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) April 14, 2010

 

 

AutoNation, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-13107   73-1105145

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

200 SW 1st Ave

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (954) 769-6000

 

 

 

(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.

Offering of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018

On April 14, 2010, AutoNation, Inc. (the “Company”) completed its registered public offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) at a public offering price of 98.488% of the aggregate principal amount. The Company entered into the following agreements governing the terms of the 2018 Notes: (1) the indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “2018 Base Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and (2) the supplemental indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “2018 Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the 2018 Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The 2018 Notes mature on April 15, 2018 and bear interest at a rate equal to 6.75% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, beginning on October 15, 2010. The 2018 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 2018 Notes rank equal in right of payment to the Company’s current and future senior unsecured debt and senior in right of payment to any existing and future subordinated debt. The 2018 Notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to the Company’s current and future secured debt, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and to any future indebtedness of the Company’s non-guarantor subsidiaries. The Indenture contains certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company to incur liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions and merge, consolidate, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets.

Cash Tender Offers for Old Notes

On April 14, 2010, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the 2018 Notes to pay the total consideration for the Floating Rate Notes due 2013 (the “Floating Rate Notes”) and the 7% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Fixed Rate Notes” and, together with the Floating Rate Notes, the “Old Notes”) that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 13, 2010 (the “Consent Deadline”), pursuant to the Company’s previously announced cash tender offers to purchase any and all of its outstanding Old Notes. As of the Consent Deadline, the Company received tenders and consents for approximately $145.5 million aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Notes, representing 99.6% of the approximately $146.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Floating Rate Notes previously outstanding, and approximately $117.8 million aggregate principal amount of Fixed Rate Notes, representing 88.8% of the approximately $132.6 million aggregate principal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes previously outstanding. The total amount paid, approximately $273.8 million, represented the total consideration for the Old Notes (including the consent payments) plus accrued and unpaid interest.

On April 14, 2010, after receiving consents from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of each series of the outstanding Old Notes, the Company also entered into a supplemental indenture (the “Old Notes Supplemental Indenture”) to the indenture, dated as of April 12, 2006 (the “Old Notes Indenture”), among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and the Trustee. The Old Notes Supplemental Indenture amends the Old Notes Indenture, effective April 14, 2010, to (1) eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants


and certain events of default, (2) reduce the notice period required for an optional redemption of the Old Notes, and (3) make other related amendments.

The tender offers and consent solicitations remain open and are scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 (the “Expiration Time”), unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company. This Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Form 8-K”) shall not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Old Notes. The cash tender offers are being made only pursuant to the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement, letter of transmittal and consent, and related materials that were previously distributed to the holders of the Old Notes.

Amendment to Credit Agreement

On April 14, 2010, AutoNation entered into an amendment to the credit agreement (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) governing its term loan and revolving credit facilities. Pursuant to such amendment, the maturity date for $479.4 million of term loan borrowings and $581.6 million of revolving credit commitments was extended from July 18, 2012 to July 18, 2014. The maturity date for $54.0 million of term loan borrowings and $57.0 million of revolving credit commitments, relating to lenders that did not consent to the extension, remains July 18, 2012. The size of the term loan facility was reduced from $600 million to $533.4 million, and the size of the revolving credit facility was reduced from $700 million to $638.6 million. The amendment also modified certain financial covenants, including an increase in the maximum leverage ratio from 2.75x to 3.25x and a decrease in the maximum capitalization ratio from 65% to 60%. In calculating the capitalization ratio, AutoNation is now permitted to exclude goodwill, franchise rights and long-lived asset impairments subsequent to 2007.

The 2018 Base Indenture is being filed as Exhibit 4.1, the 2018 Supplemental Indenture is being filed as Exhibit 4.2, the Old Notes Supplemental Indenture is being filed as Exhibit 4.3, and the Amended Credit Agreement is being filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K, and each is incorporated by reference herein. The descriptions of the provisions of the 2018 Base Indenture, the 2018 Supplemental Indenture, the Old Notes Supplemental Indenture and the Amended Credit Agreement are summary in nature and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the provisions of the definitive agreements.

