AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 22, 2002
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.*
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 5511 58-2241119
(State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or Industrial Identification No.)
organization) Classification Code Number)
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3 LANDMARK SQUARE
SUITE 500
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
(203) 356-4400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
KENNETH B. GILMAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
3 LANDMARK SQUARE
SUITE 500
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
(203) 356-4400
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of agent for service)
COPIES TO:
ROBERT ROSENMAN, ESQ. ANDREW D. SOUSSLOFF, ESQ.
CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE SULLIVAN & CROMWELL
WORLDWIDE PLAZA 125 BROAD STREET
825 EIGHTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019 (212) 558-4000
(212) 474-1000 FAX: (212) 558-3588
FAX: (212) 474-3700
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. / /
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. / /
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
* Immediately prior to the closing of the offering pursuant to this registration statement, all the membership interests in Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. will be contributed to Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Thus, Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED FEBRUARY 22, 2002.
7,700,000 Shares
[LOGO]
Common Stock
This is an initial public offering of shares of common stock of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Asbury is offering 4,500,000 of the shares to be sold in the offering. The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering an additional 3,200,000 shares. Asbury will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the selling stockholders.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per share will be between $15.00 and $17.00. Asbury has applied to list the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABG".
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 6 TO READ ABOUT FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
BEFORE BUYING SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER REGULATORY BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Per Share Total
--------- ------
Initial public offering price............................... $ $
Underwriting discount....................................... $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Asbury........................ $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders...... $ $
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To the extent that the underwriters sell more than 7,700,000 shares of common stock, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional 1,155,000 shares from Asbury at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment in New York, New York on , 2002.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY ROBERTSON STEPHENS
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Prospectus dated , 2002.
[MAP OF THE U.S. WITH ASBURY STORES]
[PHOTOS OF CERTAIN ASBURY STORES]
[LOGOS OF PLATFORMS]
No manufacturer or distributor has been involved, directly or indirectly, in the preparation of this prospectus or in the offering being made hereby. No manufacturer or distributor has been authorized to make any statements or representations in connection with the offering, and no manufacturer or distributor has any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus or for the offering.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. IT MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. TO UNDERSTAND THIS OFFERING FULLY, YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
IN THIS PROSPECTUS THE TERMS "ASBURY," "WE," "US" AND "OUR" REFER TO ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC., UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS IN INTEREST. THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUMES THAT, IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE CLOSING OF THIS OFFERING, ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. WILL BECOME THE PARENT OF THE BUSINESS OPERATED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C. THROUGH THE CONTRIBUTION OF ALL OF THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS IN ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C. TO ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. AS A RESULT, ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C. WILL BECOME A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. PER SHARE DATA INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUME THAT MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS IN THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OUTSTANDING IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE CONVERSION WILL BE EXCHANGED FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IN THE NEW CORPORATION ON THE BASIS OF 295,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR EACH 1% OF MEMBERSHIP INTEREST. IN REGARD TO VALUATION AND PER SHARE DATA WE HAVE ASSUMED A PER SHARE PRICE OF $16, THE MID-POINT OF THE PRICE RANGE SET FORTH ON THE COVER OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
THIS PROSPECTUS INCLUDES STATISTICAL DATA REGARDING THE AUTOMOTIVE RETAILING INDUSTRY. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, SUCH DATA IS TAKEN OR DERIVED FROM INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY:
- THE INDUSTRY ANALYSIS DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION, ALSO KNOWN AS "NADA," NADA DATA 2001.
- AUTOMOTIVE NEWS 2001 MARKET DATA BOOK.
- CNW MARKETING/RESEARCH.
- SALES & MARKETING MANAGEMENT 2001 SURVEY OF BUYING POWER AND MEDIA MARKETS.
- BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS.
- J.D. POWER.
The sources referenced are the most recent available as of the date of this prospectus.
BUSINESS
OUR COMPANY
We are one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, currently operating 127 franchises at 91 dealership locations. We offer our customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts. Our retail network is organized into nine regional dealership groups, which we refer to as "platforms," located in 17 market areas that we believe represent attractive opportunities. Our franchises include a diverse portfolio of 36 American, European and Asian brands, and a majority of our dealerships are either luxury franchises or mid-line import brands. We have grown rapidly in recent years, primarily through acquisition, with annual sales of $3.0 billion in 1999 and $4.0 billion in 2000, which represented a 34% increase in annual sales from 1999. For the year ended December 31, 2001, we had sales of $4.3 billion, which represented a 7.2% increase in sales from 2000. We sold a total of 158,417 new and used retail units in 2001, which represented a 3.7% increase over the 152,756 retail units sold in 2000.
We compete in a large and highly fragmented industry comprised of approximately 22,150 franchised dealerships. The U.S. automotive retailing industry is estimated to have annual sales of
approximately $1.0 trillion, with the 100 largest dealer groups generating less than 10% of total sales revenue.
OUR STRENGTHS
We believe our strengths are as follows:
- EXPERIENCED AND INCENTIVIZED MANAGEMENT. The former platform owners of seven of our nine platforms, each with greater than 24 years of experience in the automotive retailing industry, continue to manage their respective platforms. Our platforms' senior management teams will collectively own approximately 23.5% of our outstanding common stock after this offering.
- ADVANTAGEOUS BRAND MIX. We believe our current brand mix includes a higher proportion of luxury and mid-line import franchises to total franchises than most public automotive retailers, accounting for 66% of new retail vehicle revenue in the year 2001. Luxury and mid-line imports generate above average gross margins on new vehicles and have greater customer loyalty and repeat purchases than mid-line domestic and value automobiles.
- REGIONAL CONCENTRATION AND STRONG BRANDING OF OUR PLATFORMS. Each of our platforms is comprised of between 7 and 24 franchises and on a pro forma basis for 2001, generated an average of approximately $500 million in revenues. Regional concentration and strong brand recognition allow our platforms to realize significant economies of scale.
- DIVERSIFIED REVENUE STREAMS/VARIABLE COST STRUCTURE. Used vehicle sales and parts, service and collision repair generate higher profit margins than new vehicle sales and tend to fluctuate less with economic cycles. In addition, our incentive-based compensation structure helps us to manage expenses in an economic downturn.
OUR STRATEGY
Our objective is to be the most profitable automotive retailer in select markets in the United States. To achieve this objective, we intend to follow the outlined strategy:
- CONTINUED GROWTH THROUGH TARGETED ACQUISITIONS. We will seek to establish platforms in new markets through acquisitions of large, profitable and well-managed dealership groups. We will also pursue additional dealerships within our established markets to complement our platforms.
- FOCUS ON HIGHER MARGIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. We will continue to focus our efforts on products and services that generate higher profit margins than new vehicle sales, such as used vehicle retail sales, finance and insurance, parts, service and collision repair, from which we currently derive approximately two-thirds of our total gross profit.
- DECENTRALIZED DEALERSHIP OPERATIONS. We believe that decentralized dealership operations on a platform basis, complemented by centralized technology and financial controls, enable us to provide timely market-specific responses to sales, services, marketing and inventory requirements.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND TO THIS OFFERING
As part of your evaluation of us, you should take into account the risks we face in our business and not solely our competitive strengths and business strategies. Our operations may be affected by prevailing economic conditions. Moreover, our future performance depends on our ability to integrate and derive expected benefits from future acquisitions and our substantial indebtedness and limited financial resources may hinder our ability to fully implement our acquisition strategy. In addition, our business is subject to risks related to our dependence on vehicle manufacturers and key personnel, as well as risks associated with the automotive industry in general. You should also
be aware that there are various risks involved in investing in our common stock, including risks relating to, among other things, future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock, dilution to our investors, potential volatility of our future stock price, continuing voting control by existing stockholders and government regulation. For more information about these and other risks, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6. You should carefully consider these risk factors together with all of the other information included in this prospectus.
Our principal executive offices are located at 3 Landmark Square, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. Our telephone number is (203) 356-4400. Our World Wide Web site address is HTTP://WWW.ASBURYAUTO.COM. Information contained on our website or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should not consider information contained on our website or that can be accessed through our website to be part of this prospectus.
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by us............. 4,500,000 shares(1)
Common stock offered by selling
stockholders......................... 3,200,000 shares
Total common stock offered............. 7,700,000 shares(1)
Common stock outstanding after this
offering............................. 34,000,000 shares(1)(2)
Use of Proceeds........................ We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the
common stock offered by us for repayment of outstanding
indebtedness and general corporate purposes, including
working capital and possible acquisitions. We will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the
selling stockholders.
Proposed NYSE Symbol................... ABG
Risk Factors........................... See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6 of this prospectus
for a discussion of factors that you should carefully
consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common
stock.
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(1) Does not include shares of common stock that may be sold by us if the underwriters choose to exercise their over-allotment option.
(2) Does not include (a) options issued under our 1999 option plan for 3.51% of the limited liability company interests in us converted into options for 1,072,738 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $16.56 per share and (b) 1,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2002 stock option plan, under which options to purchase 1,032,500 shares of common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 per share) are being issued on the date of this prospectus at the offering price set forth on the cover page.
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The summary below presents our consolidated financial information and should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The pro forma as adjusted columns
reflect: (a) our recently completed and probable acquisitions and divestitures;
(b) our change in tax status and the method of valuing certain of our
inventories that will occur simultaneously with our becoming a corporation; and
(c) this offering of our common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 per
share) and our use of a portion of the proceeds to us to pay down debt.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
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2001
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PRO FORMA
1999 2000 ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
New vehicles.............................................. $1,820,393 $2,439,729 $2,567,021 $2,699,629
Used vehicles............................................. 787,029 1,064,102 1,156,609 1,230,040
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 341,506 434,478 488,336 514,968
Finance and insurance, net................................ 63,206 89,481 106,326 108,725
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.............................................. 3,012,134 4,027,790 4,318,292 4,553,362
Gross profit................................................ 441,968 597,831 672,474 696,414
Income from operations...................................... 81,922 122,005 123,441 129,497
Income before minority interest and extraordinary loss...... 37,420 38,667 46,502 n/a
Actual net income........................................... 16,148 28,927 43,829 n/a
Pro forma as adjusted net income............................ n/a n/a n/a 32,081
Earnings per common share--basic............................ n/a n/a n/a $ 0.94
OTHER DATA:
Gross profit margin......................................... 14.7% 14.8% 15.6% 15.3%
Operating income margin..................................... 2.7% 3.0% 2.9% 2.8%
New vehicle retail units sold............................... 71,604 94,948 96,442 100,929
Used vehicle retail units sold.............................. 45,186 57,808 61,975 65,919
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AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
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PRO FORMA
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
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($ IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Inventories................................................. $ 491,698 $ 503,100
Total current assets........................................ 753,258 791,682
Property and equipment, net................................. 256,402 253,741
Goodwill, net............................................... 392,856 395,085
Total assets................................................ 1,460,657 1,496,712
Floor plan notes payable.................................... 451,375 455,794
Total current liabilities, including current portion of
long-term debt............................................ 609,997 614,416
Total long-term debt, including current portion............. 528,337 481,285
Total equity................................................ 343,551 405,093
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business' financial condition or operating results may be materially and adversely affected. In this event, the trading price of our common stock may decline and you may lose part or all of your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR DEPENDENCE ON VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN RENEWALS OF ONE OR MORE OF OUR FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS FROM VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ON FAVORABLE TERMS, OR IF ONE OR MORE OF OUR FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS ARE TERMINATED, OUR OPERATIONS MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED.
Each of our dealerships operates under the terms of a franchise agreement with the manufacturer (or manufacturer-authorized distributor) of each vehicle brand it carries. Our dealerships may obtain new vehicles from manufacturers, sell new vehicles and display vehicle manufacturers' trademarks only to the extent permitted under franchise agreements. As a result of our dependence on these franchise rights, manufacturers exercise a great deal of control over our day-to-day operations and the terms of our franchise agreements implicate key aspects of our operations, acquisition strategy and capital spending.
Each of our franchise agreements provides the manufacturer with the right to terminate the agreement or refuse to renew it after the expiration of the term of the agreement under specified circumstances. We cannot assure you we will be able to renew any of our existing franchise agreements or that we will be able to obtain renewals on favorable terms. Specifically, many of our franchise agreements provide that the manufacturer may terminate the agreement or direct us to divest the subject dealerships, if the dealership undergoes a change of control. Provisions such as these may provide manufacturers with superior bargaining positions in the event that they seek to terminate our franchise agreements or renegotiate the agreements on terms that are disadvantageous to us. Some of our franchise agreements also provide the manufacturer with the right to purchase from us any franchise we seek to sell. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected to the extent that our franchise rights become compromised or our operations restricted due to the terms of our franchise agreements.
MANUFACTURERS' STOCK OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO ISSUE ADDITIONAL EQUITY, WHICH MAY HAMPER OUR ABILITY TO MEET OUR FINANCING NEEDS.
Some of our automobile franchise agreements prohibit transfers of any ownership interests of a dealership or, in some cases, its parent. Our agreements with several manufacturers, provide that, under certain circumstances, we may lose the franchise if a person or entity acquires an ownership interest in us above a specified level (ranging from 20% to 50% depending on the particular manufacturer's restrictions) or if a person or entity acquires the right to vote 20% or more of our common stock without the approval of the applicable manufacturer. This trigger level can fall to as low as 5% if another vehicle manufacturer is the entity acquiring the ownership interest or voting rights. One manufacturer, Toyota, in addition to imposing the restrictions previously mentioned, provides that we may be required to sell our Toyota franchises (including Lexus) according to the terms of the franchise agreement if without its consent the owners of a majority of our equity prior to this offering cease to own a majority of our equity or if Timothy C. Collins ceases to control us.
Violations by our stockholders or prospective stockholders (including vehicle manufacturers) of these ownership restrictions are generally outside of our control and may result in the termination or non-renewal of one or more franchises, which may have a material adverse effect on us. We cannot assure you that manufacturers will grant the approvals required for such acquisitions. Moreover, if we are unable to obtain the requisite approval in a timely manner we may not be able to issue additional equity in the time necessary to take advantage of a market opportunity
dependent on ready financing or an equity issuance. These restrictions may also prevent or deter prospective acquirers from acquiring control of us and, therefore, may adversely impact the value of our common stock.
MANUFACTURERS' RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS MAY LIMIT OUR FUTURE GROWTH.
We are required to obtain the consent of the applicable manufacturer before we can acquire any additional dealership franchises. We cannot assure you that manufacturers will consent to future acquisitions which may deter us from being able to take advantage of a market opportunity. Obtaining manufacturer consent for acquisitions may also take a significant amount of time which may negatively affect our ability to acquire an attractive target. In addition, under an applicable franchise agreement or under state law, a manufacturer may have a right of first refusal to acquire a dealership that we seek to acquire.
Many vehicle manufacturers place limits on the total number of franchises that any group of affiliated dealerships may obtain. A manufacturer may place generic limits on the number of franchises or share of total franchises or vehicle sales maintained by an affiliated dealership group on a national, regional or local basis. Manufacturers may also tailor these types of restrictions to particular dealership groups. Our current franchise mix has caused us to reach the present franchise ceiling, set by agreement or corporate policy, with Acura, and we are close to our franchise ceiling with Toyota, Lexus and Jaguar. We may have difficulty, or it may be impossible, for us to obtain additional franchises from manufacturers once we reach their franchise ceilings.
As a condition to granting their consent to our acquisitions, a number of manufacturers may impose additional restrictions on us. Manufacturers' restrictions typically prohibit:
- material changes in our company or extraordinary corporate transactions such as a merger, sale of a substantial amount of assets or any change in our board of directors or management that may have a material adverse effect on the manufacturer's image or reputation or may be materially incompatible with the manufacturer's interests;
- the removal of a dealership general manager without the consent of the manufacturer; and
- the use of dealership facilities to sell or service new vehicles of other manufacturers.
MANUFACTURERS MAY DIRECT US TO APPLY OUR RESOURCES TO CAPITAL PROJECTS AND RESTRUCTURINGS THAT WE MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE CHOSEN TO DO.
Manufacturers may direct us to implement costly capital improvements to dealerships as a condition for renewing our franchise agreements with them. Manufacturers also typically require that their franchises meet specific standards of appearance. These factors, either alone or in combination, could cause us to divert our financial resources to capital projects from uses that management believes may be of higher long-term value to us, such as acquisitions.
OUR DEALERS DEPEND UPON VEHICLE SALES AND, THEREFORE, THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART UPON CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR THE PARTICULAR VEHICLE LINES THEY CARRY.
The success of our dealerships depends in large part on the overall success of the vehicle lines they carry. New vehicle sales generate the majority of our total revenue and lead to sales of higher-margin products and services such as finance and insurance products and repair and maintenance services. Although we have sought to limit our dependence on any one vehicle brand, we have focused our new vehicle sales operations in mid-line import and luxury brands. Further, in 2001, Honda, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, Acura and Mercedes-Benz accounted for 16%, 12%, 10%, 7%, 6%, 5% and 5% of our revenues from new vehicle sales, respectively. No other franchise accounted for more than 5% of our total new vehicle retail sales revenue in 2001. If one or more vehicle lines that separately or collectively account for a significant percentage of our new vehicle
sales suffer from decreasing consumer demand, our new vehicle sales and related revenues may be materially reduced.
IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN A DESIRABLE MIX OF POPULAR NEW VEHICLES FROM MANUFACTURERS, OUR PROFITABILITY WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
We depend on manufacturers to provide us with a desirable mix of popular new vehicles. Typically, popular vehicles produce the highest profit margins but tend to be the most difficult to obtain from manufacturers. Manufacturers generally allocate their vehicles among their franchised dealerships based on the sales history of each dealership. If our dealerships experience prolonged sales slumps, those manufacturers will cut back their allotments of popular vehicles to our dealerships and new vehicle sales and profits may decline.
IF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS DISCONTINUE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, OUR SALES VOLUME AND/OR PROFIT MARGIN ON EACH SALE MAY BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
Our dealerships depend on manufacturers for certain sales incentives, warranties and other programs that are intended to promote and support new vehicle sales. Manufacturers often make many changes to their incentive programs during each year. Some key incentive programs include:
- customer rebates on new vehicles;
- dealer incentives on new vehicles;
- special financing or leasing terms;
- warranties on new and used vehicles; and
- sponsorship of used vehicle sales by authorized new vehicle dealers.
A reduction or discontinuation of key manufacturers' incentive programs may reduce our new vehicle sales volume resulting in decreased vehicle sales and related revenues.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS AFFECTING ONE OR MORE MANUFACTURERS MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR PROFITABILITY.
The success of each of our dealerships depends to a great extent on vehicle manufacturers':
- financial condition;
- marketing efforts;
- vehicle design;
- production capabilities;
- reputation;
- management; and
- labor relations.
Adverse conditions affecting these and other important aspects of manufacturers' operations and public relations may adversely affect our ability to market their automobiles to the public and, as a result, significantly and detrimentally affect our profitability.
OUR FAILURE TO MEET A MANUFACTURER'S CONSUMER SATISFACTION AND FINANCIAL AND SALES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO ACQUIRE NEW DEALERSHIPS AND OUR PROFITABILITY.
Many manufacturers attempt to measure customers' satisfaction with their purchase and warranty service experiences through rating systems which are generally known as consumer
satisfaction indexes, or CSI, which augment manufacturers' monitoring of dealerships' financial and sales performance. Manufacturers may use these performance indicators as a factor in evaluating applications for additional acquisitions. The components of these performance indicators have been modified by various manufacturers from time to time in the past, and we cannot assure you that these components will not be further modified or replaced by different systems in the future. Some of our dealerships have had difficulty from time to time meeting these standards. We cannot assure that we will be able to comply with these standards in the future. A manufacturer may refuse to consent to our acquisition of one of its franchises if it determines our dealerships do not comply with its performance standards. This may impede our ability to execute our acquisition strategy. In addition, we receive payments from the manufacturers based, in part, on CSI scores, and future payments may be materially reduced or eliminated if our CSI scores decline.
IF STATE DEALER LAWS ARE REPEALED OR WEAKENED, OUR DEALERSHIPS WILL BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO TERMINATION, NON-RENEWAL OR RE-NEGOTIATION OF THEIR FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS.
State dealer laws generally provide that a manufacturer may not terminate or refuse to renew a franchise agreement unless it has first provided the dealer with written notice setting forth good cause and stating the grounds for termination or nonrenewal. Some state dealer laws allow dealers to file protests or petitions or attempt to comply with the manufacturer's criteria within the notice period to avoid the termination or nonrenewal. Though unsuccessful to date, manufacturers' lobbying efforts may lead to the repeal or revision of state dealer laws. If dealer laws are repealed in the states in which we operate, manufacturers may be able to terminate our franchises without providing advance notice, an opportunity to cure or a showing of good cause. Without the protection of state dealer laws, it may also be more difficult for our dealers to renew their franchise agreements upon expiration. In addition, these laws restrict the ability of automobile manufacturers to directly enter the retail market in the future. If manufacturers obtain the ability to directly retail vehicles and do so in our markets, such competition could have a material adverse effect on us.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR ACQUISITION STRATEGY
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO REALIZE DESIRED RESULTS FROM OUR GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITION STRATEGY AND ACQUIRED OPERATIONS WILL DRAIN RESOURCES FROM COMPARATIVELY PROFITABLE OPERATIONS.
The automobile retailing industry is considered a mature industry in which minimal growth is expected in industry unit sales. Accordingly, our future growth depends in large part on our ability to acquire additional dealerships, manage expansion, control costs in our operations and consolidate acquired dealerships into our organization. In pursuing our strategy of acquiring other dealerships, we face risks commonly encountered with growth through acquisitions. These risks include, but are not limited to:
- incurring significantly higher capital expenditures and operating expenses;
- failing to integrate the operations and personnel of the acquired dealerships;
- entering new markets with which we are unfamiliar;
- incurring undiscovered liabilities at acquired dealerships;
- disrupting our ongoing business;
- diverting our management resources;
- failing to maintain uniform standards, controls and policies;
- impairing relationships with employees, manufacturers and customers as a result of changes in management;
- causing increased expenses for accounting and computer systems;
- failing to obtain manufacturers' consents to acquisitions of additional franchises; and
- incorrectly valuing acquired entities.
We may not adequately anticipate all the demands that our growth will impose on our personnel, procedures and structures, including our financial and reporting control systems, data processing systems and management structure. Moreover, our failure to retain qualified management personnel at any acquired dealership may increase the risk associated with integrating the acquired dealership. If we cannot adequately anticipate and respond to these demands, we may fail to realize acquisition synergies and our resources will be focused on incorporating new operations into our structure rather than on areas that may be more profitable.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE LIMITED.
We intend to finance our acquisitions by issuing shares of common stock as full or partial consideration for acquired dealerships. The extent to which we will be able or willing to issue common stock for acquisitions will depend on the market value of our common stock from time to time and the willingness of potential acquisition candidates to accept common stock as part of the consideration for the sale of their businesses. Since we may focus on large platform acquisitions, it is possible that we will issue a significant number of additional shares of common stock in connection with such acquisitions in the near future. The additional shares of common stock may be as much as, or more than, the number of outstanding shares of common stock available immediately after the offering. Moreover, manufacturer consent is required before we can acquire additional dealerships and, in some cases, to issue additional equity. See "Risk Factors--Manufacturers' restrictions on acquisitions may limit our future growth," and "Risk Factors--Manufacturers' stock ownership restrictions limit our ability to issue additional equity, which may hamper our ability to meet our financing needs." We may be required to use available cash or other sources of debt or equity financing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional financing by issuing stock or debt securities, and using cash to complete acquisitions may substantially limit our operating or financial flexibility. If we are unable to obtain financing on acceptable terms, we may be required to reduce the scope of our presently anticipated expansion, which may materially and adversely affect our growth strategy.
We are dependent to a significant extent on our ability to finance our inventory. Automotive retail inventory financing involves borrowing significant sums of money in the form of "floor plan" financing. Floor plan financing is how a dealership finances its purchase of new vehicles from a manufacturer. The dealership borrows money to buy a particular vehicle from the manufacturer and pays off the loan when it sells that particular vehicle, paying interest during the interim period. We must obtain new floor plan financing or obtain consents to assume such financing in connection with our acquisition of dealerships. Our pledging of substantially all of our inventory and other assets to obtain this financing may impede our ability to borrow from other sources.
OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS MAY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN FINANCING FOR ACQUISITIONS AND WILL REQUIRE THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR CASH FLOW BE USED FOR DEBT SERVICE.
We have substantial indebtedness and, as a result, significant debt service obligations. As of December 31, 2001, we had approximately $989.7 million of total indebtedness outstanding. Of this amount, $451.4 million represents floor plan financing. Our total non-floor plan indebtedness outstanding is equal to approximately 61.0% of our total capitalization plus short-term debt (total capitalization being defined as total equity plus long-term debt; short-term debt being defined as short-term debt plus current portion of long-term debt). As of December 31, 2001, after giving pro forma effect to this offering and the application of the net proceeds to us, our total indebtedness would have been approximately $947.1 million. Of that amount $455.8 million represents floor plan financing. Our total pro forma, non-floor plan indebtedness would have represented approximately
54.8% of our pro forma total capitalization plus short-term debt as of December 31, 2001. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. We will have substantial debt service obligations, consisting of cash payments of principal and interest, for the foreseeable future.
The terms of our borrowing facilities place a blanket lien upon all of our assets and also place restrictions on our ability to engage in specific corporate transactions. In particular, the facilities place restrictions on our ability to, among other things, pay dividends, undergo a change of control, encumber our property and other assets, repay other debt, dispose of significant assets or subsidiaries, invest capital and permit our subsidiaries to issue shares or other equity. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources--Credit Facilities".
The degree of our financial leverage and, as a result, significant debt service obligations, may have a significant impact on our financial results and operations, including:
- limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our growth strategy, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other general corporate requirements;
- limiting our ability to use operating cash flow in other areas of our business because we must dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to fund debt service obligations; and
- increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions that may negatively impact our cash flow available for debt service.
THE COMPETITION WITH OTHER DEALER GROUPS TO ACQUIRE AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIPS IS INTENSE, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FULLY IMPLEMENT OUR GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITION STRATEGY IF ATTRACTIVE TARGETS ARE ACQUIRED BY COMPETING GROUPS OR PRICED OUT OF OUR REACH DUE TO COMPETITIVE PRESSURES.
We believe that the U.S. automotive retailing market is fragmented and offers many potential acquisition candidates that meet our targeting criteria. However, we compete with several other national dealer groups, some of which may have greater financial and other resources, and competition with existing dealer groups and dealer groups formed in the future for attractive acquisition targets may result in fewer acquisition opportunities and increased acquisition costs. We will have to forego acquisition opportunities to the extent that we cannot negotiate acquisitions on acceptable terms.
RISKS RELATED TO COMPETITION
THE LOSS OF KEY PERSONNEL AND LIMITED MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND GROWTH.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our management team, particularly our senior management, and service and sales personnel. Additionally, manufacturer franchise agreements may require the prior approval of the applicable manufacturer before any change is made in dealership general managers. We do not have employment agreements with most of our dealership managers and other key dealership personnel. Consequently, the loss of the services of one or more of these key employees may materially impair the efficiency and productivity of our operations.
In addition, we may need to hire additional managers as we expand. The market for qualified employees in the industry and in the regions in which we operate, particularly for general managers and sales and service personnel, is highly competitive and may subject us to increased labor costs during periods of low unemployment. The loss of the services of key employees or the inability to attract additional qualified managers may adversely affect the ability of our dealerships to conduct their operations in accordance with the standards set by our headquarters management.
SUBSTANTIAL COMPETITION IN AUTOMOBILE SALES AND SERVICES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
The automotive retailing and servicing industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location and selection. Our competition includes:
- franchised automobile dealerships in our markets that sell the same or similar new and used vehicles that we offer;
- other national or regional affiliated groups of franchised dealerships;
- privately negotiated sales of used vehicles;
- service center chain stores; and
- independent service and repair shops.
We do not have any cost advantage in purchasing new vehicles from manufacturers. We typically rely on advertising, merchandising, sales expertise, service reputation and dealership location to sell new and used vehicles. Our franchise agreements do not grant us the exclusive right to sell a manufacturer's product within a given geographic area. Our revenues or profitability may be materially and adversely affected if competing dealerships expand their market share or are awarded additional franchises by manufacturers that supply our dealerships.
RISKS RELATED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
OUR BUSINESS WILL BE HARMED IF OVERALL CONSUMER DEMAND SUFFERS FROM A SEVERE OR SUSTAINED DOWNTURN.
Our business is heavily dependent on consumer demand and preferences. Our revenues will be materially and adversely affected if there is a severe or sustained downturn in overall levels of consumer spending. Retail vehicle sales are cyclical and historically have experienced periodic downturns characterized by oversupply and weak demand. These cycles are often dependent on general economic conditions and consumer confidence, as well as the level of discretionary personal income and credit availability. The economic outlook appears uncertain in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, and the subsequent war on terrorism. Future recessions may have a material adverse effect on our retail business, particularly sales of new and used automobiles. Our sales of trucks and bulk sales of vehicles to corporate customers are also cyclical and dependent on overall levels of economic activity. In addition, severe or sustained increases in gasoline prices may lead to a reduction in automobile purchases or a shift in buying patterns from luxury/SUV models (which typically provide high profit margins to retailers) to smaller, more economical vehicles (which typically have lower margins).
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN OUR LOCAL MARKETS, EVEN IF THOSE CONDITIONS ARE NOT PROMINENT NATIONALLY.
Our performance is also subject to local economic, competitive and other conditions prevailing in our platforms' particular geographic areas. Our dealerships currently are located primarily in the Atlanta, Austin, Chapel Hill, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fayetteville, Fort Pierce, Greensboro, Houston, Jackson, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Orlando, Portland, Richmond, St. Louis, Tampa and Texarkana markets. Although we intend to pursue acquisitions outside of these markets, our current operations are based in these areas. As a consequence, our results of operations depend substantially on general economic conditions and consumer spending levels in the Southeast and Texas, and to a lesser extent in the Northwest and Midwest.
THE SEASONALITY OF THE AUTOMOBILE RETAIL BUSINESS MAGNIFIES THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR SECOND AND THIRD QUARTER RESULTS.
The automobile industry is subject to seasonal variations in revenues. Demand for automobiles is generally lower during the first and fourth quarters of each year. Accordingly, we expect our
revenues and operating results generally to be lower in our first and fourth quarters than in our second and third quarters. Therefore, if conditions surface during the second or third quarters that retard automotive sales, such as high fuel costs, depressed economic conditions or similar adverse conditions, our revenues for the year will be disproportionately adversely affected.
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY IMPORT PRODUCT RESTRICTIONS AND FOREIGN TRADE RISKS THAT MAY IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO SELL FOREIGN VEHICLES PROFITABLY.
A significant portion of our new vehicle business will involve the sale of vehicles, parts or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the United States. As a result, our operations will be subject to customary risks of importing merchandise, including fluctuations in the relative values of currencies, import duties, exchange controls, trade restrictions, work stoppages and general political and socio-economic conditions in foreign countries. The United States or the countries from which our products are imported may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs, which may affect our operations and our ability to purchase imported vehicles and/or parts at reasonable prices.
OUR CAPITAL COSTS AND OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY A RISING INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT.
We finance our purchases of new and, to a lesser extent, used vehicle inventory under a floor plan borrowing arrangement under which we are charged interest at floating rates. We obtain capital for acquisitions and for some working capital purposes under a similar arrangement. As a result, our debt service expenses may rise with increases in interest rates. Rising interest rates may also have the effect of depressing demand in the interest rate sensitive aspects of our business, particularly new and used vehicle sales, because many of our customers finance their vehicle purchases. As a result, rising interest rates may have the effect of simultaneously increasing our costs and reducing our revenues.
GENERAL RISKS RELATED TO INVESTING IN OUR STOCK
WE WILL BE CONTROLLED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS L.L.C., WHICH MAY HAVE INTERESTS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR INTERESTS.
After the completion of the offering, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., a controlled affiliate of Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. (formerly known as Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.), will own 51.6% of our common stock, and certain platform principals, consisting of the former owners of our platforms and members of their management teams, will collectively own 23.5% of our common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. We do not know Asbury Automotive Holdings' future plans as to its holdings of our common stock and cannot give you any assurances that its actions will not negatively affect our common stock in the future. For example, Asbury Automotive Holdings has from time to time had discussions with our competitors regarding potential business combinations involving us.
Pursuant to a shareholders agreement among us, Asbury Automotive Holdings and the platform principals, the platform principals are required to vote their shares in accordance with Asbury Automotive Holdings' instructions with respect to:
- persons nominated by Asbury Automotive Holdings to our board of directors (and persons nominated in opposition to Asbury Automotive Holdings' nominees); and
- any matter to be voted on by the holders of our common stock, whether or not the matter was proposed by Asbury Automotive Holdings.
CONCENTRATION OF VOTING POWER AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER, BYLAWS, DELAWARE LAW AND OUR FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS MAY REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ANY POTENTIAL CHANGE OF CONTROL.
When this offering is completed, Ripplewood Investments L.L.C., through its control of Asbury Automotive Holdings, will control 51.6% of our common stock. Further, under the shareholders agreement, Ripplewood, will have the power to cause all signatories to the shareholders agreement (who, together with Ripplewood, will collectively control 77.4% of our common stock after this offering is completed, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option) to vote in favor of Ripplewood's nominees to our board of directors.
Provisions of our charter and bylaws may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us or unsolicited acquisition proposals that a stockholder might consider favorable. These include provisions:
- providing that no more than one-third of the members of our board of directors stand for re-election by the stockholders at each annual meeting;
- permitting the removal of a director from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all common stock outstanding;
- vesting the board of directors with sole power to set the number of directors;
- allowing a special meeting of the shareholders to be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, either on his or her own initiative or at the request of stockholders collectively holding at least 50% of the common stock outstanding, by our president, by our chief executive officer or by a majority of our board of directors;
- prohibiting stockholder action by written consent;
- requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all common stock outstanding to effect certain amendments to our charter or by-laws; and
- requiring formal advance notice for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholders' meetings.
In addition, Delaware law makes it difficult for stockholders who have recently acquired a large interest in a corporation to cause the merger or acquisition of the corporation against the directors' wishes. Furthermore, our board of directors has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights and preferences of the shares of any such series without stockholder approval. Any series of preferred stock is likely to be senior to the common stock with respect to dividends, liquidation rights and, possibly, voting rights. Our board's ability to issue preferred stock may also have the effect of discouraging unsolicited acquisition proposals, thus adversely affecting the market price of the common stock. Finally, restrictions imposed by some of our franchise agreements may impede or prevent any potential consensual or unsolicited change of control.
Under the terms of the options granted under our 1999 option plan and our 2002 stock option plan, many option grants will fully vest and become immediately exercisable upon a change in control of us, which, together with severance arrangements and other change of control provisions contained in several of our employment agreements with our executives, may further deter a potential acquisition bid.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION COMPLIANCE COSTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
We are subject to a wide range of federal, state and local laws and regulations, such as local licensing requirements, consumer protection laws and environmental requirements governing, among other things, discharges into the air and water, above ground and underground storage of
petroleum substances and chemicals, handling and disposal of wastes and remediation of contamination arising from spills and releases. If we or our properties violate these laws and regulations, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, or a cease and desist order may be issued against our operations that are not in compliance. Our future acquisitions may also be subject to governmental regulation, including antitrust reviews. We believe that all of our platforms comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations relating to our business, but future laws and regulations may be more stringent and require us to incur significant additional costs.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE, INCLUDING SHARES OWNED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, MAY CAUSE THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY, EVEN IF OUR BUSINESS IS DOING WELL.
The potential for sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after this offering may adversely affect the market price of the common stock. After this offering is concluded, we will have 34,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding (35,155,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), including 17,557,900 shares owned by Asbury Automotive Holdings. Of these shares, the 7,700,000 shares of common stock offered by this prospectus (8,855,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for shares held by persons considered to be "affiliates" of us (including Asbury Automotive Holdings) or acting as "underwriters," as those terms are defined in the Securities Act and related rules. The remaining 26,300,000 shares of common stock outstanding, including the shares owned by Asbury Automotive Holdings, will be "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and will be eligible for resale subject to the volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144.
In addition to outstanding shares eligible for sale, 1,072,738 shares of our common stock are issuable under currently outstanding stock options granted to certain executive officers and employees. An additional 1,500,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees under our 2002 stock option plan, and options for 1,032,500 shares of common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 per share) will be granted pursuant to that plan at the time of the offering. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO RETAIN KEY MANAGEMENT OR OTHER PERSONNEL, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP OUR BUSINESS.
We depend on our executive officers as well as other key personnel. Not all our key personnel are bound by employment agreements, and those with employment agreements are bound only for a limited period of time. If we are unable to retain our key personnel, we may be unable to successfully develop and implement our business plans. Further, we do not maintain "key man" life insurance policies on any of our executive officers or key personnel.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the headings "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting." Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that our proceeds from the sale of 4,500,000 shares of common stock in this offering (at an assumed offering price of $16 per share), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $62 million (approximately $79 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of 3,200,000 shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. Pursuant to the terms of our $550 million Committed Credit Facility, we are required to apply 80% of the net proceeds to us from this offering to repay debt incurred under the facility. From January 2001 (the date of the formation of the credit facility) through February 15, 2002, we have borrowed $330.6 million to repay certain existing term notes and pay fees and expenses in connection with closing the facility, drawn a total of $55.3 million principally to finance the acquisition of seven dealerships and have repaid $3.3 million from the proceeds of two dealership divestitures. The credit facility terminates in January 2005 with a provision for an indefinite series of one year extensions at our request if approved by the lenders, and has a variable interest rate (6.1% as of February 15, 2002). After reduction of our debt under the credit facility, we will have the ability to borrow additional funds from the credit facility in accordance with its terms. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Credit Facilities". We will use the remaining net proceeds to us for working capital, future platform or dealership acquisitions and general corporate purposes.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We intend to retain all our earnings to finance the growth and development of our business, including future acquisitions. Our acquisition financing credit facility prohibits us from declaring or paying cash dividends or other distributions to our stockholders. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future change in our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on the then applicable contractual restrictions on us contained in our financing credit facilities and other agreements, our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements and other factors considered relevant by our board of directors.
DILUTION
Our pro forma deficit in net tangible book value as of December 31, 2001, was $2.40 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents our pro forma deficit in tangible net worth (pro forma tangible assets less pro forma total liabilities), divided by the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding.
Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after the completion of this offering. After giving effect to the sale by us of 4,500,000 shares of common stock at an assumed initial public offering price of $16 per share, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma deficit in net tangible book value as of December 31, 2001, as adjusted would have been approximately $12.3 million, or $0.36 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $2.04 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $16.36 per share to new investors purchasing common stock in this offering. If all outstanding stock options were exercised, pro forma deficit in net tangible book value of $0.36 per share would improve to a positive pro forma tangible net worth of $0.61 per share.
The following table illustrates the pro forma per share dilution:
Assumed initial public offering price per share............. $ 16.00 Pro forma deficit in net tangible book value per share before giving effect to the offering and the related expenses.................................................. $ (2.40) Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors............................. $ 2.04 Pro forma deficit in net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the offering............................. $ (0.36) Dilution per share to new investors......................... $ 16.36 |
The following table sets forth on a pro forma basis, as of December 31, 2001, the following:
- the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid to us by existing stockholders; and
- the number of shares to be purchased and the total consideration to be paid by new investors purchasing shares of common stock from us in this offering (before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and offering expenses).
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION
--------------------- --------------------- AVERAGE PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
---------- -------- ---------- -------- -------------
(MILLIONS) (MILLIONS)
Existing stockholders (including
options)................................. 28.9 78.9% $ 380.7 75.6% $ 13.19
New investors.............................. 7.7 21.1 123.2 24.4 16.00
------ ----- ------- ----- -------
TOTAL.................................... 36.6 100.0% $ 503.9 100.0% $ 13.78
====== ===== ======= ===== =======
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The table assumes the exercise of options for (1) 1,072,738 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $16.56 per share granted under our 1999 option plan and (2) 1,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2002 stock option plan, under which options for 1,032,500 shares of common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 per share) are being issued on the date hereof at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
The preceding table assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. If the underwriters' over-allotment is exercised in full, the pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 2001, as adjusted would have been $4.9 million or $0.14 per share, which would result in dilution to the new investors of $15.86 per share, and the number of shares held by the new investors would increase to 8,855,000 or 25.2% of the total number of shares to be outstanding after this offering, and the number of shares held by the existing stockholders would be 26,300,000 shares, or 74.8% of the total number of shares to be outstanding after this offering.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2001: (a) our historical capitalization as a limited liability company; (b) our pro forma capitalization which gives effect to our completed and currently probable acquisitions and divestitures after December 31, 2001; (c) our pro forma as adjusted capitalization which gives effect to our conversion to a corporation and our issuance and sale of 4,500,000 shares of common stock offered hereby (at an assumed initial public offering price of $16 per share, the midpoint of the range of the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering); and (d) the application of the net proceeds of this offering as described under the heading "Use of Proceeds."
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
($ IN THOUSANDS)
-------------------------------------
PRO FORMA AS
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA ADJUSTED
---------- --------- ------------
Short-term debt (including current portion of
long-term debt)(1)..................................... $ 45,789 $ 45,789 $ 45,789
======== ======== ========
Long-term debt........................................... 492,548 495,096 445,496
Equity
Contributed capital.................................... 302,035 302,035 --
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 10 million
shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding... -- -- --
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 90 million
shares authorized; 34 million shares issued and
outstanding, pro forma as adjusted(2)................ -- 340
Additional paid-in capital............................. -- 410,854
Retained earnings...................................... 39,860 42,969 (7,095)
Accumulated other comprehensive income................. 1,656 1,656 994
-------- -------- --------
Total equity......................................... 343,551 346,660 405,093
-------- -------- --------
Total capitalization..................................... $836,099 $841,756 $850,589
======== ======== ========
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(1) Does not include floor plan notes payable of $451,375, $455,794 and $455,794, respectively, which reflects amounts payable for purchases of specific vehicle inventories.
(2) Does not include (a) options issued under our 1999 option plan for 3.51% of the limited liability company interests in us converted into options for 1,072,738 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $16.56 per share and (b) 1,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2002 stock option plan, under which options to purchase for 1,032,500 shares of common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 share) are being issued on the date of this prospectus at the offering price set forth on the cover page hereof.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth our historical selected consolidated data for the periods indicated. The data from the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 are derived from our audited financial statements, some of which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.
We consider the Nalley (Atlanta) platform, our first platform, which we acquired on February 20, 1997, to be our predecessor. The results of the Nalley platform for the period between January 1, 1997, to February 20, 1997, are set forth in footnote 1 and were audited by Dixon Odom P.L.L.C. The historical selected financial information may not be indicative of our future performance. The information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
($ IN THOUSANDS)
-------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1998 1999 2000 2001
INCOME STATEMENT DATA: --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Revenues:
New vehicles........................ $298,967 $687,850 $1,820,393 $2,439,729 $2,567,021
Used vehicles....................... 91,933 221,828 787,029 1,064,102 1,156,609
Parts, service and collision
repair............................ 69,425 156,037 341,506 434,478 488,336
Finance and insurance, net.......... 4,304 19,149 63,206 89,481 106,326
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues........................ 464,629 1,084,864 3,012,134 4,027,790 4,318,292
Cost of sales(2)...................... 411,739 929,415 2,570,166 3,429,959 3,645,818
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit.......................... 52,890 155,449 441,968 597,831 672,474
Selling, general and administrative
expenses............................ 45,432 127,336 343,370 451,323 518,265
Depreciation and amortization......... 1,118 6,303 16,676 24,503 30,768
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations................ 6,340 21,810 81,922 122,005 123,441
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Floor plan interest expense........... (4,160) (7,730) (22,982) (36,968) (27,741)
Other interest expense................ (698) (7,104) (24,703) (42,009) (44,669)
Interest income....................... 27 1,108 3,021 5,846 2,528
Net losses from unconsolidated
affiliates.......................... -- -- (616) (6,066) (3,248)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets......... 54 9,307 2,365 (1,533) (384)
Other income, net..................... 760 727 192 903 1,926
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total other expense, net.............. (4,017) (3,692) (42,723) (79,827) (71,588)
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income tax expense,
minority interest and extraordinary
loss................................ 2,323 18,118 39,199 42,178 51,853
Income tax expense(3)................. -- -- 1,779 3,511 5,351
Minority interest in subsidiary
earnings(4)......................... 801 14,303 20,520 9,740 1,240
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before extraordinary loss...... 1,522 3,815 16,900 28,927 45,262
Extraordinary loss on early
extinguishment of debt.............. -- (734) (752) -- (1,433)
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income........................ $ 1,522 $ 3,081 $ 16,148 $ 28,927 $ 43,829
======== ========== ========== ========== ==========
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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
($ IN THOUSANDS)
-------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Inventories(2)......................... $ 73,303 $255,878 $434,234 $554,141 $491,698
Total current assets................... 108,494 391,151 616,060 775,102 753,258
Property and equipment, net............ 29,907 125,410 141,786 218,153 256,402
Goodwill............................... 17,151 138,697 226,321 364,164 392,856
Total assets........................... 162,835 709,457 1,034,606 1,404,200 1,460,657
Floor plan notes payable............... 66,305 232,297 385,263 499,332 451,375
Total current liabilities.............. 85,503 323,061 497,376 628,622 609,997
Total long-term debt, including current
portion.............................. 22,798 223,523 307,648 455,374 528,337
Total equity........................... 36,957 127,380 198,113 321,882 343,551
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(1) Selected financial data for the Nalley platform predecessor is as follows:
PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1997 TO
FEBRUARY 20, 1997
-------------------
Total revenues............................... $43,263
Income from operations....................... 87
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(2) When we convert from a limited liability company to a "C" corporation, we will change our method of valuation of certain of our inventories from "last-in, first-out," or LIFO, to specific identification and "first-in, first-out," or FIFO. The historical inventory valuation data in this table does not reflect this change in inventory valuation method.
(3) Prior to this offering, we consisted primarily of a group of limited liability companies and partnerships (with Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. as the parent) which were treated as one partnership for tax purposes. Under this structure, such limited liability companies and partnerships were not subject to income taxes, but instead, our owners were taxed on their respective distributive shares of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.'s taxable income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in the historical financial statements of the limited liability companies and partnerships. The balance of our subsidiaries were "C" corporations under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, provided for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." We will change our tax status to "C" corporation status and will provide for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.
