UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 29, 2008

 

 

Autobytel Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   0-22239   33-0711569
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

18872 MacArthur Boulevard, Irvine, California   92612-1400
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (949) 225-4500

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On September 29, 2008, the Board of Directors of Autobytel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Autobytel ”), approved and adopted a retention program for certain officers and other employees (the “ Retention Program ”), pursuant to which Autobytel will: (i) enter into severance agreements, or amend and restate existing severance agreements, with certain of its officers and other employees (“ Severance Agreements ”) that provide for supplemental severance benefits to those previously existing; (ii) award an aggregate of 960,000 shares of Autobytel’s common stock as restricted stock to certain of its officers and other employees; and (iii) grant options to purchase an aggregate of 1,395,000 shares of Autobytel’s common stock to certain of its officers and other employees. In light of the terms of their existing employment agreements, neither James Resienbach, Autobytel’s President and Chief Executive Officer, nor Monty Houdeshell, Autobytel’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, are included in the new retention program.

Severance Agreements . The Severance Agreements provide for certain severance benefits (“ Severance Benefits ”) to applicable employees if Autobytel terminates the employee’s employment without cause (as defined in the Severance Agreement applicable to the employee’s employment level) or the employee resigns the employee’s employment for good reason (as defined in the Severance Agreement applicable to the employee’s employment level). The Severance Benefits provided for in the Severance Agreements include (i) payment to the employee of a lump sum amount ranging from four to twelve months (the “ Severance Period ”), depending on the employee’s employment level, of the employee’s annual base salary, (ii) continuation of Autobytel medical, dental, vision and, depending on the employee’s level, life and disability insurance benefits for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents (at the time of termination) at the time such benefits would have been provided or paid had the employee remained an employee of Autobytel during the applicable Severance Period (and at the levels provided prior to the event giving rise to a termination), provided, that (1) if such continuation of existing benefits that are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage is not allowable under Autobytel’s then existing policies, Autobytel will pay the COBRA continuation coverage premiums, the premiums for individual coverage or premiums for dependent coverage under another person’s group coverage, provided that the costs of such payments or reimbursements shall not exceed the amounts Autobytel would pay for COBRA continuation coverage; and (2) Autobytel will not be obligated to pay more than Autobytel’s cost of providing such benefits at the time of termination of the employee’s employment with Autobytel for any benefits that are not eligible for COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) outplacement services. The Severance Agreements provide up to four months of severance payments to those participating employees who did not previously have severance agreements (and in the case of one officer, twelve months) or three to six months (depending on employee level) of additional severance for those participating employees who had existing severance agreements with Autobytel.

For certain officers, as an additional benefit, the Severance Agreements provide for a payment equal to the officer’s bonus for the year ending 2008 (payable as if both Autobytel and individual performance targets had been 100% achieved) upon the earlier to occur of (i) any event giving rise to the payment of the Severance Benefits; (ii) a change of control of Autobytel (as defined in the applicable Severance Agreement), and (iii) March 1, 2009 (the “ Bonus Payment ”). For other employees who are eligible for bonuses for individual performance targets under Autobytel’s 2008 bonus plan, the Severance Agreements provide for a payment upon the occurrence of certain events such as a termination of employment by Autobytel without cause or by the employee for good reason or upon a change of control equal to the employee’s individual performance bonus for the year ending 2008 (payable as if individual performance targets had been 100% achieved) prorated for the period of employment during 2008 or without proration in the event of a change of control.

For certain officers the Severance Agreements further provide that if it shall be determined that any amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the Severance Agreement, any stock option agreement between the employee and Autobytel or otherwise) by Autobytel to or for the benefit of the employee would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any interest or penalties are incurred by such employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with such interest and penalties, the “ Excise Tax ”), then such employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (the “ Gross-Up Payment ”) in an amount such that after payment by such employee of all federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, such employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed by Autobytel to or for the benefit of such employee.

Payment of the Severance Benefits under the Severance Agreements will be generally conditioned on the employee’s execution of a release in favor of Autobytel and will be paid upon termination.

Restricted Stock and Stock Options . The restricted stock to be awarded under the Retention Program will be issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of Autobytel’s Amended and Restated 2001 Restricted Stock and Option Plan (the “ 2001 Plan ”) and/or Autobytel’s 2004 Restricted Stock and Option Plan (the “ 2004 Plan ”). The restricted stock will be issued without cost to the recipients, but will be subject to forfeiture, with the forfeiture


restrictions lapsing with respect to one-third of the restricted stock on the first anniversary of the date of grant and thereafter in equal one thirty-sixth (1/36) installments on each monthly anniversary of the date of grant for the following twenty-four months. The stock options to be granted under the Retention Program will be granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the following Autobytel plans: the 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “ 1998 Plan ”), the 1999 Employee and Acquisition Related Stock Option Plan (the “ 1999 EA Plan ”) and the 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “ 1999 Plan ”). The stock options will be issued at an exercise price of $1.06, the closing price for Autobytel’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on September 29, 2008, and will vest over a three-year period, with one-third vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and thereafter in equal one thirty-sixth (1/36) installments on each monthly anniversary of the date of grant for the following twenty-four months. The stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant. The lapsing of the forfeiture restrictions on the restricted stock and vesting of the stock options will accelerate (i) if Autobytel terminates the employee’s employment without cause (as defined in the Severance Agreement applicable to the employee’s employment level) or the employee resigns the employee’s employment for good reason (as defined in the Severance Agreement applicable to the employee’s employment level); and (ii) upon a change of control of Autobytel (as defined in the applicable agreement).

The foregoing description of the restricted stock granted pursuant to the Retention Program is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Restricted Stock Award under the 2001 Plan and the 2004 Plan which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the stock options granted pursuant to the Retention Program is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Stock Option Award under the 1998 Plan, the 1999 EA Plan and the 1999 Plan which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and which is incorporated herein by reference.

As part of the Retention Program, Autobytel entered into Severance Agreements with, and awarded shares of restricted stock and granted stock options to, the following executive officers: Mark A. Garms, Autobytel’s Senior Vice President, Dealer Operations and Strategy, and Glenn E. Fuller, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.

The Severance Agreements for Mr. Garms and Mr. Fuller include provisions for the Bonus Payment and the Gross-Up Payment. The description of Mr. Garms’ and Mr. Fuller’s Severance Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of their applicable severance agreements, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3 and Exhibit 10.4 hereto, respectively, and each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The numbers of shares of restricted stock awarded and stock options granted to each of Mr. Garms and Mr. Fuller are as follows:

 

     Shares of
Restricted Stock
   Options

Mark A. Garms

   50,000    150,000

Glenn E. Fuller

   25,000    100,000

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Pursuant to the Retention Program described under Item 1.01 of this Report on Form 8-K, on September 29, 2008, Autobytel entered into Severance Agreements with, and awarded shares of restricted stock and granted stock options to, certain officers and other employees of Autobytel, including the following executive officers: Mark A. Garms, Autobytel’s Senior Vice President, Dealer Operations and Strategy, and Glenn E. Fuller, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.

See Item 1.01 of this Report on Form 8-K for a description of the terms of Mr. Garms’ and Mr. Fuller’s Severance Agreements with Autobytel and information relating to the shares of restricted stock and stock options that Autobytel granted to Mr. Garms and Mr. Fuller. The information set forth in Item 1.01 in this Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.


Item 8.01 Other Events.

On September 26, 2008, Autobytel issued a press release entitled “Autobytel Announces Workforce Reduction, Company Retains RBC Capital Markets to Review Strategic Opportunities,” a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1    Form of Restricted Stock Award under the Amended and Restated 2001 Restricted Stock and Option Plan and the 2004 Restricted Stock and Option Plan
10.2    Form of Option Agreement under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, the 1999 Employee and Acquisition Related Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Stock Option Plan
10.3    Amended and Restated Severance Agreement between Autobytel and Mr. Garms
10.4    Amended and Restated Severance Agreement between Autobytel and Mr. Fuller
99.1    Press release dated September 26, 2008


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Autobytel Inc.
By:   /s/ Glenn E. Fuller
  Glenn E. Fuller, Senior Vice President,
  Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Date: October 3, 2008


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

10.1    Form of Restricted Stock Award under the Amended and Restated 2001 Restricted Stock and Option Plan and the 2004 Restricted Stock and Option Plan
10.2    Form of Option Agreement under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, the 1999 Employee and Acquisition Related Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Stock Option Plan
10.3    Amended and Restated Severance Agreement between Autobytel and Mr. Garms
10.4    Amended and Restated Severance Agreement between Autobytel and Mr. Fuller
99.1    Press release dated September 26, 2008

Exhibit 10.1

Autobytel Inc.

                             Plan

 

 

Restricted Stock Award Agreement

 

 

Award No.             

You are hereby awarded Restricted Stock subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (“ Award ”) and in the Autobytel Inc.                          Plan (“ Plan ”). By executing this Award, you agree to be bound by all of the Plan’s terms and conditions as if they had been set out verbatim in this Award. In addition, you recognize and agree that all determinations, interpretations, or other actions respecting the Plan and this Award will be made by the Administrator, and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties, including you and your successors in interest. Capitalized terms are defined in the Plan or in this Award.

Specific Terms . Your Restricted Shares have the following terms:

 

Name of Participant   
Number of Shares Subject to Award   
Purchase Price per Share (if any)    $ 0.00
Date of Award   
Forfeiture Lapse Schedule    All shares of restricted stock are subject to forfeiture back to the Company upon the termination of employment by the Participant for any reason (the “ Forfeiture Restrictions ”) subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions lapsing in whole or in part as follows:
   The Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of your Restricted Shares shall lapse twelve (12) calendar months after the Date of Award and thereafter in equal one thirty-sixth (1/36) installments on each monthly anniversary of the Date of Award for the following twenty-four months. Continued lapsing of the Forfeiture Restrictions as set forth above shall be contingent upon your continued employment with the Company.


   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Forfeiture Restrictions on the Restricted Shares shall fully lapse upon the occurrence of any Change of Control or termination of Participant’s employment with the Company (i) by the Company without Cause, or (ii) by Participant for Good Reason. For purposes of this Award, (i) the definitions of Cause and Good Reason shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Amended and Restated Severance Agreement dated as of September 29, 2008 by and between the Company and Participant; and (ii) the definition of Change of Control shall have the meaning ascribed to such definition in the Plan as of the date hereof.

