QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ACQUISITION
AND
THE SPRING CREEK EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
These
questions and answers are only summaries of the matters they
discuss. Please read this entire proxy statement.
Q.
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What
is being voted on?
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A.
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You
are being asked to vote on six proposals:
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The
proposed acquisition by Spring Creek of all of the outstanding securities
of AutoChina, resulting in AutoChina becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of
Spring Creek and the transactions contemplated by the share exchange
agreement, dated as of February 4, 2009 by and among Yong Hui Li, Yan
Wang, Honest Best Int’l Ltd., AutoChina, Fancy Think Limited, Hebei
Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd., Hebei Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Co.,
Ltd., Hebei Huiyin Investment Co., Ltd., Hebei Hua An Investment Co.,
Ltd., Hebei Tianmei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan
Logistics Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd., Shanxi
Chuanglian Auto Trade Co., Ltd., and Spring Creek. This
agreement is referred to as the share exchange agreement and the
acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of AutoChina pursuant to the
share exchange agreement as the acquisition;
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To
elect three (3) directors to the Board of Directors of Spring Creek each
to serve until his or her term has expired and until his or her successor
is duly elected and qualified;
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The
adoption of the AutoChina International Limited 2009 Equity Incentive
Plan, or the “incentive plan,” which provides for the grant of the right
to purchase up to 1,675,000 ordinary shares of Spring Creek,
representing up to approximately 10% of Spring Creek’s share capital upon
the completion of the acquisition, plus the shares issuable pursuant to
the incentive plan, to directors, officers, employees and/or consultants
of Spring Creek and its subsidiaries;
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Amending
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
to change Spring Creek’s corporate name to AutoChina International
Limited;
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Amending
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
as described in this proxy statement; and
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The
approval of any adjournment or postponement of the extraordinary general
meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional
proxies.
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Pursuant
to Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association, Spring Creek is required to obtain shareholder approval of
the acquisition of AutoChina.
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Q.
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Why
is Spring Creek proposing to elect three (3) directors to its Board of
Directors?
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A.
Spring
Creek is proposing to elect three (3) members to its Board of Directors in
connection with the acquisition as provided in Amendment 1 to the
share exchange
agreement.
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Why
is Spring Creek proposing the AutoChina International Limited 2009 Equity
Incentive Plan?
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A. Spring
Creek is proposing to implement the incentive plan in order to be able to
incentivize its employees with equity in Spring Creek.
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Q
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Why
is Spring Creek proposing to amend its Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association?
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A. Spring
Creek is proposing to amend its Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association at the time of the acquisition to change Spring
Creek’s corporate name to AutoChina International Limited and to revise
the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association as
specified on page 79. Both changes will reflect that Spring
Creek would then be an operating company.
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Q.
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Why
is Spring Creek proposing to approve any adjournment or postponement of
the extraordinary general meeting?
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A. Spring
Creek is proposing to approve any adjournment or postponement of the
extraordinary general meeting so that it may delay the meeting in the
event that it appears that the other proposals to be presented at the
meeting will not be approved. This will provide Spring Creek’s management
and proxy solicitor more time to solicit shareholders to vote or change
their votes.
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Q.
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Are
any proposals conditioned on the approval of the other
proposals?
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A. The
proposals relating to the amendment of Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association, the incentive plan and election of
directors will not be effected, even if approved, if the proposal relating
to the acquisition of AutoChina is not approved. No other proposal is
conditioned on the approval of any other proposal.
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Q.
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How
do the Spring Creek insiders intend to vote their shares?
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A. Spring
Creek’s initial shareholders have agreed to vote the 1,293,750 ordinary
shares of Spring Creek (which includes 1,254,938 shares owned by Spring
Creek’s current officers and directors and their affiliates) owned by them
prior to Spring Creek’s initial public offering in accordance with the
majority of the votes cast by holders of shares sold in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering. The initial shareholders have agreed
not to demand redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned
by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares
or purchased by them in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or in the
aftermarket (nor will they seek appraisal rights with respect to such
shares if appraisal rights would be available to them).
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Q.
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What
vote is required to approve the acquisition?
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A. Under
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association, approval of the acquisition requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares. If the
holders of 2,070,000 or more shares purchased in Spring Creek’s initial
public offering (public shareholders owning 40% or more of the ordinary
shares sold in Spring Creek’s initial public offering) vote against the
acquisition and demand that Spring Creek redeem their shares into pro rata
portions of the trust account established at the time of the initial
public offering (as described below), Spring Creek will not be permitted
to consummate the acquisition pursuant to its Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of
Association.
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As
noted above, all of Spring Creek’s founding shareholders, including all of
its officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective 1,293,750
initial shares in accordance with the majority of the ordinary shares
voted by the public shareholders. As a result, if a majority of the
ordinary shares voted by the public shareholders are voted in favor of the
proposed acquisition of AutoChina, Spring Creek’s founding shareholders,
including all of its officers and directors, will vote all of their
1,293,750 initial shares in favor of such proposed acquisition. This
voting arrangement does not apply to shares included in shares purchased
in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or purchased following Spring
Creek’s initial public offering in the aftermarket by any of Spring
Creek’s founding shareholders, officers and directors. Accordingly, they
may vote those shares on a business combination any way they
choose. Spring Creek’s founding shareholders have agreed
not to demand redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares
owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial
shares or purchased by them in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or
in the aftermarket (nor will they seek appraisal rights with respect to
such shares if appraisal rights would be available to
them).
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Q.
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What
vote is required to adopt the amendments to the Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association and to change Spring Creek’s
name?
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A. Approval
of the amendments to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association will require the affirmative vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the
shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting, provided that there is
a quorum. However, proposals relating to the amendment of
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association, the incentive plan and election of directors amendments to
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
will not be effected, even if approved by shareholders in such manner,
unless the acquisition proposal with AutoChina is also approved and
holders of less than 40% of the ordinary shares sold in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering vote against the acquisition proposal and exercise
their redemption rights.
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Q
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What
vote is required to adopt the incentive plan?
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A. Adoption
of the incentive plan will require the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders at
the extraordinary general meeting, provided that there is a
quorum. However, the incentive plan will not be adopted,
even if approved by shareholders in such manner, unless the acquisition
proposal with AutoChina is also approved and holders of less than 40% of
the ordinary shares sold in Spring Creek’s initial public offering vote
against the acquisition proposal and exercise their redemption
rights.
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Q
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What
vote is required to elect the directors?
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A. The
election of each director will require the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders
at the extraordinary general meeting, provided that there is a
quorum. However, the new directors will not be appointed
and qualified as directors, even if approved by shareholders in such
manner, unless the acquisition proposal with AutoChina is also approved
and holders of less than 40% of the ordinary shares sold in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering vote against the acquisition proposal and exercise
their redemption rights.
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Q
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Who
will manage Spring Creek and AutoChina?
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A. Following
the acquisition, many of the current members of the management of
AutoChina will remain in place with some of Spring Creek’s current
management team remaining on Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors.
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Q.
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How
much of Spring Creek will its current shareholders own following the
acquisition?
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A. Based
on the consideration to be paid to the shareholders of AutoChina, if no
Spring Creek shareholders demand to redeem their shares into a pro rata
portion of the IPO trust account, Spring Creek’s pre-acquisition holders
of ordinary shares will own in the aggregate approximately 42.9% (holders
of shares purchased in Spring Creek’s initial public offering will own
approximately 34.3%) of Spring Creek’s post-acquisition ordinary
shares.
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Q.
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How
much dilution will Spring Creek shareholders experience?
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A. There
are 6,468,750 Spring Creek ordinary shares currently outstanding,
5,175,000 (80%) of which are trading publicly. Up to 8,606,250
shares will be issued for the acquisition of
AutoChina. Therefore, all current Spring Creek shareholders
together will own approximately 42.9% of the post-acquisition company, a
reduction in percentage ownership of 57.1%. Current holders of
Spring Creek’s publicly traded ordinary shares will own approximately
34.3%, a reduction in their percentage ownership of approximately
45.7%. In addition, pursuant to an earn-out provision in the
share exchange agreement, Spring Creek has agreed to issue to AutoChina’s
current shareholder between 5% and 20% of the number of ordinary shares
outstanding as of December 31 of the fiscal year immediately prior to such
earn-out issuance for achieving a certain minimum EBITDA and certain
Targeted EBITDA Growth (each as defined in the share exchange agreement)
in each of the next five years, through the year ended December 31,
2013.
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Q.
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Do
Spring Creek shareholders have redemption rights?
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A. If
you hold ordinary shares purchased in Spring Creek’s initial public
offering and you vote against the acquisition, you will have the right to
demand that Spring Creek redeem your shares into a pro rata portion of the
trust account.
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Q
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If
I have redemption rights, how do I exercise them?
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A. If
you wish to exercise your redemption rights, you must vote against the
acquisition and at the same time demand that Spring Creek redeem your
shares for cash. If, notwithstanding your vote, the acquisition is
completed, you will be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of the trust
account, including any interest earned thereon until two business days
prior to the consummation of the transaction (net of taxes payable and up
to $1,050,000 of interest earned on the trust account that has been
released to Spring Creek to fund its working capital and repay management
loans).
At
the time of the consummation of the acquisition, Spring Creek anticipates
that the amount in trust will be approximately
$40,671,000.
Based on that number, a person exercising
his or her redemption rights would be entitled to receive approximately
$7.86 per share. You will be entitled to receive this cash only
if you continue to hold your shares through the closing of the acquisition
and tender your share certificate(s) per the instructions included on the
proxy card.
In
connection with tendering your shares for conversion, you must elect
either to physically tender your stock certificates to the Company's
transfer agent prior to the special meeting or to deliver your shares to
the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s
DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, which election would likely
be determined based on the manner in which you hold your shares. The
requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the special
meeting ensures that a converting holder’s election to convert is
irrevocable once the proposal is
approved.
Upon
redemption of your shares, you will no longer own them.
You
must follow the instructions on the proxy card and send your share
certificate(s) with your proxy card in order to exercise your redemption
rights.
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Q.
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Do
Spring Creek shareholders have dissenter or appraisal rights under Cayman
Islands law?
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A. No.
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Q.
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What
happens following the acquisition to the funds deposited in the trust
account?
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A. Spring
Creek shareholders exercising redemption rights will receive their pro
rata portions of the trust account. The balance of the funds in
the account will be retained by Spring Creek for operating capital
subsequent to the closing of the acquisition.
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Q.
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What
happens if the acquisition is not consummated?
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A. If
Spring Creek does not acquire AutoChina pursuant to the acquisition,
Spring Creek will seek an alternative business combination. As
provided in its charter, Spring Creek is required, by September 4, 2009,
to consummate a business combination or enter into a letter of intent,
agreement in principle or definitive agreement, in which case Spring Creek
would be allowed an additional twelve months to complete the transactions
contemplated by such agreement. Under its Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association as currently in effect, if Spring
Creek does not acquire at least majority control of a target business by
at latest September 4, 2010, Spring Creek will dissolve and distribute to
its public shareholders the amount in the trust account plus any remaining
net assets.
In
any liquidation, the funds then held in the trust account, plus any
interest earned thereon (net of taxes payable and up to $1,050,000 of
interest earned on the trust account that has been released to Spring
Creek to fund its working capital and repay management loans), together
with any remaining out-of-trust net assets, will be distributed pro rata
to Spring Creek’s ordinary shareholders who hold shares issued in Spring
Creek’s initial public offering (other than the initial shareholders, each
of whom has waived any right to any liquidation distribution with respect
to them). See the risk factor on page 33 of this proxy
statement relating to risks associated with the dissolution of Spring
Creek.
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Q.
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When
do you expect the acquisition to be completed?
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A. If
the acquisition is approved at the extraordinary general meeting, Spring
Creek expects to consummate the acquisition promptly
thereafter.
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Q.
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If
I am not going to attend the extraordinary general meeting in person,
should I return my proxy card instead?
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A. Yes.
After carefully reading and considering the information in this document,
please fill out and sign your proxy card. Then return it in the return
envelope as soon as possible, so that your shares may be represented at
the extraordinary general meeting. A properly executed proxy
will be counted for the purpose of determining the existence of a
quorum.
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Q.
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What
will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote?
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A. Abstaining
from voting or not voting on the acquisition proposal (including broker
non-votes), either in person or by proxy or voting instruction, will have
the same effect as a vote against such proposal since the vote to approve
the acquisition proposal requires affirmative votes of holders of a
majority of Spring Creek’s outstanding ordinary shares. Abstaining from
voting or not voting on the proposals to amend Spring Creek’s Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the election of
directors, the adjournment and the incentive plan proposal (including
broker non-votes), either in person or by proxy or voting instruction,
will have no effect on the vote to approve each such proposal since the
vote to approve each of these proposals requires affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority or two-thirds of the outstanding ordinary shares
cast by the shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting, provided
that there is a quorum. An abstention will not count toward the 40%
“against and redeeming” vote that would result in the acquisition’s
abandonment, and you would be unable to exercise any redemption rights
upon approval of the acquisition. If the proposal relating to the
acquisition is not approved, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors will not go
forward with the acquisition of AutoChina, the amendments to Spring
Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association,
adoption of the incentive plan and election of directors. To demand
redemption, you must vote against the acquisition and elect to redeem your
shares.
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How
do I change my vote?
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A. Send
a later-dated, signed proxy card to Spring Creek’s secretary prior to the
date of the extraordinary general meeting or attend the extraordinary
general meeting in person and vote. You also may revoke your
proxy by sending a notice of revocation to James Cheng-Jee Sha, Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp., 10F, Room #1005, Fortune Int’l Building, No. 17,
North Daliushu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic
Of China.
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Q.
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If
my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker automatically vote
them for me?
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A. No.
Your broker can vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how
to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your
shares. Your broker can tell you how to provide these
instructions.
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Q.
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Who
can help answer my questions?
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A. If
you have questions, you may write or call Spring Creek’s proxy solicitor
Advantage Proxy, 24925 13th Place South, Des Moines, Washington 98198,
206-870-8565, Attention: Karen Smith.
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Q.
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Where
will the extraordinary general meeting be held?
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A. The
meeting will be held at
the
offices of Spring Creek’s counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Ave., New
York, NY
10154
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SUMMARY
This
section summarizes information related to the proposals to be voted on at the
extraordinary general meeting and to the consideration to be offered to the
AutoChina shareholders. These items are described in greater detail elsewhere in
this proxy statement.
You
should carefully read this entire proxy statement and the other documents to
which it refers you.
The
Companies
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
Spring
Creek is a Cayman Islands company organized on October 16, 2007 as a blank check
company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset
acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling, through
contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal
operations in Greater China.
Spring
Creek’s initial business combination must be with a target business or
businesses with a collective fair market value of at least equal to 80% of its
net assets (excluding any funds held in the trust account for the benefit of the
underwriters) at the time of such acquisition. If Spring Creek acquires less
than 100% of a target business (but in no event will Spring Creek acquire less
than 50% of such target business), the 80% of net assets test will be calculated
based only on that portion of the business that Spring Creek acquires, and not
the value of the entire business. If Spring Creek is unable to consummate a
business combination within the allotted time periods set forth in its initial
public offering prospectus, Spring Creek will implement a plan of dissolution
and distribution which will include the liquidation of the trust account to
Spring Creek’s public shareholders.
The
mailing address of Spring Creek’s principal executive office is 10F, Room #1005,
Fortune Int’l Building, No. 17, North Daliushu Road, Haidian District, Beijing
100081, People’s Republic of China, and its telephone number is (86)
106214-3561.
AutoChina
AutoChina
is a leading one-stop commercial vehicle financing and consumer automobile sales
company in China. Founded in 2005 by Chairman and CEO, Yong Hui Li,
AutoChina operates in two primary business segments: commercial vehicle
financing and sales of branded automobiles through its nationally recognized
dealer network.
The
mailing address of AutoChina’s principal executive offices is No. 322 Zhongshan
East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050011, People’s Republic of China, and
its telephone number is (86)311 83827688.
The
Acquisition
On
February 4, 2009, Yong Hui Li, Yan Wang, Honest Best Int’l Ltd., AutoChina,
Fancy Think Limited, Hebei Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd., Hebei Kaiyuan Real Estate
Development Co., Ltd., Hebei Huiyin Investment Co., Ltd., Hebei Hua An
Investment Co., Ltd., Hebei Tianmei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijie
Kaiyuan Logistics Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd., Shanxi
Chuanglian Auto Trade Co., Ltd., and Spring Creek, entered into the share
exchange agreement pursuant to which Spring Creek would acquire all of the
outstanding ordinary shares of AutoChina, and AutoChina would become Spring
Creek’s wholly owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the share exchange
agreement, on the closing date Spring Creek will pay aggregate consideration of
approximately $68,850,000 subject to adjustment, based on a price of $8.00 per
ordinary share of Spring Creek, consisting of up to 8,606,250 ordinary shares of
Spring Creek, plus additional ordinary shares in the event AutoChina exceeds
certain earnings targets over the next 5 years as set forth in the share
exchange agreement.
In
addition, at the closing of the transaction, Spring Creek and the former
AutoChina security holders who will own shares of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares
will enter into a Share Escrow Agreement, Indemnification Agreement,
Registration Rights Agreement and Voting Agreement.
Procedure
Under
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, a
majority of the Spring Creek ordinary shares must approve the proposed
acquisition. However, notwithstanding adoption of the acquisition
proposal, the acquisition will only proceed if public shareholders owning
less than 40% of the total ordinary shares sold in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering exercise their redemption rights and vote against
the proposed acquisition. If holders of ordinary shares purchased in Spring
Creek’s initial public offering owning 40% or more of the ordinary shares sold
in Spring Creek’s initial public offering vote against the proposed acquisition
and elect to exercise their redemption rights, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors
will abandon the acquisition, notwithstanding approval of a majority of its
shareholders. If the maximum permissible number of shares elect redemption
without Spring Creek being required to abandon the acquisition, as of January
31, 2009, a total of approximately $16.3 million of the trust account would be
disbursed, leaving approximately $24.4 million available for
the acquisition of AutoChina and the payment of
liabilities. Promptly after obtaining approval from its shareholders
to proceed with the acquisition, Spring Creek and AutoChina will consummate the
acquisition. Each public shareholder has the right to vote against the
proposed acquisition and elect to redeem his, her or its shares for
their pro rata portion of the trust account.
In
connection with the initial public offering, James Sha and Diana Liu have
contractually agreed to indemnify Spring Creek for debts and obligations to
potential target businesses or other persons for services rendered or contracted
for or products sold to Spring Creek, but only to the extent necessary to ensure
that such liabilities do not reduce funds in the trust account. This obligation
remains in effect and extends to transaction expenses to be incurred in
connection with Spring Creek’s seeking to complete the acquisition. Since these
obligations were not collateralized or guaranteed, however, Spring Creek cannot
assure you that its officers and directors would be able to satisfy his
obligations if material liabilities are sought to be satisfied from the trust
account. As of March 5, 2009, Spring Creek believes that its officers and
directors do not have any risk of being required to provide indemnification
since all persons who have had contractual obligations with Spring Creek have
either been paid in full (or will be paid in accordance with Spring Creek’s past
practices) or waived their ability to sue Spring Creek’s trust
account.
Fairness
opinion
On
February 9, 2009 Houlihan Smith & Company Inc., or Houlihan Smith, rendered
an opinion to Spring Creek’s Board of Directors that in connection with the
share exchange agreement, and based upon and subject to the matters stated in
the opinion, the consideration offered for the outstanding capital stock of
AutoChina was fair from a financial point of view to Spring Creek’s
shareholders.
The full
opinion is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. Spring Creek
encourages its shareholders to review the opinion carefully for a discussion of
valuation methodology, procedures followed, assumptions made and factors
considered in developing the opinion. A more detailed discussion of
the fairness opinion begins on page 59 of this proxy
statement.
If
the Acquisition is Not Approved
If Spring
Creek does not consummate the acquisition of AutoChina, it will continue to seek
another target business until it is required to liquidate and dissolve pursuant
to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. As provided
in its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, Spring Creek
is required, by September 4, 2009, to consummate a business combination or enter
into a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement relating
to a business combination, in which case Spring Creek would be allowed an
additional twelve months to complete the transactions contemplated by such
agreement. Under its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
as currently in effect, if Spring Creek does not acquire at least majority
control of a target business by at latest September 4, 2010, Spring Creek will
dissolve and distribute to its public shareholders the amount in the trust
account plus any remaining net assets. See the risk factor on page 33 of
this proxy statement relating to risks associated with the dissolution of Spring
Creek.
Conditions;
Termination
. Approval of the acquisition of AutoChina by a
majority of the outstanding Spring Creek ordinary shares is a condition to
Spring Creek’s consummating the acquisition. The holders of Spring Creek
ordinary shares issued prior to its initial public offering agreed to vote the
1,293,750 shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares (which includes 1,254,938
shares owned by Spring creek’s current officers and directors and their
affiliates) owned by them in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by
holders of shares sold in Spring Creek’s initial public offering; this
represents 20% of Spring Creek’s outstanding ordinary shares. If holders of
2,070,000 or more of the shares purchased in Spring Creek’s initial public
offering (which number represents 40% or more of the shares of Spring Creek
ordinary shares issued in Spring Creek’s initial public offering) vote against
the acquisition and exercise their right to redeem their shares for cash, the
acquisition may not be consummated.
Amendments to the Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
. The Spring
Creek Board of Directors has also determined that it is in Spring Creek’s best
interests to amend its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association (i) to change its name to AutoChina International Limited, and (ii)
including amendments to the following provisions:
(a more
complete description of the amendments can be found on page 79):
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The
number of votes required to pass a special resolution was increased to 2/3
of votes cast from a majority of the votes
cast.
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Section
61.2 (formerly section 61(2)) was revised to provide that at a general
meeting of the combined company a quorum would consist of one-third of the
shares outstanding. Previously, the section also required that
at least two shareholders be present at the
meeting.
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Sections
66 and 67 were revised to require a poll vote, as opposed to permitting a
vote by show of hands.
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Section
85 was revised to prohibit shareholders from taking action by written
consent.
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Section
86.1 (formerly Section 86(1)) was revised to provide that prior to
December 31, 2011, the Board of Directors would consist of not fewer than
2 persons and nor more than seven persons (unless otherwise determined by
the company at a general meeting).
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Section
86.2 (formerly Section 86(2)) was revised to provide that prior to
December 31, 2011, the Board of Directors would consist of two persons
nominated by the AutoChina shareholders representative named in the share
exchange agreement (currently Yan Wang) two persons nominated by the
Spring Creek shareholders representative (currently James Sha) and three
independent directors mutually agreed to by each of the shareholder
representatives.
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·
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Section
105 was added, which provides that at least six members
(or
the entire Board if there are less than six members)
of the Board
of Directors must vote in favor of the following items for such items to
be deemed to be approved by the Board of
Directors:
|
|
o
|
The
issuance of securities other than pursuant to the equity incentive plan or
outstanding convertible securities;
|
|
o
|
The
payment of any dividends or
distributions;
|
|
o
|
A
merger or consolidation where the shareholders of the combined company do
not hold a majority of the shares post
transaction;
|
|
o
|
The
sale or encumbrance of or on all or substantially all the assets of the
combined company or the purchase of all or substantially all the assets of
a third party by the combined company (except for transactions for an
amount les than that specified by the Board of Directors in its annual
business plan);
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|
o
|
The
formation of a partnership, joint venture or subsidiary with a capital
commitment of greater than RMB5,000,000 (except for transactions for an
amount les than that specified by the Board of Directors in its annual
business plan).
|
|
o
|
The
reduction of the authorized
capital.
|
|
o
|
Any
recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, split-off, spin-off,
or bankruptcy filing with respect to the combined
company.
|
|
o
|
The
approval or amendment of the annual budget, business plan or operating
plan of the combined company.
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|
o
|
The
incurrence of indebtedness of greater than RMB5,000,000 unless such
liability is incurred pursuant to the then current business
plan.
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|
o
|
A
change in the size or composition of the Board of
Directors.
|
|
o
|
Any
material amendment to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement,
Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Share Exchange Agreement)
and any executive employment agreement or indemnification
agreement.
|
|
o
|
Any
amendment to the Corporate Governance Rules (as defined in Section
125).
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·
|
Section
165 and the Division entitled “Business Combination” were deleted in their
entirety as they were sections relating to the operation of Spring Creek
prior to a business combination, which includes the provisions related to
a classified Board of Directors.
|
The
Incentive Plan
.
Under the terms of the
Incentive Plan (the “incentive plan”), 1,675,000 Spring Creek ordinary
shares are reserved for issuance in accordance with its terms (provided,
however, that dividend equivalent rights are payable solely in cash and
therefore do not reduce the number of shares that may be granted under the
incentive plan and that stock appreciation rights only reduce the number of
shares available for grant under the plan by the number of shares actually
received by the grantee). Spring Creek currently anticipates that, shortly after
the acquisition, it will grant awards to acquire up to approximately 30,000
shares pursuant to the incentive plan to
Johnson
Lau, AutoChina’s Chief Financial Officer
. Any other awards under
the plan will be made by the post-transaction Board of Directors. Assuming
that the anticipated grants are made, there would be at least
approximately 1,645,000 shares remaining for issuance in accordance with
the Incentive Plan’s terms. The purpose of the incentive plan is to assist
Spring Creek in attracting, retaining and providing incentives to its employees,
directors and consultants, or the employees, directors and consultants of its
affiliates, whose past, present and/or potential future contributions to Spring
Creek have been, are or will be important to the success of Spring Creek and to
align the interests of such persons with Spring Creek’s shareholders. It is also
designed to motivate employees and to significantly contribute toward growth and
profitability, to provide incentives to Spring Creek’s directors, employees and
consultants who, by their position, ability and diligence are able to make
important contributions to Spring Creek’s growth and profitability. The various
types of incentive awards that may be issued under the incentive plan will
enable Spring Creek to respond to changes in compensation practices, tax laws,
accounting regulations and the size and diversity of its business.
All
directors, employees and consultants of the post-transaction company will be
eligible to be granted awards under the incentive plan. All awards will be
subject to the approval of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors or its Compensation
Committee.
We
encourage you to read the plan in its entirety. A copy of the incentive plan is
attached as Annex E to this Proxy Statement.
Election of
Directors.
The Board of Directors has nominated the
following three (3) persons for election to the Board of Directors at
the Special Meeting: Mr. Yong Hui Li, Mr. Thomas Luen-Hung Lau, and Mr. Hui Kai
Yan. Mr. James Sha and Ms. Diana Liu will remain on the Board of
Directors of the combined company post acquisition. See biographical
information for each of the nominees in the section entitled “Directors and
Management.”
On March 11, 2009 the share exchange
agreement was amended to reflect the fact that upon consummation of the
acquisition the Board of Directors of Spring Creek would consist of five (5)
members. Conforming changes were also made the proposed amendments to
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association. A form of Amendment 1 to the share exchange agreement is
attached as Annex D to this Proxy Statement.
The Share Exchange Agreement and
Related Documents
. The share exchange agreement, the form of
the proposed amendments to Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association, and the fairness opinion of Houlihan Smith are annexed
to this proxy statement. We encourage you to read them in their entirety, as
they are the key legal documents underlying the acquisition. They are also
described in detail elsewhere in this document. The share exchange agreement,
which is attached as Annex C in this proxy statement, is incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement.
Management
. Following
the acquisition, many of the current members of the management of AutoChina will
remain in place with some of Spring Creek’s current management team remaining on
Spring Creek’s Board of Directors.
Spring
Creek Extraordinary General Meeting
Date, Time and Place
. The
extraordinary general meeting of Spring Creek’s shareholders will be held at
12:00 noon, local time, on
March 26
, 2009, at
the
offices of Spring Creek’s counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Ave., New York,
NY 10154
.
Voting Power; Record
Date
. You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast
at the extraordinary general meeting, if you owned Spring Creek ordinary shares
at the close of business on March 5, 2009, the record date for the extraordinary
general meeting. You will have one vote for each ordinary share of Spring Creek
you owned at that time. Warrants to purchase Spring Creek ordinary shares do not
have voting rights.
Votes
Required
. Under Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum
and Articles of Association, approval of the acquisition requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary
shares. Approval of the amendments to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association will require the affirmative vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders
at the extraordinary general meeting, provided that there is a
quorum. The election of each director and adoption of the incentive
plan will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders at the extraordinary
general meeting, provided that there is a quorum.
Spring
Creek will not be authorized to complete the acquisition, if holders of
2,070,000 or more shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares sold in its initial
public offering (public shareholders owning 40% or more of the shares in the
initial public offering) vote against the acquisition and demand that Spring
Creek redeem their shares into pro rata portions of the trust
account. In addition, the amendments to Spring Creek’s Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, adoption of the incentive plan
and election of directors will not be effected, even if approved by shareholders
in such manner, unless the acquisition proposal with AutoChina is also approved
and holders of less than 40% of the ordinary shares sold in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering vote against the acquisition proposal and exercise their
redemption rights.
Abstaining
from voting or not voting on the acquisition proposal (including broker
non-votes), either in person or by proxy or voting instruction, will have the
same effect as a vote against such proposal since the vote to approve the
acquisition proposal requires affirmative votes of holders of a majority of
Spring Creek’s outstanding ordinary shares. Abstaining from voting or not voting
on the proposals to amend Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association, the election of directors, the adjournment and the
incentive plan proposal (including broker non-votes), either in person or by
proxy or voting instruction, will have no effect on the vote to approve each
such proposal since the vote to approve each of these proposals requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of either two-thirds or a majority of
the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders at the extraordinary
general meeting, provided that there is a quorum. An abstention will not count
toward the 40% “against and redeeming” vote that would result in the
acquisition’s abandonment, and you would be unable to exercise any redemption
rights upon approval of the acquisition. If the proposal relating to the
acquisition is not approved, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors will not go
forward with the acquisition of AutoChina, the amendments to Spring Creek’s
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, adoption of the
incentive plan and election of directors. To demand redemption, you must vote
against the acquisition and elect to redeem your shares.
Under
Cayman Islands law, no other business may be transacted at the extraordinary
general meeting.
At the
close of business on March 5, 2009, there were 6,468,750 ordinary shares of
Spring Creek shares outstanding (including the 1,293,750 shares held by
shareholders not purchased in Spring Creek’s initial public
offering). Each Spring Creek ordinary share entitles its holder to
cast one vote per proposal.
Redemption
Rights
. Under its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles
of Association, a holder of Spring Creek ordinary shares (other than an initial
shareholder) who votes against the acquisition may demand that Spring Creek
redeem his or her shares for cash, but such shareholder will only receive the
redemption amount if the acquisition is subsequently consummated. Spring Creek’s
shareholders who purchased shares in its initial public offering would still be
entitled to receive a portion of the trust account in the event of a liquidation
of Spring Creek. This demand must be made in writing at the same time the
shareholder votes against the acquisition, on the form of proxy card voted
against the acquisition. If you so demand, and the acquisition is approved and
consummated, Spring Creek will redeem your shares into a pro rata portion of the
trust account, net of taxes payable and up to $1,050,000 of interest earned on
the trust account that has been released to Spring Creek to fund its working
capital and repay management loans, as of two business days prior to the
consummation of the acquisition. You will be entitled to receive this cash only
if you continue to hold your shares through the closing of the acquisition and
tender your share certificate(s) per the instructions included on the proxy
card.
In
connection with tendering your shares for conversion, you must elect either to
physically tender your stock certificates to the Company's transfer agent prior
to the special meeting or to deliver your shares to the transfer agent
electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At
Custodian) System, which election would likely be determined based on the manner
in which you hold your shares. The requirement for physical or electronic
delivery prior to the special meeting ensures that a converting holder’s
election to convert is irrevocable once the proposal is approved.
Upon
redemption of your shares, you will no longer own them.
You must follow the instructions on
the proxy card and send your share certificate(s) with your proxy card in order
to exercise your redemption rights.
The
acquisition will not be consummated if holders of 2,070,000 or more ordinary
shares of Spring Creek sold in its initial public offering (which number
represents 40% or more of the shares sold in the initial public offering) vote
against the acquisition and exercise their redemption rights.
If the
acquisition is not consummated and Spring Creek is not required to dissolve
pursuant to the terms of its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association, it may seek another target business with which to effect a business
combination.
Appraisal
Rights
. Under the law of the Cayman Islands, appraisal rights
are not available to Spring Creek’s shareholders in connection with the
acquisition.
Proxies; Board
Solicitation
. Your proxy is being solicited by the Spring
Creek Board of Directors on each proposal being presented to shareholders at the
extraordinary general meeting. Proxies may be solicited in person or by mail,
telephone or other electronic means. In addition, Spring Creek has
hired Advantage Proxy to assist it in soliciting proxies for the meeting of
shareholders. Spring Creek is paying Advantage Proxy approximately
$15,000 for its services.
If you
grant a proxy, you may still vote your shares in person, if you revoke your
proxy before the extraordinary general meeting.
Significant
Shareholdings.
The holdings of Spring Creek’s directors and
significant shareholders are detailed in “Beneficial Ownership of
Securities.”
Spring Creek’s Recommendation;
Interests of Spring Creek’s
Management
After
careful consideration, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors has determined that the
acquisition and the other proposals presented at this meeting are fair to, and
in the best interests of, Spring Creek and its shareholders. The Board of
Directors has approved and declared advisable the proposals, and recommends that
you vote or direct that your vote to be cast “FOR” the adoption of
each.
When you
consider the recommendation of the Board of Directors, you should keep in mind
that the members of the Board of Directors have interests in the acquisition
that are different from, or in addition to, yours. These interests
include the following:
If the
proposed acquisition is not completed, and Spring Creek is subsequently required
to liquidate, the shares owned by Spring Creek’s directors will be worthless
because the shares will no longer have any value and the directors are not
entitled to liquidation distributions from Spring Creek. In addition, the
possibility that Spring Creek’s officers and directors will be required to
perform their obligations under the indemnity agreements referred to above will
be substantially increased.
In
connection with Spring Creek’s initial public offering, Spring Creek’s officers
and directors, agreed to indemnify Spring Creek for debts and obligations to
potential target businesses or other persons for services rendered or contracted
for or products sold to Spring Creek, but only to the extent necessary to ensure
that certain liabilities do not reduce funds in the trust account. If the
acquisition is consummated, Spring Creek’s officers and directors will not have
to perform such obligation. If the acquisition is not consummated, however,
Spring Creek’s officers and directors could potentially be liable for any claims
against the trust account by vendors who did not sign waivers. As of March 5,
2009, Spring Creek believes that Spring Creek’s officers and directors do not
have any risk of being required to provide indemnification since all persons who
have had contractual obligations with Spring Creek have either been paid in full
(or will be paid in accordance with Spring Creek’s past practices) or waived
their ability to sue Spring Creek’s trust account.
All
rights of Spring Creek’s officers and directors to be indemnified by Spring
Creek, and of Spring Creek’s directors to be exculpated from monetary liability
with respect to prior acts or omissions, will continue after the acquisition
pursuant to provisions in Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association. However, if the acquisition is not approved and Spring
Creek subsequently liquidates, its ability to perform its obligations under
those provisions will be substantially impaired since it will cease to exist. If
the acquisition is ultimately completed, the combined company’s ability to
perform such obligations will be substantially enhanced.
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
For a
discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition
and of owning and disposing of ordinary shares and warrants in Spring Creek
after the acquisition, see “Material United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations,” below.
Quotation/Listing
Spring
Creek’s ordinary shares (SCRQF), warrants (SCRWF) and units (SCRUF) are quoted
on the OTC Bulletin Board.
Anticipated
Accounting Treatment
The
Business Combination will be accounted for as a “reverse acquisition” since,
immediately following completion of the transaction, the shareholders of
AutoChina immediately prior to the Business Combination will have effective
control of Spring Creek through (1) their approximately 57.1% shareholder
interest in the combined entity, assuming no share redemptions (67.9% in the
event of maximum share redemptions), (2) significant representation on the Board
of Directors (initially two out of five members), with three other board members
being independent of both Spring Creek and AutoChina, and (3) being named to all
of the senior executive positions. For accounting purposes, AutoChina
will be deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the transaction and,
consequently, the transaction will be treated as a recapitalization of
AutoChina, i.e., a capital transaction involving the issuance of stock by Spring
Creek for the stock of AutoChina. Accordingly, the combined assets,
liabilities and results of operations of AutoChina will become the historical
financial statements of Spring Creek at the closing of the transaction, and
Spring Creek’s assets (primarily cash and cash equivalents), liabilities and
results of operations will be consolidated with AutoChina beginning on the
acquisition date. No step-up in basis or intangible assets or
goodwill will be recorded in this transaction. As this transaction is
being accounted for as a reverse acquisition, all direct costs of the
transaction will be charged to additional paid-in capital.
Pursuant
to an earn-out provision in the share exchange agreement, Spring Creek has
agreed to issue to AutoChina’s current shareholders between 5% and 20% of the
number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31 of the fiscal year
immediately prior to such earn-out issuance for achieving certain Targeted
EBITDA Growth (as defined in the share exchange agreement) in each of the five
fiscal years ending December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2013. Upon
issuance, the shares will be recorded as an adjustment to the accounting
acquiree’s basis in the reverse acquisition (i.e., as an adjustment at par value
to ordinary shares and additional paid-in capital), and will be included in the
calculations of earnings per share from that date.
Regulatory
Matters
The
acquisition and related transactions are not subject to any federal or state
regulatory requirement or approval, including the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act).
RISK
FACTORS
You
should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the
other information included in this proxy statement, before you decide whether to
vote or direct your vote to be cast to approve the acquisition.
Risks
related to AutoChina’s Business
AutoChina
depends on its ability to enter into and renew leases for most of its
properties. In addition, certain lands or buildings where AutoChina
operates its business in China do not have proper title or the head lessor’s
consent for sub-lease and AutoChina may fail to, or need to incur further
expenses or time to, secure legal right to use certain lands or
buildings which it leases in China.
AutoChina
requires substantial storage facilities to store its inventory for motor
vehicles (i.e. cars and commercial vehicles). AutoChina rents or
leases most of its storage facilities and dealership lots from third-parties
under tenancy or lease agreements. Depending on market conditions for
real estate, landlords or lessors may increase rentals to a rate not acceptable
by AutoChina and which may lead to AutoChina not renewing the tenancies or
leases upon their expirations. If these tenancies or leases are terminated and
if there are no ready alternative locations of storage facilities and dealership
lots for AutoChina to store its inventory and/or sell motor vehicles or if
AutoChina is forced to accept the increased rentals or are not able to relocate
to a suitable place, AutoChina’s business, results of operations and financial
conditions could be materially and adversely affected.
Approximately
117 of 129 parcels of land and/or buildings in China leased and occupied by
AutoChina for its business operations have certain title defects or lack
documentation supporting claim to title and the use of the leased premises may
be challenged and AutoChina may need to relocate its existing business
operations.
Furthermore,
if such plots of land leased to AutoChina are collectively-owned land and
AutoChina operates its business on them for non-agricultural uses without
special permission, subject to the Land Administration Law of the People’s
Republic of China, the administrative departments at or above county level may
order the termination of such leases.
In any of
the above events, AutoChina may be required to terminate the existing leases and
relocate its existing business operations. There can be no assurance that
AutoChina can replace the existing leases with other comparative alternative
premises without any material adverse effect on its operations.
The
automotive and truck retailing industry is sensitive to changing economic
conditions and various other factors. AutoChina’s business and results of
operations are substantially dependent on new vehicle sales levels in China and
in its particular geographic markets and the level of gross profit margins that
it can achieve on its sales of new vehicles, all of which are very difficult to
predict.
AutoChina
believes that many factors affect sales of new vehicles and automotive
retailers’ gross profit margins in China and in its particular geographic
markets, including the economy, inflation, recession or economic slowdown,
consumer confidence, housing markets, fuel prices, credit availability, the
level of manufacturers’ production capacity, manufacturer incentives (and
consumers’ reaction to such offers), intense industry competition, interest
rates, the level of personal discretionary spending, product quality,
affordability and innovation, employment/unemployment rates, the number of
consumers whose vehicle leases are expiring, and the length of consumer loans on
existing vehicles. Changes in interest rates could significantly impact industry
new vehicle sales and vehicle affordability, due to the direct relationship
between interest rates and monthly loan payments, a critical factor for many
vehicle buyers, and the impact interest rates can have on customers’ borrowing
capacity and disposable income. If there is a decline in the
availability of credit for car purchasers provided by third-party financing
companies or if AutoChina has insufficient resources to purchase adequate
numbers of commercial vehicles and to finance their installment sales to
customers, the ability of certain customers to purchase vehicles could be
limited, resulting in a decline in sales or profits. In addition, the
levels of commercial vehicle sales is significantly dependent on the level of
shipping of basic materials, such as coal and grain.
The
overall demand for vehicles increased significantly in China from 2001 to 2008.
However, recently, certain adverse financial developments have impacted the
global financial markets. Theses developments include a general slowing of
economic growth both in China and globally, substantial volatility in equity
securities markets, and volatility and tightening of liquidity in credit
markets. While AutoChina conducts market research on the demand for automobiles
in China it is difficult for industry participants, including AutoChina, to
predict how long these conditions will exist and how they will affect the
automobile industry and its business. As a result, these developments could
continue to present risks for an extended period of time for AutoChina,
including a potential slowdown in its sales to customers, increase in interest
expense on its bank borrowings, or reduction of the amount of banking facilities
currently available to it.
If this
economic downturn continues, AutoChina’s business, financial condition and
results of operations would likely be adversely affected, its cash position may
further erode and it may be required to seek new financing, which may not be
obtainable on acceptable terms or at all. AutoChina may also be required to
reduce its capital expenditures, which in turn could hinder its ability to
implement its business plan and to improve its productivity.
AutoChina
is dependent upon the success and continued financial viability of the vehicle
manufacturers and distributors with which it holds franchises.
The
success of AutoChina’s stores is dependent on vehicle manufacturers in several
key respects. First, AutoChina relies exclusively on the various vehicle
manufacturers for its new vehicle inventory. AutoChina’s ability to
sell new vehicles is dependent on a vehicle manufacturer’s ability to produce
and allocate to its stores an attractive, high quality, and desirable product
mix at the right time in order to satisfy customer demand. Second, manufacturers
generally support their franchisees by providing direct financial assistance in
various areas, including, among others, inventory financing assistance and
advertising assistance. Third, manufacturers provide product warranties and, in
some cases, service contracts, to customers. AutoChina’s stores perform warranty
and service contract work for vehicles under manufacturer product warranties and
service contracts, and directly bill the manufacturer as opposed to invoicing
the store customer. At any particular time, it has significant receivables from
manufacturers for warranty and service work performed for
customers. In addition, AutoChina relies on manufacturers to varying
extents for original equipment manufactured replacement parts, training, product
brochures and point of sale materials, and other items for its
stores.
The core
brands of vehicles that AutoChina sells are manufactured by BMW, Audi, Hyundai,
Ford, General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac), ROEWE, Mazda, Ruida Kia,
FAW Car, Qingling, Peugeot and FAW Toyota. In particular, Audi represented over
24% of AutoChina’s new vehicle revenue in 2008. AutoChina is subject
to a concentration of risk in the event of financial distress, including
potential bankruptcy, of a major vehicle manufacturer. In the event
of such a bankruptcy, among other things, (i) the manufacturer could attempt to
terminate all or certain of its franchises, and AutoChina may not receive
adequate compensation for them, (ii) AutoChina may not be able to collect some
or all of its significant receivables that are due from such manufacturers and
it may be subject to preference claims relating to payments made by
manufacturers prior to bankruptcy, (iii) AutoChina may not be able to obtain
financing for its new vehicle inventory, or arrange financing for its customers
for their vehicle purchases and leases, with the manufacturer’s captive finance
subsidiary, which may cause AutoChina to finance its new vehicle inventory, and
arrange financing for its customers, with alternate finance sources on less
favorable terms, and (iv) consumer demand for their products could be reduced.
These events may result in receivables due from such manufacturers and adversely
impact its results of operations. In addition, vehicle manufacturers may be
adversely impacted by economic downturns or recessions, significant declines in
the sales of their new vehicles, increases in interest rates, declines in their
credit ratings, labor strikes or similar disruptions (including within their
major suppliers), supply shortages or rising raw material costs, rising employee
benefit costs, adverse publicity that may reduce consumer demand for their
products (including due to bankruptcy), product defects, vehicle recall
campaigns, litigation, poor product mix or unappealing vehicle design,
governmental laws and regulations, or other adverse events.
AutoChina’s
new vehicle sales are impacted by the consumer incentive and marketing programs
of vehicle manufacturers.
Most
vehicle manufacturers from time to time have established various incentive and
marketing programs designed to spur consumer demand for their vehicles. In
addition, certain manufacturers offer extended product warranties or free
service programs to consumers. From time to time, manufacturers modify and
discontinue these dealer assistance and consumer incentive and marketing
programs, which could significantly reduce AutoChina’s new vehicle and
aftermarket product sales, consolidated results of operations, and cash
flows.
AutoChina
is subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, vehicle
manufacturers that may adversely impact its business, financial condition,
results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, including its ability to
acquire additional stores.
Vehicle
manufacturers and distributors with whom AutoChina holds franchises have
significant influence over the operations of AutoChina’s stores. The terms and
conditions of its framework, franchise, and related agreements and the
manufacturers’ interests and objectives may, in certain circumstances, conflict
with its interests and objectives.
AutoChina’s
framework, franchise, and related agreements also grant the manufacturer the
right to terminate or compel AutoChina to sell its franchise for a variety of
reasons (including uncured performance deficiencies, any unapproved change of
ownership or management, or any unapproved transfer of franchise rights or
impairment of financial standing or failure to meet capital requirements),
subject to applicable state franchise laws. From time to time, certain major
manufacturers assert sales and customer satisfaction performance deficiencies
under the terms of such framework and franchise
agreements. Additionally, AutoChina’s framework agreements contain
restrictions regarding a change in control, which may be outside of its control.
While AutoChina believes that it will be able to renew all of its franchise
agreements, it cannot guarantee that all of its franchise agreements will be
renewed or that the terms of the renewals will be favorable to
it. AutoChina cannot assure you that its stores will be able to
comply with manufacturers’ sales, customer satisfaction performance, and other
requirements in the future, which may affect its ability to acquire new stores
or renew its franchise agreements, or subject it to other adverse actions,
including termination or compelled sale of a franchise, any of which would
significantly impact its ability to sell affected vehicles. Furthermore,
AutoChina relies on the protection of state franchise laws in the states in
which it operates and if those laws are repealed or weakened, its framework and
related agreements may become more susceptible to termination, non-renewal, or
renegotiation.
AutoChina’s
operations, including, without limitation, its sales of finance and insurance,
are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations.
The
automotive retailing industry, including AutoChina’s facilities and operations,
is subject to a wide range of central and local laws and regulations, such as
those relating to motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales, leasing, sales
of finance and insurance, licensing, consumer protection, consumer privacy,
escheatment, environmental, vehicle emissions and fuel economy, health and
safety, wage-hour and other employment practices. Specifically with respect to
motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales, leasing, and the sale of finance
and insurance at its stores, AutoChina is subject to various laws and
regulations, the violation of which could subject it to lawsuits or governmental
investigations and adverse publicity, in addition to administrative, civil, or
criminal sanctions. The violation of other laws and regulations to which
AutoChina are subject also can result in administrative, civil, or criminal
sanctions against it, which may include a cease and desist order against the
subject operations or even revocation or suspension of its license to operate
the subject business, as well as significant fines and penalties.
AutoChina
may be subject to broad liabilities arising from environmental protection
laws
AutoChina
may be subject to broad liabilities arising out of contamination at its
currently and formerly owned or operated facilities, at locations to which
hazardous substances were transported from such facilities, and at such
locations related to entities formerly affiliated with it. Although for some
such liabilities AutoChina believes it is entitled to indemnification from other
entities, AutoChina cannot assure you that such entities will view their
obligations as it does, or will be able to satisfy them.
AutoChina’s
growth is dependent upon the availability of suitable lot sites.
AutoChina
leases a majority of the properties where its stores are located. If
and when AutoChina decides to open new stores, the inability to acquire suitable
real estate, either through lease or purchase, at favorable terms could limit
the expansion of its lot base and could limit its expansion
strategy.
AutoChina’s
businesses are subject to seasonal fluctuations.
The third
quarter has historically been the slowest period for car and truck
sales. Conversely, the fourth quarter has historically been the
busiest time for car and truck sales. Therefore, AutoChina generally
realizes a higher proportion of its revenue and operating profit during the
fourth quarter. The demand for repair, maintenance and parts is not
highly seasonal. If conditions arise that impair vehicle sales during
the fourth quarter, revenues for that year will be significantly
reduced.
Any
security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized
disclosure of confidential information, whether by AutoChina or by third-party
service providers, could damage its reputation, expose it to the risks of
litigation and liability, disrupt its business or otherwise harm its results of
operations.
In the
normal course of business, AutoChina collects, processes and retains sensitive
and confidential customer information. Despite the security measures it has in
place, its facilities and systems, and those of third-party service providers,
could be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses,
misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors or other similar events. Any
security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized
disclosure of confidential information, whether by AutoChina or by third-party
service providers, could damage its reputation, expose it to the risks of
litigation and liability, disrupt its business or otherwise harm its results of
operations.
Automotive
manufacturers exercise significant control over AutoChina’s operations and
AutoChina depends on them in order to operate its business.
Manufacturers
exercise a great degree of control over AutoChina’s operations. For example,
manufacturers can require AutoChina to meet specified standards of appearance,
require it to meet specified financial criteria such as maintenance of minimum
net working capital and, in some cases, minimum net worth, impose minimum
customer service and satisfaction standards, set standards regarding the
maintenance of inventories of vehicles and parts and govern the extent to which
its businesses can utilize the manufacturers’ names and trademarks. In many
cases the manufacturer must consent to the replacement of the
principal.
AutoChina’s
manufacturers generally require that the premises meet defined image and
facility standards and may direct it to implement costly capital improvements as
a condition for renewing certain franchise agreements. All of these
requirements could impose significant capital expenditures on AutoChina in the
future.
Pursuant
to AutoChina’s franchise agreements, its operations are required to maintain a
certain minimum working capital, as determined by the manufacturers. This
requirement could force AutoChina to utilize available capital to maintain
manufacturer-required working capital levels thereby limiting its ability to
apply profits generated from one subsidiary for use in other subsidiaries or, in
some cases, at the parent company. These factors, either alone or in
combination, could cause AutoChina to divert its financial resources to capital
projects from uses that management believes may be of higher long-term value to
it.
AutoChina
is subject to a number of risks associated with importing vehicles.
AutoChina’s
business involves the sale of new and used vehicles, vehicle parts or vehicles
composed of parts that are manufactured outside China. As a result, AutoChina’s
operations are subject to customary risks associated with imported merchandise,
including fluctuations in the value of currencies, import duties, exchange
controls, differing tax structures, trade restrictions, transportation costs,
work stoppages and general political and economic conditions in foreign
countries.
The
countries from which AutoChina’s vehicles and/or parts are imported may, from
time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or
adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs on imported merchandise.
Any of those impositions or adjustments could affect AutoChina’s operations and
its ability to purchase imported vehicles and parts at reasonable
prices.
Substantial
competition in automotive sales and services may adversely affect AutoChina’s
profitability due to its need to lower prices to sustain sales and
profitability.
The
automotive retail industry in China is highly competitive. Depending on the
geographic market, AutoChina competes with:
•
franchised
automotive dealerships in its markets that sell similar makes of new and used
vehicles that it offers, occasionally at lower prices than it
does;
•
o
ther
national or regional affiliated groups of franchised
dealerships;
•
private
market buyers and sellers of used vehicles; and
•
independent
service and repair shops.
As
AutoChina seeks to acquire or establish dealerships in new markets, it may face
significant competition as it strives to gain market share. Some of AutoChina’s
competitors may have greater financial, marketing and personnel resources and
lower overhead and sales costs than it has. AutoChina typically relies on
advertising, merchandising, sales expertise, service reputation and dealership
location in order to sell new vehicles. Although its franchise
agreements with manufacturers grant AutoChina the right to sell their products
within certain geographic areas, its revenues and profitability may be
materially and adversely affected if competing dealerships expand their market
share or are awarded additional franchises by manufacturers that supply its
dealerships. Additionally, market practice in the PRC allows multiple
non-exclusive dealerships distributing the same brand of motor vehicles in the
same city or region.
AutoChina
also competes with other independent dealers, and to a lesser degree with (i)
the used vehicle retail operations of franchised automotive dealerships, (ii)
independent used vehicle dealers, and (iii) individuals who sell used vehicles
in private transactions. AutoChina competes for both the purchase and
resale of used vehicles. AutoChina’s competitors may sell the same or
similar makes of vehicles that it offers in the same or similar markets at
competitive prices. Increased competition in the market, including new entrants
to the market, could result in increased wholesale costs for used vehicles and
lower-than-expected vehicle sales and margins. Further, if any of AutoChina’s
competitors seek to gain or retain market share by reducing prices for used
vehicles, it would likely reduce its prices in order to remain competitive,
which may result in a decrease in its sales and profitability and require a
change in its operating strategies.
In
addition to competition for vehicle sales, AutoChina’s dealerships compete with
independent garages for non-warranty repair and routine maintenance business.
AutoChina’s dealerships compete with other automotive dealers, service stores
and automobile parts retailers in their parts operations. AutoChina believes
that the principal competitive factors in service and parts sales are the
quality of customer service, the use of factory-approved replacement parts,
familiarity with a manufacturer’s brands and models, convenience, the competence
of technicians, location, and price.
Claims
that the software products and information systems that AutoChina relies on are
infringing on the intellectual property rights of others could increase its
expenses or inhibit it from offering certain services, which could adversely
affect its results of operations.
A number
of entities, including some of AutoChina’s competitors, have sought, or may in
the future obtain, patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or
affect software products and other components of information systems that
AutoChina relies on to operate its business.
Litigation
may be necessary to determine the validity and scope of third-party rights or to
defend against claims of infringement. If a court determines that one or more of
the software products or other components of information systems AutoChina uses
infringe on intellectual property owned by others or AutoChina agrees to settle
such a dispute, it may be liable for money damages. In addition,
AutoChina may be required to cease using those products and components unless it
obtains licenses from the owners of the intellectual property, redesign those
products and components in such a way as to avoid infringement or cease
altogether the use of those products and components. Each of these alternatives
could increase AutoChina’s expenses materially or impact the marketability of
its services. Any litigation, regardless of the outcome, could result in
substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse
effect on AutoChina’s business. In addition, a third-party intellectual property
owner might not allow AutoChina to use its intellectual property at any price,
or on terms acceptable to it, which could compromise AutoChina’s competitive
position.
AutoChina
relies on an adequate supply of skilled field personnel.
In order
to continue to provide high quality repair and maintenance services, AutoChina
requires an adequate supply of skilled field managers and technicians. Trained
and experienced automotive field personnel are in high demand, and may be in
short supply in some areas. AutoChina cannot assure that it will be able to
attract, motivate and maintain an adequate skilled workforce necessary to
operate its existing and future stores efficiently, or that labor expenses will
not increase as a result of a shortage in the supply of skilled field personnel,
thereby adversely impacting its financial performance. While the automotive
repair industry generally operates with high field employee turnover, any
material increases in employee turnover rates in AutoChina’s stores or any
widespread employee dissatisfaction could also have a material adverse effect on
its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Store
closings result in unexpected costs that could adversely affect AutoChina’s
results of operations
.
From time
to time, in the ordinary course of AutoChina’s business, it closes certain
stores, generally based on considerations of store profitability, competition,
strategic factors and other considerations. Closing a store could subject
AutoChina to costs including the write-down of leasehold improvements,
equipment, furniture and fixtures. In addition, AutoChina could
remain liable for future lease obligations.
AutoChina’s
business is affected by advances in automotive technology.
The
demand for AutoChina’s parts and repair and maintenance services could be
adversely affected by continuing developments in automotive technology.
Automotive manufacturers are producing cars that last longer and require service
and maintenance at less frequent intervals in certain cases. Quality improvement
of manufacturers’ original equipment parts has in the past reduced, and may in
the future reduce, demand for AutoChina ‘s products and services, adversely
affecting its sales. For example, manufacturers’ use of stainless steel exhaust
components has significantly increased the life of those parts, thereby
decreasing the demand for exhaust repairs and replacements. Longer and more
comprehensive warranty or service programs offered by automobile manufacturers
and other third parties also could adversely affect the demand for
AutoChina’s non-warranty repair and maintenance services. In
addition, advances in automotive technology continue to require AutoChina to
incur additional costs to update its diagnostic capabilities and technical
training programs.
Significant
defaults by financing customers could significantly reduce AutoChina’s
revenues.
AutoChina’s
commercial vehicle financing business generates income from financing customers.
Although AutoChina does extensive pre-sale credit research on its customers and
has a security interest in its leased vehicles, if customers fail to make
payments when due AutoChina may not be able to fully recover the outstanding fee
and it could significantly reduce AutoChina’s revenues.
A
loss of distribution rights granted by AutoChina's suppliers, or any material
disputes between AutoChina and its suppliers may adversely affect the results of
operations and financial condition of AutoChina
AutoChina
relies on dealership rights granted by motor vehicle manufacturers for
distribution of their products. All of these dealership or supply
agreements are not on an exclusive basis and have an expiration
date. These dealership contracts are generally for one- to three-
year terms and are subject to termination by AutoChina or the principal with
prior written notice in accordance with the terms of such contracts. Complete or
partial termination of these distribution rights agreements could materially and
adversely affect AutoChina's business operations and financial performance. For
example, such termination could result from disagreements regarding differences
between sales targets and actual achievements, disputes regarding advertising
and promotion expenses or changes in business strategy. There can be no
assurance that any particular supplier will not terminate these distribution
rights in the future. AutoChina may also be unable to obtain or renew these
dealership supply agreements on commercially acceptable terms and may not be
able to continue to distribute these products after the expiration
date.
In
addition, there may be a material dispute between AutoChina and a supplier in
connection with the performance of a party's obligations or the scope of a
party's responsibilities under the relevant dealership or supply agreements with
its motor vehicle principals or consumer product supplier.
If any of
the above happens, the business and operations of AutoChina may suffer and the
dealership agreements may even be terminated by mutual consent of the parties,
unilaterally or as a result of a material breach by one of them.
The
loss of any key members of the management team may impair AutoChina’s ability to
identify and secure new contracts with customers or otherwise manage its
business effectively
AutoChina’s
success depends, in part, on the continued contributions of its senior
management. In particular, Mr. Yong Hui Li has been appointed by the Board of
Directors to oversee and supervise the strategic direction and overall
performance of AutoChina.
AutoChina
relies on its senior management to manage its business successfully. In
addition, the relationships and reputation that members of AutoChina’s
management team have established and maintained with its customers contribute to
AutoChina’s ability to maintain good customer relations, which is important to
the direct selling strategy that AutoChina adopts. Employment contracts entered
into between AutoChina and its senior management cannot prevent its senior
management from terminating their employment, and the death, disability or
resignation of Mr. Yong Hui Li or any other member of AutoChina’s senior
management team may impair AutoChina’s ability to maintain business
growth and identify and develop new business opportunities or otherwise to
manage its business effectively.
AutoChina
relies on its IT, billing and credit control systems, and any problems with
these systems could interrupt AutoChina’s operations.
AutoChina’s
business cannot be managed effectively without its integrated IT
system. Accordingly, AutoChina runs various “real time” IT management
systems for its motor vehicle sales and financing business. These systems
include AutoChina Information Management System. AutoChina’s
operations are heavily dependent on its IT system to enable it to manage its
sales and services effectively.
In
addition, sophisticated billing and credit control systems are critical to
AutoChina’s ability to increase revenue streams, avoid revenue loss and
potential credit problems, and bill customers in a proper and timely manner. If
adequate billing and credit control systems and programs are unavailable, or if
upgrades are delayed or not introduced in a timely manner, or if AutoChina is
unable to integrate such systems and software programs into its billing and
credit systems, AutoChina may experience delayed billing which may negatively
affect AutoChina’s cash flow and the results of its operations.
In case
of a failure of AutoChina’s data storage system, AutoChina may lose critical
operational or billing data or important email correspondence with its customers
and suppliers. Any such data stored in the core data center may be lost if there
is a lapse or failure of the disaster recovery system in backing up these data,
or if the periodic offline backup is insufficient in frequency or scope. An
interruption or breakdown in AutoChina’s IT system may have a material adverse
effect on its business, financial conditions and results of operations due to
disruption of its operations.
Natural
disasters and adverse weather events can disrupt AutoChina’s
business.
AutoChina’s
stores are concentrated in provinces and regions in China, including primarily
Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Tianjin, in
which actual or threatened natural disasters and severe weather events (such as
severe snowstorms, earthquakes, fires and landslides) may disrupt store
operations, which may adversely impact its business, results of operations,
financial condition, and cash flows. In addition to business interruption, the
automotive retailing business is subject to substantial risk of property loss
due to the significant concentration of property values at store
locations. Although AutoChina has, subject to certain deductibles,
limitations, and exclusions, substantial insurance, it cannot assure you that it
will not be exposed to uninsured or underinsured losses that could have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of
operations, or cash flows. Additionally, AutoChina generally
relies on third-party transportation operators and distributors for the delivery
of vehicles from the manufacturer to AutoChina’s stores. Delivery may
be disrupted for various reasons, many of which are beyond AutoChina’s control,
including natural disasters, weather conditions or social unrest and strikes,
which could lead to delayed or lost deliveries. For example, recently the
southern regions of China experienced the most severe winter weather in nearly
50 years, causing, among other things, severe disruptions to all forms of
transportation for several weeks in late January and early February 2008. This
natural disaster also impacted the delivery of vehicles to stores. In
addition, transportation conditions are often generally difficult in some of the
regions where AutoChina sells automobiles and commercial vehicles. AutoChina
currently does not have business interruption insurance to offset these
potential losses, delays and risks, so a material interruption of its business
operations could severely damage its business.
AutoChina’s
ongoing expansion into commercial vehicle financing may be costly,
time-consuming and difficult. If AutoChina does not successfully expand this
business, its results of operations and prospects would not be as positive as
anticipated.
AutoChina’s
future success is dependent upon its ability to successfully expand its
commercial vehicle financing business which it commenced in April
2008. AutoChina opened 103 commercial vehicle financing centers in
2008 and plans to open an additional 47 centers in China in
2009. AutoChina has limited experience with this business and may not
be able to expand its sales in its existing or new markets due to a variety of
factors, including the risk that customers in some areas may be unfamiliar with
its brand or the commercial vehicle financing business
model. Furthermore, AutoChina may fail to anticipate and address
competitive conditions in the commercial vehicle sales and lease market. These
competitive conditions may make it difficult or impossible for AutoChina to
effectively expand this business. If AutoChina’s expansion efforts in existing
and new markets are unsuccessful, its results of operations and prospects would
be materially and adversely affected.
If
required financing for AutoChina’s commercial leasing business were not
available or not available on acceptable terms, the commercial leasing business
might not be able to expand as quickly as expected, reducing AutoChina’s
operating results.
AutoChina’s
ability to expand its commercial truck financing business is dependent on its
ability to purchase commercial trucks for resale. Presently, such
financing is arranged through financing arrangements with Beiguo Commercial
Building Limited (“Beiguo”). The terms provided by Beiguo are on
terms which are more favorable than AutoChina has historically been able to
obtain from PRC commercial banks. However there can be no assurance that
AutoChina can continue to receive such financing from Beiguo on such
commercially favorable terms, or at all.
If
financing from Beiguo were not available, AutoChina would fund its commercial
vehicle purchases from its own cash reserves or financing provided by
third-party financial institutions. There can be no assurance that AutoChina
will have sufficient resources or be able to obtain adequate third party
financing on as commercially favorable terms as that provided by Beiguo or at
all. If suitable financing were not available, AutoChina would not be
able to expand its commercial leasing business in as quickly as
expected.
AutoChina
may not succeed in identifying suitable acquisition targets, which could limit
its ability to expand its operations and service offerings and enhance its
competitiveness.
AutoChina
has pursued and may in the future pursue strategic acquisition opportunities to
increase its scale and geographic presence and expand the number of its product
offerings. However, AutoChina may not be able to identify suitable
acquisition or investment candidates, or, even if it does identify suitable
candidates, it may not be able to complete those transactions on terms
commercially favorable to it or at all, which could limit its competitiveness
and its growth prospects.
AutoChina
may face unforeseen liabilities and have difficulty integrating the operations
of companies it acquires in the future.
If
AutoChina acquires other companies in the future, it could face the following
risks:
|
·
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difficulty
in assimilating the target company’s personnel, operations, products,
services and technology into its
operations;
|
|
·
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the
presence of unforeseen or unrecorded
liabilities;
|
|
·
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entry
into unfamiliar markets;
|
|
·
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inability
to generate sufficient revenues to offset acquisition
costs;
|
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·
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tax
and accounting issues;
|
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·
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incurrence
of significantly higher capital expenditures and operating
expenses;
|
|
·
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disrupting
its ongoing business;
|
|
·
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impairing
relationships with employees, manufacturers and
customers;
|
|
·
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incorrectly
valuing acquired entities; and
|
|
·
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failing
to obtain or retain key personnel at new or acquired
dealerships.
|
In
addition, employees from acquired companies may decide not to work with
AutoChina or to leave shortly after joining it. These difficulties could disrupt
AutoChina’s ongoing business, distract its management and current employees and
increase its expenses, including write-offs or impairment charges. Acquired
companies also may not perform to AutoChina’s expectations for various reasons,
including the loss of key personnel, key distributors, key suppliers or key
customers, and its strategic focus may change. As a result, AutoChina may not
realize the benefits it anticipated from the acquisition. If AutoChina fails to
integrate acquired businesses or realize the expected benefits, it may lose the
return on the investment in these acquisitions or incur additional transaction
costs and its operations may be negatively impacted as a result. Further, any
acquisition or investment that AutoChina attempts, whether or not completed, or
any media reports or rumors with respect to any such transactions, may adversely
affect its competitiveness, its growth prospects, and the value of its ordinary
shares.
AutoChina’s
business is capital intensive and AutoChina’s growth strategy may require
additional capital that may not be available on favorable terms or at
all.
AutoChina
has, in the past, entered into loan agreements in order to raise additional
capital. AutoChina’s business requires significant capital and although it
believes that its current cash, cash flow from operations and the cash of Spring
Creek which will become available to the combined company upon consummation of
the proposed acquisition will be sufficient to meet its present and reasonably
anticipated cash needs, it may, in the future, require additional cash resources
due to changed business conditions, implementation of its strategy to expand its
store network or other investments or acquisitions it may decide to pursue. If
AutoChina’s own financial resources are insufficient to satisfy its capital
requirements, it may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain
additional credit facilities following the acquisition. The sale of additional
equity securities could result in dilution to AutoChina’s shareholders. The
incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations
and could require AutoChina to agree to operating and financial covenants that
would restrict its operations. Financing may not be available in amounts or on
terms acceptable to AutoChina, if at all. Any failure by AutoChina to raise
additional funds on terms favorable to it, or at all, could limit its ability to
expand its business operations and could harm its overall business
prospects.
Due
to AutoChina’s rapid growth in recent years, its past results may not be
indicative of its future performance and evaluating its business and prospects
may be difficult.
AutoChina’s
business has grown and evolved rapidly in recent years as demonstrated by its
growth in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $6.1
million, from $2.2 million for the prior period in 2007. AutoChina
may not be able to achieve similar growth in future periods, and its historical
operating results may not provide a meaningful basis for evaluating its
business, financial performance and prospects. Therefore, you should
not rely on AutoChina’s past results or its historical rate of growth as an
indication of its future performance.
AutoChina
requires various approvals, licenses, authorizations, certificates, filings and
permits to operate its business and the loss of or failure to obtain or renew
any or all of these approvals, licenses, authorizations, certificates, filings
and permits could limit its ability to conduct its business.
In
accordance with the laws and regulations of the PRC, AutoChina is required to
maintain various approvals, licenses, authorizations, certificates, filings and
permits in order to operate AutoChina’s business. AutoChina’s
business could be affected by the promulgation of new laws and regulations
introducing new requirements (such as new approvals, licenses, authorizations,
certificates filings and/or permits). In addition, companies incorporated in the
PRC will be required to pass an annual inspection conducted by the respective
Administration of Industry and Commerce in order to retain valid business
approvals, license, authorizations, certificates, filings and permits for their
operations. As the PRC’s legislative system evolves, it is also not uncommon for
new laws and regulations to be promulgated and put into effect on short notice.
Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, pass these inspections, or
the loss of or failure to renew its licenses, permits and certificates or any
change in the government policies, could lead to temporary or permanent
suspension of some of AutoChina’s business operations or the imposition of
penalties on AutoChina, which could limit its ability to conduct its
business.
Failure
by AutoChina’s suppliers to introduce new models that are accepted by the market
may cause it to lose market share and fail to gain the anticipated economic
benefits of such new products
AutoChina’s
future success will be largely dependent on the ability of AutoChina’s motor
vehicles suppliers to launch new models to suit changing customers’ needs in
China and to continually enhance the performance and reliability of their
existing automobile models. If the vehicles manufactured by
AutoChina’s suppliers do not receive the anticipated market reception or
customer preferences or the market for its products change, AutoChina’s future
development and market share in the industry, and therefor its overall financial
condition, may be materially and adversely affected
Spring
Creek’s ability to pay dividends and utilize cash resources of its subsidiaries
after the proposed acquisition of AutoChina is dependent upon the earnings of,
and distributions by, Spring Creek’s subsidiaries and jointly-controlled
enterprises.
After
giving effect to the proposed acquisition of AutoChina, Spring Creek will be a
holding company with substantially all of AutoChina’s business operations
conducted through its subsidiaries and jointly-controlled enterprises. Spring
Creek’s ability to make dividend payments depends upon the receipt of dividends,
distributions or advances from its subsidiaries and jointly-controlled
enterprises. The ability of its subsidiaries and jointly-controlled enterprises
to pay dividends or other distributions may be subject to their earnings,
financial position, cash requirements and availability, applicable laws and
regulations and to restrictions on making payments to Spring Creek contained in
financing or other agreements. These restrictions could reduce the amount of
dividends or other distributions that Spring Creek receives from its
subsidiaries and jointly-controlled enterprises, which could restrict its
ability to fund its business operations and to pay dividends to its
shareholders. Spring Creek’s future declaration of dividends may or may not
reflect its historical declarations of dividends and will be at the absolute
discretion of the Board of Directors.
Wang
Yan, the wife of the chairman and chief executive officer of AutoChina, Yong Hui
Li, is the beneficial owner of a substantial amount of AutoChina’s ordinary
shares and Ms. Wang may take actions with respect to such shares which are not
consistent with the interests of the other shareholders.
Wang Yan,
the wife of the chairman and chief executive officer of AutoChina, Yong Hui Li,
beneficially owns approximately 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares of
AutoChina, as of the date of this proxy, and following the acquisition she will
beneficially own approximately 57.1% of the outstanding ordinary shares of the
combined company, without taking into account Spring Creek’s outstanding
warrants and assuming that there are no other changes to the number of ordinary
shares outstanding. Under SEC rules, Mr. Li can be deemed to
beneficially own such shares. Ms. Wang may take actions with
respect to such shares without the approval of other shareholders and which are
not consistent with the interests of the other shareholders, including the
election of the directors and other corporate actions of the combined company
such as:
|
·
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its
merger with or into another
company;
|
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a
sale of substantially all of its assets;
and
|
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amendments
to its memorandum and articles of
incorporation.
|
The
decisions of Ms. Wang may conflict with AutoChina’s interests or the interests
of AutoChina’s other shareholders.
Risks
Relating to the Motor Vehicle Industry in China
Contractual
arrangements in respect of certain companies in the PRC may be subject to
challenge by the relevant governmental authorities and may affect AutoChina’s
investment and control over these companies and their operations.
According
to Foreign Investment Industries Guidance Catalogue, which was introduced in
1995 and was later amended in 1997 (the “1995
Catalogue”), AutoChina’s motor vehicle distribution business was
classified as “restricted,” and foreign enterprises were not allowed to own
controlling equity stakes in restricted businesses. As a result, AutoChina has
been conducting its operations in the PRC through various companies incorporated
in the PRC and owned by PRC individuals under which AutoChina does not have
direct equity interests but generally has the following rights:
|
(i)
|
the
right to enjoy the economic benefits of these companies, to exercise
management control over the operations of these companies, and to prevent
leakages of assets and values to the registered owners of these companies;
and
|
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(ii)
|
the
right to acquire, if and when permitted by PRC law, the equity interests
in these companies at no consideration or for a nominal
price.
|
Pursuant
to these contractual arrangements, AutoChina is able to consolidate the
financial results of Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Kaiyuan
Logistics and Kaiyuan Auto Trade (collectively referred to as the “the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies”), which are accounted for as subsidiaries of AutoChina under
the prevailing accounting principles. There can be no assurance that the
relevant governmental authority will not challenge the validity of these
contractual arrangements or that the governmental authorities in the PRC will
not promulgate laws or regulations to invalidate such arrangements in the
future. In March 2002, the State Development and Reform Commission and the
Ministry of Commerce jointly promulgated a revised “Foreign Investment
Industries Guidance Catalogue” (the “2002 Catalogue”) to replace the 1995
Catalogue. The 2002 Catalogue came into effect on April 1, 2002. In the 2002
Catalogue, general trading (excluding dealerships) and logistics businesses were
added to the encouraged category. Enterprises falling under this category can be
wholly owned by foreign enterprises. The 2002 Catalogue allows motor vehicle
distribution businesses to be wholly owned by foreign enterprises by the end of
2006. In November 2004, a newly revised “Foreign Investment Industries Guidance
Catalogue” (the “2004 Catalogue”) was promulgated to replace the 2002 Catalogue.
The 2004 Catalogue came into effect on January 1, 2005 and did not amend the
provisions in the 2002 Catalogue with respect to motor vehicle distribution.
AutoChina intends to and is in the process of converting the existing
contractual arrangements into direct equity interests owned by
AutoChina.
AutoChina’s
PRC Counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, advised that there is no foreseeable legal
impediment to the conversion of these contractual arrangements to a direct
ownership structure, or to the conversion of all of AutoChina’s other
contractual arrangements since the applicable foreign investment restrictions
have been lifted and conversion of all such arrangements would not
adversely affect the tax payments and other financial matters of AutoChina. Due
to the various necessary submission and approval procedures, the conversion for
the above-mentioned companies is still in process. If before the completion of
such conversion, any of these contractual arrangements is challenged by the
governmental authorities, or the contracts for such arrangements are breached by
the counterparties and AutoChina is unable to obtain a judgment to its favor to
enforce its contractual rights, or if there is any change of the PRC laws or
regulations to explicitly prohibit such arrangements, AutoChina may lose control
over, and revenues from, these companies, which will materially affect
AutoChina’s financial condition and results of operations. Such
conversion may include various approvals from governmental authorities and
submissions of related documents (e.g. proper land use rights certificates
and/or tenancy agreements for buildings), therefore there can be no assurance
that such approval may be obtained in due course.
Excess
supply in the PRC automobile market could reduce AutoChina’s profits and
growth.
Automobile
sales in the PRC have been growing rapidly between 2001 and 2007, and this
growth has encouraged industry participants to enter the automobile retail
market through import or expansion of production capacities. This may have
resulted, and may continue to result, in an excess supply of automobiles in the
market, particularly in light of the recent economic slowdown in China and
around the world, which in turn can reduce AutoChina’s car and truck
sales.
Imposition
of fuel economy standards on PRC automotive manufacturers and the proposed
imposition of higher automobile consumption taxes may have a negative effect on
the revenues and profits of PRC automobile importers, dealers and distributors,
including AutoChina
The PRC
government adopted new automobile consumption taxes on April 1, 2006 which
increased the consumption tax rate on passenger cars with cylinder capacity of
more than 2.0 litres. In particular, the tax on passenger cars with a cylinder
capacity of more than 2.0 litres and up to 2.5 litres has been increased by 1%;
those with a cylinder capacity of more than 2.5 litres and up to 3.0 litres has
been increased by 4%; those with a cylinder capacity of more than 3.0 litres and
up to 4.0 litres has been increased by 7%; and those with a cylinder capacity of
more than 4.0 litres has been increased by 12%. AutoChina cannot assure that the
automobile consumption tax rate will not be raised in the future, which would
increase the costs of vehicles with relatively large cylinder capacity. Car
importers, dealers and distributors in the PRC might not be able to successfully
pass on the tax increase as higher prices to customers. Even if such increased
costs are added to selling prices, such increase in prices could result in a
decline in vehicle sales. Such an increase in cost of good sold or decline in
demand may have an adverse effect on the revenues and profits of car importers,
dealers and distributors in the PRC, including AutoChina.
Automobile
importers, dealers and distributors in the PRC, including AutoChina, may expend
considerable resources in order to comply with the Regulations on Recall of
Defective Automotive Products, which took effect in October 2004.
The PRC’s
Regulations on Recall of Defective Automotive Products came into effect on
October 1, 2004. This regulation requires automotive distributors to assist
automobile manufacturers to undertake service actions or recall campaigns. Any
such actions or campaigns may require automotive distributors to expend
considerable resources in detecting and reporting to the regulatory authorities
of any potential design defects, defective component parts or assembly defects
in the automobile-related products distributed, which could influence purchasing
decisions of potential purchasers of the vehicles distributed by AutoChina or
adversely affect the reputation of the products distributed by AutoChina,
thereby negatively affecting sales and profitability of AutoChina. Material
failures by automobile distributors to perform their obligations under such
regulations may also subject the distributors to certain penalties and
fines.
The
proposed adoption of the “three guarantees” policy on vehicles sold in the PRC
may have a negative effect on the revenues and profits of
AutoChina.
The PRC
government is considering adopting the Regulations on Non-Commercial Passenger
Vehicle Repair, Exchange and Return Responsibilities (commonly referred to as
the “three guarantees” policy) in the near future. The new regulations are
designed to make it easier for buyers of vehicles which are to be used for
non-commercial purposes to hold the dealers primarily responsible for quality
defects in motor vehicles, regardless of the contractual allocation of such
liabilities between the manufacturers and dealers. These regulations provide,
among other things, that a purchaser can return a vehicle to the dealers at no
cost or, in some circumstances, at a nominal cost, if (i) a major quality
problem occurs within 30 days of the purchase or, (ii) such vehicle has the same
quality problem after five repair attempts or (iii) the aggregate time for all
quality-related repairs of such vehicle exceeds 35 days over a specified term
(usually two years).
If these
regulations are introduced as described above or in a similar form, the costs of
compliance with such regulations and the potential product defect liability, if
it occurs, could reduce AutoChina’s profitability. Even if AutoChina passes
along such costs to consumers in the form of higher selling prices, the increase
in sales prices could cause a decline in market demand and result in a material
adverse effect on the revenues and profits of AutoChina.
Any
trade or other political disputes between countries may affect AutoChina’s
selection of motor vehicles to be imported and sales turnover.
Approximately
2.1% of the motor vehicles sold by AutoChina are imported from Japan, Europe and
U.S. . There may be occasions when trade or other political disputes or tensions
arise between countries of imports and the countries of exports which are beyond
AutoChina’s control. Depending on the response of society to the government’s
stance to such disputes, the demand for the products imported from the countries
which are subject to the trade disputes may be affected, and hence affect
AutoChina’s selection of the product as well as the overall sales turnover.
There is no assurance that the customers would prefer one brand over the other
or the vehicles made by one country over the other country. In any of such
events, this will cause a decline in AutoChina’s sales turnover and affect
AutoChina’s financial condition and results of operations.
Fuel
shortages and fluctuations in fuel prices may adversely affect the demand for
automobiles.
Fuel
prices are inherently volatile have experienced significant rise from 2001 to
2008. Any surge in fuel prices will have an adverse effect on world economies
and, in particular, on the world’s automobile industries. For example, in 2007,
rising global oil prices and rising demand for fuel have led to fuel shortages
in China. This is due in part to increased automobile ownership as
well as government controls over fuel prices.
If the
PRC central government continues to control the price of domestic refined oil to
stabilize the market and demand for fuel in China continues to increase in line
with rising annual GDP, it is possible that further shortages will occur. If the
cost of fuel in the China continues to increase, consumers may elect to use
alternative means of transportation, and demand for automobiles, particularly
those with larger engine capacities, may decline.
Risks
Relating to the Acquisition
The
combined company’s working capital could be reduced if shareholders exercise
their redemption rights.
Pursuant
to Spring Creek’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, holders of shares
purchased in Spring Creek’s initial public offering may vote against the
acquisition and demand that Spring Creek redeem their shares for pro rata
portions of the trust account, net of taxes payable
and up to
$1,050,000 of interest earned on the trust account that has been released to
Spring Creek to fund its working capital and repay management loans
, as
of the record date. Spring Creek and AutoChina will not consummate the
acquisition if holders of 2,070,000 or more shares exercise these redemption
rights. To the extent the acquisition is consummated and holders have
demanded to so redeem their shares, there will be a corresponding reduction in
the amount of funds available to the combined company following the acquisition.
As of March 5, 2009, the record date, assuming the acquisition is approved,
the maximum amount of funds that could be disbursed to Spring Creek’s
shareholders upon the exercise of their redemption rights is approximately $16.3
million.
If any funds held in Spring Creek’s
trust account are used to purchase ordinary shares of Spring Creek from holders
who would have otherwise voted against the transaction, Spring
Creek’s shareholders who purchased shares in Spring Creek’s initial
public offering may be entitled to rescission rights.
Spring Creek’s initial public offering
prospectus did not disclose that funds in the trust account might be used to
purchase shares of its common stock from holders thereof who have indicated
their intention to vote against the acquisition and convert their shares into
cash. Consequently, such use of the funds in the trust account might be grounds
for a holder of Spring Creek’s public stock who purchased such shares in Spring
Creek’s initial public offering, to seek rescission of the purchase of the units
the holder acquired in the IPO. A successful claimant for damages under federal
or state law could be awarded an amount to compensate for the decrease in value
of the shares caused by the alleged violation, together with interest, while
retaining the shares.
The
combined company’s working capital could be reduced if Spring Creek repurchases
shares in the market.
Pursuant
to Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association,
holders of shares purchased in Spring Creek’s initial public offering may vote
against the acquisition and demand that Spring Creek redeem their
shares for pro rata portions of the trust account, net of taxes payable
and
up to $1,050,000 of interest earned on the trust account that has been released
to Spring Creek to fund its working capital and repay management loans
,
as of the record date. Spring Creek and AutoChina will not consummate the
acquisition if holders of 2,070,000 or more shares exercise these redemption
rights. Spring Creek may elect to repurchase shares in the open
market or otherwise in order to reduce the number of public shareholders who may
exercise their redemption rights. To the extent the acquisition is
consummated and Spring Creek has purchased shares in the open market or
otherwise, there will be a corresponding reduction in the amount of funds
available to the combined company following the acquisition.
If
outstanding warrants are exercised, the underlying ordinary shares will be
eligible for future resale in the public market. “Market overhang”
from the warrants results in dilution and could reduce the market price of the
ordinary shares.
Outstanding
warrants and unit purchase options to purchase an aggregate of 8,962,500
ordinary shares issued in connection with Spring Creek’s initial public offering
and the private placement that took place immediately prior to the initial
public offering will become exercisable after consummation of the acquisition.
If they are exercised, a substantial number of additional shares of Spring Creek
ordinary shares will be eligible for resale in the public market, which may
reduce the market price.
Registration
rights held by Spring Creek’s initial shareholders who purchased shares prior to
Spring Creek’s initial public offering and to be granted to AutoChina’s
shareholders in connection with the acquisition could reduce the market price of
Spring Creek’s ordinary shares.
Spring
Creek’s initial shareholders who purchased ordinary shares prior to its initial
public offering are entitled to demand that Spring Creek register the resale of
their shares and shares underlying their units and warrants at any time after
they are released from escrow. If such shareholders exercise their
registration rights with respect to all of their shares, there will be an
additional 1,293,750 ordinary shares eligible for trading in the public
market. In addition, in connection with the acquisition, Spring Creek
will issue approximately 8,606,250 ordinary shares to AutoChina’s existing
shareholders, plus pursuant to an earn-out provision in the share exchange
agreement, Spring Creek has agreed to issue to AutoChina’s current shareholder
between 5% and 20% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December
31 of the fiscal year immediately prior to such earn-out issuance for achieving
a certain minimum EBITDA and certain Targeted EBITDA Growth (each as defined in
the share exchange agreement) in each of the next five years, through the year
ended December 31, 2013. The holders of these shares will be entitled
to demand that Spring Creek register the resale of their shares at any time any
time after six (6) months following the consummation of the
acquisition. The presence of these additional shares may reduce the
market price of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares.
Spring
Creek’s directors and officers have interests in the acquisition that are
different from yours, because if the acquisition is not approved, their shares
may become worthless.
In
considering the recommendation of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors to vote to
approve the acquisition, you should be aware that Spring Creek’s directors,
officers and initial shareholders have agreements or arrangements that provide
them with interests in the acquisition that differ from, or are in addition to,
those of Spring Creek shareholders generally. Spring Creek’s initial
shareholders, including its directors and officers, are not entitled to receive
any of the funds that would be distributed upon liquidation of the trust
account. Therefore, if the acquisition is not approved, the 1,293,750
original shares and 1,430,000 insider warrants may become
worthless. The personal and financial interests of directors and
officers may have influenced their motivation in identifying and selecting a
target business and in timely completion of a business
combination. Consequently, their discretion in identifying and
selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when
determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business
combination are appropriate and in the best interests of Spring Creek’s
shareholders.
Because
Spring Creek does not intend to pay dividends on its ordinary shares,
shareholders will benefit from an investment in Spring Creek’s ordinary shares
only if it appreciates in value.
Spring
Creek has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its ordinary
shares. Following the acquisition, Spring Creek currently intends to
retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operations and expansion of
the business. As a result, Spring Creek does not anticipate paying cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the
declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors and will depend on factors Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors deems relevant, including among others, Spring Creek’s results of
operations, financial condition and cash requirements, business prospects, and
the terms of Spring Creek’s credit facilities and other financing arrangements.
Accordingly, realization of a gain on shareholders’ investments will depend on
the appreciation of the price of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares. There is no
guarantee that Spring Creek’s ordinary shares will appreciate in
value.
Spring
Creek’s securities are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, which may limit the
liquidity and price of its securities more than if the securities were quoted or
listed on the Nasdaq market.
Spring
Creek’s securities are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, a NASD-sponsored and
operated inter-dealer automated quotation system. Quotation of Spring Creek’s
securities on the OTC Bulletin Board will limit the liquidity and price of its
securities more than if the securities were quoted or listed on
Nasdaq.
Risks
to Spring Creek’s Shareholders
Spring
Creek may choose to redeem its outstanding warrants at a time that is
disadvantageous to the warrant holders.
Subject
to there being a current prospectus under the Securities Act of 1933,
Spring Creek may redeem all of its outstanding warrants at any time after they
become exercisable at a price of $.01 per warrant, upon a minimum of 30 days
prior written notice of redemption if, and only if, the last sale price of
Spring Creek’s ordinary shares equals or exceeds $11.50 per share for any 20
trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days
before Spring Creek sends the notice of redemption. Calling all of Spring
Creek’s outstanding warrants for redemption could force the warrant
holders:
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To
exercise the warrants and pay the exercise price for such warrants at
a time when it may be disadvantageous for the holders to do
so;
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To
sell the warrants at the then current market price when they might
otherwise wish to hold the warrants;
or
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To
accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the warrants
are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than
the market value of
the warrants.
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Spring
Creek’s warrant holders may not be able to exercise their warrants, which may
create liability for Spring Creek.
Holders of
the warrants Spring Creek issued in its initial public offering and private
placement will be able to receive shares upon exercise of the warrants only
if (i) a current registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933 relating to the shares of its ordinary shares underlying the warrants
is then effective and (ii) such shares are qualified for sale or exempt
from qualification under the applicable securities laws of the states in
which the various holders of warrants reside. Although Spring Creek has
agreed to use its best efforts to maintain a current registration statement
covering the shares underlying the warrants to the extent required by federal
securities laws, and Spring Creek intends to comply with such agreement,
Spring Creek cannot assure you that it will be able to do so. In addition,
some states may not permit Spring Creek to register the shares issuable
upon exercise of its warrants for sale. The value of the warrants will be
greatly reduced if a registration statement covering the shares issuable
upon the exercise of the warrants is not kept current or if the securities
are not qualified, or exempt from qualification, in the states in which the
holders of warrants reside. Holders of warrants who reside in jurisdictions
in which the shares underlying the warrants are not qualified and in which
there is no exemption will be unable to exercise their warrants and would
either have to sell their warrants in the open market or allow them to
expire unexercised. If and when the warrants become redeemable by Spring
Creek, Spring Creek may exercise its redemption right even if Spring Creek
is unable to qualify the underlying securities for sale under all
applicable state securities laws. Since Spring Creek’s obligations in this
regard are subject to a “best efforts” standard, it is possible that, even if
Spring Creek is able to successfully assert a defense to a claim by warrant
holders due to the impossibility of registration, a court may impose monetary
damages on Spring Creek to compensate warrant holders due to the change in
circumstances that led to Spring Creek being unable to fulfill its
obligations.
Failure
to complete the acquisition could reduce the market price of Spring Creek’s
ordinary shares and may make it more difficult for Spring Creek to attract
another acquisition candidate, resulting, ultimately, in the disbursement of the
trust proceeds, causing some investors to experience a loss on their
investment.
If the
acquisition is not completed for any reason, Spring Creek may be subject to a
number of material risks, including:
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The
market price of its ordinary shares may decline if the current market
price of its ordinary shares reflects a market assumption that the
acquisition will be consummated;
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Costs
related to the acquisition, such as legal and accounting fees and the
costs of the fairness opinion, must be paid even if the acquisition is not
completed; and
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Charges
will be made against earnings for transaction-related expenses, which
could be higher than expected.
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Such
decreased market price and added costs and charges of the failed acquisition,
together with the history of failure in consummating an acquisition, may make it
more difficult for Spring Creek to attract another acquisition candidate,
resulting, ultimately, in the disbursement of the trust proceeds, which could
cause investors to experience a loss on their investment.
If
holders of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares purchased in Spring Creek’s initial
public offering owning 40% or more of the ordinary shares issued in its initial
public offering decide to vote against the acquisition and opt to redeem
their shares for cash, Spring Creek may be forced to dissolve and
liquidate, shareholders may receive less than $8.00 per share, and Spring
Creek’s warrants may expire worthless.
Under the
terms of Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association, if holders of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares purchased in Spring
Creek’s initial public offering owning 40% or more of the ordinary shares issued
in its initial public decide to vote against the acquisition and opt
to redeem their shares for cash, Spring Creek may ultimately be forced
to dissolve and liquidate. Although Spring Creek will continue to search to
acquire an operating company in located in the Greater China region, Spring
Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association requires
Spring Creek to liquidate if it does not complete a business combination by
September 4, 2009, or September 4, 2010 if Spring Creek enters into a letter of
intent, an agreement in principle or a definitive agreement to complete a
business combination prior to September 4, 2009, but is unable to complete a
business combination by such date. Spring Creek signed a definitive
agreement with AutoChina on February 4, 2009, and therefore has until September
4, 2010 to complete the acquisition. If Spring Creek does not consummate the
acquisition of AutoChina by that time, it will be forced to dissolve and
liquidate in accordance with the provisions of Cayman Islands law.
In any
liquidation, the net proceeds of Spring Creek’s initial public offering held in
the trust account, plus any interest earned thereon (net of taxes payable and up
to $1,050,000 of interest earned on the trust account that may be released to
Spring Creek to fund its working capital and repay management loans), will be
distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares
issued in Spring Creek’s initial public offering.
At the
time of the consummation of the acquisition, Spring Creek anticipates that the
amount in trust will be approximately $40,671,000.
Based on that
number, the per share liquidation price would be approximately $7.86, or $0.14
less than the price ($8.00 per unit) that Spring Creek sold each unit for in its
initial public offering. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could,
however, become subject to the claims of Spring Creek’s creditors which could be
prior to the claims of Spring Creek’s public shareholders. Spring Creek cannot
assure you that the actual per share liquidation price will not be less than
$7.86, plus interest (net of taxes payable), due to claims of creditors.
Furthermore, there will be no distribution with respect to Spring Creek’s
outstanding warrants and, accordingly, the warrants will expire
worthless.
If
Spring Creek is unable to consummate a business combination, its public
shareholders will be forced to wait until at least September 4, 2010 before
receiving liquidation distributions.
If the
proposed acquisition is not approved, Spring Creek has until September 4, 2010
in which to complete a business combination. Spring Creek has no obligation to
return funds to investors prior to such date unless Spring Creek consummates a
business combination prior thereto. Only after the expiration of this time
period will public shareholders be entitled to liquidation distributions if
Spring Creek is unable to complete a business combination. Accordingly,
investors’ funds may be unavailable to them until such date.
Spring
Creek’s shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against
Spring Creek to the extent of distributions received by them.
Spring
Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides
that Spring Creek will continue in existence until September 4,
2010. If Spring Creek has not completed a business combination by
such date and amended this provision in connection thereto, its corporate
existence will cease except for the purposes of winding-up Spring Creek’s
affairs and liquidating. As a result, this has the same effect as if Spring
Creek had formally went through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the
Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, referred to in this proxy
as the Companies Law. In such a situation under the Companies Law, a liquidator
would give at least 21 days’ notice to creditors of his intention to make a
distribution by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims
and by placing a public advertisement in the Cayman Islands Official Gazette,
although in practice this notice requirement need not necessarily delay the
distribution of assets as the liquidator may be satisfied that no creditors
would be adversely affected as a consequence of a distribution before this time
period has expired. Spring Creek anticipates the trust account would be
liquidated shortly following expiration of the 21 day period. As soon as the
affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator must present his final
report and accounts before a final general meeting which must be called by a
public notice at least one month before it takes place. After the final meeting,
the liquidator must make a return to the Registrar confirming the date on which
the meeting was held and three months after the date of such filing the company
is dissolved.
Additionally,
in any liquidation proceedings of the company under Cayman Islands’ law, the
funds held in Spring Creek’s trust account may be included in its estate and
subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of its
shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, Spring
Creek cannot assure you it will be able to return to its public shareholders the
liquidation amounts payable to them. Furthermore, a liquidator of the company
might seek to hold a shareholder liable to contribute to Spring Creek’s estate
to the extent of distributions received by them pursuant to the dissolution of
the trust account beyond the date of dissolution of the trust account.
Additionally, Spring Creek cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to
recover from its shareholders amounts owed to them by Spring Creek. Furthermore,
Spring Creek’s Board of Directors may be viewed as having breached
their fiduciary duties to Spring Creek’s creditors and/or may have acted in bad
faith, and thereby exposing itself and Spring Creek to claims for having paid
public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of
creditors. Spring Creek cannot assure you that claims will not be brought
against Spring Creek for these reasons.
If Spring
Creek is unable to consummate a transaction prior to September 4, 2010, its
purpose and powers will be limited to dissolving, liquidating and winding up.
Upon notice from Spring Creek, the trustee of the trust account will distribute
the amount in Spring Creek’s trust account to Spring Creek’s public shareholders
as part of Spring Creek’s plan of dissolution and distribution. Concurrently,
Spring Creek will pay, or reserve for payment, from funds not held in trust, its
liabilities and obligations, although Spring Creek cannot assure you that there
will be sufficient funds for such purpose. If there are insufficient funds held
outside the trust account for such purpose, James Sha and Diana Liu have agreed
that they will be jointly and severally liable (on a pro rata basis relative to
the number of initial shares owned by them prior to the completion of the
acquisition) to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by
the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are
owed money by Spring Creek for services rendered or contracted for or products
sold to Spring Creek.
If Spring
Creek is forced to declare insolvency or a case for involuntary liquidation is
filed against it which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account
will be subject to applicable Cayman Islands’ insolvency law, and may be
included in Spring Creek’s estate and subject to the claims of third parties
with priority over the claims of Spring Creek’s shareholders. Furthermore,
because Spring Creek intends to distribute the proceeds held in the trust
account to its public shareholders promptly after the approval of the proposal
to acquire AutoChina and the proposals to amend Spring Creek’s Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, this may be viewed or
interpreted as giving preference to Spring Creek’s public shareholders over any
potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from Spring
Creek’s assets. Furthermore, the Spring Creek Board of Directors may be viewed
as having breached its fiduciary duties to Spring Creek’s creditors and/or may
have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and Spring Creek to claims,
by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the
claims of creditors. Spring Creek cannot assure you that claims will not be
brought against it for these reasons.
If
third parties bring claims against Spring Creek, the proceeds held in the trust
account could be reduced and the per share liquidation price received by
shareholders could be less than $7.86 per share.
Spring
Creek’s placement of funds in trust may not protect those funds from third party
claims against it. Although Spring Creek has sought to have vendors, potential
target businesses, consultants or other entities with which Spring Creek does
business execute valid and enforceable agreements waiving any right, title,
interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for
the benefit of Spring Creek’s public shareholders, not all have executed such
agreements. Those parties who have not entered into such agreements may have
claims they will attempt to assert, and those who have may claim that the waiver
is unenforceable or assert claims based on fraudulent inducement, breach of
fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims. Nor is there any guarantee
that, even if such entities have executed such agreements with Spring Creek,
they will not seek recourse against the trust account. A court could also
conclude that such agreements are not legally enforceable. Accordingly, the
proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over
those of Spring Creek’s public shareholders.
If Spring
Creek liquidates before the completion of a business combination and distributes
the proceeds held in trust to Spring Creek’s public shareholders, James Sha and
Diana Liu have contractually agreed with Spring Creek that they will be
severally liable (on a pro rata basis relative to the number of initial shares
owned by them prior to the completion of Spring Creek’s initial public offering)
to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims
of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money
by Spring Creek for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to
Spring Creek. Because many of Spring Creek’s vendors, potential target
businesses, consultants or other entities with which Spring Creek has done
business executed agreements waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any
kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of Spring
Creek’s public shareholders, Spring Creek believes the likelihood of Spring
Creek’s officers and directors having any such obligations is minimal.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Spring Creek has questioned James Sha and Diana
Liu on their financial net worth and reviewed their financial information and
believe they will be able to satisfy any indemnification obligations that may
arise, although there can be no assurance of this. Furthermore, if they refused
to satisfy their obligations, Spring Creek would be required to bring a claim
against them to enforce Spring Creek’s indemnification rights. Therefore, Spring
Creek cannot assure you that the per-share distribution from the trust fund, if
Spring Creek liquidates, will not be less than $7.86, plus interest then held in
the trust fund, due to such claims.
Additionally,
if Spring Creek is forced to declare insolvency or a case for involuntary
liquidation is filed against it which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the
trust account will be subject to applicable Cayman Islands insolvency law, and
may be included in Spring Creek’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of
third parties with priority over the claims of Spring Creek’s shareholders. To
the extent any such claims deplete the trust account, Spring Creek cannot assure
you Spring Creek will be able to return to Spring Creek’s public shareholders at
least $7.86 per share.
Limited
ability to evaluate the target business’ management.
Although
Spring Creek closely examined the management of AutoChina, Spring Creek cannot
assure you that its assessment of AutoChina’s management will prove to be
correct, or that future management will have the necessary skills,
qualifications or abilities to manage its business
successfully. Essentially, all of the serving management of AutoChina
will remain with the combined company, and will for the most part run its day to
day operations. Certain members of Spring Creek’s current Board of
Directors will remain directors of Spring Creek subsequent to the
acquisition.
Risks
Relating to the Combined Company’s Corporate Structure and Restrictions on its
Industry
Substantial
uncertainties and restrictions exist with respect to the interpretation and
application of PRC laws and regulations relating to the description of operating
business. If the PRC government finds that the structure AutoChina has adopted
for its business operations does not comply with PRC laws and regulations,
AutoChina could be subject to severe penalties, including the shutting down of
its Chinese operating subsidiaries.
Foreign
ownership of retailing businesses is subject to significant restrictions under
current PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government regulates the retailing
businesses through strict business licensing requirements and other government
regulations.
Because
AutoChina is a Cayman Islands company and it holds the equity interests of its
PRC subsidiaries indirectly through Fancy Think, a Hong Kong company, its PRC
subsidiaries are treated as foreign invested enterprises under PRC laws and
regulations. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, AutoChina conducts its
operations in China through a series of contractual arrangements entered into
with the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and their shareholder (the “Enterprise
Agreements”). Pursuant to the Enterprise Agreements, AutoChina has exclusive
rights to obtain the economic benefits and assume the business risks of the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies from their shareholders, and generally has control of the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies. The Auto Kaiyuan Companies are considered variable interest
entities, and AutoChina is the primary beneficiary. AutoChina’s relationships
with the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and their shareholder are governed by the
Enterprise Agreements between Chuanglian, a wholly owned subsidiary of
AutoChina, and each of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, which are the operating
companies of AutoChina in the PRC. The Auto Kaiyuan Companies hold and its
subsidiaries hold the relevant business licenses to carry out the
business
As a
result of these contractual arrangements, AutoChina controls the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies and, accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies
consolidate their operating results in the combined company’s financial
statements. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see
“Information About AutoChina”
The
relevant PRC regulatory authorities have broad discretion in determining whether
a particular contractual structure is in violation of law.
Furthermore,
if the combined company’s ownership structure, contractual arrangements and
businesses, its PRC subsidiaries and Auto Kaiyuan Companies are found to be in
violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant
regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such
violations, including:
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revoking
the business and operating licenses of the combined company’s PRC
subsidiaries or Auto Kaiyuan Companies, which business and operating
licenses are essential to the operation of the combined company’s
business;
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confiscating
the combined company’s income or the income of its PRC subsidiaries or
Auto Kaiyuan Companies;
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shutting
down its commercial vehicle financing and sales of branded automobiles
businesses;
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discontinuing
or restricting its operations or the operations of the combined company’s
PRC subsidiaries or Auto Kaiyuan
Companies;
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imposing
conditions or requirements with which AutoChina, the combined company’s
PRC subsidiaries or Auto Kaiyuan Companies may not be able to
comply;
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requiring
the combined company, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries or Auto
Kaiyuan Companies to restructure their relevant ownership structure,
operations or contractual
arrangements;
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restricting
or prohibiting the combined company’s use of the proceeds from Spring
Creek’s initial public offering to finance its business and operations in
China; and
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taking
other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to the
business of the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies.
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If the
regulatory authorities take any of the above-mentioned measures against Spring
Creek, the combined company may have to cease its business operations and its
reputation will be severely damaged, which in turn will materially and
negatively affect Spring Creek’s financial condition and results of
operations.
If
the Auto Kaiyuan Companies fail to obtain and maintain the requisite licenses
and approvals held by it under the complex regulatory environment for retailing
businesses in China, the combined company’s business, financial condition and
results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
The
retailing industry in China is regulated by the PRC government. Various
regulatory authorities of the central PRC government, such as Ministry of
Commerce, are empowered to issue and implement regulations governing various
aspects of the retailing industry.
The Auto
Kaiyuan Companies are required to obtain and maintain applicable licenses or
approvals from different regulatory authorities in order to provide its current
services. The Auto Kaiyuan Companies have obtained primary approvals including
the business licenses to conduct the retailing of automotive
business. If the Auto Kaiyuan Companies fail to obtain or maintain
any of the required licenses, its continued business operations in the
automotive industry may subject it to various penalties, such as confiscation of
illegal revenues, fines and the discontinuation or restriction of its
operations. Any such disruption in the business operations of the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies will materially and adversely affect Spring Creek’s business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The
shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies may have potential conflicts of
interest with the combined company, which may materially and adversely affect
the combined company’s business and financial condition.
AutoChina
has contractual arrangements with respect to operating the business with the
Auto Kaiyuan Companies, and
the shareholder of Auto Kaiyuan Companies is
Kaiyuan Real Estate, a company registered in the PRC and wholly-owned by
AutoChina’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Yong Hui Li. Although Auto Kaiyuan
Companies and Kaiyuan Real Estate have given undertakings to act in the best
interests of AutoChina, Spring Creek cannot assure you that when conflicts
arise, these individuals will act in the combined company’s best interests or
that conflicts will be resolved in the combined company’s favor.
AutoChina
may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by the Auto Kaiyuan Companies
that are important to the operation of its business if such entity goes bankrupt
or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
As part
of AutoChina’s contractual arrangements with the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and
their shareholders, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies hold certain assets that are
important to the operation of the combined company’s business. If the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies go bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to
liens or rights of third-party creditors, AutoChina may be unable to continue
some or all of its business activities, which could materially and adversely
affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. If the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies undergo a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the
unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets,
thereby hindering AutoChina’s ability to operate AutoChina’s business, which
could materially and adversely affect AutoChina’s business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Contractual
arrangements AutoChina has entered into among its subsidiaries and the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and a
finding that the combined company or the Auto Kaiyuan Companies owe additional
taxes could substantially reduce the combined company’s consolidated net income
and the value of your investment.
Under PRC
laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be
subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. AutoChina could face
adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the
contractual arrangements and transactions among its subsidiaries and the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies do not represent an arm’s length price and adjust the income
of the combined company’s subsidiaries or that of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies in
the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could,
among other things, result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of expense
deductions recorded by the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, which could in turn increase
its respective tax liabilities. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose
late payment fees and other penalties on the combined company’s affiliated
entity for underpayment of taxes. The combined company’s consolidated
net income may be materially and adversely affected if its affiliated entity’s
tax liabilities increase or if it is found to be subject to late payment fees or
other penalties.
General
Risks Relating to Conducting Business in China
Adverse
changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could impede
the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for
automobiles and trucks and damage AutoChina’s business and
prospects.
AutoChina
conducts substantially all of its operations and generates most of its sales in
China. Accordingly, AutoChina’s business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and
legal developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most
developed countries in many respects, including:
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the
higher level of government involvement and
regulation;
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the
early stage of development of the market-oriented sector of the
economy;
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the
higher rate of inflation;
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the
higher level of control over foreign exchange;
and
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government
control over the allocation of many
resources.
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As the
PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more
market-oriented economy, the PRC government has implemented various measures to
encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. While these
measures may benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative
effect on AutoChina.
Although
the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the
utilization of market forces for economic reform, the PRC government continues
to exercise significant control over economic growth in China through the
allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated
obligations, setting monetary policy and imposing policies that impact
particular industries or companies in different ways.
In the
past 20 years, the PRC has been one of the world’s fastest growing economies
measured in gross domestic product. However, in conjunction with
recent slowdowns in economies of the United States and European Union, the
growth rate in China has declined in recent quarters. Any further
adverse change in the economic conditions or any adverse change in government
policies in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic
growth and the level of consumer spending in China, which in turn could lead to
a reduction in demand for automobiles and consequently have a material adverse
effect on AutoChina’s business and prospects.
The
PRC legal system embodies uncertainties that could limit the legal protections
available to AutoChina and its shareholders.
Unlike
common law systems, the PRC legal system is based on written statutes and
decided legal cases have little precedential value. In 1979, the PRC government
began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing
economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation since then has
been to significantly enhance the protections afforded to various forms of
foreign investment in China. the combined company’s PRC operating subsidiaries,
Chuanglian, is wholly foreign-owned enterprise, and both will be subject to laws
and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China in general and laws
and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises in particular.
The combined company’s PRC affiliated entities, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, will
be subject to laws and regulations governing the formation and conduct of
domestic PRC companies. Relevant PRC laws, regulations and legal requirements
may change frequently, and their interpretation and enforcement involve
uncertainties. For example, the combined company may have to resort to
administrative and court proceedings to enforce the legal protection that the
combined company enjoys either by law or contract. However, since PRC
administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting
and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to
evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of
legal protection the combined company enjoys than under more developed legal
systems. Such uncertainties, including the inability to enforce the combined
company’s contracts and intellectual property rights, could materially and
adversely affect the combined company’s business and operations. In addition,
confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as in the United
States or other countries. Accordingly, Spring Creek cannot predict the effect
of future developments in the PRC legal system, particularly with respect to the
automobile sales and financing sectors, including the promulgation of new laws,
changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the
preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could
limit the legal protections available to Spring Creek and other foreign
investors, including you.
Fluctuations
in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses.
Because
substantially all of AutoChina’s revenues and expenditures are denominated in
Renminbi and the cash of Spring Creek which will become available to the
combined company upon the consummation of the proposed acquisition will be
denominated in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S.
dollar and Renminbi will affect the relative purchasing power of such amounts
and the amount AutoChina will spend in importing automobiles from overseas and
AutoChina’s balance sheet and earnings per share in U.S. dollars following the
acquisition. In addition, AutoChina reports its financial results in U.S.
dollars, and appreciation or depreciation in the value of the Renminbi relative
to the U.S. dollar would affect AutoChina’s financial results reported in U.S.
dollars terms without giving effect to any underlying change in AutoChina’s
business or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also
affect the relative value of earnings from and the value of any U.S.
dollar-denominated investments AutoChina makes in the future.
Since
July 2005, the Renminbi has no longer been pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although
currently the Renminbi exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar is restricted to a
rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day and the People’s Bank of China
regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant
short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the Renminbi may appreciate or
depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium- to
long-term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future, PRC authorities may lift
restrictions on fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate and lessen
intervention in the foreign exchange market.
Very
limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce AutoChina’s
exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, AutoChina has not entered into
any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce its exposure to foreign currency
exchange risk. While AutoChina may decide to enter into hedging transactions in
the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedging transactions may
be limited and AutoChina may not be able to successfully hedge AutoChina’s
exposure at all. In addition, AutoChina’s currency exchange losses may be
magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict AutoChina’s ability
to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.
The
discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments currently available to
the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries and the Auto Kaiyuan Companies could
materially increase AutoChina’s tax liabilities.
Prior to
January 1, 2008, under applicable PRC tax laws, companies established in
China were generally subject to a state and local enterprise income tax, or EIT,
at statutory rates of 30% and 3%, respectively.
Under the
then applicable PRC tax laws, certain of AutoChina’s dealership subsidiaries
were granted tax incentives in connection with compliance with the Employment
Promotion Law and the Regulation for the Employment of Disabled Persons whereby
the qualified subsidiaries were exempted from paying any income taxes for a
period of two to three years or enjoyed a 50% discounted income tax rate.
Effective January 1, 2008, the National People’s Congress of China enacted a new
PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, under which foreign invested enterprises and
domestic companies are subject to enterprise income tax at a uniform rate of
25%.
Any
increase in the enterprise income tax rate applicable to AutoChina could
adversely affect AutoChina’s business, operating results and financial
condition.
Under
the New EIT Law, Spring Creek and AutoChina each may be classified as a
“resident enterprise” of the PRC. Such classification could result in
unfavorable tax consequences to Spring Creek, AutoChina and Spring Creek’s
non-PRC shareholders.
Under the
New EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto
management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning
that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for
enterprise income tax purposes, although the dividends paid to one resident
enterprise from another may qualify as “tax-exempt income.” The implementing
rules of the New EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall
management and control over the production and operations, personnel,
accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. The New EIT Law and its
implementing rules are relatively new and ambiguous in terms of some
definitions, requirements and detailed procedures, and currently no official
interpretation or application of this new “resident enterprise” classification
is available; therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax
residency based on the facts of each case.
If the
PRC tax authorities determine that Spring Creek and AutoChina each is a
“resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of
unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, each of Spring Creek and
AutoChina may be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on its
worldwide taxable income, as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting
obligations. Second, although under the New EIT Law and its implementing rules,
dividends paid to Spring Creek from AutoChina’s PRC subsidiaries
through AutoChina’s Hong Kong sub-holding company
,
assuming each such company is a “resident enterprise,” should
qualify as
“tax-exempt income,” Spring Creek cannot guarantee that such dividends
will not be subject to withholding tax. Finally, the new “resident enterprise”
classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is
imposed on dividends Spring Creek pays to its non-PRC shareholders and
with respect to gains derived by Spring Creek’s non-PRC shareholders from
transferring Spring Creek’s shares, if such income is considered PRC-sourced
income by the relevant PRC authorities.
If any
such PRC taxes apply, a non-PRC shareholder may be entitled to a reduced rate of
PRC taxes under an applicable income tax treaty and/or a foreign tax credit
against such shareholder’s domestic income tax liability (subject to applicable
conditions and limitations). You should consult with your own tax advisors
regarding the applicability of any taxes, the effects of any applicable income
tax treaties, and any available foreign tax credits.
In
addition to the uncertainty in how the new “resident enterprise” classification
could apply, it is also possible that the rules may change in the future,
possibly with retroactive effect. AutoChina is actively monitoring the
possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the 2008 tax year and Spring
Creek and the combined company are evaluating appropriate organizational changes
to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible.
PRC
regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC
entities may delay or prevent the combined company from using the proceeds the
combined company expect to receive from the acquisition to make loans to the
combined company’s PRC subsidiaries and PRC affiliated entity or to make
additional capital contributions to the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries,
which could materially and adversely affect the combined company’s liquidity and
the combined company’s ability to fund and expand its business.
The
combined company will be a Cayman Islands holding company conducting its
operations in China through its PRC subsidiaries and its PRC affiliated entity,
the Auto Kaiyuan Companies. Any loans the combined company makes to
its PRC subsidiaries cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with
the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local
counterparts. Under applicable PRC law, the government authorities must approve
a foreign-invested enterprise’s registered capital amount, which represents the
total amount of capital contributions made by the shareholders that have
registered with the registration authorities. In addition, the authorities must
also approve the foreign-invested enterprise’s total investment, which
represents the total statutory capitalization of the company, equal to the
company’s registered capital plus the amount of loans it is permitted to borrow
under the law. The ratio of registered capital to total investment cannot be
lower than the minimum statutory requirement and the excess of the total
investment over the registered capital represents the maximum amount of
borrowings that a foreign invested enterprise is permitted to have under PRC
law. The combined company might have to make capital contributions to its
subsidiaries to maintain the statutory minimum registered capital and total
investment ratio, and such capital contributions involve uncertainties of their
own, as discussed below. Furthermore, even if the combined company makes loans
to its PRC subsidiaries that do not exceed their current maximum amount of
borrowings, the combined company will have to register each loan with SAFE or
its local counterpart for the issuance of a registration certificate of foreign
debts. In practice, it could be time-consuming to complete such SAFE
registration process.
Any loans
the combined company makes to its PRC affiliated entity, which is treated as a
PRC domestic company rather than a foreign-invested enterprise under PRC law,
are also subject to various PRC regulations and approvals. Under applicable PRC
regulations, international commercial loans to PRC domestic companies are
subject to various government approvals.
Spring
Creek cannot assure you that the combined company will be able to complete the
necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals
on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by the combined
company to its PRC subsidiaries or PRC affiliated entity or with respect to
future capital contributions by the combined company to its PRC subsidiaries. If
the combined company fails to complete such registrations or obtain such
approvals, the combined company’s ability to capitalize or otherwise fund its
PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely and materially
affect its liquidity and its ability to fund and expand its
business.
A
failure by AutoChina’s shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or
residents to comply with certain PRC foreign exchange regulations could restrict
AutoChina’s ability to distribute profits, restrict AutoChina’s overseas and
cross-border investment activities or subject the combined company to liability
under PRC laws, which could adversely affect AutoChina’s business and financial
condition.
In
October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign
Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip
Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE
Circular 75 states that PRC citizens or residents must register with SAFE or its
local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore
entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving a
roundtrip investment whereby the offshore entity acquires or controls onshore
assets or equity interests held by the PRC citizens or residents. In addition,
such PRC citizens or residents must update their SAFE registrations when the
offshore SPV undergoes material events relating to increases or decreases in
investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, mergers or divisions,
long-term equity or debt investments, external guarantees, or other material
events that do not involve roundtrip investments. To further clarify the
implementation of SAFE Circular 75, SAFE issued SAFE Circular 106 on
May 29, 2007. Under SAFE Circular 106, PRC subsidiaries of an offshore
company governed by SAFE Circular 75 are required to coordinate and supervise
the filing of SAFE registrations in a timely manner by the offshore holding
company’s shareholders who are PRC residents. If these shareholders fail to
comply, the PRC subsidiaries are required to report to the local SAFE
authorities. If AutoChina’s shareholders who are PRC citizens or residents do
not complete their registration with the local SAFE authorities, AutoChina’s PRC
subsidiaries will be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds
from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the combined
company, and AutoChina may be restricted in AutoChina’s ability to contribute
additional capital to AutoChina’s PRC subsidiaries.
AutoChina
is committed to complying, and to ensuring that AutoChina’s shareholders, who
are PRC citizens or residents, comply with the SAFE Circular 75 requirements.
Spring Creek believes that all of AutoChina’s PRC citizen or resident
shareholders and beneficial owners have completed their required registrations
with SAFE, or are otherwise in the process of registering. However, Spring Creek
may not at all times be fully aware or informed of the identities of all
AutoChina’s beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents, and AutoChina
may not always be able to compel AutoChina’s beneficial owners to comply with
the SAFE Circular 75 requirements. As a result, Spring Creek cannot assure you
that all of AutoChina’s shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens
or residents will at all times comply with, or in the future make or obtain any
applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 75 or other
related regulations. Failure by any such shareholders or beneficial owners to
comply with SAFE Circular 75 could subject the combined company to fines or
legal sanctions, restrict AutoChina’s overseas or cross-border investment
activities, limit AutoChina’s subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay
dividends or affect AutoChina’s ownership structure, which could adversely
affect AutoChina’s business and prospects.
Restrictions
on currency exchange may limit AutoChina’s ability to utilize AutoChina’s
revenues effectively and the ability of AutoChina’s PRC subsidiaries to obtain
financing.
Substantially
all of AutoChina’s revenues and operating expenses are denominated in Renminbi.
Restrictions on currency exchange imposed by the PRC government may limit
AutoChina’s ability to utilize revenues generated in Renminbi to fund
AutoChina’s business activities outside China, if any, or expenditures
denominated in foreign currencies. Under current PRC regulations, Renminbi may
be freely converted into foreign currency for payments relating to “current
account transactions,” which include among other things dividend payments and
payments for the import of goods and services, by complying with certain
procedural requirements. AutoChina’s PRC subsidiaries may also retain foreign
exchange in their respective current account bank accounts, subject to a cap set
by SAFE or its local counterpart, for use in payment of international current
account transactions.
However,
conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, and of foreign currencies into
Renminbi, for payments relating to “capital account transactions,” which
principally includes investments and loans, generally requires the approval of
SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities. Restrictions on the
convertibility of the Renminbi for capital account transactions could affect the
ability of AutoChina’s PRC subsidiaries to make investments overseas or to
obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, including by means of
loans or capital contributions from the parent entity.
Any
existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may affect the ability of
AutoChina’s PRC subsidiaries or affiliated entity to obtain foreign currencies,
limit AutoChina’s ability to utilize revenues generated in Renminbi to fund
AutoChina’s business activities outside China that are denominated in foreign
currencies, or otherwise materially and adversely affect AutoChina’s
business.
You
may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing
foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based on U.S. judgments
against Spring Creek, the combined company, their subsidiaries and variable
interest entities, officers, directors and shareholders, and
others.
After
consummation of the acquisition, substantially all of the combined company’s
assets will be located outside of the U.S. Most of Spring Creek’s
current directors and executive officers reside outside of the United States,
and it is expected that a majority of the combined company's officers and
directors will also reside outside the United States. As a result, it may not be
possible for investors in the United States to effect service of process within
the United States or elsewhere outside the PRC on the combined company, their
subsidiaries and variable interest entities, officers, directors and
shareholders, and others, including with respect to matters arising under United
States federal or state securities laws. The PRC does not have treaties
providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with
the United States or many other countries. As a result, recognition and
enforcement in the PRC of these judgments in relation to any matter, including
United States securities laws and the laws of the Cayman Islands, may be
difficult or impossible. Furthermore, an original action may be brought in the
PRC against the combined company’s assets, its subsidiaries, officers,
directors, shareholders and advisors only if the actions are not required to be
arbitrated by PRC law and the facts alleged in the complaint give rise to a
cause of action under PRC law. In connection with such an original action, a PRC
court may award civil liabilities, including monetary damages.
Any
future outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome or avian influenza in
China, or similar adverse public health developments, may disrupt AutoChina’s
business and operations.
AutoChina’s
business and operations could be materially and adversely affected by the
outbreak of avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, or
other similar adverse public health development. In recent years, there have
been reports on the occurrences of avian influenza in various parts of China and
neighboring countries, including a few confirmed human cases. Any prolonged
recurrence of an adverse public health development may result in the temporary
closure of businesses in China by the PRC government in order to avoid
congregation in closed spaces to help prevent disease transmission. Such
occurrences would disrupt AutoChina’s business operations and adversely affect
AutoChina’s results of operations. AutoChina has not adopted any written
preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of avian
influenza, SARS or any other epidemic.
Spring
Creek has not had operations, and AutoChina has not operated as a public
company. Fulfilling the combined company’s obligations incident to being a
public company after completing the acquisition will be expensive and time
consuming.
Each of
Spring Creek, as a company without operations, and AutoChina, as a private
company, have maintained relatively small finance and accounting staffs. None of
Spring Creek and AutoChina currently has an internal audit group. Although
Spring Creek has maintained disclosure controls and procedures and internal
control over financial reporting as required under the Federal securities laws
with respect to its very limited activities, it has not been required to
maintain and establish these disclosure controls and procedures and internal
control as will be required with respect to businesses such as AutoChina with
substantial operations. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related
rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),
the combined company will need to implement additional corporate governance
practices and adhere to a variety of reporting requirements and complex
accounting rules. Compliance with these obligations will require significant
management time, place significant additional demands on the combined company’s
finance and accounting staff and on its financial, accounting and information
systems, and increase its insurance, legal and financial compliance costs. The
combined company may also need to hire additional accounting and financial staff
with appropriate public company experience and technical accounting
knowledge.
Spring
Creek may qualify as a passive foreign investment company, or ‘‘PFIC,’ which
could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S.
investors.
In
general, Spring Creek will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which
either (1) at least 75% of its gross income (looking through
certain corporate subsidiaries) is passive income or (2) at least 50%
of the average value of its assets (looking through certain corporate
subsidiaries) is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the
production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes, without
limitation, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the
disposition of passive assets. If Spring Creek is determined to be a PFIC for
any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in the section of this
proxy statement captioned ‘‘Material United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations — General’’) held Spring Creek’s ordinary shares or warrants, the
U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and
may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Based on the composition of
its assets to date, which have largely consisted of cash and other investment
assets, it is likely that Spring Creek qualified as a PFIC in 2007 and 2008.
Spring Creek’s actual PFIC status for any subsequent taxable year, however, will
not be determinable until after the end of the taxable year, and accordingly
there can be no assurance with respect to its status as a PFIC for the current
taxable year or any future taxable year. We urge U.S. investors to consult their
own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. For a
more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S.
Holders, see the section of this proxy statement captioned ‘‘Material United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of
Ordinary Shares and Warrants of Spring Creek — Passive Foreign Investment
Company Rules.’’
PRICE
RANGE OF SECURITIES AND DIVIDENDS
Spring
Creek
Spring
Creek’s ordinary shares, warrants and units are quoted
on the OTC Bulletin
Board under the symbols SCRQF, SCRWF and SCRUF, respectively. The units have
been quoted on the Bulletin Board since February 28, 2008 and the ordinary
shares and warrants since March 28, 2008. Spring Creek’s securities did not
trade on any market or exchange prior to February 28, 2008. The closing price
for these securities on February 6, 2009, the last trading day before
announcement of the acquisition, was $7.00, $0.10 and $7.10,
respectively. The closing price for the securities on March 5, 2009,
the most recent trading day practicable before the date of this proxy statement,
was $7.15, $0.18 and $7.50, respectively.
The table
below sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, the high and low bid
prices for Spring Creek’s units for the period from February 28, 2008 through
March 5, 2009 and Spring Creek’s ordinary shares and warrants for the period
from March 28, 2008 through March 5, 2009. The OTC Bulletin Board quotations
reflect inter-dealer prices, are without retail markup, markdowns or
commissions, and may not represent actual transactions.
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2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
First
Quarter
|
|
$
|
7.30
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|
|
$
|
7.20
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|
|
$
|
0.80
|
|
|
$
|
0.75
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|
|
$
|
8.15
|
|
|
$
|
7.92
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|
Second
Quarter
|
|
|
7.30
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|
|
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
0.80
|
|
|
|
0.60
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|
|
|
7.99
|
|
|
|
7.76
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|
Third
Quarter
|
|
|
7.18
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|
|
|
7.00
|
|
|
|
0.73
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|
|
|
0.40
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|
|
|
7.90
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|
|
|
7.50
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Fourth
Quarter
|
|
|
7.15
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|
|
|
6.50
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|
|
0.40
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|
|
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0.13
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|
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7.35
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|
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6.75
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2009
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|
|
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|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
6.60
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
8.01
|
|
|
|
6.85
|
|
Holders
of Spring Creek ordinary shares, warrants and units should obtain current market
quotations for their securities. The market price of these securities could vary
at any time before the acquisition is completed.
Spring
Creek anticipates that its securities will continue to be quoted on the OTC
Bulletin Board post acquisition. There can be no assurance that a
trading market will develop for these securities.
Holders of Spring Creek.
As of
March 5, 2009, there were of record six holders of ordinary
shares, one of warrants, and one of units. Spring Creek
believes the number of beneficial holders of each of these securities is
significantly greater than the number of record holders.
Dividends.
Spring Creek has
not paid any dividends on its ordinary shares to date and does not intend to pay
dividends prior to the completion of a business combination.
AutoChina
AutoChina
securities are not publicly traded.
Holders.
As of
March 5, 2009, there was one record holder of AutoChina ordinary
shares.
Dividends.
AutoChina has not
paid any dividends on its ordinary shares to date and does not intend to pay any
other dividends in the foreseeable future.
Post
Acquisition
The
payment of dividends by the combined company in the future will be contingent
upon revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial
condition subsequent to completion of the acquisition. The payment of any
dividends subsequent to that time will be within the discretion of the Board of
Directors serving at that time. It is the present intention of the Board of
Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in business operations and,
accordingly, it does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable
future. Loans or credit facilities may also limit the combined
company’s ability to pay dividends.
THE
SPRING CREEK EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
Spring
Creek is furnishing this proxy statement to its shareholders as part of the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for use at the extraordinary
general meeting in connection with the proposed acquisition of
AutoChina. This document provides you with the information you need
to know to be able to vote or instruct your vote to be cast at the extraordinary
general meeting.
Date, Time and
Place
. Spring Creek will hold the extraordinary general
meeting at 12:00 noon, local time, on
March 26
, 2009, at
the
offices of Spring Creek’s counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Ave., New York,
NY 10154
to vote on the proposals specified below.
Purpose
. At the
extraordinary general meeting, holders of Spring Creek ordinary shares will be
asked to approve:
|
·
|
The
proposed acquisition by Spring Creek of all of the outstanding securities
of AutoChina, resulting in AutoChina becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of
Spring Creek and the transactions contemplated by the share exchange
agreement, dated as of February 4, 2009 by and among Yong Hui Li, Yan
Wang, Honest Best Int’l Ltd., AutoChina, Fancy Think Limited, Hebei
Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd., Hebei Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Co.,
Ltd., Hebei Huiyin Investment Co., Ltd., Hebei Hua An Investment Co.,
Ltd., Hebei Tianmei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan
Logistics Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd., Shanxi
Chuanglian Auto Trade Co., Ltd., and Spring Creek. This
agreement is referred to as the share exchange agreement and the
acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of AutoChina pursuant to the
share exchange agreement as the acquisition.
This
proposal is referred to as the acquisition
proposal;
|
|
·
|
To
elect three (3) directors to the Board of Directors of Spring Creek each
to serve until his or her term has expired and until his or her successor
is duly elected and qualified;
|
|
·
|
The
adoption of the AutoChina International Limited 2009 Equity Incentive
Plan, or the “incentive plan,” which provides for the grant of the right
to purchase up to 1,675,000 ordinary shares of Spring Creek,
representing up to approximatly 10% of Spring Creek’s share capital upon
the completion of the acquisition, plus the shares issuable pursuant to
the incentive plan, to directors, officers, employees and/or consultants
of Spring Creek and its
subsidiaries;
|
|
·
|
Amending
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
and passing the required resolution to change Spring Creek’s corporate
name to AutoChina International Limited by special
resolution;
|
|
·
|
Amending
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
as described on page 79 by special resolution;
and
|
|
·
|
The
approval of any adjournment or postponement of the extraordinary general
meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional
proxies.
|
After
careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors
has determined that these proposals are fair to and in the best interests of
Spring Creek and its shareholders, and has recommended that you vote or give
instruction to vote
“FOR”
adoption of each of
them. The Board of Directors has also determined that the fair market
value of AutoChina is at least 80% of Spring Creek’s net assets, which is
necessary to satisfy the provisions of its Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association enabling it to consummate the acquisition.
The
extraordinary general meeting has been called only to consider approval of the
acquisition, the amendment to Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association to change Spring Creek’s name, the amendment to Spring
Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to remove
certain provisions which will no longer be applicable upon consummation of the
acquisition, the adoption of the incentive plan and election of
directors. Under Cayman Islands law and Spring Creek’s bylaws, no
other business may be transacted at the extraordinary general
meeting.
Record Date; Who is Entitled to
Vote
. The “record date” for the extraordinary general meeting
is March 5, 2009. Record holders of Spring Creek ordinary shares at the close of
business on the record date are entitled to vote or have their votes cast at the
extraordinary general meeting. On the record date, there were
6,468,750 outstanding shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares, of which 5,175,000
shares were sold to the public in Spring Creek’s initial public
offering. Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote per proposal at
the extraordinary general meeting. Spring Creek’s warrants do not
have voting rights.
Pursuant
to letter agreements with Spring Creek, Spring Creek’s initial shareholders have
agreed to vote the 1,293,750 ordinary shares owned by them prior to Spring
Creek’s initial public offering in accordance with the majority of the votes
cast by holders of shares sold in Spring Creek’s initial public
offering. The initial shareholders have agreed not to
demand redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them,
directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares or purchased by
them in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or in the aftermarket (nor will
they seek appraisal rights with respect to such shares if appraisal rights would
be available to them).
Vote
Required
. Under Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum
and Articles of Association, approval of the acquisition requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary
shares. Approval of the amendments to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association will require the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders at the
extraordinary general meeting, provided that there is a quorum. The
election of each director and adoption of the incentive plan will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares
cast by the shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting, provided that
there is a quorum.
Spring
Creek will not be authorized to complete the acquisition if holders of 2,070,000
or more shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares sold in its initial public
offering (public shareholders owning 40% or more of the shares sold in the
initial public offering) vote against the acquisition and demand that Spring
Creek redeem their shares into pro rata portions of the trust
account. In addition, the amendments to Spring Creek’s Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, adoption of the incentive plan
and election of directors will not be effected, even if approved by shareholders
in such manner, unless the acquisition proposal with AutoChina is also approved
and holders of less than 40% of the ordinary shares sold in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering vote against the acquisition proposal and exercise their
redemption rights.
Abstaining
from voting or not voting on the acquisition proposal (including broker
non-votes), either in person or by proxy or voting instruction, will have the
same effect as a vote against each such proposal since the vote to approve the
acquisition proposal and election of directors requires affirmative votes of
holders of a majority of Spring Creek’s outstanding ordinary shares. Abstaining
from voting or not voting on the proposals to amend Spring Creek’s Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, election of directors, the
adjournment and the incentive plan proposal (including broker non-votes),
either in person or by proxy or voting instruction, will have no effect on the
vote to approve each such proposal since the vote to approve each of these
proposals requires the affirmative vote of the holders of either two-thirds or a
majority of the outstanding ordinary shares cast by the shareholders at the
extraordinary general meeting, provided that there is a quorum. An abstention
will not count toward the 40% “against and redeeming” vote that would result in
the acquisition’s abandonment, and you would be unable to exercise any
redemption rights upon approval of the acquisition. If the proposal relating to
the acquisition is not approved, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors will not go
forward with the acquisition of AutoChina, the amendments to Spring Creek’s
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, adoption of the
incentive plan and election of directors. To demand redemption, you must vote
against the acquisition and elect to redeem your shares.
Voting Your
Shares
. Each ordinary share that you own in your name entitles
you to one vote per proposal. Your proxy card shows the number of
shares you own.
There are
two ways to vote your shares at the extraordinary general meeting:
By signing and returning the
enclosed proxy card
. If you vote by proxy card, your “proxy,”
whose names are listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct
on the card. If you sign and return the proxy card, but do not give
instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares will be voted as
recommended by the Spring Creek Board of Directors
“for”
approval of each
proposal.
You can attend the extraordinary
general meeting and vote in person
. Spring Creek will give you
a ballot when you arrive. If your shares are held in the name of your
broker, bank or another nominee, however, you must get a legal proxy from
the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way Spring Creek
can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your
shares.
Redemption
Rights
. Any holder of shares that were purchased in Spring
Creek’s initial public offering who votes against the acquisition may, at the
same time, demand that Spring Creek redeem his or her shares into a pro rata
portion of the funds available for redemption in the trust account. If so
demanded and the acquisition is consummated, Spring Creek will redeem the
shares. If the holders of 2,070,000 or more shares issued in Spring Creek’s
initial public offering vote against the acquisition and demand redemption of
their shares, Spring Creek will not have authority to consummate the
acquisition. You will be entitled to receive this cash only if you continue to
hold your shares through the closing of the acquisition and tender your share
certificate(s) per the instructions included on the proxy card.
In
connection with tendering your shares for conversion, you must elect either to
physically tender your stock certificates to the Company's transfer agent prior
to the special meeting or to deliver your shares to the transfer agent
electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At
Custodian) System, which election would likely be determined based on the manner
in which you hold your shares. The requirement for physical or electronic
delivery prior to the special meeting ensures that a converting holder’s
election to convert is irrevocable once the proposal is
approved.
Upon
redemption of your shares, you will no longer own them.
You must follow the instructions on
the proxy card and send your share certificate(s) with your proxy card in order
to exercise your redemption rights.
The
closing price of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares on March 5, 2009 was
$7.15.
At the
time of the consummation of the acquisition, Spring Creek anticipates that the
amount in trust will be approximately $40,671,000.
If a public
shareholder would have elected to exercise redemption rights on such date, he or
she would be entitled to receive approximately $7.86 per
share.
Questions About
Voting
. If you have any questions about how to vote or direct
a vote in respect of your Spring Creek ordinary shares, you may write or call
Spring Creek’s proxy solicitor: Advantage Proxy, 24925 13th Place South, Des
Moines, Washington 98198, 206-870-8565, Attention: Karen Smith. You
may also want to consult your financial and other advisors about the
vote.
Revoking Your Proxy and Changing Your
Vote
. If you give a proxy, you may revoke it or change your
voting instructions at any time before it is exercised by:
Sending
another proxy card with a later date;
Notifying
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., 10F, Room #1005, Fortune Int’l Building, No. 17,
North Daliushu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic Of
China, Attention: James Sha, in writing before the extraordinary general meeting
that you have revoked your proxy; or
Attending
the extraordinary general meeting, revoking your proxy and voting in
person.
If your
shares are held in “street name,” consult your broker for instructions on how to
revoke your proxy or change your vote.
Broker
Non-Votes
. If your broker holds your shares in its name and
you do not give the broker voting instructions, regulatory rules prohibit your
broker from voting your shares on the acquisition, the proposed amendment to
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, and
the adoption of the incentive plan. This is known as a “broker
non-vote.”
Solicitation
Costs
. Spring Creek is soliciting proxies on behalf of the
Spring Creek Board of Directors. This solicitation is being made by
mail, but also may be made in person or by telephone or other electronic
means. Spring Creek and its respective directors, officers, employees
and consultants may also solicit proxies in person or by mail, telephone or
other electronic means. In addition, AutoChina shareholders, officers
and directors may solicit proxies in person or by mail, telephone or other
electronic means on Spring Creek’s behalf. These persons will not be
paid for doing this.
Spring
Creek has hired Advantage Proxy, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist it in
soliciting proxies for a fee of approximately $15,000 plus reasonable
expenses.
Spring
Creek will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries
to forward its proxy materials to their principals and to obtain their authority
to execute proxies and voting instructions. Spring Creek will
reimburse them for their reasonable expenses.
Share
Ownership
. Information concerning the holdings of certain
Spring Creek shareholders is set forth above in the Summary and below under
“Beneficial Ownership of Securities.”
Actions That May be Taken to Secure
Approval of Spring Creek’s Shareholders
. In addition to
retaining Advantage Proxy to assist Spring Creek with soliciting proxies, Spring
Creek has retained an investor relations firm, The Equity Group Inc., to help it
prepare press releases and presentations relating to AutoChina’s business. The
Equity Group Inc. has also assisted Spring Creek with the preparation of
shareholder presentations. Spring Creek is filing with the SEC a presentation
that will be made to current and potential Spring Creek shareholders to inform
them about AutoChina in hopes that they will vote to approve the proposed
acquisition or purchase Spring Creek securities in the public markets. Members
of AutoChina’s management team are expected to be involved in giving the
presentation about AutoChina. Neither Spring Creek nor its consultants or
affiliates have offered any shareholder any form of consideration for any
shareholder’s promise to approve the proposed acquisition.
In order
to ensure that that the acquisition is approved, Spring Creek, AutoChina and
their respective affiliates may enter into transactions to purchase ordinary
shares of Spring Creek from shareholders who have indicated their intention to
vote against the acquisition and seek conversion of their shares.
In
addition, Spring Creek, AutoChina and their respective affiliates may also
purchase warrants from warrantholders.
Transactions
of such nature would only be entered into and effected at a time when the
purchasers of such securities or any of their affiliates are not aware of any
material nonpublic information regarding Spring Creek, AutoChina or the
acquisition. Such purchases could result in all or substantially all of Spring
Creek’s trust fund being expended to pay for such purchases post transaction,
which would result in AutoChina not receiving any working capital from the trust
account. No transactions have been entered into, but may
include:
|
·
|
Purchases
by Spring Creek, AutoChina or their respective affiliates of shares or
warrants of Spring Creek;
|
|
·
|
Agreements
with third parties to purchase shares or warrants that may then be resold
to the combined company subsequent to the acquisition using funds that
were previously in the trust
account;
|
|
·
|
Agreements
with third parties pursuant to which Spring Creek, AutoChina or their
respective affiliates would borrow funds to make purchases of ordinary
shares or warrants of Spring Creek. The combined company would repay such
borrowings using funds that were previously in the trust account;
and
|
|
·
|
The
granting of securities to third party purchasers of ordinary shares or
warrants of Spring Creek as an inducement for such third parties to
purchase such securities.
|
In the event that it appeared that the
acquisition would not be consummated at the extraordinary general meeting of
Spring Creek’s shareholders, such meeting could be postponed (assuming that the
postponement proposal was approved by the shareholders and such postponement was
not past September 4, 2010, the date on which Spring Creek’s corporate existence
terminates unless it consummates a business combination) to enter into
arrangements similar to the foregoing.
In the event that any purchases of
Spring Creek’s ordinary shares or warrants are made by Spring Creek, AutoChina
or affiliates of either of them after the mailing of this proxy statement to
shareholders but prior to the extraordinary general meeting, Spring Creek will
file a Current Report on Form 6-K relating to such purchases within four
business days of such purchases or otherwise prior to the extraordinary general
meeting. In the event that members of the management team of Spring Creek
purchase Spring Creek ordinary shares or warrants, such purchasers will also be
required to make beneficial ownership filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Members of Spring Creek management have an obligation to disclose
changes in their beneficial ownership of Spring Creek securities within two
business days of any such changes.
Spring Creek will file a Current Report
on Form 6-K with respect to any arrangements entered into by Spring Creek,
AutoChina or their respective affiliates which
is
intended to increase the likelihood that the arrangement and related proposals
are approved by Spring Creek’s shareholders. Any Spring Creek shares purchased
by Spring Creek will not be considered outstanding for purposes of the
extraordinary meeting and will therefore not be permitted to vote at the
meeting. In the event that public shares are purchased by Spring Creek, such
shares would no longer be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of determining
the vote required for the approval of any of the proposals presented at the
extraordinary general meeting. Therefore, this would reduce (i) the number of
public shares outstanding and entitled to vote on each matter, (ii) the number
of shares required to be voted in favor of each proposal. Conversely, if Spring
Creek’s directors and officers purchased such shares, those shares would still
be considered to be outstanding and could be voted in favor of such proposals,
reducing the number of shares required to be voted in favor of such proposals by
a number of shares equal to those purchased. Neither Spring Creek nor its
officers or directors purchasing shares would affect the number of shares that
could be converted by Spring Creek with the acquisition still being permitted to
be consummated.
Spring
Creek’s initial shareholders have agreed to vote the 1,293,750 ordinary shares
of Spring Creek (which includes 1,254,938 shares owned by its current officers
and directors) owned by them prior to Spring Creek’s initial public offering in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by holders of shares sold in
Spring Creek’s initial public offering. The initial shareholders are
not under any obligation to Spring Creek with respect to voting any shares
acquired by them in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or in the
aftermarket, and accordingly may vote any such shares in favor of the proposed
acquisition (as they have indicated they intend to do). This would
have the effect of reducing the number of other public shareholders of Spring
Creek that would have to vote in favor of the proposed
acquisition. The initial shareholders have agreed not to
demand redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them,
directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares or purchased by
them in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or in the aftermarket (nor will
they seek appraisal rights with respect to such shares if appraisal rights would
be available to them).
PROPOSAL
TO ACQUIRE AUTOCHINA
General
On
February 4, 2009, a share exchange agreement was entered into by and among
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands,
AutoChina Group Inc., a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, Honest Best
Int’l Ltd., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and sole
shareholder of AutoChina, Yong Hui Li, Yan Wang and certain subsidiaries and
affiliated entities of AutoChina named therein. EarlyBird Capital, Inc. is
acting as advisor to Spring Creek in connection with the
transaction.
Acquisition
of AutoChina; Acquisition Consideration
Upon the
closing of the transactions contemplated in the share exchange agreement, Spring
Creek will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of AutoChina in
exchange for an aggregate of 8,606,250 Spring Creek ordinary shares in upfront
consideration, of which 10% will be held back and placed in escrow. The share
exchange is referred as the “acquisition.” This proposal is referred to as the
“acquisition proposal.” Upon consummation of the acquisition,
Spring Creek will change its name to AutoChina International
Limited.
The
release of 50% of the holdback consideration is conditioned on the combined
company exceeding $22.5 million EBITDA and 30% EBITDA Growth (each as defined in
the share exchange agreement) for the 2009 fiscal year, and the remaining 50% of
the holdback consideration will be released on the later of 20 days following
delivery of the 2009 audited financial statements for the combined company and
one year from the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated in the
share exchange agreement, in each case less any damages claimed pursuant to the
indemnification provisions of the share exchange agreement at the time of such
release. In addition, pursuant to an earn-out provision in the share exchange
agreement, Spring Creek has agreed to issue to AutoChina’s current shareholder
between 5% and 20% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December
31 of the fiscal year immediately prior to such earn-out issuance for achieving
a certain minimum EBITDA and certain Targeted EBITDA Growth (each as defined in
the share exchange agreement) in each of the next five years, through the year
ended December 31, 2013.
The
following table sets forth the maximum amount of earn-out shares issuable to
AutoChina’s existing shareholders:
|
|
AutoChina
Shareholders
|
|
|
Percent
of Total
|
|
|
Existing
Shareholders
|
|
|
Percent
of Total
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Maximum
Earn-out (20%)*
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
|
|
57
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
15,075,000
|
|
|
|
|
FY2009
|
|
|
11,621,250
|
|
|
|
64
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
36
|
%
|
|
|
18,090,000
|
|
|
|
3,015,000
|
|
FY2010
|
|
|
15,239,250
|
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
21,708,000
|
|
|
|
3,618,000
|
|
FY2011
|
|
|
19,580,850
|
|
|
|
75
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
26,049,600
|
|
|
|
4,341,600
|
|
FY2012
|
|
|
24,790,770
|
|
|
|
79
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
|
31,259,520
|
|
|
|
5,209,920
|
|
FY2013
|
|
|
31,042,674
|
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
37,511,424
|
|
|
|
6,251,904
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Earn-out Shares
|
|
|
|
22,436,424
|
|
*
Requires Targeted EBITDA Growth in excess of 90% in each year.