(4) On April 30, 2000, the then parent company and the minority owners of our subsidiaries reached an agreement whereby their respective equity interests were transferred into escrow and subsequently into Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. in exchange for equity interests in Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C., which we refer to as the "minority member transaction." Following the minority member transaction, the then parent company changed its name to Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. changed its name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. Substantially all minority interests in our subsidiaries were eliminated effective April 30, 2000, in connection with the minority member transaction.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma balance sheet gives effect to the following transactions and events as if they had occurred on December 31, 2001:
(a) our probable insignificant acquisitions (to be acquired through asset acquisitions) of Dickinson Buick Company (North Carolina), Rice-Marko Chrysler, Inc. (North Carolina) and High Point Chevrolet, L.L.C. (North Carolina);
(b) the divestitures of (divestiture date in parenthesis) Crown Pontiac/GMC/Isuzu (North Carolina) (January 23, 2002), Thomason Subaru (Oregon) (February 11, 2002);
(c) the probable divestitures of Gray Daniels Daewoo/Isuzu (Mississippi), Gray Daniels Suzuki (Mississippi), and Coggin Mazda (Jacksonville);
(d) the change in valuation of certain inventories from "last-in, first-out" or LIFO to specific identification and "first-in, first-out" or FIFO, upon conversion to a "C" corporation;
(e) the change in our tax status resulting from our conversion to a "C" (taxable) corporation; and
(f) the offering, including our use of a portion of the proceeds to us (assuming net proceeds to us of $62 million) to reduce debt outstanding as required by our credit facility.
The following unaudited pro forma income statement for the year ended December 31, 2001 gives effect to the transactions and events listed above as well as the following transactions as if they occurred on January 1, 2001 (since the following transactions all took place prior to December 31, 2001, their impact is already reflected in our historical balance sheet as of December 31, 2001, and in our historical income statements for the periods subsequent to the acquisition dates mentioned below):
(a) our insignificant acquisitions (acquisition date in parenthesis) of Audi of North America (May 18, 2001) and Roswell Infiniti, Inc. (May 18, 2001) (Atlanta) and
(b) our insignificant acquisitions consummated subsequent to June 30, 2001
(acquisition dates in parenthesis), of Dealer Profit Systems, Inc.
(July 2, 2001) (Tampa), Key Cars, Inc. (July 2, 2001) (d/b/a Metro
Imports) (Mississippi), Brandon Ford, Inc. (July 2, 2001) (d/b/a
Gray-Daniels Ford) (Mississippi), Gage Motor Car Company L.L.C.
(September 18, 2001) (d/b/a Pegasus Motor Car Company) (North Carolina),
Crest Pontiac, Inc. (October 21, 2001) (d/b/a Kelly Pontiac)
(Jacksonville), Tom Wimberly Auto World (November 5, 2001) (Mississippi)
and the remaining 49% interest of Deland Automotive Group that we had
not previously acquired (December 31, 2001) (Jacksonville).
The information, other than the individually insignificant acquisitions, is based upon our historical financial statements and should be read in conjunction with (a) our historical financial statements, (b) the related notes to such financial statements and (c) other information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been had all of the previously mentioned acquisitions, divestitures and this offering occurred on the dates previously mentioned, nor does it give effect to: (a) any pending transactions other than those previously mentioned above or this offering; (b) our results of operations since December 31, 2001; or (c) the results of final valuations of all assets and liabilities of the acquisitions mentioned above due to pre-acquisition contingencies. We may revise the allocation of the purchase price of these acquisitions when additional information becomes available in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16. Accordingly, the pro forma financial information is not intended to be indicative of the financial position or results of operations as of the date of this prospectus, as of the offering or any period ending at the offering, or as of or for any other future date or period.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
($ IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
HISTORICAL ACQUISITIONS COMPLETED AND
ASBURY PROBABLE PROBABLE DIVESTITURES
AUTOMOTIVE AFTER PRO FORMA AFTER
GROUP 12/31/01(1) ADJUSTMENTS(2) SUB-TOTAL 12/31/01(3)
---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and equivalents............. $ 60,506 $ -- $ 2,970 $ 63,476 $ --
Contracts-in-transit............. 93,044 -- -- 93,044 --
Accounts receivable, net......... 81,347 -- -- 81,347 (738)
Inventory........................ 491,698 16,362 -- 508,060 (9,566)
Prepaid and other current
assets......................... 26,663 -- -- 26,663 (20)
---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------
Total current assets........... 753,258 16,362 2,970 772,590 (10,324)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net........ 256,402 992 -- 257,394 (3,653)
GOODWILL, net...................... 392,856 -- 5,629 398,485 (3,400)
OTHER ASSETS....................... 58,141 -- 1,500 59,641 --
---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------
Total assets................... $1,460,657 $17,354 $10,099 $1,488,110 $(17,377)
========== ======= ======= ========== ========
LIABILITIES AND
MEMBERS'/SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payable......... $ 451,375 $14,183 $ -- $ 465,558 $ (9,764)
Short-term debt.................. 10,000 -- -- 10,000 --
Current maturities of long-term
debt........................... 35,789 -- -- 35,789 --
Accounts payable................. 33,573 -- -- 33,573 --
Accrued liabilities.............. 79,260 -- -- 79,260 --
---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------
Total current liabilities...... 609,997 14,183 -- 624,180 (9,764)
LONG-TERM DEBT..................... 492,548 -- 13,270 505,818
OTHER LIABILITIES.................. 14,561 -- -- 14,561 --
---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------
MEMBERS'/SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Contributed capital................ 302,035 -- -- 302,035 --
Common stock of par value $.01
shares authorized 90,000,000
issued and outstanding
34,000,000....................... -- -- -- -- --
Additional paid-in capital......... -- 3,171 (3,171) -- (7,613)
Retained earnings.................. 39,860 -- -- 39,860 --
Accumulated other comprehensive
income........................... 1,656 -- -- 1,656 --
---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------
Total members'/shareholders'
equity........................... 343,551 3,171 (3,171) 343,551 (7,613)
---------- ------- ------- ---------- --------
Total liabilities and
members'/shareholders' equity.... $1,460,657 $17,354 $10,099 $1,488,110 $(17,377)
========== ======= ======= ========== ========
PRO FORMA PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS(4) PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AS ADJUSTED
-------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and equivalents............. $ -- $ 63,476 $ 12,400 (5) $ 79,313
3,437 (8)
Contracts-in-transit............. -- 93,044 -- 93,044
Accounts receivable, net......... -- 80,609 -- 80,609
Inventory........................ -- 498,494 4,606 (6) 503,100
Prepaid and other current
assets......................... -- 26,643 8,973 (7) 35,616
-------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total current assets........... -- 762,266 29,416 791,682
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net........ -- 253,741 -- 253,741
GOODWILL, net...................... -- 395,085 -- 395,085
OTHER ASSETS....................... -- 59,641 (3,437)(8) 56,204
-------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total assets................... $ -- $1,470,733 $ 25,979 $1,496,712
======== ========== ========= ==========
LIABILITIES AND
MEMBERS'/SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payable......... $ -- $ 455,794 $ -- $ 455,794
Short-term debt.................. -- 10,000 -- 10,000
Current maturities of long-term
debt........................... -- 35,789 -- 35,789
Accounts payable................. -- 33,573 -- 33,573
Accrued liabilities.............. -- 79,260 -- 79,260
-------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total current liabilities...... -- 614,416 -- 614,416
LONG-TERM DEBT..................... (10,722) 495,096 (49,600)(5) 445,496
OTHER LIABILITIES.................. 14,561 17,146 (7) 31,707
-------- ---------- --------- ----------
MEMBERS'/SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Contributed capital................ -- 302,035 (302,035)(9) --
Common stock of par value $.01
shares authorized 90,000,000
issued and outstanding
34,000,000....................... -- -- 45 (5)
295 (9) 340
Additional paid-in capital......... 7,613 -- 301,740 (9)
42,969 (10)
4,190 (6)
61,955 (5) 410,854
Retained earnings.................. 3,109 42,969 (42,969)(10)
(7,511)(7)
416 (6) (7,095)
Accumulated other comprehensive
income........................... -- 1,656 (662)(7) 994
-------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total members'/shareholders'
equity........................... 10,722 346,660 58,433 405,093
-------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total liabilities and
members'/shareholders' equity.... $ -- $1,470,733 $ 25,979 $1,496,712
======== ========== ========= ==========
|
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001
($ IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
ACQUISI-
TIONS ACQUISITIONS
HISTORICAL CONSUM- CONSUM-
ASBURY MATED PRO FORMA MATED PRO FORMA
AUTOMOTIVE BEFORE ADJUST- AFTER ADJUST-
GROUP 6/30/01(11) MENTS(12) 6/30/01(11) MENTS(13)
---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
REVENUES:
New vehicle.......................................... $2,567,021 $ 10,747 $ -- $104,123 $ --
Used vehicle......................................... 1,156,609 2,915 -- 51,286 --
Parts, service and collision repair.................. 488,336 2,318 -- 18,675 --
Finance and insurance, net........................... 106,326 76 -- 1,956 --
---------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total revenues..................................... 4,318,292 16,056 -- 176,040 --
COST OF SALES.......................................... 3,645,818 15,052 -- 154,899 --
---------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Gross profit....................................... 672,474 1,004 -- 21,141 --
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general administrative...................... 518,265 755 -- 15,053 --
Depreciation and amortization........................ 30,768 15 54 243 --
---------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Income from operations............................. 123,441 234 (54) 5,845
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense.......................... (27,741) (252) -- (1,808) --
Other interest expense............................... (44,669) (18) (327) (34) (2,752)
Interest income...................................... 2,528 -- -- -- --
Net losses from unconsolidated affiliates............ (3,248) -- -- 2 --
Gain (loss) on sale of assets........................ (384) -- -- -- --
Other income......................................... 1,926 (18) -- 87 --
---------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total other income (expense), net.................. (71,588) (288) (327) (1,753) (2,752)
Net income before income taxes and
minority interest................................ 51,853 (54) (381) 4,092 (2,752)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE..................................... 5,351 -- -- --
MINORITY INTEREST...................................... 1,240 -- -- (1,240) --
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS..................................... (1,433) -- -- -- --
---------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Net income......................................... 43,829 (54) (381) 5,332 (2,752)
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)................. 16,552 (22) (152) 2,189 (1,101)
---------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Pro forma net income................................. $ 27,277 $ (32) $ (229) $ 3,143 $ (1,651)
========== ======== ======= ======== ========
Earnings per common share
Basic.....................................................................................................................
Diluted...................................................................................................................
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
Basic.....................................................................................................................
Diluted...................................................................................................................
PROBABLE COMPLETED AND
ACQUISITIONS PRO FORMA PROBABLE DIVES-
SUB-TOTAL AFTER ADJUST- TITURES AFTER
12/31/01 12/31/01(11) MENTS(13) 12/31/01(14)
---------- ------------ ----------- ---------------
REVENUES:
New vehicle.......................................... $2,681,891 $ 61,018 $ -- $(43,280)
Used vehicle......................................... 1,210,810 38,379 -- (19,149)
Parts, service and collision repair.................. 509,329 15,038 -- (9,399)
Finance and insurance, net........................... 108,358 1,678 -- (1,311)
---------- -------- ------- --------
Total revenues..................................... 4,510,388 116,113 -- (73,139)
COST OF SALES.......................................... 3,815,769 103,630 -- (63,446)
---------- -------- ------- --------
Gross profit....................................... 694,619 12,483 -- (9,693)
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general administrative...................... 534,073 9,844 -- (7,986)
Depreciation and amortization........................ 31,080 139 -- (233)
---------- -------- ------- --------
Income from operations............................. 129,466 2,500 -- (1,474)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense.......................... (29,801) (815) -- 666
Other interest expense............................... (47,800) (1,300) 17
Interest income...................................... 2,528 -- -- --
Net losses from unconsolidated affiliates............ (3,246) -- -- --
Gain (loss) on sale of assets........................ (384) -- -- --
Other income......................................... 1,995 -- -- (17)
---------- -------- ------- --------
Total other income (expense), net.................. (76,708) (815) (1,300) 666
Net income before income taxes and
minority interest................................ 52,758 1,685 (1,300) (808)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE..................................... 5,351 --
MINORITY INTEREST...................................... -- --
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS..................................... (1,433) -- -- --
---------- -------- ------- --------
Net income......................................... 45,974 1,685 (1,300) (808)
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)................. 17,466 674 (520) (323)
---------- -------- ------- --------
Pro forma net income................................. $ 28,508 $ 1,011 $ (780) $ (485)
========== ======== ======= ========
Earnings per common share
Basic................................................
Diluted..............................................
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
Basic................................................
Diluted..............................................
PRO FORMA PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS(15) PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AS ADJUSTED
--------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
REVENUES:
New vehicle.......................................... $ -- $2,699,629 $ -- $2,699,629
Used vehicle......................................... -- 1,230,040 -- 1,230,040
Parts, service and collision repair.................. -- 514,968 -- 514,968
Finance and insurance, net........................... -- 108,725 -- 108,725
------ ---------- ------- ----------
Total revenues..................................... -- 4,553,362 -- 4,553,362
COST OF SALES.......................................... -- 3,855,953 995 (6) 3,856,948
------ ---------- ------- ----------
Gross profit....................................... -- 697,409 (995) 696,414
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general administrative...................... -- 535,931 535,931 (16)
Depreciation and amortization........................ 30,986 -- 30,986
------ ---------- ------- ----------
Income from operations............................. -- 130,492 (995) 129,497
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense.......................... -- (29,950) -- (29,950)
Other interest expense............................... 957 (48,126) 4,861 (17) (43,265)
Interest income...................................... -- 2,528 -- 2,528
Net losses from unconsolidated affiliates............ -- (3,246) -- (3,246)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets........................ -- (384) -- (384)
Other income......................................... -- 1,978 -- 1,978
------ ---------- ------- ----------
Total other income (expense), net.................. 957 (77,200) 4,861 (72,339)
Net income before income taxes and
minority interest................................ 957 53,292 3,866 57,158
INCOME TAX EXPENSE..................................... 5,351 -- 5,351
MINORITY INTEREST...................................... -- --
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS..................................... -- (1,433) 1,433 (18) --
------ ---------- ------- ----------
Net income......................................... 957 46,508 5,299 51,807
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)................. 383 17,680 2,046 19,726
------ ---------- ------- ----------
Pro forma net income................................. $ 574 $ 28,828 $ 3,253 $ 32,081
====== ========== ======= ==========
Earnings per common share
Basic................................................ $ 0.94(19)
Diluted.............................................. $ 0.94(19)
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
Basic................................................ 34,000(19)
Diluted.............................................. 34,019(19)
|
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
($ IN THOUSANDS)
(1) Reflects the impact (historical results) of all acquisitions currently probable as if the transactions were consummated as of December 31, 2001.
(2) Reflects the fair value and other acquisition related adjustments to the currently individually insignificant probable acquisitions. Amounts for certain of the acquisitions are subject to final purchase price adjustments for items such as tangible net worth and seller's representations regarding the adequacy of certain reserves. In addition, the allocation of amounts to acquired intangibles is subject to final valuation. The total purchase price for the probable acquisitions after December 31, 2001 is $13,270 in cash. The initial allocation of the total purchase price of the above mentioned individually insignificant acquisitions is as follows:
PROBABLE
ACQUISITIONS
------------
Working Capital............................................. $ 5,149
Property and Equipment...................................... 992
Goodwill.................................................... 5,629
Franchise Rights............................................ 1,500
-------
Total purchase price........................................ $13,270
=======
|
(3) Reflects the impact (historical results) of our divestitures completed subsequent to December 31, 2001 and our currently probable divestitures as if the transactions were consummated as of December 31, 2001.
(4) Reflects the proceeds received by us from the probable divestitures and related gain ($3,109, as an adjustment to members' equity). We assume the proceeds ($10,722) will be used to reduce a portion of our borrowings as contractually required under the acquisition financing credit facility.
(5) Reflects the proceeds received by us from this offering ($62,000, net of estimated underwriting discounts, fees and expenses of $10,000) through the issuance of 4.5 million shares of our $0.01 per share par value common stock. We assumed a portion of our estimated net proceeds of $49,600 are to be used to reduce a portion of our borrowings as contractually required under our acquisition financing credit facility.
(6) Reflects adjustment to change our method of valuation of certain of its inventories from the "last-in, first-out" or LIFO method to the specific identification and "first-in, first-out" or FIFO methods upon changing from a limited liability company to a "C" corporation. We believe that the change to the specific identification and FIFO methods results in a better matching of revenue and expense and most clearly reflects periodic income. Additionally, the specific identification and FIFO methods are most widely used by our major publicly held competitors.
(7) Reflects an adjustment to change our tax status to corporation status and, accordingly provides for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Prior to the transfer of all interests in our predecessor limited liability company to a "C" corporation prior to this offering, we consisted primarily of a group of limited liability companies and partnerships (with us as the parent), which were treated as one partnership for tax purposes. Under this structure, the limited liability companies and partnerships were not themselves subject to income taxes, but instead our members were taxed on their respective distributive shares of our taxable income.
Deferred income tax provisions result from temporary differences in the recognition of income and expenses for financial reporting purposes and for tax purposes. The tax effects of these temporary differences representing deferred tax assets (liabilities) result principally from the following:
Reserves and accruals not deductible until paid............. $ 9,816
Goodwill amortization....................................... (10,816)
Depreciation................................................ (7,310)
Other....................................................... 137
--------
$ (8,173)
========
|
The net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:
Deferred tax assets
Current................................................... $ 9,871
Long-term................................................. 1,642
Deferred tax liabilities
Current................................................... (898)
Long-term................................................. (18,788)
--------
Net deferred tax liability.................................. $ (8,173)
========
|
(8) Represents a reclassification of capitalized expenses related to this offering from other assets to cash representing the amounts previously paid by us for the payment of such expenses.
(9) Reflects an adjustment to reclassify members' contributed capital to 29.5 million shares of $0.01 par value common stock and additional paid-in capital due to the conversion from a limited liability company to a "C" corporation.
(10) Reflects an adjustment to reclassify members' retained earnings to additional paid-in capital due to the conversion from a limited liability company to a "C" corporation.
(11) Reflects the impact (historical results) of the individually insignificant acquisitions consummated before June 30, 2001, consummated after June 30, 2001 or currently probable, as if the transactions were consummated on January 1, 2001. Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives arising from acquisitions subsequent to June 30, 2001 are not subject to amortization in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142 pro forma amortization expense related to these acquisitions would have been $1,005.
(12) Reflects adjustments to the individually insignificant acquisitions
consummated before June 30, 2001 as if they occurred on January 1, 2001 for
(a) goodwill amortization using the straight-line method and a 40 year life,
(b) interest expense based on the amount of acquisition financing used to
fund the acquisition purchase price and the weighted average interest rate
on our credit facility for 2001 (9.8%) and (c) tax expense based on a 40%
effective rate.
(13) Reflects adjustments to the individually insignificant acquisitions
consummated after June 30, 2001 as if they occurred on January 1, 2001 for
(a) interest expense based on the amount of acquisition financing used to
fund the acquisition purchase price and the weighted average interest rate
on our credit facility for 2001 (9.8%) and (b) tax expense based on a 40%
effective rate.
(14) Reflects the impact (historical results) of our divestitures completed after December 31, 2001, and our currently probable divestitures as if the transactions were consummated on January 1, 2001.
(15) Reflects an adjustment to the divestitures completed subsequent to December 31, 2001 and the currently probable divestitures as if they occurred on January 1, 2001, for (a) interest
expense reflecting the repayment of outstanding borrowings from the proceeds
of these transactions ($10,722) as contractually required under our credit
facility and required under the related mortgage note as the underlying
collateral is being sold. The credit facility and the related mortgage note
bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR. The reduction to interest
expense was calculated based on the blended weighted average interest rate
on our credit facility and mortgage debt related to the real estate being
sold for 2001 (8.9%) multiplied by the portion of the proceeds from these
transactions used to repay the credit facility as mentioned above and
(b) tax expense based on a 40% effective rate.
(16) Concurrent with the offering, we will record a non-recurring compensation charge resulting from the payment of stock to certain of our senior executives at the date of the offering ($339 gross; $203 after a $136 deduction for taxes using a 40% effective rate). Under their employment agreements, they will receive stock when we convert to a "C" corporation equal to a percentage of the excess of the equity value of the Company at the date of the offering over the value of this equity amount at the dates of the original contributions by the members, plus an 8% compounded annual rate of return. Once this stock payment is made at the date of the offering, we will have no further obligation to make additional payments to these executives under this compensation arrangement. This charge was not considered in the pro forma income statement.
(17) Reflects an adjustment to interest expense reflecting the repayment of outstanding borrowings from the portion of the proceeds from this offering ($49,600) as contractually required under our credit facility. The credit facility bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. The reduction to interest expense was calculated based on the weighted average interest rate on our credit facility for 2001 (9.8%) multiplied by the proceeds from this offering used to repay the credit facility as mentioned above.
(18) Reflects the elimination of extraordinary loss.
(19) Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the assumed weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the assumed weighted-average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the period.
The basic and diluted earnings per share and number of common share and common share equivalents are as follows:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2001
------------------
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic...................................................... $ 0.94
=======
Diluted.................................................... $ 0.94
=======
Common shares and common share equivalents (in thousands):
Weighted average shares outstanding...................... 34,000
=======
Basic shares............................................. 34,000
Shares issuable with respect to additional common share
equivalents (stock options)............................ 19
-------
Diluted equivalent shares................................ 34,019
=======
|
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THIS MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE DESCRIBED UNDER "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6, AND INCLUDED IN OTHER PORTIONS OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
OVERVIEW
We are a national automotive retailer, currently operating 127 franchises at 91 dealership locations in nine states and 17 markets in the U.S. We also operate 24 collision repair centers that serve our markets.
Our revenues are derived from selling new and used cars, light trucks and replacement parts, providing vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services and arrangement of vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for our automotive customers and the sale of heavy trucks.
Since inception, we have grown through the acquisition of nine large platforms and additional tuck-in acquisitions. All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As a result, the operations of the acquired dealerships are included in the consolidated statements of income commencing on the date acquired.
Prior to the completion of this offering, we consisted primarily of a group of limited liability companies and partnerships (with us as the parent), which were treated as one partnership for tax purposes. Under this structure, our owners were taxed on their respective distributive shares of taxable income; however, neither we nor our limited liability company and partnership subsidiaries were subject to income tax. The balance of our subsidiaries were "C" corporations under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, provided for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under the provisions of our limited liability company agreement, we had periodically distributed cash to each owner equal to 50% of the owner's respective distributive share of taxable income to cover the owner's tax liabilities. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, we will change our tax status to "C" corporation status and will provide for federal and state income taxes for the entire company going forward. As a result of this change in our tax status, Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. will succeed to the historic tax basis of the assets held by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. (except to the extent it will be increased by gains (if any) recognized by our owners resulting from the change in tax status).
Our gross profit tends to vary with our revenue mix, that is the mix of revenues we derive from new vehicle sales, used vehicles sales, parts, service and collision repair and finance and insurance revenues. Our gross profit on the sale of products and services generally varies significantly across product lines, with vehicle sales generally resulting in lower gross profits, and parts, service and collision repair and finance and insurance revenues resulting in the higher gross profits. As a result, when our vehicle sales increase or decrease at a rate greater than our other revenue sources, our gross margin responds inversely.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") consist primarily of fixed and incentive-based compensation for sales, administrative, finance and general management personnel, rent, advertising, insurance and utilities. A significant portion of our selling expenses are variable (such as sales commissions), and a significant portion of our general and administrative expenses are subject to our control (such as advertising expenses), allowing our cost structure to adapt in response to trends in our business.
Sales of motor vehicles (particularly new vehicles) have historically fluctuated with general macroeconomic conditions such as general business cycles, consumer confidence, availability of
consumer credit, fuel prices and interest rates. Although these factors may impact our business, we believe that any future negative trends due to the above factors may be mitigated by the performance of our parts, service and collision repair operations, our variable cost structure, regional diversity and advantageous franchise mix.
Our operations are subject to modest seasonal variations that are somewhat offset by our regional diversity. We typically generate more revenue and operating income in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth quarters. Seasonality is based upon, among other things, weather conditions, manufacturer incentive programs, model changeovers and consumer buying patterns.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
REVENUES--Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2001 increased $290.5 million or 7.2% over the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase was primarily due to $340.0 million of revenues from acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease in same store (dealerships owned longer than one year) revenues, of $49.5 million or 1.2%. Same store revenue increases at three of our platforms (Jacksonville--up 11.0%, St. Louis--up 9.2% and Texas--up 8.6%) were offset by significant same store decreases at (a) our Oregon platform (down 18.9%) primarily due to changes in our business practices and restrictions in our sales policies, declining Ford sales related to the Firestone tire recall and the effect on employment and consumer spending in the Pacific Northwest from the technology downturn, (b) our Arkansas platform (down 12.1%) due to declining demand in the local market, increased competition and issues with Ford related to the Firestone recall and (c) our Atlanta platform (down 7.0%) principally due to a downturn in its heavy truck business primarily related to cyclical factors affecting the heavy truck industry.
Same store revenues from vehicle sales were off 2.0% primarily due to the conditions noted above in Oregon, Arkansas and Atlanta. Overall, sales were impacted by a slight decline in demand in the automotive industry as new vehicles sold in the U.S. declined from 17.4 million units in 2000 to 17.2 million units in 2001. Despite this national decline, our Jacksonville platform continued its strong performance with an 11.7% increase in same store vehicle sales over the prior year. In addition, our Texas and St. Louis platforms posted 8.9% and 8.4% increases, respectively. Finance and insurance revenues per vehicle retailed were $671 for the year ended December 31, 2001, a 14.5% increase over the year ended December 31, 2000.
Parts, service and collision repair revenues on a same store basis were up 5.2% in 2001 over 2000 due to a continued emphasis on those products. Eight of the nine platforms in our organization generated an increase in parts, service and collision repair in the year ended December 31, 2001 over the same period last year.
GROSS PROFIT--Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2001 increased $74.6 million or 12.5% over the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase was primarily due to $53.9 million of gross profit from acquisitions and an increase in same store gross profit of $20.7 million or 3.5%. Overall, gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2001 was 15.6% as compared to 14.8% for the year ended December 31, 2000. This increase is primarily attributable to a shift in product mix to higher margin parts, service and collision repair services and finance and insurance.
OPERATING EXPENSES--Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, for the year ended December 31, 2001 increased $66.9 million or 14.8% over the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase was primarily due to $40.2 million of SG&A from acquisitions and an increase in same store SG&A of $26.7 million or 6.0%. Same store SG&A in 2001 included certain charges totalling $7.9 million, including $6.7 million related to severance payments and the repurchase of a carried interest, and $1.2 million primarily related to the rebranding of our Oregon platform. SG&A
as a percentage of revenues increased to 12.0% in the year ended December 31, 2001, from 11.2% in the year ended December 31, 2000. Contributing to this increase were the aforementioned charges in 2001, increased variable compensation related to higher gross profit margins, higher advertising and insurance costs, and expense control initiatives in Oregon lagging behind revenue declines. The increase in depreciation and amortization is principally attributable to acquisitions.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)--Floor plan interest expense decreased to $27.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $37.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to a decline in interest rates in 2001, offset by the incremental impact of acquisitions and our decision to finance a greater percentage of our vehicles. Other interest expense increased by $2.7 million over the year ended December 31, 2000 principally due to increased borrowings used to fund acquisitions, partially offset by a decline in interest rates. Net losses from unconsolidated affiliates of $3.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2001, represent our share of losses in an automotive finance company and the write down of our investment in CarsDirect.com, while losses in the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily reflect our share of losses in our investment in Greenlight.com, which was fully written off as of December 31, 2000. Interest income was $3.3 million lower for the year ended December 31, 2001, as compared to 2000 due to lower interest rates and a decrease in average available cash.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
REVENUES--Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2000, increased $1.02 billion or 33.7% over the year ended December 31, 1999. The increase was primarily due to $1.05 billion related to acquisitions and offset by a decrease in same store revenues of $30.1 million or 1.0%.
Same store revenues from vehicle sales decreased $40.6 million, or 1.5%, primarily due to declines in our Oregon platform (down 21.4%) and Arkansas platform (down 9.9%). The decline in the Oregon platform resulted mainly from changes in our business practices, increased restrictions in our sales policies, declines in demand in the local market and declines in Ford sales related to the Firestone tire recall. Our Arkansas platform saw reduced sales principally due to increases in competition and declines in Ford sales related to the Firestone tire recall. These declines were mostly offset by strong year-over-year increases at five of our platforms. Finance and insurance revenues per vehicle retailed were $586 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2000, a 8.3% increase over the twelve months ended December 31, 1999.
Parts, service and collision repair revenues on a same store basis were up 3.1% in fiscal 2000 versus fiscal 1999 principally due to a focus on this higher margin product line. Six of our eight platforms posted year-over-year revenue increases in this area.
GROSS PROFIT--Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2000, increased $155.9 million or 35.3% over the year ended December 31, 1999. The increase was primarily due to $143.8 million related to acquisitions and an increase in same store gross profit of $12.1 million or 2.8%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2000, was 14.8% as compared to 14.7% for the year ended December 31, 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to increased finance and insurance revenues per vehicle sold, improved margins on new vehicles due to a shift away from lower margin fleet sales and increased margins on used vehicles due to reduced losses on wholesale dispositions.
OPERATING EXPENSES--SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2000, increased $108.0 million or 31.4% over the year ended December 31, 1999. The increase was primarily due to $106.2 million of SG&A expenses related to acquisitions and an increase in same store SG&A expenses of $1.8 million or 0.5%. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 11.2% in 2000 from 11.4% in 1999 principally due to containment of variable and fixed compensation costs. Advertising costs increased $12.6 million primarily due to a significant number of acquisitions completed after January 1, 1999. Depreciation and amortization increased $7.8 million to
$24.5 million principally due to a significant number of acquisitions completed after January 1, 1999.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)--Floor plan interest expense increased to $37.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, from $23.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, primarily due to a significant number of acquisitions completed after January 1, 1999, higher interest rates throughout 2000 as compared to 1999, and a greater number of vehicles in inventory. Other interest expense increased by $17.3 million over the prior year principally due to increased borrowings used to fund acquisitions completed after January 1, 1999, and to a lesser extent, higher interest rates. Equity investment losses for the years ended December 31, 2000, and December 31, 1999, primarily reflect our share of losses in our investment in Greenlight.com of $6.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Interest income was $2.8 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2000, due to higher interest rates and an increase in average available cash.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We require cash to fund working capital needs, finance acquisitions of new dealerships and fund capital expenditures. These requirements are met principally from cash flow from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities and floor plan financing as described below, mortgage notes and issuances of equity interests. As of December 31, 2001, we had cash and cash equivalents of $60.5 million.
CREDIT FACILITIES
On January 17, 2001, we entered into a three year committed financing agreement (the "Committed Credit Facility") with Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C. with total availability of $550 million. The Committed Credit Facility is used for working capital and acquisition financing. At the date of closing, the Company utilized $330.6 million of the Committed Credit Facility to repay certain existing term notes and pay certain fees and expenses of the closing. All borrowings under the Committed Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a specified percentage depending on our attainment of certain leverage ratios and the outstanding balance under this facility.
This credit facility imposes a blanket lien upon all of our assets, and contains covenants that, among other things, place significant restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, encumber our property and other assets, repay other debt, dispose of assets, invest capital and permit our subsidiaries to issue equity securities. This credit facility also imposes minimum requirements which the terms of transactions to acquire prospective targets must meet before we can borrow funds to finance the transactions. The terms of our credit facility require us on an ongoing basis to meet certain financial ratios, including a current ratio, as defined in our credit facility of at least 1.2 to 1, a fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in our credit facility, of no less than 1.2 to 1, and a leverage ratio, as defined in our credit facility, of no greater than 4.4 to 1. A breach of these covenants or any other of the covenants in the facility would be cause for acceleration of repayment and termination of the facility by the lenders. This credit facility also contains provisions for default upon, among other things, a change of control, a material adverse change, the non-payment of obligations and a default under other agreements. As of the date of this prospectus, we were in compliance with all of the covenants.
Our subsidiaries have guaranteed, and any future subsidiaries will be required to guarantee, our obligations under this credit facility. Substantially all of our assets not subject to security interests granted to floor plan lenders are subject to security interests to lenders under the Committed Credit Facility. We pay annually in arrears a commitment fee for the credit facility of 0.35% of the undrawn amount available to us. The Committed Credit Facility provides for an indefinite series of one-year extensions at our request, if approved by the lenders at their sole
discretion. Conversely, we can terminate the Committed Credit Facility by repaying all of the outstanding balances under the facility and the related uncommitted floor plan lines plus a termination fee. The termination fee, currently equal to 2% of the amount outstanding under the Committed Credit Facility, declines one percentage point on each of the anniversaries of the facility over the next two years. We have extended the maturity of the Committed Credit Faciity to January 2005. As of December 31, 2001, $166.7 million remained available to us for additional borrowings under the Committed Credit Facility.
In addition, we have $10 million available through other revolving credit facilities, which are secured by notes receivable for finance contracts. The borrowings are repayable on the lenders' demand and accrue interest at variable rates. These facilities are subject to certain financial and other covenants. As of December 31, 2001, we had $10.0 million outstanding under these facilities.
As of December 31, 2001, we have the following contractual obligations:
TOTAL 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 THEREAFTER
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- ----------
Floor Plan
Financing.......... $451,375 $451,375 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Other Short-Term
Debt............... $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Long Term Debt
including capital
lease
obligations........ $528,337 $ 35,789 $49,569 $ 5,148 $398,880 $ 3,414 $35,537
Operating Leases:
Third parties...... $113,695 $ 14,334 $12,928 $11,275 $ 10,346 $ 9,012 $55,800
Related parties.... $105,439 $ 12,850 $12,893 $12,929 $ 12,966 $12,923 $40,878
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We expect to incur additional obligations in the future.
GUARANTEES
We have guaranteed four loans made by financial institutions either directly to our management or to non-consolidated entities controlled by our management which totaled approximately $9.1 million at December 31, 2001.
FLOOR PLAN FINANCING
On January 17, 2001, and in connection with the Committed Credit Facility, the Company obtained uncommitted floor plan financing lines of credit for new vehicles (the "New Floor Plan Lines"). The Company refinanced substantially all of its existing floor plan debt under the New Floor Plan Lines. The New Floor Plan Lines do not have specified maturities. They bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR or the prime rate and are provided by Ford Motor Credit Company, Chrysler Financial Company L.L.C. and General Motors Acceptance Corporation, with total availability of $750 million.
Ford Motor Credit Company................................... $330 million
Chrysler Financial Company L.L.C............................ $315 million
General Motors Acceptance Corporation....................... $105 million
------------
Total Floor Plan Lines.................................... $750 million
============
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We finance substantially all of our new vehicle inventory and a portion of our used vehicle inventory under the floor plan financing credit facilities. We are required to make monthly interest payments on the amount financed, but are not required to repay the principal prior to the sale of the vehicle. These floor plan arrangements grant a security interest in the financed vehicles as well as the related sales proceeds. Amounts financed under the floor plan arrangements bear interest at variable rates, which are typically tied to LIBOR or the prime rate. As of December 31, 2001, we had $451.4 million outstanding under all of our floor plan financing agreements.
Each of the above three lenders also provides, in its reasonable discretion, uncommitted floor plan financing for used vehicles. Such used vehicle financing is provided up to a fixed percentage of the value of each financed used vehicle.
CASH FLOW
Cash flow from operations totaled $96.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, as net income plus non-cash items of $84.5 million, along with a reduction in inventories of $106.4 million, offset a reduction in floor plan notes payable of $80.8 million. In addition, contracts-in-transit and accounts receivable had a net increase of $18.9 million. Net cash flow used in investing activities was $98.3 million, principally related to acquisitions of $50.2 million, capital expenditures of $50.0 million, proceeds from the sale of assets of $2.1 million and an investment in CarsDirect.com of $1.2 million. Net cash flow from financing activities was $15.0 million, as a net increase in borrowings of $43.8 million (principally to fund acquisitions), was partially offset by $26.3 million used to pay member distributions and repurchase certain members' equity. In addition, new borrowings under the acquisition line of $330.6 million were used to repay existing debt and finance certain fees and expenses of the closing of the credit facilities.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital spending for the years ended December 31, 2001, and 2000, was $50.0 million and $36.1 million, respectively. Capital spending other than from acquisitions is estimated to be approximately $65 to $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, primarily related to operational improvements and manufacturer-required spending to upgrade existing dealership facilities.
Our future growth is dependent on our ability to acquire additional dealerships and successfully operate existing dealerships. We believe that cash flow generated from operations, working capital availability under the acquisition line, availability under our floor plan arrangements as well as mortgage financings, will be sufficient to fund debt service, working capital requirements and capital spending. Future acquisitions will be funded from cash flow from operations, capital available under our Committed Credit Facility and through the public or private issuance of equity or debt securities.
USE OF ESTIMATES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. A summary of our significant accounting policies are presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of our accounting policies employing the use of estimates are as follows:
INVENTORIES
Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. As of December 31, 2001, we used the "last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO"), the specific identification method and the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO"), to value 56%, 39% and 5%, respectively, of our inventories. We maintain a reserve for inventory units where cost basis exceeds fair value. In assessing lower of cost or market for new vehicles, we primarily consider the aging of vehicles along with the timing of annual and model changeovers. The assessment of lower of cost or market for used vehicles considers recent data and trends such as loss histories, current aging of the inventory and current market conditions.
NOTES RECEIVABLE--FINANCE CONTRACTS
As of December 31, 2001, we have outstanding notes receivable from finance contracts of $30.2 million (net of an allowance for credit losses of $4.6 million). These notes have initial terms ranging from 12 to 60 months, and are collateralized by the related vehicles. The assessment of our allowance for credit losses considers historical loss ratios and the performance of the current portfolio with respect to past due accounts. We continually analyze our current portfolio against our historical performance. In addition, we attribute minimal value to the underlying collateral in our assessment of the reserve.
CHARGEBACK RESERVE
We receive commissions from the sale of various insurance contracts, vehicle service contracts to customers and through the arrangement of financing vehicles for customers. We may be charged back ("chargeback") for such commissions in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. The revenues from financing fees and commissions are recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve for future chargebacks is established at that time. The reserve carefully considers our historical chargeback percentages and timing of such chargebacks as well as national industry trends, and this data is evaluated on a product-by-product basis.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain of our directors, beneficial owners and their affiliates, and platform management, have engaged in transactions with us. These transactions primarily relate to long-term operating leases of facilities. Rent expense attributable to related parties was $12.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2001 and future minimum payments under related party long-term non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2001 were $105.4 million. This practice is fairly common in the automotive retail industry.
We paid $5.9 million in advertising fees to two separate entities in which two of our members had substantial interests. In addition, we paid $0.4 million in expenses related to private airplane use by several of our members.
We believe these transactions involved terms comparable to, or more favorable to us than, terms that would be obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
We expect to enter into an agreement to purchase land from one of our members for $2 million. The most recent appraised value of the property is $800,000 less than the anticipated purchase price due partially to expected competition for this property with the remainder being offset by an anticipated rent-free lease that we will enter into with this member for an adjacent property.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives) and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative instrument may be
specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair
value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment,
(b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction
or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign
operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a
foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes
in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use
of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the
effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138 issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS No. 133. We have determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 did not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position, liquidity or cash flows.
On June 30, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) finalized and issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141") and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142").
SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, to be accounted for using the purchase method, eliminating the pooling of interests method.
SFAS 142, when effective, eliminates amortization of the goodwill component of an acquisition price over the estimated useful life of the acquisition. However, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. Additionally, acquired intangible assets should be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer's intent to do so. Intangible assets with definitive lives will need to be amortized over their useful lives.
The provisions of SFAS 142 apply immediately to all acquisitions completed after June 30, 2001. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives existing at June 30, 2001, will continue to be amortized until December 31, 2001. Goodwill amortization for the year ended December 31, 2001 was $9.6 million. Effective January 1, 2002, such amortization will cease, as companies are required to adopt the new rules on such date. By the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2002, companies must begin to perform an impairment analysis of intangible assets. Furthermore, companies must complete the first step of the goodwill transition impairment test by June 30, 2002. Any impairment noted must be recorded at the date of effectiveness restating first quarter results, if necessary. Impairment charges, if any, that result from the application of the above tests would be recorded as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2002.
Management does not believe, other than the elimination of goodwill amortization as discussed above, that the adoption of SFAS 142 will have a material impact on our financial condition or liquidity.
In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." This statement supersedes FASB Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of," and the accounting and reporting provisions of APB Opinion No. 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations-- Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions," and establishes accounting standards for the impairment and disposal of long-lived assets and criteria for determining when a long-lived asset is held for sale. The statement removes the requirement to allocate goodwill to long-lived assets to be tested for impairment, requires that the depreciable life of a long-lived asset to be abandoned be revised in accordance with APB Opinion No. 20, "Accounting Changes," provides that one accounting model be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, whether previously held and used or newly acquired and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions. FASB 144 will be effective for financial statements beginning December 15, 2001, with earlier application encouraged.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
INTEREST RATE RISK--We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness. Outstanding balances under the acquisition line
bear interest at a variable rate based on a margin over the benchmark LIBOR rate. Given amounts outstanding at December 31, 2001, a 1% change in the LIBOR rate would result in a change of approximately $2.2 million to our annual non-floor plan interest expense after giving effect to the interest rate swaps discussed below. Similarly, amounts outstanding under floor plan financing arrangements (including the floor plan line) bear interest at variable rates based on a margin over LIBOR or prime. Based on floor plan amounts outstanding at December 31, 2001, a 1% change in the LIBOR rate would result in a $4.5 million change to annual floor plan interest expense.
INTEREST RATE SWAPS--In November 2001, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the effects of changes in interest rates on our floating LIBOR rate long-term debt. At December 31, 2001, we had outstanding three interest rate swap agreements with a financial institution, having a combined total notional principal amount of $300 million, all maturing in November 2003. The swaps require us to pay fixed rates with a weighted average of approximately 2.99% and receive in return amounts calculated at one-month LIBOR. The aggregate fair value of the swap arrangements at December 31, 2001 was $1.8 million. Our swap agreements have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges of our forecasted variable interest rate payments. To the extent the swap arrangements are not "perfectly effective" (for example, because scheduled rate resets are not simultaneous), the ineffectiveness is reported in "other income" in the income statement. For the year ended December 31, 2001, the ineffectiveness reflected in earnings was $120,000. We entered into these swap arrangements with Goldman Sachs Capital Markets, L.P., an affilate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., the managing underwriter of this offering.
During 1998, we caused a subsidiary to enter into swap arrangements with a bank in an aggregate initial notional principal amount of $31 million in order to fix a portion of our interest expense and reduce our exposure to floating interest rates. These swaps required the subsidiary to pay fixed rates ranging from 4.7% to 5.2% on the notional principal amounts, and receive in return payments calculated at LIBOR. In December 2000, we terminated our swap arrangements resulting in a gain of $0.4 million which was recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2001, in connection with our refinancing of certain existing debt utilizing our credit facilities.
Management continually monitors interest rates and trends in rates and will from time to time reevaluate the advisability of entering into additional derivative transactions to hedge our interest rate risk and may consider restructuring our debt from floating to fixed rate.
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RISK--All our business is conducted in the U.S. where all our revenues and expenses are transacted in U.S. dollars. As a result, our operations are not subject to foreign exchange risk.
BUSINESS
COMPANY
We are one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. We offer our customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, in addition to new and used vehicle sales. We have grown rapidly in recent years, primarily through acquisition, with annual sales of $3.0 billion in 1999, $4.0 billion in 2000 and $4.3 billion in 2001.
Our retail network is organized into nine regional dealership groups, or "platforms," which are groups of dealerships operating under a distinct brand. Our platforms are located in markets or clusters of markets that we believe represent attractive opportunities, generally due to the presence of relatively few dealerships and high rates of population and income growth. The following is a detailed breakdown of our platforms:
DATE OF INITIAL
PLATFORM-REGIONAL BRANDS ACQUISITION PLATFORM MARKETS FRANCHISES
------------------------ --------------- ---------------- ----------
Atlanta
Nalley Automotive Group September 1996 Atlanta Acura, Audi, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hino,
Honda, Infiniti, Isuzu Truck, Jaguar,
Jeep, Lexus(c), Navistar, Peterbilt
St. Louis
Plaza Motor Company December 1997 St. Louis Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land
Rover(a), Lexus, Mercedes-Benz,
Porsche
Texas
David McDavid Automotive Group April 1998 Dallas/Fort Worth Acura, Buick, GMC, Honda, Lincoln,
Mercury, Pontiac, Suzuki
Houston Honda, Kia, Nissan
Austin Acura
Tampa
Courtesy Dealership Group September 1998 Tampa Chrysler, GMC, Hyundai, Infiniti,
Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Mazda(c),
Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mitsubishi,
Nissan, Pontiac, Toyota
Jacksonville
Coggin Automotive Company October 1998 Jacksonville Chevrolet, GMC(c), Honda(c), Kia,
Mazda, Nissan(c), Pontiac(c), Toyota
Orlando Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford,
Honda(c), Lincoln, Mercury, Pontiac
Fort Pierce BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz
Oregon
Thomason Auto Group December 1998 Portland Ford(c), Honda, Hyundai(c), Nissan,
Toyota
North Carolina
Crown Automotive Company December 1998 Greensboro Acura, Audi, BMW, Dodge, GMC, Honda,
Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac,
Volvo, Chrysler(d), Chevrolet(d)
Chapel Hill Honda, Volvo
Fayetteville Ford, Dodge(d), Daewoo(d)
Richmond, VA Acura, BMW(c), Porsche
Arkansas
North Point (previously known as February 1999 Little Rock BMW, Ford, Lincoln(c), Mazda,
McLarty Companies) Mercury(c), Nissan, Toyota,
Volkswagen, Volvo
Texarkana, TX Chrysler, Dodge, Ford
Mississippi
Gray-Daniels(e) April 2000 Jackson Chrysler, Daewoo(b), Ford, Hyundai,
Isuzu(b), Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda,
Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan(c),
Suzuki(b), Toyota
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(a) Minority owned and operated by us. See "Related Transactions" for a description of our ownership interest in this franchise.
(b) Pending divestitures.
(c) This platform market has two of these franchises.
(d) Pending acquisition.
(e) We acquired our initial dealerships in Jackson, Mississippi in April 2000. With the acquisition of Gray-Daniels Ford in July 2001, we organized our Jackson dealerships into our ninth platform.
Each platform originally operated as an independent business before being acquired and integrated into our operations, and each continues to enjoy high local brand name recognition and regional concentration.
COMPANY HISTORY
We were formed in 1995 by management and Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. (now known as Ripplewood Investments L.L.C.) In 1997, an investment fund affiliated with Freeman Spogli & Co. Inc. acquired a significant interest in us. These three groups identified an opportunity to aggregate a number of the nation's top retail automotive dealers into one cohesive organization. We acquired eight of our platforms between 1997 and 1999, and combined them on April 30, 2000. In the combination, dealers holding ownership interests in their respective platforms transferred their interests to the Oregon platform in exchange for ownership interests in the Oregon platform. Dealers who held interests in the Oregon platform did not exchange their interests, but had their holdings adjusted to reflect their overall ownership interest in the consolidated company. The Oregon platform then changed its name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and became the parent company to our platforms and other companies. Since the consolidation of the eight platforms as of April 30, 2000, a ninth platform, the Mississippi platform, was formed on July 2, 2001, following our acquisition of five franchises in the Jackson market, which we added to five franchises that we previously acquired in this market.