1. Legend. Until all Forfeiture Restrictions lapse and new certificates are issued pursuant to the next section, certificates representing shares of Restricted Shares issued pursuant to this Award shall bear the following legend:

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to forfeiture to and recoupment by Autobytel Inc. and may not be sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to the provisions of the                      Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement by and between Autobytel Inc. and the registered owner of such shares.

In accordance with the Plan, the Company shall retain possession of any certificates representing Restricted Shares until such time as the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse.

2. Lapse of Forfeiture Restrictions . As Forfeiture Restrictions lapse, the Company shall cause new certificates to be issued and delivered to you, free from the legend in the preceding section, but with any other legends the Company determines to be appropriate. New certificates shall not be delivered to you unless you have made arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator to satisfy tax-withholding obligations.


3. Section 83(b) Election Notice . If you elect under Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b) to be taxed immediately on your Restricted Shares rather than as the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse, you must notify the Company of the election within 10 days of filing that election with the Internal Revenue Service.

4. Not a Contract of Employment . By executing this Award Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that (1) any person who is terminated before full lapsing of Forfeiture Restrictions of an award, such as the one granted to you by this Award Agreement, could claim that he or she was terminated to preclude lapsing of Forfeiture Restrictions; (2) you promise never to make such a claim; (3) nothing in this Award Agreement or the Plan confers on you any right to continued Company employment or restricts the Company’s right to terminate your employment at any time for any or no reason; and (4) the Company would not have granted this Award to you but for these acknowledgements and agreements.

5. Severability . Subject to one exception, every provision of this Award Agreement and the Plan is intended to be severable, and any illegal or invalid term shall not affect the validity or legality of the remaining terms. The only exception is that this Award Agreement shall be unenforceable if any provision of the preceding section is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable.

6. Notices . Any notice, payment or communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Award shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows: (i) if to the Company, at the address set forth on the signature page, to the attention of: Administrator of the Autobytel Inc.                          Plan; (ii) if to you, at the address set forth below your signature on the signature page. Each party may, from time to time, by notice to the other party hereto, specify a new address for delivery of notices relating to this Award. Any such notice shall be deemed to be given as of the date such notice is personally delivered or properly mailed.

7. Binding Effect . Every provision of this Award shall be binding on and inure to the benefit the parties’ respective heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors, transferees, and assigns.

8. Headings . Headings shall be ignored in interpreting this Award.

9. Counterparts . This Award may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute the same instrument.


10. Governing Law . This agreement is governed by Delaware law, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, and for U.S. federal tax purposes, U.S. federal law.

11. Advice of Counsel and Tax Advisors . The Participant acknowledges that: (i) the Company has encouraged him or her to consult with an attorney and/or tax advisor of his or her choosing (and at his or her own cost) in connection with this Award, and (ii) he or she is not relying upon the Company for, and the Company has not provided, legal and tax advice to Participant in connection with this Award. It is the responsibility of the Participant to seek independent tax and legal advice with regard to the tax treatment of the Award and any other related matters. The Participant acknowledges that he or she has had a reasonable opportunity to seek and consider advice from counsel and tax advisors.

BY YOUR SIGNATURE BELOW, along with the signature of the Company’s representative, you and the Company agree that the Option is awarded under and governed by the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and the Plan.

 

Autobytel Inc.
By:     
  Name:
  Title:

The undersigned Participant hereby accepts the terms of this Award Agreement and the Plan.

 

By:     
  Name of Participant:                                              

Exhibit 10.2

«Option_No_»

Autobytel Inc.

A Delaware Corporation

                         Plan

EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

«F IRST » «L AST »

«Street1»

«Street2»

«City», «ST» «ZIP»

You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

 

Date of Grant:

   «DateGrant»

Vesting Commencement Date:

   «VestDate»

Exercise Price per Share:

   «ExePrice_»

Total Number of Shares Granted:

   «TotalShGrant_»

Total Exercise Price:

   «TtlExPrice_»

Type of Option:

   Nonstatutory Option

Term/Expiration Date:

   The tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant

A. Vesting Schedule :

You may exercise this Option, in whole or in part, according to the following vesting schedule:

Subject to Section II, Paragraphs D, E and F hereof, thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) shall vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary after the vesting commencement date, and one thirty-sixth (1/36) shall vest and become exercisable on each successive monthly anniversary thereafter for the following twenty-four (24) months ending on the third anniversary of such vesting commencement date.

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-1-

  


B. Termination Period :

You may exercise the vested portion of this Option for ninety (90) days following your termination of employment with the Company, or for such longer periods as provided in the Plan or this Option Agreement; provided that if your termination of employment is for Cause (as defined below) then you shall have thirty (30) days following your termination of employment with the Company to exercise the vested portion of this Option unless the Company provides you notice of the immediate loss of your right to exercise as permitted by the Plan on or before the date of termination (subject to any right to cure as set forth in the Plan). In no case may you exercise this Option after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

II

AGREEMENT

A. Grant of Option . Autobytel Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the “Optionee”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the total number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”) subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the                          Plan (the “Plan”) adopted by the Company, which is 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 of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), or to the extent the Option does not meet the ISO rules for some other reason, this Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”).

B. Exercise of Option .

 

  (1) Right to Exercise . This Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with the applicable general provisions of the Plan subject to the specific provisions of this Option Agreement. In the event of Optionee’s death, disability, other termination of the employment with the Company or a Change of Control, this Option shall be exercisable in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. After giving effect to the foregoing provisions, to the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at the date of the occurrence of such an event, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the times specified herein, the Option shall terminate and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

 

  (2)

Method of Exercise . This Option shall be exercisable by written notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-2-

  


 

person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.

No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.

C. Method of Payment . Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

 

  (1) cash or by wire transfer;

 

  (2) certified, bank cashier’s, or teller’s check;

 

  (3) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which (A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or

 

  (4) by a net exercise transaction conducted through a broker or other financial intermediary by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker or other financial intermediary shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price.

D. Restrictions on Exercise . This Option may not be exercised if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations (“Regulation G”) as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board.

E. Termination of Relationship . In the event the termination of Optionee’s employment is by the Company without Cause or by Optionee for Good Reason, any unvested portion of this Option shall become immediately and fully vested as of the date of such termination. For purposes of this Option Agreement, the terms Cause and Good Reason shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain                      Severance Agreement dated as of                      ,          by and between the Company and Optionee (the “Severance Agreement”).

F. Disability of Optionee . Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph E above, in the event of termination of an Optionee’s employment with the Company as a result of the Employee’s Disability, Optionee (or Optionee’s attorney in fact, conservator or other representative on behalf of Optionee) may, but only within six (6) months from the date of such termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of this Option as set forth in Paragraph J below),

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-3-

  


exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if such disability is not a “disability” as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the case of an ISO such ISO shall cease to be treated as an ISO and shall be treated for tax purposes as a NSO on the day three months and one day following such termination. For purposes of this Option Agreement, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Severance Agreement.

G. Death of Optionee . Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph E above, in the event of termination of Optionee’s employment with the Company as a result of the death of Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in Paragraph I below), by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at the date of death.

H. Change of Control . In the event of a Change of Control of the Company (as such term is defined in the Plan as of the date of this Option Agreement [or as such term is defined in the Severance Agreement, if applicable]), any unvested installment of this Option shall immediately vest and become exercisable as of the date of such Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Option Agreement, to the extent that the Plan is assumed by the successor to the Company in a Change of Control, this Option shall remain exercisable, regardless of any termination of Optionee’s employment as a result of, or following the Change of Control, until the later of (i) the date that is [one (1) year or two (2) years] following the Change of Control date, or (ii) the latest date that this Option is otherwise exercisable following the termination of Optionee’s employment with the Company (or any successor thereto or affiliate thereof) as provided in the applicable section of this Option Agreement covering the facts and circumstances of the Optionee’s termination of employment (e.g. if the Optionee’s termination of employment is due to Disability following a Change of Control, then under Paragraph F above this Option may be exercised at any time until the date that is six (6) months after the date of such termination), but in no event later in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) than the expiration of the term of this Option; provided , however , that following the date which is [one (1) year or two (2) years] following the Change of Control, this Option shall remain exercisable beyond such dates only to the extent and subject to the terms of this Option Agreement. In the event that the Company is a party to an acquisition, merger or reorganization agreement that provides for the cancellation of all outstanding options to acquire common stock of the Company and the payment in consideration of the cancellation of such options for the difference between the consideration to be received by holders of the Company’s common stock as a result of such Change of Control and the exercise price of the Option, the Option shall be subject to the terms of such acquisition, merger or reorganization agreement.

I. Non-Transferability of Option . This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee (or in the case of a Disability, on behalf of Optionee by Optionee’s attorney in fact, conservator or other representative). The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-4-

  


J. Term of Option . This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the limitations set out in Section 6.4(b) of the Plan regarding Options designated as ISOs and Section 4.3 of the Plan regarding Options granted to more than ten (10%) shareholders shall apply to this Option.

K. Tax Consequences . Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date of this Option of some of the federal and state tax consequences of exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares.

THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

 

  (1) Exercise of ISO . If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will be no regular federal income tax liability or state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise

 

  (2) Exercise of ISO Following Disability . If the Optionee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of disability that is not a disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, to the extent permitted on the date of termination, the Optionee must exercise an ISO within three months of such termination for the ISO to be qualified as an ISO.

 

  (3) Exercise of NSO . There may be a regular federal income tax liability and state income tax liability upon the exercise of a NSO. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

 

  (4) Disposition of Shares . In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares should be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares should also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within such one-year period or within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price of the Shares. Any additional gain will be taxed as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending on the period that the ISO Shares were held.

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-5-

  


  (5) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares . If the Option granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by the Optionee.

L. Entire Agreement; Governing Law . The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. 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 Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, this Agreement shall prevail. THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY DELAWARE LAW, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, AND FOR U.S. FEDERAL TAX PURPOSES, U.S. FEDERAL LAW.

 

    Autobytel Inc.
    a Delaware corporation
Dated as of: «DateGrant»     By:    
      «Signer»
      Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and
      Administrative Officer and Secretary

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-6-

  


OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY’S                          PLAN WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S EMPLOYMENT AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

 

    OPTIONEE
Dated as of: «DateGrant»      
    «First» «Last»
    «Street1»
    «Street2»
    «City», «ST» «ZIP»

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-7-

  


«Option_No_»

EXHIBIT A

                                          PLAN

EXERCISE NOTICE

Autobytel Inc.