The agreements included with this 8-K (including the exhibits to such agreements), which are being filed to provide investors with information regarding their terms, contain various representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the other parties thereto. They are not intended to provide any factual information about any of the parties thereto or any subsidiaries of the parties thereto. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of each of the agreements, solely for the benefit of the parties thereto.


In addition, certain representations and warranties were made as of a specific date, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from what a stockholder might view as material, or may have been made for purposes of allocating contractual risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. The representations, warranties or covenants in the agreements (or any description thereof) should not be viewed as disclosures with respect to the actual state of facts concerning the business, operations or condition of any of the parties to the agreements (or their subsidiaries) and should not rely on them as such. In addition, information in any such representations, warranties or covenants may change after the dates covered by such provisions, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the public disclosures of the parties. In any event, investors should read the agreements together with the other information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries contained in reports and statements that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders

The disclosure required by this Item is included in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On April 14, 2010, the Company issued a press release regarding the transactions described in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

4.1    Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, relating to the Company’s 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018.
4.2    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, relating to the Company’s 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018.
4.3    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, relating to the Company’s Floating Rate Notes due 2013 and Fixed Rate Notes due 2014.
5.1    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP regarding the 2018 Notes.
10.1    Fourth Amendment, dated as of April 14, 2010, to the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2005, amending and restating the Company’s Credit Agreement.
23.1    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
99.1    Press Release of AutoNation, Inc. dated April 14, 2010 announcing completion of refinancing.


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.

 

    AUTONATION, INC.
Date: April 14, 2010     By:   /s/ Jonathan P. Ferrando
       

Jonathan P. Ferrando

Executive Vice President, General

Counsel and Secretary

 

 


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4.1    Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, relating to the Company’s 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018.
4.2    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, relating to the Company’s 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018.
4.3    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, relating to the Company’s Floating Rate Notes due 2013 and Fixed Rate Notes due 2014.
5.1    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP regarding the 2018 Notes.
10.1    Fourth Amendment, dated as of April 14, 2010, to the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2005, amending and restating the Company’s Credit Agreement.
23.1    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
99.1    Press Release of AutoNation, Inc. dated April 14, 2010 announcing completion of refinancing.

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

AUTONATION, INC.

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 14, 2010

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 


CROSS REFERENCE SHEET*

Provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) and the Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010, between AutoNation, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee:

 

Section of the

Trust Indenture Act

  

Section of

the Indenture

310(a)(1), (2) and (5)

   11.04(a)

310(a)(3) and (4)

   Not Applicable

310(b)

   11.04(b) and 11.05

310(c)

   Not Applicable

311(a)

   11.11

311(b)

   11.11

311(c)

   Not Applicable

312(a)

   10.03

312(b)

   11.10

312(c)

   11.10

313(a)

   10.01(a)

313(b)(1)

   Not Applicable

313(b)(2)

   10.01(a)

313(c)

   10.01(a)

313(d)

   10.01(b)

314(a)

   10.02

314(b)

   Not Applicable

314(c)(1) and (2)

   16.01(a)

314(c)(3)

   Not Applicable

314(d)

   Not Applicable

314(e)

   16.01(b)

314(f)

   Not Applicable

315(a), (c) and (d)

   11.02(a) and (b)

315(b)

   11.03

315(e)

   7.08

316(a)(1)

   7.06

316(a)(2)

   Not applicable

316(a) (last sentence)

   1.01 (definition of “Outstanding”)

316(b)

   7.07

317(a)

   7.03 and 7.04

317(b)

   6.03(b)

318(a) and (c)

   16.02

318(b)

   Not Applicable

 