OUR STRENGTHS
We believe our competitive strengths are as follows:
EXPERIENCED AND INCENTIVIZED MANAGEMENT
- RETAIL AND AUTOMOTIVE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE. We have a management team with extensive experience and expertise in the retail and automotive sectors. Kenneth B. Gilman, our president and chief executive officer, served for 25 years at the Limited, Inc. where his most recent assignment was as chief executive officer of Lane Bryant, a retailer of women's clothing and a subsidiary of the Limited, Inc. From 1993 to 2001, Mr. Gilman served as vice chairman and chief administrative officer of the Limited, Inc. with responsibility for, among other things, finance, information technology, supply chain management and production. Thomas R. Gibson, our co-founder and chairman of the board spent most of his 28-year automotive career working with automobile retail dealers throughout the U.S., including serving as president and chief operating officer of Subaru of America. Thomas F. Gilman, our senior vice president and chief financial officer, served for 25 years at DaimlerChrysler where his knowledge of the dealer network allowed him to play a key role assisting DaimlerChrysler dealerships during the recession in the automotive industry in the early 1990s. See "Management." In addition, the former platform owners of seven of our nine platforms, each with greater than 24 years of experience in the automotive retailing industry, continue to manage their respective platforms.
- INCENTIVIZATION AT EVERY LEVEL. We tie compensation to performance by relying upon an incentive-based pay system at both the platform and dealership levels. At the platform level all our senior management are compensated on an incentive-based pay system while 71% of the senior management at our nine platforms have a stake in our performance based upon their ownership of approximately 40% of our total equity, and will continue to own 23.5% after giving effect to this offering. We also create incentives at the dealership level. Each dealership is managed as a separate profit center by a trained and experienced general manager who has primary responsibility for decisions relating to inventory, advertising, pricing and personnel. We compensate our general managers based on dealership profitability, and the compensation of department managers is similarly based upon departmental profitability. Approximately 80% of compensation earned by our dealerships' general managers and sales forces in 2001 was earned through commissions and performance-based bonuses.
ADVANTAGEOUS BRAND MIX
We classify our primary franchise sales lines into luxury, mid-line import, mid-line domestic and value. We believe that our current brand mix includes a higher proportion of luxury and mid-line imports franchises to total franchises than most other public automotive retailers. Luxury and mid-line imports together accounted for approximately 66% of our 2001 new retail vehicle revenues and comprise over half of our total franchises. Luxury and mid-line imports generate above average gross margins on sales, and have greater customer loyalty and repeat purchases than mid-line domestic and value automobiles. We also believe that luxury vehicle sales are less susceptible to economic cycles.
The following table reflects franchises currently owned and franchises expected to be acquired and divested through pending acquisitions and divestitures, and the share of total franchises and new retail vehicle revenue represented by each:
% OF 2001
% OF TOTAL NEW RETAIL
PENDING PENDING CURRENT AND VEHICLE
CLASS/FRANCHISE CURRENT ACQUISITIONS DIVESTITURES PENDING FRANCHISES REVENUE
--------------- -------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ----------------
LUXURY
Acura................ 5
Audi................. 3
BMW.................. 6
Cadillac............. 1
Infiniti............. 3
Jaguar............... 1
Land Rover(a)........ 1
Lexus................ 3
Lincoln.............. 6
Mercedes-Benz........ 3
Porsche.............. 2
Volvo................ 3
--- --- ---
TOTAL LUXURY..... 37 29% 28%
MID-LINE IMPORT
Honda................ 11
Mazda................ 5
Mitsubishi........... 3
Nissan............... 9
Toyota............... 5
Volkswagen........... 1
--- --- ---
TOTAL MID-LINE
IMPORT......... 34 27% 38%
MID-LINE DOMESTIC
Buick................ 2
Chevrolet............ 3 1
Chrysler............. 3 1
Dodge................ 3 1
Ford................. 7
GMC.................. 6
Jeep................. 3
Mercury.............. 6
Pontiac.............. 6
--- --- ---
TOTAL MID-LINE
DOMESTIC....... 39 3 31% 26%
VALUE
Daewoo............... 1 1 (1)
Hyundai.............. 4
Isuzu................ 2 (1)
Kia.................. 4
Suzuki............... 2 (1)
--- --- ---
TOTAL VALUE...... 13 1 (3) 10% 4%
HEAVY TRUCKS
Hino................. 1
Isuzu................ 1
Navistar............. 1
Peterbilt............ 1
---
TOTAL HEAVY
TRUCKS......... 4 3% 4%
--- --- --- ------ ------
TOTAL................ 127 4 (3) 100% 100%
=== === === ====== ======
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REGIONAL CONCENTRATION AND STRONG BRANDING OF OUR PLATFORMS
Each of our platforms is comprised of between 7 and 24 franchises and on a pro forma basis for 2001, sold an average of over 18,500 vehicles and generated an average of approximately $500 million in revenues.
Each of our platforms maintains a strong regional brand. We believe that our cultivation of strong regional brands can be beneficial because:
- platforms enjoy strong local brand recognition from their long presence and regional advertising;
- consumers may prefer to interact with a locally recognized brand;
- placing our franchises in one region under a single brand allows us to generate significant advertising savings; and
- our platforms can retain customers even as they purchase and service different automobile brands.
DIVERSIFIED REVENUE STREAMS/VARIABLE COST STRUCTURE
Our operations provide a diversified revenue base that we believe mitigates the impact of slower new car sales volumes. Used car sales and parts, service and collision repair, which represented 38% of our total 2001 revenue, generate higher profit margins than new car sales and tend to fluctuate less with economic cycles. In addition, our variable cost structure helps us manage expenses in an economic downturn, as a large part of our operating expenses consist of incentive-based compensation, vehicle carrying costs and advertising.
- NEW VEHICLES. Our franchises include a diverse portfolio of 36 American, European and Asian brands. We believe that our diverse brand, product and price mix enables us to reduce our exposure to specific product supply shortages and changing customer preferences. New vehicle sales were approximately 59% of our total revenues and 31% of total gross profit in 2001.
- USED VEHICLES. We sell used vehicles at virtually all our franchised dealerships. Retail sales of used vehicles has become an increasingly significant source of profit for us, making up approximately 27% of our total revenues and 16% of total gross profit in 2001. We obtain used vehicles through customer trade-ins, auctions restricted to new vehicle dealers (offering off-lease, rental and fleet vehicles) and "open" auctions which offer repossessed vehicles and vehicles sold by other dealers. We sell our used vehicles to retail customers when possible. We dispose of used vehicles that are not purchased by retail customers through sales to other dealers and at auction.
- FINANCE AND INSURANCE. We arranged customer financing on over 70% of the vehicles we sold in 2001. These transactions result in commissions being paid to us by the indirect lenders, including manufacturer-captive finance arms. In addition to the finance commissions, each of these transactions creates other highly profitable sales opportunities, including extended service contracts and various insurance-related products for the consumer. Our size and sales volume motivate vendors to provide these products to us at substantially reduced fees compared to industry norms which result in competitive advantages as well as acquisition synergies. Furthermore, many of the insurance products we sell result in additional underwriting profits and investment income yields based on portfolio performances. Profits from finance and insurance generated approximately 3% of our total revenues and 16% of our total gross profit in 2001.
- PARTS, SERVICE AND COLLISION REPAIR. We sell parts and provide maintenance and repair service at all our franchised dealerships. In addition, we have 24 free-standing collision repair centers in close proximity to dealerships in substantially all our platforms. Our dealerships and collision repair centers collectively operate approximately 1,600 service bays. Revenues from parts, service and collision repair centers were approximately 11% of our total revenues and 37% of our total gross profit in 2001.
OUR STRATEGY
Our objective is to be the most profitable automotive retailer in select markets in the United States. To achieve this objective, we intend to grow through targeted acquisitions, expand our higher margin businesses, emphasize decentralized dealership operations and enhance our customer relationship management.
CONTINUED GROWTH THROUGH TARGETED ACQUISITIONS
We intend to continue to grow through acquisitions. We will seek to establish platforms in new markets through acquisitions of large, profitable and well-managed dealership groups. In addition, we will pursue tuck-in acquisitions to complement the related platform by increasing brand diversity, market coverage and services.
- PLATFORM ACQUISITIONS. We will seek to establish platforms in new geographic markets through acquisitions of large, profitable and well-managed dealership groups in metropolitan and high-growth suburban markets in which we are not currently present. We will target those platforms with superior operational and financial management personnel. We believe that the retention of existing high quality management who understand the local market will enable acquired platforms to continue to operate efficiently, while allowing us to source future acquisitions more effectively and expand our operations without having to employ and train untested new personnel. Moreover, we believe we are well-positioned to pursue larger, established acquisition candidates as a result of the reputation of the original owners of our nine platforms as leaders in the automotive retailing industry.
- TUCK-IN ACQUISITIONS. One of our goals is to become the market leader in every region in which we operate a platform. We plan to acquire additional dealerships in each of the markets in which we operate, including acquisitions that increase the brands, products and services offered in that market. Since 1995 we have made 18 tuck-in acquisitions (representing 44 franchises) to add additional strength and brand diversity to our platforms. We believe that these acquisitions in the past and in the future will facilitate our regional operating efficiencies and cost savings in areas such as advertising and facility and personnel utilization.
- FOCUS ON ACQUISITIONS PROVIDING GEOGRAPHIC AND BRAND DIVERSITY. By focusing on geographic and brand diversity, we seek to manage economic risk and drive growth and profitability. By having a presence in all major brands and by avoiding concentration with one manufacturer, we are well positioned to reduce our exposure to specific product supply shortages and changing customer preferences. At the same time, we will seek to continue to increase the proportion of our dealerships that are in markets with favorable demographic characteristics or that are franchises of fast-growing, high margin brands. In particular, we will focus on luxury dealerships (such as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz) and mid-line import dealerships (such as Honda, Toyota and Nissan). On an ongoing basis we will continue to evaluate the performance of our dealerships to determine if the sale of a particular dealership is advisable.
FOCUS ON HIGHER MARGIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
While new vehicle sales are critical to drawing customers to our dealerships, used vehicle retail sales, parts, service and collision repair and finance and insurance provide significantly higher gross profit margins. We currently derive approximately two-thirds of our total gross profit from these areas. In addition, we have discipline-specific executives at both the corporate and platform level who focus on both increasing the penetration of current services and expanding the breadth of our offerings to customers. While each of our platforms operates independently in a manner consistent with its specific market's characteristics, each platform will pursue an integrated strategy to grow these higher margin businesses to enhance profitability and stimulate internal growth.
- FINANCE AND INSURANCE. We intend to continue to bolster our finance and insurance revenues by offering a broad range of conventional finance and lease alternatives to fund the purchase of new and used vehicles. In addition to financing vehicle sales, we intend to expand our already broad offering of customer products like credit insurance, extended service contracts, maintenance programs and a host of other niche products to meet all of our customer needs on a "one stop" shopping basis. Furthermore, based on size and scale, we believe we will be able to continue negotiating with lending institutions and product providers to increase commissions on each of the products and services we sell. Moreover, continued in-depth sales training efforts and innovative computer technologies will serve as important tools in enhancing our finance and insurance profitability.
- PARTS, SERVICE AND COLLISION REPAIR. Each of our platforms offers parts and performs vehicle service work and substantially all of our platforms operate collision repair centers, all of which provide an important source of recurring higher gross profit margins. Currently, gross profit generated from these businesses absorbs approximately 60% of our total operating expenses, excluding salespersons' compensation. Expanding this absorption rate through focused marketing and customer relationship management represents a major opportunity for growth.
DECENTRALIZED DEALERSHIP OPERATIONS
We believe that decentralized dealership operations on a platform basis empower our retail network to provide market-specific responses to sales, service, marketing and inventory requirements. These operations are complemented by centralized technology and financial controls, as well as sharing of best practices and market intelligence throughout the organization.
While our administrative headquarters is located in Stamford, Connecticut, the day-to-day responsibility for the dealerships rests with each regional management team. Each of our platforms has a management structure that is intended to promote and reward entrepreneurial spirit and the achievement of team goals.
The chart below depicts our typical platform management structure:
AVERAGE EXPERIENCE OF PLATFORM MANAGEMENT
[FLOW CHART OF PLATFORM MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE]
Each of our dealerships is managed by a general manager who has authority over day-to-day operations. The general manager of each dealership is supported by a management team consisting, in most circumstances, of a new vehicle sales manager, a used vehicle sales manager, a finance and insurance manager and parts and service managers. Our dealerships are operated as distinct profit centers in which the general managers are given significant autonomy. The general managers are responsible for the operations, personnel and financial performance of their dealerships.
We employ professional management practices in all aspects of our operations, including information technology and employee training. A peer review process is also in place in which the platform managers address best practices, operational challenges and successes, and formulate goals for other platforms. Platforms utilize computer-based management information systems to monitor each dealership's sales, profitability and inventory on a daily basis. We believe the application of professional management practices provides us with a competitive advantage over many dealerships. In addition, platform management teams' thorough understanding of the local market enables them to effectively run day-to-day operations, recruit new employees and gauge acquisition opportunities in their market area.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
We are implementing a CRM initiative to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction and reduce marketing costs by redirecting expenditures from mass media to targeted communications. We expect to create a differentiated customer experience, allowing us to capture a greater percentage of our targeted households' automotive spending. Our CRM initiative includes the engagement of
McKinsey & Company, a leading management consulting firm, to help develop the program and pilot it in Jacksonville. We are also investing in a CRM software solution to provide the necessary technological tools.
We believe CRM will be particularly effective in the automotive industry given high customer (household) lifetime value, coupled with the industry's historic focus on short-term transactions as opposed to long-term customer retention. In addition to driving incremental new and used purchases over a multi-year period for a given household, we can benefit from incremental finance and insurance purchases and greater service expenditures, particularly post warranty. We also know that profitability varies dramatically by customer segment, as it does in most retail sectors; thus, we expect to benefit from initiatives that successfully target high value segments.
SALES AND MARKETING
NEW VEHICLE SALES. Our new vehicle retail sales include new vehicle retail lease transactions and other similar agreements, which are arranged by our individual dealerships. New vehicle leases generally have short terms, which cause customers to return to a dealership more frequently than in the case of financed purchases. In addition, leases provide us with a steady source of late-model, off-lease vehicles for our used vehicle inventory. Generally, leased vehicles remain under factory warranty for the term of the lease, allowing dealerships to provide repair service to the lessee throughout the lease term. Historically, less than 4% of our new vehicle sales revenue is derived from fleet sales, which are generally conducted on a commission basis.
We design our dealership service to meet the needs of our customers and establish relationships that will result in both repeat business and additional business through customer referrals. Our dealerships employ varying sales techniques to address changes in consumer preference.
We incentivize our dealership managers to employ more efficient selling approaches, engage in extensive follow-up to develop long-term relationships with customers and extensively train sales staffs to be able to meet customer needs. We continually evaluate innovative ways to improve the buying experience for our customers and believe that our ability to share best practices across our dealerships gives us an advantage over other dealerships.
We acquire substantially all our new vehicle inventory from manufacturers. Manufacturers allocate limited inventory among their franchised dealers based primarily on sales volume and input from dealers. We finance our inventory purchases through revolving credit arrangements known in the industry as floor plan facilities.
USED VEHICLE SALES. Used vehicle sales typically generate higher gross margins than new vehicle sales. We intend to grow our used vehicle sales by maintaining a high quality inventory, providing competitive prices and extended service contracts and continuing to enhance our marketing initiatives.
Profits from sales of used vehicles are dependent primarily on the ability of our dealerships to obtain a high quality supply of used vehicles and effectively manage inventory. New vehicle operations provide our used vehicle operations with a large supply of high quality trade-ins and off-lease vehicles, which we believe are the best sources of attractive used vehicle inventory. We supplement our used inventory with vehicles purchased at auctions.
Used vehicles are generally offered at our dealerships for 45 to 60 days on average, after which, if they have not been sold to a retail buyer, they are either sold to an outside dealer or offered at auction. During 2001, approximately 79% of used vehicles sales were made to retail buyers. We may transfer used vehicles among dealerships to provide balanced inventories of used vehicles at each of our dealerships. We believe that acquisitions of additional dealerships will expand the internal market for transfer of used vehicles among our dealerships and, therefore,
increase the ability of each dealership to offer a balanced mix of used vehicles. We developed integrated computer inventory systems allowing us to coordinate vehicle transfers among our dealerships, primarily on a regional basis.
Several steps have been taken towards building client confidence in our used vehicle inventory, one of which includes participation in the manufacturers' certification processes which are available only to new vehicle franchises. This process makes certain used vehicles eligible for new vehicle benefits such as new vehicle finance rates and extended manufacturer warranties. In addition, each dealership offers extended warranties on our used car sales.
FINANCE AND INSURANCE. We arranged customer financing on over 70% of the vehicles we sold in 2001, approximately 99% of which was non-recourse to us. These transactions generate commission revenue from indirect lenders, including manufacturer captive finance arms. In addition to finance commissions, each of these transactions creates other opportunities for more profitable sales, such as extended service contracts and various insurance-related products for the consumer. Our size and volume capabilities motivate vendors to provide these products at substantially reduced fees compared to the industry average which result in competitive advantages as well as acquisition synergies. Furthermore, many of the insurance products we sell result in additional underwriting profits and investment income yields based on portfolio performances.
PARTS, SERVICE AND COLLISION REPAIR. Historically, the automotive repair industry has been highly fragmented. However, we believe that the increased use of advanced technology in vehicles has made it difficult for independent repair shops to achieve the expertise required to perform major or technical repairs. Additionally, manufacturers permit warranty work to be performed only at franchised dealerships. As a result, unlike independent service stations or independent and superstore used car dealerships with service operations, our franchised dealerships are qualified to perform work covered by manufacturer warranties on increasingly technologically complex motor vehicles.
Our profitability in parts and service can be attributed to our comprehensive management system, including the use of variable rate pricing structures, cultivation of strong client relationships through an emphasis on preventive maintenance and the efficient management of parts inventory.
We use variable rate structures designed to reflect the difficulty and sophistication of different types of repairs to compensate employees working in parts and service. The percentage mark-ups on parts are also variably priced based on market conditions for different parts.
One of our major goals is to retain each vehicle purchaser as a long-term customer of our parts and service department. Currently, only 30% of customers return to our dealerships for other services after the vehicle warranty expires. Significant opportunity for growth exists in the auxiliary services part of our business. Each dealership has systems in place to track customer maintenance records and notify owners of vehicles purchased at the dealerships when their vehicles are due for periodic services. Service and repair activities are an integral part of our overall approach to customer service.
ADVERTISING. Our largest advertising medium is local newspapers, followed by radio, television, direct mail and the yellow pages. The retail automotive industry has traditionally used locally produced, largely unprofessional materials, often developed under the direction of each dealership's general manager. Each of our platforms has created common marketing materials for their dealerships using professional advertising agencies. Our corporate chief marketing officer helps oversee and share creative materials and general marketing best practices across platforms. Our total company marketing expense was $43.1 million in 2001 which translates into an average of $272, per retail vehicle sold. In addition, manufacturers' direct advertising spending in support of their brands provides approximately 60% of the total amount spent on new car advertising in the U.S.
COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. We are focused on providing a high level of customer service to meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and demanding automotive consumer. We strive to cultivate lasting relationships with our customers, which we believe enhances the opportunity for significant repeat and referral business. For example, our platforms regard service and repair operations as an integral part of the overall approach to customer service, providing an opportunity to foster ongoing relationships with customers and deepen loyalty.
INTERNET AND E-COMMERCE. We believe that the growth of the Internet and e-commerce represents a new opportunity to build our platforms' brands and expand the geographic borders of their markets. We are applying e-commerce to our strategy of executing professionally developed best practices under the supervision of discipline-specific central management throughout our autonomous platforms. We believe that our e-commerce strategy constitutes a coherent, cost-effective and sustainable approach that allows us to leverage the projected growth of the Internet.
At the corporate level, information technology-e-commerce executives set the parameters of our overall e-commerce strategy. Our strategy mandates that each platform establish a website that incorporates a professional design to reinforce the platform's unique brand and advanced functionalities to ensure that the website can hold the attention of customers and perform the informational and interactive functions for which the Internet is uniquely suited. Manufacturer website links provide our platforms with key sources of referrals.
Our commitment to e-commerce flows through to the platform level. Each platform maintains an e-commerce department, staffed with dedicated personnel, to promote the platform's brand over the World Wide Web and capitalize on Internet-originated sales leads. Many platforms use the Internet to communicate with customers both prior to vehicle purchase and after purchase to coordinate and market maintenance and repair services. Finally, each platform utilizes the Internet as an integral part of its overall branding and advertising efforts by ensuring that its website is aggressively promoted and periodically upgraded.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. We consolidate financial, accounting and operational data received from our dealers nationwide through an exclusive private communication network.
The data from the dealers is gathered and processed through their individual dealer management system. All our dealers use software from ADP, Inc., Reynolds & Reynolds, Co. or UCS, Inc. as their dealer management system. Our systems strategy allows for our platforms to choose the dealer management system that best fits their daily operational needs. We aggregate the information from the three disparate systems at our corporate headquarters to create one single view of the business using Hyperion financial systems.
Our information technology allows us to quickly integrate and aggregate the information from a new acquisition. By creating a connection over our private network between the dealer management system and corporate Hyperion financial systems, corporate management can quickly view the financial, accounting and operational data of the newly acquired dealer. In that way, we can efficiently integrate the acquired dealer into our operational strategy.
COMPETITION
In new vehicle sales, our platforms compete primarily with other franchised dealerships in their regions. We do not have any cost advantage in purchasing new vehicles from the manufacturers. Instead, we rely on advertising and merchandising, sales expertise, service reputation and location of our dealerships to sell new vehicles. In recent years, automobile dealers have also faced increased competition in the sale or lease of new vehicles from independent leasing companies, on-line purchasing services and warehouse clubs. Our used vehicle operations compete with other franchised dealers, independent used car dealers, automobile rental agencies and private parties
for supply and resale of used vehicles. See "Risk Factors--Substantial competition in automobile sales may adversely affect our profitability."
In our vehicle financing business, we compete with direct consumer lending institutions such as local banks, savings and loans and credit unions, including through the Internet. Our ability to offer manufacturer-subsidized financing terms as part of an incentive-based sales strategy can place us at a competitive advantage relative to independent financing companies. We also compete in this area based on:
- interest rates; and
- convenience of "one stop shopping," which we offer by arranging vehicle financing at the point of purchase.
We seek to reduce our cost of funds, and as a result, the interest rates we charge, through leveraging our volume of business to obtain discounted terms.
We compete against other franchised dealers to perform warranty repairs and against other automobile dealers, franchised and independent service centers for non-warranty repair and routine maintenance business. We compete with other automobile dealers, service stores and auto parts retailers in our parts operations. We believe that the principal competitive factors in parts and service sales are the use of factory-approved replacement parts, price, the familiarity with a manufacturer's brands and models and the quality of customer service. A number of regional and national chains offer selected parts and services at prices that may be lower than our prices.
FACILITIES
We have 127 franchises situated in 91 dealership locations throughout nine states. We lease 57 of these locations and own the remainder. We have five locations in Mississippi and two locations in North Carolina where we lease the land but own the building facilities. The locations are included in the leased column of the table below. In addition, we operate 24 collision repair centers.
COLLISION REPAIR
DEALERSHIPS CENTERS
------------------- -------------------
OWNED LEASED OWNED LEASED
-------- -------- -------- --------
Arkansas................................... 1 5 1 1
Atlanta.................................... 3(a) 8(b) 2 2
Jacksonville............................... 14 3 5 1
Mississippi................................ 1 6 0 1
North Carolina............................. 11 6 1 0
Oregon..................................... 0 7 0 2
St. Louis.................................. 4 1 1 0
Tampa...................................... 0 12 0 2
Texas...................................... 0 9 0 5
-- -- -- --
Total...................................... 34 57 10 14
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(a) One of our dealerships in Atlanta that owns a new vehicle facility operates a separate used vehicle facility that is leased.
(b) One of our dealerships in Atlanta that leases a new vehicle facility operates a separate used vehicle facility that is owned.
We lease our corporate headquarters, which is located at 3 Landmark Square, Suite 500, in Stamford, Connecticut.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS
Each of our dealerships operates pursuant to franchise agreements between the applicable manufacturer and the dealership. The typical automotive franchise agreement specifies the locations at which the dealer has the right and obligation to sell the manufacturer's automobiles and related parts and products and to perform certain approved services. The franchise agreement grants the dealer the non-exclusive right to use and display the manufacturer's trademarks, service marks and designs in the form and manner approved by the manufacturer.
The allocation of new vehicles among dealerships is subject to the discretion of the manufacturer, which generally does not guarantee a dealership exclusivity within a given territory. A franchise agreement may impose requirements on the dealer concerning such matters as the showrooms, the facilities and equipment for servicing vehicles, the maintenance of inventories of vehicles and parts, the maintenance of minimum net working capital, the achievement of certain minimum customer service and satisfaction standards and the training of personnel. Compliance with these requirements is closely monitored by the manufacturer. In addition, many manufacturers require each dealership to submit monthly and annual financial statements.
We are subject to additional provisions contained in supplemental agreements, framework agreements or franchise addenda, which we collectively refer to as "franchise framework agreements." Many of our dealerships are also subject to these agreements. Franchise framework agreements impose requirements similar to those discussed above, as well as limitations on changes in our ownership or management and limitations on the number of a particular manufacturer's franchises we may own. In addition, we are party to an agreement with General Motors Corporation under which we have divested ourselves of and agreed not to acquire Saturn franchises.
PROVISIONS FOR TERMINATION OR NON-RENEWAL OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS. Certain franchise agreements expire after a specified period of time, ranging from one to five years, and we expect to renew expiring agreements for franchises we wish to continue in the ordinary course of business. Typical franchise agreements provide for termination or non-renewal by the manufacturer under certain circumstances, including insolvency or bankruptcy of the dealership, failure to adequately operate the dealership, failure to maintain any license, permit or authorization required for the conduct of business, or material breach of other provisions of the franchise agreement. Some of our franchise agreements and franchise framework agreements provide that the manufacturer may acquire our dealerships or terminate the franchise agreement if a person or entity acquires an equity interest or voting control above a specified level (ranging from 20% to 50% depending on the particular manufacturer's restriction) in us without the approval of the applicable manufacturer. This trigger can fall to as low as 5% if the entity acquiring the equity interest in us is another automobile manufacturer or a felon whose conviction stems from fraudulent sales practices or violations of state or federal consumer protection laws. Some manufacturers also restrict changes in the membership of our board of directors. Our agreement with one manufacturer, Toyota, in addition to imposing the restrictions previously mentioned, provides that it may require us to sell our Toyota franchises (including Lexus) according to the terms of the agreement if, without its consent, the owners of a majority of our equity prior to this offering cease to own a majority of our equity or if Timothy C. Collins ceases to control us through imputed control of Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. Although our franchise agreements may not be renewed or may be terminated prior to the conclusion of their terms, manufacturers have rarely chosen to take such action. Further, as discussed below, state dealer laws substantially limit the ability of manufacturers to terminate or fail to renew franchise agreements. See "Risk Factors--If we fail to obtain renewals of one or more of our franchise agreements from vehicle manufacturers on favorable terms, or if one or more of our franchise agreements are terminated, our operations could be significantly compromised."
MANUFACTURERS' LIMITATIONS ON ACQUISITIONS. We are required to obtain the consent of the applicable manufacturer before we can acquire any additional dealership franchises. Six of our manufacturers impose limits on the number of dealerships we are permitted to own at the metropolitan, regional and national levels. These limits vary according to the agreements we have with each of the manufacturers but are generally based on fixed numerical limits or on a fixed percentage of the aggregate sales of the manufacturer. We currently own the maximum number of dealerships allowed under our franchise agreement with Acura and have only one more dealership available for Jaguar. We are also approaching the ownership limits allocated under our framework franchise agreement with Toyota/Lexus. Unless we renegotiate these franchise agreements or receive the consent of the manufacturers, we may be prevented from making further acquisitions upon reaching the limits provided for in these framework franchise agreements.
STATE DEALER LAWS. We operate in states that have state dealer laws limiting manufacturers' ability to terminate dealer franchise agreements. We are basing the following discussion of state dealer laws on our understanding of these laws and therefore, the description may not be accurate. State dealer laws generally provide that it is a violation for manufacturers to terminate or refuse to renew franchise agreements unless they provide written notice to the dealers setting forth good cause and stating the grounds for termination or nonrenewal. State dealer laws typically require 60 to 90 days advance notice to dealers prior to termination or nonrenewal of a franchise agreement. Some state dealer laws allow dealers to file protests or petitions within the notice period and allow dealers an opportunity to comply with the manufacturers' criteria. These statutes also provide that manufacturers are prohibited from unreasonably withholding approval for a proposed change in ownership of the dealership. Acceptable grounds for disapproval include material reasons relating to the character, financial ability or business experience of the proposed transferee. See "Risk Factors--If state dealer laws are repealed or weakened, our dealerships will be more susceptible to termination, non-renewal or re-negotiation of their franchise agreements."
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
A number of federal, state and local regulations affect our marketing, selling, financing and servicing of automobiles. The nine platforms also are subject to state laws and regulations relating to business corporations generally.
Under various state laws, each of our dealerships must obtain a license in order to establish, operate or relocate a dealership or provide certain automotive repair services. These laws also regulate conduct of our businesses, including advertising and sales practices. Other states into which we may expand our operations in the future are likely to have similar requirements.
Our financing activities with our customers are subject to federal truth-in-lending, consumer leasing and equal credit opportunity regulations as well as state and local motor vehicle finance laws, installment finance laws, insurance laws, usury laws and other installment sales laws. Some states regulate finance fees that may be paid as a result of vehicle sales. Penalties for violation of any of these laws or regulations may include revocation of necessary licenses, assessment of criminal and civil fines and penalties, and in certain instances, create a private cause of action for individuals. We believe that we comply substantially with all laws and regulations affecting our business and do not have any material liabilities under such laws and regulations and that compliance with all such laws and regulations will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, and we do not anticipate that such compliance will have a material effect on us in the future. See "Risk Factors--Governmental regulations and environmental regulation compliance costs may adversely affect our profitability."
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
We are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations, including those governing discharges into the air and water, the storage of petroleum substances and chemicals, the handling and disposal of wastes and the remediation of contamination. As with automobile dealerships generally, and service and parts and collision repair center operations in particular, our business involves the generation, use, handling and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances and wastes. Operations involving the management of wastes are subject to requirements of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and comparable state statutes. Pursuant to these laws, federal and state environmental agencies have established approved methods for handling, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of regulated substances and wastes with which we must comply.
Our business also involves the use of above ground and underground storage tanks. Under applicable laws and regulations, we are responsible for the proper use, maintenance and abandonment of our regulated storage tanks and for remediation of subsurface soils and groundwater impacted by releases from existing or abandoned storage tanks. In addition to these regulated tanks, we own, operate, or have otherwise closed in place other underground and above ground devices or containers (such as automotive lifts and service pits) that may not be classified as regulated tanks, but which could or may have released stored materials into the environment, thereby potentially obligating us to clean up any soils or groundwater resulting from such releases.
We are also subject to laws and regulations governing remediation of contamination at or from our facilities or to which we send hazardous or toxic substances or wastes for treatment, recycling or disposal. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, also known as the "Superfund" law, imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on those that are considered to have contributed to the release of a "hazardous substance." Responsible parties include the owner or operator of the site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances released at such sites. These responsible parties may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment and for damages to natural resources. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances.
Further, the Federal Clean Water Act and comparable state statutes prohibit discharges of pollutants into regulated waters without the necessary permits, require containment of potential discharges of oil or hazardous substances and require preparation of spill contingency plans. We believe that we are in material compliance with those wastewater discharge requirements as well as requirements for the containment of potential discharges and spill contingency planning.
Environmental laws and regulations are very complex and it has become difficult for businesses that routinely handle hazardous and non-hazardous wastes to achieve and maintain full compliance with all applicable environmental laws. From time to time we experience incidents and encounter conditions that will not be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. However, none of our dealerships have been subject to any material environmental liabilities in the past and we do not anticipate that any material environmental liabilities will be incurred in the future. Nevertheless, environmental laws and regulations and their interpretation and enforcement are changed frequently and we believe that the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental legislation and regulations is likely to continue. Hence, there can be no assurance that compliance with environmental laws or regulations or the future discovery of unknown environmental conditions will not require additional expenditures by us, or that such expenditures would not be material. See "Risk Factors--Governmental regulations and environmental regulation compliance costs may adversely affect our profitability."
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2001, we employed approximately 7,725 people, of whom approximately 620 were employed in managerial positions, approximately 2,110 were employed in non-managerial sales positions, approximately 4,045 were employed in non-managerial parts and service positions, approximately 750 were employed in administrative support positions and approximately 200 were employed in non-managerial finance and insurance positions. We intend, upon completion of the offering, to provide certain executive officers and managers with options to purchase common stock and believe this equity incentive will be attractive to our existing and prospective employees. See "Management--2002 Stock Option Plan".
We believe our relationship with our employees is favorable. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. Because of our dependence on vehicle manufacturers, however, we may be affected adversely by labor strikes, work slowdowns and walkouts at vehicle manufacturers' production facilities and transportation modes.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND INSURANCE
From time to time, we and our nine platforms are named in claims involving the manufacture of automobiles, contractual disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. Currently, no legal proceedings are pending against us or the nine platforms that, in management's opinion, could be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Because of their vehicle inventory and nature of business, automobile retail dealerships generally require significant levels of insurance covering a broad variety of risks. Our insurance program includes three umbrella policies with a total per occurrence and aggregate limit of $100 million. We also have insurance on our real property, comprehensive coverage for our vehicle inventory, garage liability and general liability insurance, employee dishonesty insurance and errors and omissions insurance in connection with our vehicle sales and financing activities.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Automotive retailing, with 2001 industry sales of approximately $1.0 trillion, is the largest consumer retail market in the U.S., representing approximately 10% of gross domestic product according to figures provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. From 1997 through 2001, retail new vehicle unit sales have grown at a 2.9% compound annual rate. Over the same period, retail used vehicle units have grown at a 0.7% compound annual rate. Retail sales of new vehicles, which are conducted exclusively through new vehicle dealers, were approximately $380 billion in 2001. In addition, used vehicle sales in 2001 were estimated at $376 billion, with approximately $268 billion in sales by franchised and independent dealers and the balance in privately negotiated transactions.
Of the approximately 17.2 million new vehicles sold in the United States in 2001, approximately 28% were manufactured by General Motors Corporation, 23% by Ford Motor Company, 15% by DaimlerChrysler Corporation, 10% by Toyota Motor Corp., 7% by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 4% by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and 13% by other manufacturers. Sales of newer used vehicles have increased over the past five years, primarily as a result of the greater availability of newer used vehicles due to the increased popularity of short-term leases. Approximately 42.6 million used vehicles were sold in 2001. Franchised dealers accounted for 15.9 million, or 37%, of all used vehicle units sold. Independent lots accounted for 34% with the balance accounted for in privately negotiated transactions.
INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION. Franchised dealerships were originally established by automobile manufacturers for the distribution of new vehicles. In return for granting dealers exclusive
distribution rights within specified territories, manufacturers exerted significant influence over their dealers by limiting the transferability of ownership in dealerships, designating the dealership's location, and managing the supply and composition of the dealership's inventory. These arrangements resulted in the proliferation of small, single-owner operations that, at their peak in the late 1940's, totaled almost 50,000. As a result of competitive, economic and political pressures during the 1970's and 1980's, significant changes and consolidation occurred in the automotive retail industry. One of the most significant changes was the increased penetration by foreign manufacturers and the resulting loss of market share by domestic manufacturers, which forced many dealerships to close or sell to better capitalized dealership groups. According to industry data, the number of franchised dealerships has declined from approximately 27,900 in 1980 to approximately 22,150 in 2001. Although significant consolidation has taken place since the automotive retailing industry's inception, the industry today remains highly fragmented, with the largest 100 dealer groups generating less than 10% of total sales revenues and controlling less than 8% of all franchised dealerships.
We believe that further consolidation is likely due to increased capital requirements of dealerships, the limited number of viable alternative exit strategies for dealership owners and the desire of certain manufacturers to strengthen their brand identity by consolidating their franchised dealerships. We also believe that an opportunity exists for dealership groups with significant equity capital and experience in identifying, acquiring and professionally managing dealerships, to acquire additional dealerships for cash, stock, debt or a combination thereof. Publicly-owned dealer groups, such as ours, are able to offer prospective sellers tax-advantaged transactions through the use of publicly traded stock which may, in certain circumstances, make them more attractive to prospective sellers.
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES. In addition to new and used vehicles, dealerships offer a wide range of other products and services, including repair and warranty work, replacement parts, extended warranty coverage, financing and insurance. In 2000, the average dealership's revenue consisted of 60% new vehicle sales, 29% used vehicle sales and 11% parts and services. Sales of newer used vehicles by franchised dealers have increased over the past five years, primarily as a result of the substantial increase in new vehicle prices and the greater availability of newer used vehicles due to the increased popularity of short-term leases. Franchised dealers retailed 15.9 million used vehicles in 2001, amounting to only 37% of all used vehicles sold in the U.S. Independent used vehicle dealers and private transactions accounted for the rest of the 42.6 million used vehicles sold in 2001.
MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Set forth below are the names of our executive officers and directors, together with their ages and positions.
NAME AGE POSITION ---- -------------------- -------- Kenneth B. Gilman........... 55 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Thomas R. Gibson............ 59 Chairman of the Board Thomas F. Gilman............ 51 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert D. Frank............. 53 Senior Vice President--Automotive Operations Thomas G. McCollum.......... 46 Vice President--Finance and Insurance Phillip R. Johnson.......... 53 Vice President--Human Resources Allen T. Levenson........... 38 Vice President--Marketing and Customer Experience John C. Stamm............... 45 Vice President--Fixed Operations Timothy C. Collins.......... 45 Director Ben David McDavid........... 60 Director John M. Roth................ 43 Director Ian K. Snow................. 32 Director |
Set forth below is a brief description of our directors' and executive officers' business experience.
KENNETH B. GILMAN has served as our president, chief executive officer and director since December 2001. He joined us following a 25-year career with The Limited Inc., the multi-brand apparel retailer, where his most recent assignment was as chief executive officer of Lane Bryant. From 1993 to 2001, Mr. Gilman served as vice chairman and chief administrative officer of The Limited, Inc. with responsibility for finance, information technology, supply chain management, production, real estate, legal and internal audit. From 1987 to 1993, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer. He joined the The Limited's executive committee in 1987 and was elected to its board in 1990. Mr. Gilman began his career at The Limited as assistant controller in 1976. His career progression at The Limited from 1976 to 2001 encompassed a variety of assignments and promotions including vice president, treasurer, senior vice president and corporate controller. During his time at The Limited, the company grew from a single division of $69 million in sales to more than ten divisions with over $10 billion in sales. He holds a bachelor's degree from Pace University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
THOMAS R. GIBSON served as our interim chief executive officer from October 2001, following the death of Brian E. Kendrick, until the hiring of Kenneth B. Gilman in December 2001. He is one of our founders and has served as our president and chief executive officer between November 1995 and November 1999, and as our chairman since 1995. Mr. Gibson has over 30 years experience in the automotive retailing industry. Prior to joining us, he served as president and chief operating officer of Subaru of America. Mr. Gibson was part of Lee Iacocca's management team at Chrysler from 1980 to 1982, where he served as director of marketing operations and general manager of import operations. He began his career in 1967 with the Ford Motor Company and held key marketing and field management positions in both the Lincoln-Mercury and Ford divisions. Mr. Gibson serves on the board of directors of IKON Office Solutions, including its Audit, Executive and Strategies committees. Mr. Gibson is a graduate of DePauw University and holds a master's in business administration from Harvard University.
THOMAS F. GILMAN has served as our senior vice president and chief financial officer since January 2002. From April 2001 to January 2002, Mr. Gilman served as our vice president and chief
financial officer. From 1973 to 2000, Mr. Gilman worked for Chrysler/DaimlerChrysler Corporation. At Chrysler, Mr. Gilman began his finance career in manufacturing operations at the divisional and plant levels, including 3 years at Chrysler de Mexico. Mr. Gilman's experiences at Chrysler included participation of the Chrysler Loan Guarantee efforts, the acquisition by Chrysler of American Motors (Jeep) and the creation of the 1990 Billion Dollar Cost Reduction Program. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Gilman was responsible for Chrysler Corporation's credit operations, extending financial assistance to automotive retail dealers and distributors worldwide. In late 1994 to mid-1995, Mr. Gilman was Director of Finance for Chrysler's Asia-Pacific region. In 1995, Mr. Gilman led the finance organization at Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C. where he became chief financial officer of the captive finance company. In 1998, Mr. Gilman was selected as a member of the Daimler-Benz/Chrysler Corporation Merger Integration Team and appointed as a member of the Financial Services Committee of DaimlerChrysler Services, AG, positions he held until June, 2000. In July of 2000, Mr. Gilman founded CEO Solutions, LLC, an independent consulting practice, and served as President and CEO until April 2001. Mr. Gilman graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in finance. Thomas Gilman and Kenneth Gilman are not related.
ROBERT D. FRANK has served as our senior vice president of automotive operations since January 2002. From October 2001 to January 2002, Mr. Frank served as our vice president of manufacturer business development. From 1997 to 2001, he served with DaimlerChrysler in several executive capacities, including as president and chief executive officer for Venezuela operations and as vice president/general manager for Asia Pacific Operations, where he was responsible for all Chrysler Asian operations. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Frank served as chief operating officer of the Larry Miller Group, the sports, entertainment, media, insurance, auto dealership and business services conglomerate with responsibility for all automotive, sports and entertainment businesses. From 1968 to 1992, he held various roles at Chrysler Corporation including zone manager, sales executive and vice president of marketing for Canada operations. Mr. Frank holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Missouri.
THOMAS G. MCCOLLUM has been our vice president of finance and insurance since April 2001. Mr. McCollum has over 25 years of experience in finance and insurance. From 1982 to 2001, Mr. McCollum served as executive vice president for Aon's Resource Group (formally Pat Ryan & Associates). He joined Aon in 1982 where he employed innovative, customer focused finance and insurance programs to improve same store results. Mr. McCollum holds a bachelor's degree in business from Sam Houston University.
PHILLIP R. JOHNSON has been our vice president of human resources since June 2000. Mr. Johnson has held top human resources positions in large national and regional retail companies for the past 22 years. He operated his own human resources consulting practice from 1998 to 2000. From 1994 to 1998 he served as senior vice president of human resources at Entex Information Services, a national personal computer systems integrator. Mr. Johnson served as executive vice president of human resources at Macy's East from 1993 to 1994, and as senior vice president of human resources at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1991 to 1993. He has also held senior human resources positions at Marshall Fields and Gimbels. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor's degree and master's in business administration from the University of Florida.
ALLEN T. LEVENSON has served as our vice president of customer experience and chief marketing officer since March 2001. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Levenson co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer of a business-to-consumer e-commerce company, Gazelle.com. From 1998 to 1999, he served as Vice President of Marketing for United Rentals, a market leader and consolidator in the equipment rental industry. From 1996 to 1998, he served as vice president of sales and marketing for Petroleum Heat & Power Inc., and he also served as Vice President of Marketing for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Levenson began his career in 1985 with two leading strategy consulting firms, McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. He received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University and a master's in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
JOHN C. STAMM has served as our vice president of fixed operations since January 2002. From June 2000 to January 2002, Mr. Stamm served as our director of fixed operations (parts, service and collision repair). He has over 27 years of automotive retailing experience. From 1999 to 2000, he was a fixed operations consultant for Coughlin Automotive in Newark, Ohio. From 1996 to 1999, he served as the vice president and general manager of McCuen Management Corporation in Westerville, Ohio, where he was responsible for providing sales and marketing consulting and training services, directing and overseeing the McCuen business and purchasing inventories and supplies for all McCuen companies. From February 1995 to December 1995, Mr. Stamm was the general manager of Performance Toyota of Ohio, a large automobile dealership controlled by Automanage, Inc. of Ohio. From 1993 to 1994, he was the general manager of Mid-Ohio Imported Car Company, an automobile dealership. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Stamm served in various capacities at Automanage Inc. including general manager, general sales manager, fixed operations consultant and parts and service director of a number of automobile dealerships under the control of Automanage, Inc.
TIMOTHY C. COLLINS has served as a member of our board of directors since 1996 and has been a member of our compensation committee since 1996. Mr. Collins founded Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. in 1995 and currently serves as its senior managing director and chief executive officer. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Collins managed the New York office of Onex Corporation, a leveraged buy-out group headquartered in Canada. Previously, Mr. Collins was a vice president at Lazard Freres & Company and held various positions at Booz, Allen & Hamilton and Cummins Engine Company. He also currently serves on the board of directors of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., Advance Auto Parts, Inc., Shinsei Bank, Ltd. (formerly The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Limited), Western Multiplex Corporation, Kraton Polymers L.L.C., Niles Parts Co., Ltd, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd, WRC Media, Inc. and various other privately held Ripplewood portfolio companies. Mr. Collins received a master's in business administration from Yale University's School of Organization and Management and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from DePauw University.
BEN DAVID MCDAVID has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2000 and as president and chief executive officer of Asbury Automotive Texas since 1998. Mr. McDavid has been an automobile dealer for 40 years, opening his first dealership in 1962. Prior to selling his dealerships to us in 1998, David McDavid owned and operated 17 franchises. During that time he served on the Dealer Council for Pontiac, GMC Truck and Oldsmobile, as Chairman of the Honda National Dealer Council, and as founding Chairman of the Acura National Dealer Council. He attended the University of Houston and graduated from the General Motors Institute Dealership Management Program in Flint, Michigan.
JOHN M. ROTH has been a member of our board of directors since our board was established in 1996 and a member of our compensation committee since 1996. Mr. Roth joined Freeman Spogli and Co. Inc. in 1988, and became a general partner in 1993. Mr. Roth was a member of Kidder, Peabody & Company, Inc.'s mergers and acquisitions group from 1984 to 1988. He is also a member of the board of directors of Advance Stores Company, Incorporated, AFC Enterprises, Inc., Galyan's Trading Company, Inc. and a number of privately held corporations. Mr. Roth holds a bachelor's degree and master's in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
IAN K. SNOW has served as a member of our board of directors since 1996, and a member of our compensation committee since 1996. He joined Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. in 1995, and he is currently a managing director. Prior to joining Ripplewood in 1995, Mr. Snow was a financial analyst in the Media Group at Salomon Brothers Inc, where he focused on strategic advisory and capital raising assignments for clients in the media industry. He also currently serves on the board of directors of Kraton Polymers L.L.C., a privately held Ripplewood portfolio company. Mr. Snow received a bachelor's degree in history from Georgetown University.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors currently consists of Messrs. Timothy C. Collins, Thomas R. Gibson, Kenneth B. Gilman, Ben David McDavid, John M. Roth, and Ian K. Snow. No later than 90 days after this offering, we will satisfy the requirements for independent directors contained in the rules governing companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange through the appointment by our board of directors of three additional independent directors. The appointment of these independent directors will not be subject to a vote by shareholders (including investors who purchase shares in this offering).