18872 MacArthur Boulevard

Irvine, CA 92612-1400

Attention: Secretary

 

1. Exercise of Option . Effective as of today,                          , «First» «Last» , the undersigned (“Optionee”), hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase          shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Autobytel Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the                              Plan (the “Plan”) and the ¨ Incentive x Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated, «DateGrant» (the “Option Agreement”).

 

2. Representations of Optionee . Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood 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 stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent 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 issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate or if Shares are not certificated, then the Company shall register ownership in the Shares in book entry form, 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 stock certificate is issued or book entry is made, except as provided in Section 5.2 of the Plan.

 

4. Tax Consultation . Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon the disposition of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.

 

5. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement 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 Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-8-

  


6. Interpretation . Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Company’s Board of Directors or the committee thereof that administers the Plan, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Board or committee shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee.

 

7. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, AND FOR U.S. FEDERAL TAX PURPOSES, U.S. FEDERAL LAW. SHOULD ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT BE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF LAW TO BE ILLEGAL OR UNENFORCEABLE, THE OTHER PROVISIONS SHALL NEVERTHELESS REMAIN EFFECTIVE AND SHALL REMAIN ENFORCEABLE.

 

8. Notices . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, 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.

 

9. 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.

 

10. Delivery of Payment . Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares.

 

11. Entire Agreement . The Plan and Notice of Grant/Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the 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 Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee.

 

Submitted by:     Accepted by:
OPTIONEE:     Autobytel Inc.
By:         By:    
  «First» «Last»      
Address :       Title:    
          Address :  
      18872 MacArthur Boulevard
          Irvine, CA 92612-1400

 

«No» «Last» «DateGrant»

 

 

-9-

  

Exhibit 10.3

AUTOBYTEL INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) entered into effective as of September 29, 2008 (“ Effective Date ”), between Autobytel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Autobytel ”) and Mark Garms (“ Employee ”).

Background

Autobytel has determined that it is in its best interests to encourage Employee’s continued employment with, and dedication to the business of, Autobytel, and as a result thereof, Autobytel and Employee have previously entered into a severance agreement dated as of July 31, 2004 (“ Prior Severance Agreement ”). In light of Autobytel’s financial condition, recent reductions in force and evaluation of various strategic alternatives, which may include a Change of Control of Autobytel, Autobytel has determined that it is in the Company’s best interests to amend the Prior Severance Agreement to provide for additional incentive to encourage Employee’s continued employment with Autobytel and dedication to Autobytel’s business.

In consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows.

1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the terms below that begin with initial capital letters within this Agreement shall have the specially defined meanings set forth below (unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning).

(a) “ 409A Suspension Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.

(b) “ Arbitration Agreement ” means that certain Employment Agreement dated as of February 8, 2002 by and between Autobytel and Employee.

(c) “ Benefits ” means all Company medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans in which Employee participates.

(d) “ Cause ” shall mean the termination of the Employee’s employment by Company as a result of any one or more of the following:

(i) any conviction of, or pleading of nolo contendre by, the Employee for any felony;

(ii) any willful misconduct of the Employee which has a materially injurious effect on the business or reputation of the Company;

(iii) the gross dishonesty of the Employee in any way that adversely affects the Company; or

 

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(iv) a material failure to consistently discharge Employee’s employment duties to the Company which failure continues for thirty (30) days following written notice from the Company detailing the area or areas of such failure, other than such failure resulting from Employee’s Disability.

For purposes of this definition of Cause, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Employee, shall be considered “willful” if it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Employee in good faith or with reasonable belief that Employee’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Employee shall have the opportunity to cure any such acts or omissions (other than clauses (i) and (iii) above) within thirty (30) days of the Employee’s receipt of a written notice from the Company finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Company, the Employee is guilty of acts or omissions constituting “Cause.”

(e) “ Change of Control ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Restricted Stock and Option Plan as such definition exists as of the Effective Date.

(f) “ COBRA ” shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(g) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(h) “ Company ” means Autobytel, and upon any assignment to and assumption of this Agreement by any Successor Company, shall mean such Successor Company.

(i) “ Disability ” shall mean the inability of the Employee to perform Employee’s duties to the Company on account of physical or mental illness or incapacity for a period of one-hundred twenty (120) consecutive calendar days, or for a period of one hundred eighty (180) calendar days, whether or not consecutive, during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period.

(j) “ Excise Tax ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

(k) “ Employee’s Position ” means Employee’s position as the Senior Vice President, Dealer Operations & Strategy of the Company.

(l) “ Employee’s Primary Location ” means Autobytel’s headquarters located at 18872 MacArthur Boulevard, Irvine, California, 92612-1400.

(m) “ Good Reason ” means any act, decision or omission by the Company that: (A) materially modifies, reduces, changes, or restricts Employee’s salary as in existence as of the date hereof or as of the date prior to any such change, whichever is more beneficial for Employee at the time of the act, decision, or omission by the Company; (B) materially modifies, reduces, changes, or restricts the Employee’s Benefits as a whole as in existence as of the date hereof or as of the date prior to any such change, whichever are more beneficial for Employee at the time of the act, decision, or omission by the Company; (C) materially modifies, reduces, changes, or restricts the Employee’s authority, duties, or

 

2


responsibilities commensurate with the Employee’s Position but excluding the effects of any reductions in force other than the Employee’s own termination; (D) relocates the Employee place of employment without Employee’s consent from Employee’s Primary Location to any other location in excess of a forty (40) mile radius from the Employee’s Primary Location or requires any such relocation as a condition to continued employment by Company; (E) constitutes a failure or refusal by any Company Successor to assume this Agreement; or (F) involves or results in any material failure by the Company to comply with any provision of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by the Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no event shall constitute “Good Reason” unless (i) the Employee first provides written notice to the Company within ninety (90) days of the event(s) alleged to constitute good reason, with such notice specifying the grounds that are alleged to constitute good reason, and (ii) the Company fails to cure such a material breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Employee within thirty (30) days after Company’s receipt of such written notice.

(n) “ Gross-Up Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

(o) “ Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

(p) “ Separation from Service ” or “ Separates from Service ” shall mean Employee’s termination of employment, as determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h). Employee shall be considered to have experienced a termination of employment when the facts and circumstances indicate that Employee and the Company reasonably anticipate that either (i) no further services will be performed for the Company after a certain date, or (ii) that the level of bona fide services Employee will perform for the Company after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) will permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed by Employee (whether as an employee or independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Company if Employee has been providing services to the Company for less than thirty six (36) months). If Employee is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence, the employment relationship between Employee and the Company shall be treated as continuing intact, provided that the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as Employee retains a right to reemployment with the Company under an applicable statute or by contract. If the period of a military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence exceeds six months and Employee does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be considered to be terminated for purposes of this Agreement as of the first day immediately following the end of such six-month period. In applying the provisions of this paragraph, a leave of absence shall be considered a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that Employee will return to perform services for the Company. For purposes of determining whether Employee has incurred a Separation from Service, the Company shall include the Company and any entity that would be considered a single employer with the Company under Code Section 414(b) or 414(c).

 

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(q) “ Severance Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

(r) Successor Company ” means any successor to Autobytel or its assets by reason of any Change of Control.

(s) “ Termination Without Cause ” means termination of Employee’s employment with the Company (i) by the Company (a) for any reason other than (1) death, (2) Disability or (3) those reasons expressly set forth in the definition of “Cause”, (b) for no reason at all, or (c) in connection with or as a result of a Change of Control; or (ii) by Employee for Good Reason within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of the event or events that constitute Good Reason; provided, however, that a termination of Employee’s employment with the Company in connection with a Change of Control shall not constitute a Termination Without Cause if Employee is offered employment with the Successor Company under terms and conditions, including position, salary and other compensation, and benefits, that would not provide Employee the right to terminate Employee’s employment for Good Reason.

2. Severance Benefits and Conditions .

(a) In the event of (i) Termination Without Cause by the Company, or (ii) the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company by Employee for Good Reason within 30 days of the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Company’s 30-day right to cure as set forth in the definition of Good Reason, or (ii) the Company’s notice to Employee that it will not cure the event giving rise to such termination for Good Reason, Employee shall receive upon such termination (A) a lump sum amount equal to twelve months (“ Severance Period ”) of the Employee’s annual base salary (determined as the Employee’s highest annual base salary paid to Employee while employed by the Company; with the annual base salary not including bonus payments); (B) subject to Section 2(b) below, continuation of all Benefits for Employee and, if applicable, Employee’s eligible dependents during the Severance Period at the time they would have been provided or paid had the Employee remained an employee of Company during the Severance Period and at the levels provided prior to the event giving rise to a termination; (C) any amounts due and owing to Employee as of the termination date with respect to any base salary, bonus or commissions; and (D) any other payments required by applicable law (including payments with respect to accrued and unused vacation, personal, sick and other days), subject, in each case, to withholding for applicable taxes.

(b)(i) With respect to Benefits that are eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA, in the event the Company is unable to continue Employee’s and Employee’s eligible dependents (assuming such dependents were covered by Autobytel at the time of termination), participation under the Company’s then existing insurance policies for such Benefits Employee may elect to obtain coverage for such Benefits either by (1) electing COBRA continuation benefits for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents; (2) obtaining individual coverage for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents (if Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents qualify for individual coverage); or (3) electing coverage as eligible dependents under another person’s group coverage (if Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents qualify for such dependent coverage), or any combination of the foregoing alternatives. Employee may also initially elect COBRA continuation benefits and later change to

 

4


individual coverage or dependent coverage for Employee or any eligible dependent of Employee, but Employee understands that if continuation of Benefits under COBRA is not initially selected by Employee or is later terminated by Employee, Employee will not be able to return to continuation coverage under COBRA. The Company shall pay directly or reimburse to Employee the monthly premiums for the benefits or coverage selected by Employee, with such payment or reimbursement not to exceed the monthly premiums the Company would pay assuming Employee elected continuation of benefits under COBRA. The Company’s obligation to pay or reimburse for the Benefits covered by this Section 2(b)(i) shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the end of the Severance Period; and (ii) Employee’s employment by an employer that provides Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents with group coverage substantially similar to such Benefits as provided to Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents at the time of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, provided that Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents are eligible for participation in such group coverage.

