum provides low emission and fast-to-market solutions to support the integration and production of natural gas fuel and storage systems, hybrid, fuel cell, and specialty vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations. Quantum is headquartered in Lake Forest, California, and has operations and affiliations in the United States, Canada, and India.

More information about the products and services of Quantum can be found at http://www.qtww.com/ or you may contact:

Quantum Investor Relations
Phone:  949-399-4555
Email:  [email protected]
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