TERMS. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The first class of directors consists of Thomas R. Gibson and two independent directors to be elected after this offering, each of whom will serve for a term of one year. The second class of directors consists of John M. Roth, Ian K. Snow and one independent director to be elected after this offering, each of whom will serve for a term of two years. The third class of directors consists of Timothy C. Collins, Kenneth B. Gilman and Ben David McDavid, each of whom will serve for a term of three years. After these directors have served their initial terms, each person nominated to serve as a director will be nominated to serve for a term of three years. Directors will hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which the term of their class expires and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the board of directors. Under a stockholders agreement entered into by holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock, stockholders who are parties to the agreement are required to vote their shares with respect to nominations to our board of directors in accordance with the terms of the agreement. See "Description of Capital Stock--Stockholders Agreement".
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUDIT COMMITTEE. We have an audit committee consisting of Messrs. Ian K. Snow and John M. Roth. The audit committee has responsibility for, among other things:
- recommending to the board of directors the selection of our independent auditors,
- reviewing and approving the scope of the independent auditors' audit activity and extent of non-audit services,
- reviewing with management and the independent accountants the adequacy of our basic accounting systems and the effectiveness of our internal audit plan and activities,
- reviewing with management and the independent accountants our financial statements and exercising general oversight of our financial reporting process and
- reviewing litigation and other legal matters that may affect our financial condition and monitoring compliance with our business ethics and other policies.
The current members of our audit committee will be replaced by the three independent directors we will appoint within 90 days after this offering.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The compensation committee consists of Messrs. Timothy C. Collins, Ian K. Snow and John M. Roth. This committee has general supervisory power over, and the power to grant awards under, the 1999 option plan and the 2002 stock option plan. The compensation committee has responsibility for, among other things, reviewing the recommendations of the chief executive officer as to the appropriate compensation of our principal executive officers and certain other key personnel, periodically examining the general compensation structure and supervising our welfare, pension and compensation plans.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors who are full-time employees of ours or our affiliates, including Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., and its two principals, Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. and Freeman Spogli, will not receive a retainer or fees for service on our board of directors or on committees of our board. We
expect to compensate each member of our board of directors who is not a full-time employee of ours or our affiliates with an annual retainer of $25,000. In addition to their annual compensation, each director will receive $1,000 for each meeting of the board or committee ($750 for meetings conducted by telephone), plus expenses, and the committee chair will receive $1,500. We will pay this compensation in the form of a combination of cash and our common stock.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION, EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The following table sets forth certain summary information concerning the compensation provided by us in 2000 and 2001 to our executive management team.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
AWARDS OF
COMMON
ANNUAL COMPENSATION STOCK
--------------------- UNDERLYING OTHER ANNUAL
NAME AND POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS COMPENSATION
----------------- -------- --------- --------- --------------- ------------
Kenneth B. Gilman, President and Chief
Executive Officer(1).................. 2001 $ 43,269 $ 0 737,500 $1,500(2)
Brian E. Kendrick, President and Chief
Executive Officer(3).................. 2001 750,000 0 0 46,893(4)
2000 750,000 750,000 0 99,061(5)
Thomas F. Gilman, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer........... 2001 313,846 139,600 (6) 40,592(7)
Thomas R. Gibson, Chairman of
the Board............................. 2001 313,461 0 0 73,227(8)
2000 526,000 0 0 109,192(9)
Thomas G. McCollum, Vice President--
Finance and Insurance................. 2001 207,692 110,000 (10) 142,464(11)
Phillip R. Johnson, Vice President--
Human Resources....................... 2001 260,192 79,800 0 9,620(12)
2000 133,846 56,000 15,577 5,457(13)
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(1) Became President and Chief Executive Officer on December 3, 2001, and the amount shown represents compensation earned from that date until the end of 2001.
(2) $1,500 represents payments for automobile use.
(3) Mr. Kendrick served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from November 1999 until his death on October 4, 2001.
(4) $14,787 represents a tax gross-up of income.
(5) $21,414 represents reimbursement for legal expenses incurred, $15,255 represents payments for automobile use and $38,146 represents a tax gross-up of income.
(6) Mr. Gilman was granted at his employment date in April 2001 the option to acquire $500,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation. That option was exercised in January 2002 and the limited liability company interests acquired upon such exercise will convert into 38,589 shares of our common stock immediately preceding this offering. In accordance with the terms of Mr. Gilman's employment, when that option was exercised, we granted Mr. Gilman an option to acquire an additional $500,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation, which option will be converted into an option to purchase 38,793 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.89 per share.
(7) $15,590 represents a tax gross-up of income.
(8) $24,184 represents payment for automobile use.
(9) $47,805 represents a tax gross-up of income, $22,000 represents payment for automobile use and $15,950 represents reimbursement for accounting expenses.
(10) Mr. McCollum was granted at his employment date in April 2001 the option to acquire $300,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation. That option was exercised in January 2002 and the limited liability company interests acquired upon such exercise will convert into 23,154 shares of our common stock immediately preceding this offering. In accordance with the terms of Mr. McCollum's employment, when that option was exercised, we granted Mr. McCollum an option to acquire an additional $300,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us
prior to our incorporation, which option will be converted into an option to purchase 23,276 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.89 per share.
(11) $109,065 represents reimbursement for moving expenses and $62,027 represents a tax gross-up of income.
(12) $9,620 represents payment for automobile use.
(13) $5,457 represents payments for automobile use.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The employment agreements with our current executive officers described below are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the following summary of these agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to these exhibits. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
KENNETH B. GILMAN. Mr. Gilman has an employment agreement with us to serve as our chief executive officer and president until December 31, 2004 unless terminated earlier in accordance with the employment agreement. During the term of his agreement, Mr. Gilman will receive an annual salary of $750,000 and will be eligible to earn an annual bonus of up to his annual salary if we achieve performance targets set by the board of directors and an additional bonus of up to his annual salary if we exceed those targets by an amount determined by the board of directors.
We have granted Mr. Gilman options to acquire up to 737,500 shares of our common stock immediately preceding this offering at an exercise price of $17.93 per share, which vest ratably over a three-year period. If Mr. Gilman is employed by us two years from the date of this offering, he will be granted an additional option to purchase from us up to the lesser of 0.5% of our then- outstanding common stock or $5 million worth of our then outstanding common stock at the then fair value. The options expire five years after their grant date but will expire sooner if Mr. Gilman's employment terminates before that date.
If we have a change in control, we will pay Mr. Gilman 299% of the average annual base salary and bonus paid to Mr. Gilman over the previous five full calendar years (or the term of his employment, if shorter). In addition, Mr. Gilman's options will immediately vest and be exercisable unless Mr. Gilman would be subject to a golden parachute excise tax imposed under the Code. If we do not renew Mr. Gilman's employment at the end of the term, we will pay him an amount equal to his annual base salary and the bonus he earned in the previous year. If we terminate Mr. Gilman's employment without cause or if he leaves with good reason at any time, we will pay him an amount equal to the present value of two year's annual salary and an additional amount equal to the bonus Mr. Gilman earned in the previous year. During the term of Mr. Gilman's employment and for two years after the termination of his contract (one year if we do not renew his contract), he is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation provisions.
THOMAS F. GILMAN. Mr. Gilman entered into a severance agreement with us, dated May 15, 2001, providing for one year of base salary and benefits continuation and a pro-rated bonus if he is terminated. He will not be entitled to severance in the event of termination due to death, disability, retirement, voluntary resignation or cause. Mr. Gilman may trigger severance payments if his office is relocated by more than 50 miles, his base salary is reduced or his duties or title are diminished. Mr. Gilman is restricted by non-solicitation and not-compete restrictions for one year following termination.
Mr. Gilman was granted at his employment date in April 2001 the option to acquire $500,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation. That option was exercised in January 2002 and the limited liability company interests acquired upon such exercise will convert into 38,589 shares of our common stock immediately preceding this offering. In accordance with the terms of Mr. Gilman's employment, when that option was exercised, we granted Mr. Gilman an option to acquire an additional $500,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation, which option will be converted into an option to purchase 38,793 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.89 per share. In addition, in 2002,
Mr. Gilman was granted an option to acquire 118,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $14.75 per share.
THOMAS R. GIBSON. Mr. Gibson entered into a severance agreement with us, dated February 8, 2002, providing for one year of base salary and benefits continuation and a pro-rated bonus if he is terminated. He will not be entitled to severance in the event of termination due to death, disability, retirement, voluntary resignation or cause. Mr. Gibson may trigger severance payments if his office is relocated by more than 50 miles, his base salary is reduced or his duties or title are diminished. Mr. Gibson is restricted by non-solicitation and non-compete restrictions for one year following termination. In addition, Mr. Gibson will be given, on the date of this offering, an option to acquire $1.5 million worth of our common stock at the offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus assuming an offering price of $16 per share. This will give Mr. Gibson an option to acquire 93,750 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $16 per share.
THOMAS G. MCCOLLUM. Mr. McCollum entered into a severance agreement with us, dated April 16, 2001, providing for one year of base salary and benefits continuation and a pro-rated bonus if he is terminated. He will not be entitled to severance in the event of termination due to death, disability, retirement, voluntary resignation or cause. Mr. McCollum may trigger severance payments if his office is relocated by more than 50 miles, his base salary is reduced or his duties or title are diminished. Mr. McCollum is restricted by non-solicitation and not-compete restrictions for one year following termination.
Mr. McCollum was granted at his employment date in April 2001 the option to acquire $300,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation. That option was exercised in January 2002 and the limited liability company interests acquired upon such exercise will convert into 23,154 shares of our common stock immediately preceding this offering. In accordance with the terms of Mr. McCollum's employment, when that option was exercised, we granted Mr. McCollum an option to acquire an additional $300,000 worth of limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation, which option will be converted into an option to purchase 23,276 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.89 per share.
PHILLIP R. JOHNSON. Mr. Johnson entered into a severance agreement with us, dated April 3, 2001, providing for one year of base salary and benefits continuation and a pro-rated bonus if he is terminated. He will not be entitled to severance in the event of termination due to death, disability, retirement, voluntary resignation or cause. Mr. Johnson may trigger severance payments if his office is relocated by more than 50 miles, his base salary is reduced or his duties or title are diminished. Mr. Johnson is restricted by non-solicitation and non-compete restrictions for one year following termination.
1999 OPTION PLAN
In January 1999, we adopted an option plan under which we issued non-qualified options granting the right to purchase limited liability company interests in us prior to our incorporation. Under our 1999 option plan, which was amended and restated effective December 1, 2001, we granted options to certain of our directors, officers, employees and consultants for terms and at exercise prices and vesting schedules set by the compensation committee of our board of directors. Prior to this offering, we issued options under our 1999 option plan for the purchase of 3.51% of the limited liability company interests in us which are being converted into options to purchase 1,072,738 shares of our common stock in accordance with the plan and which will equate to a total of 3.16% of our outstanding common stock immediately after this offering (3.05% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). The options granted under our 1999 plan that have not vested prior to a change in control of us will vest and become exercisable upon a change of control. Following the offering, we will no longer be issuing options under our 1999 option plan.
The following table provides certain information regarding options granted to executive officers during 2001 and during 2002 through the date hereof under our 1999 option plan:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TO DATE
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
OPTIONS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF GRANTED TO ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING THE PERIOD BASE OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS DESCRIBED PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------------
NAME GRANTED ABOVE ($/SH) DATE 10% ($000) 5% ($000)
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------------
Kenneth B. Gilman........... 737,500 74.3% $ 17.93 12/06 $130,606 $19,221
Thomas F. Gilman............ 38,793 3.9% $ 12.89 4/11 $ 1,608 $ 1,010
118,000 11.9% $ 14.75 2/07 $ 4,897 $ 3,075
Thomas G. McCollum.......... 23,276 2.3% $ 12.89 4/11 $ 966 $ 607
John C. Stamm............... 3,879 0.4% $ 12.89 7/11 $ 161 $ 101
Allen T. Levenson........... 15,517 1.6% $ 12.89 3/11 $ 644 $ 404
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(1) Amounts represent hypothetical values that could be achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option term. These values are based on assumed rates of stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from the date the respective options were granted to their expiration date based on the market price of the underlying securities on the date of the grant. These assumptions are not intended to forecast future appreciation of our stock price. The potential realizable value computation does not take into account federal or state income tax consequences of option exercises or sales of appreciated stock.
The options generally vest annually from the date of grant with respect to 33.33% of the shares covered by the options.
2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN
In connection with this offering, we intend to grant certain senior employees options under our 2002 stock option plan to purchase a total of 1,032,500 shares of our common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 per share). A primary purpose of our 2002 stock option plan is to attract and retain directors, officers and other key employees.
The following is a description of the material terms of the 2002 stock option plan. You should, however, refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, for a copy of the stock option plan. See "Where You Can Find More Information".
TYPE OF AWARDS. The 2002 stock option plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE STOCK OPTION PLAN; OTHER LIMITATIONS ON AWARDS. Subject to potential adjustment by the compensation committee of our board of directors as described below, we may issue options to purchase a maximum of 1,500,000 shares of our common stock under our 2002 stock option plan. Subject to potential adjustment by the compensation committee as described below, the plan limits option grants to individual participants to options to purchase a maximum of 350,000 shares in any single fiscal year. Shares underlying options may be issued from our authorized but unissued common stock or satisfied with common stock held in our treasury. If any option is forfeited, expires or is otherwise terminated or canceled, other than by reason of exercise or vesting, then the shares covered by that option will again become available under the 2002 stock option plan.
Our compensation committee has the authority to adjust the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, any outstanding options in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits intended to be made available under the plan as a result of any unusual or nonrecurring events (including any dividend or other distribution, whether in the form of cash, shares of our
common stock, other securities or other property, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, exchange of shares of our common stock or our other securities or other similar corporate transaction or event) affecting us, our affiliates, our financial statements or the financial statements of any of our affiliates, or any changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles. In such events, the compensation committee may provide for a cash payment to the option holder in return for the cancelation of the option in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our shares of common stock over the aggregate exercise price of the option.
ELIGIBILITY. Awards may be made to any director, officer or other key employee of us or any of our subsidiaries, including any prospective officer or key employee, selected by the compensation committee.
ADMINISTRATION. The compensation committee administers the 2002 stock option plan. The compensation committee has the authority to construe, interpret and implement the 2002 stock option plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the plan. The determination of the compensation committee on all matters relating to the 2002 stock option plan or any award agreement is final and binding.
STOCK OPTIONS. The compensation committee may grant to our directors, officers and senior employees nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock from us (at the price set forth in the award agreement), subject to such terms and conditions as the compensation committee may determine. No grantee of an option will have any of the rights of one of our stockholders with respect to shares subject to their award until the issuance of the shares.
Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in an option agreement at the time of grant, the exercise price of each option granted under the 2002 stock option plan effective as of the initial public offering of shares of our common stock will be the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the exercise price of each option granted under the plan after the initial public offering will be equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant.
Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in an option agreement, options that are granted under the 2002 stock option plan will become vested and exercisable with respect to one-third of the shares subject to those options on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in an option agreement, options granted under the 2002 stock option plan will expire without any payment upon the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the option's date of grant and the date the optionee ceases to be employed by us or one of our subsidiaries. In no event may an option granted under the 2002 stock option plan be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a change in control of us, options that are outstanding and unexercisable or unvested at the time of the change of control will vest and become exercisable immediately prior to the change of control. In the event of a sale or disposition of substantially all our assets, or a merger of us with or into another entity, or a merger of any of our subsidiaries with or into another entity if such merger would require the approval of our shareholders, options granted under the 2002 stock option plan and outstanding at the time of the sale or merger will either continue in effect, be assumed or an equivalent option will be substituted by the successor entity or a parent or subsidiary company of such successor entity. If the option does not continue in effect or the successor entity refuses to assume or substitute for the outstanding option, the option will become fully vested and exercisable. If the option becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of the option's continuation, assumption or substitution, option holders will be notified that the options granted under the 2002 stock option plan shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen days from the date of such notice, or such shorter
period as the compensation committee may determine to be reasonable, and the option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
NONASSIGNABILITY. Except to the extent otherwise provided in the option agreement, no option granted to any person under the 2002 stock option plan is assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all options are exercisable during the life of the grantee only by the grantee or the grantee's legal representative.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The 2002 stock option plan is scheduled to terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date of the plan. Our board of directors may at any time amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2002 stock option plan and, unless otherwise expressly provided in an option agreement, the compensation committee may waive any conditions under, or amend the terms of, any outstanding option. However, stockholder approval of any of those actions must be obtained if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the 2002 stock option plan. In addition, if such an action would impair the rights of any option holder with respect to options granted prior to the action, then the action will not be effective without the consent of the affected option holder.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain of our directors, beneficial owners and their affiliates, have engaged in transactions with us. Transactions with one of our directors, Mr. Ben David McDavid and two of our principal shareholders, Mr. Luther Coggin and Mr. C.V. Nalley, are described below. We believe these transactions involved terms comparable to, or more favorable to us than, terms that would be obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
We lease the following properties used by the Texas platform for dealership lots and offices from Mr. McDavid, his immediate family members and his affiliates:
- properties leased from Mr. McDavid with an aggregate monthly rental fee of $189,000;
- properties leased from David McDavid Family Properties, a partnership in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest, for aggregate monthly rental fees of $90,000;
- property leased from BroMac Inc., an S-corporation in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $1,500;
- properties leased from Sterling Real Estate Partnership, a partnership in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest, for aggregate monthly rental fees of $70,000;
- property leased from Texas Coastal Properties, a partnership in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $4,000;
- property leased from McCreek Partners L.L.C., a limited liability corporation which is wholly owned by McCreek, Ltd., a partnership in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family hold a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $5,300;
- property leased from D.Q. Automobiles Inc., a corporation in which Mr. McDavid has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $14,700; and
- approximately ten acres of land in Frisco, Texas, leased from McFrisco Partners I, Ltd., an entity in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family hold a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $55,000 per month from April 20, 2001, through October 31, 2001, and, beginning November 1, 2001, for a monthly rental fee of $80,000 plus 1% of the incurred construction costs of the new dealership facility until the construction is completed at which time the monthly rent will be increased to $90,000 a month plus 1% of the incurred construction costs. Once construction is completed, rent will increase to approximately $150,000 per month.
We have entered into an agreement to purchase approximately four acres of land in Plano, Texas from Mr. McDavid for the construction of a new body shop. The purchase price will be the appraised value of $1,700,000.
In the near future, we expect to enter into agreements to purchase or lease certain additional properties from Mr. McDavid or his affiliates for use by the Texas platform with the following general business terms:
- purchase approximately two acres of land adjacent to our Honda dealership facility in Houston, Texas for $2,000,000. The existing Honda facility will become the new home for our Nissan dealership, and we will construct an additional facility on these two acres for Nissan dealership expansion. The purchase price for the land is approximately $800,000 more than the appraised value. This difference in the purchase price is accounted for in part by competition with General Motors (Saturn) to purchase the property and in part by
Mr. McDavid's agreement, contingent upon our purchase of this property, to lease us three acres adjacent to our Nissan dealership in Houston, Texas rent-free.
- lease approximately three acres of land adjacent to our current Nissan dealership in Houston, Texas for four years, rent-free. The land will be used in the operations of our Honda dealership. We estimate fair market rent over the four-year term (i.e., our savings to offset the above-market purchase price above) to be $150,000.
We lease the following properties used by the Atlanta platform for dealership lots and offices from Mr. Nalley, his immediate family and his affiliates:
- properties owned by Chevrolet Metro Realty, Inc., a corporation in which Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for aggregate monthly rental fees of $53,200;
- property owned by Heavy Duty Trucks Realty, Inc., a corporation in which Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $37,400;
- property owned by Union City Honda Auto Realty, Inc., a corporation in which Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $52,500; and
- property owned by Marietta Lexus Auto Realty, Inc., a corporation in which Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $93,600.
We lease property used by the Jacksonville platform for dealership lots and offices from Coggin Management Company, a corporation in which Mr. Coggin has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $10,500.
OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Loomis Advertising, a corporation in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family hold a 21% ownership interest, has entered into various agreements to provide advertising services to the Texas platform for an aggregate value of $1,025,035 from June 30, 2000, to January 31, 2002. Loomis Advertising also began providing advertising services to the Jacksonville platform in April 2001, for an aggregate value of $739,422 from April 2001 to February 2002.
Mr. Nalley periodically leases his private aircraft to us and currently charges us for employees who use the aircraft to fly on business trips. The total amount paid to Mr. Nalley since January 1, 1998, for use of the aircraft is $804,600.
Currently, we own a 10% interest in a Land Rover franchise operated under the St. Louis platform, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. owns a 40% interest in this franchise and John R. Capps owns the remaining 50% interest. We have entered into a binding assignment and assumption agreement whereby Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and Mr. Capps have agreed to sell their interests to us. This agreement is held in escrow at the Bank of New York pending manufacturer consent to the transaction.
From January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001, Mr. Nalley has paid $93,500 for the Altanta platform to perform accounting and other administrative functions for a dealership owned outside of Asbury by Mr. Nalley.
In May 1999 we sold a hotel business which was acquired in our 1998 acquisition of Coggin Automotive Corporation back to Luther Coggin for $2.4 million. This transaction had no impact on our income statement. Coggin Automotive Corporation still maintains a guarantee on certain debt of this business, which had an outstanding balance of $4.5 million as of December 31, 2001.
The Jacksonville platform engages in management duties including co-signing checks and reviewing accounting records for a Holiday Inn Hotel owned by Mr. Coggin for a monthly fee of $1,500 which began in June 1999.
On April 19, 2001, we redeemed Mr. Gibson's carried interest in us for a purchase price of $2,250,000.
Our 2.7% ownership interest in CarsDirect.com was transferred to the holders of our membership interests prior to this offering on a pro-rata basis.
Mr. Nalley entered into an employment agreement with the Atlanta platform to serve as its president and chief executive officer from March 1, 2000, to March 1, 2005. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000 and an annual bonus based upon the performance of the Atlanta platform of up to $1,000,000. If Mr. Nalley's employment is terminated for reasons other than voluntary resignation, cause, death or disability, the Atlanta platform will pay him his base salary for the balance of the employment term and a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus.
Mr. Coggin entered into an employment agreement with the Jacksonville platform to serve as its chairman and chief executive officer from October 30, 1998, to October 30, 2003. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $250,000, adjusted in accordance with a cost of living index, and an annual bonus based upon the performance of the Jacksonville platform of up to $250,000. If Mr. Coggin's employment is terminated for reasons other than voluntary resignation, cause, death or disability, the Jacksonville platform will pay him his base salary for the balance of the employment term and a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus.
Mr. McDavid entered into an employment agreement with the Texas platform to serve as its president and chief executive officer from May 1, 1998, to May 1, 2003. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000. Mr. McDavid also receives an annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by our board. If Mr. McDavid's employment is terminated for reasons other than voluntary resignation, cause, death or disability, the Texas platform will pay him his base salary for the balance of the employment term.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
Our authorized capital stock consists of 90 million shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 10 million shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will have outstanding 29,500,000 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock. Upon completion of the offering, we will have outstanding 34,000,000 shares of common stock (35,155,000 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) and no shares of preferred stock.
COMMON STOCK
Subject to the rights of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of the common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared in the discretion of our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. Holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets upon liquidation after payment or provision for all liabilities and any preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase shares of our stock. Shares of our common stock are not subject to any redemption provisions and are not convertible into any other of our securities. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the offering will be upon payment therefor, fully paid and non-assessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
Preferred stock may be issued from time to time by the board of directors in one or more series. Subject to the provisions of our charter and limitations prescribed by law, the board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt resolutions to issue the shares, to fix the number of shares and to change the number of shares constituting any series and to provide for or change the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights (including whether dividends are cumulative), dividend rates, terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption prices, conversion rights and liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any series of the preferred stock, in each case without any further action or vote by the stockholders. One of the effects of undesignated preferred stock may be to enable the board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of the preferred stock pursuant to the board of directors' authority described above may adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock. For example, preferred stock issued by us may rank prior to the common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of common stock. Accordingly, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may discourage bids for the common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of the common stock.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS
LIMITATIONS ON REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders may remove a director only for cause upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock. In general, the board of directors, and not our stockholders, will have the right to appoint persons to fill vacancies on our board of directors.
OUR SHAREHOLDERS MAY NOT ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Our corporate charter provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be taken at a duly called annual or special stockholders' meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, either on his or her own initiative or at the request of stockholders collectively holding at least 50% of the outstanding common stock.
ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES
Our by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our shareholders. Our shareholder notice procedure provides that only persons who are nominated by, or at the direction of, our board of directors, or by a shareholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for election as our directors. Our shareholder notice procedure also provides that at an annual meeting only such business may be conducted as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, our board of directors, or by a shareholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary of such shareholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting. Under our shareholder notice procedure, for notice of shareholder nominations to be made at an annual meeting to be timely, such notice must be received by our secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day nor earlier than the 120th calendar day prior to the first anniversary of the record date of shareholders entitled to vote at the preceding year's annual meeting, except that, in the event that the record date is more than 30 calendar days before or more than 60 calendar days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to such record date and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such record date or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of such record date is first made by us.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to our board of directors is increased and there is no public announcement by us naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of our increased board of directors at least 100 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a shareholder's notice also will be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to our secretary not later than the close of business on the 10th calendar day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by us. Under our shareholder notice procedure, for notice of a shareholder nomination to be made at a special meeting at which directors are to be elected to be timely, such notice must be received by us not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such special meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by our board of directors to be elected at such meeting.
In addition, under our shareholder notice procedure, a shareholder's notice to us proposing to nominate a person for election as a director or relating to the conduct of business other than the nomination of directors must contain the information required by our by-laws.
Notwithstanding the above, if the shareholder (or a qualified representative of the shareholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders to present a nomination or business, the nomination will be disregarded and the proposed business will not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of the vote may have been received by us.
AMENDMENT
Our charter provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of our voting stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, is required to amend provisions of the charter relating to the number, election and term of our directors; the nomination of director candidates and the proposal of business by shareholders; the filling of vacancies; and the removal of directors. Our charter further provides that the related by-laws described above, including the shareholder notice procedure, may be amended only by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS UNDER DELAWARE LAW
We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, section 203 prevents an "interested stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock) from engaging in a merger, acquisition or other "business combination" (as defined in section 203) with us for three years following the time that person becomes an interested stockholder unless:
- before that person became an interested stockholder, our board of directors approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination;
- upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least 85% of the voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding stock held by our directors who are also officers and by employee stock plans that do not provide employees with the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or
- following the transaction in which that person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
Under section 203, these restrictions also do not apply to specified types of business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder if:
- the business combination proposed by the interested stockholder follows the announcement or notification of an extraordinary transaction involving us and a third person who was not an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of our directors; and
- the extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors who were directors before any person became an interested stockholder in the previous three years or who were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors then in office.
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
We entered into a shareholders agreement with Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and certain platform principals, consisting of the former owners of our platforms and members of their management teams. After the completion of this offering, Asbury Automotive Holdings will own 51.6% of our common stock (49.9% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), and the platform principals will collectively own 20.2% of our common stock (19.5% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). Under the shareholders agreement, the
platform principals are required to vote their shares in accordance with Asbury Automotive Holdings' instructions with respect to:
- persons nominated by Asbury Automotive Holdings to our board of directors (and persons nominated in opposition to Asbury Automotive Holdings' nominees); and
- any matter to be voted on by the holders of our common stock, whether or not the matter was proposed by Asbury Automotive Holdings.
The platform principals have the right to cause Asbury Automotive Holdings to vote for at least one platform principal nominee to the board of directors if the total number of directors (excluding directors that are our employees) on the board of directors is six or less and at least two platform principal nominees if such number of directors is more than six.
Each of the voting obligations in favor of Asbury Automotive Holdings and the platform principals described above will terminate on the first to occur of:
- the fifth anniversary of the date of this offering;
- two years after the first date on which Asbury Automotive Holdings' share of the ownership of our outstanding common stock falls below 20%; and
- the first date on which Asbury Automotive Holdings' share of the ownership of our outstanding common stock falls below 5%.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS--INDEMNIFICATION
Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of officers and directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of officers' and directors' fiduciary duties of care. The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, officers and directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Absent the limitations authorized by Delaware law, officers and directors are accountable to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for conduct constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty of care. Delaware law enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. The charter limits the liability of our officers and directors to us or our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Specifically, our officers and directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of an officer's or director's fiduciary duty in such capacity, except for liability (i) for any breach of the officer's or director's duty of loyalty to us or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the officer and director derived an improper personal benefit.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar of the common stock is EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of , 2002, assuming the exchange of membership interests in our predecessor limited liability company for shares of common stock in us, the sale of shares in this offering by us and by the selling stockholders: Luther Coggin, C.V. Nalley and Royce Reynolds, and shares held after the offering by our directors, executive officers and directors and officers as a group and each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding voting securities. The following table also assumes no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.
SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BEFORE OWNED AFTER
THE OFFERING(1) THE OFFERING(1)
-------------------- --------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER NUMBER % SHARES OFFERED NUMBER %
------------------------ --------- -------- -------------- --------- --------
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
Ripplewood Investments 8,954,529 30.3% 0 8,954,529 26.3%
L.L.C.(2).......................
One Rockefeller Plaza
32nd Floor
New York, NY 10020
Freeman Spogli(3)................. 8,603,371 29.1% 0 8,603,371 25.3%
Luther Coggin(4)(5)............... 1,605,463 5.4% 1,143,808 461,655 1.4%
C.V. Nalley, III(4)(5)............ 2,242,914 7.6% 885,000 1,357,914 4.0%
CURRENT DIRECTORS
Kenneth B. Gilman(4).............. 0 0.0% 0 0 0.0%
Timothy C. Collins(6)(7).......... 0 0.0% 0 0 0.0%
Ben David McDavid(4)(5)........... 1,075,522 3.6% 0 1,075,522 3.2%
Ian K. Snow(6)(7)................. 0 0.0% 0 0 0.0%
John M. Roth(8)(9)................ 0 0.0% 0 0 0.0%
Thomas R. Gibson(4)............... 45,859 0.2% 0 45,859 0.1%
NAMED OFFICERS WHO ARE
NOT DIRECTORS
Thomas F. Gilman(4)(10)........... 51,518 0.2% 0 51,518 0.2%
Phillip R. Johnson(4)(11)......... 5,171 0.0% 0 5,171 0.0%
Allen T. Levenson(4)(12).......... 5,171 0.0% 0 5,171 0.0%
Thomas G. McCollum(4)(13)......... 30,911 0.1% 0 30,911 0.1%
John C. Stamm(4)(14).............. 1,293 0.0% 0 1,293 0.0%
All directors and executive 1,215,444 4.1% 0 1,215,444 3.6%
officers of Asbury as a group
(11 persons)....................
OTHER SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
Royce Reynolds(4)(15)............. 1,171,192 4.0% 1,171,192 0 0.0%
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(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each beneficial owner listed above has represented that he, she or it possesses sole voting and sole investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by such person, entity or group and includes all options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. The percentages of beneficial ownership as to
each person, entity or group assume the exercise or conversion of all options held by such person, entity or group.
(2) Represents shares owned by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. (formerly known as Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.) is the owner of 51% of the membership interests of Asbury Automotive Holdings and is deemed to be a member of a group that owns the shares of Asbury Automotive Holdings.
(3) Represents shares owned by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. FS Equity Partners III, L.P., FS Equity Partners International L.P. and FS Equity Partners IV, L.P., investment funds affiliated with Freeman Spogli, are the owners of 49% of the membership interests of Asbury Automotive Holdings and are deemed to be members of a group that own the shares of Asbury Automotive Holdings. The business address of Freeman Spogli & Co., FS Equity Partners III, FS Equity Partners IV is 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1900, Los Angeles, California 90025. The business address of FS Equity Partners International L.P. is c/o Paget-Brown & Company, Ltd., West Winds Building, Third Floor, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies.
(4) Address: c/o our principal executive offices at 3 Landmark Square, Suite 500, Stamford, CT 06901.
(5) Mr. Coggin is chairman and chief executive officer of the Jacksonville platform. C.V. Nalley is chief executive officer of our Atlanta platform. Mr. McDavid is president and chief executive officer of the Texas platform. Mr. Reynolds is chairman of the North Carolina platform.
(6) Does not include 17,557,900 shares of common stock held of record by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. an entity in which Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. holds a 51% ownership interest. Mr. Collins is the chief executive officer of Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. Both Mr. Collins and Mr. Snow expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of any shares held by Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. except to the extent of their pecuniary interests in them.
(7) Address: c/o Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. at One Rockefeller Plaza, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10020.
(8) Does not include 17,557,900 shares of common stock held of record by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., an entity in which investment funds affiliated with Freeman Spogli, as described in footnote three, hold approximately a 49% ownership interest. Mr. Roth is a director, member, partner or executive officer of the general partners of each of these investment funds. Mr. Roth expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by such investment funds except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in them.
(9) Address c/o Freeman Spogli & Co. Inc. at 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1900, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
(10) Includes 12,929 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this offering.
(11) Includes 5,171 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this offering.
(12) Includes 5,171 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this offering.
(13) Includes 7,757 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this offering.
(14) Includes 1,293 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the date of this offering.
(15) Represents 1,171,192 shares to be sold in this offering by CNC Automotive, L.L.C., an entity in which Mr. Reynolds holds an 84% ownership interest.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there has been no market for our common stock. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares or our common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and impair our future ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities.
Upon completion of this offering, we will have 34,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, and 35,155,000 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full. We have reserved 2,572,738 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of options granted or to be granted under our 1999 option plan and 2002 stock option plan of which options for 1,072,738 shares of our common stock are currently outstanding and options for up to 1,032,500 shares of our common stock (assuming an offering price of $16 per share) are expected to be granted simultaneously with this offering. All of the 7,700,000 shares sold in this offering (8,855,000 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act unless the shares are purchased by our "affiliates", as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. None of the remaining 26,300,000 outstanding shares of our common stock have been registered under the Securities Act, which means that they are "restricted securities" under the Securities Act, and may be resold publicly only upon registration under the Securities Act or in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
We summarize Rule 144, as it relates to sales of our shares, below.
RULE 144
Under Rule 144, 25,831,162 shares of common stock will be tradable 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, subject to the restrictions described below. Sales of some of these shares will be subject to the restrictions included in lock-up agreements between certain of our stockholders and the underwriters, as described under "Lock-Up Agreements" below. In general, under Rule 144, beginning 90 days after the date on which the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part becomes effective, a person who has owned shares of our common stock for at least one year would be entitled to sell within any three month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
- 1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 340,000 shares immediately after the completion of this offering (351,550 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full); or
- the average weekly trading volume of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 providing notification of the sale.
Sales under Rule 144 are also governed by manner of sale requirements and may only be made if current public information about us is available.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Under the stockholders agreement we have granted Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and certain other of our stockholders the right to require us to register sales of their shares of our common stock under the Securities Act. These stockholders collectively, own 17,557,900 shares of our common stock as of the date of this offering, representing 51.6% of our total common shares outstanding (49.9% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). Under the stockholders agreement, at any time following the completion of this offering, Asbury Automotive
Holdings or stockholders holding among them a majority of the total number of shares held by the stockholders, other than Asbury Automotive Holdings, that are parties to the stockholders agreement, may demand that we file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the sale of all or part of their stockholdings within 45 days, subject to our ability to defer a registration demand for 15 to 45 days under specified circumstances. Our obligation to register offerings is subject to the following volume restrictions:
- Any proposed offering must be for at least 1% of the total number of our shares of common stock then outstanding;
- In the case of the first registration demand, we are not required to register the sale of more than 50% of the total holdings of any stockholder, other than Asbury Automotive Holdings; and
- In the case of the first registration demand of the stockholders, other than Asbury Automotive Holdings, we are not required to register for sale a number of shares greater than 20% of the total holdings of the stockholders who are parties to the stockholders agreement.
Under the stockholders agreement, Asbury Automotive Holdings has been granted five registration demands, and the remaining stockholders have been granted, collectively, two registration demands. We are not required to register the sale of any shares during the period that such shares are subject to a lock-up agreement. In addition, other than in the case of a request made by Asbury Automotive Holdings, we are not required to register more than one sale of shares during any one year period in response to a registration demand.
We have also granted Asbury Automotive Holdings and the other stockholders who are parties to the stockholders agreement "piggy-back" registration rights, meaning that we have agreed to notify the parties to the stockholders agreement in the event that we undertake to register a sale of our shares (whether in response to a registration demand or otherwise) and will permit those stockholders who request to join in the registered offering.
All registration rights granted under the stockholders agreement are subject to the right of the managing underwriter of the registered offering to reduce the number of shares included in the registration statement if the underwriter determines that the success of the offering would be materially adversely affected by the size of the registered offering. In general, we are responsible for paying the expenses of registration (other than underwriting discounts and commissions on the sale of shares), including the fees and expenses of counsel to the selling stockholders.
LOCK-UP ARRANGEMENTS
As of the date of this offering, holders of a significant number of shares of our common stock are subject to lock-up obligations with respect to their stockholdings.
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS. The underwriters have entered into lock-up agreements with many of our shareholders. The lock-up agreements provide that:
- Asbury Automotive Holdings, L.L.C., which holds 17,557,900 shares of our common stock; and
- our officers, directors and certain platform principals, consisting of those of our platform chief executive officers, chief operating financial officers, dealership general managers and certain other employees who received equity in us in connection with our acquisition of the related platforms, who collectively hold 8,742,100 shares of our common stock;
will not offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, hedge or otherwise dispose of shares of our common stock or any securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common stock, for a period of: (1) 180 days in the case of Asbury Automotive Holdings, L.L.C., and (2) two years in the case of our officers, directors and certain of our platform principals, after the
date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. In addition, directors, officers, family and friends who purchase shares of our common stock in connection with our directed share program will be subject to a 60 day lock-up restriction.
LOCK-UP ARRANGEMENTS WITH ASBURY. The platform principals described above and all other persons who hold our common stock before the completion of the offering (other than Asbury Automotive Holdings) have entered into lock-up provisions with us under the shareholders agreement that provide that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, hedge or otherwise dispose of shares of our common stock or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock for a period of two years after the date of this prospectus without our prior written consent. Our decision to consent to sales that would otherwise be prohibited under the terms of the lock-up agreements will be made on a case by case basis in consideration of numerous factors, including, but not limited to, our needs, market conditions at the time, the effect that such sales might have on the market for our securities and the effect that such sales might have on our ability to satisfy our financing goals.
SHARES CONTROLLED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS L.L.C.
After completion of the offering, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., an entity in which Ripplewood Investments L.L.C. (formerly known as Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.) has a 51% controlling interest, will continue to control 51.6% of our outstanding common stock (49.9% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). Funds affiliated with Freeman Spogli will own a 49% interest in Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. After completion of this offering, funds affilated with Freeman Spogli will own 25.3% of our common stock. Freeman Spogli will have the right to cause Asbury Automotive Holdings to dispose of Freeman Spogli's indirect interests in us after one year. Asbury Automotive Holding's control of our common stock could negatively affect our stock price:
- Due to the perception of "market overhang", that is that large blocks of shares are readily available for sale, or
- In the event that Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. disposed of all or a substantial portion of this common stock at any one-time or from time to time.
In addition, if Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. continues to control a substantial portion of our common shares, the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected.
We do not know Ripplewood's or Freeman Spogli's future plans as to its holdings of our common stock, and Ripplewood is not under any obligation to inform us of its intentions as to our common stock. We can not give you any assurances that Ripplewood's actions will not negatively affect the price or liquidity of our common stock in the future. See "Risk Factors--We will be controlled by Ripplewood Investments L.L.C., which may have interests different from your interests."
UNDERWRITING
Asbury, the selling stockholders and the underwriters for the offering named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares being offered. Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and Robertson Stephens, Inc. are the representatives of the underwriters. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares indicated in the following table.
Underwriters Number of Shares
------------ ----------------
Goldman, Sachs & Co......................................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated...................................
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.................................
Robertson Stephens, Inc..................................
---------
Total................................................ 7,700,000
=========
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The Underwriters are comitted to take and pay for all of the shares being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.
If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the table above, the underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional 1,155,000 shares from Asbury. They may exercise that option for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.
The following tables show the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters. Such amounts are shown, in the case of Asbury, assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.
No Full
Paid by Asbury Exercise Exercise
-------------- ---------- ----------
Per Share................................................... $ $
Total....................................................... $ $
No Full
Paid by the Selling Stockholders Exercise Exercise
-------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Per Share. $ $
Total....................................................... $ $
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Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $ per share from the initial public offering price. Any such securities dealers may resell any shares purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $ per share from the initial public offering price. If all the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms.
At the request of Asbury, the underwriters are reserving up to 616,000 shares of the common stock for sale at the initial public offering price to directors, officers, employees and friends, through a directed share program. If purchased by these persons, these shares will be subject to a 60 day lock-up restriction. The number of shares of common stock available for sale to the general public in the public offering will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase these reserved shares.
Any shares not purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered by this prospectus.
Asbury and Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. have agreed with the underwriters that they will not, except with the prior consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., dispose of or hedge any of their common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to an exception that permits Asbury to issue a number of shares equal to 10% of the total number of common shares outstanding immediately after this offering in connection with acquisitions, provided that the recipients of those shares agree to be bound by the lock-up provisions for the duration of the 180 days. These lock-up agreements do not apply to grants by Asbury under existing employee benefit plans. In addition, Asbury and certain of Asbury's platform principals consisting of those of its platform chief executive officers, chief operating financial officers, dealership general managers and certain other employees who received equity in Asbury in connection with its acquisition of the related platform have agreed with the underwriters to be bound by the restrictions described above from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date two years after the date of this prospectus.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the shares. The initial public offering price will be negotiated among Asbury and the representatives. Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price of the shares, in addition to prevailing market conditions, will be Asbury's historical performance, estimates of Asbury's business potential and earnings prospects, an assessment of Asbury's management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.
Asbury has applied to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABG". In order to meet one of the requirements for listing the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more shares to a minimum of 2,000 beneficial holders.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. "Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares from Asbury or the selling stockholder in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. "Naked" short sales are any sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of the underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the representatives and may also be made available on websites maintained by other underwriters participating in the offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
The underwriters do not expect sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of shares offered.
Asbury estimates that its share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $4.0 million, which amount includes expenses of the selling stockholders, all of which will be satisfied by Asbury and not allocated to the selling stockholders.
Asbury and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters identified in the table above against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates have provided from time to time, and may provide in the future, investment and commercial banking and financial advisory services to Asbury and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. Asbury is a party to certain interest rate swap arrangements with Goldman Sachs Capital Markets, L.P., an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., the lead managing underwriter of this offering. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk".
VALIDITY OF SHARES
The validity of the shares of our common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by John Kessler, our corporate counsel, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement to the extent and for the periods indicated in their report have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP and Dixon Odom, P.L.L.C., each of which are independent public accountants, as indicated in their respective reports with respect thereto, and are included in the prospectus in reliance upon the authority of these firms as experts in giving these reports.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to this offering of our common stock. This prospectus does not contain all the information contained in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our common stock, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of the:
- 1999 Option Plan,
- 2002 Stock Option Plan,
- Severance Pay Agreement of Thomas R. Gibson,
- Severance Pay Agreement of Phillip R. Johnson,
- Severance Pay Agreement of Thomas F. Gilman,
- Severance Pay Agreement of Thomas G. McCollum,
- Severance Pay Agreement of Allen T. Levenson,
- Severance Pay Agreement of Robert D. Frank,
- Severance Pay Agreement of John C. Stamm,
- Employment Agreement of Kenneth B. Gilman,
- Employment Agreement of C.V. Nalley,
- Employment Agreement of Ben David McDavid,
- Employment Agreement of Luther Coggin,
- Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2001, between Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and Ford Motor Credit Company, Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C., and General Motors Acceptance Corporation,
- Form of Shareholders Agreement between Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and the shareholders named therein,
- Chrysler Dodge Dealer Agreement,
- Ford Dealer Agreement,
- General Motors Dealer Agreement,
- Honda Dealer Agreement,
- Mercedes Dealer Agreement,
- Nissan Dealer Agreement, and
- Toyota Dealer Agreement
are qualified in all respects by reference to the actual text of the exhibit. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will file periodic reports and other information, including proxy statements, with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC's public reference room and the web site of the SEC referred to above.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
-----------------
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2000 and
2001.................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001........................ F-5
Consolidated Statements of Members' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001.................. F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001........................ F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-8-F-25
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.
(Hutchinson Automotive Group)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-26
Combined Statements of Income for the year ended
December 31, 1999 and for the period from January 1,
2000 through June 30, 2000.............................. F-27
Combined Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the year
ended December 31, 1999 and for the period from
January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000................... F-28
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended
December 31, 1999 and for the period from January 1,
through June 30, 2000................................... F-29
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-30-F-34
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C.
(Thomason Auto Group)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-35
Combined Statement of Income for the period from
January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999................ F-36
Combined Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the period
from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999........... F-37
Combined Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999................ F-38
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-39-F-43
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C.
(McLarty Combined Entities)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-44
Combined Statement of Income for the period from
January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999............... F-45
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PAGE
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Combined Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the period
from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.......... F-46
Combined Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999............... F-47
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-48-F-52
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C.