(ii) With respect to Benefits that are not eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA, in the event the Company is unable to continue Employee’s participation under the Company’s then existing insurance policies for such Benefits, Employee may elect to obtain coverage for such Benefits either by (1) obtaining individual coverage for Employee (if Employee qualifies for individual coverage); or (2) electing coverage as an eligible dependent under another person’s group coverage (if Employee qualifies for such dependent coverage), or any combination of the foregoing alternatives. The Company shall pay directly or reimburse to Employee the monthly premiums for the benefits or coverage selected by Employee, with such payment or reimbursement not to exceed the monthly premiums the Company paid for such Benefits at the time of termination of Employee’s employment with the Company. The Company’s obligation to pay or reimburse for the Benefits covered by this Section 2(b)(ii) shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the end of the Severance Period; and (ii) Employee’s employment by an employer that provides Employee with group coverage substantially similar to such Benefits as provided to Employee at the time of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, provided that Employee is eligible for participation in such group coverage. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall not be obligated to provide any Benefits covered by this Section 2(b)(ii) for Employee if Employee does not qualify for coverage under the Company’s existing insurance policies for such Benefits, for individual coverage, or for dependent coverage.

(c) Upon the earlier of (i) a termination event giving rise to the payment of the amounts and benefits under Section 2(a); (ii) a Change of Control; and (iii) March 1, 2009, Employee shall receive a payment equal to Employee’s 2008 Bonus. For purposes of this Section 2(c), “ Employee’s 2008 Bonus ” means Employee’s bonus (both Company performance and individual components) for 2008 payable as if both Company and individual targets had been 100% achieved.

(d) In addition to the payments and benefits set forth above, the Company shall make available to Employee career transition services during the Severance Period at Right Management or an equivalent provider selected by the Company.

 

5


(e) All payments under this Section 2 that (i) arise as a result of a termination of Employee’s employment shall be made to Employee concurrently with any termination by the Company or within 2 business days of any termination by Employee; and (ii) arise other than by reason of a termination of Employee’s employment shall be made upon the occurrence of the applicable event giving rise to the payment. In any case, all payments that have arisen shall be made no later than two and one-half months after the end of the calendar year in which Employee’s Separation from Service occurs.

(f) The amounts and benefits required by Section 2(a) shall be provided only if the Employee has executed and delivered to the Company (and not revoked) a release in favor of the Company (which release shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A). Other than the payments and benefits provided for in this Section 2, Employee shall not be entitled to any additional amounts from the Company resulting from a termination of Employee’s employment with the Company.

3. Gross-Up Payment .

(a) Gross-Up Payment .

(i) If it shall be determined that any amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, any stock option agreement between the Employee and the Company or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 3) (a “ Payment ”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Excise Tax ”), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “ Gross-Up Payment ”) in an amount such that after payment by the Employee of all federal, state and local taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including without limitation, any income taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-up Payment, the Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. The Employee shall apply for all Gross-Up Payments as reimbursements of taxes the Employee pays under Code Section 4999 for a particular calendar year, with such request being filed by the Employee with the Company not later than forty-five (45) days after such year ends, and payment shall occur not later than the March 15th that immediately follows the end of such 45-day period.

(ii) The determinations of whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required under this Section 3 shall be made by the Company based on its good faith interpretation of applicable law. The amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the valuation assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination shall be made by the Company which shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Employee within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Employee that there has been a Payment subject to the Excise Tax, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 3, shall be paid by the Company to the Employee within twenty-five (25) days of the receipt of notice from the Employee that there has been a Payment subject to the Excise Tax. Any determinations by the Company shall be binding upon the Employee, provided , however , if it is later determined that there has been an underpayment of Excise Tax and that the Employee is required to make an additional Excise Tax payment(s) on any Payment or Gross-Up Payment, the Company shall provide a similar full gross-up on such additional liability.

 

6


(iii) For purposes of any determinations made by the Company acting under Section 3(a)(ii):

 

  (1) All Payments and Gross-Up Payments with respect to the Employee shall be deemed to be “parachute payments” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code and to be “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code that are fully subject to the Excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code, except to the extent (if any) that the Company determines in good faith that a Payment in whole or in part does not constitute a “parachute payment” or otherwise is not subject to Excise Tax;

 

  (2) The value of any non-cash benefits or deferred or delayed payments or benefits shall be determined in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 280G of the Code; and

 

  (3) Employee shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local income taxes at the actual maximum marginal rate applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is made, net of any applicable reduction in federal income taxes for any state and local taxes paid on the amounts in question assuming the Employee is subject to applicable phase out rules for the highest income tax payers, notwithstanding the actual income tax rate of the Employee.

(b) Claims and Proceedings . The Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any Excise Tax claim by the Internal Revenue Service (or any other state or local taxing authority) that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than twenty (20) business days after the Employee is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is to be paid. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which Employee gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such Excise Tax claim, the Employee shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company after consultation in good faith with the Employee and subject to approval by the Employee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) under the circumstances set forth in Section 3(a); (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceeding relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such

 

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representation and payment of costs and expense. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, the Company shall control the Excise Tax portion of any proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such Excise Tax claim and the Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that the Employee may elect at his sole option to pay the tax claimed and require the Company to contest through a suit for a refund. If the Employee elects to pay such Excise Tax claim and contest through a suit for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Employee, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided , however , that any Company-directed extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the Employee’s taxable year with respect to which such contested Excise Tax amount is claimed to be due shall be effective only if it can be and is limited to the contested Excise Tax liability.

(c) Refunds . If, after the Employee’s receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 3 for payment of Excise Taxes, the Employee files an Excise Tax refund claim and receives any refund with respect to such claim, the Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of this Section 3) except as provided below, promptly pay to the Company the amount of any such refund of Excise Tax (together with any interest paid or credited thereon, but after any and all taxes applicable thereto), plus the amount (after any and all taxes applicable-thereto) of the refund (if any is applied for and received) of any income tax paid by the Employee with respect to and as a result of his prior receipt of any previously paid Gross-Up Payment indemnifying the Employee with respect to any such Excise Tax later so refunded. In the event the Employee files for a refund of the Excise Tax and such request would, if successful, require the Employee to refund any amount to the Company pursuant to this provision, then the Employee shall be required to seek a refund of the Income Tax portion of any corresponding Gross-Up Payment so long as such refund request would not have a material adverse effect on the Employee (which determination shall be made by independent tax counsel selected by the Employee after good faith consultation with the Company and subject to approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). If, after the Employee’s receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 3, a determination is made that the Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of the Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

4. Taxes . All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, Employee is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of any federal, state, province or local taxes that may arise with respect to this Agreement (including any taxes arising under Section 409A of the Code). Neither the Company

 

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nor any of its employees, Employees, directors, or service providers shall have any obligation whatsoever to pay such taxes, to prevent Employee from incurring them, or to mitigate or protect Employee from any such tax liabilities. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any amounts that become due under this Agreement on account of Employee’s termination of employment constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, payment of such amounts shall not commence until Employee incurs a Separation from Service. If, at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service under this Agreement, Employee is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), any amounts that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that become payable to Employee on account of Employee’s Separation from Service (including any amounts payable pursuant to the preceding sentence) will not be paid until after the end of the sixth calendar month beginning after Employee’s Separation from Service (“ 409A Suspension Period ”). Within 14 calendar days after the end of the 409A Suspension Period, Employee shall be paid a lump sum payment in cash equal to any payments delayed because of the preceding sentence. Thereafter, Employee shall receive any remaining benefits as if there had not been an earlier delay.

5. Arbitration and Equitable Relief . Any controversy or claim arising out of, or related to, this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be governed by the terms of the Arbitration Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

6. Entire Agreement . All oral or written agreements or representations express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement are set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment or change-in-control protective agreement between the Company or any predecessor and Employee, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Employee of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Employee is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to Employee without reference to this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement specifically amends and restates, and supersedes in its entirety, the Prior Severance Agreement, which shall have no further force or effect.

7. Notices . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any notice, approval, consent, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given or to be served upon any person in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing. Such notice shall be personally served, sent by fax or cable, or sent prepaid by either registered or certified mail with return receipt requested or Federal Express and shall be deemed given (i) if personally served or by Federal Express, when delivered to the person to whom such notice is addressed, (ii) if given by fax or cable, when sent, or (iii) if given by mail, two (2) business days following deposit in the United States mail. Any notice given by fax or cable shall be confirmed in writing, by overnight mail or Federal Express within forty-eight (48) hours after being sent. Such notices shall be addressed to the party to whom such notice is to be given at the party’s address set forth below or as such party shall otherwise direct.

 

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If to the Company:

Autobytel Inc.

18872 MacArthur Boulevard

Irvine, California, 92612-1400

Facsimile: (949) 862-1323

Attn: Vice President, Human Resources or comparable title

If to the Employee:

To Employee’s latest home address on file with the Company

8. No Waiver . No waiver, by conduct or otherwise, by any party of any term, provision, or condition of this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, provision, or condition nor as a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.

9. Amendment to this Agreement . No modification, waiver, amendment, discharge or change of this letter, shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of such modification, waiver amendment, discharge, or change is or may be sought.

10. Non-Disclosure . Unless required by law or to enforce this Agreement, the parties hereto shall not disclose the existence of this Agreement or the underlying terms to any third party, other than their representatives who have a need to know such matters or to any potential Successor Company.

11. Enforceability; Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent and in the manner necessary to render the same valid and enforceable, or shall be deemed exercised from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law as if such provision had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted, or as if such provision had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case may be.

12. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of California without giving effect to such State’s choice of law rules. This Agreement is deemed to be entered into entirely in the State of California. This Agreement shall not be strictly construed for or against either party.

13. No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement is intended nor shall be construed to create rights running to the benefit of third parties.

14. Successors of the Company . The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company, including any Successor Company. This Agreement shall be assignable by the Company in the event of a merger or similar transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

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15. Rights Cumulative . The rights under this Agreement, or by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised at any time and from time to time. No failure by any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by any party preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

16. No Right or Obligation of Employment . Employee acknowledges and agrees that nothing in this letter shall confer upon Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment by the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with Employee’s right or the Company’s right to terminate Employee’s employment at any time, with or without Cause.

17. Legal and Tax Advice . Employee acknowledges that: (i) the Company has encouraged Employee to consult with an attorney and/or tax advisor of Employee’s choosing (and at Employee’s own cost and expense) in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) Employee is not relying upon the Company for, and the Company has not provided, legal or tax advice to Employee in connection with this Agreement. It is the responsibility of Employee to seek independent tax and legal advice with regard to the tax treatment of this Agreement and the payments and benefits that may be made or provided under this Agreement and any other related matters. Employee acknowledges that Employee has had a reasonable opportunity to seek and consider advice from Employee’s counsel and tax advisors.