* This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS*

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01

   Definitions.    1
ARTICLE II
FORMS OF SECURITIES

Section 2.01

   Terms of the Securities.    8

Section 2.02

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.    9

Section 2.03

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent.    9
ARTICLE III
THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01

   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.    9

Section 3.02

   Denominations.    11

Section 3.03

   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.    12

Section 3.04

   Temporary Securities.    13

Section 3.05

   Registrar and Paying Agent.    13

Section 3.06

   Transfer and Exchange.    14

Section 3.07

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.    16

Section 3.08

   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.    17

Section 3.09

   Cancellation.    18

Section 3.10

   Computation of Interest.    18

Section 3.11

   Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities.    18

Section 3.12

   Judgments.    19

Section 3.13

   CUSIP Numbers.    19
ARTICLE IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 4.01

   Applicability of Right of Redemption.    19

Section 4.02

   Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.    19

Section 4.03

   Notice of Redemption.    20

Section 4.04

   Deposit of Redemption Price.    20

Section 4.05

   Securities Payable on Redemption Date.    20

Section 4.06

   Securities Redeemed in Part.    20

 

i


ARTICLE V

SINKING FUNDS

Section 5.01

   Applicability of Sinking Fund.    21

Section 5.02

   Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation.    21

Section 5.03

   Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price.    21

Section 5.04

   Application of Sinking Fund Payment.    22
ARTICLE VI
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 6.01

   Payments of Securities.    22

Section 6.02

   Paying Agent.    22

Section 6.03

   To Hold Payment in Trust.    23

Section 6.04

   Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.    24

Section 6.05

   Compliance Certificate.    24

Section 6.06

   Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities.    25

Section 6.07

   Statement by Officers as to Default.    25

Section 6.08

   Calculation of Original Issue Discount.    25
ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 7.01

   Events of Default.    25

Section 7.02

   Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment.    26

Section 7.03

   Other Remedies.    27

Section 7.04

   Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact.    28

Section 7.05

   Priorities.    28

Section 7.06

   Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults.    28

Section 7.07

   Limitation on Suits.    29

Section 7.08

   Undertaking for Costs.    29

Section 7.09

   Remedies Cumulative.    29
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 8.01

   Evidence of Action of Securityholders.    30

Section 8.02

   Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities.    30

Section 8.03

   Persons Deemed Owners.    31

Section 8.04

   Effect of Consents.    31

 

ii


ARTICLE IX
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 9.01

   Purposes of Meetings.    31

Section 9.02

   Call of Meetings by Trustee.    31

Section 9.03

   Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders.    31

Section 9.04

   Qualifications for Voting.    32

Section 9.05

   Regulation of Meetings.    32

Section 9.06

   Voting.    32

Section 9.07

   No Delay of Rights by Meeting.    32
ARTICLE X

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS

Section 10.01

   Reports by Trustee.    33

Section 10.02

   Reports by the Company.    33

Section 10.03

   Securityholders’ Lists.    33
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 11.01

   Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity.    34

Section 11.02

   Duties of Trustee.    36

Section 11.03

   Notice of Defaults.    37

Section 11.04

   Eligibility; Disqualification.    37

Section 11.05

   Resignation and Notice; Removal.    37

Section 11.06

   Successor Trustee by Appointment.    38

Section 11.07

   Successor Trustee by Merger.    39

Section 11.08

   Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate.    39

Section 11.09

   Appointment of Authenticating Agent.    39

Section 11.10

   Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders.    40

Section 11.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.    40
ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01

   Applicability of Article.    40

Section 12.02

   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.    40

Section 12.03

   Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations.    41

Section 12.04

   Repayment to Company.    42

Section 12.05

   Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations.    42

Section 12.06

   Deposits to Be Held in Escrow.    42

 

iii


Section 12.07

   Application of Trust Money.    43

Section 12.08

   Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies.    43

ARTICLE XIII

IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS

Section 13.01

   No Personal Liability.    43
ARTICLE XIV
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 14.01