(Crown Automotive Group)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-53
Combined Statement of Income for the period from
January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999................... F-54
Combined Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the period
from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999.............. F-55
Combined Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999................... F-56
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-57-F-60
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, members' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 21, 2002
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ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
2000 2001
---------- ----------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $47,241 $60,506
Contracts-in-transit...................................... 76,554 93,044
Current portion of restricted marketable securities....... 1,304 1,410
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $2,396 and
$2,375)................................................. 76,168 81,347
Inventories............................................... 554,141 491,698
Prepaid and other current assets.......................... 19,694 25,253
---------- ----------
Total current assets.................................... 775,102 753,258
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net................................. 218,153 256,402
GOODWILL, net............................................... 364,164 392,856
RESTRICTED MARKETABLE SECURITIES............................ 7,798 6,807
OTHER ASSETS................................................ 38,983 51,334
---------- ----------
Total assets............................................ $1,404,200 $1,460,657
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payable.................................. $499,332 $451,375
Short-term debt........................................... 16,290 10,000
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... 19,495 35,789
Accounts payable.......................................... 36,823 33,573
Accrued liabilities....................................... 56,682 79,260
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities............................... 628,622 609,997
LONG-TERM DEBT.............................................. 435,879 492,548
OTHER LIABILITIES........................................... 17,817 14,561
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBERS' EQUITY:
Contributed capital......................................... 303,245 302,035
Retained earnings........................................... 18,637 39,860
Accumulated other comprehensive income...................... -- 1,656
---------- ----------
Total members' equity....................................... 321,882 343,551
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and members' equity....................... $1,404,200 $1,460,657
========== ==========
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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ----------
REVENUES:
New vehicle............................................... $1,820,393 $2,439,729 $2,567,021
Used vehicle.............................................. 787,029 1,064,102 1,156,609
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 341,506 434,478 488,336
Finance and insurance, net................................ 63,206 89,481 106,326
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.......................................... 3,012,134 4,027,790 4,318,292
---------- ---------- ----------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 1,678,256 2,246,903 2,354,686
Used vehicle.............................................. 719,638 970,752 1,050,383
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 172,272 212,304 240,749
---------- ---------- ----------
Total cost of sales..................................... 2,570,166 3,429,959 3,645,818
---------- ---------- ----------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 441,968 597,831 672,474
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 343,370 451,323 518,265
Depreciation and amortization............................. 16,676 24,503 30,768
---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations.................................. 81,922 122,005 123,441
---------- ---------- ----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (22,982) (36,968) (27,741)
Other interest expense.................................... (24,703) (42,009) (44,669)
Interest income........................................... 3,021 5,846 2,528
Net losses from unconsolidated affiliates................. (616) (6,066) (3,248)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets............................. 2,365 (1,533) (384)
Other income.............................................. 192 903 1,926
---------- ---------- ----------
Total other expense, net................................ (42,723) (79,827) (71,588)
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes, minority interest and
extraordinary loss...................................... 39,199 42,178 51,853
INCOME TAX EXPENSE.......................................... 1,779 3,511 5,351
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY EARNINGS.................... 20,520 9,740 1,240
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before extraordinary loss.......................... 16,900 28,927 45,262
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT.......... (752) -- (1,433)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.............................................. $16,148 $28,927 43,829
========== ==========
PRO FORMA TAX ADJUSTMENT (net of effect on minority
interest)................................................. 16,552
----------
Tax affected pro forma net income....................... $27,277
==========
PRO FORMA EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE:
Basic...................................................
Income before extraordinary loss........................ $0.83
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt...... (0.03)
----------
Net income.............................................. $0.80
==========
Diluted.................................................
Income before extraordinary loss........................ $0.83
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt...... (0.03)
----------
Net income.............................................. $0.80
==========
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic 34,000
==========
Diluted 34,019
==========
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
RETAINED ACCUMULATED
CONTRIBUTED EARNINGS OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
CAPITAL (DEFICIT) INCOME TOTAL
----------- --------- ------------------- ---------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998......... $130,580 $(3,200) $ -- $127,380
Contributions......................... 38,100 -- -- 38,100
Distributions......................... -- (9,874) -- (9,874)
Net income............................ -- 16,148 -- 16,148
Reclassification of minority member
deficits............................ 26,359 -- -- 26,359
-------- -------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999......... 195,039 3,074 -- 198,113
Contributions......................... 20,650 -- -- 20,650
Contribution of equity interest by
minority members.................... 87,556 -- -- 87,556
Distributions......................... -- (13,364) -- (13,364)
Net income............................ -- 28,927 -- 28,927
-------- -------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2000......... 303,245 18,637 -- 321,882
Comprehensive income:
Net income.......................... -- 43,829 -- 43,829
Fair value of interest rate swaps... -- -- 1,656 1,656
--------
Comprehensive income................ -- -- -- 45,485
Issuance of equity interest for
acquisitions........................ 5,000 -- 5,000
Distributions......................... (22,606) -- (22,606)
Members' equity repurchased........... (3,710) -- -- (3,710)
Members' equity surrendered in
purchase price settlement........... (2,500) -- -- (2,500)
-------- -------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001......... $302,035 $39,860 $1,656 $343,551
======== ======== ======== ========
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $16,148 $28,927 $43,829
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization......................... 16,676 24,503 30,768
(Gain) loss on sale of assets......................... (2,365) 1,533 384
Minority interest in subsidiary earnings.............. 20,520 9,740 1,240
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt.... 752 -- 1,433
Net losses from unconsolidated affiliates............. 616 6,066 3,248
Other non-cash charges................................ 753 505 3,568
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
effects from acquisitions and divestiture of assets--
Contracts-in-transit.................................. (2,260) (19,632) (16,490)
Accounts receivable, net.............................. (13,101) (17,500) (20,025)
Proceeds from sale of accounts receivable............. 18,108 19,867 17,624
Inventories........................................... (50,611) (22,911) 106,414
Floor plan notes payable.............................. 36,402 38,200 (80,812)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. (1,032) (8,335) 12,344
Other................................................. 6,270 2,049 (7,000)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities............. 46,876 63,012 96,525
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (22,327) (36,062) (50,032)
Proceeds from the sale of assets.......................... 15,803 6,054 2,083
Acquisitions (net of cash and cash equivalents acquired of
$13,154, $12,776 and $1,049 in 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively)........................................... (106,443) (183,840) (50,150)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates.................. (7,500) -- (1,200)
Proceeds from restricted marketable securities............ 1,253 1,423 885
Net receipt (issuance) of finance contracts............... (6,250) (480) 121
Other investing activities................................ (183) -- --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities................. (125,647) (212,905) (98,293)
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions to members.................................. (9,874) (13,364) (22,606)
Repurchase of members' equity............................. -- -- (3,710)
Contributions from members................................ 38,100 20,650 --
Repayments of debt........................................ (34,565) (14,597) (343,401)
Proceeds from borrowings.................................. 112,930 159,411 399,717
Payment of debt issuance costs............................ -- -- (12,530)
Net cash contributions from (distributions to) minority
members of subsidiaries................................. (8,622) 212 --
Other financing costs..................................... -- -- (2,437)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities............. 97,969 152,312 15,033
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents............. 19,198 2,419 13,265
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 25,624 44,822 47,241
--------- --------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $44,822 $47,241 $60,506
========= ========= =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for--
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)................... $42,758 $77,322 $69,276
========= ========= =========
Income taxes............................................ $1,364 $3,302 $4,647
========= ========= =========
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of equity for acquisitions....................... $27,190 $13,050 $5,000
========= ========= =========
Members' equity surrendered in purchase price
settlement.............................................. $ -- $ -- $2,500
========= ========= =========
|
See Note 3 for additional supplemental non-cash investing activities.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. ("Asbury" or the "Company") is a national automotive retailer, operating 91 new and used car dealerships (including 131 franchises) and 24 collision repair centers in 17 metropolitan areas of the Southeastern, Midwestern, Southwestern and Northwestern United States as of December 31, 2001. Asbury sells new and used vehicles, light trucks and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its automotive customers. Asbury offers, collectively, 32 domestic and foreign brands of new vehicles. In addition, one dealership sells four brands of commercial motor trucks.
The Company was formed in 1995 and is controlled by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. which is controlled by Ripplewood Investments L.L.C.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements reflect the consolidated accounts of Asbury and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in which the Company has significant influence. Generally, this represents common stock ownership or partnership equity of at least 20% but not more than 50%. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title, signing of the sales contract and approval of financing. Revenue from the sale of parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when vehicle service work is performed. Sales discounts and service coupons are accounted for as a reduction to the sales price at the point of sale. Manufacturer incentives and rebates, including holdbacks, are not recognized until earned in accordance with the respective manufacturers incentive programs.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. The revenues from financing fees and commissions are recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and vehicle service contract revenues, net of estimated chargebacks, are included in finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CONTRACTS-IN-TRANSIT
Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company uses the "last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO") to account for approximately 64% and 56% of its inventories, the specific identification method to account for 33% and 39% of its inventories, and the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") to account for 3% and 5% of its inventories at December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively. If the FIFO method had been used to determine cost for inventories valued using the LIFO method, net income would have been increased (decreased) by $2,139, $2,097 and ($908) for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. The Company assesses the lower of cost or market reserve requirement on an individual unit basis, historical loss rates, the age and composition of the inventory and current market conditions. The lower of cost or market reserves were $4,514 and $3,939 as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the useful life of the related asset. The range of estimated useful lives is as follows (in years):
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 5-35 Machinery and equipment..................................... 3-10 Furniture and fixtures...................................... 3-10 Company vehicles............................................ 3-5 |
Expenditures for major additions or improvements, which extend the useful lives of assets, are capitalized. Minor replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of such assets, are charged to operations as incurred.
The Company capitalizes interest on borrowings during the active construction period of major capital projects. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the assets and is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets. During 2001, the Company capitalized $779 of interest in connection with various capital expansion projects.
GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and other intangible assets acquired at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. Amortization expense charged to operations totaled $4,960, $8,330, and $9,564 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Accumulated amortization totaled $15,041 and $24,748 as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Other intangible assets, included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, relate mostly to value assigned to manufacturer franchise rights. The non-compete agreements and favorable lease rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreements ranging from 3-15 years. The value associated with the manufacturer franchise rights is deemed to have
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
indefinite life based on the provisions and/or characteristics of the manufacturer franchise agreements.
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The recoverability of the Company's long-lived assets, including related goodwill, other intangibles, and enterprise level goodwill is assessed by comparing the carrying amounts of such assets to the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to those assets. The Company would conclude that an asset was impaired if the sum of such expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the related asset. If the Company was to determine that an asset was impaired, the impairment loss would be the amount by which the carrying amount of the related asset exceeds its fair value. Events that would trigger an impairment assessment of long-lived assets or goodwill include but are not limited to: a significant decrease in the market value of an asset or the Company, a significant change in the Company's business or in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of the Company or an asset or, a history of operating on cash flow losses or a forecast that demonstrates losses of the Company or an asset. The Company does not believe its long-lived assets are impaired at December 31, 2001.
EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation issued to employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." The Company, as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock--Based Compensation," has chosen to account for equity options at their intrinsic value. The Company has granted options either at or above market value and accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded for its option plan.
TAX STATUS
The Company consists primarily of limited liability companies and partnerships (with the Company as the parent), which are treated as one partnership for tax purposes. Under this structure, such companies and partnerships are not subject to income taxes but instead the members of the Company are taxed on their respective distributive shares of the Company's taxable income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements for the limited liability companies and partnerships.
The Company has nine subsidiaries which for income tax purposes are "C" corporations under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are assumed to be in effect when the underlying assets are realized and liabilities are settled. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred net of earned manufacturer credits and other discounts. Advertising expense totaled $29,622, $42,233 and
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
$43,131 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001 net of earned manufacturer credits of $7,305, $10,698 and $11,019 respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, approximately $5,200 and $5,946 respectively, was paid to two separate entities in which two members of the Company had substantial interests.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates, particularly related to realization of inventory values, allowance for credit losses (see Note 7) and reserves for future chargebacks.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of restricted marketable securities, floor plan notes payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of its financial instruments approximate their fair values at December 31, 2000 and 2001 due to their relatively short duration and variable interest rates.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, Honda, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, Acura and Mercedes Benz accounted for 16%, 12%, 10%, 7%, 6%, 5% and 5% of our revenues from new vehicle sales, respectively. No other franchise accounted for more than 5% of our total new vehicle revenue sales in 2001.
DERIVATIVE INVESTMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company utilizes derivative financial investments for the purpose of hedging the risks of certain identifiable and anticipated transactions. In general, the types of risks hedged are those relating to the variability of future earnings and cash flows caused by movements in interest rates. The Company documents its risk management strategy and hedge effectiveness at the inception of
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
and during the term of each hedge. Currently, the only derivatives being used by the Company are interest rate swaps for the purpose of hedging the cash flows of variable rate debt.
The Company utilizes such derivatives only for the purpose of hedging the related risks, not for speculation. The derivatives which have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments are reported at fair value. The gain or loss on the effective portion of the hedge is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income. The remaining gain or loss, if any, is recognized currently in earnings. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into net income in the same period in which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS No. 133. The adoption of SFAS No.133 did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position, liquidity or cash flows.
On June 30, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") finalized and issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141") and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142").
SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the purchase method, eliminating the pooling of interests method.
SFAS 142, upon effectiveness, eliminates goodwill amortization over its estimated useful life. However, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. Additionally, acquired intangible assets should be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer's intent to do so. Intangible assets with definitive lives will need to be amortized over their useful lives.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The provisions of SFAS 142 apply immediately to all acquisitions completed at June 30, 2001. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives existing at June 30, 2001 will continue to be amortized until December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002 such amortization will cease, as companies are required to adopt the new rules on such date. By the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2002, companies must begin to perform an impairment analysis of intangible assets. Furthermore, companies must complete the first step of the goodwill transition impairment test by June 30, 2002. Any impairment noted must be recorded at the date of effectiveness restating first quarter results, if necessary. Impairment charges, if any, that result from the application of the above tests would be recorded as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2002.
Other than the elimination of goodwill amortization as discussed above, the Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 142 will have a material impact on its financial condition or liquidity.
In August 2001, SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" was issued. SFAS No. 144 supercedes SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" and the accounting and reporting provision of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations--Reporting the Effects of the Disposal of a Segment Business and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions." SFAS No. 144 establishes a single accounting model for assets to be disposed of by sale whether previously held and used or newly acquired. SFAS No. 144 retains the provisions of APB No. 30 for presentation of discontinued operations in the income statement, but broadens the presentation to include a component of an entity. SFAS No. 144 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and the interim periods within.
3. ACQUISITIONS
OVERVIEW
Prior to the Minority Member Transaction discussed later in this note, the Company had consummated eight major platform acquisitions ("platforms"), which were effected through its subsidiaries in which the sellers received, in addition to cash consideration, an interest in the platform subsidiary established to effect the related acquisition. Minority ownership interests related to such transactions ranged from 20% to 49%. Such acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting; however, as also discussed below, certain of these acquisitions were effected through leveraged buy-out transactions. A leveraged buy-out is a transaction where in excess of 50% of the purchase price has been financed. According to Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 88-16 transactions meeting the criteria of a leveraged buy-out where the previous control group receives a greater than 20% interest in the acquired company, the net assets associated with the previous control group should be stated at historical cost. In such cases, the historical book value (carryover basis) was used to measure the portion of assets acquired and liabilities assumed attributed to such minority members of the subsidiaries. In connection with the Minority Member Transaction, as discussed below, the minority interests in the subsidiaries were acquired using the purchase method of accounting. As such, on April 30, 2000 the impact of carryover basis accounting associated with the interests transferred into Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C., ("Asbury Oregon"), have been eliminated.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Company has consummated additional acquisitions through its subsidiaries and certain of these acquisitions resulted in the issuance of minority interests. Certain of these additional acquisitions were combined to create a ninth platform.
The operations of the acquired dealerships are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income commencing on the date acquired.
MINORITY MEMBER TRANSACTION
On April 30, 2000, Asbury, the then parent company, and the minority members of Asbury's subsidiaries reached an agreement whereby their respective equity interests were transferred into escrow pending the approval of the vehicle manufacturers. On August 30, 2000 the vehicle manufacturers, of which approval was required, approved the transaction and the respective equity interests were released from escrow and were transferred into Asbury Oregon in exchange for equity interests in Asbury Oregon (the "Minority Member Transaction"). On the date the equity interests were transferred into escrow, the exchange of the minority members' interests was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting whereby the values of the related minority interests transferred into Asbury Oregon were recorded at their estimated fair values, approximately $93,710. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets include the allocations of the purchase price to tangible and intangible net assets transferred. This allocation resulted in recording approximately $23,679 of goodwill. Following the Minority Member Transaction, the then parent company, Asbury, changed its name to Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. ("Asbury Holdings") and Asbury Oregon changed its name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. Subsequent to the Minority Member Transaction, Asbury Holdings owns approximately 59% of the member interest of the Company with the remaining member interest being held by the former minority members of the Company's subsidiaries.
1999
During 1999, the Company acquired one platform (consisting of 6 dealerships), and 9 other dealerships as well as the remaining interest of a dealership partially purchased in 1998 for an aggregate purchase price of $119,597, including the proceeds from $73,784 in borrowings and the issuance of minority interests to certain of the previous controlling shareholders.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of acquisitions acquired in 1999 subsequent to the date of the respective acquisitions. The following unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 1999 acquisitions as if they occurred on January 1, 1999.
1999
-----------
(UNAUDITED)
Revenues.................................................... $3,455,256
Income before income taxes and minority interest............ 44,208
|
2000
During 2000, the Company acquired 18 dealerships for an aggregate purchase price of $197,648, including the proceeds from $140,820 in borrowings and the issuance of member equity interests to certain of the previous controlling shareholders.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of acquisitions acquired in 1999 and 2000 subsequent to the date of the respective acquisitions. The following unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 1999 and 2000 acquisitions and the effect of the Minority Member Transaction as if they occurred on January 1, 1999.
1999 2000
---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
Revenues........................................... $4,274,277 $4,293,554
Income before income taxes and minority interest... 52,287 44,810
|
2001
During 2001 the Company acquired 7 dealerships for an aggregate purchase price of $51,199 principally funded through the Company's acquisition credit facility and the issuance of a $5,000 equity interest in the Company to certain of the selling shareholders.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of the acquisitions completed in 2000 and 2001 from the date of the respective acquisitions. The following unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 2000 and 2001 acquisitions as if they occurred on January 1, 2000.
2000 2001
---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
Revenues......................................... $4,601,262 $4,510,388
Income before taxes and minority interest........ 47,262 52,758
|
The unaudited pro forma selected financial data does not purport to represent what the Company's results of operations would have actually been had the transactions in fact occurred as of an earlier date or project the results for any future period. Pro forma adjustments included in the amounts above relate primarily to: (a) pro forma amortization expense; (b) adjustments to compensation expense and management fees to the post acquisition contracted amounts and; (c) increases in interest expense resulting from the net cash borrowings used to complete the related acquisitions.
The foregoing acquisitions were all accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Except as discussed below, the historical book values of the assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair value as of the acquisition dates. Certain of these acquisitions were affected through leveraged buyout transactions. Prior to the Minority Member Transaction, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflected the use of carryover basis (i.e., the historical values of the acquired company prior to the acquisition) in order to measure the portion of assets acquired and liabilities assumed attributed to certain minority members of the subsidiaries.
In certain of these transactions, just prior to the leveraged buy-out of the related controlling interest, the net book value attributable to the minority interests was increased to reflect its fair value. This amount along with the historical carrying amount of the net assets acquired was the basis for determining the amount of carryover basis used to record the leveraged buy-out of the acquisition.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The following table summarizes the Company's acquisitions:
ACQUISITIONS CONSUMMATED IN:
---------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
--------- --------- ---------
Cash paid for businesses acquired........................... $119,597 $196,616 $ 51,199
Equity issued............................................... -- -- 5,000
Issuance of minority equity interest........................ 27,190 13,050 --
Less: Predecessor cost adjustment........................... (18,828) (9,582) --
Goodwill.................................................... (87,754) (129,557) (40,317)
-------- -------- --------
Estimated fair value of net tangible and other intangible
assets acquired........................................... $ 40,205 $70,527 $15,882
======== ======== ========
|
As a result of the Minority Member Transaction, $82,783 of predecessor cost adjustment has been eliminated as part of the purchase accounting applied.
The allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed for 2001 acquisitions has been based on preliminary estimates of fair value and may be revised as additional information concerning valuation of such assets and liabilities becomes available. The preliminary allocation of purchase price for 2001 acquisitions is as follows:
Working capital............................................. $ 7,213
Fixed assets................................................ 6,454
Other assets................................................ 153
Goodwill.................................................... 40,317
Franchise rights............................................ 5,000
Other liabilities........................................... (864)
Acquisition of minority interest............................ (2,074)
-------
Total purchase price........................................ $56,199
=======
|
Amounts for certain of the acquisitions are subject to final purchase price adjustments for items such as tangible net worth and seller's representations regarding the adequacy of certain reserves. In addition, the allocation of amounts to acquired intangibles is subject to final valuation.
MINORITY INTERESTS
The use of carryover basis accounting for those acquisitions effected through leveraged buy-out transactions combined with the impact of distributing to the sellers a portion of the borrowings used to consummate such acquisitions resulted in minority shareholder deficits in those subsidiaries. In 1998, such deficits were recorded as a reduction of members' equity. In 1999, the Company determined that the minority portion of those shareholder deficits were realizable. Accordingly, these amounts were reclassified to, and offset against, other minority interest amounts. All minority interests were eliminated as a result of the Minority Member Transaction.
4. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
In the fourth quarter of 1999, the Company made a $7,500 investment in Greenlight.com ("Greenlight"), a startup Internet company engaged in the retail sale of new vehicles. The investment was accounted for under the equity method whereby the Company recorded pre-tax losses of $764 and $6,938 in 1999 and 2000, respectively, related to its investment in and expenses paid on the behalf of Greenlight. As of December 31, 2000, the Company's investment was fully written-off through equity investment losses. In 2001, the Company invested an additional $1,200
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
into Greenlight. Following the Company's additional investment, Greenlight was merged into CarsDirect.com ("CarsDirect") a company also engaged in the retail sale of new vehicles over the Internet. The Company's investment in CarsDirect totaled approximately 3% of CarsDirect's total equity after the merger. The Company's cost basis investment in CarsDirect is fully reserved for as of December 31, 2001.
5. DIVESTITURES
During 1999, the Company completed the sale of certain real estate assets for net cash proceeds of $13,016 recognizing a gain of $2,392. The gain was comprised of the difference of $3,459 between the recorded book value as of the date of the sale and the net cash proceeds is attributed to the use of carryover basis in valuing the minority interest in the related assets. Of that difference, $1,067 relates to the sale of an asset back to one of the Company's minority members within the purchase price allocation period and was therefore accounted for as an adjustment to the related purchase price. In addition, the Company sold other fixed assets for cash proceeds of $2,787, recognizing a $27 loss.
During 2000, the Company sold three dealerships and certain fixed assets for net cash proceeds of $6,054 and recorded a net loss on sale of these assets of $1,533. The loss was comprised of $1,650 of losses from the sale of dealerships which was offset by $117 of gains from the sale of fixed assets.
During 2001, the Company received net cash proceeds of $2,083 and recorded a $384 net loss on the sale of assets. The net loss was comprised of a $421 loss related to the divestiture of two franchises offset by a $37 gain on the sale of fixed assets.
The above mentioned gain in 1999, which resulted from the use of carryover basis to value the minority interest in the related assets, is also reflected in minority interest in subsidiary earnings on the respective accompanying consolidated statements of income.
6. INVENTORIES AND RELATED FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE
Inventories consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
2000 2001
--------- ---------
(UNAUDITED)
New vehicles................................................ $444,688 $379,104
Used vehicles............................................... 74,529 74,885
Parts and accessories....................................... 38,281 40,158
LIFO reserve................................................ (3,357) (2,449)
-------- --------
Total inventories......................................... $554,141 $491,698
======== ========
|
The inventory balance is reduced by manufacturers' purchase discounts; such reduction is not reflected in related floor plan liability.
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchases of specific vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest at variable rates based on LIBOR or prime. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, the weighted average interest rates on floor plan notes payable outstanding were 8.7% and 6.3%, respectively. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle inventories of the respective subsidiary and are subject to certain financial and other covenants.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
7. ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The Company has agreements to sell certain of its trade receivables, without recourse as to credit risk, in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per year. The receivables are sold at a discount which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The discounts totaled $543, $556 and $476 in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2000 and 2001, $19,867 and $17,624 of receivables, respectively, were sold under these agreements and were reflected as reductions of trade accounts receivable.
NOTES RECEIVABLE
Notes receivable for finance contracts, included in prepaid and other current assets and other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, have initial terms ranging from 12 to 60 months bearing interest at rates ranging from 7.5% to 29.9% and are collateralized by the related vehicles. Notes receivable--finance contracts consists of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
Gross contract amounts due.................................. $34,614 $34,857
Less--Allowance for credit losses........................... (4,760) (4,631)
-------- --------
29,854 30,226
Current maturities, net..................................... (14,741) (13,916)
-------- --------
Notes receivable, net of current portion.................... $15,113 $16,310
======== ========
|
Contractual maturities of gross notes receivable--finance contracts at December 31, 2001 are as follows:
2002........................................................ $13,633
2003........................................................ 10,604
2004........................................................ 7,195
2005........................................................ 2,889
2006........................................................ 536
-------
$34,857
=======
|
8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
2000 2001
--------- ---------
Land........................................................ $ 60,031 $ 67,937
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 121,809 154,759
Machinery and equipment..................................... 27,966 32,537
Furniture and fixtures...................................... 19,641 24,636
Company vehicles............................................ 19,162 24,236
-------- --------
Total..................................................... 248,609 304,105
Less--Accumulated depreciation.............................. (30,456) (47,703)
-------- --------
Property and equipment, net............................... $218,153 $256,402
======== ========
|
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
9. SHORT-TERM DEBT
One of the Company's subsidiaries had $25,000 available under the terms of certain revolving credit facilities through April 2001 and $10,000 available under one credit facility thereafter, of which $13,667 and $10,000 was outstanding at December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively. The credit facilities are secured by the notes receivable of the respective subsidiary. Such amounts are payable on demand, and accrue interest at variable rates (the weighted average interest rates were 10.0% and 8.6% for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively). In addition, another one of the Company's subsidiaries had $2,623 outstanding on a revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2000, representing the full amount available under the facility. Such amount was repaid in January 2001.
The credit facilities mentioned above are subject to certain financial and other covenants.
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following at:
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2000 2001
--------- ------------
Term notes payable to banks (including the Committed Credit
Facility, as defined below) bearing interest at fixed and
variable rates (the weighted average interest rates were
10.1% and 9.8% for the years-ended December 31, 2000 and
2001, respectively), maturing in January 2005, secured by
the assets of the related subsidiary companies............ $318,582 $383,269
Mortgage notes payable to banks bearing interest at fixed
and variable rates (the weighted average interest rates
were 9.3% and 7.9% for years-ended December 31, 2000 and
2001, respectively), maturing at various dates from 2002
to 2015. These obligations are secured by property, plant
and equipment of the related subsidiary companies which
had an approximate net book value of $157,084 at December
31, 2001.................................................. 114,646 121,730
Non-interest bearing note payable to former shareholders of
one of the Company's subsidiaries, net of unamortized
discount of $1,886, and $1,113 as of December 31, 2000 and
2001 respectively, determined at an effective interest
rate of 6.4%, payable in semiannual installments of
approximately $913, due January 2006, secured by
marketable securities..................................... 8,453 7,138
Notes payable to financing institutions secured by
rental/loaner vehicles bearing interest at variable rates
(the weighted average interest rates were 8.7% and 7.6%
for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001,
respectively), maturing at various dates from 2002 to
2004...................................................... 7,269 10,741
Capital lease obligations................................... 4,058 2,297
Other notes payable......................................... 2,366 3,162
-------- --------
455,374 528,337
Less--current portion....................................... (19,495) (35,789)
-------- --------
Long-term portion........................................... $435,879 $492,548
======== ========
|
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2001, are as follows:
2002........................................................ $ 35,789
2003........................................................ 49,569
2004........................................................ 5,148
2005........................................................ 398,880
2006........................................................ 3,414
Thereafter.................................................. 35,537
--------
$528,337
========
|
Prior to January 17, 2001, the Company had variable rate notes, primarily based on LIBOR which were subject to normal lending terms and contained covenants which limited the Company's ability to incur additional debt and transfer cash outside the related subsidiary (such restrictions include transferring funds upstream to the Company). In addition, the various debt agreements required the related subsidiary to maintain certain financial ratios.
On January 17, 2001, the Company entered into a three year committed financing agreement (the "Committed Credit Facility") with Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors Acceptance Corporation and Chrysler Financial Company L.L.C. with total availability of $550 million. The Committed Credit Facility is used for working capital and acquisition financing. At the date of closing, the Company utilized $330,599 of the Committed Credit Facility to repay certain existing term notes and pay certain fees and expenses of the closing. All borrowings under the Committed Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a specified percentage depending on the Company's attainment of certain leverage ratios and the outstanding balance under this Facility.
The terms of the Committed Credit Facility require the Company to maintain certain financial covenants including a current ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio.
The Company has extended the maturity of the Committed Credit Facility through January 2005.
Also on January 17, 2001, and in connection with the Committed Credit Facility, the Company obtained uncommitted floor plan financing lines of credit for new vehicles (the "New Floor Plan Lines"). The Company refinanced substantially all of its existing floor plan debt under the New Floor Plan Lines. The New Floor Plan Lines do not have specified maturities. They bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR or prime and are provided by:
Ford Motor Credit Company............................. $330 million
Chrysler Financial Company L.L.C...................... $315 million
General Motors Acceptance Corporation................. $105 million
------------
Total floor plan lines.............................. $750 million
============
|
The Company finances substantially all of its new vehicle inventory and a portion of its used vehicle inventory under the floor plan financing credit facilities. The Company is required to make monthly interest payments on the amount financed, but is not required to repay the principal prior to the sale of the vehicle. These floor plan arrangements grant a security interest in the financed
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
vehicles as well as the related sales proceeds. Amounts financed under the floor plan financing bear interest at variable rates, which are typically tied to LIBOR or a prime rate.
Each of the above three lenders also provides, in its reasonable discretion, uncommitted floor plan financing for used vehicles. Such used vehicle financing is provided up to a fixed percentage of the value of each financed used vehicle.
At December 31, 2000 and 2001, the Company held investments in restricted marketable securities (U.S. Treasury Strips), which serve as collateral for a non-interest bearing note payable due to former shareholders of one of the Company's subsidiaries. These marketable securities are classified as held to maturity and accordingly stated at cost which approximates fair market value and mature in 2006. The principal on the non-interest-bearing note is repaid from the proceeds of the maturity of such securities.
Deferred financing fees aggregated approximately $1,711 and $8,832 as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, net of accumulated amortization of $1,068 and $3,568, respectively, and are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the effects of changes in interest rates on its floating LIBOR rate long-term debt. At December 31, 2001, the Company had outstanding three interest rate swap agreements with a financial institution, having a combined total notional principal amount of $300 million, all maturing in November 2003. The swaps require the Company to pay fixed rates with a weighted average of approximately 2.99% and receive in return amounts calculated at one-month LIBOR. The aggregate fair value of the swap arrangements at December 31, 2001 was $1,776. The Company's swap agreements have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges of the Company's forecasted variable interest rate payments. For the year ended December 31, 2001, the ineffectiveness reflected in earnings was $120. The measurement of hedge ineffectiveness is based on a comparison of the change in fair value of the actual swap and the change in fair value of a hypothetical swap with terms that identically match the critical terms of the floating rate debt. The ineffectiveness of these swaps is reported in other income in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.
Additionally, in December 2000, the Company terminated a swap agreement resulting in a gain of $375 which was deferred and recorded to income in the first quarter of 2001 when the related debt was extinguished.
12. INCOME TAXES
For those subsidiaries subject to income tax, provisions have been made for deferred taxes based on differences between financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates and regulations. Deferred taxes include $2,723 and $3,877 included in current liabilities, and $1,043 and $1,370 included in non-current liabilities, primarily related to investments in partnerships as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The pro forma provision for income taxes reflects the income tax expense that would have been reported if the Company had been a C corporation. The components of unaudited pro forma income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2001 are as follows:
DECEMBER 31, 2001
-----------------
Pro forma income taxes:
Current:
Federal................................................. $18,798
State................................................... 2,686
Less: minority portion.................................. (528)
-------
Total current......................................... 20,956
Deferred:
Federal................................................. 850
State................................................... 121
Less: minority portion.................................. (24)
-------
Total deferred........................................ 947
-------
Total pro forma income taxes................................ $21,903
=======
|
The following tabulation reconciles the expected corporate federal income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2001 to the Company's unaudited pro forma income tax expense:
DECEMBER 31, 2001
-----------------
Expected pro forma income tax expense....................... 35.0%
State income tax, net of federal tax effect................. 5.0%
Non-deductible goodwill and other intangibles............... 2.5%
Other, net.................................................. 2.0%
----
44.5%
====
|
13. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In connection with its acquisitions, the Company paid $1,000 during 1999, to certain of its members for transaction related services.
In May 1999, the Company sold back to one of its members a hotel business that it acquired in the previous year from him for $2,400. This transaction had no impact on our company's consolidated statement of income. The Company continues to maintain a guarantee on certain debt of that business which had an outstanding balance of $4,500 as of December 31, 2001.
In addition to the advertising expenses (Note 2) and operating leases (Note 14), the Company paid $180, $118 and $405 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, to various entities owned by its members for plane usage. Such amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
The Company receives management fees from non-consolidated entities owned by it members for accounting and other administrative services. Such amounts totaled $54, $54 and $35 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, and is included as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
In January 2001 the Company sold $378 of inventory to one of its members.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
In January 2002, the Company acquired land from one of its members for $1.7 million which equaled the appraised value.
The Company expects to enter into an agreement to purchase land from one of its members for $2,000. The appraised value of the property is $800 less than the anticipated purchase price due partially to demand for this property with the remainder being offset by a rent-free lease the Company entered into with this member for an adjacent piece of property.
14. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under long-term operating lease agreements, including leases with its members or entities controlled by the Company's members. In instances where the Company entered into leases in which the rent escalates over time the Company has straight-lined the rent expense over the life of the lease. Rent expense amounted to $16,943, $22,616 and $25,679 for the three years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Of these amounts, $10,405, $14,103 and $12,175, respectively, were paid to entities controlled by its members.
Future minimum payments under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2001, are as follows:
RELATED THIRD
PARTIES PARTIES TOTAL
------------ ---------- ---------
2002................................... $ 12,850 $ 14,334 $ 27,184
2003................................... 12,893 12,928 25,821
2004................................... 12,929 11,275 24,204
2005................................... 12,966 10,346 23,312
2006................................... 12,923 9,012 21,935
Thereafter............................. 40,878 55,800 96,678
-------- -------- --------
Total.............................. $105,439 $113,695 $219,134
======== ======== ========
|
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
A significant portion of the Company's vehicle business involves the sale of vehicles, parts or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the United States. As a result, the Company's operations are subject to customary risks of importing merchandise, including fluctuations in the relative values of currencies, import duties, exchange controls, trade restrictions, work stoppages and general political and socio-economic conditions in foreign countries. The United States or the countries from which the Company's products are imported may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs, which may affect our operations and our ability to purchase imported vehicles and/ or parts at reasonable prices.
Manufacturers may direct the Company to implement costly capital improvements to dealerships as a condition for renewing the Company's franchise agreements with them. Manufacturers also typically require that their franchises meet specific standards of appearance. These factors, either alone or in combination, could cause the Company to divert its financial resources to capital projects from uses that management believes may be of higher long-term value to the Company, such as acquisitions.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the sellers have indemnified the Company. In the opinion of management of the Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial condition, liquidity or the results of operations of the Company.
The dealerships operated by the Company hold franchise agreements with a number of vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the individual franchise agreements, each dealership is subject to certain rights and restrictions typical of the industry. The ability of the manufacturers to influence the operations of the dealerships or the loss of a franchise agreement could have a negative impact on the Company's operating results.
The Company has guaranteed four loans made by financial institutions either directly to management or to non-consolidated entities controlled by management which totaled approximately $9,100 at December 31, 2001.
16. EQUITY BASED ARRANGEMENTS
In 1999, the Company adopted an equity option plan for certain management employees (the "Option Plan") that, as amended, provides for the grant of equity interests not to exceed $18,000. The grants are stated at a dollar amount based on the Company's entity value except as the Compensation Committee may otherwise provide. Except as the Compensation Committee may otherwise provide, that the exercise price of the grant is equal to the fair market value (as defined) of the grant on the grant date. Equity interests in the Company purchased by employees pursuant to the Option Plan are callable by the Company under certain circumstances at their fair value (as defined) and vest over a period of three years. The following tables summarize information about option activity and amounts:
MEMBERSHIP
INTEREST
PERCENTAGE
----------
Options outstanding December 31, 1998....................... --
Granted................................................... .029%
-----
Options outstanding December 31, 1999....................... .029
Granted................................................... .004
Cancelled................................................. (.029)
-----
Options outstanding December 31, 2000....................... .004%
Granted................................................... .039
Cancelled................................................. (.002)
-----
Options outstanding December 31, 2001..................... .041
=====
|
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
As of December 31, 2000 and 2001, the weighted average remaining contractual life was 9.07 and 9.71 years respectively. The number of options exercisable as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, was .001%.
Had the fair value method of accounting been applied to the Company's stock option plan, the pro forma impact on the Company's net income would have been as follows for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001:
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Net income as reported......................... $16,148 $28,927 $43,829
Pro forma net income........................... 16,086 28,752 42,928
|
The fair value of options granted, which is amortized to expense over the option vesting period in determining the pro forma impact, is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Expected life of option.......................... 5 years 5 years 5 years
Risk-free interest rate.......................... 6.14% 6.47% 4.15%
Expected volatility.............................. 55% 55% 54%
Expected dividend yield.......................... 0% 0% 0%
|
The Company has an arrangement whereby, under certain circumstances, certain senior executives will participate in the increase in the value of the Company. The executives would be eligible to receive a portion of the remaining distributable cash generated from a sale or liquidation of the Company or a Board declared distribution in excess of the capital contributed to the Company plus a compounded 8% rate of return. No circumstances have occurred which would cause such participation nor does the Company presently believe any remaining distributable cash is available for such executives and, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded for the three years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 or 2001.
17. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company and several of the subsidiaries have existing 401(k) salary deferral/savings plans for the benefit of substantially all such employees. Employees electing to participate in the plans may contribute up to 15% of their annual compensation limited to the maximum amount that can be deducted for income tax purposes each year. Vesting varies at each respective subsidiary. Certain subsidiaries match a portion of the employee's contributions dependent upon reaching certain operating goals. Expenses related to subsidiary matching totaled $873, $1,920 and $2,578 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. In 2001, the Company consolidated substantially all of its existing 401(k) salary deferral/savings plans into one plan.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. (Hutchinson Automotive Group) for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, and for the year ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. for the period from January 1, 2000, through June 30, 2000 and for the year ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
June 15, 2001
|
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR JANUARY 1, 2000
ENDED THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 1999 JUNE 30, 2000
----------------- ---------------
REVENUE:
New vehicles.............................................. $197,556 $58,061
Used vehicles............................................. 112,109 35,903
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 25,744 8,285
Finance and insurance, net................................ 7,123 1,713
-------- -------
Total revenue......................................... 342,532 103,962
COST OF SALES:
New vehicles.............................................. 179,016 52,784
Used vehicles............................................. 100,648 31,875
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 14,486 4,703
-------- -------
Total cost of sales................................... 294,150 89,362
-------- -------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 48,382 14,600
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 31,696 10,705
Depreciation and amortization............................. 1,018 260
-------- -------
Income from operations................................ 15,668 3,635
-------- -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (1,675) (635)
Other income, net......................................... 225 58
-------- -------
Total other expense, net.............................. (1,450) (577)
-------- -------
Net income............................................ $14,218 $3,058
======== =======
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK RETAINED
AND ADDITIONAL EARNINGS
PAID-IN-CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
--------------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998.......................... $24,601 $ 9,637 $ 34,238
Distributions.......................................... -- (13,797) (13,797)
Net income............................................. -- 14,218 14,218
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999.......................... 24,601 10,058 34,659
Distributions.......................................... -- (36,068) (36,068)
Net income............................................. -- 3,058 3,058
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2000.............................. $24,601 $(22,952) $1,649
======= ======== ========
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR JANUARY 1, 2000
ENDED THROUGH JUNE 30,
DECEMBER 31, 1999 2000
----------------- ----------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income............................................... $ 14,218 $ 3,058
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization........................ 1,018 260
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisitions and divestiture of assets--
Contracts-in-transit................................. (188) 1,386
Accounts receivable.................................. (711) 376
Inventories.......................................... (1,727) 1,444
Floor plan notes payable............................. 6,941 220
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............. 463 (357)
Other................................................ (158) (424)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities........ 19,856 5,963
-------- --------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures..................................... (949) (48)
Proceeds from the sale of assets......................... 7 3
Cash and cash equivalents associated with the sale to
Asbury................................................. -- (1,930)
Acquisitions............................................. -- --
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities............ (942) (1,975)
-------- --------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions............................................ (13,797) (11,225)
Contributions............................................ -- --
Repayments of debt....................................... (676) --
Proceeds from borrowings................................. -- --
-------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities..................................... (14,473) (11,225)
-------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents.................................... 4,441 (7,237)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period............. 3,162 7,603
-------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period................... $ 7,603 $ 366
======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest................................... $ 1,665 $ 605
======== ========
Non-cash distributions (net assets of the business sold
to Asbury on April 14, 2000)........................... $ -- $ 24,843
======== ========
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Jacksonville L.P. ("Asbury Jacksonville") acquired the operations of Buddy Hutchinson Cars, Inc. ("Toyota") and Buddy Hutchinson Chevrolet, Inc. ("Chevrolet") on April 14, 2000 and the operations of Buddy Hutchinson Imports, Inc. ("Imports") on July 1, 2000 for $57,266 including the issuance of a $5,000 equity interest in Asbury Jacksonville to the majority shareholder of the selling entities. Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. ("Asbury Arkansas") acquired the operations of Regency Toyota Inc. ("Regency"), Mark Escude Nissan, Inc. ("Nissan"), Mark Escude Nissan North, Inc. ("Nissan North"), Mark Escude Motors, Inc. ("Mitsubishi") and Mark Escude Daewoo, Inc. ("Daewoo") on April 14, 2000 for $32,976 including the issuance of a $2,500 equity interest in Asbury Arkansas to the dealer operator of those entities. The companies mentioned above will from hereafter be referred to as the "Company" or "Hutchinson Automotive Group." Asbury Jacksonville and Asbury Arkansas are subsidiaries of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. ("Asbury").
The Company is engaged in the sale of new and used vehicles, light trucks and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its automotive customers.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements reflect the combined accounts of Toyota, Regency, Nissan, Nissan North and Mitsubishi for the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through April 13, 2000, the accounts of Chevrolet for the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through April 13, 2000, the accounts of Daewoo for the period from August 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through April 13, 2000, and the accounts of Imports for the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000.
All intercompany transactions have been eliminated during the period of common ownership.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
CONTRACTS-IN-TRANSIT
Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company uses the "last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO") to account for the new vehicle inventories of all its dealerships except for the Daewoo and the parts inventories of Regency and Nissan South, the specific identification method to account for the used vehicle inventories of all its dealerships, and the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") to account for the new vehicle inventory of Daewoo and the parts inventories of all its dealerships, except for Regency and Nissan South. Had the FIFO method been used to determine the cost of inventories valued using the LIFO method, net income would have increased (decreased) by ($131), ($62) and $299 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the useful life of the related asset. The range of estimated useful lives is as follows (in years)--
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 5-35 Machinery and equipment..................................... 5-7 Furniture and fixtures...................................... 5-7 Company vehicles............................................ 3-5 |
Expenditures for major additions or improvements, which extend the useful lives of assets, are capitalized. Minor replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of such assets, are charged to operations as incurred.
GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired at date of acquisition. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. Amortization expense charged to operations totaled $106 and $53 for the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, respectively. Accumulated amortization totaled $240 as of December 31, 1999.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The recoverability of the Company's long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangibles, is assessed by comparing the carrying amounts of such assets to the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to those assets. The Company does not believe its long-lived assets are impaired at December 31, 1999.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
TAX STATUS
The Company's shareholders have elected to be taxed as S corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. The shareholders of the Company are taxed on their share of the Company's taxable income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expense for the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, totaled $5,499 and $1,668, respectively.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of floor plan notes payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of its financial instruments approximate their fair values at December 31, 1999 due to their relatively short duration and variable interest rates.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international operations.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No.133 will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, liquidity or cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". SAB No. 101 was effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption of SAB No. 101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue recognition policies.
3. FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchases of specific vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest at variable rates based on prime. During 1999, the weighted average interest on floor plan notes payable outstanding was 8.25%. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle inventories of the Company and are subject to certain financial and other covenants.
4. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under long-term operating lease agreements. Rent expense for the year ended December 31, 1999 and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, totaled to $174 and $57, respectively.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial position or the results of operations of the Company.
6. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company maintains a 401(k) salary deferral/savings plan for the benefit of all of its employees over the age of 21 who have completed one year of service. Employees electing to participate in the plan may contribute a percentage of annual compensation limited to the maximum amount that can be deducted for income tax purposes each year. Participants vest in their employer matching contributions over a seven-year period. The Company matches 25% of the first 4% of the employee's salary contributed. Expenses related to Company matching totaled $56 and $17 for the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, respectively.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. (Thomason Auto Group) for the period from January 1, 1999, through December 9, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
April 26, 2001
|
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1999
THROUGH
DECEMBER 9, 1999
-------------------
REVENUES:
New vehicles.............................................. $ 86,120
Used vehicles............................................. 60,084
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 8,610
Finance and insurance, net................................ 4,142
--------
Total revenues.......................................... 158,956
COST OF SALES:
New vehicles.............................................. 80,892
Used vehicles............................................. 54,930
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 4,362
--------
Total cost of sales..................................... 140,184
--------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 18,772
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 15,471
Depreciation and amortization............................. 371
--------
Income from operations.................................. 2,930
--------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (800)
Other interest expense.................................... (83)
Loss on sale of assets.................................... (25)
Other income, net......................................... 204
--------
Total other expense, net................................ (704)
--------
Income before income taxes.............................. 2,226
INCOME TAX EXPENSE.......................................... --
--------
Net income.............................................. $ 2,226
========
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK RETAINED
AND ADDITIONAL EARNINGS
PAID-IN CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
--------------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998........................ $1,767 $(4,908) $(3,141)
Contributions........................................ -- 1,375 1,375
Net income........................................... -- 2,226 2,226
------ -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 9, 1999......................... $1,767 ($1,307) $460
====== ======== ========
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD
FROM JANUARY 1,
1999 THROUGH
DECEMBER 9,
1999
---------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $2,226
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization......................... 371
Loss on sale of assets................................ 25
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from divestiture of assets--
Contracts-in-transit.................................. 60
Accounts receivable, net.............................. 192
Due from related parties.............................. --
Inventories........................................... 3,022
Floor plan notes payable.............................. 754
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. (3,339)
Other................................................. (505)
------
Net cash provided by operating activities............. 2,806
------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (158)
Proceeds from the sale of assets.......................... --
Net issuance of finance contracts......................... --
------
Net cash used in investing activities................. (158)
------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions to shareholders............................. --
Contributions............................................. 1,375
Repayments of debt........................................ (291)
Proceeds from borrowings.................................. --
------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities... 1,084
------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents............. 3,732
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 2,397
------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $6,129
======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for--
Interest.................................................. $ 883
======
Income taxes.............................................. $ --
======
Non-cash distributions (net assets of the business sold to
Asbury on December 4, 1998)............................... $ --
======
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. ("Asbury") acquired its dealership operations through the December 4, 1998 acquisition of Thomason Auto Group, Inc. ("TAG"), Dee Thomason Ford, Inc. ("Ford"), Thomason Imports, Inc. ("Imports"), Thomason Nissan ("Nissan"), Thomason Auto Credit Northwest, Inc. ("TACN") and Thomason on Canyon, L.L.C. ("Canyon") and the December 10, 1999, acquisition of Thomason Toyota, Inc. ("Toyota"). The combined accounts of the companies mentioned above will from hereafter be referred to collectively as the "Company" or "Thomason Auto Group".