18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one instrument. The parties agree that facsimile copies of signatures shall be deemed originals for all purposes hereof and that a party may produce such copies, without the need to produce original signatures, to prove the existence of this Agreement in any proceeding brought hereunder.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Employee have executed and entered into this Agreement effective as of the date first shown above.

 

AUTOBYTEL INC.
By:    /s/ James E. Riesenbach
  James E. Riesenbach
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  EMPLOYEE
  /s/ Mark Garms
  Mark Garms

 

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EXHIBIT A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

It is hereby agreed by and between you, [                                  ] (for yourself, your spouse, family, agents and attorneys) (jointly, “ You ”), and Autobytel Inc., its predecessors, successors, affiliates, directors, Employees, shareholders, fiduciaries, insurers, employees and agents (jointly, the “ Company ”), as follows:

1. You acknowledge that your employment with the Company ended effective [              ], 200[__], and that you will perform no further duties, functions or services for the Company subsequent to that date.

2. You acknowledge and agree that you have received all vacation pay and other compensation due you from the Company as a result of your employment with the Company and your separation from employment, including, but not limited to, all amounts required under your Amended and Restated Severance Agreement with the Company dated September 29, 2008 (the “ Severance Agreement ”), other than those amounts payable pursuant to Paragraph 3 below and those amounts or benefits, if any, payable or to be provided after the date hereof pursuant to the Severance Agreement if required by the terms thereof. You acknowledge and agree that the Company owes you no additional wages, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, severance pay, expenses, fees, or other compensation or payments of any kind or nature, other than as provided in this Agreement and those amounts and benefits, if any, payable or to be provided after the date hereof pursuant to the Severance Agreement if required by the terms thereof. All benefits for which you are eligible pursuant to the Severance Agreement will remain in effect for the periods set forth therein.

3. In exchange for your promises in this Agreement and the Severance Agreement, including the release of claims set forth below, if you sign and do not revoke this Agreement, the Company will pay you all amounts due to you under the Severance Agreement, minus legally required state and federal payroll deductions. The payment provided for in this paragraph will be made in the time periods required by the Severance Agreement (except for benefits that will be paid over time as provided therein) and, if no time is specified, within 5 business days of the date of this Separation Agreement and Release.

4. You represent and warrant that you have returned to the Company any and all documents, software, equipment (including, but not limited to, computers and computer-related items), and all other materials or other things in your possession, custody, or control which are the property of the Company, including, but not limited to, Company identification, keys, and the like, wherever such items may have been located; as well as all copies (in whatever form thereof) of all materials relating to your employment, or obtained or created in the course of your employment with the Company.

5. You hereby represent that, other than those materials you have returned to the Company pursuant to Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, you have not copied or caused to be copied, and have not printed-out or caused to be printed-out, any software, computer disks, or

 

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other documents other than those documents generally available to the public, or retained any other materials originating with or belonging to the Company. You further represent that you have not retained in your possession, custody or control, any software, documents or other materials in machine or other readable form, which are the property of the Company, originated with the Company, or were obtained or created in the course of or relate to your employment with the Company.

6. You shall keep confidential, and shall not hereafter use or disclose to any person, firm, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity, in whole or in part, at any time in the future, any trade secret, proprietary information, or confidential information of the Company, including, but not limited to, information relating to trade secrets, processes, methods, pricing strategies, customer lists, marketing plans, product introductions, advertising or promotional programs, sales, financial results, financial records and reports, regulatory matters and compliance, and other confidential matters, except as required by law and as necessary for compliance purposes. These obligations are in addition to the obligations set forth in confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement between you and the Company, which shall remain binding on you.

7. You agree that you have not and will not at any time reveal to anyone, including any former, present or future employee of the Company, the fact, amount, or the terms of this Agreement, except to your immediate family, legal counsel and financial advisor, or as required by law and as necessary for compliance purposes. The Company may disclose the terms of this Agreement and file this Agreement as an exhibit to its public filings if it is required to due so under applicable law, as necessary for compliance purposes or to potential successors or assigns of the Company.

8. You agree that neither you nor anyone acting on your behalf or at your direction will disparage, denigrate, defame, criticize, impugn or otherwise damage or assail the reputation or integrity of the Company to any third party and in particular to any current or former employee, officer, director, contractor, supplier, customer, or client of the Company or prospective or actual purchaser of the equity interests of the Company or its business or assets.

9. In consideration for the payments provided for in Paragraph 3, you unconditionally release and forever discharge the Company, and the Company’s current, former, and future controlling shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies, predecessor companies, divisions, directors, trustees, Employees, employees, agents, attorneys, successors, and assigns (and the current, former, and future controlling shareholders, directors, trustees, Employees, employees, agents, and attorneys of such subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies, predecessor companies, and divisions) (referred to collectively as “ Releasees ”), from any and all known and unknown claims, demands, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, damages and liabilities of whatever kind or nature and regardless of whether the knowledge thereof would have materially affected your agreement to release the Company hereunder, that arise out of or are related to (a) the Company’s failure to make any payments required under the Severance Agreement (other than those amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 3 of the Severance Agreement if required by the terms of such sections), and (b) those arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ ADEA ”). The Release will not waive the Employee’s rights to indemnification under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws or, if applicable, any written agreement between the Company and the Employee, or under applicable law.

 

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With respect to the various rights and claims under the ADEA being waived by you in this Agreement, you specifically acknowledge that you have read and understand the provisions of paragraphs 13, 14, and 15 below before signing this Agreement. This general release does not cover rights or claims under the ADEA arising after you sign this Agreement.

10. You represent and warrant that you have not filed, and agree that you will not file, or cause to be filed, any complaint, charge, claim or action involving any claims you have released in the foregoing paragraph. This promise not to sue does not apply to claims for breach of this Agreement. You agree and acknowledge that if you break this promise not to sue, then you will be liable for all consequential damages, including the legal expenses and fees incurred by the Company or any of the Releasees, in defending such a claim.

11. The Company hereby represents and warrants that concurrently with your execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company has paid to you any and all amounts under the Severance Agreement that are required to be paid to you by the Company as of the date hereof, excluding, without limitation, any amounts required to be paid under this Agreement and those amounts or benefits, if any, payable or to be provided after the date hereof pursuant to the Severance Agreement if and to the extent required by the terms thereof.

12. Excluded from this Agreement are any claims or rights that cannot be waived by law, including the right to file a charge of discrimination with an administrative agency. You agree, however, to waive your right to any monetary recovery in connection with such a charge.

13. You acknowledge that you have hereby been advised in writing to consult with an attorney before you sign this Agreement. You understand that you have twenty-one (21) days within which to decide whether to sign this Agreement, although you may sign this Agreement at any time within the twenty-one (21) day period. If you do sign it, you also understand that you will have an additional 7 days after you sign to change your mind and revoke the Agreement, in which case a written notice of revocation must be delivered to Vice President Human Resources or comparable title, Autobytel Inc., 18872 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, California 92612-1400, on or before the seventh (7th) day after your execution of the Agreement. You understand that the Agreement will not become effective until after that seven (7) day period has passed.

14. You acknowledge that you are signing this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and intend to be bound legally by its terms.

15. You hereby acknowledge that no promise or inducement has been offered to you, except as expressly stated above and in the Severance Agreement, and you are relying upon none. This Agreement and the Severance Agreement represent the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede any other written or oral understandings between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and may only be amended or modified with the prior written consent of you and the Company.

 

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16. You certify that you have not experienced a job-related illness or injury for which you have not already filed a claim.

17. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remainder of the Agreement, nevertheless, shall remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances.

18. This Agreement does not constitute an admission that the Company or any other Releasee has violated any law, rule, regulation, contractual right or any other duty or obligation.

19. This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of California and shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced, and governed under the law of that state, without reference to conflict of law provisions thereof. The language of all parts in this Agreement shall be construed as a whole, according to fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any party.

20. Employee acknowledges that: (i) the Company has encouraged Employee to consult with an attorney and/or tax advisor of Employee’s choosing (and at Employee’s own cost and expense) in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) Employee is not relying upon the Company for, and the Company has not provided, legal or tax advice to Employee in connection with this Agreement. It is the responsibility of Employee to seek independent tax and legal advice with regard to the tax treatment of this Agreement and the payments and benefits that may be made or provided under this Agreement and any other related matters. Employee acknowledges that Employee has had a reasonable opportunity to seek and consider advice from Employee’s counsel and tax advisors.

 

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES THE RELEASE OF CERTAIN CLAIMS.

Dated:                      , 200               
     

[Employee Name]

Dated:                      , 200          A UTOBYTEL I NC .
    By:    
     

[Officer’s Name]

     

[Title]

 

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Exhibit 10.4

AUTOBYTEL INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) entered into effective as of September 29, 2008 (“ Effective Date ”), between Autobytel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Autobytel ”) and Glenn E. Fuller (“ Employee ”).

Background

Autobytel has determined that it is in its best interests to encourage Employee’s continued employment with, and dedication to the business of, Autobytel, and as a result thereof, Autobytel and Employee have previously entered into a severance agreement dated as of October 16, 2006 (“ Prior Severance Agreement ”). In light of Autobytel’s financial condition, recent reductions in force and evaluation of various strategic alternatives, which may include a Change of Control of Autobytel, Autobytel has determined that it is in the Company’s best interests to amend the Prior Severance Agreement to provide for additional incentive to encourage Employee’s continued employment with Autobytel and dedication to Autobytel’s business.

In consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows.

1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the terms below that begin with initial capital letters within this Agreement shall have the specially defined meanings set forth below (unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning).

(a) “ 409A Suspension Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.

(b) “ Arbitration Agreement ” means that certain Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate dated as of October 16, 2006 by and between Autobytel and Employee.

(c) “ Benefits ” means all Company medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans in which Employee participates.

(d) “ Cause ” shall mean the termination of the Employee’s employment by Company as a result of any one or more of the following:

(i) any conviction of, or pleading of nolo contendre by, the Employee for any felony;

(ii) any willful misconduct of the Employee which has a materially injurious effect on the business or reputation of the Company;

(iii) the gross dishonesty of the Employee in any way that adversely affects the Company; or

 

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(iv) a material failure to consistently discharge Employee’s employment duties to the Company which failure continues for thirty (30) days following written notice from the Company detailing the area or areas of such failure, other than such failure resulting from Employee’s Disability.