The
following table sets forth the minimum amount of earn-out shares issuable to
AutoChina’s existing shareholders:
|
|
AutoChina
Shareholders
|
|
|
Percent
of Total
|
|
|
Existing
Shareholders
|
|
|
Percent
of Total
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Minimum
Earn-out (5%)**
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
|
|
57
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
15,075,000
|
|
|
|
|
FY2009
|
|
|
9,360,000
|
|
|
|
59
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
|
15,828,750
|
|
|
|
753,750
|
|
FY2010
|
|
|
10,151,438
|
|
|
|
61
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
|
|
16,620,188
|
|
|
|
791,438
|
|
FY2011
|
|
|
10,982,447
|
|
|
|
63
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
|
|
17,451,197
|
|
|
|
831,009
|
|
FY2012
|
|
|
11,855,007
|
|
|
|
65
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
|
18,323,757
|
|
|
|
872,560
|
|
FY2013
|
|
|
12,771,195
|
|
|
|
66
|
%
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
|
19,239,945
|
|
|
|
916,188
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Earn-out Shares
|
|
|
|
4,164,945
|
|
**
Requires Targeted EBITDA Growth in excess of 30% in each year.
Representations
and Warranties
In the
share exchange agreement, Mr. Yong Hui Li, and Ms. Yan Wang, Honest Best Int’l
Ltd. and AutoChina (collectively, the “Warrantors”) make certain representations
and warranties (with certain exceptions set forth in the disclosure schedule to
the share exchange agreement) relating to, among other things: (a) capital
structure; (b) title to shares; (c) proper corporate organization and similar
corporate matters; (d) authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of
the share exchange agreement and other transaction documents; (e) absence of
conflicts; (f) required consents and approvals; (g) licenses and permits; (h)
taxes and audits; (i) financial information; (j) absence of certain changes or
events; (k) absence of undisclosed liabilities; (l) title to assets and
properties; (m) material contracts; (n) ownership of intellectual property; (o)
employment and labor matters; (p) compliance with laws, including those relating
to the PRC, foreign corrupt practices and money laundering; (q) related-party
transactions; (r) environmental matters; (s) insurance; (t) transfer
restrictions; and (u) brokers.
In the
share exchange agreement, Spring Creek makes certain representations and
warranties relating to, among other things: (a) proper corporate organization
and similar corporate matters; (b) authorization, execution, delivery and
enforceability of the share exchange agreement and other transaction documents;
(c) capital structure; (d) validity of share issuance; (e) absence of redemption
requirements; and (f) brokers.
Conduct
Prior to Closing; Covenants
The
Warrantors have agreed to use their best efforts to cause AutoChina and its
subsidiaries and affiliated entities to continue to operate its business in the
ordinary course prior to the closing (with certain exceptions) and not to take
certain specified actions without the prior written consent of Spring
Creek.
The share
exchange agreement also contains covenants of Spring Creek and the Warrantors,
including covenants providing for:
|
·
|
Spring
Creek to prepare, file and mail a proxy statement and related materials to
be delivered to Spring Creek shareholders in connection with an
extraordinary general meeting to approve the acquisition (the “Proxy
Statement”) and to hold a shareholder meeting to approve the transactions
contemplated by the share exchange agreement, and the Warrantors to
provide Spring Creek with the information of AutoChina and its
subsidiaries and affiliated entities required or appropriate for inclusion
in the Proxy Statement;
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors to deliver to Spring Creek as soon as practicable the
consolidated unaudited financial statements for the 12-month period ended
December 31, 2008 prepared in accordance with US GAAP, together with
footnotes, and, upon request from Spring Creek, provide interim financial
statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP, together with footnotes,
as may be required for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement;
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors to procure that certain key employees enter into executive
employment agreements, and that all other employees of AutoChina and its
subsidiaries and affiliated entities enter into a labor contract with the
AutoChina or its applicable subsidiary or affiliated
entity;
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors not to, directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage or enter
into any negotiation or arrangement with any party that could reasonably
be expected to lead to a proposal or offer for a stock purchase, asset
acquisition, merger, consolidation or other business combination involving
AutoChina;
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors to either (i) deliver to Spring Creek written evidence of the
termination of certain leases and written proof of cure of
certain land and/or building title defects within 18 months from the
closing or (ii) submit to the Board of Directors of the combined company
an alternative plan and receive the unanimous approval of the Board of
Directors to otherwise address such defects within 12 months from
closing;
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors to provide to Spring Creek evidence satisfactory to Spring
Creek that each of AutoChina’s 4S Stores has obtained proper authorization
to operate its business prior to the
closing;
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors to use best reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary
approvals from governmental agencies and other third parties that are
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
share exchange agreement, subject to certain limitations;
and
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors to use best efforts to cause certain subsidiaries and
affiliated entities of AutoChina to enter into certain contractual
relations providing AutoChina, through its subsidiaries, to exercise de
facto control over the operations of such subsidiaries and affiliated
entities.
|
Conditions
to Closing
General
Conditions
Consummation
of the share exchange agreement and the acquisition is conditioned on (a)
receipt of all permits from the relevant PRC governmental authorities required
prior to closing; (b) holders of a majority of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares
approving the acquisition in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of
Association, with holders of less than 40% of Spring Creek’s public ordinary
shares voting against the acquisition and properly exercising their rights
to redeem such public ordinary shares for cash; (c) the absence of any
order, stay, judgment or decree by any government agency or any pending or
threatened litigation seeking to enjoin, modify, amend or prohibit the
acquisition; and (d) delivery of all transaction documents by each of the
parties.
Warrantors’
Conditions to Closing
The
obligations of the Warrantors to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
share exchange agreement, in addition to the conditions described above, are
conditioned upon the representations and warranties of Spring Creek being true
on and as of the closing date of the share exchange agreement, and Spring Creek
complying with all required covenants in the share exchange
agreement.
Spring
Creek’s Conditions to Closing
The
obligations of Spring Creek to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
share exchange agreement, in addition to the conditions described above in the
first paragraph of this section, are conditioned upon each of the following,
among other things:
|
·
|
the
representations and warranties of the Warrantors shall be true on and as
of the closing date of the share exchange agreement, and each of the
Warrantors has complied with all required covenants in the share exchange
agreement;
|
|
·
|
Spring
Creek shall have received legal opinions from counsel PRC counsel to
AutoChina with respect to PRC legal matters, and Cayman Islands counsel to
AutoChina with respect to Cayman Islands legal
matters;
|
|
·
|
receipt
by the Warrantors of certain third-party consents and regulatory
approvals, and the completion of all necessary proceedings, corporate or
otherwise, of each of the
Warrantors;
|
|
·
|
there
shall have been no material adverse change with respect to AutoChina and
its subsidiaries and affiliated entities since December 31,
2007;
|
|
·
|
AutoChina
shall have provided all necessary information to be included in the Proxy
Statement, and such information shall accurately reflect the business of
AutoChina and its subsidiaries and affiliated
entities;
|
|
·
|
each
of the employment agreements with certain key employees shall have been
executed and delivered to Spring
Creek;
|
|
·
|
the
Spring Creek shareholders shall have approved an equity incentive plan for
the combined company following the consummation of the acquisition;
and
|
|
·
|
the
Warrantors shall have delivered evidence to Spring Creek of completion of
the restructuring of AutoChina and its subsidiaries and affiliated
entities necessary to consummate the
acquisition.
|
If
permitted under applicable law, either Spring Creek or AutoChina may waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such party in the
share exchange agreement and may waive compliance with any agreements or
conditions for the benefit of itself or such party contained in the share
exchange agreement. However, the condition requiring that the holders of fewer
than 40% of Spring Creek’s public ordinary shares affirmatively vote against the
acquisition and demand redemption of their shares into cash may not be
waived.
Termination
The share
exchange agreement may be terminated and/or abandoned at any time prior to the
closing, whether before or after approval of the proposals being presented to
Spring Creek’s shareholders, by:
|
·
|
mutual
written consent of the parties to the share exchange
agreement;
|
|
·
|
either
Spring Creek or any Warrantor, if the closing has not occurred by August
31, 2009;
|
|
·
|
Any
Warrantor, if there has been a breach by Spring Creek of any covenant or
if any of Spring Creek’s representations contained in the share exchange
agreement are not true and correct as of the date of the share exchange
agreement or the closing date, unless made as of a specific date, and in
any event if such breach is subject to cure and Spring Creek has not cured
such breach within ten business days after written notice of intent to
terminate from any Warrantor;
|
|
·
|
Spring
Creek, if there has been a breach by any of the Warrantors of any covenant
or if any of the Warrantors’ representations contained in the share
exchange agreement are not true and correct as of the date of the share
exchange agreement or the closing date, unless made as of a specific date,
and in any event if such breach is subject to cure and the Warrantors have
not cured such breach within ten business days after written notice of
intent to terminate from Spring
Creek;
|
|
·
|
either
Spring Creek or the Warrantors, if the acquisition is not approved and the
holders of 40% or more of Spring Creek’s public ordinary shares exercise
their redemption rights and vote against the transactions contemplated by
the share exchange agreement; or
|
|
·
|
either
Spring Creek or any Warrantor, if the acquisition is not approved within
90 days of the date of the share exchange
agreement.
|
Effect
of Termination
In the
event of termination and abandonment by either Spring Creek or the Warrantors,
except as set forth below, all further obligations of the parties shall
terminate, no party shall have any right against the other party, and Mr. Yong
Hui Li and Honest Best Int’l Ltd. shall bear the costs and expenses of the
Warrantors and Spring Creek shall bear its own costs and expenses.
Indemnification
by the Warrantors
The
Warrantors have agreed, jointly and severally, to indemnify Spring Creek from
any damages arising from: (a) any breach of any representation or warranty made
by the Warrantors; or (b) any failure to perform any covenants by the
Warrantors. The Warrantors’ indemnification obligations do not begin until
$100,000 in indemnifiable expenses are reached and are capped at the total
upfront consideration of $68,850,000.
Actions
That May be Taken to Secure Approval of Spring Creek’s Shareholders
In
addition to retaining Advantage Proxy to assist Spring Creek with soliciting
proxies, Spring Creek has retained an investor relations firm, the Equity Group
Inc., to help it prepare press releases and presentations relating to
AutoChina’s business. The Equity Group Inc. has also assisted Spring Creek with
the preparation of shareholder presentations. Spring Creek is filing with the
SEC a presentation that will be made to current and potential Spring Creek
shareholders to inform them about AutoChina in hopes that they will vote to
approve the proposed acquisition or purchase Spring Creek securities in the
public markets. Members of AutoChina’s management team are expected to be
involved in giving the presentation about AutoChina. Neither Spring Creek nor
its consultants or affiliates have offered any shareholder any form of
consideration for any shareholder’s promise to approve the proposed
acquisition.
In order to ensure that that the
acquisition is approved, Spring Creek, AutoChina and their respective affiliates
may enter into transactions to purchase ordinary shares of Spring Creek from
shareholders who have indicated their intention to vote against the acquisition
and seek conversion of their shares.
In
addition, Spring Creek, AutoChina and their respective affiliates may also
purchase warrants from warrantholders.
Transactions
of such nature would only be entered into and effected at a time when the
purchasers of such securities or any of their affiliates are not aware of any
material nonpublic information regarding Spring Creek, AutoChina or the
acquisition. Such purchases could result in all or substantially all of Spring
Creek’s trust fund being expended to pay for such purchases post transaction,
which would result in AutoChina not receiving any working capital from the trust
account. No transactions have been entered into, but may
include:
|
·
|
Purchases
by Spring Creek, AutoChina or their respective affiliates of shares or
warrants of Spring Creek;
|
|
·
|
Agreements
with third parties to purchase shares or warrants that may then be resold
to the combined company subsequent to the acquisition using funds that
were previously in the trust
account;
|
|
·
|
Agreements
with third parties pursuant to which Spring Creek, AutoChina or their
respective affiliates would borrow funds to make purchases of ordinary
shares or warrants of Spring Creek. The combined company would repay such
borrowings using funds that were previously in the trust account;
and
|
|
·
|
The
granting of securities to third party purchasers of ordinary shares or
warrants of Spring Creek as an inducement for such third parties to
purchase such securities.
|
In the event that it appeared that the
acquisition would not be consummated at the extraordinary general meeting of
Spring Creek’s shareholders, such meeting could be postponed (assuming that the
postponement proposal was approved by the shareholders and such postponement was
not past September 4, 2010, the date on which Spring Creek’s corporate existence
terminates unless it consummates a business combination) to enter into
arrangements similar to the foregoing.
In the event that any purchases of
Spring Creek’s ordinary shares or warrants are made by Spring Creek, AutoChina
or affiliates of either of them after the mailing of this proxy statement to
shareholders but prior to the extraordinary general meeting, Spring Creek will
file a Current Report on Form 6-K relating to such purchases within four
business days of such purchases or otherwise prior to the extraordinary general
meeting. In the event that members of the management team of Spring Creek
purchase Spring Creek ordinary shares or warrants, such purchasers will also be
required to make beneficial ownership filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Members of Spring Creek management have an obligation to disclose
changes in their beneficial ownership of Spring Creek securities within two
business days of any such changes.
Spring Creek will file a Current Report
on Form 6-K with respect to any arrangements entered into by Spring Creek,
AutoChina or their respective affiliates which
is
intended to increase the likelihood that the arrangement and related proposals
are approved by Spring Creek’s shareholders. Any Spring Creek shares purchased
by Spring Creek will not be considered outstanding for purposes of the
extraordinary meeting and will therefore not be permitted to vote at the
meeting. In the event that public shares are purchased by Spring Creek, such
shares would no longer be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of determining
the vote required for the approval of any of the proposals presented at the
extraordinary general meeting. Therefore, this would reduce (i) the number of
public shares outstanding and entitled to vote on each matter, (ii) the number
of shares required to be voted in favor of each proposal. Conversely, if Spring
Creek’s directors and officers purchased such shares, those shares would still
be considered to be outstanding and could be voted in favor of such proposals,
reducing the number of shares required to be voted in favor of such proposals by
a number of shares equal to those purchased. Neither Spring Creek nor its
officers or directors purchasing shares would affect the number of shares that
could be converted by Spring Creek with the acquisition still being permitted to
be consummated.
Spring
Creek’s initial shareholders have agreed to vote the 1,293,750 ordinary shares
of Spring Creek (which includes 1,254,938 shares owned by its current officers
and directors) owned by them prior to Spring Creek’s initial public offering in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by holders of shares sold in
Spring Creek’s initial public offering. The initial shareholders are
not under any obligation to Spring Creek with respect to voting any shares
acquired by them in Spring Creek’s initial public offering or in the
aftermarket, and accordingly may vote any such shares in favor of the proposed
acquisition (as they have indicated they intend to do). This would
have the effect of reducing the number of other public shareholders of Spring
Creek that would have to vote in favor of the proposed
acquisition. The initial shareholders have agreed not to demand
redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or
indirectly, whether included in their initial shares or purchased by them in
Spring Creek’s initial public offering or in the aftermarket (nor will they seek
appraisal rights with respect to such shares if appraisal rights would be
available to them).
Background
Shortly
after Spring Creek’s initial public offering in February 2008, Spring Creek’s
management began an intensive process to seek a target business for a business
combination. In the months after Spring Creek’s initial public offering, Spring
Creek’s management reviewed information on over 50 companies in its search for a
target business. The focus of this effort was to find a suitable acquisition
candidate that has positive cash flow and is profitable, as well as high growth
rate year over year. Spring Creek was also looking for a company that
has a track record of success and a proven ability to prosper in a variety of
economic climates.
Target
Requirements:
The
target company search and evaluation process, which identified, investigated and
analyzed companies in the Greater China region, included: reviews of industry
research, published trade and corporate information, attendance at trade shows
and relevant conferences, and communicating with bankers, investors, lawyers,
accountants, brokers and executives who were familiar with Spring Creek’s search
for a target business. Beginning in March 2008, Spring Creek’s
management and special advisor (Gary Chang, who later became Spring Creek’s
Chief Investment Officer) began sourcing and analyzing possible target
companies, and worked with a number of intermediaries who provided introductions
to potential acquisition targets. In addition, James Cheng-Jee Sha
and Diana Chia-Huei Liu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President
and a director of Spring Creek, respectively, attended a conference in Shanghai
in early April on the subject of “Strategies for Going Public in the United
States with Success.”
Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors was apprised of the team’s progress from time to time
during this period of investigation. Spring Creek’s management team
and special advisor identified over 50 possible target companies and accumulated
meaningful information on over 20 of such companies. All 20 companies were in
the Greater China region. During this time Spring Creek’s management conducted
in-depth reviews of over 10 companies and held numerous meetings with the
executive teams of these companies. Confidentiality agreements were
signed, and preliminary due diligence was initiated with all of these
companies.
On an
overall basis, Spring Creek believes that AutoChina best meets many of its
evaluation criteria based on the following key reasons:
|
·
|
AutoChina
is one of the leading one-stop commercial vehicle financing and consumer
automobile sales companies in China. Founded by nationally
recognized Chairman and CEO, Yong Hui Li, AutoChina operates in two
primary business segments: commercial vehicle financing and automotive
dealership businesses
|
|
·
|
AutoChina
serves independent and commercial fleet operators through 103 branches in
five provinces, which management expects to serve as a growth driver for
AutoChina.
|
|
·
|
AutoChina’s
automotive dealership segment sells globally recognized brands through 25
majority or wholly-owned
dealerships.
|
|
·
|
AutoChina’s
revenues for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2007, increased to
$294.7 million from $84.8 million in the same period ended 2005, a CAGR of
82.2% over that two year span. During this same twelve month
period, AutoChina’s net income increased to $4.8 million in 2007 from $1.4
million in 2005, a CAGR of 83.3% over that two year
span. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization) increased to $7.0 million in 2007 from $1.5 million in
2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, AutoChina’s
total revenues rose 58% to $330.8 million from $209.7 million in the same
period of 2007, AutoChina reported net income of $6.1 million, an increase
of 174% from the same period of 2007, and AutoChina’s EBITDA increased to
$11.7 million from $5.9 million from the same period of
2007.
|
Description
of Significant Events with Target
On April
12, 2008, Ms. Liu introduced Yong Hui Li, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AutoChina
to Mr. Sha in Beijing. Mr. Li was an acquaintance of Ms. Liu and was
initially approached by Ms. Liu for referrals of potential target companies
since he was known to Ms. Liu as a real estate developer in
Shijiazhuang. Prior to the point that Ms. Liu approached Mr. Li in
April 2008, neither Ms. Liu nor any person acting on her behalf, nor any
affiliate of Spring Creek had discussed a potential transaction with Spring
Creek to Mr. Li and Mr. Li had not previously heard of Spring
Creek. After Ms. Liu explained to Mr. Li the criteria that Spring
Creek management was looking for in a target company, Mr. Li thought that his
other company, AutoChina, would be a suitable candidate for Spring
Creek. Mr. Li explained that AutoChina primarily operated car
dealerships in the area between Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei province and had
recently entered the commercial vehicle financing business. Both Mr.
Sha and Ms. Liu were impressed by AutoChina’s market position in the area
surrounding Beijing, and asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement to start
the diligence process. The non-disclosure agreement was signed on
April 14, 2008. Between April 14, 2008 and February 4, 2009, Spring
Creek conducted due diligence on AutoChina.
At the
same time that Ms. Liu was discussing a potential transaction with Mr. Li and
that diligence on AutoChina was being initiated, Spring Creek management was
carrying on serious discussions with other potential target
companies.
On May 1,
2008, Spring Creek signed a non-disclosure agreement with its largest
shareholder, PEM Group, in order to invite PEM Group to speak with the
management teams of potential target companies.
On May
26, 2008, Spring Creek management recommended to the Spring Creek Board of
Directors that management be permitted to initiate due diligence and
negotiations with AutoChina, and the Spring Creek Board of
Directors authorized Spring Creek management to begin due
diligence and negotiations, including a letter of
intent. In addition, Spring Creek’s management engaged Morrison
& Foerster LLP, or MoFo, as its acquisition legal advisor, and began the
process of drafting potential terms for such letter of intent and preparing for
due diligence review. On May 27, 2008, MoFo distributed its due
diligence request list to AutoChina and Zhong Lun Law Firm, AutoChina’s
acquisition legal advisor. On June 22, 2008, MoFo received the
initial draft of a memorandum from Zhong Lun Law Firm setting forth the
corporate structure of AutoChina, which was updated and distributed by Zhong Lun
Law Firm on June 26, 2008, and the final version of such memorandum was
distributed by Zhong Lun Law Firm on August 26, 2008.
On July
25, 2008, Spring Creek management conducted an on-site diligence trip to
AutoChina in Shijiazhuang with Mr. Jason Wang from PEM Group. PEM
Group met with the senior management team of AutoChina, including Mr. Li, Mr.
Hui Kai Yan, Corporate Secretary of AutoChina, Mr. Lei Chen, Vice President of
AutoChina and Mr. Xing Wei, Chief Operating Officer of
AutoChina. Such onsite diligence trip included visits to AutoChina’s
car dealership and commercial vehicle financing stores, conversations with
onsite managers, review of financial information with the senior management
team. After a thorough and informative visit, Spring Creek management
determined to continue to pursue a transaction with AutoChina.
On July
22 2008, Spring Creek management began negotiations with Mr. Li of AutoChina
which continued until the definitive agreement was signed on February 4,
2009. Mr. Li, the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
AutoChina, Mr. Sha, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Spring Creek, and Ms. Liu, the President and a director of Spring Creek
participated in the negotiations. On August 5, 2008, Mr. Li and
Mr. Sha were able to agree on the purchase price of around USD$68 million (with
an additional $10 million worth of shares to be held in
escrow). Shortly thereafter, Mr. Sha met with Mr. Li in Beijing to
finalize some of the remaining issues relating to the transaction.
Also on
or about August 5, 2008, AutoChina also started to negotiate with PEM Group for
a bridge loan. However, after negotiations and diligence that lasted
approximately one month, AutoChina and PEM Group agreed that they would not be
able to agree on terms.
On August
6, 2008, Spring Creek management recommended to the Spring Creek Board of
Directors that management be permitted to enter into a letter of intent with
AutoChina, and initiate negotiations with AutoChina on the terms of a definitive
agreement. On September 2, 2008, Spring Creek’s management had a
conference call with EarlyBird Capital and Loeb & Loeb LLP to begin
preparing the proxy statement and investor presentation. In the
meantime, Spring Creek management continued to talk to other potential target
companies.
Mr.
William Yu, the Chief Financial Officer of Spring Creek, and Ms. Liu of met with
Mr. Li in Beijing on October 24, 2008 to reassure Mr. Li of Spring Creek’s
continuing interest in completing the transaction.
On
November 21, 2008, Mr. Sha met with Mr. Li again in Beijing to discuss the
current economic situation in China and the impact on AutoChina’s profitability
and business fundamentals. On December 21, 2008, Mr. Li of AutoChina
met with Mr. Wu, Mr. Chang, Mr. Yu and Ms. Liu in Taiwan. Mr. Li
informed Ms. Liu about the establishment of 55 additional commercial vehicle
financing centers and his intent to change the transaction terms based on the
fact that his business has expanded and that his paid-in capital had
increased. On December 30, 2008, Ms. Liu met in Hong Kong with Mr.
Johnson Lau, the Chief Financial Officer of AutoChina, to discuss AutoChina’s
financial update for the fourth quarter of 2008.
On
January 7, 2009, Mr. Li, Mr. Sha and Ms. Liu had a conference call regarding the
purchase price and earn-out schedule. Mr. Li expressed his need to
entertain other alternatives since Spring Creek and AutoChina could not come to
agreement on new terms.
After
additional negotiation and discussion, on January 14, 2009, Mr. Sha, Ms. Liu and
Mr. Li had a conference call and reached an agreement on the major commercial
terms. Between January 14, 2009 and the date that the definitive
agreements were signed Mr. Sha, Ms. Liu of Spring Creek and Mr. Li of AutoChina
negotiated the final terms of the definitive agreement.
On
February 4, 2009, AutoChina’s Board of Directors approved the
transaction. On February 4, 2009. Spring Creek’s Board of Directors
approved the final agreement. On February 4, 2009, the parties
entered into the share exchange agreement.
Board
Consideration and Approval
At a
meeting of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors on February 4, 2009, the Board of
Directors discussed all aspects of the transaction. Detailed discussions were
held on the prospects of AutoChina’s car dealership and commercial vehicle
financing businesses. The Board of Directors concluded that
AutoChina’s business had considerable potential upside. Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors then determined that the financial performance and forecast of
AutoChina’s performance merited the valuation that had been negotiated. At the
close of the meeting it was agreed to that Spring Creek should continue to
pursue negotiations to finalize the definitive agreement, which was approved by
the Board of Directors on February 4, 2009 and executed on the same
day. While no one factor determined the final agreed upon
consideration in the acquisition, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors reviewed
various industry and financial data, including certain valuation analyses and
metrics compiled by Spring Creek and several consultants in order to make its
determination that the consideration to be paid to the AutoChina shareholders
was reasonable and that the acquisition was in the best interests of Spring
Creek’s shareholders. Spring Creek’s Board of Directors also reviewed and
considered certain analyses provided by management with the assistance of
EarlyBird Capital and provided by Houlihan Smith in order to determine that the
acquisition consideration is fair from a financial point of view to Spring
Creek’s shareholders. Spring Creek’s officers and consultants
conducted a due diligence review of AutoChina that included an industry
analysis, a description of AutoChina’s existing business model, inspections of
company premises, review of corporate records and files, on site visits,
in-depth meetings with at least three levels of AutoChina’s management, a
valuation analysis and financial projections in order to enable the Board of
Directors to ascertain the reasonableness of the consideration.
Spring
Creek’s Reasons for the Acquisition and Its Recommendation.
Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors concluded that the acquisition is in the best
interests of Spring Creek’s shareholders. The Board of Directors
considered a wide variety of factors in connection with its evaluation of the
acquisition:
|
·
|
AutoChina
is one of China’s leading one–stop–shop providers of commercial vehicle
financing and consumer automobile
sales.
|
|
·
|
AutoChina
intends to utilize the capital and resources from its consumer automobile
sales business to take a dominant position in a fragmented commercial
vehicle finance market in China. AutoChina provides scalable,
cost-efficient financing options to independent and fleet commercial
vehicle operators.
|
|
·
|
The
commercial finance market is highly fragmented: in 2008, approximately
300,000 commercial vehicles were financed in China, and AutoChina believes
that it is the market leader with only 1,000 financed last
year. Of note, AutoChina experienced 0 defaults on its leases
in 2008.
|
|
·
|
Commercial
vehicles have a shorter life span than traditional automobiles due to an
increased carry-load. Combined with the need to transport basic
materials within China, these factors necessitate continuous fleet
renewal.
|
|
·
|
AutoChina
has strong financial results:
|
|
o
|
Revenues
was up 58% to $330.8 million for nine months ended September 30,
2008
|
|
o
|
Net
income was up 174% to $6.1 million for nine months ended September 30,
2008
|
|
o
|
AutoChina
experienced 82.2% compounded revenue growth
2005-2007
|
|
o
|
AutoChina
experienced 83.3% compounded net income growth
2005-2007
|
|
·
|
AutoChina
has a well-capitalized balance sheet with modest long-term
debt.
|
|
·
|
AutoChina
has a seasoned and accomplished management
team.
|
|
·
|
Macro-economic
Trends in China Favor the Commercial Vehicles / Auto Market – the industry
is expected to be among those that benefit from recent actions by the
People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The PRC’s recent
announcement of its RMB4 trillion (approx. $588 billion) Expenditure Plan
is expected to implement resources toward domestic infrastructure projects
and increase the demand of transportation, logistics, construction and
commercial vehicles. In 2009, the PRC also enacted legislation
supporting automobile and steel industries which includes tax incentives
and subsidies to potential automobile and truck
buyers.
|
Interest of Spring Creek’s Management
in the Acquisition.
When you consider the recommendation of Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors that you vote in favor of the acquisition, you should
keep in mind that Spring Creek’s officers and directors have interests in the
acquisition that are different from, or in addition to, yours. These
interests include the following:
If the
proposed acquisition is not completed, and Spring Creek is subsequently required
to liquidate, the shares owned by Spring Creek’s directors will be worthless
because the shares will no longer have any value and the directors are not
entitled to liquidation distributions from Spring Creek. In addition, the
possibility that Spring Creek’s officers and directors will be required to
perform their obligations under the indemnity agreements referred to above will
be substantially increased.
In
connection with Spring Creek’s initial public offering, James Sha, Spring
Creek’s Chief Executive Officer, and Diana Liu, Spring Creek’s President and
director, agreed to indemnify Spring Creek for debts and obligations to
potential target businesses or other persons for services rendered or contracted
for or products sold to Spring Creek, but only to the extent necessary to ensure
that certain liabilities do not reduce funds in the trust account. If the
acquisition is consummated, James Sha and Diana Liu will not have to perform
such obligation. If the acquisition is not consummated, however, James Sha and
Diana Liu could potentially be liable for any claims against the trust account
by vendors who did not sign waivers. As of March 5, 2009, Spring Creek believes
that James Sha and Diana Liu do not have any risk of being required to provide
indemnification since all persons who have had contractual obligations with
Spring Creek have either been paid in full (or will be paid in accordance with
Spring Creek’s past practices) or waived their ability to sue Spring Creek’s
trust account.
All
rights of Spring Creek’s officers and directors to be indemnified by Spring
Creek, and of Spring Creek’s directors to be exculpated from monetary liability
with respect to prior acts or omissions, will continue after the acquisition
pursuant to provisions in Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association. However, if the acquisition is not approved and Spring
Creek subsequently liquidates, its ability to perform its obligations under
those provisions will be substantially impaired since it will cease to exist. If
the AutoChina acquisition is ultimately completed, the combined company’s
ability to perform such obligations will be substantially enhanced.
Satisfaction of 80% Test.
It
is a requirement that any business acquired by Spring Creek have a fair market
value equal to at least 80% of Spring Creek’s net assets at the time of
acquisition, which assets shall include the amount in the trust account. Based
on the financial analysis of AutoChina generally used to approve the
transaction, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors determined that this requirement
was met and exceeded.
To
determine the value of AutoChina, the Board of Directors first determined that
as of December 31, 2008, Spring Creek had approximately $39,250,000 in net
assets (total assets minus total liabilities). The consideration being paid to
AutoChina’s security holders, which Houlihan Smith has determined was fair from
a financial point of view to Spring Creek, is, at minimum, $60,243,750, based on
the fair market value of the 8,606,250 ordinary shares to be issued to
AutoChina’s shareholders (valued at $7.00 per share, the closing price of Spring
Creek’s ordinary shares on February 6, 2009 (the trading day before the
transaction was announced)). Therefore, the total consideration of
approximately $60.2 million is greater than 80% of Spring Creek’s net assets at
the time that the acquisition agreement was executed. In addition, Houlihan
Smith rendered an opinion to Spring Creek’s Board of Directors indicating that
AutoChina’s enterprise value was in excess of 80% of Spring Creek’s net assets.
Based on the financial analysis conducted by Houlihan Smith and the fact that
management believes that $60.2 million is a fair price to pay for AutoChina, the
Board of Directors concluded that the 80% test was satisfied.
Opinion
of Houlihan Smith & Company Inc.
On
February 9, 2009, Houlihan Smith & Company Inc., or Houlihan Smith, rendered
an opinion to Spring Creek’s Board of Directors that, based upon and subject to
the matters stated in the opinion, (i) the consideration offered for the
outstanding capital stock of AutoChina was fair from a financial point of view
to Spring Creek’s shareholders, and (ii) the fair market value of AutoChina is
at least equal to 80% of the net assets of Spring Creek. Houlihan
Smith has not previously performed services for Spring Creek and no future
services are contemplated. Houlihan Smith received approximately $75,000 for its
services in connection with the fairness analysis and opinion. No other amounts
are due or will be paid to Houlihan Smith in connection with the fairness
opinion. Houlihan Smith has given its consent to the inclusion of its opinion to
this proxy statement.
The full
opinion is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. Spring Creek encourages
its shareholders to review the opinion carefully for a discussion of valuation
methodology, procedures followed, assumptions made and factors considered in
developing the opinion. The following discussion is a summary of the valuation
analyses utilized by Houlihan Smith in rendering its fairness opinion. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Houlihan
Smith’s written opinion.
The
opinion was provided for the information and assistance of Spring Creek’s Board
of Directors with respect to the consideration offered in the transaction. The
fairness opinion rendered by Houlihan Smith is not intended to be a
recommendation with respect to the transaction. Houlihan Smith was not engaged
to opine on the underlying business decision of Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors to proceed with or effect the transaction.
The
opinion was based on generally accepted valuation standards and included such
valuation tests and procedures considered necessary under the circumstances. The
opinion included, but was not necessarily limited to, the following
procedures:
|
·
|
Reviewed
the share exchange agreement between AutoChina and Spring Creek, dated
February 4, 2009;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and analyzed financial statements as of September 30,
2008;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and analyzed audited historical financial statements for the fiscal years
ending 2005 through 2007;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and analyzed unaudited financial statements, including as of December 31,
2008;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and analyzed financial projections prepared by management of AutoChina for
the years ending December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2012 for the
AutoChina;
|
|
·
|
Performed
other financial studies, analyses and investigations, and considered such
other information, as Houlihan Smith deemed necessary or
appropriate;
|
|
·
|
Prepared
an analysis of maximum potential value based on reaching EBITDA growth
levels and thresholds for earn-out shares consideration, in accordance
with Schedule C of the share exchange
agreement;
|
|
·
|
Held
discussions with management of Spring Creek and the AutoChina to discuss
assumptions used in projections and Houlihan Smith’s
analysis;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
the pro forma capitalization table, including total value on a basic and
diluted basis, which was adjusted on a pro forma basis to reflect net
upfront consideration shares, holdback shares and
warrants;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and analyzed AutoChina’s Restructuring Plan and Implementing Steps
document;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
publicly available financial information and other data with respect to
Spring Creek, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30,
2008;
|
|
·
|
Held
discussions with Spring Creek management and AutoChina management
regarding, among other items, the automotive retail, motor vehicle retail,
consumer finance and specialized finance industries specifically, and
other industries generally;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
financial and operating information with respect to certain
publicly-traded companies in the automotive retail, motor vehicle retail,
consumer finance and specialized finance industries, which Houlihan Smith
believes to be generally comparable to the business of the Target, as well
as other research related to the size and growth of markets in which the
Target operates or may operate;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
a summary of the capital structures of AutoChina on both a pre-transaction
and post-transaction basis regarding the Potential
Transaction;
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
AutoChina’s current organizational chart;
and
|
|
·
|
Performed
other financial studies, analyses and investigations, and considered such
other information, as Houlihan Smith deemed necessary or
appropriate.
|
In
arriving at its opinion, Houlihan Smith relied upon and assumed, without
independent verification, the accuracy, completeness and reasonableness of the
financial, legal, tax, and other information discussed with or reviewed by
Houlihan Smith and assumed such accuracy and completeness for purposes of
rendering its opinion. In addition, Houlihan Smith did not make any independent
evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of AutoChina, nor was Houlihan Smith furnished with any such
evaluation or appraisal other than the historical equipment and property
appraisals, described above. In addition, Houlihan Smith did not
attempt to confirm whether AutoChina had good title to its
assets. Further, Houlihan Smith relied upon the assurances of both
Spring Creek’s management and AutoChina’s management that they were not aware of
any facts or circumstances that would make any such information inaccurate or
misleading. With respect to the financial information and projections utilized,
Houlihan Smith assumed that such information has been reasonably prepared on a
basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments, and that
such information provides a reasonable basis upon which it could make an
analysis and form an opinion. The projections were solely used in
connection with the rendering of Houlihan Smith’s fairness
opinion. Investors should not place reliance upon such projections,
as they are not necessarily an indication of what Spring Creek’s revenues and
profit margins will be in the future. The projections were based upon
financial projections prepared by AutoChina’s management and are not to be
interpreted as projections of future performance (or ‘‘guidance’’) by Spring
Creek’s management. Houlihan Smith did not receive any instructions from Spring
Creek or AutoChina on how to use or rely on the projections used in rendering
its fairness opinion. Houlihan Smith did not evaluate the solvency or
fair value of AutoChina under any foreign, state or federal laws relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters.
In
connection with rendering its opinion, Houlihan Smith performed certain
financial, comparative and other analyses as summarized herein. The preparation
of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to the most appropriate
and relevant methods of financial and comparative analysis and the application
of those methods to the particular circumstances. Therefore, such an opinion is
not readily susceptible to summary description. Furthermore, in arriving at its
opinion, Houlihan Smith did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis
or factor considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the
significance and relevance of each analysis and factor.
Houlihan
Smith recommends that its analyses be considered as a whole and that considering
any portion of such analyses and factors, without considering all analyses and
factors as a whole, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process
underlying its opinion. In its analyses, Houlihan Smith made numerous
assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Spring
Creek. None of Spring Creek, Houlihan Smith or any other person assumes
responsibility if future results are materially different from those discussed.
Any estimates contained in these analyses were not necessarily indicative of
actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such analyses. In
addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses do not purport to be
appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses actually may be
sold.
The
following is a summary of the material financial analyses utilized by Houlihan
Smith in providing its opinion to Spring Creek’s Board of Directors. The
summaries of certain financial analyses include information presented in tabular
format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses used by Houlihan
Smith, the tables must be viewed in association with the text of each summary.
The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial
analyses. Accordingly, the analyses listed in the tables and described herein
must be considered as a whole. The consideration of any portion of such analyses
and of the factors considered, without considering all analyses and factors,
could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying the
opinion.
Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis
Houlihan
Smith performed discounted cash flow analyses to derive a value of AutoChina
based on the present value of estimated future net cash flows. Houlihan Smith
performed four discounted cash flow analyses, (i) automotive dealership – base
case scenario, (ii) automotive dealership – optimal case scenario, (iii)
commercial vehicle financing – base case scenario, and (iv) commercial vehicle
financing – optimal case scenario. The projected revenue, cost of
goods, and expenses in each discounted cash flow model were primarily based on a
review of management’s projected profit and loss statements for the years 2009
through 2012, discussions with management regarding historical and future
operating performance, and a review of industry characteristics.
Houlihan
Smith forecasted net cash flows over 7-year discrete periods in the two
automotive dealership scenarios and over 9-year discrete periods in the two
commercial vehicle financing scenarios, discounted at the estimated weighted
average cost of capital (WACC) reflecting the risks associated with achieving
the projected cash flows in each scenario. The WACC was derived using the model,
which included the return of a risk-free asset plus an estimate of equity risk
premium adjusted by a measure of systematic risk (beta) derived from the
selected comparable companies.
The value
of the net cash flows beyond the discrete forecast period, or the residual
period, was calculated using a terminal value and discounted to present value.
Based on assumptions and procedures of the discounted cash flow analysis,
Houlihan Smith estimated the total equity value range to be approximately $64.7
million to $409.8 million.
Calculation
of Equity Value
Equity
value was calculated by determining the enterprise value and deducting net debt.
Net debt consists of interest bearing debt, minority interest and preferred
stock reduced by cash and short-term investments.
Guideline
Public Company Analysis
Houlihan
Smith selected a group of publicly traded comparable companies to each of the
automotive dealership segment and the commercial vehicle financing segment based
on proprietary research and input from management to observe and assess the
market pricing of specific financial and operating data of companies that share
similar industry risks as AutoChina. The observed multiples were calculated on
historical and forecasted financial metrics. Based on their analysis, Houlihan
Smith applied the medians of the Price to Sales, Price to Earnings before
Interest and Taxes (EBIT) multiples to derive a range of values for the
dealership segment; and the medians of Price to EBIT and Price to Book multiple
to derive a range of values. The selected companies and multiples are presented
in the table labeled
Public Company Valuation Multiples
.
The
selection of the comparable companies originated with Houlihan Smith’s
proprietary research and due diligence and a review of certain comparable
companies recommended by Spring Creek management. The selection criteria
included a requirement that the companies were publicly traded in the industries
of Automotive Retail and Automotive Financing. Houlihan Smith then reviewed the
business descriptions for companies with comparable customers and products to
develop a list of comparable public companies.
Automotive Dealership
Segment
PUBLIC COMPANY VALUATION MULTIPLES
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
Ticker
|
|
Company Name
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
BV
|
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
BOOK VALUE
|
|
|
EARNINGS
|
|
TSEC:2227
|
|
Yulon
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.2
|
x
|
|
|
3.4
|
x
|
|
|
5.0
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
0.3
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
6.5
|
x
|
|
|
0.5
|
x
|
|
|
8.2
|
x
|
JASDAQ:8298
|
|
Family,
Inc.
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
8.4
|
|
|
|
11.3
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
21.3
|
|
SEHK:1828
|
|
Dah
Chong Hong Holdings Limited
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
SEHK:489
|
|
Dongfeng
Motor Group Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
TSE:7599
|
|
Gulliver
International Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
KOSE:A004550
|
|
Daewoo
Motor Sales Corp.
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
19.0
|
|
|
|
26.4
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
0.7
|
x
|
|
|
19.0
|
x
|
|
|
26.4
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
0.3
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
6.5
|
x
|
|
|
1.0
|
x
|
|
|
21.3
|
x
|
|
|
Median
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
|
|
STDEV
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
6.3
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
Commercial
Vehicle Financing Segment
PUBLIC COMPANY VALUATION MULTIPLES
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
Ticker
|
|
Company Name
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
BV
|
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
BOOK VALUE
|
|
|
EARNINGS
|
|
SEHK:172
|
|
Goldbond
Group Holdings Ltd.
|
|
|
2.6
|
x
|
|
|
3.9
|
x
|
|
|
3.9
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
2.4
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
3.5
|
x
|
|
|
0.8
|
x
|
|
|
5.6
|
x
|
SEHK:489
|
|
Dongfeng
Motor Group Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
TSE:8579
|
|
Tokyo
Leasing Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
111.5
|
|
|
|
13.5
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
|
SET:AEONTS
|
|
AEON
Thana Sinsap Thailand Public Co. Ltd.
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
BSE:500034
|
|
Bajaj
Auto Finance Ltd.
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
|
SEHK:626
|
|
Public
Financial Holdings Limited
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
2.9
|
x
|
|
|
8.5
|
x
|
|
|
111.5
|
x
|
|
|
13.5
|
x
|
|
|
2.6
|
x
|
|
|
0.3
|
x
|
|
|
8.1
|
x
|
|
|
1.1
|
x
|
|
|
11.7
|
x
|
|
|
Median
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
40.2
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
6.6
|
|
|
|
STDEV
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
61.8
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
The
multiples were applied to each of AutoChina’s automotive dealership and
commercial vehicle financing segments financial metrics. A summary of the
guideline public company results is presented in the following
table.
|
|
Dealership
|
|
|
Truck
Financing
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
Methodology
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maxi
mum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guideline
Public Company Method
|
|
$
|
34,058.75
|
|
|
$
|
305,870.75
|
|
|
$
|
7,433.07
|
|
|
$
|
103,888.64
|
|
|
$
|
64,763.62
|
|
|
$
|
409,759.39
|
|
Based on
the procedures and analysis described for the guideline public company method,
Houlihan Smith estimated the equity value of AutoChina to be approximately $64.7
to $409.8 million.
Conclusion
of Value
Houlihan
Smith utilized the income and market approaches to derive conclusions of equity
value of AutoChina Group, Inc. A summary of Houlihan Smith’s analyses and
conclusions is presented in the following table.
Auto
China
Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair
Market Value Range
|
($
in Millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dealership
|
|
|
Truck
F
inancing
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
Methodology
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum
1
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
Guideline
Public Company Method
|
|
$
|
34,058.75
|
|
|
$
|
305,870.75
|
|
|
$
|
7,433.07
|
|
|
$
|
103,888.64
|
|
|
$
|
64,763.62
|
|
|
$
|
409,759.39
|
|
Discounted
Cash Flow Method
|
|
$
|
79,769.86
|
|
|
$
|
610,027.77
|
|
|
$
|
42,021.14
|
|
|
$
|
159,513.27
|
|
|
$
|
121,791.00
|
|
|
$
|
769,541.04
|
|
|
|
Pre
Transaction
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring
Creek Net Assets
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
|
|
Fair
Market Value Auto China
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
41,491.82
|
|
|
$
|
769,541.04
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
$
|
64,763.62
|
|
|
$
|
769,541.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring
Creek Ownership Percentage
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
44.17
|
%
|
|
|
20.89
|
%
|
Fair
Market Value of Spring Creek Stake
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
$
|
28,606.94
|
|
|
$
|
160,776.26
|
|
Houlihan
Smith’s conclusion of equity value indicates that the price paid for AutoChina
is fair to Spring Creek’s shareholders from a financial point of
view.
80%
Test
Spring
Creek’s initial business combination must be with a target business whose fair
market value is at least equal to 80% of Spring Creek’s net assets at the time
of such acquisition. In support of its opinion that, as of the date
of its opinion, the fair market value of AutoChina is at least equal to 80% of
Spring Creek’s net assets, Houlihan Smith estimated Spring Creek’s net asset
value as of September 30, 2008 and compared such value to a range of equity for
AutoChina. The net asset value of Spring Creek was approximately
$39,675,335 per the Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30,
2008. Houlihan Smith used the equity value range for AutoChina
determined by the income and market approach analyses described
above. Based on such analysis, Houlihan Smith concluded that the fair
market value of AutoChina exceeds 80% of Spring Creek’s net
assets. While Spring Creek’s Board of Directors considered
the opinion and analysis of Houlihan Smith in approving the acquisition, prior
to completing the acquisition, the Board of Directors will make its
definitive determination of whether the 80% test is satisfied as of the date of
the acquisition.
About
Houlihan Smith
Houlihan
Smith is an investment banking firm that, as part of its investment banking
business, regularly is engaged in the evaluation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructurings,
private placements, and for other purposes. Spring Creek’s Board of Directors
determined to use the services of Houlihan Smith because it is a recognized
investment banking firm that has substantial experience in similar
matters. Houlihan Smith has received a fee in connection with the
preparation and issuance of its opinion and will be reimbursed for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees. In addition,
Spring Creek has agreed to indemnify Houlihan Smith for certain liabilities that
may arise out of the rendering of its opinion. Houlihan Smith does not
beneficially own any interest in Spring Creek or AutoChina and has not provided
any such company with any other services.
Conclusion
of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors.
After
careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors
determined that the acquisition is fair to, and in the best interests of, Spring
Creek and its shareholders. The Board of Directors has approved and declared the
proposal advisable and recommends that you vote or give instructions to vote
“FOR” the approval of the acquisition.
The
foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Spring
Creek Board is not meant to be exhaustive, but includes the material information
and factors considered by it.
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition
For a
discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition
and of owning ordinary shares and warrants in Spring Creek after the
acquisition, see “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,”
below.
Anticipated
Accounting Treatment
The
Business Combination will be accounted for as a “reverse acquisition” since,
immediately following completion of the transaction, the shareholders of
AutoChina immediately prior to the Business Combination will have effective
control of Spring Creek through (1) their approximately 57.1% shareholder
interest in the combined entity, assuming no share redemptions (67.9% in the
event of maximum share redemptions), (2) significant representation on the Board
of Directors (initially two out of five members), with three other board
members being independent of both Spring Creek and AutoChina, and (3) being
named to all of the senior executive positions. For accounting
purposes, AutoChina will be deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the
transaction and, consequently, the transaction will be treated as a
recapitalization of AutoChina, i.e., a capital transaction involving the
issuance of stock by Spring Creek for the stock of
AutoChina. Accordingly, the combined assets, liabilities and results
of operations of AutoChina will become the historical financial statements of
Spring Creek at the closing of the transaction, and Spring Creek’s assets
(primarily cash and cash equivalents), liabilities and results of operations
will be consolidated with AutoChina beginning on the acquisition
date. No step-up in basis or intangible assets or goodwill will be
recorded in this transaction. As this transaction is being accounted
for as a reverse acquisition, all direct costs of the transaction will be
charged to additional paid-in capital.
Pursuant
to an earn-out provision in the share exchange agreement, Spring Creek has
agreed to issue to AutoChina’s current shareholders between 5% and 20% of the
number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31 of the fiscal year
immediately prior to such earn-out issuance for achieving certain Targeted
EBITDA Growth (as defined in the share exchange agreement) in each of the five
fiscal years ending December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2013. Upon
issuance, the shares will be recorded as an adjustment to the accounting
acquiree’s basis in the reverse acquisition (i.e., as an adjustment at par value
to ordinary shares and additional paid-in capital), and will be included in the
calculations of earnings per share from that date.
Regulatory
Matters
The
acquisition is not subject to the Hart Scott Rodino Act or any federal or state
regulatory requirement or approval.
MATERIAL
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
General
The
following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of
the acquisition to Spring Creek and to holders of our ordinary shares and
warrants, sometimes referred to as Spring Creek securities, and of owning and
disposing of Spring Creek securities after the acquisition. Because the
components of a unit are separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a
unit should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of
the underlying ordinary share and warrant components of the unit, as the case
may be. As a result, the discussion below of the U.S. federal income
tax consequences with respect to actual holders of ordinary shares and warrants
should also apply to the holder of a unit (as the deemed owner of the underlying
ordinary share and warrant components of the unit). The discussion below of the
U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a
beneficial owner of ordinary shares or warrants that is for U.S. federal income
tax purposes:
|
·
|
an
individual citizen or resident of the United
States;
|
|
·
|
a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created
or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof
or the District of Columbia;
|
|
·
|
an
estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income
tax purposes regardless of its source;
or
|
|
·
|
a
trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the
trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to
control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid
election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be
treated as a U.S. person.
|
If a
beneficial owner of our ordinary shares and warrants is not described as a U.S.
Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through
entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a
“Non-U.S. Holder.” The U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable
specifically to Non-U.S. Holders is described below under the heading “Non-U.S.
Holders.”
This
summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the
“Code,” its legislative history, existing and proposed Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently
in effect. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations,
possibly on a retroactive basis.
This
discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may
be relevant to Spring Creek or to any particular holder based on such holder’s
individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders
that own our ordinary shares and warrants as capital assets within the meaning
of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not address the potential application of
the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to
holders that are subject to special rules, including:
|
·
|
financial
institutions or financial services
entities;
|
|
·
|
taxpayers
who have elected mark-to-market
accounting;
|
|
·
|
governments
or agencies or instrumentalities
thereof;
|
|
·
|
regulated
investment companies;
|
|
·
|
real
estate investment trusts;
|
|
·
|
certain
expatriates or former long-term residents of the United
States;
|
|
·
|
persons
that actually or constructively own 5% or more of our voting
shares;
|
|
·
|
persons
that hold our ordinary shares or warrants as part of a straddle,
constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction;
or
|
|
·
|
persons
whose functional currency is not the U.S.
dollar.
|
This
discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such
as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. Additionally,
the discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other
pass-through entities or persons who hold our ordinary shares or warrants
through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our
ordinary shares and warrants, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner
in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership.
We have
not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”) or an opinion of counsel as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence
described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its
determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that
future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will
not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this
discussion.
BECAUSE
OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TAX LAWS AND BECAUSE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SPRING
CREEK OR TO ANY PARTICULAR HOLDER OF SPRING CREEK SECURITIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY
MATTERS NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN, EACH HOLDER OF SPRING CREEK SECURITIES IS URGED TO
CONSULT WITH ITS TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE ACQUISITION AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SPRING CREEK’S ORDINARY
SHARES AND WARRANTS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND
NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS.
Tax
Consequences of the Acquisition
Neither
Spring Creek nor any holder of Spring Creek securities should recognize any gain
or loss as a result of the acquisition for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
Tax
Consequences to U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares and Warrants of Spring
Creek
Taxation
of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares
Subject
to the passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC”, rules discussed below, a
U.S. Holder will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the
amount of any dividend paid on our ordinary shares. A distribution on
our ordinary shares will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax
purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or
accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax
purposes). Such dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends
received from other U.S. corporations. Distributions in excess of such earnings
and profits will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its
ordinary shares and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as
gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares.
With
respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders for taxable years beginning before January
1, 2011, dividends may be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains
rate (see “— Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants” below)
provided that (1) our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established
securities market in the United States, (2) we are not a PFIC, as discussed
below, for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the
preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. It
is not entirely clear, however, whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for our
ordinary shares would be suspended for purposes of clause (3) above for the
period that such holder had a right to have such ordinary shares redeemed by us.
In addition, under recently published IRS authority, ordinary shares are
considered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an
established securities market in the United States only if they are listed on
certain exchanges, which presently include NASDAQ and the NYSE but do not
include the OTC Bulletin Board. Although we intend to explore the possibility of
listing on NASDAQ or the NYSE, there is no assurance such listing will be
obtained. If the only exchange on which our ordinary shares are listed and
traded is the OTC Bulletin Board, any dividends paid on our ordinary shares are
not expected to qualify for the lower rate. U.S. Holders should consult their
own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends
paid with respect to our ordinary shares.
If PRC
taxes apply to dividends paid to a U.S. Holder on our ordinary shares, such
taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against such holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability (subject to certain limitations), and a U.S.
Holder may be entitled to a reduced rate of PRC taxes under the income tax
treaty between the United States and the PRC. U.S. Holders should consult their
own tax advisors regarding the creditability of any such PRC tax and their
eligibility for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States
and the PRC.
Taxation
on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants
Upon a
sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants (which, in
general, would include a redemption of ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise
by a U.S. Holder of its redemption rights), and subject to the PFIC rules
discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in
an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S.
Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or warrants. See “— Exercise
or Lapse of a Warrant” below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holder’s basis in
the ordinary shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant.
Capital
gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally are subject to U.S. federal income
tax at the same rate as ordinary income, except that long-term capital gains
recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal
income tax at a maximum rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January
1, 2011 (and 20% thereafter). Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term
capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares
or warrants exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
various limitations.
If PRC
taxes apply to any gain from the disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants
by a U.S. Holder, such taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit
against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (subject to certain
limitations), and a U.S. Holder may be entitled to certain benefits under the
income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC. U.S. Holders should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability of any such PRC tax
and their eligibility for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the
United States and the PRC.
Exercise
or Lapse of a Warrant
Subject
to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, a U.S. Holder generally will not
recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of a warrant for cash. Ordinary shares
acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant for cash generally will have a
tax basis equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant, increased by the
amount paid to exercise the warrant. The holding period of such ordinary shares
generally would begin on the day after the date of exercise of the warrant. The
terms of a warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of ordinary shares
for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant,
in certain events. Such adjustment may, under certain circumstances,
result in constructive distributions that could be taxable to the U.S. Holder of
the warrants. Conversely, the absence of an appropriate adjustment similarly may
result in a constructive distribution that could be taxable to the U.S. Holders
of the ordinary shares. See “—Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary
Shares,” above. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder
generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the
warrant.
Passive
Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign
corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, if at least
75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the
gross income of any company in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the
shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be
a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year, ordinarily determined
based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its
pro rata share of the assets of any company in which it is considered to own at
least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce,
passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and
royalties (other than certain rents or royalties derived from the active conduct
of a trade or business), and gains from the disposition of passive
assets.
Based on
the composition of our assets to date, which have largely consisted of cash and
other investment assets, it is likely that we qualified as a PFIC in 2007 and
2008. Our actual PFIC status for any subsequent taxable year, however, will not
be determinable until after the end of the taxable year, and accordingly there
can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for the current taxable
year or any future taxable year.
If we
qualified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held our
ordinary shares or warrants, and the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely
qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election for the first taxable year of its
holding period for our ordinary shares or a mark-to-market election, as
described below, such holder will be subject to special rules with respect
to:
|
·
|
any
gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its
ordinary shares or warrants; and
|
|
·
|
any
“excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any
distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year that are greater
than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder
in respect of the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years
or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary
shares).
|
Under
these rules,
|
·
|
the
U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over
the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or
warrants;
|
|
·
|
the
amount allocated to the taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized
the gain or received the excess distribution, or to any taxable year prior
to the first taxable year in which we qualified as a PFIC, will be taxed
as ordinary income;
|
|
·
|
the
amount allocated to other taxable years will be taxed at the highest tax
rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder;
and
|
|
·
|
the
interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be
imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such
year.
|
In
addition, if we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder who acquires our ordinary shares or
warrants from a deceased U.S. Holder who dies before January 1, 2010 and who had
not made a timely QEF election for the ordinary shares generally will be denied
the step-up of U.S. federal income tax basis in such shares or warrants to their
fair market value at the date of the deceased holder’s death. Instead, such U.S.
Holder would have a tax basis in such shares or warrants equal to the deceased
holder’s tax basis, if lower.
In
general, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in
respect to our ordinary shares by making a timely QEF election to include in
income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain)
and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each
case whether or not distributed. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to
defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF
rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest
charge.
A U.S.
Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its warrants. As a result, if
a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of a warrant (other than upon exercise
of a warrant), any gain recognized generally will be subject to the special tax
and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as
described above, if we were a PFIC at any time during the period the U.S. Holder
held the warrants. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such warrants properly makes
a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired ordinary shares (or has
previously made a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares), the QEF
election will apply to the newly acquired ordinary shares, but the adverse tax
consequences relating to PFIC shares will continue to apply with respect to such
ordinary shares (which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for the
purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held the
warrants), unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election. The purging election
creates a deemed sale of such shares at their fair market value. The gain
recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and
interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described
above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will have a new
basis and holding period in the ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of
the warrants for purposes of the PFIC rules.
The QEF
election is made on a stockholder-by-stockholder basis and, once made, can be
revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF
election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Return by a Shareholder of a
Passive Foreign investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the
information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed
U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates.
Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective
statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the
consent of the IRS.
In order
to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive
certain information from us. Upon request from a U.S. Holder, we will endeavor
to provide to the U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request such
information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information
statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF
election. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of
our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be
provided.
If a U.S.
Holder has elected the application of the QEF rules to our ordinary shares, and
the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because
of a timely QEF election for the first tax year of the U.S. Holder’s holding
period for our ordinary shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a
purging election), any gain recognized on the appreciation of our ordinary
shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be
imposed. As discussed above, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their
pro rata shares of its earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such
case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were
previously included in income generally will not be taxable as a dividend. The
tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that
are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as
dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if
by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the
applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although
a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, an initial
determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent
years to a U.S. Holder who held ordinary shares or warrants while we were a
PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those years. A U.S.
Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for our first tax year in
which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares and for
which we are determined to be a PFIC, however, will not be subject to the PFIC
tax and interest charge rules (or the denial of basis step-up at death)
discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will
not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to such shares for the
tax years in which we are not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is
not effective for each of our tax years in which we are a PFIC and the U.S.
Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, the PFIC rules
discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder makes a
purging election and pays the tax and interest charge with respect to the gain
inherent in such shares attributable to the pre-QEF election
period.
Alternatively,
if a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares in a PFIC that is treated as marketable
stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election. If the U.S. Holder
makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first tax year in which the U.S.
Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) ordinary shares in Spring Creek and for
which it is determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject
to the PFIC rules described above in respect to its ordinary shares. Instead, in
general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess,
if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its
taxable year over the adjusted basis in its ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder
also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any,
of the adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its
ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the
net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market
election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to
reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a
sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares will be treated as
ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with
respect to warrants.
The
mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on
a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (including NASDAQ and the NYSE), or on a foreign
exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that
the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Although
we intend to explore the possibility of listing on NASDAQ or the NYSE, there is
no assurance such listing will be obtained. If the only exchange on which
our ordinary shares are listed and traded is the OTC Bulletin Board,
they may not currently qualify as marketable stock for purposes of this
election. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in
respect to our ordinary shares under their particular
circumstances.
If we are
a PFIC and, at any time, have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is classified as a
PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of
such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax
and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or
dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC. Upon request, we
will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder no later
than 90 days after the request the information that may be required to make or
maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are
urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by
lower-tier PFICs.
If a U.S.
Holder owns (or is deemed to own) shares during any year in a PFIC, such holder
may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF election or
mark-to-market election is made).
The rules
dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very
complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described
above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares and warrants should
consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to
our ordinary shares and warrants under their particular
circumstances.
Tax
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares and Warrants in Spring
Creek
Dividends
paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect to its ordinary shares generally will not
be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively
connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the
United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are
attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder
maintains in the United States).
In
addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ordinary
shares or warrants unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of
a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable
income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base
that such holder maintains in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an
individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met
(in which case, such gain from United States sources generally is subject to tax
at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends
and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a
trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income
tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the
United States) generally will be subject to tax in the same manner as for a U.S.
Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits
tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting
In
general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes will apply
to distributions made on our ordinary shares within the United States to a
non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions
of our ordinary shares or warrants by a non-corporate U.S. Holder to or through
a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions
effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information
reporting in limited circumstances.
In
addition, backup withholding of United States federal income tax, currently at a
rate of 28%, generally will apply to dividends paid on our ordinary shares to a
non-corporate U.S. Holder and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of
shares or warrants by a non-corporate U.S. Holder, in each case
who:
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fails
to provide an accurate taxpayer identification
number;
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is
notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required;
or
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in
certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification
requirements.
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A
Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information
reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign
status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8
or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit
against a U.S. Holder’s or a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability
and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required
information is timely furnished to the IRS.
PROPOSAL
TO ELECT DIRECTORS
Three (3)
director nominees are seeking to be elected at the extraordinary general
meeting, to hold office until the expiration of their term and until their
successors are elected and qualified. Management expects that each of the
nominees will be available for election, but if any of them is not a candidate
at the time the election occurs, it is intended that such proxy will be voted
for the election of another nominee to be designated by the Board of Directors
to fill any such vacancy.
Information
About Director Nominees
Mr. Yong
Hui Li, director—see biographical information set forth under “Directors and
Management.”
Mr.
Thomas Luen-Hung Lau, director—see biographical information set forth under
“Directors and Management.”
Mr. Hui
Kai Yan, director— see biographical information set forth under “Directors and
Management.”
If the
acquisition proposal is not approved, this proposal will not be presented at the
meeting. In addition, appointment of the candidates to the Board of
Directors is contingent on consummation of the acquisition, and if the
acquisition is not subsequently consummated, the candidates will not be
appointed the Spring Creek’s Board of Directors. If the amendment to
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association is
not adopted the Board of Directors will be classified, in which case Messrs.
Li and Yan would be Class C directors, and Mr. Lau would be
a Class B director. Mr. Sha and Ms. Liu remain Class A
directors. The term of the Class A directors would expire at the 2009
general meeting, the term of the Class B director would expire at the 2010
general meeting and the term of the Class C directors would expire at the 2011
general meeting.
On March 11, 2009 the share exchange
agreement was amended to reflect the fact that upon consummation of the
acquisition the Board of Directors of Spring Creek would consist of five (5)
members. Conforming changes were also made the proposed amendments to
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association. A form of Amendment 1 to the share exchange agreement is
attached as Annex D to this Proxy Statement.
Conclusion of Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors.
After careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the
election of each of the nominated directors
PROPOSAL
TO APPROVE THE INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
AutoChina
International Limited 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (referred to below as the
“incentive plan”) has been approved by Spring Creek’s Board of Directors and
will take effect upon consummation of the acquisition, provided that the
acquisition and the incentive plan are approved by the shareholders at the
extraordinary general meeting.
Under the
terms of the incentive plan, 1,675,000 Spring Creek ordinary shares are
reserved for issuance in accordance with its terms (provided, however, that
dividend equivalent rights are payable solely in cash and therefore do not
reduce the number of shares that may be granted under the incentive plan and
that stock appreciation rights only reduce the number of shares available for
grant under the plan by the number of shares actually received by the grantee).
Spring Creek currently anticipates that, shortly after the acquisition, it will
grant awards to acquire up to approximately 30,000 shares pursuant to the
incentive plan to Johnson Lau, AutoChina’s Chief Financial
Officer. Any other awards under the plan will be made by the
post-transaction Board of Directors. Assuming that the anticipated grants are
made, there would be at least approximately 1,645,000 shares remaining for
issuance in accordance with the incentive plan’s terms. The purpose of the
incentive plan is to assist Spring Creek in attracting, retaining and providing
incentives to its employees, directors and consultants, or the employees,
directors and consultants of its affiliates, whose past, present and/or
potential future contributions to Spring Creek have been, are or will be
important to the success of Spring Creek and to align the interests of such
persons with Spring Creek’s shareholders. It is also designed to motivate
employees and to significantly contribute toward growth and profitability, to
provide incentives to Spring Creek’s directors, employees and consultants who,
by their position, ability and diligence are able to make important
contributions to Spring Creek’s growth and profitability. The various types of
incentive awards that may be issued under the incentive plan will enable Spring
Creek to respond to changes in compensation practices, tax laws, accounting
regulations and the size and diversity of its business.
All
directors, employees and consultants of the post-transaction company will be
eligible to be granted awards under the incentive plan. All awards will be
subject to the approval of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors or its Compensation
Committee.
The
discussion in this proxy statement of the incentive plan is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the incentive plan. The full text of
the incentive plan is attached hereto as Annex E, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
Description
of the Incentive Plan
A summary
of the principal features of the incentive plan is provided below, but is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the incentive plan, a
copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex E.
Awards
The
incentive plan provides for the authority to grant any type of arrangement to a
qualified person, which involves shares, cash, options or stock appreciation
rights, or a similar right with a fixed or variable price related to the fair
market value of the ordinary shares and with an exercise or conversion privilege
related to the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the
satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions. Such awards
include, without limitation, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock
options, stock appreciation rights, sales or bonuses of restricted shares,
restricted share units or dividend equivalent rights, or any two or more of such
awards in combination, for an aggregate of not more than 1,675,000 of
Spring Creek’s ordinary shares, to directors, employees and consultants of
Spring Creek or its affiliates. If any award expires, is cancelled, or
terminates unexercised or is forfeited, the number of shares subject thereto, if
any, is again available for grant under the incentive plan. The number of
ordinary shares with respect to which stock options or stock appreciation rights
may be granted to a grantee under the incentive plan in any calendar year cannot
exceed 500,000. The number of ordinary shares with respect to which
restricted shares or restricted share units may be granted to a grantee under
the incentive plan in any calendar year cannot exceed 500,000.
Assuming
the acquisition is consummated, there would be approximately 1,600
employees, directors and consultants who would be eligible to receive awards
under the incentive plan. New directors, employees and consultants would be
eligible to participate in the incentive plan as well.
Spring
Creek does not currently have any outstanding options or any intention,
agreement or obligation to issue any options outside the incentive
plan.
Administration
of the Incentive Plan
The
incentive plan will be administered by either Spring Creek’s Board of Directors
or a committee (referred to as the committee), if the Board of Directors
delegates the ability to administrate the plan. Among other things, the Board of
Directors or, if the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the
committee, the committee, has complete discretion, subject to the express limits
of the incentive plan, to determine the employees, directors and consultants to
be granted awards, the types of awards to be granted, the number of Spring Creek
ordinary shares subject to each award, if any, the exercise price under each
option, the base price of each stock appreciation right, the term of each award,
the vesting schedule and/or performance goals for each award that utilizes such
a schedule or provide for performance goals, whether to accelerate vesting, the
value of the ordinary shares, and any required withholdings. The Board of
Directors or the committee may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding award,
provided that the grantee’s consent to such action is required if the action
would materially and adversely affect the grantee. The Board of Directors or the
committee is also authorized to construe the award agreements and may prescribe
rules relating to the incentive plan. The
Board of Directors or committee may reduce the exercise price of
options or reduce the base appreciation amount of any stock appreciation right
without shareholder approval. Except as specified below, no award
that was intended to qualify as performance based compensation may have
an exercise or purchase price, if any, of less than 100% of the fair
market value of Spring Creek’s ordinary shares.
Special
terms relating to Stock Options
The
incentive plan provides for the grant of stock options, which may be either
“incentive stock options” (ISOs), which are intended to meet the requirements
for special U.S. federal income tax treatment under the Code, or “nonqualified
stock options” (NQSOs). Options may be granted on such terms and conditions as
the Board of Directors or the committee may determine; provided, however, that
the exercise price of an option may not be less than 100% of the fair market
value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, and the term of an ISO may
not exceed ten years (110% of such value and five years in the case of an ISO
granted to an employee who owns (or is deemed to own) more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of Spring Creek or a
parent or subsidiary of Spring Creek). ISOs may only be granted to employees. In
addition, the aggregate fair market value of ordinary shares underlying one or
more ISOs (determined at the time of grant) which are exercisable for the first
time by any one employee during any calendar year may not exceed
$100,000. The Board of Directors or the committee may permit a
cashless “net exercise” of the options (which is attached to the incentive
plan attached hereto as Annex E).
Additional
Terms
ISOs may
not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any
manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be
exercised, during the lifetime of the grantee, only by the
grantee. Other awards are transferable (i) by will and by the laws of
descent and distribution and (ii) during the lifetime of the grantee: (a) to a
Holding Company (as defined in the incentive plan) of such grantee, or (B) to
the extent and in the manner authorized by the Board of Directors or the
committee. No shares will be delivered under the incentive plan
to any grantee or other person until such grantee or other person has made
arrangements acceptable to the Board of Directors or the committee for the
satisfaction of any national, provincial or local income and employment tax
withholding obligations, including, without limitation, obligations incident to
the receipt of Shares. A grantee is not considered a shareholder with respect to
the shares underlying an award until the shares are issued to the
grantee.
Amendments
Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate
the incentive plan; provided, that no amendment requiring shareholder approval
will be effective unless such approval has been obtained, and provided further
that no amendment of the incentive plan or its termination may be effected if it
would materially and adversely affect the rights of a grantee without the
grantee’s consent.
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Incentive Plan
The
following is a general summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences under
current tax law to Spring Creek and to individual grantees in the incentive plan
who are individual citizens or residents of the United States of ISOs, NQSOs,
restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, distribution equivalent
right awards and SARs granted pursuant to the incentive plan. It does not
purport to cover all of the special rules that may apply, including special
rules relating to limitations on the ability of Spring Creek to deduct certain
compensation, special rules relating to deferred compensation, golden
parachutes, grantees subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and the
exercise of an option with previously-acquired shares. In addition, this summary
does not address the state or local income or other tax consequences inherent in
the acquisition, ownership, vesting, exercise, termination or disposition of an
award under the incentive plan or Spring Creek ordinary shares issued pursuant
thereto.
A grantee
generally does not recognize taxable income upon the grant of an NQSO or an ISO.
Upon the exercise of an NQSO, the grantee generally recognizes ordinary income
in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares
acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price thereunder, and Spring
Creek will generally be entitled to a deduction for such amount at that time. If
the grantee later sells shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an NQSO, the
grantee generally recognizes a long-term or a short-term capital gain or loss,
depending on the period for which the shares were held. A long-term capital gain
is generally subject to more favorable tax treatment than ordinary income or a
short-term capital gain. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
certain limitations.
Upon the
exercise of an ISO, the grantee generally does not recognize taxable income. If
the grantee disposes of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO
more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the
transfer of the shares to the grantee, the grantee generally recognizes a
long-term capital gain or loss, and Spring Creek is not entitled to a deduction.
However, if the grantee disposes of such shares prior to the end of the required
holding period, all or a portion of the gain is treated as ordinary income, and
Spring Creek is generally entitled to deduct such amount.
In
addition to the tax consequences described above, a grantee may be subject to
the alternative minimum tax, which is payable to the extent it exceeds the
grantee’s regular tax. For this purpose, upon the exercise of an ISO, the excess
of the fair market value of the shares over the exercise price thereunder is a
preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. In addition, the
grantee’s basis in such shares is increased by such excess for purposes of
computing the gain or loss on the disposition of the shares for alternative
minimum tax purposes. If a grantee is required to pay an alternative minimum
tax, the amount of such tax which is attributable to deferral
preferences (including any ISO adjustment) generally may be allowed as a credit
against the grantee’s regular tax liability (and, in certain cases, may be
refunded to the grantee) in subsequent years. To the extent the credit is not
used, it is carried forward.
A grantee
who receives an unrestricted stock award recognizes ordinary compensation income
upon receipt of the award equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value
of the shares over any amount paid by the grantee for the shares, and Spring
Creek is generally entitled to deduct such payment at such time.
A grantee
who receives a restricted stock award that is subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture and certain transfer restrictions generally recognizes ordinary
compensation income at the time the restriction lapses in an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock at such time over any
amount paid by the grantee for the shares. Alternatively, the grantee may elect
to be taxed upon receipt of the restricted stock based on the value of the
shares at the time of grant. Spring Creek is generally entitled to a deduction
at the same time as ordinary compensation income is required to be included by
the grantee and in the same amount. Dividends received with respect to such
restricted stock are generally treated as compensation, unless the grantee
elects to be taxed on the receipt (rather than the vestings) of the restricted
stock. Other restricted stock awards are taxed in the same manner as an
unrestricted stock award.
A grantee
generally does not recognize income upon the grant of an SAR. The grantee has
ordinary compensation income upon exercise of the SAR equal to the increase in
the value of the underlying shares, and Spring Creek will generally be entitled
to a deduction for such amount.
A grantee
generally does not recognize income for a dividend equivalent right award until
payments are received. At such time, the grantee recognizes ordinary
compensation income equal to the amount of any cash payments and the fair market
value of any Spring Creek ordinary shares received, and Spring Creek is
generally entitled to deduct such amount at such time.
Conclusion of Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors
. After careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors has determined that the proposal to adopt the 2009
Equity Incentive Plan is in the best interests of Spring Creek and its
shareholders. Spring Creek’s Board of Directors has approved and declared
advisable the proposal and recommends that you vote or give instructions to vote
“FOR” the proposal.
PROPOSAL
TO CHANGE NAME TO AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Spring
Creek proposes to amend its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association to change its corporate name from “Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.”
to “AutoChina International Limited” upon consummation of the acquisition in
order to reflect Spring Creek’s acquisition of AutoChina. If the
acquisition proposal is not approved, the name change amendment will not be
presented at the meeting. In addition, if the acquisition is not
subsequently consummated, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors will not effect the
name change.
In the
judgment of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors, if the acquisition is
consummated, the change of Spring Creek’s corporate name is desirable to reflect
the fact that Spring Creek would then be an operating business. A
copy of the Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
as it would be filed if the proposal to change Spring Creek’s name and to amend
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
(pursuant to the immediately subsequent proposal) is attached to this proxy as
Annex B.
If the
acquisition proposal is not approved, this proposal will not be presented at the
meeting. In addition, if the acquisition is not subsequently
consummated, Spring Creek’s Board of Directors will not effect this amendment to
Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association.
Shareholders
will not be required to exchange outstanding share certificates for new share
certificates if the amendment is adopted.
Conclusion of Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors.
After careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors determined that the proposal to amend Spring Creek’s
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to change Spring
Creek’s name to “AutoChina International Limited” is in the best interests of
Spring Creek and its shareholders. The Board of Directors has approved and
declared the proposal advisable and recommends that you vote or give
instructions to vote “FOR” the approval of the name change.
PROPOSAL
TO AMEND SPRING CREEK’S AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF
ASSOCIATION TO REMOVE CERTAIN PROVISIONS THAT ARE NO LONGER APPLICABLE TO SPRING
CREEK
Spring
Creek proposes to amend its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association for the following purposes: (which do not include a discussion of
non-substantive revisions or the correction of typographical
errors):
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An
amendment to the definition of “Auditor” to require the combined company
to hire an auditor registered with the public company oversight accounting
board, and deleting language relating to the combined company hiring “an
internationally recognized firm.”
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The
definitions “Exchange Act”, “FINRA”, “NASD Rules” and “SEC” were
deleted.
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The
definition “Share Exchange Agreement” was
added.
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The
number of votes required to pass a special resolution was increased to 2/3
of votes cast from a majority of the votes
cast.
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Section
3.2 (formerly Section 3(2)) was revised to clarify that the Board of
Directors of the combined company would have the ability to repurchase
securities of the combined company.
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The
Divisions entitled “Liens” (pursuant to which Spring Creek had a lien on
its outstanding shares), “Calls on Shares” (pursuant to which Spring Creek
could call unpaid amounts on its shares) “Forfeiture of Shares” (which
related to shareholders forfeiting their shares in the event that
shareholders were unable to pay amounts due on such shares), and “Transfer
of Shares” (which related to required procedures in the event of a
transfer of shares), were deleted.
|
|
·
|
Section
44 was revised to remove the provision relating to third parties being
able to inspect the register of members for a
fee.
|
|
·
|
Sections
53 and 54, which related to certain procedures that were required to be
followed in the event of the death or disability of a stockholder were
deleted.
|
|
·
|
Section
61.2 (formerly section 61(2)) was revised to provide that at a general
meeting of the combined company a quorum would consist of one-third of the
shares outstanding. Previously, the section also required that
at least two shareholders be present at the
meeting.
|
|
·
|
Sections
66 and 67 were revised to require a poll vote, as opposed to permitting a
vote by show of hands.
|
|
·
|
Sections
67 and 70 were deleted because they related to demands for poll votes,
which would no longer be required since all votes would be done by
poll.
|
|
·
|
Section
85 was revised to prohibit shareholders from taking action by written
consent.
|
|
·
|
Section
86.1 (formerly Section 86(1)) was revised to provide that prior to
December 31, 2011, the Board of Directors would consist of not fewer than
2 persons and nor more than seven persons (unless otherwise determined by
the company at a general meeting).
|
|
·
|
Section
86.2 (formerly Section 86(2)) was revised to provide that prior to
December 31, 2011, the Board of Directors would consist of two persons
nominated by the AutoChina shareholders representative named in the share
exchange agreement (currently Yan Wang) two persons nominated by the
Spring Creek shareholders representative (currently James Sha) and three
independent directors mutually agreed to by each of the shareholder
representatives.
|
|
·
|
Section
86(7) which did not permit the number of members of the Board of Directors
to be less than two, was deleted.
|
|
·
|
Section
96 was revised to provide that compensation for service on the Board of
Directors would be determined by the Board of Directors (as opposed to
being determined at a general meeting of
shareholders).
|
|
·
|
Section
105 was added, which provides that at least six members
(or
the entire Board if there are less than six members)
of the Board
of Directors must vote in favor of the following items for such items to
be deemed to be approved by the Board of
Directors:
|
|
o
|
The
issuance of securities other than pursuant to the equity incentive plan or
outstanding convertible securities;
|
|
o
|
The
payment of any dividends or
distributions;
|
|
o
|
A
merger or consolidation where the shareholders of the combined company do
not hold a majority of the shares post
transaction;
|
|
o
|
The
sale or encumbrance of or on all or substantially all the assets of the
combined company or the purchase of all or substantially all the assets of
a third party by the combined company (except for transactions for an
amount les than that specified by the Board of Directors in its annual
business plan);
|
|
o
|
The
formation of a partnership, joint venture or subsidiary with a capital
commitment of greater than RMB5,000,000 (except for transactions for an
amount les than that specified by the Board of Directors in its annual
business plan).
|
|
o
|
The
reduction of the authorized
capital.
|
|
o
|
Any
recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, split-off, spin-off,
or bankruptcy filing with respect to the combined
company.
|
|
o
|
The
approval or amendment of the annual budget, business plan or operating
plan of the combined company.
|
|
o
|
The
incurrence of indebtedness of greater than RMB5,000,000 unless such
liability is incurred pursuant to the then current business
plan.
|
|
o
|
A
change in the size or composition of the Board of
Directors.
|
|
o
|
Any
material amendment to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement,
Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Share Exchange Agreement)
and any executive employment agreement or indemnification
agreement.
|
|
o
|
Any
amendment to the Corporate Governance Rules (as defined in Section
125).
|
|
·
|
Section
124 was added and provides for the formation of an audit, nominating and
compensation committee.
|
|
·
|
Section
125 was added and provides that the combined company and each director is
required to comply with applicable policies and procedures of the combined
company.
|
|
·
|
Section
133.1 (formerly Section 133(1)) was revised to provide that any officer
(not just a directors and the Secretary, or two directors, or any person
appointed by the directors) could sign a document bearing the corporate
seal.
|
|
·
|
Sections
135.1 and 135.2 were added, which provide for procedures on the
destruction of documents.
|
|
·
|
Section
157 was revised to provide that auditor compensation would be determined
by the Board of Directors.
|
|
·
|
Section
165 and the Division entitled “Business Combination” were deleted in their
entirety as they were sections relating to the operation of Spring Creek
prior to a business combination, which includes the provisions related to
a classified Board of Directors.
|
In the
judgment of Spring Creek’s Board of Directors, if the acquisition is
consummated, the amendment to Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association is desirable to remove certain provisions that would no
longer be applicable to an operating company and which provide the former
management of Spring Creek some ability to influence significant corporate
events at the combined company. A copy of the Second Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association as it would be filed if the
proposal to amend Spring Creek’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association and to change Spring Creek’s name (pursuant to the immediately
preceding proposal) is attached to this proxy statement as Annex B.
Conclusion of Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors.
After careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors determined that the proposal to amend Spring Creek’s
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association is in the best
interests of Spring Creek and its shareholders. The Board of Directors has
approved and declared the proposal advisable and recommends that you vote or
give instructions to vote “FOR” the approval of the amendments to the Amended
and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association described
above.
PROPOSAL
TO ADJOURN OR POSTPONE THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SOLICITING ADDITIONAL PROXIES
This
proposal allows Spring Creek’s Board of Directors to submit a proposal to
adjourn the extraordinary general meeting to a later date or dates, if
necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not
sufficient votes at the time of the extraordinary general meeting to approve the
proposed acquisition.
If this
proposal is not approved by Spring Creek’s shareholders, its Board of Directors
may not be able to adjourn the extraordinary general meeting to a later date in
the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the extraordinary
general meeting to approve the proposed acquisition.
Conclusion of Spring Creek’s Board of
Directors.
After careful consideration of all relevant factors, Spring
Creek’s Board of Directors determined that the proposal to allow adjournment or
postponement of the extraordinary general meeting for the purpose of soliciting
additional proxies is in the best interests of Spring Creek and its
shareholders. The Board of Directors has approved and declared the proposal
advisable and recommends that you vote or give instructions to vote “FOR” the
proposal.
INFORMATION
ABOUT AUTOCHINA
Overview
AutoChina
Group Inc. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on July 26,
2007 and currently consists of two primary reportable segments : the
commercial vehicle financing segment and the automotive dealership segment.
AutoChina currently conducts business through over 180 subsidiaries, all of
which are majority or wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by
it. Its principal offices are located at 322 Zhongshan East Road,
Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050011, People’s Republic of China.
AutoChina
is a full-service, integrated retailer of consumer automobiles and related
services and provider of commercial vehicle financing and related services under
the “Kaiyuan Auto” brand name. AutoChina’s automotive dealerships
sell new and used automobiles manufactured by Audi, Toyota, First Auto Works
(“FAW”), Hyundai, Buick, Ford, BMW, Chevrolet, ROEWE, Qingling, Cadillac,
Peugeot, and Ruida Kia. AutoChina also operates commercial vehicle
financing centers. Through its strategically located network of
automotive dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers, AutoChina
provides one-stop service for the needs of its customers, including retail sales
of new and used consumer automobiles, aftermarket parts sales, service and
repair facilities, commercial vehicle financing and related administrative
services.
AutoChina’s
automotive dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers are principally
located in high traffic areas throughout Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong and Henan
provinces, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Beijing and Tianjin regions
of China. Since commencing operations in 2005, AutoChina has grown to operate 25
automotive dealerships and an insurance brokerage center. Commencing
in March 2008 with its first commercial vehicle financing center operated by its
subsidiary, Gaocheng Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd., AutoChina has
quickly grown its network of commercial vehicle financing centers to include 103
centers as of December 31, 2008 (including six centers which are close to
receiving a business license).
AutoChina’s
business strategy consists of providing its customers with competitively-priced
products supported with timely and reliable service through its integrated
automotive dealership and commercial vehicle financing center network. AutoChina
intends to continue to implement its business strategy, reinforce customer
loyalty and remain a market leader by continuing to develop its automotive
dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers as its extends its
geographic presence through strategic acquisitions of new locations and
expansions of its existing facilities.
Automotive
Dealerships
. AutoChina’s automotive dealerships are located in
the Hebei and Shanxi provinces and Tianjin region of China. All of
AutoChina’s retail automotive dealerships are “4S dealerships,” which means that
they sell new and used consumer automobiles, repair and service consumer
automobiles and sell spare parts. Each automotive dealership is
dedicated to and serves only one brand of automobile and is certified by the
relevant manufacturer. In addition, each automotive dealership
complies with strict technical specifications and facilities requirements,
procures vehicles and parts from the manufacturer, and receives training and
technical support from the manufacturer. This relationship between
each automotive dealership and manufacturer means manufacturers can ensure that
genuine spare parts are distributed to end-users directly (circumventing
unauthorized dealers and repair shops) and have better control over the
aftermarket for their products. Prior to receiving a franchise from a automobile
manufacturer, AutoChina has to satisfy certain qualification criteria from the
applicable automobile manufacturer, including having funding available and
agreeing to minimum purchase requirements. The franchises granted to AutoChina
are non-exclusive and the terms are ranged from one to three years and subject
to extension. Automobile manufacturers provide marketing assistance through
incentives and promotional materials. AutoChina has entered into committed
facilities line with several financial institutions affiliated with automobile
manufacturers to finance the new automobile inventories at market interest
rates.
In
connection with the sales of new automobiles, AutoChina may also acts as
insurance agent and receive commissions from insurance institutions for the
referral of customers that buy auto insurance.
The
following chart reflects AutoChina’s franchise at each of its automotive
dealership locations:
Automotive
Dealership
|
|
Franchise
|
|
|
|
Baoding
Tianhua Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Hyundai
|
Cangzhou
Deyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Ford
|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Hyundai
|
Cangzhou
Yichang Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Buick
|
Handan
Aohua Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Audi
|
Handan
Baohe Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
BMW
|
Handan
Defeng Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Peugeot
|
Handan
Yacheng Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Ruida
Kia
|
Hebei
Anchang Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
ROEWE
|
Hebei
Liantuo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Audi
|
Hebei
Meifeng Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Qingling
|
Hebei
Shengda Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Ford
|
Hebei
Shengkang Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Chevrolet
|
Hebei
Shengmei Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
FAW
|
Hebei
Shengwen Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Hyundai
|
Hebei
Yitong Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Buick
|
Hebei
Yuanxinghang Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Cadillac
|
Hengshui
Dechang Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Hyundai
|
Hengshui
Yuhua Toyota Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
FAW
Toyota
|
Qinhuangdao
Jianda Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Ford
|
Shijiazhuang
Baohe Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
BMW
|
Shijiazhuang
Xinhua Toyota Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
FAW
Toyota
|
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua Toyota Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
FAW
Toyota
|
Tangshan
Yachang Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
|
|
Ruida
Kia
|
Zhangjiakou
Meihua Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
Hyundai
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Tianmei Insurance Agents Co., Ltd.
|
|
Insurance
Services
|
Commercial Vehicle Financing
Centers
. AutoChina’s commercial vehicle financing centers are located
throughout Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong and Henan provinces, the Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region and Beijing and Tianjin regions of China. At each
commercial vehicle financing center, AutoChina provides financing to assist
customers in purchasing new commercial vehicles. AutoChina employs a “three
full/one quick” service concept at all its commercial vehicle financing centers,
which refers to its customers’ ability to purchase a commercial vehicle through
its full-service commercial vehicle financing services, administrative services
and 365-day vehicle services in a single convenient transaction. Customers
wishing to purchase a commercial vehicle can go to any AutoChina commercial
vehicle financing center and select a commercial vehicle from the catalogues and
informational literature provided by AutoChina. The customer then
arranges for financing and related services with AutoChina, which involves a
credit check and a down payment of 20-30% of the purchase price. The
commercial vehicles are then purchased by AutoChina from local third-party
dealers and provided to AutoChina’s customers. During the term of the
financing, which is typically two years, AutoChina retains title to the
commercial vehicle and in addition provides administrative services for the
customers, including all registration and license processing, payment of
surcharges, toll pass, transportation fees, licenses and insurance, and monthly
renewal of the government-mandated commercial vehicle permits to the
customer. Following the end of the financing period, AutoChina
transfers title to the vehicle to the customer and provides the customer the
option to continue to use AutoChina to manage the administrative and vehicle
services for a fee. Additionally, AutoChina sells, as agent, a
complete line of property and casualty insurance, including collision and
liability insurance on the commercial vehicles.
The
following chart indicates the number of AutoChina commercial vehicle financing
centers in each of the provinces/regions where AutoChina conducts
its business:
Chinese
Province/Region
|
|
Number of Commercial Vehicle
Financing Centers
|
|
Hebei:
|
|
|
12
|
|
Shanxi:
|
|
|
29
|
|
Tianjin:
|
|
|
1
|
|
Shandong:
|
|
|
24
|
|
Henan:
|
|
|
21
|
|
Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region:
|
|
|
16
|
|
Total:
|
|
|
103
|
|
Corporate
Development and History
AutoChina
Group Inc., which was formerly known as KYF Inc. was a holding company
incorporated in the Cayman Islands on July 26, 2007 by Mr. Yong Hui Li with
50,000,000 shares of ordinary shares at $0.0001 each. On the date of
incorporation, 1,000 shares of ordinary shares at $0.0001 each were issued,
outstanding and fully paid by Mr. Yong Hui Li. Mr. Yong Hui Li has subsequently
transfer all of the issued, outstanding and fully paid shares to his affiliates.
On the date immediately prior to this offering, the sole shareholder of
AutoChina is Honest Best Int’l Ltd., a company which is wholly-owned by Ms. Yan
Wang, Mr. Li’s wife.
AutoChina
was initially engaged solely in the automotive dealership business, which was
primarily located in Hebei Province of China. Prior to the
incorporation of AutoChina in 2007, AutoChina conducted business through its
major variable interest entities, Hua An Investment and Huiyin Investment since
2005. AutoChina (including its subsidiaries and variable interest entities) is
an integrated automotive dealership company engaged in sales of automobiles,
spare parts and after sales services, consisting of 15 new automobile franchises
in 25 auto dealerships, which are located primarily in Hebei Province of the
PRC. AutoChina offers an extensive range of automotive products and services,
including new automobiles, auto maintenance, replacement parts, collision repair
services, financing, and insurance consulting and other aftermarket service
contracts.
In April
2008, AutoChina commenced its full-service commercial vehicle financing business
pursuant to which it provides customers with financing to acquire commercial
vehicles in China. On August 8, 2008, AutoChina changed its name from KYF Inc.
to AutoChina Group Inc.
AutoChina’s
business is mainly operated by the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, which consist
primarily of four companies: Hua An Investment, Huiyin Investment, Kaiyuan
Logistics and Kaiyuan Auto Trade. Each is a limited liability
corporations established under the laws of the PRC.
On
November 26, 2008, through AutoChina’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hebei Chuanglian
Trade Co., Ltd., AutoChina executed a series of contractual arrangements with
the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and their shareholder (the “Enterprise Agreements”).
Pursuant to the Enterprise Agreements, AutoChina has exclusive rights to obtain
the economic benefits and assume the business risks of the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies from their shareholder, and generally has control of the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies. The Auto Kaiyuan Companies are considered variable interest entities,
and AutoChina is the primary beneficiary of those entities. AutoChina’s
relationships with the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and their shareholder are governed
by the Enterprise Agreements between Hebei Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd. and each
of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, which are the operating companies of AutoChina in
the PRC.
As a
result, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies are deemed to be subsidiaries of AutoChina
under FASB Interpretation - FIN 46(R): Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities (as amended). Details of the Enterprise Agreements are as
follows:
Assignment of Voting Rights.
The shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies irrevocably agreed to
assign all of its voting rights to AutoChina for all business resolutions. As a
result, AutoChina has direct control of the Board of Directors and has authority
to appoint the majority of the Board of Directors which makes it the primary
controlling shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies.
Management and Operating
Agreement.
AutoChina was engaged to exclusively manage and
operate the sales and service of the 26 automotive dealerships held by the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies, including the development of sales and marketing strategy,
management of customer services, daily operations, financial management,
employment issues and all other related operating and consulting services.
Furthermore, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies agree that without the prior consent of
AutoChina, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies will not engage in any transactions that
could materially affect their respective assets, liabilities, rights or
operations, including, without limitation, incurrence or assumption of any
indebtedness, sale or purchase of any assets or rights, incurrence of any
encumbrance on any of their assets or intellectual property rights in favor of a
third party or transfer of any agreements relating to their business operation
to any third party. The management and operating agreement has a term of 10
years and will be extended for another 10 years automatically unless AutoChina
files a written notice at least 3 months prior to the expiration of this
agreement.
Equity Interest Transfer Agreement.
The
shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies agreed to transfer all of its assets
to AutoChina and AutoChina has an exclusive, irrevocable and unconditional right
to purchase, or cause AutoChina’s designated party to purchase, from such
shareholder, at AutoChina’s sole discretion, part or all of the shareholders’
equity interests in the Auto Kaiyuan Companies when and, to the extent that,
applicable PRC Laws permit AutoChina to own part or all of such equity interests
in the Auto Kaiyuan Companies. According to the Exclusive Equity Interest
Transfer Agreement, the purchase price to be paid by AutoChina to the
shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies will be the minimum amount of
consideration permitted by applicable PRC Law at the time when such share
transfer occurs.
Equity Pledge
Agreement.
Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement, the Auto
Kaiyuan Companies and their shareholder agreed to pledge all of its equity
interest and operating profits to guarantee the performance of the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies in the obligation under the Equity Interest Transfer Agreement. In the
event of the breach of any conditions of the Equity Interest Transfer Agreement,
AutoChina is entitled to enforce its pledge rights over the equity interests of
the Auto Kaiyuan Companies for any losses suffered from the breach.
Business
Strategy
Operating
Strategy
. AutoChina’s strategy is to operate an integrated
automotive dealership network that primarily markets middle- to high-end
consumer automobiles from various manufacturers and an integrated commercial
vehicle financing center network that provides commercial vehicle financing
services and in each case also provide consumer automobile customers and
commercial vehicle financing customers with complementary products and services.
AutoChina’s strategy includes the following key elements:
|
·
|
One-Stop
Centers
. AutoChina has developed its automotive dealerships and
commercial vehicle financing centers as “one-stop centers” where, at one
convenient location, its customers can do the following: purchase new and
used automobile or new commercial vehicles; finance their purchases;
purchase aftermarket parts and accessories; and have service performed by
certified technicians. AutoChina believes that this full-service strategy
also helps to mitigate cyclical economic fluctuations because parts and
service sales at its automotive dealerships generally tend to be less
volatile than its new and used consumer automobile sales and new
commercial vehicle financings.
|
|
·
|
Branding
Program
. AutoChina employs a branding program for its automotive
dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers through distinctive
signage and uniform marketing programs to take advantage of its existing
name recognition and to communicate the high quality of its products and
reliability of its services throughout its automotive dealership and
commercial vehicle financing center
networks.
|
|
·
|
Centralized Management
Systems
. In order to efficiently operate each of the business units
within each automotive dealership, AutoChina relies upon its centralized
management systems to determine and monitor appropriate inventory levels
and product mix at each automotive dealership. All sales, and
financing materials utilized by the commercial vehicle financing centers
are prepared by AutoChina’s corporate office, which increases efficiency
and uniformity among AutoChina’s commercial vehicle financing
centers. In addition, by actively monitoring market conditions,
assessing product and expansion strategies and remaining abreast of
changes within the market, AutoChina is able to proactively
address changes in customer needs or in the offerings of
competitors and adjust its services by, for example, adding product lines
and models.
|
Growth
Strategy
. AutoChina’s expansion and acquisition initiatives
have enabled it to grow a large, full-service network of automotive dealerships
and commercial vehicle financing centers. AutoChina intends to continue to grow
its business internally and through acquisitions by expanding into new
geographic areas, expanding its product offerings and opening new one-stop
commercial vehicle financing centers in existing markets.
|
·
|
Expansion Into New
Geographic Areas
. AutoChina plans to continue to expand its
commercial vehicle financing center network by developing additional
centers in geographic areas contiguous to its current operations.
AutoChina has successfully expanded its network of commercial vehicle
financing centers from its first center in March 2008 into a
multi-province network of 103 commercial vehicle financing centers.
AutoChina believes the geographic diversity of this network has
significantly expanded its customer base while reducing the effects of
local economic cycles.
|
|
·
|
Expansion of Product
Offerings
. AutoChina intends to continue to expand its product
lines within its automotive dealership and commercial vehicle financing
centers by adding product categories that are both complementary to its
existing product lines and well suited to its operating model. AutoChina
believes that there are many additional product and service offerings that
would complement its primary product lines, such as emergency vehicle
support services. In addition, AutoChina’s commercial vehicle
financing centers entered into a sales agreement with a third-party
contractor for multiple commercial construction vehicles and equipment for
approximately RMB11 million in December 2008. AutoChina expects
any other product category expansion that it pursues to satisfy its
requirements that:
|
|
o
|
the
products serve an existing and expanding customer
base;
|
|
o
|
the
products provide opportunities for incremental income through related
aftermarket sales, service or financing;
and
|
|
o
|
AutoChina
operating controls can be implemented to enhance the financial performance
of the business.
|
|
·
|
Open New Commercial
Vehicle Financing Centers in Existing Areas of Operation
. AutoChina
believes that there are opportunities to increase its share of the
commercial vehicle financing market by introducing its one-stop centers to
underserved markets within its current areas of operation. The
introduction of additional one-stop centers enables AutoChina to enhance
revenues from its existing customer base as well as increase the awareness
of the “Kaiyuan Auto” brand name for new
customers.
|
In
identifying new areas for expansion, AutoChina analyzes the target market’s
level of new commercial vehicle registrations, customer buying trends and the
existence of competing franchises. AutoChina also assesses the potential
performance of a parts and service center to determine whether a market is
suitable for an automotive dealership or commercial vehicle financing center.
After a market has been strategically reviewed, AutoChina surveys the region for
a well-situated location. Whether AutoChina acquires existing automotive
dealerships or opens a new automotive dealership or commercial vehicle financing
center, it will introduce its branding program and implement its integrated
management system.
Management
of Automotive Dealerships
AutoChina’s
automotive dealerships are responsible for sales of new and used consumer
automobiles, as well as related parts and services.
AutoChina
manages its automotive dealerships as described below.
New Vehicle Sales
. In 2008,
AutoChina sold 17,313 new vehicles representing 12 brands in retail transactions
at its automotive dealerships. AutoChina retail sales of new vehicles accounted
for approximately 62.2% of its gross profit in 2008. In addition to the initial
sale of the vehicle, a typical new vehicle sale creates the following additional
profit opportunities for an automotive dealership:
|
·
|
manufacturer
incentives, if any;
|
|
·
|
the
resale of any trade-in purchased by the automotive
dealership;
|
|
·
|
the
sale of insurance contracts in connection with the retail sale;
and
|
|
·
|
the
service and repair of the vehicle both during and after the warranty
period.
|
Brand
diversity is one of AutoChina’s strengths. The following table sets forth new
vehicle sales revenue by brand and the number of new vehicle retail units sold
in the year ended, and the number of franchises AutoChina owned as of, December
31, 2008 (un-audited):
|
|
New Vehicle
Revenues
FY2008
|
|
|
New Vehicle
Unit Sales
FY 2008
|
|
|
Franchises Owned
as of
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audi
|
|
$
|
89,961
|
|
|
|
1,626
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
BMW
|
|
|
28,552
|
|
|
|
401
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Buick
|
|
|
34,813
|
|
|
|
2,266
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Cadillac
|
|
|
3,678
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Chevrolet
|
|
|
13,234
|
|
|
|
1,120
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
FAW/Toyota
(1)
|
|
|
77,079
|
|
|
|
3,380
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Ford
|
|
|
32,682
|
|
|
|
1,882
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Hyundai
|
|
|
69,593
|
|
|
|
5,729
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Peugeot
|
|
|
1,792
|
|
|
|
148
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Qingling
|
|
|
6,285
|
|
|
|
378
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Ruida
Kia(2)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
ROEWE
|
|
|
7,206
|
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
$
|
364,875
|
|
|
|
17,313
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
(1) Toyota
automotive dealerships are operated out of three of AutoChina’s FAW automotive
dealerships pursuant to a joint venture agreement between FAW and
Toyota.
(2) Under
construction in 2008.
The
following table sets forth new vehicle sales revenue by brand and the number of
new vehicle retail units sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2008
(un-audited), and the number of franchises AutoChina owned as of:
|
|
New Vehicle
Revenues
Nine months ended
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
New Vehicle
Unit Sales
Nine months ended
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Franchises Owned
as of
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audi
|
|
$
|
69,561
|
|
|
|
1,262
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
BMW
|
|
|
22,430
|
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Buick
|
|
|
24,019
|
|
|
|
1,357
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Cadillac
|
|
|
2,883
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Chevrolet
|
|
|
9,900
|
|
|
|
753
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
FAW/Toyota
(1)
|
|
|
57,987
|
|
|
|
2,403
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Ford
|
|
|
25,050
|
|
|
|
1,439
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Hyundai
|
|
|
47,602
|
|
|
|
3,713
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Peugeot
|
|
|
1,614
|
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Qingling
|
|
|
3,746
|
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Ruida
Kia(2)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
ROEWE
|
|
|
418
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
SsangYong
|
|
|
4,954
|
|
|
|
218
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
$
|
270,164
|
|
|
|
11,853
|
|
|
|
26
|
|
(1) Toyota
automotive dealerships are operated out of three of AutoChina’s FAW automotive
dealerships pursuant to a joint venture agreement between FAW and
Toyota.
(2) Under
construction in 2008.
AutoChina’s
mix of domestic and import franchises for the year ended December 31, 2008
(un-audited) is set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
Total Units Sold
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Import
|
|
$
|
29,129
|
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
Domestic
|
|
|
335,746
|
|
|
|
16,968
|
|
|
|
97.9
|
%
|
|
|
$
|
364,875
|
|
|
|
17,313
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
AutoChina’s
mix of domestic and import franchises for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 (un-audited) is set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
Total Units Sold
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Import
|
|
$
|
26,370
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
Domestic
|
|
|
243,794
|
|
|
|
11,517
|
|
|
|
97.2
|
%
|
|
|
$
|
270,164
|
|
|
|
11,853
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Used Vehicle
Sales
. AutoChina sells used vehicles at each of its franchised
automotive dealerships. In 2008, AutoChina sold 66 used vehicles at its
automotive dealerships representing approximately 0.1% of its gross profit in
2008. Used vehicles sold at retail typically generate higher gross margins on a
percentage basis than new vehicles because AutoChina can acquire these vehicles
at favorable prices due to the nature of their valuation, which is dependent on
a vehicle’s age, mileage and condition, among other things. Valuations also vary
based on supply and demand factors, the level of new vehicle incentives, the
availability of retail financing, and general economic conditions.
Profit
from the sale of used vehicles depends primarily on an automotive dealership’s
ability to obtain a high-quality supply of used vehicles at reasonable prices
and to effectively manage that inventory. AutoChina’s new vehicle operations
provide its used vehicle operations with a supply of generally
high-quality trade-ins and off-lease vehicles, the best sources of high-quality
used vehicles. The sales of the used vehicles is small in comparison with
AutoChina’s overall sales of consumer automobiles because AutoChina has many
first time buyers and the second hand automobile trade-in market in China was
not fully developed.
Parts and Service
Sales
. AutoChina sells replacement parts and provides
maintenance and repair services at each of its franchised automotive
dealerships. AutoChina’s parts and service business accounted for approximately
36.1% of its gross profit in 2008. AutoChina performs both warranty and
non-warranty service work at its automotive dealerships, primarily for the
vehicle models sold at a particular automotive dealership. Warranty work
accounted for approximately 35.9% of the revenues from its parts and service
business in 2008. AutoChina’s parts and service departments also perform used
vehicle reconditioning and new vehicle preparation services for which they
realize a profit when such vehicle is sold to a retail customer.
A
majority of automobile maintenance and repair is performed by dealerships in
China. AutoChina has made investments in obtaining, training and retaining
qualified technicians to work in its service and repair facilities and in
state-of-the art diagnostic and repair equipment utilized by these technicians.
Additionally, manufacturers permit warranty work to be performed only at
franchised automotive dealerships, and there is a trend in the consumer
automobile industry towards longer new vehicle warranty periods. As a result,
AutoChina believes that a majority of all maintenance and repair work will
continue to be performed at franchised automotive dealerships that have the
sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel necessary to perform repairs and
warranty work on increasingly complex vehicles.
AutoChina’s
strategy to capture an increasing share of the parts and service work performed
by franchised automotive dealerships includes the following
elements:
|
·
|
Focus on Customer
Relationships; Emphasize Preventative
Maintenance
. AutoChina’s automotive dealerships seek to
convert new and used vehicle customers into customers of its parts and
service departments. To accomplish this goal, AutoChina uses computer
systems that track customers’ maintenance records and provide advance
notice to owners of vehicles purchased or serviced at its automotive
dealerships when their vehicles are due for periodic service. AutoChina’s
use of computer-based customer relationship management tools increases the
reach and effectiveness of its marketing efforts, allowing AutoChina to
target its promotional offerings to areas in which service capacity is
under-utilized or profit margins are greatest. AutoChina continues to
train its service personnel to establish relationships with their service
customers to promote a long-term business relationship. AutoChina believes
its parts and service activities are an integral part of the customer
service experience, allowing it to create ongoing relationships with its
automotive dealerships’ customers thereby deepening customer loyalty to
the automotive dealership as a
whole.
|
|
·
|
Efficient Management
of Parts Inventory
. AutoChina’s automotive dealerships’
parts departments support their sales and service departments through
selling factory-approved parts for the vehicle makes and models sold by a
particular automotive dealership. Such parts are either used in repairs
made in the service department, sold at retail to customers, or sold at
wholesale to independent repair shops and other franchised automotive
dealerships. AutoChina’s automotive dealerships employ parts managers who
oversee parts inventories and sales and its automotive dealerships also
frequently share parts with each other. AutoChina uses centralized
software programs to monitor parts inventory to avoid obsolete and unused
parts to maximize sales as well as to take advantage of manufacturer
return procedures.
|
Management
of Commercial Vehicle Financing Centers
AutoChina’s
commercial vehicle financing centers are responsible for financing of sales of
new commercial vehicles, as well as related services. Most of the customers of
AutoChina’s commercial vehicle financing services are independent contractors,
who finance one commercial vehicle to engage transportation and logistic
business in the PRC. In December 2008, AutoChina’s commercial vehicle financing
centers entered into a sales agreement with a third-party contractor for
multiple commercial construction vehicles and equipment for approximately RMB11
million.
AutoChina
manages its commercial vehicle financing centers as described
below.
Finance and
Sales
. Revenues from AutoChina’s financing operations consist
primarily of fees for the arranging financing and purchase of commercial
vehicles, administrative services, vehicle service, and acting as an agent for
insurance companies in connection with the purchase of new commercial vehicles.
AutoChina’s commercial vehicle finance business accounted for approximately 8.0%
of its gross revenues in 2008. Through its one-stop commercial vehicle financing
centers AutoChina offers vehicle purchase financings, administrative services
and vehicle services in a convenient manner and at competitive
prices. To increase transparency to its customers, AutoChina offers
all of its products on menus that display pricing and other information,
allowing customers to choose the products that suit their needs.
Once a
customer has selected a model to purchase and has qualified for financing,
AutoChina purchases the commercial vehicle from a third-party vendor with which
it has a pre-existing relationship. Beiguo, a PRC-based operator of grocery
stores, purchases vehicles from time to time from third-party vendors pursuant
to AutoChina’s requirements. AutoChina purchases the vehicles from
third-party vendors at wholesale. AutoChina has entered into short-term
financing arrangements with a PRC commercial bank and Beiguo so that AutoChina
will be able to pay commercial vehicle vendors or Beiguo. With
respect to Beiguo, the purchase price for the commercial vehicles is
required to be paid within six months after the execution of the purchase
contract at a 2% premium. Such short-term financing usually requires
a guarantee undertaken by Yong Hui Li in favor of AutoChina for the benefit of
the PRC commercial bank. In addition, Yong Hui Li and Kaiyuan Real
Estate Co., Ltd., for which Yong Hui Li serves as the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, have provided guarantees to Beiguo with respect to
AutoChina’s obligation to pay for commercial vehicles purchased from
Beiguo. These financing arrangements help AutoChina expand its
commercial vehicle financing business while minimizing its upfront cash
expenditures. Yong Hui Li involved Beiguo in this purchase and sale
of commercial vehicles because Beiguo is able to obtain cost-effective financing
from PRC commercial banks to acquire commercial vehicles on behalf of
AutoChina. Following the completion of the proposed acquisition,
AutoChina intends to increase its volume of purchases of commercial vehicles
directly from third-party vendors, though there can be no assurance that it will
continue to have sufficient assets or financing from third-parties to acquire
adequate supplies of vehicles to meet its customers’ demands or expand its
business. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to AutoChina’s Business —
AutoChina’s business may be materially adversely affected if the required
financing for future purposes on acceptable terms becomes unavailable and
AutoChina has insufficient resources to internally fund such
purchases.”
Upon
receipt of the commercial vehicle, AutoChina then makes the vehicle available
for use to the customer in exchange for 24 monthly payments (each year AutoChina
allows customers to defer payments during Chinese New Year celebrations so the
term typically lasts a total of 26 months). At the end of the term of
the financing, the vehicle is paid for, and AutoChina transfers the title of the
vehicle to the customer. Additionally, AutoChina sells, as agent, a
complete line of property and casualty insurance, including collision and
liability insurance on the commercial vehicles.
Administrative and Vehicle
Services
. At the time a commercial vehicle is purchased and
financed through an AutoChina commercial vehicle financing center, AutoChina
handles all registration and license processing, payment of surcharges, toll
pass, transportation fees, licenses and insurance, for which it charges the
customer service fees. In addition, during the term of the financing
arrangements AutoChina also charges its customers for administrative services
and vehicle services, including the monthly permit renewals required by the
Chinese government for each commercial vehicle and providing 365-day vehicle
maintenance and roadside assistance services. AutoChina believes that
the requirement that permits for commercial vehicles be renewed on a monthly
basis (which is controlled by AutoChina during the term of the financing), the
substantial initial down payments (typically 20-30%) it requires, retaining
title to a vehicle during the term of the lease, and the traditionally low level
of auto loan default rates in China results in a relatively low risk of default
by customers in this segment.
As part
of its 365-day vehicle maintenance and roadside assistance services, AutoChina
customers can stop in or call the nearest commercial vehicle financing center in
the event they need emergency or maintenance repair
services. AutoChina believes this service will increase in value to
its customers as it continues to expand its network of commercial vehicle
financing centers. Following the end of the financing term, AutoChina
continues to offer its administrative and vehicle services to its customers
which it believes will provide steady revenue streams in the
future. AutoChina only provides these administrative and vehicle
services to those customers who purchase and finance vehicles though it, which
AutoChina believes will serve as an incentive for customers to purchase and
finance vehicles though AutoChina and thus increase customer
loyalty.
Sales
and Marketing
AutoChinas
expansion and acquisition strategy and history of operations in the consumer
automobile business have resulted in a strong customer base. AutoChina generally
promotes its products and related services through direct customer contact by
its sales personnel, advertisements in trade magazines and attendance at
industry shows. AutoChina hires approximately 20 to 40 sales and
marketing staff in automotive dealerships. The salaries of most of
such employees are based on commission.
AutoChina
believes that its reliable service to its customers, its history and its
geographic diversity have resulted in increased market recognition of the
Kaiyuan Auto brand name and have served to reinforce customer
loyalty. In an effort to enhance AutoChinas name recognition and to
communicate the high level of quality products and services provided at its
automotive dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers, AutoChina will
continue to implement its Kaiyuan Auto brand name concept at each of its
automotive dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers. Each of
AutoChinas automotive dealerships or commercial vehicle financing centers is
identified as a Kaiyuan Auto location.
Facility
Management
Personnel
. Each
automotive dealership and commercial vehicle financing center is typically
managed by a general manager who oversees the operations, personnel and the
financial performance of the location, subject to the direction of AutoChinas
corporate office. Additionally, each automotive dealership is typically staffed
by a sales manager, parts manager, service manager, sales representatives, parts
employees, and other service employees, as appropriate, and given the services
offered. The sales staff of each commercial vehicle financing center
consists of sales representatives and other service employees.
On an
annual basis, general managers prepare detailed monthly profit and loss
forecasts by end of prior fiscal year based upon historical information and
projected trends. A portion of each general managers performance bonus is based
upon whether they meet or exceed their operating plans. During the year, general
managers regularly review their facilitys progress with senior management and
revise bonuses as needed. Most of AutoChinas employees receive annual
performance evaluations.
Members
of senior management regularly travel to each location to provide on-site
management and support. Each location is audited regularly for
compliance with corporate policies and procedures. These routine
unannounced internal audits objectively measure automotive dealership and
commercial vehicle financing center performance with respect to corporate
expectations.
Purchasing and
Suppliers
. AutoChina believes that pricing is an important
element of its marketing strategy. Because of its size, AutoChina
automotive dealerships and commercial vehicle financing centers benefit from
volume purchases at favorable prices that enable them to achieve a competitive
pricing position in the industry.. AutoChina automotive dealerships purchase
their consumer vehicle inventory and parts and accessories directly from the
manufacturers. Commercial vehicle purchases financed through a commercial
vehicle financing center are purchased through wholesale vendors and retail
vendors located nears each commercial vehicle financing center. All purchasing
commitments are negotiated by personnel at AutoChinas corporate headquarters.
AutoChina believes that it has been able to negotiate favorable pricing levels
and terms, which enables it to offer competitive prices for its
products.
Capital
Expenditures
AutoChinas
capital expenditures include expenditures to extend the useful life of current
facilities and expenditures to start or expand operations. In general,
expenditures relating to the construction or expansion of dealership facilities
are driven by new franchises being granted to AutoChina by a manufacturer,
significant growth in sales at an existing facility, dealership acquisition
activity, or manufacturer marketing campaigns. The estimated cost of
establishing a new dealership is approximately RMB10 million. Expenditures
relating to the establishment of a new commercial vehicle financing center
include leasing of commercial retail space, branding and other fixtures and
machinery and equipment. The estimated cost of establishing a commercial vehicle
financing center is approximately RMB225,000.
AutoChina
plans to invest approximately RMB50 million in each of 2009 and 2010 to
establish approximately five new automotive dealerships in each such year, with
the goal of operating a total of 35 automotive dealerships by the end of
2010. In addition, AutoChina plans to invest approximately RMB10.6
million in 2009 to establish approximately 47 new commercial vehicle financing
centers, and approximately RMB13.5 million in 2010 to establish approximately 60
new commercial vehicle financing centers, with the goal of operating a total of
210 commercial vehicle financing centers by the end of 2010. These
expansion efforts will generally be funded from excess cash and additional
financing.
Competition
General
The
markets for AutoChinas services are highly competitive. The most important
factors affecting competition for AutoChinas business include the
following:
|
|
professional
and quality of services;
|
|
|
attractiveness
and breadth of portfolio of products and services
offered;
|
|
|
quality
of customer services support; and
|
|
|
ability
to timely source new products and/or provide customized services to meet
customers needs.
|
Automotive
Dealership Business
Notwithstanding
the high barrier to entry into the industry, AutoChina is not the exclusive
franchise automotive dealers for the brands it sells and it is not the only
multi-brands motor group in Hebei and Shanxi provinces of China. Based on the
managements industry knowledge, AutoChina faces competition from other dealers
distributing the same brand as well as other brands within the authorized
territory since there are usually multiple dealers for each brand within in
authorized territory. Nonetheless, the barrier to entry into the motor vehicle
industry is quite high as a dealership agreement must have been first granted by
the automobile manufacturer prior to commencement of sale of such
automobiles.
For
AutoChinas parts and repairing services, levels of competition and the barriers
to entry vary from one segment to another. Based on the managements
industry knowledge, AutoChina faces high competition for the parts and
repairing services in China where there are many substitutable products by
various brands for the same type of products available on the market. Even
though the barrier to entry is high as the trading of genuine parts must be
authorized by the automobile manufacturer under a dealership agreement,
AutoChina faces competition from other automotive dealers
and distributors located in
Hebei and Shanxi provinces
of China.
Commercial
Vehicle Financing Business
AutoChinas
commercial vehicle financing business in northern regions of China faces
relatively low competition as there are not many large-scale operators in the
area and the barrier to entry is relatively high as such business requires
significant working capital to set up and scale up the business
network.
Trademarks
and Intellectual Property
Kaiyuan
Auto is a trademark, service mark and trade name of
AutoChina. AutoChina does not have any other trademarks, service
marks and trade names.
The Audi,
Toyota, FAW, Hyundai, Buick, Ford, BMW, Chevrolet, ROEWE, Qingling, Cadillac,
Peugeot and Ruida Kia trademarks and trade names, which are used in
connection with AutoChinas marketing and sales efforts, are subject to limited
licenses included in its dealership agreements with each manufacturer. The
licenses are for the same periods as its dealership agreements. These trademarks
and trade names are recognized internationally and are important in the
marketing of its products. Each licensor engages in a continuous program of
trademark and trade name protection.
Employees
On
December 31, 2008, the AutoChina had 1,565 employees, of which 238 employees are
members of management (including managers at each facility). AutoChina has no
contracts or collective bargaining agreements with labor unions and has never
experienced work stoppages. AutoChina considers its relations with
its employees to be good.
Seasonality
AutoChinas
second and third fiscal quarters (April through September) have historically
been slower for dealership sales. Conversely, AutoChinas first and fourth fiscal
quarters (January through March and October through December) have historically
been the busiest times for car sales. Therefore, AutoChina generally realizes a
higher proportion of its revenue and operating profit during the first and
fourth fiscal quarters. AutoChina expects this trend to continue in future
periods. If conditions arise that impair vehicle sales during the first or
fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse effect on AutoChinas revenues and operating
profit for the year could be disproportionately large.
Governmental
Regulations
Automotive
and Other Laws and Regulations
AutoChina
operates in a regulated industry in China. Numerous laws and
regulations affect AutoChinas businesses. In each province, territory
and/or locality which AutoChina does business, it must obtain various approvals,
licenses, authorizations, certificates, filings and permits in order to operate
its vehicle sales, commercial truck financing and service and maintenance
businesses, including 4S qualification, road transportation operation permits
and insurance agency permits. Numerous laws and regulations govern
AutoChinas conduct of its businesses, including those relating to its sales,
operations, financing, advertising and insurance
practices. These laws and regulations include, among others,
consumer protection laws, laws and regulations pertaining to new and used motor
vehicle dealers, laws and regulations pertaining to vehicle repair and road
transportation, as well as a variety of other laws and
regulations. These laws also include employment practices
laws.
AutoChinas
dealership and service and maintenance operations are subject to the National
Transportation Laws or other relevant rules and regulations. Pursuant
to the National Transportation Laws, a road transportation operation permit is
required for the operation of transportation and auto repair
businesses. AutoChinas dealership and service and maintenance
operations are also subject to relevant rules and regulations, including
Provisions on the Administration of Motor Vehicle Maintenance, or Maintenance
Provisions, and the Regulations on Recall of Defective Automotive Products. See
Risk Factors Risks Relating to the Motor Vehicle Industry in China - Automobile
importers, dealers and distributors in the PRC, including AutoChina, may expend
considerable resources in order to comply with the Regulations on Recall of
Defective Automotive Products, which took effect in October 2004. The
Maintenance Provisions define the three grades of licenses for motor vehicle
repair personnel (i.e. Grade I licensees can conduct major repair, unit repair,
small repair, maintenance aids, special repair and the examination work after
the completion of maintenance of corresponding vehicle types,
Grade II can undertakes major repair, unit repair, small repair,
maintenance aids, special repair and the examination work after the completion
of maintenance of corresponding vehicle types, etc.) and sets forth the
requirements for establishing vehicle repair establishments (such as personnel
qualification, equipment requirements and having passed relevant
inspection).
AutoChinas
used vehicle sales operations are subject to the Measures for Administration of
the Circulation of Second-Hand Automobiles, or Second-Hand Car Measures and the
Specifications for Second-hand Automobile Trade, or Second-Hand
Specifications. The Second-Hand Car Measures provides a definition of
second-hand automobiles (i.e. automobiles that are traded and whose ownership is
transferred in the duration from the completion of the registration formalities
to when the state compulsory vehicle discarding standards are satisfied,
including three-wheeled automobiles, low-speed motor trucks (former agricultural
transport vehicles, hereinafter the same), trailers and motorcycles) and sets
forth the procedures and requirements for establishing a used automobile market
operator, including specific requirements for business scope, license, filings
with the provincial commerce authority. The Second-hand Car Measures
also define the various types of second-hand automobile activities (i.e. retail
sale of second-hand automobiles, auction of second-hand automobiles, brokerage
of second-hand automobiles, authentication and evaluation of second-hand
automobiles and direct transaction of second-hand automobiles) and sets forth
separate and/or additional regulations governing such activities. The
Second-Hand Specifications sets forth additional detailed implementing rules and
requirements for the above activities, including documentation required for sale
and purchase transactions, restrictions on certain unethical broker practices
and auction procedures. In addition to the damages and
penalties noted below, violators of the Second-Hand Measures shall also be
published in a public list circulated by the administrative department for
industry and commerce of the PRC State Council. Additionally, the
Peoples Republic of China National Road Traffic Safety Laws, or Road Safety Laws
imposes fines on sellers (including second-hand dealers) of automobiles that
have been determined to require disposal.
AutoChinas
new vehicle 4S sales operations are subject to the Implementing Measures for the
Administration of Automobile Brand Sales, or Brand Sales
Measures. Pursuant to the Brand Sales Measures, the establishment of
each new 4S store must follow certain registration procedures for establishing a
dealership company for the sale of cars of a particular brand, including the
following:
|
|
Obtaining
written authorization from the auto supplier (manufacturer or general
dealer);
|
|
|
Registering
the company with the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, or
SAIC, as a 4S store by submitting various documents and information,
including the companys business license, written authorization from the
auto supplier, a description of after-sale service methods (i.e. the
service station, return and refund policy, replacement policy, and repair
and maintenance services, etc.), a Brand Car Dealer Registration Form and
other information;
|
|
|
Presenting
the evidence of registration with SAIC to the local branch of SAIC to
expand its business scope to include XX brand car sales;
and
|
|
|
Registering
with the local bureau of commerce (local branch of MOFCOM) within two
months from obtaining the business license that includes XX brand car
sales and providing various
documentation.
|
The Road
Safety Laws prohibit the sales of new automobiles that have determined to be
subject to disposal (i.e. rejected cars). AutoChinas new vehicle
sales operations may also be subject to new regulations under consideration for
adoption by the PRC Government. In addition, expansion of a 4S store
to a second brand may also be subject to applicable rules and
regulations.
Claims
arising out of actual or alleged violations of the regulations and laws noted
above may be asserted against AutoChina by individuals or government entities
and may expose it to significant damages or other penalties, including
revocation or suspension of AutoChinas licenses, certificates, and/or permits to
conduct commercial truck financing operations and fines.
Environmental,
Health and Safety Laws and Regulations
AutoChinas
operations involve the use, handling, storage and contracting for recycling
and/or disposal of materials such as motor oil and filters, transmission fluids,
antifreeze, refrigerants, paints, thinners, batteries, cleaning products,
lubricants, degreasing agents, tires and fuel. Consequently, AutoChinas business
is subject to a variety of PRC laws and regulations governing management and
disposal of materials and wastes, protection of the environment and public
health and safety. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result
in the assessment of penalties and imposition of remedial
obligations. AutoChina may not be able to recover some or any of
these costs from insurance.
AutoChina
may be subject to water quality protection programs under the Regulations for on
Collecting and Using Pollution Discharge, or Pollution Discharge
Regulations. Pursuant to the Pollution Discharge Regulations, in the
event that a PRC company fails to pay the pollutant discharge fees in accordance
with law, it shall be ordered to pay such fees within a prescribed time limit by
the administrative department for environmental protection of the peoples
governments of the county level and above within their power and function or
else a fine no less than one time but no more than three times of such payable
pollutant discharge fees shall be imposed, and such PRC company shall be ordered
to stop its business for rectification. Additionally, AutoChina is subject to
the Measures of Hebei Province for Administration of Pollutant Discharge Permits
(for Trial Implementation), or the Hebei Measures, pursuant to which each and
every entity that may discharge pollutants in Hebei province shall apply to the
competent environmental protection administration authority for a permit for the
discharge of pollutants, or pollutant discharge permit in accordance with the
Hebei Measures, and shall not discharge pollutants before obtaining a pollutant
discharge permit. Under the Hebei measures, pollutant-discharging
entities in Hebei province shall be punished in accordance with the relevant
laws and regulations if such entity has discharged pollutants before obtaining a
pollutant discharge permit.
The trend
in environmental regulation in China is to place more restrictions and
limitations on activities that may affect the environment, and thus any changes
in environmental laws and regulations that result in more stringent and costly
waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or remediation requirements could
have a material adverse effect on AutoChinas results of operations or financial
condition. For example, the PRC government has approved revised fuel
economy requirements and may further revise fuel economy requirements in order
to promote the production and sales of more environmentally-friendly and
energy-saving automobiles. These requirements may adversely affect
demand for the vehicles AutoChina sells. See Risk Factors Risks
Relating to the Motor Vehicle Industry in China - Imposition of fuel economy
standards on PRC automotive manufacturers and the proposed imposition of higher
automobile consumption taxes may have a negative effect on the revenues and
profits of PRC automobile importers, dealers and distributors, including
AutoChina
AutoChina
incurs significant costs to comply with applicable environmental, health and
safety laws and regulations in the ordinary course of its business. AutoChina
does not anticipate, however, that the costs of such compliance will have a
material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, cash flows or
financial condition, although such outcome is possible given the nature of its
operations and the extensive environmental, public health and safety regulatory
framework.
Government
Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange Controls
The
principal regulation governing foreign exchange in the PRC is the Foreign
Currency Administration Rules (IPPS), as amended. Under these rules, the
Renminbi, the PRCs currency, is freely convertible for trade and service related
foreign exchange transactions (such as normal purchases and sales of goods and
services from providers in foreign countries), but not for direct investment,
loan or investment in securities outside of China unless the prior approval of
the State Administration for Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, of the PRC is obtained.
Foreign investment enterprises, or FIEs, are required to apply to the SAFE for
Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs. The combined
company will be an FIE as a result of the proposed acquisition. With such
registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed
to open foreign currency accounts including a basic account and capital account.
Currency translation within the scope of the basic account, such as remittance
of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without
requiring the approval of the SAFE. Such transactions are subject to the consent
of investment banks which are authorized by the SAFE to review basic account
currency transactions. However, conversion of currency in the capital account,
including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still
require approval of the SAFE. This prior approval may delay or impair the
combined companys ability to operate following the proposed acquisition. On
November 21, 2005, the SAFE issued Circular No. 75 on Relevant Issues Concerning
Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents Corporate Financing and Roundtrip
Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles. Circular No. 75 confirms
that the use of offshore special purpose vehicles as holding companies for PRC
investments are permitted, but proper foreign exchange registration applications
are required to be reviewed and accepted by the SAFE.
Government Regulations Relating to
Taxation
Prior to
January 1, 2008, the standard enterprise income tax rate was 33%, which was
consisting of a 30% national income tax and a 3% local surcharge, for a companys
domestic and overseas incomes. Certain of AutoChinas automotive dealership
subsidiaries were granted tax incentives in connection with the compliance with
the Employment Promotion Law and the Regulation for the Employment of Disabled
Persons whereby these qualified subsidiaries were fully exempted or
allow a 50% reduction from enterprise income tax for a range of two to three
years.
On March
16, 2007, the National Peoples Congress approved and promulgated a new tax law:
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law. This new tax law will take effect on January
1, 2008. Under the new tax law, companies are subject to a uniform
tax rate of 25%. The new tax law provides a five-year transition period starting
from its effective date for those enterprises which were established before the
promulgation date of the new tax law and which were entitled to a preferential
lower tax rate under the then-effective tax laws or regulations. In accordance
with regulations issued by the State Council, the tax rate of such enterprises
may gradually transition to the uniform tax rate within the transition period.
For those enterprises which are enjoying tax holidays, such tax holidays may
continue until their expiration in accordance with the regulations issued by the
State Council, but where the tax holiday has not yet started because of losses,
such tax holiday shall be deemed to commence from the first effective year of
the new tax law. Preferential tax treatment would continue to be given to
companies in certain encouraged sectors and to entities classified as
high-technology companies supported by the PRC government. According to the new
tax law, entities that qualify as high-technology companies especially supported
by the PRC government are expected to benefit from a tax rate of 15% as compared
to the uniform tax rate of 25%. Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that
any particular company will continue to qualify as a high-technology company
supported by the PRC government in the future, and benefit from such
preferential tax rate. Following the effectiveness of the new tax law, a
companys effective tax rate may increase, unless it is otherwise eligible for
preferential treatment.
Additionally,
under the new tax law, an income tax rate for dividends payable to non-PRC
investors and derived from sources within the PRC may be increased to 20%. It is
currently unclear in what circumstances a source will be considered as located
within the PRC.
The new
tax law provides only a framework of the enterprise tax provisions, leaving many
details on the definitions of numerous terms as well as the interpretation and
specific applications of various provisions unclear and unspecified. Any
increase in the combined companys tax rate in the future could have a material
adverse effect on its financial conditions and results of
operations.
Regulation
of Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution
Foreign Currency
Exchange
.
Foreign currency
exchange in the PRC is governed by a series of regulations, including the
Foreign Currency Administrative Rules (1996), as amended, and the Administrative
Regulations Regarding Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996),
as amended. Under these regulations, the Renminbi is freely convertible for
trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for direct
investment, loans or investments in securities outside China without the prior
approval of the SAFE. Pursuant to the Administrative Regulations Regarding
Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange, foreign-invested enterprises
in China may purchase foreign exchange without the approval of the SAFE for
trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial
documents evidencing these transactions. They may also retain foreign exchange,
subject to a cap approved by SAFE, to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities or to
pay dividends. However, the relevant Chinese government authorities may limit or
eliminate the ability of foreign-invested enterprises to purchase and retain
foreign currencies in the future. In addition, foreign exchange transactions for
direct investment, loan and investment in securities outside China are still
subject to limitations and require approvals from the SAFE.
Dividend
Distribution
.
The principal
laws and regulations in China governing distribution of dividends by
foreign-invested companies include:
|
|
The
Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law (1979), as
amended;
|
|
|
The
Regulations for the Implementation of the Sino-foreign Equity Joint
Venture Law (1983), as amended;
|
|
|
The
Sino-foreign Cooperative Enterprise Law (1988), as
amended;
|
|
|
The
Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Sino-foreign Cooperative
Enterprise Law (1995), as amended;
|
|
|
The
Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1986), as amended;
and
|
|
|
The
Regulations of Implementation of the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law
(1990), as amended.
|
Under
these regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only
out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese
accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned
enterprises in China are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective
accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless such
reserve funds have reached 50% of their respective registered capital. These
reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Legal
Proceedings
AutoChina
is not currently a party to any pending material legal proceedings.
AUTOCHINA
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with AutoChinas consolidated
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Overview
AutoChina
Group Inc., a company incorporated in Cayman Islands, is an integrated
automotive dealership engaged in sales of automobiles and spare parts and after
sales services consisting of 13 new automobile franchises located primarily in
Hebei Province of China. AutoChina offers an extensive range of automotive
products and services, including new automobiles, automobile maintenance,
replacement parts, collision repair services, financing, and insurance
consulting and other aftermarket service contracts. In April 2008, AutoChina
commenced providing heavy truck sales and financing services, which provides
financing to customers to acquire heavy trucks in China. As of September 30,
2008, AutoChina operated 48 commercial vehicle financing centers and 26
automotive dealership stores located primarily in various cities and towns
throughout the Northern regions of China. By December 31, 2008, AutoChinas
commercial vehicle financing facilities expanded to 103 centers primarily
located in major areas in Hebei, Henan, Shanxi and Shandong provinces, Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region and Tianjin.
AutoChina
was incorporated on July 26, 2007, but its automotive dealership business
(through predecessor entities) has been in operation since 2000. AutoChinas
automotive dealership revenues grew between 80% and 93% per annum over the past
three years.
As of
December 31, 2008, AutoChinas commercial vehicle financing network consisted of
the following number of facilities in the indicated regions: (i) Hebei Province
(12 commercial vehicle financing centers), (ii) Shanxi Province (29 commercial
vehicle financing centers), (iii) Shandong Province (24 commercial vehicle
financing centers), (iv) Henan Province (21 commercial vehicle financing
centers), (v) Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (16 commercial vehicle financing
centers), (vi) Tianjin (1 commercial vehicle financing center). Each region is
managed by a regional general manager reporting directly to the Vice president
of the commercial vehicle financing business and a regional financial controller
reporting directly to AutoChinas Chief Financial Officer. In additional, all the
dealership stores are located in Hebei province and managed by the general
manager of dealership who reports to the Chief Executive Officer directly. The
finance manager in charge of dealerships also reports to AutoChinas Chief
Financial Officer directly.
During
the past years, AutoChina grew its dealership business primarily through
acquisitions. AutoChina typically seek to acquire large, profitable,
well-established and well-managed dealerships that are leaders in their
respective market areas, and will continue to acquire additional equity
interests in dealerships if it proves profitable. From January 1, 2005, through
December 31, 2008, AutoChina acquired 23 dealership stores and disposed of or
terminated 3 dealership stores. On the other hand, all of the 103 commercial
vehicle financing centers are newly established in fiscal 2008.
Each
acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and the corresponding results
of operations of these dealerships are included in AutoChinas financial
statements from the date of acquisition. Details of the acquisitions and
disposal of dealerships are shown in Note 4 and Note 5 to the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
AutoChinas
operating results reflect the combined performance of each of its interrelated
business activities, which include the sale of vehicles, commercial vehicle
financing and insurance products, and parts, service and collision repair
services. Historically, each of these activities has been directly or indirectly
impacted by a variety of supply/demand factors, including vehicle inventories,
consumer confidence, discretionary spending, availability and affordability of
consumer credit, manufacturer incentives, fuel prices and interest rates. For
example, during periods of sustained economic downturn or significant
supply/demand imbalances, new vehicle sales may be negatively impacted as
consumers tend to shift their purchases to used vehicles. Some consumers may
even delay their purchasing decisions altogether, electing instead to repair
their existing vehicles. In such cases, however, AutoChina believes the new
vehicle sales impact on AutoChinas overall business is mitigated by its ability
to offer other products and services, such as used vehicles and parts, service
and collision repair services.
AutoChina
generally experiences higher volumes of vehicle sales for dealerships in the
first and fourth calendar quarters of each year. This seasonality is generally
attributable to consumer buying trends and the timing of manufacturer new
vehicle model introductions.
As a
result, AutoChinas revenues, cash flows and operating income are typically lower
in the second and third quarters and higher in the first and fourth quarters.
Other factors unrelated to seasonality, such as changes in economic condition
and manufacturer incentive programs, may exaggerate seasonal or cause
counter-seasonal fluctuations in AutoChinas revenues and operating
income.
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the years ended December 31,
2007, 2006 and 2005, AutoChina realized net income of $6.1 million, $2.2
million, $4.8 million, $2.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
AutoChinas
gross margins as a percentage of sales have been fairly consistent from year to
year. Over the last three fiscal years and nine months September 30, 2008,
AutoChinas gross margins as a percentage of sales have ranged between
approximately 4.4% and 5.9%. Gross margins as a percentage of sales for nine
months ended September 30, 2008 were 5.7%. AutoChinas gross margins are set
based upon the cost of the vehicle purchased, with higher-priced vehicles
typically having higher gross margin percentages. In recent years, AutoChinas
gross margins have been improved by the increase in the average retail sales
price (a function of a higher purchase price) and the tightened operating costs,
mostly related to economy of scale and the tightened vehicle repair costs.
Additionally, the newly commenced commercial vehicle financing business enjoys a
gross margin of approximately 5.8%. AutoChina expects that the gross margin
percentage will not change significantly in the near term.
Hiring,
training and retaining qualified associates are critical to AutoChinas success.
The rate at which AutoChina adds new stores and is able to implement operating
initiatives is limited by the number of trained managers AutoChina has at its
disposal. Excessive turnover, particularly at the store / center manager level,
could impact the ability to add new stores and to meet operational initiatives.
AutoChina has added resources to recruit, train and develop personnel,
especially manager positions. AutoChina expects to continue to invest in the
development of AutoChinas workforce in fiscal 2009 and beyond to meet the growth
of the business network.
Nine
months ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Nine months ended September 30,
2007
Revenues
increased $121.1 million, or 57.8%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008
as compared to the same period in 2007, principally as a result of (i) revenue
growth from an additional five automotive dealership stores acquired during the
period ($17.1 million), (ii) increased demand for automobiles ($71.4 million),
and (iii) revenues from the newly commenced commercial vehicle financing
business ($33.1 million).
Cost of
sales increased 56.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to
the same period in 2007. Gross margins are set based upon the cost of the
vehicle purchased, with higher-priced vehicles typically having higher gross
margin percentages. Gross margins have been slightly improved in recent periods
due to the increase in the average retail sales price of vehicles (a function of
a higher purchase price) and to a lesser extent by reduced operating costs
resulted from economies of scale and AutoChinas effort to reduce vehicle repair
costs. Additionally, in nine months ended September 30, 2008, the newly
commenced commercial vehicle financing business produced a gross margin of
approximately 5.8%, which is higher than the average gross margin in dealership
business. It resulted to lead the overall gross margin increased from 5.1% to
5.7% compared to the same period in 2007.
Selling
and marketing expenses, as a percentage of sales, increased 0.3% to 1.4% in the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to 1.1% in the same period in
2007. In dollar terms, the selling and marketing expenses are increased by $2.2
million. AutoChina experienced an increase in expenditures associated with the
opening of new branch/stores for the commercial vehicle financing business.
AutoChina has also incurred additional promotion costs in the automotive
dealership business for attracting higher sales volumes.
General
and administrative expense, as a percentage of sales, decreased 0.5% to 1.5% in
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from 2.0% in the same period in 2007.
The percentage decrease was principally the result of higher sales levels as a
large majority of AutoChinas general and administrative expenses are more fixed
in nature. In dollar terms, overall expenses increased $0.7 million which
consisted primarily of increased payroll costs. Payroll costs increased due to
the increase number of office staff, which is mostly relates to the newly
commenced commercial vehicle financing business.
Interest
expense, as a percentage of sales, increased 0.1% to 0.7% in the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 from 0.6% in the same period in 2007, although the
absolute amount has been increased by $1.0 million (79.7%). The decrease was
principally the result of lower average borrowing levels and lower average
interest rates on the credit during the period.
Interest
income, as a percentage of sales, increased 0.5% to 0.6% in the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 from 0.1% in the same period in 2007. The increase was
primarily due to the interest income derived from the commercial vehicle
financing services commenced in April 2008.
The
effective income tax rate in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 26.7%.
This rate is higher than historical rate of 18.1% due to the distribution of
profits among AutoChinas operating subsidiaries.
2007
Compared to 2006
Revenues
increased $142.0 million, or 93.0%, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006,
principally as a result of (i) revenue growth from four additional automotive
dealership stores acquired during the fiscal 2007, (ii) increased demand
automobiles, and (iii) revenues from stores set up in fiscal 2006 that operated
a full 12 months in fiscal 2007.
Cost of
sales was increased at 91.6% in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.
AutoChinas gross margins are set based upon the cost of the vehicle purchased,
with higher-priced vehicles typically having higher gross margin percentages.
AutoChinas gross margins have been slightly improved by the increase in the
average retail sales price (a function of a higher purchase price) and to a
lesser extent by reduced operating costs, mostly related to reduced operating
costs, resulting primarily from economies of scale and cost control initiatives.
This resulted in gross margin increasing from 5.3% in fiscal 2006 to 5.9% in
fiscal 2007.
Selling
and marketing expenses, as a percentage of sales, decreased 0.1% to 1.1% in
fiscal 2007 as compared to 1.2% in fiscal 2006. In dollar terms, the selling and
marketing expenses are increased by $1.5 million. AutoChina experienced an
increase in expenditures associated with additional promotion costs
incurred.
General
and administrative expense, as a percentage of sales, maintained at 2.0% in both
of fiscal 2006 and 2007. In dollar terms, overall expenses increased $3.0
million, which consisted primarily of increased payroll and office costs.
Payroll costs increased due to the increase number of staff and related costs,
in relation to the increased number of dealership stores.
Interest
expense, as a percentage of sales, increased 0.2% to 0.7% in fiscal 2007 from
0.5% in fiscal 2006. In dollar terms, it has been increased by $1.4 million
(192.0%). The increase was principally the result of increased average borrowing
levels and increased average interest rates on the credit during the period.
Interest income, as a percentage of sales, maintained at 0.1% for both
years.
The
effective income tax rate in fiscal 2007 was 17.7%, while it was (1.0%) in
fiscal 2006. This rate is higher than historical rates since most of the income
generated in fiscal 2006 was non-taxable.
2006
Compared to 2005
Revenues
increased $67.9 million, or 80.0%, in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005,
principally as a result of (i) revenue growth from ten additional automotive
dealership stores acquired during the fiscal 2006, (ii) increased demand for
automobiles, and (iii) revenues from stores set up in fiscal 2005 that operated
a full 12 months in fiscal 2006.
Cost of
sales was increased at 78.5% in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005.
AutoChinas gross margins are set based upon the cost of the vehicle purchased,
with higher-priced vehicles typically having higher gross margin percentages.
AutoChinas gross margins have been slightly improved by the increase in the
average retail sales price (a function of a higher purchase price) and to a
lesser extent by operating costs, mostly related to the tightened operating
costs, resulted from economy of scale and the tightened vehicle repair
costs. As a result, the gross margin increased from 4.5% in fiscal
2005 to 5.3% compared to fiscal 2006.
Selling
and marketing expenses, as a percentage of sales, decreased 0.3% to 1.2% in
fiscal 2006 as compared to 1.5% in fiscal 2005. In dollar terms, the selling and
marketing expenses are increased by $0.5 million. AutoChina experienced an
increase in lot level expenditures associated with the additional promotion
costs incurred for the increased number of automotive dealership brand during
the fiscal 2006.
General
and administrative expense, as a percentage of sales, increased 0.6% to 2.0% in
fiscal 2006 as compared to 1.4% in fiscal 2005. In dollar terms, overall
expenses increased $1.8 million which consisted primarily of increased payroll
and office costs. Payroll costs increased due to the increase number of office
staff and related costs, in relation to the increased number of dealership
stores.
Interest
expense, as a percentage of sales, increased 0.3% to 0.5% in fiscal 2006 from
0.2% in fiscal 2005. In dollar terms, it has been increased by $0.5 million
(247.6%). The increase was principally the result of increased average borrowing
levels and increased average interest rates on the credit line during the
period. Interest income, as a percentage of sales, maintained at 0.1% for both
years.
The
effective income tax rate in fiscal 2006 was (1.0%), while it was (4.6%) in
fiscal 2005. This rate was negative since most of the income generated during
fiscal 2005 was non-taxable.
Financial
Condition
The
following table sets forth the major balance sheet accounts of AutoChina at
September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (in
thousands):
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
$
|
39,988
|
|
|
|
17,273
|
|
|
|
24,734
|
|
|
|
25,885
|
|
|
|
8,486
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
45,971
|
|
|
|
26,221
|
|
|
|
26,910
|
|
|
|
24,807
|
|
|
|
7,389
|
|
Notes
receivable
|
|
|
27,915
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvement, net
|
|
|
25,878
|
|
|
|
15,438
|
|
|
|
18,030
|
|
|
|
14,359
|
|
|
|
7,192
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable- manufacturer affiliated
|
|
$
|
16,873
|
|
|
$
|
8,671
|
|
|
$
|
10,808
|
|
|
$
|
7,238
|
|
|
$
|
1,142
|
|
Trade
notes payable
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
|
|
24,838
|
|
|
|
35,828
|
|
|
|
32,318
|
|
|
|
9,902
|
|
Restricted
cash was increased in line with the trade notes payable, as AutoChina used
financing for the purchase of vehicles. In September 30, 2008, the restricted
cash increased by $22.7 million (131.5%) compared with September 30, 2007. On
the other hand, the increment of the trade notes payables was slightly higher by
increasing $35.8 million (144.3%).