On December 4, 1998, the operations of TAG, Ford, Imports, Nissan, TACN and Canyon were acquired by Asbury for $49,075 in cash and the issuance of a minority interest to the majority shareholder the Company. On December 10, 1999, Asbury acquired the operations of Toyota for $18,875 in cash and the issuance of a minority interest to the same shareholder.
The purchase agreements dated December 4, 1998, and December 10, 1999, between the shareholders of the Company and Asbury included an adjustment to the purchase price based on the tangible net worth of the respective assets of the Company on the related closing dates as well as indemnities for certain pre-closing contingencies which included certain employment practices. On April 26, 2001, the shareholders of the Company agreed to pay Asbury $2,800 in cash and forfeited a portion of their interest in Asbury valued at $2,500 as final settlement of the purchase agreement.
The accompanying combined statement of income for the year ended December 31, 1998, includes $1,500 of selling, general and administrative expense related to certain selling practices. Such amount was paid in 1999. The majority shareholder of the Company contributed $1,375 in 1999 to cover such costs.
The Company is engaged in the sale of new and used vehicles, light trucks and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its automotive customers.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying financial statements include the results of Toyota for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999.
All intercompany transactions have been eliminated during the period of common ownership.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
CONTRACTS-IN-TRANSIT
Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company uses the "last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO") to account for all new vehicle inventories, the specific identification method to account for used vehicle inventories, and the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") to account for parts inventories. Had the FIFO method been used to cost inventories valued using the LIFO method, net income would have increased by $66 for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the useful life of the related asset.
Expenditures for major additions or improvements, which extend the useful lives of assets, are capitalized. Minor replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of such assets, are charged to operations as incurred.
TAX STATUS
The shareholders of the Company's subsidiaries, with the exception of TACN, have elected to be treated as S corporations. The shareholders of the S corporations are taxed on their share of those companies' taxable income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements for the S corporations.
TACN is a C corporation under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the underlying assets are realized and liabilities are
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
settled. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expense for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, totaled $2,483, of which $989, was paid to an entity in which the majority shareholder had a substantial interest.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge of the
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No.133 will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, liquidity or cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". SAB No. 101 was effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption of SAB No. 101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue recognition policies.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchases of specific vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest at variable rates based on prime. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle inventories of the Company and are subject to certain financial and other covenants.
The Company's notes payable are due to financing institutions and are secured by rental vehicles bearing interest at variable rates and mature at various dates all in 1999.
4. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under long-term operating lease agreements, including leases with its majority shareholder or entities controlled by its majority shareholder. Rent expense for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, totaled $1,078. Of this amount, $887 was paid to entities controlled by its shareholders.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial position or the results of operations of the Company.
Prior to the sale of the business, the Company was in the practice of guaranteeing consumer installment loans on a limited recourse basis. Substantially all of these loans were issued to one
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
finance company pursuant to vehicle sales by the Company. Under the guarantee, upon repossession of the vehicle collateralizing the loans by the finance company, the Company was liable for all or part of the loan balance. The accompanying combined financial statements include a provision for repossession losses of $619 which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999.
In December 1999, prior to the sale of Toyota to Asbury, the Company and Asbury collectively agreed to transfer all remaining recourse liability back to the finance company initially issuing the paper. The transaction resulted in a $223 gain in the period from January 1, 1999, through December 9, 1999.
6. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company maintains a 401(k) salary deferral/savings plan for the benefit of all its employees upon reaching one year of service with the Company. Employees electing to participate in the plan may contribute up to 15% of their annual compensation limited to the maximum amount that can be deducted for income tax purposes each year. Participants vest upon the completion of seven years of service. The Company matches a portion of the employee's contributions dependent upon reaching certain operating goals. Expenses related to Company matching totaled $25 for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999.
7. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company had $15,162 of vehicle sales to Asbury and $5,516 of vehicle purchases from Asbury for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, respectively.
The Company paid management fees of $596 during the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, to Asbury.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. referred to as "the McLarty Combined Entities" (see Note 1) for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the McLarty Combined Entities for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Little Rock, Arkansas
July 18, 2001
|
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE
PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1999
THROUGH NOVEMBER 17,
1999
---------------------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle............................................... $78,076
Used vehicle.............................................. 32,368
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 6,663
Finance and insurance, net................................ 1,968
--------
Total revenue......................................... 119,075
--------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 71,924
Used vehicle.............................................. 30,028
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 3,739
--------
Total cost of sales................................... 105,691
--------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 13,384
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 10,072
Depreciation and amortization............................. 110
--------
Income from operations................................ 3,202
--------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (1,030)
Other interest expense.................................... (13)
Other income, net......................................... 152
--------
Total other expense................................... (891)
--------
NET INCOME.................................................. $2,311
========
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK
AND ADDITIONAL RETAINED
PAID-IN CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
--------------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998............................ $4,477 $ 3,673 $ 8,150
Net income............................................... -- 2,311 2,311
Distributions............................................ -- (2,224) (2,224)
Contributions............................................ 1,989 -- 1,989
------ ------- -------
BALANCE AS OF NOVEMBER 17, 1999............................ $6,466 $3,760 $10,226
====== ======= =======
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1999
THROUGH NOVEMBER 17,
1999
--------------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $2,311
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities-
Depreciation and amortization......................... 110
Gain on sale of assets................................ (63)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of
effects from acquisitions and divestiture of assets-
Contracts-in-transit.............................. (1,104)
Accounts receivable, net.......................... (734)
Inventories....................................... 3,723
Prepaid expenses and other current assets......... (8)
Other assets...................................... 308
Floor plan notes payable.......................... 14,099
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.......... 1,156
Other long-term liabilities....................... (237)
--------
Net cash provided by operating activities....... 19,561
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (266)
Proceeds from the sale of assets.......................... 80
Cash and cash equivalents contributed to Asbury Arkansas
under Exchange Agreement................................ (2,120)
Other..................................................... 588
--------
Net cash used in investing activities........... (1,718)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions............................................. (2,224)
Contributions............................................. 1,989
Repayment of debt......................................... (1,174)
Proceeds from debt........................................ --
Net advances from (repayments to) related parties......... (17,791)
--------
Net cash used in financing activities........... (19,200)
--------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents....... (1,357)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 1,357
--------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $ --
========
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest.................................... $1,008
========
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The McLarty Combined Entities (the "Company") represents the combined dealership operations of North Point Ford, Inc., North Point Mazda, Inc., Premier Autoplaza, Inc., Hope Auto Company, McLarty Auto Mall, Inc. (collectively referred to as the "First Dealerships"), and Prestige, Inc. ("Prestige").
On February 23, 1999, pursuant to an exchange agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") among Asbury Arkansas L.L.C. ("Asbury Arkansas"), the Company and Asbury Automotive Group, L.L.C. ("AAG"), the operations of the First Dealerships were transferred to Asbury Arkansas in exchange for cash and a 49% interest in Asbury Arkansas. Concurrently, AAG contributed $13,995 in cash in exchange for a 51% interest in Asbury Arkansas. On November 18, 1999, the operations of Prestige were transferred to Asbury Arkansas in consummation of the Exchange Agreement.
The accompanying 1999 combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows reflect the activities of the First Dealerships from January 1, 1999 through February 22, 1999, which represents the date of closing of the exchange transactions involving the First Dealerships, and the activities of Prestige from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
The Company operates six automobile dealerships in the central and southwestern regions of the State of Arkansas. The dealerships are engaged in the sale of new and used motor vehicles and related products and services, including vehicle service and parts, finance and insurance products and other after-market products.
The business combination described above was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting on the financial statements of Asbury Arkansas. The accompanying financial statements do not include the effect of any adjustments resulting from the ultimate allocation of the purchase price by Asbury Arkansas.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF COMBINATION
The financial statements for each of these entities are presented on a combined basis as they have substantially common ownership. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in combination.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase.
CONTRACTS-IN-TRANSIT
Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
The majority of the Company's inventories are accounted for using the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") and are valued using the lower of cost or market. The Company's parts inventories are stated at replacement cost in accordance with industry practice. The Company valued certain inventories using the "last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO"). If the FIFO method had been used to determine the cost of inventories, net income would have been greater by $56 for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the face value of the net tangible and other intangible assets acquired at the date of acquisition net of accumulated amortization. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years.
FINANCE RECEIVABLES AND ADVANCES
The Company has an arrangement with a finance company, whereby the finance company extends credit to certain of the Company's customers in connection with vehicle sales. Under the arrangement, the Company originates installment contracts, which are assigned to the finance company without recourse, along with security interests in the related vehicles. The finance company advances the Company a portion of the payments due under the contracts, groups the contracts into pools and services the contracts. The finance company retains a servicing fee equal to 20% of contractual payments due on a pool-by-pool basis. In the event of customer default, the Company has no obligation to repay any advanced amounts or other fees to the finance company.
TAX STATUS
The entities comprising the Company are Subchapter S Corporations, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and thus the taxable income or losses of the Company are included in the individual tax returns of the stockholders for federal and state income tax purposes. Therefore, no provisions for taxes have been included in the accompanying combined financial statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred or when such advertising initially takes place. The Company's combined statement of income includes advertising expense of $1,444 for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in the statements of cash flows.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international operations.
MAJOR SUPPLIERS AND DEALERSHIP AGREEMENTS
The Company enters into agreements with the automakers that supply new vehicles and parts to its dealerships. The Company's overall sales could be impacted by the automakers' ability or unwillingness to supply the dealerships with a supply of new vehicles. Dealership agreements generally limit location of dealerships and retain automaker approval rights over changes in dealership management and ownership. Each automaker is entitled to terminate the dealership agreement if the dealership is in material breach of its terms.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an
entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure
those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may
be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair
value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment,
(b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction
or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign
operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a
foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes
in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use
of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the
effective date of SFAS No. 133 to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited
number of issues that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous
entities applying SFAS No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of
SFAS No. 133 will not have a material impact on its results of operations,
financial position, liquidity or cash flows.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchase of specific vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest at variable rates based on prime. The interest rates related to floor plan notes payable ranged from 7.75% to 8.75%. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle inventories of the Company and are subject to certain financial and other covenants.
Long-term debt consists of various notes payable to banks and corporations, bearing interest at both fixed and variable rates and secured by certain of the Company's assets. Interest rates ranged from 7.75% to 8.75%.
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements, including leases with related parties. Rent expense for the period presented in the accompanying combined statements of income is shown below:
FOR THE PERIOD
FROM JANUARY 1, 1999
THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 1999
-------------------------
Related parties..................................... $529
Third parties....................................... 127
----
Total........................................... $656
====
|
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management of the Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial position or the results of operations of the Company.
5. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company had amounts payable to related parties that consisted primarily of advances made to the Company by certain shareholders and officers. These balances accrued interest at rates corresponding to interest rates charged by certain floor plan institutions.
The Company paid management fees to an entity that is owned by certain Company shareholders totaling approximately $52 during the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
The entities included in the Company had various levels of ownership interest in the Sunlight Mesa Insurance Company ("Mesa"), which aggregate to 100%. Mesa operates as a reinsurer of credit life, accident and health insurance and has no direct policies in force. As Mesa's results of operations and financial position were not material, they have not been combined into the accompanying financial statements. Instead, the Company has recorded their interest in Mesa using the cost method of accounting for investments. The Company's investment in Mesa was not contributed to Asbury Arkansas as a part of the business combination discussed in Note 1.
6. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company maintains 401(k) plans (the "Plans") at each of the dealerships, which cover substantially all employees. The Company makes matching contributions to the Plans of up to 2% of participating employees' salaries. The Company's combined statement of income includes contributions of $16 for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. (Crown Automotive Group) for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
July 18, 2001
|
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1999
THROUGH APRIL 6,
1999
-------------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle............................................... $14,424
Used vehicle.............................................. 13,148
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 4,815
Finance and insurance, net................................ 555
-------
Total revenue......................................... 32,942
-------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 13,413
Used vehicle.............................................. 12,341
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 2,556
-------
Total cost of sales................................... 28,310
-------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 4,632
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 3,579
Depreciation and amortization............................. 18
-------
Income from operations................................ 1,035
-------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (93)
Other interest expense.................................... (48)
Other income, net......................................... 687
-------
Net income............................................ $ 1,581
=======
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK RETAINED
AND ADDITIONAL EARNINGS
PAID-IN CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
--------------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998............................ $3,424 $ (713) $2,711
------ ------ ------
Distributions............................................ -- (340) (340)
Net income............................................... -- 1,581 1,581
------ ------ ------
BALANCE AS OF APRIL 6, 1999................................ $3,424 $ 528 $3,952
====== ====== ======
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1999
THROUGH APRIL 6,
1999
-------------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $1,581
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization......................... 18
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisitions and divestiture of assets--
Contracts-in-transit.................................. (580)
Accounts receivable, net.............................. (1,450)
Inventories........................................... (743)
Prepaid and other..................................... 3
Floor plan notes payable.............................. (428)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 2,074
-------
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 475
-------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (15)
Net issuance of notes receivable.......................... --
-------
Net cash used in investing activities............. (15)
-------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Contributions............................................. --
Repayments of notes payable............................... --
Distributions............................................. (340)
-------
Net cash used in financing activities............. (340)
-------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents..................................... 120
-------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. --
-------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $ 120
=======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest.................................... $ 76
=======
Non-cash distributions (net assets of the business sold to
Asbury on December 11, 1998)............................ $ --
=======
|
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. ("Asbury") acquired its dealership operations through the December 11, 1998, acquisition of the non-Honda/Acura operations of CAC Automotive, Inc. ("CAC"), CAR Automotive, Inc. ("CAR"), CFC Finance, Inc. ("CFC"), and CAM Automotive, Inc. ("CAM") and the April 7, 1999, acquisition of the Honda/Acura dealerships of the above-mentioned entities. The combined accounts of the entities mentioned above will from hereafter be referred to collectively as "the Company" or "Crown Automotive Group." These combined statements do not include the real estate entities in which the Company conducts its dealership operations. As a result, rent expense is included in the accompanying combined statements of income as discussed in Note 3.
On December 11, 1998, the non-Honda/Acura operations of CAC, CAR, CFC, CAM and the real estate assets of Asbury North Carolina Real Estate Holdings L.L.C. were acquired by Asbury for $80,828 in cash and the issuance of a 49% equity interest to certain of the former shareholders of the Company.
On April 7, 1999, the Honda/Acura dealerships operations were acquired by Asbury for $10,073 in cash and the issuance of a 49% equity interest to the same shareholders.
The Company is engaged in the sale of new and used vehicles, light trucks and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its automotive customers located in Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying combined financial statements reflect the combined accounts of the Honda/ Acura operations for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999.
All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated during the period of common ownership.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and vehicle service contract
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase.
CONTRACTS-IN-TRANSIT
Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
New and used vehicle inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market utilizing the "last-in, first-out" (LIFO) method. Parts inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market utilizing the "first-in, first-out" (FIFO) method. If the FIFO method had been used to determine cost for inventories valued using the LIFO method, net income would have increased by $10 for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided for utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset.
TAX STATUS
The Company's shareholders have elected to be taxed as S corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. The shareholders of the Company are taxed on their share of the Company's taxable income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred or when such advertising initially takes place. Advertising costs aggregated approximately $250 for the period from January 1, 1999, through April 6, 1999.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, liquidity or cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition." SAB No.101 was effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption of SAB No.101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue recognition policies.
3. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Asbury acquired the real estate used in the dealership operations of the entities included in these financial statements in the December 10, 1998 acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, the real estate was owned by the majority shareholder of the Company or owned through entities in which the majority shareholder of the Company held a controlling interest. Rent expense included in the
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
accompanying statement of income paid to those real estate entities totaled $497 for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999. The related real estate had a fair market value of $56,200 at the date of acquisition by Asbury.
4. OPERATING LEASES
The Company held various lease agreements for land expiring through 2005.
In addition to the related party real estate leases mentioned above, the Company is party to various equipment operating leases with remaining terms in excess of one year. Expense related to these leases approximated $45 for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial condition, liquidity or the results of operations of the Company.
Included in other income, net is $683 of income from the settlement of a class action lawsuit with a certain vehicle manufacturer.
6. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company participates in a retirement program administered by the National Automobile Dealers and Associates Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is a multi-employer defined contribution 401(k) plan. Each regular full-time employee who is at least 21 years of age, but not over 56, and who has been continuously employed by the Company for one year or more is eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan requires that the Company match the employees' voluntary contributions to the extent of 2% of the compensation of participants. Contributions to the Plan made by the Company amounted to approximately $26 for the period from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999.
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
--------
Prospectus Summary................... 1
The Offering......................... 4
Summary Historical And Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Data........ 5
Risk Factors......................... 6
Forward-Looking Statements........... 16
Use Of Proceeds...................... 17
Dividend Policy...................... 17
Dilution............................. 17
Capitalization....................... 19
Selected Consolidated Financial
Data............................... 20
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Information........................ 22
Management's Discussion And Analysis
Of Financial Condition And Results
Of Operations...................... 28
Business............................. 37
Management........................... 53
Related Party Transactions........... 63
Description Of Capital Stock......... 66
Principal And Selling Stockholders... 70
Shares Eligible For Future Sale...... 72
Underwriting......................... 75
Validity Of Shares................... 77
Experts.............................. 77
Where You Can Find More Information.. 77
Index to Financial Statements........ F-1
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Through and including , 2002 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus) all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer's obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
7,700,000 Shares
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE
GROUP, INC.
Common Stock
[LOGO]
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
ROBERTSON STEPHENS
Representatives of the Underwriters
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting compensation expected to be incurred) in connection with this offering. All such amounts (except the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee) are estimated.
SEC registration fee........................................ $ 37,500
NYSE listing fee............................................ 125,000
NASD filing fee............................................. 15,500
Blue Sky fees and expenses.................................. 15,000
Printing and engraving costs................................ 300,000
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 1,500,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................ 1,400,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar fees and expenses.............. 25,000
Miscellaneous............................................... 582,000
----------
Total....................................................... $4,000,000
==========
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ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that we may indemnify our directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with various actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, a derivative action if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that we may only extend indemnification to expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and the statute requires that we obtain court approval before we may satisfy any such indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation's by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of us or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such proceeding is the alleged action of such person in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, will be indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or
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may hereafter be amended against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and excise taxes or penalties). Our certificate of incorporation also provides that we will pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such rights are not exclusive of any other right which any person may have or thereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate, by-law agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. No repeal or modification of such provision will in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent of us thereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification. Our certificate of incorporation also specifically authorizes us to maintain insurance and to grant similar indemnification rights to our employees or agents.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:
- any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;
- acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or
- any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors will be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except, if required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as amended from time to time, for liability:
- for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
- for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which concerns unlawful payments of dividends, stock purchases or redemptions; or
- for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Neither the amendment nor repeal of such provision will eliminate or reduce the effect of such provision in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for such provision, would accrue or arise prior to such amendment or repeal.
Reference is made to Article X of the Articles of Incorporation of Asbury concerning indemnification and limitation of liability of directors, officers, employees and agents.
At present there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director or officer of Asbury as to which indemnification is being sought nor is Asbury aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by Asbury by any officer or director.
Asbury has also purchased and maintains insurance policies covering the directors and officers identified in the prospectus which forms a part of this registration statement with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise.
Section Eight of the Underwriting Agreement, to be filed as Exhibit 1.1, provides that the Underwriters named therein will indemnify us and hold us harmless and each of our directors, officers or controlling persons from and against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
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Securities Act. Section Eight of the Underwriting Agreement also provides that such Underwriters will contribute to certain liabilities of such persons under the Securities Act.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
The following sets forth information, as of the date hereof, regarding all sales of unregistered securities of the Registrant during the past three years. All such shares were issued in reliance upon an exemption or exemptions from registration under the Securities Act by reason of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering or transactions pursuant to compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. In connection with the transactions for which an exemption is claimed pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, the securities were sold to a limited number of persons, such persons were provided access to all relevant information regarding the Registrant and represented to the Registrant that they were either "sophisticated" investors or were represented by persons with knowledge and experience in financial and business matters who were capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment, and such persons represented to the Registrant that the shares were purchased for investment purposes only and with no view toward distribution. In connection with the issuances of securities for which an exemption is claimed pursuant to Rule 701, the securities have been offered and issued by the Registrant to executive officers and employees and consultants for compensating purposes pursuant to written plans or arrangements.
From January 1, 1999, to February 5, 2002, we issued to 21 of our employees, pursuant to our 1999 option plan, options to purchase membership interests which represent the right to purchase an aggregate of 1,072,738 shares of our common stock, based upon the presently expected exchange ratio of shares for membership interests. The following table sets forth the date of each issuance, the number of optionee's granted options on that date and the number of shares eligible to be purchased based on the foregoing assumptions:
DATE OF ISSUANCE NUMBER OF OPTIONEES NUMBER OF SHARES ------------------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------------- January 1, 1999................................. 1 13,577 April 1, 1999................................... 1 9,698 April 26, 1999.................................. 1 3,879 August 2, 1999.................................. 1 3,879 November 1, 1999................................ 1 5,819 April 1, 2000................................... 1 5,819 April 3, 2000................................... 2 8,534 May 22, 2000.................................... 1 3,879 June 5, 2000.................................... 1 15,517 June 12, 2000................................... 1 5,819 November 27, 2000............................... 1 3,879 January 8, 2001................................. 1 1,940 March 26, 2001.................................. 1 15,517 May 25, 2001.................................... 1 5,819 July 11, 2001................................... 9 36,076 December 3, 2001................................ 1 737,500 January 30, 2002................................ 1 38,793 January 31, 2002................................ 1 23,276 February 4, 2002................................ 1 7,759 February 5, 2002................................ 1 125,759 |
On February 1, 2000, in connection with his employment agreement, we issued a carried interest to Brian E. Kendrick of up to 0.7667%. A carried interest provides the holder with a contractual right to receive a percentage of our earnings, either in cash or in our common stock, after such time as a preferred return of approximately $435 million is achieved and distributed to
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those holding ownership interests, as directed by the board of directors. Prior to this offering no distributions relating to the carried interest had been made to Mr. Kendrick.
On April 30, 2000, in connection with a reorganization, which we refer to as the "Minority Membership Transaction", Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. issued membership interests to Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and platform dealers and managers in exchange for their respective membership or partnership interests in their platform groups. Those already holding membership interests in Asbury Automotive Oregon retained those interests. To determine the number of Asbury Automotive Oregon membership interests that each party would be entitled to in the Minority Membership Transaction, the platforms were valued using the market multiple approach. Concurrently with the Minority Membership Transaction, Asbury Automotive Oregon changed its name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and the former Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. changed its name to Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C.
On July 1, 2001, in connection with a capital contribution of $366,765, Paula Tabar received membership interests equal to .0952% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On July 1, 2001, in connection with a capital contribution of $110,765, Joseph Umbriano received membership interests equal to .0287% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On September 1, 2000, Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. issued membership interests to Mark Escude Nissan, Inc. equal to .6581% of all membership interests then outstanding in connection with the acquisition of Mark Escude Nissan, Inc., Mark Escude Nissan North, Inc., Mark Escude Motors, Inc., Mark Escude Daewoo, Inc. and Regency Toyota, Inc.
On September 1, 2000, Asbury Automotive Jacksonville, L.P. issued membership interests to Buddy Hutchinson Chevrolet, Inc. equal to 1.3161% of all membership interests then outstanding in connection with the acquisition of Buddy Hutchinson Cars, Inc., Buddy Hutchinson Imports, Inc., Buddy Hutchinson Chevrolet, Inc., MFH Realty, Inc., B&N Realty, Inc., MFH Improvements, Inc., BH of Jacksonville, Inc., Hutchinson Realty, Inc. and Hutchinson Corporation.
On September 1, 2000, Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. issued membership interests to Childs & Associates Inc. equal to .4935% of all membership interests then outstanding in connection with the acquisition of Purvis Brothers Ford.
On September 1, 2001, in connection with a capital contribution of $308,310, Robert Dennis received membership interests equal to .08% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On September 1, 2000, in connection with a capital contribution of $75,000, Jeff King received membership interests equal to .0197% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On July 2, 2001, Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. issued membership interests to Brandon Ford, Inc. equal to 1.299% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On January 1, 2002, in connection with a capital contribution of $500,000, Thomas Gilman received membership interests equal to 0.1295% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On January 1, 2002, in connection with a capital contribution of $300,000, Thomas McCollum received membership interests equal to 0.0777% of all membership interests then outstanding.
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ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Exhibits
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1 Form of Restated and Amended Certificate of Incorporation of
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
3.2 Form of Amended and Restated By-laws of Asbury Automotive
Group, Inc.
5.1 Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore
10.1 1999 Option Plan
10.2 2002 Stock Option Plan
10.3 Intentionally omitted
10.4 Form of Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.
10.5 Severance Pay Agreement of Thomas R. Gibson
10.6 Employment Agreement of Kenneth B. Gilman*
10.7 Intentionally omitted
10.8 Severance Pay Agreement of Phillip R. Johnson*
10.10 Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2001, between
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and Ford Motor Credit
Company, Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C., and General
Motors Acceptance Corporation.+*
10.11 Form of Shareholders Agreement between Asbury Automotive
Holdings and the stockholders named therein*
10.12 Chrysler Dodge Dealer Agreement*
10.13 Ford Dealer Agreement*
10.14 General Motors Dealer Agreement*
10.15 Honda Dealer Agreement*
10.16 Mercedes Dealer Agreement*
10.17 Nissan Dealer Agreement*
10.18 Toyota Dealer Agreement*
10.19 Employment Agreement of C.V. Nalley*
10.20 Employment Agreement of David McDavid, Sr.*
10.21 Employment Agreement of Luther Coggin*
10.22 Severance Pay Agreement of Thomas F. Gilman*
10.23 Severance Pay Agreement of Thomas G. McCollum*
10.24 Severance Pay Agreement of Allen T. Levenson*
10.25 Severance Pay Agreement of Robert D. Frank*
10.26 Severance Pay Agreement of John C. Stamm
21.1 List of subsidiaries of the registrant
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.3 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
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EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 23.4 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP 23.5 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP 23.6 Consent of Dixon Odom, P.L.L.C. 23.7 Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore (contained in Exhibit 5) 23.8 Power of Attorney* 23.9 Power of Attorney |
* Previously filed.
+ Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this document and has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
The financial statement schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable or the requested information is shown in the consolidated financial statements of Asbury Automotive Group or related notes thereto.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
(1) The undersigned will provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(3) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14 or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, the State of New York, on the 22nd day of February, 2002.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ KENNETH B. GILMAN
-------------------------------------------
Name: Kenneth B. Gilman
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* President and Chief February 22, 2002
------------------------------------------- Executive Officer
Kenneth B. Gilman
* Senior Vice President and February 22, 2002
------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
Thomas F. Gilman
* Controller February 22, 2002
-------------------------------------------
Michael C. Paul
* Director February 22, 2002
-------------------------------------------
Timothy C. Collins
* Director February 22, 2002
-------------------------------------------
Thomas Gibson
* Director February 22, 2002
-------------------------------------------
Ian K. Snow
* Director February 22, 2002
-------------------------------------------
John M. Roth
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SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* Director February 22, 2002
-------------------------------------------
Ben David McDavid
* By:
/s/ KENNETH B. GILMAN
-------------------------------------------
Kenneth B. Gilman
Attorney-in-Fact for each of
the persons indicated
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Exhibit 1.1
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
COMMON STOCK (PAR VALUE $0.01)
FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
MARCH ...., 2002
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Robertson Stephens, Inc.
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
As representatives of the several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell
to the Underwriters named in SCHEDULE I hereto (the "Underwriters") an aggregate
of . . . . . . .shares and, at the election of the Underwriters, up to . . . .
. . additional shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Stock") of the
Company and the stockholders of the Company named in SCHEDULE II hereto (the
"Selling Stockholders") propose, subject to the terms and conditions stated
herein, to sell to the Underwriters an aggregate of . . . . . . . shares of
Stock. The aggregate of . . . . shares to be sold by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders is herein called "Firm Shares" and the aggregate of . . . . .
additional shares to be sold by the Company is herein called the "Optional
Shares". The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to
purchase pursuant to Section 2 hereof are herein collectively called the
"Shares".
Prior to the First Time of Delivery (as defined below), substantially all of the membership interests in Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Asbury Automotive LLC"), will be contributed to the Company and to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company pursuant to that certain Transfer and Exchange Agreement, to be dated as of March , 2002, among Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., the Company and the Dealers and Managers parties thereto (the "Transfer and Exchange Agreement"). The transfer of substantially all of the membership interests in Asbury Automotive LLC to the Company and a wholly-owned subsidiary pursuant to the Transfer and Exchange Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the "Transfer".
1. (a) The Company and Asbury Automotive LLC, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to, and agree with, each of the Underwriters that:
(1) A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-65998) (the "Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Shares has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); the Initial Registration Statement and
any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to you, and, excluding exhibits thereto, to you for each of the other Underwriters, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement"), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which became effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act is hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and including the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective, are hereinafter collectively called the "Registration Statement"; such final prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus");
(ii) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein or by a Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the preparation of the answers therein to Item 7 of Form S-1;
(iii) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein or by a Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the preparation of the answers therein to Item 7 of Form S-1;
(iv) Neither the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC nor any of their respective subsidiaries has sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from
any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock or membership interests, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity, members' equity or results of operations of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and their respective subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
(v) The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus (including, without limitation, such liens imposed under the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2001, between Asbury Automotive LLC and the lenders named therein, and the wholesale agreement of even date therewith and between such parties (collectively, the "Credit Facility"))or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights, and to general equity principles;
(vi) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, or is subject to no material liability or disability by reason of the failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction; each "significant subsidiary" (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Act) of the Company that is a corporation has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and each significant subsidiary of the Company that is a limited liability company has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation;
(vii) Asbury Automotive LLC has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (limited liability company and other) to own its properties and conduct the business of the Company as described in the Prospectus prior to the consummation of the Transfer and to conduct its business as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company upon the consummation of the Transfer, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, or is subject to no material liability or
disability by reason of the failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction; each significant subsidiary of Asbury Automotive LLC that is a corporation has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and each significant subsidiary of Asbury Automotive LLC that is a limited liability company has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation;
(viii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description of the Stock contained in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock"; and all of the issued shares of capital stock and all of the issued membership interests of each subsidiary of the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are, in the case of shares of capital stock, fully paid and non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company or Asbury Automotive LLC, as the case may be, free and clear of all liens (other than liens imposed under the Credit Facility), encumbrances, equities or claims;
(ix) All of the issued membership interests of Asbury Automotive LLC have been duly and validly authorized and issued; upon the effective time of the Transfer as provided in the Transfer and Exchange Agreement, 100 percent of the membership interests of Asbury Automotive LLC shall be owned directly or indirectly by the Company;
(x) The unissued Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description of the Stock contained in the Prospectus;
(xi) The Transfer and Exchange Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC and the Transfer will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus;
(xii) The issue and sale of the Shares to be sold by the Company, the Transfer and the compliance by the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the Transfer and Exchange Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, Franchise Agreement (as defined herein), framework franchise agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company, the Certificate of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreement of Asbury Automotive LLC, or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries or any of their properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares, the consummation of the Transfer or the consummation by the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transfer
and Exchange Agreement, except the registration under the Act of the Shares and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;
(xiii) Neither the Company nor any of those of its or Asbury Automotive LLC's subsidiaries that are corporations are in violation of their respective Certificates of Incorporation or By-laws; neither Asbury Automotive LLC nor any of those of its or the Company's subsidiaries that are limited liability companies are in violation of their respective Certificates of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreements, and neither the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC nor any of their respective subsidiaries are in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other material agreement or instrument to which they are parties or by which they or any of their properties may be bound;
(xiv) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock", insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock, and under the caption "Underwriting", insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair;
(xv) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the current or future consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries; and, to the best of the Company's and Asbury Automotive LLC's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;
(xvi) Neither the Company nor Asbury Automotive LLC is and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares, neither the Company nor Asbury Automotive LLC will be an "investment company", as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");
(xvii) Arthur Andersen LLP, which has certified certain financial statements of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and their respective subsidiaries, and Dixon Odom P.L.L.C., which has certified certain financial statements of Nalley Chevrolet, Inc. and affiliated entities are each independent public accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;
(xviii) The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and their respective subsidiaries have obtained all environmental permits, licenses and other authorizations required by federal, state and local law in order to conduct their businesses as described in the Prospectus, except where failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the current or future consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity, members' equity or results of operations of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries (a "Material Adverse Effect"); the Company and its subsidiaries are conducting their businesses in compliance with such permits, licenses and authorizations and with applicable environmental laws, except where the failure to be in
compliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC nor any of their respective subsidiaries are in violation of any federal or state law or regulation relating to the storage, handling, disposal, release or transportation of hazardous or toxic materials, which violation would subject the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries to any liability or disability, except where such violations would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
(xix) The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries have all licenses, franchises, permits, authorizations, approvals and orders and other concessions of and from all governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary to own or lease their properties and conduct their businesses as described in the Prospectus, except for such licenses, franchises, permits authorizations, approvals and orders, the failure to obtain which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
(xx) The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries are conducting business in compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, standards, guides and orders administered or issued by any governmental or regulatory authority in the jurisdictions in which it is conducting business, except where the failure to be so in compliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
(xxi) The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or a wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary has entered into a franchise agreement with each of the manufacturers listed on Schedule III hereto (collectively, the "Franchise Agreements", and each a "Franchise Agreement"), each of which has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or such subsidiary, is in full force and effect and constitutes the valid and binding agreement between the parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable federal and state franchise laws and subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights, and to general equity principles; the Franchise Agreements permit the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or a subsidiary or subsidiaries to operate a vehicle sales franchise at the locations indicated on Schedule III; the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and their subsidiaries are in compliance with all material terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreements, and, to the best knowledge of the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC, there has not occurred any material default under any of the Franchise Agreements or any event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would constitute a material default thereunder; and
(xxii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or Asbury Automotive LLC have any rights to require the Company or Asbury Automotive LLC to register any securities of the Company under the Act.
(b) Each of the Selling Stockholders severally represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters, the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC that:
(i) All consents, approvals, authorizations and orders necessary for the execution and delivery by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement and the Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement hereinafter referred to, and for the sale and delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, have been obtained; and such Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Power-of-Attorney and the Custody Agreement and, upon the issuance of the Shares
to or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder prior to the First Time of Delivery, such Selling Stockholder shall have full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder;
(ii) The sale of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder and the compliance by such Selling Stockholder with all of the provisions of this Agreement, the Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the property or assets of such Selling Stockholder is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreement of such Selling Stockholder if such Selling Stockholder is a limited liability company] or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder or the property of such Selling Stockholder;
(iii) Assuming that the shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder have been validly issued to such Selling Stockholder by the Company, such Selling Stockholder shall have, immediately prior to the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof), good and valid title to the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; and, upon delivery of such Shares and payment therefor pursuant hereto, good and valid title to such Shares, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, will pass to the several Underwriters;
(iv) Such Selling Stockholder shall not, during the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to and including the date two years after the date of the Prospectus, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar securities (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this Agreement), without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.;
(v) Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;
(vi) To the extent that any statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto are made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein, such Preliminary Prospectus and the Registration Statement did, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, when they become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(vii) In order to avoid backup withholding of U.S. Federal income tax on the cash received in connection with the transactions herein contemplated, such Selling Stockholder will deliver to you prior to or at the First Time of Delivery (as hereinafter defined) a properly completed and executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or other applicable form or statement specified by applicable regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury in lieu thereof);
(viii) Immediately prior to the First Time of Delivery, certificates in negotiable form representing all of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder shall have been placed in custody under a Custody Agreement, in the form heretofore furnished to you (the "Custody Agreement"), duly executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder to Ian K. Snow and Tony W. Lee, each as custodian (the "Custodian"), and such Selling Stockholder has duly executed and delivered a Power of Attorney, in the form heretofore furnished to you (the "Power of Attorney"), appointing the persons indicated in SCHEDULE II hereto, and each of them, as such Selling Stockholder's attorneys-in-fact (the "Attorneys-in-Fact") with authority to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of such Selling Stockholder, to determine the purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters to the Selling Stockholders as provided in Section 2 hereof, to authorize the delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder and otherwise to act on behalf of such Selling Stockholder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Custody Agreement; and
(ix) The Shares represented by the certificates to be held in custody for such Selling Stockholder under the Custody Agreement shall be subject to the interests of the Underwriters hereunder; the arrangements made by such Selling Stockholder for such custody, and the appointment by such Selling Stockholder of the Attorneys-in-Fact by the Power of Attorney, are to that extent irrevocable; the obligations of the Selling Stockholders hereunder to the extent permitted by applicable law shall not be terminated by operation of law, whether by the death or incapacity of any individual Selling Stockholder or, in the case of an estate or trust, by the death or incapacity of any executor or trustee or the termination of such estate or trust, or in the case of a partnership or corporation, by the dissolution of such partnership or corporation, or by the occurrence of any other event; if any individual Selling Stockholder or any such executor or trustee should die or become incapacitated, or if any such estate or trust should be terminated, or if any such partnership or corporation should be dissolved, or if any other such event should occur, before the delivery of the Shares hereunder, certificates representing the Shares shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholders in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the Custody Agreements; and actions taken by the Attorneys-in-Fact pursuant to the Powers of Attorney to the extent permitted by applicable law shall be as valid as if such death, incapacity, termination, dissolution or other event had not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian, the Attorneys-in-Fact, or any of them, shall have received notice of such death, incapacity, termination, dissolution or other event.
2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders agree, severally and not jointly, to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders, at a purchase price per share of $.............., the number of Firm Shares (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying the aggregate number of Shares to be sold by the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders as set forth opposite their respective names in SCHEDULE II hereto by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in SCHEDULE I hereto and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased by all of the Underwriters from the Company and all of the Selling Stockholders hereunder and (b) in the event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2, that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction the numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in SCHEDULE I hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.
The Company, as and to the extent indicated in SCHEDULE II hereto, hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at their election up to ................... Optional Shares, at the purchase price per share set forth in the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering sales of shares in excess of the number of Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from you to the Company and, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this Agreement and setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by you but in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or, unless you and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.
3. Upon the authorization by you of the release of the Firm Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
4. (a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in definitive form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as Goldman, Sachs & Co. may request upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company and the Selling Stockholders to Goldman, Sachs & Co., for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified by the Company and the Custodian on behalf of each of the Selling Stockholders, as their interests may appear, to Goldman, Sachs & Co. at least forty-eight hours in advance. The Company will cause the certificates representing the Shares to be made available for checking and packaging at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as defined below) with respect thereto at the office of Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 (the "Designated Office"). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York time, on ............., 2002 or such other time and date as Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Company and the Selling Stockholders may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York time, on the date specified by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the written notice given by Goldman, Sachs & Co. to the Company of the Underwriters' election to purchase such Optional Shares, or such other time and date as Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the "First Time of Delivery", such time and date for delivery of the Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called the "Second Time of Delivery", and each such time and date for delivery is herein called a "Time of Delivery".
(b) The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof, including the cross receipt for the Shares and any
additional documents requested by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7(n), will be delivered at the offices of Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 (the "Closing Location"), and the Shares will be delivered at the Designated Office, all at such Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at the Closing Location at 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next preceding such Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 4 and Section 5, "New York Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
5. The Company and Asbury Automotive LLC, jointly and severally, agree with each of the Underwriters:
(a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commission's close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus which shall be disapproved by you promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus or suspending any such qualification, promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;
(b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;
(c) As soon as practicable on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with written and electronic copies of the Prospectus in New York City in such quantities as you may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any events shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, to notify you and upon your request to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many written and electronic copies as you may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with
sales of any of the Shares at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many written and electronic copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;
(d) To make generally available to the Company's stockholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);
(e) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar securities (other than (A) pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this Agreement or (B) in connection with acquisitions, provided that such securities shall not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the stock to be outstanding immediately following the offering contemplated hereby and provided, further, that the recipients of such securities agree to be bound by this Section 5(e) for the duration of the 180 day period), without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.;
(f) To furnish to the Company's stockholders as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent public accountants) and, as soon as practicable after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the effective date of the Registration Statement), to make available to the Company's stockholders consolidated summary financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail;
(g) During a period of five years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, to furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to stockholders, and to deliver to you (i) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed; and (ii) such additional information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably request (such financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to the Company's stockholders generally or to the Commission);
(h) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds";
(i) To use its best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange);
(j) To file with the Commission such information on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act; and
(k) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Act; and
6. The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of the Selling
Stockholders covenant and agree with one another and with the several
Underwriters that (a) the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following:
(i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and
accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and
all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, the Blue Sky Memorandum,
closing documents (including any compilations thereof) and any other documents
in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares;
(iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for
offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b)
hereof, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in
connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky survey;
(iv) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares on the
Exchange; (v) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, securing any
required review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the
terms of the sale of the Shares; (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates;
(vii) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar, and (viii) all
other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the
Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders hereunder which are
not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section; and (b) each Selling
Stockholder will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the
performance of such Selling Stockholder's obligations hereunder which are not
otherwise specifically provided for in this Section, including (i) any fees and
expenses of counsel for such Selling Stockholder; (ii) such Selling
Stockholder's pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the Attorneys-in-Fact
and the Custodian; and (iii) all expenses and taxes incident to the sale and
delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder to the
Underwriters hereunder. It is understood, however, that the Company, and Asbury
Automotive LLC shall bear, and the Selling Stockholders shall not be required to
pay or to reimburse the Company or Asbury Automotive LLC for, the cost of any
other matters not directly relating to the sale and purchase of the Shares
pursuant to this Agreement, and that, except as provided in this Section, and
Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and
expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on resale of
any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any
offers they may make.
7. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to be delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and of the Selling Stockholders herein are, at and as of such Time of Delivery, true and correct, the condition that the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders shall have performed all of its and their obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement; no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to your reasonable satisfaction;
(b) Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to you such written opinion or opinions, dated such Time of Delivery, with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Shares, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and such other related matters as you may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters;
(c) Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to you, in form and substance satisfactory to you, (i) their written opinion, dated such Time of Delivery, to the effect that:
(A) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;
(B) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company (including the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and the Shares conform to the description of the Stock contained in the Prospectus;
(C) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;
(D) The issue and sale of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery to be sold by the Company and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any (x) indenture, or loan agreement with a financial institution, or (y) material mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument, in the case of the agreements and instruments described in clause (y), known to such counsel, to which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries or any of their properties;
(E) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the registration
under the Act of the Shares, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters; provided that such opinion may be limited to the laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law and Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware;
(F) Each "significant subsidiary" (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Act) of the Company that is a corporation has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and (except for directors' qualifying shares) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims (such counsel being entitled to (i) rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that both you and they are justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates, and (ii) exclude from such opinion such liens as are imposed under the terms of the Credit Facility);
(G) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the registration under the Act of the Shares, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;
(H) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock", insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock, and under the caption "Underwriting" insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair; and
(I) The Company is not an "investment company", as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act; and
(ii) their letter, dated such Time of Delivery, to the effect that:
The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any further
amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company prior to such
Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related
schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein,
as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in
all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder; although they do not assume any
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
except for those referred to in the opinion in paragraph (H) of this
Section 7(c), they have no reason to believe that, as of its effective
date, the Registration Statement or any further amendment
thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of such Time of Delivery, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and they do not know of any amendment to the Registration Statement required to be filed or of any contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or described as required.
(d) General counsel to the Company or other counsel of the Company satisfactory to you shall have furnished to you, in form and substance satisfactory to you, (i) his written opinion, dated such Time of Delivery, to the effect that:
(A) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;
(B) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company (including the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and the Shares conform to the description of the Stock contained in the Prospectus;
(C) The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, or is subject to no material liability or disability by reason of failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that both you and they are justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates);
(D) Each significant subsidiary of the Company that is a limited liability company has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation; and all of the issued membership interests of each such subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims (such counsel being entitled to (i) rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that both you and they are justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates, and (ii) exclude from such opinion such liens and encumbrances as are imposed under the terms of the Credit Facility);
(E) The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable
title in fee simple to all real property owned by them, in each case
free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as
do not interfere with the use and continued use made and proposed to
be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and
any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and
its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and
enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do
not interfere with the use and continued use made and proposed to be
made of such property and buildings by the Company and its
subsidiaries (in giving the opinion in this clause, such counsel may
(i) state that no examination of record titles for the purpose of
such opinion has been made, and that they are relying upon a general
review of the titles of the Company and its subsidiaries, upon
opinions of local counsel and abstracts, reports and policies of
title companies rendered or issued at or subsequent to the time of
acquisition of such property by the Company or its subsidiaries,
upon opinions of counsel to the lessors of such property and, in
respect of matters of fact, upon certificates of officers of the
Company or its subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state
that they believe that both you and they are justified in relying
upon such opinions, abstracts, reports, policies and certificates,
(ii) exclude from such opinion liens, encumbrances, defects and
exceptions that would not have a Material
Adverse Effect and (iii) exclude from such opinion such liens and encumbrances as are imposed under the terms of the Credit Facility);
(F) To such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;
(G) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;
(H) (x) The Company is not in violation of its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, nor is it in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, or lease or agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound;
(y) To such counsel's knowledge, none of the significant subsidiaries of the Company that are corporations are in violation of their respective Certificates of Incorporation or
By-laws, none of the significant subsidiaries of the Company that are limited liability companies are in violation of their respective Certificates of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreements, and no such significant subsidiary is in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, or lease or agreement or other material instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound; and
(z) To the knowledge of such counsel, none of the subsidiaries of the Company that are not significant subsidiaries are (I) in the case of corporations, in violation of their respective Certificates of Incorporation or By-laws, and (II) in the case of limited liability companies, in violation of their respective Certificates of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreements, and no such subsidiary is in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, or lease or agreement or other material instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound;
provided that such counsel may exclude from such opinion such violations and defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) his letter dated such Time of Delivery, to the effect that:
The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any further amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; they have no reason to believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement
thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of such Time of Delivery, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules and information of a financial or accounting nature therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and they do not know of any amendment to the Registration Statement required to be filed or of any contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or described as required.