For purposes of this definition of Cause, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Employee, shall be considered “willful” if it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Employee in good faith or with reasonable belief that Employee’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Employee shall have the opportunity to cure any such acts or omissions (other than clauses (i) and (iii) above) within thirty (30) days of the Employee’s receipt of a written notice from the Company finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Company, the Employee is guilty of acts or omissions constituting “Cause.”

(e) “ Change of Control ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Restricted Stock and Option Plan as such definition exists as of the Effective Date.

(f) “ COBRA ” shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(g) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(h) “ Company ” means Autobytel, and upon any assignment to and assumption of this Agreement by any Successor Company, shall mean such Successor Company.

(i) “ Disability ” shall mean the inability of the Employee to perform Employee’s duties to the Company on account of physical or mental illness or incapacity for a period of one-hundred twenty (120) consecutive calendar days, or for a period of one hundred eighty (180) calendar days, whether or not consecutive, during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period.

(j) “ Excise Tax ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

(k) “ Employee’s Position ” means Employee’s position as the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Company.

(l) “ Employee’s Primary Location ” means Autobytel’s headquarters located at 18872 MacArthur Boulevard, Irvine, California, 92612-1400.

(m) “ Good Reason ” means any act, decision or omission by the Company that: (A) materially modifies, reduces, changes, or restricts Employee’s salary as in existence as of the date hereof or as of the date prior to any such change, whichever is more beneficial for Employee at the time of the act, decision, or omission by the Company; (B) materially modifies, reduces, changes, or restricts the Employee’s Benefits as a whole as in existence as of the date hereof or as of the date prior to any such change, whichever are more beneficial for Employee at the time of the act, decision, or omission by the Company; (C) materially modifies, reduces, changes, or restricts the Employee’s authority, duties, or

 

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responsibilities commensurate with the Employee’s Position but excluding the effects of any reductions in force other than the Employee’s own termination; (D) relocates the Employee place of employment without Employee’s consent from Employee’s Primary Location to any other location in excess of a forty (40) mile radius from the Employee’s Primary Location or requires any such relocation as a condition to continued employment by Company; (E) constitutes a failure or refusal by any Company Successor to assume this Agreement; or (F) involves or results in any material failure by the Company to comply with any provision of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by the Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no event shall constitute “Good Reason” unless (i) the Employee first provides written notice to the Company within ninety (90) days of the event(s) alleged to constitute good reason, with such notice specifying the grounds that are alleged to constitute good reason, and (ii) the Company fails to cure such a material breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Employee within thirty (30) days after Company’s receipt of such written notice.

(n) “ Gross-Up Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

(o) “ Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

(p) “ Separation from Service ” or “ Separates from Service ” shall mean Employee’s termination of employment, as determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h). Employee shall be considered to have experienced a termination of employment when the facts and circumstances indicate that Employee and the Company reasonably anticipate that either (i) no further services will be performed for the Company after a certain date, or (ii) that the level of bona fide services Employee will perform for the Company after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) will permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed by Employee (whether as an employee or independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Company if Employee has been providing services to the Company for less than thirty six (36) months). If Employee is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence, the employment relationship between Employee and the Company shall be treated as continuing intact, provided that the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as Employee retains a right to reemployment with the Company under an applicable statute or by contract. If the period of a military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence exceeds six months and Employee does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be considered to be terminated for purposes of this Agreement as of the first day immediately following the end of such six-month period. In applying the provisions of this paragraph, a leave of absence shall be considered a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that Employee will return to perform services for the Company. For purposes of determining whether Employee has incurred a Separation from Service, the Company shall include the Company and any entity that would be considered a single employer with the Company under Code Section 414(b) or 414(c).

 

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(q) “ Severance Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

(r) Successor Company ” means any successor to Autobytel or its assets by reason of any Change of Control.

(s) “ Termination Without Cause ” means termination of Employee’s employment with the Company (i) by the Company (a) for any reason other than (1) death, (2) Disability or (3) those reasons expressly set forth in the definition of “Cause”, (b) for no reason at all, or (c) in connection with or as a result of a Change of Control; or (ii) by Employee for Good Reason within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of the event or events that constitute Good Reason; provided, however, that a termination of Employee’s employment with the Company in connection with a Change of Control shall not constitute a Termination Without Cause if Employee is offered employment with the Successor Company under terms and conditions, including position, salary and other compensation, and benefits, that would not provide Employee the right to terminate Employee’s employment for Good Reason.

2. Severance Benefits and Conditions .

(a) In the event of (i) Termination Without Cause by the Company, or (ii) the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company by Employee for Good Reason within 30 days of the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Company’s 30-day right to cure as set forth in the definition of Good Reason, or (ii) the Company’s notice to Employee that it will not cure the event giving rise to such termination for Good Reason, Employee shall receive upon such termination (A) a lump sum amount equal to twelve months (“ Severance Period ”) of the Employee’s annual base salary (determined as the Employee’s highest annual base salary paid to Employee while employed by the Company; with the annual base salary not including bonus payments); (B) subject to Section 2(b) below, continuation of all Benefits for Employee and, if applicable, Employee’s eligible dependents during the Severance Period at the time they would have been provided or paid had the Employee remained an employee of Company during the Severance Period and at the levels provided prior to the event giving rise to a termination; (C) any amounts due and owing to Employee as of the termination date with respect to any base salary, bonus or commissions; and (D) any other payments required by applicable law (including payments with respect to accrued and unused vacation, personal, sick and other days), subject, in each case, to withholding for applicable taxes.

(b)(i) With respect to Benefits that are eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA, in the event the Company is unable to continue Employee’s and Employee’s eligible dependents (assuming such dependents were covered by Autobytel at the time of termination), participation under the Company’s then existing insurance policies for such Benefits Employee may elect to obtain coverage for such Benefits either by (1) electing COBRA continuation benefits for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents; (2) obtaining individual coverage for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents (if Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents qualify for individual coverage); or (3) electing coverage as eligible dependents under another person’s group coverage (if Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents qualify for such dependent coverage), or any combination of the foregoing alternatives. Employee may also initially elect COBRA continuation benefits and later change to

 

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individual coverage or dependent coverage for Employee or any eligible dependent of Employee, but Employee understands that if continuation of Benefits under COBRA is not initially selected by Employee or is later terminated by Employee, Employee will not be able to return to continuation coverage under COBRA. The Company shall pay directly or reimburse to Employee the monthly premiums for the benefits or coverage selected by Employee, with such payment or reimbursement not to exceed the monthly premiums the Company would pay assuming Employee elected continuation of benefits under COBRA. The Company’s obligation to pay or reimburse for the Benefits covered by this Section 2(b)(i) shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the end of the Severance Period; and (ii) Employee’s employment by an employer that provides Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents with group coverage substantially similar to such Benefits as provided to Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents at the time of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, provided that Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents are eligible for participation in such group coverage.

(ii) With respect to Benefits that are not eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA, in the event the Company is unable to continue Employee’s participation under the Company’s then existing insurance policies for such Benefits, Employee may elect to obtain coverage for such Benefits either by (1) obtaining individual coverage for Employee (if Employee qualifies for individual coverage); or (2) electing coverage as an eligible dependent under another person’s group coverage (if Employee qualifies for such dependent coverage), or any combination of the foregoing alternatives. The Company shall pay directly or reimburse to Employee the monthly premiums for the benefits or coverage selected by Employee, with such payment or reimbursement not to exceed the monthly premiums the Company paid for such Benefits at the time of termination of Employee’s employment with the Company. The Company’s obligation to pay or reimburse for the Benefits covered by this Section 2(b)(ii) shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the end of the Severance Period; and (ii) Employee’s employment by an employer that provides Employee with group coverage substantially similar to such Benefits as provided to Employee at the time of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, provided that Employee is eligible for participation in such group coverage. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall not be obligated to provide any Benefits covered by this Section 2(b)(ii) for Employee if Employee does not qualify for coverage under the Company’s existing insurance policies for such Benefits, for individual coverage, or for dependent coverage.

(c) Upon the earlier of (i) a termination event giving rise to the payment of the amounts and benefits under Section 2(a); (ii) a Change of Control; and (iii) March 1, 2009, Employee shall receive a payment equal to Employee’s 2008 Bonus. For purposes of this Section 2(c), “ Employee’s 2008 Bonus ” means Employee’s bonus (both Company performance and individual components) for 2008 payable as if both Company and individual targets had been 100% achieved.

(d) In addition to the payments and benefits set forth above, the Company shall make available to Employee career transition services during the Severance Period at Right Management or an equivalent provider selected by the Company.

 

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(e) All payments under this Section 2 that (i) arise as a result of a termination of Employee’s employment shall be made to Employee concurrently with any termination by the Company or within 2 business days of any termination by Employee; and (ii) arise other than by reason of a termination of Employee’s employment shall be made upon the occurrence of the applicable event giving rise to the payment. In any case, all payments that have arisen shall be made no later than two and one-half months after the end of the calendar year in which Employee’s Separation from Service occurs.

(f) The amounts and benefits required by Section 2(a) shall be provided only if the Employee has executed and delivered to the Company (and not revoked) a release in favor of the Company (which release shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A). Other than the payments and benefits provided for in this Section 2, Employee shall not be entitled to any additional amounts from the Company resulting from a termination of Employee’s employment with the Company.

3. Gross-Up Payment .

(a) Gross-Up Payment .

(i) If it shall be determined that any amount paid, distributed or treated as paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, any stock option agreement between the Employee and the Company or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 3) (a “ Payment ”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Excise Tax ”), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “ Gross-Up Payment ”) in an amount such that after payment by the Employee of all federal, state and local taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including without limitation, any income taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-up Payment, the Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. The Employee shall apply for all Gross-Up Payments as reimbursements of taxes the Employee pays under Code Section 4999 for a particular calendar year, with such request being filed by the Employee with the Company not later than forty-five (45) days after such year ends, and payment shall occur not later than the March 15th that immediately follows the end of such 45-day period.

(ii) The determinations of whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required under this Section 3 shall be made by the Company based on its good faith interpretation of applicable law. The amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the valuation assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination shall be made by the Company which shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Employee within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Employee that there has been a Payment subject to the Excise Tax, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 3, shall be paid by the Company to the Employee within twenty-five (25) days of the receipt of notice from the Employee that there has been a Payment subject to the Excise Tax. Any determinations by the Company shall be binding upon the Employee, provided , however , if it is later determined that there has been an underpayment of Excise Tax and that the Employee is required to make an additional Excise Tax payment(s) on any Payment or Gross-Up Payment, the Company shall provide a similar full gross-up on such additional liability.