Inventory
balances were continuously increased throughout the period. In September 30,
2008, inventory increased to $46.0 million from $26.2 million in September 30,
2007 (75.3%), as compared with the growth of sales in 57.8%. The
growth was due to the increased number of dealership stores from 21 to
26.
Notes
receivable began in April 2008 as a result of the commercial vehicle financing
services under which AutoChina has entered into monthly installment arrangements
with customers for 2 year-period.
Property,
equipment and improvement, net increased significantly to $25.9 million in
September 30, 2008, which was an increase of $7.8 million (43.5%) as compared
with December 31, 2007 and $10.4 million (67.6%) as compared with in September
30, 2007. The increased expenditures primarily relate to costs
associated with expanding a number of existing dealership stores and the
commercial vehicle financing centers.
Floor plan notes payable-
manufacturer affiliated
relates to the committed facility lines entered
into with several financial institutions affiliated with automobile
manufacturers to finance most of the new automobile inventories. It was
increased to $16.9 million in September 30, 2008, (an increase of $6.1 million
(56.1%) compared with December 31, 2007 and $8.2 million (94.6%) compared with
September 30, 2007). It was increased to respond the increased level of
automobile inventories
Trade
notes payable were bank guarantee promissory notes which were secured by cash
deposits with the banks (restricted cash) and certain automobile inventories. It
was increased to $60.7 million in September 30, 2008, which was increased by
$24.9 million (69.4%) compared with December 31, 2007 and $35.8 million (144.3%)
compared with in September 30, 2007. It was increased to respond the increased
level of automobile inventories and revenue growth
AutoChinas
borrowings fluctuate primarily based upon a number of factors including (i)
revenues, (ii) account and notes receivables changes, (iii) capital
expenditures, and (iv) inventory changes. Historically, income from continuing
operations, as well as borrowings on the revolving credit facilities, has funded
the account and notes receivables growth, inventory growth and capital
expenditures.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
following table sets forth certain historical information with respect to
AutoChinas statements of cash flows (in thousands):
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
$
|
(4,714
|
)
|
|
|
(22,062
|
)
|
|
$
|
(732
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,498
|
|
|
$
|
(1,242
|
)
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(21,376
|
)
|
|
|
7,093
|
|
|
|
(3,315
|
)
|
|
|
(16,425
|
)
|
|
|
(15,024
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
29,820
|
|
|
|
23,485
|
|
|
|
9,768
|
|
|
|
16,132
|
|
|
|
17,599
|
|
Effect
of exchange rate change
|
|
$
|
1,111
|
|
|
$
|
306
|
|
|
$
|
(350
|
)
|
|
$
|
(285
|
)
|
|
$
|
(60
|
)
|
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
4,841
|
|
|
$
|
8,822
|
|
|
$
|
5,371
|
|
|
$
|
2,920
|
|
|
$
|
1,273
|
|
Operating Activities
.
AutoChina used $4.7
million in operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
$22.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $0.7 million in
fiscal 2007 and $1.2 million in fiscal 2005, while it generated $3.5 million in
fiscal 2006. Since AutoChina continued to expand the size of its automotive
dealership business since 2005 and the introduction of the newly commenced
commercial vehicle financing business in 2008, the need of inventory growth
and working capital needs increased throughout the period.
Investing Activities.
Net
cash used in investing activities was $21.4 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, $3.3 million in fiscal 2007, $16.4 million in fiscal 2006
and $15.0 million in fiscal 2005, while it generated $7.1 million in the nine
months ended September 30, 2007.
In addition
to purchase of property, equipment and improvement, capital expenditures for all
periods included the cash paid for business acquisitions of the automotive
dealership stores. Furthermore, the change in restricted cash, which was pledged
to banks for borrowings, has also affected the net cash used in investing
activities.
Financing
Activities.
Net cash
provided by financing activities was $29.8 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, $23.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007,
$9.8 million in fiscal 2007, $16.1 million in fiscal 2006 and $17.6 million in
fiscal 2005. In the nine months ended September 30, 2008, AutoChina increased
total net borrowings by $16.0 million and increased the capital contribution of
$16.2 million from its shareholder. In the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, AutoChina increased total net borrowings by $15.7 million
and increased the capital contribution of $8.0 million from its shareholder.
AutoChina increased total net borrowings by $0.6 million, $5.4 million and $10.2
million during the fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, it
increased the capital contribution of $8.4 million, $10.0 million and $6.1
million from its shareholder, during the fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
Historically,
most or all of this cash is used to fund notes receivable, inventory growth and
for capital expenditures. To the extent notes receivables and inventory growth
and capital expenditures exceed income from operations, generally AutoChina
increases the borrowings under facilities and from affiliates.
AutoChina
leased most of the properties where the dealership stores and commercial vehicle
financing centers are located. AutoChina expects to continue to lease the
majority of the properties where AutoChinas stores or centers are
located.
AutoChina
expanded dealerships significantly in 2005 and 2006, the capital expenditures
have continuously increased since 2005. As AutoChina restructured dealerships in
2007, the increment of the cash used for investing activities slowed. Since
April 2008, a significant amount of capital ($1,929,000) has been used in
connection with the commencement of AutoChinas commercial vehicle financing
business and additional capital expenditures were required for existing
dealerships.
At
September 30, 2008, AutoChina had $17.7 million of cash on hand. On a short-term
basis, AutoChinas principal sources of liquidity include income from operations
and short-term borrowings from financial institutions including notes payables
and trade notes payable. On a longer-term basis, AutoChina expects AutoChinas
principal sources of liquidity to consist of income from operations, borrowings
from financial institutions and/or fixed interest term loans. Further, while
AutoChina has no specific plans to issue debt or equity securities, AutoChina
believes, if necessary, it could raise additional capital through the issuance
of such securities or shareholders loans.
AutoChina
expects to use cash to (i) grow its notes receivables portfolio in line with its
revenue growth, and (ii) purchase property, equipment and improvement in the
next 12 months in connection with adding five new dealership stores and 47
commercial vehicle financing centers. AutoChina believes that it will have
adequate liquidity to satisfy its capital needs for the foreseeable
future.
AutoChinas
borrowings primarily consisted of (i) Floor plan notes payable- manufacturer
affiliated; and (ii) Trade notes payable.
Floor
plan notes payable- manufacturer affiliated
relates to the
committed facility lines that entered with several financial institutions
affiliated with automobile manufacturers to finance most of the new automobile
inventories. It was increased to $16.9 million in September 30, 2008, (an
increase of $6.1 million (56.1%) compared with December 31, 2007 and $8.2
million (94.6%) compared with September 30, 2007). It was increased in response
to increased level of automobile inventories.
Trade
notes payable were bank guarantee promissory notes which were secured by cash
deposits with the banks (restricted cash) and certain automobile inventories. It
was increased to $60.7 million on September 30, 2008, which was increased by
$24.9 million (69.4%) compared with December 31, 2007 and $35.8 million (144.3%)
compared with the level of cash deposits on September 30, 2007. It was increased
in response to the increased level of automobile inventories and revenue
growth
AutoChinas
borrowings fluctuate primarily based upon a number of factors including (i)
revenues, (ii) account and notes receivables changes, (iii) capital
expenditures, and (iv) inventory changes. Historically, income from continuing
operations, as well as borrowings on the revolving credit facilities, have
driven the growth in the account and notes receivables growth, inventory growth
and capital expenditures.
Contractual
Payment Obligations
The
following is a summary of AutoChinas contractual obligations as of December 31,
2007, including renewal periods under operating leases that are reasonably
assured (in thousands):
|
|
Payments due by period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Less
than
1
Year
|
|
|
1
to
3
Years
|
|
|
3
to
5
Years
|
|
|
More
than
5
Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
notes payable
|
|
|
35,828
|
|
|
|
35,828
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Operating
leases
|
|
|
26,294
|
|
|
|
1,260
|
|
|
|
4,162
|
|
|
|
2,814
|
|
|
|
18,058
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated
|
|
|
10,808
|
|
|
|
10,808
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated
|
|
|
685
|
|
|
|
685
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
6,725
|
|
|
|
6,725
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Notes
payable , related parties
|
|
|
12,538
|
|
|
|
12,538
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Capital
commitment
|
|
|
975
|
|
|
|
975
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
93,853
|
|
|
|
68,819
|
|
|
|
4,162
|
|
|
|
2,814
|
|
|
|
18,058
|
|
The
following is a summary of AutoChinas contractual obligations as of September 30,
2008, including renewal periods under operating leases that are reasonably
assured (in thousands):
|
|
Payments due by period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Less than 1
Year
|
|
|
1 to 3 Years
|
|
|
3 to 5 Years
|
|
|
More than 5
Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
notes payable
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Operating
leases
|
|
|
28,777
|
|
|
|
1,695
|
|
|
|
3,225
|
|
|
|
3,127
|
|
|
|
20,700
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated
|
|
|
16,873
|
|
|
|
16,873
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
5,091
|
|
|
|
5,091
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Capital
commitment
|
|
|
1,120
|
|
|
|
1,120
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
112,544
|
|
|
|
85,462
|
|
|
|
3,225
|
|
|
|
3,127
|
|
|
|
20,700
|
|
AutoChina
leases certain facilities under long-term, non-cancelable leases and
month-to-month leases. These leases are accounted for as operating
leases.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
AutoChina
has entered into operating leases for all of its dealership and commercial
vehicle financing stores and office facilities. Generally, the leases for its
commercial vehicle financing stores are for periods of one to three years. The
leases for its dealership stores and office facilities are typically for periods
over ten years. AutoChina uses leasing arrangements to maintain flexibility in
its commercial vehicle financing store locations and to preserve capital.
AutoChina expects to continue to lease the majority of its store and office
facilities under arrangements substantially consistent with the
past.
Rent
expense for all operating leases amounted to $734,000, $813,000, $871,000,
$563,000 and $277,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Other
than its operating leases, AutoChina is not a party to any off-balance sheet
arrangement.
Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates
The
discussion and analysis of AutoChinas financial condition and results of
operations is based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements
requires AutoChina to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, AutoChina
evaluates its estimates, including those related to accounts receivable and the
related provision for doubtful accounts, tangible and intangible long-lived
assets, the assessment of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, the
purchase price allocation on acquisitions, and contingencies and litigation,
among others. AutoChina bases its estimates on historical experience and
on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about
the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from
other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions. AutoChina believes that the following
critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates
used in the preparation of its consolidated financial
statements: goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets, income
taxes and accounts receivable.
Goodwill,
Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets. Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS
No. 142), requires purchased intangible assets other than goodwill to be
amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be
indefinite.
SFAS
No. 142 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment at least on an annual
basis and more often under certain circumstances, and written down when
impaired. An interim impairment test is required if an event occurs or
conditions change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the
reporting unit below the carrying value.
Impairment
losses are limited to the carrying value of the goodwill, which represents the
excess of the carrying amount of a reporting units goodwill over the implied
fair value of that goodwill. In determining the estimated future cash
flows, AutoChina considers current and projected future levels of income based
on managements plans for that business, as well as business trends, prospects
and market and economic conditions.
AutoChina
accounts for the impairment of long-lived assets, such as property and equipment
and intangible assets, under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS
No. 144). SFAS No. 144 establishes the accounting for impairment
of long-lived tangible and intangible assets other than goodwill and for the
disposal of a business. Pursuant to SFAS No. 144, AutoChina
periodically evaluates, at least annually, whether facts or circumstances
indicate that the carrying value of its depreciable assets to be held and used
may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to
exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived
asset, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value
to determine whether impairment exists. In the event that the carrying
amount of long-lived assets exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows, then the
carrying amount of such assets is adjusted to their fair value. AutoChina
reports an impairment cost as a charge to operations at the time it is
recognized.
Income
Taxes. AutoChina accounts for income taxes under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS
No. 109). SFAS No. 109 requires recognition of deferred tax
assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of
a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of operations in the period
that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established,
when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be
realized.
Accounts
Receivable. Accounts receivable, which are unsecured, are stated at the
amount AutoChina expects to collect. AutoChina maintains allowances
for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its
customers to make required payments. AutoChina evaluates the
collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors,
including customer credit-worthiness and historical collection
experience. Management reviews the receivable aging and adjusts the
allowance based on historical experience, financial condition of the customer
and other relevant current economic factors. As of September 30, 2008
and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, a majority of the trade receivable
balances were due from governmental agencies which AutoChina believed are
collectible in full and a majority of the accounts receivable related to
warranty claims are primarily due from manufacturers. Therefore, the management
determined no allowance for uncollectible amounts is
required. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts
receivables from the sale of automobiles are limited because a large number of
diverse customers comprise AutoChinas customer base, thus spreading the trade
credit risk.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In May
2008, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued SAFS No. 162, The
Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. SFAS No.162 identifies
the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the
principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of
non-governmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. SFAS
No.162 directs the GAAP hierarchy to the entity as the entity is responsible for
selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in
conformity with GAAP. SFAS No.162 is effective 60 days following the SECs
approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to remove
the GAAP hierarchy from the auditing standards. AutoChina is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 162.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, which requires additional disclosures related to derivatives
instruments and hedging activities. These enhanced disclosures will discuss (a)
how and why a company uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative
instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and
its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related
hedged items affect a companys financial position, results of operations and
cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after
November 15, 2008, with earlier adoption allowed. AutoChina is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 161.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51. This statement is
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years,
beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited. This
statement requires the recognition of a non-controlling interest (minority
interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from
the parents equity. The amount of net income attributable to the non-controlling
interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income
statement. It also amends certain of ARB No. 51s consolidation procedures for
consistency with the requirements of SFAS No.141(R). This statement also
includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent
and its non-controlling interest. AutoChina is currently evaluating this new
statement and anticipate that the Statement will not have a significant impact
on the reporting of its results of operations.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business
Combinations (SFAS No.141(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations. SFAS No.141(R) retains the underlying concepts of SFAS 141 in that
all business combinations are still required to be accounted for at fair value
under the acquisition method of accounting but SFAS No.141(R) changed the method
of applying the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects.
Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; non-controlling
interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; in-process
research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived
intangible asset at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a
business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition
date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax
uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax
expense. SFAS No.141(R) is effective on a prospective basis for all business
combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the
first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the exception of the
accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax
contingencies. SFAS No.141(R) amends SFAS No.109 such that adjustments made to
valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies associated
with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of SFAS No.141(R)
would also apply the provisions of SFAS No.141(R). Early adoption is not
permitted. AutoChina is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FAS No.
141R.
Seasonality
AutoChinas
second and third fiscal quarters (April through September) have historically
been slower for dealership sales. Conversely, AutoChinas first and fourth fiscal
quarters (January through March and October through December) have historically
been the busiest times for car sales. Therefore, AutoChina generally realize a
higher proportion of its revenue and operating profit during the first and
fourth fiscal quarters. AutoChina expects this trend to continue in future
periods. If conditions arise that impair vehicle sales during the first or
fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse effect on AutoChinas revenues and operating
profit for the year could be disproportionately large.
Impact
of Inflation
Inflation
has not historically been a significant factor impacting AutoChinas
results.
INFORMATION
ABOUT SPRING CREEK
Spring
Creeks History and Business Plans
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp. is a limited life Cayman Islands exempted company
incorporated on October 16, 2007, organized as a blank check company for the
purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other
similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements,
an operating business, that has its principal operations in the Peoples Republic
of China, or PRC, as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the
Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, which Spring Creek refers to as
Greater China. Spring Creeks Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association provides that it may not consummate a business combination with a
business that has its principal operations outside of Greater China. Spring
Creeks efforts to identify a prospective target business have not been limited
to a particular industry.
On
February 27,
2008
, Spring Creek
completed a private placement of 1,430,000 warrants to James Cheng-Jee Sha,
Spring Creeks Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Diana Chia-Huei Liu, Spring
Creeks President and Director, William Tsu-Cheng Yu, Spring Creeks Chief
Financial Officer and Director, Jimmy (Jim) Yee-Ming Wu, Spring Creeks Chief
Operating Officer and Director and Gary Han Ming Chang, Spring Creeks Special
Advisor, who are collectively referred to as founding shareholders, and received
net proceeds of $1,430,000.
The Initial Public Offering and Trust
Account.
On March 4,
2008
, Spring Creek
consummated its initial public offering of 4,500,000 units. On March 13,
2008
, the
underwriters of Spring Creeks initial public offering exercised their
over-allotment option in full, for a total of an additional 675,000 units (over
and above the 4,500,000 units sold in the initial public offering) for an
aggregate offering of 5,175,000 units. Each unit in the offering consisted of
one ordinary share and one redeemable ordinary share purchase warrant. Each
warrant entitles the holder to purchase from Spring Creek one ordinary share at
an exercise price of $5.00. Spring Creeks ordinary shares and warrants started
trading separately as of March 28,
2008
.
The net
proceeds from the sale of Spring Creeks warrants and units, after deducting
certain offering expenses of approximately $3,458,000, including underwriting
discounts of approximately $2,898,000, were approximately $39,372,000.
Approximately $40,671,000 of the proceeds from the initial public offering and
the private placement was placed in a trust account for Spring Creeks benefit.
Except for up to $1,050,000 in interest that is earned on the funds contained in
the trust account that may be released to Spring Creek to be used as working
capital, Spring Creek is not able to access the amounts held in the trust until
the earlier of the consummation of a business combination or liquidation of
Spring Creek, although, as noted elsewhere in this proxy statement, claims might
be made against Spring Creek as a result of extending the period in which it may
complete a business combination in order to avoid liquidation (or in other
circumstances not now anticipated by Spring Creek). At January 31, 2009, there
was approximately $40,725,783 in the trust account. If the
acquisition is consummated, the trust account, reduced by amounts paid to
shareholders of Spring Creek who do not approve the acquisition and elect to
redeem their ordinary shares into their pro rata shares of net funds in it, will
be released to Spring Creek.
The trust
account contains $1,449,000 of the underwriters compensation which will be paid
to them only in the event of a business combination. The amounts held outside of
the trust account are available to be used by Spring Creek to provide for
business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and
continuing general and administrative expenses. The net proceeds deposited into
the trust fund remain on deposit in the trust account earning interest. In
connection with the initial public offering and the private placement, Spring
Creeks officers and directors placed all the shares owned by them before the
private placement and the initial public offering into an escrow account. Except
in certain circumstances, these shares will not be released from escrow until
nine months after Spring Creeks consummation of a business combination with
respect to 50% of the shares and one year after its consummation of a business
combination with respect to the remaining 50% of the shares.
Fair Market Value of Target
Business
. Pursuant to Spring Creeks Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association, the initial target business that Spring
Creek acquires or merges with must have a fair market value equal to at least
80% of Spring Creeks net assets at the time of such acquisition, as determined
by Spring Creeks Board of Directors based on standards generally accepted by the
financial community, such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and
book value. Spring Creek is not required to obtain an opinion from an investment
banking firm as to fair market value if its Board of Directors independently
determines that the target business has sufficient fair market
value.
Shareholder Approval of
Acquisition
. Under Spring Creeks Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association, approval of the acquisition requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary
shares. Spring Creek will not be authorized to complete the acquisition if
holders of 2,070,000 or more shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares sold in its
initial public offering (public shareholders owning 40% or more of the shares
issued in the initial public offering) vote against the acquisition and
demand that Spring Creek redeem their shares into pro rata portions of the trust
account. The holders of Spring Creek ordinary shares issued prior to
its initial public offering have agreed to vote the 1,293,750 Spring Creek
ordinary shares owned by them prior to Spring Creeks initial public offering in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by holders of shares sold in
Spring Creeks initial public offering. The initial shareholders
have agreed not to demand redemption rights with respect to any ordinary
shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial
shares or purchased by them in Spring Creeks initial public offering or in the
aftermarket (nor will they seek appraisal rights with respect to such shares if
appraisal rights would be available to them). The 1,293,750 shares that Spring
Creeks initial shareholders own represent 20% of Spring Creeks outstanding
ordinary shares. If holders of 2,070,000 of Spring Creeks ordinary
shares purchased in Spring Creeks initial public offering (which number
represents 40% or more of the shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares issued in
Spring Creeks initial public offering) vote against the acquisition and exercise
their right to redeem their shares for cash, the acquisition will not be
consummated.
If the Acquisition is Not
Consummated.
If Spring Creek does not consummate the acquisition of
AutoChina, it will continue to seek another target business until it is required
to liquidate and dissolve pursuant to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association. As provided in its Amended and Restated Memorandum and
Articles of Association, Spring Creek is required, by September 4, 2009, to
consummate a business combination or enter into a letter of intent, agreement in
principle or definitive agreement relating to a business combination, in which
case Spring Creek would be allowed an additional twelve months to complete the
transactions contemplated by such agreement. Under its Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association as currently in effect, if Spring Creek
does not acquire at least majority control of a target business by September 4,
2010, Spring Creek will dissolve and distribute to its public shareholders the
amount in the trust account plus any remaining net assets.
Redemption
rights
. Each holder of public shares who votes against the
acquisition has the right to have his or her public shares redeemed for cash, if
the acquisition is approved and completed.
The
actual per-share redemption price will be equal to the amount in the trust
account, inclusive of any interest, as of two business days prior to the
consummation of the acquisition, less taxes payable, $1,050,000 of interest
earned on the trust account that may be released to Spring Creek to fund its
working capital and repay management loans, divided by the number of shares
issued in Spring Creeks initial public offering, which, as of the date of
the consummation of the acquisition is expected to be approximately
$7.86 per share.
An
eligible shareholder may request redemption at the time the vote is taken with
respect to the acquisition, but the request will not be granted unless the
shareholder votes against the acquisition and the acquisition is approved and
completed. Any request for redemption, if made by proxy prior to the date of the
extraordinary general meeting, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date of
the meeting. Funds to be distributed to shareholders who elect redemption will
be distributed promptly after consummation of the acquisition. Any shareholder
who redeems shares into a portion of the trust account still has the right to
exercise any warrants to purchase Spring Creek ordinary shares that he or she
owns. Spring Creek will not complete the acquisition if holders of 2,070,000 or
more of shares of Spring Creeks ordinary shares purchased in Spring Creeks
initial public offering (which number represents 40% or more of the shares of
Spring Creek ordinary shares issued in Spring Creeks initial public offering)
vote against the acquisition and exercise their redemption rights.
Competition
.
If the acquisition is
completed, Spring Creek will become subject to competition from competitors of
AutoChina. For more information of the competition AutoChina faces, please see
the section entitled, Information About AutoChinaCompetition elsewhere in this
document.
Future Plans.
Spring Creeks
vision is to further AutoChinas leadership position of its commercial vehicle
financing business. Management anticipates that AutoChina focus will be on the
following sectors: increasing new commercial vehicle financing centers and
dealership stores; expanding the business on geographic area; further access to
the capital market
Spring
Creek has a three-part strategy for fulfilling its vision:
|
|
Establish
47 and 50 new commercial vehicle financing centers in 2009 and 2010,
respectively, and expanding the commercial vehicle financing network to
over 1,000 financing centers throughout 26 provinces of China in 5 years
time.
|
|
|
Building
an additional 10 dealerships by the end of 2010 through acquisition and
dynamic growth. The acquisition strategy will focus on what management
believes to be an abundance of acquisition targets throughout the region
that fall within its channel and market focus. No specific acquisitions
are contemplated as of the date this proxy statement was mailed to
shareholders.
|
|
|
Future
listing on NASDAQ or NYSE.
|
Facilities
.
Spring Creek maintains
executive offices at 10F, Room #1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North
Daliushu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic Of China. The
base rental cost for this space is approximately $7,500 per month. Spring Creek
considers its current office space adequate for current operations.
Employees
Spring
Creek has four officers. They are not obligated to contribute any specific
number of hours per week on Spring Creeks affairs, and they devote only as much
time as they deem necessary to Spring Creeks affairs. Spring Creek has no
employees.
Periodic
Reporting and Audited Financial Statements
Spring
Creek has registered its securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and has reporting obligations, including the requirement to file annual and
quarterly reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Spring Creeks annual report contains financial
statements audited and reported on by Spring Creeks prior independent
registered public accounting firm.
Legal
Proceedings
Spring
Creek is not currently a party to any pending material legal
proceedings.
SPRING
CREEK MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Spring
Creek is a limited life Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on October
16, 2007, organized as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring,
through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business
combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating
business, that has its principal operations in the Peoples Republic of China, or
PRC, as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special
Administrative Region and Taiwan, or Greater China. Spring Creeks Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that Spring Creek may
not consummate a business combination with a business that has its principal
operations outside of Greater China. Spring Creeks efforts to identify a
prospective target business will not be limited to a particular
industry.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Deferred
income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation
allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized.
Basic and
diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Management
does believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting
standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying
financial statements.
Results
of Operations for the Nine-Month Period ended September 30, 2008
Spring
Creek reported net income of $248,718 for the nine-months ended September 30,
2008. Until Spring Creek enters into a business combination, Spring Creeks only
significant income will be from interest generated in the trust
account.
Overall,
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, not including fees and
expenses incurred in connection with Spring Creeks initial public offering,
Spring Creek incurred $166,939 of general and administrative expenses and $356
of formation costs. Spring Creeks trust account earned interest of $549,362 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Results
of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007
Spring
Creek had a net loss of $23,428 for the period ended December 31, 2007 as a
result of formation and operating costs. Additionally, deferred offering costs
of $199,957 were incurred in 2007. These costs consisted of professional fees of
$189,437 and regulatory and filing fees of approximately $10,520. Spring Creek
had no income in 2007. Until Spring Creek enters into a business combination,
Spring Creek will not have revenues and will continue to incur losses due to
managements expenses relating to locating a target business to
acquire.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
On
February 27, 2008, Spring Creek completed a private placement of 1,430,000
warrants to James Cheng-Jee Sha, Spring Creeks Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman, Diana Chia-Huei Liu, Spring Creeks President and Director, William
Tsu-Cheng Yu, Spring Creeks Chief Financial Officer and Director, Jimmy (Jim)
Yee-Ming Wu, Spring Creeks Chief Operating Officer and Director and Gary Han
Ming Chang, Spring Creeks Special Advisor, which Spring Creek collectively
refers to as Spring reeks founding shareholders, and received net proceeds of
$1,430,000. On March 4, 2008, Spring Creek consummated its initial public
offering of 4,500,000 units. On March 13, 2008, the underwriters of Spring
Creeks initial public offering exercised their over-allotment option in full,
for a total of an additional 675,000 units (over and above the 4,500,000 units
sold in the initial public offering) for an aggregate offering of 5,175,000
units. Each unit in the public offering consisted of one ordinary share and one
redeemable ordinary share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to
purchase from Spring Creek one ordinary share at an exercise price of $5.00.
Spring Creeks ordinary shares and warrants started trading separately as of
March 28, 2008.
The net
proceeds from the sale of Spring Creeks warrants and units, after deducting
certain offering expenses of approximately $3,458,000, including underwriting
discounts of approximately $2,898,000, were approximately $39,372,000.
Approximately $40,671,000 of the proceeds from the initial public offering and
the private placement was placed in a trust account for Spring Creeks benefit.
The trust account contains $1,449,000 of the underwriters compensation which
will be paid to them only in the event of a business combination. Except for up
to $1,050,000 in interest that is earned on the funds contained in the trust
account that may be released to Spring Creek to be used as working capital, of
which approximately $450,000 has been released as of December 31, 2008,
Spring Creek will not otherwise be able to access the amounts held in the trust
until Spring Creek consummates a business combination. The amounts held outside
of the trust account are available to be used by Spring Creek to provide for
business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and
continuing general and administrative expenses. From October 16, 2007 (the date
of Spring Creeks inception) through December 31, 2007, Spring Creek had
operating expenses of $23,428 and deferred offering costs of $199,957. From
January 1, 2008 through March 4, 2008 (the date on which Spring Creek
consummated its initial public offering), Spring Creek has operating expenses of
$356 and offering costs of $196,659, exclusive of the $2,898,000 in underwriting
discounts. The net proceeds deposited into the trust fund remain on deposit in
the trust account earning interest. Other than $1,050,000 in interest which
Spring Creek may use to fund working capital, the amounts held in the trust
account may only be used by Spring Creek upon the consummation of a business
combination. As of December 31, 2007, Spring Creek had no amount held in the
trust account and as of September 30, 2008 there was approximately $40,855,000
held in the trust account, which includes deferred underwriting fees of
1,449,000. Additionally, as of September 30, 2008, Spring Creek had
approximately $84,000 outside the trust account to fund Spring Creeks working
capital requirements
Spring
Creek will use substantially all of the net proceeds of the initial public
offering to acquire a target business, including identifying and evaluating
prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target business, and
structuring, negotiating and consummating a business combination. To the extent
that Spring Creeks capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to
effect a business combination, the proceeds held in the trust account as well as
any other net proceeds not expended will be used to finance the operations of
the target business.
Assuming
the release of the full amount of the interest Spring Creek is entitled to
receive from the trust account, Spring Creek believes that it will have
sufficient available funds outside of the trust account to operate through
September 4, 2010, assuming that a business combination is not consummated
during that time. Spring Creek does not believe that it will need to raise
additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating Spring
Creeks business. However, Spring Creek may need to raise additional funds
through a private offering of debt or equity securities if such funds are
required to consummate a business combination that is presented to Spring Creek.
Spring Creek would only consummate such a financing simultaneously with the
consummation of a business combination.
Commencing
on February 27, 2008, Spring Creek began incurring a fee of $7,500 per month for
office space. The office space is provided by LiveABC of Beijing, China, an
affiliate of James Cheng-Jee Sha, Spring Creeks Chief Executive Officer and
director. Mr. Sha has agreed that, until Spring Creek consummates a business
combination, he will make such office space, as well as certain office and
secretarial services, available to Spring Creek, as may be required by Spring
Creek from time to time.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
Spring
Creek has never entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and
have never established any special purpose entities. Spring Creek has not
guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities or entered into any options
on non-financial assets.
Contractual
Obligations
Spring
Creek does not have any long term debt, capital lease obligations, operating
lease obligations, purchase obligations or other long term liabilities. However,
as discussed above, Spring Creek has entered into a lease with the landlord of
Spring Creeks office facilities at a monthly rental of approximately
$7,500.
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been
prepared assuming that the Business Combination had occurred (i) at the
beginning of each of the applicable periods for the pro forma statements of
operations and (ii) at September 30, 2008 for the pro forma balance
sheet. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
information presents two possible scenarios for the approval of the Business
Combination by Spring Creeks stockholders, as follows:
|
o
|
Assuming No Redemption of
Shares:
This presentation assumes that no stockholders
exercised their redemption rights;
and
|
|
o
|
Assuming Maximum Redemption of
Shares:
This presentation assumes that holders of
2,069,999 shares of Spring Creeks outstanding ordinary shares (one share
less than 40%) exercise their redemption
rights.
|
The
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is provided for
illustrative purposes only. The historical financial information has
been adjusted to give effect to pro forma events that are directly attributable
to the Business Combination, are factually supportable, and are expected to have
a continuing impact on the combined results.
You
should not rely on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as
being indicative of the historical financial position that would have been
achieved had the Business Combination been consummated as of September 30, 2008,
or the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations as being
indicative of the historical financial results of operations that would have
been achieved had the Business Combination been consummated on the first day of
each of the respective operating periods. See Risk Factors Risk
Factors Relating to the Business Combination in this proxy statement for further
details.
We are
providing the following information to aid you in your analysis of the financial
aspects of the business combination. We derived the historical
financial information of AutoChina from the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of AutoChina for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and the
notes thereto and the audited consolidated financial statements of AutoChina for
the year ended December 31, 2007 and the notes thereto included elsewhere in
this proxy statement. We derived the historical financial information
of Spring Creek from the unaudited financial statements of Spring Creek for the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and the notes thereto and the audited
financial statements of Spring Creek for the year ended December 31, 2007 and
the notes thereto included elsewhere in this proxy statement. This
information should be read together with Spring Creeks and AutoChinas audited
and unaudited financial statements and related notes, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for Spring Creek
and AutoChina, and other financial information included elsewhere in this proxy
statement.
Actual
results could differ from the pro forma information presented and depend on
several variables, including, pursuant to an earn-out provision in the share
exchange agreement, the issuance to AutoChinas current shareholders of between
5% and 20% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31 of the
fiscal year immediately prior to such earn-out issuance for achieving certain
Targeted EBITDA Growth (as defined in the share exchange agreement) in each of
the five fiscal years ending December 31, 2009 through December 31,
2013. Upon issuance, such shares will be recorded as an adjustment to
the accounting acquirees basis in the reverse acquisition (i.e., as an
adjustment at par value to ordinary shares and additional paid-in capital), and
will be included in the calculations of earnings per share from that
date.
In order to ensure that the Business
Combination is approved by the shareholders, Spring Creek, AutoChina and their
respective affiliates may enter into transactions to purchase or facilitate the
purchase of ordinary shares of Spring Creek from shareholders who have indicated
their intention to vote against the Business Combination and seek redemption of
their shares for cash. Such transactions may be entered into prior to the
meeting of shareholders to approve the Business Combination, but would not be
completed until the Business Combination was consummated. Such
purchases could result in all or substantially all of Spring Creek’s trust fund
being expended to pay for such stock repurchases post-transaction, which could
result in AutoChina not receiving any working capital from the trust account to
fund its post-transaction business operations. Such purchases could
also result in the issuance of additional ordinary shares or warrants of Spring
Creek as an inducement for third parties to purchase such shares. The
lack of trust funds to fund AutoChina’s business operations could have a
material adverse effect on its operations and business prospects. No
such transactions have occurred or been entered into as of the date of this
proxy statement. If any of the funds held in Spring Creek’s trust
account are used to purchase ordinary shares of Spring Creek from holders who
would have otherwise voted against the Business Combination, holders of Spring
Creek’s public stock who purchased such shares in Spring Creek’s initial public
offering may have grounds to seek rescission of the purchase of the units the
holder acquired in the initial public offering. In such event, Spring
Creek would be required to reclassify those shares subject to rescission rights
outside of stockholders’ equity. Due to the uncertainty associated
with the potential transactions described above, the financial information
presented below does not give effect to such matters.
The
Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse acquisition since,
immediately following completion of the transaction, the shareholders of
AutoChina immediately prior to the Business Combination will have effective
control of Spring Creek through (1) their approximately 57.1% shareholder
interest in the combined entity, assuming no share redemptions (67.9% in the
event of maximum share redemptions), (2) significant representation on the Board
of Directors (initially two out of five members), with three other board
members being independent of both Spring Creek and AutoChina, and (3) being
named to all of the senior executive positions. For accounting
purposes, AutoChina will be deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the
transaction and, consequently, the transaction will be treated as a
recapitalization of AutoChina, i.e., a capital transaction involving the
issuance of stock by Spring Creek for the stock of
AutoChina. Accordingly, the combined assets, liabilities and results
of operations of AutoChina will become the historical financial statements of
Spring Creek at the closing of the transaction, and Spring Creeks assets
(primarily cash and cash equivalents), liabilities and results of operations
will be consolidated with AutoChina beginning on the acquisition
date. No step-up in basis or intangible assets or goodwill will be
recorded in this transaction. As this transaction is being accounted
for as a reverse acquisition, all direct costs of the transaction will be
charged to additional paid-in capital.
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. AND AUTOCHINA GROUP INC. AND RELATED
ENTITIES
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
Year
Ended Ended December 31, 2007
(In
thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Spring
|
|
|
Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
Additional Pro Forma
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
|
Creek
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
(With No
|
|
Adjustments for Redemption of
|
|
(With Maximum
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
|
|
|
Related
|
|
|
Adjustments and Eliminations
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
2,069,999 Shares of Common Stock
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
Corp.
|
|
|
Entities
|
|
|
Debit
|
|
|
Credit
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
Debit
|
|
Credit
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
294,665
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
294,665
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
294,665
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
277,181
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
277,181
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
277,181
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
17,484
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,484
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,484
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and marketing
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,304
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,304
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,304
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
6,042
|
|
|
|
1,452
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,727
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,727
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
210
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
operating income, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(355
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(355
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(355
|
)
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
8,991
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,676
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,676
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
|
8,493
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income
(expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
-
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(2,111
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,111
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,111
|
)
|
Equity
in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated
subsidiaries
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(1,260
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,260
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,260
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
|
5,549
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
294
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
|
4,566
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from discontinued operations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(23
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income per common share -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding (Note B) -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,075,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,681,551
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,067,570
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,674,121
|
|
Pro
Forma Adjustments and Eliminations (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for
share and per share data, unless otherwise noted):
|
(1)
|
To
eliminate interest income earned on funds held in trust and related income
tax expense, as Spring Creek expects to use all funds from the trust
account for the transaction.
|
|
(2)
|
To
provide for estimated incremental expenses of the parent public company
based upon contracts, engagement letters, actual invoices and/or currently
updated fee estimates as follows:
|
Public
company legal fees
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
Sarbanes-Oxley
implementation, documentation and testing
|
|
|
200
|
|
Financial
audit /review fees
|
|
|
220
|
|
Directors
fees and expenses
|
|
|
250
|
|
Directors
and officers liability insurance
|
|
|
100
|
|
Listing
fees
|
|
|
27
|
|
Printing
|
|
|
30
|
|
Public
and investor relations
|
|
|
150
|
|
Transfer
agent fees
|
|
|
120
|
|
Travel
|
|
|
100
|
|
Other
|
|
|
5
|
|
Total
estimated annual incremental public company expenses
|
|
$
|
1,452
|
|
|
(3)
|
To
provide for the estimated incremental cost of post-merger compensation
agreements of $210 per annum.
|
|
(4)
|
To
provide for the income tax benefit resulting from incremental post-merger
compensation and public company costs, at the company's effective income
tax rate for the period presented.
|
Pro
Forma Notes (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data,
unless otherwise noted):
|
(A)
|
Pro
forma entries are recorded to the extent they are a direct result of the
business combination, are factually supportable, and are expected to have
a continuing impact on the combined
results.
|
|
(B)
|
As
the transaction is being accounted for as a reverse acquisition, the
calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted
earnings per share assumes that the shares issued in conjunction with
the business combination have been outstanding for the entire
period. If the maximum numbers of shares are redeemed, this
calculation is retroactively adjusted to eliminate such shares for
the entire period. Basic and diluted weighted average number of common
shares outstanding is calculated as
follows:
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet
|
|
|
With No
|
|
|
With Maximum
|
|
|
|
Entry
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Redemption
|
|
|
Redemption
|
|
Actual
number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
Pro
forma shares to be issued:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surrender
and cancellation of founders shares
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(323,450
|
)
|
Shares
issued to selling shareholders in share exchange
transaction
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
Shares
redeemed by public shareholders
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(2,069,999
|
)
|
Pro
forma weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,075,000
|
|
|
|
12,681,551
|
|
Common
stock equivalents:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issuable from actual "in the money" warrants outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
Public Offering warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
From
Private Placement warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
Less
number of shares available "on the market" pursuant to the treasury stock
method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,612,430
|
)
|
|
|
(4,612,430
|
)
|
Number
of "new" shares to be issued pursuant to the treasury stock
method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,992,570
|
|
|
|
1,992,570
|
|
Pro
forma weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,067,570
|
|
|
|
14,674,121
|
|
|
(C)
|
The current market prices of
Spring Creek common stock and common stock purchase warrants utilized in
above calculations were as follows as of January 25,
2009:
|
Market
price per share of common stock (OTC SCRQF)
|
|
$
|
6.95
|
|
|
Market
price per common stock warrant (OTC CRWF)
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. AND AUTOCHINA GROUP INC. AND RELATED
ENTITIES
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008
(In
thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Spring
|
|
|
Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
Additional Pro Forma
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
|
Creek
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
(With No
|
|
Adjustments for Redemption of
|
|
(With Maximum
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
|
|
|
Related
|
|
|
Adjustments and Eliminations
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
2,069,999 Shares of Common Stock
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
Corp.
|
|
|
Entities
|
|
|
Debit
|
|
|
Credit
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
Debit
|
|
Credit
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
330,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
330,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
330,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
311,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
311,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
311,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,925
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,925
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,925
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and marketing
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,541
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,541
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,541
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
4,808
|
|
|
|
1,089
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
158
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
operating income, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(467
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(467
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(467
|
)
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
8,882
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
(167
|
)
|
|
|
10,043
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,630
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,630
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
549
|
|
|
|
1,851
|
|
|
|
549
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,851
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,851
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(2,366
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,366
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,366
|
)
|
Equity
in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated
subsidiaries
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
382
|
|
|
|
8,548
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
102
|
|
|
|
2,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
1,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,952
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
333
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
|
6,263
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from discontinued operations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before allocation of trust account interest
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
|
6,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation
of trust account interest relating to
ordinary shares subject to
possible redemption
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income available to ordinary stockholders
|
|
$
|
249
|
|
|
$
|
6,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income per common share -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.29
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding (Note B) -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,075,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,681,551
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,067,570
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,674,121
|
|
Pro
Forma Adjustments and Eliminations (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for
share and per share data, unless otherwise noted):
|
(1)
|
To
eliminate interest income earned on funds held in trust, the allocation of
a portion of that interest to the ordinary shares subject to possible
redemption, and the related income tax effect, as Spring Creek expects to
use all funds from the trust account for the
transaction.
|
|
(2)
|
To
provide for estimated incremental expenses of the parent public company
based upon contracts, engagement letters, actual invoices and/or currently
updated fee estimates as follows:
|
Public
company legal fees
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
Sarbanes-Oxley
implementation, documentation and testing
|
|
|
200
|
|
Financial
audit /review fees
|
|
|
220
|
|
Directors
fees and expenses
|
|
|
250
|
|
Directors
and officers liability insurance
|
|
|
100
|
|
Listing
fees
|
|
|
27
|
|
Printing
|
|
|
30
|
|
Public
and investor relations
|
|
|
150
|
|
Transfer
agent fees
|
|
|
120
|
|
Travel
|
|
|
100
|
|
Other
|
|
|
5
|
|
Total
estimated annual incremental public company expenses
|
|
$
|
1,452
|
|
Total
estimated annual incremental public company expenses for the nine month
period ended September 30, 2008.
|
$
|
1,089
|
|
|
(3)
|
To
provide for the estimated incremental cost of post-merger compensation
agreements for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008, based upon
$210 per annum.
|
|
(4)
|
To
provide for the income tax benefit resulting from incremental post-merger
compensation and public company costs, at the company's effective income
tax rate for the period presented.
|
Pro
Forma Notes (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data,
unless otherwise noted):
|
(A)
|
Pro
forma entries are recorded to the extent they are a direct result of the
business combination, are factually supportable, and are expected to have
a continuing impact on the combined
results.
|
|
(B)
|
As
the transaction is being accounted for as a reverse acquisition, the
calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted
earnings per share assumes that the shares issued in conjunction
with the business combination have been outstanding for the entire
period. If the maximum numbers of shares are redeemed, this
calculation is retroactively adjusted to eliminate such shares
for the entire period. Basic and diluted weighted average number of common
shares outstanding is calculated as
follows:
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet
|
|
|
With No
|
|
|
With Maximum
|
|
|
|
Entry
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
No.
|
|
|
Redemption
|
|
|
Redemption
|
|
Actual
number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
Pro
forma shares to be issued:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surrender
and cancellation of founders shares
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(323,450
|
)
|
Shares
issued to selling shareholders in share exchange
transaction
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
Shares
redeemed by public shareholders
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(2,069,999
|
)
|
Pro
forma weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,075,000
|
|
|
|
12,681,551
|
|
Common
stock equivalents:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issuable from actual "in the money" warrants outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
Public Offering warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
From
Private Placement warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
Less
number of shares available "on the market" pursuant to the treasury stock
method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,612,430
|
)
|
|
|
(4,612,430
|
)
|
Number
of "new" shares to be issued pursuant to the treasury stock
method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,992,570
|
|
|
|
1,992,570
|
|
Pro
forma weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,067,570
|
|
|
|
14,674,121
|
|
|
(C)
|
The
current market prices of Spring Creek common stock and common stock
purchase warrants utilized in above calculations were as follows as of
January 25, 2009:
|
Market
price per share of common stock (OTC SCRQF)
|
|
$
|
6.95
|
|
|
Market
price per common stock warrant (OTC CRWF)
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. AND AUTOCHINA GROUP INC. AND RELATED
ENTITIES
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
September
30, 2008
(In
thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Spring
|
|
|
Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
Additional Pro Forma
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
|
Creek
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
(With No
|
|
|
Adjustments for Redemption of
|
|
|
(With Maximum
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
|
|
|
Related
|
|
|
Adjustments and Eliminations
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
2,069,999 Shares of Common Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
Corp.
|
|
|
Entities
|
|
|
Debit
|
|
|
Credit
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
Debit
|
|
|
Credit
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
125
|
|
|
$
|
17,661
|
|
|
|
40,871
|
(1)
|
|
|
1,449
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
55,153
|
|
|
|
580
|
(10)
|
|
|
16,850
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
38,852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
(11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,055
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
39,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,988
|
|
Funds
held in trust
|
|
|
40,871
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,871
|
(1)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,559
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
45,971
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,971
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,971
|
|
Deposits
for inventories
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,689
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
6,756
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,842
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,842
|
|
Due
from affiliated companies
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
413
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
413
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
413
|
|
Current
maturities of notes receivable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,322
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,322
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,322
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
943
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
41,082
|
|
|
|
149,302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
186,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
170,579
|
|
Investment
in unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvement, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
25,878
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,878
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,878
|
|
Deferred
acquisition costs
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,055
|
(6)
|
|
|
2,105
|
(7)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Notes
receivable, net of current maturities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
11,593
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,593
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,593
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
939
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
939
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
939
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
41,132
|
|
|
$
|
187,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
225,520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
209,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable-manufacturer affiliated
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
16,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
16,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
16,873
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5,091
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,091
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,091
|
|
Trade
notes payable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
7,721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,729
|
|
Accrued
acquisition costs
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,055
|
(8)
|
|
|
2,055
|
(6)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Due
to affiliated companies
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
21,049
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,049
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,049
|
|
Customer
deposits
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5,311
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,311
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,311
|
|
Income
taxes payable
|
|
|
102
|
|
|
|
1,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,689
|
|
Deferred
underwriting fees
|
|
|
1,449
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,449
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deferred
interest on funds held in trust
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
31
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Current
portion of deferred income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,774
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,774
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,774
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,590
|
|
|
|
121,089
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,199
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,199
|
|
Deferred
income, net of current portion
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
959
|
|
Deferred
income tax liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
689
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
1,590
|
|
|
|
122,737
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
shares, subject to possible redemption
|
|
|
16,270
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,270
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
shares, $0.001 par value
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Ordinary
shares, $0.001 par value
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
(5)
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
2
|
(9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
23,040
|
|
|
|
35,921
|
|
|
|
9
|
(5)
|
|
|
16,270
|
(4)
|
|
|
73,342
|
|
|
|
16,268
|
(9)
|
|
|
580
|
(10)
|
|
|
57,075
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
225
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
580
|
(9)
|
|
|
0
|
(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,105
|
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory
reserves
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
|
16,537
|
|
|
|
225
|
(3)
|
|
|
31
|
(4)
|
|
|
16,568
|
|
|
|
31
|
(11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,537
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,098
|
|
Total
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
23,272
|
|
|
|
58,618
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,785
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
41,132
|
|
|
$
|
187,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
225,520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
209,219
|
|
Pro
Forma Adjustments and Eliminations (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for
share and per share data, unless otherwise noted):
|
(1)
|
To
liquidate investments held in
trust.
|
|
(2)
|
To
pay deferred underwriters' compensation charged to capital at time of
initial public offering but contingently payable until the consumation of
a business combination of $1,449.
|
|
(3)
|
To
eliminate historical retained earnings of accounting
acquiree.
|
|
(4)
|
To
eliminate ordinary shares subject to redemption and related deferred
interest on the assumption that all shareholders approve of the proposed
business combination.
|
|
(5)
|
To
record issuance of Net Upfront Consideration Shares and Holdback
Consideration Shares to the selling shareholders in the business
combination, calculated as
follows:.
|
Purchase
Price
|
|
$
|
68,850
|
|
Divided
by Net Upfront Consideration Average Price
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
Total
Net Upfront Consideration Shares and Holdback Consideration Shares (See
Notes B and C, below)
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
|
|
To
accrue balance of estimated direct costs for the preparation and
negotiation of the business combination based upon engagement letters,
actual invoices and/or currently updated fee estimates as
follows:
|
Investment
banking fees
|
|
$
|
200
|
|
Financial
advisor fees
|
|
|
60
|
|
Legal
fees
|
|
|
925
|
|
Fairness
opinion fees
|
|
|
75
|
|
Accounting
fees
|
|
|
670
|
|
Registration
and listing costs
|
|
|
75
|
|
Printing
costs
|
|
|
50
|
|
Roadshow
and travel
|
|
|
50
|
|
Total
estmated costs
|
|
|
2,105
|
|
Less
costs incurred to-date
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
Balance
to accrue
|
|
$
|
2,055
|
|
Total
estimated costs do not include contingent underwriters fees of approximatety
$1,449 that are payable upon consumation of the business combination as these
costs were incurred in connection with
Spring
Creek's IPO and have already been provided for on Spring Creek's
books.
|
(7)
|
To
record charge-off of costs related to the business
combination.
|
|
(8)
|
To
record payment of costs related to the business
combination.
|
|
(9)
|
To
record redemption of 2,069,999 shares (one share less than 40%) of Spring
Creek ordinary shares issued in Spring Creek's IPO, at September 30, 2008
redemption value of $7.88 per share, of which $0.28
per
share represents a portion of the underwriter's contingent fee which the
underwriter's have agreed to forego for each share redeemed and which is
included in amounts due to underwriter and has already
been
charged to additional paid-in capital, plus a portion of the interest
earned on the trusts. The number of shares assumed redeemed, 2,069,999, is
based on one share less than 40% of the initial public
offering
shares outstanding prior to the business combination and represents the
maximum number of shares that may be redeemed without precluding the
consummation of the business
combination.
|
|
(10)
|
To
reverse portion of deferred underwriters' fee forfeited to redeeming
shareholders ($0.28 per share times 2,069,999
shares).
|
|
(11)
|
To
record the payment to redeeming shareholders of interest earned on the
trust account attributed to the redeeming
shareholders.
|
|
(12)
|
To
record forfeiture and cancellation of 323,450 shares held by Spring
Creek's founding stockholders if more than 20% of the public stockholders
exercise their redemption rights.
|
Pro
Forma Notes (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data,
unless otherwise noted):
|
(A)
|
Pro
forma entries are recorded to the extent they are a direct result of the
business combination, are factually supportable, and are expected to have
a continuing impact on the combined
results.
|
|
(B)
|
Concurrent
with the closing, 10% of the shares to be issued at that time (see
adjustment (5) above), defined as Holdback Consideration Shares, shall be
delivered into an escrow account and be subject to
release
to the selling shareholders in two equal installments upon the attainment
of certain income thesholds in 2008 and 2009. See "Proposal to Acquire
AutoChina Acquisition of AutoChina; Acquisition Consideration," elsewhere
in this proxy statement/prospectus.
|
|
(C)
|
The
selling shareholders will be eligible to earn additional shares, based
upon the achievement of certain income targets for the years 2008 through
2013. See "Proposal to Acquire AutoChina Acquisition of AutoChina;
Acquisition Consideration," elsewhere
in
this proxy statement/prospectus. Upon issuance, the shares will be
recorded as an adjustment to the accounting acquiree's basis in the
reverse acquisition, and will be included in the calculations
of earnings per share from such
date.
|
CAPITALIZATION
OF SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
The
following table sets forth the capitalization of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.
as of September 30, 2008:
|
|
on
an as adjusted basis giving effect to the business
combination.
|
on an as
further adjusted basis giving effect to the business combination and the
redemption of 2,069,999 ordinary shares subject to possible
redemption.
There
have been no significant adjustments to Spring Creek's capitalization since
September 30, 2008, as so adjusted. You should read this
capitalization
table together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations", the financial
statements
and related notes, and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements and related notes, all appearing elsewhere
in this
joint merger proxy.
In order
to ensure that the Business Combination is approved by the shareholders, Spring
Creek, AutoChina and their respective affiliates may enter into transactions to
purchase or facilitate the purchase of ordinary shares of Spring Creek from
shareholders who have indicated their intention to vote against the Business
Combination and seek redemption of their shares for cash. Such
transactions may be entered into prior to the meeting of shareholders to approve
the Business Combination, but would not be completed until the Business
Combination was consummated. Such purchases could result in all or
substantially all of Spring Creek’s trust fund being expended to pay for such
stock repurchases post-transaction, which could result in AutoChina not
receiving any working capital from the trust account to fund its
post-transaction business operations. Such purchases could also
result in the issuance of additional ordinary shares or warrants of Spring Creek
as an inducement for third parties to purchase such shares. The lack
of trust funds to fund AutoChina’s business operations could have a material
adverse effect on its operations and business prospects. No such
transactions have occurred or been entered into as of the date of this proxy
statement. If any of the funds held in Spring Creek’s trust account
are used to purchase ordinary shares of Spring Creek from holders who would have
otherwise voted against the Business Combination, holders of Spring Creek’s
public stock who purchased such shares in Spring Creek’s initial public offering
may have grounds to seek rescission of the purchase of the units the holder
acquired in the initial public offering. In such event, Spring Creek
would be required to reclassify those shares subject to rescission rights
outside of stockholders’ equity. Due to the uncertainty associated
with the potential transactions described above, the financial information
presented below does not give effect to such
matters.
|
|
As of September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Further
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
As Adjusted
|
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock subject to possible redemption
|
|
|
16,270
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
shares, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none
issued
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Ordinary
shares, $0.001 par value, authorized - 50,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding - 6,468,750 shares, inclusive of shares subject to possible
redemption actual, 15,075,000 shares, as adjusted, and 12,681,551 shares,
as further adjusted
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
23,040
|
|
|
|
73,342
|
|
|
|
57,075
|
|
Statutory
reserves
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
|
16,568
|
|
|
|
16,537
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,098
|
|
|
|
6,098
|
|
Total
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
23,272
|
|
|
|
96,086
|
|
|
|
79,785
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
capitalization
|
|
$
|
39,542
|
|
|
$
|
102,673
|
|
|
$
|
86,372
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP. AND AUTOCHINA GROUP INC. AND RELATED
ENTITIES
Unaudited
Pro Forma Sensitivity Analysis
The
following table sets forth certain pro forma financial information assuming
consummation of the business combination, as of September 30, 2008,
at
redemption levels of no redemption, 10% redemption, 20% redemption, 30%
redemption, and one share less than 40% redemption (the maximum
redemption
amount under which the business combination can be completed).
This
unaudited pro forma sensitivity analysis should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited proforma condensed combined balance sheet
located
elsewhere in this document.
In order
to ensure that the Business Combination is approved by the shareholders, Spring
Creek, AutoChina and their respective affiliates may enter into transactions to
purchase or facilitate the purchase of ordinary shares of Spring Creek from
shareholders who have indicated their intention to vote against the Business
Combination and seek redemption of their shares for cash. Such
transactions may be entered into prior to the meeting of shareholders to approve
the Business Combination, but would not be completed until the Business
Combination was consummated. Such purchases could result in all or
substantially all of Spring Creek’s trust fund being expended to pay for such
stock repurchases post-transaction, which could result in AutoChina not
receiving any working capital from the trust account to fund its
post-transaction business operations. Such purchases could also
result in the issuance of additional ordinary shares or warrants of Spring Creek
as an inducement for third parties to purchase such shares. The lack
of trust funds to fund AutoChina’s business operations could have a material
adverse effect on its operations and business prospects. No such
transactions have occurred or been entered into as of the date of this proxy
statement. If any of the funds held in Spring Creek’s trust account
are used to purchase ordinary shares of Spring Creek from holders who would have
otherwise voted against the Business Combination, holders of Spring Creek’s
public stock who purchased such shares in Spring Creek’s initial public offering
may have grounds to seek rescission of the purchase of the units the holder
acquired in the initial public offering. In such event, Spring Creek
would be required to reclassify those shares subject to rescission rights
outside of stockholders’ equity. Due to the uncertainty associated
with the potential transactions described above, the financial information
presented below does not give effect to such
matters.
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
Companies
|
|
|
|
(With no
|
|
|
(With 10%
|
|
|
(With 20%
|
|
|
(With 30%
|
|
|
(With Maximum
|
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
Redemption)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of shares redeemed
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
517,500
|
|
|
|
1,035,000
|
|
|
|
1,552,500
|
|
|
|
2,069,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
55,153
|
|
|
$
|
51,078
|
|
|
$
|
47,002
|
|
|
$
|
42,927
|
|
|
$
|
38,852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
current assets
|
|
|
131,727
|
|
|
|
131,727
|
|
|
|
131,727
|
|
|
|
131,727
|
|
|
|
131,727
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
186,880
|
|
|
|
182,805
|
|
|
|
178,729
|
|
|
|
174,654
|
|
|
|
170,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent
assets
|
|
|
38,640
|
|
|
|
38,640
|
|
|
|
38,640
|
|
|
|
38,640
|
|
|
|
38,640
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
225,520
|
|
|
$
|
221,445
|
|
|
$
|
217,369
|
|
|
$
|
213,294
|
|
|
$
|
209,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
$
|
121,199
|
|
|
$
|
121,199
|
|
|
$
|
121,199
|
|
|
$
|
121,199
|
|
|
$
|
121,199
|
|
Noncurrent
liabilities
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
122,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
shares subject to possible redemption
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity
|
|
|
96,086
|
|
|
|
92,011
|
|
|
|
87,935
|
|
|
|
83,860
|
|
|
|
79,785
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
225,520
|
|
|
$
|
221,445
|
|
|
$
|
217,369
|
|
|
$
|
213,294
|
|
|
$
|
209,219
|
|
DIRECTORS
AND MANAGEMENT
Directors,
Management and Key Employees Following the Acquisition
Upon
consummation of the acquisition, Spring Creek and AutoChina intend the Board of
Directors, executive officers and key employees of Spring Creek to be as
follows:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Yong
Hui Li
|
|
47
|
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Chen
Lei
|
|
43
|
|
Senior
Vice President
|
Johnson
Lau
|
|
35
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Wei
Xing
|
|
48
|
|
Chief
Operating Officer
|
Hui
Kai Yan
|
|
44
|
|
Director
and Secretary
|
James
Cheng-Jee Sha
|
|
57
|
|
Director
|
Diana
Chia-Huei Liu
|
|
43
|
|
Director
|
Thomas
Luen-Hung Lau
|
|
55
|
|
Director
|
Yong Hui
Li
is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AutoChina and
Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. which was previously the second
largest shareholder of Shijiazhuang International Building, a construction
company traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CN:
000600. From February 2001 to May 2006, Mr. Li helped oversee Kaiyuan
Real Estate Development Co., Ltds development of the largest steel-framed
construction in Hebei Province, consisting of residential complexes, office
towers and an upscale shopping mall, which covered over one million square
feet. In 1994, Mr. Li founded Shijiazhuang Hi-tech Zone Kaiyuan Auto Trade
Co., which was a pioneer in the commercial vehicle leasing business in Hebei
Province. He graduated from Tianjin University in June 1985 with a
bachelor degree in Optical Physics.
Chen Lei
has served as a Senior Vice President in charge of the finance department
and investor relations services for AutoChina since September
2008. From January 1996 to September 2008, Mr. Lei served as a Senior
Vice President in charge of the finance department and investor relations
services for Hebei Kaiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd., a company affiliated with
Yong Hui Li. Mr. Lei received a Bachelor of Economics degree from
Hebei Finance and Economics University, China.
Wei Xing
has served as Chief Operating Officer of AutoChina since September
2008. From January 1996 to September 2008, Mr. Xing served as Chief
Operating Officer for Hebei Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., a company
affiliated with Yong Hui Li. Mr. Xing received a Bachelor of
Engineering degree from Hebei Building Engineering University and a Bachelor of
Economics degree from Hebei University.
Johnson Shun-Pong
Lau
has served as the Chief Financial Officer of AutoChina Group, Inc.
since October 2008. From March 2006 to October 2008 he was the Chief
Financial Officer of Haike Chemical Group Ltd., a petrochemical and specialty
chemical company. Mr. Lau served as the Chief Operating Officer of
Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp., a company quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board
(KWBT) which engaged in bio-technological products for agriculture products,
from January 2005 to March 2006. Mr. Lau serves on the Board of Directors of
Haike Chemical Group Ltd., which is a company public in the United Kingdom (AIM:
HAIK). From May 1997 to August 2004, Mr. Lau worked for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
in Hong Kong and Beijing. Mr. Lau received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from
Monash University.
Hui Kai
Yan
has been Senior Vice-President of AutoChina and Kaiyuan Real Estate
Development Corp. since August 1997. He is responsible for Finance,
Administration and Human Resources at each company. Prior to
joining Kaiyuan, from April 1994 to July 1997, Mr. Yan was a member of the
Economic and Trade Commission of Hebei provincial government and was responsible
for guiding state-owned enterprises through restructuring process and
modernization. From March 1989 to April 1994, he was at the Economic Commission
of Shijiazhuang city government (Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei
province). Mr. Yan is certified as a Senior Economist by Hebei
provincial government. He graduated from Hebei University of
Technology in June 1985 with a bachelor degree in Management
Science.
James Cheng-Jee
Sha
has served as Chairman of Spring Creeks Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer since its inception. Mr. Sha founded and has been a partner of
Spring Creek Investments since December 1999. Spring Creek Investments is a
private investment firm specializing in principal investments and business
consultations with internet and infrastructure companies. Mr. Sha also has
served as the Chief Executive Officer of Optoplex Corporation, a communication
networks company, since December 2002. From September 2005 to February 2007, Mr.
Sha served as Chief Executive Officer of AppStream, a software application
virtualization company. From February 1999 to September 1999, Mr. Sha served as
the Chief Executive Officer for Sina.com (NASDAQ: SINA), a global Chinese
on-line media company and value added information service provider. From July
1996 to August 1998, Mr. Sha served as the Chief Executive Officer of Actra
Business Systems, a joint venture between Netscape Communications Corporation
and GE Information Services (GEIS), providing next-generation internet commerce
application solutions for both business-to-consumer and business-to-business
commerce markets. From August 1994 to August 1998, Mr. Sha served as Senior Vice
President and General Manager of Netscape Communications Corporation, a computer
services company until its merger with AOL. From May 1990 to August 1994, Mr.
Sha was a Vice President at Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ:ORCL), a database
management and development systems software company. From June 1986 to May 1990,
Mr. Sha was a Vice President at Wyse Technology, Inc., a hardware, software and
services computing company. Mr. Sha currently serves as a member of the Board of
Directors of Tom.com (HK: 8282), a wireless internet company in the PRC
providing value-added multimedia products and services. Mr. Sha also serves as a
trustee of the University of California at Berkeley Foundation and is a Board
member of the Berkeley Chinese Alumni International Association. Mr. Sha
graduated from National Taiwan University with a BS in Electrical Engineering,
the University of California at Berkeley with an MS in EECS and from Santa Clara
University with an MBA.
Diana Chia-Huei
Liu
has served as Spring Creeks President since Spring Creeks inception.
Ms. Liu has served as the President and Managing Director of Cansbridge Capital,
a private investment firm specializing in early stage investments along the west
coast of North America (namely U.S. and Canada) and Asia, since August 1998.
Prior to Cansbridge, Ms. Liu served as the Executive Vice-President at Polaris
Securities Group (TW: 6011), an investment firm in Taiwan, where she founded and
managed its North American operations from April 1994 to August 1998. From
August 1991 to April 1994, Ms. Liu was an account portfolio manager in global
private banking at the Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY), a full-service banking
firm. From October 1988 to August 1991, Ms. Liu served as the regional sales
manager for the province of British Columbia, Canada, at CIBC Securities, a
subsidiary of CIBC (NYSE:CM), a full-service banking firm, where she founded and
managed the mutual funds promotion division. Ms. Liu has served since June 2006
as a member of the Executive Committee and the Chair of the Investment Committee
at the Asia Pacific Foundation, a Canadian federal government created think tank
and policy advisory board where she works closely with the co-CEOs on
operational issues and investment of its endowment funds. In addition, she also
currently serves as a director of the Vancouver Goh Ballet Society and BaySpec,
Inc., a supplier of optical components. Ms. Liu graduated with a BA in economics
from the University of British Columbia in Canada. Ms. Liu is the spouse of Mr.
William Yu, Spring Creeks Chief Financial Officer.
Thomas Luen-Hung
Lau
has been nominated to become a member of Spring Creeks
Board of Directors. He is the Managing Director of Lifestyle International
Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed holding company (HK: 1212) involved in
retailing, which acquired Hong Kongs SOGO department stores in 2004 and expanded
the business into Shanghai, Dalian, Suzhou and other cities. The
principal activity of Lifestyle is the operation of lifestyle department
stores and property holding. Lifestyle International has a market capitalization
over HK$9.46 billion. From 1985 to December 2006, Mr. Lau was the
Chairman of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited (HK: 127), a real estate investment
company with a market capitalization of over HK$19 billion, where he was
responsible for, among other things, hotel and real estate investments in Hong
Kong, Macau and major cities in the PRC, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well
as overseeing Chinese Estates Holdings Limiteds acquisitions of Paul Y.
Construction Company Limited, Chi Cheung Investment Company Limited (HK:
112) and G-Prop (Holdings) Limited (HK: 286). Up to 2001,
Mr. Lau was the Chairman of Evergo Holdings Company Limited, a Hong Kong-listed
company (HK: 631)) in the home appliance manufacturing business. Mr.
Lau was a founding member of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., a U.S. media
communications and home entertainment company, in 1989, which was listed on
Nasdaq and acquired by Macrovision System Maintenance in 2007. Mr.
Lau obtained a BA from the University of Toronto and a MBA from the University
of Windsor.
Upon
consummation of the acquisition, none of the combined companys officers and
directors will be related.
AutoChina
management will remain in place following the transaction and continue to run
day to day operations of the combined company.
Board
Committees
Spring
Creek does not have an audit committee, nominating committee or compensation
committee and therefore the entire Board of Directors performs those functions
for Spring Creek. The Board of Directors has not determined whether anyone on
the Board of Directors is an audit committee financial expert, as such
term is defined by SEC rules. Since the Board of Directors does not have a
separately designated Audit Committee and Spring Creek will not have any
operating activities until such time as Spring Creek enters into a business
combination, Spring Creek has not made the determination of whether anyone is an
audit committee financial expert.
Director
Independence
Spring
Creeks Board of Directors has not determined if any of its directors qualifies
as independent, although Spring Creeks management believes that Messrs. Sha and
Lau and Ms. Liu would qualify as independent directors under the rules of the
Nasdaq Stock Market following the acquisition because they do not currently own
a large percentage of AutoChina's capital stock, are not currently employed
by AutoChina, have not been actively involved in the management of AutoChina and
do not fall into any of the enumerated categories of people who cannot be
considered independent in the Nasdaq Share Market Rules. Spring Creeks Board of
Directors will make a determination about independence after the acquisition is
consummated. Spring Creek does not have an audit committee, nominating committee
or compensation committee and therefore the entire Board of Directors performs
those functions for Spring Creek.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During
the last fiscal year, no officer and employee of Spring Creek, and no former
officer of Spring Creek, during the last completed fiscal year, participated in
deliberations of Spring Creeks Board of Directors concerning executive officer
compensation.
Independent Auditor
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, Spring Creeks principal independent
registered public accounting firm was UHY LLP. The firm of UHY LLP acted as
Spring Creeks principal independent registered public accounting firm from
Spring Creeks inception through September 19, 2008. On September 19,
2008, Spring Creek terminated UHY LLP and appointed Grobstein, Horwath & Co.
as its principal independent registered public accounting firm.
Through
and as of February 20, 2009, UHY LLP had a continuing relationship with UHY
Advisors, Inc. from which it leased auditing staff who were full-time, permanent
employees of UHY Advisors, Inc. and through which UHY LLPs partners provide
non-audit services. UHY LLP has only a few full-time employees. Therefore, few,
if any, of the audit services performed were provided by permanent, full-time
employees of UHY LLP. UHY LLP manages and supervises the audit services and
audit stall and is exclusively responsible for the opinion rendered in
connection wit this examination.
On
December 8, 2008, Crowe Horwath LLP acquired certain assets of Grobstein,
Horwath & Co. and many of the partenrs of Grobstein, Horwath & Co.
became partners of Crowe Horwath LLP. On January 12, 2009, Spring
Creek engaged Crowe Horwath LLP as its principal independent registered
accounting firm and Crowe Horwath LLP will be conducting the audit of Spring
Creeks fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Spring Creek did not
incur any fees with Crowe Horwath LLP for the year ended December 31,
2008.
The
services of Spring Creeks principal accountant were provided in the following
categories and amount:
Audit
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by UHY LLP for professional services rendered for the
audit of Spring Creek's balance sheet at March 13, 2008 included in Spring
Creeks Current Report on Form 8-K, for the audit of Spring Creeks annual
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and for
services performed in connection with Spring Creeks registration statement on
Form S-1 initially filed in 2007, were $100,195.
The
aggregate fees billed by UHY LLP for services rendered in connection with Spring
Creeks quarterly reports for the first and second quarters of 2008 were
$20,850.
The
aggregate fees billed by Grobstein, Horwath & Co. for services rendered
in connection with Spring Creeks quarterly report for the third quarter of 2008
were $12,000. Spring Creek anticipates that Crowe Horwath
LLP will charge approximately $35,000 in connection with its audit for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which audit is in progress but not yet
complete.
Audit
Related Fees
Other
than the fees described under the caption "Audit Fees" above, UHY LLP did not
bill any fees for services rendered to us during fiscal year 2007 or 2008 for
assurance and related services in connection with the audit or review of our
financial statements.
Other
than the fees described under the caption "Audit Fees" above, Grobstein, Horwath
& Co. did not bill any fees for services rendered to us during fiscal year
2008 for assurance and related services in connection with the audit or review
of our financial statements.
Tax
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by UHY LLP for professional services rendered for tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning for Spring Creeks balance sheet at March
13, 2008 included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filled with the SEC on March
19, 2008, were $850. No other fees were billed by UHY LLP for these
services.
Grobstein,
Horwath & Co. did not bill any fees for services rendered for tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning during fiscal year 2008.
All
Other Fees
There
were no fees billed by UHY LLP for other professional services rendered during
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 or 2008.
There
were no fees billed by Grobstein, Horwath & Co. for other professional
services rendered during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
Pre-Approval
Of Services
Spring
Creek does not have an Audit Committee. The Board of Directors does not have any
pre-approval policies in place.
Code
of Ethics
Spring
Creek does not have a formal code of ethics. Upon consummation of a business
combination, Spring Creek intends to adopt a code of ethics that applies to
Spring Creeks principal executive officers, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar
functions.
Director
Compensation
Spring
Creek will compensate its Board of Directors based on policies put into place
after the acquisition, but which are expected to include a per diem for each
board meeting attended, an annual fee, reimbursement of expenses incurred in
attending meetings and equity awards. The amounts of compensation, numbers of
shares subject to awards and other terms of director compensation have not been
finally determined.
Spring
Creeks current directors do not currently receive any compensation for their
services.
AutoChina
Executive Compensation
The
following table shows information concerning the annual compensation for
services provided to AutoChina by its Chief Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer. No person made more than $100,000 in
2008.
Name and Principal Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
All other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
Compensation
($)
|
|
Yong
Hui Li, Chief Executive Officer
|
2008
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Johnson
Lau, Chief Financial Officer (1)
|
2008
|
|
|
15,250
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
15,250
|
|
______________________
(1)
Mr.
Lau joined AutoChina on October 16, 2008. Prior to that time, AutoChina did
not have a Chief Financial Officer.
Employment
Agreements
AutoChina
does not currently have employment agreements with any of its officers and
directors.
Post-Acquisition
Employment Agreements
The
following discussion summarizes the material terms of employment agreements to
be entered into between AutoChina and its executive officers upon consummation
of the acquisition:
|
|
The
term of the employment agreements will be for 3 years from the date of the
consummation of the acquisition, unless earlier terminated as described
below;
|
|
|
Each
executive will receive a base salary to be established by the Board of
Directors, and it is currently anticipated that no executive officers will
be entitled to a bonus, unless otherwise approved by the Board of
Directors;
|
|
|
The
employment agreements may be terminated by the company (i) upon
termination of the executive for cause, which is defined as (A) the
failure of the executive to properly carry out his duties after notice by
the company of the failure to do so and a reasonable opportunity for the
executive to correct the same within a reasonable period specified by the
company; (B) any breach by the executive of one or more provisions of any
written agreement with, or written policies of, the company or his
fiduciary duties to the company likely to cause material harm to the
company and its affiliates, at the company's reasonable discretion, or (C)
any theft, fraud, dishonesty or serious misconduct by the executive
involving his duties or the property, business, reputation or affairs of
the company and its affiliates, (ii) due to the executives death, (iii) in
the event the executive becomes eligible for the companys long-term
disability benefits or if the executive is unable to carry out his
responsibilities as a result of a physical or mental impairment for more
that 90 consecutive days or for more than 120 days in any 12-month period,
subject to applicable laws, and (iv) without cause upon one month written
notice, in which case the executive will be entitled to 3 months base
salary severance to the extent the executive is not otherwise employed
during the severance period;
|
|
|
The
employment agreements may be terminated by the respective executives: (i)
for any reason or no reason at all upon 3 months advanced notice, or (ii)
for good reason upon notice of the reason within 3 months of the event
causing such reason and subject to a 20-day cure period for the
company. Good reason is defined as: a material reduction in the
executive's base salary, except for reductions that are comparable to
reductions generally applicable to similarly situated executives of the
company if (i) such reduction is effected by the company without the
consent of the executive and (ii) such event occurs within 3 months after
a change in control. If the agreement is terminated by the
executive for good reason then 1 month base salary severance to the extent
the executive is not otherwise employed during the severance
period;
|
|
|
Each
executive will be subject to the non-compete, non-solicitation provisions
of the agreement for a term of one year following termination of the
employment agreement;
|
|
|
Except
for prior inventions (which is defined as all inventions, original works
of authorship, developments, improvements, and trade secrets which were
made by the executive prior to the executive's employment with the
company), all inventions and other intellectual property created by the
executive during the term of employment are the property of the company,
and the executive agrees to assist the company to secure such intellectual
property rights; and
|
|
|
The
employment agreements include other customary terms and conditions, and
are governed by the laws of Hong
Kong.
|
Spring
Creek Executive Officers and Shareholders.
No
compensation of any kind, including finders and consulting fees, has been or
will be paid to any Spring Creek shareholder who acquired ordinary shares prior
to its initial public offering, or any of their respective affiliates, for
services rendered prior to or in connection with a business combination.
However, those Spring Creek shareholders have been and will continue to be
reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities
on Spring Creeks behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses and
performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on
the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses, and there will be no review of the
reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than Spring Creeks directors, or
a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is
challenged.
Since
Spring Creek does not currently have an operating business, its officers do not
receive any compensation for their service to Spring Creek; and, since it has no
other employees, Spring Creek does not have any compensation policies,
procedures, objectives or programs in place. Spring Creek will adopt appropriate
compensation policies, procedures, objectives or programs after a business
combination with a target business is consummated and Spring Creeks management
team has had the opportunity to fully understand the operations of the business.
However, it is anticipated that, after closing, the compensation for senior
executives of Spring Creek will be comprised of four elements: a base salary, an
annual performance bonus, equity and benefits.
In
developing salary ranges, potential bonus payouts, equity awards and benefit
plans, it is anticipated that the Compensation Committee will take into account:
1) competitive compensation among comparable companies and for similar positions
in the market, 2) relevant ways to incentivize and reward senior management for
improving shareholder value while building Spring Creek into a successful
company, 3) individual performance, 4) how best to retain key executives, 5) the
overall performance of the company and its various key component entities, 6)
the companys ability to pay and 7) other factors deemed to be relevant at the
time.
Spring
Creek and AutoChina senior management have discussed Spring Creeks above
mentioned planned process for executive compensation after the acquisition is
complete and the four compensation components. Specific compensation plans for
AutoChinas key executives will be negotiated and established by the Compensation
Committee after closing. This will include, but may not be limited to, the four
AutoChina executives who currently have employment contracts (which will be
modified, if necessary, to reflect any additions to or changes in
compensation).
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Spring
Creek
In
October 2007, Spring Creek issued 1,293,750 ordinary shares to the individuals
set forth below for $25,000 in cash, at a purchase price of approximately $0.02
per share, as follows:
Shareholder
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
James
Cheng-Jee Sha
|
|
|
646,875
|
|
Diana
Chia-Huei Liu
|
|
|
258,750
|
|
William
Tsu-Cheng Yu
|
|
|
258,750
|
|
Jimmy
(Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
|
|
|
90,563
|
|
Gary
Han Ming Chang
|
|
|
38,812
|
|
Such
shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as they were sold to sophisticated, wealthy
individuals. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to
such sales.
On
October 24, 2007, James Sha, Diana Liu and William Wu loaned Spring Creek an
aggregate of $100,000 to cover expenses related to Spring Creeks initial public
offering. The loans were repaid without interest on March 4, 2007 from a portion
of the proceeds of Spring Creeks initial public offering and the private
placement of the insider warrants not placed in trust.
On
February 27,
2008
, the Spring
Creek completed a private placement of 1,430,000 warrants to its founding
shareholders and received net proceeds of $1,430,000. Spring Creek refers to the
warrants sold in this private placement as the insider warrants. The insider
warrants are identical to the warrants underlying the units sold in the initial
public offering except that if Spring Creek calls the warrants for redemption,
the insider warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis so long as such
warrants are held by Spring Creeks founding shareholders or their affiliates.
The securities were sold in reliance on the exemption from registration
contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act since they were sold to
sophisticated, wealthy individuals. No underwriting discounts or commissions
were paid with respect to such securities.
On
February 27,
2008
, Spring Creek
sold options to purchase up to an aggregate of 450,000 units to the underwriter
(and certain of its affiliates) in Spring Creeks initial public offering for an
aggregate of $100. The exercise price per unit is $8.80, and each unit consists
of one ordinary share and a warrant to purchase one ordinary share, exercisable
at $5.00 per share. The securities were sold in reliance on the exemption from
registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act since they were
sold to the underwriters in Spring Creeks initial public offering. No
underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such
securities.
Commencing
on February 27,
2008
through the
acquisition of a target business, Spring Creek will pay Live ABC Interactive
Co., Ltd. Beijing, an affiliate of James Sha, a fee of $7,500 per month for
providing Spring Creek with office space and certain office and secretarial
services. However, this arrangement is solely for Spring Creeks benefit and is
not intended to provide Spring Creeks officers and directors compensation in
lieu of a salary.
Spring
Creek will reimburse its founding shareholders, officers, directors, special
advisors or their affiliates for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses
incurred by them in connection with certain activities on its behalf such as
identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business
combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses
reimbursable by Spring Creek, which will be reviewed only by its board or a
court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. To the
extent that such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the
trust account and interest income that is released to Spring Creek from the
trust account, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by Spring
Creek unless Spring Creek consummate a business combination. These expenses
would be a liability of the post-combination business and would be treated in a
manner similar to any other account payable of the combined company. Spring
Creeks officers and directors may, as part of any such combination, negotiate
the repayment of some or all of any such expenses.
Other
than the $7,500 per-month administrative fee and reimbursable out-of-pocket
expenses payable to Spring Creeks officers and directors, no compensation or
fees of any kind, including finders fees, consulting fees or other similar
compensation, will be paid to any of Spring Creeks founding shareholders,
officers, directors or special advisors who owned Spring Creeks ordinary shares
prior to this offering, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or
with respect to a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction
that it is).
AutoChina
During
the period from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2008, AutoChina has borrowed
from several of its affiliates, Mr. Yong Hui Li, AutoChinas Chairman and CEO,
and certain affiliates of Mr. Yong Hui Li including certain companies controlled
by AutoChinas ultimate shareholder, Ms. Yan Wang. Each of these loans
is non-interest bearing and was entered into to satisfy the AutoChinas short
term capital needs. In addition, the payable balances of each loan are unsecured
and due on demand by the lender. The outstanding amounts due to
related parties as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005 were as follows:
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due
to affiliates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Shengrong Auto parts Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,895
|
|
|
$
|
919
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
15,926
|
|
|
|
3,410
|
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
6,039
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shengyuan Trade Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
628
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Junda Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
124
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Door & Windows Manufacture Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,419
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Yitong Auto parts Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,901
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Mr.
Yong Hui Li
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
5,123
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,049
|
|
|
$
|
8,048
|
|
|
$
|
2,075
|
|
|
$
|
1,674
|
|
|
$
|
6,163
|
|
Notes:
(1) Companies
controlled by AutoChinas ultimate shareholder, Ms. Yan Wang.
(2) Companies
that were formerly owned by AutoChina.
(3) AutoChinas
chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and the ultimate shareholder of Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.
As of
February 15, 2009, there is approximately $5.1 million outstanding due to Mr.
Yong Hui Li under these related party loans.
During
the period from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2008, AutoChina has paid
certain operating expenses on behalf of various companies affiliated with Mr.
Yong Hui Li, including certain companies controlled by AutoChinas ultimate
shareholder. Ms. Yan Wang (Mr. Yong Hui Lis wife), and companies which are
formally controlled by AutoChina. AutoChina has advanced these funds, to each of
these companies on a non-interest bearing and unsecured basis, and such funds
are due on demand by AutoChina. The outstanding amounts due from related parties
as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were as
follows:
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due
from affiliates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Zhicheng Property Management Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
2,634
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Kinbow
Capital & Holding Group Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,837
|
|
|
|
1,615
|
|
|
|
1,076
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,033
|
|
|
|
437
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shengyuan Business & Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
|
2,918
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,164
|
|
|
|
434
|
|
Hebei
Beiguo Kaiyuan Shopping Mall Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,836
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
124
|
|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Liantuo Auto Trade Co., Ltd.
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
473
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
413
|
|
|
$
|
4,944
|
|
|
$
|
5,487
|
|
|
$
|
5,641
|
|
|
$
|
1,062
|
|
Notes:
(1) Companies
controlled by AutoChinas ultimate shareholder, Ms. Yan Wang.
(2) Companies
that were formerly owned by AutoChina.
As of
February 15, 2009, there is approximately $292,000 outstanding due from
affiliates under these related party loans. All of the outstanding
balances on these loans are expected to be repaid upon the consummation of the
acquisition.
During
the period presented, AutoChina sold and purchased automobiles and spare parts
to and from its affiliates. The details of the related party transactions were
as follows:
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Parties Transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Doors & Windows Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
2,994
|
|
|
$
|
8,649
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Zhicheng Property Management Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
3,890
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Zhicheng Property Management Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
3,915
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,529
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Beiguo Kaiyuan Shopping Mall Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
6,765
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Beiguo Kaiyuan Shopping Mall Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,042
|
|
|
|
2,058
|
|
|
|
10,577
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
25,785
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
1,958
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,259
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
2,999
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,853
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,129
|
|
|
|
2,771
|
|
Kinbow
Capital & Holding Group Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
372
|
|
|
|
704
|
|
|
|
973
|
|
|
|
1,054
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shengyuan Business & Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
615
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shengyuan Business & Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
2,993
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
394
|
|
|
|
571
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
183
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
270
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
232
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
133
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
418
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,187
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Kinbow Sunshine Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Related
Parties Transactions
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Hebei
Xinchang Shengyuan Auto Sales Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,037
|
|
|
|
-
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|
|
|
-
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|
|
|
-
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|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
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|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
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|
Hebei
Xuwei Trading Co., Ltd.
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
2,463
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
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|
Hebei
Shengrong Auto parts Co., Ltd.
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
$
|
12,302
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
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|
$
|
-
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|
Notes:
(a) Companies
controlled by AutoChinas ultimate shareholder, Ms. Yan Wang.
(b) Companies
that are formerly owned by AutoChina.
Nature of
transaction:
(1) Loan
to AutoChina during the period. The amounts were interest-free, unsecured and
repayable on demand.
(2)
Short-term advance from AutoChina. The amounts were interest-free, unsecured and
payable on demand.
(3) Sale
of automobiles to AutoChina during the period.
(4)
Purchase of automobiles from AutoChina during the period.
(5) Sales
of investments in subsidiary / affiliates during the period.
Mr. Li,
AutoChina's Chairman and CEO, is the indirect beneficial owner of approximately
15.28% of Beiguo Commercial Building Limited. Commencing in September
2008, Beiguo began to provide short term financing for AutoChina's commercial
vehicle financing business. AutoChina will only pay a 2% premium to
Beiguo for this financing, in part, because the financing is guaranteed by Mr.
Li, who has a long term business relationship with Beiguo, on behalf of
AutoChina
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The
following table sets forth, as of March 5, 2009, certain information regarding
beneficial ownership of Spring Creeks ordinary shares by each person who is
known by Spring Creek to beneficially own more than 5% of Spring Creeks ordinary
shares. The table also identifies the stock ownership of each of Spring Creeks
directors, each of Spring Creeks officers, and all directors and officers as a
group. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have
sole voting and investment powers with respect to the shares
indicated.
Ordinary
shares which an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60 days
pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options, warrants or other similar
convertible or derivative securities are deemed to be outstanding for the
purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but
are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person shown in the table.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
(1)
|
|
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
|
|
|
Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Cheng-Jee Sha
|
|
|
646,875
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Tsu-Cheng Yu
|
|
|
258,750
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diana Chia-Huei Liu
|
|
|
258,750
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmy
(Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
|
|
|
90,563
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private
Equity Management Group LLC
(2)
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
12.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weiss
Capital LLC
(3)
|
|
|
766,350
|
|
|
|
11.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group
(four individuals)
|
|
|
1,254,938
|
|
|
|
19.4
|
%
|
(1) Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is 10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North Daliushu Road, Haidian District,
Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic of China.
(2) Based
on a Schedule 13D filed by Private Equity Management Group LLC, a Nevada limited
liability company whose principal business address is One Park Plaza, Suite 550,
Irvine, CA 92614-2594. Private Equity Management Group LLC has the sole power to
vote or direct the vote, and the sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of, an aggregate of 800,000 ordinary shares.
(3) Based
on a Schedule 13G filed by Weiss Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company SPAC GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Andrew M. Weiss,
Ph.D., a United States citizen. Weiss Capital, SPAC GP, and Dr. Weiss
have a business address of 29 Commonwealth Avenue, 10th Floor, Boston,
Massachusetts 02116, and each has shared power to vote or direct the vote, and
shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of, an aggregate of 766,350
ordinary shares.
Security
Ownership of the Combined Company after the Acquisition
The
following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership
of the combined companys ordinary shares immediately after the consummation of
the acquisition by each person who is known by Spring Creek to beneficially own
more than 5% of Spring Creeks ordinary shares of Spring Creeks ordinary shares,
each officer, each director and all officers and directors as a
group.
Ordinary
shares which an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60 days
pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options, warrants or other similar
convertible or derivative securities are deemed to be outstanding for the
purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but
are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person shown in the table.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
(1)
|
|
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
|
|
|
Approximate
Percentage of
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Cheng-Jee Sha
|
|
|
646,875
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Tsu-Cheng Yu
|
|
|
258,750
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diana Chia-Huei Liu
|
|
|
258,750
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmy
(Jim) Yee-Ming Wu
|
|
|
90,563
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Honest
Best Int'l Ltd.
|
|
|
8,606,250
|
|
|
|
57.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private
Equity Management Group LLC
(2)
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weiss
Capital LLC
(3)
|
|
|
766,350
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group
(four individuals)
|
|
|
1,254,938
|
|
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
(1) Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is 10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North Daliushu Road, Haidian District,
Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic of China.
(2) Based
on a Schedule 13D filed by Private Equity Management Group LLC, a Nevada limited
liability company whose principal business address is One Park Plaza, Suite 550,
Irvine, CA 92614-2594. Private Equity Management Group LLC has the sole power to
vote or direct the vote, and the sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of, an aggregate of 800,000 ordinary shares.
(3) Based
on a Schedule 13G filed by Weiss Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company SPAC GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Andrew M. Weiss,
Ph.D., a United States citizen. Weiss Capital, SPAC GP, and Dr. Weiss
have a business address of 29 Commonwealth Avenue, 10th Floor, Boston,
Massachusetts 02116, and each has shared power to vote or direct the vote, and
shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of, an aggregate of 766,350
ordinary shares.
SHARES
ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Spring
Creek currently has 6,468,750 ordinary shares outstanding. Of these shares, the
5,175,000 ordinary shares sold in Spring Creeks initial public offering are
freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended except for any ordinary shares purchased by one of
Spring Creeks affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended. After the acquisition, assuming (i) the issuance of
approximately 8,606,250 ordinary shares to the shareholders of AutoChina in
connection with the share exchange agreement and (ii) that none of Spring Creeks
shareholders exercise their right to redeem their shares, there will
be 15,075,000 shares of Spring Creeks ordinary shares outstanding, of which
all but 1,293,750 shares held by Spring Creeks initial shareholders (which
includes 1,254,938 shares owned by Spring Creeks current officers and directors
and their affiliates) and 8,606,250 shares issued to the members of AutoChina
under the share exchange agreement will be registered or freely tradable without
securities law restrictions. In addition, pursuant to an earn-out
provision in the share exchange agreement, Spring Creek has agreed to issue to
AutoChinas current shareholder between 5% and 20% of the number of ordinary
shares outstanding as of December 31 of the fiscal year immediately prior to
such earn-out issuance for achieving a certain minimum EBITDA and certain
Targeted EBITDA Growth (each as defined in the share exchange agreement) in each
of the next five years, through the year ended December 31,
2013. Spring Creek may file a registration statement relating to
resales of these shares by the initial shareholders or the shares issued under
share exchange agreement after completion of the
acquisition. Additionally, any of these shares held by affiliates, as
that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which generally
includes officers, directors or 10% shareholders, will also be restricted from
public sale as restricted stock.
There are
5,175,000 outstanding warrants that were issued in Spring Creeks initial public
offering, each for the purchase of one share. The shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants will also be freely tradable, provided that there is a
registration statement in effect at the time of their exercise. Spring Creek
intends to use its best efforts to cause such a registration statement to be in
effect at that time that the warrants become exercisable. In addition, in
connection with Spring Creeks initial public offering, Spring Creek issued a
unit purchase option to the representative of the underwriters which is
exercisable for 450,000 units, consisting of one share and one warrant to
purchase one share at $5.50 per share, at an exercise price of $8.80 per unit.
The securities underlying the representatives unit purchase option and
underlying securities have registration rights and may be sold according to Rule
144.
In
addition, Spring Creeks founding shareholders own warrants to purchase 1,430,000
ordinary shares, which warrants and the underlying ordinary shares are also
restricted securities under Rule 144. None of these restricted securities will
be eligible for sale under Rule 144 prior to one year following the filing of
certain information with the SEC (Form 10 information) after the consummation of
Spring Creeks initial business combination. Furthermore, all of the 1,293,750
founders shares have been placed in escrow. These shares will not be released
from escrow until nine months after Spring Creeks consummation of a business
combination with respect to 50% of the initial shares and one year after Spring
Creeks consummation of a business combination with respect to the remaining 50%
of the initial shares. These shares may only be released earlier if, following
the proposed acquisition, Spring Creek engaged in a subsequent transaction
resulting in Spring Creeks shareholders having the right to exchange their
shares for cash or other securities.
Therefore,
there are an aggregate of 7,505,000 shares that may be issued in the future
upon exercise of outstanding warrants and unit purchase options.
Rule 144.
Rule 144 is
unavailable for the resale of restricted securities initially issued by a
blank-check or shell company, both before and after an initial business
combination, despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144.
Accordingly, such restricted securities can be resold only through a registered
offering or pursuant to another exemption from registration. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a person who beneficially owns restricted securities of a company
which:
|
|
has
ceased to qualify as a blank-check or shell
company;
|
|
|
is
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act;
|
|
|
has
filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13
or 15(d), as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter
period that the company was required to file such reports and materials);
and
|
|
|
has
filed certain information with the SEC (Form 10 information) reflecting
that it is no longer a blank-check or shell
company
|
may,
after one year has elapsed from the filing of the Form 10 information, within
any three-month period resell a number of such restricted securities that does
not, with respect to the ordinary shares, exceed the greater of either of the
following:
|
|
1%
of the total number of ordinary shares then outstanding;
or
|
|
|
the
average weekly trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four
calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect
to the sale.
|
Sales
under Rule 144 are also limited based on the availability of current public
information about Spring Creek, and, in the case of sales by affiliates, by
manner of sale provisions and notice requirements.
SPRING
CREEKS SECURITIES
General
Spring
Creek is authorized to issue 50,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $.001, and
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001. As of the date of this
proxy statement, 6,468,750 ordinary shares are outstanding, held by four holders
of record. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
Ordinary
shares
Spring
Creeks shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each ordinary share
held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. In connection with the vote
required for any business combination, all of Spring Creeks founding
shareholders, including all of Spring Creeks officers and directors, have agreed
to vote their respective ordinary shares owned by them immediately prior to this
offering in accordance with the majority of the ordinary shares voted by Spring
Creeks public shareholders. This voting arrangement shall not apply to shares
included in units purchased in Spring Creeks initial public offering or
purchased following its initial public offering in the aftermarket by any of
Spring Creeks founding shareholders, officers and directors. Additionally,
Spring Creeks founding shareholders, officers and directors will vote all of
their shares in any manner they determine, in their sole discretion, with
respect to any other items that come before a vote of its
shareholders.
Under
Spring Creeks Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association,
approval of the acquisition requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding ordinary shares. Spring Creek will not be authorized
to complete the acquisition, if holders of 2,070,000 or more shares of Spring
Creek ordinary shares sold in its initial public offering (public shareholders
owning 40% or more of the shares in the initial public offering) vote against
the acquisition and demand that Spring Creek redeem their shares into pro rata
portions of the trust account.
Spring
Creeks Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each of which will
generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being
elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election
of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares
eligible to vote for the election of directors can elect all of the
directors.
Pursuant
to Spring Creeks Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, if
Spring Creek does not consummate a business combination by September 4, 2010, it
will trigger Spring Creeks automatic dissolution and it will wind up its affairs
and liquidate. If Spring Creek is forced to liquidate prior to a business
combination, its public shareholders are entitled to share ratably in the trust
fund, including any interest, and any net assets remaining available for
distribution to them after payment of liabilities. Spring Creeks founding
shareholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation
distribution with respect to their initial shares.
Spring
Creeks shareholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights
and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the
ordinary shares, except that public shareholders have the right to have their
ordinary shares redeemed for cash equal to their pro rata share of the
trust account if they vote against a business combination and the business
combination is approved and completed. Public shareholders who redeem their
ordinary shares for their share of the trust account still have the right
to exercise the warrants that they received as part of the units.
Preferred
Shares
Spring
Creeks Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association authorizes
the issuance of 1,000,000 preferred shares with such designation, rights and
preferences as may be determined from time to time by its Board of
Directors. Accordingly, Spring Creeks Board of Directors is
empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preferred shares with
dividend, liquidation, conversion, redemption voting or other rights which could
adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of ordinary
shares. However, the underwriting agreement with EarlyBird Capital prohibits
Spring Creek, prior to a business combination, from issuing preferred shares
which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which
votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a business combination. Spring
Creek may issue some or all of the preferred shares to effect a business
combination. In addition, the preferred shares could be utilized as a method of
discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of Spring Creek.
Although Spring Creek does not currently intend to issue any preferred shares,
Spring Creek cannot assure you that it will not do so in the
future.
As of the
date of this document, there are no outstanding shares of preferred stock of any
series.
Warrants
Spring
Creek has 6,605,000 warrants currently outstanding, entitling the registered
holder to purchase one share of ordinary shares at $5.00 per share. Spring Creek
also has one unit purchase option outstanding, entitling the holder to purchase
450,000 units, consisting of one share of ordinary shares and one warrant to
purchase one share of ordinary shares at $5.50 per share, at an exercise price
of $8.80 per unit. The warrants are each subject to adjustment as discussed
below, and are exercisable at any time commencing on the completion of the
acquisition. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on
February 27, 2013.
Spring
Creek may call the warrants for redemption (including the insider warrants and
any warrants issued upon exercise of the unit purchase option issued to
EarlyBird Capital), with the prior consent of EarlyBird Capital,
|
|
in
whole and not in part,
|
|
|
at
a price of $0.01 per warrant at any time while the warrants are
exercisable (which will only occur if a registration statement relating to
the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective
and current),
|
|
|
upon
not less than 30 days prior written notice of redemption to each warrant
holder, and
|
|
|
if,
and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares equals or
exceeds $11.50 per share, for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day
period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption
to warrant holders.
|
The
redemption criteria for Spring Creeks warrants had been established at a price
which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial
exercise price and provide a sufficient degree of liquidity to cushion the
market reaction to Spring Creeks redemption call.
Since
Spring Creek may redeem the warrants only with the prior consent of EarlyBird
Capital and EarlyBird Capital may hold warrants subject to redemption, EarlyBird
Capital may have a conflict of interest in determining whether or not to consent
to such redemption. Spring Creek cannot assure you that EarlyBird Capital will
consent to such redemption if it is not in its best interests even if it is in
Spring Creeks best interests.
If Spring
Creek calls the warrants for redemption as described above, its management will
have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise Spring Creeks
warrants (not including the insider warrants) to do so on a cashless basis,
though the public shareholders are not eligible to do so at their own option. In
such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the
warrants for that number of Spring Creeks ordinary shares equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying
the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the
warrants and the fair market value of an ordinary share by (y) the fair market
value of an ordinary share. The fair market value is the average reported last
sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third
trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the
holders of warrants. If Spring Creeks management takes advantage of this option,
the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the
number of ordinary shares to be received upon exercise of the warrants,
including the fair market value in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in
this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the
dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. Spring Creek believes that this feature
is an attractive option to Spring Creek if Spring Creek does not need the cash
from the exercise of the warrants after a business combination. Regardless of
the election of Spring Creeks management, the purchasers of the insider warrants
will be entitled to exercise any insider warrants for cash or on a cashless
basis using the formula described above. The reason that Spring Creek has agreed
that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are
held by Spring Creeks officers, directors, special advisor or their affiliates
is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with
Spring Creek following a business combination. If they remain an insider, their
ability to sell Spring Creeks securities in the open market will be
significantly limited. Spring Creek expects to have policies in place that
prohibit insiders from selling Spring Creeks securities except during specific
periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be
permitted to sell Spring Creeks securities, an insider cannot trade in Spring
Creeks securities if he is in possession of material non-public information.
Accordingly, unlike public shareholders who could exercise their warrants and
sell the ordinary shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market
in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be
significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, Spring Creek
believes that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis
is appropriate.
The
warrants have been issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and Spring
Creek.
The
exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of the
warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a
stock dividend, or Spring Creeks recapitalization, reorganization, merger or
consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of
ordinary shares at a price below their respective exercise prices.
The
warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior
to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise
form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as
indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or
official bank check payable to Spring Creek, for the number of warrants being
exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders
of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and
receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of
the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
No
warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise a prospectus
relating to ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current
and the ordinary shares have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt
under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the
warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, Spring Creek has agreed to
meet these conditions and use its best efforts to maintain a current prospectus
relating to ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the
expiration of the warrants. However, Spring Creek cannot assure you that Spring
Creek will be able to do so, and if it does not maintain a current prospectus
related to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders
will be unable to exercise their warrants and Spring Creek will not be required
to net cash settle or cash settle any such warrant exercise. If the prospectus
relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is
not current or if the ordinary shares are not qualified or exempt from
qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside,
the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and
the warrants may expire worthless. If the warrants expire worthless, this would
mean that a person who paid $8.00 for a unit in Spring Creeks initial public and
who did not sell the warrants included in the unit would have effectively paid
$8.00 for one ordinary share. Because the warrants will not be exercisable
without an effective registration statement covering the shares underlying the
warrants, Spring Creek will not call the warrants for redemption unless there is
an effective registration statement in place.
No
fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon
exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional
interest in a share, Spring Creek will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest
whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant
holder.
Purchase
Option
Spring
Creek sold to the underwriters of its initial public offering an option to
purchase up to a total of 450,000 units at $8.80 per unit. The units issuable
upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered in Spring Creeks
initial public offering.
Unissued
Shares of Capital Stock
Ordinary
shares.
After the acquisition, Spring Creek will have approximately
15,075,000 ordinary shares outstanding, assuming that no shareholders elect to
exercise their redemption rights. The remaining authorized and unissued ordinary
shares will be available for future issuance without additional shareholder
approval. While the additional shares are not designed to deter or prevent a
change of control, under some circumstances Spring Creek could use them to
create voting impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover
or otherwise gain control, by, for example, issuing shares in private placements
to purchasers who might side with the Board of Directors in opposing a hostile
takeover bid.
Preferred
Stock.
Spring Creeks Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of
Association grants the Board of Directors the authority, without any further
vote or action by shareholders, to issue preferred stock in one or more series,
fix the number of shares constituting the series and establish the preferences,
limitations and relative rights, including dividend rights, dividend rate,
voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption price or prices, redemption
rights and liquidation preferences of the shares of the series. The existence of
authorized but unissued preferred stock could reduce the companys attractiveness
as a target for an unsolicited takeover bid, since the company could, for
example, issue preferred stock to parties who might oppose such a takeover bid,
or issue shares with terms the potential acquirer may find unattractive. This
may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control, discourage
bids for the ordinary shares at a premium over the market price, and adversely
affect the market price, and voting and other rights of holders of ordinary
shares.
Limitation
of Liability of Directors and Officers
Spring
Creeks Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that
no director will be personally liable to Spring Creek or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the
extent this limitation or exemption is not permitted by the Cayman Islands law.
As currently enacted, the Cayman Islands law permits a corporation to provide in
its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association that a director
will not be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability for: (i) any breach of the directors duty of loyalty; (ii) acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock
repurchases or redemptions or (iv) any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
The
principal effect of this provision is that a shareholder will be unable to
recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty unless
the shareholder can demonstrate that one of the exceptions listed above applies.
This provision, however, will not eliminate or limit liability arising under
federal securities laws. The combined companys charter will not eliminate its
directors fiduciary duties. The inclusion of this provision in the charter may,
however, discourage or deter shareholders or management from bringing a lawsuit
against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an
action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited the combined company and
its shareholders. This provision should not affect the availability of equitable
remedies such as injunction or rescission based upon a directors breach of his
or her fiduciary duties.
The
Cayman Islands law provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors and
officers as well as its other employees and agents against judgments, fines,
amounts paid in settlement and expenses, including attorneys fees, in connection
with various proceedings, other than an action brought by or in the right of the
corporation, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
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 he or
she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A
similar standard is applicable in the case of an action brought by or in the
right of the corporation (commonly known as derivative suits), except that
indemnification in such a case may only extend to expenses, including attorneys
fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and
the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification
where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the
corporation. The combined companys charter and, with regard to its officers, its
bylaws provide that the combined company will indemnify its directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Under these provisions
and subject to the Cayman Islands law, the combined company will be required to
indemnify its directors and officers for all judgments, fines, settlements,
legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with pending or threatened
legal proceedings because of the directors or officers position with the
combined company or another entity that the director or officer serves as a
director, officer, employee or agent at the combined companys request, subject
to various conditions, and to advance funds to the combined companys directors
and officers before final disposition of such proceedings to enable them to
defend against such proceedings. To receive indemnification, the director or
officer must have been successful in the legal proceeding or have acted in good
faith and in what was reasonably believed to be a lawful manner in the best
interest of the combined company. The bylaws also specifically authorize the
combined company to maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or
has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the combined
company, or is or was serving at the combined companys request as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another entity, against certain
liabilities.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The
Transfer Agent and Registrar for the shares of Spring Creek ordinary shares,
warrants and units is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden
Lane, Plaza Level, New York, NY 10038, (212) 936-5100.
SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
If the
acquisition is consummated, the Spring Creek 2009 annual meeting of shareholders
will be held on or about August 30, 2009 unless the date is changed by the Board
of Directors. If you are a shareholder and you want to include a proposal in the
proxy statement for that annual meeting, you need to provide it to Spring Creek
by no later than June 29, 2009. You should direct any proposals to Spring Creeks
secretary at Spring Creeks principal office.
If the
acquisition is not consummated and another business combination is not
consummated before September 4, 2009, there will be no annual meeting in
2009.
DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Pursuant
to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Spring Creek and
services that it employs to deliver communications to its shareholders are
permitted to deliver to two or more shareholders sharing the same address a
single copy of each of Spring Creeks annual report to shareholders and proxy
statement. Upon written or oral request, Spring Creek will deliver a separate
copy of the annual report to shareholders and/or proxy statement to any
shareholder at a shared address who wishes to receive separate copies of such
documents in the future. Shareholders receiving multiple copies of such
documents may likewise request that Spring Creek deliver single copies of such
documents in the future. Shareholders may notify Spring Creek of their requests
by calling or writing Spring Creek at Spring Creeks principal executive offices
at 10F, Room #1005, Fortune Intl Building, No. 17, North Daliushu Road, Haidian
District, Beijing 100081, Peoples Republic Of China.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Spring
Creek files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as
required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
You may
read and copy reports, proxy statements and other information filed by Spring
Creek with the SEC at its public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004.
You may
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain copies of the materials described
above at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC, Public Reference Section, 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1004.
Spring
Creek files its reports, proxy statements and other information electronically
with the SEC. You may access information on Spring Creek at the SEC web site
containing reports, proxy statements and other information at
http://www.sec.gov.
This
Proxy describes the material elements of relevant contracts, exhibits and other
information described in this proxy statement. Information and statements
contained in this proxy statement are qualified in all respects by reference to
the copy of the relevant contract or other document included as an annex to this
document.
All
information contained or organized by reference in this proxy statement relating
to Spring Creek has been supplied by Spring Creek, and all such information
relating to AutoChina has been supplied by AutoChina. Information provided by
either of Spring Creek or AutoChina does not constitute any representation,
estimate or projection of the other.
If you
would like additional copies of this proxy statement, or if you have questions
about the acquisition, you should contact:
Karen
Smith
Advantage
Proxy
24925
13th Place South
Des
Moines, Washington 98198
206-870-8565
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
PAGE
|
|
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF AUTOCHINA
|
F-3
|
|
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF SPRING CREEK
|
F-42
|
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
PAGE
|
|
|
AUTOCHINA GROUP INC.
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 AND SEPTEMBER 30,
2007 AND THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007, DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND DECEMBER
31, 2005
|
|
|
|
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
F-4
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
F-5
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
F-7
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY AND
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
|
F-10
|
|
|
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
F-13
|
|
|
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
F-42
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
F-43
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
F-44
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
F-45
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
F-46
|
|
|
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
F-47
|
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Page
|
|
|
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
F-4
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
F-5
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
F-7
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
F-9
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
|
F-10
|
|
|
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
F-13
|
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and Shareholders
AutoChina
Group Inc.
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AutoChina Group Inc. and
subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, and the
related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows
for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31,
2007. 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 the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America, as promulgated by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The
Company was not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of
its internal controls over financial reporting. Our audits included
consideration of internal controls over financial reporting as a basis for
designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys
internal controls over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express
no such opinion. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of AutoChina Group
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for each of the years in
the three year period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/
Grobstein, Horwath & Company LLP
Sherman
Oaks, California
November
28, 2008
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In
thousands, except share data)
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
17,661
|
|
|
$
|
16,271
|
|
|
$
|
12,820
|
|
|
$
|
7,449
|
|
|
$
|
4,529
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
39,988
|
|
|
|
17,273
|
|
|
|
24,734
|
|
|
|
25,885
|
|
|
|
8,486
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
2,559
|
|
|
|
2,265
|
|
|
|
2,104
|
|
|
|
1,869
|
|
|
|
498
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
45,971
|
|
|
|
26,221
|
|
|
|
26,910
|
|
|
|
24,807
|
|
|
|
7,389
|
|
Deposits
for inventories
|
|
|
18,689
|
|
|
|
14,589
|
|
|
|
21,524
|
|
|
|
12,507
|
|
|
|
7,589
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
6,756
|
|
|
|
16,386
|
|
|
|
9,396
|
|
|
|
8,086
|
|
|
|
2,301
|
|
Due
from affiliates
|
|
|
413
|
|
|
|
4,944
|
|
|
|
5,487
|
|
|
|
5,641
|
|
|
|
1,062
|
|
Current
maturities of notes receivable
|
|
|
16,322
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deferred
income tax assets
|
|
|
943
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
340
|
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
Assets
from discontinued operation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,370
|
|
|
|
6,755
|
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
1,239
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
149,302
|
|
|
|
100,607
|
|
|
|
110,070
|
|
|
|
88,327
|
|
|
|
33,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment
in unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
|
912
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
872
|
|
|
|
2,593
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvement, net
|
|
|
25,878
|
|
|
|
15,438
|
|
|
|
18,030
|
|
|
|
14,359
|
|
|
|
7,192
|
|
Notes
receivable, net of current maturities
|
|
|
11,593
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
939
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
170
|
|
|
|
165
|
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
187,942
|
|
|
$
|
117,145
|
|
|
$
|
129,040
|
|
|
$
|
103,723
|
|
|
$
|
43,113
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
(In
thousands, except share data)
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable-manufacturer affiliated
|
|
$
|
16,873
|
|
|
$
|
8,671
|
|
|
$
|
10,808
|
|
|
$
|
7,238
|
|
|
$
|
1,142
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
|
|
685
|
|
|
|
640
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
5,091
|
|
|
|
8,753
|
|
|
|
6,725
|
|
|
|
4,620
|
|
|
|
3,056
|
|
Trade
notes payable
|
|
|
60,683
|
|
|
|
24,838
|
|
|
|
35,828
|
|
|
|
32,318
|
|
|
|
9,902
|
|
Notes
payable, related parties
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
15,011
|
|
|
|
12,538
|
|
|
|
14,942
|
|
|
|
2,659
|
|
Account
payables and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
7,721
|
|
|
|
5,541
|
|
|
|
4,425
|
|
|
|
7,403
|
|
|
|
6,880
|
|
Due
to affiliates
|
|
|
21,049
|
|
|
|
8,048
|
|
|
|
2,075
|
|
|
|
1,674
|
|
|
|
6,163
|
|
Customer
deposits
|
|
|
5,311
|
|
|
|
3,705
|
|
|
|
5,527
|
|
|
|
5,349
|
|
|
|
1,330
|
|
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
1,587
|
|
|
|
390
|
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Liabilities
from discontinued operation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,313
|
|
|
|
5,281
|
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Current
portion of deferred income
|
|
|
2,774
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
121,089
|
|
|
|
77,299
|
|
|
|
84,617
|
|
|
|
75,200
|
|
|
|
31,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
term debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
income, net of current portion
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deferred
income tax liabilities
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
122,737
|
|
|
|
77,320
|
|
|
|
84,774
|
|
|
|
75,210
|
|
|
|
31,137
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
Interests
|
|
|
6,587
|
|
|
|
6,022
|
|
|
|
6,461
|
|
|
|
5,978
|
|
|
|
2,831
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock - $0.001 per value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares
issued and outstanding
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
35,921
|
|
|
|
24,195
|
|
|
|
24,479
|
|
|
|
16,097
|
|
|
|
6,095
|
|
Statutory
reserves
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
6,098
|
|
|
|
1,666
|
|
|
|
2,837
|
|
|
|
724
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
16,537
|
|
|
|
7,937
|
|
|
|
10,427
|
|
|
|
5,709
|
|
|
|
2,972
|
|
Total
shareholders equity
|
|
|
58,618
|
|
|
|
33,803
|
|
|
|
37,805
|
|
|
|
22,535
|
|
|
|
9,145
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
187,942
|
|
|
$
|
117,145
|
|
|
$
|
129,040
|
|
|
$
|
103,723
|
|
|
$
|
43,113
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In
thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New
automobiles
|
|
$
|
270,164
|
|
|
$
|
193,351
|
|
|
$
|
270,508
|
|
|
$
|
145,960
|
|
|
$
|
82,988
|
|
Heavy
trucks
|
|
|
33,102
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Parts
and services
|
|
|
27,327
|
|
|
|
16,218
|
|
|
|
24,003
|
|
|
|
6,682
|
|
|
|
1,838
|
|
Insurance
service, net
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
sales
|
|
|
330,805
|
|
|
|
209,657
|
|
|
|
294,665
|
|
|
|
152,696
|
|
|
|
84,826
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New
automobiles
|
|
|
261,108
|
|
|
|
188,901
|
|
|
|
258,610
|
|
|
|
139,437
|
|
|
|
79,468
|
|
Heavy
trucks
|
|
|
31,188
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Parts
and services
|
|
|
19,584
|
|
|
|
9,959
|
|
|
|
18,571
|
|
|
|
5,209
|
|
|
|
1,567
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
cost of sales
|
|
|
311,880
|
|
|
|
198,860
|
|
|
|
277,181
|
|
|
|
144,646
|
|
|
|
81,035
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
18,925
|
|
|
|
10,797
|
|
|
|
17,484
|
|
|
|
8,050
|
|
|
|
3,791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and marketing
|
|
|
4,541
|
|
|
|
2,344
|
|
|
|
3,304
|
|
|
|
1,841
|
|
|
|
1,285
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
4,808
|
|
|
|
4,112
|
|
|
|
6,042
|
|
|
|
3,042
|
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
Other
income, net
|
|
|
(467
|
)
|
|
|
(339
|
)
|
|
|
(355
|
)
|
|
|
(97
|
)
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
8,882
|
|
|
|
6,117
|
|
|
|
8,991
|
|
|
|
4,786
|
|
|
|
2,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from operations
|
|
|
10,043
|
|
|
|
4,680
|
|
|
|
8,493
|
|
|
|
3,264
|
|
|
|
1,314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance
income (expenses) :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor
plan interest expense
|
|
|
(630
|
)
|
|
|
(296
|
)
|
|
|
(601
|
)
|
|
|
(255
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
interest expense
|
|
|
(1,736
|
)
|
|
|
(1,021
|
)
|
|
|
(1,510
|
)
|
|
|
(468
|
)
|
|
|
(208
|
)
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
1,851
|
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
finance expenses, net
|
|
$
|
(515
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,077
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,823
|
)
|
|
$
|
(598
|
)
|
|
$
|
(167
|
)
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(In
thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries:
|
|
$
|
(50
|
)
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
139
|
|
|
$
|
417
|
|
|
$
|
365
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
(930
|
)
|
|
|
(660
|
)
|
|
|
(1,260
|
)
|
|
|
(283
|
)
|
|
|
(158
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
8,548
|
|
|
|
2,949
|
|
|
|
5,549
|
|
|
|
2,800
|
|
|
|
1,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
taxes provision (benefit)
|
|
|
2,285
|
|
|
|
534
|
|
|
|
983
|
|
|
|
(29
|
)
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
|
6,263
|
|
|
|
2,415
|
|
|
|
4,566
|
|
|
|
2,829
|
|
|
|
1,416
|
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
|
|
(189
|
)
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
6,110
|
|
|
$
|
2,226
|
|
|
$
|
4,775
|
|
|
$
|
2,742
|
|
|
$
|
1,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(Loss) Per share basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing
operations
|
|
$
|
6,263
|
|
|
$
|
2,415
|
|
|
$
|
4,566
|
|
|
$
|
2,829
|
|
|
$
|
1,416
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
$
|
(153
|
)
|
|
$
|
(189
|
)
|
|
$
|
209
|
|
|
$
|
(87
|
)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
6,110
|
|
|
$
|
2,226
|
|
|
$
|
4,775
|
|
|
$
|
2,742
|
|
|
$
|
1,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average number of common shares basic and diluted
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY AND
COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
(In
thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
|
|
|
Statutory
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Total
Shareholders
|
|
|
Comprehen-
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Reserves
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
sive
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
as of January 1, 2005
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,556
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,556
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Capital
contributions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,095
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,095
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,416
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,416
|
|
|
$
|
1,416
|
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
Balance
as of December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
6,095
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
2,972
|
|
|
$
|
78
|
|
|
$
|
9,145
|
|
|
$
|
1,494
|
|
Capital
contributions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
10,002
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
10,002
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,742
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,742
|
|
|
|
2,742
|
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
646
|
|
|
|
646
|
|
|
|
646
|
|
Appropriations
to statutory reserves
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance
as of December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
16,097
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
5,709
|
|
|
$
|
724
|
|
|
$
|
22,535
|
|
|
$
|
3,388
|
|
Capital
contributions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8,382
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8,382
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,775
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,775
|
|
|
|
4,775
|
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,113
|
|
|
|
2,113
|
|
|
|
2,113
|
|
Appropriations
to statutory reserves
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
(57
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance
as of December 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
24,479
|
|
|
$
|
62
|
|
|
$
|
10,427
|
|
|
$
|
2,837
|
|
|
$
|
37,805
|
|
|
$
|
6,888
|
|
Capital
contributions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
11,442
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
11,442
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,110
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,110
|
|
|
|
6,110
|
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,261
|
|
|
|
3,261
|
|
|
|
3,261
|
|
Balance
as of September 30, 2008 (Unaudited)
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
35,921
|
|
|
$
|
62
|
|
|
$
|
16,537
|
|
|
$
|
6,098
|
|
|
$
|
58,618
|
|
|
$
|
9,371
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOW
(In
thousands)
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flow from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
6,110
|
|
|
$
|
2,226
|
|
|
$
|
4,775
|
|
|
$
|
2,742
|
|
|
$
|
1,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,627
|
|
|
|
1,215
|
|
|
|
1,707
|
|
|
|
1,073
|
|
|
|
265
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
(112
|
)
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
|
(86
|
)
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
Equity
in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
(139
|
)
|
|
|
(417
|
)
|
|
|
(365
|
)
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
930
|
|
|
|
660
|
|
|
|
1,260
|
|
|
|
283
|
|
|
|
158
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and
divestitures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
(283
|
)
|
|
|
(315
|
)
|
|
|
(234
|
)
|
|
|
(988
|
)
|
|
|
(319
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(14,443
|
)
|
|
|
(421
|
)
|
|
|
(2,103
|
)
|
|
|
(10,576
|
)
|
|
|
(3,165
|
)
|
Deposits
for inventories
|
|
|
6,467
|
|
|
|
(1,553
|
)
|
|
|
(9,016
|
)
|
|
|
5,260
|
|
|
|
(3,327
|
)
|
Prepaid
expense and other current assets
|
|
|
4,315
|
|
|
|
(7,872
|
)
|
|
|
(1,310
|
)
|
|
|
(4,610
|
)
|
|
|
1,689
|
|
Notes
receivables
|
|
|
(27,351
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable-manufacturer affiliated
|
|
|
2,213
|
|
|
|
1,122
|
|
|
|
3,569
|
|
|
|
2,388
|
|
|
|
(408
|
)
|
Trade
notes payable
|
|
|
21,985
|
|
|
|
(8,581
|
)
|
|
|
3,510
|
|
|
|
12,083
|
|
|
|
6,677
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(9,650
|
)
|
|
|
(6,892
|
)
|
|
|
(2,977
|
)
|
|
|
(4,484
|
)
|
|
|
(3,814
|
)
|
Customers
deposits
|
|
|
(975
|
)
|
|
|
(1,818
|
)
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
654
|
|
|
|
1,061
|
|
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
745
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
399
|
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
|
196
|
|
Deferred
income
|
|
|
3,658
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
(1,239
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
$
|
(4,714
|
)
|
|
|
(22,062
|
)
|
|
$
|
(732
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,498
|
|
|
$
|
(1,242
|
)
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOW (CONTINUED)
(In
thousands)
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flow from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business
acquisitions ,net of cash acquired
|
|
$
|
(3,560
|
)
|
|
$
|
(561
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,848
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,867
|
|
|
$
|
(1,044
|
)
|
Investment
in unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(205
|
)
|
|
|
(487
|
)
|
|
|
(260
|
)
|
Purchase
of property, equipment, and improvement
|
|
|
(8,871
|
)
|
|
|
(2,835
|
)
|
|
|
(3,766
|
)
|
|
|
(3,470
|
)
|
|
|
(5,234
|
)
|
Proceeds
from the sale of property, equipment and improvements
|
|
|
2,206
|
|
|
|
1,048
|
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cash
received from sale of unconsolidated subsidiaries equity
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
924
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cash
received from sales of discontinued subsidiaries equity, net of cash
relinquished
|
|
|
2,160
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
332
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in restricted cash
|
|
|
(13,311
|
)
|
|
|
9,441
|
|
|
|
1,152
|
|
|
|
(17,399
|
)
|
|
|
(8,486
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(21,376
|
)
|
|
|
7,093
|
|
|
|
(3,315
|
)
|
|
|
(16,425
|
)
|
|
|
(15,024
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flow from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor
plan borrowings non-manufacturer affiliated, net
|
|
|
(716
|
)
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
640
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Proceeds
from borrowings
|
|
|
25,267
|
|
|
|
12,068
|
|
|
|
2,937
|
|
|
|
1,563
|
|
|
|
8,641
|
|
Repayments
of borrowings
|
|
|
(8,543
|
)
|
|
|
(1,296
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(9,067
|
)
|
|
|
(1,062
|
)
|
Notes
payable, related parties
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,545
|
|
|
|
(2,404
|
)
|
|
|
12,283
|
|
|
|
2,659
|
|
Capital
contributions
|
|
|
16,218
|
|
|
|
7,988
|
|
|
|
8,382
|
|
|
|
10,002
|
|
|
|
6,095
|
|
Others
|
|
|
(2,406
|
)
|
|
|
(176
|
)
|
|
|
809
|
|
|
|
711
|
|
|
|
1,266
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
29,820
|
|
|
|
23,485
|
|
|
|
9,768
|
|
|
|
16,132
|
|
|
|
17,599
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of exchange rate change
|
|
$
|
1,111
|
|
|
$
|
306
|
|
|
$
|
(350
|
)
|
|
$
|
(285
|
)
|
|
$
|
(60
|
)
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOW (CONTINUED)
(In
thousands)
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
4,841
|
|
|
$
|
8,822
|
|
|
$
|
5,371
|
|
|
$
|
2,920
|
|
|
$
|
1,273
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
12,820
|
|
|
|
7,449
|
|
|
|
7,449
|
|
|
|
4,529
|
|
|
|
3,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
$
|
17,661
|
|
|
$
|
16,271
|
|
|
$
|
12,820
|
|
|
$
|
7,449
|
|
|
$
|
4,529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$
|
1,684
|
|
|
$
|
1,202
|
|
|
$
|
1,890
|
|
|
$
|
873
|
|
|
$
|
208
|
|
Income
taxes paid
|
|
$
|
2,203
|
|
|
$
|
534
|
|
|
$
|
873
|
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these consolidated financial statements.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC.
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In
thousands, except share and per share data)
(1)
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
AutoChina
Group Inc. (AutoChina or the Company) which was formerly known as KYF Inc. is a
holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on July 26, 2007. The Company
and its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIE) (collectively referred
to as the Group) are an integrated automotive dealership engaged in sales of
automobiles and spare parts and after sales services consisting of 15 new
automobile franchises in 26 auto dealerships, which are located primarily in
Hebei Province of the People's Republic of China (the PRC or China). The Group
offers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new
automobiles, auto maintenance, replacement parts, collision repair services,
financing, and insurance consulting and other aftermarket service contracts. In
April 2008, the Company commenced the heavy truck sales and financing services
which provides full services to the customers to acquire heavy trucks by hire
purchase in China. On August 8, 2008, the Company changed its name from KYF Inc.
to AutoChina Group Inc.
The
Companys business is mainly operated by four companies, Hebei Hua An Investment
Co., Ltd, Hebei Huiyin Investment Co., Ltd, Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Logistics Co.,
Ltd. and Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (collectively referred to as
the Auto Kaiyuan Companies) which are limited liability corporations established
under the laws of the PRC. On November 26, 2008, through the Companys wholly
owned subsidiary, Hebei Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd., the Company executed a
series of contractual arrangements with the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and their
shareholder (the Enterprise Agreements). Pursuant to the Enterprise Agreements,
the Company has exclusive rights to obtain the economic benefits and assume the
business risks of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies from their shareholders, and
generally has control of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies. The Auto Kaiyuan Companies
are considered variable interest entities (VIE), and the Company is the primary
beneficiary. The Companys relationships with the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and
their shareholder are governed by the Enterprise Agreements between Hebei
Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd. and each of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, which are the
operating companies of the Company in the PRC.
As a
result, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies are deemed to be subsidiaries of the Company
under FASB Interpretation - FIN 46(R): Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities (as amended) (FIN 46 (R)). Details of the Enterprise Agreements are as
follows:
Assignment
of Voting Rights
The
shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies irrevocably agreed to assign all of
its voting rights to the Company for all business resolutions. As a result, the
Company has direct control of the Board of Directors and has authority to
appoint the majority of the Board of Directors which makes it the primary
controlling shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies.
Management
and Operating Agreement
The Company was engaged to exclusively
manage and operate the sales and service of the 26 automotive dealerships held
by the Auto Kaiyuan Companies, including the development of sales and marketing
strategy, management of customer services, daily operations, financial
management, employment issues and all other related operating and consulting
services. Furthermore, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies agree that without the prior
consent of the Company, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies will not engage in any
transactions that could materially affect their respective assets, liabilities,
rights or operations, including, without limitation, incurrence or assumption of
any indebtedness, sale or purchase of any assets or rights, incurrence of any
encumbrance on any of their assets or intellectual property rights in favor of a
third party or transfer of any agreements relating to their business operation
to any third party. The management and operating agreement has a term of 10
years and will be extended for another 10 years automatically unless the Company
files a written notice at least 3 months prior to the expiration of this
agreement
.
Equity
Interest Transfer Agreement
The
shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies agreed to transfer all of its assets
to the Company and the Company has an exclusive, irrevocable and unconditional
right to purchase, or cause the Companys designated party to purchase, from such
shareholder, at the Companys sole discretion, part or all of the shareholders
equity interests in the Auto Kaiyuan Companies when and, to the extent that,
applicable PRC Laws permit the Company to own part or all of such equity
interests in the Auto Kaiyuan Companies. According to the Exclusive Equity
Interest Transfer Agreement, the purchase price to be paid by the Company to the
shareholder of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies will be the minimum amount of
consideration permitted by applicable PRC Law at the time when such share
transfer occurs.
Equity
Pledge Agreement
Pursuant
to the Equity Pledge Agreement, the Auto Kaiyuan Companies and their shareholder
agreed to pledge all of its equity interest and operating profits to guarantee
the performance of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies in the obligation under the Equity
Interest Transfer Agreement. In the event of the breach of any conditions of the
Equity Interest Transfer Agreement, the Company is entitled to enforce its
pledge rights over the equity interests of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies for any
losses suffered from the breach.
(2)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
The
accounts of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies are consolidated in the accompanying
financial statements pursuant to FIN 46(R). As a VIE, the Auto Kaiyuan
Companies sales are included in the Company's total sales, its income from
operations is consolidated with the Companys, the assets and liabilities of the
Auto Kaiyuan Companies are consolidated with the Companys, and the Companys net
income includes all of the Auto Kaiyuan Companies net income.
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP), and reflect the consolidated accounts of the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiaries and VIEs. All significant inter-company balances and
transactions have been eliminated. Investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries,
typically representing an ownership interest in the voting stock of the
subsidiaries of between 20% and 50%, are stated at cost of acquisition plus the
Companys equity in undistributed net income or proportionate share of net losses
since acquisition.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the periods presented. The most significant estimates and related
assumptions include the assessment of the provision for doubtful accounts, the
assessment of the impairment of tangible and intangible long-lived assets, the
assessment of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and the purchase
price allocation on acquisitions. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Consolidation
of Affiliate
Pursuant
to FIN 46 (R), a VIE is required to be consolidated if a party with an
ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the VIE, is obligated to
absorb a majority of the risk of loss from the VIEs activities, is entitled to
receive a majority of the VIEs residual returns (if no party absorbs a majority
of the VIEs losses), or both. A variable interest holder that consolidates the
VIEs is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary
beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIEs assets, liabilities,
and non-controlling interests at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE
as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest. FIN 46(R) provides
a new framework for identifying VIEs and determining when a company should
include the assets, liabilities, non-controlling interests and results of
activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements.
A VIE is
a corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, trust or any other
legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an
insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without
additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that
are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a
group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the
right to receive returns generated by its operations.
The
Company consolidated the Auto Kaiyuan Companies as the Auto Kaiyuan Companies
were deemed the VIEs and it determined that it was the primary beneficiary of
the Auto Kaiyuan Companies as a result of the execution of a series of
enterprise agreements.
Currency
Reporting
The
Companys operations in China use the local currency - Renminbi (RMB) as its
functional currency whereas amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and disclosures are stated in U.S. dollars, the reporting
currency of the Company, unless stated otherwise. As such, the consolidated
balance sheets of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars at the
current rates as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005 and the consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and
2005 have been translated into U.S. dollars at the weighted average rates during
the periods the transactions were recognized. The resulting translation gain
adjustments are recorded as other comprehensive income in the consolidated
statements of shareholders equity and comprehensive income and as a separate
component of shareholders equity.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
For
purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash equivalents include
all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or
less which are not securing any corporate obligations. As of September 30, 2008
and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the majority of cash, including
restricted cash, was in RMB on deposit in PRC financial institutions under the
Companys PRC subsidiaries. Cash remittance in or out of the PRC are subject to
the PRC foreign exchange control regulations pursuant to which PRC government
approval is required for the Company to receive funds from or distribute to
outside the PRC.
Cash and
cash equivalents as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005 include cash balances held by the Companys VIE of approximately $17,661,
$16,271, $12,820, $7,449 and $4,529, respectively. These cash balances cannot be
transferred to the Company by dividend, loan or advance according to existing
PRC laws and regulations. However, t these cash balances can be utilized by the
Group for its normal operations pursuant to the Enterprise
Agreements.
Restricted
Cash
As of
September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company was
required to maintain a fixed deposit of $39,988, $17,273, $24,734, $25,885 and
$8,486, respectively as a condition to borrow under bank loan
agreements.
Accounts
receivable
Accounts
receivable, which are unsecured, are stated at the amount the Company expects to
collect. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated
losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.
The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a
combination of factors, including customer credit-worthiness and historical
collection experience. Management reviews the receivable aging and adjusts the
allowance based on historical experience, financial condition of the customer
and other relevant current economic factors. As of September 30, 2008 and 2007,
December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, a majority of the trade receivable balances
were due from governmental agencies which the Company believed are collectible
in full and a majority of the accounts receivable related to warranty claims are
primarily due from manufacturers. Therefore, the management determined no
allowance for uncollectible amounts is required.
Concentration
of credit risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk
consist principally of accounts receivable from sale of automobiles.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivables are reduced
because a large number of diverse customers make up the Companys customer base,
thus spreading the trade credit risk.
Inventories
Inventories
are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the specific identification
method to value automobile inventories and the first-in, first-out method (FIFO)
to account for our parts inventories. A reserve of specific inventory units and
parts inventories is maintained where the cost exceeds the estimated fair
value.
Prepayments
Deposits
for inventories are cash advances made to automobile manufacturers for down
payments for automobile purchases.
Investment
in unconsolidated subsidiaries
Investment
in unconsolidated subsidiaries is accounted for under the equity method, under
which the amount of the investment is recorded at cost, with adjustments to
recognize the Groups share of the earnings or losses of the unconsolidated
subsidiaries from the date of acquisition. The amount recorded in income is
adjusted to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if
appropriate, any difference between the Groups cost and the underlying equity in
net assets of the affiliate at the date of investment. The investment amount is
also adjusted to reflect the Groups share of changes in the unconsolidated
subsidiaries capital. Dividends received from the unconsolidated subsidiaries
reduce the carrying amount of the investment.
Property,
Equipment and Improvements
Property
and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line
method over their estimated useful lives. All depreciation is included in
operating expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life
of the lease or the useful life of the related asset.
The
estimated service lives of property, equipment and improvements are as
follows:
|
Useful life
|
|
|
Land
use rights
|
50-70
years
|
Buildings
and leasehold improvements
|
20
years
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
10
years
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
5-10
years
|
Company
automobiles
|
3-5
years
|
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 expensed as incurred. The
Company determined that there was no impairment of property, equipment and
improvements as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005.
Our
principal intangible assets relate to goodwill which represents the excess of
cost over the fair value of tangible and identified intangible assets acquired
with business acquisitions.
The
following is a summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during
as of September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:
Balance
- January 1, 2005
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
- January 1, 2006
|
|
|
153
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
7
|
|
Foreign
currency translation
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance -
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
165
|
|
Dispositions
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
Foreign
currency translation
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance -
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
170
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
758
|
|
Foreign
currency translation
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
- September 30, 2008 (Unaudited)
|
|
$
|
939
|
|
In
accordance with Statement on Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill should be tested for impairment
annually or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that
impairment may have occurred. We completed impairment tests of goodwill as of
September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The goodwill test
includes determining the fair value of our single reporting unit and comparing
it to the carrying value of the net assets allocated to the reporting unit. The
Company determined that there was no impairment of goodwill as of September 30,
2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Vendor
Program
Incentive
arrangements such as volume incentive rebates or other vendor programs are
accounted for in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue
No. 02-16, Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain
Consideration Received from a Vendor and EITF Issue No. 03-10, Application
of Issue No. 02-16 by Resellers to Sales Incentives Offered to Consumers by
Manufacturers. Volume incentive rebates are consideration received from the
automotive manufacturers when purchases or sell-through targets are attained or
exceeded within a specific time period. The amount of rebates earned in any
financial reporting period is recorded as an increase of deposits paid. This
same amount is recorded as a reduction of inventory cost or a reduction of cost
of sales for those items already sold. Volume rebates to date have been
determined based on actual negotiated volume discounts. When there is
uncertainty regarding the use of these rebates, the amounts are reserved
accordingly. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the years
ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, the incentive rebates totaled
approximately $11,366, $5,589, $10,031, $5,429 and $2,446,
respectively.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Financial
instruments consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable,
floor plans notes payable, notes payable and trade notes payable. The carrying
amounts of these items at September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006
and 2005 approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these
instruments or existence of variable interest rates, which approximate market
rates.
Comprehensive
Income
SFAS No.
130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, establishes standards for the reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements.
For all periods presented, other comprehensive income consisted solely of
foreign currency translation adjustments.
Commitments
and Contingencies
Liabilities
for loss contingencies arising from claim assessments and litigation and other
sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and
the amount of assessment can be determined. In the opinion of management, after
consultation with legal counsel, there are no claims assessments or litigation
against the Company.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenues
from sale of new automobiles and heavy trucks are recognized upon delivery,
passage of title, and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts, service and collision repair is recognized upon delivery of parts to the
customer or at the time automobile service or repair work is
completed.
Revenue
from financing service is recognized as interest income by using the interest
method. Certain origination costs on receivables are deferred and amortized,
using the interest method, over the term of the related receivable as a
reduction in financing revenue. The interest on receivables is discontinued at
the time a receivable is determined to be uncollectible.
The
Company also receives commissions from insurance institutions for referral its
customers to buy auto insurance. Commission income is recorded when the referral
transactions are closed. Value Added Taxes represent amounts collected on behalf
of specific regulatory agencies that require remittance by a specified date.
These amounts are collected at the time of sales and are detailed on invoices
provided to customers. In compliance with the Emerging Issues Task Force
consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-03, the Company accounts for value added taxes on
a net basis.
Cost
of Sales
For
new automobile sales and heavy trucks, cost of sales consists primarily of the
Companys actual purchase price, less manufacturers incentives. For the
sales of parts and accessories, cost of sales consists primarily of the actual
purchase price. For service and body shop operations, technician labor cost is
the primary component of cost of sales.
For
financing services, costs of sales related are deferred and amortized on a
straight-line basis over the term of the hire purchase.
Advertising
The
Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, net of certain advertising
credits and other discounts. Advertising expenses from continuing operations
totaled approximately $1,703, $1,318, $2,090, $988 and $363 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the years ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005, respectively and are included in selling and marketing expense in
the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Income
Taxes
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax
assets, including tax loss and credit carry forwards, and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates in the applicable tax jurisdiction expected to
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are
expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income in the period that
includes the enactment date. Deferred income tax expense represents the change
during the period in the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. The
components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are individually
classified as current and non-current based on their characteristics.
Realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent on generating sufficient
taxable income in future years.
Segment
Reporting
SFAS
No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information, established standards for reporting information about operating
segments in financial statements. Operating segments are defined as components
of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is
evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making
group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. The
Companys total assets and results of operations have been considered to be
comprised of two reportable segments: automotive retailing and heavy truck
sales. All of the Companys sales are generated in the PRC and substantially all
of the Companys assets are located in the PRC.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In May
2008, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued SAFS No. 162, The
Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. SFAS No.162 identifies
the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the
principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of
non-governmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. SFAS
No.162 directs the GAAP hierarchy to the entity as the entity is responsible for
selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in
conformity with GAAP. SFAS No.162 is effective 60 days following the SECs
approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to remove
the GAAP hierarchy from the auditing standards. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 162.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, which requires additional disclosures related to derivatives
instruments and hedging activities. These enhanced disclosures will discuss (a)
how and why a company uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative
instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and
its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related
hedged items affect a companys financial position, results of operations and
cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after
November 15, 2008, with earlier adoption allowed. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 161.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51. This statement is
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years,
beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited. This
statement requires the recognition of a non-controlling interest (minority
interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from
the parents equity. The amount of net income attributable to the non-controlling
interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income
statement. It also amends certain of ARB No. 51s consolidation procedures for
consistency with the requirements of SFAS No.141(R). This statement also
includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent
and its non-controlling interest. The Company is currently evaluating this new
statement and anticipates that the Statement will not have a significant impact
on the reporting of our results of operations.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business
Combinations (SFAS No.141(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations. SFAS No.141(R) retains the underlying concepts of SFAS 141 in that
all business combinations are still required to be accounted for at fair value
under the acquisition method of accounting but SFAS No.141(R) changed the method
of applying the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects.
Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; non-controlling
interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; in-process
research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived
intangible asset at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a
business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition
date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax
uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax
expense. SFAS No.141(R) is effective on a prospective basis for all business
combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the
first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the exception of the
accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax
contingencies. SFAS No.141(R) amends SFAS No.109 such that adjustments made to
valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies associated
with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of SFAS No.141(R)
would also apply the provisions of SFAS No.141(R). Early adoption is not
permitted.
.
(3) INVESTMENTS IN
UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
The
Companys investments in the following entities are accounted for on the equity
method:
|
|
Percentage owned at
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Liantuo Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Cangzhou
Yichang Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Hebei
Junda Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<C>
|
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Tian
Mei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianhong Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
<A>
During the periods presented, the Company acquired a majority equity interest in
these entities and the incremental acquired ownership has been accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting. A summary of acquisitions is listed in
Note 4.
<B>
The investments in the companies were disposed in November 2007 for an aggregate
sales price of $887. Details in gain (loss) on disposition of investment are
disclosed in Note 15.
<C>
The investment in the company was disposed in June 2008 for a sales price of
$430. Details in gain on disposition of investment are disclosed in Note
15.
All of
these operations, except Tian Mei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd which is an
insurance agency company, are engaged in the sale and servicing of automobiles.
The Companys investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries accounted for under the
equity method and cost method amounted to $230, $912, $770, $872 and $2,593 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the years ended December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The combined results of operations and financial position of the
Companys equity basis investments are summarized as follows:
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
4,497
|
|
|
$
|
20,033
|
|
|
$
|
24,957
|
|
|
$
|
98,166
|
|
|
$
|
58,609
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
1,644
|
|
|
|
1,050
|
|
|
|
4,754
|
|
|
|
3,301
|
|
Net
(loss) income
|
|
|
(105
|
)
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
608
|
|
|
|
861
|
|
|
|
842
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)
equity in earnings of unconsolidated
|
|
$
|
(50
|
)
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
|
$
|
139
|
|
|
$
|
417
|
|
|
$
|
365
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets
|
|
$
|
639
|
|
|
$
|
8,473
|
|
|
$
|
1,475
|
|
|
$
|
9,453
|
|
|
$
|
30,454
|
|
Noncurrent
assets
|
|
|
448
|
|
|
|
1,565
|
|
|
|
469
|
|
|
|
1,511
|
|
|
|
2,679
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
1,087
|
|
|
|
10,038
|
|
|
|
1,944
|
|
|
|
10,964
|
|
|
|
33,133
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
|
7,228
|
|
|
|
371
|
|
|
|
8,285
|
|
|
|
26,479
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
731
|
|
|
|
2,811
|
|
|
|
1,573
|
|
|
|
2,679
|
|
|
|
6,654
|
|
Total
liabilities and equity
|
|
$
|
1,087
|
|
|
$
|
10,039
|
|
|
$
|
1,944
|
|
|
$
|
10,964
|
|
|
$
|
33,133
|
|
(4) BUSINESS
ACQUISITIONS
The
Company acquired various automotive retail franchises and related assets during
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the years ended
December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. We paid in cash approximately $2,164,
$712, $3,265, $3,018 and $2,002 in the respective periods for automotive retail
acquisitions. The following is a summary of entities acquired and the respective
equity interests acquired during the periods presented:
|
|
Total %
of
Equity
Interest
|
|
|
Nine months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
Total %
of
|
|
|
|
as of
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Septem-
ber 30,
2008
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
Interest
Prior
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baoding
Tianhua Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
$
|
82
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
Hebei
Meifeng Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Shenkang Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
333
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
342
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
248
|
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
Yuhua
Fengtian Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
Hebei
Shengmei Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
96
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
|
86
|
%
|
|
|
525
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Shenwen Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
95
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
496
|
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
Guangdehang
Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
88
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
88
|
%
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Liantuo Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
685
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
1,537
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Xinghua
Fengtian Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
<A>
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
63
|
%
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
Cangzhou
Yicang Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
199
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Hebei
Junda Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
<B>
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
411
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Tian
Mei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
51
|
%
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Yitong Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
1,937
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Shengjie Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
<C>
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
243
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
248
|
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
Total %
of
Equity
Interest
|
|
|
Nine months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
Total %
of
|
|
|
|
as of
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Septem-
ber 30,
2008
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
% of
Equity
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquisi-
tion
Price
|
|
|
Interest
Prior
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baoding
Tianhong Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<C>
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
256
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<C>
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Sales & Service Co., Ltd
|
|
<C>
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
|
434
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Shengda Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
146
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
692
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,002
|
|
|
|
|
|
<A>
12% of equity interest was disposed in December 2007 for a total consideration
of $140 (See Note 15)
<B>
50% of equity interest was disposed in June 2008 for a total consideration of
$430 (See Note 15)
<C>
All the acquired equity interest was disposed and the gain (loss) on disposal
was recorded as other income (loss) in the consolidated statement of operations.