   Without Consent of Securityholders.    44

Section 14.02

   With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations.    45

Section 14.03

   Trustee Protected.    46

Section 14.04

   Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture.    46

Section 14.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Securities.    46

Section 14.06

   Conformity with TIA.    47
ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 15.01

   Agreement to Subordinate.    47

Section 15.02

   Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities.    47

Section 15.03

   No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness.    48

Section 15.04

   Payments on Securities Permitted.    48

Section 15.05

   Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination.    48

Section 15.06

   Notices to Trustee.    49

Section 15.07

   Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.    49

Section 15.08

   Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness.    49

Section 15.09

   Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.    49

Section 15.10

   Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.    49

Section 15.11

   Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness.    50
ARTICLE XVI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 16.01

   Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.    50

Section 16.02

   Trust Indenture Act Controls.    51

Section 16.03

   Notices to the Company and Trustee.    51

Section 16.04

   Notices to Securityholders; Waiver.    51

Section 16.05

   Legal Holiday.    51

Section 16.06

   Effects of Headings and Table of Contents.    52

Section 16.07

   Successors and Assigns.    52

 

iv


Section 16.08

   Separability Clause.    52

Section 16.09

   Benefits of Indenture.    52

Section 16.10

   Counterparts Originals.    52

Section 16.11

   Governing Law.    52

Section 16.12

   Force Majeure.    52

Section 16.13

   U.S.A. Patriot Act.    52

 

* This Table of Contents is not a part of the Indenture.

 

v


INDENTURE dated as of April 14, 2010, among AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities, each party agrees and covenants as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein; and

(c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

(d) References to “Article” or “Section” or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of the Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 1.01 Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section 1.01(b) shall for all purposes of this Indenture have the meanings hereinafter set forth, the following definitions to be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of any of the terms herein defined:

Affiliate:

The term “Affiliate,” with respect to any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Authenticating Agent:

The term “Authenticating Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.09.

Board of Directors:

The term “Board of Directors” shall mean either the board of directors of the Company or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.


Board Resolution:

The term “Board Resolution” shall mean a copy of a resolution or resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or by a committee of the Board of Directors to the extent that any such other committee has been authorized by the Board of Directors to establish or approve the matters contemplated) and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day:

The term “Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Capital Stock:

The term “Capital Stock” shall mean:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Code:

The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as in effect on the date hereof.

Company:

The term “Company” shall mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Company Order:

The term “Company Order” shall mean a written order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Controller, Assistant Controller, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office:

The term “Corporate Trust Office,” or other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 45 Broadway, 14 th Floor, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust officer of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

2


Currency:

The term “Currency” shall mean U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.

Default:

The term “Default” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.03.

Defaulted Interest:

The term “Defaulted Interest” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b).

Depositary:

The term “Depositary” shall mean, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.

Designated Currency:

The term “Designated Currency” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.12.

Discharged:

The term “Discharged” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.

Event of Default:

The term “Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

Exchange Act:

The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Rate:

The term “Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.01.

Floating Rate Security:

The term “Floating Rate Security” shall mean a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

Foreign Currency:

The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.

GAAP:

The term “GAAP,” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder, shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.

 

3


Global Security:

The term “Global Security” shall mean any Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities, issued in fully-registered certificated form to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 3.03 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 3.03(g).

Holder; Holder of Securities:

The terms “Holder” and “Holder of Securities” are defined under “Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder.”

Indebtedness:

The term “Indebtedness” shall mean any and all obligations of a Person for money borrowed which, in accordance with GAAP, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.

Indenture:

The term “Indenture” or “this Indenture” shall mean this instrument and all indentures supplemental hereto.

Interest:

The term “interest” shall mean, with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date:

The term “Interest Payment Date” shall mean, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment:

The term “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01.

Maturity:

The term “Maturity,” with respect to any Security, shall mean the date on which the principal of such Security shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether by declaration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Members:

The term “Members” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.03(i).