 

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(iii) For purposes of any determinations made by the Company acting under Section 3(a)(ii):

 

  (1) All Payments and Gross-Up Payments with respect to the Employee shall be deemed to be “parachute payments” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code and to be “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code that are fully subject to the Excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code, except to the extent (if any) that the Company determines in good faith that a Payment in whole or in part does not constitute a “parachute payment” or otherwise is not subject to Excise Tax;

 

  (2) The value of any non-cash benefits or deferred or delayed payments or benefits shall be determined in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 280G of the Code; and

 

  (3) Employee shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local income taxes at the actual maximum marginal rate applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is made, net of any applicable reduction in federal income taxes for any state and local taxes paid on the amounts in question assuming the Employee is subject to applicable phase out rules for the highest income tax payers, notwithstanding the actual income tax rate of the Employee.

(b) Claims and Proceedings . The Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any Excise Tax claim by the Internal Revenue Service (or any other state or local taxing authority) that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than twenty (20) business days after the Employee is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is to be paid. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which Employee gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such Excise Tax claim, the Employee shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company after consultation in good faith with the Employee and subject to approval by the Employee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) under the circumstances set forth in Section 3(a); (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceeding relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such

 

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representation and payment of costs and expense. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, the Company shall control the Excise Tax portion of any proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such Excise Tax claim and the Employee agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that the Employee may elect at his sole option to pay the tax claimed and require the Company to contest through a suit for a refund. If the Employee elects to pay such Excise Tax claim and contest through a suit for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Employee, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided , however , that any Company-directed extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the Employee’s taxable year with respect to which such contested Excise Tax amount is claimed to be due shall be effective only if it can be and is limited to the contested Excise Tax liability.

(c) Refunds . If, after the Employee’s receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 3 for payment of Excise Taxes, the Employee files an Excise Tax refund claim and receives any refund with respect to such claim, the Employee shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of this Section 3) except as provided below, promptly pay to the Company the amount of any such refund of Excise Tax (together with any interest paid or credited thereon, but after any and all taxes applicable thereto), plus the amount (after any and all taxes applicable-thereto) of the refund (if any is applied for and received) of any income tax paid by the Employee with respect to and as a result of his prior receipt of any previously paid Gross-Up Payment indemnifying the Employee with respect to any such Excise Tax later so refunded. In the event the Employee files for a refund of the Excise Tax and such request would, if successful, require the Employee to refund any amount to the Company pursuant to this provision, then the Employee shall be required to seek a refund of the Income Tax portion of any corresponding Gross-Up Payment so long as such refund request would not have a material adverse effect on the Employee (which determination shall be made by independent tax counsel selected by the Employee after good faith consultation with the Company and subject to approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). If, after the Employee’s receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 3, a determination is made that the Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of the Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

4. Taxes . All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, Employee is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of any federal, state, province or local taxes that may arise with respect to this Agreement (including any taxes arising under Section 409A of the Code). Neither the Company

 

8


nor any of its employees, Employees, directors, or service providers shall have any obligation whatsoever to pay such taxes, to prevent Employee from incurring them, or to mitigate or protect Employee from any such tax liabilities. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any amounts that become due under this Agreement on account of Employee’s termination of employment constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, payment of such amounts shall not commence until Employee incurs a Separation from Service. If, at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service under this Agreement, Employee is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), any amounts that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that become payable to Employee on account of Employee’s Separation from Service (including any amounts payable pursuant to the preceding sentence) will not be paid until after the end of the sixth calendar month beginning after Employee’s Separation from Service (“ 409A Suspension Period ”). Within 14 calendar days after the end of the 409A Suspension Period, Employee shall be paid a lump sum payment in cash equal to any payments delayed because of the preceding sentence. Thereafter, Employee shall receive any remaining benefits as if there had not been an earlier delay.

5. Arbitration and Equitable Relief . Any controversy or claim arising out of, or related to, this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be governed by the terms of the Arbitration Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

6. Entire Agreement . All oral or written agreements or representations express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement are set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment or change-in-control protective agreement between the Company or any predecessor and Employee, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Employee of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Employee is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to Employee without reference to this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement specifically amends and restates, and supersedes in its entirety, the Prior Severance Agreement, which shall have no further force or effect.

7. Notices . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any notice, approval, consent, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given or to be served upon any person in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing. Such notice shall be personally served, sent by fax or cable, or sent prepaid by either registered or certified mail with return receipt requested or Federal Express and shall be deemed given (i) if personally served or by Federal Express, when delivered to the person to whom such notice is addressed, (ii) if given by fax or cable, when sent, or (iii) if given by mail, two (2) business days following deposit in the United States mail. Any notice given by fax or cable shall be confirmed in writing, by overnight mail or Federal Express within forty-eight (48) hours after being sent. Such notices shall be addressed to the party to whom such notice is to be given at the party’s address set forth below or as such party shall otherwise direct.

 

9


If to the Company:

Autobytel Inc.

18872 MacArthur Boulevard

Irvine, California, 92612-1400

Facsimile: (949) 862-1323

Attn: Vice President, Human Resources or comparable title

If to the Employee:

To Employee’s latest home address on file with the Company

8. No Waiver . No waiver, by conduct or otherwise, by any party of any term, provision, or condition of this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, provision, or condition nor as a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.

9. Amendment to this Agreement . No modification, waiver, amendment, discharge or change of this letter, shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of such modification, waiver amendment, discharge, or change is or may be sought.

10. Non-Disclosure . Unless required by law or to enforce this Agreement, the parties hereto shall not disclose the existence of this Agreement or the underlying terms to any third party, other than their representatives who have a need to know such matters or to any potential Successor Company.

11. Enforceability; Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent and in the manner necessary to render the same valid and enforceable, or shall be deemed exercised from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law as if such provision had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted, or as if such provision had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case may be.

12. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of California without giving effect to such State’s choice of law rules. This Agreement is deemed to be entered into entirely in the State of California. This Agreement shall not be strictly construed for or against either party.

13. No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement is intended nor shall be construed to create rights running to the benefit of third parties.

14. Successors of the Company . The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company, including any Successor Company. This Agreement shall be assignable by the Company in the event of a merger or similar transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

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15. Rights Cumulative . The rights under this Agreement, or by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised at any time and from time to time. No failure by any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by any party preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

16. No Right or Obligation of Employment . Employee acknowledges and agrees that nothing in this letter shall confer upon Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment by the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with Employee’s right or the Company’s right to terminate Employee’s employment at any time, with or without Cause.

17. Legal and Tax Advice . Employee acknowledges that: (i) the Company has encouraged Employee to consult with an attorney and/or tax advisor of Employee’s choosing (and at Employee’s own cost and expense) in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) Employee is not relying upon the Company for, and the Company has not provided, legal or tax advice to Employee in connection with this Agreement. It is the responsibility of Employee to seek independent tax and legal advice with regard to the tax treatment of this Agreement and the payments and benefits that may be made or provided under this Agreement and any other related matters. Employee acknowledges that Employee has had a reasonable opportunity to seek and consider advice from Employee’s counsel and tax advisors.

18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one instrument. The parties agree that facsimile copies of signatures shall be deemed originals for all purposes hereof and that a party may produce such copies, without the need to produce original signatures, to prove the existence of this Agreement in any proceeding brought hereunder.

THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EMPLOYEE HAS ADVISED THE COMPANY IN WRITING TO OBTAIN INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE COMPANY’S CHOOSING TO ADVISE THE COMPANY REGARDING THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS. THE COMPANY HAS HAD A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THAT ADVICE AND HAS IN FACT OBTAINED SUCH ADVICE FROM INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL SELECTED BY THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TERMS OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE TO THE COMPANY. BY EXECUTING THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY IS CONSENTING TO THE TERMS OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SEVERANCE AGREEMENT.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Employee have executed and entered into this Agreement effective as of the date first shown above.

 

AUTOBYTEL INC.
By:    /s/ James E. Riesenbach
  James E. Riesenbach
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  EMPLOYEE
  /s/ Glenn E. Fuller
  Glenn E. Fuller

 

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EXHIBIT A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

It is hereby agreed by and between you, [                                          ] (for yourself, your spouse, family, agents and attorneys) (jointly, “ You ”), and Autobytel Inc., its predecessors, successors, affiliates, directors, Employees, shareholders, fiduciaries, insurers, employees and agents (jointly, the “ Company ”), as follows:

1. You acknowledge that your employment with the Company ended effective [                      ], 200[        ], and that you will perform no further duties, functions or services for the Company subsequent to that date.

2. You acknowledge and agree that you have received all vacation pay and other compensation due you from the Company as a result of your employment with the Company and your separation from employment, including, but not limited to, all amounts required under your Amended and Restated Severance Agreement with the Company dated September 29, 2008 (the “ Severance Agreement ”), other than those amounts payable pursuant to Paragraph 3 below and those amounts or benefits, if any, payable or to be provided after the date hereof pursuant to the Severance Agreement if required by the terms thereof. You acknowledge and agree that the Company owes you no additional wages, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, severance pay, expenses, fees, or other compensation or payments of any kind or nature, other than as provided in this Agreement and those amounts and benefits, if any, payable or to be provided after the date hereof pursuant to the Severance Agreement if required by the terms thereof. All benefits for which you are eligible pursuant to the Severance Agreement will remain in effect for the periods set forth therein.

3. In exchange for your promises in this Agreement and the Severance Agreement, including the release of claims set forth below, if you sign and do not revoke this Agreement, the Company will pay you all amounts due to you under the Severance Agreement, minus legally required state and federal payroll deductions. The payment provided for in this paragraph will be made in the time periods required by the Severance Agreement (except for benefits that will be paid over time as provided therein) and, if no time is specified, within 5 business days of the date of this Separation Agreement and Release.

4. You represent and warrant that you have returned to the Company any and all documents, software, equipment (including, but not limited to, computers and computer-related items), and all other materials or other things in your possession, custody, or control which are the property of the Company, including, but not limited to, Company identification, keys, and the like, wherever such items may have been located; as well as all copies (in whatever form thereof) of all materials relating to your employment, or obtained or created in the course of your employment with the Company.

5. You hereby represent that, other than those materials you have returned to the Company pursuant to Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, you have not copied or caused to be copied, and have not printed-out or caused to be printed-out, any software, computer disks, or

 

13


other documents other than those documents generally available to the public, or retained any other materials originating with or belonging to the Company. You further represent that you have not retained in your possession, custody or control, any software, documents or other materials in machine or other readable form, which are the property of the Company, originated with the Company, or were obtained or created in the course of or relate to your employment with the Company.