(See Note 15)
The
acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in the
periods when the Company acquires a majority of the voting rights (i.e. over 50%
of equity interest) of the entities whereby the total purchase price, including
transaction expenses, was allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired
based on estimated fair market values, with the remainder classified as
goodwill. Net tangible assets were valued at their respective historical
carrying amounts as these approximate fair values. Acquisitions of less than 50%
and more than 20% equity interest were accounted for using the equity method
(Note 3). Cost method is used for equity interest less than 20%
Purchase
price allocations for business combinations accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting for the periods ended were as follows:
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
730
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
8,113
|
|
|
$
|
251
|
|
Accounts
receivable less
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
383
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Inventory,
net
|
|
|
2,505
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,842
|
|
|
|
126
|
|
Prepayment
|
|
|
2,313
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9,709
|
|
|
|
265
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and current assets
|
|
|
403
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,175
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvements, net
|
|
|
1,487
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,522
|
|
|
|
909
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
779
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
81
|
|
Other
acquired intangibles
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
165
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
non-current assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Total
assets acquired
|
|
|
8,241
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
29,961
|
|
|
|
1,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
Notes payable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
10,332
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Account
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
2,086
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8,475
|
|
|
|
900
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
3,077
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,708
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets acquired
|
|
|
3,078
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7,446
|
|
|
|
800
|
|
Less
cash acquired
|
|
|
730
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8,113
|
|
|
|
251
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
acquired, net of cash
|
|
$
|
2,348
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
(667
|
)
|
|
$
|
549
|
|
The
unaudited pro forma consolidated results of continuing operations assuming
during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the year ended
December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 acquisitions had occurred at January 1,
2005, are as follows:
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
335,674
|
|
|
$
|
231,398
|
|
|
$
|
324,468
|
|
|
$
|
255,747
|
|
|
$
|
167,296
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
18,640
|
|
|
|
11,880
|
|
|
|
19,653
|
|
|
|
14,408
|
|
|
|
8,199
|
|
Operating
profit
|
|
|
9,003
|
|
|
|
3,600
|
|
|
|
7,271
|
|
|
|
4,848
|
|
|
|
2,592
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
5,857
|
|
|
$
|
2,493
|
|
|
$
|
5,385
|
|
|
$
|
4,528
|
|
|
$
|
2,358
|
|
The
unaudited pro forma information is presented for information purposes and may
not necessarily reflect the future results of the Company or the results that
would have occurred had the acquisitions occurred as of January 1,
2005.
(5) DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS
On
November 7, 2007, the Company sold its 100% equity interest of one of the
automotive dealers, Hebei Shengjie Auto Trade Co., Ltd, to an unrelated
individual for an aggregate sales price of approximately $1,314. On March 27,
2008, an 88% equity interest of Guangdehang Auto Trade Co., Ltd was sold to an
unrelated entity for an aggregate sales price of approximately $1,260.
Generally, the sale of a store is completed within 60 to 90 days after the
date of a sales agreement. The operation of the disposed automotive dealers has
been segregated and reported as discontinued operations for all the periods
presented in the Companys consolidated statement of operation presented herein
.The results of discontinued operation are as follows:
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
3,277
|
|
|
$
|
3,721
|
|
|
$
|
6,195
|
|
|
$
|
3,877
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations (before income taxes)
|
|
|
(247
|
)
|
|
|
(189
|
)
|
|
|
(98
|
)
|
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Gain
on disposal of discontinued operations
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from Discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
$
|
(153
|
)
|
|
$
|
(189
|
)
|
|
$
|
209
|
|
|
$
|
(87
|
)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The
Companys assets and liabilities of these segments have been classified as from
discontinued operations for the consolidated balance sheets presented
herein. The assets and liabilities from discontinued operations as of
September 30, 2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were as
follows:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
503
|
|
|
$
|
3,519
|
|
|
$
|
254
|
|
|
$
|
41
|
|
Account
receivables
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
629
|
|
|
|
295
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
Inventory,
net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
|
923
|
|
|
|
294
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and current assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,330
|
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
|
|
913
|
|
|
|
868
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvements, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,370
|
|
|
|
6,755
|
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
1,239
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor
plan notes payable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
699
|
|
|
|
4,141
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
current liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
614
|
|
|
|
1,140
|
|
|
|
616
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Assets
acquired, net of cash
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,313
|
|
|
$
|
5,281
|
|
|
$
|
671
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
(6) ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE
A summary
of accounts receivable is as follows:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
accounts receivable from sale of automobiles
|
|
$
|
343
|
|
|
$
|
1,859
|
|
|
$
|
1,489
|
|
|
$
|
1,113
|
|
|
$
|
247
|
|
Contracts-in-transit
|
|
|
1,950
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
487
|
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
Warranty
receivable
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,559
|
|
|
$
|
2,265
|
|
|
$
|
2,104
|
|
|
$
|
1,869
|
|
|
$
|
498
|
|
Contracts-in-transit
represent receivables from unrelated finance companies for the portion of the
automobiles purchase price financed by customers. These contracts-in-transit are
normally collected within the first week following the sale of the related autos
but not usually longer than 30 days.
The
Company performs warranty service work for automobiles sold under a limited
warranty provided by manufacturers. The cost of warranty work is reimbursed by
the applicable manufacturer at retail consumer rates.
(7) INVENTORIES
A summary
of inventories is as follows:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New
automobiles
|
|
$
|
40,339
|
|
|
$
|
23,262
|
|
|
$
|
23,359
|
|
|
$
|
22,492
|
|
|
$
|
6,553
|
|
Heavy
trucks
|
|
|
731
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Parts
and accessories
|
|
|
4,453
|
|
|
|
2,812
|
|
|
|
3,440
|
|
|
|
2,243
|
|
|
|
808
|
|
Others
|
|
|
448
|
|
|
|
147
|
|
|
|
111
|
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
45,971
|
|
|
$
|
26,221
|
|
|
$
|
26,910
|
|
|
$
|
24,807
|
|
|
$
|
7,389
|
|
(8) PREPAID
EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
A summary
of prepaid expenses and other current assets is as follows:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
advances
|
|
$
|
3,319
|
|
|
$
|
13,755
|
|
|
$
|
7,998
|
|
|
$
|
6,229
|
|
|
$
|
1,795
|
|
Temporary
advance to staff
|
|
|
457
|
|
|
|
353
|
|
|
|
401
|
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
|
99
|
|
Bid
bonds and deposit for new branches
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
503
|
|
|
|
273
|
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
|
89
|
|
Prepaid
rent for land
|
|
|
386
|
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
303
|
|
|
|
108
|
|
Advance
for construction-in-progress
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
303
|
|
|
|
232
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
161
|
|
Prepaid
other taxes
|
|
|
1,736
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
|
158
|
|
|
|
798
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Others
|
|
|
785
|
|
|
|
381
|
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
6,756
|
|
|
$
|
16,386
|
|
|
$
|
9,396
|
|
|
$
|
8,086
|
|
|
$
|
2,301
|
|
Short-term
advances are advances made to third parties. They are interests-free, unsecured
and repayable on demand.
(9) NOTES
RECEIVABLE
Notes
receivable consist of the following:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
maturities of Notes receivable
|
|
$
|
16,322
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Notes
receivable, net of current maturities
|
|
|
11,593
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
27,915
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Notes
receivable are arisen from the sales of heavy trucks, under which the Company
has entered into monthly installment arrangements with the customers for 2
years. Such business segment commenced in April 2008 and therefore the
respective balances in December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and September 30, 2007
are nil.
(10) PROPERTY,
EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS, NET
A summary
of property, equipment and improvements is as follows:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
use right
|
|
$
|
2,551
|
|
|
$
|
393
|
|
|
$
|
264
|
|
|
$
|
247
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Buildings
and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
12,101
|
|
|
|
8,811
|
|
|
|
10,057
|
|
|
|
8,654
|
|
|
|
4,912
|
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
|
|
1,699
|
|
|
|
1,288
|
|
|
|
1,371
|
|
|
|
1,021
|
|
|
|
581
|
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
|
|
4,247
|
|
|
|
2,899
|
|
|
|
3,060
|
|
|
|
2,580
|
|
|
|
1,311
|
|
Company
automobiles
|
|
|
7,003
|
|
|
|
4,116
|
|
|
|
5,345
|
|
|
|
3,482
|
|
|
|
601
|
|
Construction-in-progress
|
|
|
1,784
|
|
|
|
710
|
|
|
|
301
|
|
|
|
487
|
|
|
|
437
|
|
Others
|
|
|
711
|
|
|
|
377
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
30,096
|
|
|
|
18,594
|
|
|
|
20,436
|
|
|
|
16,505
|
|
|
|
7,843
|
|
Less-Accumulated
depreciation
|
|
|
4,218
|
|
|
|
3,156
|
|
|
|
2,406
|
|
|
|
2,146
|
|
|
|
651
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvements, net
|
|
$
|
25,878
|
|
|
$
|
15,438
|
|
|
$
|
18,030
|
|
|
$
|
14,359
|
|
|
$
|
7,192
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization expense for property, equipment, and improvements amounted to
approximately $1,627, $1,215, $1,707 and $1,073 and $265 for the nine months
September 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005, respectively. Construction-in-progress assets represented the cost of
construction work of the automotive dealerships, which was not yet completed as
of the last day of each reporting period. No depreciation expense was recorded
for the construction-in-progress until the assets are placed in
service.
(11) ACCOUNTS
PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITES
Accounts
payables and accrued liabilities consist of the following:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payables
|
|
$
|
3,133
|
|
|
$
|
759
|
|
|
$
|
1,324
|
|
|
$
|
951
|
|
|
$
|
756
|
|
Short-term
advances
|
|
|
316
|
|
|
|
2,327
|
|
|
|
935
|
|
|
|
3,601
|
|
|
|
3,826
|
|
Staff
safe custody deposits
|
|
|
1,169
|
|
|
|
643
|
|
|
|
831
|
|
|
|
582
|
|
|
|
275
|
|
Amounts
due to construction-in-
progress
contractors
|
|
|
182
|
|
|
|
537
|
|
|
|
327
|
|
|
|
1,057
|
|
|
|
1,108
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
917
|
|
|
|
622
|
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
Salary
payable
|
|
|
165
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
Dividend
payable
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
tax payable
|
|
|
379
|
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,168
|
|
|
|
335
|
|
|
|
703
|
|
|
|
1,015
|
|
|
|
755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
7,721
|
|
|
$
|
5,541
|
|
|
$
|
4,425
|
|
|
$
|
7,403
|
|
|
$
|
6,880
|
|
Dividend
payable represented the amount due to the minority shareholders of the Companys
VIEs, which is non-interest bearing, unsecured and will be paid in 2009. Other
current liabilities mainly include payables to office equipment suppliers and
other taxes payables.
(12) FLOOR
PLAN NOTES PAYABLE
The
Company entered into committed facility lines with several financial
institutions affiliated with automobile manufacturers to finance substantially
all the new automobile inventories. As of September 30, 2008 and 2007, December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the committed facility lines provided for a maximum
borrowing capacity of up to approximately $24,638, $22,519, $18,769, $11,398 and
$3,067, respectively, for purchases of new automobiles from the automobile
manufacturers. These committed facility lines usually have a term of one year
with options of extension.
The
Company also had financing under floor plan arrangements for a term in a range
of 180 days to one year with various lenders not affiliated with
manufacturers.
Both of
the committed facility lines and floor plan arrangements are collateralized by
the inventory purchased and/or guaranteed by certain assets owned by affiliates
and required to be repaid upon the sale of the automobiles that have been
financed when the sale proceeds are collected by the Company. Interest rates
under the committed facility lines and the floor plan arrangements are charged
at the banks prime rate and payable on a monthly basis. The floor plan
borrowings bear interest at rate in the range of 8.25%-10.91% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008. However some of the floor plan notes
payable-manufacturer affiliated were interest free in the event the note is
repaid in 60-90 days.
The
Company considered committed facility lines to a party that is affiliated with
auto manufacturers from which the Company purchased new automobile inventory to
be Floor plan notes payable-manufacturer affiliated and all other floor plan
notes payable to be Floor plan notes payable-non-manufacturer
affiliated.
(13) NOTES
PAYABLE
Notes
payable represented loans borrowed from financial institutions that were used
for working capital and capital expenditures purposes. The notes bear interest
at a rate in the range of 9.34%-9.71% for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 and have a term within one year.
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
Payable-Bank
|
|
$
|
3,922
|
|
|
$
|
5,753
|
|
|
$
|
5,407
|
|
|
$
|
3,125
|
|
|
$
|
578
|
|
Note
Payable-
manufacturer
affiliated
|
|
|
1,169
|
|
|
|
2,999
|
|
|
|
1,318
|
|
|
|
1,495
|
|
|
|
2,478
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5,091
|
|
|
$
|
8,753
|
|
|
$
|
6,725
|
|
|
$
|
4,620
|
|
|
$
|
3,056
|
|
(14) NOTES
PAYABLE, RELATED PARTIES
Historically,
the Company has obtained funding from the Companys executive management and
employees to finance the existing operations, including acquisition of new
automobiles. The note agreements have a term of one year and bear an interest
rate in a range of 5%-6%. Since 2007, the Company has been gradually repaying
the outstanding balances and did not execute any new note agreements with its
employees in 2008.
(15) TRADE
NOTES PAYABLE
Trade notes payable are presented to
some of the Companys automotive manufacturers as a payment against the
outstanding trade payables. These notes payable are bank guarantee promissory
notes which are non-interest bearing and generally mature within six months. The
outstanding bank guarantee promissory notes are secured by certain cash deposits
with the banks, and automobile inventories.
(16) DEFERRED
INCOME
Deferred
income consists of the following:
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
portion of deferred income
|
|
$
|
2,774
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Deferred
income, net of current portion
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,773
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Deferred
income is arisen from the advanced income received from the customers for the
financing services. The service term is normally at 2 years. The financing
services commenced in April 2008 and therefore the respective balances in
December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and September 30, 2007 are nil.
(17) SALE
OF INVESTMENT IN AUTOMOTIVE DEALERS
During
the period presented, the Company sold investment in certain non-consolidated
subsidiaries. The results of operations of the non-consolidated subsidiaries
have been included in the consolidated financial statements through the date of
disposal. The following table summarizes the investment in the non-consolidated
subsidiaries as of the date of sale and the gain on disposal:
|
|
Hebei Junda
Auto Trading
Co., Ltd
|
|
|
Xinghua
Fengtian
Auto
Trading
Co., Ltd
|
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto
Sales &
Service Co.,
Ltd
|
|
|
Baoding
Tianhong
Auto Sales
& Service
Co., Ltd
|
|
|
Shijia-
zhuang
Yiyuan
Sales &
Service
Co., Ltd
|
|
Disposal Date
|
|
June 2008
|
|
|
Dec. 2007
|
|
|
Nov. 2007
|
|
|
Nov. 2007
|
|
|
Nov. 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets
|
|
$
|
1,613
|
|
|
$
|
4,636
|
|
|
$
|
3,237
|
|
|
$
|
5,138
|
|
|
$
|
2,403
|
|
Property,
equipment and improvement, net
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
|
1,104
|
|
|
|
764
|
|
|
|
631
|
|
|
|
196
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
2,284
|
|
|
|
5,740
|
|
|
|
4,001
|
|
|
|
5,769
|
|
|
|
2,599
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
1,518
|
|
|
|
4,030
|
|
|
|
2,580
|
|
|
|
4,310
|
|
|
|
2,023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets
|
|
|
766
|
|
|
|
1,710
|
|
|
|
1,421
|
|
|
|
1,459
|
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
of equity interest disposed
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
Investment
in entities
|
|
|
378
|
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
|
143
|
|
Consideration
|
|
|
430
|
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
263
|
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain
(loss) on sales (included in other income)
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
|
$
|
(90
|
)
|
|
$
|
(10
|
)
|
|
$
|
(41
|
)
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
(18) INCOME
TAXES
Cayman
Islands
Under the
current tax laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company and its subsidiaries are not
subject to tax on their income or capital gains.
Hong
Kong
The
Companys subsidiary in Hong Kong did not have assessable profits that were
derived from Hong Kong during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
and the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005. Therefore, no Hong Kong
profit tax has been provided for in the years presented.
China
The
regular federal income tax in China is 33%. Certain of the Companys dealership
subsidiaries were granted tax incentives in connection with the compliance with
the Employment Promotion Law and the Regulation for the Employment of Disabled
Persons whereby the qualified subsidiaries were exempted from paying any income
taxes for a period of two to three years or enjoyed a 50% discounted income tax
rate. Effective January 1, 2008, the National Peoples Congress of China enacted
a new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, under which foreign invested enterprises
and domestic companies is subject to enterprise income tax at a uniform rate of
25%.
Income
tax provision in consolidated statements is as follows:
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
$
|
2,357
|
|
|
$
|
599
|
|
|
$
|
1,112
|
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
|
(86
|
)
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,285
|
|
|
$
|
534
|
|
|
$
|
983
|
|
|
$
|
(29
|
)
|
|
$
|
(62
|
)
|
The tax
effects of temporary differences representing deferred income tax assets
(liabilities) result principally from the following:
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
income tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
liabilities
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
|
$
|
28
|
|
|
$
|
22
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Deferred
expenses
|
|
|
180
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Loss
carry forward
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
Appraisal
of assets acquired
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
deferred income tax assets
|
|
|
943
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
340
|
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
Deferred
income tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
income
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Appraisal
of assets acquired
|
|
|
289
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
deferred income tax liabilities:
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
deferred income tax assets:
|
|
$
|
254
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
$
|
183
|
|
|
$
|
202
|
|
|
$
|
77
|
|
At
September 30, 2008, the Company had $1,890 of taxable loss carry forwards which
result in a deferred tax asset of $544 and expire through September 30,
2013.
The
difference between the effective income tax rate and the expected statutory rate
was as follows:
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory
rate
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
Non-taxable
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(17.1
|
)
|
|
|
(14.9
|
)
|
|
|
(38.5
|
)
|
|
|
(16.5
|
)
|
Non-deductible
expenses
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Change
in valuation allowance
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
(0.4
|
)
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
(21.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective
tax rate
|
|
|
26.7
|
%
|
|
|
18.1
|
%
|
|
|
17.7
|
%
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(4.6
|
)%
|
On
January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No.
48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an Interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). This interpretation requires companies to determine
whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon
examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit
can be recorded in the financial statements.
Management,
in conjunction with input from its Chinese tax advisors, has performed an
analysis of its tax positions, in accordance with FIN 48, and has determined
that the Company has no material uncertain tax positions that are more-likely
than-not of being sustained for the full amount claimed, or to be claimed, on
its applicable tax returns for the nine months ended September 30,
2008.
(19) DIVIDEND
PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS
Substantially all of the Companys
retained earnings as well as net assets are attributable to its VIEs. Pursuant
to the relevant accounting principles and financial regulations applicable to
companies established in the PRC, certain percentage of the after-tax net income
is restricted and required to be allocate to a general statutory reserve until
the balance of the fund has reached 50% of the Companys registered capital. The
statutory reserve fund can be used to increase the registered capital and
eliminate future losses of the companies; it cannot be distributed to
shareholders except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the
companies.
(20) COMMITMENTS
Dealership
Agreements
The
Company operates dealerships under franchise agreements with a number of
automotive manufacturers. These agreements are nonexclusive agreements that
allow the Company to stock, sell at retail and service cars, equipment and
products of the automotive manufacturers in the Companys defined market. The
agreements allow the Company to use the Manufacturers names, trade symbols and
intellectual property and expire as follows:
Distributor
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
Percentage of sales for the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audi
|
|
2008
- 2009
|
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
29
|
%
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
Toyota
|
|
2008
- 2009
|
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
|
29
|
%
|
Beijing
Xiandai
|
|
2009
- Indefinite
|
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
Buick
|
|
2008
- 2010
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
BMW
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
|
*
|
Ford
|
|
2010
- Indefinite
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
Chevrolet
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
ROEWE
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cadillac
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Peugeot
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
*
represented less than 10% of revenue generated for the periods
Capital
Commitments
From time
to time, the Company engages in construction contracts to add new and expanded
dealership capacity which typically involve a significant capital commitment.
Future minimum payments under the construction contracts as of September 30,
2008 are $1,120.
Lease
Commitments
The
Company leases certain facilities under long-term, non-cancelable leases and
month-to-month leases. These leases are accounted for as operating leases. Rent
expense amounted to $734, $813, $871, $563 and $277 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005, respectively.
Future
minimum payments under long-term, non-cancelable leases as of September 30, 2008
are as follows:
Years Ending
December 31,
|
|
Future minimum
payments
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
401
|
|
2009
|
|
|
1,613
|
|
2010
|
|
|
1,569
|
|
2011
|
|
|
1,442
|
|
2012
|
|
|
1,449
|
|
2013
or after
|
|
|
22,303
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
28,777
|
|
(21)
SEGMENT
REPORTING
The
Company measures segment profit (loss) as operating profit (loss) less
depreciation and amortization. The reportable segments are components of
the Company which offer different products or services and are separately
managed, with separate financial information available that is separately
evaluated regularly by the chief financial officer in determining the
performance of the business. Prior to January 1, 2008, the Company had
operated in a single operation and reporting segment of automotive retailing.
During 2008, the Company developed another business segment Truck sales.
Information regarding the two operating segments is presented in the following
tables:
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive
retailing
|
|
|
Heavy trucks
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
297,703
|
|
|
$
|
33,102
|
|
|
$
|
330,805
|
|
Interest
revenue
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
|
1,401
|
|
|
|
1,851
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
2,361
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
2,366
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,472
|
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
|
1,627
|
|
Total
profit from reportable segments
|
|
|
7,544
|
|
|
|
1,984
|
|
|
|
9,528
|
|
Equity
in loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,548
|
|
(22) RELATED
PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
During
the years presented, the Company borrowed from and lent to its affiliates on a
non-interest bearing basis to satisfy the Companys short term capital needs. The
related party receivable and payable balances are unsecured and due in demand.
Significant outstanding amounts due from related parties as of September 30,
2008 and 2007, December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due
from affiliates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Zhicheng Property Management Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
2,634
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Kinbow
Capital & Holding Group Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,837
|
|
|
|
1,615
|
|
|
|
1,076
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,033
|
|
|
|
437
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shenyuan Business & Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
|
2,918
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,164
|
|
|
|
434
|
|
Hebei
Beiguo Kaiyuan Shopping Mall Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,836
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
124
|
|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Liantuo Auto Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
473
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
413
|
|
|
$
|
4,944
|
|
|
$
|
5,487
|
|
|
$
|
5,641
|
|
|
$
|
1,062
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due
to affiliates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Shengtong Auto parts Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
1,895
|
|
|
$
|
919
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
15,926
|
|
|
|
3,410
|
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
6,039
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Tongheshenyuan Trade Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
628
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Junda Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
124
|
|
Hebei
xinchangshengyuan Auto Sales Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,318
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Door & Windows Manufacture Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,419
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Yitong Auto parts Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,901
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Mr.
Li Yonghui
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
5,123
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,049
|
|
|
$
|
8,048
|
|
|
$
|
2,075
|
|
|
$
|
1,674
|
|
|
$
|
6,163
|
|
Notes:
(1) Companies
controlled by the Companys ultimate shareholder.
(2) One
of the former controlling parties.
(3) A
director of the Company and the ultimate shareholder of Hebei Kaiyuan Real
Estate Co., Ltd
From time
to time, the Company may sell and purchase automobiles and spare parts to and
from affiliates. The details of the related party transactions were as
follows:
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Parties Transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Doors & Windows Manufacturing Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
2,994
|
|
|
$
|
8,649
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Zhicheng Property Management Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
3,890
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Zhicheng Property Management Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
3,915
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,529
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Beiguo Kaiyuan Shopping Mall Co. ,Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
6,765
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Beiguo Kaiyuan Shopping Mall Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,042
|
|
|
|
2,058
|
|
|
|
10,577
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
25,785
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
1,958
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,259
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
2,999
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,853
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Nine months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Parties Transactions (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,129
|
|
|
|
2,771
|
|
Kinbow
Capital & Holding Group Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
$
|
372
|
|
|
$
|
704
|
|
|
$
|
973
|
|
|
$
|
1,054
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shenyuan Business & Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
615
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Tonghe Shenyuan Business & Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
2,993
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
394
|
|
|
|
571
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
183
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
133
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Baoding
Tianfu Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
418
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
270
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
232
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Beijing
Qianbo Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
Beijing
Kinbow Sunshine Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yiyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,187
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Xinchangshengyuan Auto Sales Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
573
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Xinchangshengyuan Auto Sales Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,037
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Xuwei Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
2,463
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Hebei
Shengrong Auto parts Co., Ltd
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
12,302
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Notes:
Nature
of transaction:
(1)
Borrowing
(2)
Lending
(3) Sale
of automobiles
(4)
Purchase of automobiles
(5)
Equity Transfer
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp.
We have
audited the accompanying balance sheet of Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (a
corporation in the development stage) as of December 31, 2007, and the related
statements of operations, changes in stockholders equity and cash flows for the
period from October 16, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (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. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over
financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides 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 Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. as
of December 31, 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the period from October 16, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007, in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
/s/ UHY
LLP
New York,
New York
March 5,
2008
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2007
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
628
|
|
Deferred
offering costs associated with proposed public offering
|
|
|
199,957
|
|
Total
assets (all current)
|
|
$
|
200,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
$
|
99,013
|
|
Notes
payable to stockholders
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
199,013
|
|
COMMITMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
shares, $.001 par value
Authorized
1,000,000 shares; none issued
|
|
|
-
|
|
Ordinary
shares, $.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,293,750 shares
|
|
|
1,294
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
23,706
|
|
Deficit
accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
Total
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
1,572
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
200,585
|
|
See notes to financial
statements.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To December 31, 2007
Professional
fees
|
|
$
|
(18,700
|
)
|
Formation
costs
|
|
|
(4,728
|
)
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(23,428
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted net loss per share
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
See notes to financial
statements.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares
|
|
Additional
Paid-In
|
|
During the Development
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Stage
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
shares issued October 16, 2007 for cash at $0.02 per share
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
$
|
1,294
|
|
$
|
23,706
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
$
|
1,294
|
|
$
|
23,706
|
|
$
|
(23,428
|
)
|
$
|
1,572
|
|
See notes to financial
statements.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF CASH
FLOWS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To December 31, 2007
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(23,428
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in accrued expenses
|
|
|
99,013
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
75,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of ordinary shares to founding stockholders
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
Proceeds
from stockholders notes payable
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Deferred
offering costs associated with proposed public offering
|
|
|
(199,957
|
)
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(74,957
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE IN CASH
|
|
|
628
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash,
Beginning of Period
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cash,
End of Period
|
|
$
|
628
|
|
See notes to financial
statements.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To
December 31, 2007
NOTE 1 -
ORGANIZATION AND PLAN OF BUSINESS
OPERATIONS
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp. (the Company) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on
October 16, 2007 as a blank check company whose objective is to acquire, through
a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, an
operating business, or control of such operating business through contractual
arrangements, that has its principal operations located in the Greater China
region, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (Greater China).
At
December 31, 2007 the Company had not yet commenced any significant operations.
All activity through December 31, 2007 relates to the Companys formation and the
initial public offering described below. The Company has selected December
31
st
as its
fiscal year-end.
The
registration statement for the Companys initial public offering (Offering) was
declared effective February 27, 2008. The Company consummated the offering on
March 4, 2008 and received proceeds net of transaction costs of approximately
$34,030,000 (Note 3). The Companys management has broad discretion with respect
to the specific application of the net proceeds of this Offering, although
substantially all of the net proceeds of this Offering are intended to be
generally applied toward consummating a business combination with an operating
business that has its principal operations located in the Greater China region
(
“
Business
Combination
”
). Furthermore,
there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully affect a
Business Combination. Net proceeds of $35,460,000 (including $1,430,000 of
proceeds from the sale of insider warrants is being held in a trust account
(Trust Account) and invested in United States
“
government
securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting
certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 until the earlier of (i) the consummation of its first Business
Combination and (ii) liquidation of the Company. The placing of funds in the
Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the
Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, prospective target
businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company
waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held
in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such
agreements. Two of the initial shareholders have agreed that they will be liable
under certain circumstances to ensure that the funds in the Trust Account are
not reduced by the claims of target businesses or vendors or other entities that
are owed money by the Company for services rendered contracted for or products
sold to the Company. However, there can be no assurance that they will be able
to satisfy those obligations should they arise. The remaining funds (not held in
the Trust Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due
diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative
expenses. Additionally, if the Company is unable to consummate a Business
Combination by the one year anniversary of the effective date of the Offering,
up to an aggregate of $1,050,000 of interest earned on the Trust Account balance
may be released to the Company to fund working capital requirements as well as
any amounts that are necessary to pay the Companys tax obligations.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To
December 31, 2007
NOTE
1 ORGANIZATION AND PLAN OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
(Continued)
The
Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target
business, is required to submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In
the event that stockholders owning 40% or more of the shares sold in the
Offering vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion
rights described below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. All of
the Companys stockholders prior to the Offering, including all of the officers
and directors of the Company (“Initial Stockholders
”
), have agreed to
vote their founding shares of ordinary shares in accordance with the vote of the
majority interest of all other stockholders of the Company (“Public
Stockholders
”
) with respect to
any Business Combination. After consummation of a Business Combination, these
voting safeguards will no longer be applicable.
With
respect to a Business Combination which is approved and consummated, any Public
Stockholder who voted against the Business Combination may demand that the
Company convert his or her shares to cash. The per share conversion price will
equal the amount in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior
to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination, divided by the number
of shares of ordinary shares held by Public Stockholders at the consummation of
the Offering. Accordingly Public Stockholders holding up to 39.99% of the
aggregate number of shares owned by all Public Stockholders may seek conversion
of their shares in the event of a Business Combination. Such Public Stockholders
are entitled to receive their per share interest in the Trust Account computed
without regard to the shares held by Initial Stockholders.
The
Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended prior to the
Offering to provide that the Company will continue in existence only until 18
months from the effective date of the Offering or until 30 months if a letter of
intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within
18 months after consummation of this offering and the Business Combination has
not been consummated within such 18 month period. If the Company has not
completed a Business Combination by such date, its corporate existence will
cease and it will dissolve and liquidate for the purposes of winding up its
affairs. In the event of liquidation, it is likely that the per share value of
the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust
Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per share in
the Offering (assuming no value is attributed to the Warrants contained in the
Offering Unit discussed in Note 3).
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
Deferred
income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation
allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized.
Basic and
diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To
December 31, 2007
NOTE 2
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(Continued)
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Management
does believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting
standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying
financial statements.
NOTE 3 - INITIAL PUBLIC
OFFERING
On
February 27, 2008, the Company sold 4,500,000 units (“units
”
) at a price of
$8.00 per unit in the Offering.
Each unit
consists of one ordinary share of the Companys stock and one Redeemable Ordinary
Share Purchase Warrants (“Warrants
”
). Each Warrant
entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one ordinary share at an
exercise price of $5.00 commencing the later of the completion of a Business
Combination or one year from the Effective Date of the Offering and expiring
four years from the Effective Date of the Offering. The Company may redeem the
Warrants, with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (“EBC
”
), the
representative of the underwriters in the Offering, at a price of $.01 per
Warrant upon 30 days notice while the Warrants are exercisable, only in the
event that the last sale price of the ordinary shares is at least $11.50 per
share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third
day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. If the Company
redeems the Warrants as described above, management will have the option to
require any holder that wishes to exercise his Warrant to do so on a
“
cashless basis”.
In such event, the holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering his
Warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the
Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the
Warrants and the fair market value (defined below) by (y) the fair market value.
The “fair market
”
value shall mean
the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading
days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of
redemption is sent to holders of Warrants. In accordance with the warrant
agreement relating to the Warrants to be sold and issued in the Offering the
Company is only required to use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness
of the registration statement covering the Warrants. The Company will not be
obligated to deliver securities, and there are no contractual penalties for
failure to deliver securities, if a registration statement is not effective at
the time of exercise. Additionally, in the event that a registration is not
effective at the time of exercise, the holder of such Warrant shall not be
entitled to exercise such Warrant and in no event (whether in the case of a
registration statement not being effective or otherwise) will the Company be
required to net cash settle the Warrant exercise. Consequently, the Warrants may
expire unexercised and unredeemed.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To
December 31, 2007
NOTE 3 -
INTIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
(Continued)
The
Company paid the underwriters in the Offering an underwriting discount of 7.0%
of the gross proceeds of the Offering. However, the underwriters have agreed
that 3.5% of the underwriting discounts will not be payable unless and until the
Company completes a Business Combination and have waived their right to receive
such payment upon the Companys liquidation if it is unable to complete a
Business Combination. The Company issued a unit purchase option, for $100, to
the underwriters to purchase 450,000 units at an exercise price of $8.80 per
unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to the
Offering units. The Company will account for the fair value of the unit purchase
option, inclusive of the receipt of $100 cash payment, as an expense of the
Offering resulting in a charge directly to stockholders equity. The Company
estimates that the fair value of this unit purchase option is approximately
$701,005 ($1.56 per unit) using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair
value of the unit purchase option granted to the underwriters is estimated as of
the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of
17.46%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 3.70% and (3) expected life of 5 years.
The unit purchase option may be exercised for cash or on a “cashless basis
”
, at the holders
option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Companys
redemption of the Warrants, as described above), such that the holder may use
the appreciated value of the unit purchase option (the difference between the
exercise prices of the unit purchase option and the underlying Warrants and the
market price of the Units and underlying ordinary shares) to exercise the unit
purchase option without the payment of any cash. The Company will have no
obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the unit purchase option or the
Warrants underlying the unit purchase option. The holder of the unit purchase
option will not be entitled to exercise the unit purchase option or the Warrants
underlying the unit purchase option unless a registration statement covering the
securities underlying the unit purchase option is effective or an exemption from
registration is available. If the holder is unable to exercise the unit purchase
option or underlying Warrants, the unit purchase option or Warrants, as
applicable, will expire worthless.
NOTE 4 - DEFERRED OFFERING
COSTS
Deferred
offering costs consist principally of legal and underwriting at closing fees
incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the
Offering. At closing, the deferred offering costs will be charged to
stockholders equity.
NOTE 5 - NOTES PAYABLE TO
STOCKHOLDERS
The
Company issued, in aggregate, $100,000 principal amount of unsecured promissory
notes to certain officers and initial stockholders on October 24, 2007. The
notes are non-interest bearing and are payable on the earlier of June 30, 2008
or the consummation of the Offering. Due to the short-term nature of the note,
the fair value of the notes approximates their carrying amount.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To
December 31, 2007
NOTE 6 -
COMMITMENTS
The
Company presently occupies office space provided by an affiliate of the Companys
Chief Executive Officer and director. Such affiliate has agreed that, until the
Company consummates a Business Combination, it will make such office space, as
well as certain office and secretarial services, available to the Company, as
may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay
such affiliate $7,500 per month for such services commencing on the effective
date of the Offering.
Pursuant
to letter agreements dated as of September 25, 2007 with the Company and the
underwriter, the initial stockholders have waived their right to receive
distributions with respect to their founding shares upon the Companys
liquidation.
NOTE 7 INSIDER WARRANTS AND
UNITS
The
Initial stockholders of the Company purchased 1,430,000 Warrants (“Insider
Warrants
”
) at
$1.00 per Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,430,000) in a private
placement that took place simultaneously with the Offering. The Company believes
the purchase price of these warrants approximates the fair value of such
warrants because the fair market value of publicly traded warrants for similarly
structured blank check companies is typically no greater than $1.00. The
warrants will be accounted for as permanent equity. All of the proceeds received
from this purchase were placed in the Trust Account. The Insider Warrants
purchased by such purchasers are identical to the Warrants in the Offering
except that if the Company calls the Warrants for redemption, the Insider
Warrants may be exercisable on a “cashless basis
”
, at the holders
option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Companys
redemption of the Warrants, as described above), so long as such securities are
held by such purchasers or their affiliates. Furthermore, the purchasers have
agreed that the Insider Warrants will not be sold or transferred by them until
after the Company has completed a Business Combination.
The
Initial Stockholders and the holders of the Insider Warrants (or underlying
ordinary shares) will be entitled to registration rights with respect to their
founding shares or Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) pursuant to
an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Offering. The
holders of the majority of the founding shares are entitled to demand that the
Company register 50% of these shares at any time commencing three months prior
to nine months after the consummation of the Business Combination and the
balance of these shares at any time commencing three months prior to the first
anniversary of the consummation of a Business Combination. The holders of the
Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) are entitled to demand that the
Company register these securities at any time after the Company consummates a
Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Stockholders and holders of the
Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) have certain “piggy-back
”
registration
rights on registration statements filed after the Companys consummation of a
Business Combination.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(A
Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For The Period October 16, 2007
(Inception) To
December 31, 2007
NOTE 8 - PREFERRED
STOCK
The
Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such
designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors.
The
agreement with the underwriters prohibits the Company, prior to a Business
Combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in the proceeds of
the Trust Account or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a
Business Combination.
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
124,916
|
|
$
|
628
|
|
Funds
held in trust (including $76,659 in accrued interest)
|
|
|
40,870,967
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
|
86,292
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
offering costs associated with public offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
199,957
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
41,082,175
|
|
|
200,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CURRENT
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
acquisition costs
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
Total
non-current assets
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
|
41,132,175
|
|
$
|
200,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
$
|
7,840
|
|
$
|
99,013
|
|
Deferred
underwriters fees
|
|
|
1,449,000
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
interest on funds held in trust
|
|
|
31,349
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
payable to stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Total
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
1,590,189
|
|
|
199,013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
shares, subject to possible redemption (2,069,999 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at
redemption value)
|
|
|
16,270,192
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
shares, $.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
1,000,000 shares; none issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
shares, $.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
50,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,468,750
shares (which includes 2,069,999 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
subject
to possible redemption at September 30, 2008);
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,293,750
shares at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
6,469
|
|
|
1,294
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
23,040,035
|
|
|
23,706
|
|
Earnings
(deficit) accumulated during development stage
|
|
|
225,290
|
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
Total
Stockholders' equity
|
|
|
23,271,794
|
|
|
1,572
|
|
Total
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
|
|
$
|
41,132,175
|
|
$
|
200,585
|
|
See notes
to financial statements
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
Nine
Months
Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
Period from
October 16,
2007
(Inception) to
September 30,
2008
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
(Cumulative)
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
70,259
|
|
|
166,939
|
|
|
185,639
|
|
Formation
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
5,084
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
70,259
|
|
|
167,295
|
|
|
190,723
|
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(70,259
|
)
|
|
(167,295
|
)
|
|
(190,723
|
)
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
233,277
|
|
|
549,362
|
|
|
549,362
|
|
Income
before provision for income tax
|
|
|
163,018
|
|
|
382,067
|
|
|
358,639
|
|
Provision
for income tax
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
Income
before allocation of trust account interest
|
|
|
61,018
|
|
|
280,067
|
|
|
256,639
|
|
Allocation
of trust account interest relating to ordinary shares subject to possible
redemption
|
|
|
(31,349
|
)
|
|
(31,349
|
)
|
|
(31,349
|
)
|
Net
income available to ordinary stockholders
|
|
$
|
29,669
|
|
$
|
248,718
|
|
$
|
225,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income per ordinary share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average ordinary shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
5,242,376
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
8,454,869
|
|
|
6,794,615
|
|
|
|
|
See notes
to financial statements
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY
For the
period from October 16, 2007 (inception) to September 30, 2008
|
|
Ordinary
Shares
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
|
|
Earnings
(Deficit) Accumulated During the Development
|
|
Total
Stockholders'
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Stage
|
|
Equity
|
|
Ordinary
shares issued October 16, 2007 for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cash
at $0.02 per share
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
$
|
1,294
|
|
$
|
23,706
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss from the period October 16, 2007 (inception)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,293,750
|
|
|
1,294
|
|
|
23,706
|
|
|
(23,428
|
)
|
|
1,572
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of warrants in private placement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceed
from sales of shares and warrants in public
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
offering,
net of offering costs of $3,538,403
|
|
|
5,175,000
|
|
|
5,175
|
|
|
37,856,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,861,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale
of unit purchase option to underwriters
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
reclassified to "Ordinary shares, subject to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
possible
redemption"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,270,192
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(16,270,192
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income available to ordinary stockholders for the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nine
months ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
248,718
|
|
|
248,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at September 30, 2008 (Unaudited)
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
$
|
6,469
|
|
$
|
23,040,035
|
|
$
|
225,290
|
|
$
|
23,271,794
|
|
See notes
to financial statements
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION
CORP.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
For
the period
|
|
|
|
Nine
|
|
from
October 16
|
|
|
|
months
ended
|
|
2007
(inception)
|
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
to
September 30, 2008
|
|
CASH
FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
248,718
|
|
$
|
225,290
|
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in prepaid expenses
|
|
|
(86,293
|
)
|
|
(86,293
|
)
|
Increase
(decrease) in accrued expenses
|
|
|
(91,174
|
)
|
|
7,839
|
|
Increase
in income tax payable
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
173,251
|
|
|
248,836
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering
proceeds investments in money market funds
|
|
|
(40,671,000
|
)
|
|
(40,671,000
|
)
|
Increase
in trust account from interest earned on funds held in
trust
|
|
|
(518,013
|
)
|
|
(518,013
|
)
|
Withdrawal
from trust account
|
|
|
349,396
|
|
|
349,396
|
|
Payment
of deferred acquisition costs
|
|
|
(50,000
|
)
|
|
(50,000
|
)
|
Net
cash used in investment activities
|
|
|
(40,889,617
|
)
|
|
(40,889,617
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of ordinary shares to founding stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
Proceeds
from stockholders notes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Payment
of stockholders notes payable
|
|
|
(100,000
|
)
|
|
(100,000
|
)
|
Gross
proceeds from initial public offering
|
|
|
36,000,000
|
|
|
36,000,000
|
|
Gross
proceeds from issuance of underwriter purchase option
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
100
|
|
Gross
proceeds from private placement of insider warrants
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
|
1,430,000
|
|
Gross
proceeds from over allotment option exercised
|
|
|
5,400,000
|
|
|
5,400,000
|
|
Payment
of offering costs
|
|
|
(1,889,446
|
)
|
|
(2,089,403
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
40,840,654
|
|
|
40,765,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE IN CASH
|
|
|
124,288
|
|
|
124,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH,
Beginning
|
|
|
628
|
|
|
|
|
CASH,
Ending
|
|
$
|
124,916
|
|
$
|
124,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
Deferred
underwriters fees
|
|
$
|
1,449,000
|
|
$
|
1,449,000
|
|
See notes
to financial statements
Spring Creek Acquisition
Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 -
ORGANIZATION AND PLAN OF
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp. (the Company) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on
October 16, 2007 as a blank check company whose objective is to acquire, through
a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, an
operating business, or control of such operating business through contractual
arrangements, that has its principal operations located in the Greater China
region, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (Greater China).
At
September 30, 2008 the Company had commenced seeking a target business with
which to complete a business combination.
The
financial statements at September 30, 2008 and for the three-month and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 are unaudited. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting of normal adjustments) have been made
that are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of
September 30, 2008 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the
three months and nine months period ended September 30, 2008 and for the period
from October 16, 2007 (inception) through September 30, 2008. Operating results
as presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a
full year.
The
statements and related notes have been prepared pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain
information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and any disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. The interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Companys final prospectus, dated February 27,
2008.
The
registration statement for the Companys initial public offering (Offering) was
declared effective on February 27, 2008. The Company consummated the Offering on
March 4, 2008 and received proceeds net of transaction costs of approximately
$34,030,000 (Note 3). The Company consummated an offering for 675,000 units of
over-allotment on March 13, 2008 and received proceeds net of transaction
costs of approximately $4,974,293 including unpaid underwriters compensation of
$189,000. The Companys management has broad discretion with respect to the
specific application of the net proceeds of the Offering, although substantially
all of the net proceeds of this Offering are intended to be generally applied
toward consummating a business combination with an operating business that has
its principal operations located in the Greater China region (Business
Combination). Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able
to successfully effect a Business Combination. Net proceeds of $40,671,000
(including $1,430,000 of proceeds from the sale of insider warrants and
$1,449,000 of deferred underwriting discounts) is being held in a trust account
(Trust Account) and invested in United States government securities within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a
maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions
under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 until the
earlier of (i) the consummation of its first Business Combination or (ii)
liquidation of the Company. The placing of funds in the Trust Account may not
protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the
Company will seek to have all vendors, prospective target businesses or other
entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right,
title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust
Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Two of
the initial shareholders have agreed that they will be liable under certain
circumstances to ensure that the funds in the Trust Account are not reduced by
the claims of target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money
by the Company for services rendered contracted for or products sold to the
Company. However, there can be no assurance that they will be able to satisfy
those obligations should they arise. The remaining funds (not held in the Trust
Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on
prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses.
Additionally, up to an aggregate of $1,050,000 of interest earned on the Trust
Account balance may be released to the Company to fund working capital
requirements as well as any amounts that are necessary to pay the Companys tax
obligations.
The
Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target
business, is required to submit such transaction for stockholders approval. In
the event that stockholders owning 40% or more of the shares sold in the
Offering vote against the Business Combination and exercise their redemption
rights described below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. All of
the Companys stockholders prior to the Offering, including all of the officers
and directors of the Company (the Initial Stockholders), have agreed to vote
their founding shares of ordinary shares in accordance with the vote of the
majority interest of all other stockholders of the Company (the Public
Stockholders) with respect to any Business Combination. After the consummation
of a Business Combination, these voting safeguards will no longer be
applicable.
With
respect to a Business Combination which is approved and consummated, any Public
Stockholder who votes against the Business Combination may demand that the
Company convert his or her shares to cash. The per share redemption price will
equal the amount in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior
to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination, divided by the number
of ordinary shares held by Public Stockholders at the consummation of the
Offering. Accordingly Public Stockholders holding up to 2,069,999 shares may
seek redemption of their shares in the event of a Business Combination (a
greater number would not be able to since the Business Combination would not be
able to be consummated with such greater number of shares choosing to redeem).
Such Public Stockholders are entitled to receive their per share interest in the
Trust Account computed without regard to the shares held by Initial
Stockholders.
The
Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended prior to the
Offering to provide that the Company will continue in existence only until 18
months from the effective date of the Offering or until 30 months if a letter of
intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within
18 months after consummation of the Offering and the Business Combination has
not been consummated within such 18 month period. If the Company has not
completed a Business Combination by such dates, its corporate existence will
cease and it will dissolve and liquidate its assets. In the event of
liquidation, it is likely that the per share value of the residual assets
remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be
less than the initial public offering price per share in the Offering (assuming
no value is attributed to the Warrants contained in the Offering Unit discussed
in Note 3).
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
Development Stage Company
The
Company complies with the reporting requirements of Statements of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 7, Accounting and Reporting by Development
Stage Enterprises.
Cash
Cash
comprises cash in bank and on hand and demand deposits with banks and other
financial institutions.
Investment Held in
Trust
The
Companys restricted investment held in the Trust Fund at September 30, 2008 is
comprised of one money market account with a short term
maturity.
Income
Taxes
Deferred
income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation
allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized. The Company has provided for income taxes, where
appropriate, in all jurisdictions in which it is subject to
taxation.
Concentration of Credit
Risk
The
Company maintains cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, exceed
federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on these
accounts.
Earnings Per
Share
Basic and
diluted Earnings Per Share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period and
weighted average number of ordinary shares on an as-if-exercised
basis:
|
|
Three
months ended September 30, 2008
|
|
Nine
months ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Net
Income
|
|
|
29,669
|
|
|
248,718
|
|
Denominator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
weighted average shares
|
|
|
6,468,750
|
|
|
5,242,376
|
|
Effect
of dilutive redeemable warrants & options*
|
|
|
1,986,119
|
|
|
1,527,569
|
|
Total
|
|
|
8,454,869
|
|
|
6,794,615
|
|
Basic
Income Per Share
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
Diluted
Income Per Share
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
*
computed using the Treasury Stock Method; the price of $7.15 per share was used
as the average trading price for the three months ended September 30, 2008, and
$7.20 per share was used as the average trading price for the period from Feb.
28, 2008 to September 30, 2008.
Use of
Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Recently Issued Accounting
Standards
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value
Measurements
, which
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair
value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective in fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 with no
material effect on the interim financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to
measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS
No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material
impact on our financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (R), Business Combinations, and SFAS
No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No.
141 (R) requires an acquirer to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the
liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their
fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over
the net identifiable assets acquired. SFAS No. 160 clarifies that a
noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary should be reported as equity in the
consolidated financial statements. The calculation of earnings per share will
continue to be based on income amounts attributable to the parent. SFAS No. 141
(R) and SFAS No. 160 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2008. Management is evaluating the impact of
adopting SFAS No. 141(R) and SFAS No. 160, if any, on the Company's financial
statements.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities - an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" ("SFAS No.
161"). SFAS No. 161 expands the disclosure requirements in SFAS No. 133,
regarding an entity's derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No.
161 is effective on January 1, 2009. Management is evaluating the impact of
adopting SFAS No. 161, if any, on the Company's financial
statements.
In May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, "The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles" ("SFAS No. 162''). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of
accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used
in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are
presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in
the United States (the GMP hierarchy). SFAS No. 162 shall be effective 60 days
following the SEC's approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(PCAOB) amendments to AU Section 411, "The Meaning of Present Fairly in
Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles". Management is
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 162, if any, on the Company's
financial statements.
In May
2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 163. "Accounting for Financial
Guarantee Insurance Contracts" ("SFAS No. 163"), which clarifies how FASB
Statement No. 60, "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises", applies
to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises. The
standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008, including interim periods in that year. Management is
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 163, if any, on the Company's
financial statements.
Management
does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting
standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying
financial statements.
NOTE 3 - INITIAL PUBLIC
OFFERING
On
February 27, 2008, the Company sold 4,500,000 units (units) at a price of $8.00
per unit in the Offering. Each unit consists of one ordinary share of the
Companys stock and one Redeemable Ordinary Share Purchase Warrant (Warrants).
Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one ordinary share
at an exercise price of $5.00 commencing the later of the completion of a
Business Combination or one year from the Effective Date of the Offering. The
Warrants expire in four years from the Effective Date of the Offering. The
Company may redeem the Warrants, with the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc. (EBC), the representative of the underwriters in the Offering, at a price
of $.01 per Warrant upon 30 days notice while the Warrants are exercisable, only
in the event that the last sale price of the ordinary shares is at least $11.50
per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the
third day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. If the
Company redeems the Warrants as described above, management will have the option
to require any holder who wishes to exercise his Warrant to do so on a cashless
basis. In such event, the holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering
his Warrants for the number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the
Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the
Warrants and the fair market value (defined below) by (y) the fair market value.
The fair market value shall mean the average reported last sale price of the
ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to
the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of Warrants. In
accordance with the warrant agreement relating to the Warrants to be sold and
issued in the Offering the Company is only required to use its best efforts to
maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement covering the Warrants.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver securities, and there are no
contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities, if a registration
statement is not effective at the time of exercise. Additionally, in the event
that a registration is not effective at the time of exercise, the holder of such
Warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and in no event (whether
in the case of a registration statement not being effective or otherwise) will
the Company be required to net cash settle the Warrant exercise. Consequently,
the Warrants may expire unexercised and unredeemed.
On March,
13 2008, the Company announced that the underwriters of its initial public
offering (IPO) exercised their over-allotment option in full, for a total of an
additional 675,000 units (over and above the 4,500,000 units sold in the IPO).
Each unit (the Units) consists of one ordinary share, $.001 par value per share
(the Common Stock), and one warrant, each warrant to purchase one share of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share. The 5,175,000 Units sold
in the Offering, including the 675,000 units subject to the over-allotment
option, were sold at an offering price of $8.00 per unit, generating gross
proceeds of $41,400,000. $40,671,000, which includes the $1,430,000 of proceeds
from the previously-announced private placement of warrants to the founding
stockholders, has been placed in the Trust Account.
The
Company is obligated to pay the underwriters in the Offering an underwriting
discount of 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. However, the
underwriters have agreed that 3.5% of the underwriting discounts will not be
payable unless and until the Company completes a Business Combination and have
waived their right to receive such payment upon the Companys liquidation if it
is unable to complete a Business Combination. The Company issued a unit purchase
option, for $100, to the underwriters to purchase 450,000 units at an exercise
price of $8.80 per unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are
identical to the Offering units. The Company has accounted for the fair
value of the unit purchase option, inclusive of the receipt of $100 cash
payment, as an expense of the Offering resulting in a charge directly to
stockholders equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of this unit
purchase option is approximately $701,005 ($1.56 per unit) using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the unit purchase option
granted to the underwriters is estimated as of the date of grant using the
following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 17.46%, (2) risk-free interest
rate of 3.70% and (3) expected life of 5 years. The unit purchase option may be
exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holders option (except in the
case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Companys redemption of the Warrants,
as described above), such that the holder may use the appreciated value of the
unit purchase option (the difference between the exercise price of the unit
purchase option and the underlying Warrants and the market price of the Units
and underlying ordinary shares) to exercise the unit purchase option without the
payment of any cash. The Company will have no obligation to net cash settle the
exercise of the unit purchase option or the Warrants underlying the unit
purchase option. The holder of the unit purchase option will not be entitled to
exercise the unit purchase option or the Warrants underlying the unit purchase
option unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the
unit purchase option is effective or an exemption from registration is
available. If the holder is unable to exercise the unit purchase option or
underlying Warrants, the unit purchase option or Warrants, as applicable, will
expire worthless.
NOTE 4 - DEFERRED OFFERING
COSTS
Deferred
offering costs consist principally of legal and underwriting fees
incurred prior to the initial public offering that are directly
related to the Offering. At closing, the deferred offering costs were charged to
stockholders equity.
NOTE 5
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
The
Company adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008. This statement establishes a
framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements.
SFAS 157
establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:
-
|
Level
1 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical asset or
liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the
measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1
inputs include active exchange-traded securities and exchange-based
derivatives.
|
|
|
-
|
Level
2 inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are
directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable
through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and
liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fixed income securities,
non-exchange-based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value
hedges.
|
|
|
-
|
Level
3 unobservable inputs for the asset or liability only used when there is
little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the
measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3
inputs include infrequently-traded, non-exchange-based derivatives and
commingled investment funds, and are measured using present value pricing
models.
|
In
accordance with SFAS 157, the Company determines the level in the fair value
hierarchy within which each fair value measurement in its entirety falls, based
on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in
its entirety. The following table presents the investment in a money market
fund, the Companys only financial asset measured and recorded at fair value on
the Companys balance sheets on a recurring basis and its level within the fair
value hierarchy as of September 30, 2008:
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
As of September 30,
2008
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment
in Money Market Fund
|
|
$
|
40,870,967
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
40,870,967
|
|
The
following table shows the gain on fair value adjustments to the financial
instruments that are recognized at fair value in the financial
statements:
Gain
on fair value adjustments to the Money Market Fund
|
|
$
|
233,277
|
|
The
valuation of the money market fund is based on the fair market value of all
securities underlying the fund.
NOTE
6 - NOTES PAYABLE TO
STOCKHOLDERS
The
Company issued unsecured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of
$100,000 to certain officers and initial stockholders on October 24, 2007. The
notes were non-interest bearing and were repaid from the net proceeds of the
Offering at the closing of the IPO.
NOTE
7 - COMMITMENTS
The
Company presently occupies office space in Beijing, China provided by an
affiliate of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and director. The affiliate
has agreed that, until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will
make such office space, as well as certain office and secretarial services,
available to the Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time.
The Company has agreed to pay the affiliate $7,500 per month for such services
commencing on the effective date of the Offering.
Pursuant
to letter agreements dated as of September 25, 2007 between the Company and the
underwriters, the initial stockholders have waived their right to receive
distributions with respect to their founding shares upon the Companys
liquidation.
NOTE
8 - INSIDER WARRANTS AND
SHARES
The
Initial stockholders of the Company purchased 1,430,000 Warrants (Insider
Warrants) at $1.00 per Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,430,000)
in a private placement that took place simultaneously with the Offering. The
Company believes the purchase price of these warrants approximates the fair
value of such warrants because the fair market value of publicly traded warrants
for similarly structured blank check companies is typically no greater than
$1.00. The warrants will be accounted for as part of the stockholders equity.
All of the proceeds received from this purchase were placed in the Trust
Account. The Insider Warrants purchased by such purchasers are identical to the
Warrants in the Offering except that if the Company calls the Warrants for
redemption, the Insider Warrants may be exercisable on a cashless basis, at the
holders option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the
Companys redemption of the Warrants, as described above), so long as such
securities are held by such purchasers or their affiliates. Furthermore, the
purchasers have agreed that the Insider Warrants will not be sold or transferred
by them until after the Company has completed a Business
Combination.
The
Initial Stockholders and the holders of the Insider Warrants (or underlying
ordinary shares) will be entitled to registration rights with respect to their
founding shares or Insider Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) pursuant to
an agreement signed prior to or on the effective date of the Offering. The
holders of the founding shares are entitled to demand that the Company register
50% of these shares at any time commencing three months prior to nine months
after the consummation of the Business Combination and the balance of these
shares at any time commencing three months prior to the first anniversary of the
consummation of a Business Combination. The holders of the Insider Warrants (or
underlying ordinary shares) are entitled to demand that the Company register
these securities at any time after the Company consummates a Business
Combination. In addition, the Initial Stockholders and holders of the Insider
Warrants (or underlying ordinary shares) have certain piggy-back registration
rights on registration statements filed after the Companys consummation of a
Business Combination.
NOTE
9 - PREFERRED
STOCK
The
Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such
designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors.
The
agreement with the underwriters prohibits the Company, prior to a Business
Combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in the proceeds of
the Trust Account or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a
Business Combination.
ANNEXES
|
|
|
A
|
-
|
Fairness
opinion of Houlihan Smith & Company Inc.
|
|
|
|
B
|
-
|
Second
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association for Spring
Creek
|
|
|
|
C
|
-
|
Share
Exchange Agreement
|
|
|
|
D
|
-
|
Form
of Amendment 1 to the Share Exchange Agreement
|
|
|
|
E
|
-
|
Incentive
Plan
|
Annex
A
PUBLIC COMPANY VALUATION
MULTIPLES
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
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PRICE/
|
|
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PRICE/
|
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PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
Ticker
|
|
Company
Name
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
BV
|
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
BOOK VALUE
|
|
|
EARNINGS
|
|
TSEC:2227
|
|
Yulon
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.2
|
x
|
|
|
3.4
|
x
|
|
|
5.0
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
0.3
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
6.5
|
x
|
|
|
0.5
|
x
|
|
|
8.2
|
x
|
JASDAQ:8298
|
|
Family,
Inc.
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
8.4
|
|
|
|
11.3
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
21.3
|
|
SEHK:1828
|
|
Dah
Chong Hong Holdings Limited
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
SEHK:489
|
|
Dongfeng
Motor Group Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
TSE:7599
|
|
Gulliver
International Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
KOSE:A004550
|
|
Daewoo
Motor Sales Corp.
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
19.0
|
|
|
|
26.4
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
0.7
|
x
|
|
|
19.0
|
x
|
|
|
26.4
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
0.3
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
6.5
|
x
|
|
|
1.0
|
x
|
|
|
21.3
|
x
|
|
|
Median
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
|
|
Min
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
|
|
STDEV
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
6.3
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
PUBLIC COMPANY VALUATION
MULTIPLES
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
|
TEV/
|
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
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|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
|
|
PRICE/
|
|
Ticker
|
|
Company
Name
|
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
|
BV
|
|
|
|
REVENUE
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
|
BOOK VALUE
|
|
|
|
EARNINGS
|
|
SEHK:172
|
|
Goldbond
Group Holdings Ltd.
|
|
|
2.6
|
x
|
|
|
3.9
|
x
|
|
|
3.9
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
2.4
|
x
|
|
|
0.0
|
x
|
|
|
3.5
|
x
|
|
|
0.8
|
x
|
|
|
5.6
|
x
|
SEHK:489
|
|
Dongfeng
Motor Group Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
TSE:8579
|
|
Tokyo
Leasing Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
111.5
|
|
|
|
13.5
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
|
SET:AEONTS
|
|
AEON
Thana Sinsap Thailand Public Co. Ltd.
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
BSE:500034
|
|
Bajaj
Auto Finance Ltd.
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
|
SEHK:626
|
|
Public
Financial Holdings Limited
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Max
|
|
|
2.9
|
x
|
|
|
8.5
|
x
|
|
|
111.5
|
x
|
|
|
13.5
|
x
|
|
|
2.6
|
x
|
|
|
0.3
|
x
|
|
|
8.1
|
x
|
|
|
1.1
|
x
|
|
|
11.7
|
x
|
|
|
Median
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
Min
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
Mean
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
40.2
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
6.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
61.8
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
Dealership
|
|
|
Truck Financing
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
Methodology
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum1
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guideline Public Company
Method
|
|
$
|
34,058.75
|
|
|
$
|
305,870.75
|
|
|
$
|
7,433.07
|
|
|
$
|
103,888.64
|
|
|
$
|
64,763.62
|
|
|
$
|
409,759.39
|
|
AutoChina
Group
($
in Millions)
|
|
Dealership
|
|
|
Truck
Financing
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
Methodology
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Minimum1
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guideline
Public Company Method
|
|
$
|
34,058.75
|
|
|
$
|
305,870.75
|
|
|
$
|
7,433.07
|
|
|
$
|
103,888.64
|
|
|
$
|
64,763.62
|
|
|
$
|
409,759.39
|
|
Discounted
Cash Flow Method
|
|
$
|
79,769.86
|
|
|
$
|
610,027.77
|
|
|
$
|
42,021.14
|
|
|
$
|
159,513.27
|
|
|
$
|
121,791.00
|
|
|
$
|
769,541.04
|
|
1 Minimum
Value represented in the Guideline Public Company Method is based upon LTM
multiples, and the Net Assets contributed from Spring Creek have not been
incorporated into the Fair Market Value. As such Houlihan has added
the Net Assets present in Spring Creek Pre-Transaction
|
|
Pre
Transaction
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring
Creek Net Assets
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
|
|
Fair
Market Value Auto China
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
41,491.82
|
|
|
$
|
769,541.04
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
$
|
64,763.62
|
|
|
$
|
769,541.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring
Creek Ownership Percentage
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
44.17
|
%
|
|
|
20.89
|
%
|
Fair
Market Value of Spring Creek Stake
|
|
$
|
23,271.79
|
|
|
$
|
28,606.94
|
|
|
$
|
160,776.26
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealership
Market
Approach Summary: Guideline Public Companies
|
|
LTM
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price
/ Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealer Revenue
|
|
$
|
410,545.5
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
0.1
|
x
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
39,599.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price
/ EBIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealer EBIT
|
|
$
|
12,947.8
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
2.6
|
x
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
34,058.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Minimum
2
|
|
$
|
34,058.8
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Maximum
2
|
|
$
|
39,599.2
|
|
1
Selected Multiples are the median multiples of the guideline public
companies.
See page 19 for selected median multiple.
2
Numbers presented may not foot due to rounding.
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealership
Market
Approach Summary: Guideline Public Companies
Optimal
Case Scenario
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealer Revenue
|
|
$
|
1,321,876.6
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
0.1
|
x
|
Enterprise
Value Before Adjustments
|
|
$
|
127,501.6
|
|
Present
Value Discount @ 22.6%
|
|
$
|
76,588.9
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
50,912.7
|
|
|
|
Price / EBIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealer EBIT
|
|
$
|
291,203.2
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
2.6
|
x
|
Enterprise
Value Before Adjustments
|
|
|
765,998.4
|
|
Present
Value Discount @ 22.6%
|
|
|
460,127.6
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
305,870.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Minimum
2
|
|
$
|
50,912.7
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Maximum
2
|
|
$
|
305,870.8
|
|
1
|
Selected
Multiples are the median multiples of the guideline public
companies.
|
See page
19 for selected median multiple.
2
|
Numbers
presented may not foot due to
rounding.
|
Market
Approach Summary: Guideline Public Companies
Base
Case Scenario
($ in Thousands)
|
|
LTM 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / Book Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Commercial Vehicle Financing Book Value
|
|
$
|
14,389.7
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
0.7
|
x
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
10,577.2
|
|
|
|
Price / EBIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Commercial Vehicle Financing EBIT
|
|
$
|
1,876.4
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
4.0
|
x
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
7,433.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Minimum
2
|
|
$
|
7,433.1
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Maximum
2
|
|
$
|
10,577.2
|
|
1
|
Selected
Multiples are the median multiples of the guideline public
companies.
|
See page
22 for selected median multiple.
2
|
Numbers
presented may not foot due to
rounding.
|
Market
Approach Summary: Guideline Public Companies
($
in Thousands)
|
|
FY
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / Book Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Commercial Vehicle Financing Book Value
|
|
$
|
170,489.2
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
0.7
|
x
|
Enterprise
Value Before Adjustments
|
|
$
|
125,318.9
|
|
Present
Value Discount @ 30.9%
|
|
$
|
88,002.4
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
37,316.6
|
|
|
|
Price
/ EBIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Commercial Vehicle Financing EBIT
|
|
$
|
88,072.8
|
|
Selected
Multiples (X)
1
|
|
|
4.0
|
x
|
Enterprise
Value Before Adjustments
|
|
$
|
348,885.7
|
|
Present
Value Discount @ 30.9%
|
|
$
|
244,997.1
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
103,888.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Minimum
2
|
|
$
|
37,316.6
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value - Maximum
2
|
|
$
|
103,888.6
|
|
1
Selected
Multiples are the median multiples of the guideline public
companies.
See page
22 for selected median multiple.
2
Numbers
presented may not foot due to rounding.
Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis - Base Case
($US)
|
|
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
- Autos
|
|
$
|
369,958,763
|
|
|
$
|
403,682,077
|
|
|
$
|
405,310,835
|
|
|
$
|
465,477,192
|
|
|
$
|
512,114,189
|
|
|
$
|
553,083,324
|
|
|
$
|
586,268,323
|
|
|
$
|
609,719,056
|
|
Sales
- Repairing
|
|
$
|
40,586,768
|
|
|
$
|
45,051,312
|
|
|
$
|
46,676,029
|
|
|
$
|
53,831,568
|
|
|
$
|
59,605,379
|
|
|
$
|
64,969,864
|
|
|
$
|
69,517,754
|
|
|
$
|
72,993,642
|
|
Total Revenue
|
|
$
|
410,545,530.4
|
|
|
$
|
448,733,388.9
|
|
|
$
|
451,986,863.9
|
|
|
$
|
519,308,760.6
|
|
|
$
|
571,719,568.1
|
|
|
$
|
618,053,187.4
|
|
|
$
|
655,786,077.2
|
|
|
$
|
682,712,697.9
|
|
Growth
Rate %
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
%
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
|
|
14.9
|
%
|
|
|
10.1
|
%
|
|
|
8.0
|
%
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
Cost of Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of auto sales
|
|
|
355,274,457
|
|
|
|
379,784,098
|
|
|
|
380,627,405
|
|
|
|
437,083,084
|
|
|
|
480,875,223
|
|
|
|
518,239,074
|
|
|
|
548,160,882
|
|
|
|
568,867,879
|
|
Cost
of repairing
|
|
|
30,967,685
|
|
|
|
44,668,217
|
|
|
|
47,321,169
|
|
|
|
54,813,496
|
|
|
|
60,698,713
|
|
|
|
64,774,954
|
|
|
|
69,170,165
|
|
|
|
72,482,686
|
|
Total Cost of
Revenue
|
|
$
|
386,242,141.6
|
|
|
$
|
424,452,315.0
|
|
|
$
|
427,948,574.7
|
|
|
$
|
491,896,579.8
|
|
|
$
|
541,573,936.6
|
|
|
$
|
583,014,028.4
|
|
|
$
|
617,331,047.5
|
|
|
$
|
641,350,565.6
|
|
%
of Revenue
|
|
|
94.1
|
%
|
|
|
94.6
|
%
|
|
|
94.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.3
|
%
|
|
|
94.1
|
%
|
|
|
93.9
|
%
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
$
|
24,303,388.8
|
|
|
$
|
24,281,073.8
|
|
|
$
|
24,038,289.2
|
|
|
$
|
27,412,180.8
|
|
|
$
|
30,145,631.5
|
|
|
$
|
35,039,159.0
|
|
|
$
|
38,455,029.8
|
|
|
$
|
41,362,132.3
|
|
Gross
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
Operating
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,204,126
|
|
|
|
5,266,117
|
|
|
|
5,384,707
|
|
|
|
6,020,397
|
|
|
|
6,488,332
|
|
|
|
9,270,798
|
|
|
|
10,492,577
|
|
|
|
11,606,116
|
|
Total
selling expenses
|
|
|
6,151,431
|
|
|
|
6,536,502
|
|
|
|
6,544,339
|
|
|
|
7,337,817
|
|
|
|
7,930,570
|
|
|
|
6,180,532
|
|
|
|
5,902,075
|
|
|
|
5,461,702
|
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
1.4
|
%
|
|
|
1.4
|
%
|
|
|
1.4
|
%
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
Total
depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
4,255,634
|
|
|
|
4,126,748
|
|
|
|
4,894,058
|
|
|
|
5,924,680
|
|
|
|
6,087,352
|
|
|
|
6,250,024
|
|
|
|
6,412,696
|
|
|
|
6,575,368
|
|
Total Operating
Expenses
|
|
$
|
11,355,556.6
|
|
|
$
|
11,802,618.3
|
|
|
$
|
11,929,045.6
|
|
|
$
|
13,358,213.8
|
|
|
$
|
14,418,901.4
|
|
|
$
|
15,451,329.7
|
|
|
$
|
16,394,651.9
|
|
|
$
|
17,067,817.4
|
|
Total
Operating Expense %
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
Operating
Profit
|
|
$
|
12,947,832.2
|
|
|
$
|
12,478,455.5
|
|
|
$
|
12,109,243.6
|
|
|
$
|
14,053,967.0
|
|
|
$
|
15,726,730.1
|
|
|
$
|
19,587,829.3
|
|
|
$
|
22,060,377.8
|
|
|
$
|
24,294,314.8
|
|
Operating
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
17,203,466.6
|
|
|
$
|
16,605,203.3
|
|
|
$
|
17,003,301.7
|
|
|
$
|
19,978,647.4
|
|
|
$
|
21,814,082.4
|
|
|
$
|
25,837,853.4
|
|
|
$
|
28,473,073.8
|
|
|
$
|
30,869,682.5
|
|
EBITDA Margin
%
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
4.3
|
%
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
EBITDA Growth
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-3.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
|
17.5
|
%
|
|
|
9.2
|
%
|
|
|
18.4
|
%
|
|
|
10.2
|
%
|
|
|
8.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
17,203,466.6
|
|
|
$
|
16,605,203.3
|
|
|
$
|
17,003,301.7
|
|
|
$
|
19,978,647.4
|
|
|
$
|
21,814,082.4
|
|
|
$
|
25,837,853.4
|
|
|
$
|
28,473,073.8
|
|
|
$
|
30,869,682.5
|
|
Less: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
4,255,634.4
|
|
|
|
4,126,747.7
|
|
|
|
4,894,058.1
|
|
|
|
5,924,680.5
|
|
|
|
6,087,352.3
|
|
|
|
6,250,024.1
|
|
|
|
6,412,695.9
|
|
|
|
6,575,367.7
|
|
Earnings Before
Interest and Taxes
|
|
$
|
12,947,832.2
|
|
|
$
|
12,478,455.5
|
|
|
$
|
12,109,243.6
|
|
|
$
|
14,053,967.0
|
|
|
$
|
15,726,730.1
|
|
|
$
|
19,587,829.3
|
|
|
$
|
22,060,377.8
|
|
|
$
|
24,294,314.8
|
|
Less: Income
(Taxes) Benefit
|
|
|
3,236,958.0
|
|
|
|
3,119,613.9
|
|
|
|
3,027,310.9
|
|
|
|
3,513,491.7
|
|
|
|
3,931,682.5
|
|
|
|
4,896,957.3
|
|
|
|
5,515,094.5
|
|
|
|
6,073,578.7
|
|
Adjusted Net
Income
|
|
$
|
9,710,874.1
|
|
|
$
|
9,358,841.7
|
|
|
$
|
9,081,932.7
|
|
|
$
|
10,540,475.2
|
|
|
$
|
11,795,047.6
|
|
|
$
|
14,690,872.0
|
|
|
$
|
16,545,283.4
|
|
|
$
|
18,220,736.1
|
|
Plus: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
4,255,634.4
|
|
|
|
4,126,747.7
|
|
|
|
4,894,058.1
|
|
|
|
5,924,680.5
|
|
|
|
6,087,352.3
|
|
|
|
6,250,024.1
|
|
|
|
6,412,695.9
|
|
|
|
6,575,367.7
|
|
Gross Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
13,966,508.6
|
|
|
$
|
13,485,589.4
|
|
|
$
|
13,975,990.8
|
|
|
$
|
16,465,155.7
|
|
|
$
|
17,882,399.9
|
|
|
$
|
20,940,896.1
|
|
|
$
|
22,957,979.3
|
|
|
$
|
24,796,103.8
|
|
Less: Additions
in Working Capital
|
|
|
2,463,434.8
|
|
|
|
2,692,577.0
|
|
|
|
2,712,099.1
|
|
|
|
3,116,057.0
|
|
|
|
3,430,542.4
|
|
|
|
3,704,985.8
|
|
|
|
3,927,285.0
|
|
|
|
4,084,376.4
|
|
Less: Capital
Expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,197,973.1
|
|
|
|
7,197,973.1
|
|
|
|
3,598,986.5
|
|
|
|
3,962,211.3
|
|
|
|
7,197,973.1
|
|
|
|
7,197,973.1
|
|
|
|
3,598,986.5
|
|
Enterprise
Net Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
11,503,073.8
|
|
|
$
|
3,595,039.4
|
|
|
$
|
4,065,918.6
|
|
|
$
|
9,750,112.2
|
|
|
$
|
10,489,646.2
|
|
|
$
|
10,037,937.2
|
|
|
$
|
11,832,721.3
|
|
|
$
|
17,112,740.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Present
Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 17.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.9240
|
|
|
|
0.7889
|
|
|
|
0.6735
|
|
|
|
0.5750
|
|
|
|
0.4909
|
|
|
|
0.4191
|
|
|
|
0.3578
|
|
Present
Value of Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,321,766.1
|
|
|
|
3,207,412.8
|
|
|
|
6,566,539.7
|
|
|
|
6,031,406.3
|
|
|
|
4,927,572.3
|
|
|
|
4,959,112.3
|
|
|
|
6,123,076.3
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
$
|
35,136,885.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.59
|
%
|
|
|
1.39
|
%
|
|
|
0.63
|
%
|
|
|
0.64
|
%
|
|
|
1.10
|
%
|
|
|
1.05
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash Flow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Period (2015 Net Cash Flow X Terminal Growth at 3.0%
|
|
|
17,626,123.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalization
Multiple
|
|
|
7.1
|
x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
124,740,001.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 17.1%
|
|
|
0.3578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present Value
of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash
Flow
|
|
$
|
44,632,975.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation
Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows (2009 through 2015)
|
|
$
|
35,136,885.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
44,632,975.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Enterprise Value
|
|
$
|
79,769,861.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
Debt
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
79,769,861.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Group - Auto Dealership
Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis - Optimal Case Scenario
($US)
|
|
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
- Autos
|
|
$
|
369,958,763
|
|
|
$
|
437,476,237
|
|
|
$
|
546,845,296
|
|
|
$
|
724,570,018
|
|
|
$
|
999,906,624
|
|
|
$
|
1,321,876,557
|
|
|
$
|
1,586,251,869
|
|
|
$
|
1,744,877,056
|
|
Sales
- Repairing
|
|
$
|
40,586,768
|
|
|
$
|
49,617,323
|
|
|
$
|
64,006,347
|
|
|
$
|
89,608,886
|
|
|
$
|
130,380,929
|
|
|
$
|
172,363,589
|
|
|
$
|
206,836,306
|
|
|
$
|
227,519,937
|
|
Total
Revenue
|
|
$
|
410,545,530.4
|
|
|
$
|
487,093,560.5
|
|
|
$
|
610,851,643.5
|
|
|
$
|
814,178,903.7
|
|
|
$
|
1,130,287,553.6
|
|
|
$
|
1,494,240,145.8
|
|
|
$
|
1,793,088,175.0
|
|
|
$
|
1,972,396,992.5
|
|
Growth
Rate %
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
18.6
|
%
|
|
|
25.4
|
%
|
|
|
33.3
|
%
|
|
|
38.8
|
%
|
|
|
32.2
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
Cost
of Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of auto sales
|
|
|
355,274,457
|
|
|
|
404,446,781
|
|
|
|
486,692,314
|
|
|
|
612,261,665
|
|
|
|
789,926,233
|
|
|
|
1,044,282,480
|
|
|
|
1,253,138,976
|
|
|
|
1,378,452,874
|
|
Cost
of repairing
|
|
|
30,967,685
|
|
|
|
43,167,071
|
|
|
|
54,085,363
|
|
|
|
73,479,287
|
|
|
|
99,741,411
|
|
|
|
131,858,145
|
|
|
|
158,229,774
|
|
|
|
174,052,752
|
|
Total
Cost of Revenue
|
|
$
|
386,242,141.6
|
|
|
$
|
447,613,852.5
|
|
|
$
|
540,777,677.1
|
|
|
$
|
685,740,951.5
|
|
|
$
|
889,667,644.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,176,140,625.5
|
|
|
$
|
1,411,368,750.6
|
|
|
$
|
1,552,505,625.6
|
|
%
of Total Revenue
|
|
|
94.1
|
%
|
|
|
91.9
|
%
|
|
|
88.5
|
%
|
|
|
84.2
|
%
|
|
|
78.7
|
%
|
|
|
78.7
|
%
|
|
|
78.7
|
%
|
|
|
78.7
|
%
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
$
|
24,303,388.8
|
|
|
$
|
39,479,707.9
|
|
|
$
|
70,073,966.4
|
|
|
$
|
128,437,952.2
|
|
|
$
|
240,619,909.5
|
|
|
$
|
318,099,520.3
|
|
|
$
|
381,719,424.4
|
|
|
$
|
419,891,366.8
|
|
Gross
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.8
|
%
|
|
|
21.3
|
%
|
|
|
21.3
|
%
|
|
|
21.3
|
%
|
|
|
21.3
|
%
|
Operating
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,204,126
|
|
|
|
4,870,936
|
|
|
|
6,108,516
|
|
|
|
8,141,789
|
|
|
|
10,172,588
|
|
|
|
13,448,161
|
|
|
|
16,137,794
|
|
|
|
17,751,573
|
|
Total
selling expenses
|
|
|
6,151,431
|
|
|
|
5,845,123
|
|
|
|
6,108,516
|
|
|
|
6,920,521
|
|
|
|
9,607,444
|
|
|
|
13,448,161
|
|
|
|
16,137,794
|
|
|
|
17,751,573
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses
|
|
$
|
11,355,556.6
|
|
|
$
|
10,716,058.3
|
|
|
$
|
12,217,032.9
|
|
|
$
|
15,062,309.7
|
|
|
$
|
19,780,032.2
|
|
|
$
|
26,896,322.6
|
|
|
$
|
32,275,587.1
|
|
|
$
|
35,503,145.9
|
|
Total
Operating Expense %
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.2
|
%
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
Operating
Profit
|
|
$
|
12,947,832.2
|
|
|
$
|
28,763,649.6
|
|
|
$
|
57,856,933.5
|
|
|
$
|
113,375,642.5
|
|
|
$
|
220,839,877.3
|
|
|
$
|
291,203,197.7
|
|
|
$
|
349,443,837.2
|
|
|
$
|
384,388,221.0
|
|
Operating
Margin %
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
|
|
13.9
|
%
|
|
|
19.5
|
%
|
|
|
19.5
|
%
|
|
|
19.5
|
%
|
|
|
19.5
|
%
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
17,203,466.6
|
|
|
$
|
32,890,397.3
|
|
|
$
|
62,750,991.6
|
|
|
$
|
119,300,323.0
|
|
|
$
|
226,927,229.6
|
|
|
$
|
297,453,221.8
|
|
|
$
|
355,856,533.2
|
|
|
$
|
390,963,588.7
|
|
EBITDA
Margin %
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
|
|
10.3
|
%
|
|
|
14.7
|
%
|
|
|
20.1
|
%
|
|
|
19.9
|
%
|
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
EBITDA
Growth %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91.2
|
%
|
|
|
90.8
|
%
|
|
|
90.1
|
%
|
|
|
90.2
|
%
|
|
|
31.1
|
%
|
|
|
19.6
|
%
|
|
|
9.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
17,203,466.6
|
|
|
$
|
32,890,397.3
|
|
|
$
|
62,750,991.6
|
|
|
$
|
119,300,323.0
|
|
|
$
|
226,927,229.6
|
|
|
$
|
297,453,221.8
|
|
|
$
|
355,856,533.2
|
|
|
$
|
390,963,588.7
|
|
Less: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
4,255,634.4
|
|
|
|
4,126,747.7
|
|
|
|
4,894,058.1
|
|
|
|
5,924,680.5
|
|
|
|
6,087,352.3
|
|
|
|
6,250,024.1
|
|
|
|
6,412,695.9
|
|
|
|
6,575,367.7
|
|
Earnings
Before Interest and Taxes
|
|
$
|
12,947,832.2
|
|
|
$
|
28,763,649.6
|
|
|
$
|
57,856,933.5
|
|
|
$
|
113,375,642.5
|
|
|
$
|
220,839,877.3
|
|
|
$
|
291,203,197.7
|
|
|
$
|
349,443,837.2
|
|
|
$
|
384,388,221.0
|
|
Less: Income
(Taxes) Benefit
|
|
|
3,236,958.0
|
|
|
|
7,190,912.4
|
|
|
|
14,464,233.4
|
|
|
|
28,343,910.6
|
|
|
|
55,209,969.3
|
|
|
|
72,800,799.4
|
|
|
|
87,360,959.3
|
|
|
|
96,097,055.2
|
|
Adjusted
Net Income
|
|
$
|
9,710,874.1
|
|
|
$
|
21,572,737.2
|
|
|
$
|
43,392,700.2
|
|
|
$
|
85,031,731.9
|
|
|
$
|
165,629,908.0
|
|
|
$
|
218,402,398.3
|
|
|
$
|
262,082,877.9
|
|
|
$
|
288,291,165.7
|
|
Plus: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
4,255,634.4
|
|
|
|
4,126,747.7
|
|
|
|
4,894,058.1
|
|
|
|
5,924,680.5
|
|
|
|
6,087,352.3
|
|
|
|
6,250,024.1
|
|
|
|
6,412,695.9
|
|
|
|
6,575,367.7
|
|
Gross
Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
13,966,508.6
|
|
|
$
|
25,699,484.9
|
|
|
$
|
48,286,758.2
|
|
|
$
|
90,956,412.4
|
|
|
$
|
171,717,260.3
|
|
|
$
|
224,652,422.4
|
|
|
$
|
268,495,573.9
|
|
|
$
|
294,866,533.5
|
|
Less: Additions
in Working Capital
|
|
|
2,463,434.8
|
|
|
|
4,926,869.6
|
|
|
|
6,178,661.8
|
|
|
|
8,235,282.9
|
|
|
|
11,432,668.8
|
|
|
|
15,113,988.1
|
|
|
|
18,136,785.8
|
|
|
|
19,950,464.3
|
|
Less: Capital
Expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,428,425.1
|
|
|
|
18,094,320.9
|
|
|
|
24,117,172.4
|
|
|
|
33,480,773.9
|
|
|
|
44,261,583.1
|
|
|
|
53,113,899.7
|
|
|
|
58,425,289.7
|
|
Enterprise
Net Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
11,503,073.8
|
|
|
$
|
6,344,190.2
|
|
|
$
|
24,013,775.5
|
|
|
$
|
58,603,957.1
|
|
|
$
|
126,803,817.6
|
|
|
$
|
165,276,851.2
|
|
|
$
|
197,244,888.4
|
|
|
$
|
216,490,779.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Present
Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 22.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.9030
|
|
|
|
0.7364
|
|
|
|
0.6005
|
|
|
|
0.4897
|
|
|
|
0.3993
|
|
|
|
0.3256
|
|
|
|
0.2655
|
|
Present
Value of Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,728,980.2
|
|
|
|
17,683,320.4
|
|
|
|
35,191,077.1
|
|
|
|
62,092,649.7
|
|
|
|
65,996,688.0
|
|
|
|
64,227,070.8
|
|
|
|
57,484,930.3
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
$
|
308,404,716.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash Flow:
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Period (2015 Net Cash Flow X Terminal Growth at 3.0%
|
|
|
222,985,502.9
|
|
Capitalization
Multiple
|
|
|
5.1
|
x
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
1,135,925,705.2
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 22.6%
|
|
|
0.2655
|
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
301,623,053.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation
Summary
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows (2009 through
2015)
|
|
$
|
308,404,716.6
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
301,623,053.8
|
|
Indicated
Enterprise Value
|
|
|
610,027,770.4
|
|
Less:
Debt
|
|
|
-
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
|
610,027,770.4
|
|
AutoChina,
Inc. - Commercial Vehicle Financing
Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis - Base Case
|
|
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Total
Revenue
|
|
$
|
35,792,676.7
|
|
|
$
|
118,728,118.2
|
|
|
$
|
170,531,660.3
|
|
|
$
|
246,976,887.3
|
|
|
$
|
405,289,072.1
|
|
|
$
|
543,492,645.7
|
|
|
$
|
679,365,807.1
|
|
|
$
|
781,270,678.1
|
|
|
$
|
859,397,745.9
|
|
|
$
|
902,367,633.2
|
|
Growth
Rate %
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
231.7
|
%
|
|
|
43.6
|
%
|
|
|
44.8
|
%
|
|
|
64.1
|
%
|
|
|
34.1
|
%
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
Cost
of Revenue
|
|
$
|
33,531,998
|
|
|
$
|
111,960,615.4
|
|
|
$
|
160,640,824.0
|
|
|
$
|
232,602,832.5
|
|
|
$
|
404,675,643.2
|
|
|
$
|
542,670,037.6
|
|
|
$
|
678,337,547.0
|
|
|
$
|
780,088,179.0
|
|
|
$
|
858,096,996.9
|
|
|
$
|
901,001,846.8
|
|
%
of Total Revenue
|
|
|
93.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.3
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
|
|
99.8
|
%
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
$
|
2,260,679.2
|
|
|
$
|
6,767,502.7
|
|
|
$
|
9,890,836.3
|
|
|
$
|
14,374,054.8
|
|
|
$
|
613,428.8
|
|
|
$
|
822,608.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,028,260.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,182,499.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,300,749.0
|
|
|
$
|
1,365,786.5
|
|
Gross
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
6.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
Total
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,477,950.86
|
|
|
|
4,327,477.75
|
|
|
|
6,104,048.85
|
|
|
|
8,599,730.33
|
|
|
|
12,386,556.83
|
|
|
|
16,610,372.71
|
|
|
|
20,762,965.88
|
|
|
|
23,877,410.77
|
|
|
|
26,265,151.84
|
|
|
|
27,578,409.43
|
|
Total
selling expenses
|
|
|
890,993.22
|
|
|
|
2,321,296.87
|
|
|
|
3,015,891.50
|
|
|
|
4,366,556.25
|
|
|
|
6,535,577.39
|
|
|
|
8,764,209.28
|
|
|
|
10,955,261.60
|
|
|
|
12,598,550.84
|
|
|
|
13,858,405.93
|
|
|
|
14,551,326.22
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
2,618,212.32
|
|
|
|
7,783,279.54
|
|
|
|
11,285,626.89
|
|
|
|
15,963,482.97
|
|
|
|
22,739,899.54
|
|
|
|
30,012,916.23
|
|
|
|
37,177,130.66
|
|
|
|
41,934,864.78
|
|
|
|
45,582,460.94
|
|
|
|
47,588,638.83
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses %
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
Other
operating income/expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income - truck financing
|
|
|
2,233,938.0
|
|
|
|
6,456,682
|
|
|
|
12,662,550
|
|
|
|
20,315,271
|
|
|
|
32,346,584
|
|
|
|
43,376,769
|
|
|
|
54,220,961
|
|
|
|
62,354,105
|
|
|
|
68,589,516
|
|
|
|
72,018,992
|
|
Net
other operating income/expenses
|
|
|
2,233,938.01
|
|
|
|
6,456,682.10
|
|
|
|
12,662,549.54
|
|
|
|
20,315,270.68
|
|
|
|
32,346,583.80
|
|
|
|
43,376,768.87
|
|
|
|
54,220,961.09
|
|
|
|
62,354,105.26
|
|
|
|
68,589,515.78
|
|
|
|
72,018,991.57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Profit
|
|
|
1,876,404.85
|
|
|
|
5,440,905.30
|
|
|
|
11,267,758.94
|
|
|
|
18,725,842.55
|
|
|
|
10,220,113.10
|
|
|
|
14,186,460.72
|
|
|
|
18,072,090.53
|
|
|
|
21,601,739.59
|
|
|
|
24,307,803.86
|
|
|
|
25,796,139.22
|
|
Operating
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
Other
nonoperating income/expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
interest expenses
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
839,764
|
|
|
|
887,750
|
|
|
|
1,439,595
|
|
|
|
3,938,191
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
nonoperating income/expenses
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(839,763.52
|
)
|
|
|
(887,750.01
|
)
|
|
|
(1,439,594.61
|
)
|
|
|
(3,938,191.01
|
)
|
|
|
(3,938,191.01
|
)
|
|
|
(3,938,191.01
|
)
|
|
|
(3,938,191.01
|
)
|
|
|
(3,938,191.01
|
)
|
|
|
(3,938,191.01
|
)
|
Profit
before taxes
|
|
|
1,876,404.8
|
|
|
|
4,601,142
|
|
|
|
10,380,009
|
|
|
|
17,286,248
|
|
|
|
6,281,922
|
|
|
|
10,248,270
|
|
|
|
14,133,900
|
|
|
|
17,663,549
|
|
|
|
20,369,613
|
|
|
|
21,857,948
|
|
Less:
Income taxes
|
|
|
187,640.5
|
|
|
|
460,114
|
|
|
|
1,038,001
|
|
|
|
1,728,625
|
|
|
|
628,192
|
|
|
|
1,024,827
|
|
|
|
1,413,390
|
|
|
|
1,766,355
|
|
|
|
2,036,961
|
|
|
|
2,185,795
|
|
Net
Income (Loss)
|
|
$
|
1,688,764.4
|
|
|
$
|
4,141,027.6
|
|
|
$
|
9,342,008.0
|
|
|
$
|
15,557,623.1
|
|
|
$
|
5,653,729.9
|
|
|
$
|
9,223,442.7
|
|
|
$
|
12,720,509.6
|
|
|
$
|
15,897,193.7
|
|
|
$
|
18,332,651.6
|
|
|
$
|
19,672,153.4
|
|
Total
Operating Expense %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Profit
|
|
$
|
1,876,404.8
|
|
|
$
|
5,440,905.3
|
|
|
$
|
11,267,758.9
|
|
|
$
|
18,725,842.5
|
|
|
$
|
10,220,113.1
|
|
|
$
|
14,186,460.7
|
|
|
$
|
18,072,090.5
|
|
|
$
|
21,601,739.6
|
|
|
$
|
24,307,803.9
|
|
|
$
|
25,796,139.2
|
|
Operating
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
2,125,673
|
|
|
$
|
6,575,410
|
|
|
$
|
13,433,445
|
|
|
$
|
21,723,039
|
|
|
$
|
14,037,878
|
|
|
$
|
18,824,795
|
|
|
$
|
23,530,994
|
|
|
$
|
27,060,643
|
|
|
$
|
29,766,707
|
|
|
$
|
31,255,042
|
|
EBITDA
Margin %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
|
8.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
EBITDA
Growth %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
209.3
|
%
|
|
|
104.3
|
%
|
|
|
61.7
|
%
|
|
|
-35.4
|
%
|
|
|
34.1
|
%
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
2,125,673.1
|
|
|
$
|
6,575,410.2
|
|
|
$
|
13,433,445.5
|
|
|
$
|
21,723,038.9
|
|
|
$
|
14,037,878.4
|
|
|
$
|
18,824,795.0
|
|
|
$
|
23,530,993.7
|
|
|
$
|
27,060,642.8
|
|
|
$
|
29,766,707.0
|
|
|
$
|
31,255,042.4
|
|
Less: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
249,268.2
|
|
|
|
1,134,504.9
|
|
|
|
2,165,686.5
|
|
|
|
2,997,196.4
|
|
|
|
3,817,765.3
|
|
|
|
4,638,334.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
Earnings
Before Interest and Taxes
|
|
$
|
1,876,404.8
|
|
|
$
|
5,440,905.3
|
|
|
$
|
11,267,758.9
|
|
|
$
|
18,725,842.5
|
|
|
$
|
10,220,113.1
|
|
|
$
|
14,186,460.7
|
|
|
$
|
18,072,090.5
|
|
|
$
|
21,601,739.6
|
|
|
$
|
24,307,803.9
|
|
|
$
|
25,796,139.2
|
|
Less: Income
(Taxes) Benefit
|
|
|
187,640.5
|
|
|
|
460,114.2
|
|
|
|
1,038,000.9
|
|
|
|
1,728,624.8
|
|
|
|
628,192.2
|
|
|
|
1,024,827.0
|
|
|
|
1,413,390.0
|
|
|
|
1,766,354.9
|
|
|
|
2,036,961.3
|
|
|
|
2,185,794.8
|
|
Adjusted
Net Income
|
|
$
|
1,688,764.4
|
|
|
$
|
4,980,791.1
|
|
|
$
|
10,229,758.0
|
|
|
$
|
16,997,217.8
|
|
|
$
|
9,591,920.9
|
|
|
$
|
13,161,633.7
|
|
|
$
|
16,658,700.6
|
|
|
$
|
19,835,384.7
|
|
|
$
|
22,270,842.6
|
|
|
$
|
23,610,344.4
|
|
Plus: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
249,268.2
|
|
|
|
1,134,504.9
|
|
|
|
2,165,686.5
|
|
|
|
2,997,196.4
|
|
|
|
3,817,765.3
|
|
|
|
4,638,334.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
Gross
Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
1,938,032.6
|
|
|
$
|
6,115,296.0
|
|
|
$
|
12,395,444.6
|
|
|
$
|
19,994,414.1
|
|
|
$
|
13,409,686.2
|
|
|
$
|
17,799,968.0
|
|
|
$
|
22,117,603.8
|
|
|
$
|
25,294,287.9
|
|
|
$
|
27,729,745.8
|
|
|
$
|
29,069,247.6
|
|
Less: Additions
in Working Capital
|
|
|
17,697,217.0
|
|
|
|
18,942,392.2
|
|
|
|
7,256,261.8
|
|
|
|
3,780,305.7
|
|
|
|
2,151,090.0
|
|
|
|
2,884,611.7
|
|
|
|
3,605,764.6
|
|
|
|
4,146,629.3
|
|
|
|
4,561,292.2
|
|
|
|
4,789,356.8
|
|
Less: Capital
Expenditures
|
|
|
2,856,155.7
|
|
|
|
6,478,175.7
|
|
|
|
4,534,723.0
|
|
|
|
4,318,783.8
|
|
|
|
4,318,783.8
|
|
|
|
5,791,489.1
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
Enterprise
Net Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
(18,615,340.1
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19,305,271.9
|
)
|
|
$
|
604,459.8
|
|
|
$
|
11,895,324.6
|
|
|
$
|
6,939,812.4
|
|
|
$
|
9,123,867.2
|
|
|
$
|
13,052,936.0
|
|
|
$
|
15,688,755.4
|
|
|
$
|
17,709,550.3
|
|
|
$
|
18,820,987.6
|
|
Present
Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 19.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.9142
|
|
|
|
0.7641
|
|
|
|
0.6387
|
|
|
|
0.5338
|
|
|
|
0.4462
|
|
|
|
0.3729
|
|
|
|
0.3117
|
|
|
|
0.2605
|
|
|
|
0.2178
|
|
Present
Value of Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,649,538.0
|
)
|
|
|
461,891.2
|
|
|
|
7,597,372.0
|
|
|
|
3,704,671.2
|
|
|
|
4,070,949.6
|
|
|
|
4,867,879.5
|
|
|
|
4,890,293.7
|
|
|
|
4,613,906.9
|
|
|
|
4,098,439.6
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
$
|
16,655,865.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash Flow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Period (2017 Net Cash Flow X Terminal Growth at 3.0%
|
|
|
19,385,617.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalization
Multiple
|
|
|
6.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
116,483,216.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 19.6%
|
|
|
0.2178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
25,365,269.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation
Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows (2009 through
2017)
|
|
$
|
16,655,865.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
$
|
25,365,269.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Enterprise Value
|
|
$
|
42,021,135.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
Debt
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
42,021,135.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AutoChina,
Inc. - Commercial Vehicle Financing
Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis - High Growth Case
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Total
Revenue
|
|
$
|
35,792,676.7
|
|
|
$
|
118,728,118.2
|
|
|
$
|
170,531,660.3
|
|
|
$
|
277,966,606.3
|
|
|
$
|
489,221,227.0
|
|
|
$
|
839,014,404.3
|
|
|
$
|
1,174,620,166.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,409,544,199.3
|
|
|
$
|
1,550,498,619.2
|
|
|
$
|
1,628,023,550.2
|
|
Growth
Rate %
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
231.7
|
%
|
|
|
43.6
|
%
|
|
|
63.0
|
%
|
|
|
76.0
|
%
|
|
|
71.5
|
%
|
|
|
40.0
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
Cost
of Revenue
|
|
$
|
33,531,998
|
|
|
$
|
111,960,615.4
|
|
|
$
|
160,640,824.0
|
|
|
$
|
261,844,543.1
|
|
|
$
|
460,846,395.9
|
|
|
$
|
784,478,468.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,098,269,855.3
|
|
|
$
|
1,317,923,826.3
|
|
|
$
|
1,449,716,209.0
|
|
|
$
|
1,522,202,019.4
|
|
%
of Total Revenue
|
|
|
93.7
|
%
|
|
|
94.3
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
94.2
|
%
|
|
|
93.5
|
%
|
|
|
93.5
|
%
|
|
|
93.5
|
%
|
|
|
93.5
|
%
|
|
|
93.5
|
%
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
$
|
2,260,679.2
|
|
|
$
|
6,767,502.7
|
|
|
$
|
9,890,836.3
|
|
|
$
|
16,122,063.2
|
|
|
$
|
28,374,831.2
|
|
|
$
|
54,535,936.3
|
|
|
$
|
76,350,310.8
|
|
|
$
|
91,620,373.0
|
|
|
$
|
100,782,410.3
|
|
|
$
|
105,821,530.8
|
|
Gross
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
6.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
Total
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,477,950.86
|
|
|
|
4,327,477.75
|
|
|
|
6,104,048.85
|
|
|
|
8,338,998.19
|
|
|
|
12,964,362.52
|
|
|
|
18,877,824.10
|
|
|
|
26,428,953.74
|
|
|
|
31,714,744.48
|
|
|
|
34,886,218.93
|
|
|
|
36,630,529.88
|
|
Total
selling expenses
|
|
|
890,993.22
|
|
|
|
2,321,296.87
|
|
|
|
3,015,891.50
|
|
|
|
4,447,465.70
|
|
|
|
5,870,654.72
|
|
|
|
10,068,172.85
|
|
|
|
14,095,441.99
|
|
|
|
16,914,530.39
|
|
|
|
18,605,983.43
|
|
|
|
19,536,282.60
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
249,268.25
|
|
|
|
1,134,504.92
|
|
|
|
2,165,686.54
|
|
|
|
2,997,196.39
|
|
|
|
3,817,765.32
|
|
|
|
4,638,334.25
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.17
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.17
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.17
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.17
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
2,618,212.32
|
|
|
|
7,783,279.54
|
|
|
|
11,285,626.89
|
|
|
|
15,783,660.28
|
|
|
|
22,652,782.56
|
|
|
|
33,584,331.20
|
|
|
|
45,983,298.90
|
|
|
|
54,088,178.05
|
|
|
|
58,951,105.54
|
|
|
|
61,625,715.65
|
|
Total
Operating Expenses %
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
Other
operating income/expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income - truck financing
|
|
|
2,233,938.0
|
|
|
|
6,456,682
|
|
|
|
12,662,550
|
|
|
|
22,237,329
|
|
|
|
39,137,698
|
|
|
|
67,121,152
|
|
|
|
93,969,613
|
|
|
|
112,763,536
|
|
|
|
124,039,890
|
|
|
|
130,241,884
|
|
Net
other operating income/expenses
|
|
|
2,233,938.01
|
|
|
|
6,456,682.10
|
|
|
|
12,662,549.54
|
|
|
|
22,237,328.50
|
|
|
|
39,137,698.16
|
|
|
|
67,121,152.35
|
|
|
|
93,969,613.29
|
|
|
|
112,763,535.94
|
|
|
|
124,039,889.54
|
|
|
|
130,241,884.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Profit
|
|
|
1,876,404.85
|
|
|
|
5,440,905.30
|
|
|
|
11,267,758.94
|
|
|
|
22,575,731.39
|
|
|
|
44,859,746.77
|
|
|
|
88,072,757.44
|
|
|
|
124,336,625.18
|
|
|
|
150,295,730.85
|
|
|
|
165,871,194.25
|
|
|
|
174,437,699.12
|
|
Operating
Profit Margin %
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
9.2
|
%
|
|
|
10.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.6
|
%
|
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
2,125,673
|
|
|
$
|
6,575,410
|
|
|
$
|
13,433,445
|
|
|
$
|
25,572,928
|
|
|
$
|
48,677,512
|
|
|
$
|
92,711,092
|
|
|
$
|
129,795,528
|
|
|
$
|
155,754,634
|
|
|
$
|
171,330,097
|
|
|
$
|
179,896,602
|
|
EBITDA
Margin %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
|
9.2
|
%
|
|
|
9.9
|
%
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
EBITDA
Growth %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
209.3
|
%
|
|
|
104.3
|
%
|
|
|
90.4
|
%
|
|
|
90.3
|
%
|
|
|
90.5
|
%
|
|
|
40.0
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
Projected
Period
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
2,125,673.1
|
|
|
$
|
6,575,410.2
|
|
|
$
|
13,433,445.5
|
|
|
$
|
25,572,927.8
|
|
|
$
|
48,677,512.1
|
|
|
$
|
92,711,091.7
|
|
|
$
|
129,795,528.4
|
|
|
$
|
155,754,634.0
|
|
|
$
|
171,330,097.4
|
|
|
$
|
179,896,602.3
|
|
Less: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
249,268.2
|
|
|
|
1,134,504.9
|
|
|
|
2,165,686.5
|
|
|
|
2,997,196.4
|
|
|
|
3,817,765.3
|
|
|
|
4,638,334.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
Earnings
Before Interest and Taxes
|
|
$
|
1,876,404.8
|
|
|
$
|
5,440,905.3
|
|
|
$
|
11,267,758.9
|
|
|
$
|
22,575,731.4
|
|
|
$
|
44,859,746.8
|
|
|
$
|
88,072,757.4
|
|
|
$
|
124,336,625.2
|
|
|
$
|
150,295,730.8
|
|
|
$
|
165,871,194.3
|
|
|
$
|
174,437,699.1
|
|
Less: Income
(Taxes) Benefit
|
|
|
187,640.5
|
|
|
|
460,114.2
|
|
|
|
1,038,000.9
|
|
|
|
2,113,613.7
|
|
|
|
4,092,155.6
|
|
|
|
8,413,456.6
|
|
|
|
12,039,843.4
|
|
|
|
14,635,754.0
|
|
|
|
16,193,300.3
|
|
|
|
17,049,950.8
|
|
Adjusted
Net Income
|
|
$
|
1,688,764.4
|
|
|
$
|
4,980,791.1
|
|
|
$
|
10,229,758.0
|
|
|
$
|
20,462,117.7
|
|
|
$
|
40,767,591.2
|
|
|
$
|
79,659,300.8
|
|
|
$
|
112,296,781.8
|
|
|
$
|
135,659,976.9
|
|
|
$
|
149,677,893.9
|
|
|
$
|
157,387,748.3
|
|
Plus: Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
249,268.2
|
|
|
|
1,134,504.9
|
|
|
|
2,165,686.5
|
|
|
|
2,997,196.4
|
|
|
|
3,817,765.3
|
|
|
|
4,638,334.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
Gross
Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
1,938,032.6
|
|
|
$
|
6,115,296.0
|
|
|
$
|
12,395,444.6
|
|
|
$
|
23,459,314.1
|
|
|
$
|
44,585,356.5
|
|
|
$
|
84,297,635.0
|
|
|
$
|
117,755,684.9
|
|
|
$
|
141,118,880.0
|
|
|
$
|
155,136,797.1
|
|
|
$
|
162,846,651.5
|
|
Less: Additions
in Working Capital
|
|
|
17,697,217.0
|
|
|
|
18,942,392.2
|
|
|
|
7,256,261.8
|
|
|
|
3,780,305.7
|
|
|
|
2,151,090.0
|
|
|
|
3,689,119.3
|
|
|
|
5,164,767.1
|
|
|
|
6,197,720.5
|
|
|
|
6,817,492.6
|
|
|
|
7,158,367.2
|
|
Less: Capital
Expenditures
|
|
|
2,856,155.7
|
|
|
|
6,478,175.7
|
|
|
|
4,534,723.0
|
|
|
|
4,318,783.8
|
|
|
|
7,601,059.5
|
|
|
|
13,035,817.1
|
|
|
|
18,250,144.0
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
|
|
5,458,903.2
|
|
Enterprise
Net Cash Flow
|
|
$
|
(18,615,340.1
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19,305,271.9
|
)
|
|
$
|
604,459.8
|
|
|
$
|
15,360,224.5
|
|
|
$
|
34,833,207.0
|
|
|
$
|
67,572,698.6
|
|
|
$
|
94,340,773.9
|
|
|
$
|
129,462,256.4
|
|
|
$
|
142,860,401.4
|
|
|
$
|
150,229,381.1
|
|
Present
Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 30.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.8741
|
|
|
|
0.6678
|
|
|
|
0.5102
|
|
|
|
0.3898
|
|
|
|
0.2978
|
|
|
|
0.2275
|
|
|
|
0.1738
|
|
|
|
0.1328
|
|
|
|
0.1014
|
|
Present
Value of Net Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,874,025.0
|
)
|
|
|
403,641.4
|
|
|
|
7,836,306.0
|
|
|
|
13,576,655.8
|
|
|
|
20,121,304.8
|
|
|
|
21,461,982.7
|
|
|
|
22,500,859.4
|
|
|
|
18,969,388.3
|
|
|
|
15,239,891.3
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows
|
|
$
|
103,236,004.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash Flow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Period (2017 Net Cash Flow X Terminal Growth at 3.0%
|
|
|
154,736,262.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalization
Multiple
|
|
|
3.59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
554,761,132.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value Factor @ 30.9%
|
|
|
0.1014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
Value of Terminal Enterprise Net Cash
Flow
|
|
$
|
56,277,269.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation
Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Present Value of Enterprise Net Cash Flows (2009 through
2017)
|
|
$
|
103,236,004.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal
Value
|
|
|
56,277,269.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Indicated
Enterprise Value
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$
|
159,513,274.0
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Less:
Debt
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-
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Indicated
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
159,513,274.0
|
|
|
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|
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THE
COMPANIES LAW
EXEMPTED
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
AMENDED
AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
1.
|
The
name of the Company is AutoChina International
Limited.
|
2.
|
The
Registered Office of the Company shall be at the Registered Office of ATC
Trustees (Cayman) Limited, in George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1203, Cayman
Islands, currently located on the second floor of Cayside, Harbour Drive,
P.O. Box 30592.
|
3.
|
Subject
to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the objects for which the
Company is established are
unrestricted.
|
4.
|
Subject
to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the Company shall have and
be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full
capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit, as provided by
Section 27(2) of The Companies Law.
|
5.
|
Nothing
in this Memorandum shall permit the Company to carry on a business for
which a licence is required under the laws of the Cayman Islands unless
duly licensed.
|
6.
|
The
Company shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or
corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried
on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this clause shall
be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts
in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its
powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman
Islands.
|
7.
|
The
liability of each member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid
on such members shares.
|
8.
|
The
share capital of the Company is US$51,000 divided into 50,000,000 ordinary
shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001 each and 1,000,000 preferred
shares of US$0.001 each.
|
9.
|
The
Company may exercise the power contained in the Companies Law to
deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation
in another jurisdiction.
|
The
Companies Law (Revised)
Company
Limited by Shares
THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
(Adopted
by way of a special resolution passed on _______, 2009)
INDEX
SUBJECT
|
|
Article No.
|
|
|
|
Table
A
|
|
1
|
Interpretation
|
|
2
|
Share
Capital
|
|
3
|
Alteration
Of Capital
|
|
4-7
|
Share
Rights
|
|
8-9
|
Variation
Of Rights
|
|
10-11
|
Shares
|
|
12-15
|
Share
Certificates
|
|
16-21
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
22-42
|
Register
Of Members
|
|
43-44
|
Record
Dates
|
|
45
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
46-51
|
Transmission
Of Shares
|
|
52
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
53-54
|
Untraceable
Members
|
|
55
|
General
Meetings
|
|
56-58
|
Notice
Of General Meetings
|
|
59-60
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Proceedings
At General Meetings
|
|
61-65
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Voting
|
|
66,
68-69, 71-77
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
67-70
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Proxies
|
|
78-83
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Corporations
Acting By Representatives
|
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84
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No
Action By Written Resolutions Of Members
|
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85
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Board
Of Directors
|
|
86
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[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
87-88
|
Disqualification
Of Directors
|
|
89
|
Executive
Directors
|
|
90-91
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
92-95
|
Directors
Fees and Expenses
|
|
96-99
|
Directors
Interests
|
|
100
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
101-103
|
General
Powers Of The Directors
|
|
104-109
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Borrowing
Powers
|
|
110-113
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Proceedings
Of The Directors
|
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114-125
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
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|
126
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Officers
|
|
127-130
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Register
of Directors and Officers
|
|
131
|
Minutes
|
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132
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Seal
|
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133
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Authentication
Of Documents
|
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134-135
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Dividends
and Other Payments
|
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136-145
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Reserves
|
|
146
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Capitalization
|
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147-148
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Subscription
Rights Reserve
|
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149
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Accounting
Records
|
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150-154
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Audit
|
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155-157,
159-160
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
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|
158
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Notices
|
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161-163
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Signatures
|
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164
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Winding
Up
|
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165-166
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Indemnity
|
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167
|
Amendment
to Memorandum and Articles of Association and Name of
Company
|
|
168
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Information
|
|
169
|
TABLE A
1. The
regulations in Table A in the Schedule to the Companies Law (Revised) do not
apply to the Company.
INTERPRETATION
2. 2.1
Certain of the terms contained in these Articles that are listed in the first
column of the table below, unless the context otherwise requires, shall bear the
meaning set opposite them respectively in the second column.
|
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MEANING
|
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Auditor
|
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the
independent auditor of the Company which shall be a firm of independent
accountants registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board.
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|
|
Articles
|
|
these
Articles in their present form or as supplemented or amended or
substituted from time to time.
|
|
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|
AutoChina
|
|
AutoChina
Group Inc
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AutoChina
Acquisition
|
|
the
Companys acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of AutoChina from
the AutoChina Shareholders pursuant to the Share Exchange
Agreement.
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|
|
|
AutoChina
Shareholders
|
|
Honest
Best Intl Ltd (FounderCo) and any other registered owner of share capital
of AutoChina immediately prior to the consummation of the AutoChina
Acquisition and the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange
Agreement.
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AutoChina
Shareholders
|
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Representative
|
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Yan
Wang or such other individual as designated by FounderCo in writing, who
has been irrevocably and fully authorized to act on behalf of all of the
AutoChina Shareholders with respect to such matters as designated
herein.
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Board
or Directors
|
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the
board of directors of the Company or the directors present at a meeting of
directors of the Company at which a quorum is present.
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capital
|
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the
share capital from time to time of the Company.
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clear
days
|
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in
relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the
notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or
on which it is to take
effect.
|
clearing
house
|
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a
clearing house recognized by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the
shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or
quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such
jurisdiction.
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
AutoChina
International Limited.
|
|
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Company
Shareholders
|
|
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Representative
|
|
shall
mean James Sha or such other individual as designated by a majority of the
existing shareholders of the Company that were also shareholders of the
Company immediately prior to the AutoChina Acquisition, such designation
in writing, who has been irrevocably and fully authorized to act on behalf
of all of the shareholders of the Company with respect to such matters as
designated herein.
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|
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competent
regulatory authority
|
|
a
competent regulatory authority in the territory where the shares of the
Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock
exchange or interdealer quotation system in such
territory.
|
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debenture
|
|
and
include debenture stock and debenture stockholder debenture holder
respectively.
|
|
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Designated
Stock Exchange
|
|
the
OTC Bulletin Board or such other exchange or interdealer quotation system
upon which the Companys securities are listed or
quoted.
|
|
|
|
dollars
and $
|
|
dollars,
the legal currency of the United States of America.
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|
|
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head
office
|
|
such
office of the Company as the Directors may from time to time determine to
be the principal office of the Company.
|
|
|
|
Law
|
|
The
Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the
Cayman Islands.
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
a
duly registered holder from time to time of the shares in the capital of
the Company.
|
|
|
|
month
|
|
a
calendar month.
|
|
|
|
Notice
|
|
written
notice unless otherwise specifically stated and as further defined in
these
Articles.
|
Office
|
|
the
registered office of the Company for the time being.
|
|
|
|
ordinary
resolution
|
|
a
resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it has been passed by a
simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do,
vote in person or, in the case of any Member being a corporation, by its
duly authorized representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at
a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days Notice has
been duly given.
|
|
|
|
paid
up
|
|
paid
up or credited as paid up.
|
|
|
|
Register
|
|
the
principal register and, where applicable, any branch register of Members
of the Company to be maintained at such place within or outside the Cayman
Islands as the Board shall determine from time to time.
|
|
|
|
Registration
Office
|
|
in
respect of any class of share capital such place as the Board may from
time to time determine to keep a branch register of Members in respect of
that class of share capital and where (except in cases where the Board
otherwise directs) the transfers or other documents of title for such
class of share capital are to be lodged for registration and are to be
registered.
|
|
|
|
Seal
|
|
common
seal or any one or more duplicate seals of the Company (including a
securities seal) for use in the Cayman Islands or in any place outside the
Cayman Islands.
|
|
|
|
Secretary
|
|
any
person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform any of the
duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant, deputy,
temporary or acting secretary.
|
|
|
|
Share
Exchange Agreement
|
|
a
Share Exchange Agreement dated February 4, 2009, made by and among Li
Yonghui, Yan Wang, FounderCo, AutoChina, Fancy Think Limited, the entities
listed on Schedule A6 thereto, and the Company, with respect to the
Companys acquisition of 1,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001
each in the capital of AutoChina from
FounderCo.
|
special
resolution
|
|
a
resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by not
less than two-thirds (2/3) of votes cast by such Members as, being
entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of such Members as are
corporations, by their respective duly authorized representative or, where
proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than
ten (10) clear days Notice, specifying (without prejudice to the power
contained in these Articles to amend the same) the intention to propose
the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given. Provided
that, except in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed
by a majority in number of the Members having the right to attend and vote
at any such meeting, being a majority together holding not less than
ninety-five (95) percent in nominal value of the shares giving that right
and in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by all
Members entitled to attend and vote thereat, a resolution may be proposed
and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than ten
(10) clear days Notice has been given; a special resolution shall be
effective for any purpose for which an ordinary resolution is expressed to
be required under any provision of these Articles or the
Statutes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
the
Law and every other law of the Legislature of the Cayman Islands for the
time being in force applying to or affecting the Company, its Memorandum
of Association and/or these Articles.
|
|
|
|
year"
|
|
a
calendar year.
|
2.2 In
these Articles, unless there be something within the subject or context
inconsistent with such construction:
(a) words
importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(b) words
importing a gender include both genders and the neuter;
(c) words
importing persons include companies, associations and bodies of persons whether
corporate or not;
(d) the
words:
(i) may
shall be construed as permissive;
(ii) shall or
will shall be construed as imperative;
(e) expressions
referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed
as including printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing
words or figures in a visible form, and including where the representation takes
the form of electronic display, provided that both the mode of service of the
relevant document or notice and the Members election comply with all applicable
Statutes, rules and regulations;
(f) references
to any law, ordinance, statute or statutory provision shall be interpreted as
relating to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time
being in force;
(g) save as
aforesaid words and expressions defined in the Statutes shall bear the same
meanings in these Articles if not inconsistent with the subject in the
context;
(h) references
to a document being executed include references to it being executed under hand
or under seal or by electronic signature or by any other method and references
to a notice or document include a notice or document recorded or stored in any
digital, electronic, electrical, magnetic or other retrievable form or medium
and information in visible form whether having physical substance or
not.
SHARE
CAPITAL
3.
3.1 The
share capital of the Company at the date on which these Articles come into
effect shall be divided into shares of a par value of $0.001 each.
3.2 Subject to
the Law, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and, where
applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent
regulatory authority, the Company shall have the power to purchase or otherwise
acquire its own shares and such power shall be exercisable by the Board in such
manner, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as it in its absolute
discretion thinks fit and any determination by the Board of the manner of
purchase shall be deemed authorised by these Articles for purposes of the
Law.
3.3 No share
shall be issued to bearer.
ALTERATION OF
CAPITAL
4.
The Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution in accordance with the
Law alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to:
(a) increase
its capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the
resolution shall prescribe;
(b) consolidate
and divide all or any of its capital into shares of larger amount than its
existing shares;
(c) without
prejudice to the powers of the Board under Article 12, divide its shares into
several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred
on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential,
deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such
restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company in
general meeting, as the Directors may determine provided always that, for the
avoidance of doubt, where a class of shares has been authorized by the Company
no resolution of the Company in general meeting is required for the issuance of
shares of that class and the Directors may issue shares of that class and
determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto
as aforesaid, and further provided that where the Company issues shares which do
not carry voting rights, the words non-voting shall appear in the designation of
such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting
rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those with the most
favorable voting rights, must include the words restricted voting or limited
voting;
(d) sub-divide
its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the
Memorandum of Association (subject, nevertheless, to the Law), and may by such
resolution determine that, as between the holders of the shares resulting from
such sub-division, one or more of the shares may have any such preferred,
deferred or other rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared with
the other or others as the Company has power to attach to unissued or new
shares;
(e) cancel any
shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken,
or agreed to be taken, by any person, and diminish the amount of its capital by
the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares, without par
value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is
divided.
5.
The Board may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in
relation to any consolidation and division under the last preceding Article and
in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue
certificates in respect of fractions of shares or arrange for the sale of the
shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale
(after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst the
Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the
Board may authorize some person to transfer the shares representing fractions to
their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company for the
Companys benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of
the purchase money nor will his title to the shares be affected by any
irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
6.
The Company may from time to time by special resolution, subject to
any confirmation or consent required by the Law, reduce its share capital or any
capital redemption reserve or other undistributable reserve in any manner
permitted by law.
7.
Except so far as otherwise provided by the conditions of issue, or
by these Articles, any capital raised by the creation of new shares shall be
treated as if it formed part of the original capital of the Company, and such
shares shall be subject to the provisions contained in these Articles with
reference to the payment of calls and installments, transfer and transmission,
forfeiture, lien, cancellation, surrender, voting and otherwise.
SHARE
RIGHTS
8.
Subject to the provisions of the Law, the rules of the Designated Stock
Exchange and the Memorandum and Articles of Association and to any special
rights conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares, and without
prejudice to Article 12 hereof, any share in the Company (whether forming part
of the present capital or not) may be issued with or have attached thereto such
rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital
or otherwise as the Board may determine, including without limitation on terms
that they may be, or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to
be redeemed on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the
Board may deem fit.
9.
Subject to the Law, any preferred shares may be issued or converted
into shares that, at a determinable date or at the option of the Company or the
holder if so authorized by its Memorandum of Association, are liable to be
redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Company before the issue or
conversion may by ordinary resolution of the Members determine. Where the
Company purchases for redemption a redeemable share, purchases not made through
the market or by tender shall be limited to a maximum price as may from time to
time be determined by the Board, either generally or with regard to specific
purchases. If purchases are by tender, tenders shall comply with applicable
laws.
VARIATION OF
RIGHTS
10. Subject
to the Law and without prejudice to Article 8, all or any of the special rights
for the time being attached to the shares or any class of shares may, unless
otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from time
to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied, modified or
abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general
meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. To every such separate
general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general
meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, but so
that:
(a) the
necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned
meeting) shall be a person or persons (or in the case of a Member being a
corporation, its duly authorized representative) together holding or
representing by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued
shares of that class;
(b) every
holder of shares of the class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every
such share held by him; and
(c) any holder
of shares of the class present in person or by proxy or authorized
representative may demand a poll.
11. The
special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall
not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms
of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied, modified or abrogated by the
creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
SHARES
12. 12.1 Subject
to the Law, these Articles (including without limitation the provisions of
Article 105) and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange
and without prejudice to any special rights or restrictions for the time being
attached to any shares or any class of shares, the unissued shares of the
Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased capital) shall be
at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options over or
otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such
consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may in its
absolute discretion determine but so that no shares shall be issued at a
discount. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, the Board is hereby empowered to authorize by resolution or
resolutions from time to time the issuance of one or more classes or series of
preferred shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other rights, if any, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the
number of shares constituting each such class or series, dividend rights,
conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, full or limited or no
voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the size
of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or
series of preferred shares then outstanding) to the extent permitted by Law.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions
providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares may,
to the extent permitted by law, provide that such class or series shall be
superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the preferred shares of any other
class or series.
12.2 Neither the Company
nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer
of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make available, any such
allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others with registered
addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or
territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special
formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or
impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not
be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for any purpose whatsoever.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions
providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no
vote of the holders of preferred shares of or ordinary shares shall be a
prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any class or series of the
preferred shares authorized by and complying with the conditions of the
Memorandum and Articles of Association.
12.3 Subject to the
provisions of Article 105, the Board may issue options, warrants or convertible
securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders
thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of shares or securities
in the capital of the Company on such terms as it may from time to time
determine.
13. The
Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of
paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Law. Subject to
the Law, the commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the
allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one and partly in the
other.
14. Except
as required by law, no person shall be recognized by the Company as holding any
share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any
way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent,
future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share or
(except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) any other rights
in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the
registered holder.
15. Subject
to the Law and these Articles, the Board may at any time after the allotment of
shares but before any person has been entered in the Register as the holder,
recognize a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favor of some other person
and may accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation
upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board considers fit to
impose.
SHARE
CERTIFICATES
16. Every
share certificate shall be issued under the Seal or a facsimile thereof and
shall specify the number and class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the
shares to which it relates, and the amount paid up thereon and may otherwise be
in such form as the Directors may from time to time determine. No certificate
shall be issued representing shares of more than one class. The Board may by
resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that
any signatures on any such certificates (or certificates in respect of other
securities) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by
some mechanical means or may be printed thereon.
17. 17.1 In
the case of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be
bound to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate
to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such
holders.
17.2 Where a share stands
in the names of two or more persons, the person first named in the Register
shall as regards service of notices and, subject to the provisions of these
Articles, all or any other matters connected with the Company, except the
transfer of the shares, be deemed the sole holder thereof.
18. Every
person whose name is entered, upon an allotment of shares, as a Member in the
Register shall be entitled, without payment, to receive one certificate for all
such shares of any one class or several certificates each for one or more of
such shares of such class upon payment for every certificate after the first of
such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as the Board from time to time
determines.
19. Share
certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed by the
Law or as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine,
whichever is the shorter, after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer
which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does
not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company.
20. 20.1 Upon
every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor, if any, shall
be given up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a
new certificate shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares
transferred to him at such fee as is provided in paragraph (2) of this Article.
If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained
by the transferor a new certificate for the balance shall be issued to him at
the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect
thereof.
20.2 The fee referred to in
paragraph (1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant maximum amount
as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine provided that
the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such fee.
21. If
a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued
to the relevant Member upon request and on payment of such fee as the Company
may determine and, subject to compliance with such terms (if any) as to evidence
and indemnity and to payment of the costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as
the Board may think fit and, in case of damage or defacement, on delivery of the
old certificate to the Company provided always that where share warrants have
been issued, no new share warrant shall be issued to replace one that has been
lost unless the Board has determined that the original has been
destroyed.
22. [Intentionally
Omitted]
23. [Intentionally
Omitted]
24. [Intentionally
Omitted]
25. [Intentionally
Omitted]
26. [Intentionally
Omitted]
27. [Intentionally
Omitted]
28. [Intentionally
Omitted]
29. [Intentionally
Omitted]
30. [Intentionally
Omitted]
31. [Intentionally
Omitted]
32. [Intentionally
Omitted]
33. [Intentionally
Omitted]
34. [Intentionally
Omitted]
35. [Intentionally
Omitted]
36. [Intentionally
Omitted]
37. [Intentionally
Omitted]
38. [Intentionally
Omitted]
39. [Intentionally
Omitted]
40. [Intentionally
Omitted]
41. [Intentionally
Omitted]
42. [Intentionally
Omitted]
REGISTER OF
MEMBERS
43. 43.1 The
Company shall keep in one or more books a Register of its Members and shall
enter therein the following particulars, that is to say:
(a) the name
and address of each Member, the number and class of shares held by him and the
amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on such shares;
(b) the date on
which each person was entered in the Register; and
(c) the date on
which any person ceased to be a Member.
43.2 The Company may keep an overseas
or local or other branch register of Members resident in any place, and the
Board may make and vary such regulations as it determines in respect of the
keeping of any such register and maintaining a Registration Office in connection
therewith.
44. The
Register and branch register of Members, as the case may be, shall be open to
inspection for such times and on such days as the Board shall determine by
Members without charge, at the Office or such other place as determined by the
Board. The Register including any overseas or local or other branch register of
Members may, after notice has been given by advertisement in an appointed
newspaper or any other newspapers in accordance with the requirements of the
Designated Stock Exchange or by any electronic means in such manner as may be
accepted by the Designated Stock Exchange to that effect, be closed at such
times or for such periods not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in each
year as the Board may determine and either generally or in respect of any class
of shares.
RECORD
DATES
45. For
the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any
general meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares
or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a
date as the record date for any such determination of Members, which date shall
not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other such
action.
If
the Board does not fix a record date for any general meeting, the record date
for determining the Members entitled to a notice of or to vote at such meeting
shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
notice is given, or, if in accordance with these Articles notice is waived, at
the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held. If corporate action without a general meeting is to be taken, the record
date for determining the Members entitled to express consent to such corporate
action in writing, when no prior action by the Board is necessary, shall be the
first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or
proposed to be taken is delivered to the Company by delivery to its head office.
The record date for determining the Members for any other purpose shall be at
the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution
relating thereto.
A
determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of the Members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided,
however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned
meeting.
46. [Intentionally
Omitted]
47. [Intentionally
Omitted]
48. [Intentionally
Omitted]
49. [Intentionally
Omitted]
50. [Intentionally
Omitted]
51. [Intentionally
Omitted]
TRANSMISSION OF
SHARES
52. If
a Member dies, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder,
and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole or only surviving
holder, will be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any title
to his interest in the shares; but nothing in this Article will release the
estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in
respect of any share which had been solely or jointly held by him.
53. [Intentionally
Omitted]
54. [Intentionally
Omitted]
UNTRACEABLE
MEMBERS
55. 55.1 Without
prejudice to the rights of the Company under paragraph (2) of this Article, the
Company may cease sending checks for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants
by post if such checks or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive
occasions. However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending checks
for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on which
such a check or warrant is returned undelivered.
55.2 The Company shall have
the power to sell, in such manner as the Board thinks fit, any shares of a
Member who is untraceable, but no such sale shall be made unless:
(a) all checks
or warrants in respect of dividends of the shares in question, being not less
than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder of such
shares in respect of them sent during the relevant period in the manner
authorized by the Articles of the Company have remained uncashed;
(b) so far as
it is aware at the end of the relevant period, the Company has not at any time
during the relevant period received any indication of the existence of the
Member who is the holder of such shares or of a person entitled to such shares
by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and
(c) the
Company, if so required by the rules governing the listing of shares on the
Designated Stock Exchange, has given notice to, and caused advertisement in
newspapers to be made in accordance with the requirements of, the Designated
Stock Exchange of its intention to sell such shares in the manner required by
the Designated Stock Exchange, and a period of three months or such shorter
period as may be allowed by the Designated Stock Exchange has elapsed since the
date of such advertisement.
For the purpose of the foregoing, the relevant period means the period
commencing twelve (12) years before the date of publication of the advertisement
referred to in paragraph (c) of this Article and ending at the expiry of the
period referred to in that paragraph.
55.3 To give effect to any
such sale the Board may authorize some person to transfer the said shares and an
instrument of transfer signed or otherwise executed by or on behalf of such
person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the registered holder
or the person entitled by transmission to such shares, and the purchaser shall
not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title
to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings
relating to the sale. The net proceeds of the sale will belong to the Company
and upon receipt by the Company of such net proceeds it shall become indebted to
the former Member for an amount equal to such net proceeds. No trust shall be
created in respect of such debt and no interest shall be payable in respect of
it and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned from
the net proceeds which may be employed in the business of the Company or as it
thinks fit. Any sale under this Article shall be valid and effective
notwithstanding that the Member holding the shares sold is dead, bankrupt or
otherwise under any legal disability or incapacity.
GENERAL
MEETINGS
56. An
annual general meeting of the Company shall be held in each year other than the
year of the Companys incorporation at such time and place as may be determined
by the Board.
57. Each
general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an
extraordinary general meeting. General meetings may be held at such times and in
any location in the world as may be determined by the Board.
58. Only
a majority of the Board or the Chairman of the Board may call extraordinary
general meetings, which extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such
times and locations (as permitted hereby) as such person or persons shall
determine.
NOTICE OF GENERAL
MEETINGS
59. 59.1 An
annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting may be called by
not less than ten (10) clear days Notice but a general meeting may be called by
shorter notice, subject to the Law, if it is so agreed:
(a) in
the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all the Members
entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
(b) in
the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the Members having the
right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not
less than ninety-five percent (95%) in nominal value of the issued shares giving
that right.
59.2 The notice shall
specify the time and place of the meeting and, in case of special business, the
general nature of the business. The notice convening an annual general meeting
shall specify the meeting as such. Notice of every general meeting shall be
given to all Members other than to such Members as, under the provisions of
these Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled
to receive such notices from the Company, to all persons entitled to a share in
consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member and to each of
the Directors and the Auditors.
60. The
accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments
of proxy are sent out with the Notice) to send such instrument of proxy to, or
the non-receipt of such Notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person
entitled to receive such Notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or
the proceedings at that meeting.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL
MEETINGS
61. 61.1 All
business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general
meeting, and also all business that is transacted at an annual general meeting,
with the exception of:
(a) the
declaration and sanctioning of dividends;
(b) consideration
and adoption of the accounts and balance sheet and the reports of the Directors
and Auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the balance
sheet;
(c) the
election of Directors;
(d) appointment
of Auditors (where special notice of the intention for such appointment is not
required by the Law) and other officers;
(e) the
fixing of the remuneration of the Auditors, and the voting of remuneration or
extra remuneration to the Directors;
(f) the
granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to offer, allot, grant
options over or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares in the capital of the
Company representing not more than 20 percent (20%) in nominal value of its
existing issued share capital; and
(g) the
granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to repurchase securities
of the Company.
61.2 No business other than
the appointment of a chairman of a meeting shall be transacted at any general
meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of the business. At any
general meeting of the Company, Members entitled to vote and present in person
or by proxy or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly
authorized representative representing not less than one-third in nominal value
of the total issued voting shares in the Company throughout the meeting shall
form a quorum for all purposes.
62. If
within thirty (30) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the
chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the
meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same
day in the next week at the same time and place or to such time and place as the
Board may determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within
half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall
be dissolved.
63. The
chairman of the Company shall preside as chairman at every general meeting. If
at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the
time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman,
the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act, or if one
Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. If no
Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the
chair, or if the chairman chosen shall retire from the chair, the Members
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall elect one of their
number to be chairman.
64. The
chairman may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but
no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business
which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting had the adjournment not
taken place. When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen (14) days or more, at
least seven (7) clear days notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given
specifying the time and place of the adjourned meeting but it shall not be
necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted
at the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be
transacted. Save as aforesaid, it shall be unnecessary to give notice of an
adjournment.
65. If
an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good
faith ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the
substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. In
the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment
thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in
any event be considered or voted upon.
VOTING
66. Subject
to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached
to any shares by or in accordance with these Articles, at any general meeting on
a show of hands every Member present in person (or being a corporation, is
present by a duly authorized representative), or by proxy shall have one vote
and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a
Member being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative shall have one
vote for every fully paid share of which he is the holder but so that no amount
paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or installments is
treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share. A resolution put to
the vote of a meeting shall be decided by a poll.
67. [Intentionally
Omitted]
68. If
a poll is duly demanded the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the
resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The Company shall only
be required to disclose the voting figures on a poll if such disclosure is
required by the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange.
69. A
poll demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment,
shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken
in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) and
either forthwith or at such time (being not later than thirty (30) days after
the date of the demand) and place as the chairman directs. It shall not be
necessary (unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a
poll not taken immediately.
70. [Intentionally
Omitted]
71. Votes
may be given either personally or by proxy.
72. A
person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the
votes he uses in the same way.
73. All
questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes
except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Law. In
the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of such meeting shall not be
entitled to a second or casting vote and the resolution shall fail.
74. Where
there are joint holders of any share any one of such joint holder may vote,
either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he were solely
entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at any
meeting the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by
proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint
holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in
which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. Several
executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose name any share stands
shall for the purposes of this Article be deemed joint holders
thereof.
75. 75.1 A
Member who is a patient for any purpose relating to mental health or in respect
of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction for the
protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their
own affairs may vote, by his receiver, committee, curator horns or other person
in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such court,
and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote on a poll
by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated as if he were the registered
holder of such shares for the purposes of general meetings, provided that such
evidence as the Board may require of the authority of the person claiming to
vote shall have been deposited at the Office, head office or Registration
Office, as appropriate, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time
appointed for holding the meeting, or adjourned meeting or poll, as the case may
be.
75.2 Any person entitled
under Article 53 to be registered as the holder of any shares may vote at any
general meeting in respect thereof in the same manner as if he were the
registered holder of such shares, provided that forty-eight (48) hours at least
before the time of the holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting, as the case
may be, at which he proposes to vote, he shall satisfy the Board of his
entitlement to such shares, or the Board shall have previously admitted his
right to vote at such meeting in respect thereof.
76. No
Member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to attend and
vote and to be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless he is duly
registered.
77. If:
(a) any
objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or
(b) any
votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or
which
might have been rejected; or
(c) any
votes are not counted which ought to have been counted;
the
objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned
meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the
meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected
to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error
shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the
decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same
may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on
such matters shall be final and conclusive.
PROXIES
78. Any
Member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of the Company shall be entitled
to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A
Member who is the holder of two or more shares may appoint more than one proxy
to represent him and vote on his behalf at a general meeting of the Company or
at a class meeting. A proxy need not be a Member. In addition, a proxy or
proxies representing either a Member who is an individual or a Member which is a
corporation shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the
Member which he or they represent as such Member could exercise.
79. The
instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the
appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor is
a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney
or other person authorized to sign the same. In the case of an instrument of
proxy purporting to be signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof
it shall be assumed, unless the contrary appears, that such officer was duly
authorized to sign such instrument of proxy on behalf of the corporation without
further evidence of the facts.
80. The
instrument appointing a proxy and (if required by the Board) the power of
attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a certified
copy of such power or authority, shall be delivered to such place or one of such
places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to or
in any document accompanying the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place
is so specified at the Registration Office or the Office, as may be appropriate)
not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the
meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument
proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a
meeting or adjourned meeting, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the
time appointed for the taking of the poll and in default the instrument of proxy
shall not be treated as valid. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be valid
after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date named in it as the date
of its execution, except at an adjourned meeting or on a poll demanded at a
meeting or an adjourned meeting in cases where the meeting was originally held
within twelve (12) months from such date. Delivery of an instrument appointing a
proxy shall not preclude a Member from attending and voting in person at the
meeting convened and in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be
deemed to be revoked.
81. Instruments
of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may
approve (provided that this shall not preclude the use of the two-way form) and
the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting forms
of instrument of proxy for use at the meeting. The instrument of proxy shall be
deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll and to vote on
any amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the
proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated
therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting
to which it relates.
82. A
vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid
notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation
of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed,
provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation
shall have been received by the Company at the Office or the Registration Office
(or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of
proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other document sent therewith) two
hours at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting, or
the taking of the poll, at which the instrument of proxy is used.
83. Anything
which under these Articles a Member may do by proxy he may likewise do by his
duly appointed attorney and the provisions of these Articles relating to proxies
and instruments appointing proxies shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation to
any such attorney and the instrument under which such attorney is
appointed.
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY
REPRESENTATIVES
84. 84.1 Any
corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other
governing body authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its
representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of
Members. The person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same powers
on behalf of such corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an
individual Member and such corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles
be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorized
is present thereat.
84.2 If a clearing house
(or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorize such
persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the
Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that the
authorization shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which
each such representative is so authorized. Each person so authorized under the
provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorized without
further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and
powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was
the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house
(or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually on a show of
hands.
84.3 Any reference in these
Articles to a duly authorized representative of a Member being a corporation
shall mean a representative authorized under the provisions of this
Article.
ACTION BY WRITTEN
RESOLUTIONS OF MEMBERS
85. A
resolution in writing signed (in such manner as to indicate, expressly or
impliedly, unconditional approval) by or on behalf of all persons for the time
being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings
of the Company shall, for the purposes of these Articles, be treated as a
resolution duly passed at a general meeting of the Company and, where relevant,
as a special resolution so passed. Any such resolution shall be deemed to have
been passed at a meeting held on the date on which it was signed by the last
Member to sign, and where the resolution states a date as being the date of his
signature thereof by any Member the statement shall be prima facie evidence that
it was signed by him on that date. Such a resolution may consist of
several documents in the like form, each signed by one or more relevant
Members.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
86. 86.1 At
all times prior to December 31, 2011 (the Concerned Period), unless otherwise
determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not
be less than two (2) and not more than seven (7). Following the Concerned
Period, the number of Directors shall be such number as determined from time to
time by the Members in general meeting. The Directors shall be elected or
appointed in the first place by the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association
or by a majority of them and shall hold office until their successors are
elected or appointed.
86.2 Subject to the
Articles and the Law, during the Concerned Period, the Directors shall consist
of two (2) persons nominated by the AutoChina Shareholders Representative, two
(2) persons nominated by the Company Shareholders Representative and three (3)
persons as independent non-executive directors (the Independent Non-Executive
Directors), provided that the Independent Non-Executive Director candidates who
are actually nominated shall be mutually agreed upon by the AutoChina
Shareholders Representative and the Company Shareholders
Representative.
86.3 Subject to the
provisions of Article 86.2, the Directors shall have the power from time to time
and at any time to appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy on
the Board or as an addition to the existing Board. Any Director so appointed by
the Board shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting
of the Company and shall then be eligible for re-election.
86.4 No Director shall be
required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification and a
Director who is not a Member shall be entitled to receive notice of and to
attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and of all classes of
shares of the Company.
86.5 Subject to any
provision to the contrary in these Articles, a Director may be removed by way of
(i) an ordinary resolution of the Members at any time before the expiration of
his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any
agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any
claim for damages under any such agreement), or (ii) a two-thirds vote of the
Board of Directors if such removal is for cause at any time before the
expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or
in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to
any claim for damages under any such agreement).
86.6 Subject to the
provisions of Article 86.2, a vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a
Director under the provisions of subparagraph (5) above may be filled by the
election or appointment by ordinary resolution of the Members at the meeting at
which such Director is removed or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority
of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting.
86.7 [Intentionally
Omitted]
86.8 [Intentionally
Omitted]
87. [Intentionally
Omitted]
88. [Intentionally
Omitted]
DISQUALIFICATION OF
DIRECTORS
89. The
office of a Director shall be vacated if the Director:
89.1 resigns his office by
notice in writing delivered to the Company at the Office or tendered at a
meeting of the Board;
89.2 becomes of unsound
mind or dies;
89.3 without special leave
of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for six
consecutive months and the Board resolves that his office be vacated;
or
89.4 becomes bankrupt or
has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his
creditors;
89.5 is prohibited by law
from being a Director; or
89.6 ceases to be a
Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is removed from office
pursuant to these Articles.
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS
90. The
Board may from time to time appoint any one or more of its body to hold any
employment or executive office with the Company for such period (subject to
their continuance as Directors) and upon such terms as the Board may determine
and the Board may revoke or terminate any of such appointments. Any such
revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim
for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may
have against such Director. A Director appointed to an office under this Article
shall be subject to the same provisions as to removal as the other Directors of
the Company, and he shall (subject to the provisions of any contract between him
and the Company) ipso facto and immediately cease to hold such office if he
shall cease to hold the office of Director for any cause.
91. Notwithstanding
Articles 96, 97, 98 and 99, an executive director appointed to an office under
Article 90 hereof shall receive such remuneration (whether by way of salary,
commission, participation in profits or otherwise or by all or any of those
modes) and such other benefits (including pension and/or gratuity and/or other
benefits on retirement) and allowances as the Board may from time to time
determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a
Director.
92. [Intentionally
Omitted]
93. [Intentionally
Omitted]
94. [Intentionally
Omitted)
95. [Intentionally
Omitted]
DIRECTORS FEES AND
EXPENSES
96. The
Directors shall receive such remuneration as the Board may from time to time
determine. The ordinary remuneration of the Directors shall from time to time be
determined by the Board and shall (unless otherwise directed by the resolution
by which it is voted) be divided amongst the Board in such proportions and in
such manner as the Board may agree or, failing agreement, equally, except that
any Director who shall hold office for part only of the period in respect of
which such remuneration is payable shall be entitled only to rank in such
division for a proportion of remuneration related to the period during which he
has held office. Such remuneration shall be deemed to accrue from day to
day.
97. Each
Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and
incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in
attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings
or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or
otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a
Director.
98. Any
Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company
or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the
ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by
way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board
may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in
substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any
other Article.
99. The
Board shall obtain the approval of the Company in general meeting before making
any payment to any Director or past Director of the Company by way of
compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with
his retirement from office (not being payment to which the Director is
contractually entitled).
DIRECTORS'
INTERESTS
100.
100.1 No contract or transaction
between the Company and one or more of its Directors or officers, or between the
Company and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of its Directors or officers, are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
this reason, or solely because the Director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board or committee which authorizes the
contract or transaction, or solely because any such Directors or officers votes
are counted for such purpose, if:
(a) The
material facts as to the Directors or officers relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of
Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a
quorum; or
(b) The
material facts as to the Directors or officers relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Shareholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the Shareholders; or
(c) The
contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is
authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee or the
Shareholders.
100.2 Common or interested Directors
may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum and may vote at a meeting
of the Board or of a committee which authorizes the contract or
transaction.
101. [Intentionally
Omitted]
102. [Intentionally
Omitted]
103. [Intentionally
Omitted]
GENERAL POWERS OF THE
DIRECTORS
104. 104.1 Subject
to the provisions of Article 105, the business of the Company shall be managed
and conducted by the Board, which may pay all expenses incurred in forming and
registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company (whether
relating to the management of the business of the Company or otherwise) which
are not by the Statutes or by these Articles required to be exercised by the
Company in general meeting, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the
Statutes and of these Articles and to such regulations being not inconsistent
with such provisions, as may be prescribed by the Company in general meeting,
but no regulations made by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any
prior act of the Board which would have been valid if such regulations had not
been made. The general powers given by this Article shall not be limited or
restricted by any special authority or power given to the Board by any other
Article.
104.2 Subject to the provisions of
Article 105, without prejudice to the general powers conferred by these Articles
it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following
powers:
(a) To
give to any person the right or option of requiring at a future date that an
allotment shall be made to him of any share at par or at such premium as may be
agreed.
(b) To
give to any Directors, officers or employees of the Company an interest in any
particular business or transaction or participation in the profits thereof or in
the general profits of the Company either in addition to or in substitution for
a salary or other remuneration.
(c) To
resolve that the Company be deregistered in the Cayman Islands and continued in
a named jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands subject to the provisions of the
Law.