(e) With respect to the First Time of Delivery, the respective counsel for each of the Selling Stockholders, as indicated in SCHEDULE II hereto, each shall have furnished to you their written opinion with respect to each of the Selling Stockholders for whom they are acting as counsel (a draft of each such opinion is attached as ANNEX II hereto), dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:
(i) A Power-of-Attorney and a Custody Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and constitute valid and binding agreements of such Selling Stockholder in accordance with their terms;
(ii) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder; and the sale of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder and the compliance by such Selling Stockholder with all of the provisions of this Agreement, the Power-of-Attorney and the Custody Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the property or assets of such Selling Stockholder is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreement of such Selling Stockholder if such Selling Stockholder is a limited liability company or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over such Selling Stockholder or the property of such Selling Stockholder;
(iii) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, except for those consents that have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect, such as have been obtained under the Act and such as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of such Shares by the Underwriters;
(iv) Assuming that the shares to be sold by such selling stockholder have been validly issued to such selling stockholder by the company, immediately prior to such Time of Delivery, such Selling Stockholder had good and valid title to the Shares to be sold at such Time of Delivery by such Selling Stockholder under this Agreement, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, and full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder; and
(v) Good and valid title to such Shares, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, or claims, has been transferred to each of the several Underwriters; provided that the Underwriters paid value therefore and have purchased such Shares without notice of an adverse claIm thereto (within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect as of such Time of Delivery in the State of New York).
In rendering the opinion in paragraph (iv), such counsel may rely upon a certificate of such Selling Stockholder in respect of matters of fact as to ownership of, and liens, encumbrances, or claims on, the Shares sold by such Selling Stockholder, provided that such counsel shall state that they believe that both you and they are justified in relying upon such certificate. In rendering such opinions such counsel may qualify such opinions by noting that no opinion is expressed as to the validity or enforceability of any provision which purports to provide that the powers granted under a power of attorney will survive the death or incompetence of the principal. Such counsel may also note that it has not been asked to review, nor has it reviewed, nor is it expressing any opinion with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any representation or warranty made by the Selling Stockholder or any other party in the Registration Statement, this Agreement or any document or instrument executed in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby.
(f) On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of this Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery, Arthur Andersen LLP shall have furnished to you a letter or letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in ANNEX I hereto;
(g) (i) Neither the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC nor any of their respective subsidiaries shall have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or membership interests, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity, members' equity or results of operations of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and any of their respective subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of the Representatives so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;
(h) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the Exchange; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company's securities on the Exchange; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New York State authorities; (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war; or (v) the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of any such event specified in clause (iv) or (v) in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;
(i) The Shares at such Time of Delivery shall have been duly listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the Exchange;
(j) The Company has obtained and delivered to the Underwriters executed
copies of an agreement from each of (i) Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and
(ii) the persons listed on Schedule IV (such persons, the "Designated
Persons"), substantially to the effect that during the period beginning from the
date hereof and continuing to and including the date, (i) in the case of Asbury
Automotive Holdings L.L.C., 180 days and (ii) in the case of each Designated
Person, two years after the date of the Prospectus, such persons shall not
offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any Shares or securities
of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not
limited to any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that
represent the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar
securities (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or
upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities
outstanding as of, the date of this Agreement), without the prior written
consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.;
(k) The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement;
(l) Prior to the First Time of Delivery, the Transfer and Exchange Agreement shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, and the Transfer shall have taken place;
(m) No legal action challenging the Transfer, the terms of the Transfer and Exchange Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby shall have been filed and remain outstanding, the effect of which, in the judgment of Goldman, Sachs & Co. makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the same manner contemplated by the Prospectus; and
(n) The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you at such Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company and of the Selling Stockholders, respectively, satisfactory to you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders, respectively, herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders of all of their respective obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, and as to such other matters as you may reasonably request, and the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC shall have furnished or caused to be furnished certificates as to the matters set forth in subsections (a), (f), (l) and (m) of this Section.
8. (A) The Company and Asbury Automotive LLC, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that neither the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC nor Nalley shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein.
(b) Each of the Selling Stockholders, and including, in the case of CNC Automotive, L.L.C., Royce Reynolds, will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein; and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that such Selling Stockholder shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and provided further that no Selling Stockholder shall be liable under this Section 8(b) in an aggregate amount greater than the product of (x) the number of Shares purchased by the Underwriters from such Selling Stockholder under Section 2 hereof, TIMES (y) the initial public offering price per Share as set forth on the front cover of the Prospectus.
(c) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or such Selling Stockholder may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each Selling Stockholder for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or such Selling Stockholder in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.
(d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a), (b) or (c) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation, unless the indemnified party shall have
reasonably concluded (with the advice of counsel) that there may be defenses
available to it which are different from those or in addition to those available
to the indemnifying party, in which case, the indemnifying party shall be
responsible for the fees and expenses of counsel for the indemnified party it
being understood, however, that the company and the selling stockholders shall
not be responsible for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys for the Underwriters or controlling persons in any one action or
series of related actions. No indemnifying party shall, without the written
consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or
consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened
action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be
sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential
party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment
(i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a
statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or
on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice
required under subsection (d) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or the Selling Stockholders in question on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, Asbury Automotive LLC, each of the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection (e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (e). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (e) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
(f) The obligations of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the respective Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company [(including any person who, with his or her consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to become a director of the Company)], each officer and director of Asbury Automotive LLC, and to each person, if any, who controls the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of the Act.
9. (A) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, you may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective prescribed
periods, you notify the Company and the Selling Stockholders that you have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company and the Selling Stockholders notify you that they have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, you or the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have the right to postpone Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in your opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Shares.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company and the Selling Stockholders as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, then the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company and
the Selling Stockholders as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate
number of such Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the
aggregate number of all of the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery,
or if the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall not exercise the right
described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to
purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement
(or, with respect to the Second Time of Delivery, the obligations of the
Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Optional Shares) shall
thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company or the Selling Stockholders, except for the expenses
to be borne by the Company and the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters as
provided in Section 6 hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreements in
Section 8 hereof and the obligations of Asbury Automotive LLC in Section 13
hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability
for its default.
10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC, the Selling Stockholders and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company, or any of the Selling Stockholders, or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or any controlling person of any Selling Stockholder, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
11. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof, neither the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC nor the Selling Stockholders shall then be under any liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 6, 8 and 13 hereof; but, if for any other reason any Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company and the Selling Stockholders as provided herein, the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders pro rata (based on the number of Shares to be sold by the Company and such Selling Stockholder hereunder), will reimburse the Underwriters through you for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by you,
including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter in respect of the Shares not so delivered except as provided in Sections 6, 8 and 13 hereof.
12. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of you as the representatives; and in all dealings with any Selling Stockholder hereunder, you, the Company and Asbury Automotive LLC shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of such Selling Stockholder made or given by any or all of the Attorneys-in-Fact for such Selling Stockholder.
All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to you as the representatives in care of Goldman, Sachs & Co., 32 Old Slip, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Registration Department; if to any Selling Stockholder shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to counsel for such Selling Stockholder at its address set forth in SCHEDULE II hereto; and if to the Company or Asbury Automotive LLC shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(d) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC or the Selling Stockholders by you on request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.
13. Asbury Automotive LLC covenants and agrees with the Underwriters that it shall ensure and guarantee the compliance by the Company with all of the Company's obligations hereunder.
14. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders and, to the extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each person who controls the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC, any Selling Stockholder or any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.
15. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.
16. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
17. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
18. The Company and the Selling Stockholders are authorized, subject to applicable law, to disclose any and all aspects of this potential transaction that are necessary to support any U.S. federal income tax benefits expected to be claimed with respect to such transaction, without the Underwriters imposing any limitation of any kind.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us ten (10) counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement among each of the Underwriters, the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and each of the Selling Stockholders. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company, Asbury Automotive LLC and the Selling Stockholders for examination, upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.
[The remainder of this page has been left blank intentionally]
Any person executing and delivering this Agreement as Attorney-in-Fact for a Selling Stockholder represents by so doing that he has been duly appointed as Attorney-in-Fact by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to a validly existing and binding Power-of-Attorney which authorizes such Attorney-in-Fact to take such action.
Very truly yours,
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Title:
Asbury Automotive Group, L.L.C.
Title:
Luther Coggin
C.V. "Jim" Nalley
CNC Automotive, L.L.C.
Royce Reynolds
Title:
As Attorney-in-Fact acting on behalf of
each of the Selling Stockholders named
in Schedule II to this Agreement.
Accepted as of the date hereof
at New York, New York
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
Robertson Stephens, Inc.
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
On behalf of each of the Underwriters
SCHEDULE I
Total Number Number of Optional Shares
of Firm Shares to be Purchased if
Underwriter to be Purchased Maximum Option Exercised
----------- --------------- ------------------------
Goldman, Sachs & Co.............
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith Incorporated.........
Robertson Stephens Inc..........
Salomon Smith Barney Inc........
Total...........................
|
Schedule I-1
SCHEDULE II
Total Number
of Firm Shares
Underwriter to be Sold
----------- ----------
The Company...................................
|
The Selling Stockholders(1)...................
Luther Coggin(a).........................
C.V. "Jim" Nalley(b).....................
CNC Automotive, L.L.C.(c)
Total....................................
(1) Each Selling Stockholder has appointed Ian K. Snow and Tony W. Lee,
and each of them as Attorneys-in-Fact.
(a) This Selling Stockholder is represented by Kirschner & Legler, P.A.,
300 Wharfside Way, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.
(b) This Selling Stockholder is represented by The Hines Firm, P.C., 1800
Peachtree Road, N.W., Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-2516.
(c) This Selling Stockholder is represented by Brooks, Pierce, McLendon,
Humphrey & Leonard, 2000 Renaissance Plaza, 230 North Elm Street,
Greensboro, North Carolina.
Schedule II-1
[TO BE UPDATED TO REFLECT ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES]
SCHEDULE III
DEALERSHIP FRANCHISE ADDRESS CITY STATE
Crown Mazda/BMW/Acura Acura 8710 W Broad St Richmond VA
Crown Acura Acura 3908 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Nalley Acura Acura 1355 Cobb Pkwy S Marietta GA
David McDavid Acura Acura 4051 W Plano Pkwy Plano TX
David McDavid Acura of Austin Acura 13553 US Hwy 183 N Austin TX
Crown Pontiac-GMC Audi 3633 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Plaza Porsche Audi / Land Rover Audi 11830 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO
Asbury Atlanta AU LLC Audi 11446 Alpharetta Hwy. Roswell GA
Crown Mazda/BMW/Acura BMW 8710 W Broad St Richmond VA
Crown Pontiac-GMC BMW 3633 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Coggin Motor Mall BMW 4500 US 1 S Ft. Pierce FL
Plaza BMW Cadillac BMW 11830 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO
Prestige, Inc. BMW 5045 Warden Rd N Little Rock AR
Coggin-Starling Pontiac-GMC-Buick Buick 2500 N Orange Blossom Trl Kissimmee FL
Coggin-Starling Pontiac-GMC-Buick Buick 4425 W Hwy 192 Kissimmee FL
David McDavid Pontiac/Buick Buick 3700 W Airport Fwy Irving TX
Plaza BMW Cadillac Cadillac 11830 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO
Nalley Chevrolet Chevrolet 2555 Stewart Ave Atlanta GA
Buddy Hutchinson Chevrolet Chevrolet 10880 Philips Hwy Jacksonville FL
Coggin-Starling Chevrolet Chevrolet 2500 N Orange Blossom Trl Kissimmee FL
Coggin-Starling Chevrolet Chevrolet 2500 N Orange Blossom Trl Kissimmee FL
Coggin-Starling Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Chevrolet 3550 W 13 St St. Cloud FL
Coggin-Starling Chevrolet, Oldsmobile Chevrolet 3551 W 13 St St. Cloud FL
Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Chrysler 1728 W Brandon Blvd Brandon FL
Hope Auto Company Chrysler 1400 N Hervey Hope AR
McLarty Auto Mall Chrysler 3232 Summerhill Rd Texarkana TX
Mark Escude Daewoo Daewoo 915 I-20 S Frontage Rd Jackson MS
Crown Dodge Dodge 3710 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Nalley Dodge Country Dodge 3254 Commerce Ave Duluth GA
Hope Auto Company Dodge 1400 N Hervey Hope AR
McLarty Auto Mall Dodge 3232 Summerhill Rd Texarkana TX
Crown Ford Ford 256 Swain St Fayetteville NC
Deland Ford Ford 2655 N Volusia Ave Orange City FL
Hope Auto Company Ford 1400 N Hervey Hope AR
North Point Ford Ford 4400 Landers Rd N Little Rock AR
McLarty Auto Mall Ford 3232 Summerhill Rd Texarkana TX
Thomason Damerow Ford Ford 12325 SW Canyon Rd Beaverton OR
Dee Thomason Ford Ford 19405 SE McLoughlin Blvd Gladstone OR
Crown Pontiac-GMC GMC 3633 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Crown Pontiac GMC/Isuzu GMC 2501 Capital Blvd Raleigh NC
Coggin Pontiac-GMC GMC 9201 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville FL
JW Courtesy Pontiac-GMC Truck GMC 3800 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL
Coggin-Starling Pontiac-GMC-Buick GMC 2500 N Orange Blossom Trl Kissimmee FL
Coggin-Starling Pontiac-GMC-Buick GMC 4425 W Hwy 192 Kissimmee FL
David McDavid GMC/Suzuki GMC 3900 W Airport Fwy Irving TX
Schedule III-1
|
DEALERSHIP FRANCHISE ADDRESS CITY STATE
Asbury Automotive Atlanta, L.L.C. Hino 2560 Moreland Ave. Atlanta GA
Crown Honda Honda 3904 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Crown Honda-Volvo Honda 1730 US 15-501 North Chapel Hill NC
Nalley Honda Honda 4197 Jonesboro Rd Union City GA
Buddy Hutchinson Imports Honda 2898 US Hwy 1 S St. Augustine FL
Coggin Honda Honda 9401 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville FL
Deland Honda Honda 1580 S Woodland Ave Deland FL
Coggin-Andrews Honda Honda 6574 S Orange Blossom Trail Orlando FL
Coggin Motor Mall Honda 4500 US 1 S Ft. Pierce FL
David McDavid Honda Honda 3600 W Airport Fwy Irving TX
David McDavid Honda Honda 11911 Gulf Fwy Houston TX
Thomason Honda Honda 19400 SE McLoughlin Blvd Gladstone OR
Courtesy Hyundai Hyundai 3800 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL
Tomason Damerow Hyundai Hyundai 13555 SW TV Hwy Beaverton OR
Thomason Hyundai Hyundai 17833 SE McLoughlin Blvd Milwaukee OR
Infiniti of Tampa Infiniti 4612 N Dale Marby Hwy Tampa FL
Plaza Infiniti Infiniti 755 N New Ballas St. Louis MO
Asbury Atlanta Infiniti L.L.C. Infiniti 1215 Cobb Parkway Marietta GA
Asbury Automotive St. Louis, L.L.C. Infiniti MO
Asbury Automotive Atlanta, L.L.C. International 2560 Moreland Ave. Atlanta GA
Truck & Engine
Corp. (Navistar)
Crown Pontiac GMC/Isuzu Isuzu 2501 Capital Blvd Raleigh NC
Courtesy Lincoln-Mercury/Isuzu Isuzu 9204 Adamo Drive Tampa FL
Thomason Isuzu Isuzu 8990 SE McLoughlin Blvd Milwaukee OR
Asbury Automotive Atlanta, L.L.C. Isuzu 2560 Moreland Ave. Atlanta GA
Asbury Atlanta Jaguar LLC Jaguar 11507 Alpharetta Hwy. Roswell GA
Nalley Roswell Jeep Jeep 11100 Alpharetta Hwy Roswell GA
Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Jeep 1728 W Brandon Blvd Brandon FL
Hope Auto Company Jeep 1400 N Hervey Hope AR
Crown Pontiac-GMC Kia 3633 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC
Coggin Kia Kia 8500 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville FL
Courtesy Kia of Brandon Kia 9204 Adamo Drive Tampa FL
David McDavid Kia Kia 11311 Gulf Fwy Houston TX
Plaza Porsche Audi / Land Rover Land Rover 11830 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO
Nalley Lexus Lexus 1431 Cobb Pkwy S Marietta GA
Nalley Roswell Lexus Lexus 980 Mansell Rd Roswell GA
Plaza Lexus Lexus 11858 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO
Courtesy Lincoln-Mercury/Isuzu Lincoln 9204 Adamo Drive Tampa FL
Asbury Lincoln Mercury, LLC Lincoln 2655 N. Volusia Ave. Orange City FL
Plano Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. Lincoln 3333 W. Plano Pkwy. Plano TX
Hope Auto Company Lincoln 1400 N Hervey Hope AR
Premier Autoplaza Lincoln 1500 N Shackleford Rd Little Rock AR
North Point Ford Lincoln 4400 Landers Rd N Little Rock AR
Crown Mazda/BMW/Acura Mazda 8710 W Broad St Richmond VA
Buddy Hutchinson Imports Mazda 2899 US Hwy 1 S St. Augustine FL
Courtesy Mazda Mazda 3800 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL
Courtesy Mazda of Brandon Mazda 9208 Adamo Drive Tampa FL
North Point, Inc. Mazda 6030 Landers Rd Sherwood AR
Schedule III-2
|
DEALERSHIP FRANCHISE ADDRESS CITY STATE Thomason Mazda Mazda 19470 SE McLoughlin Blvd Gladstone OR Mercedes-Benz of Tampa Mercedes 4636 N Dale Marby Hwy Tampa FL Coggin Motor Mall Mercedes 4500 US 1 S Ft. Pierce FL Plaza Mercedes Mercedes 11910 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO Deland Lincoln-Mercury Mercury 2655 N Volusia Ave Orange City FL Plano Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. Mercury 3333 W. Plano Pkwy Plano TX Courtesy Lincoln-Mercury/Isuzu Mercury 9204 Adamo Drive Tampa FL Premier Autoplaza Mercury 1500 N Shackleford Rd Little Rock AR North Point Ford Mercury 4400 Landers Rd N Little Rock AR Crown Mitsubishi Mitsubishi 3604 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC Courtesy Mitsubishi Mitsubishi 3800 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL Mark Escude Mitsubishi Mitsubishi 975 I-20 S Frontage Rd Jackson MS Crown Nissan Nissan 3900 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC Coggin Nissan of Regency Nissan 10600 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville FL Coggin Nissan of the Avenues Nissan 10859 Philips Hwy Jacksonville FL Courtesy Nissan of Tampa Nissan 4600 N Dale Marby Hwy Tampa FL Mark Escude Nissan South Nissan 905 I-20 S Frontage Rd Jackson MS Mark Escude Nissan North Nissan 6080 I-20 N Frontage Rd Jackson MS Premier Autoplaza Nissan 1500 N Shackleford Rd Little Rock AR David McDavid Nissan/Olds Nissan 11200 Gulf Fwy Houston TX Thomason Nissan Nissan 19505 SE McLoughlin Blvd Gladstone OR Coggin-Starling Chevrolet, Oldsmobile Oldsmobile 3550 W 13 St St. Cloud FL Coggin-Starling Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Oldsmobile 3550 W 13 St St. Cloud FL David McDavid Nissan/Olds Oldsmobile 11200 Gulf Fwy Houston TX Nalley Motor Trucks Peterbilt 2560 Moreland Ave Atlanta GA Crown Pontiac-GMC Pontiac 3633 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC Crown Pontiac GMC/Isuzu Pontiac 2501 Capital Blvd Raleigh NC Coggin Pontiac-GMC Pontiac 9201 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville FL JW Courtesy Pontiac-GMC Truck Pontiac 3800 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL Coggin-Starling Pontiac-GMC-Buick Pontiac 2500 N Orange Blossom Trl Kissimmee FL Coggin-Starling Pontiac-GMC-Buick Pontiac 4425 W Hwy 192 Kissimmee FL Premier Autoplaza Pontiac 1500 N Shackleford Rd Little Rock AR David McDavid Pontiac/Buick Pontiac 3700 W Airport Fwy Irving TX Plaza Porsche Audi / Land Rover Porsche 11830 Olive St Rd St. Louis MO Thomason Subaru Subaru 1404 Main St Oregon City OR David McDavid GMC/Suzuki Suzuki 3900 W Airport Fwy Irving TX Thomason Suzuki Suzuki 19490 SE McLoughlin Blvd Gladstone OR Buddy Hutdhinson Toyota Toyota 10564 Philips Hwy Jacksonville FL Courtesy Toyota of Brandon Toyota 9210 Adamo Drive Tampa FL Mark Escude Toyota Toyota 955 I-20 S Frontage Rd Jackson MS Prestige, Inc. Toyota 5045 Warden Rd N Little Rock AR Thomason Toyota Toyota 19375 SE McLoughlin Blvd Gladstone OR North Point, Inc. Volkswagen 6030 Landers Rd Sherwood AR Crown GVO L.L.C. Volvo 4100 W Wendover Ave Greensboro NC Crown Honda-Volvo Volvo 1730 US 15-501 North Chapel Hill NC Premier Autoplaza Volvo 1499 N Shackleford Rd Little Rock AR |
Schedule III-3
SCHEDULE IV
(a) Kenneth B. Gilman Thomas R. Gibson Thomas F. Gilman Robert D. Frank Thomas Mccollum Philip R. Johnson Allen T. Levenson John C. Stamm Jeff Hilsgen Timothy C. Collins John M. Roth Ian K. Snow; and
(b) Each Specified Shareholder, as such term is defined in Section 4.01 of that certain Shareholders Agreement, the form of which has been filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registration Statement.
SCHEDULE IV-1
ANNEX I
Pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:
(i) They are independent certified public accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;
(ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary financial information and schedules (and, if applicable, pro forma financial information) examined by them and included in the Prospectus or the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements;
(iii) They have made a review in accordance with standards
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows
included in the Prospectus and on the basis of specified procedures
including inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility
for financial and accounting matters regarding whether the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements referred to in paragraph
(vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published
rules and regulations, nothing came to their attention that caused them
to believe that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published
rules and regulations;
(iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for the five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus agrees with the corresponding amounts (after restatements where applicable) in the audited consolidated financial statements for such five fiscal years;
(v) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other information referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:
(A) (i) the unaudited consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published rules and regulations, or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows
Annex I-1
included in the Prospectus for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles;
(B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in the unaudited consolidated financial statements from which such data and items were derived, and any such unaudited data and items were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding amounts in the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Prospectus;
(C) the unaudited financial statements which were not included in the Prospectus but from which were derived any unaudited condensed financial statements referred to in clause (A) and any unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and referred to in clause (B) were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Prospectus;
(D) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial statements included in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements;
(E) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the date of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of options and stock appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions of convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on the date of the latest financial statements included in the Prospectus) or any increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or stockholders' equity or other items specified by the representatives of the underwriters (the "Representatives"), or any increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter; and
(F) for the period from the date of the latest financial statements included in the Prospectus to the specified date referred to in clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues or operating profit or the total or per share amounts of consolidated net income or other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and with any other period of corresponding length specified by the Representatives, except in each case for decreases or increases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter; and
(vi) In addition to the examination referred to in their report(s) included in the Prospectus and the limited procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and
Annex I-2
other procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (vi) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the Representatives, which are derived from the general accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus, or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages and financial information with the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.
Annex I-3
EXHIBIT 3.1
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
ARTICLE I
NAME
SECTION 1.01. The name of the corporation is Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (the "Corporation").
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED AGENT
SECTION 2.01. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 19801. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
SECTION 3.01. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
SECTION 4.01. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100 million, of which 10 million shares shall be
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 90 million shares shall be Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.
SECTION 4.02. PREFERRED STOCK. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" and each member thereof, a "DIRECTOR") is hereby authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series and, by filing a certificate pursuant to the DGCL (a "PREFERRED STOCK DESIGNATION"), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(a) the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;
(b) the number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter, except where otherwise provided in the applicable Preferred Stock Designation, increase or decrease, but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding;
(c) whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and, in the case of shares of any series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative;
(d) the rate of any dividends, or method of determining such dividends, payable to the holders of the shares of such series, any conditions upon which such dividends shall be paid and the date or dates or the method for determining the date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable;
(e) the price or prices, or method of determining such price or prices, at which, the form of payment of such price or prices (which may be cash, property or rights, including securities of the same or another corporation or other entity) for which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Corporation or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events, if any;
(f) the obligation, if any, of the Corporation to purchase or redeem shares of such series pursuant to a
sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the form of payment of such price or prices (which may be cash, property or rights, including securities of the same or another corporation or other entity) for which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(g) the amounts payable out of the assets of the Corporation on and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation;
(h) provisions, if any, for the conversion or exchange of the shares of such series, at any time or times at the option of the holder or holders thereof or at the option of the Corporation or upon the happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, or any other security, of the Corporation, or any other corporation or other entity, and the price or prices or rate or rates of conversion or exchange and any adjustments applicable thereto, the date or dates as of when such shares will be converted or exchanged and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made;
(i) restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series, if any; and
(j) the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series.
SECTION 4.03. COMMON STOCK. (a) The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Stock and any series thereof. Each share of Common Stock shall be equal to every other share of Common Stock, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.
(b) Shares of Common Stock authorized hereby shall not be subject to preemptive rights. The holders of shares of Common Stock now or hereafter outstanding shall have no preemptive right to purchase or have offered to them for purchase any of such authorized but unissued shares, or any shares of Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other equity securities issued or to be issued by the Corporation.
(c) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all proposals presented to the stockholders on which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors designating the rights, powers and preferences of any series of Preferred Stock, the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of Directors and for all other purposes, and holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders at which they are not entitled to vote. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.
(d) Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends, the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation as may be declared on the Common Stock by the Board of Directors at any time or from time to time out of any funds legally available therefor.
(e) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.
(f) The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.
ARTICLE V
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 5.01. Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws of the Corporation (the "BY-LAWS") shall so require, the election of Directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 6.01. NUMBER, ELECTION AND TERMS. Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, the number of the Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board (but shall not be less than three). The Directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, one class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, and another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, with each Director to hold office until such person's successor is duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors elected to succeed those Directors whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each Director to hold office until such person's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 6.02. STOCKHOLDER NOMINATION OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES; STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL OF BUSINESS. Advance
notice of stockholder nominations for the election of Directors and of the proposal of business by stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the By-laws, as amended and in effect from time to time.
SECTION 6.03. NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up to elect Directors under specified circumstances, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any Director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class of Directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such Director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.
SECTION 6.04. REMOVAL. Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up to elect Directors under specified circumstances, any Director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class.
SECTION 6.05. AMENDMENT, REPEAL, ETC. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal this Article VI.
SECTION 6.06. OTHER PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VII, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting
separately as a class, to elect one or more Directors of the Corporation, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation). During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional Directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of Directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such specified number of Directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional Directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions, and (ii) each such additional Director shall serve until such Director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such Director's right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Whole Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional Directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional Directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional Directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total authorized number of Directors of the Corporation shall be reduced accordingly.
ARTICLE VII
STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 7.01. MEETINGS. Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the By-laws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to provisions contained in the statutes of Delaware) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the By-laws of the Corporation.
SECTION 7.02. ACTION. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation
must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders.
ARTICLE VIII
BY-LAWS
SECTION 8.01. The By-laws may be altered or repealed and new By-laws may be adopted (a) at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any proposed alteration or repeal of, or the adoption of any By-law inconsistent with, Section 2.02, 2.07 or 8.01 of the By-laws, by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class; PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that in the case of any such stockholder action at a special meeting of stockholders, notice of the proposed alteration, repeal or adoption of the new By-law or By-laws must be contained in the notice of such special meeting, or (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class shall be required to alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
SECTION 9.01. The Corporation reserves the right at any time from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law; and, except as set forth in Article X, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, Directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal Article VI, VII, VIII or this sentence.
ARTICLE X
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 10.01. LIMITED LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS. A Director shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except, if required by the DGCL, as amended from time to time, for liability (a) for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (d) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 10.01 shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 10.01 in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Section 10.01 would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment or repeal.
SECTION 10.02. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. (a) RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party
to or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "PROCEEDING"), by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation or, while a Director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a Director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a Director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, and excise taxes or penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect from time to time) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in compliance with the standard of conduct set forth in Section 145 (or any successor provision) of the DGCL and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person's heirs, executors and administrators; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except as provided in paragraph (b) hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition with any advance payments to be paid by the Corporation within 20 calendar days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if and to the extent the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a Director or officer in such person's capacity as a Director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a Director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition
of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 10.02 or otherwise. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and rights to have the Corporation pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Directors and officers of the Corporation.
(b) RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim under paragraph (a) of this Section 10.02 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 30 calendar days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because the claimant has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(c) NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Section 10.02 shall not be exclusive of
any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise. No repeal or modification of this Article shall in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification.
(d) INSURANCE. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
(e) SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Article X shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article X (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article X containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article X (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article X containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Name: /s/ Eric T. McCrath Title: Incorporator |
EXHIBIT 3.2
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
of
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
SECTION 1.01. DELAWARE OFFICE. The principal office of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (the Corporation) in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the resident agent in charge thereof shall be The Corporation Trust Company.
SECTION 1.02. OTHER OFFICES. The Corporation may have offices at such other place or places as from time to time the board of directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors", and each member thereof, a "Director") may determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
SECTION 1.03. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 2.01. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such time as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2.02. SPECIAL MEETING. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "COMMON STOCK") as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called only by (a) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution
stating the purpose or purposes thereof approved by a majority of the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies or unfilled newly-created directorships (the "WHOLE BOARD"), or (b) by the Chairman of the Board of Directors (the "CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD"). No business other than that stated in the notice shall be transacted at any special meeting.
SECTION 2.03. PLACE OF MEETING. The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, as the case may be, may designate the place, if any, of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of the stockholders. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation.
SECTION 2.04. NOTICE OF MEETING. Notice, stating the place,
day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called, shall be delivered by the Corporation not less than 10 calendar days nor
more than 60 calendar days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by
mail or by other lawful means, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at
such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to
the stockholder at such person's address as it appears on the stock transfer
books of the Corporation. Such further notice shall be given as may be required
by law. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the
Corporation's notice of meeting. Meetings may be held without notice if all
stockholders entitled to notice are present (except when stockholders entitled
to notice attend the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened), or if notice is waived by those not present in accordance with
Section 6.04. Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be
postponed, and any special meeting of the stockholders may be canceled, by
resolution of the Board of Directors, upon public notice given prior to the date
previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.
SECTION 2.05. QUORUM AND ADJOURNMENT; VOTING. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the "CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION"), the holders of a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of Directors (the "VOTING STOCK"), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. No notice of the time and place of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by law. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
SECTION 2.06. PROXIES. At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL") or by such person's duly authorized attorney in fact.
SECTION 2.07. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AND NOMINATIONS.
(a) ANNUAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS. (i) Nominations of persons for election to
the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the
stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (A) pursuant to
the Corporation's notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.04, (B) by or at the
direction of the Chairman of the Board or (C) by any stockholder of the
Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice
provided for in this By-Law, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought
before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph
(a)(i) of this Section 2.07, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business
must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at
the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of
business on the ninetieth calendar day nor earlier than the close of business on
the one hundred twentieth calendar day prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding year's annual meeting; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event that
the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty calendar days before or more than sixty calendar days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth calendar day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth calendar day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth calendar day following the calendar day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. For purposes of determining whether a stockholder's notice shall have been delivered in a timely manner for the annual meeting of stockholders in 2002, the first anniversary of the previous year's meeting shall be deemed to be June 1, 2002. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT") (including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these By-Laws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and (4) a
representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation's outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder's proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a Director.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.07 to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for Director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this By-Law shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Only such business shall
be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought
before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting under Section
2.04. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made
at a special meeting of stockholders at which Directors are to be elected (i)
pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of
the Chairman of the Board or (iii) provided that the Board of Directors has
determined that Directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder
of the
Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice
provided for in this By-Law, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and
who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law. In the event
the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
electing one or more Directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder
entitled to vote in such election of Directors may nominate pursuant to clause
(iii) of the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 2.07(b) a person or
persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in
the Corporation's notice of meeting, if the stockholder's notice required by
paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.07 shall be delivered to the Secretary at
the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of
business on the one hundred twentieth calendar day prior to such special meeting
and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth calendar
day prior to such special meeting or the tenth calendar day following the day on
which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and
of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such
meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or
postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time
period) for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above.
(c) GENERAL. (i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.07 shall be eligible to serve as Directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this By-Law. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.07 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder's nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder's representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(4) of this Section 2.07) and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this By-Law, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.
(ii) For purposes of this By-Law, "public announcement" shall
mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly
filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.07. Nothing in this Section 2.07 shall be deemed to affect any rights (a) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (b) of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation ("PREFERRED STOCK") to elect Directors under an applicable Preferred Stock Designation (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation).
SECTION 2.08. PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; REQUIRED VOTE. Election of Directors at all meetings of the stockholders at which Directors are to be elected shall be by ballot, and, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect Directors under an applicable Preferred Stock Designation, a plurality of the votes cast thereat shall elect Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, a Preferred Stock Designation, applicable stock exchange rules or other rules and regulations applicable to the Corporation or these By-Laws, in all matters other than the election of Directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.
SECTION 2.09. INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS; OPENING AND CLOSING THE POLLS. (a) The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint, or shall authorize an officer of the Corporation to
appoint, one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspector(s) to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging such person's duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such person's ability. The inspector(s) shall have the duties prescribed by law.
(b) The date and time of the opening and the closing of the
polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall
be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board
of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct
of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the
extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of
Directors, the person presiding over any meeting of stockholders shall have the
right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such
rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of
such presiding officer, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting.
Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors
or prescribed by the presiding officer of the meeting, may include, without
limitation, the following: (i) an agenda or order of business for the meeting;
(ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the
meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and
constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall
determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for
the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions
or comments by participants. The presiding officer at any meeting of
stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be
appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant,
determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly
brought before the meeting and if such presiding officer should so determine,
such person shall so declare to the meeting that any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 3.01. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these By-Laws expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
SECTION 3.02. REGULAR MEETINGS. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this By-Law in conjunction with the annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, provide the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
SECTION 3.03. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place and time of the meetings.
SECTION 3.04. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of Directors shall be given to each Director at such person's business or residence in writing by hand delivery, first- class or overnight mail or courier service, telegram or facsimile transmission, orally by telephone or any other lawful means. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least 5 calendar days before such meeting. If by telegram, overnight mail or courier service, such notice
shall be deemed adequately delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company or the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least 24 hours before such meeting. If by facsimile transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least 12 hours before such meeting. If by telephone, by hand delivery or by other lawful means, the notice shall be given at least 12 hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these By-Laws, as provided under Section 8.01. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the Directors are present (except when Directors attend for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, because it is not lawfully called or conveyed) or if those not present waive notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.
SECTION 3.05. ACTION BY CONSENT OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in accordance with applicable law.
SECTION 3.06. CONFERENCE TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
SECTION 3.07. QUORUM. Subject to Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation, a whole number of Directors equal to at least a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3.08. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) The Board of Directors may from time to time designate
committees, which shall consist of one or more Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee may, to the extent permitted by law, exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating resolution. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors when required.
(b) A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 3.04. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board of Directors from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not Directors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3.09. RECORDS. The Board of Directors shall cause to be kept a record containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders, appropriate stock books and registers and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
SECTION 4.01. ELECTED OFFICERS. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President and Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers (including, without limitation, Senior Vice Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents) as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the Directors. All officers elected by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chairman of the Board or President and Chief Executive Officer may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Controllers, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers), as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these By-Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such committee or by the Chairman of the Board or President and Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.
SECTION 4.02. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the stockholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as convenient. Each officer shall hold office until such person's successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until such person's death or until he shall resign or be removed pursuant to Section 4.08.
SECTION 4.03. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incidental to
such person's office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall make reports to the Board of Directors and the stockholders, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chairman of the Board shall be the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation if no other person has been elected as the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors also may elect a Vice- Chairman to act in the place of the Chairman of the Board upon his or her absence or inability to act.
SECTION 4.04. PRESIDENT; CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the Chairman of the Board in the administration and operation of the Corporation's business and general supervision of its policies and affairs. The President and Chief Executive Officer, if he or she is also a Director, shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board and preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4.05. VICE PRESIDENTS. Each Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President and any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such person by the Board of Directors or by the President and Chief Executive Officer.
SECTION 4.06. (a) TREASURER. The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or in such banks as may be designated as depositories in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer.
(b) The Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer may designate one or more Assistant Treasurers who shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of the Treasurer as
may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer. During the Treasurer's absence or inability, the Treasurer's authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Treasurer(s) as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer may designate.
SECTION 4.07. SECRETARY. (a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the committees of the Board of Directors and the stockholders; shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and as required by law; shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal and shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Secretary by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer.
(b) The Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer may designate one or more Assistant Secretaries who shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of the Secretary as may be provided in these By-Laws or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer. During the Secretary's absence or inability, the Secretary's authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Secretary or Assistant Secretaries as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer may designate.
SECTION 4.08. REMOVAL. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. Any officer or agent appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive
Officer may be removed by him or her whenever, in such person's judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of such person's successor, such person's death, such person's resignation or such person's removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee benefit plan.
SECTION 4.09. VACANCIES. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chairman of the Board or the President and Chief Executive Officer.
ARTICLE V
STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS
SECTION 5.01. STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS. The interest of each stockholder of the Corporation shall be evidenced by certificates for shares of stock in such form as the Corporation may from time to time prescribe. The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by such person's attorney, upon surrender for cancelation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. The certificates of stock shall be signed, countersigned and registered in such manner as the Board of Directors may by resolution prescribe or as may otherwise be permitted by applicable law, which resolution may permit all or any of the signatures on such certificates to be in facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions regarding share certificates, the Corporation may provide that, subject to the rights of stockholders under applicable law, some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation's common or any preferred shares may be uncertificated shares.
SECTION 5.02. LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. No certificate for shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety, as the Board of Directors or any financial officer may in its or such person's discretion require.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 6.01. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December of each year.
SECTION 6.02. DIVIDENDS. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.
SECTION 6.03. SEAL. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the words "Corporate Seal," the year of incorporation and the word "Delaware."
SECTION 6.04. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or Director under the provisions of the DGCL or these By-Laws, a waiver thereof given in accordance with applicable law shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.
SECTION 6.05. AUDITS. The accounts, books and records of the Corporation shall be audited upon the conclusion of each fiscal year by an independent certified public accountant selected by the Board of Directors, and it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to cause such audit to be done annually.
SECTION 6.06. RESIGNATIONS. Any Director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. No formal action shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.
ARTICLE VII
CONTRACTS, PROXIES, ETC.
SECTION 7.01. CONTRACTS. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, a Preferred Stock Designation, or these By-Laws, any contracts or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on the behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board of Directors may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer or any Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President or Vice President may execute bonds, contracts, deeds, leases and other instruments to be made or executed or for or on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer or any Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President or Vice President of the Corporation may delegate contractual powers to others under such person's jurisdiction, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.
SECTION 7.02. PROXIES. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer or any Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President or Vice President may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holders of stock or other securities in any other entity, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other entity, or to consent in accordance with applicable law, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such proxies, consents or other instruments as such person may deem necessary or proper in the premises.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 8.01. AMENDMENTS. The By-Laws may be altered or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted (a) at any annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding, voting as a single class, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any proposed alteration or repeal of, or the adoption of any By-Law inconsistent with, Section 2.02, Section 2.07 or this Section 8.01 by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, and PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that, in the case of any such stockholder action at a special meeting of stockholders, notice of the proposed alteration, repeal or adoption of the new By-Law or By-Laws must be contained in the notice of such special meeting, or (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board.
EXHIBIT 5.1
[LETTERHEAD OF]
CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
[NEW YORK OFFICE]
(212) 474-1300
FEBRUARY 22, 2002
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-65998) (the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") of the offering and sale by the Company of 4,500,000 shares (the "Company Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock") and the offering and sale by the selling stockholders listed in the Registration Statement (the "Selling Stockholders") of 3,200,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Selling Stockholders Shares"), which shares shall be issuable upon the exchange described in the Registration Statement (the "Exchange") of membership interests of Asbury Automotive Group, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, for shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately prior to the closing of the offering (the "Conversion"), pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement to be executed by the Company, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and Robertson Stephens, Inc. (the "Underwriting Agreement").
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of our opinion, including: (a) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the proposed amendment thereto attached to the Registration Statement as Exhibit 3.2 (the "Amended and Restated Certificate"); (b) the By-laws of the Company; and (c) the form of certain resolutions to be adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; and
2. Assuming the adoption of the Amended and Restated Certificate and the resolutions authorizing the issuance of the Company Shares and completion of the Exchange, (i) the Company Shares will be duly and validly authorized and when issued and delivered by the Company and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) the Selling Stockholders Shares will be duly and validly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The opinion set forth in paragraph 2 is qualified to the extent we have assumed the due execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement.
We are aware that we are referred to under the heading "Validity of Shares" in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent to such use of our name therein and the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Three Landmark Square
Suite 500
Stamford, CT 06901
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Exhibit 10.1
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
1999 OPTION PLAN
As Amended and Restated Effective December 1, 2001
The purpose of the Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. Option Plan (the "Plan") is to provide designated officers and other key employees of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company"), and its subsidiaries with the opportunity to receive grants of options to purchase equity interests in the Company. The Company believes that the Plan will encourage the participants to contribute materially to the growth of the Company, attract talented management personnel and align the economic interests of the participants with those of the owners. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated December 31, 1998, as amended from time to time (the "LLC Agreement").
1. ADMINISTRATION. (a) COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by a committee of two or more individuals (the "Committee") appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"); however, the Board itself may ratify or approve any grants as the Board deems appropriate.
(b) COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. The Committee shall have the sole authority to (i) determine the individuals to whom grants shall be made under the Plan, (ii) determine the type, size and terms of the grants to be made to each such individual, (iii) determine the time when the grants will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the criteria for exercisability and the acceleration of exercisability, (iv) amend the terms of any previously issued grant, (v) determine the initial Membership Account of any Membership Interest (as defined below) issued pursuant to an Option and (vi) deal with any other matters arising under the Plan.
(c) COMMITTEE DETERMINATION. The Committee shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for implementing the Plan and for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion. The Committee's interpretations of the Plan and all determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any interest in the Plan or in any grants awarded hereunder. All powers of the Committee shall be executed in its sole discretion, in the best interest of the Company, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan and need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals.
2. GRANTS. Awards under the Plan shall consist of grants
(each, a "Grant") of nonqualified options (the "Options"), as described in
Section 5. All Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein and to such other terms and conditions consistent with this Plan as the
Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to
the individual in a grant instrument or an amendment to the grant instrument
(the "Grant Instrument"). The Committee shall approve the form and provisions of
each Grant Instrument. Grants need not be uniform as among the Grantees (as
defined below).
3. MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. (a) NATURE OF
OPTIONS GRANTED. Each Option granted under the Plan shall provide the Grantee
solely the right to acquire a limited liability company interest in the Company
(a "Membership Interest") in exchange for a dollar amount (the "Exercise Price")
specified in such Option.
(b) AMENDMENTS AND ADJUSTMENTS. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event (i) of an initial public offering under the Securities Act of 1933 of equity interests in the Company or an Affiliate thereof or (ii) that the Company desires to cause (x) a transfer of all or a substantial portion of (A) the assets of the Company or (B) the equity interests in the Company to a stock corporation or other business entity ("Newco"), (y) a merger or consolidation of the Company into or with a Newco or (Z) any restructuring of all or substantially all of the assets or equity interests of the Company into a Newco, in any case as part of a "roll-up" into a Newco of all or at least a majority of the motor vehicle dealerships and related businesses owned directly or indirectly by the Company and its Affiliates (a "Roll-up"), this Plan, all Grant Instruments, all Options and all Membership Interests subject to an Option shall be amended to provide for each Grantee benefits comparable, in the sole discretion of the Committee, to the benefits intended to be provided hereunder and each Grantee and holder of such a Membership Interest shall take such steps to effect such transfer, merger, consolidation or other restructuring as may be requested by the Company, including, without limitation, consenting to the amendment of the Plan, the relevant Grant Instrument and of the LLC Agreement, transferring or tendering his or her Membership Interest to Newco in exchange or consideration for shares of capital stock or other equity interests of Newco, and retransferring, tendering or exchanging such interests for different interests.
4. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION. (a) ELIGIBLE PERSONS. All officers and other key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries ("Employees") shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.
(b) SELECTION OF GRANTEES. The Committee shall select the Employees who receive Grants under this Plan (the "Grantees").
5. GRANTING OF OPTIONS. (a) AMOUNT OF EXERCISE PRICE. The Committee shall determine the Exercise Price with respect to each Option at the time of grant, which, except as the Committee may otherwise provide, shall not be less than the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of the Membership Interest in respect of which the Option is granted. The aggregate Exercise Price of all Options issued under this Plan shall not, in the aggregate, exceed $18 million.
(b) TYPE OF OPTION. Grants shall be "nonqualified options" that are not intended to satisfy the provisions of Section 422 of the Code and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(c) OPTION TERM. The Committee shall determine the term of each Option. The term of any Option shall not exceed 10 years from the date of Grant.
(d) EXERCISABILITY OF OPTIONS; CONDITIONS. Options shall
become exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions, consistent with
the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee and specified in the Grant
Instrument. The Committee may accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any or
all outstanding Options at any time for any reason. Unless the Committee
provides otherwise in the Grant Instrument, only Options that are vested may be
exercised and Options shall vest, subject to the continuous employment of the
Grantee by the Company, at the rate of 33-1/3% for each year the Grantee is
employed by, or rendering services to, the Company following the date of Grant;
PROVIDED that, unless the Committee provides otherwise in the Grant Instrument,
no Option shall vest until the Grantee has been employed by, or rendering
services to, the Company for a period of one year following the date of Grant.
On or before the date upon which any Grantee will exercise any exercisable
Option, such Grantee shall, at the request of the Committee, execute the LLC
Agreement, as amended to reflect, INTER ALIA, the qualifications set forth in
Section 6 hereof, with respect to the Membership Interest to be acquired by such
Grantee upon exercise of such Option.
(e) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, DISABILITY OR DEATH. (i) Except as provided below or as otherwise provided by the Committee in the Grant Instrument, an Option may only be exercised while the Grantee is employed by, or providing services to, the Company as an Employee, consultant or member of the Board. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in the Grant Instrument, in the event that a Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company for any reason other than resignation (except resignation in connection with retirement) or termination for Cause (as defined below), any Option which is otherwise vested and exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee's Options that are not otherwise vested and exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company shall terminate as of such date.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, in the event that the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company on account of a resignation (except resignation in connection with retirement) or a termination for Cause by the Company,
any Option held by the Grantee (whether or not then vested and exercisable) shall terminate and be canceled as of the date the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee's Options that are not otherwise vested and exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company shall terminate as of such date.