6. You shall keep confidential, and shall not hereafter use or disclose to any person, firm, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity, in whole or in part, at any time in the future, any trade secret, proprietary information, or confidential information of the Company, including, but not limited to, information relating to trade secrets, processes, methods, pricing strategies, customer lists, marketing plans, product introductions, advertising or promotional programs, sales, financial results, financial records and reports, regulatory matters and compliance, and other confidential matters, except as required by law and as necessary for compliance purposes. These obligations are in addition to the obligations set forth in confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement between you and the Company, which shall remain binding on you.

7. You agree that you have not and will not at any time reveal to anyone, including any former, present or future employee of the Company, the fact, amount, or the terms of this Agreement, except to your immediate family, legal counsel and financial advisor, or as required by law and as necessary for compliance purposes. The Company may disclose the terms of this Agreement and file this Agreement as an exhibit to its public filings if it is required to due so under applicable law, as necessary for compliance purposes or to potential successors or assigns of the Company.

8. You agree that neither you nor anyone acting on your behalf or at your direction will disparage, denigrate, defame, criticize, impugn or otherwise damage or assail the reputation or integrity of the Company to any third party and in particular to any current or former employee, officer, director, contractor, supplier, customer, or client of the Company or prospective or actual purchaser of the equity interests of the Company or its business or assets.

9. In consideration for the payments provided for in Paragraph 3, you unconditionally release and forever discharge the Company, and the Company’s current, former, and future controlling shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies, predecessor companies, divisions, directors, trustees, Employees, employees, agents, attorneys, successors, and assigns (and the current, former, and future controlling shareholders, directors, trustees, Employees, employees, agents, and attorneys of such subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies, predecessor companies, and divisions) (referred to collectively as “ Releasees ”), from any and all known and unknown claims, demands, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, damages and liabilities of whatever kind or nature and regardless of whether the knowledge thereof would have materially affected your agreement to release the Company hereunder, that arise out of or are related to (a) the Company’s failure to make any payments required under the Severance Agreement (other than those amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 3 of the Severance Agreement if required by the terms of such sections), and (b) those arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ ADEA ”). The Release will not waive the Employee’s rights to indemnification under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws or, if applicable, any written agreement between the Company and the Employee, or under applicable law.

 

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With respect to the various rights and claims under the ADEA being waived by you in this Agreement, you specifically acknowledge that you have read and understand the provisions of paragraphs 13, 14, and 15 below before signing this Agreement. This general release does not cover rights or claims under the ADEA arising after you sign this Agreement.

10. You represent and warrant that you have not filed, and agree that you will not file, or cause to be filed, any complaint, charge, claim or action involving any claims you have released in the foregoing paragraph. This promise not to sue does not apply to claims for breach of this Agreement. You agree and acknowledge that if you break this promise not to sue, then you will be liable for all consequential damages, including the legal expenses and fees incurred by the Company or any of the Releasees, in defending such a claim.

11. The Company hereby represents and warrants that concurrently with your execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company has paid to you any and all amounts under the Severance Agreement that are required to be paid to you by the Company as of the date hereof, excluding, without limitation, any amounts required to be paid under this Agreement and those amounts or benefits, if any, payable or to be provided after the date hereof pursuant to the Severance Agreement if and to the extent required by the terms thereof.

12. Excluded from this Agreement are any claims or rights that cannot be waived by law, including the right to file a charge of discrimination with an administrative agency. You agree, however, to waive your right to any monetary recovery in connection with such a charge.

13. You acknowledge that you have hereby been advised in writing to consult with an attorney before you sign this Agreement. You understand that you have twenty-one (21) days within which to decide whether to sign this Agreement, although you may sign this Agreement at any time within the twenty-one (21) day period. If you do sign it, you also understand that you will have an additional 7 days after you sign to change your mind and revoke the Agreement, in which case a written notice of revocation must be delivered to Vice President Human Resources or comparable title, Autobytel Inc., 18872 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, California 92612-1400, on or before the seventh (7th) day after your execution of the Agreement. You understand that the Agreement will not become effective until after that seven (7) day period has passed.

14. You acknowledge that you are signing this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and intend to be bound legally by its terms.

15. You hereby acknowledge that no promise or inducement has been offered to you, except as expressly stated above and in the Severance Agreement, and you are relying upon none. This Agreement and the Severance Agreement represent the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede any other written or oral understandings between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and may only be amended or modified with the prior written consent of you and the Company.

 

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16. You certify that you have not experienced a job-related illness or injury for which you have not already filed a claim.

17. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remainder of the Agreement, nevertheless, shall remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances.

18. This Agreement does not constitute an admission that the Company or any other Releasee has violated any law, rule, regulation, contractual right or any other duty or obligation.

19. This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of California and shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced, and governed under the law of that state, without reference to conflict of law provisions thereof. The language of all parts in this Agreement shall be construed as a whole, according to fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any party.

20. Employee acknowledges that: (i) the Company has encouraged Employee to consult with an attorney and/or tax advisor of Employee’s choosing (and at Employee’s own cost and expense) in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) Employee is not relying upon the Company for, and the Company has not provided, legal or tax advice to Employee in connection with this Agreement. It is the responsibility of Employee to seek independent tax and legal advice with regard to the tax treatment of this Agreement and the payments and benefits that may be made or provided under this Agreement and any other related matters. Employee acknowledges that Employee has had a reasonable opportunity to seek and consider advice from Employee’s counsel and tax advisors.

 

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES THE RELEASE OF CERTAIN CLAIMS.

Dated:                      , 200               
     

[Employee Name]

Dated:                      , 200          A UTOBYTEL I NC .
    By:    
     

[Officer’s Name]

     

[Title]

 

16

Exhibit 99.1

AUTOBYTEL ANNOUNCES WORKFORCE REDUCTION; COMPANY RETAINS RBC CAPITAL MARKETS

TO REVIEW STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES

Irvine, CA – September 26, 2008 – As part of a company-wide cost-cutting initiative started last year, Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL) today announced it has eliminated an additional 75 positions, or approximately 35% percent of its workforce. These reductions reinforce management’s previously announced commitment to improve cash flow and attain profitability.

Autobytel anticipates saving approximately $10 million annually as the result of the workforce reduction and the elimination of certain other expenses. The company expects to record a charge related to severance and other employee-related costs totaling approximately $2.2 million over the third and fourth quarters of 2008.

“As we navigate through this challenging economy, we are taking all the necessary and proactive, though sometimes difficult, steps to further reduce costs. We believe that at the end of this process we will have a leaner, more focused company, right-sized to compete in the current economic climate,” said president and chief executive officer of Autobytel, Jim Riesenbach. “While it is never easy to make a change of this magnitude, we believe our actions are necessary to bring the company more closely in line with our goals of reaching cash flow breakeven and achieving profitability. During the past year, we made significant progress improving efficiencies in the revenue-generating areas of our business while maintaining a strong cash position and balance sheet, and believe we can continue to build and sustain our revenue streams while delivering outstanding service and value to our clients, even with a reduced workforce.”

Concurrently, Autobytel announced that it has retained investment banking firm RBC Capital Markets Corporation as its financial advisor to assist the company in exploring and evaluating strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.

The company said such alternatives are designed to strengthen Autobytel’s marketplace position and could include the possible sale of the company or certain of its assets, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships. The company also said there can be no assurances that the process will result in any specific transaction or transactions and that it does not intend to disclose developments regarding the process unless and until its board of directors approves a definitive transaction.

“We believe our current stock price as well as overall market conditions are conducive to, and have driven, increased interest in Autobytel from various third parties,” Riesenbach said. “As a result, we have retained RBC Capital Markets, a leading investment banking firm with extensive experience in the internet media space, to more fully evaluate available alternatives and their potential impact on our business. We stand ready to take whatever action is necessary to maximize shareholder value.”

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL) is an Internet automotive marketing services company that helps dealers and manufacturers sell cars and related products and services. The company owns and operates consumer-facing automotive websites, including its flagship site, MyRide.com ® , which is designed to help consumers find, see, buy and learn anything related to automobiles. The company’s other websites are: Autobytel.com ® , Autoweb.com ® , Car.comsm, CarSmart.com ® , AutoSite.com ® , and CarTV.com ® . By providing a convenient and comprehensive automotive consumer experience across the purchase and ownership lifecycle, Autobytel seeks to provide dealerships with opportunities to connect with a steady, diverse stream of motivated, serious shoppers, while providing manufacturers with precision-targeted brand and product advertising opportunities. In addition to its websites, the company generates leads and advertising opportunities for dealers and automakers through its marketing network, which includes the AutoReach ad network, co-brands, such as ESPN.com, and marketing affiliates such as AOL, Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book.

About RBC Capital Markets Corporation

RBC Capital Markets is the corporate and investment banking arm of RBC Financial Group and is active globally in debt origination, sales and trading, foreign exchange, infrastructure finance, structured products, metals and mining, and energy. Its North American platform includes leading equity, underwriting, sales, trading and research businesses and a significant U.S. middle market investment banking franchise. Bloomberg ranks the firm as one of the Top 20 investment banks globally. For more details on the RBC Capital Markets Internet Investment Banking team, please visit http://www.rbcinternet.com


Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to the company’s goal of improving cash flow and attaining profitability, the company’s ability to compete in the current economic climate, its the ability to build and sustain revenue streams and the ability of its board of directors to successfully conclude a transaction as a result of the exploration of strategic alternatives. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain assumptions and certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Autobytel undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements are changes in general economic conditions, the economic impact of terrorist attacks or military actions, increased dealer attrition, pressure on dealer fees, increased or unexpected competition, the failure of new products and services to meet expectations, failure to retain key employees or attract and integrate new employees, that actual costs and expenses exceed the charges taken by Autobytel, changes in laws and regulations, costs of legal matters, including, defending lawsuits and undertaking investigations and related matters, and other matters disclosed in Autobytel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are strongly encouraged to review the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could affect operating results and the market price of Autobytel’s stock.

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Contact:

Autobytel Inc. Investor Relations

Roger Pondel/Laurie Berman, PondelWilkinson Inc., 310.279.5980 (investor@pondel.com)

Autobytel Inc. Media Relations

Melanie Webber, 949.862.3023 (melaniew@autobytel.com)

Crystal Hartwell, 949.437.4755 (crystalh@autobytel.com)