105. No
director, officer, committee member, employee, agent of the Company or any Group
Company (hereinafter, as defined in the Share Exchange Agreement) or any of
their respective delegates shall, without a resolution of the board of directors
approved with the affirmative consent or approval of (i) at least six (6)
members of the Board or (ii) in the event there are less than six (6) members of
the Board then in office, all of the members of the Board then in office, take,
nor shall they cause or permit the Company or any Group Company to take, any of
the following actions (whether in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions):
105.1 the authorization, creation or
issuance of any equity or debt securities, warrants, options or other rights to
acquire shares of the Company or any Group Company, other than grants of
securities, stock options or warrants to directors or employees of the Company
or any Group Company pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (hereinafter, as
defined in the Share Exchange Agreement) and the issuance of shares upon the
exercise of such options or warrants;
105.2 the declaration or payment of a
distribution or dividend with respect to any of the shares in the Company or any
Group Company, including, without limitation, the repurchase or redemption of
any such shares or equity interest (or any warrants, options or other rights to
acquire any such shares or equity interest);
105.3 the merger, amalgamation or
consolidation of the Company or any Group Company with any person or any
transaction in which the Company or any Group Company immediately before such
transaction together with their affiliates do not own or control at least a
majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after such
transaction (excluding any transaction effected solely for tax purposes or to
change the Companys or any Group Companys domicile);
105.4 the sale, lease, exchange,
transfer, contribution, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the Assets (hereinafter, as defined in the Share
Exchange Agreement) and Properties (hereinafter, as defined in the Share
Exchange Agreement) of the Company or any Group Company (other than mortgages of
Assets and Properties to banks to secure loans in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and sound business practice), or the
purchase or other acquisition by the Company or any Group Company (whether
individually or collectively) of all or substantially all of the Assets and
Properties of another Person (hereinafter, as defined in the Share Exchange
Agreement) (except for such purchase or acquisition within the amount set forth
in the annual business plan approved by the Board);
105.5 the making of any joint venture
or partnership arrangement, or the formation of any subsidiary, each involving
capital commitment of RMB5,000,000 or more (except for such joint venture or
partnership arrangement made or any subsidiary formed involving capital
commitment within the amount set forth in the annual business plan approved by
the Board), or any voluntary dissolution, winding-up, liquidation of any
subsidiary;
105.6 the reduction of the authorized
share capital or the registered capital, as the case may be, of the Company or
any Group Company;
105.7 the effectuation of any
recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, split-off, spin-off, or
filing for bankruptcy with respect to the Company or any Group
Company;
105.8 the approval or material
amendment of the annual budget, business plan, or operating plan (including any
capital expenditure budget, operating budget and financial plan) of the Company
or any Group Company;
105.9 the incurrence of any
indebtedness for borrowed money or the issuance, assumption, guarantee or
creation of any liability for borrowed money, the aggregate outstanding amount
of which at any given time equal to RMB5,000,000 or more unless such liability
is incurred pursuant to the then current business plan;
105.10 any change in the size or composition of the
Board or any Group Company or any committee thereof;
105.11 any material amendment to the terms of the
Share Exchange Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement (hereinafter, as
defined in the Share Exchange Agreement), any executive employment agreement or
any indemnification agreement; or
105.12 any material amendment to the Corporate
Governance Rules (as defined below) then in effect.
106. The
Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any
fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the
Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with
such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or
exercisable by the Board under these Articles) and for such period and subject
to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may
contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing
with any such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorize any
such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and
discretions vested in him. Such attorney or attorneys may, if so authorized
under the Seal of the Company, execute any deed or instrument under their
personal seal with the same effect as the affixation of the Companys
Seal.
107. The
Board may entrust to and confer upon a managing director, joint managing
director, deputy managing director, an executive director or any Director any of
the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such
restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion
of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such
powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation
or variation shall be affected thereby.
108. All
checks, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments,
whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to
the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as
the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by
resolution determine. The Companys banking accounts shall be kept with such
banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.
109. 109.1 The
Board may establish or concur or join with other companies (being subsidiary
companies of the Company or companies with which it is associated in business)
in establishing and making contributions out of the Companys moneys to any
schemes or funds for providing pensions, sickness or compassionate allowances,
life assurance or other benefits for employees (which expression as used in this
and the following paragraph shall include any Director or ex-Director who may
hold or have held any executive office or any office of profit under the Company
or any of its subsidiary companies) and ex-employees of the Company and their
dependants or any class or classes of such person.
109.2 The Board may pay, enter into
agreements to pay or make grants of revocable or irrevocable pensions or other
benefits to employees and ex-employees and their dependants, or to any of such
persons, including pensions or benefits additional to those, if any, to which
such employees or ex-employees or their dependants are or may become entitled
under any such scheme or fund as mentioned in the last preceding paragraph. Any
such pension or benefit may, as the Board considers desirable, be granted to an
employee either before and in anticipation of or upon or at any time after his
actual retirement, and may be subject or not subject to any terms or conditions
as the Board may determine.
BORROWING
POWERS
110. Subject
to the provisions of Article 105, the Board may exercise all the powers of the
Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of
the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital
of the Company and, subject to the Law, to issue debentures, bonds and other
securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability
or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
111. Debentures,
bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities between
the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued.
112. Any
debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other than
shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption,
surrender, drawings, allotment of shares, attending and voting at general
meetings of the Company, appointment of Directors and otherwise.
113. 113.1 Where
any uncalled capital of the Company is charged, all persons taking any
subsequent charge thereon shall take the same subject to such prior charge, and
shall not be entitled, by notice to the Members or otherwise, to obtain priority
over such prior charge.
113.2 The Board shall cause a proper
register to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Law, of all
charges specifically affecting the property of the Company and of any series of
debentures issued by the Company and shall duly comply with the requirements of
the Law in regard to the registration of charges and debentures therein
specified and otherwise.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
DIRECTORS
114. The
Board may meet for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its
meetings as it considers appropriate. Questions arising at any meeting shall be
determined by a majority of votes. In the case of any equality of votes the
chairman of the meeting shall not have an additional or casting vote and the
resolution shall fail.
115. A
meeting of the Board may be convened by the Secretary on request of a Director
or by any Director. The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Board of which
notice may be given in writing or by telephone or in such other manner as the
Board may from time to time determine whenever he shall be required so to do by
the president or chairman, as the case may be, or any Director.
116. 116.1 The
quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be equal
to a majority of the Board.
116.2 Directors may participate in any
meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or other communications
equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate
with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and, for the purpose of
counting a quorum, such participation shall constitute presence at a meeting as
if those participating were present in person.
116.3 Any Director who ceases to be a
Director at a Board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a Director
and be counted in the quorum until the termination of such Board meeting if no
other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be
present.
117. The
continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act notwithstanding any
vacancy in the Board, however, if and so long as the number of Directors is
reduced below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles,
the continuing Directors or Director, notwithstanding that the number of
Directors is below the number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as
the quorum or that there is only one continuing Director, may act for the
purpose of filling vacancies in the Board or of summoning general meetings of
the Company but not for any other purpose.
118. The
Chairman of the Board shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board. If the
Chairman of the Board is not present at any meeting within five (5) minutes
after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose
one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
119. A
meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise
all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or
exercisable by the Board.
120. 120.1 Subject
to the provisions of Article 105, The Board may delegate any of its powers,
authorities and discretions to committees, consisting of such Director or
Directors and other persons as it thinks fit, and they may, from time to time,
revoke such delegation or revoke the appointment of and discharge any such
committees either wholly or in part, and either as to persons or purposes. Any
committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and
discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations which may be imposed on it
by the Board.
120.2 All acts done by any such
committee in conformity with such regulations, and in fulfillment of the
purposes for which it was appointed, but not otherwise, shall have like force
and effect as if done by the Board, and the Board (or if the Board delegates
such power, the committee) shall have power to remunerate the members of any
such committee, and charge such remuneration to the current expenses of the
Company.
121. The
meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members
shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Articles for regulating
the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and
are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board under the last
preceding Article, indicating, without limitation, any committee charter adopted
by the Board for purposes or in respect of any such committee.
122. A
resolution in writing signed by all the Directors shall (provided that such
number is sufficient to constitute a quorum and further provided that a copy of
such resolution has been given or the contents thereof communicated to all the
Directors for the time being entitled to receive notices of Board meetings in
the same manner as notices of meetings are required to be given by these
Articles) be as valid and effectual as if a resolution had been passed at a
meeting of the Board duly convened and held. Such resolution may be contained in
one document or in several documents in like form each signed by one or more of
the Directors and for this purpose a facsimile signature of a Director shall be
treated as valid.
123. All
acts bona fide done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as
a Director or members of a committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is
afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any
member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they
or any of them were disqualified or had vacated office, be as valid as if every
such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a
Director or member of such committee.
124. The
Board shall establish an audit committee, a nomination committee and a
compensation committee.
During
the Concerned Period, in the event there is only one (1) Independent
Non-Executive Director in office, each such committee shall consist of one (1)
member, who shall be such Independent Non-Executive Director.
During
the Concerned Period, in the event there is more than one (1)
Independent Non-Executive Director, each such committee shall consist of two (2)
members, one being an Independent Non-Executive Director nominated to such
committee based on the recommendation of the AutoChina Shareholders
Representative and the other being an Independent Non-Executive Director
nominated to such committee based on the recommendation of the Company
Shareholders Representative. In any event that the two (2) members in
any such committee fail to reach a consensus with respect to any matter, such
matter shall be submitted to and decided by the Board by a resolution of the
board of directors approved with the affirmative consent or approval of (i) at
least six (6) members of the Board or (ii) in the event there are less than six
(6) members of the Board then in office, all of the members of the Board then in
office.
125. The
Company and each Director shall fully comply with, and shall cause to be
complied with, the code of business conduct, the insider trading policy, the
related party transaction procedures, the anti-corruption manual, the audit
committee charter, the compensation committee charter and the nomination
committee charter and other corporate governance policies, procedures, rules and
requirements of the Company adopted or to be adopted from time to time by the
Board (collectively, the Corporate Governance Rules).
126. [Intentionally
Omitted]
OFFICERS
127. 127.1 The
officers of the Company shall consist of the Chairman of the Board and Secretary
and such additional officers (who may or may not be Directors) as the Board may
from time to time determine, all of whom shall be deemed to be officers for the
purposes of the Law and these Articles.
127.2 The Directors shall, as soon as
may be after each appointment or election of Directors, elect amongst the
Directors a chairman and if more than one Director is proposed for this office,
the election to such office shall take place in such manner as the Directors may
determine.
127.3 The officers shall receive such
remuneration as the Directors may from time to time determine.
128. 128.1
The Secretary and additional officers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board
and shall hold office on such terms and for such period as the Board may
determine. If thought fit, two or more persons may be appointed as joint
Secretaries. The Board may also appoint from time to time on such terms as it
thinks fit one or more assistant or deputy Secretaries.
128.2 The Secretary shall attend all
meetings of the Members and shall keep correct minutes of such meetings and
enter the same in the proper books provided for the purpose. He shall perform
such other duties as are prescribed by the Law or these Articles or as may be
prescribed by the Board.
129. The
officers of the Company shall have such powers and perform such duties in the
management, business and affairs of the Company as may be delegated to them by
the Directors from time to time.
130. A
provision of the Law or of these Articles requiring or authorizing a thing to be
done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being
done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as or in place of the
Secretary.
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS
131. The
Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its Office a Register of
Directors and officers in which there shall be entered the full names and
addresses of the Directors and officers and such other particulars as required
by the Law or as the Directors may determine. The Company shall send to the
Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands a copy of such register, and shall
from time to time notify to the said Registrar of any change that takes place in
relation to such Directors and officers as required by the Law.
MINUTES
132. 132.1 The
Board shall cause minutes to be duly entered in books provided for the
purpose:
(a) of
all elections and appointments of officers;
(b) of
the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any
committee of the Directors;
(c) of
all resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting of the Members, meetings
of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board and where there are
managers, of all proceedings of meetings of the managers.
132.2 Minutes shall be kept by the
Secretary at the Office.
SEAL
133.
133.1 The Company shall have one or more
Seals, as the Board may determine. For the purpose of sealing documents creating
or evidencing securities issued by the Company, the Company may have a
securities seal which is a facsimile of the Seal of the Company with the
addition of the word Securities on its face or in such other form as the Board
may approve. The Board shall provide for the custody of each Seal and no Seal
shall be used without the authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board
authorized by the Board in that behalf. Subject as otherwise provided in these
Articles, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed
autographically by any officer of the Company, save that as regards any
certificates for shares or debentures or other securities of the Company the
Board may by resolution determine that such signatures or either of them shall
be dispensed with or affixed by some method or system of mechanical
signature.
Every instrument executed in manner provided by this Article shall be deemed to
be sealed and executed with the authority of the Board previously
given.
133.2 Where the Company has a Seal for
use abroad, the Board may by writing under the Seal appoint any agent or
committee abroad to be the duly authorized agent of the Company for the purpose
of affixing and using such Seal and the Board may impose restrictions on the use
thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these Articles reference is made to
the Seal, the reference shall, when and so far as may be applicable, be deemed
to include any such other Seal as aforesaid.
AUTHENTICATION OF
DOCUMENTS
134. Any
Director or the Secretary or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose
may authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company and any
resolution passed by the Company or the Board or any committee, and any books,
records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to
certify copies thereof or extracts therefrom as true copies or extracts, and if
any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office or
the head office the local manager or other officer of the Company having the
custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person so appointed by the Board. A
document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes
of a meeting, of the Company or of the Board or any committee which is so
certified shall be conclusive evidence in favor of all persons dealing with the
Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed or, as
the case may be, that such minutes or extract is a true and accurate record of
proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
135. 135.1 The
Company shall be entitled to destroy the following documents at the following
times
(a) any
share certificate which has been cancelled at any time after the expiry of one
(1) year from the date of such cancellation;
(b) any
dividend mandate or any variation or cancellation thereof or any notification of
change of name or address at any time after the expiry of two (2)
years from the date such mandate variation cancellation or notification was
recorded by the Company;
(c) any
instrument of transfer of shares which has been registered at any time after the
expiry of seven (7) years from the date of registration;
(d) any
allotment letters after the expiry of seven (7) years from the date of issue
thereof; and
(e) copies of
powers of attorney, grants of probate and letters of administration at any time
after the expiry of seven (7) years after the account to which the relevant
power of attorney, grant of probate or letters of administration related has
been closed;
and it shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that every
entry in the Register purporting to be made on the basis of any such documents
so destroyed was duly and properly made and every share certificate so destroyed
was a valid certificate duly and properly cancelled and that every instrument of
transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly
registered and that every other document destroyed hereunder was a valid and
effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars thereof in the
books or records of the Company. Provided always that: (1) the
foregoing provisions of this Article shall apply only to the destruction of a
document in good faith and without express notice to the Company that the
preservation of such document was relevant to a claim; (2) nothing contained in
this Article shall be construed as imposing upon the Company any liability in
respect of the destruction of any such document earlier than as aforesaid or in
any case where the conditions of proviso (1) above are not fulfilled; and (3)
references in this Article to the destruction of any document include references
to its disposal in any manner.
135.2 Notwithstanding any provision
contained in these Articles, the Directors may, if permitted by applicable law,
authorise the destruction of documents set out in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of
paragraph (1) of this Article and any other documents in relation to share
registration which have been microfilmed or electronically stored by the Company
or by the share registrar on its behalf provided always that this Article shall
apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express
notice to the Company and its share registrar that the preservation of such
document was relevant to a claim.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER
PAYMENTS
136. Subject
to the Law, the Company in general meeting or the Board may from time to time
declare dividends in any currency to be paid to the Members but no dividend
shall be declared in excess of the amount recommended by the Board.
137. Dividends
may be declared and paid out of the profits of the Company, realized or
unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors
determine is no longer needed. The Board may also declare and pay dividends out
of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized
for this purpose in accordance with the Law.
138. Except
in so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share
otherwise provide:
(a) all
dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the
shares in respect of which the dividend is paid; and
(b) all
dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid
up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of
which the dividend is paid.
139. The
Board may from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear
to the Board to be justified by the profits of the Company and in particular
(but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) if at any time the
share capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may
pay such interim dividends in respect of those shares in the capital of the
Company which confer on the holders thereof deferred or non-preferential rights
as well as in respect of those shares which confer on the holders thereof
preferential rights with regard to dividend and provided that the Board acts
bona fide the Board shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of shares
conferring any preference for any damage that they may suffer by reason of the
payment of an interim dividend on any shares having deferred or non-preferential
rights and may also pay any fixed dividend which is payable on any shares of the
Company half-yearly or on any other dates, whenever such profits, in the opinion
of the Board, justifies such payment.
140. The
Board may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Member by the
Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently
payable by him to the Company.
141. No
dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share
shall bear interest against the Company.
142. Any
dividend, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be
paid by check or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at his
registered address or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder
whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his address
as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person and at such address as
the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such check or warrant
shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to
the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the
holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such shares, and
shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the check or warrant by the
bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company
notwithstanding that it may subsequently appear that the same has been stolen or
that any endorsement thereon has been forged. Any one of two or more joint
holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable or
property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint
holders.
143. All
dividends or bonuses unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared may
be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company
until claimed. Any dividend or bonuses unclaimed after a period of six (6) years
from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.
The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable on or
in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a
trustee in respect thereof.
144. Whenever
the Board or the Company in general meeting has resolved that a dividend be paid
or declared, the Board may further resolve that such dividend be satisfied
wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind and in
particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe securities of
the Company or any other company, or in any one or more of such ways, and where
any difficulty arises in regard to the distribution the Board may settle the
same as it thinks expedient, and in particular may issue certificates in respect
of fractions of shares, disregard fractional entitlements or round the same up
or down, and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets, or any
part thereof, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members
upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all
parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient
to the Board and may appoint any person to sign any requisite instruments of
transfer and other documents on behalf of the persons entitled to the dividend,
and such appointment shall be effective and binding on the Members. The Board
may resolve that no such assets shall be made available to Members with
registered addresses in any particular territory or territories where, in the
absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, such
distribution of assets would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful
or impracticable and in such event the only entitlement of the Members aforesaid
shall be to receive cash payments as aforesaid. Members affected as a result of
the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of
Members for any purpose whatsoever.
145. 145.1 Whenever
the Board or the Company in general meeting has resolved that a dividend be paid
or declared on any class of the share capital of the Company, the Board may
further resolve either:
(a) that
such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of
shares credited as fully paid up, provided that the Members entitled thereto
will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if the Board
so determines) in cash in lieu of such allotment. In such case, the following
provisions shall apply:
(i) the basis
of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after
determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days
Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded
to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the
procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by
which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be
effective;
(iii) the right of election
may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend
in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that
part of the dividend to be satisfied by the allotment of shares as aforesaid)
shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the cash election has
not been duly exercised (the non-elected shares) and in satisfaction thereof
shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the
holders of the non-elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as
aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of any
part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and
standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium
account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve)
as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the
appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and
distribution to and amongst the holders of the non-elected shares on such basis;
or
(b) that the
Members entitled to such dividend shall be entitled to elect to receive an
allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such
part
of the
dividend as the Board may think fit. In such case, the following provisions
shall apply;
(i) the basis
of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after
determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days
Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded
to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the
procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by
which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be
effective;
(iii) the right of election
may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend
in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that
part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded)
shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the share election has
been duly exercised (the elected shares) and in lieu thereof shares of the
relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the
elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such
purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of any part of the undivided
profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of
any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption
reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine,
such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares
of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders
of the elected shares on such basis.
145.2
(a) The
shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article
shall rank pari passu in all respects with shares of the same class (if any)
then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend or in
any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced
prior to or contemporaneously with the payment or declaration of the relevant
dividend unless, contemporaneously with the announcement by the Board of their
proposal to apply the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) of
this Article in relation to the relevant dividend or contemporaneously with
their announcement of the distribution, bonus or rights in question, the Board
shall specify that the shares to be allotted pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank for participation in such distribution,
bonus or rights.
(b) The
Board may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give
effect to any capitalization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this
Article, with full power to the Board to make such provisions as it thinks fit
in the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions
whereby, in whole or in pant, fractional entitlements are aggregated and sold
and the net proceeds distributed to those entitled, or are disregarded or
rounded up or down or whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to
the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Board may authorize any
person to enter into on behalf of all Members interested, an agreement with the
Company providing for such capitalization and matters incidental thereto and any
agreement made pursuant to such authority shall be effective and binding on all
concerned.
145.3 The Company may upon the
recommendation of the Board by ordinary resolution resolve in respect of any one
particular dividend of the Company that notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this Article a dividend may be satisfied wholly in the form of
an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up without offering any right to
shareholders to elect to receive such dividend in cash in lieu of such
allotment.
145.4 The Board may on any occasion
determine that rights of election and the allotment of shares under paragraph
(I) of this Article shall not be made available or made to any shareholders with
registered addresses in any territory where, in the absence of a registration
statement or other special formalities, the circulation of an offer of such
rights of election or the allotment of shares would or might, in the opinion of
the Board, be unlawful or impracticable, and in such event the provisions
aforesaid shall be read and construed subject to such determination. Members
affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a
separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.
145.5 Any resolution declaring a
dividend on shares of any class, whether a resolution of the Company in general
meeting or a resolution of the Board, may specify that the same shall be payable
or distributable to the persons registered as the holders of such shares at the
close of business on a particular date, notwithstanding that it may be a date
prior to that on which the resolution is passed, and thereupon the dividend
shall be payable or distributable to them in accordance with their respective
holdings so registered, but without prejudice to the rights inter se in respect
of such dividend of transferors and transferees of any such shares. The
provisions of this Article shall mutatis mutandis apply to bonuses,
capitalization issues, distributions of realized capital profits or offers or
grants made by the Company to the Members.
RESERVES
146. 146.1 The
Board shall establish an account to be called the share premium account and
shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the
amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share in the Company.
Unless otherwise provided by the provisions of these Articles, the Board may
apply the share premium account in any manner permitted by the Law. The Company
shall at all times comply with the provisions of the Law in relation to the
share premium account.
146.2 Before recommending any dividend,
the Board may set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as it
determines as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be
applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly
applied and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be
employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as
the Board may from time to time think fit and so that it shall not be necessary
to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves separate or
distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board may also without
placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which it may think prudent
not to distribute.
CAPITALISATION
147. The
Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time to
time pass an ordinary resolution to the effect that it is desirable to
capitalize all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the
credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and capital
redemption reserve and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same is
available for distribution and accordingly that such amount be set free for
distribution among the Members or any class of Members who would be entitled
thereto if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions,
on the footing that the same is not paid in cash but is applied in paying up in
full unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be
allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up among such Members and the
Board shall give effect to such resolution provided that, for the purposes of
this Article, a share premium account and any capital redemption reserve or fund
representing unrealized profits, may be applied only in paying up in full
unissued shares of the Company to be allotted to such Members credited as fully
paid.
148. The
Board may settle, as it considers appropriate, any difficulty arising in regard
to any distribution under the last preceding Article and in particular may issue
certificates in respect of fractions of shares or authorize any person to sell
and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as
nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may
ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments shall be made
to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem
expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of
the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary
or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective
and binding upon the Members.
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
RESERVE
149. The
following provisions shall have effect to the extent that they are not
prohibited by and are in compliance with the Law:
149.1 If, so long as any of the rights
attached to any warrants issued by the Company to subscribe for shares of the
Company shall remain exercisable, the Company does any act or engages in any
transaction which, as a result of any adjustments to the subscription price in
accordance with the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, would reduce
the subscription price to below the par value of a share, then the following
provisions shall apply:
(a) as
from the date of such act or transaction the Company shall establish and
thereafter (subject as provided in this Article) maintain in accordance with the
provisions of this Article a reserve (the Subscription Rights Reserve) the
amount of which shall at no time be less than the sum which for the time being
would be required to be capitalized and applied in paying up in full the nominal
amount of the additional shares required to be issued and allotted credited as
fully paid pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) below on the exercise in full of all
the subscription rights outstanding and shall apply the Subscription Rights
Reserve in paying up such additional shares in full as and when the same are
allotted;
(b) the
Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be used for any purpose other than that
specified above unless all other reserves of the Company (other than share
premium account) have been extinguished and will then only be used to make good
losses of the Company if and so far as is required by law;
(c) upon
the exercise of all or any of the subscription rights represented by any
warrant, the relevant subscription rights shall be exercisable in respect of a
nominal amount of shares equal to the amount in cash which the holder of such
warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented
thereby (or, as the case may be the relevant portion thereof in the event of a
partial exercise of the subscription rights) and, in addition, there shall be
allotted in respect of such subscription rights to the exercising warrantholder,
credited as fully paid, such additional nominal amount of shares as is equal to
the difference between:
(i) the
said amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on
exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be,
the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the
subscription rights); and
(ii) the
nominal amount of shares in respect of which such subscription rights would have
been exercisable having regard to the provisions of the conditions of the
warrants, had it been possible for such subscription rights to represent the
right to subscribe for shares at less than par and immediately upon such
exercise so much of the sum standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights
Reserve as is required to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of
shares shall be capitalized and applied in paying up in full such additional
nominal amount of shares which shall forthwith be allotted credited as fully
paid to the exercising warrantholders; and
(d) if,
upon the exercise of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the
amount standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve is not
sufficient to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares equal to
such difference as aforesaid to which the exercising warrantholder is entitled,
the Board shall apply any profits or reserves then or thereafter becoming
available (including, to the extent permitted by law, share premium account) for
such purpose until such additional nominal amount of shares is paid up and
allotted as aforesaid and until then no dividend or other distribution shall be
paid or made on the fully paid shares of the Company then in issue. Pending such
payment and allotment, the exercising warrantholder shall be issued by the
Company with a certificate evidencing his right to the allotment of such
additional nominal amount of shares. The rights represented by any such
certificate shall be in registered form and shall be transferable in whole or in
part in units of one share in the like manner as the shares for the time being
are transferable, and the Company shall make such arrangements in relation to
the maintenance of a register therefor and other matters in relation thereto as
the Board may think fit and adequate particulars thereof shall be made known to
each relevant exercising warrantholder upon the issue of such
certificate.
149.2 Shares allotted pursuant to the
provisions of this Article shall rank pari passu in all respects with the other
shares allotted on the relevant exercise of the subscription rights represented
by the warrant concerned. Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (1) of
this Article, no fraction of any share shall be allotted on exercise of the
subscription rights.
149.3 The provision of this Article as
to the establishment and maintenance of the Subscription Rights Reserve shall
not be altered or added to in any way which would vary or abrogate, or which
would have the effect of varying or abrogating the provisions for the benefit of
any warrantholder or class of warrantholders under this Article without the
sanction of a special resolution of such warrantholders or class of
warrantholders.
149.4 A certificate or report by the
auditors for the time being of the Company as to whether or not the Subscription
Rights Reserve is required to be established and maintained and if so the amount
thereof so required to be established and maintained, as to the purposes for
which the Subscription Rights Reserve has been used, as to the extent to which
it has been used to make good losses of the Company, as to the additional
nominal amount of shares required to be allotted to exercising warrantholders
credited as fully paid, and as to any other matter concerning the Subscription
Rights Reserve shall (in the absence of manifest error) be conclusive and
binding upon the Company and all warrantholders and shareholders.
ACCOUNTING
RECORDS
150. The
Board shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and
expended by the Company, and the matters in respect of which such receipt and
expenditure take place, and of the property, assets, credits and liabilities of
the Company and of all other matters required by the Law or necessary to give a
true and fair view of the Companys affairs and to explain its
transactions.
151. The
accounting records shall be kept at the Office or, at such other place or places
as the Board decides and shall always be open to inspection by the Directors. No
Member (other than a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any accounting
record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or
authorized by the Board or the Company in general meeting.
152. Subject
to the provisions of Article 153, a printed copy of the Directors report,
accompanied by the balance sheet and profit and loss account, including every
document required by law to be annexed thereto, made up to the end of the
applicable financial year and containing a summary of the assets and liabilities
of the Company under convenient heads and a statement of income and expenditure,
together with a copy of the Auditors report, shall be sent to each person
entitled thereto at least ten (10) days before the date of the general meeting
and laid before the Company at the annual general meeting held in accordance
with Article 56 provided that this Article shall not require a copy of those
documents to be sent to any person whose address the Company is not aware or to
more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures.
153. Subject
to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, and
to obtaining all necessary consents, if any, required thereunder, the
requirements of Article 152 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person
by sending to the person in any manner not prohibited by the Statutes, a summary
financial statement derived from the Companys annual accounts and the directors
report which shall be in the form and containing the information required by
applicable laws and regulations, provided that any person who is otherwise
entitled to the annual financial statements of the Company and the directors
report thereon may, if he so requires by notice in writing served on the
Company, demand that the Company sends to him, in addition to a summary
financial statement, a complete printed copy of the Companys annual financial
statement and the directors report thereon.
154. The
requirement to send to a person referred to in Article 152 the documents
referred to in that article or a summary financial report in accordance with
Article 153 shall be deemed satisfied where, in accordance with all applicable
Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules of the
Designated Stock Exchange, the Company publishes copies of the documents
referred to in Article 152 and, if applicable, a summary financial report
complying with Article 153, on the Companys computer network or in any other
permitted manner (including by sending any form of electronic communication),
and that person has agreed or is deemed to have agreed to treat the publication
or receipt of such documents in such manner as discharging the Companys
obligation to send to him a copy of such documents.
AUDIT
155. Subject
to applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange:
155.1 At the annual general meeting or
at a subsequent extraordinary general meeting in each year, the Members shall
appoint an auditor to audit the accounts of the Company and such auditor shall
hold office until the Members appoint another auditor. Such auditor
may be a Member but no Director or officer or employee of the Company shall,
during his continuance in office, be eligible to act as an auditor of the
Company.
155.2 A person, other than a retiring
Auditor, shall not be capable of being appointed Auditor at an annual general
meeting unless notice in writing of an intention to nominate that person to the
office of Auditor has been given not less than fourteen (14) days before the
annual general meeting and furthermore, the Company shall send a copy of any
such notice to the retiring Auditor.
155.3 The Members may, at any general
meeting convened and held in accordance with these Articles, by ordinary
resolution remove the Auditor at any time before the expiration of his term of
office and shall by ordinary resolution at that meeting appoint another Auditor
in his stead for the remainder of his term.
156. Subject
to the Law the accounts of the Company shall be audited at least once in every
year.
157. The
remuneration of the Auditor shall be fixed by the Board.
158. If
the office of auditor becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the Auditor,
or by his becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability
at a time when his services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy
and determine the remuneration of such Auditor.
159. The
Auditor shall at all reasonable times have access to all books kept by the
Company and to all accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he may call on
the Directors or officers of the Company for any information in their possession
relating to the books or affairs of the Company.
160. The
statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by these
Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books,
accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report
thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so as to
present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its
operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have been
called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has been
furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company
shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall be
submitted to the Members in general meeting. The generally accepted auditing
standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other
than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the
Auditor should disclose this act and name such country or
jurisdiction.
NOTICES
161. Any
Notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles
from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile
transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or communication
and any such Notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company on or
to any Member either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid
envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing in the
Register or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose
or, as the case may be, by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting
it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or address
or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of Notice to him or
which the person transmitting the notice reasonably and bona fide believes at
the relevant time will result in the Notice being duly received by the Member or
may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance with
the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or, to the extent permitted by
the applicable laws, by placing it on the Companys website and giving to the
member a notice stating that the notice or other document is available there (a
notice of availability). The notice of availability may be given to the Member
by any of the means set out above. In the case of joint holders of a share all
notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first
in the Register and notice so given shall be deemed a sufficient service on or
delivery to all the joint holders.
162. Any
Notice or other document:
(a) if
served or delivered by post, shall where appropriate be sent by airmail and
shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on
which the envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put
into the post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to
prove that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was
properly addressed and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by
the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the
Board that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or other document was
so addressed and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence
thereof,
(b) if
sent by electronic communication, shall be deemed to be given on the day on
which it is transmitted from the server of the Company or its agent. A notice
placed on the Companys website is deemed given by the Company to a Member on the
day following that on which a notice of availability is deemed served on the
Member; and
(c) if
served or delivered in any other manner contemplated by these Articles, shall be
deemed to have been served or delivered at the time of personal service or
delivery or, as the case may be, at the time of the relevant dispatch or
transmission; and in proving such service or delivery a certificate in writing
signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person
appointed by the Board as to the act and time of such service, delivery,
dispatch or transmission shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
163. 163.1 Any
Notice or other document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered
address of any Member in pursuance of these Articles shall, notwithstanding that
such Member is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and
whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event,
be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share
registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder unless his name
shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the notice or document, have
been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service or
delivery shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service or delivery of
such Notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as
claiming through or under him) in the share.
163.2 A notice may be given by the
Company to the person entitled to a share in consequence of the death, mental
disorder or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid
letter, envelope or wrapper addressed to him by name, or by the title of
representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like
description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the person
claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by
giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the
death, mental disorder or bankruptcy had not occurred.
163.3 Any person who by operation of
law, transfer or other means whatsoever shall become entitled to any share shall
be bound by every notice in respect of such share which prior to his name and
address being entered on the Register shall have been duly given to the person
from whom he derives his title to such share.
SIGNATURES
164. For
the purposes of these Articles, a cable or telex or facsimile or electronic
transmission message purporting to come from a holder of shares or, as the case
may be, a Director, or, in the case of a corporation which is a holder of shares
from a director or the secretary thereof or a duly appointed attorney or duly
authorized representative thereof for it and on its behalf, shall in the absence
of express evidence to the contrary available to the person relying thereon at
the relevant time be deemed to be a document or instrument in writing signed by
such holder or Director in the terms in which it is received.
WINDING
UP
165. The
Board shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a
petition to the court for the Company to be wound up. A resolution that the
Company be wound up by the court or be wound up voluntarily shall be a special
resolution.
166. 166.1 Subject
to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of
available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class
or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets
available for distribution amongst the Members of the Company shall be more than
sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the
winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such members in
proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively and
(ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution
amongst the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the
paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may be,
the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid up,
or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on
the shares held by them respectively.
166.2 If the Company shall be wound up
(whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the court) the liquidator may, with
the authority of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the
Law, divide among the Members in specie or kind the whole or any part of the
assets of the Company and whether or not the assets shall consist of properties
of one kind or shall consist of properties to be divided as aforesaid of
different kinds, and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon
any one or more class or classes of property and may determine how such division
shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The
liquidator may, with the like authority, vest any part of the assets in trustees
upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator with the like
authority shall think fit, and the liquidation of the Company may be closed and
the Company dissolved, but so that no contributory shall be compelled to accept
any shares or other property in respect of which there is a
liability.
166.3 In the event of winding-up of the
Company in the Peoples Republic of China, every Member of the Company who is not
for the time being in the Peoples Republic of China shall be bound, within 14
days after the passing of an effective resolution to wind up the Company
voluntarily, or the making of an order for the winding-up of the Company, to
serve notice in writing on the Company appointing some person resident in the
Peoples Republic of China and stating that persons full name, address and
occupation upon whom all summonses, notices, process, orders and judgments in
relation to or under the winding-up of the Company may be served, and in default
of such nomination the liquidator of the Company shall be at liberty on behalf
of such Member to appoint some such person, and service upon any such appointee,
whether appointed by the Member or the liquidator, shall be deemed to be good
personal service on such Member for all purposes, and, where the liquidator
makes any such appointment, he shall with all convenient speed give notice
thereof to such Member by advertisement as he shall deem appropriate or by a
registered letter sent through the post and addressed to such Member at his
address as appearing in the register, and such notice shall be deemed to be
service on the day following that on which the advertisement first appears or
the letter is posted.
INDEMNITY
167. 167.1 The
Directors, Secretary and other officers and every Auditor for the time being of
the Company and the liquidator or trustees (if any) for the time being acting in
relation to any of the affairs of the Company and everyone of them, and everyone
of their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be indemnified and secured
harmless out of the assets and profits of the Company from and against all
actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them,
their or any of their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or
sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the
execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or
trusts; and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects or
defaults of the other or others of them or for joining in any receipts for the
sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys or
effects belonging to the Company shall or may be lodged or deposited for safe
custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any
moneys of or belonging to the Company shall be placed out on or invested, or for
any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of their
respective offices or trusts, or in relation thereto; PROVIDED THAT this
indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty
which may attach to any of said persons.
167.2 Each Member agrees to waive any
claim or right of action he might have, whether individually or by or in the
right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by
such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the
performance of his duties with or for the Company; PROVIDED THAT such waiver
shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may
attach to such Director.
AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM AND
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
AND NAME OF
COMPANY
168. No
Article shall be rescinded, altered or amended and no new Article shall be made
until the same has been approved by an ordinary resolution of the Members. An
ordinary resolution shall be required to alter the provisions of the Memorandum
of Association or to change the name of the Company.
INFORMATION
169. No
Member shall be entitled to require discovery of or any information respecting
any detail of the Companys trading or any matter which is or may be in the
nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of
the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Directors it will be
inexpedient in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate to the
public.
Annex
C
EXECUTION
VERSION
SHARE
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
BY
AND AMONG:
LI
YONGHUI,
YAN
WANG,
HONEST
BEST INT’L LTD,
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC,
FANCY
THINK LIMITED,
CHUANGLIAN,
KAIYUAN
REAL ESTATE,
HUIYIN
INVESTMENT,
HUA
AN INVESTMENT,
TIANMEI
INSURANCE,
KAIYUAN
LOGISTICS,
KAIYUAN
AUTO TRADE,
CHUANGLIAN
AUTO TRADE,
AND
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
Dated:
February 4, 2009
SHARE
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
SHARE
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “
Agreement
”), dated
February 4, 2009, by and among Li Yonghui (“
Founder
”), Yan Wang
(“
Wang
”),
Honest Best Int’l Ltd, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the
British Virgin Islands (“
FounderCo
”),
AutoChina Group Inc, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the
Cayman Islands (“
AutoChina
”), Fancy
Think Limited, a limited liability company established in Hong Kong under the
Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (“
Fancy Think
”), Hebei
Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北创联贸易有限公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Chuanglian
”), Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. (
河北开元房地产开发股份有限公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Kaiyuan Real
Estate
”), Hebei Huiyin Investment Co., Ltd. (
河北汇银投资有限责任公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Huiyin Investment
”),
Hebei Hua An Investment Co., Ltd. (
河北华安投资有限责任公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Hua An Investment
”),
Hebei Tianmei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (
河北天美保险代理有限公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Tianmei Insurance
”),
Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Logistics Co., Ltd. (
河北世捷开元物流有限公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Kaiyuan Logistics
”),
Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北世捷开元汽车贸易有限公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Kaiyuan Auto Trade
”),
Shanxi Chuanglian Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
山西创联汽贸公司
), a
company established under the laws of the PRC (“
Chuanglian Auto
Trade
”), and Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a corporation duly organized
and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“
SCAC
”). Each
of Founder, Wang, FounderCo, AutoChina, Fancy Think, Chuanglian, Kaiyuan Real
Estate, Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Tianmei Insurance, Kaiyuan
Logistics, Kaiyuan Auto Trade, Chuanglian Auto Trade, and SCAC are referred to
herein each as a “
Party
” and
collectively as the “
Parties
.”
Capitalized
terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in ARTICLE 10 hereof.
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
AutoChina owns and operates the Business in the PRC through Fancy Think, the
entities listed on
Schedule A1
hereto,
each of which is a company established under the laws of the PRC (each, a “
4S Store I
” and
collectively, the “
4S
Stores I
”), the entities listed on
Schedule A2
hereto,
each of which is a company established under the laws of the PRC (each, a “
4S Store II
” and
collectively, the “
4S
Stores II
”) (the 4S Stores I, together with the 4S Stores II,
collectively, the “
4S
Stores
”), the entities listed on
Schedule A3
hereto,
each of which is a company established under the laws of the PRC (each, a “
Transportation Company
I
” and collectively, the “
Transportation Companies
I
”), the entities listed on
Schedule A4
hereto,
each of which is a company established under the laws of the PRC (each, a “
Transportation Company
II
” and collectively, the “
Transportation Companies
II
”) (the Transportation Companies I, together with the Transportation
Companies II, collectively, the “
Transportation
Companies
”), the entities listed on
Schedule A5
hereto,
each of which is a company established under the laws of the PRC (each, an
“
Auto Service
Company
” and collectively, the “
Auto Service
Companies
”), and the entities listed on
Schedule A6
hereto
(collectively, with the 4S Stores, the Transportation Companies, and the Auto
Service Companies, the “
PRC Subsidiaries
” and
each, a “
PRC
Subsidiary
”);
WHEREAS,
the AutoChina Shareholders are the registered owners of all of the outstanding
shares of AutoChina (the “
AutoChina
Shares
”);
WHEREAS,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, SCAC, at the Closing,
shall acquire all of the AutoChina Shares from the AutoChina Shareholders (the
“
AutoChina
Acquisition
”), representing one hundred percent (100%) of the issued
share capital of AutoChina; and
WHEREAS,
following the Closing, SCAC will be renamed as AutoChina Group Limited or such
other name to be approved by SCAC.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
THE
AUTOCHINA ACQUISITION
Section
1.01
Purchase and
Sale
. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, at
the Closing (as defined in Section 2.01), the AutoChina Shareholders shall sell,
transfer, assign and convey to SCAC, and SCAC shall purchase from the AutoChina
Shareholders, all of the right, title and interest of the AutoChina Shareholders
in and to the AutoChina Shares representing all of the outstanding shares of
AutoChina.
Section
1.02
Purchase Price; Payment
Schedule
.
(a) Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the aggregate purchase price (the
“
Purchase
Price
”) to be paid by SCAC to the AutoChina Shareholders or their
designees for the AutoChina Shares shall consist of the allotment and issue to
the AutoChina Shareholders of a number of SCAC Ordinary Shares (the “
Share Payment
”)
pursuant to Section 1.02(b)(i), 1.02(b)(ii), 1.02(b)(iii), and 1.02(b)(iv)
(provided that the conditions stated in the applicable section is satisfied);
and
(b) Subject
to Section 1.03 below, the Purchase Price shall be paid in the following
manner:
(i)
Net Upfront Consideration
Shares; Holdback Consideration Shares
.
(A) At
the Closing, SCAC shall allot and issue to each AutoChina Shareholder the number
of SCAC Ordinary Shares equivalent to (i) each AutoChina Shareholder’s
shareholding percentage (%) of the issued and outstanding share capital of
AutoChina immediately prior to the Closing multiplied by (ii) the Net Upfront
Consideration Shares (as defined below), issued in the name of such AutoChina
Shareholder. “
Net Upfront
Consideration
” shall mean an amount equal to: (a) US$68,850,000 less (b)
US$6,885,000 in Holdback Consideration Shares (as defined below) (“
Holdback
Consideration
”). “
Net Upfront Consideration
Shares
” shall mean SCAC Ordinary Shares in an amount calculated by
dividing (A) the Net Upfront Consideration by (B) US$8.00.
(B) At
the Closing, SCAC shall allot and issue and deposit with American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company (the “
Escrow Agent
”)
pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Share Escrow Agreement the form of
which is attached hereto as
Schedule B
, the
number of SCAC Ordinary Shares equivalent to the Holdback Consideration Shares
(as defined below), issued in the name of the AutoChina Shareholders on a pro
rata basis. “
Holdback Consideration
Shares
” shall mean SCAC Ordinary Shares in an amount calculated by
dividing (A) the Holdback Consideration by (B) US$8.00.
(ii)
Earn-Out Share
Amounts
. If, on a consolidated basis, SCAC achieves or exceeds
certain Targeted EBITDA Growth in any of FY2009, FY2010, FY2011, FY2012, and
FY2013 (each fiscal year an “
Earn-Out Period
”),
each AutoChina Shareholder shall receive, and SCAC shall issue and deliver, the
number of SCAC Ordinary Shares equivalent to (a) each AutoChina Shareholder’s
shareholding percentage (%) of the issued and outstanding share capital of
AutoChina immediately prior to the Closing multiplied by (b) (A) the applicable
Earn-Out Consideration Percentage (%) set forth in the table attached herein as
Schedule C
multiplied by (B) the number of SCAC Ordinary Shares (excluding any issued and
outstanding SCAC Ordinary Shares that are issued in connection with
acquisitions, mergers, or like combinations, following the Closing) issued and
outstanding on December 31 of the fiscal year immediately prior to the
applicable Payment Date (as defined below) (the “
Earn-Out
Shares
”). The aggregate number of Earn-Out Shares to be
awarded to the AutoChina Shareholders if SCAC achieves or exceeds the Targeted
EBITDA Growth shall be proportionately adjusted for (a) any increase or
decrease in the number of issued SCAC Ordinary Shares resulting from a share
split, share dividend, combination or reclassification of the SCAC Ordinary
Shares or similar transaction affecting the SCAC Ordinary Shares occurring
between December 31 of the fiscal year immediately prior to the applicable
Payment Date or (b) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
SCAC Ordinary Shares effected following the Closing without receipt of
consideration by SCAC that occurs prior the date of the applicable Payment
Date.
(iii)
Holdback Consideration
Payments
.
(A)
Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Payment
. If SCAC achieves (i) EBITDA Growth of
greater than thirty percent (30%) for FY2009 and (ii) FY2009 EBITDA in excess of
US$22,500,000 (the “
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Release Target
”), SCAC shall cause fifty percent (50%) of
the Holdback Consideration Shares to be released from the Escrow Agent and
transferred to the AutoChina Shareholders on a pro rata basis within twenty (20)
days following the delivery of SCAC’s audited consolidated financial statements
for FY2009 (the “
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Release Date
”) prepared in accordance with US GAAP (the
“
FY2009 EBITDA
Holdback Consideration Shares
”); less a number of SCAC Ordinary Shares in
an amount calculated by dividing (A) the amount required to satisfy the
Warrantors’ indemnification obligations pursuant to ARTICLE 11 based on the
aggregate amount of Damages claimed by an Indemnified Person to a Warrantor
pursuant to Section 11.02 on or prior to the FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Release Date by (B) US$8.00 (such amount, the “
Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Shares
”); provided, however, in no event shall the Net
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares be less than zero (0).
(B)
Net Remaining Holdback
Consideration Payment
. SCAC shall cause fifty percent (50%) of
the Holdback Consideration Shares to be released from the Escrow Agent and
transferred to the AutoChina Shareholders on a pro rata basis (the “
Remaining Holdback
Consideration Shares
”) on the later of the date (i) twenty (20) days
following the delivery of SCAC’s audited consolidated financial statements for
FY2009 prepared in accordance with US GAAP and (ii) one (1) year following the
Closing Date (the “
Remaining Holdback
Consideration Release Date
”); less a number of SCAC Ordinary Shares in an
amount calculated by dividing (A) the amount required to satisfy the Warrantors’
indemnification obligations pursuant to ARTICLE 11 based on the aggregate amount
of Damages claimed by an Indemnified Person to a Warrantor pursuant to Section
11.02 on or prior to the Remaining Holdback Consideration Release Date by (B)
US$8.00 (such amount, the “
Net Remaining Holdback
Consideration Shares
”); provided, however, in no event shall the Net
Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares be less than zero (0).
(c)
Determination of Earn-Out
Shares, Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares, and Net Remaining
Holdback Consideration Shares
.
(i) With
respect to determination of (A) the Earn-Out Shares or the Net FY2009 EBITDA
Holdback Consideration Shares, within twenty (20) days following the delivery of
SCAC’s audited consolidated financial statements for the applicable fiscal year
prepared in accordance with US GAAP, and (B) the Net Remaining Holdback
Consideration Shares, twenty (20) days prior to the Remaining Holdback
Consideration Release Date, SCAC shall determine the EBITDA Growth for the
applicable Earn-Out Period and deliver to the Warrantors notice of its
determination whether the minimum Targeted EBITDA Growth was satisfied, if
applicable, and the actual EBITDA for FY2009 or the applicable Earn-Out Period,
and the applicable number of Earn-Out Shares, Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Shares, or Net Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares payable to
the AutoChina Shareholders (the “
Shares
Calculation
”).
(ii) If
the AutoChina Shareholders disagree in good faith with the Shares Calculation,
they shall have ten (10) Business Days from SCAC’s delivery of notice of its
determination of the applicable Shares Calculation to deliver to SCAC written
objections to the applicable Shares Calculation. The AutoChina
Shareholders may, by written notice to SCAC, waive or shorten such period for
objection. After delivery of any such written objections, an
authorized representative of each of SCAC and the AutoChina Shareholders shall
promptly negotiate with respect to the applicable Shares Calculation and the
objections thereto, and if they are unable to reach an agreement within thirty
(30) days after delivery to SCAC of the objections to the applicable Shares
Calculation, the dispute shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to
Section 12.09 hereof; and SCAC shall not be required to allot and issue and
deliver, or procure the delivery by the Escrow Agent of any Earn-Out Shares, Net
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares, or Net Remaining Holdback
Consideration Shares, as applicable, until and to the extent it is so ordered to
do so in a final and binding award of an arbitration tribunal pursuant to such
arbitration. Failure to submit a written objection within any
required time period shall constitute agreement by the AutoChina
Shareholders. The applicable Shares Calculation, as so adjusted by
agreement or by the arbitrator (if required), shall be final and binding on the
Parties.
(iii) Within
ten (10) Business Days after the determination of the relevant Earn-Out Shares,
Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares, or Remaining Holdback
Consideration Shares, as applicable, in accordance with this
Section 1.02(c) (whether pursuant to Section 1.02(c)(i), 1.02(c)(ii), or
12.09, as applicable) (such date, the “
Payment Date
”), SCAC
shall allot and issue and deliver to the AutoChina Shareholders the Earn-Out
Shares or instruct the Escrow Agent to release and deliver to the AutoChina
Shareholders the Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares or Net
Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares, as applicable. All the
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares or Remaining Holdback Consideration
Shares not released by the Escrow Agent as Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Consideration Shares or Net Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares pursuant to
this paragraph shall be transferred to SCAC and shall be immediately cancelled
and retired by SCAC.
Section
1.03
Withholding
. If
SCAC is required under any provision of applicable Laws to deduct and withhold
any amounts with respect to the making of the payment of the Purchase Price,
SCAC shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the payment of the Purchase
Price such amounts as required. To the extent that amounts are so
withheld, such amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as
having been paid to the AutoChina Shareholders in respect of whom such deduction
and withholding were made by SCAC.
ARTICLE
2
THE
CLOSING
Section
2.01
The
Closing
. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the consummation of the AutoChina Acquisition and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall take place at a closing (the “
Closing
”) to be held
at 10:00 a.m., local time, on the Business Day on which the last of the
conditions to be fulfilled on or prior to the Closing under ARTICLE 8 is
fulfilled, at the offices of Morrison & Foerster, 34
th
Floor,
Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, or at such
other time, date or place as the Parties may agree upon in
writing. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein
as the “
Closing
Date
.”
Section
2.02
Deliveries
.
(a)
AutoChina
Shareholders
. At the Closing, each AutoChina Shareholder will,
and the Warrantors shall cause each AutoChina Shareholder to, (i) assign and
transfer to SCAC all of such AutoChina Shareholder’s right, title and interest
in and to his, her or its respective portion of the AutoChina Shares by
delivering to SCAC the certificates representing such AutoChina Shares, together
with a duly executed instrument of transfer in respect thereof, and a copy of
the register of members of AutoChina as of the Closing Date written up to effect
such transfer, both certified by a director of AutoChina, the Secretary of
AutoChina, and AutoChina’s registered agent to be a true and complete copy
thereof, and (ii) deliver to SCAC the certificates, opinions and other
agreements contemplated by ARTICLE 8 hereof and the other provisions of this
Agreement.
(b)
SCAC
. At
the Closing, SCAC shall issue and deliver the Net Upfront Consideration Shares
to the AutoChina Shareholders, duly endorsed for transfer and free and clear of
all liens, and a copy of the register of members of SCAC as of the Closing Date
written up to effect such transfer, both certified by a director of SCAC and
SCAC’s registered agent to be a true and complete copy thereof, representing the
Purchase Price to which each of the AutoChina Shareholders is entitled pursuant
to Section 1.02(b)(i), and the certificates, opinions and other agreements and
instruments contemplated by ARTICLE 8 hereof and the other provisions of this
Agreement.
Section
2.03
Transaction
Documents
. At the Closing, the following agreements
(collectively, the “
Transaction
Documents
”) will have been executed, delivered or otherwise
effectuated:
(a) this
Agreement;
(b) the
Share Escrow Agreement;
(c) the
Executive Employment Agreement with each of the Key Employees;
(d) the
Indemnification Agreement with each Indemnitee;
(e) the
Labor Contract with each of the employees;
(f) the
New SCAC Articles;
(g) the
Registration Rights Agreement;
(h) the
Restructuring Agreements; and
(i)
the Voting Agreement.
Section
2.04
Further
Assurances
. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at any time or from time to time after the Closing, each of the
Parties hereto shall execute and deliver such other documents and instruments,
provide such materials and information and take such other actions as may
reasonably be necessary, proper or advisable, to the extent permitted by law, to
fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE WARRANTORS
Subject
to the exceptions set forth in the Disclosure Schedule and except for the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.35, 3.36, 3.37 and 3.38,
which are made solely by FounderCo to SCAC, each Warrantor, jointly and
severally, represents and warrants to SCAC as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing as follows:
Section
3.01
Kaiyuan Real
Estate
. Founder, Li Ruiqi (
李瑞其
), Peng Jinyu
(
彭晋瑜
), and
Zhang Zhongwen (
张仲文
) are the
registered and beneficial owners of a ninety-nine and forty-two-hundredths
percent (99.42%), sixteen-hundredths percent (0.16%), twenty-six-hundredths
percent (0.26%), and sixteen-hundredths percent (0.16%) equity interest,
respectively, in Kaiyuan Real Estate, free and clear of all
Liens. There are no options, warrants or other contractual rights
outstanding which give any Person except for its existing shareholders
the
right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity interest of Kaiyuan
Real Estate owned by each of Founder, Li Ruiqi(
李瑞其
), Peng Jinyu
(
彭晋瑜
), and
Zhang Zhongwen (
张仲文
), whether or
not such rights are presently exercisable. The registered capital of
Kaiyuan Real Estate and the equity ownership of Kaiyuan Real Estate are set
forth in
Section 3.01
of the Disclosure
Schedule. All of the outstanding equity interest of Kaiyuan Real
Estate is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except
for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase
of the registered capital of Kaiyuan Real Estate, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. Kaiyuan Real Estate does not own or control,
directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership,
trust, joint venture, association, or other entity, except for a two percent
(2%) equity interest in Hebei Xuwei Trade Co., Ltd.
(河北旭威贸易有限公司)
(“
Xuwei
Trade
”), an one percent (1%) equity interest in Hebei Shengrong Kaiyuan
Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
(河北盛荣开元汽车配件有限公司)
(“
Shengrong
Kaiyuan
”), a sixty percent (60%) equity interest in Hebei Kaiyuan Doors
and Windows Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (
河北开元门窗制造有限公司
)
(“
Kaiyuan Doors and
Windows
”), a ninety-three percent (93%) equity interest in Hebei Lynch
Advertising Co., Ltd. (
河北励志广告有限责任公司
)
(“
Hebei
Advertising
”), and an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in each
of Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Kaiyuan Logistics, and Kaiyuan Auto
Trade. Except for its operations in the auto business through each of
Kaiyuan Doors and Windows and Hebei Advertising, Kaiyuan Real Estate was formed
solely to acquire and hold an equity interest in each of Xuwei Trade, Shengrong
Kaiyuan, Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Kaiyuan Logistics, and Kaiyuan
Auto Trade, and since its formation has not engaged in any business and has not
incurred any liability except in the ordinary course of acquiring, managing and
disposing its equity interest in each of Xuwei Trade, Shengrong Kaiyuan, Huiyin
Investment, Hua An Investment, Kaiyuan Logistics, and Kaiyuan Auto
Trade.
Section
3.02
Huiyin Investment; Hua An
Investment; Kaiyuan Logistics
.
(a)
Huiyin
Investment
. (i) Kaiyuan Real Estate is the registered and
beneficial owner of an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in Huiyin
Investment, free and clear of all Liens and (ii) except for the arrangements of
equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements
there are no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which
give any Person except for its existing shareholders the right to acquire or
place any Lien against any of the equity interest of Huiyin Investment owned by
Kaiyuan Real Estate, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. The registered capital of Huiyin Investment and the
equity ownership of Huiyin Investment stock are set forth in
Section 3.02
(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Huiyin Investment
stock is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person the right
to require and subscribe to any increase of the registered capital of Huiyin
Investment, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. Huiyin Investment does not own or control, directly or
indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture, association, or other entity, except for the equity interest in each of
the 4S Stores I stock are set forth in Section 3.03(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule. Huiyin Investment was formed solely to acquire and hold an
equity interest in each of the 4S Stores I and since its formation has not
engaged in any business and has not incurred any liability except in the
ordinary course of acquiring, managing and disposing its equity interest in each
of the 4S Stores I.
(b)
Hua An
Investment
. (i) Kaiyuan Real Estate is the registered and
beneficial owner of an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in Hua An
Investment, free and clear of all Liens and (ii) except for the arrangements of
equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements,
there are no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which
give any Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity
interest of Hua An Investment owned by Kaiyuan Real Estate, whether or not such
rights are presently exercisable. The registered capital of Hua An
Investment and the equity ownership of Hua An Investment are set forth in
Section 3.02
(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Huiyin Investment
stock is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except
for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase
of the registered capital of Hua An Investment, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. Hua An Investment does not own or control,
directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership,
trust, joint venture, association, or other entity, except for the equity
interest in each of the 4S Stores II and Tianmei Insurance set forth in Section
3.03(b) and Section 3.03(c) of the Disclosure Schedule. Hua An
Investment was formed solely to acquire and hold an equity interest in each of
the 4S Stores II and Tianmei Insurance and since its formation has not engaged
in any business and has not incurred any liability except in the ordinary course
of acquiring, managing and disposing its equity interest in each of the 4S
Stores II and Tianmei Insurance.
(c)
Kaiyuan
Logistics
. (i) Kaiyuan Real Estate is the registered and
beneficial owner of an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in Kaiyuan
Logistics, free and clear of all Liens and (ii) except for the arrangements of
equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements,
there are no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which
give any Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity
interest of Kaiyuan Logistics owned by Kaiyuan Real Estate, whether or not such
rights are presently exercisable. The registered capital of Kaiyuan
Logistics and the equity ownership of Kaiyuan Logistics stock are set forth in
Section
3.02
(c) of
the Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Kaiyuan
Logistics is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except
for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase
of the registered capital of Kaiyuan Logistics, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. Kaiyuan Logistics does not own or control,
directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership,
trust, joint venture, association, or other entity, except for an one hundred
percent (100%) equity interest in each of the Transportation Companies I and a
twenty percent (20%) equity interest in each of Daixian Shijie Transportation
and Xinzhou Shijie Transportation. Kaiyuan Logistics was formed
solely to acquire and hold an equity interest in each of the Transportation
Companies I, Daixian Shijie Transportation, and Xinzhou Shijie Transportation,
and since its formation has not engaged in any business and has not incurred any
liability except in the ordinary course of acquiring, managing and disposing its
equity interest in each of the Transportation Companies I.
Section
3.03
The 4S Stores I; The 4S
Stores II; Tianmei Insurance; The Transportation Companies I; Transportation
Companies II; Kaiyuan Auto Trade.
(a)
The 4S Stores
I
. Huiyin Investment is the registered and beneficial owner of
the equity interest in each of the 4S Stores I set forth in Section 3.03(a) of
the Disclosure Schedule, free and clear of all Liens. Except for the
arrangements of equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the
Restructuring Agreements, there are no options, warrants or other contractual
rights outstanding which give any Person the right to acquire or place any Lien
against any of the equity interest each of the 4S Stores I owned by Huiyin
Investment, whether or not such rights are presently exercisable. The
registered capital of each of the 4S Stores I and the equity ownership of each
of the 4S Stores I set forth in
Section 3.03
(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of each of the 4S
Stores I is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except
for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase
of the registered capital of each of the 4S Stores I, whether or not such rights
are presently exercisable. Each of the 4S Stores I does not own or
control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation,
partnership, trust, joint venture, association, or other entity.
(b)
The 4S Stores
II
. Hua An Investment is the registered and beneficial owner
of the equity interest in each of the 4S Stores II set forth in Section 3.03(b)
of the Disclosure Schedule, free and clear of all Liens. Except for
the arrangements of equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the
Restructuring Agreements, there are no options, warrants or other contractual
rights outstanding which give any Person the right to acquire or place any Lien
against any of the equity interest each of the 4S Stores II owned by Hua An
Investment, whether or not such rights are presently exercisable. The
registered capital of each of the 4S Stores II and the equity ownership of each
of the 4S Stores II stock are set forth in
Section 3.03
(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of each of the 4S
Stores II stock is validly issued and fully paid. There are no
options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person
except for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any
increase of the registered capital of each of the 4S Stores II, whether or not
such rights are presently exercisable. Except as specifically
described in Section 3.03(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the 4S Stores
II does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other
corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, association, or other
entity.
(c)
Tianmei
Insurance
. Hua An Investment is the registered and beneficial
owner of an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in Tianmei Insurance,
free and clear of all Liens. Except for the arrangements of equity
pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements, there are
no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any
Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity interest
of Tianmei Insurance owned by Hua An Investment, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. The registered capital of Tianmei Insurance
and the equity ownership of Tianmei Insurance stock are set forth in
Section 3.03
(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Tianmei Insurance
stock is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except
for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase
of the registered capital of Tianmei Insurance, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. Tianmei Insurance does not own or control,
directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership,
trust, joint venture, association, or other entity.
(d)
The Transportation Companies
I
. Kaiyuan Logistics is the registered and beneficial owner of
an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in each of the Transportation
Companies I, free and clear of all Liens. Except for the arrangements
of equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements,
there are no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which
give any Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity
interest each of the Transportation Companies I owned by Kaiyuan Logistics,
whether or not such rights are presently exercisable. The registered
capital of each of the Transportation Companies I and the equity ownership of
each of the Transportation Companies I stock are set forth in
Section 3.03
(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of each of the
Transportation Companies I stock is validly issued and fully
paid. There are no options, warrants or other contractual rights
outstanding which give any Person except for its existing shareholders the right
to require and subscribe to any increase of the registered capital of each of
the Transportation Companies I, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. Each of the Transportation Companies I does not own or
control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation,
partnership, trust, joint venture, association, or other entity.
(e)
Kaiyuan Auto
Trade
. Kaiyuan Real Estate is the registered and beneficial
owner of an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in Kaiyuan Auto Trade,
free and clear of all Liens. Except for the arrangements of equity
pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements, there are
no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any
Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity interest
of Kaiyuan Auto Trade owned by Kaiyuan Real Estate, whether or not such rights
are presently exercisable. The registered capital of Kaiyuan Auto
Trade and the equity ownership of Kaiyuan Auto Trade stock are set forth in
Section
3.03
(e) of
the Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Kaiyuan Auto
Trade stock is validly issued and fully paid. There are no options,
warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except
for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase
of the registered capital of Kaiyuan Auto Trade, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. Except for the equity interest in Chuanglian
Auto Trade, Kaiyuan Auto Trade does not own or control, directly or indirectly,
any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture,
association, or other entity.
(f)
The Transportation Companies
II
. Chuanglian Auto Trade is the registered and beneficial
owner of an one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in each of the
Transportation Companies II, free and clear of all Liens. There are
no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any
Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity interest
each of the Transportation Companies II owned by Chuanglian Auto Trade, whether
or not such rights are presently exercisable. The registered capital
of each of the Transportation Companies II and the equity ownership of each of
the Transportation Companies II stock are set forth in
Section 3.03
(f) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of each of the
Transportation Companies II stock is validly issued and fully
paid. There are no options, warrants or other contractual rights
outstanding which give any Person except for its existing shareholders the right
to require and subscribe to any increase of the registered capital of each of
the Transportation Companies II, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. Each of the Transportation Companies II does not own or
control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation,
partnership, trust, joint venture, association, or other entity.
Section
3.04
Chuanglian Auto
Trade
. Kaiyuan Auto Trade is the registered and beneficial
owner of a one hundred percent (100%) equity interest in Chuanglian Auto Trade,
free and clear of all Liens. Except for the arrangements of equity
pledge and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements, there are
no options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any
Person the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the equity interest
of Chuanglian Auto Trade owned by Kaiyuan Auto Trade, whether or not such rights
are presently exercisable. The registered capital of Chuanglian Auto
Trade and the equity ownership of Chuanglian Auto Trade stock are set forth in
Section 3.04
of the Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Chuanglian
Auto Trade stock is validly issued and fully paid. There are no
options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person
except for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any
increase of the registered capital of Chuanglian Auto Trade, whether or not such
rights are presently exercisable. Chuanglian Auto Trade does not own
or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation,
partnership, trust, joint venture, association, or other entity, except for the
equity interest in each of the Transportation Companies II stock are set forth
in Section 3.04 of the Disclosure Schedule. Chuanglian Auto Trade was
formed solely to acquire and hold an equity interest in each of the
Transportation Companies II and since its formation has not engaged in any
business and has not incurred any liability except in the ordinary course of
acquiring, managing and disposing its equity interest in each of the
Transportation Companies II.
Section
3.05
FounderCo
. (i)
Wang is the registered and beneficial owner of all of the capital stock of
FounderCo, free and clear of all Liens and (ii) there are no options, warrants
or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person the right to
acquire or place any Lien against any of the capital stock of FounderCo owned by
Wang whether or not such rights are presently exercisable. The
authorized capital of FounderCo and the total number of the issued and
outstanding shares of FounderCo capital stock are set forth in
Section 3.05 of
the Disclosure Schedule. All of the outstanding shares of FounderCo
capital stock are validly issued and fully paid. There are no
options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person
the right to require and subscribe to any issuance of any capital stock of
FounderCo, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. FounderCo does not own or control, directly or
indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture, association, or other entity, except for 1,000 Shares in
AutoChina. FounderCo was formed solely to acquire and hold an equity
interest in AutoChina and since its formation has not engaged in any business
and has not incurred any liability except in the ordinary course of acquiring,
managing and disposing its equity interest in AutoChina.
Section
3.06
AutoChina
. The
AutoChina Shareholders are the registered and beneficial owners of the AutoChina
Shares in the amounts set forth in Section 3.06 of the Disclosure Schedule, free
and clear of all Liens. Such shares constitute all of the share
capital of AutoChina. Except for the arrangements of equity pledge
and contractual rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements, there are no
options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person
the right to acquire or place any Lien against any of the AutoChina Shares owned
by the AutoChina Shareholders, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. The authorized capital of AutoChina and the total number
of the issued and outstanding AutoChina Shares are set forth in Section 3.06 of
the Disclosure Schedule. All of the outstanding AutoChina Shares are
validly issued and fully paid. There are no options, warrants or
other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except for its
existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any issuance of any
of the share capital of AutoChina, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. AutoChina does not own or control, directly or
indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture, association, or other entity, except for 10,000
shares
of a nominal or par value of HKD$1.00 each in Fancy Think. AutoChina
was formed solely to acquire and hold an equity interest in Fancy Think and
since its formation has not engaged in any business and has not incurred any
liability except in the ordinary course of acquiring, managing and disposing its
equity interest in Fancy Think.
Section
3.07
Fancy
Think
. AutoChina is the registered and beneficial owner of all
of the capital stock of Fancy Think, free and clear of all
Liens. Except for the arrangements of equity pledge and contractual
rights set out in the Restructuring Agreements, there are no options, warrants
or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person the right to
acquire or place any Lien against any of the capital stock of Fancy Think owned
by AutoChina, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. The authorized capital of Fancy Think and the total
number of the issued and outstanding shares of Fancy Think capital stock are set
forth in
Section 3.07 of
the Disclosure Schedule. All of the outstanding shares of Fancy Think
capital stock are validly issued and fully paid. There are no
options, warrants or other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person
except for its existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any
issuance of any capital stock of Fancy Think, whether or not such rights are
presently exercisable. Fancy Think does not own or control, directly
or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture, association, or other entity, except for an one hundred percent (100%)
equity interest in Chuanglian. Fancy Think was formed solely to
acquire and hold an equity interest in Chuanglian and since its formation has
not engaged in any business and has not incurred any liability except in the
ordinary course of acquiring, managing and disposing its equity interest in
Chuanglian.
Section
3.08
Chuanglian
. Fancy
Think is the registered and beneficial owner of an one hundred percent (100%)
equity interest in Chuanglian, free and clear of all Liens. Except
for the arrangements of equity pledge and contractual rights set out in the
Restructuring Agreements, there are no options, warrants or other contractual
rights outstanding which give any Person the right to acquire or place any Lien
against any of the equity interest of Chuanglian owned by Chuanglian, whether or
not such rights are presently exercisable. The registered capital of
Chuanglian and the equity ownership of Chuanglian stock are set forth in
Section 3.08 of
the Disclosure Schedule. All of the equity interest of Chuanglian is
validly issued and fully paid. There are no options, warrants or
other contractual rights outstanding which give any Person except for its
existing shareholders the right to require and subscribe to any increase of the
registered capital of Chuanglian, whether or not such rights are presently
exercisable. Chuanglian does not own or control, directly or
indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture, association, or other entity, except for (i) an one hundred percent
(100%) equity interest in each of the Auto Service Companies and (ii) Control
over all of the operations of each of Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment,
Kaiyuan Logistics, and Kaiyuan Auto Trade (the “
Chuanglian Controlled
Companies
”), in each case through certain contractual arrangements as
described in details in
Section 3.08 of
the Disclosure Schedule. Chuanglian exercises de facto control over
the operations of each of the Chuanglian Controlled Companies such that each of
the Chuanglian Controlled Companies qualify as a “special purpose entity” under
SIC 12, “Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities,” under IFRS or a “variable
interest entity” under FIN 46 of US GAAP and are required to be consolidated
with Chuanglian for financial statement reporting
purposes. Chuanglian was formed solely to (i) acquire and hold an
equity interest in each of the Auto Service Companies and (ii) Control through
certain contractual arrangements each of Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment,
Kaiyuan Logistics, and Kaiyuan Auto Trade, and since its formation has not
engaged in any business and has not incurred any liability except in the
ordinary course of acquiring, managing and disposing its (i) equity interest in
each of the Auto Service Companies and (ii) Control through certain contractual
arrangements with each of Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Kaiyuan
Logistics, and Kaiyuan Auto Trade.
Section
3.09
Organization of PRC
Subsidiaries
. Section 3.09 of the Disclosure Schedule sets
forth the name, the registered address, the legal representative, the date of
establishment, the directors, and the valid duration and the registered capital
of each PRC Subsidiary. The registered capital of each of the PRC
Subsidiaries is fully paid as required in accordance with applicable PRC
laws.
Section
3.10
Organization of each Group
Company
. Each Group Company is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its place of
incorporation. Each Group Company is duly qualified to do business in
each of the jurisdictions in which the property owned, leased or operated by
such Group Company or the nature of the business which it conducts requires
qualification, or if not so qualified, such failure or failures, singly or in
the aggregate, would not have an AutoChina Material Adverse
Effect. Each Group Company has all requisite power and authority to
own, lease and operate its Assets and Properties and to carry on its business as
now being conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, subject to
necessary approvals of the relevant Governmental Authorities, as presently
contemplated to be conducted. Section 3.10 of the Disclosure Schedule
sets forth the name of each of the directors of each Group Company (excluding
the PRC Subsidiaries).
Section
3.11
Authority and Corporate
Action; No Conflict
.
(a) Each
Warrantor has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
any other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to consummate the
AutoChina Acquisition and other transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. All action, corporate and otherwise, necessary to be taken
by any Warrantor to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of
Transaction Documents and all other agreements and instruments delivered by any
Warrantor in connection with the AutoChina Acquisition has been duly and validly
taken. Each of this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents to
which any Warrantor is a party has been duly executed and delivered by any
Warrantor and constitutes the valid, binding, and enforceable obligation of each
Warrantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or similar laws of general application now or hereafter in
effect affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity).
(b) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents
contemplated hereby by each Warrantor nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby will (i) conflict with, result in a breach or
violation of or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time or both constitute)
a default under, (A) the charter documents of any Warrantor or Group Company or
(B) any law, statute, regulation, order, judgment or decree or any instrument,
contract or other agreement to which any Warrantor or Group Company is a party
or by which it (or any of its Assets and Properties); (ii) result in the
creation of, or give any party the right to create, any Lien upon the Assets and
Properties of any Warrantor or Group Company; (iii) terminate or modify, or give
any third party the right to terminate or modify, the provisions or terms of any
contract to which any Warrantor or Group Company is a party; or (iv) result in
any suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit,
license, qualification, authorization or approval applicable to any Warrantor or
Group Company.
Section
3.12
Consents and
Approvals
. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
any other Transaction Documents by each Warrantor does not, and the performance
of this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents by it will not, require
any consent, approval, authorization or other action by, or filing with or
notification to, any Governmental Authority in PRC.
Section
3.13
Licenses, Permits,
Etc
. The Group Companies possess or will possess prior to the
Closing all Material Permits (for the purposes of this Section 3.13, “
Material Permits
”
shall mean all Permits necessary to own and operate the Business, except for
those the absence of which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have an
AutoChina Material Adverse Effect). Such Material Permits possessed
as of the date of the Agreement are as set forth on Section 3.13 of the
Disclosure Schedule. True, complete and correct copies of the
Material Permits issued to each of the Group Companies have previously been
delivered to SCAC. All such Material Permits are in full force and
effect and each of the Group Companies and their respective officers, directors,
employees, representatives and agents has complied, and each Group Company will
comply, and shall cause its respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents to comply, with all terms of such Material Permits
and will take any and all actions necessary to ensure that all such Material
Permits remain in full force and effect and that the terms of such Material
Permits are not violated through the Closing Date. No Group Company
is in default under any of such Material Permits. To the Best
Knowledge of the Warrantors, no event has occurred and no condition exists
which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would constitute
a default thereunder. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, other Transaction Documents or other documents contemplated hereby or
thereby nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
nor compliance by any Group Company with any of the provisions hereof or thereof
will result in any suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal
of any Material Permit applicable to the Business.
Section
3.14
Taxes, Tax Returns and
Audits
.
(a) To
the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, all Tax Returns required to be filed in
respect of each of the Group Companies have been duly and timely filed, have
been prepared in compliance with all applicable Laws, and are true, correct and
complete in all material aspects. All Taxes due and payable by each
of the Group Companies, whether or not shown as due on such Tax Returns, have
been fully paid when due, or, if at the direction of the relevant Governmental
Authorities. Each of the Group Companies has established adequate
reserves on their respective books of account for all Taxes and for the
liability for deferred income Taxes payable in respect of each Group
Company.
(b) There
are no agreements or applications of any Group Company existing for an extension
of time for the assessment or payment of any Pre-Closing Taxes and no waivers of
the statute of limitations in respect of such Taxes. There are no Tax
Liens on any of the Assets and Properties of any Group Company except for Liens
for Taxes not yet due. No Group Company has received any claim from
any taxing authority in a jurisdiction in which any Group Company is or may be
subject to taxation and in which any Group Company has failed to file Tax
Returns required by that jurisdiction.
(c) No
Group Company has ever been a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity, Tax
sharing or similar agreement and no Group Company has any material liability for
any Taxes of any other Person. Each Group Company has withheld or
deducted, in accordance with applicable Laws or the requirements of the relevant
Governmental Authorities, all Taxes or other amounts from payments to employees,
independent contractors, creditors, shareholders, or any other Persons from
which Taxes are required to be deducted or withheld and has timely paid over
such Taxes or other amounts to the appropriate Governmental Authorities to the
extent due and payable.
(d) No
Warrantor expects, and, to the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, no officer or
director of any Group Company expects, any authority to assert a material claim
for additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been
filed. Section 3.14(d) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all the
relevant Governmental Authorities in charge of taxation in which Tax Returns are
filed with respect to each Group Company. No Group Company has filed
any Tax Return that is currently the subject of audit or has been audited since
January 1, 2004. None of the Warrantors and the Group Companies has
received any notice that any Governmental Authority will audit or examine
(except for any general audits or examinations routinely performed by such
Governmental Authorities), seek information with respect to, or make material
claims or assessments with respect to any Taxes for any period. The
Group Companies have delivered to SCAC correct and complete copies of all annual
Tax Returns, examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed
against or agreed to by any Group Company for and during FY2005, FY2006, and
FY2007, and all Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies
assessed against or agreed to by any Group Company for the nine (9) month period
ended September 30, 2008.
(e) No
Group Company (i) is currently engaged in the conduct of a trade or business
within the United States; (ii) is a corporation or other entity organized or
incorporated in the United States; (iii) has a branch or other permanent
establishment in any country outside its country of incorporation or
organization; or (iv) has United States real property interests described in
Section 897 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
Section
3.15
Financial
Statements
. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the
Warrantors have delivered to SCAC (a) the audited consolidated financial
statements of AutoChina audited by AutoChina’s Accountants, in accordance with
US GAAP for FY2005, FY2006 and FY2007 (the “
FY2007 AutoChina
Consolidated Financials
”), and (b) the consolidated unaudited financial
statements of AutoChina for the nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2008,
prepared in accordance with US GAAP (the “
Interim
Financials
”). The FY2007 AutoChina Consolidated Financials and
the Interim Financials fairly present the financial condition and result of
operations of the Group Companies as of the respective dates thereof and for the
periods covered thereby. The FY2007 AutoChina Consolidated Financials
and the Interim Financials are attached to this Agreement as Section 3.15 of the
Disclosure Schedule.
Section
3.16
Absence of Certain
Changes
. No Group Company has, since December 31,
2007:
(a) issued,
delivered or agreed to issue or deliver any stock, bonds or other corporate
securities (whether authorized and unissued or held in the treasury), or granted
or agreed to grant any options (including employee stock options), warrants or
other rights for the issue thereof;
(b) borrowed
or agreed to borrow any funds exceeding RMB3,000,000 (or other currency
equivalent);
(c) incurred
any obligation or liability, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether
due or to become due exceeding RMB1,000,000 (or other currency equivalent),
except current liabilities for trade obligations incurred in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with prior practice;
(d) discharged
or satisfied any encumbrance exceeding RMB1,000,000 (or other currency
equivalent) other than those then required to be discharged or satisfied, or
paid any obligation or liability other than current liabilities shown on the
FY2007 AutoChina Consolidated Financials, and liabilities incurred since
December 31, 2007, in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prior
practice;
(e) sold,
transferred, leased to others or otherwise disposed of any Assets and Properties
exceeding RMB1,000,000 (or other currency equivalent), except for inventories
sold in the ordinary course of business and Assets and Properties no longer used
or useful in the conduct of its business, or canceled or compromised any debt or
claim of RMB1,000,000 or more, or waived or released any right of substantial
value;
(f) received
any written notice of termination of any Material Contract, Lease or other
agreement, or suffered any damage, destruction or loss exceeding RMB1,000,000
(or other currency equivalent) (whether or not covered by insurance) which, in
any case or in the aggregate, has had, or might reasonably be expected to have,
an AutoChina Material Adverse Effect;
(g) had
any material change in its relations with its employees, clients or insurance
carriers which has had or might reasonably be expected to have an AutoChina
Material Adverse Effect;
(h) transferred
or granted any rights under, or entered into any settlement regarding the breach
or infringement of, any Intellectual Property or modified any existing rights
with respect thereto;
(i)
declared or made, or agreed to declare or make, any
payment of dividends or distributions of any Assets and Properties of any kind
whatsoever to any shareholder of any Group Company or any affiliate of any
shareholder of any Group Company, or purchased or redeemed, or agreed to
purchase or redeem, any of its share capital, or made or agreed to make any
payment to any shareholder of any Group Company or any affiliate of any
shareholder of any Group Company, whether on account of debt, management fees or
otherwise;
(j) suffered
any other AutoChina Material Adverse Effect; or
(k) entered
into any agreement or made any commitment to take any of the types of action
described in any of the foregoing clauses (other than clauses (f), (g) or
(j)).
Section
3.17
No Undisclosed
Liabilities
. No Group Company has any other liabilities,
whether known or unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise.
Section
3.18
Tangible Personal
Property
. The Group Companies are in possession of and have
good title to, or have valid leasehold interests in or valid contractual rights
to use all tangible personal property used in the conduct of the Business,
including the tangible personal property reflected in the FY2007 AutoChina
Consolidated Financials and tangible personal property acquired since December
31, 2007 (collectively, the “
Tangible Personal
Property
”). All Tangible Personal Property is free and clear
of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and is in good order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, and its use complies in all material respects
with all applicable Laws. None of the Group Companies has granted any
lease, sublease, tenancy or license of any portion of the Tangible Personal
Property. During the three (3) year period prior to the date hereof,
the operations of the Business, as a whole, or of any Group Company, have not
been interrupted for a period of more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours in
any twelve (12) month period due to inadequate maintenance of the Tangible
Personal Property.
Section
3.19
Non-Real Estate
Leases
. There are no Assets and Properties (other than Real
Property and Real Estate Leases) involving an annual rental payment of
RMB250,000 or more that are leased from any third party under an existing lease
that are possessed and used by any Group Company as of the date of this
Agreement in the operation of the Business. All such leases are
referred to herein as the “
Non-Real Estate
Leases
.”
Section
3.20
Accounts
Receivable
. The accounts receivable of each Group Company
created after December 31, 2007, but prior to the Closing Date, are bona fide
accounts receivable, created in the ordinary course of business and subject to
historical rates of uncollected liabilities, as reserved against the concerned
Group Company’s financial statements. To the Best Knowledge of the
Warrantors, these accounts receivable are collectible within periods of time
normally prevailing in the industry at the aggregate recorded amounts
thereof.
Section
3.21
Inventory
. The
inventory of each Group Company consists of items of quality and quantity
useable or saleable in the ordinary course of business at regular sales prices,
subject to (a) changes in price levels as a result of economic and market
conditions and (b) changes as a result of any industry-wide requirements of any
relevant Governmental Authorities. Save as otherwise provided for in
the relevant supply, purchase or sale contract regarding the inventory or by
operation of law, each of the Group Companies has good and marketable title to
all inventory used in its business.
Section
3.22
Contracts
.
(a) Section
3.22(a) of the Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph references corresponding to
those set forth below) contains a true and complete list of each of the
following Contracts, to which any Group Company is a party or by which any of
its respective Assets and Properties is currently bound (including Contracts
that have expired by their terms or otherwise terminated but have liabilities
that continue to attach to any Group Company) (the “
Material
Contracts
”):
(i) (A)
any Contract providing for a commitment of employment or consultation services
for a specified or unspecified term which involves payments of RMB100,000 or
more per year, the name, position and rate of compensation of each Person party
to such a Contract and the expiration date of each such Contract; and (B) any
written or unwritten promises or courses of conduct involving an obligation of
any Group Company to make payments to any employee, consultant, or agent of any
Group Company of RMB100,000 or more per year, other than with respect to salary
or incentive compensation payments in the ordinary course of
business;
(ii) all
Contracts with any Group Company containing a provision prohibiting or limiting
the ability of any Group Company to engage in any business activity, which
prohibition or limitation would result in, or could reasonably be expected to
result in, have an AutoChina Material Adverse Effect, or compete with any
Person;
(iii) all
partnership, joint venture, shareholders’ or other similar Contracts with any
Person;
(iv) all
Contracts relating to any Indebtedness of any Group Company in the amount of
RMB1,000,000 or more;
(v) all
Contracts between any Group Company and all the top-10 suppliers of the Group
Companies in the aggregate;
(vi) all
Contracts involving the grant of a license by any party (other than AutoChina)
and involving payments of RMB1,000,000 or more, except standard licenses
purchased by any Group Company for off-the-shelf software;
(vii) all
Contracts relating to (A) the future disposition or acquisition of any
Assets and Properties with a value of RMB1,000,000 or more, other than
dispositions or acquisitions in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, and (B) any Acquisition Proposal;
(viii) any
Contract which involves payment by or to any Group Company in the amount of
RMB500,000 or more between or among any Group Company, on the one hand, and any
AutoChina Shareholder, or officer, director, Affiliate or Associate of AutoChina
Shareholder or any Associate of any such officer, director or Affiliate (other
than any Group Company), on the other hand;
(ix) all
collective bargaining or similar Labor Contracts;
(x) all
Contracts in which any Group Company agrees to provide
indemnification;
(xi) all
Contracts that (A) limit or contain restrictions on the ability of any Group
Company (x) to declare or pay dividends on, to make any other distribution in
respect of or to issue or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its capital
shares, (y) to incur Indebtedness, to incur or suffer to exist any Lien or to
purchase or sell any Assets and Properties, in each case, the contractual value
thereof being RMB250,000 or more, (z) to change the lines of business in which
it participates or engages or to engage in any Acquisition Proposal or (B)
require any Group Company to maintain specified financial ratios or levels of
net worth or other indicia of financial condition;
(xii) all
other Contracts (other than those executed in the ordinary course of business)
that are reasonably likely to involve the payment or potential payments,
pursuant to the terms of any such Contract, by or to any Group Company of more
than RMB1,000,000 in the aggregate and that involve rights or obligations that
extend for more than one year from the date of execution of such Contract;
and
(xiii) all
Contracts, including but not limited to, dealer or distributor agreements, and
franchise agreements, between any Group Company and the automobile suppliers
relating to the (i) sale of certain brands of vehicles and (ii) distribution or
supply of vehicles.
(b) Each
Material Contract is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms, of each party
thereto; and neither any Group Company nor, to the Best Knowledge of any
Warrantor, any other party to any Material Contract is, or has received notice
that it is, in material violation or breach of or default under any such
Material Contract (or with notice or lapse of time or both, would be in material
violation or material default under any such Material Contract) or that another
party to a Material Contract listed in Section 3.22(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule intends to cancel, terminate or refuse to renew such Material
Contract.
(c) None
of the Group Companies is a party to or bound by any Contract that could result,
individually or in the aggregate with any other such Contracts, in an AutoChina
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) AutoChina
has delivered to SCAC true and complete copies (or, if not in writing,
reasonably complete and accurate written descriptions) of each Material Contract
or other arrangement required to be listed on Section 3.22(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule, together with all amendments and supplements thereto.
Section
3.23
Intellectual Property
Rights
.
(a) Each
Group Company (i) has independently developed and owns free and clear of all
claims, security interests, liens and other encumbrances, or (ii) has the valid
right or license, to use all products, materials, software, tools, software
tools, computer programs, specifications, improvements, discoveries, enterprise
or business names, logos, data, information and inventions, and all
documentation and media constituting, describing or relating to the foregoing
that is required or used in its business as currently conducted or as proposed
to be conducted together with all Proprietary Rights in or to all of the
foregoing (collectively, the “
Group Company
Technology
”). The processes and methods employed, the services
provided, the businesses conducted, and the products manufactured, used or dealt
in by each Group Company does not, or at the time of being employed, provided,
conducted, manufactured, used or dealt in did not infringe the rights of any
other Person in any Proprietary Rights. There is not, nor has there
been at any time, any unauthorized use or infringement by any Person of any of
the Group Company Technology.
(b) Each
of the Group Company’s registered patents, copyrights, trademarks and service
marks are in full force and effect, are not subject to any taxes, and each Group
Company is current on all the maintenance fees with respect
thereto.
(c) No
current or former employee, contractor or consultant of a Group Company has
developed any Group Company Technology that is subject to any agreement under
which such employee, contractor or consultant has assigned or otherwise granted
to any third party any rights in or to such Group Company
Technology.
(d) Each
Group Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and
diligently enforce commercially reasonable procedures to protect all
confidential information relating to the Group Company Technology.
(e) No
Group Company owns or possesses any Proprietary Rights.
Section
3.24
Title to and Condition of
Assets
.
(a) Except
as set forth in Section 3.24(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Group
Companies has good and marketable title to all the Real Property owned by
it. None of such Real Property is subject to any Lien, option to
purchase or lease, easement, restriction, covenant, condition or imperfection of
title or adverse claim of any nature.
(b) To
the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, all buildings, structures, improvements,
fixtures, facilities, equipment, all components of all buildings, structures and
other improvements included within the Real Property, including, but not limited
to, the roofs and structural elements thereof and the heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, sewer, waste water, storm water,
paving and parking equipment, systems and facilities included therein conform in
all material respects to all applicable Laws of every Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction over any of the Real Property, and every instrumentality or
agency thereof. To the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, there are no
unsatisfied requests for any repairs, restorations or improvements to the Real
Property from any Governmental Authority. There are no outstanding
Contracts made by any Group Company for any improvements to the Real Property
for which there is an outstanding amount payable of RMB500,000 or
more. No person, other than the Group Companies, owns any equipment
or other tangible assets or properties situated on the Real Property material to
the operation of the Business.
(c) The
use and operation of the Real Property is in full compliance in all material
respects with all applicable Laws, covenants, conditions, restrictions,
easements, disposition agreements and similar matters affecting the Real
Property and, effective as of the Closing, each of the Group Companies shall
have the right under all applicable Laws to continue the use and operation of
the Real Property in the conduct of the Business. During the three
(3) year period prior to the date hereof, no Group Company has received any
written notice of any material violation (or claimed material violation) of or
investigation of such material violation (or claimed material violation)
regarding any applicable Laws in relation to the Real Property, which notice or
investigation resulted in a penalty or fine in an amount equal to RMB10,000 or
more or resulted in any order restricting the use by any Group Company of any
Real Property.
(d) To
the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, none of the buildings, structures and
other improvements located on the Real Property, the appurtenances thereto or
the equipment therein or the operation or maintenance thereof violates any
restrictive covenant or encroaches on any property owned by others or any
easement, right of way or other encumbrance or restriction affecting or
burdening such Real Property in any manner, nor does any building or structure
of any third party encroach upon the Real Property or any easement or right of
way benefiting the Real Property.
(e) No
Group Company has received written notice of, or otherwise had knowledge of, any
condemnation, fire, health, safety, building, environmental, Hazardous
Substances, pollution control, zoning or other land use regulatory proceedings
instituted but not settled which would have an effect on the ownership, use and
operation of any portion of the Real Property for its intended purpose or the
value of any material portion of the Real Property.
(f) To
the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, all the facilities and utilities required
by the operations of the Business or otherwise required by any applicable Law
are installed to the property lines of the Real Property, are connected pursuant
to valid permits to municipal or public utility services or proper drainage
facilities to permit full compliance with the requirement of all
Laws. As of the date hereof, no Group Company has received any
written notice notifying the existence of any fact or circumstance which could
result in the termination or reduction of the current access from the Real
Property to existing roads or to sewer or other utility services presently
serving the Real Property.
(g) All
Permits, certificates, easements and rights of way, including proof of
dedication, as applicable, required from all Governmental Authorities having
jurisdiction over the Real Property for the use and operation of the Real
Property in the conduct of the Business and to ensure vehicular and pedestrian
ingress to and egress from the Real Property have been obtained.
(h) No
Group Company has received written notice and has any knowledge of any pending
or threatened condemnation proceeding affecting the Real Property or any part
thereof or of any sale or other disposition of the Real Property or any part
thereof in lieu of condemnation.
(i)
No portion of the Real Property, during the three (3) year period
prior to the date hereof, has suffered any material damage by fire or other
casualty which has not heretofore been completely repaired and restored to its
original condition.
(j)
To the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, there are no
encroachments or other facts or conditions affecting the Real Property which
would, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with
the use, occupancy or operation thereof as used, occupied and operated in the
conduct of the Business.
(k) Section
3.24(k) of the Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and complete list and
description of all real estate and the improvements (including buildings and
other structures) located on such real estate (collectively, “
Real Property
”)
currently or to be in the possession of any Group Company or used by any Group
Company in its business and operation, including (a) all Real Property owned by
any Group Company (the “
Owned Real Property
”)
and (b) all Real Property leased by any Group Company from third parties (the
“
Leased Real
Property
”). No Group Company is the owner or lessee of, or
subject to any agreement or option to own or lease, any real property or any
interest in any real property which is used or to be used in the business of
such Group Company, other than the Real Property.
(i) With
respect to Owned Property:
(A) the
relevant Group Company holds valid, good and marketable title free and clear of
any Encumbrance, has obtained proper land use right certificates and/or building
ownership certificates and all such title and certificates are legal, valid,
binding and enforceable;
(B) the
Owned Real Property can be sold, leased or mortgaged to third parties according
to the ordinary PRC legal procedures;
(C) the
Owned Real Property was acquired or constructed in accordance with all
applicable laws. All agreements or contracts pursuant to which the
Owned Real Property was acquired (the “
Property Acquisition
Contracts
”) were duly executed and constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of and enforceable against the relevant parties in accordance with
their respective terms. Each Group Company, as the case may be, has
duly performed and complied in all respects with each of its obligations under
the Property Acquisition Contracts, has duly and fully paid the land premium,
land or building transfer prices and all taxes and fees in connection with such
acquisition. All authorizations required for the construction of any
Owned Real Property have been duly obtained. No circumstance exists
that any Owned Real Property may be treated as illegal
construction. There are no outstanding claims, disputes, complaints,
notices, orders or proceedings relating to or affecting any Owned Real Property;
and
(D) no
Owned Real Property, nor its location, use, operation or maintenance for the
purpose of carrying on the business of any Group Company, violates any
restrictive covenant or any provision of any law or encroaches on any property
owned by any other Person. No condemnation or expropriation
proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Group Companies, threatened
which would preclude or impair the use of any of the Owned Real Property for the
purposes for which they are currently used.
(ii) With
respect to the Leased Real Property:
(A) true
copies of all lease agreements in relation to the Leased Real Property (the
“
Real Estate
Leases
”) have been provided to SCAC;
(B) each
Real Estate Lease is in good standing, creates a good and valid leasehold estate
in the Leased Real Property thereby demised and is in full force and effect
without amendment and enforceable against the relevant parties in accordance
with their respective terms, except where the failure to be in such good
standing, full force and effect would not have an AutoChina Material Adverse
Effect;
(C) each
Real Estate Lease has been properly registered in the competent authority,
except where the failure for such payment would not have an AutoChina Material
Adverse Effect;
(D) all
rents and additional rents have been duly paid;
(E) no
waiver, indulgence or postponement of the lessee’s obligations has been granted
by the lessor;
(F) there
exists no event of default or event, occurrence, condition or act which, with
the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any other event or
condition, would become a default under the Real Estate Lease;
(G) to
the knowledge of each Group Company, as the case may be, all of the covenants to
be performed by any other party under each Real Estate Lease have been fully
performed; and
(H) there
are no circumstances, to the knowledge of the Group Companies, which may give
rise to the termination of any Real Estate Lease or the termination of the
continued possession, occupation, use or enjoyment of the Leased Real
Property. None of the Group Companies has received any notice from
any PRC governmental entities alleging that its lease, possession or use of any
of the Leased Real Property is in violation of any applicable laws in the
PRC.
Section
3.25
Employee Plans; Labor
Matters
. Other than statutory social insurance plans operated
under the Laws of the PRC or any statutory employee benefits under the Laws of
the PRC, none of the Group Companies provides or is obligated to provide any
retirement, social insurance, life insurance, medical, dental or other welfare
benefits provided on ill-health, injury, death disability or on termination of
employment (whether voluntary or involuntary) to any current or former
employees, officers, consultants, independent contractors or agents of any Group
Company. None of the Group Companies is a party to or is bound by any
currently effective deferred compensation agreement, bonus plan, incentive plan,
profit sharing plan, retirement agreement, vacation, hospitalization, medical or
other plan, policy, trust or arrangement or other employee compensation
agreement (other than those statutorily required under the Laws of the
PRC). Except as specifically described in the Section 3.25 of the
Disclosure Schedule, each of the Group Companies has complied with all
applicable Laws relating to any of the Benefit Plans, all such contributions and
payments required to be made by any employees of the Group Companies with
respect to the employee benefits have been fully deducted and paid to the
relevant Governmental Authority, and no such deductions have been challenged or
disallowed by any Governmental Authority or any employee of any Group
Company. Each Group Company has executed labor contracts with all of
its employees and discharged its obligations as employer in accordance with such
labor contracts and Laws of the PRC and forms of each such labor contract
currently in effect. Section 3.25 of the Disclosure Schedule contains
an accurate and complete list of each Group Company, all the employees of such
Group Company, and indicates whether or not each employee has entered into a
labor contract with such Group Company, in form(s) that have been reviewed by
SCAC.
Section
3.26
Compliance with
Law
. Except as set forth in Section 3.26 of the Disclosure
Schedule, all consents, licenses, approvals, orders, authorizations or
registrations, qualifications, designations, declarations or filings with any
Governmental Authority (“
Governmental
Authorizations
”) on the part of each Warrantor or Group Company required
in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and
by the Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been obtained and are
effective as of the date of this Agreement or shall be effective as of the
Closing Date. None of the Group Companies or the Warrantors is in
violation of any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of
any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof
(including but not limited to SAFE, the Ministry of Commerce, the State
Administration for Industry and Commerce and the China Securities Regulatory
Commission and their respective provincial and local branches) in respect of the
conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties. Each
Group Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority
necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted and as proposed
to be conducted. None of the Group Companies is in default under any
of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority. All
applicable laws of the PRC, including but not limited to (i) the Provisions for
Foreign Investors to Merge and Acquire Domestic Enterprises (
关于外国投资者并购境内企业的规定(
2006
年第
10
号)
) jointly
promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and
Administration Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, the State
Administration for Industry and Commerce, the State Administration of Taxation
of the PRC and SAFE on August 8, 2006, with effect from September 8, 2006, (ii)
the SAFE Circulars (to the extent they are applicable), and (iii) the
Anti-Unfair Competition Law (
反不正当竞争
法
) issued by the
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on September 2, 1993 with
effect from December 2, 1993, to the extent applicable, including approvals to
operate its business from (A) the Ministry of Commerce in accordance with the
Measures for the Implementation Rules for Management of Brand-specific Auto
Sales, and (B) each of the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of
Commerce in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of
Foreign-funded Road Transport Services, have been and will continue to be fully
complied with, and all requisite registrations and/or receipt of approvals of
the relevant PRC government agencies required in connection therewith, including
such registrations as is required under the SAFE Circulars, to the extent
applicable, in relation thereto have been duly and lawfully obtained and are in
full force and effect and there exist no grounds on which any such approval may
be cancelled or revoked or the PRC Subsidiaries or their legal representatives
may be subject to liability or penalties for material misrepresentation or
failure to disclose material information to the issuing SAFE
authority. To the extent applicable, each ultimate individual
beneficial owner of the shares of any Group Company and any other party who is
required to comply with the SAFE Circulars has obtained registration with SAFE,
indicating, to the extent applicable, his or her indirect interest in any Group
Company in accordance with the SAFE Circulars and other applicable laws of the
PRC.
Section
3.27
Compliance with Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and PRC Anti-Corruption Laws
. None of
the Group Companies nor its directors or officers has, and to the Best Knowledge
of the Warrantors, no Warrantor’s or Group Company’s employees, representatives
or agents has, to obtain or retain business, directly or indirectly offered,
paid or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, any money or other thing
of value (including any fee, gift, sample, travel expense or entertainment with
a value in excess of US$100 in the aggregate to any one individual in any year)
or any commission payment to: (i) any person who is an official, officer, agent,
employee or representative of any Governmental Authorities or any existing or
prospective customer (whether or not government owned); (ii) any political party
or official thereof; (iii) any candidate for political or political party
office; or (iv) any other individual or entity; while knowing or having reason
to believe that all or any portion of such money or thing of value would be
offered, given, or promised, directly or indirectly, to any such official,
officer, agent, employee, representative, political party, political party
official, candidate, individual, or any entity affiliated with such customer,
political party or official or political office. No Group Company nor
its respective directors or officers has, and to the Best Knowledge of the
Warrantors, none of their employees, representatives or agents has violated any
applicable PRC Laws that prohibit directly or indirectly making any payment
(including any kick-back or commission) or giving other thing of value
(including any fee, gift, travel expense or entertainment) to any person who is
an official, officer, agent, employee or representative of any Governmental
Authority or any existing or prospective customer (whether or not
government-owned) in order to gain any business, commercial or financial
advantage or benefit.
Section
3.28
Related-Party
Transactions
. Except for compensation to employees for
services rendered and as disclosed in the financial statements of each of the
Group Company, as of the date of this Agreement, (a) there are no inter-company
Liabilities between any Group Company, on the one hand, and any shareholder of a
Group Company, or officer, director, Affiliate or Associate of any Group Company
or any Associate of a shareholder of a Group Company or such officer, director
or Affiliate (other than any Group Company), on the other, (b) neither any
shareholder of a Group Company or any such officer, director, Affiliate or
Associate provides or causes to be provided any material Assets and Properties,
services or facilities to any Group Company, (c) none of the Group Companies
provides or causes to be provided any material Assets and Properties, services
or facilities to any shareholder of a Group Company or any such officer,
director, Affiliate or Associate and (d) none of the Group Companies
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, any Investment Assets of any
shareholder of a Group Company or any such officer, director, Affiliate or
Associate. No shareholder of a Group Company or any such officer,
director, Affiliate or Associate has any direct or indirect interest in excess
of one percent (1%) in any corporation, firm, association or business
organization which is a present (or potential) competitor, supplier or customer
of any Group Company nor, to the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, does any such
Person receive income from any source other than any Group Company which relates
to the Business, or should properly accrue to, the relevant Group
Company.
Section
3.29
Environmental
Matters
. Except as specifically described in the Section 3.29
of the Disclosure Schedule, prior to the date hereof:
(a) each
Group Company has complied with all then applicable Laws in relation to
environment protections;
(b) the
properties currently owned or operated by the Group Companies (including soils,
groundwater, surface water, buildings or other structures) are not contaminated
with any Hazardous Substances;
(c) no
Group Company is subject to liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or
contamination on any third party property;
(d) no
Group Company has been associated with any release or treat of release of any
Hazardous Substance;
(e) no
Group Company has received any outstanding notice, demand, letter, claim or
request for information alleging that it may be in violation of or liable under
any environmental Laws;
(f)
no Group Company is
subject to any orders, decrees, injunctions or other arrangements of any
Governmental Authority or is subject to any indemnity or other agreement with
any third party relating to liability under any environmental Laws of the PRC or
relating to Hazardous Substances; and
(g) there
are no circumstances or condition involving any Group Company that could
reasonably be expected as of the date hereof to result in any claims, liability,
investigations, costs or restrictions on the ownership, sue or transfer of any
property of any Group Company pursuant to any environmental Laws of the PRC,
that would have an AutoChina Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.30
Records
. The
books of account, minute books and shareholder records of each Group Company are
complete and correct in all material respects, and there have been no material
transactions involving any Group Company which are required to be set forth
therein and which have not been so set forth.
Section
3.31
Bank and Brokerage Accounts;
Investment Assets
. Section 3.31 of the Disclosure Schedule
sets forth (a) a true and complete list of the names and locations of all
banks and other financial institutions at which any Group Company has an account
or safe deposit box or maintains a banking or other similar relationship;
(b) a true and complete list and description of each such account, box and
relationship, indicating in each case the account number; and (c) a list of
the name of the record and beneficial owner thereof.
Section
3.32
No Powers of
Attorney
. None of the Group Companies has any powers of
attorney or comparable delegations of authority currently outstanding, that
materially affects such Group Company.
Section
3.33
Insurance
. Section
3.33 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list and complete and
accurate description of all insurance policies involving insurance premiums of
RMB50,000 or more maintained by each of the Group Companies which are in force
as of the date hereof and the amounts of coverage thereunder. During
the three (3) year period prior to the date hereof, no Group Company has been
refused insurance in connection with the Business, nor has any claim of
RMB100,000 or more been made in respect of any such agreements or
policies.
Section
3.34
Litigation
. There
are no Actions by any Governmental Authority or Person by or against any Group
Company, nor, to the Best Knowledge of the Warrantors, any currently
contemplated potential Action by any Governmental Authority or Person against
any Group Company. None of the Group Companies or any of their
respective Assets and Properties is subject to any Action by a Governmental
Authority or Person which would cause an AutoChina Material Adverse
Effect.
Section
3.35
Disclosure of SCAC
Information
. FounderCo acknowledges that it has received all
the information that it has required relating to SCAC and the acquisition of the
SCAC Ordinary Shares. FounderCo further represents that it has had an
opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from SCAC regarding the terms
and conditions of its acquisition of the SCAC Ordinary Shares. The
foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties
of the Warrantors in this Agreement, in the other Transaction Documents or
elsewhere, or the right of SCAC to rely thereon.
Section
3.36
Purchase for Own
Account
. The SCAC Ordinary Shares to be received by FounderCo
are being acquired for investment for FounderCo’s own account and not with a
view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof. FounderCo has
no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise
distributing the same and is subject to a six (6) month lock-up period with
respect to his/her sale or disposal of SCAC Ordinary Shares pursuant to Section
5.09 hereof.
Section
3.37
No
Registration
. FounderCo is aware that the SCAC Ordinary Shares
acquired by it under this Agreement have not been registered under the
Securities Act, that their offer and sale pursuant to this Agreement are
intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and the rules
promulgated thereunder by the SEC, and that such SCAC Ordinary Shares cannot be
sold, assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of unless they are
subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such
registration is available. FounderCo is also aware that the SCAC
Ordinary Shares acquired by it have not been registered or qualified in any
jurisdiction, that sales or transfers of such SCAC Ordinary Shares may be
further restricted by non-US securities laws, the provisions of this Agreement,
the other Transaction Documents, SCAC Articles, and the New SCAC Articles, as
the case may be, and that the certificates for such SCAC Ordinary Shares will
bear appropriate legends describing the restrictions on their
transfer. FounderCo has no immediate need for liquidity in connection
with the acquisition of SCAC Ordinary Shares, and does not anticipate that it
will be required to sell his or her SCAC Ordinary Shares in the foreseeable
future.
Section
3.38
Suitability of
Investment
.
(a) FounderCo
has not and will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, transfer, assign,
exchange or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the SCAC Ordinary Shares,
except as otherwise permitted under applicable Laws, including, but not limited
to, securities laws, as well as the provisions of this Agreement, the other
Transaction Documents, the New SCAC Articles, as the case may be, as long as
such documents remain in effect; and
(b) FounderCo
has determined that the SCAC Ordinary Shares are a suitable investment for
FounderCo and that FounderCo can bear the economic risk of the acquisition of
SCAC Ordinary Shares; and
(c) FounderCo
(i) certifies that FounderCo is not a “US person” within the meaning of
Rule 902 of Regulation S, and that FounderCo is not acquiring the SCAC
Ordinary Shares for the account or benefit of any such US person,
(ii) agrees to resell the SCAC Ordinary Shares only in accordance with the
provisions of Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the Securities
Act, or pursuant to an available exemption from registration and agrees not to
engage in hedging transactions with regard to such SCAC Ordinary Shares unless
in compliance with the Securities Act, (iii) agrees that any certificates
for any SCAC Ordinary Shares issued to FounderCo shall contain a legend to the
effect that transfer is prohibited except in accordance with the provisions of
Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or pursuant
to an available exemption from registration and that hedging transactions
involving such SCAC Ordinary Shares may not be conducted unless in compliance
with the Securities Act, and (iv) agrees that SCAC is hereby required to
refuse to register any transfer of any SCAC Ordinary Shares issued to FounderCo
not made in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S, pursuant to
registration under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an available exemption
from registration.
Section
3.39
Brokers
. No
broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or
other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Warrantors or the
Group Companies.
Section
3.40
Disclosure
. No
representation or warranty by any Warrantor contained in this Agreement and no
information contained in any Schedule or other instrument furnished or to be
furnished to SCAC pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby contains or will contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
Section
3.41
Proposed Business
Plan
. Prior to the date hereof, AutoChina has delivered to
SCAC a proposed business plan that contains, among others, detailed proposed
financial projections (including all the relevant assumptions), capital
expenditure plan, operational budgets and financial plan for FY2009 and FY2010
on an annual basis (the “
Proposed Business
Plan
”). The Proposed Business Plan and the financial and other
projections contained therein were prepared in good faith based on AutoChina’s
management’s experience in the industry and on assumptions of fact and opinion
as to future events which they, at the date of the issuance of the Proposed
Business Plan, believed to be reasonable, consistent with past practice and on a
realistic basis after careful examination and due consideration of all other
relevant factors. As of the date hereof, no facts have come to the
attention of AutoChina or the management of AutoChina which would be reasonably
expected to require the material revision of the assumptions underlying such
projections, estimates and other forward-looking information or the conclusions
derived therefrom.
Section
3.42
Survival of Representations
and Warranties
. The representations and warranties of the
Warrantors set forth in this Agreement shall survive until the Remaining
Holdback Consideration Release Date.
Section
3.43
Restructuring
. The
Restructuring has been completed in all respects and in compliance with all
applicable laws. All Restructuring Agreements have been executed by
each of the parties thereto in accordance with the Restructuring
Plan. The Restructuring has been fully completed pursuant to such
Restructuring Agreements in compliance with applicable PRC laws and
regulations.
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SCAC
SCAC
represents and warrants to the Warrantors as of the date hereof and as of the
Closing as follows:
Section
4.01
Organization
. SCAC
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
law of the Cayman Islands.
Section
4.02
SCAC
Subsidiaries
. Except as contemplated by the AutoChina
Acquisition, SCAC does not have any subsidiaries, branches and representative
offices.
Section
4.03
Authority and Corporate
Action; No Conflict
. SCAC has all necessary corporate power
and authority to enter this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to
which it is a party and, subject to the requirement to obtain shareholder
approval, to consummate the AutoChina Acquisition and transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby. All Board actions necessary to be taken by SCAC
to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the
other Transaction Documents and all other agreements delivered in connection
with the AutoChina Acquisition has been duly and validly taken. Each
of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which SCAC is a party
has been duly executed and delivered by SCAC and constitutes the valid, binding,
and enforceable obligation of SCAC, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except (i) as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or similar laws of
general application now or hereafter in effect affecting the rights and remedies
of creditors and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity), (ii) as
enforceability of any indemnification provision may be limited by federal and
state securities laws and public policy and (iii) as enforceability may be
limited by the absence of shareholder approval.
Section
4.04
Organizational
Documents
. The Memorandum of Association and Articles of
Association (the “
SCAC
Articles
”) as of the date hereof are in the form attached as
Schedule D
and
no action has been taken to amend or repeal the M&A, provided, however
the New SCAC Articles shall take effect on the Closing Date. SCAC is
not in violation or breach of any of the provisions of the SCAC
Articles.
Section
4.05
Capitalization
. As
of the date hereof, the authorized share capital of SCAC consists of 51,000,000
shares of which (i) 50,000,000 shares are designated as SCAC’s Ordinary Shares,
of which 6,468,750 shares are issued and outstanding and (ii) 1,000,000 shares
are designated as preferred shares, of which no shares are issued and
outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of SCAC’s Ordinary
Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and
have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar
rights. At the Closing Date, SCAC will have sufficient authorized and
unissued SCAC’s Ordinary Shares to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. As of the date hereof, except as for the Warrants and the
Purchase Option, there are no outstanding options, warrants, purchase
agreements, participation agreements, subscription rights, conversion rights,
exchange rights or other securities or contracts that could require SCAC to
issue, sell or otherwise cause to become outstanding any of its authorized but
unissued shares or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or carrying
a right or option to purchase shares or to create, authorize, issue, sell or
otherwise cause to become outstanding any new class of shares. There
are no outstanding shareholders’ agreements, voting trusts or arrangements,
registration rights agreements, rights of first refusal or other contracts
pertaining to the shares or other securities of SCAC.
Section
4.06
Valid Issuance of SCAC
Ordinary Shares
. At the Closing, the SCAC Ordinary Shares to
be issued to the AutoChina Shareholders hereunder will be duly and validly
authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof
for the consideration provided for herein, will be validly issued and will have
been issued in compliance with all applicable US federal and state securities
laws and the Laws of the Cayman Islands.
Section
4.07
No Redemption
Requirements
. Except for SCAC’s redemption rights with respect
to the outstanding Warrants and any warrants issuable upon the exercise of the
Purchase Option, which rights are subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions, including but not limited to the prior consent of EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc. (“
EarlyBirdCapital
”)
there are no outstanding contractual obligations (contingent or otherwise) of
SCAC to retire, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares,
or other ownership interests in, SCAC or to provide funds to or make any
investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any
other Person.
Section
4.08
No Brokers of
Finders
. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to
any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of SCAC or any of its principal shareholders.
ARTICLE
5
COVENANTS
OF THE WARRANTORS
Section
5.01
Conduct of the
Business
. Each Warrantor covenants and agrees that, from the
date hereof through the Closing Date, except as otherwise required as set forth
in this Agreement or with the prior written consent of SCAC, they shall, and
shall use their best efforts to cause each Group Company to:
(a) conduct
the Business only in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with the
current practice of the Business, to preserve substantially intact the business
organization of each Group Company, to keep available the services of the
current management employees of each Group Company, to preserve, for the best
interest of any Group Company, the current relationships of each Group Company
with customers and other persons with which each Group Company has significant
business relations and to comply with all Laws in all material
aspects;
(b) not
pledge, sell, transfer, dispose or otherwise encumber or grant any rights or
interests to others of any kind with respect to all or any part of the share
capital or any equity interest of any Group Company, or enter into any
discussions or negotiations with any other party to do so;
(c) not
pledge, sell, lease, transfer, dispose of or otherwise encumber any Assets and
Properties of any Group Company, other than consistent with past practices and
in the ordinary course of business of such Group Company or enter into any
discussions or negotiations with any other party to do so;
(d) not
issue any stock or increase the registered capital, as applicable, or any other
class of securities, whether shares or debt (other than debt incurred in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice) or equity, of any
Group Company or any options therefor or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for share capital or equity interests of any Group Company or enter
into any agreements in respect of the ownership or control of such share capital
or equity interests;
(e) not
declare any dividend or make any distribution in cash, securities or otherwise
on the outstanding share capital or equity interests of any Group Company or
directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or in any other manner whatsoever
advance, transfer (other than in payment for goods received or services rendered
in the ordinary course of business), or distribute to any of their affiliates or
otherwise withdraw cash or cash equivalents in any manner inconsistent with
established cash management practices, except to pay existing indebtedness of
any Group Company;
(f)
not make, agree to make or announce any general wage or
salary increase or, unless provided for on or before the date of this Agreement,
increase the compensation payable or to become payable to any management
employee of any Group Company or adopt or increase the benefits of any bonus,
insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan, payment or arrangement,
except for those increases, consistent with past practices, normally occurring
as the result of regularly scheduled salary reviews and increases, and except
for increases directly or indirectly required as a result of changes in
applicable law or regulations;
(g) not
to amend the charter documents (or other organizational documents) of any Group
Company;
(h) not
to merge or consolidate with, or acquire all or substantially all the Assets and
Properties of, or otherwise acquire any business operations of, any
Person;
(i) not
to make any payments outside the ordinary course of business; and
(j) not
make any capital expenditures, except in accordance with prudent business and
operational practices consistent with prior practice.
Section
5.02
Access to
Information
.
(a) Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, subject to SCAC’s undertaking
to keep confidential and protect the Trade Secrets of the Group Companies
against any illegal disclosure, each Warrantor will (i) permit SCAC and its
Representatives reasonable access to all of the books, records, reports and
other related materials, offices and other facilities and Assets and Properties
of each Group Company and the Business which are necessary for the preparation
and amendment of The Proxy Statement, the verification of the disclosures
therein pursuant to the Securities Act as well as the rules and requirements of
SEC and in response to inquiries from relevant Governmental Authorities
regarding the AutoChina Acquisition; (ii) permit SCAC and its Representatives to
make such inspections thereof as SCAC may reasonably request; and (iii) furnish
SCAC and its Representatives with such financial and operating data (including
without limitation the work papers of AutoChina’s Accountants) and other
information with respect to each Group Company and the Business as SCAC may from
time to time request pursuant to the Securities Act as well as the rules and
requirements of SEC for the preparation and amendment of The Proxy Statement and
the verification of the disclosures therein, in response to inquiries from
SCAC’s accountants, and in response to inquiries from relevant Governmental
Authorities regarding the AutoChina Acquisition.
(b) Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, SCAC shall be permitted to meet
with and interview, during normal business hours upon prior written notice, all
officers, directors and employees of each Group Company.
Section
5.03
Audited Financial
Statements
. The Warrantors shall, as soon as practicable after
the date hereof, deliver to SCAC the consolidated unaudited financial statements
of the AutoChina for the twelve (12) month period ended December 31, 2008,
including a balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows prepared
in accordance with US GAAP, together with footnotes.
Section
5.04
Insurance
. Through
the Closing Date, the Warrantors shall cause each Group Company to maintain
insurance policies providing insurance coverage for the Business and the Assets
and Properties of each Group Company of the kinds, in the amounts and against
the risks as are commercially reasonable for the businesses and risks
covered.
Section
5.05
Employment
Agreements
. The Warrantors shall procure that, prior to the
Closing:
(a) each
of Founder, Chen Lei, Wei Xing, Johnson Lau, and any other “key” employees
designated by Founder (collectively, the “
Key Employees
”) shall
have entered into an executive employment agreement (the “
Executive Employment
Agreement
”) in the form of
Schedule E
with
SCAC, AutoChina and any other relevant Group Companies. These
agreements generally are to provide employment terms of three (3) years include
Intellectual Property assignment and Non-Competition Period set forth in Section
5.06(g)(ii) hereof.
(b) all
other employees of the Group Companies shall have entered into a labor contract
(the “
Labor
Contract
”) with the relevant Group Company, as the case may be in a form
or forms approved by SCAC attached hereto as
Schedule F
.
Section
5.06
Protection of Confidential
Information; Non-Competition
.
(a)
Confidential
Information
. FounderCo acknowledges that:
(i) As
a result of his or her share ownership of and, in some cases, employment by the
Group Companies, it has obtained secret and confidential information concerning
the Business including, without limitation, financial information, trade secrets
and “know-how,” customers, and certain methodologies (“
Confidential
Information
”).
(ii) the
Group Companies will suffer substantial damage which will be difficult to
compute if FounderCo should divulge Confidential Information or enter a business
which is competitive with that of the Group Companies.
(iii) The
provisions of this Section are reasonable and necessary for the protection of
the Business.
(b)
Maintain
Confidentiality
. Each Warrantor agrees to not at any time
after the date hereof divulge to, or to permit any Group Company to divulge to,
any person or entity any Confidential Information obtained or learned as a
result of share ownership of AutoChina and employment by any Group Company
except (i) with the express written consent of SCAC on or before the Closing
Date and of the Board thereafter; (ii) to the extent that any such information
is in the public domain other than as a result of a breach of any obligations
hereunder; or (iii) where required to be disclosed by court order, subpoena or
other government process. If the Warrantors or the Group Companies
shall be required to make disclosure pursuant to the provisions of clause (iii)
of the preceding sentence, each Warrantor will promptly, but in no event more
than eight (8) hours after learning of such subpoena, court order, or other
government process, notify, by personal delivery or by electronic means,
confirmed by mail, AutoChina or the relevant Group Company and, at AutoChina or
the relevant Group Company’s expense, shall: (i) take all reasonably necessary
steps required by AutoChina or the relevant Group Company to defend against the
enforcement of such subpoena, court order or other government process, and (ii)
permit AutoChina or the relevant Group Company to intervene and participate with
counsel of its choice in any proceeding relating to the enforcement
thereof.
(c)
Records
. At
the Closing, each AutoChina Shareholder who is not a director or an officer or
an current employee of any Group Company will, and the Warrantors shall cause
such AutoChina Shareholder to, promptly deliver to AutoChina all original
memoranda, notes, records, reports, manuals, formula and other documents
relating to the Business, which he or she then possess or have under his or her
control; provided, however, that they shall be entitled to retain copies of such
documents reasonably necessary to document their financial relationship with
AutoChina and the relevant Group Company.
(d)
Non-Compete
. FounderCo,
and each of the Warrantors (for so long as FounderCo directly or indirectly
holds any SCAC Ordinary Shares) shall cause each director, officer or manager of
each Group Company, during the period that he or she maintains a relationship
with any Group Company as a director, officer, consultant or employee and during
the Non-Competition Period, without the prior written permission of a majority
of the Board, which majority must include an affirmative vote from at least one
(1) SCAC Nominated Director, shall not, anywhere in the PRC, Hong Kong and
Taiwan, directly or indirectly, (i) enter into the employ of or render any
services to any Person engaged in any business which is a “Competitive Business”
(as defined below); (ii) engage in any Competitive Business for his own account;
(iii) become associated with or interested in any Competitive Business as an
individual, partner, shareholder, creditor, director, officer, principal, agent,
employee, trustee, consultant, advisor or in any other relationship or capacity;
(iv) employ or retain, or have or cause any other person or entity to employ or
retain, any person who was employed or retained by any Group Company in the six
(6) month period prior to the date that all relationships of such person
terminates with any Group Company; or (v) solicit, interfere with, or endeavor
to entice away from any Group Company, for the benefit of a Competitive
Business, any of its customers or other persons with whom any Group Company has
a business relationship. However, nothing in this Agreement shall
preclude FounderCo or any director, officer or manager of any Group Company from
investing his or her personal assets in the securities of any corporation or
other business entity which is engaged in a Competitive Business if such
securities are traded on an internationally recognized stock exchange, such
investment does not result in his or her beneficially owning, at any time, more
than one percent (1%) of the publicly-traded equity securities of such
Competitive Business, and such person does not have any other relationship with
such Competitive Business.
(e)
Injunctive
Relief
. If FounderCo or any director, officer or manager of
any Group Company breaches, or threatens to breach, any of the provisions of
Section 5.06 (b), (c) or (d), SCAC shall have the right and remedy to have the
provisions of this Section 5.06 specifically enforced by any Governmental
Authority, it being acknowledged and agreed by each Warrantor that any such
breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to SCAC and the Group
Companies and that money damages will not provide an adequate
remedy.
(f)
Modification of
Scope
. If any provision of Section 5.06(b), Section 5.06(c) or
Section 5.06(d) is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration or
area of its applicability, the Governmental Authority making such determination
shall have the power to modify such scope, duration, or area, or all of them,
and such provision or provisions shall then be applicable in such modified
form.
(g)
Competitive
Business
. As used in this Agreement,
(i) “
Competitive Business
”
shall mean any business which operates in any aspect of the Business;
and
(ii) “
Non-Competition
Period
” shall mean the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on
one (1) year after the date all relationships between FounderCo or a director or
an officer of any Group Company, on one hand, and SCAC and any Group Company, on
the other hand, have been terminated, including relationships as a director,
officer, consultant or employee.
Section
5.07
Post-Closing
Assurances
. The Warrantors from time to time after the Closing
will take such other actions and execute and deliver such other documents,
certifications and further assurances as SCAC shall reasonably require in order
to manage and operate the Group Companies and the Business, including but not
limited to executing such certificates as may be reasonably requested by SCAC’s
accountants in connection with any audit of the financial statements of any
Group Company for any period through the Closing Date.
Section
5.08
No Other
Negotiations
.
(a) For
a period commencing from the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, the
Warrantors will not take, nor will they permit any Group Company (or authorize
or permit any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or
other Person retained by or acting for or on behalf of any Group Company, and/or
FounderCo) to take, directly or indirectly, any action to initiate, assist,
solicit, receive, negotiate, encourage or accept any offer, inquiry or proposal
from any Person (i) to engage in any Acquisition Proposal with any Group
Company and/or FounderCo, (ii) to reach any agreement or understanding
(whether or not such agreement or understanding is absolute, revocable,
contingent or conditional) for, or otherwise attempt to consummate, any
Acquisition Proposal with any Group Company and/or FounderCo or (iii) to
participate in discussions or negotiations with or to furnish or cause to be
furnished any information with respect to any Group Company or afford access to
the Assets and Properties or Books and Records of any Group Company to any
Person (other than as contemplated by Section 5.02) who any Warrantor (or any
such Person acting for or on their behalf) knows or has reason to believe is in
the process of considering any Acquisition Proposal relating to any Group
Company.
(b) For
a period commencing from the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, the
Warrantors
will,
and will cause any Group Company to, immediately cease any and all existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore
with respect to any of the actions set forth in Section 5.08(a) above, if
applicable. The Warrantors
will promptly (i) notify
SCAC if any Group Company and/or any AutoChina Shareholder receives any proposal
or inquiry or request for information in connection with an Acquisition Proposal
or potential Acquisition Proposal and (ii) notify SCAC of the significant terms
and conditions of any such Acquisition Proposal including the identity of the
party making an Acquisition Proposal.
Section
5.09
Lock-up
. FounderCo
hereby undertakes that it will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any SCAC Ordinary Shares received
by it under Section 1.02
of this Agreement, enter
into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap,
hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the
economic consequences of ownership of such SCAC Ordinary Shares, whether any of
these transactions are to be settled by delivery of any such SCAC Ordinary
Shares, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any
offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap,
hedge or other arrangement, for a period of six (6) months from the date of
issuance of such SCAC Ordinary Shares.
Section
5.10
No Securities
Transactions
. None of FounderCo or any of their Affiliates,
directly or indirectly, shall engage in any transactions involving the
securities of SCAC prior to the time of the making of a public announcement of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Group
Companies shall cause each of its officers, directors, employees, agents and
representatives to comply with the foregoing requirement.
Section
5.11
Fulfillment of
Conditions
. The Warrantors shall use their best efforts to
fulfill the conditions specified in ARTICLE 8 to the extent that the fulfillment
of such conditions effectuates and consummates the AutoChina
Acquisition. The foregoing obligation includes (a) the execution and
delivery of documents necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and (b) taking or refraining from such actions as may be
necessary to fulfill such conditions (including using their best efforts to
conduct the Business in such manner that on the Closing Date the representations
and warranties of the Warrantors contained herein shall be accurate as though
then made, except as contemplated by the terms hereof).
Section
5.12
Disclosure of Certain
Matters
. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, each
Warrantor shall give SCAC prompt written notice of any event that occurs that
(a) would be required to be disclosed under this Agreement, (b) would cause any
of the representations and warranties of each Warrantor contained herein to be
inaccurate or otherwise misleading, (c) gives any Warrantor any reason to
believe that any of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE 8 will not be satisfied,
(d) would likely result in an AutoChina Material Adverse Effect or (e) would
require any amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement.
Section
5.13
Regulatory and Other
Authorizations; Notices and Consents
.
(a) The
Warrantors shall use their best efforts to obtain all authorizations, consents,
orders and approvals of all Governmental Authorities and officials that may be
or become necessary for their execution and delivery of, and the performance of
their obligations pursuant to, this Agreement and any other Transaction
Documents and will cooperate fully with SCAC in promptly seeking to obtain all
such authorizations, consents, orders and approvals.
(b) The
Warrantors shall give promptly such notices to third parties and use its or
their best efforts to obtain such third party consents and estoppel certificates
as SCAC may in its reasonable discretion deem necessary or desirable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) SCAC
shall cooperate and use all reasonable efforts to assist each Warrantor in
giving such notices and obtaining such consents and estoppel certificates;
provided, however, that SCAC shall have no obligation to give any guarantee or
other consideration of any nature in connection with any such notice, consent or
estoppel certificate or to consent to any change in the terms of any agreement
or arrangement which SCAC in its sole discretion may deem adverse to the
interests of SCAC, AutoChina or the Business.
Section
5.14
Related
Tax
. Each AutoChina Shareholder covenants and agrees to pay,
and the Warrantors shall cause each AutoChina Shareholder to pay, any tax and
duties assessed by any Governmental Authority of the PRC on such AutoChina
Shareholder’s receipt of any Share Payment and other consideration paid by SCAC
pursuant to this Agreement.
Section
5.15
AutoChina
Information
. As a condition to SCAC (a) filing with the SEC
the Proxy Statement and (b) calling and holding the SCAC Shareholders’ Meeting
(as hereinafter defined), as well as making other filings or submissions with
the SEC with respect to the transactions contemplated herein, the Warrantors
will furnish to SCAC such information as is reasonably required by SCAC for the
preparation and amendment of the Proxy Statement and such other filings or
submissions in accordance with the requirements and requests of the SEC,
including full and accurate descriptions of the Business, material agreements
affecting the Business, the Group Companies, the AutoChina Shareholders and the
FY2007 Combined Financials as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC
for Proxy Statement disclosure (collectively, “
AutoChina
Information
”). The AutoChina Information will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements in the AutoChina Information not
misleading.
Section
5.16
Interim Financial
Information
. From the date of this Agreement until the
Closing, the Group Companies shall provide to SCAC a copy of a monthly balance
sheet, income statement and cash flow statement on an individual and
consolidated basis for the Group Companies, together with such further
explanation and information with respect thereto as may be reasonably requested
by SCAC. The above interim financial information shall be delivered
to SCAC within thirty (30) days following the end of each monthly
period. The Group Companies will prepare the above financial
information in good faith in accordance with PRC GAAP. Upon
reasonable request of SCAC in writing based on the requirements of the
Securities Act or the rules and requirements of the SEC, the Warrantors shall,
within forty-five (45) days after the date of such written request of SCAC,
deliver to SCAC unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of each of
AutoChina, reviewed by the AutoChina’s Accountants in accordance with US GAAP
for such interim period as stated in the written request.
Section
5.17
Chuanglian
.
(a) Prior
to the Closing, the Warrantors shall have provided evidence to the satisfaction
of SCAC that Chuanglian’s business scope is broad enough to enable it to provide
the services contemplated under the contractual agreements with the Chuanglian
Controlled Operating Companies.
(b) At
the request of the Board, the Warrantors shall use their best efforts to cause
Chuanglian, on the one hand, to enter into certain contractual agreements with
each of the 4S Stores, Tianmei Insurance, the Transportation Companies, and
Chuanglian Auto Trade (the “
Chuanglian Controlled
Operating Companies
”), on the other hand, within one hundred eighty (180)
days of the Closing, that provide Chuanglian the ability to exercise de facto
control over the operations of each of the Chuanglian Controlled Operating
Companies such that each of the Chuanglian Controlled Operating Companies
qualify as a “special purpose entity” under SIC 12, “Consolidation – Special
Purpose Entities,” under IFRS or a “variable interest entity” under FIN 46 of US
GAAP and are required to be consolidated with Chuanglian for financial statement
reporting purposes and such contractual agreements shall be in compliance with
applicable PRC laws and regulations.
Section
5.18
Inter-Group Company Leases
or Money Transfers
. Prior to the Closing, the Warrantors shall
provide written evidence to the satisfaction of SCAC that any Group Company
leasing land from another Group Company has entered into a lease agreement with
such other Group Company under arm’s-length terms and conditions to the
satisfaction of SCAC, and following the Closing no Group Company shall lease
land, borrow money, or withdraw a registered capital contribution from another
Group Company without the approval of a majority of the Board, which majority
must include an affirmative vote from at least one (1) SCAC Nominated
Director.
Section
5.19
Real
Property
. The Warrantors shall provide written evidence to the
satisfaction of:
(a) SCAC
within six (6) months from the date of this Agreement, that each of the
following leases set forth on
Schedule G
has
been terminated; and
(b) at
least one (1) SCAC Nominated Director within (i) eighteen (18) months of the
Closing, that (i) (A) all collectively-owned land used by any Group Company for
non-agricultural purposes has been transferred to a competent PRC Government
Authority and such PRC Governmental Authority shall have granted land use rights
to the relevant Group Company and (B) each Group Company has received building
ownership certificates for all the premises it has built on leased land or (ii)
twelve (12) months of the Closing, that an alternative plan unanimously approved
by the Board has been established to deal with the land use issues set forth in
Section 5.19(b)(i) (the “
Alternative Plan
”)
and a PRC legal opinion unanimously approved by the Board has been issued with
respect to the Alternative Plan.
Section
5.20
Alternative
Plan
. The Warrantors covenant and agree to execute the
Alternative Plan pursuant to the terms set forth in the Alternative
Plan.
Section
5.21
4S
Stores
. As soon as practicable after the date hereof, the
Warrantors shall have provided written evidence to the satisfaction of SCAC that
each 4S Store has obtained the proper authorizations to operate its business,
including but not limited to the (i) receipt of an authorized business scope to
sell the relevant brand of automobiles, (ii) inclusion on the list of Brand Auto
Sales Enterprises published by the State Administration of Industry and
Commerce, and (iii) entrance into a dealership authorization agreement or
receipt of an authorization letter from the relevant brand of
automobiles.
Section
5.22
Auto Trade
Documents
. Following the date of the Agreement, the Warrantors
covenant and agree to use each of the Purchase Order Contract, Vehicle Sales
Contract, and Vehicle Operation and Service Contract attached hereto as
Schedule H
for
all sales under the auto trade business, and agree that such forms shall not be
changed without the approval of a majority of the Board, which majority must
include an affirmative vote from at least one (1) SCAC Nominated
Director.
ARTICLE
6
COVENANTS
OF SCAC
Section
6.01
Proxy Statement
Filing
. SCAC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file
with the SEC, within three (3) months after the delivery to SCAC of the FY2007
Combined Financials, the Proxy Statement (as defined in Section 6.02) for the
calling and holding of the SCAC Shareholders’ Meeting (as defined in Section
6.02).
Section
6.02
SCAC Shareholders’
Meeting
. SCAC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause a meeting of its shareholders (the “
SCAC Shareholders’
Meeting
”) to be duly called and held as soon as reasonably practicable
for the purpose of voting on the adoption and approval of, among others, this
Agreement, the AutoChina Acquisition, the New SCAC Articles and the Equity
Incentive Plan. In connection with such meeting, SCAC (a) will use
commercially reasonable efforts to file with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “
SEC
”) as promptly as
practicable a proxy statement meeting the requirements of the Exchange Act (the
“
Proxy
Statement
”) and all other proxy materials for such meeting, (b) upon
receipt of approval from the SEC, will mail to its shareholders the Proxy
Statement and other proxy materials, (c) will use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain the necessary approvals by its shareholders of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby, and (d) will use commercially
reasonable efforts to otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable to
such meeting. As a condition to the filing and distribution to the
SCAC Ordinary Shareholders of the Proxy Statement, SCAC will have received the
AutoChina Information.
ARTICLE
7
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
Section
7.01
Other
Information
. If in order to properly prepare documents
required to be filed with any Governmental Authority or financial statements of
any Group Company, it is necessary that any Party be furnished with additional
information relating to any Group Company or the Business, and such information
is in the possession of any other Party or Parties, such Party may request such
other Party or Parties to, and such other Party or Parties hereby agree to use
its or their best efforts to, furnish such information in a timely manner to the
requesting Party, at the cost and expense of the requesting Party.
Section
7.02
Further
Action
. Each of the Parties shall execute such documents and
other papers and take such further actions as may be reasonably required or
desirable to carry out the provisions hereof and the transactions contemplated
hereby. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, each of
the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary,
proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable
the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Warrantors agree to use their best
efforts to cooperate with SCAC in order to obtain shareholder approval of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including approving
amendments to the Transaction Documents or SCAC’s SEC filings from time to time,
as may be requested by SCAC’s shareholders after filing the Proxy
Statement.
Section
7.03
Public
Announcements
. From the date of this Agreement until the
Closing or termination, SCAC and each Warrantor shall cooperate in good faith to
jointly prepare all press releases and public announcements pertaining to this
Agreement and the transactions governed by it, and none of the foregoing shall
issue or otherwise make any public announcement or communication pertaining to
this Agreement or the transaction without the prior consent of SCAC (in the case
of each Warrantor) or AutoChina (in the case of SCAC), except as required by Law
or by the rules and regulations of, or pursuant to any agreement of a stock
exchange or trading system. Each Party will not unreasonably withhold
approval from the others with respect to any press release or public
announcement. If any Party determines with the advice of counsel that
it is required to make this Agreement and the terms of the transaction public or
otherwise issue a press release or make public disclosure with respect thereto,
it shall at a reasonable time before making any public disclosure, consult with
the other Parties regarding such disclosure, seek such confidential treatment
for such terms or portions of this Agreement or the transaction as may be
reasonably requested by the other Parties and disclose only such information as
is legally compelled to be disclosed. This provision will not apply
to communications by any Party to its counsel, accountants and other
professional advisors.
Section
7.04
The Board and Board of
Directors of AutoChina
.
(a) Immediately
following the Closing Date, the authorized size of the Board will consist of
seven (7) persons. The Proxy Statement of SCAC will present the
following persons as nominees for election as directors for a period commencing
from the Closing Date until the next annual general meeting of SCAC, or until
each director’s successor is elected and takes office: two (2) persons nominated
by the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative (the “
AutoChina Nominated
Directors
”), two (2) persons nominated by the SCAC Shareholders’
Representative (the “
SCAC Nominated
Directors
”) and three (3) persons as independent non-executive director
(the “
Independent
Non-Executive Directors
”), provided that the Independent Non-Executive
Director candidates who are actually nominated shall be mutually agreed upon by
the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC Shareholders’
Representative. The Warrantors agree that for a period commencing
from the Closing Date and ending December 31, 2011, they shall use their best
efforts to nominate or to cause their Affiliates to nominate the directors to
the Board pursuant to this Section 7.04, subject to any obligations imposed by
law, rule or regulation on any nominating committee. In addition, the
AutoChina Shareholders agree, and the Warrantors shall cause the AutoChina
Shareholders to agree, that, for a period commencing from the Closing Date and
ending December 31, 2011, they shall vote all SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by
them in favor of the persons nominated as directors by the SCAC Shareholders’
Representative pursuant to this Section 7.04. Each of AutoChina and
SCAC shall procure that the composition of the board of directors of
AutoChina after the Closing shall be identical to that of SCAC.
(b) The
Board shall, immediately following the Closing, establish an audit committee, a
nomination committee and a compensation committee. Prior to December
31, 2011, each such committee shall consist of two (2) members, one being an
independent non-executive director nominated based on the recommendation of the
AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the other being the independent
non-executive director nominated based on the recommendation of the SCAC
Shareholders’ Representative. In any event that the two (2) members
in any such committee fails to reach a consensus with respect to any matter,
such matter shall be submitted to and decided by the Board by the affirmative
consent or approval of at least six (6) members of the Board.
Section
7.05
Corporate Governance
Practice
.
(a) Each
of the Parties hereby agrees and undertakes that, following the Closing, it or
he or she (as the case may be) shall fully comply with, and shall cause to be
complied with, the code of business conduct, the insider trading policy, the
related party transaction procedures, the anti-corruption manual, the audit
committee charter, the compensation committee charter and the nomination
committee charter and other corporate governance policies, procedures, rules and
requirements of SCAC adopted or to be adopted from time to time by the Board
(collectively, the “
Corporate Governance
Rules
”).
(b) Effective
immediately following the Closing, no director, officer, committee member,
employee, agent of SCAC or any Group Company or any of their respective
delegates shall, without the affirmative consent or approval of at least six (6)
members of the Board, not take, nor shall they cause or permit SCAC or any Group
Company to take, any of the following actions (whether in a single transaction
or a series of related transactions):
(i) the
authorization, creation or issuance of any equity or debt securities, warrants,
options or other rights to acquire shares of SCAC or any Group Company, other
than grants of securities, stock options or warrants to directors or employees
of SCAC or any Group Company pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan and the
issuance of shares upon the exercise of such options or
warrants;
(ii) the
declaration or payment of a distribution or dividend with respect to any of the
shares in SCAC or any Group Company, including, without limitation, the
repurchase or redemption of any such shares or equity interest (or any warrants,
options or other rights to acquire any such shares or equity
interest);
(iii) the
merger, amalgamation or consolidation of SCAC or any Group Company with any
person or any transaction in which SCAC or any Group Company immediately before
such transaction together with their affiliates do not own or control at least a
majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after such
transaction (excluding any transaction effected solely for tax purposes or to
change SCAC’s or any Group Company’s domicile);
(iv) the
sale, lease, exchange, transfer, contribution, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the Assets and Properties of
SCAC or any Group Company (other than mortgages of Assets and Properties to
banks to secure loans in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and sound business practice), or the purchase or other acquisition by
SCAC or any Group Company (whether individually or collectively) of all or
substantially all of the Assets and Properties of another Person (except for
such purchase or acquisition within the amount set forth in the annual business
plan approved by the Board);
(v) the
making of any joint venture or partnership arrangement, or the formation of any
subsidiary, each involving capital commitment of RMB5,000,000 or more (except
for such joint venture or partnership arrangement made or any subsidiary formed
involving capital commitment within the amount set forth in the annual business
plan approved by the Board), or any voluntary dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation of any subsidiary;
(vi) the
reduction of the authorized share capital or the registered capital, as the case
may be, of SCAC or any Group Company;
(vii) the
effectuation of any recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization,
split-off, spin-off, or filing for bankruptcy with respect to SCAC or any Group
Company;
(viii)
the approval or material amendment of the annual budget,
business plan, or operating plan (including any capital expenditure budget,
operating budget and financial plan) of SCAC or any Group Company;
(ix) the
incurrence of any indebtedness for borrowed money or the issuance, assumption,
guarantee or creation of any liability for borrowed money, the aggregate
outstanding amount of which at any given time equal to RMB5,000,000 or more
unless such liability is incurred pursuant to the then current business
plan;
(x) any
change in the size or composition of the Board or any Group Company or any
committee thereof;
(xi) any
material amendment to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement, any executive employment agreement or any
indemnification agreement; or
(xii) any
material amendment to the Corporate Governance Rules then in
effect.
Section
7.06
Equity Incentive
Plan
. The Proxy Statement of SCAC will present an equity
incentive plan (the “
Equity Incentive
Plan
”) substantially in the form and substance set forth in
Schedule I
attached hereto for approval at the SCAC Shareholders’ Meeting. SCAC
shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that, after the Closing, the
number of SCAC Ordinary Shares issuable under the Equity Incentive Plan (the
“
EIP Shares
”)
shall constitute ten percent (10%) of the number of (i) SCAC Ordinary Shares
issued and outstanding immediately following the Closing plus (ii) the EIP
Shares.
Section
7.07
New SCAC
Articles
. The Proxy Statement of SCAC will present the New
SCAC Articles for approval at the SCAC Shareholders’ Meeting. The New
SCAC Articles shall provide for, among others, the authorized share capital that
consists of 50,000,000 SCAC Ordinary Shares and 1,000,000 preferred shares as of
the Closing Date.
Section
7.08
Approvals of PRC
Governmental Authorities
. As soon as practicable after the
date hereof, each of the Warrantors shall take all such actions as may be
required to obtain all the required Licenses and Permits of the relevant PRC
Governmental Authorities, including but limited to (i) the approval of MOFCOM in
connection with the Restructuring and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii)
the successful completion of filing procedures with the provincial authority of
commerce by each 4S Store that engages in secondhand automobile transactions,
(iii) the successful completion of filing procedures with the original authority
of examination and approval by Chuanglian for its establishment of each Auto
Service Company, (iv) the receipt of the social insurance certificate by each
Group Company, (v) the completion of the renewals of the concurrent-business
insurance agent certificates and road transportation operation permits by each
Group Company.
Section
7.09
New
Subsidiaries
. Each Warrantor covenants and agrees, if at any
time after the date hereof, any Warrantor forms, owns or acquires an entity
stake in any entity that is engaged in or related to the Business, to take all
action necessary to cause such entity to become a Subsidiary (direct or
indirect) of SCAC (a “
New
Subsidiary
”).
Section
7.10
Survival of
Covenants
. The covenants of the Warrantors set forth in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing.
ARTICLE
8
CONDITIONS
TO CLOSING
Section
8.01
Conditions to Each Party’s
Obligations
. The respective obligations of each Party to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to
the fulfillment or waiver, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following
conditions.
(a)
Permits of PRC Governmental
Authorities
. All the Permits of the relevant PRC Governmental
Authorities required in connection with the AutoChina Acquisition to the extent
that they are required to be obtained prior to the Closing under applicable PRC
Laws, shall have been duly obtained.
(b)
Approval by SCAC’s
Shareholders
. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
SCAC Ordinary Shares, in accordance with the SCAC Articles and the aggregate
number of SCAC Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders of SCAC who (i)
exercise their rights to convert their SCAC Ordinary Shares to cash and (ii)
vote against the transactions contemplated hereby shall not constitute forty
percent (40%) or more of the SCAC Ordinary Shares sold in SCAC’s Public
Offering.