(iii) For purposes of Section 5(d), Section 5(e) and Section 7:
(A) The term "Company" shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.
(B) "Employed by, or provide services to, the Company" shall mean employment or service as an employee, consultant or Board member (so that, for purposes of exercising Options, a Grantee shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service until the Grantee ceases to be an employee, consultant or Board member), unless the Committee determines otherwise.
(C) "Cause" shall mean, except to the extent specified otherwise by the Committee in the Grant Instrument, a finding by the Committee that the Grantee (i) has breached his or her employment or service contract with the Company, (ii) has engaged in disloyalty to the Company, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment or service, (iii) has disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Company to persons not entitled to receive such information or (iv) has engaged in such other behavior detrimental to the interests of the Company as the Committee determines.
(f) EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the Grant Instrument, a Grantee may exercise an Option that has become vested and exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the Company with payment of the Exercise Price (plus the amount of any withholding tax due at the time of exercise after the application of Section 7 hereof) and (i) executing the LLC Agreement, as amended to reflect, INTER ALIA, the qualifications set forth in Section 6 hereof, thereby becoming a Member of the Company or (ii) taking such other action as the Committee may request or approve. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the Grant Instrument, upon exercise of an Option, such Grantee shall have a Membership Account (and other economic rights) equal to the Membership Account (and other economic rights) such Grantee would have had if, on the date such Option was granted, the Grantee had made a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to the Exercise Price paid upon the exercise of such Option.
6. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF GRANTEES WHO ACQUIRE MEMBERSHIP
INTERESTS. (a) IN GENERAL. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in the Grant
Instrument, subject to the other provisions of this Section 6, a Grantee who
acquires a Membership Interest upon the exercise of any Option shall have the
same rights and obligations under the LLC Agreement as Gibson FP, PROVIDED that
(i) such Grantee shall not have the rights and obligations of Gibson FP relating
to the Gibson FP Carried Interest Amount and (ii) the consent of such Grantee to
any amendment, supplement, waiver or consent of or with regard to the LLC
Agreement shall not be required so long as such amendment, supplement, waiver or
consent does not affect such Grantee, in the sole discretion of the Committee,
in any way differently than it affects Gibson FP.
(b) COMPANY'S RIGHT TO REPURCHASE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in the Grant Instrument, in the event that a Grantee terminates employment from, or ceases to render services to, the Company, the Company shall have the right to purchase all Membership Interests then owned by such Grantee, or such Grantee's successor, that were acquired upon the exercise of an Option (which right or obligation may be assigned to the members of the Company on a pro rata basis among the purchasing members, if any), at any time after such termination, but not prior to the six-month anniversary of the date of such exercise, at a price equal to the Fair Market Value of the Membership Interest. As used in this Plan, "Fair Market Value" shall mean, unless otherwise defined in a Grant Instrument, as of any date, the fair market value on such date of a Membership Interest as determined in good faith by the Committee.
(c) If any transfer of all or any portion of an Option or Membership Interest acquired upon the exercise of an Option, or of any beneficial interest therein, upon default, foreclosure, forfeit, bankruptcy (voluntary or involuntary), court order, levy of attachment, execution or otherwise than voluntarily (an "Involuntary Transfer") or a transfer in violation of this Plan, the applicable Grant Instrument or the LLC Agreement has occurred and not been cured within 30 days after written notice has been given to the person transferring such Option or Membership Interest (the "Transferor") or to the person to whom or to which such Option or Membership Interest is transferred (the "Transferee"), the Company shall have the right, in the case of an Option, to terminate such Option without consideration, or, in the case of a Membership Interest, to purchase all of such Membership Interest at a purchase price equal to the Fair Market Value thereof as of the date of such event. The closing date of any purchase described in this Section 6(c) shall be on the 30th day after a determination of the Fair Market Value of the Membership Interest to be purchased is made.
(d) In the event the Company is converted from a limited liability company to a corporation and (i) outstanding Options are adjusted to provide the right to purchase shares of Newco capital stock and/or (ii) future options provide the right to purchase shares of Newco capital stock, all rights of the Company under the Plan shall apply with respect to such adjusted Options and Newco capital stock and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor entities.
7. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. Each Grant (and each issuance of a Membership Interest pursuant to the exercise of any Option) shall be subject to applicable federal (including FICA), state and local tax withholding requirements. The Company shall have the right to
deduct from other wages paid to the Grantee any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such Grants, or the exercise thereof, or require that the Grantee or other person receiving or exercising Grants pay to the Company the amount of any federal, state or local taxes that the Company is required to withhold with respect to such Grants or exercise and the Company may defer issuance of the Membership Interest until such requirements are satisfied.
8. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF GRANTS. Except as provided below, only the Grantee may exercise rights under a Grant during the Grantee's lifetime. A Grantee may not transfer those rights except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. When a Grantee dies, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Grantee ("Successor Grantee") may exercise such rights. A Successor Grantee must furnish proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to receive the Grant under the Grantee's will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.
9. REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF MEMBERSHIP INTEREST. Except as
otherwise provided by the Committee in the Grant Instrument, no Membership
Interest shall be issued in connection with any Grant hereunder unless and until
(i) if the Company so requests, the Grantee executes the LLC Agreement, as
amended to reflect, INTER ALIA, the qualifications set forth in Section 6
hereof, and thereby becomes a Member of the Company and (ii) all legal
requirements applicable to the issuance of such Membership Interest have been
complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the
right to condition any Grant made to any Grantee hereunder on such Grantee's
undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent
disposition of such Membership Interest as the Committee shall deem necessary or
advisable, and the certificates, if any, representing such Membership Interest
may be legended to reflect any such restrictions.
10. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. Unless otherwise defined in the Grant Instrument, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., or its affiliates, cease to control the Company or its business.
(a) NOTICE AND ACCELERATION. Unless otherwise set forth in the
Grant Instrument, upon a Change of Control (i) the Company shall provide each
Grantee with outstanding Grants written notice of such Change of Control and
(ii) all outstanding Options shall automatically accelerate and become fully
exercisable unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
(b) ASSUMPTION OF GRANTS. Unless otherwise set forth in the Grant Instrument, upon a Change of Control where the Company is not the surviving entity (or survives only as a subsidiary of another entity), unless the Committee determines otherwise, all outstanding Options that are not exercised shall be assumed by, or replaced with comparable options or rights by, the surviving entity, and other outstanding Grants shall be converted to similar grants of the surviving entity.
11. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. (a) AMENDMENT. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time.
(b) TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Plan shall terminate on December 31, 2008, unless the Plan is terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board.
(c) TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF OUTSTANDING GRANTS. A termination or amendment of the Plan that occurs after a Grant is made shall not materially impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents. The termination of the Plan shall not impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding Grant. Whether or not the Plan has terminated, an outstanding Grant may be terminated or amended (i) by the Company as provided hereunder or (ii) by agreement of the Company and the Grantee consistent with the Plan.
(d) GOVERNING DOCUMENT. This Plan shall be the controlling document. No other statements, representations, explanatory materials or examples, oral or written, may amend this Plan in any manner, except for termination or amendment pursuant to Section 11(c) hereof. This Plan shall be binding upon and enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.
12. FUNDING OF THE PLAN. This Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Grants under this Plan. In no event shall interest be paid or accrued on any Grant, including unpaid installments of Grants.
13. RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS. Nothing in this Plan shall entitle any Employee or other person to any claim or right to be granted a Grant under this Plan. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any rights to be retained by or in the employ of the Company or any other employment rights.
14. HEADINGS. Section headings are for reference only. In the event of a conflict between a heading and the content of a Section, the content of the Section shall control.
15. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN. The amended and restated Plan shall be effective for grants made on or after December 1, 2001.
16. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. The Plan, the exercise of Options and the obligations of the Company to issue Membership Interests under Grants shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required, including national or foreign securities exchanges. The Committee may revoke any Grant if it is contrary to law, including the federal securities laws and any applicable state or foreign securities laws or modify a Grant to bring it into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may also adopt rules regarding the withholding of taxes on payments to Grantees. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this Section.
(b) GOVERNING LAW. THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION AND EFFECT OF THE PLAN AND GRANT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED UNDER THE PLAN SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED BY AND DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.
(c) INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board or the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by law against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense (including any related attorney's fees and advances thereof) in connection with, based upon or arising or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which such person may be made a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Grant Instrument and from and against any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company's approval, or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such person, provided that he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive and shall be independent of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the LLC Agreement, by contract, as a matter of law or otherwise.
(d) NO LIMITATION ON COMPENSATION. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company to establish other plans or to pay compensation to its employees in cash or property, in a manner which is not expressly authorized under the Plan.
(e) NO IMPACT ON BENEFITS. Options granted under the Plan are not compensation for purposes of calculating an employee's rights under any employee benefit plan, except to the extent provided in any such plan.
(f) FREEDOM OF ACTION. Subject to Section 11, nothing in the Plan or any Grant Instrument shall be construed as limiting or preventing the Company or any of its Affiliates from taking any action with respect to the operation or conduct of its or their business that it deems appropriate or in its best interest.
(g) NO RIGHT TO PARTICULAR ASSETS. Nothing contained in this Plan and no action taken pursuant to this Plan shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or any fiduciary relationship between the Company and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and any Grantee or executor, administrator or other personal representative or designated beneficiary of such Grantee, on the other hand, or any other persons. Any reserves that may be established by the Company or its Affiliates in connection with this Plan shall continue to be held as part of the general funds of the Company or such Affiliate, and no individual or entity other than the Company or such Affiliate shall have any interest in such funds until paid to a Grantee. To the extent that any Grantee or such Grantee's executor, administrator or other personal representative, as the case may be, acquires a right to receive any payment from the Company or any of its Affiliates pursuant to this Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.
(h) NOTICES. Each Grantee shall be responsible for furnishing the Committee with his or her current and proper address for the mailing of notices and delivery of agreements. Any notices required or permitted to be given shall be deemed given if directed to the person to whom
addressed at such address and mailed by regular United States mail, first-class and prepaid. If any item mailed to such address is returned as undeliverable to the addressee, mailing will be suspended until the Grantee furnishes the proper address.
(i) SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had not been included.
(j) INCAPACITY. Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receiving such benefit shall be deemed paid when paid to such person's guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Board, the Committee, the Company, its Affiliates and other parties with respect thereto.
EXHIBIT 10.2
2002 STOCK OPTION PLAN
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Section 1. PURPOSE. The purposes of this Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan are to promote the interests of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and its shareholders by (i) attracting and retaining exceptional directors, officers and other key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (ii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company.
Section 2. DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
"Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under common control with, the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Committee.
"Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing any Option, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Change of Control" shall (i) have the meaning set forth in an Award Agreement, or (ii) if there is no definition set forth in an Award Agreement, mean an event or series of events, not including any events occurring prior to or in connection with an initial public offering of Shares (including the occurrence of such initial public offering), by which:
(A) during any period of 24 consecutive calendar months, individuals:
(i) who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period, or
(ii) whose election or nomination for election to the Board was recommended or approved by at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period, or whose election or nomination for election was so approved,
shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board;
(B) the consummation of a merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate
transaction involving the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (a "Reorganization") or sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company to an entity that is not an affiliate
of the Company (a "Sale"), that in each case requires
the approval of the Company's stockholders under the
law of the Company's jurisdiction of organization,
whether for such Reorganization or Sale (or the
issuance of securities of the Company in such
Reorganization or Sale), unless immediately following
such Reorganization or Sale more than 50% of the
total voting power (in respect of the election of
directors, or similar officials in the case of an
entity other than a corporation) of (i) the entity
resulting from such Reorganization, or the entity
which has acquired all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company (the "Surviving Entity"), or
(ii) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that
directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of
more than 50% of the total voting power (in respect
of the election of directors, or similar officials in
the case of an entity other than a corporation) of
the Surviving Entity (the "Parent Entity"), is
represented by the Company's outstanding securities
eligible to vote for the election of the Board (the
"Company Voting Securities") that were outstanding
immediately prior to such Reorganization or Sale (or,
if applicable, is represented by shares into which
such Company Voting Securities were converted
pursuant to such Reorganization or Sale), and such
voting power among the holders thereof is in
substantially the same proportion as the voting power
of such Company Voting Securities among the holders
thereof immediately prior to the Reorganization or
Sale;
(C) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets; or
(D) any "person" (as such term is defined in Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor section
thereto)), corporation or other entity (other than
(i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
the Company or an Affiliate, (iii) any company owned,
directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of Shares or (iv) any entity or
individual affiliated with (x) Ripplewood Holdings
L.L.C. or (y) Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, or
their affiliates), becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act (or any successor rule thereto)), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
30% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then-outstanding securities.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
"Committee" shall mean the compensation committee of the Board, or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.
"Company" shall mean Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., together with any successor thereto.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Fair Market Value" shall mean, (A) with respect to any property other than Shares, the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee and (B) with respect to the Shares, as of any date, (i) the mean between the high and low sales prices of the Shares as reported on the composite tape for securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange for such date (or if not then trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the mean between the high and low sales price of the Shares on the stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are principally trading on such date), or, if there were no sales on such date, on the closest preceding date on which there were sales of Shares or (ii) in the event there shall be no public market for the Shares on such date, the fair market value of the Shares as determined in good faith by the Committee.
"Option" shall mean a right to purchase Shares from the Company that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan.
"Participant" shall mean any director, officer or other key employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries eligible for an Option under Section 5 of the Plan and selected by the Committee to receive an Option under the Plan.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
"Plan" shall mean this Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.
"Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 as promulgated and interpreted by the SEC under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.
"Shares" shall mean the common shares of the Company, $0.01 par value, or such other securities of the Company (i) into which such common shares shall be changed by reason of a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or other similar transaction or (ii) as may be determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 4(b).
"Subsidiary" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Committee.
"Substitute Options" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 4(c).
Section 3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Options; (iii) determine the terms and conditions of any Option; (iv) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Options may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Options or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which options may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Options, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to an Option shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; (vi) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency, correct any default and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Option made under, the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Option shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Option, and any shareholder.
(c) No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Option hereunder.
Section 4. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR OPTIONS.
(a) SHARES AVAILABLE. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
4(b), the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Options may be
granted under the Plan shall be 1,500,000; and the maximum number of Shares with
respect to which Options may be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year of
the Company shall be 350,000. If, after the effective date of the Plan, any
Shares covered by an Option granted under the Plan, or to which such an Option
relates, are forfeited, or if an Option has expired, terminated or been canceled
for any reason whatsoever (other than by reason of exercise or vesting), then
the Shares covered by such Option shall again be, or shall become, Shares with
respect to which Options may be granted hereunder.
(b) ADJUSTMENTS. In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its discretion to be appropriate or desirable in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable or desirable, adjust any or all of (i) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Options may be granted, including the maximum number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Options may be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year of the Company; (ii) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Options and (iii) the exercise price with respect to any Option or, if deemed appropriate or desirable, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Option in consideration for the cancellation of such Option in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Options over the aggregate exercise price of such Option.
(c) SUBSTITUTE OPTIONS. Options may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or its Affiliates or a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines ("Substitute Options"). The number of Shares underlying any Substitute Options shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Options under the Plan.
(d) SOURCES OF SHARES DELIVERABLE UNDER OPTIONS. Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Option may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.
Section 5. ELIGIBILITY. Any director, officer or other key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including any prospective officer or key employee) shall be eligible to be designated a Participant.
Section 6. STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) GRANT. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Option, and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option.
(b) EXERCISE PRICE. Except as otherwise established by the Committee at the time an Option is granted and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the exercise price of each share covered by an Option shall be the Fair Market Value of such Share (determined as of the date the option is granted); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, except as otherwise established by the Committee at the time an Option is granted and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the exercise price of each Share covered by an Option which is granted effective as of the Company's initial public offering of Shares shall be the initial public offering price per share.
(c) EXERCISE. Each Option shall be vested and exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. Except as otherwise specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement, Options shall become vested and exercisable with respect to one-third of the Shares subject to such Options on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options, including without limitation, any relating to the application of federal or state securities laws, as it may deem necessary or advisable.
(d) PAYMENT.
(i) No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the aggregate exercise price therefor is received by the Company. Such payment may be made in cash, or its equivalent, or (x) by exchanging Shares owned by the optionee (which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest and which have been owned by such optionee for at least 6 months), or (y) if there shall be a public market for the Shares at such time, subject to such rules as may be established by the Committee, through delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price, or by a combination of the foregoing; PROVIDED that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company as of the date of such tender is at least equal to such aggregate exercise price.
(ii) Wherever in this Plan or any Award Agreement a Participant is permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Shares, in which case the Company shall treat the Option as exercised without further payment and shall withhold such number of Shares from the Shares acquired by the exercise of the Option.
(e) EXPIRATION. Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, each Option shall expire immediately, without any payment, upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted, or (ii) the date the Participant who is holding the Option ceases to be employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries. In no event may an Option be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted.
Section 7. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
(a) AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; PROVIDED that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan; and PROVIDED FURTHER that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would impair the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Option theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(b) AMENDMENTS TO OPTIONS. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Option theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively; PROVIDED that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would impair the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Option theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(c) ADJUSTMENT OF OPTIONS UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN UNUSUAL OR NONRECURRING EVENTS. The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Options in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4(b) hereof) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
In the event of (i) a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, (ii) a merger of any Subsidiary with or into another corporation that requires the approval of the Company's stockholders under the law of the Company's jurisdiction of organization, or (iii) the sale or disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option shall either continue in effect, be assumed or an equivalent option substituted therefor by the successor corporation or a "parent corporation" (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or "subsidiary corporation" (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of the successor corporation. In the event that the Option does not continue in effect or the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option as to all Shares subject to the Option, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option becomes
fully vested and exercisable in lieu of continuation, assumption or substitution as set forth herein, the Company shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, or such shorter period as the Committee may determine to be reasonable, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale or disposition of assets, the option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger or sale or disposition of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale or disposition of assets by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale or disposition of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation", the Committee may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the merger or sale or disposition of assets.
Section 8. CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a Change of Control after the date of the adoption of this Plan, any outstanding Options then held by Participants that are unexercisable or otherwise unvested shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such Change of Control.
Section 9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) NONTRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, each Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant's lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant's legal guardian or representative, and no Option may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate; PROVIDED that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.
(b) NO RIGHTS TO OPTIONS. No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Option, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants,
or holders or beneficiaries of Options. The terms and conditions of Options and the Committee's determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant (whether or not such Participants are similarly situated).
(c) SHARE CERTIFICATES. All certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Option or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable Federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(d) WITHHOLDING.
(i) A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any Option, from any payment due or transfer made under any Option or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Option or other property) of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an Option, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Option or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, a Participant may satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by delivery of Shares owned by the Participant (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and which have been owned by the Participant for at least 6 months) with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or by having the Company withhold from the number of Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the option a number of Shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability.
(e) AWARD AGREEMENTS. Each Option hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Option and any rules applicable thereto, including but not limited to the effect on such Option of the death, disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant, and the effect, if any, of such other events as may be determined by the Committee.
(f) NO LIMIT ON OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of options (subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(g) NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. The grant of an Option shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or in any consulting relationship to, the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving a Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
(h) NO RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Option, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Option shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
(j) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of the Plan or any Option is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or option, or would disqualify the Plan or any Option under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Option, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Option and the remainder of the Plan and any such Option shall remain in full force and effect.
(k) OTHER LAWS. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Option if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Option shall be promptly refunded to the
relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Option granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee in its sole discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S. federal and any other applicable securities laws.
(l) NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither the Plan nor any Option shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Option, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
(m) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Option, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
(n) HEADINGS. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
Section 10. TERM OF THE PLAN.
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan shall be effective as of the date of its approval by the Board.
(b) EXPIRATION DATE. No Option shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved under Section 10(a). Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Option granted hereunder may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Option or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Option shall, nevertheless continue thereafter.
Exhibit 10.4
FORM OF FOURTH AMENDMENT dated as of
January 1, 2002 (this "Amendment"), to the THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
AGREEMENT dated as of February 1, 2000 (the "Restated
LLC Agreement"), of ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(formerly known as Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C.),
a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company").
Capitalized terms used herein have the respective
meanings set forth in the Restated LLC Agreement.
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 13.02 of the Restated LLC Agreement, the Board of Directors may amend or modify the Restated LLC Agreement at any time and from time to time without the consent of any Member in order to effect any issuance of Interests (or options to acquire Interests) or any adjustment to the Percentage Interests pursuant to Article IV thereof;
WHEREAS the Company has hired Thomas F. Gilman ("Gilman") and Thomas G. McCollum ("McCollum") as senior management employees and agreed to sell Interests in the Company to such employees (the "Management Interests");
WHEREAS the Company has agreed to sell Interests in the Company to Joseph Umbriano ("Umbriano") and Paula Tabar ("Tabar") in exchange for their respective minority interests in certain majority owned subsidiaries of Asbury Automotive Jacksonville, L.P. (the "Jacksonville Interests");
WHEREAS Thomas Moore ("Moore"), a member of the Company, has sold all of his Interests in the Company to Steve Silverio ("Silverio") (the "Silverio Transfer");
WHEREAS the Company has agreed to issue a Carried Interest to Robert Dennis ("Dennis") of 0.48 percent (the "Dennis Carried Interest");
WHEREAS, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. (formerly known as Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.), a Delaware limited liability company ("AAH"), has agreed to transfer to Dennis a portion of its Interest representing a percentage interest in the Company of 0.08% effective as of September 1, 2001 (the "Dennis Transfer").
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors deems it necessary and appropriate to amend the Restated LLC Agreement as follows in order to give effect to the issuance of the Management Interests, the Jacksonville Interests, the Silverio Transfer, the Dennis Carried Interest and the Dennis Transfer:
ARTICLE I
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1.01. AMENDMENTS TO SCHEDULE II. (a) Schedule II is hereby amended, effective as of September 1, 2001, to reflect the transfer of Interests from AAH to Dennis as follows:
Percentage
Effective Initial Interest as
Date of Capital of Issuance
Member Issuance Account Date
------ -------- ------- ----
Robert
Dennis September 1, 2001 $308,310 0.08%
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A revised Schedule II, reflecting the Dennis Transfer effective as of September 1, 2001, is set forth on Exhibit I to this Amendment.
(b) Schedule II is hereby amended, effective as of December 31, 2001, to reflect the issuance of Interests to Umbriano and Tabar and the transfer of Interests from Moore to Silverio as follows:
Percentage
Effective Initial Interest as
Date of Capital of Issuance
Member Issuance Account Date
------ -------- ------- ----
Joseph July 1, 2001 $110,765 0.0287%
Umbriano
Paula Tabar July 1, 2001 $366,765 0.0952%
Steve December 31, 2001 Capital Account Interest
Silverio owned by Moore owned by
as of December Moore
31, 2001 as of
December 31,
2001
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A revised Schedule II reflecting the issuances of the Jacksonville Interests an the Silverio Transfer effective as of December 31, 2001 is set forth on Exhibit II to this Amendment.
(c) Schedule II is hereby amended, effective as of January 1, 2002, to reflect the issuance of Interests to Gilman and McCollum as follows:
Percentage
Effective Initial Interest as
Date of Capital of Issuance
Member Issuance Account Date
------ -------- ------- ----
Thomas F. January 1, 2002 $ 500,000 0.1295%
Gilman
Thomas G. January 1, 2002 $ 300,000 0.0777%
McCollum
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A revised Schedule II, reflecting issuances of the Management Interests effective as of January 1, 2002, is set forth on Exhibit III to this Amendment.
(d) Each of Gilman, McCollum, Dennis, Umbriano, Tabar and Silverio shall be admitted as a "Member" of the Company for all purposes of the Restated LLC Agreement. Each of Umbriano, Tabar and Silverio shall be designated as
a "Dealer" and a "Dealer Member". Each of Gilman, McCollum and Dennis shall be designated as a "Manager" for all purposes of the Restated LLC Agreement.
SECTION 1.02. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE I. Section 1.01 is hereby amended, effective as of September 1, 2001, as follows:
(a) The following new definitions are hereby added:
"DENNIS" means Robert Dennis, as an individual.
"DENNIS PERCENTAGE" means 0.48%.
(b) The definition of "Residual Percentage" is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
"RESIDUAL PERCENTAGE" means 100%, less the Dennis Percentage and the Kendrick Percentage."
SECTION 1.03. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VI. Section 6.01(b)(ii) is hereby amended and restated, effective as of September 1, 2001, in its entirety to read as follows:
"(ii) SECOND, the balance of such distribution shall be apportioned to each Member in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests and:
(A) the amount so apportioned to Dennis shall be distributed to Dennis, the amount so apportioned to Kendrick shall be distributed to Kendrick; and
(B) the amount so apportioned to any Member other than Dennis and Kendrick shall be distributed to Dennis in accordance with the Dennis Percentage, to Kendrick in accordance with the Kendrick Percentage and to such Member in accordance with the Residual Percentage."
ARTICLE II
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 2.01. RESTATED LLC AGREEMENT. Except as amended hereby, the provisions of the Restated LLC Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and be unaffected hereby.
SECTION 2.02. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Amendment and the Restated LLC Agreement set forth the entire understanding among the parties relating to the subject matter contained herein and merges all prior discussions among them.
SECTION 2.03. SEVERABILITY. If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Amendment or in any document executed in connection herewith shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in such case the Board of Directors shall endeavor to amend or modify this Amendment (subject to the terms, conditions and requirements set forth in Section 13.02 of the Restated LLC Agreement) to achieve to the extent reasonably practicable the purpose of the invalid provision.
SECTION 2.04. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND ALL ACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES).
IN WITNESS HEREOF, this Amendment has been be duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as of the day and year first written above.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
Title:
SCHEDULE II TO THE RESTATED LLC
AGREEMENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2001
SCHEDULE II TO THE RESTATED LLC
AGREEMENT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
EXHIBIT II
SCHEDULE II TO THE RESTATED LLC
AGREEMENT AS OF JANUARY 1, 2002
Exhibit 10.5
[LETTERHEAD OF ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP]
This agreement is entered into as of February 8, 2002 between Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. ("Asbury") and Thomas Gibson ("Executive"), a key employee of Asbury, in order to provide for an agreed-upon compensation in the event that the Executive's employment is terminated as defined in this agreement. This agreement will become effective upon the completion of an initial public offering of shares of stock of Asbury (or its successor) (the "Effective Date").
1. SEVERANCE PAY ARRANGEMENT
If a Termination (as defined below) of Executive's employment occurs at any time on or after the Effective Date, Asbury will pay Executive 12 months of Executive's base salary, but no less than $250,000 as of the date of Termination as Severance Pay. Payment (subject to required withholding) will be made by Asbury to Executive monthly on the regular payroll dates of Asbury starting with the date of Termination.
If Executive participates in a bonus compensation plan at the date of Termination, Severance Pay will also include a portion of the target bonus for the year of Termination in an amount equal to the target bonus multiplied by the percentage of such year that has expired through the date of Termination.
In addition, Executive shall be entitled for up to 12 months following the date of Termination to continue to participate at the same level of coverage and Executive contribution in any health, dental, disability and life insurance plans, as may be amended from time to time, in which Executive was participating immediately prior to the date of Termination. Such participation will terminate 30 days after Executive has obtained other employment under which Executive is covered by equal benefits. The Executive agrees to notify Asbury promptly upon obtaining such other employment. At the option of the executive, COBRA coverage will be available, as provided by company policy, at the termination of extended benefits as provided in this section.
2. DEFINITION OF TERMINATION TRIGGERING SEVERANCE PAY
A "Termination" triggering the Severance Pay set forth above in Section
1 is defined as (1) termination of Executive's employment by Asbury for
any reason, except death, disability or "cause", or (2) voluntary
termination by Executive because of (A) mandatory relocation of
Executive's current principal place of business to a location more than
50 miles away, or (B) Asbury's reduction of Executive's base salary, or
(C) any material diminution of Executive's duties or job title, except
in a termination for "cause", death, disability, retirement or
voluntary resignation. The definition of "cause" is: (1) Executive's
gross negligence or gross misconduct in carrying out Executive's duties
resulting in either case in material harm to Asbury; or (2) Executive
being convicted of a felony; or (3) Executive's breach of Sections 3, 4
or 5 below or (4) Executive's willful and continued failure to perform
substantially the executive's duties with the company.
3. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION NONDISCLOSURE PROVISION
During and after employment with Asbury, Executive agrees not to disclose to any person (other to an employee or director of Asbury or any affiliate and except as may be required by law) and not to use to compete with Asbury or any affiliate any confidential or proprietary information, knowledge or data that is not in the public domain that was obtained by Executive while employed by Asbury with respect to Asbury or any affiliate or with respect to any products, improvements, customers, methods of distribution, sales, prices, profits, costs, contracts, suppliers, business prospects, business methods, techniques, research, trade secrets or know-how of Asbury or any affiliate (collectively, "Confidential Information"). In the event that Executive's employment ends for any reason, Executive will deliver to Asbury all documents and data of any nature pertaining to Executive's work with Asbury and will not take any documents or data or any reproduction, or any documents containing or pertaining to any Confidential Information. Executive agrees that in the event of a breach by Executive of this provision, Asbury shall be entitled to inform all potential or new employers of this provision and obtain injunctive relief and damages which may include recovery of amounts paid to Executive under this agreement.
4. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES
Executive agrees that for a period of one year from Executive's last day of employment with Asbury, Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit for employment or employ any person who, at any time during the preceding 12 months, is or was employed by Asbury or any affiliate or induce or attempt to persuade any employee of Asbury or any affiliate to terminate their employment relationship. Executive agrees that in the event of a breach by Executive of this provision, Asbury shall be entitled to inform all potential or new employers of this provision and obtain injunctive relief and damages which may include recovery of amounts paid to Executive under this agreement.
5. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE
While Executive is employed by Asbury, Executive shall not directly or indirectly engage in, participate in, represent or be connected with in any way, as an officer, director, partner, owner, employee, agent, independent contractor, consultant, proprietor or stockholder (except for the ownership of a less than 5% stock interest in a publicly-traded corporation) or otherwise, any business or activity which competes with the business of Asbury or any affiliate unless expressly consented to in writing by the Chief Executive Officer of Asbury (collectively, "Covenant Not To Compete").
In the event that Executive's employment ends for any reason, the provisions of the Covenant Not To Compete shall remain in effect for one year following the date of Termination except that the prohibition above on "any business or activity which competes with the business of Asbury or any affiliate" shall be limited to Autonation, Sonic, Lithia, United Auto Group and other competitive groups of similar size. Executive shall disclose in writing to Asbury the name, address and type of business conducted by any proposed new employer of Executive if requested in writing by Asbury. Executive agrees that in the event of a breach by Executive of this Covenant Not To Compete, Asbury shall be entitled to inform all potential or new employers of this Covenant and to obtain injunctive relief and damages which may include recovery of amounts paid to Executive under this agreement.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. EMPLOYMENT IS AT WILL
The Executive and Asbury acknowledge and agree that Executive is an "at will" employee, which means that either the Executive or Asbury may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice, and that nothing in this agreement shall be construed as an express or implied contract of employment.
B. EXECUTION OF RELEASE
As a condition to the receipt of the Severance Pay payments and benefits described in section 1 above, Executive agrees to execute a release of all claims arising out of the Executive's employment or its termination, including but not limited to any claim of discrimination, harassment or wrongful discharge under local, state or federal law.
C. OTHER PROVISIONS
This agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and Asbury, including any successor to Asbury.
The headings and captions are provided for reference and convenience only and shall not be considered part of this agreement.
If any provision of this agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such holding shall not affect any other provisions, and this agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
This agreement supersedes any and all agreements between Asbury and Executive relating to payments upon termination of employment or severance pay and may only be modified in writing signed by Asbury and Executive.
On the Effective Date, this Agreement shall supersede, terminate and replace any other agreement (whether written or oral) as related to the subject matter contained herein (including, without limitation, the contract dated January 1, 2001 between Executive and Asbury) that was entered into prior to the date first written above. Other than the benefits set forth herein, Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefit in the event of employment termination.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut.
AGREED TO AS OF THE DATE FIRST WRITTEN ABOVE:
BY EXECUTIVE BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE
GROUP L.L.C.
/s/ Thomas R. Gibson /s/ Kenneth Gilman
-------------------- -------------------------
PRINT NAME: PRINT NAME AND TITLE:
Thomas R. Gibson Kenneth Gilman
-------------------- -------------------------
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Exhibit 10.26
[LETTERHEAD OF ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP]
This agreement is entered into as of January 28, 2002 between Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. ("Asbury") and John Stamm ("Executive"), a key employee of Asbury, in order to provide for an agreed-upon compensation in the event that the Executive's employment is terminated as defined in this agreement.
1. SEVERANCE PAY ARRANGEMENT
If a Termination (as defined below) of Executive's employment occurs at any time during Executive's employment, Asbury will pay Executive 12 months of Executive's base salary as of the date of Termination as Severance Pay. Payment (subject to required withholding) will be made by Asbury to Executive monthly on the regular payroll dates of Asbury starting with the date of Termination.
If Executive participates in a bonus compensation plan at the date of Termination, Severance Pay will also include a portion of the target bonus for the year of Termination in an amount equal to the target bonus multiplied by the percentage of such year that has expired through the date of Termination.
In addition, Executive shall be entitled for 12 months following the date of Termination to continue to participate at the same level of coverage and Executive contribution in any health, dental, disability and life insurance plans, as may be amended from time to time, in which Executive was participating immediately prior to the date of Termination. Such participation will terminate 30 days after Executive has obtained other employment under which Executive is covered by equal benefits. The Executive agrees to notify Asbury promptly upon obtaining such other employment. At the option of the executive, COBRA coverage will be available, as provided by company policy, at the termination of extended benefits as provided in this section.
2. DEFINITION OF TERMINATION TRIGGERING SEVERANCE PAY
A "Termination" triggering the Severance Pay set forth above in Section 1 is defined as (1) termination of Executive's employment by Asbury for any reason, except death, disability, retirement, voluntary resignation or "cause", or (2) termination by Executive because of mandatory relocation of Executive's current principal place of business to a location more than 50 miles away, or (3) Asbury's reduction of Executive's base salary, or (4) any material diminution of Executive's duties or job title, except in a termination for "cause", death, disability, retirement or voluntary resignation. The definition of "cause" is: (1) Executive's gross negligence or gross misconduct in carrying out Executive's duties resulting in either case in material harm to Asbury; or (2) Executive being convicted of a felony; or (3) Executive's breach of Sections 3, 4 or 5 below or (4) Executive's willful and continued failure to perform substantially the executive's duties with the company.
3. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION NONDISCLOSURE PROVISION
During and after employment with Asbury, Executive agrees not to disclose to any person (other to an employee or director of Asbury or any affiliate and except as may be required by law) and not to use to compete with Asbury or any affiliate any confidential or proprietary information, knowledge or data that is not in the public domain that was obtained by Executive while employed by Asbury with respect to Asbury or any affiliate or with respect to any products, improvements, customers, methods of distribution, sales, prices, profits, costs, contracts, suppliers, business prospects, business methods, techniques, research, trade secrets or know-how of Asbury or any affiliate (collectively, "Confidential Information"). In the event that Executive's employment ends for any reason, Executive will deliver to Asbury all documents and data of any nature pertaining to Executive's work with Asbury and will not take any documents or data or any reproduction, or any documents containing or pertaining to any Confidential Information. Executive agrees that in the event of a breach by Executive of this provision, Asbury shall be entitled to inform all potential or new employers of this provision and obtain injunctive relief and damages which may include recovery of amounts paid to Executive under this agreement.
4. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES
Executive agrees that for a period of one year from Executive's last day of employment with Asbury, Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit for employment or employ any person who, at any time during the preceding 12 months, is or was employed by Asbury or any affiliate or induce or attempt to persuade any employee of Asbury or any affiliate to terminate their employment relationship. Executive agrees that in the event of a breach by Executive of this provision, Asbury shall be entitled to inform all potential or new employers of this provision and obtain injunctive relief and damages which may include recovery of amounts paid to Executive under this agreement.
5. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE
While Executive is employed by Asbury, Executive shall not directly or indirectly engage in, participate in, represent or be connected with in any way, as an officer, director, partner, owner, employee, agent, independent contractor, consultant, proprietor or stockholder (except for the ownership of a less than 5% stock interest in a publicly-traded corporation) or otherwise, any business or activity which competes with the business of Asbury or any affiliate unless expressly consented to in writing by the Chief Executive Officer of Asbury (collectively, "Covenant Not To Compete").
In the event that Executive's employment ends for any reason, the provisions of the Covenant Not To Compete shall remain in effect for one year following the date of Termination except that the prohibition above on "any business or activity which competes with the business of Asbury or any affiliate" shall be limited to Autonation, Sonic, Lithia, United Auto Group and other competitive groups of similar size. Executive shall disclose in writing to Asbury the name, address and type of business conducted by any proposed new employer of Executive if requested in writing by Asbury. Executive agrees that in the event of a breach by Executive of this Covenant Not To Compete, Asbury shall be entitled to inform all potential or new employers of this Covenant and to obtain injunctive relief and damages which may include recovery of amounts paid to Executive under this agreement.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. EMPLOYMENT IS AT WILL
The Executive and Asbury acknowledge and agree that Executive is an "at will" employee, which means that either the Executive or Asbury may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice, and that nothing in this agreement shall be construed as an express or implied contract of employment.
B. EXECUTION OF RELEASE
As a condition to the receipt of the Severance Pay payments and benefits described in section 1 above, Executive agrees to execute a release of all claims arising out of the Executive's employment or its termination including but not limited to any claim of discrimination, harassment or wrongful discharge under local, state or federal law.
C. OTHER PROVISIONS
This agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and Asbury, including any successor to Asbury.
The headings and captions are provided for reference and convenience only and shall not be considered part of this agreement.
If any provision of this agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such holding shall not affect any other provisions, and this agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
This agreement supersedes any and all agreements between Asbury and Executive relating to payments upon termination of employment or severance pay and may only be modified in writing signed by Asbury and Executive.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut.
AGREED TO AS OF THE DATE FIRST WRITTEN ABOVE:
BY EXECUTIVE BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE
GROUP L.L.C.
/s/ John C. Stamm /s/ Kenneth Gilman
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PRINT NAME: PRINT NAME AND TITLE:
John C. Stamm Kenneth Gilman
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EXHIBIT 21.1
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
ARKANSAS PLATFORM STATE OF INCORPORATION
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OR ORGANIZATION
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Asbury Automotive Arkansas
Dealership Holdings L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. Delaware
Hope CPD L.L.C. Delaware
Hope FLM L.L.C. Delaware
Nashville Motors L.L.C. Delaware
NP FLM L.L.C. Delaware
NP MZD L.L.C. Delaware
NP VKW L.L.C. Delaware
Premier LM L.L.C. Delaware
Premier NSN L.L.C. Delaware
Premier Pon L.L.C. Delaware
Prestige Bay L.L.C. Delaware
Prestige Toy L.L.C. Delaware
TXK CPD, L.P. Delaware
TXK FRD, L.P. Delaware
TXK L.L.C. Delaware
Escude-D L.L.C. Delaware
Escude-M L.L.C. Delaware
Escude-MO L.L.C. Delaware
Escude-NN L.L.C. Delaware
Escude-NS L.L.C. Delaware
Escude-T L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury MS Gray-Daniels L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury MS Metro L.L.C. Delaware
ATLANTA PLATFORM
Asbury Atlanta AC L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Atlanta Chevrolet L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Atlanta Hon L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Atlanta Jaguar L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Atlanta Lex L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Atlanta L.L.C. Delaware
Atlanta Real Estate Holdings L.L.C. Delaware
Spectrum Insurance Services L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Atlanta AU L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Atlanta Infiniti L.L.C. Delaware
JACKSONVILLE PLATFORM
AF Motors, L.L.C. Delaware
ALM Motors, L.L.C. Delaware
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ANL, L.P. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Central Florida, L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Deland, L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Jacksonville GP L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Jacksonville, L.P. Delaware
Asbury Deland Imports 2, L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Jax Holdings, L.P. Delaware
Asbury Jax Management, L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury-Deland Imports, L.L.C. Delaware
Avenues Motors, LTD. Florida
Bayway Financial Services, L.P. Delaware
C&O Properties, LTD. Florida
CFP Motors, LTD Florida
CH Motors, LTD. Florida
CHO Partnership, LTD. Florida
CN Motors, LTD. Florida
Coggin Automotive Corp. Florida
Coggin Cars L.L.C. Delaware
Coggin Chevrolet L.L.C. Delaware
Coggin Management, L.P. Delaware
CK Chevrolet, L.L.C. Delaware
CK Motors, L.L.C. Delaware
CP-GMC Motors, LTD. Florida
CSA Imports L.L.C. Delaware
Coggin Orlando Properties L.L.C. Delaware
HFP Motors L.L.C. Delaware
KP Motors L.L.C. Delaware
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MISSISSIPPI PLATFORM
Asbury Automotive Mississippi L.L.C. Delaware Asbury MS Wimber L.L.C. Delaware NON PLATFORM Asbury--Everest Holdings L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Automotive Management L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Insurance Company, LTD. Cayman Islands Asbury Automotive Used Car Centers L.L.C. Delaware NORTH CAROLINA PLATFORM Asbury Automotive North Carolina Dealership Holdings L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Automotive North Carolina Management L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Automotive North Carolina Real Estate Holdings L.L.C. Delaware Camco Finance II L.L.C. Delaware Camco Finance L.L.C. Delaware Crown Acura/Nissan, LLC North Carolina Crown Battleground, LLC North Carolina Crown CHH L.L.C Delaware Crown CHV L.L.C. Delaware Crown Dodge, LLC North Carolina Crown FFO Holdings L.L.C. Delaware |
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Crown FFO L.L.C. Delaware
Crown Fordham L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GAC L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GAU L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GBM L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GDO L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GHO L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GKI L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GMI L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GNI L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GPG L.L.C. Delaware
Crown GVO L.L.C. Delaware
Crown Honda, LLC North Carolina
Crown Honda-Volvo, LLC North Carolina
Crown Mitsubishi, LLC North Carolina
Crown Motorcar Company L.L.C. Delaware
Crown Raleigh L.L.C. Delaware
Crown RIA L.L.C. Delaware
Crown RIB L.L.C. Delaware
Crown RIS L.L.C. Delaware
Crown Royal Pontiac, LLC North Carolina
Crown RPG L.L.C. Delaware
Crown Used Car Mall L.L.C. Delaware
Crown Wendover L.L.C. Delaware
RER Properties, LLC North Carolina
RWIJ Properties North Carolina
OREGON PLATFORM
Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury Automotive Oregon Management L.L.C. Delaware
Damerow Ford Co. Oregon
Thomason Auto Credit Northwest, Inc. Oregon
Thomason Dam L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason FRD L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Hon L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Hund L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Maz L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Niss L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason on Canyon, L.L.C. Oregon
Thomason Outfitters L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Sub L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Suzu L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason TY L.L.C. Delaware
Thomason Zuk L.L.C. Delaware
ST. LOUIS PLATFORM
Asbury Automotive St. Louis, L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury St. Louis Cadillac L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury St. Louis Gen L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury St. Louis Lex L.L.C. Delaware
Asbury St. Louis LR L.L.C. Delaware
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TAMPA PLATFORM
Asbury Automotive Brandon, L.P. Delaware Asbury Automotive Tampa GP L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Automotive Tampa, L.P. Delaware Asbury Tampa Management L.L.C. Delaware Precision Computer Services, Inc. Florida Precision Enterprises Tampa, Inc. Florida Precision Infiniti, Inc. Florida Precision Motorcars, Inc. Florida Precision Nissan, Inc. Florida Tampa Hund, L.P. Delaware Tampa Kia, L.P. Delaware Tampa LM, L.P. Delaware Tampa Mit, L.P. Delaware Tampa Suzu, L.P. Delaware WMZ Brandon Motors, L.P. Delaware WMZ Motors, L.P. Delaware WTY Motors, L.P. Delaware Dealer Profit Systems L.L.C. Delaware TEXAS PLATFORM Asbury Automotive Texas Holdings L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Automotive Texas L.L.C. Delaware Asbury Texas Management L.L.C. Delaware McDavid Auction, L.P. Delaware McDavid Austin-Acra, L.P. Delaware McDavid Communications, L.P. Delaware McDavid Grande, L.P. Delaware McDavid Frisco-Hon L.P. Delaware McDavid Houston-Hon, L.P. Delaware McDavid Houston-Kia, L.P. Delaware McDavid Houston-Niss, L.P. Delaware McDavid Houston-Olds, L.P. Delaware McDavid Irving-Hon, L.P. Delaware McDavid Irving-PB&G, L.P. Delaware McDavid Irving-Zuk, L.P. Delaware McDavid Outfitters, L.P. Delaware McDavid Plano-Acra, L.P. Delaware Plano Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. Delaware |
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report, dated February 21, 2002 on the consolidated balance sheets of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, members' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 21, 2002
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EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report, dated June 15, 2001 on the combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. (Hutchinson Automotive Group) for the period from January 1, 2000, through June 30, 2000, and the year ended December 31, 1999, (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 21, 2002
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EXHIBIT 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report, dated April 26, 2001 on the combined statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. (Thomason Auto Group) for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
February 21, 2002
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EXHIBIT 23.4
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report, dated July 18, 2001 on the combined statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. referred to as "the McClarty Combined Entities" for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999, (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Little Rock, Arkansas
February 21, 2002
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EXHIBIT 23.5
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report, dated July 18, 2001 on the combined statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. (Crown Automotive Group) for the period from January 1,1999 through April 6, 1999, (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
February 21, 2002
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EXHIBIT 23.6
CONSENT OF DIXON ODOM, P.L.L.C.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement (No. 333-65998) on Form S-1 of our report dated January 23, 1998, except for Note M, as to which the date is August 10, 2001, relating to the combined financial statements of Nalley Chevrolet, Inc. and affiliated entities, and to the reference to our Firm under the captions 'Selected Consolidated Financial Data' and 'Experts'.
/s/ Dixon Odom, P.L.L.C. Atlanta, Georgia February 20, 2002 |
EXHIBIT 23.9
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Asbury Automotive Group, L.L.C. (the "Company"), constitutes and appoints Kenneth B. Gilman and Thomas F. Gilman, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of common stock, and any or all amendments to such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC and other appropriate governmental agencies, and grants unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly signed this Power of Attorney this 22nd day of February 2002.
/s/ Ben David McDavid ------------------------ Ben David McDavid Director |