BorgWarner 1Q profit leaps on international component sales

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—Auto parts supplier BorgWarner Inc. said Friday its first-quarter earnings surged 52 percent as international sales, led by global demand for turbochargers, countered slowing U.S. vehicle production.

The company earned $88.7 million, or 75 cents per share, compared with $58.4 million, or 50 cents per share, in the first-quarter of 2007.

Revenue rose 17 percent to $1.5 billion, from $1.28 billion a year earlier.

Analysts expected profit of 66 cents per share on revenue of $1.41 billion, according to a poll by Thomson Financial.

The company said international sales increased 15 percent in the period, excluding the impact of currency exchange. Revenue in BorgWarner's engine group rose 23 percent to $1.1 billion, led by demand for turbochargers.

International demand for engine timing, ignition, emissions and thermal products helped offset lower domestic sales of those products, due mostly to lower U.S. vehicle production, BorgWarner said.