(c)
Litigation
. No
order, stay, judgment or decree shall have been issued by any Governmental
Authority preventing, restraining or prohibiting in whole or in part, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or instrumental to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no action or
proceeding by any Governmental Authority shall be pending or threatened
(including by suggestion through investigation) by any person, firm,
corporation, entity or Governmental Authority, which questions, or seeks to
enjoin, modify, amend or prohibit (a) the Restructuring, (b) the ownership of
the Group Companies, (c) the purchase of the AutoChina Acquisition Shares in
consideration for the issuance of the SCAC Ordinary Shares, (d) the SCAC
Shareholders’ Meeting and use of the Proxy Statement by SCAC, or (g) the conduct
or ownership (direct or indirect or beneficial) in any material respect the
Business as a whole or any material portion of the Business conducted or to be
conducted by the Warrantors.
(d)
Transaction
Documents
. Each of the Transaction Documents shall have been
executed and delivered at the Closing to each relevant Party.
Section
8.02
Conditions to Obligations of
the Warrantors
. The obligations of each Warrantor to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to
the fulfillment or waiver, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following
conditions:
(a)
Representations and
Warranties; Covenants
. Without supplementation after the date
of this Agreement, the representations and warranties of SCAC contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct as of the Closing, with the same force and
effect as if made as of the Closing, and all the covenants contained in this
Agreement to be complied with by SCAC on or before the Closing shall have been
complied with.
Section
8.03
Conditions to Obligations of
SCAC
. The obligations of SCAC to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver, at
or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a)
Representations and
Warranties; Covenants
. The representations and warranties of
each Warrantor contained in this Agreement, except to the extent a
representation or warranty is expressly limited by its terms to another date,
shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, with the same force
and effect as if made as of the Closing, and all the covenants contained in this
Agreement (including, but not limited to, ARTICLE 5 and ARTICLE 7 hereof) to be
complied with by each Warrantor on or before the Closing shall have been
complied with, and SCAC shall have received at the Closing a certificate of each
Warrantor to such effect.
(b)
Legal
Opinions
. SCAC shall have received from (i) PRC counsel to the
Warrantors a legal opinion addressed to SCAC with respect to PRC legal matters
in the form attached hereto as
Schedule J
and
(ii) AutoChina’s Cayman counsel a legal opinion addressed to SCAC with respect
to Cayman legal matters in the form attached hereto as
Schedule K
, in
each case dated as of the Closing Date.
(c)
Waivers and
Consents
. Each Warrantor shall have obtained and delivered to
SCAC waivers and consents of all third parties required for the consummation of
the AutoChina Acquisition set forth in
Schedule L
.
(d)
Regulatory
Approvals
. Any Governmental Authority whose approval or
consent is required in connection with the Restructuring and other transactions
contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, the approval of MOFCOM,
shall have approved of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The registrations, filings and updates with any
Governmental Authorities as required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the filings by
each of the AutoChina Shareholders or their beneficial owners with SAFE (if
required), shall have been duly completed and SCAC shall have cleared all the
comments of SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement and shall have filed with
SEC the Proxy Statement. SCAC shall have received written
confirmation of such approvals, registrations, filings and updates.
(e)
No Adverse
Change
. At the Closing, as duly certified by a director of
each of the Warrantors, there shall have been no material adverse change in the
Assets and Properties, liabilities, financial condition or prospects of the
Group Companies or the Business from that shown or reflected in the FY2007
AutoChina Consolidated Financials and as described in the Proxy
Statement. Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date,
there shall not have occurred an event which, in the reasonable opinion of SCAC,
would have an AutoChina Material Adverse Effect.
(f)
Necessary
Proceedings
. All proceedings, corporate or otherwise, to be
taken by each Warrantor in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been duly and validly taken, and
copies of all documents, resolutions and certificates incident thereto, duly
certified by each Warrantor, as appropriate, as of the Closing, shall have been
delivered to SCAC.
(g)
AutoChina
Information
. The AutoChina Information, at the time of
distribution or effectiveness of each filing or submission with the SEC
containing any such information and at Closing, will accurately reflect the
Business, the Group Companies, and the AutoChina Shareholders, and the AutoChina
Information will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements in the AutoChina
Information not misleading.
(h)
Employment
Agreements
. Each of the Key Employees shall have executed and,
at the Closing, delivered the Executive Employment Agreement with SCAC and/or
the relevant Group Companies and each of all the other full-time employees of
the Group Companies shall have executed and delivered each of the Labor
Contracts.
(i)
Equity Incentive
Plan
. The Equity Incentive Plan shall have been approved at
the SCAC Shareholders’ Meeting.
(j)
Restructuring
. The
Warrantors shall have delivered evidence to the satisfaction of SCAC that the
Restructuring has been completed in all respects and in compliance with all
applicable laws including, but not limited to, providing updated licenses and
certificates of each Group Company, including but not limited to a foreign
exchange registration certificate and such other licenses and certificates as
the Investor may reasonably request. All Restructuring Agreements
shall have been executed by each of the parties thereto in accordance with the
Restructuring Plan. The Restructuring shall have been fully completed
pursuant to such Restructuring Agreements in compliance with applicable PRC laws
and regulations and the Warrantors shall have delivered evidence to the
satisfaction of SCAC that Chuanglian exercises de facto control over the
operations of the Chuanglian Controlled Companies such that each of the
Chuanglian Controlled Companies qualify as a “special purpose entity” under SIC
12, “Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities,” under IFRS or a “variable
interest entity” under FIN 46 of US GAAP and are required to be consolidated
with Chuanglian for financial statement reporting purposes.
ARTICLE
9
TERMINATION
AND ABANDONMENT
Section
9.01
Methods of
Termination
. The transactions contemplated herein may be
terminated and/or abandoned at any time but not later than the
Closing:
(a) by
mutual written consent of the Parties;
(b) by
either SCAC or any Warrantor, if the Closing has not occurred by August 31,
2009;
(c) by
any Warrantor, (i) if SCAC shall have breached any of its covenants in ARTICLE 6
or ARTICLE 7 hereof in any respect or (ii) if the representations and warranties
of SCAC contained in this Agreement shall not be true and correct, at the time
made, or (iii) if such representations and warranties shall not be true and
correct at and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and
warranties were made again at and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent
that such representations are made herein as of a specific date prior to the
Closing Date, and in any such event, if such breach is subject to cure, SCAC has
not cured such breach within ten (10) Business Days of any Warrantor’s notice of
an intent to terminate;
(d) by
SCAC, (i) if any Warrantor shall have breached any of the covenants in ARTICLE 5
or ARTICLE 7 hereof in any respect or (ii) if the representations and warranties
of any Warrantor contained in this Agreement shall not be true and correct, at
the time made, or (iii) if such representations and warranties shall not be true
and correct at and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and
warranties were made again at and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent
that such representations are made herein as of a specific date prior to the
Closing Date, and in any such event, if such breach is subject to cure, and the
Warrantors have not cured such breach within ten (10) Business Days of SCAC’s
notice of an intent to terminate;
(e) by
either SCAC or any Warrantor, if at the SCAC Shareholders’ Meeting (including
any adjournments thereof), this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby fail to be approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of the requisite
number of holders of SCAC Ordinary Shares, including a majority-in-interest of
the SCAC Ordinary Shares voted by the public shareholders, in accordance with
the SCAC Articles and the aggregate number of SCAC Ordinary Shares held by
public shareholders of SCAC who (i) exercise their rights to convert their SCAC
Ordinary Shares to cash in accordance with the SCAC Articles and (ii) vote
against the transactions contemplated hereby constitute forty percent (40%) or
more of the SCAC Ordinary Shares sold in SCAC’s Public Offering; or
(f) by
either SCAC or any Warrantor, if this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby fail to be approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of
the requisite number of the holders of SCAC Ordinary Shares in accordance with
the SCAC Articles within ninety (90) days from the date of this
Agreement.
Section
9.02
Effect of
Termination
.
(a) In
the event of termination and abandonment by SCAC or by any Warrantor, or both,
pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given
to the other Party, and except as set forth in this Section 9.02, all further
obligations of the Parties shall terminate, no Party shall have any right
against the other Party hereto, and (i) Founder and FounderCo shall bear the
costs and expenses of each of the Warrantors and (ii) SCAC shall bear
its own costs and expenses.
(b)
Consequence of
Termination
. If the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are terminated and/or abandoned as provided herein:
(i) each
Party hereto will return all documents, work papers and other material (and all
copies thereof) of the other Party relating to the transactions contemplated
hereby, whether so obtained before or after the execution hereof, to the Party
furnishing the same; and
(ii) all
confidential information received by each Party hereto with respect to the
business of any other Party hereto shall be treated in accordance with Section
5.06(b) hereof, which shall survive such termination or
abandonment.
ARTICLE
10
DEFINITIONS
Section
10.01
Certain Defined
Terms
. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
“
Acquisition Proposal
”
shall mean (a) a proposal for any transaction pursuant to which any Person
proposes to acquire any beneficial ownership of the outstanding equity
securities of any Group Company (including as part of any capital raising
transaction), whether from any Group Company or pursuant to a tender offer,
exchange offer, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise; (b) a proposal
for any merger, consolidation, establishment of or investment in another legal
entity or other business combination involving any Group Company; (c) a proposal
for any other transaction or series of related transactions (including any sale,
lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, license, transfer or other disposition)
pursuant to which any Person proposes to acquire or control a material portion
of the Assets and Properties of any Group Company; or (iv) any public
announcement of a proposal, plan, or intention to do any of the foregoing or any
agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.
“
Action
” shall mean
any Claim, action, suit, litigation, arbitration, proceeding or investigation by
or pending before any Governmental Authority.
“
Affiliate
” shall mean
any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person
specified. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means
the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person whether by Contract or otherwise and, in
any event and without limitation of the previous sentence, any Person owning
fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of a second Person shall be
deemed to control that second Person. For the purposes of this
definition, a Person shall be deemed to control any of his or her immediate
family members.
“
Agreement
” shall have
the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereof.
“
Assets and
Properties
” of any Person shall mean all assets and properties of every
kind, nature, character and description (whether real, personal or mixed,
whether tangible or intangible, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or
otherwise and wherever situated), including the goodwill related thereto,
operated, owned or leased by such Person, including cash, cash equivalents,
Investment Assets, accounts and notes receivable, chattel paper, documents,
instruments, general intangibles, real estate, equipment, inventory, goods and
Intellectual Property.
“
Associate
” shall
mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other business organization
of which such Person is an officer or partner or is the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of five percent (5%) or more of any class of equity
securities, any trust or estate in which such Person has a substantial
beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as a trustee or in a
similar capacity and any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of
such spouse, who has the same home as such Person.
“
AutoChina Material Adverse
Effect
” shall mean any event, change or effect that, when taken
individually or together with all other adverse changes and effects, is or is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the Business, Assets and
Properties, Real Property, operations, financial condition, liquidity or
prospects of the Group Companies, in each case taken as a whole, or to prevent
or materially delay consummation of the AutoChina Acquisition or otherwise to
prevent the Warrantors from performing their obligations in any material
respects under this Agreement.
“
AutoChina
Shareholders
” shall mean FounderCo and any other registered owner of
share capital of AutoChina prior to the Closing.
“
AutoChina Shareholders’
Representative
” shall mean Wang or such other individual as designated by
FounderCo in writing, who has been irrevocably and fully authorized to act on
behalf of all of the AutoChina Shareholders with respect to such matters as
designated herein.
“
AutoChina’s
Accountants
” shall mean Grobstein, Horwath & Company
LLP.
“
Benefit Plan
” shall
mean any Plan established by any Group Company, or any predecessor or Affiliate
of them, existing at the Closing Date or prior thereto, to which any Group
Company contributes or has contributed or may have liability, or under which any
employee, former employee or director of any Group Company or any beneficiary
thereof is covered, is eligible for coverage or has benefit rights whether
provided by any Group Company or pursuant to any governmental program, or
otherwise.
“
Best Knowledge
” shall
mean the actual or constructive knowledge that would have been acquired after
inquiry in a reasonable and diligent manner, of a Person.
“
Board
” shall mean the
board of directors of SCAC.
“
Books and Records
”
shall mean all files, documents, instruments, papers, books and records relating
to the Business of any Group Company including financial statements, Tax Returns
and related work papers and letters from accountants, budgets, pricing
guidelines, ledgers, journals, deeds, title policies, minute books, stock
certificates and books, stock transfer ledgers, Contracts, licenses, customer
lists, computer files and programs, retrieval programs, operating data and plans
and environmental studies and plans.
“
Business
” shall mean
all the material businesses and operations conducted by the Group Companies,
including, but not limited to, the wholesale and retail sale of vehicles
(including auto trading), vehicle parts and vehicle accessories; vehicle repair
and maintenance; insurance agency; vehicle trade-in business; used car sales
business; and vehicle consulting services and vehicle storage
services.
“
Business Day
” shall
mean a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to be
closed in the City of New York, Hong Kong and the PRC.
“
Claim
” shall mean any
claim, demand, suit, proceeding or action.
“
Contracts
” shall mean
any contract, agreement, arrangement, plan, lease, license or similar
instrument.
“
Control
” shall mean
the possession, directly or indirectly, or as trustee or executor, of the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by
contract or credit arrangement or otherwise.
“
Copyrights
” shall
mean all copyrights, including rights in and to works of authorship and all
other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, whether published or
unpublished, including rights to prepare, reproduce, perform, display and
distribute copyrighted works and copies, compilations and derivative works
thereof.
“
Disclosure Schedule
”
shall mean the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto as
Schedule M
,
dated as of the date hereof.
“
EBITDA
” shall mean
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and any adjustment
for minority interests. on a consolidated basis calculated based on the audited
financial statements prepared by the Independent Auditors in accordance with US
GAAP for any twelve (12) month period ended December 31 but for the purposes of
this Agreement excluding from any such calculation of EBITDA, any EBITDA (a)
generated by the operations of any entities acquired by or merged with SCAC
following the Closing or from one-time gains or one-time losses, including, but
not limited to, one-time gains or losses from the divestiture of any assets or
entities and (b) any impacts on such financial statements as a result of any
change of US GAAP occurring after the date such final statements were
prepared. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement,
EBITDA for FY2009 shall exclude the losses of SCAC in FY2009 incurred prior to
the Closing and shall be calculated on the assumption that the Group Companies
became subsidiaries of AutoChina as of January 1, 2009.
“
EBITDA Growth
” shall
mean year-over-year EBITDA growth.
“
Exchange Act
” shall
mean the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“
FY2005
,” “
FY2006
,” “
FY2007
,” “
FY2008
” “
FY2009
,” “
FY2010
,” “
FY2011
,” “
FY2012
,” and “
FY2013
.” shall mean,
respectively, the financial year ended December 31 of 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
“
Governmental
Authority
” shall mean any PRC or non-PRC national, supranational, state,
provincial, local or similar government, governmental, regulatory or
administrative authority, agency or commission or any court, tribunal or
judicial or arbitral body.
“
Governmental Order
”
shall mean any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation,
determination or award entered by or with any Governmental
Authority.
“
Group Companies
”
shall mean AutoChina, Fancy Think, the PRC Subsidiaries, the New Subsidiaries,
and any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of the foregoing, variable interest
entity or otherwise, if any.
“
Hazardous Substance
”
shall mean any substances of whatever description which may cause or have a
harmful effect on the environment or the health of a person or any other living
organism including, without limitation, all pollutants, contaminants and wastes
and all poisonous, toxic, noxious, dangerous and offensive
substances.
“
Historical Tax
Liabilities
” shall mean any Taxes that were incurred by any Group Company
or their direct or indirect shareholders on or before the Closing.
“
Hong Kong
” shall mean
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.
“
Indebtedness
” of any
Person shall mean all obligations of such Person (i) for borrowed money,
(ii) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments,
(iii) for the deferred purchase price of goods or services (other than
trade payables, installment payments or accruals incurred in the ordinary course
of business), (iv) under capital leases, or (v) in the nature of
guarantees of the obligations described in clauses (i) through
(iv) above of any other Person.
“
Indemnification
Agreement
” shall mean the indemnification agreement to be entered into
between SCAC and each Indemnitee in the form of
Schedule N
attached hereto.
“
Indemnitee
” shall
mean each of the Board members, Founder, and other individuals as designated by
the Board.
“
Independent Auditors
”
shall mean the then current outside independent auditors of SCAC or any
subsidiary of SCAC, as applicable.
“
Intellectual
Property
” shall mean any intellectual property rights, including, without
limitations, Patents, Copyrights, service marks, moral rights, Trade Secrets,
Trademarks, designs and Technology, together with (a) all registrations and
applications for registration therefore, if applicable, and (b) all rights to
any of the foregoing (including (i) all rights received under any license or
other arrangement with respect to the foregoing, (ii) all rights or causes of
action for infringement or misappropriation (past, present or future) of any of
the foregoing, (iii) all rights to apply for or register any of the foregoing),
(iv) domain names and URL’s of or relating to the Business and variations of the
domain names and URL’s, (v) Contracts which related to any of the foregoing,
including invention assignment, intellectual property assignment,
confidentiality, and non-competition agreements, and (vi) goodwill of any of the
foregoing.
“
Investment Assets
”
shall mean all debentures, notes and other evidences of indebtedness, stocks,
securities (including rights to purchase and securities convertible into or
exchangeable for other securities), interests in joint ventures and general and
limited partnerships, mortgage loans and other investment or portfolio
assets.
“
Laws
” shall mean all
statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, circulars, orders, official responses,
writs, injunctions, judgments, decrees, awards, restrictions and other generally
applicable official documents of any Governmental Authorities of the PRC, Hong
Kong, USA, the Cayman Islands or other applicable jurisdictions, including,
without limitation, applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and
restrictions relating to securities, taxation, investment, zoning, land use,
safety, health, environment, Hazardous Substances, pollution controls,
employment and employment practices and access by the handicapped.
“
Liabilities
” shall
mean all Indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities of a Person (whether
absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or otherwise, or whether due or to become
due).
“
Lien
” shall mean any
mortgage, pledge, assessment, security interest, lease, lien, adverse claim,
levy, charge or other encumbrance of any kind, or any condition sale Contract,
title retention Contract or other Contract to give any of the
foregoing.
“
MOFCOM
” shall mean
the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC.
“
New SCAC Articles
”
shall mean the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of
SCAC in the form of
Schedule O
attached hereto.
“
Patents
” shall mean
all United States and foreign patents and utility models and applications
therefore and all reissues, divisions, re-examinations, renewals, extensions,
provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, and equivalent or
similar rights anywhere in the world in inventions and discoveries.
“
Permits
” shall mean
all governmental registrations, licenses, permits, authorizations and
approvals.
“
Permitted Lien
” shall
mean (a) any Lien for Taxes not yet due or delinquent or being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been
established in accordance with US GAAP, (b) any statutory Lien arising in
the ordinary course of business by operation of Law with respect to a Liability
that is not yet due or delinquent and (c) any minor imperfection of title
or similar Lien which individually or in the aggregate with other such Liens
does not materially impair the value of the Assets and Properties subject to
such Lien or the use of such Assets and Properties in the conduct of the
Business.
“
Person
” shall mean an
individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, unincorporated
organization, cooperative or a governmental entity or agency
thereof.
“
Plan
” shall mean any
employment, consulting, change of control bonus, incentive compensation,
deferred compensation, pension, profit sharing, retirement, stock purchase,
stock option, stock ownership, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, leave
of absence, layoff, vacation, day or dependent care, legal services, cafeteria,
life, health, accident, disability, workmen’s compensation or other insurance,
severance, separation or other employee benefit plan, practice, policy agreement
or arrangement of any kind, whether written or oral, and whether or not required
by applicable Law.
“
PRC
” shall mean the
People’s Republic of China, for the purposes of this Agreement, excluding the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region
and Taiwan.
“
PRC GAAP
” shall mean
generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC, consistently applied with
past periods..
“
Pre-Closing Period Tax
Returns
” shall mean all Tax Returns of the Group Companies for all
taxable periods of the Group Companies which are required to be filed on or
prior to the Closing Date.
“
Pre-Closing Taxes
”
shall mean all Taxes payable with respect to the Pre-Closing Period Tax Returns
or Taxes with respect to Tax Returns filed after the Closing Date that relate
back to any tax period ending prior to the Closing Date.
“
Proprietary Rights
”
shall mean all Intellectual Property and other proprietary rights, including,
without limitation, any and all foreign and domestic trade name, know-how and
all associated rights, and any and all registrations, applications, renewals,
extensions and continuations (in whole or in part) of any of the foregoing,
together with all goodwill associated therewith and all rights and causes of
action for infringement, misappropriation, misuse, dilution, unfair trade
practice or otherwise associated therewith.
“
Purchase Option
”
shall mean the option granted to EarlyBirdCapital to purchase up to a total of
450,000 units of SCAC securities at US$8.80 per unit. Each unit
issuable upon exercise of such option consists of one (1) SCAC Ordinary Share
and one (1) warrant that is identical to a Public Offering Warrant.
“
Registration Rights
Agreement
” shall mean a Registration Rights Agreement by and between SCAC
and FounderCo in the form of
Schedule P
attached hereto.
“
Release
” shall mean
any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging,
injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the
environment.
“
Representatives
” of
each Party shall mean such Party’s employees, accountants, auditors, actuaries,
counsel, financial advisors, bankers, investment bankers and
consultants.
“
Restructuring
” shall
mean the reorganization of the capital, ownership, and organizational structure
of the Group Companies and related transactions pursuant to the Restructuring
Agreements and as contemplated by the Memorandum on the Overseas Private Equity
Financing and IPO Structure of Kaiyuan Auto Sales Group prepared by Zhong Lun
Law Firm dated August 26, 2008 (the “
Restructuring Plan
”),
as may be amended or supplemented from time to time with the consent of SCAC and
AutoChina.
“
Restructuring
Agreements
” means those certain agreements relating to the Restructuring
and governing the relationships by and among the Group Companies and their
respective shareholders following the Restructuring as more specifically set
forth in the Restructuring Plan.
“
RMB
” shall mean the
official currency of the PRC.
“
SAFE
” shall mean the
State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, including any of its
branches or divisions.
“
SAFE Circulars
” shall
mean the Circular on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange
Concerning Fund Raising and Round-Trip Investment by Domestic Residents through
Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (
《关于境内居民通过境外特殊目的公司融资及返程投资外汇管理相关问题的通知》
[
汇发(
2005
)
75
号
]) issued by SAFE
with effect from November 1, 2005, and the Circular on the Release of Operative
Directives for the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on
Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange Concerning Fund
Raising and Round-Trip Investment by Domestic Residents through Offshore Special
Purpose Vehicles (
国家外汇管理局综合司关于印发《国家外汇管理局关于境内居民通过境外特殊目的公司融资及返程投资外汇管理有关问题的通知》操作规程的通知
[
汇综发
(2007)
106
号
]) issued
by the General Affairs Department of SAFE with effect from May 29,
2007.
“
SCAC Material Adverse
Effect
” shall mean any event, change or effect (excluding any
event, change or effect resulting in any disturbance or adverse change in or to
international financial markets, international foreign exchange markets, the
international banking system or any stock, bond, futures or commodities markets
in the PRC (including Hong Kong), the USA, Europe or Asia) that, when taken
individually or together with all other adverse changes and effects, is or is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business, Assets and
Properties, Real Property, operations, financial condition, liquidity or
prospects of SCAC, taken as a whole, or to prevent or materially delay
consummation of the AutoChina Acquisition or otherwise to prevent SCAC from
performing its obligations under this Agreement.
“
SCAC Ordinary Shares
”
shall mean ordinary shares of SCAC, par value US$0.001 per share.
“
SCAC’s Public
Offering
” shall mean the initial public offering of SCAC, in which SCAC
sold 5,175,000 units of SCAC securities (including the underwriter’s exercise of
the over-allotment option) at a price of US$8.00 per unit. Each unit
sold consisted of one (1) SCAC Ordinary Share and one (1) Public Offering
Warrant (as defined below).
“
SCAC Shareholders’
Representative
” shall mean James Sha or such other individual as
designated by a majority of the existing shareholders of SCAC that were also
shareholders of SCAC prior to the Closing, such designation in writing, who has
been irrevocably and fully authorized to act on behalf of all of the
shareholders of SCAC with respect to such matters as designated
herein.
“
Securities Act
” shall
mean the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“
Software
” shall mean
all software, in object, human-readable or source code, whether previously
completed or now under development, including programs, applications, databases,
data files, coding and other software, components or elements thereof,
programmer annotations, and all versions, upgrades, updates, enhancements and
error corrections of all of the foregoing.
“
Subsidiary
” or “
subsidiary
” shall
mean, with respect to any subject entity (the “
subject entity
”), (i)
any company, partnership or other entity (x) more than fifty percent (50%) of
whose shares or other interests entitled to vote in the election of directors or
(y) more than a fifty percent (50%) of whose interest in the profits or capital
of such entity are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the subject
entity or through one or more Subsidiaries of the subject entity; (ii) any
entity whose assets, or portions thereof, are consolidated with the net earnings
of the subject entity and are recorded on the books of the subject entity for
financial reporting purposes in accordance with US GAAP; (iii) any entity
respect to which the subject entity has the power to otherwise direct the
business and policies of that entity directly or indirectly through another
subsidiary; and (iv) any branch companies. Notwithstanding the above,
for the purpose of the Transaction Documents, as applied to AutoChina after the
Closing, the term “Subsidiary” or “subsidiary” includes, without limitation,
Fancy Think, the PRC Subsidiaries, the New Subsidiaries and any of their
respective Subsidiaries, if any.
“
Targeted EBITDA
Growth
” shall mean EBITDA Growth of the percentages set forth in
Schedule C
.
“
Tax
” or “
Taxes
” shall mean all
income, gross receipts, sales, stock transfer, excise, bulk transfer, use,
employment, social housing, social insurance, social security, franchise,
profits, property or other taxes, tariffs, imposts, fees, stamp taxes and
duties, assessments, levies or other charges of any kind whatsoever (whether
payable directly or by withholding), together with any interest and any
penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any government or
taxing authority with respect thereto.
“
Tax Return
” shall
mean any declaration, statement, report, return, information return or claim for
refund relating to Taxes (including information required to be supplied to a
governmental entity in respect of such report or return) including, if
applicable, combined or consolidated returns for any group of entities that
includes the Group Companies or SCAC.
“
Technology
” shall
mean any know-how, confidential or proprietary information, name, data,
discovery, formulae, idea, method, process, procedure, other invention, record
of invention, model, research, Software, technique, technology, test
information, market survey, website, or information or material of a like
nature, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to
practice.
“
Trade Secrets
” shall
mean all trade secrets under applicable law and other rights in know-how and
confidential or proprietary information, processing, manufacturing or marketing
information, including new developments, inventions, processes, ideas or other
proprietary information that provides advantages over competitors who do not
know or use it and documentation thereof (including related papers, blueprints,
drawings, chemical compositions, formulae, diaries, notebooks, specifications,
designs, methods of manufacture and data processing software and compilations of
information) and all claims and rights related thereto.
“
Trademarks
” shall
mean any and all United States and foreign trademarks, service marks, logos,
trade names, corporate names, trade dress, Internet domain names and addresses,
and all goodwill associated therewith throughout the world.
“
US
” or “United
States” shall mean the United States of America.
“
US$
” shall mean the
official currency of the United States.
“
US GAAP
” shall mean
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently
applied with past periods.
“
Voting Agreement
”
shall mean a Voting Agreement by and between SCAC and FounderCo in the form of
Schedule Q
attached hereto.
“
Warrantors
” shall
mean Founder, Wang, FounderCo, AutoChina, Fancy Think, Chuanglian, Kaiyuan Real
Estate, Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Kaiyuan Logistics, Tianmei
Insurance, Kaiyuan Auto Trade, and Chuanglian Auto Trade.
“
Warrants
” shall mean
the (i) 5,175,000 warrants issued by SCAC, pursuant to which one (1) warrant
will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) SCAC Ordinary Share from
SCAC at an exercise price of US$5.00 commencing on the later of (a) the
completion of a business combination such as the AutoChina Acquisition or (b)
February 26, 2013, or earlier upon redemption (the “
Public Offering
Warrants
”) and (ii) 1,430,000 warrants issued by SCAC to its founding
shareholders (the “
Insider Warrants
”),
the Insider Warrants are identical to the Public Offering Warrants except that
if SCAC calls the Insider Warrants for redemption, the Insider Warrants may be
exercised on a cashless basis so long as the Insider Warrants are held by SCAC’s
founding shareholders or their affiliates.
ARTICLE
11
INDEMNIFICATION
Section
11.01
Indemnification
.
(a)
Indemnification
Obligations
. Subject to the limitations set forth in this
Section 11, from and after the date hereof, each of the Warrantors shall jointly
and severally protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless SCAC, officers,
directors, employees, (each, an “
Indemnified Person
”
and collectively, the “
Indemnified Persons
”)
from and against any and all losses, costs, amounts paid or payable, damages,
liabilities, fees (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) and
expenses (collectively, the “
Damages
”), that any
of Indemnified Persons incurs by reason of or in connection with:
(i) any
claim, demand, action or cause of action alleging misrepresentation, breach of,
or default in connection with, any of the representations, warranties, or
agreements of any of the Warrantors contained in the Transaction Documents and
all other agreements in connection with the AutoChina Acquisition to which any
Warrantor is a party and any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto;
and
(ii) any
failure of any of the Warrantors to perform any of its covenants under the
Transaction Documents and all other agreements in connection with the AutoChina
Acquisition to which any Warrantor is a party and any exhibits or schedules
attached hereto or thereto.
In
determining the amount of any Damages in respect of the failure of any
representation or warranty to be true and correct, any materiality standard or
qualification (including an AutoChina Material Adverse Effect qualification)
contained in such representation or warranty shall be
disregarded. The Warrantors shall have no right of contribution,
indemnification or similar right from SCAC or its Affiliates. Each of
the Warrantors is individually referred to in this ARTICLE 11 as the “
Indemnifying Person
,”
and collectively, the “
Indemnifying
Persons
.”
(b)
Limitations
.
(i) The
Warrantors shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnified Person or be liable
to SCAC or its Affiliates for any Liability under the Transaction Documents and
all other agreements in connection with the AutoChina Acquisition to which any
Warrantor is a party and any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto
unless the aggregate amount of all Damages exceeds US$100,000 (“
Basket
”), after which
the Warrantors shall be responsible for all Damages, including the Basket;
provided, however, the maximum Liability of the Warrantors shall be limited to
an amount equivalent to US$68,850,000, except for fraud, intentional
misrepresentation and taxes;
(ii) All
indemnification claims shall have been asserted prior to the Remaining Holdback
Consideration Release Date; provided, however, indemnification claims based on
(A) fraud and intentional misrepresentation and taxes shall survive indefinitely
and (B) Known Liabilities set forth in each of Sections 11.01(c)(i) and
11.01(c)(ii) shall survive until the fifth anniversary of the Closing
Date;
(iii) With
regard to a third party claim, an Indemnifying Person shall not have any
obligation to indemnify or hold harmless an Indemnified Person(s) for any
settlement entered into by such Indemnified Persons without the Indemnifying
Person’s prior written consent after the Closing of this Agreement, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld; and
(iv) In
satisfying any or all claims under the Transaction Documents and all other
agreements in connection with the AutoChina Acquisition to which any Warrantor
is a party and any exhibits or schedules attached hereto or thereto, SCAC may
elect, at its sole discretion, to have the relevant claim satisfied (in whole or
in part) by transfer of such number of SCAC Ordinary Shares to the Indemnified
Person, provided, that the value of the SCAC Ordinary Shares shall be equal to
the product of (A) the number of SCAC Ordinary Shares being used to satisfy such
claim and (B) the average closing price of SCAC Ordinary Shares for fifteen (15)
consecutive trading days ending on the first (1st) trading day prior to the date
such shares are actually delivered to the Indemnified Person.
(c)
Known
Liabilities
. “
Known Liabilities
”
shall mean all Damages incurred related to any of the items listed in this
Section 11.01(c) and shall be considered Damages without regard to whether or
not such Damages are disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule and without regard to
whether or not amounts have been accrued for such Damages in the
financials:
(i) Real
Property, including but not limited to, any Group Company’s (I) use of
collectively-owned land for non-agricultural purposes, (II) failure to obtain
building ownership certificates and proper construction approvals for any
premises it has built on leased land, (III) failure to properly register any
lease with the applicable governmental authorities, and (IV) any payment
obligations or liabilities that arise pursuant to any lease set forth on
Schedule
G
;
(ii) Restructuring,
including but not limited to, any Group Company’s failure to execute all
applicable control agreements, any failure of payment of share transfer prices
related to the Restructuring by any Group Company, and the failure of any Group
Company to notify or obtain consent from the relevant parties for the
Restructuring;
(iii) any
inter-company lending or withdrawal of registered capital contribution by any
Warrantor or Group Company in violation of applicable laws;
(iv) Licenses
and Permits, including but not limited to, the failure of any Group Company to
have the appropriate business scope or to receive the appropriate
qualifications, including but not limited to road transportation operations
permits and insurance agency permits for the operation of its business, the
failure of any Warrantor or Group Company to register with SAFE pursuant to the
SAFE Circulars, and the failure of any Warrantor or Group Company to obtain the
Licenses and Permits set forth in Sections 7.08 and 7.09;
(v) the
failure of any Group Company to obtain consents for its investments that are
required pursuant to the guarantee agreements set forth on
Schedule R
;
(vi) the
failure of any Group Company to enter into labor contracts with all of its
employees or to make mandatory social insurance contributions for all of its
employees; and
(vii) any
Historical Tax Liabilities or the failure to make adequate social insurance
contributions, housing fund contributions, or related employment taxes and
liabilities.
Section
11.02
Method of Asserting
Claims
. Upon presentation of a written notice from an
Indemnified Person to a Warrantor for indemnification which states a good faith
determination of the amount of its Damages (“
Damages
Determination
”), the Indemnified Person shall have the right to recover
its Damages from the Warrantors. Such notice shall include facts
constituting the basis for such claim, provided, that failure to give such
notice shall not affect any rights or remedies of the Indemnified Person
hereunder with respect to the indemnification of Damages except to the extent
the Indemnifying Party is materially and irrevocably prejudiced
thereby. If the Warrantors disagree in good faith with the Damages
Determination from the Indemnified Person, they shall have ten (10) days from
the Indemnified Person’s delivery of notice of its Damages Determination to
deliver to the Indemnified Person written objections to the Damages
Determination. The Warrantors may, by written notice to the
Indemnified Person, waive or shorten such period for objection. After
receipt of any such written notice, an authorized representative of each of the
Warrantors and the Indemnified Person shall promptly negotiate with respect to
the Damages Determination and the objections thereto, and if they are unable to
reach an agreement within thirty (30) Business Days after delivery to the
Indemnified Person of the objections to the Damages Determination, the dispute
shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 12.09
hereof. Any disputed portion of the Damages Determination amount that
is subsequently paid by the Warrantors shall bear interest at the rate of ten
percent (10%) per annum from the date such payment otherwise would have been
made in the absence of such dispute.
Section
11.03
Setoff
. In
connection with Sections 1.02(b)(iv) and 11.02, any and all amounts claimed by
an Indemnified Person pursuant to Section 11.02 above in connection with Damages
for which the Indemnified Person has delivered a notice to the Warrantors may be
set-off, at SCAC’s sole direction, against any unpaid amounts by SCAC due to the
Warrantors. In the event the Warrantors object to SCAC’s set-off, the
dispute shall be subject to Section 12.09, provided, that SCAC shall not be
required to make any unpaid amounts that it has set-off unless, until and to the
extent it is so ordered to do so in a final and binding award of an arbitration
tribunal pursuant to an arbitration conducted in accordance with Section
12.09.
ARTICLE
12
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section
12.01
Expenses
. Except
as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses, including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of the Warrantors, incurred in connection
with the preparation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be paid by Founder and FounderCo incurring such costs and expenses,
whether or not the Closing shall have occurred. The Parties hereto
acknowledge and agree that certain expenses of SCAC will be deferred until the
Closing to be paid out of funds currently held in the trust account referred to
in Section 12.13.
Section
12.02
Notices
. All
notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date
delivered or mailed if delivered personally or by nationally recognized courier
or mailed by registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified
by like notice, except that notices of changes of address shall be effective
upon receipt):
|
(a)
|
If
to the Group Companies:
|
No.322
Zhong Shan East Road
,
Shijiazhuang
City, Hebei 050011, People’s Republic of China
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
Room
3713, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Attention:
Lynch Consultancy Limited
7375
Union St.,
Burnaby
BC, V5A, 1J1, Canada
Attention:
Li Yonghui
7375
Union St.,
Burnaby
BC, V5A, 1J1, Canada
Attention:
Yan Wang
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building, No. 17
North
DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District
Beijing
100081, People’s Republic of China
Attention:
James Sha
Section
12.03
Amendment
. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing
signed by the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Warrantors
hereby agree that any New Subsidiary may become party to this Agreement as a
“Group Company”, “Subsidiary”, and “Warrantor”, by executing a counterpart of
this Agreement, without any amendment of this Agreement, pursuant to this
Section 12.03 or any consent or approval of any Party.
Section
12.04
Waiver
. At
any time prior to the Closing, each Party may (a) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the any other Party, (b)
waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained herein or
in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of
the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by
the Party to be bound thereby.
Section
12.05
Headings
. The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
Section
12.06
Severability
. If
any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to any Party. Upon such
determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this
Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as
possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated
hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
Section
12.07
Entire
Agreement
. This Agreement and the Schedules hereto constitute
the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both
written and oral, between the Warrantors and SCAC with respect to the subject
matter hereof and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, are not
intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies
hereunder.
Section
12.08
Benefit
. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and
assigns of the Parties.
Section
12.09
Arbitration
.
(a) Any
dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or
the interpretation, breach, termination or validity hereof, shall be resolved in
accordance with this Section 12.09. Any dispute, controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach,
termination or validity hereof, shall be initially be resolved through
consultation. Such consultation shall begin immediately after one
Party hereto has delivered to the other Parties hereto a written request for
such consultation. If within thirty (30) days following the date on
which such notice is given the dispute cannot be resolved, the dispute shall be
resolved by arbitration.
(b) The
arbitration shall be conducted in Hong Kong under the auspices of the Hong Kong
International Arbitration Centre (the “
Centre
”). There
shall be three arbitrators. SCAC, on the one hand, and the Warrantors
that are party to the dispute (the “
AutoChina Parties
”),
on the other hand, shall each select one (1) arbitrator within thirty (30) days
after giving or receiving the demand for arbitration. The Chairman of
the Centre shall act as the third arbitrator. If SCAC or the
AutoChina Parties that are parties to the dispute do not appoint an arbitrator
who has consented to participate within thirty (30) days after selection of the
first arbitrator, the relevant appointment shall be made by the Chairman of the
Centre.
(c) The
arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English. The
arbitration tribunal shall apply the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in effect at the
time of the arbitration. However, if such rules are in conflict with
the provisions of this Section 12.09 including the provisions concerning the
appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 12.09 shall
prevail.
(d) The
arbitrators shall decide any dispute submitted by the Parties to the arbitration
strictly in accordance with the substantive law of the State of New York and
shall not apply any other substantive law, except to the extent required by the
terms of this Agreement.
(e) Each
Party hereto shall cooperate with the others in making full disclosure of and
providing complete access to all information and documents requested by the
others in connection with such arbitration proceedings, subject only to any
confidentiality obligations binding on such Party.
(f) The
award of the arbitration tribunal shall be final and binding upon the disputing
Parties, and any Party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for
enforcement of such award.
(g) Each
Party shall cooperate and use their respective best efforts to take all actions
reasonably required to facilitate the prompt enforcement in the PRC or in any
other jurisdiction of any arbitration award made by the tribunal.
(h) A
Party shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief, if possible, from
any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral
tribunal.
Section
12.10
Waiver of
Immunity
. To the extent that each of the Parties (including
its assignees of any such rights or obligations hereunder) may be entitled, in
any jurisdiction, to claim for itself (or himself or herself) or its revenues or
Assets and Properties, immunity from service of process, suit, the jurisdiction
of any court, an interlocutory order or injunction or the enforcement of the
same against its property in such court, attachment prior to judgment,
attachment in aid of execution of an arbitral award or judgment (interlocutory
or final) or any other legal process, and to the extent that, in any such
jurisdiction there may be attributed such immunity (whether claimed or not),
such Party hereby irrevocably waive such immunity.
Section
12.11
Governing
Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the state of New York.
Section
12.12
Counterparts
. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different
Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to
be an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the
same agreement.
Section
12.13
Trust
Account
. Reference herein is made to SCAC’s final prospectus,
dated February 27, 2008 (the “
Prospectus
”). Each
of the Parties hereto other than SCAC has read the Prospectus and understands
that SCAC has established the trust account described in the Prospectus,
initially in an amount of US$35,460,000 for the benefit of the public
shareholders and the underwriters of SCAC’s initial public offering (the “
Underwriters
”) and
that, except for certain exceptions described in the Prospectus, SCAC may
disburse monies from the trust account only: (i) to the public shareholders in
the event of the conversion of their shares or the liquidation of SCAC; or (ii)
to SCAC and the Underwriters after consummation of a business combination, as
described in the Prospectus. Each of the Parties hereto other than
SCAC hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of
any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “
Claim
”) and hereby
waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of,
any negotiations, contracts or agreements with SCAC and will not seek recourse
against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.
SCHEDULE
A1
4S
STORES I
1. Shijiazhuang
Baohe Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
石家庄宝和汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Shijiazhuang
Baohe
”)
2. Shijiazhuang
Xinhua Toyota Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
石家庄新华丰田汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Shijiazhuang
Xinhua
”)
3. Handan
Aohua Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
邯郸市奥华汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Handan
Aohua
”)
4. Handan
Defeng Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
邯郸市德丰汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Handan
Defeng
”)
5. Hebei
Shengmei Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北盛美汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Shengmei
”)
SCHEDULE
A2
4S
STORES II
1. Hebei
Liantuo Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北联拓汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Liantuo
”)
2. Shijiazhuang
Yuhua Toyota Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
石家庄裕华丰田汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua
”)
3. Hebei
Yitong Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
河北益通汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Yitong
”)
4. Hebei
Shengwen Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北盛文汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Shengwen
”)
5. Hebei
Shengda Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北盛达汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Shengda
”)
6. Hebei
Shengkang Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北盛康汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Shengkang
”)
7. Hebei
Anchang Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
河北安昌汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Anchang
”)
8. Hebei
Yuanxinghang Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
河北元兴行汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Yuanxinghang
”)
9. Hebei
Meifeng Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
河北美丰汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Hebei
Meifeng
”)
10. Cangzhou
Yichang Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
沧州益昌汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Cangzhou
Yichang
”)
11. Zhangjiakou
Meihua Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
张家口美华汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Zhangjiakou
Meihua
”)
12. Hengshui
Dechang Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
衡水德昌汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Hengshui
Dechang
”)
13. Qinhuangdao
Jianda Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
秦皇岛建达汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Qinhuangdao
Jianda
”)
14. Cangzhou
Deyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
沧州市德源汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Cangzhou
Deyuan
”)
15. Baoding
Tianhua Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
保定市天华汽车贸易有限公司
)
(“
Baoding
Tianhua
”)
16. Cangzhou
Hengyuan Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
沧州恒源汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Cangzhou
Hengyuan
”)
17. Handan
Baohe Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
邯郸市宝和汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Handan
Baohe
”)
18. Handa
Yacheng Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
邯郸市亚成汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Handa
Yacheng
”)
19. Tangshan
Yachang Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
唐山亚昌汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Tangshan
Yachang
”)
20. Hengshui
Yuhua Toyota Auto Sales and Service Co., Ltd. (
衡水裕华丰田汽车销售服务有限公司
)
(“
Hengshui
Yuhua
”)
SCHEDULE
A3
TRANSPORTATION
COMPANIES I
1.
Yuanshi Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
元氏世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yuanshi Shijie
Transportation
”)
2. Gaoyi
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
高邑开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaoyi
Transportation
”)
3. Xingtang
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
行唐县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xingtang
Transportation
”)
4. Pingshan
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
平山县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Pingshan
Transportation
”)
5. Zanhuang
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
赞皇开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zanhuang
Transportation
”)
6. Jingxing
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
井陉开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jingxing
Transportation
”)
7. Quyang
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
曲阳开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Quyang
Transportation
”)
8. Zhengding
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
正定县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zhengding Shijie
Transportation
”)
9. Gaocheng
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
藁城开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaocheng
Transportation
”)
10. Xinji
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
辛集世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xinji Shijie
Transportation
”)
11. Jinzhou
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
晋州世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jinzhou Shijie
Transportation
”)
12. Shexian
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
涉县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Shexian Shijie
Transportation
”)
13. Fuping
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
阜平县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Fuping Shijie
Transportation
”)
14. Hejian
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
河间开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Hejian
Transportation
”)
15. Weixian
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
威县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Weixian
Transportation
”)
16. Shenzhou
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
深州市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Shenzhou Shijie
Transportation
”)
17. Rongcheng
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
容城县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Rongcheng
Transportation
”)
18. Sanhe
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
三河世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Sanhe Shijie
Transportation
”)
19. Huanghua
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
黄骅市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Huanghua Shijie
Transportation
”)
20. Shahe
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
沙河市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Shahe Shijie
Transportation
”)
21. Jizhou
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
冀州市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jizhou
Transportation
”)
22. Bazhou
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
霸州市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Bazhou
Transportation
”)
23. Pingding
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
平定世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Pingding Shijie
Transportation
”)
24. Botou
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
泊头市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Botou
Transportation
”)
25. Guantao
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
馆陶县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Guantao
Transportation
”)
26. Longyao
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
隆尧开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Longyao
Transportation
”)
27. Hunyuan
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
浑源县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Hunyuan Shijie
Transportation
”)
28. Huailai
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
怀来开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Huailai
Transportation
”)
29. Gaobeidian
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
高碑店市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaobeidian Shijie
Transportation
”)
30. Wu’an
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
武安市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Wu’an
Transportation
”)
31. Shouyang
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
寿阳世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Shouyang Shijie
Transportation
”)
32. Yangquan
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
阳泉世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yangquan Shijie
Transportation
”)
33. Yuxian
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
盂县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yuxian Shijie
Transportation
”)
34. Qingxian
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
青县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Qingxian
Transportation
”)
35. Anguo
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
安国市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Anguo
Transportation
”)
36. Qingxu
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
清徐县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Qingxu Shijie
Transportation
”)
37. Yangyuan
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
阳原开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yangyuan
Transportation
”)
38. Yuxian
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
蔚县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yuxian
Transportation
”)
39. Datong
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
大同市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Datong Shijie
Transportation
”)
40. Nanhe
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
南和县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Nanhe
Transportation
”)
41. Jinzhong
Shiji Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
晋中世纪开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jinzhong Shiji
Transportation
”)
42. Tianjin
Beichen Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
天津市北辰区旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Tianjin Beichen
Xuyuan Transportation
”)
43. Tangshan
Fengrun Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(唐山市丰润区开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Tangshan Fengrun
Transportation
”)
44. Zhangjiakou
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(张家口开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zhangjiakou
Transportation
”)
45. Qixian
Kaiyuan Transportation Co., Ltd.
(祁县开元汽车运输有限公司
)
(“
Qixian
Transportation
”)
46. Qian’an
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(迁安开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Qian’an
Transportation
”)
47. Zunhua
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
遵化开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zunhua
Transportation
”)
48. Fucheng
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
阜城县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Fucheng
Transportation
”)
49. Fengzhen
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
丰镇市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Fengzhen
Transportation
”)
50. Wulan
Chabu Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
乌兰察布市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Wulan Chabu Shijie
Transportation
”)
51. Wuyuan
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
五原县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Wuyuan
Transportation
”)
52. Xinghe
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
兴和县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xinghe
Transportation
”)
53. Zhungeer
Banner Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
准格尔旗世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zhungeer Banner
Shijie Transportation
”)
54. Baotou
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(包头市旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Baotou Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
55. Bayan
Nur Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(巴彦淖尔市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Bayan Nur
Transportation
”)
56. Tuo
Ke Tuo Xian Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
托克托县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Tuo Ke Tuo Xian
Transportation
”)
57. Dalate
Banner Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(达拉特旗旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Dalate
Banner Xuyuan Transportation
”)
58. Ordos
City Dongsheng District Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
鄂尔多斯市东胜区世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Ordos Dongsheng
Shijie Transportation
”)
59. Dong’a
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
东阿开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Dong’a
Transportation
”)
60. Linyi
Jieyun Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
临沂捷运汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Linyi Jieyun
Transportation
”)
61. Linshu
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
临沭开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Linshu
Transportation
”)
62. Leling
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
乐陵市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Leling
Transportation
”)
63. Boxing
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
博兴县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Boxing
Transportation
”)
64. Dezhou
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
德州旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Dezhou Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
65. Zaozhuang
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
枣庄旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zaozhuang Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
66. Jining
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
济宁开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jining
Transportation
”)
67. Binzhou
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
滨州开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Binzhou
Transportation
”)
68. Liaocheng
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
聊城开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Liaocheng
Transportation
”)
69. Zoucheng
Xuwei Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
邹城市旭威汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Zoucheng Xuwei
Transportation
”)
70. Yanggu
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
阳谷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yanggu
Transportation
”)
71. Gaotang
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
高唐县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaotang Shijie
Transportation
”)
72. Qihe
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
奇河开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Qihe
Transportation
”)
73. Anyang
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
安阳世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Anyang Shijie
Transportation
”)
74. Xinxiang
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
新乡市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xinxiang
Transportation
”)
75. Xinmi
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
新密开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xinmi
Transportation
”)
76. Wuzhi
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(武陟县旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Wuzhi Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
77. Luoyang
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(洛阳旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Luoyang Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
78. Jiyuan
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(济源开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jiyuan
Transportation
”)
79. Wenxian
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
温县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Wenxian Shijie
Transportation
”)
80. Jiaozuo
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
焦作市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jiaozuo
Transportation
”)
81. Xuchang
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
许昌县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xuchang
Transportation
”)
82. Huixian
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
辉县市开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Huixian
Transportation
”)
83. Changge
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.
(长葛市旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Changge Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
SCHEDULE
A4
TRANSPORTATION
COMPANIES 2
1. Shuozhou
Xuyuan Transportation Co., Ltd. (
朔州市旭元汽车运输有限公司
)
(“
Shuozhou Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
2. Huairen
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
怀仁县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Huairen Shijie
Transportation
”)
3. Yingxian
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
应县开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yingxian
Transportation
”)
4. Xinzhou
Xinfu Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
忻州市忻府区世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xinzhou Shijie
Transportation
”)
5. Wuzhai
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
五寨县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Wuzhai Shijie
Transportation
”)
6. Daixian
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
代县世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Daixian Shijie
Transportation
”)
7. Lvliang
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd.(
吕梁世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Lvliang Shijie
Transportation
”)
8. Linxian
Shiji Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
临县世纪开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Linxian Shijie
Transportation
”)
9. Xiaoyi
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
孝义市旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Xiaoyi Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
10. Lvliang
Zhongyang Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
吕梁中阳旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Lvliang Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
11. Changzhi
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
长治市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Changzhi Shijie
Transportation
”)
12. Licheng
Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
黎城开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Licheng
Transportation
”)
13. Linfen
Yaodu Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Co., Ltd. (
临汾市尧都区世捷开元汽车运输有限公司
)
(“
Linfen Shijie
Transportation
”)
14. Quwo
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
曲沃世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Quwo Shijie
Transportation
”)
15. Huozhou
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Co., Ltd. (
霍州世捷开元汽车运输有限公司
)
(“
Huozhou Shijie
Transportation
”)
16. Yuncheng
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
运城市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yuncheng Shijie
Transportation
”)
17. Hejin
Xin Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
河津市新世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Hejin Xin Shijie
Transportation
”)
18. Jincheng
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
晋城市旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Jincheng Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
19. Yangcheng
Xuyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
阳城县旭元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Yangcheng Xuyuan
Transportation
”)
20. Gaoping
Shijie Kaiyuan Transportation Service Co., Ltd. (
高平市世捷开元汽车运输服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaoping Shijie
Transportation
”)
SCHEDULE
A5
AUTO
SERVICE COMPANIES
1.
Zhangjiakou Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
张家口创联汽车服务有限公司
) (“
Zhangjiakou Auto
Service
”)
2. Zhengding
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
正定县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Zhengding Auto
Service
”)
3. Fuping
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
阜平县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Fuping Auto
Service
”)
4. Botou
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
泊头市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Botou Auto
Service
”)
5. Zanhuang
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
赞皇创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Zanhuang Auto
Service
”)
6. Xingtang
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
行唐县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Xingtang Auto
Service
”)
7. Yuanshi
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
元氏创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Yuanshi Auto
Service
”)
8. Shenzhou
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
深州市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Shenzhou Auto
Service
”)
9. Xinji
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
辛集创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Xinji Auto
Service
”)
10. Qixian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
祁县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Qixian Auto
Service
”)
11. Qingxian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
青县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Qingxian Auto
Service
”)
12. Qingxu
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
清徐县创联汽车服务有限公司
) (“
Qingxu Auto
Service
”)
13. Sanhe
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
三河创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Sanhe Auto
Service
”)
14. Jinzhou
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
晋州创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Jinzhou Auto
Service
”)
15. Longrao
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
隆尧创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Longrao Auto
Service
”)
16. Nanhe
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
南和县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Nanhe Auto
Service
”)
17. Pingshan
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
平山创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Pingshan Auto
Service
”)
18. Gaoyi
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
高邑创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaoyi Auto
Service
”)
19. Hejian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
河间市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Hejian Auto
Service
”)
20. Huanghua
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
黄骅市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Huanghua Auto
Service
”)
21. Jizhou
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
冀州市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Jizhou Auto
Service
”)
22. Jinzhong
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
晋中创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Jinzhong Auto
Service
”)
23. Shahe
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
沙河市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Shahe Auto
Service
”)
24. Rongcheng
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
容城县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Rongcheng Auto
Service
”)
25. Bazhou
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
霸州市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Bazhou Auto
Service
”)
26. Datong
Top Ray Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
大同市拓威汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Datong Top Ray Auto
Service
”)
27. Fucheng
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
阜城县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Fucheng Auto
Service
”)
28. Gaobeidian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
高碑店市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaobeidian Auto
Service
”)
29. Shouyang
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
寿阳创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Shouyang Auto
Service
”)
30. Pingding
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
平定创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Pingding Auto
Service
”)
31. Hunyuan
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
浑源创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Hunyuan Auto
Service
”)
32. Shexian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
涉县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Shexian Auto
Service
”)
33. Weixian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
蔚县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Weixian Auto
Service
”)
34. Gaocheng
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
藁城创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Gaocheng Auto
Service
”)
35. Qian’an
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
迁安创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Qian’an Auto
Service
”)
36. Zunhua
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
遵化创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Zunhua Auto
Service
”)
37. Yangyuan
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
阳原创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Yangyuan Auto
Service
”)
38. Yangquan
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
阳泉创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Yangquan Auto
Service
”)
39. Jingxing
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
井陉创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Jingxing Auto
Service
”)
40. Anguo
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
安国创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Anguo Auto
Service
”)
41. Huailai
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
怀来创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Huailai Auto
Service
”)
42. Wu’an
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
武安市创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Wu’an Auto
Service
”)
43. Tangshan
Fengrun Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
唐山市丰润区创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Tangshan Fengrun
Auto Service
”)
44. Weixian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
威县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Weixian Auto
Service
”)
45. Quyang
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
曲阳县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Quyang Auto
Service
”)
46. Yuxian
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
盂县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Yuxian Auto
Service
”)
47. Guantao
Chuanglian Auto Service Co., Ltd. (
馆陶县创联汽车服务有限公司
)
(“
Guantao Auto
Service
”)
SCHEDULE
A6
1. Kaiyuan
Real Estate
2. Huiyin
Investment
3. Hua
An Investment
4. Kaiyuan
Logistics
5. Tianmei
Insurance
6. Kaiyuan
Auto Trade
7. Chuanglian
Auto Trade
8. Chuanglian
SCHEDULE
B
SHARE
ESCROW AGREEMENT
SHARE
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of _____________, 2009 (the “Agreement”) by and among
AutoChina International Limited f/k/a Spring Creek Acquisition Corp.,
a Cayman Islands corporation (the “Company”), Honest Best Int’l Ltd, a company
incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
(“FounderCo”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as escrow agent
(the “Escrow Agent”).
WHEREAS,
the Company has entered into a Share Exchange Agreement, dated ___________, 2009
(the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with Li Yonghui, Yan Wang, Honest Best Int’l
Ltd, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands, FounderCo, AutoChina Group Inc, a company incorporated and existing
under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“AutoChina”), Fancy Think Limited, a
limited liability company established in Hong Kong under the Hong Kong Companies
Ordinance, and certain other parties, in connection with the exchange by the
Company of [_________] ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.001 per
share (“Ordinary Shares”) for all one hundred percent (100%) of the issued share
capital of AutoChina all of which is held by FounderCo; and
WHEREAS,
FounderCo has agreed, as a condition of the Share Exchange Agreement, to have
the Company deposit [_________] Ordinary Shares owned by FounderCo on the date
of this Agreement (the “Escrow Shares”), in escrow as hereinafter provided;
and
WHEREAS,
the Company and FounderCo desire that the Escrow Agent accept the Escrow Shares,
in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter provided.
NOW,
THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1.
Appointment of Escrow
Agent
. The Company and FounderCo hereby appoint the Escrow
Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and
the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance
with and subject to such terms.
2.
Deposit of Escrow
Shares
. One the date of this Agreement, the Company shall
deliver to the Escrow Agent share certificate(s) representing the Escrow Shares
issued in the name of FounderCo together with instruments of transfer, duly
executed by FounderCo, in respect of the Escrow Shares (the “Escrow Transfer
Forms”) to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. FounderCo acknowledges and agrees that the share
certificate(s) representing its Escrow Shares will be legended to reflect the
deposit of such Escrow Shares under this Agreement. The Company will
also cause an annotation to be made on the register of members of the Company to
reflect that such Escrow Shares are subject to restrictions set forth in this
Agreement.
3.
Disbursement of the Escrow
Shares
.
3.1.
The Escrow
Shares
. The Escrow Agent shall hold [________] of the Escrow
Shares (the “FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares”), until it receives a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of
the Company that sets forth the date of the proposed release of the share
certificate(s) representing the FY2009 EBITDA Remaining Holdback Consideration
Shares (the “FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Period”). The Escrow Agent shall
hold the remaining [________] of the Escrow Shares (the “Remaining Holdback
Consideration Shares”), until it receives a certificate signed by the Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company that sets forth the
date of the proposed release of the share certificate(s) representing the
Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares (the “Remaining Holdback
Period”). Following the termination of the FY2009 EBITDA Holdback
Period, the Escrow Agent shall, upon receipt of a certificate, executed by the
Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in the form
attached hereto as
Exhibit A
, release
the Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares as set forth in such
certificate to FounderCo immediately upon the receipt of such certificate and a
number of shares equivalent to [the FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares
less
the Net
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares (the “FY2009 EBITDA Forfeit
Shares”)] shall be forfeited by FounderCo and cancelled by the Company and the
Escrow Agent shall promptly release the Escrow Transfer Form duly completed in
respect of the FY2009 EBITDA Forfeit Shares and the share certificate(s)
representing such FY2009 EBITDA Forfeit Shares and deliver the same to the
Company. Following the termination of the Remaining Holdback Period,
the Escrow Agent shall, upon receipt of a certificate, executed by the Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in the form
attached hereto as
Exhibit B
, release
the Net Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares as set forth in such certificate
to FounderCo immediately upon the receipt of such certificate and a number of
shares equivalent to [the Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares
less
the Net
Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares (the “Remaining Forfeit Shares”)] shall
be forfeited by FounderCo and cancelled by the Company and the Escrow Agent
shall promptly release the Escrow Transfer Form duly completed in respect of the
Remaining Forfeit Shares and the share certificate(s) representing the Remaining
Forfeit Shares.
3.2.
Duties
. The
Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement of
the Escrow Transfer Forms and share certificate(s) representing the Escrow
Shares in accordance with this Section 3.
4.
Rights of FounderCo in
Escrow Shares
.
4.1.
Voting Rights as a
Shareholder
. Except as herein provided, FounderCo shall retain
all of their rights as Shareholders of the Company during the Escrow Period,
including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares.
4.2.
Dividends and Other
Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares
. During the
Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow Shares
shall be paid to FounderCo, but all dividends payable in shares or other
non-cash property (the “Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to the Escrow
Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein,
the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends
distributed thereon, if any.
4.3.
Restrictions on
Transfer
. During the Escrow Period (other than as permitted
under Section 3 above), no sale, transfer or other disposition may be made of
any or all of the Escrow Shares and the Company will not and will procure that
the secretary will not, register any such sale, transfer or other disposition of
the Escrow Shares. During the Escrow Period, FounderCo shall not
pledge or grant a security interest in its Escrow Shares or grant a security
interest in its rights under this Agreement.
5.
Concerning the Escrow
Agent
.
5.1.
Good Faith
Reliance
. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best
judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any
order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other
paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and
effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of
any information therein contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be
genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or
persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand,
or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless
evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party
or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless
it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.
5.2.
Indemnification
. To
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Escrow Agent shall be
indemnified and held harmless by each of the Company and FounderCo, jointly and
severally, from and against any expenses, including counsel fees and
disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any
action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly
or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the
Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than
expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of
notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in
writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the Escrow
Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature of
interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition of
the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any
appropriate court or it may retain the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final,
non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties
hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are to
be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall
survive in the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to
Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.
5.3.
Compensation
. The
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company for
all services rendered by it hereunder, as set forth on
Exhibit C
hereto. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from
the Company for all reasonable expenses paid or incurred by it in the
administration of its duties hereunder including, but not limited to, all
reasonable counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees and disbursements and all
reasonable taxes or other reasonable governmental charges.
5.4.
Further
Assurances
. From time to time on and after the date hereof,
the Company and FounderCo shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow
Agent such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done
such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more
effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence
compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected in acting
hereunder.
5.5.
Resignation
. The
Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow
agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice and such
resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such
resignation shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall turn
over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the Company, the Escrow Shares
held hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within the 60
day period following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent
may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it deems appropriate.
5.6.
Discharge of Escrow
Agent
. The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from
its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by
the Company and FounderCo, jointly,
provided
,
however
, that such
resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a
successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.
5.7.
Liability
. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from
liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own willful
misconduct.
6.
Miscellaneous
.
6.1.
Governing
Law
. This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be
made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York. Each of the parties hereby agrees that any action,
proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this
Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York
or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and
irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be
exclusive. Each of the parties hereby waives any objection to such
exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient
forum.
6.2.
Entire
Agreement
. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as
expressly provided herein, may not be changed or modified except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party to the charged.
6.3.
Headings
. The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.
6.4.
Binding
Effect
. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives,
successors and assigns.
6.5.
Notices
. Any
notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be
in writing and either be delivered personally or by private national courier
service, or be mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally or, if
sent by private national courier service, on the next business day after
delivery to the courier, or, if mailed, two business days after the date of
mailing, as follows:
If to the
Company, to:
AutoChina International
Limited
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building, No. 17
North
DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District
Beijing
100081, People’s Republic of China
Attention:
James Sha
If to
FounderCo, to:
Room 3713, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road
Central, Hong Kong
Attention:
Lynch Consultancy Limited
and if to
the Escrow Agent, to:
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden
Lane
New York,
New York 10038
Attention:
Felix Orihuela
A copy of
any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to (but which shall not constitute
notice):
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
345 Park
Avenue
New York,
New York 10154
Attention:
Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
The
parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices or other
communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the
manner provided herein for giving notice.
6.6.
Liquidation of
Company
. The Company shall give the Escrow Agent written
notification of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company.
-
Signature page of the Company
immediately follows
-
WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
AutoChina International
Limited
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
-
Signature page of FounderCo
immediately follows
-
WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
HONEST
BEST INT’L LTD
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
Name:
Wang Yan
|
|
Title:
Director
|
-
Signature page of Escrow Agent
immediately follows
-
WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
AMERICAN
STOCK TRANSFER
|
&
TRUST COMPANY, as Escrow Agent
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
EXHIBIT
A
Net
FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares Release Certificate
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
59 Maiden
Lane
New York,
New York 10038
For
the attention of:
Fax:
Copy
to:
Honest
Best Int’l Ltd
Room
3713, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Attention: Lynch
Consultancy Limited
For the attention
of:
Lynch Consultancy Limited
Fax:
[
DATE
]
Share
Escrow Agreement – Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares Release
Certificate (the “Release Certificate”)
We refer
to the Share Escrow Agreement dated _________, 2009 by and among AutoChina
International Limited f/k/a Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a Cayman
Islands corporation (the “Company”), Honest Best Int’l Ltd, a company
incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
(“FounderCo”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as escrow agent
(the “Escrow Agent”) (the “Share Escrow Agreement”). Unless specified
otherwise hereunder, words and expressions used in this Release Certificate
shall have the same meanings as in the Share Escrow Agreement.
This
Release Certificate is being provided to you in accordance with Section 3.1 of
the Share Escrow Agreement.
The
Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release share certificate(s) representing
[__________________] of the FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares (the
“Net FY2009 EBITDA Holdback Consideration Shares”) to FounderCo on
[____________] in accordance with Section 3.1 of the Share Escrow
Agreement.
This
Release Certificate shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York.
Yours
sincerely,
AutoChina
International Limited
By:
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Title:
|
[Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer]
|
EXHIBIT
B
Net
Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares Release Certificate
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
59 Maiden
Lane
New York,
New York 10038
For
the attention of:
Fax:
Copy
to:
Honest
Best Int’l Ltd
Room
3713, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Attention: Lynch
Consultancy Limited
For the attention
of:
Lynch Consultancy Limited
Fax:
[
DATE
]
Share
Escrow Agreement – Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares Release Certificate
(the “Release Certificate”)
We refer
to the Share Escrow Agreement dated _________, 2009 by and among AutoChina
International Limited f/k/a Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands
corporation (the “Company”), Honest Best Int’l Ltd, a company incorporated and
existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“FounderCo”) and American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”) (the
“Share Escrow Agreement”). Unless specified otherwise hereunder,
words and expressions used in this Release Certificate shall have the same
meanings as in the Share Escrow Agreement.
This
Release Certificate is being provided to you in accordance with Section 3.1 of
the Share Escrow Agreement.
The
Escrow Agent is hereby instructed to release share certificate(s) representing
[__________________] of the Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares (the “Net
Remaining Holdback Consideration Shares”) to FounderCo on [____________] in
accordance with Section 3.1 of the Share Escrow Agreement.
This
Release Certificate shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York.
Yours
sincerely,
AutoChina
International Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
[Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer]
|
EXHIBIT
C
Escrow
Agent Fees
[To be
determined]
SCHEDULE
C
TARGETED
EBITDA GROWTH
Earn-Out
Consideration Percentage (%) is equivalent to the percentage (%) set forth below
each of the respective thresholds for each of the applicable fiscal years ended
December 31. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Earn-Out
Consideration Percentage (%) is only applicable in the event that SCAC achieves
EBITDA of at least the amount set forth in parenthesis immediately following
each of the applicable fiscal years ended December 31 set forth
below. For purposes of this
Schedule C
“
G
”
shall mean Targeted EBITDA Growth.
FY
ending 12/31
|
|
G
> 30%
|
|
|
G
> 40%
|
|
|
G
> 50%
|
|
|
G
> 60%
|
|
|
G
> 70%
|
|
|
G
> 80%
|
|
|
G
> 90%
|
|
2009
(US$22.50MM)
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
17.5
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
2010
(US$29.25MM)
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
17.5
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
2011
(US$38.03MM)
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
17.5
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
2012
(US$49.44MM)
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
17.5
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
2013
(US$64.27MM)
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
|
|
17.5
|
%
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
SCHEDULE
D
SCAC
ARTICLES
SCHEDULE
E
FORM
OF EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
Executive Employment
Agreement
This
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "
Agreement
"), entered
into as of ______________, 2009, by and between AutoChina International Limited,
a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the "
Company
") and
__________ (the "
Executive
")
(collectively, the "
Parties
").
RECITALS
A. The
Company desires to employ the Executive as its [•] and to assure itself of the
services of the Executive for the Period of Employment (as defined
below).
B. The
Executive desires to be employed by the Company as its [•] for the Period of
Employment and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
ACCORDINGLY,
the Parties agree as follows:
1.
Term of
Employment.
The Company shall employ the Executive to render
services to the Company in the position and with the duties and responsibilities
described in Section 2 for a period of three (3) years starting from the
date of this Agreement (the "
Period of
Employment
"), unless the Period of Employment is terminated sooner in
accordance with Sections 4 or 5 below or extended upon mutual agreement of
the Parties.
|
2.
|
Position,
Duties, Responsibilities.
|
2.1
Position
. The
Executive shall render services to the Company in the position of [•] and shall
perform all services appropriate to that position as well as such other services
as may reasonably be assigned by the Company, including serving as the [•] of
Hebei Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北
创联贸
易有限公司
),
an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company established in the
People's Republic of China (the "
PRC
") ("
Chuanglian
") and any
other direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company. The Executive's
principal place of employment shall be at any location decided by the board of
directors of the Company. The Executive shall devote his best efforts
and full-time attention to the performance of his duties. The
Executive shall report to the
board of directors of
the Company.
2.2
Other Activi
ties
. Except
upon the prior written consent of the board of directors of the Company, the
Executive shall not (i) accept any other employment (except for academic
employment, position in industrial or professional associations, non-executive
director of other companies which do not compete with the Company's business
provided that such other companies purchase director liability insurance),
(ii) engage, invest or assist, directly or indirectly, in any other
business activity
(whether or not pursued
for pecuniary advantage) that is or may be in conflict with, or that might place
the Executive in a conflicting position to that of the Company or (iii) act as
the legal representative or an executive officer of another company (excluding
any affiliates of the Company) within or outside the PRC.
2.3
Execution of
C
huanglian
Employment
Agreement
. The Executive shall upon request of the Company execute
an employment agreement with Chuanglian or any other direct or indirect
subsidiary of the Company (in each case, a "
Subsidiary Employment
Agreement
") in accordance with PRC laws and regulations, in the form
substantially identical to this Agreement except for adjustments or alterations
required to comply with the relevant laws and regulations of the
PRC.
3.
Compensation and
Holiday.
In consideration of the services to be rendered under
this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to the following:
3.1
Base
Salary
. The Company shall pay the Executive a "
Base Salary
" of
US$____________ per year, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 3.2
below. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company's
regularly established payroll practices (The payment method of Base Salary is
set forth in
Exhibit
A
).
3.2
Salary
Adjustment
. The Executive's Base Salary will be reviewed from
time to time in accordance with the established procedures of the Company for
adjusting salaries for similarly situated employees and may be adjusted in the
sole discretion of the Company.
3.3
Benefits
. The
Executive shall be eligible to participate in the benefits made generally
available by the Company to similarly-situated executives, in accordance with
the benefit plans established by the Company (including the Company’s Equity
Incentive Plan), and as may be amended from time to time in the Company's sole
discretion.
3.4
Bonus
. The
Executive shall not be entitled to any bonus unless otherwise approved by the
board of directors of the Company in its sole discretion.
3.5
Holidays
. The
Executive shall be entitled, in addition to applicable statutory public
holidays, to take [
·
]
working days as paid holiday in each full calendar year. If the
Executive's employment commences or terminates part way through a calendar year,
his entitlement to holidays will be assessed on a pro-rata basis in accordance
with the Company's holiday policy, as it may change from time to
time.
3.6
Insurance
. The
Company shall purchase life insurance and medical insurance for the Executive
pursuant to applicable standards.
3.7
Others
. The
salary and welfare provided respectively in the Subsidiary Employment Agreements
and this Agreement shall not be cumulative. If there is any
discrepancy between the above provisions in Article 3 herein and the salary and
other welfare provided in the Subsidiary Employment Agreements, the Executive
shall, in addition to the salary and welfare provided in the Subsidiary
Employment Agreements, be entitled to the additional amount of the salary and
welfare (if any) provided in this Agreement only to the extent it exceeds those
provided in the Subsidiary Employment Agreements.
|
4.
|
Termination
By Company.
|
4.1
Termination
for
Cause
. For purposes of this Agreement, "
For Cause
" shall mean
the occurrence of any of the following, subject only to any statutory
requirement of any applicable law: (i) the failure of the Executive to properly
carry out his duties after notice by the Company of the failure to do so and a
reasonable opportunity for the Executive to correct the same within a reasonable
period specified by the Company; (ii) any breach by the Executive of one or more
provisions of any written agreement with, or written policies of, the Company or
his fiduciary duties to the Company likely to cause material harm to the Company
and its affiliates, at the Company's reasonable discretion, or (iii) any theft,
fraud, dishonesty or serious misconduct by the Executive involving his duties or
the property, business, reputation or affairs of the Company and its
affiliates. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment For
Cause at any time, without any advance notice or payment in lieu of
notice. The Company shall pay to the Executive all compensation
prescribed under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is entitled up through
the date of termination, subject to any other rights or remedies of the Company
under law, and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this Agreement
shall cease.
4.2
By
Death
. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death. The Company shall pay to
the Executive's beneficiaries or estate, as appropriate, any compensation then
due and owing under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is entitled up
through the date of termination, subject to any other rights or remedies of the
Company under law, and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall cease. Nothing in this section shall affect any
entitlement of the Executive's heirs or devisees to the benefits of any life
insurance plan or other applicable benefits, if any. If the Executive dies
during the course of or in connection with the performance of his duty, subject
to applicable laws, the Company shall pay to the Executive's beneficiaries or
estate, as appropriate, a special compensation not exceeding the annual Base
Salary as provided in Article 3.1 above, as decided by the board of directors of
the Company.
4.3
By
Disability
. If
the Executive becomes eligible for the Company's long-term disability benefits
or if, in the sole opinion of the Company, the Executive is unable to carry out
the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Executive by
reason of any physical or mental impairment for more than ninety (90)
consecutive days or more than one hundred twenty (120) days in any twelve-month
period, then, to the extent permitted by law, the Company may terminate the
Executive's employment. The Company shall pay to the Executive all
compensation prescribed under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is
entitled up through the date of termination, and thereafter all obligations of
the Company under this Agreement shall cease. Nothing in this section
shall affect the Executive's rights under any disability plan in which the
Executive is a participant, if any.
4.4
Other Termination by
Company
. In addition to Sections 4.1 through 4.3, the Company
may at any time terminate the employment of the Executive without cause by
giving one (1) month written notice to the Executive, in which case the
Executive will be eligible to receive an amount equal to three (3) months of the
then-current Base Salary of the Executive payable in the form of salary
continuation. Such severance shall be reduced by any remuneration
paid to the Executive because of the Executive's employment or self-employment
during the severance period, and the Executive shall promptly report all such
remuneration to the Company in writing. The Executive's eligibility
for severance is conditioned on the Executive having first signed a Termination
Certificate in the form attached as
Exhibit
B
. The Executive shall not be entitled to any severance
payments if the Executive's employment is terminated For Cause, by death or by
disability (as provided above) or if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive for any reason other than Good Reason, as defined
below.
|
5.
|
Termination
By Executive.
|
5.1
Termination by Executive
other than for Good Reason
. The Executive may terminate
employment with the Company at any time for any reason or no reason at all, upon
three (3) months' advance written notice. During such notice period
the Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of the Executive's duties
hereunder. The Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion,
to make the Executive's termination effective at any time prior to the end of
such notice period as long as the Company pays the Executive all compensation
under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is entitled up through the last
day of the three (3) months' notice period. Thereafter all
obligations of the Company shall cease. Unless the Executive
terminates his employment for Good Reason, as provided in Section 5.2, no
severance or other separation benefits shall be paid to the
Executive.
5.2
Termination for
Good
Reason After Change in
Control
. The Executive's termination shall be for Good Reason
(as defined below) if the Executive provides written notice to the Company of
the Good Reason within three (3) months of the event constituting Good Reason
and provides the Company with a period of twenty (20) days to cure the Good
Reason and the Company fails to cure the Good Reason within that
period. For purposes of this Agreement, "
Good Reason
" shall
mean a material reduction in the Executive's Base Salary, except for reductions
that are comparable to reductions generally applicable to similarly situated
executives of the Company if (i) such reduction is effected by the Company
without the consent of the Executive
and
(ii) such event
occurs within three (3) months after a Change in Control (as hereinafter
defined). For purposes of this Agreement, a "
Change in Control
" of
the Company shall be deemed to have occurred when: (i) the
shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would
result in the shareholders of the Company immediately prior thereto holding
fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company
or the surviving entity immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (ii)
the shareholders of the Company approve either a plan of liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale, lease, exchange or
other transfer or disposition by the Company of fifty-percent (50%) or more of
the Company's assets. If the Executive terminates his employment for
Good Reason, the Executive will be eligible to receive an amount equal to one
(1) month of the Executive's then-current Base Salary payable in the form of
salary continuation. Thereafter all obligations of the Company or its
successor under this Agreement shall cease. Any severance shall be
reduced by any remuneration paid to the Executive because of the Executive's
employment or self-employment during the severance period, and the Executive
shall promptly report all such remuneration to the Company or its successor in
writing. The Executive's eligibility for severance is conditioned on
the Executive having first signed a Termination Certificate in the form attached
as
Exhibit
B
.
|
6.
|
Termination
Obligations.
|
The
Executive agrees that on or before termination of employment, he will promptly
return to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to
his work with the Company, including all originals and copies of all or any part
of any Proprietary Information or Inventions (as defined below) along with any
and all equipment and other tangible and intangible property of the
Company. The Executive agrees not to retain any documents or
materials or copies thereof containing any Proprietary Information or
Inventions.
The
Executive further agrees that: (i) all representations,
warranties, and obligations under Articles 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14.1, 14.2 and
14.3 contained in this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Period of
Employment; (ii) the Executive's representations, warranties and
obligations under Articles 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14.1, 14.2 and 14.3 shall also
survive the expiration of this Agreement; and (iii) following any
termination of the Period of Employment, the Executive shall fully cooperate
with the Company in all matters relating to his continuing obligations under
this Agreement, including but not limited to the winding up of pending work on
behalf of the Company, the orderly transfer of work to the other employees of
the Company, and the defense of any action brought by any third party against
the Company that relates in any way to the Executive's acts or omissions while
employed by the Company. The Executive also agrees to sign and
deliver the Termination Certificate attached hereto as
Exhibit B
prior to
his termination of employment with the Company.
|
7.
|
Post-Termination
Activity.
|
7.1
No Use of Proprietary
Information
. The Executive acknowledges that the pursuit of
the activities forbidden by this subsection would necessarily involve the use or
disclosure of Proprietary Information in breach of this Agreement, but that
proof of such a breach would be extremely difficult. To forestall
such disclosure, use, and breach, and in consideration of the employment under
this Agreement, the Executive also agrees that while employed by the Company,
and for a period of one (1) year after termination of the Executive's
employment, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly:
(i) divert
or attempt to divert from the Company or any Affiliate ("
Affiliate
" shall mean
any person or entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with
such entity). For the purposes of this definition "
control
" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and includes (x)
ownership directly or indirectly of 50% or more of the shares in issue or other
equity interests of such person, (y) possession directly or indirectly of 50% or
more of the voting power of such person or (z) the power directly or indirectly
to appoint a majority of the members of the board of directors or similar
governing body of such person, and the terms "
controlling
" and
"
controlled
"
have meanings correlative to the foregoing) any business of any kind in which it
is engaged, including, without limitation, soliciting business from or
performing services for, any persons, company or other entity which at any time
during the Executive's employment by the Company is a client, supplier, or
customer of the Company or prospective client, supplier, or customer of the
Company if such business or services are of the same general character as those
engaged in or performed by the Company;
(ii) solicit
or otherwise induce any person to terminate his employment or consulting
relationship with the Company or any Affiliate; and
(iii) engage,
invest or assist in any business activity that directly or indirectly competes
with any business plan of the Company or any Affiliate.
In
addition, because the Executive acknowledges the difficulty of establishing when
any intellectual property, invention, or proprietary information is first
conceived or developed by the Executive, or whether it results from access to
Proprietary Information or the Company equipment, supplies, facilities, or data,
the Executive agrees that any intellectual property, invention, or proprietary
information shall be reported to the Company and, unless proven otherwise to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Company, shall be presumed to be an Invention for
the purpose of this Agreement and shall be subject to all terms and conditions
hereof, if reduced to practice by the Executive or with the aid of the Executive
within one (1) year after termination of the Period of Employment.
7.2
No
Competition
. Notwithstanding Section 7.1 above, while employed
by the Company and for a period equal to the greater of one (1) year after the
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company for any reason
whatsoever, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, as an executive,
employer, employee, consultant, agent, principal, partner, manager, stockholder,
officer, director, or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage
or participate in any business within the PRC and/or Hong Kong that is
competitive with the business of the Company or any
Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may own less
than one percent (1%) of any class of stock or security of any corporation
listed on an internationally recognized securities exchange which competes with
the Company.
7.3
Enforceability
. The
covenants of this Article 7 are several and separate, and the unenforceability
of any specific covenant shall not affect the provisions of any other
covenant. If any provision of this Article 7 relating to the
time period or geographic area of the restrictive covenants shall be declared by
a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum time period or
geographic area, as applicable, that such court deems reasonable and
enforceable, then this Agreement shall automatically be considered to have been
amended and revised to reflect the maximum time period or geographic area that
such court deems enforceable.
7.4
Independent
Covenants
. All of the covenants in this Article 7 shall
be construed as an agreement independent of any other provision in this
Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive
against the Company or any of its Affiliates, whether predicated on this
Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the
Company of such covenants.
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8.
|
Proprietary
Information.
|
The
Executive agrees during his employment with the Company and within three (3)
years thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence and trust, and not to use or
disclose to any person, firm or corporation any Proprietary Information without
the prior written consent of the Company, except as necessary in carrying out
his duties as an employee of the Company for the benefit of the
Company. "
Proprietary
Information
" means any information of a proprietary, confidential or
secret nature that may be disclosed to the Executive that relates to the
business of the Company or of any parent, subsidiary, Affiliate, customer or
supplier of the Company or any other party with whom the Company agrees to hold
information of such party in confidence ("
Relevant
Parties
"). Such Proprietary Information includes, but is not
limited to, Inventions (as defined below), research, product plans, products,
services, business strategies, personnel information, customer lists, customers,
markets, technical information, forecasts, marketing, finances or other business
information of the Company and its Affiliates. This information shall
remain confidential whether it was disclosed to the Executive either directly or
indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or observation. The
Executive understands that Proprietary Information does not include any of the
foregoing items which has become publicly known and made generally available
through no wrongful act of the Executive or others who were under
confidentiality obligations as to the items involved.
|
9.
|
Former Employer
Information.
|
The
Executive agrees that he will not, during his employment with the Company,
improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets, or
bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished document or proprietary
information belonging to any former or concurrent employer or other person or
entity (excluding Chuanglian and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of the
Company).
|
10.
|
Third Party
Information.
|
The
Executive recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will
receive confidential or proprietary information from third
parties. The Executive agrees to hold all such confidential or
proprietary information in the strictest confidence and trust, and not to
disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as necessary
in carrying out his work for the Company consistent with the Company's agreement
with such third party.
The
Executive represents and warrants that the Executive's execution of this
Agreement, his employment with the Company, and the performance of his proposed
duties under this Agreement shall not violate any obligations he may have to any
former employer or other party, including any obligations with respect to
proprietary or confidential information or intellectual property rights of such
party.
12.1
Inventions Retained and
Licensed
. The Executive has attached, as
Exhibit C
, a list
describing all inventions, original works of authorship, developments,
improvements, and trade secrets which were made by the Executive prior to the
Executive's employment with the Company ("
Prior Inventions
"),
which belong to the Executive, and which relate to the Company's actual and/or
proposed business, products or research and development. If, in the
course of his employment with the Company, the Executive incorporates into a
Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by the Executive or
in which the Executive has an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall
have a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to
make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in
connection with such product, process or machine.
12.2
Assignment of
Inventions
. The Executive agrees that he will promptly make
full written disclosure to the Company, will hold in trust for the sole right
and benefit of the Company, and hereby irrevocably assign to the Company, or its
designee, all the Executive's right, title, and interest in and to any and all
inventions, original works of authorship, developments, concepts, improvements,
designs, drawings, discoveries, ideas, formulas, processes, compositions of
matter, software, databases, mask works, computer programs (including all source
codes) and related documentation, algorithms, engineering and reverse
engineering, technology, hardware configuration information, logos, trade names,
trademarks, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trade secrets or know-how,
which the Executive may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to
practice, or cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice ("
Inventions
"), while
the Executive is employed by the Company. The Executive further
acknowledges that all original works of authorship which are made by the
Executive (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and during his
employment with the Company and which are protectible by copyright are "
works made for hire
,"
as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act and that the Company
will be considered the author and owner of such works. The Executive
understands and agrees that the decision whether or not to commercialize or
market any Invention developed by the Executive solely or jointly with others is
within the Company's sole discretion and for the Company's sole benefit and that
no royalty will be due to the Executive as a result of the Company's efforts to
commercialize or market any such Invention.
12.3
Waiver of Moral
Rights
. To the utmost extent legally permitted, the Executive
also hereby forever waives and agrees never to assert any and all Moral Rights
(as defined below) he may have in or with respect to any Invention, even after
termination of his work on behalf of the Company. "
Moral Rights
" mean
any rights to claim authorship of an Invention to object to or prevent the
modification of any Invention, or to withdraw from circulation or control the
publication or distribution of any Invention, and any similar right, existing
under judicial or statutory law of any country in the world, or under any
treaty, regardless of whether or not such right is denominated or generally
referred to as a "
moral
right
."
12.4
Maintenance of
Records
. The Executive agrees to keep and maintain adequate
and current written records of all Inventions made by the Executive (solely or
jointly with others) during the Executive's employment with the
Company. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches,
drawings, and any other format that may be specified by the
Company. The records will be provided to, and remain the sole
property of, the Company at all times.
12.5
Patent and Copyright
Registrations
. The Executive agrees to assist the Company, or
its designee, at the Company's expense, in every proper way, to secure the
Company's rights in the Inventions and any copyrights, patents, mask work
rights, trade secret rights or other intellectual property rights relating
thereto in any and all countries. The Executive will disclose to the
Company all pertinent information and data which the Company deems necessary for
the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and
execute all instruments necessary to apply for and obtain such rights and in
order to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns, and
nominees, the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such
Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights, or other intellectual
property rights relating thereto. The Executive further agrees that
the Executive's obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in the
Executive power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the
termination of this Agreement. If the Company is unable, because of
the Executive's mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason, to secure
his signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any patents or
copyright registrations covering the Inventions assigned to the Company as
above, then the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company
and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney in fact,
to act for and in the Executive's behalf and stead to execute and file any such
applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the
prosecution and issuance of letters, patent or copyright registrations thereon
with the same legal force and effect as if executed by the
Executive.
|
13.
|
Alternative
Dispute Resolution.
|
The
Company and Executive mutually agree that any controversy or claim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof, or any other dispute
between the parties, shall be submitted to mediation before a mutually agreeable
mediator, which cost is to be borne equally by the parties hereto. In the event
the Parties fail to agree on a mediator, or mediation is unsuccessful in
resolving the claim or controversy within one (1) month after the commencement
of mediation, such claim or controversy shall be resolved by arbitration in Hong
Kong under the auspices of the Hong Kong International Arbitration
Centre.
14.1
Continuing
Obligations
. The obligations in this Agreement will continue
in the event that the Executive is hired, renders services to or for the benefit
of or is otherwise retained at any time by any present or future Affiliates
of the Company. Any reference to the Company in this Agreement will
include such Affiliates. Upon the expiration or termination for any
reason whatsoever of this Agreement, the Executive shall forthwith resign from
any employment of office with an Affiliate of the Company unless the board of
directors of the Company requests otherwise.
14.2
Notification
. The
Executive hereby authorizes the Company to notify his actual or future employers
of the terms of this Agreement and his responsibilities hereunder.
14.3
Name and Likeness
Rights
. The Executive hereby authorizes the Company to use,
reuse, and to grant others the right to use and reuse, his name, photograph,
likeness (including caricature), voice, and biographical information, and any
reproduction or simulation thereof, in any media now known or hereafter
developed (including but not limited to film, video and digital or other
electronic media), both during and after his employment, for whatever purposes
the Company deems necessary.
14.4
Inj
unctive Relief
.
The Executive
understands that in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement
by him, the Company may suffer irreparable harm and will therefore be entitled
to injunctive relief to enforce this Agreement.
14.5
Legal
Fees
. In any dispute arising under or in connection with this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable
attorney's fees.
14.6
Entire
Agreement
. This Agreement, including the exhibits attached
hereto, is intended to be the final, complete, and exclusive statement regarding
their subject matter, except for other agreements specifically referenced
herein. Unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, this
Agreement supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and
statements pertaining to this subject matter, and may not be contradicted by
evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or agreements. To
the extent that the practices, policies, or procedures of the Company, now or in
the future, apply to the Executive and are inconsistent with the terms of this
Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
14.7
Amendments, Renewals
and Waivers
. This Agreement may not be modified, amended,
renewed or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the
Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company other than the
Executive. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any
right, remedy, or power under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, or power under
this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise
of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in
equity.
14.8
Assignment; Successors
and Assigns
. The Executive agrees that he will not assign,
sell, transfer, delegate or otherwise dispose of, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, or by operation of law, any rights or obligations under this
Agreement, nor shall the Executive's rights be subject to encumbrance or the
claims of creditors. Any purported assignment, transfer, or
delegation shall be null and void. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent the consolidation of the Company with, or its merger into, any other
corporation, or the sale by the Company of all or substantially all of its
properties or assets, or the assignment by the Company of this Agreement and the
performance of its obligations hereunder to any successor in
interest. In the event of a change in ownership or control of the
Company, the terms of this Agreement will remain in effect and shall be binding
upon any successor in interest. Notwithstanding and subject to the
foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors,
and permitted assigns, and shall not benefit any person or entity other than
those enumerated above.
14.9
Notices
. All
notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date
delivered or mailed if delivered personally or by nationally recognized courier
or mailed by registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or by
telecopy to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for
a party as shall be specified by like notice, except that notices of changes of
address shall be effective upon receipt):
To:
|
Company
|
Contact
Address:
|
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Attention:
|
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Facsimile
Number:
|
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To:
|
Executive
|
Contact
Address:
|
|
Attention:
|
|
Facsimile
Number:
|
|
14.10
Agent for
Services
. The Executive irrevocably authorises and appoints
[
·
] (or the firm which
at the time in question has succeeded to it and carries on its practice) as his
or her agent for service of notices and/or proceedings in relation to any matter
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and service on such agent
shall be deemed to be service on the Executive.
14.11
Waiver of
Immunity
. To the extent that any Party (including its
assignees of any such rights or obligations hereunder) may be entitled, in any
jurisdiction, to claim for itself (or himself or herself) or its revenues or
assets or properties, immunity from service of process, suit, the jurisdiction
of any court, an interlocutory order or injunction or the enforcement of the
same against its property in such court, attachment prior to judgment,
attachment in aid of execution of an arbitral award or judgment (interlocutory
or final) or any other legal process, and to the extent that, in any such
jurisdiction there may be attributed such immunity (whether claimed or not),
such Party hereby irrevocably waive such immunity.
14.12
Severability;
Enforcement
. If any provision of this Agreement, or its
application to any person, place, or circumstance, is held by an arbitrator or a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, such
provision shall be enforced (by blue-penciling or otherwise) to the maximum
extent permissible under applicable law, and the remainder of this Agreement and
such provision as applied to other persons, places, and circumstances shall
remain in full force and effect.
14.13
Governing
Law
. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed and
enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of Hong Kong.
14.14
Interpretation
. This
Agreement shall be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not
in favor of or against any party. Sections and section headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not
affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the context requires, references to the singular
shall include the plural and the plural the singular. References to
one gender include both genders.
14.15
Obligations Survive
Termination of Employment
. The Executive agrees that any and
all of the Executive's obligations under this Agreement capable of execution
after the termination of the Executive employment, including but not limited to
those contained in exhibits attached hereto, shall survive the termination of
employment and the termination of this Agreement.
14.16
Counterparts
. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original of this Agreement, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
EXECUTIVE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The Executive acknowledges (i) that he has consulted
with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of his own
choice concerning this Agreement and has been advised to do so by the Company,
and (ii) that he has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its
legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on his own
judgment. The Executive hereby agrees that his obligations set forth
in Sections 7, 8, and 9 hereof and the definitions of Proprietary Information
and Inventions contained therein shall be equally applicable to Proprietary
Information and Inventions relating to any work performed by the Executive for
the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement.
The
parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
|
EXECUTIVE:
|
|
|
|
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Name:
|
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COMPANY:
|
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|
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AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
|
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By:
|
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|
Name:
|
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Title:
|
EXHIBIT
A
The Base
Salary of the Executive shall be paid by the following method:
EXHIBIT
B
TERMINATION
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that I have returned
all personal property of AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (the "
Company
") and the
Relevant Parties, including, without limitation, all books, manuals, records,
models, drawings, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other
documents and materials, electronic data recorded or retrieved by any means,
Proprietary Information, and equipment furnished to or prepared by me in the
course of or incident to my employment with the Company, and that I did not make
or distribute any copies of the foregoing.
I further certify that I have reviewed
the Executive Employment Agreement (the "
Agreement
") signed by
me and that I have complied with and will continue to comply with all of its
terms, including, without limitation, (i) the reporting of any Inventions
or any improvement, rights, or claims related to the foregoing, conceived or
developed by me and covered by the Agreement; (ii) the preservation as
confidential of all Proprietary Information pertaining to the Company and the
Relevant Parties; (iii) not participating in any business competitive with the
business of the Company; (iv) not acting as the legal representative
or an executive officer of any other company within and outside the People’s
Republic of China, and (v) the reporting of any remuneration paid to me due to
any employment or self-employment during the severance period, if
any. This certificate in no way limits my responsibilities or the
Company's rights under the Agreement.
On termination of my employment with
the Company, I will be employed by
[name of new employer]
in the
[division name]
division
and I will be working in connection with the following projects:
[generally
describe the projects]
Date:
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Print
Executive's Name
|
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Executive's
Signature
|
EXHIBIT
C
LIST
OF PRIOR INVENTIONS
AND
ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP
Tit
le
|
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Date
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Identifying Number or Brief Description
|
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____________
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No
inventions
or
improvements
|
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____________
|
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Additional
Sheets Attached
|
Signature
of Executive: _______________________________
|
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Printed
Name of Executive: _____________________________
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Date:
__________________
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SCHEDULE
F
FORM(S)
OF LABOR CONTRACT(S)
SCHEDULE
G
LEASES
TO BE TERMINATED
公司名称
|
|
序号
|
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协议名称及日期
|
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出租方
|
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河北益通汽车销售服务有限公司
|
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1.
|
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房屋租赁合同(
2003/5/6
)
|
|
河北万博汽车销售服务有限公司
|
|
|
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|
|
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河北盛美汽车贸易有限公司
|
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2.
|
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合作经营合同(无日期)
|
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河北冀民贸易集团有限公司
|
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河北盛文汽车贸易有限公司
|
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3.
|
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协议书
(
2004/9/5
)
|
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河北汽车(集团)有限责任公司
|
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|
|
|
|
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4.
|
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房屋租赁合同(
2003/11/15
)
|
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河北省汽车贸易总公司
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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河北盛达汽车贸易有限公司
|
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5.
|
|
房屋租赁合同(
2003/1/15
)
|
|
河北万博汽车销售服务有限公司
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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石家庄裕华丰田汽车销售服务有限公司
|
|
6.
|
|
租地协议书(
2007/4/1
)
|
|
石家庄天公房地产开发有限公司
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
河北元兴行汽车销售服务有限公司
|
|
7.
|
|
联营协议(
2007/8/8
)
|
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裕华区宋村居民委员会
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
河北美丰汽车销售服务有限公司
|
|
8.
|
|
房屋租赁合同(
2006/5/29
)
|
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石家庄市西城宾馆
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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9.
|
|
房屋租赁合同(
2007/1/5
)
|
|
石家庄市振西实业总公司
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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10.
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土地租赁合同(
2007/5/22
)
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河北成城房地产开发有限公司
|
SCHEDULE
H
PURCHASE
ORDER CONTRACT, VEHICLE SALES CONTRACT, AND VEHICLE OPERATION AND SERVICE
CONTRACT
SCHEDULE
I
EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
Purposes of the
Plan
. The purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the
best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to Employees,
Directors and Consultants and to promote the success of the Company’s
business.
2.
Definitions
. The
following definitions shall apply as used herein and in the individual Award
Agreements except as defined otherwise in an individual Award
Agreement. In the event a term is separately defined in an individual
Award Agreement, such definition shall supercede the definition contained in
this Section 2.
(a) “
Administrator
” means
the Board or any of the Committees appointed to administer the
Plan.
(b) “
Affiliate
” and “
Associate
” shall have
the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
under the Exchange Act.
(c) “
Applicable Laws
”
means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under
applicable provisions of the corporate and securities laws of the Cayman
Islands, the Code, the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market
system, and the rules of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to
residents therein.
(d) “
Assumed
” means that
pursuant to a Corporate Transaction either (i) the Award is expressly
affirmed by the Company or (ii) the contractual obligations represented by
the Award are expressly assumed (and not simply by operation of law) by the
successor entity or its Parent in connection with the Corporate Transaction with
appropriate adjustments to the number and type of securities of the successor
entity or its Parent subject to the Award and the exercise or purchase price
thereof which at least preserves the compensation element of the Award existing
at the time of the Corporate Transaction as determined in accordance with the
instruments evidencing the agreement to assume the Award.
(e) “
Award
” means the
grant of an Option, SAR, Dividend Equivalent Right, Restricted Share, Restricted
Share Unit or other right or benefit under the Plan.
(f) “
Award Agreement
”
means the written agreement evidencing the grant of an Award executed by the
Company and the Grantee, including any amendments thereto.
(g) “
Board
” means the
Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) “
Cause
” means, with
respect to the termination by the Company or a Related Entity of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service, that such termination is for “Cause” as such term (or word
of like import) is expressly defined in a then-effective written agreement
between the Grantee and the Company or such Related Entity, or in the absence of
such then-effective written agreement and definition, is based on, in the
determination of the Administrator, the
Grantee’s: (i) performance of any act or failure to perform any
act in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company or a Related Entity;
(ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct or material breach of any agreement
with the Company or a Related Entity; or (iii) commission of a crime
involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any
person; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement that defines
“Cause” on the occurrence of or in connection with a Corporate Transaction or a
Change in Control, such definition of “Cause” shall not apply until a Corporate
Transaction or a Change in Control actually occurs.
(i)
“
Change in
Control
”
means a change in
ownership or control of the Company effected through either of the following
transactions:
(i) the
direct or indirect acquisition by any person or related group of persons (other
than an acquisition from or by the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee
benefit plan or by a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled
by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities
possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
the Company’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made
directly to the Company’s shareholders which a majority of the Continuing
Directors who are not Affiliates or Associates of the offeror do not recommend
such shareholders accept, or
(ii) a
change in the composition of the Board over a period of twelve (12) months or
less such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole
number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board
membership, to be comprised of individuals who are Continuing
Directors.
(j)
“
Code
” means the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k) “
Committee
” means any
committee composed of members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer
the Plan.
(l)
“
Company
” means
AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the
Cayman Islands or any successor entity that adopts the Plan in connection with a
Corporate Transaction.
(m) “
Consultant
” means any
person (other than an Employee or a Director, solely with respect to rendering
services in such person’s capacity as a Director) who is engaged by the Company
or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company
or such Related Entity.
(n) “
Continuing Directors
”
means members of the Board who either (i) have been Board members
continuously for a period of at least twelve (12) months or (ii) have been
Board members for less than twelve (12) months and were elected or nominated for
election as Board members by at least a majority of the Board members described
in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such election or
nomination was approved by the Board.
(o) “
Continuous Service
”
means that the provision of services to the Company or a Related Entity in any
capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant is not interrupted or
terminated. In jurisdictions requiring notice in advance of an
effective termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant, Continuous Service
shall be deemed terminated upon the actual cessation of providing services to
the Company or a Related Entity notwithstanding any required notice period that
must be fulfilled before a termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant
can be effective under Applicable Laws. A Grantee’s Continuous
Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of
Continuous Service or upon the entity for which the Grantee provides services
ceasing to be a Related Entity. Continuous Service shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence,
(ii) transfers among the Company, any Related Entity, or any successor, in
any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, or (iii) any change in
status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a
Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant (except as
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). An approved leave of
absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized
personal leave. For purposes of each Incentive Stock Option granted
under the Plan, if such leave exceeds three (3) months, and reemployment upon
expiration of such leave is not guaranteed by statute or contract, then the
Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the
day three (3) months and one (1) day following the expiration of such three (3)
month period.
(p) “
Corporate
Transaction
” means any of the following transactions, provided, however,
that the Administrator shall determine under parts (iv) and (v) whether multiple
transactions are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and
conclusive:
(i) a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except
for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction
in which the Company is incorporated;
(ii) the
sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company;
(iii) the
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(iv) any
reverse merger or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse merger
(including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse merger) in
which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the Ordinary Shares
outstanding immediately prior to such merger are converted or exchanged by
virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities,
cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding
securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held
such securities immediately prior to such merger or the initial transaction
culminating in such merger, but excluding any such transaction or series of
related transactions that the Administrator determines shall not be a Corporate
Transaction; or
(v) acquisition
in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of
persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan)
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act)
of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined
voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities but excluding any such
transaction or series of related transactions that the Administrator determines
shall not be a Corporate Transaction.
(q) “
Covered Employee
”
means an Employee who is a “covered employee” under Section 162(m)(3) of the
Code.
(r)
“
Director
” means a
member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related
Entity.
(s) “
Disability
” means as
defined under the long-term disability policy of the Company or the Related
Entity to which the Grantee provides services regardless of whether the Grantee
is covered by such policy. If the Company or the Related Entity to
which the Grantee provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in
place, “Disability” means that a Grantee is unable to carry out the
responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Grantee by reason of
any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not
less than ninety (90) consecutive days. A Grantee will not be
considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of
such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Administrator in its
discretion.
(t)
“
Dividend Equivalent
Right
” means a right entitling the Grantee to compensation measured by
dividends paid with respect to Ordinary Shares.
(u) “
Employee
” means any
person, including an Officer or Director, who is in the employ of the Company or
any Related Entity, subject to the control and direction of the Company or any
Related Entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of
performance. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a
Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the
Company.
(v) “
Exchange Act
” means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(w) “
Fair Market Value
”
means, as of any date, the value of Ordinary Shares determined as
follows:
(i) If
the Ordinary Shares are listed on one or more established stock exchanges or
national market systems, including without limitation The New York Stock
Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or The
Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be
the closing sales price for such shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Ordinary
Shares are listed (as determined by the Administrator) on the date of
determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that
date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or
closing bid was reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If
the Ordinary Shares are regularly quoted on an automated quotation system
(including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such shares as quoted on
such system or by such recognized securities dealer on the date of
determination, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
an Ordinary Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices
for the Ordinary Shares on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were
reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported
in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable; or
(iii) In
the absence of an established market for the Ordinary Shares of the type
described in (i) and (ii), above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be
determined by the Administrator in good faith.
(x)
“
Grantee
” means an
Employee, Director or Consultant who receives an Award under the Plan or a
Holding Company, as the context may require.
(y) “
Holding Company
”
means an investment holding company wholly owned by an Employee, Director or
Consultant which holds an Award originally issued to such Employee, Director or
Consultant under the Plan.
(z)
“
Incentive Stock
Option
” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(aa) “
Non-Qualified Stock
Option
” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option.
(bb) “
Officer
” means a
person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Entity within the meaning
of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(cc) “
Option
” means an
option to purchase Shares pursuant to an Award Agreement granted under the
Plan.
(dd)
“
Ordinary
Share
” means a share of US$0.001 nominal or par value, of the Company,
or, if applicable, the number or fraction of American Depositary Receipt
representing an Ordinary Share.
(ee) “
Parent
” means a
“parent corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(e) of the Code.
(ff)
“
Performance-Based
Compensation
” means compensation qualifying as “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(gg)
“
Plan
” means
this 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.
(hh) “
Related Entity
” means
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and any business, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company or a
Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest,
directly or indirectly.
(ii) “
Replaced
” means that
pursuant to a Corporate Transaction the Award is replaced with a comparable
share or stock award or a cash incentive program of the Company, the successor
entity (if applicable) or Parent of either of them which preserves the
compensation element of such Award existing at the time of the Corporate
Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same (or a
more favorable) vesting schedule applicable to such Award. The
determination of Award comparability shall be made by the Administrator and its
determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(jj) “
Restricted Share
”
means a Share issued under the Plan to the Grantee for such consideration, if
any, and subject to such restrictions on transfer, rights of first refusal,
repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, and other terms and conditions as
established by the Administrator.
(kk) “
Restricted Share
Units
” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon the
passage of time or the attainment of performance criteria established by the
Administrator and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a
combination of cash, Shares or other securities as established by the
Administrator.
(ll) “
Rule 16b-3
”
means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor
thereto.
(mm)
“
SAR
” means a
share appreciation right entitling the Grantee to Shares or cash compensation,
as established by the Administrator, measured by appreciation in the value of
Ordinary Shares.
(nn) “
Share
” means an
Ordinary Share of the Company.
(oo) “
Subsidiary
” means a
“subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(f) of the Code.
3.
Shares Subject to the
Plan
.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of Section 10, below, the maximum aggregate number of
Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards (including Incentive Stock
Options) is [____________] Shares. In addition, Dividend Equivalent
Rights shall be payable solely in cash and therefore the issuance of Dividend
Equivalent Rights shall not be deemed to reduce the maximum aggregate number of
Shares which may be issued under the Plan. SARs payable in Shares
shall reduce the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under
the Plan only by the net number of actual Shares issued to the Grantee upon
exercise of the SAR. The Shares to be issued pursuant to Awards may
be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Ordinary Shares.
(b) Any
Shares covered by an Award (or portion of an Award) which is forfeited, canceled
or expires (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) shall be deemed not to have
been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of Shares
which may be issued under the Plan. Shares that actually have been
issued under the Plan pursuant to an Award shall not be returned to the Plan and
shall not become available for future issuance under the Plan, except that if
unvested Shares are forfeited or repurchased by the Company at the lower of
their original purchase price or their Fair Market Value at the time of
repurchase, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the
Plan. To the extent not prohibited by Section 422(b)(1) of the
Code (and the corresponding regulations thereunder), the listing requirements of
The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market or other established stock
exchange or national market system on which the Ordinary Shares are traded and
Applicable Law, any Shares covered by an Award which are surrendered (i) in
payment of the Award exercise or purchase price (including pursuant to the “net
exercise” of an option pursuant to Section 7(b)(v)) or (ii) in
satisfaction of tax withholding obligations incident to the exercise of an Award
shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum
number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards under the Plan,
unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
4.
Administration of the
Plan
.
(a)
Plan
Administrator
.
(i)
Administration with Respect
to Directors and Officers
. With respect to grants of Awards to
Directors or Employees who are also Officers or Directors of the Company, the
Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner
as to satisfy the Applicable Laws and to permit such grants and related
transactions under the Plan to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Once appointed, such
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board.
(ii)
Administration With Respect
to Consultants and Other Employees
. With respect to grants of
Awards to Employees or Consultants who are neither Directors nor Officers of the
Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner
as to satisfy the Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee
shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by
the Board. The Board may authorize one or more Officers to grant such
Awards and may limit such authority as the Board determines from time to
time.
(iii)
Administration With Respect
to Covered Employees
. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of and
after the date that the exemption for the Plan under Section 162(m) of the
Code expires, as set forth in Section 17 below, grants of Awards to any
Covered Employee intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be
made only by a Committee (or subcommittee of a Committee) which is comprised
solely of two or more Directors eligible to serve on a committee making Awards
qualifying as Performance-Based Compensation. In the case of such
Awards granted to Covered Employees, references to the “Administrator” or to a
“Committee” shall be deemed to be references to such Committee or
subcommittee.
(iv)
Administration
Errors
. In the event an Award is granted in a manner
inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection (a), such Award shall
be presumptively valid as of its grant date to the extent permitted by the
Applicable Laws.
(b)
Powers of the
Administrator
. Subject to Applicable Laws and the provisions
of the Plan (including any other powers given to the Administrator hereunder),
and except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:
(i) to
select the Employees, Directors and Consultants to whom Awards may be granted
from time to time hereunder;
(ii) to
determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;
(iii) to
determine the number of Shares or the amount of other consideration to be
covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to
approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) to
determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder;
(vi) to
establish additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures to accommodate the
rules or laws of applicable jurisdictions and to afford Grantees favorable
treatment under such rules or laws; provided, however, that no Award shall be
granted under any such additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures with
terms or conditions which are inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan;
(vii) to
amend the terms of any outstanding Award granted under the Plan, provided that
(A) any amendment that would adversely affect the Grantee’s rights under an
outstanding Award shall not be made without the Grantee’s written consent,
provided, however, that an amendment or modification that may cause an Incentive
Stock Option to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall not be treated as
adversely affecting the rights of the Grantee, (B) the reduction of the
exercise price of any Option awarded under the Plan and the reduction of the
base appreciation amount of any SAR awarded under the Plan shall not be subject
to Shareholder approval and (C) canceling an Option or SAR at a time when
its exercise price or base appreciation amount (as applicable) exceeds the Fair
Market Value of the underlying Shares, in exchange for another Option, SAR,
Restricted Share, or other Award shall not be subject to Shareholder
approval;
(viii) to
construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards, including without
limitation, any notice of award or Award Agreement, granted pursuant to the
Plan;
(ix) to
grant Awards to Employees, Directors and Consultants employed outside the United
States on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan
as may, in the judgment of the Administrator, be necessary or desirable to
further the purpose of the Plan;
(x) to
take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the
Administrator deems appropriate.
The
express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Administrator shall not
be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Administrator; provided
that the Administrator may not exercise any right or power reserved to the
Board. Any decision made, or action taken, by the Administrator or in
connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all persons having an interest in the Plan.
(c)
Indemnification
. In
addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of
the Board or as Officers or Employees of the Company or a Related Entity,
members of the Board and any Officers or Employees of the Company or a Related
Entity to whom authority to act for the Board, the Administrator or the Company
is delegated shall be defended and indemnified by the Company to the extent
permitted by law on an after-tax basis against all reasonable expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with
the defense of any claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, or in
connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party
by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the
Plan, or any Award granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in
settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by the Company) or paid
by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, investigation, action,
suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be
adjudged in such claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding that such
person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct;
provided, however, that within thirty (30) days after the institution of such
claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the
Company, in writing, the opportunity at the Company’s expense to defend the
same.
5.
Eligibility
. Awards
other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and
Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees
of the Company or a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company. An
Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award may, if otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Awards. Awards may be granted to such
Employees, Directors or Consultants who are residing in non-U.S. jurisdictions
as the Administrator may determine from time to time.
6.
Terms and Conditions of
Awards
.
(a)
Types of Awards
. The
Administrator is authorized under the Plan to award any type of arrangement to
an Employee, Director or Consultant that is not inconsistent with the provisions
of the Plan and that by its terms involves or might involve the issuance of
(i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) an Option, a SAR, or similar right
with a fixed or variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares
and with an exercise or conversion privilege related to the passage of time, the
occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or
other conditions. Such awards include, without limitation, Options,
SARs, sales or bonuses of Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units or Dividend
Equivalent Rights, and an Award may consist of one such security or benefit, or
two (2) or more of them in any combination or alternative.
(b)
Designation of
Award
. Each Award shall be designated in the Award
Agreement. In the case of an Option, the Option shall be designated
as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock
Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, an Option will
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code only to the extent the
US$100,000 dollar limitation of Section 422(d) of the Code is not
exceeded. The US$100,000 limitation of Section 422(d) of the
Code is calculated based on the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares
subject to Options designated as Incentive Stock Options which become
exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year (under all
plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company). For
purposes of this calculation, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into
account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of
the Shares shall be determined as of the grant date of the relevant
Option. In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated
thereunder are amended after the date the Plan becomes effective to provide for
a different limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to
Incentive Stock Options, then such different limit will be automatically
incorporated herein and will apply to any Options granted after the effective
date of such amendment.
(c)
Conditions of
Award
. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator
shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each Award including,
but not limited to, the Award vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, rights of
first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of payment (cash, Shares, or other
consideration) upon settlement of the Award, payment contingencies, and
satisfaction of any performance criteria. The performance criteria
established by the Administrator may be based on any one of, or combination of,
the following: (i) increase in share price, (ii) earnings per share, (iii) total
shareholder return, (iv) operating margin, (v) gross margin, (vi) return on
equity, (vii) return on assets, (viii) return on investment, (ix) operating
income, (x) net operating income, (xi) pre-tax profit, (xii) cash flow, (xiii)
revenue, (xiv) expenses, (xv) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation,
(xvi) economic value added and (xvii) market share. The performance
criteria may be applicable to the Company, Related Entities and/or any
individual business units of the Company or any Related
Entity. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in a
payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in
the Award Agreement. In addition, the performance criteria shall be
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but
excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting
standards and any extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by
the Administrator, occurring after the establishment of the performance criteria
applicable to the Award intended to be performance-based
compensation. Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for
the purpose of providing a consistent basis from period to period for the
calculation of performance criteria in order to prevent the dilution or
enlargement of the Grantee’s rights with respect to an Award intended to be
performance-based compensation.
(d)
Acquisitions and Other
Transactions
. The Administrator may issue Awards under the
Plan in settlement, assumption or substitution for, outstanding awards or
obligations to grant future awards in connection with the Company or a Related
Entity acquiring another entity, an interest in another entity or an additional
interest in a Related Entity whether by merger, share purchase, asset purchase
or other form of transaction.
(e)
Deferral of Award
Payment
. The Administrator may establish one or more programs
under the Plan to permit selected Grantees the opportunity to elect to defer
receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance
criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Grantee to
payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an
Award. The Administrator may establish the election procedures, the
timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of
interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, Shares or other consideration so
deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the
Administrator deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral
program.
(f)
Separate
Programs
. The Administrator may establish one or more separate
programs under the Plan for the purpose of issuing particular forms of Awards to
one or more classes of Grantees on such terms and conditions as determined by
the Administrator from time to time.
(g)
Individual Limitations on
Awards
.
(i)
Individual Limit for Options
and SARs
.
The maximum number of
Shares with respect to which Options and SARs may be granted to any Grantee in
any calendar year shall be [___________]. To the extent required by
Section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder, in applying the
foregoing limitations with respect to a Grantee, if any Option or SAR is
canceled, the canceled Option or SAR shall continue to count against the maximum
number of Shares with respect to which Options and SARs may be granted to the
Grantee. For this purpose, the repricing of an Option (or in the case
of a SAR, the base amount on which the stock appreciation is calculated is
reduced to reflect a reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Shares) shall be
treated as the cancellation of the existing Option or SAR and the grant of a new
Option or SAR.
(ii)
Individual Limit for
Restricted Share and Restricted Share Units
. For awards of
Restricted Share and Restricted Share Units that are intended to be
Performance-Based Compensation, the maximum number of Shares with respect to
which such Awards may be granted to any Grantee in any calendar year shall be
[________].
(iii)
Deferral
. If the
vesting or receipt of Shares under an Award is deferred to a later date, any
amount (whether denominated in Shares or cash) paid in addition to the original
number of Shares subject to such Award will not be treated as an increase in the
number of Shares subject to the Award if the additional amount is based either
on a reasonable rate of interest or on one or more predetermined actual
investments such that the amount payable by the Company at the later date will
be based on the actual rate of return of a specific investment (including any
decrease as well as any increase in the value of an investment).
(h)
Early
Exercise
. The Award Agreement may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Grantee may elect at any time while an Employee, Director
or Consultant to exercise any part or all of the Award prior to full vesting of
the Award. Any unvested Shares received pursuant to such exercise may
be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or a Related Entity or
to any other restriction the Administrator determines to be
appropriate.
(i)
Term of
Award
. The term of each Award shall be the term stated in the
Award Agreement, provided, however, that the term of an Incentive Stock Option
shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant
thereof. However, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to
a Grantee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns shares representing more
than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of shares of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the term of the Incentive
Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Award
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the specified term of any
Award shall not include any period for which the Grantee has elected to defer
the receipt of the Shares or cash issuable pursuant to the
Award.
(j)
Transferability of
Awards
. Incentive Stock Options may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Grantee, only by the Grantee. Other Awards shall be
transferable (i) by will and by the laws of descent and distribution and
(ii) during the lifetime of the Grantee: (A) to a Holding Company of such
Grantee, or (B) to the extent and in the manner authorized by the
Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee may
designate one or more beneficiaries of the Grantee’s Award in the event of the
Grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the
Administrator.
If the
Grantee transfers an Award to a Holding Company, the Grantee and the Holding
Company shall enter into an agreement with the Company, which shall provide,
among other things, the following: (i) the Holding Company shall agree to be
bound by the Plan and the relevant provisions in the Award Agreement; and (ii)
neither the Holding Company nor the Grantee shall permit any direct or indirect
transfer of equity interests in the Holding Company.
(k)
Time of Granting
Awards
. The date of grant of an Award shall for all purposes
be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination to grant such
Award, or such other later date as is determined by the
Administrator.
7.
Award Exercise or Purchase
Price, Consideration and Taxes
.
(a)
Exercise or Purchase
Price
. The exercise or purchase price, if any, for an Award
shall be as follows:
(i) In
the case of an Incentive Stock Option:
(A) granted
to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option owns
shares representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all
classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the
per Share exercise price shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%)
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant; or
(B) granted
to any Employee other than an Employee described in the preceding paragraph, the
per Share exercise price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In
the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be
not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.
(iii) In
the case of SARs, the base appreciation amount shall be not less than one
hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(iv) In
the case of Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the
exercise or purchase price, if any, shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(v) In
the case of other Awards, such price as is determined by the
Administrator.
(vi) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(a), in the case of an Award
issued pursuant to Section 6(c), above, the exercise or purchase price for
the Award shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the relevant
instrument evidencing the agreement to issue such Award.
(b)
Consideration
. Subject
to Applicable Laws, the consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued
upon exercise or purchase of an Award including the method of payment, shall be
determined by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option,
shall be determined at the time of grant). In addition to any other
types of consideration the Administrator may determine, the Administrator is
authorized to accept as consideration for Shares issued under the Plan the
following:
(i)
cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) surrender
of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of ownership of
Shares as the Administrator may require which have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which said Award shall be exercised;
(iv) with
respect to Options, payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance
procedure pursuant to which the Grantee (A) shall provide written
instructions to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale
of some or all of the purchased Shares and remit to the Company sufficient funds
to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased Shares and
(B) shall provide written directives to the Company to deliver the
certificates for the purchased Shares directly to such brokerage firm in order
to complete the sale transaction;
(v) with
respect to Options, payment through a “net exercise” such that, without the
payment of any funds, the Grantee may exercise the Option and receive the net
number of Shares equal to (i) the number of Shares as to which the Option
is being exercised, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the Fair Market Value per Share (on such date as is determined by the
Administrator) less the Exercise Price per Share, and the denominator of which
is such Fair Market Value per Share (the number of net Shares to be received
shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Shares); or
(vi) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
The
Administrator may at any time or from time to time, by adoption of or by
amendment to the standard forms of Award Agreement described in
Section 4(b)(iv), or by other means, grant Awards which do not permit all
of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment for the Shares or
which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(c)
Taxes
. No
Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Grantee or other person until
such Grantee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the
Administrator for the satisfaction of any national, provincial or local income
and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without limitation,
obligations incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon exercise or
vesting of an Award the Company shall withhold or collect from the Grantee an
amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations, including, but not limited
to, by surrender of the whole number of Shares covered by the Award sufficient
to satisfy the minimum applicable tax withholding obligations incident to the
exercise or vesting of an Award (reduced to the lowest whole number of Shares if
such number of Shares withheld would result in withholding a fractional Share
with any remaining tax withholding settled in cash).
8.
Exercise of
Award
.
(a)
Procedure for Exercise;
Rights as a Shareholder
.
(i)
Any Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such
times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator under the
terms of the Plan and specified in the Award Agreement.
(ii) An
Award shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has
been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the
person or entity entitled to exercise the Award and full payment for the Shares
with respect to which the Award is exercised, including, to the extent selected,
use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the purchase price
as provided in Section
7(b)(iv)
.
(b)
Exercise of Award Following
Termination of Continuous Service
.
(i)
An Award may not be exercised
after the termination date of such Award set forth in the Award Agreement and
may be exercised following the termination of a Grantee’s Continuous Service
only to the extent provided in the Award Agreement.
(ii) Where
the Award Agreement permits a Grantee or a Holding Company to exercise an Award
following the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service for a specified
period, the Award shall terminate to the extent not exercised on the last day of
the specified period or the last day of the original term of the Award,
whichever occurs first.
(iii) Any
Award designated as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent not exercised within
the time permitted by law for the exercise of Incentive Stock Options following
the termination of a Grantee’s Continuous Service shall convert automatically to
a Non-Qualified Stock Option and thereafter shall be exercisable as such to the
extent exercisable by its terms for the period specified in the Award
Agreement.
9.
Conditions Upon Issuance of
Shares
.
(a) Shares
shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of
such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall
comply with all Applicable Laws, and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) As
a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person or
entity exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any Applicable
Laws.
10.
Adjustments Upon Changes in
Capitalization
. Subject to any required action by the
Shareholders of the Company and Section 11 hereof, the number of Shares covered
by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized
for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or
which have been returned to the Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each
such outstanding Award, the maximum number of Shares with respect to which
Awards may be granted to any Grantee in any calendar year, as well as any other
terms that the Administrator determines require adjustment shall be
proportionately adjusted for (i) any increase or decrease in the number of
issued Shares resulting from a share split, reverse share split, share dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Shares, or similar transaction affecting
the Shares, (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, or
(iii) as the Administrator may determine in its discretion, any other
transaction with respect to Ordinary Shares including a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, separation (including a
spin-off or other distribution of shares or property), reorganization,
liquidation (whether partial or complete) or any similar transaction; provided,
however that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not
be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of
consideration.” In the event of any distribution of cash or other
assets to shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, the Administrator
shall also make such adjustments as provided in this Section 10 or substitute,
exchange or grant Awards to effect such adjustments (collectively “
adjustments
”). Any
such adjustments to outstanding Awards will be effected in a manner that
precludes the enlargement of rights and benefits under such
Awards. In connection with the foregoing adjustments, the
Administrator may, in its discretion, prohibit the exercise of Awards or other
issuance of Shares, cash or other consideration pursuant to Awards during
certain periods of time. Except as the Administrator determines, no
issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof shall be
made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an
Award.
11.
Corporate Transactions and
Changes in Control
.
(a)
Termination of Award to
Extent Not Assumed in Corporate Transaction
. Effective upon the
consummation of a Corporate Transaction, all outstanding Awards under the Plan
shall terminate. However, all such Awards shall not terminate to the
extent they are Assumed in connection with the Corporate
Transaction.
(b)
Acceleration of Award Upon
Corporate Transaction or Change in Control
. Except as provided
otherwise in an individual Award Agreement, in the event of any Corporate
Transaction or Change in Control, there will not be any acceleration of vesting
or exercisability of any Award.
12.
Effective Date and Term of
Plan
. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the
Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years
unless sooner terminated. Subject to Section 16, below, and
Applicable Laws, Awards may be granted under the Plan upon its becoming
effective.
13.
Amendment, Suspension or
Termination of the Plan
.
(a) The
Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however,
that no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company’s
shareholders to the extent such approval is required by Applicable Laws, or if
such amendment would change any of the provisions of Section 4(b)(vi) or
this Section 13(a).
(b) No
Award may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or after termination of
the Plan.
(c) No
suspension or termination of the Plan (including termination of the Plan under
Section 12, above) shall adversely affect any rights under Awards already
granted to a Grantee.
14.
Reservation of
Shares
.
(a) The
Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and keep
available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.
(b) The
inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the
Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares
as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
15.
No Effect on Terms of
Employment/Consulting Relationship
. The Plan shall not confer
upon any Grantee any right with respect to the Grantee’s Continuous Service, nor
shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the right of the Company
or any Related Entity to terminate the Grantee’s Continuous Service at any time,
with or without cause, including but not limited to Cause, and with or without
notice. The ability of the Company or any Related Entity to terminate
the employment of a Grantee who is employed at will is in no way affected by its
determination that the Grantee’s Continuous Service has been terminated for
Cause for the purposes of this Plan.
16.
No Effect on Retirement and
Other Benefit Plans
. Except as specifically provided in a
retirement or other benefit plan of the Company or a Related Entity, Awards
shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits or
contributions under any retirement plan of the Company or a Related Entity, and
shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of any kind or any
benefit plan subsequently instituted under which the availability or amount of
benefits is related to level of compensation. The Plan is not a
“Pension Plan” or “Welfare Plan” under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended.
17.
Shareholder
Approval
. The grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan
shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve
(12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted excluding Incentive
Stock Options issued in substitution for outstanding Incentive Stock Options
pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code. Such shareholder
approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under Applicable
Laws. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options under the
Plan prior to approval by the shareholders, but until such approval is obtained,
no such Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable. In the event
that shareholder approval is not obtained within the twelve (12) month period
provided above, all Incentive Stock Options previously granted under the Plan
shall be exercisable as Non-Qualified Stock Options.
18.
Unfunded
Obligation
. Grantees and Holding Companies shall have the
status of general unsecured creditors of the Company. Any amounts
payable to Grantees or Holding Companies pursuant to the Plan shall be unfunded
and unsecured obligations for all purposes, including, without limitation,
Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended. Neither the Company nor any Related Entity shall be required
to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or
establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The
Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments,
including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment
obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance
of any trust or any Grantee or Holding Company account shall not create or
constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Administrator, the
Company or any Related Entity and a Grantee or Holding Company, or otherwise
create any vested or beneficial interest in any Grantee or Holding Company or
the Grantee’s or Holding Company’s creditors in any assets of the Company or a
Related Entity. Neither the Grantees nor the Holding Companies shall
have any claim against the Company or any Related Entity for any changes in the
value of any assets that may be invested or reinvested by the Company with
respect to the Plan.
19.
Construction
. Captions
and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the
meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when
otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and
the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not
intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise.
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
NOTICE OF SHARE OPTION
AWARD
Grantee’s
Name and Address:
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You (the
“Grantee”) have been granted an option to purchase Ordinary Shares (the
“Option”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Notice of Share Option
Award (the “Notice”), AutoChina International Limited 2009 Equity Incentive
Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Share Option Award
Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) attached hereto, as follows. The
Option may be held either by you or your Holding Company. Unless
otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same
defined meanings in this Notice.
Award
Number
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«Award_No_1»
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Date
of Award
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Vesting
Commencement Date
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Exercise
Price per Share
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Total
Number of Ordinary Shares
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Subject
to the Option (the “Shares”)
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Total
Exercise Price
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Type
of Option:
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Expiration
Date:
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Post-Termination
Exercise Period:
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Three
(3)
Months
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Vesting
Schedule
:
Subject
to the Grantee’s Continuous Service and other limitations set forth in this
Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised, in whole
or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:
25% of
the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after the Vesting
Commencement Date, and an additional 1/48th of the Shares shall vest monthly
thereafter.
During
any authorized leave of absence, the vesting of the Option as provided in this
schedule shall be suspended after the leave of absence exceeds a period of
ninety (90) days. Vesting of the Option shall resume upon the
Grantee’s termination of the leave of absence and return to service to the
Company or a Related Entity. The Vesting Schedule of the Option shall
be extended by the length of the suspension.
In the
event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service for Cause, the right of
the Grantee (including any Holding Company of the Grantee) to exercise the
Option shall terminate concurrently with the termination of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service, except as otherwise determined by the
Administrator.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Notice and agree
that the Option is to be governed by the terms and conditions of this Notice,
the Plan, and the Option Agreement.
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AutoChina International
Limited
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a company incorporated under the laws of the
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Cayman Islands
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By:
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Title:
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THE
GRANTEE (INCLUDING ANY HOLDING COMPANY OF SUCH GRANTEE) ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE SHARES SUBJECT TO THE OPTION SHALL VEST, IF AT ALL, ONLY DURING THE
PERIOD OF THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED,
BEING GRANTED THE OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE GRANTEE
(INCLUDING ANY HOLDING COMPANY OF SUCH GRANTEE) FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE, THE OPTION AGREEMENT, OR THE PLAN SHALL CONFER UPON
THE GRANTEE (INCLUDING ANY HOLDING COMPANY OF SUCH GRANTEE) ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO FUTURE AWARDS OR CONTINUATION OF THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE,
NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE
COMPANY OR A RELATED ENTITY TO WHICH THE GRANTEE PROVIDES SERVICES TO TERMINATE
THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, AND WITH OR WITHOUT
NOTICE. THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT UNLESS THE GRANTEE HAS A
WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY TO THE CONTRARY, THE GRANTEE’S
STATUS IS AT WILL.
The
Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Option Agreement, and
represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and
hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof and
thereof. The Grantee has reviewed this Notice, the Plan, and the
Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice
of counsel prior to executing this Notice, and fully understands all provisions
of this Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement. The Grantee hereby
agrees that all questions of interpretation and administration relating to this
Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement shall be resolved by the Administrator
in accordance with Section 17 of the Option Agreement. The
Grantee further agrees to the arbitration provisions under Section 18 of
the Option Agreement. The Grantee further agrees to notify the
Company upon any change in the residence address indicated in this
Notice.
The
Grantee further agrees that he or she shall not transfer the Option to his or
her Holding Company unless such Holding Company expressly agrees to be bound by
applicable provisions in this Notice and the Option Agreement.
Award
Number: «Award_No_1»
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SHARE OPTION AWARD
AGREEMENT
1.
Grant of
Option
. AutoChina International Limited, a company
incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, (the “Company”) hereby grants
to the Grantee (the “Grantee”) named in the Notice of Share Option Award (the
“Notice”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the Total Number of Ordinary
Shares subject to the Option (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice, at the
Exercise Price per Share set forth in the Notice (the “Exercise Price”) subject
to the terms and provisions of the Notice, this Share Option Award Agreement
(the “Option Agreement”) and the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as
amended from time to time (the “Plan”), which are incorporated herein by
reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the
Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
If
designated in the Notice as an Incentive Stock Option, the Option is intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the
Code. However, notwithstanding such designation, the Option will
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code only to the extent the
US$100,000 dollar limitation of Section 422(d) of the Code is not
exceeded. The US$100,000 limitation of Section 422(d) of the
Code is calculated based on the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares
subject to options designated as Incentive Stock Options which become
exercisable for the first time by the Grantee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company). For purposes of this calculation, Incentive Stock Options
shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the
Fair Market Value of the shares subject to such options shall be determined as
of the grant date of the relevant option.
2.
Exercise of
Option
.
(a)
Right to
Exercise
. The Option shall be exercisable during its term in
accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice and with the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. The
Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan
relating to the exercisability or termination of the Option in the event of a
Corporate Transaction. The Grantee (including any Holding Company of
such Grantee) shall be subject to reasonable limitations on the number of
requested exercises during any monthly or weekly period as determined by the
Administrator. In no event shall the Company issue fractional
Shares.
(b)
Method of
Exercise
. The Option shall be exercisable by delivery of an
exercise notice (a form of which is attached as Exhibit A) or by such other
procedure as specified from time to time by the Administrator which shall state
the election to exercise the Option, the whole number of Shares in respect of
which the Option is being exercised, and such other provisions as may be
required by the Administrator. The exercise notice shall be delivered
in person, by certified mail, or by such other method (including electronic
transmission) as determined from time to time by the Administrator to the
Company accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Option
shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such notice
accompanied by the Exercise Price, which, to the extent selected, shall be
deemed to be satisfied by use of the sale and remittance procedure to pay the
Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) below.
(c)
Taxes
. No
Shares will be delivered to the Grantee (including any Holding Company of such
Grantee) or other person pursuant to the exercise of the Option until the
Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee) or other person has made
arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of applicable
income tax and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without
limitation, such other tax obligations of the Grantee (including any Holding
Company of such Grantee) incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon
exercise of the Option, the Company or the Grantee’s employer may offset or
withhold (from any amount owed by the Company or the Grantee’s employer to the
Grantee) or collect from the Grantee or other person an amount sufficient to
satisfy such tax withholding obligations.
3.
Grantee’s
Representations
. The Grantee understands that neither the
Option nor the Shares exercisable pursuant to the Option have been registered
under any United States or non-U.S. securities laws. In the event the
Shares purchasable pursuant to the exercise of the Option have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time the Option
is exercised, the Grantee shall, if requested by the Company, concurrently with
the exercise of all or any portion of the Option, deliver to the Company his or
her Investment Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B.
4.
Method of
Payment
. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Grantee;
provided, however, that such exercise method does not then violate any
Applicable Law:
(a) cash;
(b) check;
(c) surrender
of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of ownership of
Shares as the Administrator may require which have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the
Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
(d) payment
through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the
Grantee (i) shall provide written instructions to a Company-designated brokerage
firm to effect the immediate sale of some or all of the purchased Shares and
remit to the Company sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price
payable for the purchased Shares and (ii) shall provide written directives to
the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to
such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction;
(e) payment
through a “net exercise” such that, without the payment of any funds, the
Grantee may exercise the Option and receive the net number of Shares equal to
(i) the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, multiplied
by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Fair Market Value per Share
(on such date as is determined by the Administrator) less the Exercise Price per
Share, and the denominator of which is such Fair Market Value per Share (the
number of net Shares to be received shall be rounded down to the nearest whole
number of Shares); or
(f) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
5.
Restrictions on
Exercise
. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of
the Shares subject to the Option upon such
exercise would
constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws. In addition, the
Option may not be exercised until such time as the Plan has been approved by the
shareholders of the Company. If the exercise of the Option within the
applicable time periods set forth in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Option
Agreement is prevented by the provisions of this Section 4(f), the Option
shall remain exercisable until one (1) month after the date the Grantee is
notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no
later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.
6.
Termination or Change of
Continuous Service
. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous
Service terminates, other than for Cause,
the Grantee (or the
Holding Company of such Grantee, as applicable) may, but only during the
Post-Termination Exercise Period, exercise the portion of the Option that was
vested at the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”). The
Post-Termination Exercise Period shall commence on the Termination
Date. In the event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service
for Cause, the right of the Grantee (or the Holding Company of such Grantee, as
applicable) to exercise the Option shall, except as otherwise determined by the
Administrator, terminate concurrently with the termination of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service (also the “Termination Date”). In no event,
however, shall the Option be exercised later than the Expiration Date set forth
in the Notice. In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from
Employee, Director or Consultant to any other status of Employee, Director or
Consultant, the Option shall remain in effect and the Option shall continue to
vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice; provided,
however, that with respect to any Incentive Stock Option that shall remain in
effect after a change in status from Employee to Director or Consultant, such
Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option
and shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the day three (3)
months and one (1) day following such change in status. Except
as provided in Sections 7 and 8 below, to the extent that the Option
was unvested on the Termination Date, or if the Grantee (or the Holding Company
of such Grantee, as applicable) does not exercise the vested portion of the
Option within the Post-Termination Exercise Period,
the Option shall
terminate.
7.
Disability of
Grantee
. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous Service
terminates as a result of his or her Disability, the Grantee (or the Holding
Company of such Grantee, as applicable) may, but only within three (3) months
commencing on the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration
Date), exercise the portion of the Option that was vested on the Termination
Date; provided, however, that if such Disability is not a “disability” as such
term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and the Option is an
Incentive Stock Option, such Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be treated as
an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option
on the day three (3) months and one (1) day following the Termination
Date. To the extent that the Option was unvested on the Termination
Date, or if the Grantee does not exercise the vested portion of the Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate. Section 22(e)(3) of the Code provides that an
individual is permanently and totally disabled if he or she is unable to engage
in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which
has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
twelve (12) months.
8.
Death of
Grantee
. In the event of the termination of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service as a result of his or her death, or in the event of the
Grantee’s death during the Post-Termination Exercise Period or during the three
(3) month period following the Grantee’s termination of Continuous Service as a
result of his or her Disability, the person who acquired the right to exercise
the Option pursuant to Section 9 may exercise the portion of the Option
that was vested at the date of termination within three (3) months commencing on
the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration
Date). To the extent that the Option was unvested on the date of
death, or if the vested portion of the Option is not exercised within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
9.
Transferability of
Option
. Incentive Stock Options may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Grantee, only by the Grantee. The Option, if a
Non-Qualified Stock Option, may be transferable (i) by will and by the laws
of descent and distribution and (ii) during the lifetime of the Grantee:
(A) to a Holding Company of such Grantee, or (B) to the extent and in the manner
authorized by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Grantee may designate one or more beneficiaries of the Grantee’s Award in the
event of the Grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the
Administrator. Following the death of the Grantee, the Option, to the
extent provided in Section 8, may be exercised by the Grantee’s legal
representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Grantee’s
will or under the then applicable laws of descent and
distribution. The terms of the Option shall be binding upon the
executors, administrators, heirs, successors and transferees of the
Grantee.
If the
Grantee transfers an Award to a Holding Company, the Grantee and the Holding
Company shall enter into an agreement with the Company substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C, which shall provide, among other things, the
following: (i) the Holding Company shall agree to be bound by the Plan and the
relevant provisions of the Notice and the Option Agreement; and (ii) neither the
Holding Company nor the Grantee shall permit any direct or indirect transfer of
equity interests in the Holding Company.
10.
Term of
Option
. The Option must be exercised no later than the
Expiration Date set forth in the Notice or such earlier date as otherwise
provided herein. After the Expiration Date or such earlier date, the
Option shall be of no further force or effect and may not be
exercised.
11.
Forfeiture
Of Stock Options and Profits
. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, if a Grantee engages in any activity or conduct in violation of
the non-competition restrictions of the Grantee's Labor Contract with the
Company or a Related Entity (or any similar written agreement) after the
termination of Continuous Service, or, if there is no such Agreement or if the
Agreement does not contain a non-competition clause or restriction, and a
Grantee Competes (as defined below) with the Company or a Related Entity after
the termination of Continuous Service, then, at the election of the
Company: (i) all unexercised Options (whether vested or unvested) shall
immediately terminate and be forfeited and the Grantee or his or her
beneficiaries or representatives shall not be able to exercise the Options, and
(ii) to the extent the Grantee or his or her beneficiaries or representatives
have exercised any Options in the six (6) month period ending on the date the
Grantee first engaged in the violation of the non-competition
restrictions, the Company may rescind any such exercise of the Options (in
which case the Shares shall be returned to the Company and the Grantee's
exercise price shall be returned, or, in the case of an Option which was
exercised using the “net exercise” clause in Section 4(e) above, the Shares
shall be returned to the Company) or, at the Company's election, the Grantee may
be required to pay to the Company in cash or a cash equivalent acceptable to the
Company an amount equal to any profits Grantee received from the sale of the
shares subject to the Options, whether any such sale occurs during or after the
period of the Grantee's Continuous Service for the Company or before or after
the conduct occurs that violates the terms of the agreements with the
Company. The amount of a Grantee's profits for these purposes will be
calculated as the difference between the sale price for the shares and the price
he or she paid to exercise the Options. In any case there shall be no
offset from the amount owed the Company (including in a case where shares are
returned) for any tax liability a Grantee may have incurred as a result of the
exercise of the option or the sale of the shares. The Grantee agrees
to return the shares or make this payment to the Company, as applicable, no
later than thirty (30) days after the date the Company requests such return or
payment. The Grantee also consents to a deduction from any amounts
the Company owes them from time to time (including amounts owed as wages or
other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation pay, as well as any other
amounts owed by the Company) to the extent of the amount the Grantee is
obligated to pay the Company under this Section. Whether or not the
Company elects to make any set-off in whole or part, if the Company does not
recover by means of set-off the full amount a Grantee owes it, the Grantee
agrees to pay the unpaid balance within the time period specified
above. For the purposes of this Section 11, a Grantee “Competes” with
the Company if such Grantee (during the period of Grantee’s employment with the
Company, and for the period of six (6) months after the date Grantee’s
employment with the Company ends for any reason) provides services, similar to
those he or she provided to the Company, to any person or entity “in
competition” (as defined below) with the Company anywhere in the
world. At the present time, the Company and Related Entities engage
in the wholesale and retail sale of vehicles (including auto trading), vehicle
parts and vehicle accessories; vehicle repair and maintenance; insurance agency;
vehicle trade-in business; used car sales business; and vehicle consulting
services and vehicle storage services. The Grantee understands that
the scope and nature of Grantee’s activities and services, and the Company’s
business, products or services, may change as the Company
develops. The Grantee agrees that the scope of this provision will
change to cover any changes in Grantee’s activities or services, as well as any
changes in the Company or a Related Entity’s business, products or services,
during Grantee’s Continuous Service with the Company
.
12.
Stop-Transfer
Notices
. In order to ensure compliance with the restrictions
on transfer set forth in this Option Agreement, the Notice or the Plan, the
Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer
agent, if any, and, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make
appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
13.
Refusal to
Transfer
. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on
its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation
of any of the provisions of this Option Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of
such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or
other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so
transferred.
14.
Lock-Up
Agreement
.
(a)
Agreement
. The
Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee, as applicable), if
requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of the
Ordinary Shares (the “Lead Underwriter”), hereby irrevocably agrees not to sell,
contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of
ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of
any interest in any Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire
Ordinary Shares (except Ordinary Shares included in such public offering or
acquired on the public market after such offering) during the 200-day period
following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or such shorter or longer period
of time as the Lead Underwriter shall specify. The Grantee further
agrees to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to
effect the foregoing and agrees that the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to such Ordinary Shares subject to the lock-up period
until the end of such period. The Company and the Grantee acknowledge
that each Lead Underwriter of a public offering of the Company’s stock, during
the period of such offering and for the lock-up period thereafter, is an
intended beneficiary of this Section 14.
(b)
No Amendment Without Consent
of Underwriter
. During the period from identification of a
Lead Underwriter in connection with any public offering of the Company’s
Ordinary Shares until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the lock-up period
specified in Section 14(a) in connection with such offering or (ii) the
abandonment of such offering by the Company and the Lead Underwriter, the
provisions of this Section 14 may not be amended or waived except with the
consent of the Lead Underwriter.
15.
Entire Agreement: Governing
Law
. The Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement constitute
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the
Company and the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not
be modified adversely to the interest of the Grantee (including any Holding
Company of such Grantee, as applicable) except by means of a writing signed by
the Company and the Grantee (or the Holding Company of such Grantee, as
applicable). Nothing in the Notice, the Plan and this Option
Agreement (except as expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any
rights or remedies on any persons other than the parties. The Notice,
the Plan and this Option Agreement are to be construed in accordance with and
governed by the internal laws of Hong Kong without giving effect to any choice
of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the internal laws of Hong Kong to the rights and duties of the
parties. Should any provision of the Notice, the Plan or this Option
Agreement be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be
enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions shall
nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
16.
Construction
. The
captions used in the Notice and this Option Agreement are inserted for
convenience and shall not be deemed a part of the Option for construction or
interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
17.
Administration and
Interpretation
. Any question or dispute regarding the
administration or interpretation of the Notice, the Plan or this Option
Agreement shall be submitted by the Grantee (or the Holding Company of such
Grantee, as applicable) or by the Company to the Administrator. The
resolution of such question or dispute by the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all persons.
18.
Arbitration
. The
Company, the Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee), and the
Grantee’s assignees pursuant to Section 9 (the “parties”) agree that any
suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notice, the Plan
or this Option Agreement shall be referred to and determined by arbitration at
the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and in accordance with its
Domestic Arbitration Rules. The arbitration proceedings shall be
conducted in the English language. The parties shall have the right
to conduct discovery which provides them with access to documents and witnesses
that are essential to the dispute, as determined by the
arbitrator. The parties agree that the arbitrator shall have no
authority to vary the terms of the Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement or
to award any punitive, consequential, incidental, indirect or special damages,
interest, fees or expenses. The arbitrator's written award shall
include the essential findings and conclusions upon which the award is
based. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and may be
enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall a
demand for arbitration be made after the date when the applicable statute of
limitations would bar the institution of a legal or equitable proceeding based
on such claim, dispute or other matter in question. The parties shall
bear their own attorneys’ fees and other costs arising under this
Section 18 except as otherwise required by law. If any one or
more provisions of this Section 18 shall for any reason be held invalid or
unenforceable, it is the specific intent of the parties that such provisions
shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application
valid and enforceable.
19.
Notices
. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an
internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the
United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United
States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its
address as shown in these instruments, or to such other address as such party
may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
20.
Confidentiality
. The
Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee) shall keep the terms of
this Option Agreement, the Notice and Plan strictly confidential and may not
discuss such terms with anyone except the Plan Administrator or persons
authorized by the Plan Administrator. If the Grantee breaches the
confidentiality obligations under this Section 20, the Company shall have the
right to revoke the Option.
END
OF AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
A
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EXERCISE
NOTICE
AutoChina
International Limited
Attention:
Corporate Secretary
1. Effective
as of today, ______________, the undersigned (the “Holder”) hereby elects to
exercise the Holder’s option to purchase ___________ Ordinary Shares (the
“Shares”) of AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the
laws of the Cayman Islands, (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Company’s
2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the
Share Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and Notice of Share Option
Award (the “Notice”) dated ______________, ________. Unless otherwise
defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined
meanings in this Exercise Notice. The Holder elects to pay the full
Exercise Price for the Shares by the following means, as authorized by the
Option Agreement:
¨
Cash
¨
Check
¨
Surrender or Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
¨
Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
¨
Net
Exercise
¨
A
combination of the foregoing methods of payment, with the number of Ordinary
Shares pursuant to each of the foregoing methods of payment set forth
immediately as follows in (parenthesis): Cash (________________), Check
(________________), Surrender of Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
(________________), Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
(________________), Net Exercise (________________)
2.
Representations of the
Holder
. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder has received,
read and understood the Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.
Rights as
Shareholder
. Until the issue of such Shares has been
registered in the Register of Members of the Company, no right to vote or
receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect
to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall register the issue of such Shares in the Register of Members of
the Company and issue (or cause to be issued) such share certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a
dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the share
certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the
Plan. The Holder shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time
as the Holder disposes of the Shares.
4.
Delivery of
Payment
. The Holder herewith delivers to the Company the full
Exercise Price for the Shares, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to
be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay
the Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) of the Option
Agreement.
5.
Tax
Consultation
. The Holder understands that the Holder may
suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Holder’s purchase or
disposition of the Shares. The Holder represents that the Holder has
consulted with any tax consultants the Holder deems advisable in connection with
the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that the Holder is not relying on
the Company for any tax advice.
6.
Taxes
. The
Holder agrees to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local income and
employment tax withholding obligations and herewith delivers to the Company the
full amount of such obligations or has made arrangements acceptable to the
Company to satisfy such obligations.
7.
Restrictive
Legends
. The Holder understands and agrees that the Company
shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent
thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares
together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state
or federal securities laws:
THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER
THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE
ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE
BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.
Successors and
Assigns
. The Company may assign any of its rights under this
Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement shall inure
to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be
binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the
Holder.
9.
Construction
. The
captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for convenience and shall not
be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or
interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
10.
Administration and
Interpretation
. The Holder hereby agrees that any question or
dispute regarding the administration or interpretation of this Exercise Notice
shall be submitted by the Holder or by the Company to the
Administrator. The resolution of such question or dispute by the
Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons.
11.
Governing Law;
Severability
. This Exercise Notice is to be construed in
accordance with and governed by the internal laws of Hong Kong without giving
effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of Hong Kong to the rights and
duties of the parties. Should any provision of this Exercise Notice
be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision
shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions
shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
12.
Notices
. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an
internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the
United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United
States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its
address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such
party may designate in writing from time to time to the other
party.
13.
Further
Instruments
. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.
14.
Entire
Agreement
. The Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference and together with this Exercise Notice
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Holder’s interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and the Holder. Nothing in
the Notice, the Plan, the Option Agreement and this Exercise Notice (except as
expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any
persons other than the parties.
Submitted
by:
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Accepted
by:
|
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|
HOLDER:
|
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AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
|
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By:
|
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(Signature)
|
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Title:
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Address
:
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Address
:
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EXHIBIT
B
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
INVESTMENT
REPRESENTATION STATEMENT
GRANTEE:
|
_________________________________
|
|
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COMPANY:
|
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
|
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SECURITY:
|
ORDINARY SHARES
|
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AMOUNT:
|
_________________________________
|
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DATE:
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_________________________________
|
In
connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned
Grantee represents to the Company the following:
(a) Grantee
is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has
acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and
knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Grantee is
acquiring these Securities for investment for Grantee’s own account only and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”).
(b) Grantee
acknowledges and understands that the Securities constitute “restricted
securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the
Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption
depends upon among other things, the bona fide nature of Grantee’s investment
intent as expressed herein. Grantee further understands that the
Securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered
under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is
available. Grantee further acknowledges and understands that the
Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. Grantee
understands that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be imprinted
with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless they are
registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Company.
(c) Grantee
is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each
promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public
resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly from the
issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under
Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Grantee, the
exercise will be exempt from registration under the Securities
Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off
agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold,
except in the case of affiliates, such Securities may be resold subject to the
satisfaction of the applicable conditions specified by Rule 144, including:
(1) the availability of certain public information about the Company,
(2) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period not
exceeding specified limitations, (3) the resale being made in an unsolicited
“broker’s transaction,” in transactions directly with a “market maker” or
“riskless principal transactions” (as said terms are defined under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and (4) the timely filing of a
Form 144, if applicable.
In the
event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of the
grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain limited
circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which may require: the
availability of current public information about the Company; the resale to
occur more than a specified period after the purchase and full payment (within
the meaning of Rule 144) for the Securities; and, in the case of the sale of
Securities by an affiliate, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
sections (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph immediately above.
(d) Grantee
further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of
Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act,
compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be
required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not
exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its
opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than
in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rules 144 or 701 will
have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from
registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and
their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own
risk. Grantee understands that no assurances can be given that any
such other registration exemption will be available in such event.
(e) Grantee
represents that Grantee is a resident of the state of
____________________.
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Signature
of Grantee:
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Date:
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EXHIBIT
C
TRANSFER
AGREEMENT
THIS
TRANSFER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of ____, 200__ by and among
[Grantee] (the “Grantee”), [Holding Company] (the “Holding Company”) and
AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the
Cayman Islands (the “Company”).
WHEREAS,
the Grantee holds an option (the “Option”) to purchase [ ]
ordinary shares of the Company (the “Shares”);
WHEREAS,
the Option was issued to the Grantee by the Company pursuant to the Company’s
2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a Notice and Share Option Award
Agreement (the “Award Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
the Holding Company is an investment holding company wholly owned by the
Grantee;
WHEREAS,
the Plan and the Award Agreement expressly permit the transfer of the Option by
the Grantee to an investment holding company wholly owned by the
Grantee,
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The
Grantee hereby agrees to transfer the Option to the Holding Company in
consideration of [ ] ordinary shares of the Holding Company
(the “Holding Company Shares”), and the Holding Company hereby agrees to issue
such Holding Company Shares to the Grantee in exchange for the
Option.
2. The
Holding Company agrees to be bound by all provisions of the Plan and the Award
Agreement (except those that relate to Grantee’s employment and provision of
services) as if it were the Grantee thereunder.
3. The
Holding Company agrees that it shall not issue any securities to any third party
other than the Grantee. The Holding Company further agrees that it
shall not be involved in any business activity except in connection with its
ownership of the Option, such as exercising the Option (in full or in part) and
holding and disposing of the Shares.
4. Representations
and Warranties.
(i) The
Holding Company hereby represents that its authorized share capital is
[US$ ] divided into [ ] ordinary shares, par value
[US$ each], [ ] of which are issued and
outstanding. As of the date hereof, all of the [ ]
ordinary shares are held by the Grantee. Upon the completion of the
transactions contemplated hereunder, the Grantee will hold [ ]
ordinary shares of the Holding Company, which will represent all of the issued
and outstanding ordinary shares of the Holding Company.
(ii) The
Grantee hereby represents that it has valid title to the Option, free of liens,
charges and other encumbrances, except as provided in the Plan, the Award
Agreement and this Agreement.
(iii) Each
of the parties hereto represents that this Agreement, when delivered, will
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such party, enforceable
against such party in accordance with its terms.
6. Within
five (5) business days following the execution of this Agreement, (i) the
Holding Company shall issue a share certificate to the Grantee representing the
Holding Company Shares and update its register of members accordingly; and (ii)
the Company shall update its records to reflect the transfer of the Option from
the Grantee to the Holding Company.
7. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the Cayman
Islands.
8. This
Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Grantee, the Holding
Company and the Company.
9. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized
representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above
written.
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GRANTEE
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HOLDING
COMPANY
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[Name
of company]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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THE
COMPANY
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AutoChina
International Limited
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Name:
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Title:
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EXHIBIT
A
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EXERCISE
NOTICE
AutoChina
International Limited
Attention:
Corporate Secretary
1. Effective
as of today, ______________, the undersigned (the “Holder”) hereby elects to
exercise the Holder’s option to purchase ___________ Ordinary Shares (the
“Shares”) of AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the
laws of the Cayman Islands, (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Company’s
2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the
Share Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and Notice of Share Option
Award (the “Notice”) dated ______________, ________. Unless otherwise
defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined
meanings in this Exercise Notice. The Holder elects to pay the full
Exercise Price for the Shares by the following means, as authorized by the
Option Agreement:
¨
Cash
¨
Check
¨
Surrender or Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
¨
Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
¨
Net
Exercise
¨
A
combination of the foregoing methods of payment, with the number of Ordinary
Shares pursuant to each of the foregoing methods of payment set forth
immediately as follows in (parenthesis): Cash (________________), Check
(________________), Surrender of Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
(________________), Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
(________________), Net Exercise (________________)
2.
Representations of the
Holder
. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder has received,
read and understood the Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.
Rights as
Shareholder
. Until the issue of such Shares has been
registered in the Register of Members of the Company, no right to vote or
receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect
to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall register the issue of such Shares in the Register of Members of
the Company and issue (or cause to be issued) such share certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a
dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the share
certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the
Plan. The Holder shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time
as the Holder disposes of the Shares.
4.
Delivery of
Payment
. The Holder herewith delivers to the Company the full
Exercise Price for the Shares, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to
be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay
the Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) of the Option
Agreement.
5.
Tax
Consultation
. The Holder understands that the Holder may
suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Holder’s purchase or
disposition of the Shares. The Holder represents that the Holder has
consulted with any tax consultants the Holder deems advisable in connection with
the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that the Holder is not relying on
the Company for any tax advice.
6.
Taxes
. The
Holder agrees to satisfy all income and employment or similar tax withholding
obligations applicable pursuant to the laws of any relevant jurisdiction and
herewith delivers to the Company the full amount of such obligations or has made
arrangements acceptable to the Company to satisfy such obligations.
7.
Restrictive
Legends
. The Holder understands and agrees that the Company
shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent
thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares
together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state
or federal securities laws:
THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER
THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE
ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE
BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.
Successors and
Assigns
. The Company may assign any of its rights under this
Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement shall inure
to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be
binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the
Holder.
9.
Construction
. The
captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for convenience and shall not
be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or
interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
10.
Administration and
Interpretation
. The Holder hereby agrees that any question or
dispute regarding the administration or interpretation of this Exercise Notice
shall be submitted by the Holder or by the Company to the
Administrator. The resolution of such question or dispute by the
Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons.
11.
Governing Law;
Severability
. This Exercise Notice is to be construed in
accordance with and governed by the internal laws of Hong Kong without giving
effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of Hong Kong to the rights and
duties of the parties. Should any provision of this Exercise Notice
be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision
shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions
shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
12.
Notices
. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an
internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the
United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United
States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its
address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such
party may designate in writing from time to time to the other
party.
13.
Further
Instruments
. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.
14.
Disclaimer with Respect to
PRC Residents
. If the Holder is a resident of the People’s
Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) (the “PRC Resident
Holder”), then the PRC Resident Holder understands that the PRC Resident Holder
is required to (i) file or register with, individually or collectively, as the
case may be, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) and any other
governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the PRC Resident Holder before
the PRC Resident Holder can lawfully own the Shares, and (ii) secure approval
from SAFE before the PRC Resident Holder can purchase foreign exchange with
Renminbi, unless the PRC Resident Holder otherwise legally owns foreign exchange
for the exercise of the PRC Resident Holder’s option to purchase the Shares, and
such filing or approval is not always attainable, and if the PRC Resident Holder
fails to secure filing with or approval from the PRC authorities, the PRC
Resident Holder may have difficulties either to remit foreign exchange to the
Company to exercise the PRC Resident Holder’s option to purchase the Shares or
to receive proceeds when the PRC Resident Holder sells shares issued pursuant to
the option. Failure to comply with these rules may also result in
sanctions under the PRC foreign exchange regulations. It is the PRC
Resident Holder’s duty to ensure full compliance with these PRC regulations at
the PRC Resident Holder’s own expense and the Company assumes no responsibility
to seek proper filing or approval on the PRC Resident Holder’s
behalf.
15.
Entire
Agreement
. The Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference and together with this Exercise Notice
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Holder’s interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and the Holder. Nothing in
the Notice, the Plan, the Option Agreement and this Exercise Notice (except as
expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any
persons other than the parties.
Submitted
by:
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Accepted
by:
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HOLDER:
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AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
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By:
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Title:
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(Signature)
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Address
:
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Address
:
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SCHEDULE
J
FORM
OF LEGAL OPINION TO BE DELIVERED
BY
THE WARRANTORS’ PRC COUNSEL
Disclosure
Schedule to the Legal Opinion
Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this disclosure schedule
(the “Disclosure Schedule”) shall have the same meaning ascribed to them in the
Share Exchange Agreement.
Section
A
Set forth
below is a chart showing the equity holding structure of the PRC Subsidiaries as
of the date of this legal opinion:
In the
above chart, “
” refers to control by equity, and
“
” refers to control by contract.
Besides
as presented in the above structure, (i) Kaiyuan Real Estate holds a two percent
(2%) equity interest in Xuwei Trade, an one percent (1%) equity interest in
Shengrong Kaiyuan, a sixty percent (60%) equity interest in Kaiyuan Doors and
Windows and a ninety-three percent (93%) equity interest in Hebei Advertising;
(ii) Hebei Liantuo holds a fifty-five percent (55%) equity interest in Handan
Aohua; and (iii) Shijiazhuang Yuhua holds a seventy percent (70%) equity
interest in Hengshui Yuhua.
Section
B
Each of
the following PRC Subsidiaries has not obtained relevant governmental approvals
or permits or has not carried out relevant procedures for registration or
filing:
(i)
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Kaiyuan
Auto Trade and Chuanglian Auto Trade have not (a) obtained the brand auto
sales authorization, (b) entered into the dealership authorization
agreements, or (c) been listed in the List of Brand Auto Sales
Enterprises.
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According
to the Measures for Implementation of the Administration of Brand-specific Auto
Sales (No. 10 Decree issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the National
Development and Reform Commission and the State Administration for Industry and
Commerce in 2005), no auto resources shall be provided to any PRC Subsidiary
that has not received authorization for brand-specific auto sales or does not
satisfy the conditions for carrying out the relevant operations; in the event
that a PRC Subsidiary has not completed the filing procedures with the national
administrative department of industry and commerce, possibly its scope of
business may not be ratified as including “sales of brand automobiles” by the
local administrative department of industry and commerce.
(ii)
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Each
of the following 4S Stores has not carried out the filing procedures with
the provincial authority of commerce that are required for entities
engaged in second-hand automobile
transactions:
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6.
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Zhangjiakou
Meihua; and
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According
to the Measures for Administration of the Circulation of Second-hand Automobiles
(No. 2 Decree issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public
Security, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the State
Administration of Taxation in 2005), a second-hand automobile market
operator or second-hand automobile dealer that has been registered with, and
obtained a business license from, the industry and commerce administration
authority according to law shall, within two months after receiving the business
license, file information about its establishment with the competent provincial
commerce authority.
(iii)
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No
4S Store has obtained a Pollutant Discharge
Permit.
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According
to the Administrative License Law of the People’s Republic of China (No. 7 Order
of the President of the People’s Republic of China), any citizen, legal person
or other institution that is engaged in activities subject to an administrative
license but has not obtained an administrative license shall be stopped by the
administrative authority in accordance with the law, and shall be imposed an
administrative punishment; the violation that has constituted a crime shall be
subject to criminal responsibilities.
According
to the Regulations on Collecting and Using the Pollutant Discharge Fees (No. 369
Decree of State Council), in the event that a PRC Subsidiary fails to pay the
pollutant discharge fees in accordance with law, it shall be ordered to pay such
fees within a prescribed time limit by the administrative department for
environmental protection of the people’s governments of the county level and
above within their power and function; where such PRC Subsidiary refuses to pay
such fees, a fine no less than one time but no more than three times of such
payable pollutant discharge fees shall be imposed, and such PRC Subsidiary shall
be ordered to stop its business for rectification if so approved by the people’s
government with the approval power.
According
to the Measures of Hebei Province for Administration of Pollutant Discharge
Permits (for Trial Implementation) (Ji Fa Shen [2007] No. 17), each and every
entity that may discharge pollutants shall apply to the competent environmental
protection administration authority for a permit for the discharge of pollutants
(hereinafter referred to as “pollutant discharge permit”) in accordance with
these Measures, and shall not discharge pollutants before obtaining a pollutant
discharge permit; a pollutant-discharging entity shall be punished in accordance
with the relevant laws and regulations if such entity has discharged pollutants
before obtaining a pollutant discharge permit.
(iv)
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Chuanglian
has not carried out the filing procedures for its establishment of any
Auto Service Company with the original authority of examination and
approval.
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According
to the Provisional Regulations on Domestic Investment by Foreign-invested
Enterprises (No. 6 Decree issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic
Cooperation and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the PRC in
2000), a foreign-invested enterprise shall, within thirty days after
establishing an investee company, file such investee company with the original
examination and approval authority.
(v)
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Each
of the following PRC Subsidiaries has not obtained a state taxation
registration certificate:
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4.
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Xingtang
Shijie Transportation;
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5.
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Quyang
Transportation;
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7.
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Bazhou
Transportation;
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8.
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Rongcheng
Transportation;
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9.
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Gaobeidian
Shijie Transportation;
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10.
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Jinzhou
Shijie Transportation;
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11.
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Qingxian
Transportation;
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12.
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Botou
Transportation;
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13.
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Zanhuang
Transportation;
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14.
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Longyao
Transportation;
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15.
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Yuanshi
Shijie Transportation;
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16.
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Guantao
Transportation;
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17.
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Qingxu
Shijie Transportation;
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18.
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Yangyuan
Transportation;
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19.
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Huailai
Transportation;
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20.
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Zhengding
Transportation;
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21.
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Hejian
Transportation;
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22.
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Huanghua
Transportation;
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23.
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Weixian
Transportation;
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24.
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Zunhua
Transportation;
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25.
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Xingtang
Auto Service;
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29.
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Rongcheng
Auto Service;
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30.
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Gaobeidian
Auto Service;
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31.
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Jinzhou
Auto Service;
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32.
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Qingxian
Auto Service;
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34.
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Zanhuang
Auto Service;
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35.
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Longyao
Auto Service;
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36.
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Yuanshi
Auto Service;
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37.
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Guantao
Auto Service;
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39.
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Yangyuan
Auto Service;
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40.
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Huailai
Auto Service;
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41.
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Zhengding
Auto Service;
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42.
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Shenzhou
Auto Service;
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45.
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Huanghua
Auto Service;
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46.
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Datong
Auto Service; and
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47.
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Weixian
Auto Service.
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According
to the Administrative Measures for Tax Registration (No. 7 Order of the State
Administration of Taxation), in the event that a PRC Subsidiary fails to file an
application for completing the tax registration procedures within the prescribed
time limit, the tax administration shall, within three days from the day of
finding out such offense, order such PRC Subsidiary to make rectifications
within a prescribed time limit and impose relevant punishments in accordance
with Clause 1 of Article 60 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the
Administration of Tax Collection; in the event that a PRC Subsidiary fails to
complete the tax registration, the tax administration shall, within three days
from the day of finding out such offense, order such PRC Subsidiary to make
rectifications within a prescribed time limit, and, where such PRC Subsidiary
fails to make rectifications within the prescribed time limit, impose relevant
punishments in accordance with Clause 1 and 2 of Article 60 of the Law of the
People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Tax Collection.
According
to Article 60 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration
of Tax Collection (No. 49 Order of the President of the People’s Republic of
China [2001])
where a
PRC Subsidiary fails to apply for tax registration within a prescribed time
limit, the tax authorities shall order it to make rectification within the
prescribed time and impose a fine up to RMB2,000; and in a serious case, impose
a fine ranging from RMB2,000 to RMB10,000. Should a PRC Subsidiary
fail to make rectification within the prescribed time limit, the tax authorities
shall notify the applicable administration for industry and commerce to revoke
such PRC Subsidiary’s business license. Based on our knowledge, if a
PRC Subsidiary’s failure to complete the tax registration is caused by the fault
of the tax authorities, it is likely that the aforesaid administrative penalty
will not be imposed on such PRC Subsidiary.
(vi)
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Each
of the following PRC Subsidiaries has not obtained a social insurance
certificate:
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5.
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the
Transportation Companies;
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6.
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the
Auto Service Companies;
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10.
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Chuanglian
Auto Trade; and
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According
to the Provisional Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social Insurance
Contributions (No. 259 Decree of the State Council), in the event that a PRC
Subsidiary fails to make or withhold social insurance contributions in
accordance with the regulations, the labor security administration authority or
the taxation authority shall order such PRC Subsidiary to make or withhold such
contributions within a specified time limit; in the event that such PRC
Subsidiary fails to do so within the time limit, it shall, in addition to making
up the overdue contributions, pay a 0.2% fine for late contribution on a daily
basis; and such fines shall be incorporated into the social insurance
fund. In the event that a PRC Subsidiary fails to carry out social
insurance registration, change its registration or cancel its registration in
accordance with the regulations, or fails to declare the amount of social
insurance contributions payable by it in accordance with the regulations, the
labor security administration authority shall order such PRC Subsidiary to make
rectifications within a prescribed time limit; if such failure has constituted a
gross violation, a fine of more than RMB1,000 but less than RMB5,000 shall be
imposed on the officer directly responsible and other persons directly liable;
if such failure is of an extraordinarily serious nature, a fine of more than
RMB5,000 but less than RMB10,000 shall be imposed upon the officer directly
responsible and other persons directly liable.
(vii)
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Each
of the following PRC Subsidiaries has not completed the renewal of its
concurrent-business insurance agent
certificate:
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(viii)
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Tangshan
Fengrun Transportation has not completed the renewal of its road
transportation operation permit.
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(ix)
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Each
of the PRC Subsidiaries listed in Sections C(I), C(II), and D of the
Disclosure Schedule.
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Section
C
(I)
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The business
license of each of the following PRC Subsidiaries does not contain “brand
auto sales” in its business scope:
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(vii)
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Chuanglian
Auto Trade; and
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(II)
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Each of the
following PRC Subsidiaries have not been included into the List of Brand
Auto Sales Enterprises:
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(vi)
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Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
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(vii)
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Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
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(III)
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Each of the
following PRC Subsidiaries has not provided a separate authorization
certificate for brand auto sales:
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(x)
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Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
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(xi)
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Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
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(IV)
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Each
of the following PRC Subsidiaries has not provided a valid and binding
dealership authorization agreement:
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(iv)
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Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
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(v)
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Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
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(V)
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Each
of the following PRC Subsidiaries has not completed the renewal of its
dealership authorization agreements which have
expired:
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(iii)
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Hebei
Shengmei; and
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Section
D
(I) The
PRC Subsidiaries listed in Table VI have not provided state-owned land use right
certificates or building ownership certificates or other governmental documents,
thus we cannot ascertain whether such PRC Subsidiaries have valid and legal use
rights to the land being used by them or whether such PRC Subsidiaries have
valid and legal ownership or use rights to the houses being used by
them.
According
to the Land Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China (No. 28 Decree
of the President of the People’s Republic of China), where there is a conversion
of agricultural land into land for construction purpose by any of the above PRC
Subsidiaries in violation of the general plan for land utilization, an order
will be issued that the buildings and other facilities newly constructed on the
land illegally transferred be dismantled and the land be restored to the
original state within a prescribed period, in case that such conversion conforms
with the general plan for land utilization, such buildings and other facilities
affiliated therewith shall be confiscated; a fine may be imposed additionally;
administrative penalties may be imposed on the officer directly responsible and
other persons directly liable; where such violations constitute crimes, the
relevant criminal liabilities shall be claimed.
(II)
Kaiyuan Auto Trade, Botou Transportation and Botou Auto Service have provided
land use right certificates and building ownership certificates for the houses
rented and being used by them. However, such land and houses are authorized for
industry use. Since the aforesaid companies have not provided the
governmental approvals for the change of use of such land and houses, we cannot
ascertain whether such PRC Subsidiaries have valid and legal use rights to the
land and houses being used by them.
According
to the Land Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China (No. 28 Decree
of the President of the People’s Republic of China), where changes occur to
ownership and purpose of the land according to law, procedures relating to
registration of modification of the land shall be handled; where a PRC
Subsidiary uses the state land for purpose other than the approved
one, the competent land and resources administration authority under
the people’s government above the county level shall issue an order requiring a
return of the land and impose a fine.
(III)
Except for Pingshan Auto Service, Jingxing Transportation, Jingxing Auto
Service, Guantao Transportation and Guantao Auto Service, no PRC Subsidiaries
have carried out the lease registration procedures for the houses rented by
them.
According
to the Measures on Administration of Urban Housing Lease (No. 42 Decree of the
Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of
China), the housing whose property ownership certificate has not been obtained
according to law and to which other circumstances provided by relevant laws and
regulations have occurred may not be leased out. In the event that a
PRC Subsidiary fails to apply for and obtain a House Leasing Registration
Certificate on a timely manner, such PRC Subsidiary shall be ordered to complete
such procedures within a prescribed period and may be imposed a fine
therefor.
Section
E
The
outstanding loans and guarantees between the PRC Subsidiaries and third parties
are set out in Table IV.
Section
F
Besides
the contracts disclosed in Section E, material contracts to which any PRC
Subsidiary is a party are set forth below:
(I)
The
following joint venture contracts:
(i) The
Equity Joint Venture Contract entered into by and between Kaiyuan Real Estate
and Canada Advantage Trading Inc on January 26, 1999, under which Kaiyuan Doors
and Windows was established;
(ii) The
Agreement on Capital Contribution to Hebei Advertising entered into by and
between Kaiyuan Real Estate and Li Yongbin on January 5, 2006;
(iii) The
Contract on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Shengrong Kaiyuan entered into by
and between Kaiyuan Real Estate and Top Ray Investments Limited on November 15,
2007; and
(iv) The
Contract on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture of Xuwei Trade entered into by and
between Kaiyuan Real Estate and Heat Planet Holdings Limited on December 24,
2007.
(II)
Dealership
authorization agreements:
Please
refer to Table V.
(III)
Auto purchase
agreements
The
Vehicle Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into by and between Kaiyuan Auto
Trade and Tianjin Shanzhong Auto Sale and Service Co., Ltd. on September 28,
2008.
Section
G
(I)
Labor
contracts between the PRC Subsidiaries and their employees:
Please
refer to Table VIII.
(II)
Each of the following PRC Subsidiaries has not paid social insurance for its
employees:
|
10.
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade;
|
|
11.
|
Transportation
Companies; and
|
|
12.
|
Auto
Service Companies.
|
(III) No
PRC Subsidiary has paid housing funds for its employees, nor has it received any
notice from competent administrations of housing funds for making up the unpaid
housing funds.
Section
H
List of
control agreements:
1.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
2.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
3.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
4.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
5.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
6.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
7.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
8.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
9.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
10.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
11.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
12.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
13.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
14.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
15.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
16.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
|
17.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
|
18.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
|
19.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
and
|
20.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ].
|
PRC
Legal Opinion
Date:
To:
Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (“
SCAC
”)
Dear
Madams/Sirs,
Re:
Hebei Kaiyuan Real Estate Development
Company and/or its Affiliates
As
licensed lawyers of the PRC, lawyers of Zhong Lun Law Firm (“
Zhong Lun
” or “
we
”) are qualified to issue
this opinion on the laws of the PRC. We have acted as legal counsel
on the laws of the PRC for Hebei Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Company (“
Kaiyuan Real Estate
”) in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement
dated
【 】
,
2009, by and among Li Yonghui, Yan Wang, Honest Best Int’l Ltd, Auto China Group
Inc (“
AutoChina
”), Fancy
Think Limited, and SCAC (the “
Project
”).
The terms
used in this opinion shall have the meanings as follows:
“PRC”
refers to Mainland
China, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special
Administrative Region and Taiwan.
“
PRC provision
” refers to laws
enacted by the PRC National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee and
promulgated by Order of the President signed by the PRC President,
administrative regulations enacted by the State Council, local regulations,
autonomous regulations, separate regulations, rules, judicial interpretations
and relevant prescriptive documents.
“PRC laws and administrative
regulations”
refer to laws promulgated by the PRC National People’s
Congress and its Standing Committee, and regulations promulgated by the State
Council.
Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this opinion shall have the
same meanings ascribed to them in the Share Exchange Agreement.
In order
to issue this opinion, Zhong Lun and its attorneys have obtained and relied on
the following representations from Kaiyuan Real Estate:
1 All
signatures, corporate seals and other seals that appear on the documents which
have been provided by Kaiyuan Real Estate to Zhong Lun and Zhong Lun attorneys
are authentic and valid, and all necessary relevant authorizations have been
duly obtained;
2 All
of the documents that have been provided by Kaiyuan Real Estate to Zhong Lun and
Zhong Lun attorneys are complete, authentic and accurate, and any copies of such
documents are all consistent with the original documents;
3 All
written statements, letters, confirmation letters and commitment letters and
written testimony that have been provided by Kaiyuan Real Estate to Zhong Lun
and Zhong Lun attorneys are accurate and complete, and do not contain any
fabrication, omission or misleading information;
4 All
third party documents provided by Kaiyuan Real Estate to Zhong Lun and Zhong Lun
attorneys are consistent with the documents that Kaiyuan Real Estate obtained
from the original owners or authors;
5 Kaiyuan
Real Estate has not altered, deleted, lost or concealed the form or substance of
any document, and has in accordance with Zhong Lun’s reasonable requests
provided and disclosed all other relevant supplemental documentation, materials
and information; and
6 Where
any fact of major importance hereto is not supported by independent evidence, we
rely on relevant governmental documents and the statements issued by relevant
governmental authorities and Kaiyuan Real Estate. We do not have
actual knowledge that causes us to believe that the representations from Kaiyuan
Real Estate set forth above are not true.
This
legal opinion is provided on the following conditions:
1 This
opinion is issued in accordance with the PRC provisions in force as of the date
hereof; and is based on the facts that existed prior to or as of the date
hereof; and
2 This
opinion focuses solely on PRC legal issues relevant to the Project and it does
not address any matter involving foreign laws.
Based on
the foregoing, we are of the opinion set out below:
1. Incorporation
1.1 The
PRC Subsidiaries have been duly incorporated and are validly existing and in
good standing under the PRC provisions.
1.2 The
registered capital of each of the PRC Subsidiaries
is fully paid as
required in accordance with applicable PRC provisions and considering that the
registered capital of the Auto Service Companies had been fully paid by
Chuanglian before September 29, 2008, the Circular of the SAFE on Relevant
Business Operations Issues Concerning Improving the Administration of the
Payment and Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-Funded Enterprises
(Hui Zong Fa [2008] No.142 on September 29, 2008) (
《关于完善外商投资企业外汇资本金支付结汇管理有关业务操作问题的通知》汇综发
[2008]142
号
) is not
applicable to Chuanglian’s investment into and establishment of the Auto Service
Companies.
1.3 Except
as specifically set out in Section A of the Disclosure Schedule, the PRC
Subsidiaries have no subsidiaries and do not own or control, directly or
indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint
venture association or other entity, or maintain any offices or
branches.
1.4 The
Articles of Association of each of the PRC Subsidiaries is consistent and in
compliance with, and do not conflict with any applicable PRC
provision. The Articles of Association of each of the PRC
Subsidiaries have been duly adopted by its equity interest owners and filed with
the relevant PRC governmental authorities, and are in full force and effect and
binding upon each PRC Subsidiaries respectively.
1.5 Except
as set forth in Section B(v), B(vii) and B(viii) of the Disclosure Schedule,
each of the PRC Subsidiaries has obtained, among others, the following licenses
and permits (if necessary): (1) business license; (2) organizational code
certificate; (3) foreign exchange registration certificate; (4) a finance
registration certificate; (5) tax registration certificate; (6) road
transportation operation permit; and (7) insurance agency permit, which enable
each of the PRC Subsidiaries to conduct its current business and
operation. The aforesaid licenses and permits are in full force and
effect, and each of the PRC Subsidiaries has received no letter or notice from
any government authority in the PRC notifying such licenses and permits are or
will be void or, nullified due to any reason. We are not aware of any
reason, fact, event, circumstance or condition that would cause us to believe
that any of the governmental authorizations obtained by each of the PRC
Subsidiaries is likely to be revoked, suspended, cancelled or withdrawn or
cannot be renewed upon their expiry date by the relevant PRC governmental
authorities. According to the Law of the PRC on Tax Administration
(promulgated on PRC Chairman Order [2001] No. 49 on April 28, 2001) (
《中华人民共和国税收征收管理法》
(
主席令
[2001]
第
49
号
), where a PRC
Subsidiary fails to apply for tax registration within a prescribed time limit,
the tax authorities shall order it to make rectification within the prescribed
time and impose a fine up to RMB2,000; and in a serious case, impose a fine
ranging from RMB2,000 to RMB10,000. Should a PRC Subsidiary fail to
make rectification within the prescribed time limit, the tax authorities shall
notify the applicable administration for industry and commerce to revoke such
PRC Subsidiary’s business license. Based on our knowledge, if a PRC
Subsidiary’s failure to complete the tax registration is caused by the fault of
the tax authorities, it is likely that the aforesaid administrative penalty will
not be imposed on such PRC Subsidiary.
1.6 No
documents show that any action has been, or is being taken and any legal or
administrative proceeding has been commenced or threatened against, and any
order or resolution has been passed for the winding–up, dissolution, liquidation
or elimination of any of the PRC Subsidiaries.
1.7 Each
of the PRC Subsidiaries and Founder is capable of suing and being sued and can
be the subject of any legal proceedings in PRC courts (except and to the extent
that any party(ies) have entered into agreements with SCAC effectively choosing
arbitration to settle any dispute arising thereof outside of the PRC
courts). Neither any of the PRC Subsidiaries and Founder nor any of
their properties or assets are entitled to any immunity on the ground of
sovereignty from any action, suit or other legal proceedings or from
enforcement, execution or attachment.
1.8 There
is no claim, litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, or other legal
process pending or, to the best of our knowledge, threatened against each of the
PRC Subsidiaries or Founder before any court or governmental agency in the
PRC.
1.9 Fancy
Think has full corporate power and authority to dissolve or to cause Chuanglian
to be dissolved, provided that the dissolution is carried out in accordance with
relevant PRC provisions. The equity holders of each of the PRC
Subsidiaries have full corporate power and authority to dissolve or to cause the
PRC Subsidiaries to be dissolved, provided that the dissolution is carried out
in accordance with relevant PRC provisions, and the control documents set forth
in Section H of the Disclosure Schedule provide Chuanglian with contractual
rights to require each of Hua An Investment, Huiyin Investment, Kaiyuan
Logistics or Kaiyuan Auto Trade to, with all their shares in each PRC Subsidiary
(except Hengshui Yuhua), vote for dissolving such PRC Subsidiary or
causing such PRC Subsidiary to be dissolved in accordance with PRC provisions
and constitutional documents of such PRC Subsidiary.
1.10 PRC
provisions do not apply to the dissolution of AutoChina or Fancy
Think.
2. Operation
2.1 Except
as set forth in Section B, Section C, and Section D of the Disclosure Schedule,
each of the PRC Subsidiaries has the requisite legal right, power, capacity and
authority (corporate or otherwise), as authorized by the relevant PRC
governmental authorities, to own, use, lease and operate its assets and to
conduct its business in the manner presently conducted and proposed to be
conducted as described in its business license and is duly qualified to transact
business.
2.2 Except
as set forth in Section B and Section C of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the
PRC Subsidiaries has obtained and currently holds all governmental
authorizations from all governmental authorities having jurisdiction over it,
which are required for the conduct of its business in accordance with its
business license. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
and except as specifically set out in Section C of the Disclosure Schedule, the
business scope of each of 4S Store I and 4S Store II includes “brand auto
sales”, and each of the 4S Store I and 4S Store II has been listed in the List
of Brand Auto Sales Enterprises published by the State Administration of
Industry and Commerce and has executed dealership authorization agreement(s)
with the relevant auto supplier(s). Such governmental authorizations,
lists and agreements are in full force and effect, none of the PRC Subsidiaries
has received any letter or notice from any government authority in the PRC or
the relevant auto supplier asserting that such governmental authorizations,
lists or agreements are or will be void or, nullified due to any reason, or that
any additional governmental authorizations or agreements are or will be needed
be required to conduct its business in accordance with its business
license.
2.3 The
business presently carried out by each of the PRC Subsidiaries is within the
scope of business permitted under their respective business
licenses. None of the PRC Subsidiaries is in violation of its
respective articles of association, business licenses or any of their other
constituent documents.
2.4 Except
for software that has or may be obtained through commercial-off-the-shelf
license agreements: (i) each of the PRC Subsidiaries owns, holds valid licenses
in full force and effect, or otherwise has the legal right to use the
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents or other
intellectual property currently employed by it in connection with its business
as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted; (ii) none of the PRC
Subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement of or conflict with
asserted rights of any third party with respect to anything set forth in the
preceding Section 2.4(i); and (iii) after due inquiry, none of the PRC
Subsidiaries is in violation or infringement of any proprietary asset or
intellectual property of any other person or entity under the PRC
provisions.
2.5 Each
of the PRC Subsidiaries has valid title to all of its property and assets, in
each case, free and clear of all liens, charges or encumbrances, other than as
specifically set forth in Section D of the Disclosure Schedule.
2.6 Except
as specifically set forth in the Section D of the Disclosure Schedule, each of
which failure to undertake or complete, as of the date of this opinion, has not
resulted in any enforcement measure taken by relevant government authorities
including but not limited to reclaiming the land, demolishing the buildings,
imposing penalties on or issuing notices to relevant PRC Subsidiaries for such
enforcement , all procedures required for the PRC Subsidiaries to
acquire the land use rights and building ownership rights that it holds or
purports to hold (the “
Owned
Real Property
”) have been duly undertaken and completed. The
PRC Subsidiaries have exclusive and unfettered possession, occupation and proper
legal title to the land use rights and building ownership rights in respect of
the Owned Real Property (including possession of the land use rights
certificates and building ownerships certificates) and are, subject to
compliance with applicable PRC provisions, entitled to transfer, sell, mortgage
or otherwise dispose of such Owned Real Property and there are no occupancy
rights or liens in favor of third parties affecting it.
2.7 Other
than as specifically set out in the Section D of the Disclosure Schedule, each
of which failure to legally execute or be valid and binding, as of the date of
this opinion, has not resulted in any enforcement measure taken by relevant
government authorities including but not limited to reclaiming the land,
demolishing the buildings, imposing penalties on or issuing notices to relevant
PRC Subsidiaries for such enforcement , each lease agreement in respect of the
lease of land or premises (“
Leased Real Property
”) to
which any PRC Subsidiary is a party (“
Real Estate Lease
”) is legally
executed and valid and binding; the leasehold interests of each of the PRC
Subsidiaries is protected by the terms of the relevant lease agreements, which
are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms
under the laws of the PRC; all procedures required for the acquisition of the
land use rights and building ownership rights pertaining to the Leased Real
Property have been duly undertaken and completed; all governmental approvals or
permits required under PRC law for the construction of any of the buildings,
constructions, premises and fixtures erected on or composing the Leased Real
Property have been duly obtained, and are in full force and effect; the PRC
Subsidiaries have exclusive and unfettered possession, occupation and use right
to the relevant Leased Real Property during the lease term specified in the
relevant Real Estate Lease. There are no circumstances which may give
rise to the termination of any Real Estate Lease or the termination of the
continued possession, occupation, use or enjoyment of the Leased Real Property;
none of the Group Companies has received any notice from any PRC governmental
entities alleging that its lease, possession or use of any of the Leased Real
Property is in violation of any PRC provision.
2.8 There
are no outstanding loans, guarantees or contingent payment obligations of any of
the PRC Subsidiaries in respect of third party indebtedness (except for
outstanding loans, guarantees or contingent payment obligations of Kaiyuan Real
Estate not specifically set out in the Financial Statements) other than as
specifically set out in Section E or the consolidated unaudited financial
statements of the Group Companies for the nine (9) month period ended September
30, 2008, prepared in accordance with US GAAP (the “
Financial Statements
”), and
there are no outstanding (i) inter-company loans between the Group Companies or
(ii) loans between a Group Company and a third party other than as specifically
set out in the Financial Statements.
2.9 Each
of the PRC Subsidiaries had, to the extent it is a party to such Material
Contract, at the time of execution of the Material Contracts listed in Section E
and Section F of the Disclosure Schedule, and has, as of the date of this
opinion, the requisite corporate right, power, capacity and authority to enter
into and to perform its obligations under such Material
Contracts. Each of the Material Contracts listed in Section E and
Section F of the Disclosure Schedule to which any of the PRC Subsidiaries is a
party constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the PRC Subsidiaries,
each as the case may be, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms
under the PRC provisions.
2.10 Each
of Founder, Chen Lei, Wei Xing, and Johnson Lau has duly executed an employment
agreement containing confidentiality, invention assignment and non-competition
provisions (the “
Employment
Agreements
”), a form of which has been provided to SCAC. A PRC
natural person’s act of entering into such Employment Agreement does not, and
will not, violate or result in a breach of or a default under any PRC provision
which has come to our attention.
2.11 After
due inquiry, except as specifically set out in Section G of the Disclosure
Schedule, each of the PRC Subsidiaries has executed labor contracts in the forms
provided to SCAC with all of its employees and discharged its obligations as
employer in accordance with such labor contracts and PRC provisions; the
statutory social insurance required by PRC law (including without limitation
pension, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury
insurance, maternity insurance) has been paid by each of the PRC Subsidiaries,
as the case may be, for the employees of each of the PRC Subsidiaries in
accordance with their monthly salaries pursuant to applicable standards and
rates. None of the PRC Subsidiaries is subject to any threatened or
actual union or labor related campaigns, organizing activities, strikes work
stoppages, or other collective action taken by their employees.
2.12 In
reliance on confirmation letters issued by the relevant tax authorities having
jurisdiction over each of the PRC Subsidiaries (except for the Transportation
Companies, the Auto Service Companies, Handan Baohe, Tangshan Yachang, Handan
Yacheng, Chuanglian, Chuanglian Auto Trade, Kaiyuan Logistics, Kaiyuan Auto
Trade, and Kaiyuan Real Estate) ever since its establishment, each PRC
Subsidiary (except the Transportation Companies, the Auto Service Companies,
Handan Baohe, Tangshan Yachang, Handan Yacheng, Chuanglian, Chuanglian Auto
Trade, Kaiyuan Logistics, Kaiyuan Auto Trade, and Kaiyuan Real Estate) has
strictly complied with relevant laws and regulations on tax, and timely and
fully paid its tax, without arrears in, evasion and defrauding of, violent
refusal of tax or other acts in violation of relevant laws and regulations on
tax. No administrative punishment, tax recovery or after payment has
been imposed on it, nor has it been in any tax dispute with relevant tax
authorities. We do not have actual knowledge that causes us to
question the accuracy of each of the confirmation letters.
2.13 In
connection with the auto trade business conducted by Kaiyuan Auto Trade and the
Transportation Companies, without limiting the generality of other provisions of
this legal opinion, each of Kaiyuan Auto Trade and the Transportation Companies
has obtained and currently holds all PRC governmental authorizations required
for the conduct of the auto trade business(except that Kaiyuan Auto Trade has
not obtained brand auto sales authorization or entered into the dealership
authorization agreements to conduct its current business, which failure to
obtain or hold, has not and will not result in an AutoChina Material Adverse
Effect); each of (i) the vehicle purchase orders between Kaiyuan Auto Trade and
the customers, (ii) the “fen qi fu kuan” vehicle sales contracts between Kaiyuan
Auto Trade and the customers and (iii) the vehicle operation and service
contracts among Kaiyuan Auto Trade, the Transportation Companies and the
customers (collectively “
Auto
Trade Contracts
”) and the business operations under the Auto Trade
Contracts have been and remain in full compliance with, and have
not and do not violate any applicable PRC provision, including but
not limited to PRC provisions with respect to financial leasing.
3. Transaction
3.1 Except
for the Section B(iv) of the Disclosure Schedule, all consents, licenses,
approvals, orders, authorizations, recordations, re-recordations, registrations,
qualifications, designations, declarations or filings with any government
authority required in respect of the Restructuring which is necessary for
conducting the transaction contemplated in the Transaction Documents, including
but not limited to the registrations with the Ministry of Commerce, the State
Administration of Industry and Commerce, tax bureau, customs authorities,
product registration authorities and health regulatory authorities or their
competent provincial and local counterparts, as applicable, shall have been duly
filed, submitted, obtained and completed in accordance with the relevant PRC
laws and in full force and effect as of the date of this opinion. All
third party notices and/or consents required under any agreements to which a
restructured PRC Subsidiary is a party in respect of the Restructuring have been
duly made and/or obtained in accordance with the relevant
agreements.
3.2 No
consents, licenses, approvals, orders, authorizations, recordations,
re-recordations, registrations, qualifications, designations, declarations or
filings with any PRC government authority, are required in respect of the
execution, delivery, performance of and compliance with the terms of the
Transaction Documents by any of the PRC Subsidiaries and the consummation of the
Transactions. All third party notices and/or consents required under
any agreements to which any PRC Subsidiary is a party in respect of the
execution, delivery, performance of and compliance with the terms of the
Transaction Documents by any of the PRC Subsidiaries and the consummation of the
Transactions have been duly made and/or obtained in accordance with the relevant
agreements.
3.3 There
are no outstanding rights, warrants or options to acquire, or instruments
convertible into or exchangeable for, any equity interest in any of the PRC
Subsidiaries, except to the extent required under the Transaction
Documents.
3.4 Each
of the PRC Subsidiaries has the legal right, power and authority to enter into
and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a
party. Founder has the power, legal capacity and authority to enter
into, execute, deliver and perform the Transaction Documents to which he is a
party. The execution and delivery by each of the PRC Subsidiaries of
each of the Transaction Documents and the performance by each of the PRC
Subsidiaries of their respective obligations therein have been duly authorized
by all requisite corporate action on the part of the PRC Subsidiaries,
respectively.
3.5 Each
of the inter-company agreements, including without limitation, the control
documents set forth on Section H of the Disclosure Schedule, has been duly
executed and delivered by each of the PRC Subsidiaries who is a party
thereto. Such inter-company agreements and the business operations
under the inter-company agreements did not violate any prohibitive PRC provision
and do not violate any prohibitive PRC provision as of the date of this opinion,
and with respect to those business operations under the inter-company agreements
that will be completed after the date of this opinion, will not violate any
prohibitive PRC provision.
3.6 All
of the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents (collectively, the
“
Transactions
”) did not
violate any prohibitive PRC provision at the time of their completion and do not
violate any prohibitive PRC provision as of the date of this opinion, and with
respect to those Transactions that will be completed pursuant to the terms of
the Transaction Documents after the date of this opinion, will not violate any
prohibitive PRC provision.
3.7 The
Rules for Foreign Investors to Merge Domestic Enterprises effective on September
8, 2006 (
《关于外国投资者并购境内企业的规定》
)
do not apply to the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated under
the Transaction Documents.
3.8 As
of the date hereof, FounderCo, Founder, and Wang have not been obligated to
obtain any governmental approval required under applicable PRC provisions in
connection with the transaction contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement and
their ownership of shares directly or indirectly in AutoChina and
SCAC. Pursuant to the PRC laws and administrative regulations
concerning foreign exchange, assuming that neither Founder nor Wang has
continuously lived in the PRC for more than one year, neither of them is
required to file an overseas investment foreign exchange registration with the
foreign exchange administrations of the PRC in connection with the Transactions
or any other transaction contemplated under the Transaction
Documents. Any other fact or opinion in this opinion on overseas
investment foreign exchange registration by Founder and Wang related to the
Transactions or any other transactions contemplated under the Transaction
Documents (the
“Foreign
Exchange Registration Issue”
) is confined and subject to this Section
3.8, and any fact or opinion appearing elsewhere rather than this Section 3.8
shall not be deemed or construed to address the Foreign Exchange Registration
Issue.
3.9 The
PRC Securities Law (
《中华人民共和国证券法》
), the
Notice of the State Council on Further Strengthening the Administration of the
Issuance of Shares and Publicly Listing in the Overseas (
《国务院关于进一步加强在境外发行股票和上市管理的通知》
)
and other relevant PRC laws, regulations and public policies concerning the
overseas listing of PRC companies and their overseas controllers will not apply
to the contemplated initial public offering and listing of SCAC or any other
company established to serving as a listing company, directly or indirectly,
holding equity interests in any of the PRC Subsidiaries (“
Listing Co
”) on any
internationally recognized securities exchange located outside of the PRC (each,
a “
Non-PRC Stock
Exchange
”). In connection with the contemplated initial public
offering and listing on a Non-PRC Stock Exchange, neither AutoChina, Fancy
Think, the Listing Co, nor any PRC Subsidiary shall be required under PRC law to
obtain approval from or otherwise register with the China Securities Regulatory
Commission or any other PRC government authority.
3.10 No
stamp or other issuance of transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains,
income, withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of AutoChina,
Fancy Think, Founder or SCAC to the PRC or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of
the Transaction Documents.
3.11 The
execution, delivery, performance of and compliance with the terms of the
Transaction Documents by any of the PRC Subsidiaries and the consummation of the
Transactions and all other transactions contemplated therein are not in
contravention of any prohibitive PRC provision, and did not and do not violate
or conflict with, or constitute by itself or upon notice or passage of time, or
both, a default under any provision in the articles of association of each of
the PRC Subsidiaries.
3.12 The
proceeds of any arbitral awards obtained in respect of the Transaction Documents
may be remitted to SCAC out of the PRC without restriction and the need to
obtain any consent, approval, license or permission of any person or authority
and all amounts payable by any of the PRC Subsidiaries, as applicable to SCAC
under the Transaction Documents may be paid in the currency in which these
amounts are expressly stated to be payable; provided that such payment and
remittance comply with the procedures required by the relevant laws and
regulations of the PRC on foreign exchange regarding current account
transactions and the arbitra1 awards are judged effective and enforceable by a
court of competent jurisdiction in the PRC.
3.13 None
of the shareholders of SCAC are required to be licensed, qualified or otherwise
entitled to carry on business in the PRC in order to execute, delivery or
enforce its rights under any of the Transaction Documents. The
shareholders of SCAC, other than FounderCo, will not be deemed to be resident,
domiciled, carrying on business or subject to taxation in the PRC solely by
reason of the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, performance or
enforcement of the Transaction Documents or its ownership of the shares of
SCAC.
3.14 The
courts of the PRC would recognize a final and conclusive arbitral award obtained
in accordance with the Transaction Documents against any of the PRC Subsidiaries
or Founder, as applicable and would recognize and enforce such award without
re-examination or re-litigation of any matter which is the substantive subject
of such award, provided that such recognition and enforcement will be conducted
in accordance with the PRC Supreme People’s Court, Mutual Enforcement of
Arbitration Awards between the Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Arrangement.
SCHEDULE
K
FORM
OF LEGAL OPINION TO BE DELIVERED
BY
AUTOCHINA’S CAYMAN COUNSEL
[ ]
[ ]
2009
AutoChina
International Limited f/k/a Spring Creek Acquisition Corp. (“
ListCo
”)
[address]
|
|
DIRECT
LINE: 852 2842 9530
E-MAIL:
Richard.Hall@conyersdillandpearman.com
OUR
REF: M#873060 / D#284189
YOUR
REF:
|
Dear
Sirs,
AutoChina
Group Inc (the “Company”)
We have
acted as special legal counsel in the Cayman Islands to the Company in
connection with:
(i)
|
a
Share Escrow Agreement made by and among ListCo, Honest Best Int’l Ltd, a
company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands (“
FounderCo
”) and American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company as escrow agent dated [
·
],
2009 (the “
Share Escrow
Agreement
”);
|
(ii)
|
a
Share Exchange Agreement, made by and among Li Yonghui, Yan Wang,
FounderCo, the Company, Fancy Think Limited, a limited liability company
established in Hong Kong under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (“
Fancy Think
”), the
entities listed on Schedule A6 thereto, each of which is a company
established under the laws of the People’s Republic of China, and Spring
Creek Acquisition Corp., a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of the Cayman Islands, with respect to ListCo’s acquisition of
1,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001 each (the “
Shares
”) in the capital
of the Company from FounderCo dated [
·
],
2009 (the “
Share Exchange
Agreement
”); and
|
(iii)
|
a
Voting Agreement made by and between ListCo and FounderCo dated [
·
],
2009 (the “
Voting
Agreement
”).
|
For the
purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined the following
documents:
(i)
|
the
executed Share Escrow Agreement;
|
(ii)
|
the
executed Share Exchange Agreement;
and
|
(iii)
|
the
executed Voting Agreement.
|
The
documents listed in items (i) through (iii) above are herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the “
Documents
” (which term does
not include any other instrument or agreement whether or not specifically
referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto).
We have
also reviewed (1) a copy of the certificate of incorporation of the Company
certified by the Secretary of the Company on [
·
], 2009,
(2) a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company adopted
on July 26, 2007, certified by the Secretary of the Company on [
·
], 2009
(the “
M&A
”), (3)
written resolutions of all the directors of the Company passed on [
·
], 2009,
and written resolutions of the sole shareholder of the Company,
inter alia
, adopting the new
name of the Company passed on August 8, 2008, (collectively, the “
Resolutions
”), (4) a copy of
the register of directors and officers of the Company certified by the Secretary
of the Company on [
·
], 2009,
(5) a copy of the register of members of the Company certified by the Secretary
of the Company on [
·
], 2009
(the “
Certified Register of
Members
”), (6) a copy of a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the
Registrar of Companies in relation to the Company on [
·
], 2009,
(the “
Certificate
Date
”), and such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions
of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth
below.
We have
assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the
conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by
us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies
were taken; (b) that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it
will be or has been executed in the form of that draft, and where a number of
drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been
marked or otherwise drawn to our attention; (c) the capacity, power and
authority of each of the parties to the Documents, other than the Company, to
enter into and perform its respective obligations under the Documents; (d) the
due execution and delivery of the Documents by each of the parties thereto,
other than the Company, and the physical delivery thereof by the Company with an
intention to be bound thereby; (e) the accuracy and completeness of all factual
representations made in the Documents and other documents reviewed by us; (f)
that the resolutions contained in the Minutes were passed at one or more duly
convened, constituted and quorate meetings or by unanimous written resolutions,
remain in full force and effect and have not been rescinded or amended; (g) that
there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than the Cayman
Islands, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed
herein; (h) the validity and binding effect under the laws of the State of New
York (the “
Foreign
Laws
”) of the Documents which are expressed to be governed by such
Foreign Laws in accordance with their respective terms; (i) the validity and
binding effect under the Foreign Laws of the submission by the Company pursuant
to the Share Exchange Agreement arbitration in Hong Kong under the auspices of
the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the “
Centre
”) in accordance with
the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in force at the time of the initiation of the
arbitration (the “
Rules
”); and (j) that on the
date of entering into the Share Exchange Agreement the Company is and after
entering into the Share Exchange Agreement will be able to pay its liabilities
as they become due.
The term
“enforceable” as used in this opinion means that an obligation is of a type
which the courts of the Cayman Islands enforce. It does not mean that
those obligations will be enforced in all circumstances in accordance with the
terms of the Documents. In particular, the obligations of the Company
under the Documents (a) will be subject to the laws from time to time in effect
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, possessory liens, rights of set
off, reorganisation, amalgamation, moratorium or any other laws or legal
procedures, whether of a similar nature or otherwise, generally affecting the
rights of creditors; (b) will be subject to statutory limitation of the time
within which proceedings may be brought; (c) will be subject to general
principles of equity and, as such, specific performance and injunctive relief,
being equitable remedies, may not be available; (d) may not be given effect to
by a Cayman Islands court, whether or not it was applying the Foreign Laws, if
and to the extent they constitute the payment of an amount which is in the
nature of a penalty and not in the nature of liquidated damages; (e) may not be
given effect by a Cayman Islands court to the extent that they are to be
performed in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and such performance
would be illegal under the laws of that jurisdiction. Notwithstanding
any contractual submission to the jurisdiction of specific courts, a Cayman
Islands court has inherent discretion to stay or allow proceedings in the Cayman
Islands against the Company under the Documents if there are other proceedings
in respect of those Documents simultaneously underway against the Company in
another jurisdiction. Under Cayman Islands law, a person who is not
one of the parties to an agreement is, in general, unable to enforce
it.
We
express no opinion as to the validity or the binding effect of obligations to
make any payment at an increased rate on overdue amounts or on the happening of
an event of default or to pay a specified rate of interest on the amount of a
judgment after the date of judgement. We express no opinion in
respect of the enforceability of any provision in the Documents which purports
to fetter the statutory powers of the Company.
In order
to continue in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company
is required,
inter alia
to pay annual filing fees and make returns to the Registrar of
Companies.
We
reserve our opinion as to the extent to which a Cayman Islands court would, in
the event of any relevant illegality, sever the offending provisions and enforce
the remainder of the transaction to which such provisions form a part,
notwithstanding any express provision in this regard.
We have
made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. This opinion is to be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands and
is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the
Cayman Islands. This opinion is issued solely for your benefit and is
not to be relied upon by any other person, firm or entity or in respect of any
other matter.
On the
basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1.
|
As
at the Certificate Date, the Company is duly incorporated and existing
under the laws of the Cayman Islands in good standing (meaning solely that
it has not failed to make any filing with any Cayman Islands government
authority or to pay any Cayman Islands government fee which would make it
liable to be struck off by the Registrar of Companies and thereby cease to
exist under the laws of the Cayman Islands). The Company has
the legal capacity to sue and be sued in its own name under the laws of
the Cayman Islands.
|
2.
|
The
Company has the necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under the Share Exchange Agreement. The
execution and delivery of the Share Exchange Agreement by the Company and
the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder will not
violate the Memorandum or Articles of Association of the Company nor any
applicable law, regulation, order or decree in the Cayman
Islands.
|
3.
|
The
Company has taken all corporate action required to authorise its
execution, delivery and performance of the Share Exchange Agreement. The
Share Exchange Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by or on
behalf of the Company, and constitutes the valid and binding obligations
of the Company in accordance with the terms
thereof.
|
4.
|
No
order, consent, approval, licence, authorisation or validation of or
exemption by any government or public body or authority of the Cayman
Islands or any sub-division thereof is required to authorise or is
required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance and
enforcement of the Documents.
|
5.
|
It
is not necessary or desirable to ensure the enforceability in the Cayman
Islands of the Documents that they be registered in any register kept by,
or filed with, any governmental authority or regulatory body in the Cayman
Islands. However, to the extent that any of the Documents
creates a charge over assets of the Company, the Company and its Directors
are under an obligation to enter such charge in the Register of Mortgages
and Charges of the Company in accordance with section 54 of the Companies
Law. While there is no exhaustive definition of a charge under
Cayman Islands law, a charge normally has the following
characteristics:
|
|
(i)
|
it
is a proprietary interest granted by way of security which entitles the
chargee to resort to the charged property only for the purposes of
satisfying some liability due to the chargee (whether from the chargor or
a third party); and
|
|
(ii)
|
the
chargor retains an equity of redemption to have the property restored to
him when the liability has been
discharged.
|
However,
as the Documents are governed by the Foreign Laws, the question of whether they
would possess these particular characteristics would be determined under the
Foreign Laws.
6.
|
There
is no stamp, registration or similar tax or duty to be paid on or in
relation to any of the Documents provided that they are executed and
remain outside the Cayman Islands. If it becomes necessary to
bring the Documents into the Cayman Islands for enforcement or otherwise,
nominal stamp duty will be payable on all Documents. In the
case of any Document creating security over movable property granted by an
exempted company, an ordinary non-resident company or a foreign company,
stamp duty will be payable on an ad valorem basis to a maximum of
CI$500.00 (US$600.00). Apart from the payment of stamp duty,
there are no acts, conditions or things required by the laws and
regulations of the Cayman Islands to be done, fulfilled or performed in
order to make any of the Documents admissible in evidence in the Cayman
Islands.
|
7.
|
There
is no income or other tax of the Cayman Islands imposed by withholding or
otherwise on any payment to be made to or by the Company pursuant to the
Documents.
|
8.
|
Whilst
ListCo is incorporated in the Cayman Islands under the Companies Law (2007
Revision) of the Cayman Islands, and may thus be considered to be resident
or domiciled in the Cayman Islands by virtue of such
incorporation, ListCo will not be deemed to be resident, domiciled or
carrying on business in the Cayman Islands by reason only of the
execution, performance and/or enforcement of the Documents by
ListCo.
|
9.
|
Based
solely upon a review of the Certified Register of Members, the Shares are
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term when used herein
means that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof
in connection with the issue thereof). The Shares have attached
thereto the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in
the M&A. Upon entry on the register of members of the Company, ListCo
will be the registered holder of such number of Shares as will be noted
against its name on such register.
|
10.
|
Based
solely upon a search of the Register of Writs and other Originating
Process of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands conducted at [TIME] on
[DATE] 2009, (which would not reveal details of proceedings which have
been filed but not actually entered in the Register of Writs and other
Originating Process of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands at the time
of our search), there are no judgments against the Company, nor any legal
or governmental proceedings, nor any petitions to wind up the Company
pending in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to which the Company is
subject.
|
11.
|
Based
solely upon a review of the M&A, the authorised share capital of the
Company is US$50,000 divided into 50,000,000 shares of par value US$0.001
each.
|
12.
|
Based
solely upon a review of the Certified Register of
Members:
|
|
(i)
|
the
registered holder of the Shares and its shareholding in the Company is as
follows:
|
Name of Shareholder
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
|
ListCo
|
|
1,000
|
|
(ii)
|
there
are no entries or notations indicating any third party interests including
any security interests on the register of members of the
Company. However, it should be noted that there is no
requirement for such entries or notations to be included on the share
register and that a failure to make any such entry or notation would not
invalidate any third party interests, including any security
interests.
|
13.
|
ListCo
has standing to bring an action or proceedings before the appropriate
courts in the Cayman Islands for the enforcement of the
Documents. It is not necessary or advisable in order for ListCo
to enforce its rights under the Documents, including the exercise of
remedies thereunder, that it be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled
to carry on business in the Cayman
Islands.
|
14.
|
The
Company is not entitled to any immunity under the laws of the Cayman
Islands, whether characterised as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from
any legal proceedings to enforce the Documents in respect of itself or its
property.
|
15.
|
There
are no pre-emptive rights provisions to subscribe for or to purchase, nor
any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any shares of the Company
under the Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the Cayman
Islands.
|
16.
|
Any
redemption or purchase of the Company's shares by the Company pursuant to
the M&A or a resolution of the Company may be effected out of the
profits of the Company available for distribution, or out of the proceeds
of a new issue of shares made for the purposes of the redemption or
purchase, or out of capital of the Company subject in each case to the
provisions of the M&A and the Companies Law (2007
Revision).
|
17.
|
The
obligations of the Company under the Share Exchange Agreement will rank at
least pari passu in priority of payment with all other unsecured
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company, other than indebtedness which
is preferred by virtue of any provision of the laws of the Cayman Islands
of general application.
|
18.
|
There
is no exchange control legislation under Cayman Islands law and
accordingly there are no exchange control regulations imposed under Cayman
Islands law.
|
19.
|
The
M&A have been duly adopted by the Company. The M&A
shall bind the Company and its members to the same extent as if each
member has subscribed his/its name and affixed his/its seal (or common
seal, if any, for a corporate member)
thereto.
|
20.
|
The
choice of the Foreign Laws as the governing law of the Documents is a
valid choice of law and would be recognised and given effect to in any
action brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in the Cayman
Islands, except for those laws (i) which such court considers to be
procedural in nature, (ii) which are revenue or penal laws or (iii) the
application of which would be inconsistent with public policy, as such
term is interpreted under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The
submission by the Company pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement to
arbitration in Hong Kong under the auspices of the Centre in accordance
with the Rules is valid and binding upon the
Company.
|
21.
|
The
courts of the Cayman Islands would recognise as a valid judgment, a final
and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the Foreign Courts against
the Company based upon the Documents under which a sum of money is payable
(other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes
or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other
penalty) and would give a judgment based thereon provided that (a) such
courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment;
(b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the
Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the
enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of
the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action
is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the
Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct
procedures under the laws of the Cayman
Islands
|
22.
|
Foreign
arbitration awards may be enforced in the Cayman Islands under the Foreign
Arbitral Awards Enforcement Law, which applies where the arbitration award
to be enforced (the “Award”) was made in pursuance of an arbitration
agreement in a state which is a party to the New York Convention on the
Recognition of Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards adopted by the 1958
United Nations Conference on International Commercial Arbitration (the
“Convention”). In general, the courts of the Cayman Islands
will enforce an Award made under the Convention unless it is proved by the
party against whom the Award was made
that:
|
|
(i)
|
a
party to the arbitration agreement was under some
incapacity;
|
|
(ii)
|
the
arbitration agreement was not valid under the law to which the parties
subjected it or, in default, under the law of the jurisdiction where the
Award was made;
|
|
(iii)
|
the
Award was made in circumstances contrary to natural
justice;
|
|
(iv)
|
the
Award dealt with a matter or matters not contemplated by or falling within
the terms of the submission to arbitration or contained decisions on
matters beyond the scope of such submission;
or
|
|
(v)
|
the
composition of the arbitral authority or the arbitral procedure was not in
accordance with the agreement of the parties or, in default of such
agreement, with the laws of the jurisdiction where the arbitration took
place.
|
Enforcement
of an Award made under the Convention may also be refused by the courts of the
Cayman Islands where the Award is in respect of a matter which is not capable of
settlement by arbitration or where it would be contrary to the public policy of
the Cayman Islands to enforce such an Award.
A foreign
arbitration award may also be enforced in the Cayman Islands pursuant to common
law principles by action on the Award or pursuant to the Arbitration Law by
leave of the Cayman Islands court.
Yours
faithfully
Conyers
Dill & Pearman
SCHEDULE
L
REQUIRED
WAIVERS AND CONSENTS FOR AUTOCHINA ACQUISITION
No.
|
|
Name
|
|
Contract
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
1.
Guarantee Agreement in relation to the Authorized Distributor Financing
Agreement between GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
and Hebei Anchang dated March 5, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Guarantee Contract between Hua An Investment and Qinhuangdao City
Commercial Bank in connection with the Loan Agreement between Qinhuangdao
Jianda and Qinhuangdao City Commercial Bank for RMB1,500,000 (2008/4/29 to
2009/4/29)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Guarantee Agreement in relation to the Authorized Distributor Financing
Agreement between GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
and Hebei Shengkang dated November 13, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.
RMB Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under
the Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Hebei Yuanxinghang and
GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated January 19, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.
RMB Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under
the Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Cangzhou Yichang and
GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated November 13, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.
RMB Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under
the Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Hebei Yitong and GMAC-SAIC
(
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated November 13, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.
RMB Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under
the Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Hebei Shengkang and GMAC-SAIC
(
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated November 13, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
Guarantee
Contract between Huiyin Investment and Huaxia Bank Shingjiazhuang Jianshe
North Road Branch in relation to the Loan Agreement between Shijianzhuang
Baohe and Huaxia Bank Shingjiazhuang Jianshe North Road Branch for
RMB10,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua
|
|
Dealership
Contract with Toyota Auto Sales Co., Ltd.
(2008/3/31-2009/3/30)
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Xinhua
|
|
Dealership
Contract with Toyota Auto Sales Co., Ltd.
(2008/3/31-2009/3/30)
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.
|
|
Hebei
Shengda
|
|
1.
Credit Facility Agreement between Hebei Shengda and Ford Automobile
Finance Co., Ltd. dated April 23, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Dealership Agreement on Sale of and Service for Homemade Ford Automobiles
entered into by and between Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. and
Hebei Shengda on September 27, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.
|
|
Qinhuangdao
Jianda
|
|
1.
Loan Agreement between Qinhuangdao Jianda and Qinhuangdao City Commercial
Bank for RMB1,500,000 (2008/4/29 to 2009/4/29)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Dealership Agreement on Sale of and Service for Homemade Ford Automobiles
entered into by and between Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. and
Qinhuangdao Jianda on October 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Dealership Agreement on Sale of and Service for Imported Ford Automobiles
entered into by and between Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. and
Qinhuangdao Jianda on October 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.
|
|
Cangzhou
Deyuan
|
|
Dealership
Agreement on Sale of and Service for Homemade Ford Products entered into
by and between Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Cangzhou Deyuan
on April 1, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.
|
|
Hebei
Anchang
|
|
Authorized
Dealership Contract on Sale of and Service for Roewe Automobiles entered
into by and between Shanghai Automotive Co., Ltd. and Hebei Anchang on
March 5, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.
|
|
Handan
Defeng
|
|
Franchise
Contract on Sale of and Service for Dongfeng Peugeot Automobiles entered
into by and between Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Co., Ltd. and
Handan Defeng on December 29,
2006
|
SCHEDULE
M
DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE
Section
3.01 Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Kaiyuan Real Estate
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Kaiyuan
Real
|
|
105000
|
|
Founder
|
|
104390
|
|
99.42%
|
Estate
|
|
|
|
Li
Ruiqi
|
|
170
|
|
0.16%
|
|
|
|
|
Peng
Jinyu
|
|
270
|
|
0.26%
|
|
|
|
|
Zhang
Zhongwen
|
|
170
|
|
0.16%
|
Section
3.02 Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Huiyin Investment, Hua An
Investment and Kaiyuan Logistics
Section
3.02(a) Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Huiyin
Investment
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
60000
|
|
Kaiyuan
Real Estate
|
|
60000
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.02(b) Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Hua An
Investment
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
160000
|
|
Kaiyuan
Real Estate
|
|
160000
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.02(c) Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Kaiyuan
Logistics
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
30000
|
|
Kaiyuan
Real Estate
|
|
30000
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.03 Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of 4S Stores I, 4S Stores II,
Tianmei Insurance, Transportation Companies I, Kaiyuan Auto Trade, and
Transportation Companies II
Section
3.03(a) Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of 4S Stores I
1. Shijiazhuang
Baohe
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Shijiazhuang
|
|
15000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
9000
|
|
60%
|
Baohe
|
|
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
6000
|
|
40%
|
2. Shijiazhuang
Xinhua
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Shijiazhuang
Xinhua
|
|
10000
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
6700
|
|
67%
|
|
|
|
|
Wang
Zhihong
|
|
1000
|
|
10%
|
|
|
|
|
Liu
Zhenguo
|
|
2300
|
|
23%
|
3. Handan
Ao Hua
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Handan
Aohua
|
|
10000
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
2000
|
|
20%
|
|
|
|
|
Zhang
Haichao
|
|
2500
|
|
25%
|
|
|
|
|
Hebei
Liantuo
|
|
5500
|
|
55%
|
4. Handan
Defeng
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Handan
Defeng
|
|
5000
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
4500
|
|
90%
|
|
|
|
|
Zhang
Wei
|
|
500
|
|
10%
|
5. Hebei
Shengmei
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Shengmei
|
|
5000
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
4800
|
|
96%
|
|
|
|
|
Li
Shuangping
|
|
200
|
|
4%
|
Section
3.03(b) Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of 4S Stores II
1. Hebei
Liantuo
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Liantuo
|
|
20000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
18000
|
|
90%
|
|
|
|
|
Hu
Xin
|
|
2000
|
|
10%
|
2. Shijiazhuang
Baohe
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Shijiazhuang
Baohe
|
|
15000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
9000
|
|
60%
|
|
|
|
|
Huiyin
Investment
|
|
6000
|
|
40%
|
3. Shijiazhuang
Yuhua
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
7000
|
|
70%
|
|
|
|
|
Li
Yonghui
|
|
3000
|
|
30%
|
4. Hebei
Yitong
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Yitong
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
6000
|
|
60%
|
|
|
|
|
Chen
Zhaohua
|
|
3000
|
|
30%
|
|
|
|
|
Guo
Zhongqi
|
|
1000
|
|
10%
|
5. Hebei
Shengwen
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Shengwen
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
9500
|
|
95%
|
|
|
|
|
Chen
Chao
|
|
500
|
|
5%
|
6. Hebei
Shengda
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Shengda
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
8000
|
|
80%
|
|
|
|
|
Kang
Kai
|
|
2000
|
|
20%
|
7. Hebei
Shengkang
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
(
%
)
|
Hebei
Shengkang
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
10000
|
|
100%
|
8. Hebei
Anchang
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Anchang
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
3750
|
|
75%
|
|
|
|
|
Guo
Zhongqi
|
|
1250
|
|
25%
|
9. Hebei
Yuanxinghang
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Yuanxinghang
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
10000
|
|
100%
|
10. Hebei
Meifeng
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hebei
Meifeng
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
5000
|
|
100%
|
11. Cangzhou
Yichang
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Cangzhou
Yichang
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
2750
|
|
55%
|
|
|
|
|
Yang
Qian
|
|
1250
|
|
25%
|
|
|
|
|
Liu
Defeng
|
|
1000
|
|
20%
|
12. Zhangjiakou
Meihua
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Zhangjiakou
Meihua
|
|
6000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
4800
|
|
80%
|
|
|
|
|
Cao
Xiaomin
|
|
1200
|
|
20%
|
13. Hengshui
Dechang
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hengshui
Dechang
|
|
6000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
4200
|
|
70%
|
|
|
|
|
Zhao
Junna
|
|
1800
|
|
30%
|
14. Qinhuangdao
Jianda
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Qinhuangdao
Jianda
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
7000
|
|
70%
|
|
|
|
|
Qinhuangdao
Ruitong Development Co., Ltd
|
|
3000
|
|
30%
|
15. Cangzhou
Deyuan
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Cangzhou
Deyuan
|
|
8000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
5600
|
|
70%
|
|
|
|
|
Liu
Rongchun
|
|
2400
|
|
30%
|
16. Baoding
Tianhua
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Baoding
Tianhua
|
|
10000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
10000
|
|
100%
|
17. Cangzhou
Hengyuan
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Cangzhou
Hengyuan
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
1500
|
|
30%
|
|
|
|
|
Gao
Ling
|
|
1500
|
|
30%
|
|
|
|
|
Liu
Shuxin
|
|
2000
|
|
40%
|
18. Handan
Baohe
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Handan
Baohe
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
5000
|
|
100%
|
19. Handan
Yacheng
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Handan
Yacheng
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
5000
|
|
100%
|
20. Tangshan
Yachang
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Tangshan
Yachang
|
|
5000
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
5000
|
|
100%
|
21. Hengshui
Yuhua
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Hengshui
Yuhua
|
|
10000
|
|
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua
|
|
7000
|
|
70%
|
|
|
|
|
Huang
Wei
|
|
3000
|
|
30%
|
Section 3.03(c)
Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Tianmei Insurance
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Tianmei
Insurance
|
|
500
|
|
Hua
An Investment
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
Section 3.03(d)
Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Transportation Companies
I
No
|
|
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of
Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
1
|
|
Yuanshi
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
2
|
|
Gaoyi
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
3
|
|
Xingtang
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
4
|
|
Pingshan
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
5
|
|
Zanhuang
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
6
|
|
Jingxing
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
7
|
|
Quyang
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
8
|
|
Zhengding
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
9
|
|
Gaocheng
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
10
|
|
Xinji
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
11
|
|
Jinzhou
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
12
|
|
Shexian
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
13
|
|
Fuping
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
14
|
|
Hejian
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
15
|
|
Weixian
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
16
|
|
Shenzhou
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
17
|
|
Rongcheng
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
18
|
|
Sanhe
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
19
|
|
Huanghua
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
20
|
|
Shahe
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
21
|
|
Jizhou
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
22
|
|
Bazhou
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
23
|
|
Pingding
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
24
|
|
Botou
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
25
|
|
Guantao
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
26
|
|
Longyao
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
27
|
|
Hunyuan
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
28
|
|
Huailai
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
29
|
|
Gaobeidian
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
30
|
|
Wu’an
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
31
|
|
Shouyang
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
32
|
|
Yangquan
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
33
|
|
Yuxian
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
34
|
|
Qingxian
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
35
|
|
Anguo
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
36
|
|
Qingxu
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
37
|
|
Yangyuan
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
38
|
|
Yuxian
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
39
|
|
Datong
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
40
|
|
Nanhe
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
41
|
|
Jinzhong
Shiji Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
42
|
|
Tianjin
Beichen Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
43
|
|
Zhang
Jiakou Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
44
|
|
Qixian
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
45
|
|
Qian’an
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
46
|
|
Zunhua
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
47
|
|
Tangshan
Fengrun Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
48
|
|
Fucheng
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
49
|
|
Fengzhen
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
50
|
|
Wulan
Chabu Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
51
|
|
Wuyuan
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
52
|
|
Xinghe
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
53
|
|
Zhungeer
Banner Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
54
|
|
Baotou
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
55
|
|
Bayan
Nur Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
56
|
|
Tuo
Ke Tuo Xian Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
57
|
|
Dalate
Banner Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
58
|
|
Ordos
Dongsheng Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
59
|
|
Dong’a
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
60
|
|
Linyi
Jieyun Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
61
|
|
Linshu
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
62
|
|
Leling
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
63
|
|
Boxing
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
64
|
|
Dezhou
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
65
|
|
Zaozhuang
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
66
|
|
Jining
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
67
|
|
Binzhou
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
68
|
|
Liaocheng
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
69
|
|
Zoucheng
Xuwei Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
70
|
|
Yanggu
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
71
|
|
Gaotang
Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
72
|
|
Qihe
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
73
|
|
Anyang
Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
74
|
|
Xinxiang
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
75
|
|
Xinmi
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
76
|
|
Wuzhi
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
77
|
|
Luoyang
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
78
|
|
Jiyuan
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
79
|
|
Wenxian
Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
80
|
|
Jiaozuo
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
81
|
|
Xuchang
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
82
|
|
Huixian
Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
83
|
|
Changge
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
Section 3.03(e)
Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Kaiyuan Auto Trade
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade
|
|
21000
|
|
Kaiyuan
Real Estate
|
|
21000
|
|
100%
|
Section 3.03(f
)
Registered Capital and Equity Ownership of Transportation Companies
II
No
|
|
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of
Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
1
|
|
Xuyuan
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
2
|
|
Huairen
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
3
|
|
Yingxian
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
4
|
|
Xinzhou
Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
180
|
|
90%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
20
|
|
10%
|
5
|
|
Wuzhai
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
6
|
|
Daixian
Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
180
|
|
90%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kaiyuan
Logistics
|
|
20
|
|
10%
|
7
|
|
Lvliang
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
8
|
|
Linxian
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
9
|
|
Xiaoyi
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
10
|
|
Lvliang
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
11
|
|
Changzhi
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
12
|
|
Licheng
Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
13
|
|
Linfen
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
14
|
|
Quwo
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
15
|
|
Huozhou
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
16
|
|
Yuncheng
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
17
|
|
Hejin
Xin Shijie Transportation
|
|
200
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
200
|
|
100%
|
18
|
|
Jincheng
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
19
|
|
Yangcheng
Xuyuan Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
20
|
|
Gaoping
Shijie Transportation
|
|
500
|
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
500
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.04 Chuanglian Auto Trade
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Chuanglian
Auto Trade
|
|
20000
|
|
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade
|
|
20000
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.05 FounderCo
Name
|
|
Outstanding
Shares
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
USD$
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
FounderCo
|
|
1
|
|
Yan
Wang
|
|
1
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.06 AutoChina
Name
|
|
Outstanding
Shares
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
USD$
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
AutoChina
|
|
1000
|
|
FounderCo
|
|
1000
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.07 Fancy Think
Name
|
|
Outstanding
Shares
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
HK$
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Fancy
Think
|
|
10000
|
|
Auto
China
|
|
10000
|
|
100%
|
Section
3.08 Chuanglian
1.
|
Registered
Capital and Equity Ownership of
Chuanglian
|
Name
|
|
Registered
Capital
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Amount of Investment
(
RMB’000
)
|
|
Share
Percentage
|
Chuanglian
|
|
35000
|
|
Fancy
Think
|
|
35000
|
|
100%
|
List of
control agreements:
1.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
2.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
3.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
4.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
5.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Hua An Investment dated
[ ];
|
6.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
7.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
8.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
9.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
10.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Huiyin Investment dated
[ ];
|
11.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
12.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
13.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
14.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
15.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Auto Trade dated
[ ];
|
16.
|
Business
Operation Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
|
17.
|
Equity
Pledge Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
|
18.
|
Option
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
|
19.
|
Service
Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ];
and
|
20.
|
Voting
Proxy Agreement between Chuanglian and Kaiyuan Logistics dated
[ ].
|
Section
3.09 Organizational Chart of PRC Subsidiaries
Please
refer to Table I.
Section
3.10 Board Member List of AutoChina and Fancy Think
Name
|
|
Name
|
AutoChina
|
|
Founder
|
Fancy
Think
|
|
Founder
|
Section
3.13 Material Certificates and Licenses
Please
refer to Table II.
Section
3.14(d) Taxation Bureaus
Please
refer to Table III.
Section
3.15 Financial Statements
For the
2007 AutoChina Consolidated Financials please see “2007 AutoChina Consolidated
Financials.pdf”
For the
Interim Financials please see “Interim Financials.pdf”
Section
3.22 Material Contracts
(a)(iii)
Joint Venture Contracts
1.
|
On
January 26, 1999, Kaiyuan Real Estate entered into a Joint Venture
Agreement with CANADA ADVANTAGE TRADING INC., to establish Kaiyuan Doors
and Windows.
|
2.
|
On
January 5, 2006, Kaiyuan Real Estate entered into a Investment Agreement
of Hebei Advertising with Li
Yongbin.
|
3.
|
On
November 15, 2007, Kaiyuan Real Estate entered into a Sino-foreign Joint
Venture Agreement of HE BEI AMPLE KAIYUAN CO., LTD. with Top Ray
Investments Ltd.
|
4.
|
On
December 24, 2007, Kaiyuan Real Estate entered into a Sino-foreign Joint
Venture Agreement of HE BEI XUWEI TRADING CO., LTD. with Heat Planet
Holdings Limited.
|
(a)(iv)
Loan Contracts and Guaranty Contracts with amounts exceeding
RMB1,000,000
Please
refer to Table IV.
(a)(v)
Contract with Top-10 Suppliers
1.
|
Dealership
Authorization Agreements
|
Please
refer to Table V.
Please
refer to Table IV.
3.
|
Vehicle
Purchase Agreements
|
(i)
|
The
Vehicle Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into by and between Tianjin
Shan Zhong Auto Sale Service Co., Ltd. and Kaiyuan Auto Trade on September
28, 2008. The contract value is
RMB12,993,900.
|
Section
3.24(a)
1.
|
The
PRC Subsidiaries listed in Table VI have not provided state-owned land use
right certificates or building ownership certificates or other
governmental documents, thus we cannot ascertain whether such PRC
Subsidiaries have valid and legal use rights to the land being used by
them or whether such PRC Subsidiaries have valid and legal ownership or
use rights to the houses being used by
them.
|
2.
|
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade, Botou Transportation and Botou Auto Service have provided land
use right certificates and building ownership certificates for the houses
rented and being used by them. However, such land and houses
are authorized for industry use. Since the aforesaid companies
have not provided the governmental approvals for the change of use of such
land and houses, we cannot ascertain whether such PRC Subsidiaries have
valid and legal use rights to the land and houses being used by
them.
|
3.
|
Except
for Pingshan Auto Service, Jingxing Transportation, Jingxing Auto Service,
Guantao Transportation and Guantao Auto Service, other PRC Subsidiaries
have not carried out the lease registration procedures for the houses
rented by them.
|
Section
3.24(k) Real Property List
Please
refer to Table VII.
Section
3.25
1.
|
List
of Staff and Status of Execution of Labor
Contract
|
Please
refer to Table VIII.
2.
|
Social
Insurance and Housing Fund Records
|
(i)
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not paid social insurance for their
employees:
|
Hebei
Meifeng;
Cangzhou
Hengyuan;
Handan
Baohe;
Tangshan
Yachang;
Handan
Yacheng;
Hengshui
Yuhua;
Kaiyuan
Logistics;
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade;
Chuanglian;
Chuanglian
Auto Trade;
the
Transportation Companies; and
the Auto
Service Companies.
(ii)
|
None
of the PRC Subsidiaries has paid housing fund for their
employees.
|
Section
3.26
1.
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not obtained relevant governmental
approvals or permits or have not carried out relevant procedures for
registration or filing:
|
(i)
|
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade and Chuanglian Auto Trade have not obtained the brand auto
sales authorization or entered into the dealership authorization
agreements, nor have they been listed in the List of Brand Auto Sales
Enterprises;
|
(ii)
|
The
following 4S Stores I and 4S Stores II that are engaged in secondhand
automobile transaction have not carried out the filing procedures with the
provincial authority of commerce that are necessary for engaging in such
transactions:
|
Hebei
Liantuo;
Hebei
Yitong;
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua;
Hebei
Shengwen;
Hebei
Shengkang;
Zhangjiakou
Meihua; and
Shijiazhuang
Xinhua.
(iii)
|
No
4S Stores has obtained a Pollutant Discharge
Permit;
|
(iv)
|
Chuanglian
has not carried out the filing procedures for its establishment of any
Auto Service Company with the original authority of examination and
approval;
|
(v)
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not obtained the state taxation
registration certificates:
|
Kaiyuan
Real Estate;
Kaiyuan
Logistics;
Tianmei
Insurance;
Xingtang
Shijie Transportation;
Quyang
Transportation;
Anguo
Transportation;
Bazhou
Transportation;
Rongcheng
Transportation;
Gaobeidian
Shijie Transportation;
Jinzhou
Shijie Transportation;
Qingxian
Transportation;
Botou
Transportation;
Zanhuang
Transportation;
Longyao
Transportation;
Yuanshi
Shijie Transportation;
Guantao
Transportation;
Qingxu
Shijie Transportation;
Yangyuan
Transportation;
Huailai
Transportation;
Zhengding
Transportation;
Hejian
Transportation;
Huanghua
Transportation;
Weixian
Transportation;
Zunhua
Transportation;
Xingtang
Auto Service;
Quyang
Auto Service;
Anguo
Auto Service;
Bazhou
Auto Service;
Rongcheng
Auto Service;
Gaobeidian
Auto Service;
Jinzhou
Auto Service;
Qingxian
Auto Service;
Botou
Auto Service;
Zanhuang
Auto Service;
Longyao
Auto Service;
Yuanshi
Auto Service;
Guantao
Auto Service;
Qingxu
Auto Service;
Yangyuan
Auto Service;
Huailai
Auto Service;
Zhengding
Auto Service;
Shenzhou
Auto Service;
Qixian
Auto Service;
Gaoyi
Auto Service;
Huanghua
Auto Service;
Datong
Auto Service; and
Weixian
Auto Service.
(vi)
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not completed the renewal of their
concurrent-business insurance agent
certificates:
|
Hebei
Yitong;
Hebei
Shengwen; and
Shijiazhuang
Yuhua.
2.
|
The
business licenses of the following PRC Subsidiaries do not contain “brand
auto sales” in their business
scope:
|
Handan
Baohe;
Hebei
Meifeng;
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
3.
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not been included into the List of Brand
Auto Sales Enterprises:
|
Handan
Baohe;
Handan
Yacheng;
Hebei
Meifeng;
Hengshui
Yuhua;
Tangshan
Yachang;
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
4.
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not provided separate authorization
certificates for brand auto sales:
|
Hebei
Yitong;
Hebei
Shengkang;
Cangzhou
Yichang;
Hebei
Anchang;
Hebei
Yuanxinghang;
Cangzhou
Deyuan;
Tangshan
Yachang;
Handan
Yacheng;
Hengshui
Yuhua;
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
5.
|
The
following PRC Subsidiaries have not provided valid and binding dealership
authorization agreements:
|
Tangshan
Yachang;
Handan
Yacheng;
Handan
Baohe;
Kaiyuan
Auto Trade; and
Chuanglian
Auto Trade.
6.
|
The
dealership authorization agreements entered into by the following PRC
Subsidiaries have expired and the renewal thereof has not been completed
yet:
|
Hebei
Shengwen;
Shijiazhuang
Baohe; and
Hebei
Shengmei.
Section
3.31 Bank Account Information
Please
refer to Table IX.
SCHEDULE
N
INDEMNIFICATION
AGREEMENT
THIS
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
(this “
Agreement
”)
is entered into as of this _______ day of ____ 2009, by and between AutoChina
International Limited, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws
of the Cayman Islands (the “
Company
”),
and _________, an individual (“
Indemnitee
”).
BACKGROUND
A. Indemnitee
is an officer and/or member of the Board of Directors of the Company and, in
that capacity, performs a valuable service for the Company. For a
variety of reasons, including the frequency, magnitude and often baseless nature
of claims and actions brought against corporate officers and directors
generally, it is difficult for corporations to attract and retain highly
competent persons as officers and directors. In addition, there
exists uncertainty, both as to matters of “substance” and “procedure,” about the
protection against such claims provided by statutory, charter and bylaw
provisions and through “director and officer” insurance.
B. The
Company’s Articles of Association provide for indemnification of, and
advancement of expenses to, the directors of the Company to the maximum extent
authorized by Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands or as the same
may be revised from time to time (the “
CLCI
”),
and, together with the CLCI, permit, by their nonexclusive nature, the
establishment of indemnification agreements between the Company and its officers
and directors.
C. In
order to induce Indemnitee to continue to serve as an officer of the Company or
member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and to establish a specific
procedure for addressing indemnification matters if and as they arise, the
Company has agreed to a contractual indemnification arrangement on the terms set
forth in this Agreement.
THE
PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1.
Definitions
. For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(a) “
Agent
”
means any person (i) who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent
of the Company or (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the Company, or
otherwise as a result of that person’s relationship with the Company, as a
director, officer, employee or other agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation or of any partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise (including service with respect to employee benefit
plans).
(b) “
Disinterested
Director
” means a director of the Company who neither is nor was a party
to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought under this
Agreement or otherwise.
(c) “
Expenses
”
includes any and all direct and indirect costs (including, without limitation,
attorneys’ fees and disbursements, court costs, fees and expenses of witnesses,
experts, professional advisers and private investigators, arbitration expenses,
costs of attachment, appeal or similar bonds, travel expenses, duplicating,
printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees,
and any and all other disbursements or out-of-pocket expenses) actually and
reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with either (i)
the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of, or being a witness or
participant in, a Proceeding (including preparing for any of the foregoing) or
(ii) the establishment or enforcement of any right to indemnification under this
Agreement or otherwise or any right to recovery under any liability insurance
policy maintained by the Company; provided, however, that “Expenses” shall not
include any judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement.
(d) “
Independent
Counsel
” means a law firm or attorney that neither is presently nor in
the past two years has been retained to represent: (i) the Company or
Indemnitee in any matter material to the Company or Indemnitee, or (ii) any
other party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought
under this Agreement or otherwise. In addition, the term “Independent
Counsel” does not include any law firm or attorney who, under the applicable
standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of
interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to
determine Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement or
otherwise.
(e) “
Liabilities
”
means liabilities and losses of any type whatsoever, including, without
limitation, judgments, fines, excise taxes and penalties (including ERISA excise
taxes and penalties) and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest,
assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect
of such liabilities and losses), actually incurred by Indemnitee in connection
with or as a result of a Proceeding.
(f) “
Proceeding
”
means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including
any inquiry, hearing, arbitration proceeding or alternative dispute resolution
mechanism), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including
any action by or in the right of the Company), to which Indemnitee is or was a
party, witness or other participant, or is threatened to be made a party,
witness or other participant, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an
Agent, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in that capacity
or in any other capacity while serving as an Agent, whether before or after the
date of this Agreement.
2.
Agreement to
Indemnify
. Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in
accordance with the procedures set forth in, this Agreement, the Company shall
hold Indemnitee harmless and indemnify Indemnitee (and Indemnitee’s spouse as
provided below), to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of the CLCI ,
the Company’s Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association, and other
applicable law, from and against all Expenses and Liabilities, including,
without limitation, Expenses and Liabilities arising from any Proceeding brought
by or in the right of the Company or its stockholders, except such (if any)
incurred or sustained by or through the Indemnitee’s own willful neglect or
default respectively. The Company and Indemnitee intend that this
Agreement provide for indemnification in excess of that expressly required or
permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification
provided by the Company’s Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association,
by vote of its stockholders or directors, or by applicable law. If,
after the date hereof, the CLCI or any other applicable law is amended to permit
or authorize indemnification of, or advancement of defense expenses to,
Indemnitee to a greater extent than is permitted on the date hereof, references
in this Agreement to the CLCI or any other applicable law shall be deemed to
refer to the CLCI or such applicable law as so amended.
3.
Procedural
Matters
.
(a)
Initial
Request
. Whenever Indemnitee believes that, in a specific
case, Indemnitee is then entitled to indemnification under this Agreement or
under the Company’s Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association, the
CLCI or otherwise, Indemnitee shall submit a written notice to the Company
requesting an authorization and determination by the Company to that
effect. The notice shall describe the matter giving rise to the
request and be accompanied by all appropriate supporting documentation
reasonably available to Indemnitee.
(b)
Determination and
Payment
. The Company shall make a determination about
Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification in the specific case no later than
30 days after receipt of Indemnitee’s request. In making that
determination, the person or persons making the determination shall presume that
Indemnitee met any applicable standard of conduct required for indemnification,
unless the Company shall have affirmatively shown by clear and convincing
evidence that Indemnitee did not meet that standard. The
determination shall be made by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors. If such a quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of Disinterested Directors so
directs, the determination shall be made by Independent Counsel in a written
opinion obtained at the Company’s expense. If either of those
alternative decision-making processes is not initiated within 20 days after
receipt of Indemnitee’s request, the determination shall be made by the
Company’s stockholders, except that any shares of the Company’s capital stock as
to which Indemnitee holds voting power shall not be entitled to
vote. If the person or persons empowered to make the determination
either: (i) affirmatively makes a determination of Indemnitee’s
entitlement to indemnification or (ii) fails to make any determination at all
within the 30-day period, indemnification shall be considered as authorized and
proper in the circumstances, and Indemnitee shall be absolutely entitled to such
indemnification, and shall receive payment as promptly as practicable, in the
absence of any misrepresentation of a material fact by Indemnitee in the request
for indemnification, or a specific determination by a court of competent
jurisdiction that all or any part of such indemnification is prohibited by
applicable law. If the person or persons empowered to make the
determination find that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, the
Indemnitee shall have the right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction
for the purpose of enforcing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification pursuant to
this Agreement. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, arbitration award, conviction or upon a plea of solo contender or
its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did
not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or that, with respect to any
criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
(c)
Advancement of
Expenses
. If so requested in a writing by Indemnitee
accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation, the Company shall, within
10 days after receipt of the request, advance funds for the payment of Expenses,
whether that request is made before or after the final disposition of a
Proceeding (including, without limitation, any criminal Proceeding or any
Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company or its stockholders),
unless there has been a final determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification for those Expenses. If required by law at the time of
the advance, the payment of the advance shall be conditioned upon the receipt
from Indemnitee of an undertaking (which need not be secured) to repay the
advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not
entitled to such indemnification by the Company. Any dispute
concerning the advancement of Expenses shall be resolved by arbitration before
an arbitrator selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company. If
the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator, then the claim shall be heard
by a panel of three arbitrators, with one selected by Indemnitee, one selected
by the Company and one selected jointly by the foregoing two
arbitrators. Each of the arbitrators shall be a litigation or
corporate attorney with experience in the field of officer and director
indemnification. The arbitrators shall be selected within 15 days
after demand for arbitration and shall render a decision within 30 days after
selection, unless good cause is shown for requiring a longer decision
period. The Company shall act in utmost good faith to provide timely
information to the arbitrators and to insure Indemnitee a full opportunity to
defend against the Company’s claim that Indemnitee is not entitled to an advance
of Expenses. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all
Expenses incurred by Indemnitee under the dispute resolutions proceedings set
forth in this Subsection 3(c), unless a court of competent jurisdiction finds
that each of the claims and/or defenses by Indemnitee in the action or
proceeding for which an advance is sought was frivolous or made in bad
faith.
(d)
Enforcement
. If
Indemnitee has not received a determination of entitlement to indemnification or
an advance, as the case may be, within the applicable time periods for such
actions specified in this Agreement, or if it has been determined that
Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in
part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall be entitled to commence an action in
any court of competent jurisdiction (including the court in which the Proceeding
as to which Indemnitee seeks indemnification is or was pending) (i) in the
former case, seeking enforcement of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or
otherwise, or seeking an initial determination by the court, or (ii) in the
latter case, challenging any such determination or any aspect thereof, including
the legal or factual bases therefor. The Company hereby consents to
service of process and to appear generally in any such proceeding. It
shall be a defense to any such action that applicable law does not permit the
Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In any such
action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that indemnification or
advances are not proper in the circumstances of the specific
case. Neither the failure of the Company to have made a determination
prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification is proper under
the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct under
applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company that Indemnitee has
not met such standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a
presumption that Indemnitee has not met that standard of conduct. The
Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in
connection with the successful establishment or enforcement, in whole or in
part, by Indemnitee of his right to indemnification or advances.
(e)
Notice by
Indemnitee and Defense of Proceedings
. Indemnitee shall
promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons,
citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document
relating to any matter which may give rise to a claim for indemnification under
this Agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that a failure of Indemnitee to
provide that notice shall relieve the Company from liability only if and to the
extent that the failure materially prejudices the Company’s ability to
adequately defend Indemnitee in the Proceeding. With respect to any
Proceeding as to which Indemnitee so notifies the Company:
(i) The
Company shall be entitled to participate at its own expense.
(ii) Except
as otherwise provided below, the Company, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly notified, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such
Proceeding, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After
notice from the Company to Indemnitee of the Company’s election to assume the
defense, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for
any Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee, other than as provided
below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his own counsel in
that Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice
from the Company of its election so to assume the defense shall be borne by
Indemnitee, except to the extent that (x) the employment of counsel by
Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (y) Indemnitee has reasonably
concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and
Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such Proceeding or that counsel
selected by the Company may not be adequately representing Indemnitee, or (z)
the Company has not in fact employed counsel to assume the defense of such
Proceeding. In those cases, the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s own
counsel shall be paid by the Company.
(iii) Neither the Company nor
Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its or his consent to any proposed
settlement. The Company has no obligation to indemnify and hold
Indemnitee harmless under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of
any Proceeding effected without its written consent. The Company
shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or
limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent.
4.
Nonexclusivity
. The
indemnification provided by this Agreement is not exclusive of or inconsistent
with any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, any other agreement, any vote of
stockholders or directors, the CLCI, or otherwise, both as to action in
Indemnitee’s official capacity and otherwise. If and to the extent
that a change in the CLCI (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits
greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the
Company’s Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association or under this
Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by
this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.
5.
Partial
Indemnification
. If Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification
by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses or Liabilities but not for the
total amount, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the
portion of such Expenses and Liabilities to which Indemnitee is entitled to be
indemnified. Moreover, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or
matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be
indemnified against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection
therewith.
6.
Liability
Insurance
. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance
policy or policies providing directors’ and/or officers’ liability insurance,
Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its
or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company
director or officer, as the case may be. If Indemnitee serves as a
fiduciary of any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiary
or affiliated corporations, then to the extent that the Company maintains an
insurance policy or policies providing fiduciaries’ liability insurance,
Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or
their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any
fiduciary. Upon notice to the Company, either from Indemnitee or from
any other source, of the commencement or threat of commencement of any
Proceeding or matter which may give rise to a claim for indemnification of
Indemnitee and which may be covered by any insurance policy maintained by the
Company, the Company shall promptly give notice to the insurer in accordance
with the procedures prescribed by such policy and shall thereafter take all
necessary or appropriate action to cause such insurer to pay, to or on behalf of
Indemnitee all Liabilities and Expenses payable under such policy with respect
to such Proceeding or matter. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee
for Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any successful action
brought by Indemnitee for recovery under any insurance policy referred to in
this Section 6 and shall advance to Indemnitee the Expenses of such action in
the manner provided in Section 3(c) above.
7.
Other
Sources
. Indemnitee shall not be required to exercise any
rights Indemnitee may have against any other parties (for example, under an
insurance policy purchased by Indemnitee, the Company or any other person or
entity) before Indemnitee exercises or enforces Indemnitee’s rights under this
Agreement. However, to the extent the Company actually indemnifies
Indemnitee or advances Indemnitee funds in respect of Expenses, the Company
shall be entitled to enforce any such rights which Indemnitee may have against
third parties. Indemnitee shall assist the Company in enforcing those
rights if it pays Indemnitee’s costs and expenses of doing so. If
Indemnitee is actually indemnified or advanced Expenses by any such third party,
then, for so long as Indemnitee is not required to disgorge the amounts so
received, to that extent the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to
indemnify Indemnitee or to advance Expenses.
8.
Certain
Relationships
. The obligations and rights created under this
Agreement shall not be affected by any amendment to the Company’s Memorandum of
Association or Articles of Association or any other agreement or instrument to
which Indemnitee is not a party, and shall not diminish any other rights which
Indemnitee now or in the future has against the Company or any other person or
entity.
9.
Severability
. If
any provision of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable for any
reason, it shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, in order to
achieve the intent of the Company and Indemnitee. In any event, the
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain enforceable to the maximum
extent possible.
10.
Contribution
. If
the indemnification provided in Section 2 of this Agreement is unavailable,
then, in respect of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with
Indemnitee (or would be if joined in the Proceeding), the Company shall
contribute to the amount of Expenses and Liabilities as appropriate to
reflect: (i) the relative benefits received by the Company, on
the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which
the Proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company, on the one
hand, and of Indemnitee, on the other, in connection with the events which
resulted in such Expenses and Liabilities, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the
one hand, and of Indemnitee, on the other, shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in
such Expenses and Liabilities. The Company agrees that it would not
be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10 were
determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does
not take account of the equitable considerations described in this Section
10.
11.
Governing
Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to the
principles of conflicts of laws.
12.
Notices
. All
notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be given by personal or courier delivery, confirmed facsimile or telex
transmission or first class mail, and shall be deemed to have been duly given
upon receipt if personally delivered or delivered by courier, on the date of
transmission if transmitted by facsimile or telex, or three days after mailing
if mailed, to the addresses set forth below:
If to
Indemnitee
:
[Name]
[Address]
If to the
Company
:
AutoChina
International Limited
[Address]
or to
such other address as either party may designate by notice to the other from
time to time.
13.
Counterparts
. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original.
14.
Successors and
Assigns
. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and
its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and
Indemnitee’s spouse, estate, heirs, executors, administrators, personal or legal
representatives and assigns. The Company shall require any successor
corporation (whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise) by written
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken
place.
15.
Amendment and
Waiver
. This Agreement may not be amended except by a writing
executed by both the Company and Indemnitee. No waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by
the party to be charged therewith. A waiver of, or a failure to
insist on, complete compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not be
construed as a waiver of a subsequent or different non-compliance, breach or
default of that or any other provision of this Agreement.
16.
Acknowledgment
. The
Company expressly acknowledges that it has entered into this Agreement and
assumed the obligations imposed on the Company under this Agreement in order to
induce Indemnitee to serve or to continue to serve as a director and
acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying on this Agreement in serving or
continuing to serve in such capacity. The Company further agrees to
stipulate in any court proceeding that the Company is bound by all of the
provisions of this Agreement.
17.
Period of
Limitations
. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of
action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee,
or Indemnitee’s estate, heirs, executors, administrators or personal or legal
representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of
such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be
extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal
action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter
period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such
shorter period shall govern.
18.
Duration of
Agreement
. This Agreement shall continue in effect for so long
as Indemnitee is subject to any possible Proceeding, regardless of whether
Indemnitee continues to serve as an Agent.
19.
Entire
Agreement
. This document contains the final, complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement between the Company and Indemnitee with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any prior or
contemporaneous understandings, agreements, communications, correspondence or
representations by or between the parties, whether written or oral, relating to
the subject matter of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto
have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth in its first
paragraph.
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Indemnitee,
_____________
|
THE
COMPANIES LAW
EXEMPTED
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
AMENDED
AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
1.
|
The
name of the Company is AutoChina International
Limited.
|
2.
|
The
Registered Office of the Company shall be at the Registered Office of ATC
Trustees (Cayman) Limited, in George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1203, Cayman
Islands, currently located on the second floor of Cayside, Harbour Drive,
P.O. Box 30592.
|
3.
|
Subject
to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the objects for which the
Company is established are
unrestricted.
|
4.
|
Subject
to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the Company shall have and
be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full
capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit, as provided by
Section 27(2) of The Companies Law.
|
5.
|
Nothing
in this Memorandum shall permit the Company to carry on a business for
which a licence is required under the laws of the Cayman Islands unless
duly licensed.
|
6.
|
The
Company shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or
corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried
on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this clause shall
be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts
in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its
powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman
Islands.
|
7.
|
The
liability of each member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid
on such members shares.
|
8.
|
The
share capital of the Company is US$51,000 divided into 50,000,000 ordinary
shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001 each and 1,000,000 preferred
shares of US$0.001 each.
|
9.
|
The
Company may exercise the power contained in the Companies Law to
deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation
in another jurisdiction.
|
The
Companies Law (Revised)
Company
Limited by Shares
THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
(Adopted
by way of a special resolution passed on _______, 2009)
INDEX
SUBJECT
|
|
Article No.
|
|
|
|
Table
A
|
|
1
|
Interpretation
|
|
2
|
Share
Capital
|
|
3
|
Alteration
Of Capital
|
|
4-7
|
Share
Rights
|
|
8-9
|
Variation
Of Rights
|
|
10-11
|
Shares
|
|
12-15
|
Share
Certificates
|
|
16-21
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
22-42
|
Register
Of Members
|
|
43-44
|
Record
Dates
|
|
45
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
46-51
|
Transmission
Of Shares
|
|
52
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
53-54
|
Untraceable
Members
|
|
55
|
General
Meetings
|
|
56-58
|
Notice
Of General Meetings
|
|
59-60
|
Proceedings
At General Meetings
|
|
61-65
|
Voting
|
|
66,
68-69, 71-77
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
67-70
|
Proxies
|
|
78-83
|
Corporations
Acting By Representatives
|
|
84
|
No
Action By Written Resolutions Of Members
|
|
85
|
Board
Of Directors
|
|
86
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
87-88
|
Disqualification
Of Directors
|
|
89
|
Executive
Directors
|
|
90-91
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
92-95
|
Directors
Fees and Expenses
|
|
96-99
|
Directors
Interests
|
|
100
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
101-103
|
General
Powers Of The Directors
|
|
104-109
|
Borrowing
Powers
|
|
110-113
|
Proceedings
Of The Directors
|
|
114-125
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
126
|
Officers
|
|
127-130
|
Register
of Directors and Officers
|
|
131
|
Minutes
|
|
132
|
Seal
|
|
133
|
Authentication
Of Documents
|
|
134-135
|
Dividends
and Other Payments
|
|
136-145
|
Reserves
|
|
146
|
Capitalization
|
|
147-148
|
Subscription
Rights Reserve
|
|
149
|
Accounting
Records
|
|
150-154
|
Audit
|
|
155-157,
159-160
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
158
|
Notices
|
|
161-163
|
Signatures
|
|
164
|
Winding
Up
|
|
165-166
|
Indemnity
|
|
167
|
Amendment
to Memorandum and Articles of Association and Name of
Company
|
|
168
|
Information
|
|
169
|
TABLE A
1. The
regulations in Table A in the Schedule to the Companies Law (Revised) do not
apply to the Company.
INTERPRETATION
2. 2.1
Certain of the terms contained in these Articles that are listed in the first
column of the table below, unless the context otherwise requires, shall bear the
meaning set opposite them respectively in the second column.
|
|
MEANING
|
|
|
|
Auditor
|
|
the
independent auditor of the Company which shall be a firm of independent
accountants registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board.
|
|
|
|
Articles
|
|
these
Articles in their present form or as supplemented or amended or
substituted from time to time.
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
|
|
AutoChina
Group Inc
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Acquisition
|
|
the
Companys acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of AutoChina from
the AutoChina Shareholders pursuant to the Share Exchange
Agreement.
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Shareholders
|
|
Honest
Best Intl Ltd (FounderCo) and any other registered owner of share capital
of AutoChina immediately prior to the consummation of the AutoChina
Acquisition and the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange
Agreement.
|
|
|
|
AutoChina
Shareholders
|
|
|
Representative
|
|
Yan
Wang or such other individual as designated by FounderCo in writing, who
has been irrevocably and fully authorized to act on behalf of all of the
AutoChina Shareholders with respect to such matters as designated
herein.
|
|
|
|
Board
or Directors
|
|
the
board of directors of the Company or the directors present at a meeting of
directors of the Company at which a quorum is present.
|
|
|
|
capital
|
|
the
share capital from time to time of the Company.
|
|
|
|
clear
days
|
|
in
relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the
notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or
on which it is to take
effect.
|
clearing
house
|
|
a
clearing house recognized by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the
shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or
quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such
jurisdiction.
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
AutoChina
International Limited.
|
|
|
|
Company
Shareholders
|
|
|
Representative
|
|
shall
mean James Sha or such other individual as designated by a majority of the
existing shareholders of the Company that were also shareholders of the
Company immediately prior to the AutoChina Acquisition, such designation
in writing, who has been irrevocably and fully authorized to act on behalf
of all of the shareholders of the Company with respect to such matters as
designated herein.
|
|
|
|
competent
regulatory authority
|
|
a
competent regulatory authority in the territory where the shares of the
Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock
exchange or interdealer quotation system in such
territory.
|
|
|
|
debenture
|
|
and
include debenture stock and debenture stockholder debenture holder
respectively.
|
|
|
|
Designated
Stock Exchange
|
|
the
OTC Bulletin Board or such other exchange or interdealer quotation system
upon which the Companys securities are listed or
quoted.
|
|
|
|
dollars
and $
|
|
dollars,
the legal currency of the United States of America.
|
|
|
|
head
office
|
|
such
office of the Company as the Directors may from time to time determine to
be the principal office of the Company.
|
|
|
|
Law
|
|
The
Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the
Cayman Islands.
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
a
duly registered holder from time to time of the shares in the capital of
the Company.
|
|
|
|
month
|
|
a
calendar month.
|
|
|
|
Notice
|
|
written
notice unless otherwise specifically stated and as further defined in
these
Articles.
|
Office
|
|
the
registered office of the Company for the time being.
|
|
|
|
ordinary
resolution
|
|
a
resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it has been passed by a
simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do,
vote in person or, in the case of any Member being a corporation, by its
duly authorized representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at
a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days Notice has
been duly given.
|
|
|
|
paid
up
|
|
paid
up or credited as paid up.
|
|
|
|
Register
|
|
the
principal register and, where applicable, any branch register of Members
of the Company to be maintained at such place within or outside the Cayman
Islands as the Board shall determine from time to time.
|
|
|
|
Registration
Office
|
|
in
respect of any class of share capital such place as the Board may from
time to time determine to keep a branch register of Members in respect of
that class of share capital and where (except in cases where the Board
otherwise directs) the transfers or other documents of title for such
class of share capital are to be lodged for registration and are to be
registered.
|
|
|
|
Seal
|
|
common
seal or any one or more duplicate seals of the Company (including a
securities seal) for use in the Cayman Islands or in any place outside the
Cayman Islands.
|
|
|
|
Secretary
|
|
any
person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform any of the
duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant, deputy,
temporary or acting secretary.
|
|
|
|
Share
Exchange Agreement
|
|
a
Share Exchange Agreement dated February 4, 2009, made by and among Li
Yonghui, Yan Wang, FounderCo, AutoChina, Fancy Think Limited, the entities
listed on Schedule A6 thereto, and the Company, with respect to the
Companys acquisition of 1,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001
each in the capital of AutoChina from
FounderCo.
|
special
resolution
|
|
a
resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by not
less than two-thirds (2/3) of votes cast by such Members as, being
entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of such Members as are
corporations, by their respective duly authorized representative or, where
proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than
ten (10) clear days Notice, specifying (without prejudice to the power
contained in these Articles to amend the same) the intention to propose
the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given. Provided
that, except in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed
by a majority in number of the Members having the right to attend and vote
at any such meeting, being a majority together holding not less than
ninety-five (95) percent in nominal value of the shares giving that right
and in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by all
Members entitled to attend and vote thereat, a resolution may be proposed
and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than ten
(10) clear days Notice has been given; a special resolution shall be
effective for any purpose for which an ordinary resolution is expressed to
be required under any provision of these Articles or the
Statutes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
the
Law and every other law of the Legislature of the Cayman Islands for the
time being in force applying to or affecting the Company, its Memorandum
of Association and/or these Articles.
|
|
|
|
year"
|
|
a
calendar year.
|
2.2 In
these Articles, unless there be something within the subject or context
inconsistent with such construction:
(a) words
importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(b) words
importing a gender include both genders and the neuter;
(c) words
importing persons include companies, associations and bodies of persons whether
corporate or not;
(d) the
words:
(i) may
shall be construed as permissive;
(ii) shall or
will shall be construed as imperative;
(e) expressions
referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed
as including printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing
words or figures in a visible form, and including where the representation takes
the form of electronic display, provided that both the mode of service of the
relevant document or notice and the Members election comply with all applicable
Statutes, rules and regulations;
(f) references
to any law, ordinance, statute or statutory provision shall be interpreted as
relating to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time
being in force;
(g) save as
aforesaid words and expressions defined in the Statutes shall bear the same
meanings in these Articles if not inconsistent with the subject in the
context;
(h) references
to a document being executed include references to it being executed under hand
or under seal or by electronic signature or by any other method and references
to a notice or document include a notice or document recorded or stored in any
digital, electronic, electrical, magnetic or other retrievable form or medium
and information in visible form whether having physical substance or
not.
SHARE
CAPITAL
3.
3.1 The
share capital of the Company at the date on which these Articles come into
effect shall be divided into shares of a par value of $0.001 each.
3.2 Subject to
the Law, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and, where
applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent
regulatory authority, the Company shall have the power to purchase or otherwise
acquire its own shares and such power shall be exercisable by the Board in such
manner, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as it in its absolute
discretion thinks fit and any determination by the Board of the manner of
purchase shall be deemed authorised by these Articles for purposes of the
Law.
3.3 No share
shall be issued to bearer.
ALTERATION OF
CAPITAL
4.
The Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution in accordance with the
Law alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to:
(a) increase
its capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the
resolution shall prescribe;
(b) consolidate
and divide all or any of its capital into shares of larger amount than its
existing shares;
(c) without
prejudice to the powers of the Board under Article 12, divide its shares into
several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred
on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential,
deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such
restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company in
general meeting, as the Directors may determine provided always that, for the
avoidance of doubt, where a class of shares has been authorized by the Company
no resolution of the Company in general meeting is required for the issuance of
shares of that class and the Directors may issue shares of that class and
determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto
as aforesaid, and further provided that where the Company issues shares which do
not carry voting rights, the words non-voting shall appear in the designation of
such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting
rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those with the most
favorable voting rights, must include the words restricted voting or limited
voting;
(d) sub-divide
its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the
Memorandum of Association (subject, nevertheless, to the Law), and may by such
resolution determine that, as between the holders of the shares resulting from
such sub-division, one or more of the shares may have any such preferred,
deferred or other rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared with
the other or others as the Company has power to attach to unissued or new
shares;
(e) cancel any
shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken,
or agreed to be taken, by any person, and diminish the amount of its capital by
the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares, without par
value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is
divided.
5.
The Board may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in
relation to any consolidation and division under the last preceding Article and
in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue
certificates in respect of fractions of shares or arrange for the sale of the
shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale
(after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst the
Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the
Board may authorize some person to transfer the shares representing fractions to
their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company for the
Companys benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of
the purchase money nor will his title to the shares be affected by any
irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
6.
The Company may from time to time by special resolution, subject to
any confirmation or consent required by the Law, reduce its share capital or any
capital redemption reserve or other undistributable reserve in any manner
permitted by law.
7.
Except so far as otherwise provided by the conditions of issue, or
by these Articles, any capital raised by the creation of new shares shall be
treated as if it formed part of the original capital of the Company, and such
shares shall be subject to the provisions contained in these Articles with
reference to the payment of calls and installments, transfer and transmission,
forfeiture, lien, cancellation, surrender, voting and otherwise.
SHARE
RIGHTS
8.
Subject to the provisions of the Law, the rules of the Designated Stock
Exchange and the Memorandum and Articles of Association and to any special
rights conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares, and without
prejudice to Article 12 hereof, any share in the Company (whether forming part
of the present capital or not) may be issued with or have attached thereto such
rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital
or otherwise as the Board may determine, including without limitation on terms
that they may be, or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to
be redeemed on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the
Board may deem fit.
9.
Subject to the Law, any preferred shares may be issued or converted
into shares that, at a determinable date or at the option of the Company or the
holder if so authorized by its Memorandum of Association, are liable to be
redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Company before the issue or
conversion may by ordinary resolution of the Members determine. Where the
Company purchases for redemption a redeemable share, purchases not made through
the market or by tender shall be limited to a maximum price as may from time to
time be determined by the Board, either generally or with regard to specific
purchases. If purchases are by tender, tenders shall comply with applicable
laws.
VARIATION OF
RIGHTS
10. Subject
to the Law and without prejudice to Article 8, all or any of the special rights
for the time being attached to the shares or any class of shares may, unless
otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from time
to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied, modified or
abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general
meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. To every such separate
general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general
meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, but so
that:
(a) the
necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned
meeting) shall be a person or persons (or in the case of a Member being a
corporation, its duly authorized representative) together holding or
representing by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued
shares of that class;
(b) every
holder of shares of the class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every
such share held by him; and
(c) any holder
of shares of the class present in person or by proxy or authorized
representative may demand a poll.
11. The
special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall
not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms
of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied, modified or abrogated by the
creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
SHARES
12. 12.1 Subject
to the Law, these Articles (including without limitation the provisions of
Article 105) and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange
and without prejudice to any special rights or restrictions for the time being
attached to any shares or any class of shares, the unissued shares of the
Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased capital) shall be
at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options over or
otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such
consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may in its
absolute discretion determine but so that no shares shall be issued at a
discount. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, the Board is hereby empowered to authorize by resolution or
resolutions from time to time the issuance of one or more classes or series of
preferred shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other rights, if any, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the
number of shares constituting each such class or series, dividend rights,
conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, full or limited or no
voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the size
of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or
series of preferred shares then outstanding) to the extent permitted by Law.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions
providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares may,
to the extent permitted by law, provide that such class or series shall be
superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the preferred shares of any other
class or series.
12.2 Neither the Company
nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer
of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make available, any such
allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others with registered
addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or
territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special
formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or
impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not
be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for any purpose whatsoever.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions
providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no
vote of the holders of preferred shares of or ordinary shares shall be a
prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any class or series of the
preferred shares authorized by and complying with the conditions of the
Memorandum and Articles of Association.
12.3 Subject to the
provisions of Article 105, the Board may issue options, warrants or convertible
securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders
thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of shares or securities
in the capital of the Company on such terms as it may from time to time
determine.
13. The
Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of
paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Law. Subject to
the Law, the commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the
allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one and partly in the
other.
14. Except
as required by law, no person shall be recognized by the Company as holding any
share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any
way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent,
future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share or
(except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) any other rights
in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the
registered holder.
15. Subject
to the Law and these Articles, the Board may at any time after the allotment of
shares but before any person has been entered in the Register as the holder,
recognize a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favor of some other person
and may accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation
upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board considers fit to
impose.
SHARE
CERTIFICATES
16. Every
share certificate shall be issued under the Seal or a facsimile thereof and
shall specify the number and class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the
shares to which it relates, and the amount paid up thereon and may otherwise be
in such form as the Directors may from time to time determine. No certificate
shall be issued representing shares of more than one class. The Board may by
resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that
any signatures on any such certificates (or certificates in respect of other
securities) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by
some mechanical means or may be printed thereon.
17. 17.1 In
the case of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be
bound to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate
to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such
holders.
17.2 Where a share stands
in the names of two or more persons, the person first named in the Register
shall as regards service of notices and, subject to the provisions of these
Articles, all or any other matters connected with the Company, except the
transfer of the shares, be deemed the sole holder thereof.
18. Every
person whose name is entered, upon an allotment of shares, as a Member in the
Register shall be entitled, without payment, to receive one certificate for all
such shares of any one class or several certificates each for one or more of
such shares of such class upon payment for every certificate after the first of
such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as the Board from time to time
determines.
19. Share
certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed by the
Law or as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine,
whichever is the shorter, after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer
which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does
not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company.
20. 20.1 Upon
every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor, if any, shall
be given up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a
new certificate shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares
transferred to him at such fee as is provided in paragraph (2) of this Article.
If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained
by the transferor a new certificate for the balance shall be issued to him at
the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect
thereof.
20.2 The fee referred to in
paragraph (1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant maximum amount
as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine provided that
the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such fee.
21. If
a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued
to the relevant Member upon request and on payment of such fee as the Company
may determine and, subject to compliance with such terms (if any) as to evidence
and indemnity and to payment of the costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as
the Board may think fit and, in case of damage or defacement, on delivery of the
old certificate to the Company provided always that where share warrants have
been issued, no new share warrant shall be issued to replace one that has been
lost unless the Board has determined that the original has been
destroyed.
22. [Intentionally
Omitted]
23. [Intentionally
Omitted]
24. [Intentionally
Omitted]
25. [Intentionally
Omitted]
26. [Intentionally
Omitted]
27. [Intentionally
Omitted]
28. [Intentionally
Omitted]
29. [Intentionally
Omitted]
30. [Intentionally
Omitted]
31. [Intentionally
Omitted]
32. [Intentionally
Omitted]
33. [Intentionally
Omitted]
34. [Intentionally
Omitted]
35. [Intentionally
Omitted]
36. [Intentionally
Omitted]
37. [Intentionally
Omitted]
38. [Intentionally
Omitted]
39. [Intentionally
Omitted]
40. [Intentionally
Omitted]
41. [Intentionally
Omitted]
42. [Intentionally
Omitted]
REGISTER OF
MEMBERS
43. 43.1 The
Company shall keep in one or more books a Register of its Members and shall
enter therein the following particulars, that is to say:
(a) the name
and address of each Member, the number and class of shares held by him and the
amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on such shares;
(b) the date on
which each person was entered in the Register; and
(c) the date on
which any person ceased to be a Member.
43.2 The Company may keep an overseas
or local or other branch register of Members resident in any place, and the
Board may make and vary such regulations as it determines in respect of the
keeping of any such register and maintaining a Registration Office in connection
therewith.
44. The
Register and branch register of Members, as the case may be, shall be open to
inspection for such times and on such days as the Board shall determine by
Members without charge, at the Office or such other place as determined by the
Board. The Register including any overseas or local or other branch register of
Members may, after notice has been given by advertisement in an appointed
newspaper or any other newspapers in accordance with the requirements of the
Designated Stock Exchange or by any electronic means in such manner as may be
accepted by the Designated Stock Exchange to that effect, be closed at such
times or for such periods not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in each
year as the Board may determine and either generally or in respect of any class
of shares.
RECORD
DATES
45. For
the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any
general meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares
or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a
date as the record date for any such determination of Members, which date shall
not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other such
action.
If
the Board does not fix a record date for any general meeting, the record date
for determining the Members entitled to a notice of or to vote at such meeting
shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
notice is given, or, if in accordance with these Articles notice is waived, at
the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held. If corporate action without a general meeting is to be taken, the record
date for determining the Members entitled to express consent to such corporate
action in writing, when no prior action by the Board is necessary, shall be the
first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or
proposed to be taken is delivered to the Company by delivery to its head office.
The record date for determining the Members for any other purpose shall be at
the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution
relating thereto.
A
determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of the Members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided,
however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned
meeting.
46. [Intentionally
Omitted]
47. [Intentionally
Omitted]
48. [Intentionally
Omitted]
49. [Intentionally
Omitted]
50. [Intentionally
Omitted]
51. [Intentionally
Omitted]
TRANSMISSION OF
SHARES
52. If
a Member dies, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder,
and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole or only surviving
holder, will be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any title
to his interest in the shares; but nothing in this Article will release the
estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in
respect of any share which had been solely or jointly held by him.
53. [Intentionally
Omitted]
54. [Intentionally
Omitted]
UNTRACEABLE
MEMBERS
55. 55.1 Without
prejudice to the rights of the Company under paragraph (2) of this Article, the
Company may cease sending checks for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants
by post if such checks or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive
occasions. However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending checks
for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on which
such a check or warrant is returned undelivered.
55.2 The Company shall have
the power to sell, in such manner as the Board thinks fit, any shares of a
Member who is untraceable, but no such sale shall be made unless:
(a) all checks
or warrants in respect of dividends of the shares in question, being not less
than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder of such
shares in respect of them sent during the relevant period in the manner
authorized by the Articles of the Company have remained uncashed;
(b) so far as
it is aware at the end of the relevant period, the Company has not at any time
during the relevant period received any indication of the existence of the
Member who is the holder of such shares or of a person entitled to such shares
by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and
(c) the
Company, if so required by the rules governing the listing of shares on the
Designated Stock Exchange, has given notice to, and caused advertisement in
newspapers to be made in accordance with the requirements of, the Designated
Stock Exchange of its intention to sell such shares in the manner required by
the Designated Stock Exchange, and a period of three months or such shorter
period as may be allowed by the Designated Stock Exchange has elapsed since the
date of such advertisement.
For the purpose of the foregoing, the relevant period means the period
commencing twelve (12) years before the date of publication of the advertisement
referred to in paragraph (c) of this Article and ending at the expiry of the
period referred to in that paragraph.
55.3 To give effect to any
such sale the Board may authorize some person to transfer the said shares and an
instrument of transfer signed or otherwise executed by or on behalf of such
person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the registered holder
or the person entitled by transmission to such shares, and the purchaser shall
not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title
to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings
relating to the sale. The net proceeds of the sale will belong to the Company
and upon receipt by the Company of such net proceeds it shall become indebted to
the former Member for an amount equal to such net proceeds. No trust shall be
created in respect of such debt and no interest shall be payable in respect of
it and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned from
the net proceeds which may be employed in the business of the Company or as it
thinks fit. Any sale under this Article shall be valid and effective
notwithstanding that the Member holding the shares sold is dead, bankrupt or
otherwise under any legal disability or incapacity.
GENERAL
MEETINGS
56. An
annual general meeting of the Company shall be held in each year other than the
year of the Companys incorporation at such time and place as may be determined
by the Board.
57. Each
general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an
extraordinary general meeting. General meetings may be held at such times and in
any location in the world as may be determined by the Board.
58. Only
a majority of the Board or the Chairman of the Board may call extraordinary
general meetings, which extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such
times and locations (as permitted hereby) as such person or persons shall
determine.
NOTICE OF GENERAL
MEETINGS
59. 59.1 An
annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting may be called by
not less than ten (10) clear days Notice but a general meeting may be called by
shorter notice, subject to the Law, if it is so agreed:
(a) in
the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all the Members
entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
(b) in
the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the Members having the
right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not
less than ninety-five percent (95%) in nominal value of the issued shares giving
that right.
59.2 The notice shall
specify the time and place of the meeting and, in case of special business, the
general nature of the business. The notice convening an annual general meeting
shall specify the meeting as such. Notice of every general meeting shall be
given to all Members other than to such Members as, under the provisions of
these Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled
to receive such notices from the Company, to all persons entitled to a share in
consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member and to each of
the Directors and the Auditors.
60. The
accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments
of proxy are sent out with the Notice) to send such instrument of proxy to, or
the non-receipt of such Notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person
entitled to receive such Notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or
the proceedings at that meeting.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL
MEETINGS
61. 61.1 All
business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general
meeting, and also all business that is transacted at an annual general meeting,
with the exception of:
(a) the
declaration and sanctioning of dividends;
(b) consideration
and adoption of the accounts and balance sheet and the reports of the Directors
and Auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the balance
sheet;
(c) the
election of Directors;
(d) appointment
of Auditors (where special notice of the intention for such appointment is not
required by the Law) and other officers;
(e) the
fixing of the remuneration of the Auditors, and the voting of remuneration or
extra remuneration to the Directors;
(f) the
granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to offer, allot, grant
options over or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares in the capital of the
Company representing not more than 20 percent (20%) in nominal value of its
existing issued share capital; and
(g) the
granting of any mandate or authority to the Directors to repurchase securities
of the Company.
61.2 No business other than
the appointment of a chairman of a meeting shall be transacted at any general
meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of the business. At any
general meeting of the Company, Members entitled to vote and present in person
or by proxy or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly
authorized representative representing not less than one-third in nominal value
of the total issued voting shares in the Company throughout the meeting shall
form a quorum for all purposes.
62. If
within thirty (30) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the
chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the
meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same
day in the next week at the same time and place or to such time and place as the
Board may determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within
half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall
be dissolved.
63. The
chairman of the Company shall preside as chairman at every general meeting. If
at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the
time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman,
the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act, or if one
Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. If no
Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the
chair, or if the chairman chosen shall retire from the chair, the Members
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall elect one of their
number to be chairman.
64. The
chairman may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but
no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business
which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting had the adjournment not
taken place. When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen (14) days or more, at
least seven (7) clear days notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given
specifying the time and place of the adjourned meeting but it shall not be
necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted
at the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be
transacted. Save as aforesaid, it shall be unnecessary to give notice of an
adjournment.
65. If
an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good
faith ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the
substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. In
the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment
thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in
any event be considered or voted upon.
VOTING
66. Subject
to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached
to any shares by or in accordance with these Articles, at any general meeting on
a show of hands every Member present in person (or being a corporation, is
present by a duly authorized representative), or by proxy shall have one vote
and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a
Member being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative shall have one
vote for every fully paid share of which he is the holder but so that no amount
paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or installments is
treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share. A resolution put to
the vote of a meeting shall be decided by a poll.
67. [Intentionally
Omitted]
68. If
a poll is duly demanded the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the
resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The Company shall only
be required to disclose the voting figures on a poll if such disclosure is
required by the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange.
69. A
poll demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment,
shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken
in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) and
either forthwith or at such time (being not later than thirty (30) days after
the date of the demand) and place as the chairman directs. It shall not be
necessary (unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a
poll not taken immediately.
70. [Intentionally
Omitted]
71. Votes
may be given either personally or by proxy.
72. A
person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the
votes he uses in the same way.
73. All
questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes
except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Law. In
the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of such meeting shall not be
entitled to a second or casting vote and the resolution shall
fail.
74. Where
there are joint holders of any share any one of such joint holder may vote,
either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he were solely
entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at any
meeting the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by
proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint
holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in
which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. Several
executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose name any share stands
shall for the purposes of this Article be deemed joint holders
thereof.
75. 75.1 A
Member who is a patient for any purpose relating to mental health or in respect
of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction for the
protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their
own affairs may vote, by his receiver, committee, curator horns or other person
in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such court,
and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote on a poll
by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated as if he were the registered
holder of such shares for the purposes of general meetings, provided that such
evidence as the Board may require of the authority of the person claiming to
vote shall have been deposited at the Office, head office or Registration
Office, as appropriate, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time
appointed for holding the meeting, or adjourned meeting or poll, as the case may
be.
75.2 Any person entitled
under Article 53 to be registered as the holder of any shares may vote at any
general meeting in respect thereof in the same manner as if he were the
registered holder of such shares, provided that forty-eight (48) hours at least
before the time of the holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting, as the case
may be, at which he proposes to vote, he shall satisfy the Board of his
entitlement to such shares, or the Board shall have previously admitted his
right to vote at such meeting in respect thereof.
76. No
Member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to attend and
vote and to be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless he is duly
registered.
77. If:
(a) any
objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or
(b) any
votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or
which
might have been rejected; or
(c) any
votes are not counted which ought to have been counted;
the
objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned
meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the
meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected
to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error
shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the
decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same
may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on
such matters shall be final and conclusive.
PROXIES
78. Any
Member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of the Company shall be entitled
to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A
Member who is the holder of two or more shares may appoint more than one proxy
to represent him and vote on his behalf at a general meeting of the Company or
at a class meeting. A proxy need not be a Member. In addition, a proxy or
proxies representing either a Member who is an individual or a Member which is a
corporation shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the
Member which he or they represent as such Member could exercise.
79. The
instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the
appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor is
a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney
or other person authorized to sign the same. In the case of an instrument of
proxy purporting to be signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof
it shall be assumed, unless the contrary appears, that such officer was duly
authorized to sign such instrument of proxy on behalf of the corporation without
further evidence of the facts.
80. The
instrument appointing a proxy and (if required by the Board) the power of
attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a certified
copy of such power or authority, shall be delivered to such place or one of such
places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to or
in any document accompanying the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place
is so specified at the Registration Office or the Office, as may be appropriate)
not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the
meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument
proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a
meeting or adjourned meeting, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the
time appointed for the taking of the poll and in default the instrument of proxy
shall not be treated as valid. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be valid
after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date named in it as the date
of its execution, except at an adjourned meeting or on a poll demanded at a
meeting or an adjourned meeting in cases where the meeting was originally held
within twelve (12) months from such date. Delivery of an instrument appointing a
proxy shall not preclude a Member from attending and voting in person at the
meeting convened and in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be
deemed to be revoked.
81. Instruments
of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may
approve (provided that this shall not preclude the use of the two-way form) and
the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting forms
of instrument of proxy for use at the meeting. The instrument of proxy shall be
deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll and to vote on
any amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the
proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated
therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting
to which it relates.
82. A
vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid
notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation
of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed,
provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation
shall have been received by the Company at the Office or the Registration Office
(or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of
proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other document sent therewith) two
hours at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting, or
the taking of the poll, at which the instrument of proxy is
used.
83. Anything
which under these Articles a Member may do by proxy he may likewise do by his
duly appointed attorney and the provisions of these Articles relating to proxies
and instruments appointing proxies shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation to
any such attorney and the instrument under which such attorney is
appointed.
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY
REPRESENTATIVES
84. 84.1 Any
corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other
governing body authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its
representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of
Members. The person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same powers
on behalf of such corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an
individual Member and such corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles
be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorized
is present thereat.
84.2 If a clearing house
(or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorize such
persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the
Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that the
authorization shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which
each such representative is so authorized. Each person so authorized under the
provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorized without
further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and
powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was
the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house
(or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually on a show of
hands.
84.3 Any reference in these
Articles to a duly authorized representative of a Member being a corporation
shall mean a representative authorized under the provisions of this
Article.
ACTION BY WRITTEN
RESOLUTIONS OF MEMBERS
85. A
resolution in writing signed (in such manner as to indicate, expressly or
impliedly, unconditional approval) by or on behalf of all persons for the time
being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings
of the Company shall, for the purposes of these Articles, be treated as a
resolution duly passed at a general meeting of the Company and, where relevant,
as a special resolution so passed. Any such resolution shall be deemed to have
been passed at a meeting held on the date on which it was signed by the last
Member to sign, and where the resolution states a date as being the date of his
signature thereof by any Member the statement shall be prima facie evidence that
it was signed by him on that date. Such a resolution may consist of
several documents in the like form, each signed by one or more relevant
Members.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
86. 86.1 At
all times prior to December 31, 2011 (the Concerned Period), unless otherwise
determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not
be less than two (2) and not more than seven (7). Following the Concerned
Period, the number of Directors shall be such number as determined from time to
time by the Members in general meeting. The Directors shall be elected or
appointed in the first place by the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association
or by a majority of them and shall hold office until their successors are
elected or appointed.
86.2 Subject to the
Articles and the Law, during the Concerned Period, the Directors shall consist
of two (2) persons nominated by the AutoChina Shareholders Representative, two
(2) persons nominated by the Company Shareholders Representative and three (3)
persons as independent non-executive directors (the Independent Non-Executive
Directors), provided that the Independent Non-Executive Director candidates who
are actually nominated shall be mutually agreed upon by the AutoChina
Shareholders Representative and the Company Shareholders
Representative.
86.3 Subject to the
provisions of Article 86.2, the Directors shall have the power from time to time
and at any time to appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy on
the Board or as an addition to the existing Board. Any Director so appointed by
the Board shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting
of the Company and shall then be eligible for re-election.
86.4 No Director shall be
required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification and a
Director who is not a Member shall be entitled to receive notice of and to
attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and of all classes of
shares of the Company.
86.5 Subject to any
provision to the contrary in these Articles, a Director may be removed by way of
(i) an ordinary resolution of the Members at any time before the expiration of
his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any
agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any
claim for damages under any such agreement), or (ii) a two-thirds vote of the
Board of Directors if such removal is for cause at any time before the
expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or
in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to
any claim for damages under any such agreement).
86.6 Subject to the
provisions of Article 86.2, a vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a
Director under the provisions of subparagraph (5) above may be filled by the
election or appointment by ordinary resolution of the Members at the meeting at
which such Director is removed or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority
of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting.
86.7 [Intentionally
Omitted]
86.8 [Intentionally
Omitted]
87. [Intentionally
Omitted]
88. [Intentionally
Omitted]
DISQUALIFICATION OF
DIRECTORS
89. The
office of a Director shall be vacated if the Director:
89.1 resigns his office by
notice in writing delivered to the Company at the Office or tendered at a
meeting of the Board;
89.2 becomes of unsound
mind or dies;
89.3 without special leave
of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for six
consecutive months and the Board resolves that his office be vacated;
or
89.4 becomes bankrupt or
has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his
creditors;
89.5 is prohibited by law
from being a Director; or
89.6 ceases to be a
Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is removed from office
pursuant to these Articles.
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS
90. The
Board may from time to time appoint any one or more of its body to hold any
employment or executive office with the Company for such period (subject to
their continuance as Directors) and upon such terms as the Board may determine
and the Board may revoke or terminate any of such appointments. Any such
revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim
for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may
have against such Director. A Director appointed to an office under this Article
shall be subject to the same provisions as to removal as the other Directors of
the Company, and he shall (subject to the provisions of any contract between him
and the Company) ipso facto and immediately cease to hold such office if he
shall cease to hold the office of Director for any cause.
91. Notwithstanding
Articles 96, 97, 98 and 99, an executive director appointed to an office under
Article 90 hereof shall receive such remuneration (whether by way of salary,
commission, participation in profits or otherwise or by all or any of those
modes) and such other benefits (including pension and/or gratuity and/or other
benefits on retirement) and allowances as the Board may from time to time
determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a
Director.
92. [Intentionally
Omitted]
93. [Intentionally
Omitted]
94. [Intentionally
Omitted)
95. [Intentionally
Omitted]
DIRECTORS FEES AND
EXPENSES
96. The
Directors shall receive such remuneration as the Board may from time to time
determine. The ordinary remuneration of the Directors shall from time to time be
determined by the Board and shall (unless otherwise directed by the resolution
by which it is voted) be divided amongst the Board in such proportions and in
such manner as the Board may agree or, failing agreement, equally, except that
any Director who shall hold office for part only of the period in respect of
which such remuneration is payable shall be entitled only to rank in such
division for a proportion of remuneration related to the period during which he
has held office. Such remuneration shall be deemed to accrue from day to
day.
97. Each
Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and
incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in
attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings
or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or
otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a
Director.
98. Any
Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company
or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the
ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by
way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board
may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in
substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any
other Article.
99. The
Board shall obtain the approval of the Company in general meeting before making
any payment to any Director or past Director of the Company by way of
compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with
his retirement from office (not being payment to which the Director is
contractually entitled).
DIRECTORS'
INTERESTS
100.
100.1 No contract or transaction
between the Company and one or more of its Directors or officers, or between the
Company and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of its Directors or officers, are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
this reason, or solely because the Director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board or committee which authorizes the
contract or transaction, or solely because any such Directors or officers votes
are counted for such purpose, if:
(a) The
material facts as to the Directors or officers relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of
Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a
quorum; or
(b) The
material facts as to the Directors or officers relationship or interest and as
to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Shareholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the Shareholders; or
(c) The
contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is
authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee or the
Shareholders.
100.2 Common or interested Directors
may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum and may vote at a meeting
of the Board or of a committee which authorizes the contract or
transaction.
101. [Intentionally
Omitted]
102. [Intentionally
Omitted]
103. [Intentionally
Omitted]
GENERAL POWERS OF THE
DIRECTORS
104. 104.1 Subject
to the provisions of Article 105, the business of the Company shall be managed
and conducted by the Board, which may pay all expenses incurred in forming and
registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company (whether
relating to the management of the business of the Company or otherwise) which
are not by the Statutes or by these Articles required to be exercised by the
Company in general meeting, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the
Statutes and of these Articles and to such regulations being not inconsistent
with such provisions, as may be prescribed by the Company in general meeting,
but no regulations made by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any
prior act of the Board which would have been valid if such regulations had not
been made. The general powers given by this Article shall not be limited or
restricted by any special authority or power given to the Board by any other
Article.
104.2 Subject to the provisions of
Article 105, without prejudice to the general powers conferred by these Articles
it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following
powers:
(a) To
give to any person the right or option of requiring at a future date that an
allotment shall be made to him of any share at par or at such premium as may be
agreed.
(b) To
give to any Directors, officers or employees of the Company an interest in any
particular business or transaction or participation in the profits thereof or in
the general profits of the Company either in addition to or in substitution for
a salary or other remuneration.
(c) To
resolve that the Company be deregistered in the Cayman Islands and continued in
a named jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands subject to the provisions of the
Law.
105. No
director, officer, committee member, employee, agent of the Company or any Group
Company (hereinafter, as defined in the Share Exchange Agreement) or any of
their respective delegates shall, without a resolution of the board of directors
approved with the affirmative consent or approval of (i) at least six (6)
members of the Board or (ii) in the event there are less than six (6) members of
the Board then in office, all of the members of the Board then in office, take,
nor shall they cause or permit the Company or any Group Company to take, any of
the following actions (whether in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions):
105.1 the authorization, creation or
issuance of any equity or debt securities, warrants, options or other rights to
acquire shares of the Company or any Group Company, other than grants of
securities, stock options or warrants to directors or employees of the Company
or any Group Company pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (hereinafter, as
defined in the Share Exchange Agreement) and the issuance of shares upon the
exercise of such options or warrants;
105.2 the declaration or payment of a
distribution or dividend with respect to any of the shares in the Company or any
Group Company, including, without limitation, the repurchase or redemption of
any such shares or equity interest (or any warrants, options or other rights to
acquire any such shares or equity interest);
105.3 the merger, amalgamation or
consolidation of the Company or any Group Company with any person or any
transaction in which the Company or any Group Company immediately before such
transaction together with their affiliates do not own or control at least a
majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after such
transaction (excluding any transaction effected solely for tax purposes or to
change the Companys or any Group Companys domicile);
105.4 the sale, lease, exchange,
transfer, contribution, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the Assets (hereinafter, as defined in the Share
Exchange Agreement) and Properties (hereinafter, as defined in the Share
Exchange Agreement) of the Company or any Group Company (other than mortgages of
Assets and Properties to banks to secure loans in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and sound business practice), or the
purchase or other acquisition by the Company or any Group Company (whether
individually or collectively) of all or substantially all of the Assets and
Properties of another Person (hereinafter, as defined in the Share Exchange
Agreement) (except for such purchase or acquisition within the amount set forth
in the annual business plan approved by the Board);
105.5 the making of any joint venture
or partnership arrangement, or the formation of any subsidiary, each involving
capital commitment of RMB5,000,000 or more (except for such joint venture or
partnership arrangement made or any subsidiary formed involving capital
commitment within the amount set forth in the annual business plan approved by
the Board), or any voluntary dissolution, winding-up, liquidation of any
subsidiary;
105.6 the reduction of the authorized
share capital or the registered capital, as the case may be, of the Company or
any Group Company;
105.7 the effectuation of any
recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, split-off, spin-off, or
filing for bankruptcy with respect to the Company or any Group
Company;
105.8 the approval or material
amendment of the annual budget, business plan, or operating plan (including any
capital expenditure budget, operating budget and financial plan) of the Company
or any Group Company;
105.9 the incurrence of any
indebtedness for borrowed money or the issuance, assumption, guarantee or
creation of any liability for borrowed money, the aggregate outstanding amount
of which at any given time equal to RMB5,000,000 or more unless such liability
is incurred pursuant to the then current business plan;
105.10 any change in the size or composition of the
Board or any Group Company or any committee thereof;
105.11 any material amendment to the terms of the
Share Exchange Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement (hereinafter, as
defined in the Share Exchange Agreement), any executive employment agreement or
any indemnification agreement; or
105.12 any material amendment to the Corporate
Governance Rules (as defined below) then in effect.
106. The
Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any
fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the
Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with
such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or
exercisable by the Board under these Articles) and for such period and subject
to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may
contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing
with any such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorize any
such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and
discretions vested in him. Such attorney or attorneys may, if so authorized
under the Seal of the Company, execute any deed or instrument under their
personal seal with the same effect as the affixation of the Companys
Seal.
107. The
Board may entrust to and confer upon a managing director, joint managing
director, deputy managing director, an executive director or any Director any of
the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such
restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion
of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such
powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation
or variation shall be affected thereby.
108. All
checks, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments,
whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to
the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as
the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by
resolution determine. The Companys banking accounts shall be kept with such
banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.
109. 109.1 The
Board may establish or concur or join with other companies (being subsidiary
companies of the Company or companies with which it is associated in business)
in establishing and making contributions out of the Companys moneys to any
schemes or funds for providing pensions, sickness or compassionate allowances,
life assurance or other benefits for employees (which expression as used in this
and the following paragraph shall include any Director or ex-Director who may
hold or have held any executive office or any office of profit under the Company
or any of its subsidiary companies) and ex-employees of the Company and their
dependants or any class or classes of such person.
109.2 The Board may pay, enter into
agreements to pay or make grants of revocable or irrevocable pensions or other
benefits to employees and ex-employees and their dependants, or to any of such
persons, including pensions or benefits additional to those, if any, to which
such employees or ex-employees or their dependants are or may become entitled
under any such scheme or fund as mentioned in the last preceding paragraph. Any
such pension or benefit may, as the Board considers desirable, be granted to an
employee either before and in anticipation of or upon or at any time after his
actual retirement, and may be subject or not subject to any terms or conditions
as the Board may determine.
BORROWING
POWERS
110. Subject
to the provisions of Article 105, the Board may exercise all the powers of the
Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of
the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital
of the Company and, subject to the Law, to issue debentures, bonds and other
securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability
or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
111. Debentures,
bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities between
the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued.
112. Any
debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other than
shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption,
surrender, drawings, allotment of shares, attending and voting at general
meetings of the Company, appointment of Directors and otherwise.
113. 113.1 Where
any uncalled capital of the Company is charged, all persons taking any
subsequent charge thereon shall take the same subject to such prior charge, and
shall not be entitled, by notice to the Members or otherwise, to obtain priority
over such prior charge.
113.2 The Board shall cause a proper
register to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Law, of all
charges specifically affecting the property of the Company and of any series of
debentures issued by the Company and shall duly comply with the requirements of
the Law in regard to the registration of charges and debentures therein
specified and otherwise.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
DIRECTORS
114. The
Board may meet for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its
meetings as it considers appropriate. Questions arising at any meeting shall be
determined by a majority of votes. In the case of any equality of votes the
chairman of the meeting shall not have an additional or casting vote and the
resolution shall fail.
115. A
meeting of the Board may be convened by the Secretary on request of a Director
or by any Director. The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Board of which
notice may be given in writing or by telephone or in such other manner as the
Board may from time to time determine whenever he shall be required so to do by
the president or chairman, as the case may be, or any Director.
116. 116.1 The
quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be equal
to a majority of the Board.
116.2 Directors may participate in any
meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or other communications
equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate
with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and, for the purpose of
counting a quorum, such participation shall constitute presence at a meeting as
if those participating were present in person.
116.3 Any Director who ceases to be a
Director at a Board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a Director
and be counted in the quorum until the termination of such Board meeting if no
other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be
present.
117. The
continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act notwithstanding any
vacancy in the Board, however, if and so long as the number of Directors is
reduced below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles,
the continuing Directors or Director, notwithstanding that the number of
Directors is below the number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as
the quorum or that there is only one continuing Director, may act for the
purpose of filling vacancies in the Board or of summoning general meetings of
the Company but not for any other purpose.
118. The
Chairman of the Board shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board. If the
Chairman of the Board is not present at any meeting within five (5) minutes
after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose
one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
119. A
meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise
all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or
exercisable by the Board.
120. 120.1 Subject
to the provisions of Article 105, The Board may delegate any of its powers,
authorities and discretions to committees, consisting of such Director or
Directors and other persons as it thinks fit, and they may, from time to time,
revoke such delegation or revoke the appointment of and discharge any such
committees either wholly or in part, and either as to persons or purposes. Any
committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and
discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations which may be imposed on it
by the Board.
120.2 All acts done by any such
committee in conformity with such regulations, and in fulfillment of the
purposes for which it was appointed, but not otherwise, shall have like force
and effect as if done by the Board, and the Board (or if the Board delegates
such power, the committee) shall have power to remunerate the members of any
such committee, and charge such remuneration to the current expenses of the
Company.
121. The
meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members
shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Articles for regulating
the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and
are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board under the last
preceding Article, indicating, without limitation, any committee charter adopted
by the Board for purposes or in respect of any such committee.
122. A
resolution in writing signed by all the Directors shall (provided that such
number is sufficient to constitute a quorum and further provided that a copy of
such resolution has been given or the contents thereof communicated to all the
Directors for the time being entitled to receive notices of Board meetings in
the same manner as notices of meetings are required to be given by these
Articles) be as valid and effectual as if a resolution had been passed at a
meeting of the Board duly convened and held. Such resolution may be contained in
one document or in several documents in like form each signed by one or more of
the Directors and for this purpose a facsimile signature of a Director shall be
treated as valid.
123. All
acts bona fide done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as
a Director or members of a committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is
afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any
member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they
or any of them were disqualified or had vacated office, be as valid as if every
such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a
Director or member of such committee.
124. The
Board shall establish an audit committee, a nomination committee and a
compensation committee. During the Concerned Period, each such
committee shall consist of two (2) members, one being an Independent
Non-Executive Director nominated to such committee based on the recommendation
of the AutoChina Shareholders Representative and the other being an Independent
Non-Executive Director nominated to such committee based on the recommendation
of the Company Shareholders Representative. In any event that the two
(2) members in any such committee fail to reach a consensus with respect to any
matter, such matter shall be submitted to and decided by the Board by a
resolution of the board of directors approved with the affirmative consent or
approval of (i) at least six (6) members of the Board or (ii) in the event there
are less than six (6) members of the Board then in office, all of the members of
the Board then in office.
125. The
Company and each Director shall fully comply with, and shall cause to be
complied with, the code of business conduct, the insider trading policy, the
related party transaction procedures, the anti-corruption manual, the audit
committee charter, the compensation committee charter and the nomination
committee charter and other corporate governance policies, procedures, rules and
requirements of the Company adopted or to be adopted from time to time by the
Board (collectively, the Corporate Governance Rules).
126. [Intentionally
Omitted]
OFFICERS
127. 127.1 The
officers of the Company shall consist of the Chairman of the Board and Secretary
and such additional officers (who may or may not be Directors) as the Board may
from time to time determine, all of whom shall be deemed to be officers for the
purposes of the Law and these Articles.
127.2 The Directors shall, as soon as
may be after each appointment or election of Directors, elect amongst the
Directors a chairman and if more than one Director is proposed for this office,
the election to such office shall take place in such manner as the Directors may
determine.
127.3 The officers shall receive such
remuneration as the Directors may from time to time determine.
128. 128.1
The Secretary and additional officers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board
and shall hold office on such terms and for such period as the Board may
determine. If thought fit, two or more persons may be appointed as joint
Secretaries. The Board may also appoint from time to time on such terms as it
thinks fit one or more assistant or deputy Secretaries.
128.2 The Secretary shall attend all
meetings of the Members and shall keep correct minutes of such meetings and
enter the same in the proper books provided for the purpose. He shall perform
such other duties as are prescribed by the Law or these Articles or as may be
prescribed by the Board.
129. The
officers of the Company shall have such powers and perform such duties in the
management, business and affairs of the Company as may be delegated to them by
the Directors from time to time.
130. A
provision of the Law or of these Articles requiring or authorizing a thing to be
done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being
done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as or in place of the
Secretary.
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS
131. The
Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its Office a Register of
Directors and officers in which there shall be entered the full names and
addresses of the Directors and officers and such other particulars as required
by the Law or as the Directors may determine. The Company shall send to the
Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands a copy of such register, and shall
from time to time notify to the said Registrar of any change that takes place in
relation to such Directors and officers as required by the Law.
MINUTES
132. 132.1 The
Board shall cause minutes to be duly entered in books provided for the
purpose:
(a) of
all elections and appointments of officers;
(b) of
the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any
committee of the Directors;
(c) of
all resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting of the Members, meetings
of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board and where there are
managers, of all proceedings of meetings of the managers.
132.2 Minutes shall be kept by the
Secretary at the Office.
SEAL
133.
133.1 The Company shall have one or more
Seals, as the Board may determine. For the purpose of sealing documents creating
or evidencing securities issued by the Company, the Company may have a
securities seal which is a facsimile of the Seal of the Company with the
addition of the word Securities on its face or in such other form as the Board
may approve. The Board shall provide for the custody of each Seal and no Seal
shall be used without the authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board
authorized by the Board in that behalf. Subject as otherwise provided in these
Articles, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed
autographically by any officer of the Company, save that as regards any
certificates for shares or debentures or other securities of the Company the
Board may by resolution determine that such signatures or either of them shall
be dispensed with or affixed by some method or system of mechanical
signature.
Every instrument executed in manner provided by this Article shall be deemed to
be sealed and executed with the authority of the Board previously
given.
133.2 Where the Company has a Seal for
use abroad, the Board may by writing under the Seal appoint any agent or
committee abroad to be the duly authorized agent of the Company for the purpose
of affixing and using such Seal and the Board may impose restrictions on the use
thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these Articles reference is made to
the Seal, the reference shall, when and so far as may be applicable, be deemed
to include any such other Seal as aforesaid.
AUTHENTICATION OF
DOCUMENTS
134. Any
Director or the Secretary or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose
may authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company and any
resolution passed by the Company or the Board or any committee, and any books,
records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to
certify copies thereof or extracts therefrom as true copies or extracts, and if
any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office or
the head office the local manager or other officer of the Company having the
custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person so appointed by the Board. A
document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes
of a meeting, of the Company or of the Board or any committee which is so
certified shall be conclusive evidence in favor of all persons dealing with the
Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed or, as
the case may be, that such minutes or extract is a true and accurate record of
proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
135. 135.1 The
Company shall be entitled to destroy the following documents at the following
times
(a) any
share certificate which has been cancelled at any time after the expiry of one
(1) year from the date of such cancellation;
(b) any
dividend mandate or any variation or cancellation thereof or any notification of
change of name or address at any time after the expiry of two (2)
years from the date such mandate variation cancellation or notification was
recorded by the Company;
(c) any
instrument of transfer of shares which has been registered at any time after the
expiry of seven (7) years from the date of registration;
(d) any
allotment letters after the expiry of seven (7) years from the date of issue
thereof; and
(e) copies of
powers of attorney, grants of probate and letters of administration at any time
after the expiry of seven (7) years after the account to which the relevant
power of attorney, grant of probate or letters of administration related has
been closed;
and it shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that every
entry in the Register purporting to be made on the basis of any such documents
so destroyed was duly and properly made and every share certificate so destroyed
was a valid certificate duly and properly cancelled and that every instrument of
transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly
registered and that every other document destroyed hereunder was a valid and
effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars thereof in the
books or records of the Company. Provided always that: (1) the
foregoing provisions of this Article shall apply only to the destruction of a
document in good faith and without express notice to the Company that the
preservation of such document was relevant to a claim; (2) nothing contained in
this Article shall be construed as imposing upon the Company any liability in
respect of the destruction of any such document earlier than as aforesaid or in
any case where the conditions of proviso (1) above are not fulfilled; and (3)
references in this Article to the destruction of any document include references
to its disposal in any manner.
135.2 Notwithstanding any provision
contained in these Articles, the Directors may, if permitted by applicable law,
authorise the destruction of documents set out in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of
paragraph (1) of this Article and any other documents in relation to share
registration which have been microfilmed or electronically stored by the Company
or by the share registrar on its behalf provided always that this Article shall
apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express
notice to the Company and its share registrar that the preservation of such
document was relevant to a claim.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER
PAYMENTS
136. Subject
to the Law, the Company in general meeting or the Board may from time to time
declare dividends in any currency to be paid to the Members but no dividend
shall be declared in excess of the amount recommended by the Board.
137. Dividends
may be declared and paid out of the profits of the Company, realized or
unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors
determine is no longer needed. The Board may also declare and pay dividends out
of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized
for this purpose in accordance with the Law.
138. Except
in so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share
otherwise provide:
(a) all
dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the
shares in respect of which the dividend is paid; and
(b) all
dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid
up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of
which the dividend is paid.
139. The
Board may from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear
to the Board to be justified by the profits of the Company and in particular
(but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) if at any time the
share capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may
pay such interim dividends in respect of those shares in the capital of the
Company which confer on the holders thereof deferred or non-preferential rights
as well as in respect of those shares which confer on the holders thereof
preferential rights with regard to dividend and provided that the Board acts
bona fide the Board shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of shares
conferring any preference for any damage that they may suffer by reason of the
payment of an interim dividend on any shares having deferred or non-preferential
rights and may also pay any fixed dividend which is payable on any shares of the
Company half-yearly or on any other dates, whenever such profits, in the opinion
of the Board, justifies such payment.
140. The
Board may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Member by the
Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently
payable by him to the Company.
141. No
dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share
shall bear interest against the Company.
142. Any
dividend, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be
paid by check or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at his
registered address or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder
whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his address
as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person and at such address as
the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such check or warrant
shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to
the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the
holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such shares, and
shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the check or warrant by the
bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company
notwithstanding that it may subsequently appear that the same has been stolen or
that any endorsement thereon has been forged. Any one of two or more joint
holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable or
property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint
holders.
143. All
dividends or bonuses unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared may
be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company
until claimed. Any dividend or bonuses unclaimed after a period of six (6) years
from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.
The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable on or
in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a
trustee in respect thereof.
144. Whenever
the Board or the Company in general meeting has resolved that a dividend be paid
or declared, the Board may further resolve that such dividend be satisfied
wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind and in
particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe securities of
the Company or any other company, or in any one or more of such ways, and where
any difficulty arises in regard to the distribution the Board may settle the
same as it thinks expedient, and in particular may issue certificates in respect
of fractions of shares, disregard fractional entitlements or round the same up
or down, and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets, or any
part thereof, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members
upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all
parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient
to the Board and may appoint any person to sign any requisite instruments of
transfer and other documents on behalf of the persons entitled to the dividend,
and such appointment shall be effective and binding on the Members. The Board
may resolve that no such assets shall be made available to Members with
registered addresses in any particular territory or territories where, in the
absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, such
distribution of assets would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful
or impracticable and in such event the only entitlement of the Members aforesaid
shall be to receive cash payments as aforesaid. Members affected as a result of
the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of
Members for any purpose whatsoever.
145. 145.1 Whenever
the Board or the Company in general meeting has resolved that a dividend be paid
or declared on any class of the share capital of the Company, the Board may
further resolve either:
(a) that
such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of
shares credited as fully paid up, provided that the Members entitled thereto
will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if the Board
so determines) in cash in lieu of such allotment. In such case, the following
provisions shall apply:
(i) the basis
of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after
determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days
Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded
to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the
procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by
which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be
effective;
(iii) the right of election
may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend
in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that
part of the dividend to be satisfied by the allotment of shares as aforesaid)
shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the cash election has
not been duly exercised (the non-elected shares) and in satisfaction thereof
shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the
holders of the non-elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as
aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of any
part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and
standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium
account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve)
as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the
appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and
distribution to and amongst the holders of the non-elected shares on such basis;
or
(b) that the
Members entitled to such dividend shall be entitled to elect to receive an
allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such
part
of the
dividend as the Board may think fit. In such case, the following provisions
shall apply;
(i) the basis
of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after
determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days
Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded
to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the
procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by
which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be
effective;
(iii) the right of election
may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend
in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that
part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded)
shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the share election has
been duly exercised (the elected shares) and in lieu thereof shares of the
relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the
elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such
purpose the Board shall capitalize and apply out of any part of the undivided
profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of
any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption
reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine,
such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares
of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders
of the elected shares on such basis.
145.2
(a) The
shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article
shall rank pari passu in all respects with shares of the same class (if any)
then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend or in
any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced
prior to or contemporaneously with the payment or declaration of the relevant
dividend unless, contemporaneously with the announcement by the Board of their
proposal to apply the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) of
this Article in relation to the relevant dividend or contemporaneously with
their announcement of the distribution, bonus or rights in question, the Board
shall specify that the shares to be allotted pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank for participation in such distribution,
bonus or rights.
(b) The
Board may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give
effect to any capitalization pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this
Article, with full power to the Board to make such provisions as it thinks fit
in the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions
whereby, in whole or in pant, fractional entitlements are aggregated and sold
and the net proceeds distributed to those entitled, or are disregarded or
rounded up or down or whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to
the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Board may authorize any
person to enter into on behalf of all Members interested, an agreement with the
Company providing for such capitalization and matters incidental thereto and any
agreement made pursuant to such authority shall be effective and binding on all
concerned.
145.3 The Company may upon the
recommendation of the Board by ordinary resolution resolve in respect of any one
particular dividend of the Company that notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this Article a dividend may be satisfied wholly in the form of
an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up without offering any right to
shareholders to elect to receive such dividend in cash in lieu of such
allotment.
145.4 The Board may on any occasion
determine that rights of election and the allotment of shares under paragraph
(I) of this Article shall not be made available or made to any shareholders with
registered addresses in any territory where, in the absence of a registration
statement or other special formalities, the circulation of an offer of such
rights of election or the allotment of shares would or might, in the opinion of
the Board, be unlawful or impracticable, and in such event the provisions
aforesaid shall be read and construed subject to such determination. Members
affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a
separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.
145.5 Any resolution declaring a
dividend on shares of any class, whether a resolution of the Company in general
meeting or a resolution of the Board, may specify that the same shall be payable
or distributable to the persons registered as the holders of such shares at the
close of business on a particular date, notwithstanding that it may be a date
prior to that on which the resolution is passed, and thereupon the dividend
shall be payable or distributable to them in accordance with their respective
holdings so registered, but without prejudice to the rights inter se in respect
of such dividend of transferors and transferees of any such shares. The
provisions of this Article shall mutatis mutandis apply to bonuses,
capitalization issues, distributions of realized capital profits or offers or
grants made by the Company to the Members.
RESERVES
146. 146.1 The
Board shall establish an account to be called the share premium account and
shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the
amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share in the Company.
Unless otherwise provided by the provisions of these Articles, the Board may
apply the share premium account in any manner permitted by the Law. The Company
shall at all times comply with the provisions of the Law in relation to the
share premium account.
146.2 Before recommending any dividend,
the Board may set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as it
determines as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be
applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly
applied and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be
employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as
the Board may from time to time think fit and so that it shall not be necessary
to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves separate or
distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board may also without
placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which it may think prudent
not to distribute.
CAPITALISATION
147. The
Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time to
time pass an ordinary resolution to the effect that it is desirable to
capitalize all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the
credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and capital
redemption reserve and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same is
available for distribution and accordingly that such amount be set free for
distribution among the Members or any class of Members who would be entitled
thereto if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions,
on the footing that the same is not paid in cash but is applied in paying up in
full unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be
allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up among such Members and the
Board shall give effect to such resolution provided that, for the purposes of
this Article, a share premium account and any capital redemption reserve or fund
representing unrealized profits, may be applied only in paying up in full
unissued shares of the Company to be allotted to such Members credited as fully
paid.
148. The
Board may settle, as it considers appropriate, any difficulty arising in regard
to any distribution under the last preceding Article and in particular may issue
certificates in respect of fractions of shares or authorize any person to sell
and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as
nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may
ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments shall be made
to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem
expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of
the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary
or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective
and binding upon the Members.
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
RESERVE
149. The
following provisions shall have effect to the extent that they are not
prohibited by and are in compliance with the Law:
149.1 If, so long as any of the rights
attached to any warrants issued by the Company to subscribe for shares of the
Company shall remain exercisable, the Company does any act or engages in any
transaction which, as a result of any adjustments to the subscription price in
accordance with the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, would reduce
the subscription price to below the par value of a share, then the following
provisions shall apply:
(a) as
from the date of such act or transaction the Company shall establish and
thereafter (subject as provided in this Article) maintain in accordance with the
provisions of this Article a reserve (the Subscription Rights Reserve) the
amount of which shall at no time be less than the sum which for the time being
would be required to be capitalized and applied in paying up in full the nominal
amount of the additional shares required to be issued and allotted credited as
fully paid pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) below on the exercise in full of all
the subscription rights outstanding and shall apply the Subscription Rights
Reserve in paying up such additional shares in full as and when the same are
allotted;
(b) the
Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be used for any purpose other than that
specified above unless all other reserves of the Company (other than share
premium account) have been extinguished and will then only be used to make good
losses of the Company if and so far as is required by law;
(c) upon
the exercise of all or any of the subscription rights represented by any
warrant, the relevant subscription rights shall be exercisable in respect of a
nominal amount of shares equal to the amount in cash which the holder of such
warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented
thereby (or, as the case may be the relevant portion thereof in the event of a
partial exercise of the subscription rights) and, in addition, there shall be
allotted in respect of such subscription rights to the exercising warrantholder,
credited as fully paid, such additional nominal amount of shares as is equal to
the difference between:
(i) the
said amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on
exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be,
the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the
subscription rights); and
(ii) the
nominal amount of shares in respect of which such subscription rights would have
been exercisable having regard to the provisions of the conditions of the
warrants, had it been possible for such subscription rights to represent the
right to subscribe for shares at less than par and immediately upon such
exercise so much of the sum standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights
Reserve as is required to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of
shares shall be capitalized and applied in paying up in full such additional
nominal amount of shares which shall forthwith be allotted credited as fully
paid to the exercising warrantholders; and
(d) if,
upon the exercise of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the
amount standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve is not
sufficient to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares equal to
such difference as aforesaid to which the exercising warrantholder is entitled,
the Board shall apply any profits or reserves then or thereafter becoming
available (including, to the extent permitted by law, share premium account) for
such purpose until such additional nominal amount of shares is paid up and
allotted as aforesaid and until then no dividend or other distribution shall be
paid or made on the fully paid shares of the Company then in issue. Pending such
payment and allotment, the exercising warrantholder shall be issued by the
Company with a certificate evidencing his right to the allotment of such
additional nominal amount of shares. The rights represented by any such
certificate shall be in registered form and shall be transferable in whole or in
part in units of one share in the like manner as the shares for the time being
are transferable, and the Company shall make such arrangements in relation to
the maintenance of a register therefor and other matters in relation thereto as
the Board may think fit and adequate particulars thereof shall be made known to
each relevant exercising warrantholder upon the issue of such
certificate.
149.2 Shares allotted pursuant to the
provisions of this Article shall rank pari passu in all respects with the other
shares allotted on the relevant exercise of the subscription rights represented
by the warrant concerned. Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (1) of
this Article, no fraction of any share shall be allotted on exercise of the
subscription rights.
149.3 The provision of this Article as
to the establishment and maintenance of the Subscription Rights Reserve shall
not be altered or added to in any way which would vary or abrogate, or which
would have the effect of varying or abrogating the provisions for the benefit of
any warrantholder or class of warrantholders under this Article without the
sanction of a special resolution of such warrantholders or class of
warrantholders.
149.4 A certificate or report by the
auditors for the time being of the Company as to whether or not the Subscription
Rights Reserve is required to be established and maintained and if so the amount
thereof so required to be established and maintained, as to the purposes for
which the Subscription Rights Reserve has been used, as to the extent to which
it has been used to make good losses of the Company, as to the additional
nominal amount of shares required to be allotted to exercising warrantholders
credited as fully paid, and as to any other matter concerning the Subscription
Rights Reserve shall (in the absence of manifest error) be conclusive and
binding upon the Company and all warrantholders and shareholders.
ACCOUNTING
RECORDS
150. The
Board shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and
expended by the Company, and the matters in respect of which such receipt and
expenditure take place, and of the property, assets, credits and liabilities of
the Company and of all other matters required by the Law or necessary to give a
true and fair view of the Companys affairs and to explain its
transactions.
151. The
accounting records shall be kept at the Office or, at such other place or places
as the Board decides and shall always be open to inspection by the Directors. No
Member (other than a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any accounting
record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or
authorized by the Board or the Company in general meeting.
152. Subject
to the provisions of Article 153, a printed copy of the Directors report,
accompanied by the balance sheet and profit and loss account, including every
document required by law to be annexed thereto, made up to the end of the
applicable financial year and containing a summary of the assets and liabilities
of the Company under convenient heads and a statement of income and expenditure,
together with a copy of the Auditors report, shall be sent to each person
entitled thereto at least ten (10) days before the date of the general meeting
and laid before the Company at the annual general meeting held in accordance
with Article 56 provided that this Article shall not require a copy of those
documents to be sent to any person whose address the Company is not aware or to
more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures.
153. Subject
to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, and
to obtaining all necessary consents, if any, required thereunder, the
requirements of Article 152 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person
by sending to the person in any manner not prohibited by the Statutes, a summary
financial statement derived from the Companys annual accounts and the directors
report which shall be in the form and containing the information required by
applicable laws and regulations, provided that any person who is otherwise
entitled to the annual financial statements of the Company and the directors
report thereon may, if he so requires by notice in writing served on the
Company, demand that the Company sends to him, in addition to a summary
financial statement, a complete printed copy of the Companys annual financial
statement and the directors report thereon.
154. The
requirement to send to a person referred to in Article 152 the documents
referred to in that article or a summary financial report in accordance with
Article 153 shall be deemed satisfied where, in accordance with all applicable
Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules of the
Designated Stock Exchange, the Company publishes copies of the documents
referred to in Article 152 and, if applicable, a summary financial report
complying with Article 153, on the Companys computer network or in any other
permitted manner (including by sending any form of electronic communication),
and that person has agreed or is deemed to have agreed to treat the publication
or receipt of such documents in such manner as discharging the Companys
obligation to send to him a copy of such documents.
AUDIT
155. Subject
to applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange:
155.1 At the annual general meeting or
at a subsequent extraordinary general meeting in each year, the Members shall
appoint an auditor to audit the accounts of the Company and such auditor shall
hold office until the Members appoint another auditor. Such auditor
may be a Member but no Director or officer or employee of the Company shall,
during his continuance in office, be eligible to act as an auditor of the
Company.
155.2 A person, other than a retiring
Auditor, shall not be capable of being appointed Auditor at an annual general
meeting unless notice in writing of an intention to nominate that person to the
office of Auditor has been given not less than fourteen (14) days before the
annual general meeting and furthermore, the Company shall send a copy of any
such notice to the retiring Auditor.
155.3 The Members may, at any general
meeting convened and held in accordance with these Articles, by ordinary
resolution remove the Auditor at any time before the expiration of his term of
office and shall by ordinary resolution at that meeting appoint another Auditor
in his stead for the remainder of his term.
156. Subject
to the Law the accounts of the Company shall be audited at least once in every
year.
157. The
remuneration of the Auditor shall be fixed by the Board.
158. If
the office of auditor becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the Auditor,
or by his becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability
at a time when his services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy
and determine the remuneration of such Auditor.
159. The
Auditor shall at all reasonable times have access to all books kept by the
Company and to all accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he may call on
the Directors or officers of the Company for any information in their possession
relating to the books or affairs of the Company.
160. The
statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by these
Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books,
accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report
thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so as to
present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its
operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have been
called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has been
furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company
shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall be
submitted to the Members in general meeting. The generally accepted auditing
standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other
than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the
Auditor should disclose this act and name such country or
jurisdiction.
NOTICES
161. Any
Notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles
from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile
transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or communication
and any such Notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company on or
to any Member either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid
envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing in the
Register or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose
or, as the case may be, by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting
it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or address
or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of Notice to him or
which the person transmitting the notice reasonably and bona fide believes at
the relevant time will result in the Notice being duly received by the Member or
may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance with
the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or, to the extent permitted by
the applicable laws, by placing it on the Companys website and giving to the
member a notice stating that the notice or other document is available there (a
notice of availability). The notice of availability may be given to the Member
by any of the means set out above. In the case of joint holders of a share all
notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first
in the Register and notice so given shall be deemed a sufficient service on or
delivery to all the joint holders.
162. Any
Notice or other document:
(a) if
served or delivered by post, shall where appropriate be sent by airmail and
shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on
which the envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put
into the post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to
prove that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was
properly addressed and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by
the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the
Board that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or other document was
so addressed and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence
thereof,
(b) if
sent by electronic communication, shall be deemed to be given on the day on
which it is transmitted from the server of the Company or its agent. A notice
placed on the Companys website is deemed given by the Company to a Member on the
day following that on which a notice of availability is deemed served on the
Member; and
(c) if
served or delivered in any other manner contemplated by these Articles, shall be
deemed to have been served or delivered at the time of personal service or
delivery or, as the case may be, at the time of the relevant dispatch or
transmission; and in proving such service or delivery a certificate in writing
signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person
appointed by the Board as to the act and time of such service, delivery,
dispatch or transmission shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
163. 163.1 Any
Notice or other document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered
address of any Member in pursuance of these Articles shall, notwithstanding that
such Member is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and
whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event,
be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share
registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder unless his name
shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the notice or document, have
been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service or
delivery shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service or delivery of
such Notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as
claiming through or under him) in the share.
163.2 A notice may be given by the
Company to the person entitled to a share in consequence of the death, mental
disorder or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid
letter, envelope or wrapper addressed to him by name, or by the title of
representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like
description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the person
claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by
giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the
death, mental disorder or bankruptcy had not occurred.
163.3 Any person who by operation of
law, transfer or other means whatsoever shall become entitled to any share shall
be bound by every notice in respect of such share which prior to his name and
address being entered on the Register shall have been duly given to the person
from whom he derives his title to such share.
SIGNATURES
164. For
the purposes of these Articles, a cable or telex or facsimile or electronic
transmission message purporting to come from a holder of shares or, as the case
may be, a Director, or, in the case of a corporation which is a holder of shares
from a director or the secretary thereof or a duly appointed attorney or duly
authorized representative thereof for it and on its behalf, shall in the absence
of express evidence to the contrary available to the person relying thereon at
the relevant time be deemed to be a document or instrument in writing signed by
such holder or Director in the terms in which it is received.
WINDING
UP
165. The
Board shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a
petition to the court for the Company to be wound up. A resolution that the
Company be wound up by the court or be wound up voluntarily shall be a special
resolution.
166. 166.1 Subject
to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of
available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class
or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets
available for distribution amongst the Members of the Company shall be more than
sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the
winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such members in
proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively and
(ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution
amongst the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the
paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may be,
the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid up,
or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on
the shares held by them respectively.
166.2 If the Company shall be wound up
(whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the court) the liquidator may, with
the authority of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the
Law, divide among the Members in specie or kind the whole or any part of the
assets of the Company and whether or not the assets shall consist of properties
of one kind or shall consist of properties to be divided as aforesaid of
different kinds, and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon
any one or more class or classes of property and may determine how such division
shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The
liquidator may, with the like authority, vest any part of the assets in trustees
upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator with the like
authority shall think fit, and the liquidation of the Company may be closed and
the Company dissolved, but so that no contributory shall be compelled to accept
any shares or other property in respect of which there is a
liability.
166.3 In the event of winding-up of the
Company in the Peoples Republic of China, every Member of the Company who is not
for the time being in the Peoples Republic of China shall be bound, within 14
days after the passing of an effective resolution to wind up the Company
voluntarily, or the making of an order for the winding-up of the Company, to
serve notice in writing on the Company appointing some person resident in the
Peoples Republic of China and stating that persons full name, address and
occupation upon whom all summonses, notices, process, orders and judgments in
relation to or under the winding-up of the Company may be served, and in default
of such nomination the liquidator of the Company shall be at liberty on behalf
of such Member to appoint some such person, and service upon any such appointee,
whether appointed by the Member or the liquidator, shall be deemed to be good
personal service on such Member for all purposes, and, where the liquidator
makes any such appointment, he shall with all convenient speed give notice
thereof to such Member by advertisement as he shall deem appropriate or by a
registered letter sent through the post and addressed to such Member at his
address as appearing in the register, and such notice shall be deemed to be
service on the day following that on which the advertisement first appears or
the letter is posted.
INDEMNITY
167. 167.1 The
Directors, Secretary and other officers and every Auditor for the time being of
the Company and the liquidator or trustees (if any) for the time being acting in
relation to any of the affairs of the Company and everyone of them, and everyone
of their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be indemnified and secured
harmless out of the assets and profits of the Company from and against all
actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them,
their or any of their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or
sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the
execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or
trusts; and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects or
defaults of the other or others of them or for joining in any receipts for the
sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys or
effects belonging to the Company shall or may be lodged or deposited for safe
custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any
moneys of or belonging to the Company shall be placed out on or invested, or for
any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of their
respective offices or trusts, or in relation thereto; PROVIDED THAT this
indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty
which may attach to any of said persons.
167.2 Each Member agrees to waive any
claim or right of action he might have, whether individually or by or in the
right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by
such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the
performance of his duties with or for the Company; PROVIDED THAT such waiver
shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may
attach to such Director.
AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM AND
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
AND NAME OF
COMPANY
168. No
Article shall be rescinded, altered or amended and no new Article shall be made
until the same has been approved by an ordinary resolution of the Members. An
ordinary resolution shall be required to alter the provisions of the Memorandum
of Association or to change the name of the Company.
INFORMATION
169. No
Member shall be entitled to require discovery of or any information respecting
any detail of the Companys trading or any matter which is or may be in the
nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of
the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Directors it will be
inexpedient in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate to the
public.
SCHEDULE
P
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “
Agreement
”) is entered into as
of ___________ __, 2009, among the following persons:
(A) AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED F/K/A SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP., a corporation
duly organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “
Company
”); and
(B) HONEST
BEST INT’L LTD, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the
British Virgin Islands (“
FounderCo
”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to purchase all of FounderCo’s ownership of capital stock of
AutoChina (as defined in the Share Exchange Agreement), in consideration for
certain Ordinary Shares of the Company, US$0.001 par value with the rights,
privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in the New SCAC Articles (as
defined in the Share Exchange Agreement) (the “
Ordinary Shares
”), on the
terms and conditions set forth in that certain Share Exchange Agreement, dated
_________ __, 2009 by and among the Company, FounderCo, AutoChina, and certain
other parties (the “
Share
Exchange Agreement
”); and
WHEREAS,
the Share Exchange Agreement provides that the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by each of the Company and FounderCo shall be a condition precedent to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Share Exchange
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions
hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1.
DEFINITIONS.
1.1
Certain Defined
Terms
. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following respective meanings:
“
Affiliate
” shall have the
meaning set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
Board
” shall have the meaning
set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
Business Day
” or “
business day
” shall have the
meaning set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
Closing Date
” shall have the
meaning set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
Person
” or “
person
” shall have the meaning
set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
PRC
” shall have the meaning
set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
Securities Act
” shall have the
meaning set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
“
Subsidiary
” or “
subsidiary
” shall have the
meaning set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.
2.
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS
.
2.1
Applicability of
Rights
. Subject to Section 5.09 of the Share Exchange
Agreement, the Holders shall be entitled to the following rights with respect to
any potential public offering of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in the United
States and shall be entitled to reasonably analogous or equivalent rights with
respect to any other offering of the Company's securities in any other
jurisdiction in which the Company undertakes to publicly offer or list such
securities for trading on a recognized securities exchange.
2.2
Definitions
. For
purposes of this Section 2:
(a)
Exchange
Act
. The term “
Exchange Act
” shall mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor
statute.
(b)
Form
F-3
. The term “
Form F-3
” shall mean such
respective form under the Securities Act as is in effect on the date hereof or
any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by
the SEC which permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by
reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
(c)
Form
S-3
. The term “
Form S-3
” shall mean such form
under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor or
similar registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the
SEC which permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by
reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
(d)
Holder
. For
purposes of this Section 2, the term “
Holder
” shall mean any person
owning or having the rights to acquire Registrable Securities or any permitted
assignee of record of such Registrable Securities to whom rights under this
Section 2 have been duly assigned in accordance with this
Agreement.
(e)
Registration
. The
terms “
register
,” “
registered
,” and “
registration
” refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement which is
in a form which complies with, and is declared effective by the SEC (as defined
below) in accordance with, the Securities Act.
(f)
Registrable
Securities
. The term “
Registrable Securities
” shall
mean: (1) any Ordinary Shares of the Company issued to FounderCo under the Share
Exchange Agreement; (2) any Ordinary Shares of the Company issued (or issuable
upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security which is
issued) as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for
or in replacement of, any Ordinary Shares described in clause (1) of this
subsection (f); and (3) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split,
combination, recapitalization or similar event with respect to any Ordinary
Shares described in clause (1) and (2) of this subsection
(f). Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Registrable Securities” shall
exclude any Registrable Securities sold by a person in a transaction in which
rights under this Section 2 are not assigned in accordance with this Agreement,
and any Registrable Securities which are sold in a registered public offering
under the Securities Act or analogous statute of another jurisdiction, or sold
pursuant to Rule 144, Regulation S or another exemption from registration under
the Securities Act or analogous rule of another jurisdiction.
(g)
Registrable Securities Then
Outstanding
. The number of shares of “
Registrable Securities then
outstanding
” shall mean the number of Ordinary Shares of the Company that
are Registrable Securities and are then issued and outstanding.
(h)
Registration
Expenses
. The term “
Registration Expenses
” shall
mean all expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2.3, 2.4,
or 2.5 hereof, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees,
printing expenses, fees, and disbursements of counsel for the Company,
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Holders, Blue Sky fees and
expenses and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any
such registration (but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the
Company which shall be paid in any event by the Company).
(i)
SEC
. The
term “
SEC
” or “
Commission
” shall mean the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(j)
Selling
Expenses
. The term “
Selling Expenses
” shall mean
all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5
hereof.
(k) For
purposes of this Agreement, reference to registration of securities under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall be deemed to mean the equivalent
registration in a jurisdiction other than the United States as designated by
such Holders, it being understood and agreed that in each such case all
references in this Agreement to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and rules,
forms of registration statements and registration of securities thereunder, U.S.
law and the SEC, shall be deemed to refer, to the equivalent statutes, rules,
forms of registration statements, registration of securities and laws of and
equivalent government authority in the applicable non-U.S.
jurisdiction.
2.3
Demand
Registration
.
(a)
Request by
Holders
. If the Company shall, at any time after six (6)
months following the date hereof, receive a written request from the Holders of
at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding that
the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the
registration of no less than fifty percent (50%) of such Holders’ Registrable
Securities pursuant to this Section 2.3 (or a lesser percentage if the
anticipated gross proceeds from the offering shall exceed US$15,000,000), then
the Company shall, within ten (10) business days of the receipt of such written
request, give written notice of such request (“
Request Notice
”) to all
Holders, and use commercially reasonable efforts to effect, as soon as
practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable
Securities that the Holders request to be registered and included in such
registration by written notice given by such Holders to the Company within
twenty (20) days after receipt of the Request Notice, subject only to the
limitations of this Section 2.3; provided that the Company shall not be
obligated to effect any such registration if the Company has, within the six (6)
month period preceding the date of such request, already effected a registration
under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 2.3 or Section 2.5 or in which
the Holders had an opportunity to participate pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.4, other than a registration from which the Registrable Securities of
the Holders have been excluded (with respect to all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities the Holders requested be included in such registration)
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.4(a).
(b)
Underwriting
. If
the Holders initiating the registration request under this Section 2.3 (the
“
Initiating Holders
”)
intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by
means of an underwriting, then they shall so advise the Company as a part of
their request made pursuant to this Section 2.3 and the Company shall include
such information in the Request Notice. In such event, the right of
any Holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be
conditioned upon such Holder's participation in such underwriting and the
inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless
otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders
and such Holder) to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing
to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or
underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities being registered and reasonably acceptable to the
Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.3, if
the underwriter(s) advise(s) the Company in writing that marketing factors
require a limitation of the number of securities to be underwritten, then the
Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities which would
otherwise be registered and underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of
Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be reduced
as required by the underwriter(s) and allocated among the Holders of Registrable
Securities on a pro rata basis according to the number of Registrable Securities
then outstanding held by each Holder requesting registration (including the
Initiating Holders); provided, however, that the number of shares of Registrable
Securities to be included in such underwriting and registration shall not be
reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the
underwriting and registration including, without limitation, all shares that are
not Registrable Securities and are held by any other person, including, without
limitation, any person who is an employee, officer or director of the Company or
any subsidiary of the Company; provided further, that at least twenty percent
(20%) of shares of Registrable Securities requested by the Holders to be
included in such underwriting and registration shall be so
included. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such
underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to
the Company and the underwriter(s), delivered at least ten (10) business days
prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any
Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be
excluded and withdrawn from the registration.
(c)
Maximum Number of Demand
Registrations
. The Company shall not be obligated to effect
more than one (1) such demand registrations pursuant to this Section
2.3.
(d)
Deferral
. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Company shall furnish to Holders requesting registration
pursuant to this Section 2.3, a certificate signed by the President or Chief
Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the
Board, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders
for such registration statement to be filed at such time, then the Company shall
have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90)
days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders;
provided
,
however
, that the
Company may not utilize this right more than once in any twelve (12) month
period.
2.4
Piggyback
Registrations
.
(a) The
Company shall notify all Holders of Registrable Securities in writing at least
thirty (30) days prior to filing any registration statement under the Securities
Act for purposes of effecting a public offering of securities of the Company
(including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary
offerings of securities of the Company, but excluding registration statements
relating to any registration under Section 2.3 or Section 2.5 of this Agreement
or to any employee benefit plan or a corporate reorganization or other Rule 145
transaction, an offer and sale of debt securities, or a registration on any
registration form that does not permit secondary sales), and shall afford each
such Holder an opportunity to include in such registration statement all or any
part of the Registrable Securities then held by such Holder. Each
Holder desiring to include in any such registration statement all or any part of
the Registrable Securities held by it shall within twenty (20) days after
receipt of the above described notice from the Company, so notify the Company in
writing, and in such notice shall inform the Company of the number of
Registrable Securities such Holder wishes to include in such registration
statement. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable
Securities in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such
Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable
Securities in any subsequent registration statement or registration statements
as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all
upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(b)
Underwriting
. If
a registration statement under which the Company gives notice under this Section
2.4 is for an underwritten offering, then the Company shall so advise the
Holders of Registrable Securities. In such event, the right of any
such Holder's Registrable Securities to be included in a registration pursuant
to this Section 2.4 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in
such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in
the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing
to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter
into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter
or underwriters selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement but subject to the Section 5.09 of the Share
Exchange Agreement, if the managing underwriter(s) determine(s) in good faith
that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be
underwritten, then the managing underwriter(s) may exclude shares from the
registration and the underwriting, and the number of shares that may be included
in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to the
Company, second, to each of the Holders requesting inclusion of their
Registrable Securities in such registration statement on a pro rata basis based
on the total number of shares of Registrable Securities then held by each such
Holder, and third, to holders of other securities of the Company;
provided
,
however
, that the
right of the underwriter(s) to exclude shares (including Registrable Securities)
from the registration and underwriting as described above shall be restricted so
that (i) the number of Registrable Securities included in any such registration
is not reduced below thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate number of shares of
Registrable Securities for which inclusion has been requested; and (ii) all
shares that are not Registrable Securities and are held by any other person,
including, without limitation, any person who is an employee, officer or
director of the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) shall first be
excluded from such registration and underwriting before any Registrable
Securities are so excluded unless otherwise approved by the majority of the
Holders of the Registrable Securities in writing. If any Holder
disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to
withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter(s),
delivered at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of the
registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or
withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the
registration.
(c)
Limit on Piggyback
Registration
. There shall be no limit on the number of times
the Holders may request the inclusion of Registrable Securities in a
Company-initiated registration under this Section 2.4; provided that the Company
has no obligation to initiate any such registration.
(d)
Right to Terminate
Registration
. The Company shall have the right to terminate or
withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.4 prior to the
effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has requested to
include securities in such registration. The expenses of such
withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section
2.6 hereof.
2.5
Form F-3 and Form S-3
Registration
. In case the Company shall receive from any
Holder or Holders of a majority of all Registrable Securities then outstanding a
written request or requests that the Company effect a registration on Form F-3
or Form S-3 (or an equivalent registration in a jurisdiction outside of the
United States) and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all
or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, then
the Company will:
(a)
Notice
. Promptly
give written notice of the proposed registration and the Holder's or Holders’
request therefor, and any related qualification or compliance, to all other
Holders of Registrable Securities; and
(b)
Registration
. As
soon as practicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such
registration and all such qualifications and compliances as may be so requested
and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such
portion of such Holders or Holders' Registrable Securities as are specified in
such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of
any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in a
written request given within twenty (20) days after the Company provides the
notice contemplated by Section 2.5(a);
provided
,
however
, that the
Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or
compliance pursuant to this Section 2.5:
(i)
if Form F-3 or Form S-3 is not available for such
offering by the Holders;
(ii) if
the Holders, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company
entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable
Securities and such other securities (if any) at an aggregate price to the
public of less than US$2,000,000;
(iii) if
the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the President
or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith
judgment of the Board, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its
shareholders for such Form F-3 or Form S-3 Registration to be effected at such
time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer the filing of the
Form F-3 or Form S-3 registration statement no more than once during any twelve
(12) month period for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt
of the request of the Holder or Holders under this Section 2.5; provided that
the Company shall not register any of its other shares during such ninety (90)
day period;
(iv) if
the Company has, within the six (6) month period preceding the date of such
request, already effected a registration under the Securities Act other than a
registration from which the Registrable Securities of Holders have been excluded
(with respect to all or any portion of the Registrable Securities the Holders
requested be included in such registration) pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.4(b); or
(v) in
any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to
do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting
such registration, qualification or compliance.
(c)
Limit on Form F-3 or Form
S-3 Registration
. Except as otherwise provided herein, there
shall be no limit on the number of times the Holders may request registration of
Registrable Securities under this Section 2.5; provided that the Company shall
not be required to file more than one (1) Form F-3 or Form S-3 registration
statements in any twelve (12) month period.
(d)
Underwriting
. If
the Holders of Registrable Securities requesting registration under this Section
2.5 intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by
means of an underwriting, the provisions of Section 2.3(b) shall apply to such
registration.
2.6
Expenses
. All
Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration pursuant to
Sections 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5 (but excluding Selling Expenses and expenses for the
special counsel of the selling Holders which are not included in the
Registration Expenses) shall be borne by the Company. Each Holder
participating in a registration pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5 shall bear
such Holder’s proportionate share (based on the total number of shares sold in
such registration other than for the account of the Company) of all Selling
Expenses or other amounts payable to underwriter(s) or brokers, in connection
with such offering by the Holders.
2.7
Obligations of the
Company
. Whenever required to effect the registration of any
Registrable Securities under this Agreement the Company shall, as expeditiously
as reasonably possible:
(a)
Registration
Statement
. Prepare and file with the SEC a registration
statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective,
and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities
registered thereunder, keep such registration statement effective for a period
of up to one hundred twenty (120) days or, in the case of Registrable Securities
registered under Form F-3 or Form S-3 in accordance with Rule 415 under the
Securities Act or a successor rule, for a period of up to ninety (90) days;
provided
,
however
, that (i)
such one hundred twenty (120) day period shall be extended for a period of time
equal to the period any Holder refrains from selling any securities included in
such registration at the request of the underwriter(s), and (ii) in the case of
any registration of Registrable Securities on Form F-3 or Form S-3 which are
intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such ninety (90) day
period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration statement
effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold.
(b)
Amendments and
Supplements
. Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such registration statement.
(c)
Prospectuses
. Furnish
to the Holders such number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary
prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such
other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by them that are included in
such registration.
(d)
Blue
Sky
. Use its best efforts to register and qualify the
securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or
Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the
Holders; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith
or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent
to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is
already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by
the Securities Act.
(e)
Underwriting
. In
the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its
obligations under an underwriting agreement in usual and customary form, with
the managing underwriter(s) of such offering.
(f)
Notification
. Notify
each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at
any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act of (i) the issuance of any stop order by the SEC in respect
of such registration statement, or (ii) the happening of any event as a result
of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in
effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing.
(g)
Listing
. Cause
all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed on
each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are
then listed.
(h)
CUSIP
Number
. Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all
Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder and a CUSIP number for all
such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of
such registration.
(i)
Opinion and Comfort
Letter
. Furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting
registration of Registrable Securities, on the date that such Registrable
Securities are delivered to the underwriter(s) for sale, if such securities are
being sold through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold
through underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect
to such securities becomes effective, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of
the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in
form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten
public offering and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the
Holders requesting registration, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and (ii)
letters dated as of (x) the effective date of the registration statement
covering such Registrable Securities and (y) the closing date of the offering
from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and
substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably satisfactory to a
majority in interest of the Holders requesting registration, addressed to the
underwriters, if any.
2.8
Furnish
Information
. It shall be a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4, or
2.5 that the selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information
regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended
method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to timely effect
the Registration of their Registrable Securities.
2.9
Indemnification
. In
the event any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement
under Sections 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5:
(a)
By the
Company
. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its partners, officers, directors,
legal counsel, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such
Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become
subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or applicable securities
law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements,
omissions or violations (collectively a “
Violation
”):
(i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
such registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements
thereto;
(ii) 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;
or
(iii) any
violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act, any United States federal or state securities law, or any rule or
regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any United
States federal or any applicable securities laws in connection with the offering
covered by such registration statement;
and the
Company will reimburse each such Holder, its partner, officer, director, legal
counsel, underwriter or controlling person for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them, as incurred, in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action;
provided
,
however
, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this subSection 2.9(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such
case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it
arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection
with such registration by such Holder, or any partner, officer, director, legal
counsel, underwriter or controlling person of such Holder.
(b)
By Selling
Holders
. To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder
will, if Registrable Securities held by Holder are included in the securities as
to which such registration qualifications or compliance is being effected,
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who has signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter
and any other Holder selling securities under such registration statement or any
of such other Holder's partners, directors, officers, legal counsel or any
person who controls such Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or
several) to which the Company or any such director, officer, legal counsel,
controlling person, underwriter or other such Holder, partner or director,
officer or controlling person of such other Holder may become subject under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other applicable securities law, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto)
arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and
only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished by such Holder expressly for use
in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will reimburse any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director,
officer, controlling person, underwriter or other Holder, partner, officer,
director or controlling person of such other Holder in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action;
provided
,
however
, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.9(b) shall not apply to amounts
paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld; and provided, further, that in no event shall any
indemnity under this Section 2.9(b) exceed the net proceeds received by such
Holder in the registered offering out of which the applicable Violation
arises.
(c)
Notice
. Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 2.9 of notice of the
commencement of any action (including any governmental action), such indemnified
party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying
party under this Section 2.9, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice
of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to
participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense
thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties;
provided
,
however
, that an
indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees
and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such
indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential conflict of interests between such
indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such
proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying
party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall
relieve such indemnifying party of liability to the indemnified party under this
Section 2.9 to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced as a result
thereof, but the omission to so deliver written notice to the indemnifying party
will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under this Section 2.9.
(d)
Contribution
. In
order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under
the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any indemnified party makes a
claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 2.9 but it is judicially
determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent
jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last
right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case
notwithstanding the fact that this Section 2.9 provides for indemnification in
such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the
part of any indemnified party in circumstances for which indemnification is
provided under this Section 2.9; then, and in each such case, the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party will contribute to the aggregate losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution
from others) in such proportion so that a Holder (together with its related
persons) is responsible for the portion represented by the percentage that the
public offering price of its Registrable Securities offered by and sold under
the registration statement bears to the public offering price of all securities
offered by and sold under such registration statement, and the Company and other
selling Holders are responsible for the remaining portion. The
relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be
determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by
the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission;
provided
,
however
, that, in any
such case: (A) no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of
the net proceeds to such Holder from the sale of all such Registrable Securities
offered and sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement; and (B)
no person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from
any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
(e)
Survival; Consents to
Judgments and Settlements
. The obligations of the Company and
Holders under this Section 2.9 shall survive the completion of any offering of
Registrable Securities in a registration statement, regardless of the expiration
of any statutes of limitation or extensions of such statutes. No
indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall,
except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional
term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party
of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or
litigation.
2.10
Termination of the Company’s
Obligations
. The Company’s obligations under Sections 2.3,
2.4, or 2.5 with respect to any Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by a
Holder in a registration pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5 shall terminate
on the earlier of the (i) third (3
rd
)
anniversary of the Closing Date, or (ii) date in which all of the Registrable
Securities may be sold by the Holders without registration pursuant to Rule 144
or 144A.
2.11
Rule 144
Reporting
. With a view to making available to the Holders the
benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time
permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration
or pursuant to a registration on Form F-3 or Form S-3, after such time as a
public market exists for the Ordinary Shares, the Company agrees
to:
(a) Make
and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined
in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of
the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an
offering of its securities to the general public;
(b) File
with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the
Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has
become subject to such reporting requirements); and
(c) So
long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to such Holder
forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company as to its
compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting
requirements), or its qualification as a registrant whose securities may be
resold pursuant to Form F-3 or Form S-3 (at any time after it so qualifies),
(ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and
(iii) such other reports and documents of the Company as a Holder may reasonably
request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the
selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to Form F-3 or
Form S-3.
3.
MISCELLANEOUS
.
3.1
Amendment
. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing
signed by each of the Parties.
3.2
Headings
. The
headings contained in the Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of the
Agreement.
3.3
Severability
. If
any term or other provision of the Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of
being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of the Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to any Party. Upon such
determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify the
Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as
possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated
hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
3.4
Entire
Agreement
. The Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between
the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, are not intended to confer upon any other person any
rights or remedies hereunder.
3.5
Assignment of Registration
Rights
. A Holder may assign its rights under the Agreement to
a transferee or assignee of such securities with the prior written consent of
the Company, provided that: (a) the Company is furnished with written notice of
the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; and (b) such
transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms
and conditions of the Agreement.
3.6
Arbitration
.
(a) Any
dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or
the interpretation, breach, termination or validity hereof, shall be resolved in
accordance with this Section 3.6. Any dispute, controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach,
termination or validity hereof, shall be initially be resolved through
consultation. Such consultation shall begin immediately after one
Party hereto has delivered to the other Parties hereto a written request for
such consultation. If within thirty (30) days following the date on
which such notice is given the dispute cannot be resolved, the dispute shall be
resolved by arbitration.
(b) The
arbitration shall be conducted in Hong Kong under the auspices of the Hong Kong
International Arbitration Centre (the “
Centre
”). There
shall be three arbitrators. Each of the Company and FounderCo shall
each select one (1) arbitrator within thirty (30) days after giving or receiving
the demand for arbitration. The Chairman of the Centre shall act as
the third arbitrator. If the Parties to the dispute do not appoint an
arbitrator who has consented to participate within thirty (30) days after
selection of the first arbitrator, the relevant appointment shall be made by the
Chairman of the Centre.
(c) The
arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English. The
arbitration tribunal shall apply the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in effect at the
time of the arbitration. However, if such rules are in conflict with
the provisions of this Section 3.6 including the provisions concerning the
appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 3.6 shall
prevail.
(d) The
arbitrators shall decide any dispute submitted by the Parties to the arbitration
strictly in accordance with the substantive law of the State of New York and
shall not apply any other substantive law, except to the extent required by the
terms of the Agreement.
(e) Each
Party hereto shall cooperate with the others in making full disclosure of and
providing complete access to all information and documents requested by the
others in connection with such arbitration proceedings, subject only to any
confidentiality obligations binding on such Party.
(f)
The award of the arbitration tribunal shall be final and
binding upon the disputing Parties, and any Party may apply to a court of
competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(g) Each
Party shall cooperate and use their respective best efforts to take all actions
reasonably required to facilitate the prompt enforcement in the PRC or in any
other jurisdiction of any arbitration award made by the tribunal.
(h) A
Party shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief, if possible, from
any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral
tribunal.
3.7
Waiver of
Immunity
. To the extent that each of the Parties (including
its \assignees of any such rights or obligations hereunder) may be entitled, in
any jurisdiction, to claim for itself (or himself or herself) or its revenues or
Assets and Properties, immunity from service of process, suit, the jurisdiction
of any court, an interlocutory order or injunction or the enforcement of the
same against its property in such court, attachment prior to judgment,
attachment in aid of execution of an arbitral award or judgment (interlocutory
or final) or any other legal process, and to the extent that, in any such
jurisdiction there may be attributed such immunity (whether claimed or not),
such Party hereby irrevocably waive such immunity.
3.8
Governing
Law
. The Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the state of New York.
3.9
Counterparts
. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different
Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to
be an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the
same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto
have executed this Agreement as of the day and year herein above first
written.
THE
COMPANY:
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
|
FOUNDERCO:
|
|
HONEST
BEST INT’L LTD
|
|
|
|
Name:
Wang Yan
|
Title:
Director
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
SCHEDULE
Q
VOTING
AGREEMENT
THIS
VOTING AGREEMENT (this “
Agreement
”) is made
as of ______ __, 2009, by and among HONEST BEST INT’L LTD, a company
incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“
FounderCo
”) and
SPRING CREEK ACQUISITION CORP., (“
SCAC
,” which will be
renamed as AutoChina International Limited effective as of the date hereof), a
company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman
Islands.
RECITALS
A. SCAC,
AutoChina, FounderCo, and certain other parties entered into a Share Exchange
Agreement dated __________ __, 2009(the “
Share Exchange
Agreement
”), pursuant to which SCAC will, at the closing of the Share
Exchange Agreement, acquire from each AutoChina Shareholder all the shares it
holds in AutoChina, and as a part of consideration for such acquisition, issue
to each AutoChina Shareholder a certain number of SCAC Ordinary
Shares. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Share
Exchange Agreement shall have the same meaning where used in this
Agreement.
B. The
obligations of SCAC under the Share Exchange Agreement are conditioned, among
other things, upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
FounderCo.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants set forth
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Agreement to
Vote
. FounderCo hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and,
subject to Section 11(b) below, on behalf of any transferee or assignee of any
such SCAC Ordinary Shares owned or to be owned by it, to hold all such SCAC
Ordinary Shares registered in its name subject to, and to vote such SCAC
Ordinary Shares at regular or special meetings of shareholders and to give its
written consent with respect to such SCAC Ordinary Shares in accordance with,
the provisions of this Agreement.
2.
Board Size and
Composition
. FounderCo shall vote at regular or special
meetings of shareholders, and to give its written consent with respect to, such
SCAC Ordinary Shares that it owns (or as to which it has voting power) to ensure
that the size of the board of directors of SCAC (the “
Board
”) and the board
of directors of AutoChina shall, during a period commencing from the date hereof
and ending December 31, 2011(the “
Concerned Period
”),
be set and remain at seven (7) directors, including two (2) persons nominated by
the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative, two (2) persons nominated by the
SCAC Shareholders’ Representative and three (3) persons as independent
non-executive directors, provided that, the three (3) independent non-executive
director candidates who are actually nominated shall be mutually agreed upon by
the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC Shareholders’
Representative.
3.
Election of
Directors
.
(a)
Election of Non-Independent
Directors
. During the Concerned Period, FounderCo shall vote
at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give its written consent with
respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it (or as to which it
then has voting power) to elect two (2) persons nominated by the AutoChina
Shareholders’ Representative and two (2) persons nominated by the SCAC
Shareholders’ Representative. Directors nominated by the AutoChina
Shareholders’ Representative and by the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative are
referred hereinafter as the “
AutoChina Nominated
Directors
” and the “
SCAC Nominated
Directors
,” respectively.
(b)
Election of Independent
Non-executive Directors
. During the Concerned Period,
FounderCo shall vote at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give its
written consent with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it
(or as to which it then has voting power) to elect three (3) individuals
nominated in accordance with Section 2 above to the Board as independent
non-executive directors or otherwise ensure that the Board, at all times during
the Concerned Period, includes three (3) independent non-executive directors
nominated in accordance with Section 2 above. The independent
non-executive directors nominated in accordance with Section 2 above based on
the mutual agreement of the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC
Shareholders’ Representative are referred to hereinafter as the “
Independent Non-Executive
Directors
.”
4.
Removal;
Filling of Vacancies
.
(a)
Vacancies of Directors
Nominated by AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative
. Within
the Concerned Period, upon request by the AutoChina Shareholders’
Representative, FounderCo shall vote at regular or special meetings of
shareholders and give its written consent with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary
Shares then owned by it (or as to which it then has voting power) to remove from
the Board any AutoChina Nominated Directors. Subject to the
satisfaction of the requirements under Section 2 of this Agreement, FounderCo
further agrees to vote at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give
its written consent with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by
it (or as to which it then has voting power) to elect an individual nominated or
recommended (as the case may be) by the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative
to fill any vacancy created by such removal. In the event of the
resignation, death or disqualification of a AutoChina Nominated Director, the
AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative shall promptly nominate or, as the case
may be, recommend for nomination, a new director candidate in accordance with
Section 2, and FounderCo shall, subject to the satisfaction of the requirements
under Section 2 of this Agreement, promptly vote at regular or special meetings
of shareholders and give its written consent with respect to, all the SCAC
Ordinary Shares then owned by it (or as to which it then has voting power) to
elect such nominee to the Board. Upon the written request of the
AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative, and without limiting the generality of
Section 7, SCAC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause, as promptly
as is possible and in compliance with the Current Articles, either a meeting of
shareholders to be held or a written consent of shareholders to be circulated,
in each case submitting to the vote or written consent of shareholders,
respectively, the proposed removal of such director and/or election of a
substitute director in lieu thereof in accordance with this
Agreement.
(b)
Vacancies of Directors
Nominated by SCAC Shareholders’ Representative
. During the
Concerned Period, upon request by the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative,
FounderCo shall vote at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give its
written consent with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it
(or as to which it then has voting power) to remove from the Board any SCAC
Nominated Directors selected by the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative for such
removal. Subject to the satisfaction of the requirements under
Section 2 of this Agreement, FounderCo further agrees to vote at regular or
special meetings of shareholders and give its written consent with respect to,
all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it (or as to which it then has voting
power) to elect an individual nominated or recommended (as the case may be) by
the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative to fill any vacancy created by such
removal. In the event of the resignation, death or disqualification
of a SCAC Nominated Director, the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative shall
promptly nominate, or as the case may be, recommend for nomination, a new
director candidate in accordance with Section 2, and subject to the satisfaction
of the requirements under Section 2 of this Agreement, FounderCo shall promptly
vote at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give its written consent
with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it (or as to which
it then has voting power) to elect such nominee to the Board. Upon
the written request of the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative, and without
limiting the generality of Section 7, SCAC shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause, as promptly as is possible and in compliance with the Current
Articles, either a meeting of shareholders to be held or a written consent of
shareholders to be circulated, in each case submitting to the vote or written
consent of shareholders, respectively, the proposed removal of such director
and/or election of a substitute director in lieu thereof in accordance with this
Agreement.
(c)
Vacancies of Directors
Nominated by the Mutual Agreement of the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative
and the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative
. During the
Concerned Period, upon a request from each of the AutoChina Shareholders’
Representative and the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative, FounderCo shall vote
at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give its written consent with
respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it (or as to which it
then has voting power) to remove from the Board any Independent Non-Executive
Directors selected by each of the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the
SCAC Shareholders’ Representative for such removal. Subject to the
satisfaction of the requirements under Section 2 of this Agreement, FounderCo
further agrees to vote at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give
its written consent with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by
it (or as to which it then has voting power) to elect an individual nominated or
recommended (as the case may be) based on the mutual agreement of the AutoChina
Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative to fill
any vacancy created by such removal. In the event of the resignation,
death or disqualification of a Independent Non-Executive Director, the AutoChina
Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative shall
promptly nominate, or as the case may be, recommend for nomination, a new
director candidate in accordance with Section 2, and subject to the satisfaction
of the requirements under Section 2 of this Agreement, FounderCo shall promptly
vote at regular or special meetings of shareholders and give its written consent
with respect to, all the SCAC Ordinary Shares then owned by it (or as to which
it then has voting power) to elect such nominee to the Board. Upon
the written request of each of the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and
the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative, and without limiting the generality of
Section 7, SCAC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause, as promptly
as is possible and in compliance with the Current Articles, either a meeting of
shareholders to be held or a written consent of shareholders to be circulated,
in each case submitting to the vote or written consent of shareholders,
respectively, the proposed removal of such director and/or election of a
substitute director in lieu thereof in accordance with this
Agreement.
5.
Grant of
Proxy
. Should the provisions of this Agreement be construed to
constitute the granting of proxies, such proxies shall be deemed coupled with an
interest and are irrevocable during the term of this Agreement.
6.
Specific
Enforcement
. Each party hereto agrees that its obligations
hereunder are necessary and reasonable in order to protect the other parties to
this Agreement, and each party expressly agrees and understands that monetary
damages would inadequately compensate an injured party for the breach of this
Agreement by any party, that this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable,
and that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available at law, in
equity or otherwise, any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement shall be
the proper subject of a temporary or permanent injunction or restraining order,
without the necessity of proving actual damages. Further, each party
hereto waives any claim or defense that there is an adequate remedy at law for
such breach or threatened breach.
7.
Covenants of
SCAC
. SCAC agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
ensure that the rights granted hereunder are effective and that the parties
hereto enjoy the benefits thereof. Such actions include, without
limitation, the use of SCAC’s commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
nomination and election of the directors as provided above, by causing a meeting
of shareholders to be held or by causing a written consent of shareholders to be
circulated. SCAC will not, by any voluntary action, avoid or seek to
avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be performed
hereunder by SCAC, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying
out of all of the provisions of this Agreement and in the taking of all such
actions as may be necessary, appropriate or reasonably requested by the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities held by the parties hereto
assuming conversion of all outstanding securities in order to protect the rights
of the parties hereunder against impairment.
8.
Manner of
Voting
. The voting of shares pursuant to this Agreement may be
effected in person, by proxy, by written consent, or in any other manner
permitted by applicable law.
9.
Termination
. This
Agreement shall terminate on the first day following the end of the Concerned
Period.
10.
Amendments and
Waivers
. Any term hereof may be amended and the observance of
any term hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and
either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of all the
parties. Any amendment or waiver so effected shall be binding upon
the parties and all of their respective successors and assigns whether or not
such party, successor or assignee entered into or approved such amendment or
waiver.
11.
Successors and
Assigns
.
(a) The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the successors in interest,
heirs and assigns to any of SCAC Ordinary Shares owned or to be owned by
FounderCo, as applicable. SCAC shall not permit the transfer of any
of such SCAC Ordinary Shares on its books or issue a new certificate
representing any of such SCAC Ordinary Shares unless and until the person to
whom such security is to be transferred shall have executed a written agreement,
substantially in the form of this Agreement, pursuant to which such person
becomes a party to this Agreement and agrees to be bound by all the provisions
hereof as if such person were FounderCo. Nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties
hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies,
obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding
otherwise provided herein, if any party unrelated to the FounderCo or AutoChina
(as the case may be) acquires any SCAC Ordinary Shares from FounderCo (as the
case may be) through the open market and such acquisition is made in compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations, then the provisions of this Agreement
shall not be binding on such party.
12.
Share Splits, Share
Dividends, etc
. In the event of any issuance of shares of
SCAC’s voting securities hereafter to any of the parties hereto (including,
without limitation, in connection with any share split, share dividend,
recapitalization, capital reorganization, or the like), such shares shall become
subject to this Agreement.
13.
Governing Law;
Arbitration
. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the state of New York.
(a) Any
dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or
the interpretation, breach, termination or validity hereof, shall be resolved in
accordance with this Section 13. Any dispute, controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach,
termination or validity hereof, shall be initially be resolved through
consultation. Such consultation shall begin immediately after one
Party hereto has delivered to the other Parties hereto a written request for
such consultation. If within thirty (30) days following the date on
which such notice is given the dispute cannot be resolved, the dispute shall be
resolved by arbitration.
(b) The
arbitration shall be conducted in Hong Kong under the auspices of the Hong Kong
International Arbitration Centre (the “
Centre
”). There
shall be three arbitrators. SCAC, on the one hand, and FounderCo, on
the other hand, shall each select one (1) arbitrator within thirty (30) days
after giving or receiving the demand for arbitration. The Chairman of
the Centre shall act as the third arbitrator. If SCAC or FounderCo
does not appoint an arbitrator who has consented to participate within thirty
(30) days after selection of the first arbitrator, the relevant appointment
shall be made by the Chairman of the Centre.
(c) The
arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English. The
arbitration tribunal shall apply the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in effect at the
time of the arbitration. However, if such rules are in conflict with
the provisions of this Section 13 including the provisions concerning the
appointment of arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 13 shall
prevail.
(d) The
arbitrators shall decide any dispute submitted by the Parties to the arbitration
strictly in accordance with the substantive law of the State of New York and
shall not apply any other substantive law, except to the extent required by the
terms of this Agreement.
(e) Each
Party hereto shall cooperate with the others in making full disclosure of and
providing complete access to all information and documents requested by the
others in connection with such arbitration proceedings, subject only to any
confidentiality obligations binding on such Party.
(f) The
award of the arbitration tribunal shall be final and binding upon the disputing
Parties, and any Party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for
enforcement of such award.
(g) Each
Party shall cooperate and use their respective best efforts to take all actions
reasonably required to facilitate the prompt enforcement in the PRC or in any
other jurisdiction of any arbitration award made by the tribunal.
(h) A
Party shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief, if possible, from
any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral
tribunal.
14.
Titles and
Subtitles
. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are
used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or
interpreting this Agreement.
15.
Notices
. All
notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date
delivered or mailed if delivered personally or by nationally recognized courier
or mailed by registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as
shall be specified by like notice, except that notices of changes of address
shall be effective upon receipt):
(A)
|
Party:
|
FounderCo
|
|
Contact Address:
|
Rom
3713, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
|
|
Attention:
|
Lynch
Consultancy Limited
|
|
|
|
(B)
|
Party:
|
SCAC
|
|
Contact Address:
|
10F,
Room#1005, Fortune Int’l Building, No. 17
|
|
|
North
DaLiuShu Road, Hai Dian District
|
|
|
Beijing
100081, People’s Republic of China
|
|
Attention:
|
James
Sha
|
16.
Expenses
. If
any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of
this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s
fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which
such party may be entitled.
17.
Enforceability;
Severability
. The parties hereto agree that each provision of
this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement shall
nevertheless be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, (a)
such provision shall be effective only to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the
remaining provisions of this Agreement, and (b) the parties shall, to the
extent permissible by applicable law, amend this Agreement, or enter into such
other documents so as to make effective and enforceable the intent of this
Agreement.
18.
Entire
Agreement
. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein
constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any
manner by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically
set forth herein or therein.
19.
Counterparts
. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which shall together
constitute one agreement. Any party may enter into this Agreement by
signing any such counterpart.
* * *
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the
date first written above.
FOUNDERCO:
|
|
HONEST
BEST INT’L LTD
|
|
|
|
Name:
Wang Yan
|
Title:
Director
|
|
SCAC:
|
|
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Title:
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[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO VOTING AGREEMENT]
SCHEDULE
R
GUARANTEE
AGREEMENTS
Name
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No.
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Contract
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Hua
An Investment
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1.
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Guarantee
Agreement in relation to the Authorized Distributor Financing Agreement
between GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
and Hebei Anchang dated March 5, 2007
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2.
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Guarantee
Agreement in relation to the Authorized Distributor Financing Agreement
between GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
and Hebei Shengkang dated November 13, 2006
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3.
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RMB
Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under the
Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Hebei Yuanxinghang and GMAC-SAIC
(
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated January 19, 2007
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4.
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RMB
Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under the
Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Cangzhou Yichang and GMAC-SAIC
(
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated November 13, 2006
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5.
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RMB
Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under the
Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Hebei Yitong and GMAC-SAIC (
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated November 13, 2006
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6.
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RMB
Loan Guarantee Contract providing for the guarantee of the loan under the
Authorized Dealer Loan Agreement between Hebei Shengkang and GMAC-SAIC
(
上汽通用汽车金融公司
)
dated November 13,
2006
|
EXECUTION
VERSION
AMENDMENT
TO THE SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
THIS
AMENDMENT TO THE SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “
Amendment
”) is made
as of March __, 2009, by and among Li Yonghui (“
Founder
”), Yan Wang
(“
Wang
”),
Honest Best Int’l Ltd, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the
British Virgin Islands (“
FounderCo
”),
AutoChina Group Inc, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the
Cayman Islands (“
AutoChina
”), Fancy
Think Limited, a limited liability company established in Hong Kong under the
Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (“
Fancy Think
”), Hebei
Chuanglian Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北
创联贸
易有限公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Chuanglian
”), Hebei
Kaiyuan Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. (
河北
开
元房地
产开发
股份有限公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Kaiyuan Real
Estate
”), Hebei Huiyin Investment Co., Ltd. (
河北
汇银
投
资
有限
责
任公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Huiyin Investment
”),
Hebei Hua An Investment Co., Ltd. (
河北
华
安投
资
有限
责
任公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Hua An Investment
”),
Hebei Tianmei Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (
河北天美保
险
代理有限公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Tianmei Insurance
”),
Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Logistics Co., Ltd. (
河北世捷
开
元物流有限公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Kaiyuan Logistics
”),
Hebei Shijie Kaiyuan Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
河北世捷
开
元汽
车贸
易有限公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Kaiyuan Auto Trade
”),
Shanxi Chuanglian Auto Trade Co., Ltd. (
山西
创联
汽
贸
公司
), a company
established under the laws of the PRC (“
Chuanglian Auto
Trade
”), and Spring Creek Acquisition Corp., a corporation duly organized
and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“
SCAC
”). Each
of Founder, Wang, FounderCo, AutoChina, Fancy Think, Chuanglian, Kaiyuan Real
Estate, Huiyin Investment, Hua An Investment, Tianmei Insurance, Kaiyuan
Logistics, Kaiyuan Auto Trade, Chuanglian Auto Trade, and SCAC are referred to
herein each as a “
Party
” and
collectively as the “
Parties
.”
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into the
Share Exchange Agreement (the “
Share Exchange
Agreement
”), dated as of February 4, 2009; and
WHEREAS,
the Parties wish to amend the Share Exchange Agreement as set forth in this
Amendment pursuant to Section 12.03 of the Share Exchange
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
Defined
Terms
. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein,
capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to
such terms in the Share Exchange Agreement, pursuant to this
Amendment.
2.
Amendments to Share Exchange
Agreement
. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereof, the Share Exchange Agreement is amended as follows:
(a) Section
7.04(a) of the Share Exchange Agreement is deleted in its entirety and a new
Section 7.04(a) is inserted in its place as follows:
“(a) Immediately
following the Closing Date, the authorized size of the Board will consist of
seven (7) persons. The Proxy Statement of SCAC will present the
following persons as nominees for election as directors for a period commencing
from the Closing Date until the next annual general meeting of SCAC, or until
each director’s successor is elected and takes office: two (2) persons nominated
by the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative (the “
AutoChina Nominated
Directors
”), two (2) persons nominated by the SCAC Shareholders’
Representative (the “
SCAC Nominated
Directors
”) and one (1) person as independent non-executive director (an
“
Independent
Non-Executive Director
”), provided that the Independent Non-Executive
Director candidate who is actually nominated shall be mutually agreed upon by
the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC Shareholders’
Representative. Subsequent to the Closing, two (2) additional persons
shall be nominated as Independent Non-Executive Directors, provided that such
Independent Non-Executive Director candidates who are nominated shall be
mutually agreed upon by the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the SCAC
Shareholders’ Representative. The Warrantors agree that for a period
commencing from the Closing Date and ending December 31, 2011, they shall use
their best efforts to nominate or to cause their Affiliates to nominate the
directors to the Board pursuant to this Section 7.04, subject to any obligations
imposed by law, rule or regulation on any nominating committee. In
addition, the AutoChina Shareholders agree, and the Warrantors shall cause the
AutoChina Shareholders to agree, that, for a period commencing from the Closing
Date and ending December 31, 2011, they shall vote all SCAC Ordinary Shares then
owned by them in favor of the persons nominated as directors by the SCAC
Shareholders’ Representative pursuant to this Section 7.04. Each of
AutoChina and SCAC shall procure that the composition of the board of directors
of AutoChina after the Closing shall be identical to that of SCAC.”
(b) Section
7.04(b) of the Share Exchange Agreement is deleted in its entirety and a new
Section 7.04(b) is inserted in its place as follows:
“(b) The
Board shall, immediately following the Closing, establish an audit committee, a
nomination committee and a compensation committee. Prior to December
31, 2011,
in the
event there is only one (1) Independent Non-Executive Director in office, each
such committee shall consist of one (1) member, who shall be such Independent
Non-Executive Director. Prior to December 31, 2011, in the event
there is more than one (1) Independent Non-Executive Director,
each such
committee shall consist of two (2) members, one being an Independent
Non-Executive Director nominated to such committee based on the recommendation
of the AutoChina Shareholders’ Representative and the other being an Independent
Non-Executive Director nominated to such committee based on the recommendation
of the SCAC Shareholders’ Representative. In any event that the two
(2) members in any such committee fail to reach a consensus with respect to any
matter, such matter shall be submitted to and decided by the Board by the
affirmative consent or approval of (i) at least six (6) members of the Board or
(ii) in the event there are less than six (6) members of the Board then in
office, all of the members of the Board then in office.”
(c) The
first paragraph of Section 7.05(b) of the Share Exchange Agreement is deleted in
its entirety and a new first paragraph of Section 7.05(b) is inserted in its
place as follows:
“(b) Effective
immediately following the Closing, no director, officer, committee member,
employee, agent of SCAC or any Group Company or any of their respective
delegates shall, without the affirmative consent or approval of (i) at least six
(6) members of the Board or (ii) in the event there are less than six (6)
members of the Board then in office, all of the members of the Board then in
office, not take, nor shall they cause or permit SCAC or any Group Company to
take, any of the following actions (whether in a single transaction or a series
of related transactions):”
3.
Remaining Provisions in Full
Force and Effect
. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto,
the Share Exchange Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect
and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.
4.
Miscellaneous
.
(a) This
Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(b) THIS
AMENDMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 12.11 OF THE SHARE EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT RELATING TO GOVERNING LAW, THE PROVISIONS OF WHICH ARE BY THIS
REFERENCE INCORPORATED HEREIN IN FULL.
(c) This
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one
and the same instrument.
(d) This
Amendment, together with the Share Exchange Agreement, contains the entire and
exclusive agreement of the Parties with reference to the matters discussed
herein.
(e) If
any term or provision of this Amendment shall be deemed prohibited by or invalid
under any applicable law, such provision shall be invalidated without affecting
the remaining provisions of this Amendment or the Share Exchange
Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Amendment as of the first date
written above.
AUTOCHINA
GROUP INC
|
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By:
|
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Name:
Li Yonghui
|
Title:
Director
|
|
|
HONEST
BEST INT’L LTD
|
|
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By:
|
|
Name:
Wang Yan
|
Title:
Director
|
|
|
LI
YONGHUI
|
|
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By:
|
|
|
|
YAN
WANG
|
|
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By:
|
|
|
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FANCY
THINK LIMITED
|
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
Li Yonghui
|
Title:
Director
|
HEBEI
CHUANGLIAN TRADE CO., LTD. (
河北创联贸易有限公司
)
HEBEI
KAIYUAN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD. (
河北开元房地产开发股份有限公司
)
HEBEI
HUIYIN INVESTMENT CO., LTD. (
河北汇银投资有限责任公司
)
HEBEI
HUA AN INVESTMENT CO., LTD. (
河北华安投资有限责任公司
)
HEBEI
TIANMEI INSURANCE AGENCY CO., LTD. (
河北天美保险代理有限公司
)
HEBEI
SHIJIE KAIYUAN AUTO TRADE CO., LTD. (
河北世捷开元汽车贸易有限公司
)
SHANXI
CHUANGLIAN AUTO TRADE CO., LTD. (
山西创联汽贸公司
)
SPRING
CREEK ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
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By:
|
|
Name:
James Sha
|
|
Annex
E
FORM
OF
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
Purposes of the
Plan
. The purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the
best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to Employees,
Directors and Consultants and to promote the success of the Company’s
business.
2.
Definitions
. The
following definitions shall apply as used herein and in the individual Award
Agreements except as defined otherwise in an individual Award
Agreement. In the event a term is separately defined in an individual
Award Agreement, such definition shall supercede the definition contained in
this Section 2.
(a) “
Administrator
” means
the Board or any of the Committees appointed to administer the
Plan.
(b) “
Affiliate
” and “
Associate
” shall have
the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
under the Exchange Act.
(c) “
Applicable Laws
”
means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under
applicable provisions of the corporate and securities laws of the Cayman
Islands, the Code, the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market
system, and the rules of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to
residents therein.
(d) “
Assumed
” means that
pursuant to a Corporate Transaction either (i) the Award is expressly
affirmed by the Company or (ii) the contractual obligations represented by
the Award are expressly assumed (and not simply by operation of law) by the
successor entity or its Parent in connection with the Corporate Transaction with
appropriate adjustments to the number and type of securities of the successor
entity or its Parent subject to the Award and the exercise or purchase price
thereof which at least preserves the compensation element of the Award existing
at the time of the Corporate Transaction as determined in accordance with the
instruments evidencing the agreement to assume the Award.
(e) “
Award
” means the
grant of an Option, SAR, Dividend Equivalent Right, Restricted Share, Restricted
Share Unit or other right or benefit under the Plan.
(f) “
Award Agreement
”
means the written agreement evidencing the grant of an Award executed by the
Company and the Grantee, including any amendments thereto.
(g) “
Board
” means the
Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) “
Cause
” means, with
respect to the termination by the Company or a Related Entity of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service, that such termination is for “Cause” as such term (or word
of like import) is expressly defined in a then-effective written agreement
between the Grantee and the Company or such Related Entity, or in the absence of
such then-effective written agreement and definition, is based on, in the
determination of the Administrator, the
Grantee’s: (i) performance of any act or failure to perform any
act in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company or a Related Entity;
(ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct or material breach of any agreement
with the Company or a Related Entity; or (iii) commission of a crime
involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any
person; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement that defines
“Cause” on the occurrence of or in connection with a Corporate Transaction or a
Change in Control, such definition of “Cause” shall not apply until a Corporate
Transaction or a Change in Control actually occurs.
(i) “
Change in
Control
”
means a change in
ownership or control of the Company effected through either of the following
transactions:
(i) the
direct or indirect acquisition by any person or related group of persons (other
than an acquisition from or by the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee
benefit plan or by a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled
by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities
possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
the Company’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made
directly to the Company’s shareholders which a majority of the Continuing
Directors who are not Affiliates or Associates of the offeror do not recommend
such shareholders accept, or
(ii) a
change in the composition of the Board over a period of twelve (12) months or
less such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole
number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board
membership, to be comprised of individuals who are Continuing
Directors.
(j) “
Code
” means the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k) “
Committee
” means any
committee composed of members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer
the Plan.
(l) “
Company
” means
AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the
Cayman Islands or any successor entity that adopts the Plan in connection with a
Corporate Transaction.
(m) “
Consultant
” means any
person (other than an Employee or a Director, solely with respect to rendering
services in such person’s capacity as a Director) who is engaged by the Company
or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company
or such Related Entity.
(n) “
Continuing Directors
”
means members of the Board who either (i) have been Board members
continuously for a period of at least twelve (12) months or (ii) have been
Board members for less than twelve (12) months and were elected or nominated for
election as Board members by at least a majority of the Board members described
in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such election or
nomination was approved by the Board.
(o) “
Continuous Service
”
means that the provision of services to the Company or a Related Entity in any
capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant is not interrupted or
terminated. In jurisdictions requiring notice in advance of an
effective termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant, Continuous Service
shall be deemed terminated upon the actual cessation of providing services to
the Company or a Related Entity notwithstanding any required notice period that
must be fulfilled before a termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant
can be effective under Applicable Laws. A Grantee’s Continuous
Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of
Continuous Service or upon the entity for which the Grantee provides services
ceasing to be a Related Entity. Continuous Service shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence,
(ii) transfers among the Company, any Related Entity, or any successor, in
any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, or (iii) any change in
status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a
Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant (except as
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). An approved leave of
absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized
personal leave. For purposes of each Incentive Stock Option granted
under the Plan, if such leave exceeds three (3) months, and reemployment upon
expiration of such leave is not guaranteed by statute or contract, then the
Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the
day three (3) months and one (1) day following the expiration of such three (3)
month period.
(p) “
Corporate
Transaction
” means any of the following transactions, provided, however,
that the Administrator shall determine under parts (iv) and (v) whether multiple
transactions are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and
conclusive:
(i) a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except
for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction
in which the Company is incorporated;
(ii) the
sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company;
(iii) the
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(iv) any
reverse merger or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse merger
(including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse merger) in
which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the Ordinary Shares
outstanding immediately prior to such merger are converted or exchanged by
virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities,
cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding
securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held
such securities immediately prior to such merger or the initial transaction
culminating in such merger, but excluding any such transaction or series of
related transactions that the Administrator determines shall not be a Corporate
Transaction; or
(v) acquisition
in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of
persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan)
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act)
of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined
voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities but excluding any such
transaction or series of related transactions that the Administrator determines
shall not be a Corporate Transaction.
(q) “
Covered Employee
”
means an Employee who is a “covered employee” under Section 162(m)(3) of the
Code.
(r) “
Director
” means a
member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related
Entity.
(s) “
Disability
” means as
defined under the long-term disability policy of the Company or the Related
Entity to which the Grantee provides services regardless of whether the Grantee
is covered by such policy. If the Company or the Related Entity to
which the Grantee provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in
place, “Disability” means that a Grantee is unable to carry out the
responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Grantee by reason of
any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not
less than ninety (90) consecutive days. A Grantee will not be
considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of
such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Administrator in its
discretion.
(t) “
Dividend Equivalent
Right
” means a right entitling the Grantee to compensation measured by
dividends paid with respect to Ordinary Shares.
(u) “
Employee
” means any
person, including an Officer or Director, who is in the employ of the Company or
any Related Entity, subject to the control and direction of the Company or any
Related Entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of
performance. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a
Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the
Company.
(v) “
Exchange Act
” means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(w) “
Fair Market Value
”
means, as of any date, the value of Ordinary Shares determined as
follows:
(i) If
the Ordinary Shares are listed on one or more established stock exchanges or
national market systems, including without limitation The New York Stock
Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or The
Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be
the closing sales price for such shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Ordinary
Shares are listed (as determined by the Administrator) on the date of
determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that
date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or
closing bid was reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If
the Ordinary Shares are regularly quoted on an automated quotation system
(including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such shares as quoted on
such system or by such recognized securities dealer on the date of
determination, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
an Ordinary Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices
for the Ordinary Shares on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were
reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported
in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable; or
(iii) In
the absence of an established market for the Ordinary Shares of the type
described in (i) and (ii), above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be
determined by the Administrator in good faith.
(x) “
Grantee
” means an
Employee, Director or Consultant who receives an Award under the Plan or a
Holding Company, as the context may require.
(y) “
Holding Company
”
means an investment holding company wholly owned by an Employee, Director or
Consultant which holds an Award originally issued to such Employee, Director or
Consultant under the Plan.
(z) “
Incentive Stock
Option
” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(aa) “
Non-Qualified Stock
Option
” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option.
(bb) “
Officer
” means a
person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Entity within the meaning
of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(cc) “
Option
” means an
option to purchase Shares pursuant to an Award Agreement granted under the
Plan.
(dd) “
Ordinary Share
” means
a share of US$0.001 nominal or par value, of the Company, or, if applicable, the
number or fraction of American Depositary Receipt representing an Ordinary
Share.
(ee)
“
Parent
” means
a “parent corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(e) of the Code.
(ff) “
Performance-Based
Compensation
” means compensation qualifying as “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(gg) “
Plan
” means this 2009
Equity Incentive Plan.
(hh) “
Related Entity
” means
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and any business, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company or a
Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest,
directly or indirectly.
(ii) “
Replaced
” means that
pursuant to a Corporate Transaction the Award is replaced with a comparable
share or stock award or a cash incentive program of the Company, the successor
entity (if applicable) or Parent of either of them which preserves the
compensation element of such Award existing at the time of the Corporate
Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same (or a
more favorable) vesting schedule applicable to such Award. The
determination of Award comparability shall be made by the Administrator and its
determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(jj) “
Restricted Share
”
means a Share issued under the Plan to the Grantee for such consideration, if
any, and subject to such restrictions on transfer, rights of first refusal,
repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, and other terms and conditions as
established by the Administrator.
(kk) “
Restricted Share
Units
” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon the
passage of time or the attainment of performance criteria established by the
Administrator and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a
combination of cash, Shares or other securities as established by the
Administrator.
(ll) “
Rule 16b-3
”
means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor
thereto.
(mm) “
SAR
” means a share
appreciation right entitling the Grantee to Shares or cash compensation, as
established by the Administrator, measured by appreciation in the value of
Ordinary Shares.
(nn)
“
Share
” means
an Ordinary Share of the Company.
(oo) “
Subsidiary
” means a
“subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(f) of the Code.
3.
Shares Subject to the
Plan
.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of Section
10,
below, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to
all Awards (including Incentive Stock Options) is [____________]
Shares. In addition, Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be payable
solely in cash and therefore the issuance of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall
not be deemed to reduce the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be
issued under the Plan. SARs payable in Shares shall reduce the
maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan only by
the net number of actual Shares issued to the Grantee upon exercise of the
SAR. The Shares to be issued pursuant to Awards may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Ordinary Shares.
(b) Any
Shares covered by an Award (or portion of an Award) which is forfeited, canceled
or expires (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) shall be deemed not to have
been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of Shares
which may be issued under the Plan. Shares that actually have been
issued under the Plan pursuant to an Award shall not be returned to the Plan and
shall not become available for future issuance under the Plan, except that if
unvested Shares are forfeited or repurchased by the Company at the lower of
their original purchase price or their Fair Market Value at the time of
repurchase, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the
Plan. To the extent not prohibited by Section 422(b)(1) of the
Code (and the corresponding regulations thereunder), the listing requirements of
The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market or other established stock
exchange or national market system on which the Ordinary Shares are traded and
Applicable Law, any Shares covered by an Award which are surrendered (i) in
payment of the Award exercise or purchase price (including pursuant to the “net
exercise” of an option pursuant to Section 7(b)(v)) or (ii) in
satisfaction of tax withholding obligations incident to the exercise of an Award
shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum
number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards under the Plan,
unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
4.
Administration of the
Plan
.
(a)
Plan
Administrator
.
(i)
Administration with Respect
to Directors and Officers
. With respect to grants of Awards to
Directors or Employees who are also Officers or Directors of the Company, the
Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner
as to satisfy the Applicable Laws and to permit such grants and related
transactions under the Plan to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Once appointed, such
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board.
(ii)
Administration With Respect
to Consultants and Other Employees
. With respect to grants of
Awards to Employees or Consultants who are neither Directors nor Officers of the
Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner
as to satisfy the Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee
shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by
the Board. The Board may authorize one or more Officers to grant such
Awards and may limit such authority as the Board determines from time to
time.
(iii)
Administration With Respect
to Covered Employees
. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of and
after the date that the exemption for the Plan under Section 162(m) of the
Code expires, as set forth in Section
17
below, grants of Awards to any Covered Employee intended to qualify as
Performance-Based Compensation shall be made only by a Committee (or
subcommittee of a Committee) which is comprised solely of two or more Directors
eligible to serve on a committee making Awards qualifying as Performance-Based
Compensation. In the case of such Awards granted to Covered
Employees, references to the “Administrator” or to a “Committee” shall be deemed
to be references to such Committee or subcommittee.
(iv)
Administration
Errors
. In the event an Award is granted in a manner
inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection (a), such Award shall
be presumptively valid as of its grant date to the extent permitted by the
Applicable Laws.
(b)
Powers of the
Administrator
. Subject to Applicable Laws and the provisions
of the Plan (including any other powers given to the Administrator hereunder),
and except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:
(i) to
select the Employees, Directors and Consultants to whom Awards may be granted
from time to time hereunder;
(ii) to
determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;
(iii) to
determine the number of Shares or the amount of other consideration to be
covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to
approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) to
determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder;
(vi) to
establish additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures to accommodate the
rules or laws of applicable jurisdictions and to afford Grantees favorable
treatment under such rules or laws; provided, however, that no Award shall be
granted under any such additional terms, conditions, rules or procedures with
terms or conditions which are inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan;
(vii) to
amend the terms of any outstanding Award granted under the Plan, provided that
(A) any amendment that would adversely affect the Grantee’s rights under an
outstanding Award shall not be made without the Grantee’s written consent,
provided, however, that an amendment or modification that may cause an Incentive
Stock Option to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall not be treated as
adversely affecting the rights of the Grantee, (B) the reduction of the
exercise price of any Option awarded under the Plan and the reduction of the
base appreciation amount of any SAR awarded under the Plan shall not be subject
to Shareholder approval and (C) canceling an Option or SAR at a time when
its exercise price or base appreciation amount (as applicable) exceeds the Fair
Market Value of the underlying Shares, in exchange for another Option, SAR,
Restricted Share, or other Award shall not be subject to Shareholder
approval;
(viii) to
construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards, including without
limitation, any notice of award or Award Agreement, granted pursuant to the
Plan;
(ix) to
grant Awards to Employees, Directors and Consultants employed outside the United
States on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan
as may, in the judgment of the Administrator, be necessary or desirable to
further the purpose of the Plan;
(x) to
take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the
Administrator deems appropriate.
The
express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Administrator shall not
be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Administrator; provided
that the Administrator may not exercise any right or power reserved to the
Board. Any decision made, or action taken, by the Administrator or in
connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all persons having an interest in the Plan.
(c)
Indemnification
. In
addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of
the Board or as Officers or Employees of the Company or a Related Entity,
members of the Board and any Officers or Employees of the Company or a Related
Entity to whom authority to act for the Board, the Administrator or the Company
is delegated shall be defended and indemnified by the Company to the extent
permitted by law on an after-tax basis against all reasonable expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with
the defense of any claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, or in
connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party
by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the
Plan, or any Award granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in
settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by the Company) or paid
by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, investigation, action,
suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be
adjudged in such claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding that such
person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct;
provided, however, that within thirty (30) days after the institution of such
claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the
Company, in writing, the opportunity at the Company’s expense to defend the
same.
5.
Eligibility
. Awards
other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and
Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees
of the Company or a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company. An
Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award may, if otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Awards. Awards may be granted to such
Employees, Directors or Consultants who are residing in non-U.S. jurisdictions
as the Administrator may determine from time to time.
6.
Terms and Conditions of
Awards
.
(a)
Types of Awards
. The
Administrator is authorized under the Plan to award any type of arrangement to
an Employee, Director or Consultant that is not inconsistent with the provisions
of the Plan and that by its terms involves or might involve the issuance of
(i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) an Option, a SAR, or similar right
with a fixed or variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares
and with an exercise or conversion privilege related to the passage of time, the
occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or
other conditions. Such awards include, without limitation, Options,
SARs, sales or bonuses of Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units or Dividend
Equivalent Rights, and an Award may consist of one such security or benefit, or
two (2) or more of them in any combination or alternative.
(b)
Designation of
Award
. Each Award shall be designated in the Award
Agreement. In the case of an Option, the Option shall be designated
as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock
Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, an Option will
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code only to the extent the
US$100,000 dollar limitation of Section 422(d) of the Code is not
exceeded. The US$100,000 limitation of Section 422(d) of the
Code is calculated based on the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares
subject to Options designated as Incentive Stock Options which become
exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year (under all
plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company). For
purposes of this calculation, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into
account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of
the Shares shall be determined as of the grant date of the relevant
Option. In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated
thereunder are amended after the date the Plan becomes effective to provide for
a different limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to
Incentive Stock Options, then such different limit will be automatically
incorporated herein and will apply to any Options granted after the effective
date of such amendment.
(c)
Conditions of
Award
. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator
shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each Award including,
but not limited to, the Award vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, rights of
first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of payment (cash, Shares, or other
consideration) upon settlement of the Award, payment contingencies, and
satisfaction of any performance criteria. The performance criteria
established by the Administrator may be based on any one of, or combination of,
the following: (i) increase in share price, (ii) earnings per share, (iii) total
shareholder return, (iv) operating margin, (v) gross margin, (vi) return on
equity, (vii) return on assets, (viii) return on investment, (ix) operating
income, (x) net operating income, (xi) pre-tax profit, (xii) cash flow, (xiii)
revenue, (xiv) expenses, (xv) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation,
(xvi) economic value added and (xvii) market share. The performance
criteria may be applicable to the Company, Related Entities and/or any
individual business units of the Company or any Related
Entity. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in a
payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in
the Award Agreement. In addition, the performance criteria shall be
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but
excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting
standards and any extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by
the Administrator, occurring after the establishment of the performance criteria
applicable to the Award intended to be performance-based
compensation. Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for
the purpose of providing a consistent basis from period to period for the
calculation of performance criteria in order to prevent the dilution or
enlargement of the Grantee’s rights with respect to an Award intended to be
performance-based compensation.
(d)
Acquisitions and Other
Transactions
. The Administrator may issue Awards under the
Plan in settlement, assumption or substitution for, outstanding awards or
obligations to grant future awards in connection with the Company or a Related
Entity acquiring another entity, an interest in another entity or an additional
interest in a Related Entity whether by merger, share purchase, asset purchase
or other form of transaction.
(e)
Deferral of Award
Payment
. The Administrator may establish one or more programs
under the Plan to permit selected Grantees the opportunity to elect to defer
receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance
criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Grantee to
payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an
Award. The Administrator may establish the election procedures, the
timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of
interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, Shares or other consideration so
deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the
Administrator deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral
program.
(f)
Separate
Programs
. The Administrator may establish one or more separate
programs under the Plan for the purpose of issuing particular forms of Awards to
one or more classes of Grantees on such terms and conditions as determined by
the Administrator from time to time.
(g)
Individual Limitations on
Awards
.
(i)
Individual Limit for Options
and SARs
.
The maximum number of
Shares with respect to which Options and SARs may be granted to any Grantee in
any calendar year shall be [___________]. To the extent required by
Section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder, in applying the
foregoing limitations with respect to a Grantee, if any Option or SAR is
canceled, the canceled Option or SAR shall continue to count against the maximum
number of Shares with respect to which Options and SARs may be granted to the
Grantee. For this purpose, the repricing of an Option (or in the case
of a SAR, the base amount on which the stock appreciation is calculated is
reduced to reflect a reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Shares) shall be
treated as the cancellation of the existing Option or SAR and the grant of a new
Option or SAR.
(ii)
Individual Limit for
Restricted Share and Restricted Share Units
. For awards of
Restricted Share and Restricted Share Units that are intended to be
Performance-Based Compensation, the maximum number of Shares with respect to
which such Awards may be granted to any Grantee in any calendar year shall be
[________].
(iii)
Deferral
. If the
vesting or receipt of Shares under an Award is deferred to a later date, any
amount (whether denominated in Shares or cash) paid in addition to the original
number of Shares subject to such Award will not be treated as an increase in the
number of Shares subject to the Award if the additional amount is based either
on a reasonable rate of interest or on one or more predetermined actual
investments such that the amount payable by the Company at the later date will
be based on the actual rate of return of a specific investment (including any
decrease as well as any increase in the value of an investment).
(h)
Early
Exercise
. The Award Agreement may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Grantee may elect at any time while an Employee, Director
or Consultant to exercise any part or all of the Award prior to full vesting of
the Award. Any unvested Shares received pursuant to such exercise may
be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or a Related Entity or
to any other restriction the Administrator determines to be
appropriate.
(i)
Term of
Award
. The term of each Award shall be the term stated in the
Award Agreement, provided, however, that the term of an Incentive Stock Option
shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant
thereof. However, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to
a Grantee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns shares representing more
than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of shares of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the term of the Incentive
Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Award
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the specified term of any
Award shall not include any period for which the Grantee has elected to defer
the receipt of the Shares or cash issuable pursuant to the Award.
(j)
Transferability of
Awards
. Incentive Stock Options may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Grantee, only by the Grantee. Other Awards shall be
transferable (i) by will and by the laws of descent and distribution and
(ii) during the lifetime of the Grantee: (A) to a Holding Company of such
Grantee, or (B) to the extent and in the manner authorized by the
Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee may
designate one or more beneficiaries of the Grantee’s Award in the event of the
Grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the
Administrator.
If the
Grantee transfers an Award to a Holding Company, the Grantee and the Holding
Company shall enter into an agreement with the Company, which shall provide,
among other things, the following: (i) the Holding Company shall agree to be
bound by the Plan and the relevant provisions in the Award Agreement; and (ii)
neither the Holding Company nor the Grantee shall permit any direct or indirect
transfer of equity interests in the Holding Company.
(k)
Time of Granting
Awards
. The date of grant of an Award shall for all purposes
be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination to grant such
Award, or such other later date as is determined by the
Administrator.
7.
Award Exercise or Purchase
Price, Consideration and Taxes
.
(a)
Exercise or Purchase
Price
. The exercise or purchase price, if any, for an Award
shall be as follows:
(i) In
the case of an Incentive Stock Option:
(A) granted
to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option owns
shares representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all
classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the
per Share exercise price shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%)
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant; or
(B) granted
to any Employee other than an Employee described in the preceding paragraph, the
per Share exercise price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In
the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be
not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.
(iii) In
the case of SARs, the base appreciation amount shall be not less than one
hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(iv) In
the case of Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the
exercise or purchase price, if any, shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(v) In
the case of other Awards, such price as is determined by the
Administrator.
(vi) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section
7(a),
in the case of an Award issued pursuant to Section
6(c),
above, the exercise or purchase price for the Award shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of the relevant instrument evidencing the
agreement to issue such Award.
(b)
Consideration
. Subject
to Applicable Laws, the consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued
upon exercise or purchase of an Award including the method of payment, shall be
determined by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option,
shall be determined at the time of grant). In addition to any other
types of consideration the Administrator may determine, the Administrator is
authorized to accept as consideration for Shares issued under the Plan the
following:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) surrender
of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of ownership of
Shares as the Administrator may require which have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which said Award shall be exercised;
(iv) with
respect to Options, payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance
procedure pursuant to which the Grantee (A) shall provide written
instructions to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale
of some or all of the purchased Shares and remit to the Company sufficient funds
to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased Shares and
(B) shall provide written directives to the Company to deliver the
certificates for the purchased Shares directly to such brokerage firm in order
to complete the sale transaction;
(v) with
respect to Options, payment through a “net exercise” such that, without the
payment of any funds, the Grantee may exercise the Option and receive the net
number of Shares equal to (i) the number of Shares as to which the Option
is being exercised, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the Fair Market Value per Share (on such date as is determined by the
Administrator) less the Exercise Price per Share, and the denominator of which
is such Fair Market Value per Share (the number of net Shares to be received
shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Shares); or
(vi) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
The
Administrator may at any time or from time to time, by adoption of or by
amendment to the standard forms of Award Agreement described in
Section 4(b)(iv), or by other means, grant Awards which do not permit all
of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment for the Shares or
which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(c)
Taxes
. No
Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Grantee or other person until
such Grantee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the
Administrator for the satisfaction of any national, provincial or local income
and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without limitation,
obligations incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon exercise or
vesting of an Award the Company shall withhold or collect from the Grantee an
amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations, including, but not limited
to, by surrender of the whole number of Shares covered by the Award sufficient
to satisfy the minimum applicable tax withholding obligations incident to the
exercise or vesting of an Award (reduced to the lowest whole number of Shares if
such number of Shares withheld would result in withholding a fractional Share
with any remaining tax withholding settled in cash).
8.
Exercise of
Award
.
(a)
Procedure for Exercise;
Rights as a Shareholder
.
(i) Any
Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such
conditions as determined by the Administrator under the terms of the Plan and
specified in the Award Agreement.
(ii) An
Award shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has
been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the
person or entity entitled to exercise the Award and full payment for the Shares
with respect to which the Award is exercised, including, to the extent selected,
use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the purchase price
as provided in Section
7(b)(iv).
(b)
Exercise of Award Following
Termination of Continuous Service
.
(i) An
Award may not be exercised after the termination date of such Award set forth in
the Award Agreement and may be exercised following the termination of a
Grantee’s Continuous Service only to the extent provided in the Award
Agreement.
(ii) Where
the Award Agreement permits a Grantee or a Holding Company to exercise an Award
following the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service for a specified
period, the Award shall terminate to the extent not exercised on the last day of
the specified period or the last day of the original term of the Award,
whichever occurs first.
(iii) Any
Award designated as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent not exercised within
the time permitted by law for the exercise of Incentive Stock Options following
the termination of a Grantee’s Continuous Service shall convert automatically to
a Non-Qualified Stock Option and thereafter shall be exercisable as such to the
extent exercisable by its terms for the period specified in the Award
Agreement.
9.
Conditions Upon Issuance of
Shares
.
(a) Shares
shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of
such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall
comply with all Applicable Laws, and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) As
a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person or
entity exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any Applicable
Laws.
10.
Adjustments Upon Changes in
Capitalization
. Subject to any required action by the
Shareholders of the Company and Section 11 hereof, the number of Shares covered
by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized
for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or
which have been returned to the Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each
such outstanding Award, the maximum number of Shares with respect to which
Awards may be granted to any Grantee in any calendar year, as well as any other
terms that the Administrator determines require adjustment shall be
proportionately adjusted for (i) any increase or decrease in the number of
issued Shares resulting from a share split, reverse share split, share dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Shares, or similar transaction affecting
the Shares, (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, or
(iii) as the Administrator may determine in its discretion, any other
transaction with respect to Ordinary Shares including a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, separation (including a
spin-off or other distribution of shares or property), reorganization,
liquidation (whether partial or complete) or any similar transaction; provided,
however that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not
be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of
consideration.” In the event of any distribution of cash or other
assets to shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, the Administrator
shall also make such adjustments as provided in this Section 10 or substitute,
exchange or grant Awards to effect such adjustments (collectively “
adjustments
”). Any
such adjustments to outstanding Awards will be effected in a manner that
precludes the enlargement of rights and benefits under such
Awards. In connection with the foregoing adjustments, the
Administrator may, in its discretion, prohibit the exercise of Awards or other
issuance of Shares, cash or other consideration pursuant to Awards during
certain periods of time. Except as the Administrator determines, no
issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof shall be
made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an
Award.
11.
Corporate Transactions and
Changes in Control
.
(a)
Termination of Award to
Extent Not Assumed in Corporate Transaction
. Effective upon the
consummation of a Corporate Transaction, all outstanding Awards under the Plan
shall terminate. However, all such Awards shall not terminate to the
extent they are Assumed in connection with the Corporate
Transaction.
(b)
Acceleration of Award Upon
Corporate Transaction or Change in Control
. Except as provided
otherwise in an individual Award Agreement, in the event of any Corporate
Transaction or Change in Control, there will not be any acceleration of vesting
or exercisability of any Award.
12.
Effective Date and Term of
Plan
. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the
Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years
unless sooner terminated. Subject to Section
16,
below, and Applicable Laws, Awards may be granted under the Plan upon its
becoming effective.
13.
Amendment, Suspension or
Termination of the Plan
.
(a) The
Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however,
that no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company’s
shareholders to the extent such approval is required by Applicable Laws, or if
such amendment would change any of the provisions of Section 4(b)(vi) or
this Section 13(a).
(b) No
Award may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or after termination of
the Plan.
(c) No
suspension or termination of the Plan (including termination of the Plan under
Section 12, above) shall adversely affect any rights under Awards already
granted to a Grantee.
14.
Reservation of
Shares
.
(a) The
Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and keep
available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.
(b) The
inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the
Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares
as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
15.
No Effect on Terms of
Employment/Consulting Relationship
. The Plan shall not confer
upon any Grantee any right with respect to the Grantee’s Continuous Service, nor
shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the right of the Company
or any Related Entity to terminate the Grantee’s Continuous Service at any time,
with or without cause, including but not limited to Cause, and with or without
notice. The ability of the Company or any Related Entity to terminate
the employment of a Grantee who is employed at will is in no way affected by its
determination that the Grantee’s Continuous Service has been terminated for
Cause for the purposes of this Plan.
16.
No Effect on Retirement and
Other Benefit Plans
. Except as specifically provided in a
retirement or other benefit plan of the Company or a Related Entity, Awards
shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits or
contributions under any retirement plan of the Company or a Related Entity, and
shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of any kind or any
benefit plan subsequently instituted under which the availability or amount of
benefits is related to level of compensation. The Plan is not a
“Pension Plan” or “Welfare Plan” under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended.
17.
Shareholder
Approval
. The grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan
shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve
(12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted excluding Incentive
Stock Options issued in substitution for outstanding Incentive Stock Options
pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code. Such shareholder
approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under Applicable
Laws. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options under the
Plan prior to approval by the shareholders, but until such approval is obtained,
no such Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable. In the event
that shareholder approval is not obtained within the twelve (12) month period
provided above, all Incentive Stock Options previously granted under the Plan
shall be exercisable as Non-Qualified Stock Options.
18.
Unfunded
Obligation
. Grantees and Holding Companies shall have the
status of general unsecured creditors of the Company. Any amounts
payable to Grantees or Holding Companies pursuant to the Plan shall be unfunded
and unsecured obligations for all purposes, including, without limitation,
Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended. Neither the Company nor any Related Entity shall be required
to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or
establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The
Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments,
including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment
obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance
of any trust or any Grantee or Holding Company account shall not create or
constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Administrator, the
Company or any Related Entity and a Grantee or Holding Company, or otherwise
create any vested or beneficial interest in any Grantee or Holding Company or
the Grantee’s or Holding Company’s creditors in any assets of the Company or a
Related Entity. Neither the Grantees nor the Holding Companies shall
have any claim against the Company or any Related Entity for any changes in the
value of any assets that may be invested or reinvested by the Company with
respect to the Plan.
19.
Construction
. Captions
and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the
meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when
otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and
the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not
intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise.
MoFo
Draft 11/14/08
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
NOTICE OF SHARE OPTION
AWARD
Grantee’s
Name and Address:
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You (the
“Grantee”) have been granted an option to purchase Ordinary Shares (the
“Option”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Notice of Share Option
Award (the “Notice”), AutoChina International Limited 2009 Equity Incentive
Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Share Option Award
Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) attached hereto, as follows. The
Option may be held either by you or your Holding Company. Unless
otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same
defined meanings in this Notice.
Award
Number
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«Award_No_1»
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Date
of Award
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Vesting
Commencement Date
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Exercise
Price per Share
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Total
Number of Ordinary Shares
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Subject
to the Option (the “Shares”)
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Total
Exercise Price
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Type
of Option:
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Expiration
Date:
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Post-Termination
Exercise Period:
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Three
(3)
Months
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Vesting
Schedule
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Subject
to the Grantee’s Continuous Service and other limitations set forth in this
Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised, in whole
or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:
25% of
the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after the Vesting
Commencement Date, and an additional 1/48th of the Shares shall vest monthly
thereafter.
During
any authorized leave of absence, the vesting of the Option as provided in this
schedule shall be suspended after the leave of absence exceeds a period of
ninety (90) days. Vesting of the Option shall resume upon the
Grantee’s termination of the leave of absence and return to service to the
Company or a Related Entity. The Vesting Schedule of the Option shall
be extended by the length of the suspension.
In the
event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service for Cause, the right of
the Grantee (including any Holding Company of the Grantee) to exercise the
Option shall terminate concurrently with the termination of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service, except as otherwise determined by the
Administrator.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Notice and agree
that the Option is to be governed by the terms and conditions of this Notice,
the Plan, and the Option Agreement.
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AutoChina International
Limited
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a company incorporated under the laws of the
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Cayman Islands
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By:
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Title:
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THE
GRANTEE (INCLUDING ANY HOLDING COMPANY OF SUCH GRANTEE) ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE SHARES SUBJECT TO THE OPTION SHALL VEST, IF AT ALL, ONLY DURING THE
PERIOD OF THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED,
BEING GRANTED THE OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE GRANTEE
(INCLUDING ANY HOLDING COMPANY OF SUCH GRANTEE) FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE, THE OPTION AGREEMENT, OR THE PLAN SHALL CONFER UPON
THE GRANTEE (INCLUDING ANY HOLDING COMPANY OF SUCH GRANTEE) ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO FUTURE AWARDS OR CONTINUATION OF THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE,
NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE
COMPANY OR A RELATED ENTITY TO WHICH THE GRANTEE PROVIDES SERVICES TO TERMINATE
THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, AND WITH OR WITHOUT
NOTICE. THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT UNLESS THE GRANTEE HAS A
WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY TO THE CONTRARY, THE GRANTEE’S
STATUS IS AT WILL.
The
Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Option Agreement, and
represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and
hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof and
thereof. The Grantee has reviewed this Notice, the Plan, and the
Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice
of counsel prior to executing this Notice, and fully understands all provisions
of this Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement. The Grantee hereby
agrees that all questions of interpretation and administration relating to this
Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement shall be resolved by the Administrator
in accordance with Section 17 of the Option Agreement. The
Grantee further agrees to the arbitration provisions under Section 18 of
the Option Agreement. The Grantee further agrees to notify the
Company upon any change in the residence address indicated in this
Notice.
The
Grantee further agrees that he or she shall not transfer the Option to his or
her Holding Company unless such Holding Company expressly agrees to be bound by
applicable provisions in this Notice and the Option Agreement.
Award
Number: «Award_No_1»
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SHARE OPTION AWARD
AGREEMENT
1.
Grant of
Option
. AutoChina International Limited, a company
incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, (the “Company”) hereby grants
to the Grantee (the “Grantee”) named in the Notice of Share Option Award (the
“Notice”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the Total Number of Ordinary
Shares subject to the Option (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice, at the
Exercise Price per Share set forth in the Notice (the “Exercise Price”) subject
to the terms and provisions of the Notice, this Share Option Award Agreement
(the “Option Agreement”) and the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as
amended from time to time (the “Plan”), which are incorporated herein by
reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the
Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
If
designated in the Notice as an Incentive Stock Option, the Option is intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the
Code. However, notwithstanding such designation, the Option will
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code only to the extent the
US$100,000 dollar limitation of Section 422(d) of the Code is not
exceeded. The US$100,000 limitation of Section 422(d) of the
Code is calculated based on the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares
subject to options designated as Incentive Stock Options which become
exercisable for the first time by the Grantee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company). For purposes of this calculation, Incentive Stock Options
shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the
Fair Market Value of the shares subject to such options shall be determined as
of the grant date of the relevant option.
2.
Exercise of
Option
.
(a)
Right to
Exercise
. The Option shall be exercisable during its term in
accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice and with the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. The
Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan
relating to the exercisability or termination of the Option in the event of a
Corporate Transaction. The Grantee (including any Holding Company of
such Grantee) shall be subject to reasonable limitations on the number of
requested exercises during any monthly or weekly period as determined by the
Administrator. In no event shall the Company issue fractional
Shares.
(b)
Method of
Exercise
. The Option shall be exercisable by delivery of an
exercise notice (a form of which is attached as Exhibit A) or by such other
procedure as specified from time to time by the Administrator which shall state
the election to exercise the Option, the whole number of Shares in respect of
which the Option is being exercised, and such other provisions as may be
required by the Administrator. The exercise notice shall be delivered
in person, by certified mail, or by such other method (including electronic
transmission) as determined from time to time by the Administrator to the
Company accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Option
shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such notice
accompanied by the Exercise Price, which, to the extent selected, shall be
deemed to be satisfied by use of the sale and remittance procedure to pay the
Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) below.
(c)
Taxes
. No
Shares will be delivered to the Grantee (including any Holding Company of such
Grantee) or other person pursuant to the exercise of the Option until the
Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee) or other person has made
arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of applicable
income tax and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without
limitation, such other tax obligations of the Grantee (including any Holding
Company of such Grantee) incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon
exercise of the Option, the Company or the Grantee’s employer may offset or
withhold (from any amount owed by the Company or the Grantee’s employer to the
Grantee) or collect from the Grantee or other person an amount sufficient to
satisfy such tax withholding obligations.
3.
Grantee’s
Representations
. The Grantee understands that neither the
Option nor the Shares exercisable pursuant to the Option have been registered
under any United States or non-U.S. securities laws. In the event the
Shares purchasable pursuant to the exercise of the Option have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time the Option
is exercised, the Grantee shall, if requested by the Company, concurrently with
the exercise of all or any portion of the Option, deliver to the Company his or
her Investment Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B.
4.
Method of
Payment
. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Grantee;
provided, however, that such exercise method does not then violate any
Applicable Law:
(a) cash;
(b) check;
(c) surrender
of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of ownership of
Shares as the Administrator may require which have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the
Shares as to which the Option is being exercised;
(d) payment
through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the
Grantee (i) shall provide written instructions to a Company-designated brokerage
firm to effect the immediate sale of some or all of the purchased Shares and
remit to the Company sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price
payable for the purchased Shares and (ii) shall provide written directives to
the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to
such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction;
(e) payment
through a “net exercise” such that, without the payment of any funds, the
Grantee may exercise the Option and receive the net number of Shares equal to
(i) the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, multiplied
by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Fair Market Value per Share
(on such date as is determined by the Administrator) less the Exercise Price per
Share, and the denominator of which is such Fair Market Value per Share (the
number of net Shares to be received shall be rounded down to the nearest whole
number of Shares); or
(f) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
5.
Restrictions on
Exercise
. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of
the Shares subject to the Option upon such
exercise would
constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws. In addition, the
Option may not be exercised until such time as the Plan has been approved by the
shareholders of the Company. If the exercise of the Option within the
applicable time periods set forth in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Option
Agreement is prevented by the provisions of this Section 4(f), the Option
shall remain exercisable until one (1) month after the date the Grantee is
notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no
later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice.
6.
Termination or Change of
Continuous Service
. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous
Service terminates, other than for Cause,
the Grantee (or the
Holding Company of such Grantee, as applicable) may, but only during the
Post-Termination Exercise Period, exercise the portion of the Option that was
vested at the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”). The
Post-Termination Exercise Period shall commence on the Termination
Date. In the event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service
for Cause, the right of the Grantee (or the Holding Company of such Grantee, as
applicable) to exercise the Option shall, except as otherwise determined by the
Administrator, terminate concurrently with the termination of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service (also the “Termination Date”). In no event,
however, shall the Option be exercised later than the Expiration Date set forth
in the Notice. In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from
Employee, Director or Consultant to any other status of Employee, Director or
Consultant, the Option shall remain in effect and the Option shall continue to
vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice; provided,
however, that with respect to any Incentive Stock Option that shall remain in
effect after a change in status from Employee to Director or Consultant, such
Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option
and shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the day three (3)
months and one (1) day following such change in status. Except
as provided in Sections 7 and 8 below, to the extent that the Option
was unvested on the Termination Date, or if the Grantee (or the Holding Company
of such Grantee, as applicable) does not exercise the vested portion of the
Option within the Post-Termination Exercise Period,
the Option shall
terminate.
7.
Disability of
Grantee
. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous Service
terminates as a result of his or her Disability, the Grantee (or the Holding
Company of such Grantee, as applicable) may, but only within three (3) months
commencing on the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration
Date), exercise the portion of the Option that was vested on the Termination
Date; provided, however, that if such Disability is not a “disability” as such
term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and the Option is an
Incentive Stock Option, such Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be treated as
an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option
on the day three (3) months and one (1) day following the Termination
Date. To the extent that the Option was unvested on the Termination
Date, or if the Grantee does not exercise the vested portion of the Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate. Section 22(e)(3) of the Code provides that an
individual is permanently and totally disabled if he or she is unable to engage
in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which
has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
twelve (12) months.
8.
Death of
Grantee
. In the event of the termination of the Grantee’s
Continuous Service as a result of his or her death, or in the event of the
Grantee’s death during the Post-Termination Exercise Period or during the three
(3) month period following the Grantee’s termination of Continuous Service as a
result of his or her Disability, the person who acquired the right to exercise
the Option pursuant to Section 9 may exercise the portion of the Option
that was vested at the date of termination within three (3) months commencing on
the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration
Date). To the extent that the Option was unvested on the date of
death, or if the vested portion of the Option is not exercised within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
9.
Transferability of
Option
. Incentive Stock Options may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Grantee, only by the Grantee. The Option, if a
Non-Qualified Stock Option, may be transferable (i) by will and by the laws
of descent and distribution and (ii) during the lifetime of the Grantee:
(A) to a Holding Company of such Grantee, or (B) to the extent and in the manner
authorized by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Grantee may designate one or more beneficiaries of the Grantee’s Award in the
event of the Grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the
Administrator. Following the death of the Grantee, the Option, to the
extent provided in Section 8, may be exercised by the Grantee’s legal
representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Grantee’s
will or under the then applicable laws of descent and
distribution. The terms of the Option shall be binding upon the
executors, administrators, heirs, successors and transferees of the
Grantee.
If the
Grantee transfers an Award to a Holding Company, the Grantee and the Holding
Company shall enter into an agreement with the Company substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C, which shall provide, among other things, the
following: (i) the Holding Company shall agree to be bound by the Plan and the
relevant provisions of the Notice and the Option Agreement; and (ii) neither the
Holding Company nor the Grantee shall permit any direct or indirect transfer of
equity interests in the Holding Company.
10.
Term of
Option
. The Option must be exercised no later than the
Expiration Date set forth in the Notice or such earlier date as otherwise
provided herein. After the Expiration Date or such earlier date, the
Option shall be of no further force or effect and may not be
exercised.
11.
Forfeiture
Of Stock Options and Profits
. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, if a Grantee engages in any activity or conduct in violation of
the non-competition restrictions of the Grantee's Labor Contract with the
Company or a Related Entity (or any similar written agreement) after the
termination of Continuous Service, or, if there is no such Agreement or if the
Agreement does not contain a non-competition clause or restriction, and a
Grantee Competes (as defined below) with the Company or a Related Entity after
the termination of Continuous Service, then, at the election of the
Company: (i) all unexercised Options (whether vested or unvested) shall
immediately terminate and be forfeited and the Grantee or his or her
beneficiaries or representatives shall not be able to exercise the Options, and
(ii) to the extent the Grantee or his or her beneficiaries or representatives
have exercised any Options in the six (6) month period ending on the date the
Grantee first engaged in the violation of the non-competition
restrictions, the Company may rescind any such exercise of the Options (in
which case the Shares shall be returned to the Company and the Grantee's
exercise price shall be returned, or, in the case of an Option which was
exercised using the “net exercise” clause in Section 4(e) above, the Shares
shall be returned to the Company) or, at the Company's election, the Grantee may
be required to pay to the Company in cash or a cash equivalent acceptable to the
Company an amount equal to any profits Grantee received from the sale of the
shares subject to the Options, whether any such sale occurs during or after the
period of the Grantee's Continuous Service for the Company or before or after
the conduct occurs that violates the terms of the agreements with the
Company. The amount of a Grantee's profits for these purposes will be
calculated as the difference between the sale price for the shares and the price
he or she paid to exercise the Options. In any case there shall be no
offset from the amount owed the Company (including in a case where shares are
returned) for any tax liability a Grantee may have incurred as a result of the
exercise of the option or the sale of the shares. The Grantee agrees
to return the shares or make this payment to the Company, as applicable, no
later than thirty (30) days after the date the Company requests such return or
payment. The Grantee also consents to a deduction from any amounts
the Company owes them from time to time (including amounts owed as wages or
other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation pay, as well as any other
amounts owed by the Company) to the extent of the amount the Grantee is
obligated to pay the Company under this Section. Whether or not the
Company elects to make any set-off in whole or part, if the Company does not
recover by means of set-off the full amount a Grantee owes it, the Grantee
agrees to pay the unpaid balance within the time period specified
above. For the purposes of this Section 11, a Grantee “Competes” with
the Company if such Grantee (during the period of Grantee’s employment with the
Company, and for the period of six (6) months after the date Grantee’s
employment with the Company ends for any reason) provides services, similar to
those he or she provided to the Company, to any person or entity “in
competition” (as defined below) with the Company anywhere in the
world. At the present time, the Company and Related Entities engage
in the wholesale and retail sale of vehicles (including auto trading), vehicle
parts and vehicle accessories; vehicle repair and maintenance; insurance agency;
vehicle trade-in business; used car sales business; and vehicle consulting
services and vehicle storage services. The Grantee understands that
the scope and nature of Grantee’s activities and services, and the Company’s
business, products or services, may change as the Company
develops. The Grantee agrees that the scope of this provision will
change to cover any changes in Grantee’s activities or services, as well as any
changes in the Company or a Related Entity’s business, products or services,
during Grantee’s Continuous Service with the Company
.
12.
Stop-Transfer
Notices
. In order to ensure compliance with the restrictions
on transfer set forth in this Option Agreement, the Notice or the Plan, the
Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer
agent, if any, and, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make
appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
13.
Refusal to
Transfer
. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on
its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation
of any of the provisions of this Option Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of
such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or
other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so
transferred.
14.
Lock-Up
Agreement
.
(a)
Agreement
. The
Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee, as applicable), if
requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of the
Ordinary Shares (the “Lead Underwriter”), hereby irrevocably agrees not to sell,
contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of
ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of
any interest in any Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire
Ordinary Shares (except Ordinary Shares included in such public offering or
acquired on the public market after such offering) during the 200-day period
following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or such shorter or longer period
of time as the Lead Underwriter shall specify. The Grantee further
agrees to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to
effect the foregoing and agrees that the Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to such Ordinary Shares subject to the lock-up period
until the end of such period. The Company and the Grantee acknowledge
that each Lead Underwriter of a public offering of the Company’s stock, during
the period of such offering and for the lock-up period thereafter, is an
intended beneficiary of this Section 14.
(b)
No Amendment Without Consent
of Underwriter
. During the period from identification of a
Lead Underwriter in connection with any public offering of the Company’s
Ordinary Shares until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the lock-up period
specified in Section 14(a) in connection with such offering or (ii) the
abandonment of such offering by the Company and the Lead Underwriter, the
provisions of this Section 14 may not be amended or waived except with the
consent of the Lead Underwriter.
15.
Entire Agreement: Governing
Law
. The Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement constitute
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the
Company and the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not
be modified adversely to the interest of the Grantee (including any Holding
Company of such Grantee, as applicable) except by means of a writing signed by
the Company and the Grantee (or the Holding Company of such Grantee, as
applicable). Nothing in the Notice, the Plan and this Option
Agreement (except as expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any
rights or remedies on any persons other than the parties. The Notice,
the Plan and this Option Agreement are to be construed in accordance with and
governed by the internal laws of Hong Kong without giving effect to any choice
of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the internal laws of Hong Kong to the rights and duties of the
parties. Should any provision of the Notice, the Plan or this Option
Agreement be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be
enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions shall
nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
16.
Construction
. The
captions used in the Notice and this Option Agreement are inserted for
convenience and shall not be deemed a part of the Option for construction or
interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
17.
Administration and
Interpretation
. Any question or dispute regarding the
administration or interpretation of the Notice, the Plan or this Option
Agreement shall be submitted by the Grantee (or the Holding Company of such
Grantee, as applicable) or by the Company to the Administrator. The
resolution of such question or dispute by the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all persons.
18.
Arbitration
. The
Company, the Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee), and the
Grantee’s assignees pursuant to Section 9 (the “parties”) agree that any
suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notice, the Plan
or this Option Agreement shall be referred to and determined by arbitration at
the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and in accordance with its
Domestic Arbitration Rules. The arbitration proceedings shall be
conducted in the English language. The parties shall have the right
to conduct discovery which provides them with access to documents and witnesses
that are essential to the dispute, as determined by the
arbitrator. The parties agree that the arbitrator shall have no
authority to vary the terms of the Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement or
to award any punitive, consequential, incidental, indirect or special damages,
interest, fees or expenses. The arbitrator's written award shall
include the essential findings and conclusions upon which the award is
based. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and may be
enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall a
demand for arbitration be made after the date when the applicable statute of
limitations would bar the institution of a legal or equitable proceeding based
on such claim, dispute or other matter in question. The parties shall
bear their own attorneys’ fees and other costs arising under this
Section 18 except as otherwise required by law. If any one or
more provisions of this Section 18 shall for any reason be held invalid or
unenforceable, it is the specific intent of the parties that such provisions
shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application
valid and enforceable.
19.
Notices
. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an
internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the
United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United
States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its
address as shown in these instruments, or to such other address as such party
may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.
20.
Confidentiality
. The
Grantee (including any Holding Company of such Grantee) shall keep the terms of
this Option Agreement, the Notice and Plan strictly confidential and may not
discuss such terms with anyone except the Plan Administrator or persons
authorized by the Plan Administrator. If the Grantee breaches the
confidentiality obligations under this Section 20, the Company shall have the
right to revoke the Option.
END
OF AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
A
AUTOCHINA
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EXERCISE
NOTICE
AutoChina International
Limited
Attention:
Corporate Secretary
1. Effective
as of today, ______________, the undersigned (the “Holder”) hereby elects to
exercise the Holder’s option to purchase ___________ Ordinary Shares (the
“Shares”) of AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the
laws of the Cayman Islands, (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Company’s
2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the
Share Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and Notice of Share Option
Award (the “Notice”) dated ______________, ________. Unless otherwise
defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined
meanings in this Exercise Notice. The Holder elects to pay the full
Exercise Price for the Shares by the following means, as authorized by the
Option Agreement:
¨
Cash
¨
Check
¨
Surrender or Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
¨
Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
¨
Net
Exercise
¨
A
combination of the foregoing methods of payment, with the number of Ordinary
Shares pursuant to each of the foregoing methods of payment set forth
immediately as follows in (parenthesis): Cash (________________), Check
(________________), Surrender of Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
(________________), Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
(________________), Net Exercise (________________)
2.
Representations of the
Holder
. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder has received,
read and understood the Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.
Rights as
Shareholder
. Until the issue of such Shares has been
registered in the Register of Members of the Company, no right to vote or
receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect
to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall register the issue of such Shares in the Register of Members of
the Company and issue (or cause to be issued) such share certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a
dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the share
certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the
Plan. The Holder shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time
as the Holder disposes of the Shares.
4.
Delivery of
Payment
. The Holder herewith delivers to the Company the full
Exercise Price for the Shares, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to
be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay
the Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) of the Option
Agreement.
5.
Tax
Consultation
. The Holder understands that the Holder may
suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Holder’s purchase or
disposition of the Shares. The Holder represents that the Holder has
consulted with any tax consultants the Holder deems advisable in connection with
the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that the Holder is not relying on
the Company for any tax advice.
6.
Taxes
. The
Holder agrees to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local income and
employment tax withholding obligations and herewith delivers to the Company the
full amount of such obligations or has made arrangements acceptable to the
Company to satisfy such obligations.
7.
Restrictive
Legends
. The Holder understands and agrees that the Company
shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent
thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares
together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state
or federal securities laws:
THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER
THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE
ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE
BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.
Successors and
Assigns
. The Company may assign any of its rights under this
Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement shall inure
to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be
binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the
Holder.
9.
Construction
. The
captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for convenience and shall not
be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or
interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
10.
Administration and
Interpretation
. The Holder hereby agrees that any question or
dispute regarding the administration or interpretation of this Exercise Notice
shall be submitted by the Holder or by the Company to the
Administrator. The resolution of such question or dispute by the
Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons.
11.
Governing Law;
Severability
. This Exercise Notice is to be construed in
accordance with and governed by the internal laws of Hong Kong without giving
effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of Hong Kong to the rights and
duties of the parties. Should any provision of this Exercise Notice
be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision
shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions
shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
12.
Notices
. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an
internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the
United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United
States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its
address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such
party may designate in writing from time to time to the other
party.
13.
Further
Instruments
. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.
14.
Entire
Agreement
. The Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference and together with this Exercise Notice
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Holder’s interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and the Holder. Nothing in
the Notice, the Plan, the Option Agreement and this Exercise Notice (except as
expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any
persons other than the parties.
Submitted
by:
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Accepted
by:
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HOLDER:
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AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
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By:
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(Signature)
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Title:
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Address
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Address
:
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EXHIBIT
B
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
INVESTMENT
REPRESENTATION STATEMENT
GRANTEE:
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_________________________________
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COMPANY:
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AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
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SECURITY:
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ORDINARY SHARES
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AMOUNT:
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_________________________________
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DATE:
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_________________________________
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In
connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned
Grantee represents to the Company the following:
(a) Grantee
is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has
acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and
knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Grantee is
acquiring these Securities for investment for Grantee’s own account only and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”).
(b) Grantee
acknowledges and understands that the Securities constitute “restricted
securities” under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the
Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption
depends upon among other things, the bona fide nature of Grantee’s investment
intent as expressed herein. Grantee further understands that the
Securities must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered
under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is
available. Grantee further acknowledges and understands that the
Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. Grantee
understands that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be imprinted
with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless they are
registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Company.
(c) Grantee
is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule 144, each
promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit limited public
resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly from the
issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under
Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Grantee, the
exercise will be exempt from registration under the Securities
Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off
agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold,
except in the case of affiliates, such Securities may be resold subject to the
satisfaction of the applicable conditions specified by Rule 144, including:
(1) the availability of certain public information about the Company,
(2) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period not
exceeding specified limitations, (3) the resale being made in an unsolicited
“broker’s transaction,” in transactions directly with a “market maker” or
“riskless principal transactions” (as said terms are defined under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and (4) the timely filing of a
Form 144, if applicable.
In the
event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of the
grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain limited
circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which may require: the
availability of current public information about the Company; the resale to
occur more than a specified period after the purchase and full payment (within
the meaning of Rule 144) for the Securities; and, in the case of the sale of
Securities by an affiliate, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
sections (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph immediately above.
(d) Grantee
further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of
Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act,
compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be
required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not
exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its
opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than
in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rules 144 or 701 will
have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from
registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and
their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own
risk. Grantee understands that no assurances can be given that any
such other registration exemption will be available in such event.
(e) Grantee
represents that Grantee is a resident of the state of
____________________.
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Signature
of Grantee:
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Date:
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EXHIBIT
C
TRANSFER
AGREEMENT
THIS
TRANSFER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of ____, 200__ by and among
[Grantee] (the “Grantee”), [Holding Company] (the “Holding Company”) and
AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the
Cayman Islands (the “Company”).
WHEREAS,
the Grantee holds an option (the “Option”) to purchase [ ]
ordinary shares of the Company (the “Shares”);
WHEREAS,
the Option was issued to the Grantee by the Company pursuant to the Company’s
2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a Notice and Share Option Award
Agreement (the “Award Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
the Holding Company is an investment holding company wholly owned by the
Grantee;
WHEREAS,
the Plan and the Award Agreement expressly permit the transfer of the Option by
the Grantee to an investment holding company wholly owned by the
Grantee,
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The
Grantee hereby agrees to transfer the Option to the Holding Company in
consideration of [ ] ordinary shares of the Holding Company
(the “Holding Company Shares”), and the Holding Company hereby agrees to issue
such Holding Company Shares to the Grantee in exchange for the
Option.
2. The
Holding Company agrees to be bound by all provisions of the Plan and the Award
Agreement (except those that relate to Grantee’s employment and provision of
services) as if it were the Grantee thereunder.
3. The
Holding Company agrees that it shall not issue any securities to any third party
other than the Grantee. The Holding Company further agrees that it
shall not be involved in any business activity except in connection with its
ownership of the Option, such as exercising the Option (in full or in part) and
holding and disposing of the Shares.
4. Representations
and Warranties.
(i) The
Holding Company hereby represents that its authorized share capital is
[US$ ] divided into [ ] ordinary shares, par value
[US$ each], [ ] of which are issued and
outstanding. As of the date hereof, all of the [ ]
ordinary shares are held by the Grantee. Upon the completion of the
transactions contemplated hereunder, the Grantee will hold [ ]
ordinary shares of the Holding Company, which will represent all of the issued
and outstanding ordinary shares of the Holding Company.
(ii) The
Grantee hereby represents that it has valid title to the Option, free of liens,
charges and other encumbrances, except as provided in the Plan, the Award
Agreement and this Agreement.
(iii) Each
of the parties hereto represents that this Agreement, when delivered, will
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such party, enforceable
against such party in accordance with its terms.
6. Within
five (5) business days following the execution of this Agreement, (i) the
Holding Company shall issue a share certificate to the Grantee representing the
Holding Company Shares and update its register of members accordingly; and (ii)
the Company shall update its records to reflect the transfer of the Option from
the Grantee to the Holding Company.
7. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the Cayman
Islands.
8. This
Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Grantee, the Holding
Company and the Company.
9. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized
representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date and year first above
written.
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GRANTEE
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HOLDING
COMPANY
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[Name
of company]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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THE
COMPANY
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AutoChina
International Limited
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Name:
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Title:
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EXHIBIT
A
AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
2009
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EXERCISE
NOTICE
AutoChina
International Limited
Attention:
Corporate Secretary
1. Effective
as of today, ______________, the undersigned (the “Holder”) hereby elects to
exercise the Holder’s option to purchase ___________ Ordinary Shares (the
“Shares”) of AutoChina International Limited, a company incorporated under the
laws of the Cayman Islands, (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Company’s
2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the
Share Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and Notice of Share Option
Award (the “Notice”) dated ______________, ________. Unless otherwise
defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined
meanings in this Exercise Notice. The Holder elects to pay the full
Exercise Price for the Shares by the following means, as authorized by the
Option Agreement:
¨
Cash
¨
Check
¨
Surrender or Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
¨
Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
¨
Net
Exercise
¨
A
combination of the foregoing methods of payment, with the number of Ordinary
Shares pursuant to each of the foregoing methods of payment set forth
immediately as follows in (parenthesis): Cash (________________), Check
(________________), Surrender of Attestation of Previously Owned Shares
(________________), Broker-Dealer Sale and Remittance Procedure
(________________), Net Exercise (________________)
2.
Representations of the
Holder
. The Holder acknowledges that the Holder has received,
read and understood the Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3.
Rights as
Shareholder
. Until the issue of such Shares has been
registered in the Register of Members of the Company, no right to vote or
receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect
to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall register the issue of such Shares in the Register of Members of
the Company and issue (or cause to be issued) such share certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a
dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the share
certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the
Plan. The Holder shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time
as the Holder disposes of the Shares.
4.
Delivery of
Payment
. The Holder herewith delivers to the Company the full
Exercise Price for the Shares, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to
be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay
the Exercise Price provided in Section 4(d) of the Option
Agreement.
5.
Tax
Consultation
. The Holder understands that the Holder may
suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Holder’s purchase or
disposition of the Shares. The Holder represents that the Holder has
consulted with any tax consultants the Holder deems advisable in connection with
the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that the Holder is not relying on
the Company for any tax advice.
6.
Taxes
. The
Holder agrees to satisfy all income and employment or similar tax withholding
obligations applicable pursuant to the laws of any relevant jurisdiction and
herewith delivers to the Company the full amount of such obligations or has made
arrangements acceptable to the Company to satisfy such obligations.
7.
Restrictive
Legends
. The Holder understands and agrees that the Company
shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent
thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares
together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state
or federal securities laws:
THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER
THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE
ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE
BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
8.
Successors and
Assigns
. The Company may assign any of its rights under this
Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement shall inure
to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be
binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the
Holder.
9.
Construction
. The
captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for convenience and shall not
be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or
interpretation. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
10.
Administration and
Interpretation
. The Holder hereby agrees that any question or
dispute regarding the administration or interpretation of this Exercise Notice
shall be submitted by the Holder or by the Company to the
Administrator. The resolution of such question or dispute by the
Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons.
11.
Governing Law;
Severability
. This Exercise Notice is to be construed in
accordance with and governed by the internal laws of Hong Kong without giving
effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of
any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of Hong Kong to the rights and
duties of the parties. Should any provision of this Exercise Notice
be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision
shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions
shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.
12.
Notices
. Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be
deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, upon deposit for delivery by an
internationally recognized express mail courier service or upon deposit in the
United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United
States), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its
address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such
party may designate in writing from time to time to the other
party.
13.
Further
Instruments
. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.
14.
Disclaimer with Respect to
PRC Residents
. If the Holder is a resident of the People’s
Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) (the “PRC Resident
Holder”), then the PRC Resident Holder understands that the PRC Resident Holder
is required to (i) file or register with, individually or collectively, as the
case may be, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) and any other
governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the PRC Resident Holder before
the PRC Resident Holder can lawfully own the Shares, and (ii) secure approval
from SAFE before the PRC Resident Holder can purchase foreign exchange with
Renminbi, unless the PRC Resident Holder otherwise legally owns foreign exchange
for the exercise of the PRC Resident Holder’s option to purchase the Shares, and
such filing or approval is not always attainable, and if the PRC Resident Holder
fails to secure filing with or approval from the PRC authorities, the PRC
Resident Holder may have difficulties either to remit foreign exchange to the
Company to exercise the PRC Resident Holder’s option to purchase the Shares or
to receive proceeds when the PRC Resident Holder sells shares issued pursuant to
the option. Failure to comply with these rules may also result in
sanctions under the PRC foreign exchange regulations. It is the PRC
Resident Holder’s duty to ensure full compliance with these PRC regulations at
the PRC Resident Holder’s own expense and the Company assumes no responsibility
to seek proper filing or approval on the PRC Resident Holder’s
behalf.
15.
Entire
Agreement
. The Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference and together with this Exercise Notice
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Holder’s interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and the Holder. Nothing in
the Notice, the Plan, the Option Agreement and this Exercise Notice (except as
expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any
persons other than the parties.
Submitted
by:
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Accepted
by:
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HOLDER:
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AUTOCHINA INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED
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By:
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Title:
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(Signature)
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Address
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Address
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