Officer’s Certificate:

The term “Officer’s Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by any of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 16.01 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

 

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Opinion of Counsel:

The term “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that meets the requirements provided for in Section 16.01.

Optional Sinking Fund Payment:

The term “Optional Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01.

Original Issue Discount Security:

The term “Original Issue Discount Security” shall mean any Security that is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.

Outstanding:

The term “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities or portions thereof for which payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or Securities as to which the Company’s obligations have been Discharged; provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02 and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).

Paying Agent:

The term “Paying Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.02(a).

 

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Person:

The term “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment:

The term “Place of Payment” shall mean, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

Predecessor Security:

The term “Predecessor Security” shall mean, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

Record Date:

The term “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on any date specified in such Security for the payment of interest pursuant to Section 3.01.

Redemption Date:

The term “Redemption Date” shall mean, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security, which, in the case of a Floating Rate Security, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, shall be an Interest Payment Date only.

Redemption Price:

The term “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, shall mean the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the Security and this Indenture.

Register:

The term “Register” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).

Registrar:

The term “Registrar” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).

Responsible Officers:

The term “Responsible Officers” of the Trustee hereunder shall mean any vice president, any assistant vice president, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

SEC:

The term “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.

 

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Securities Act:

The term “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Security:

The term “Security” or “Securities” shall have the meaning stated in the recitals and shall more particularly mean one or more of the Securities duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

Security Custodian:

The term “Security Custodian” shall mean the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Paying Agent.

Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder:

The term “Securityholder” or “Holder of Securities” or “Holder,” shall mean the Person in whose name Securities shall be registered in the Register kept for that purpose hereunder.

Senior Indebtedness:

The term “Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (x) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed other than (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred, and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Trade Payables and (f) any Indebtedness of the Company which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, and (y) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Indebtedness. For purposes of the foregoing and the definition of “Senior Indebtedness,” the phrase “subordinated in right of payment” means debt subordination only and not lien subordination, and accordingly, (i) unsecured indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to secured indebtedness merely by virtue of the fact that it is unsecured, and (ii) junior liens, second liens and other contractual arrangements that provide for priorities among Holders of the same or different issues of indebtedness with respect to any collateral or the proceeds of collateral shall not constitute subordination in right of payment. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.

Special Record Date:

The term “Special Record Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b)(i).

Stated Maturity:

The term “Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of interest thereon, shall mean the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary:

The term “Subsidiary,” when used with respect to any Person, shall mean:

(a) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

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(b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

Successor Company:

The term “Successor Company” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.06(i).

Trade Payables:

The term “Trade Payables” means accounts payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities).

Trust Indenture Act; TIA:

The term “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee:

The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

U.S. Dollars:

The term “U.S. Dollars” shall mean such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

U.S. Government Obligations:

The term “U.S. Government Obligations” shall mean (i) direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States, in either case, for the payment of which guarantee or obligation the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

United States:

The term “United States” shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

ARTICLE II

FORMS OF SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Terms of the Securities .

(a) The Securities of each series (and any related guarantees) shall be substantially in the form set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, and shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which any series of the Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such series may be quoted, or to conform to usage, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

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(b) The terms and provisions of the Securities (and any related guarantees) shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication .

(a) Only such of the Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate substantially in the form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication hereinafter recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature, shall be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or entitle the Holder thereof to any right or benefit under this Indenture.

(b) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except that any Global Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated in Section 3.01.

(c) The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date of authentication:                        Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee
  By:  

 

    Authorized Signatory

Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent . If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities issued referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date of authentication:                        Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee
  By:  

[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT]

    As Authenticating Agent
  By:  

 

    Authorized Signatory

ARTICLE III

THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series, except to the extent that additional Securities of an existing series are being issued);

 

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(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 4.06, or 14.05);

(c) the dates on which or periods during which the Securities of the series may be issued, and the dates on, or the range of dates within, which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series are or may be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;

(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Record Dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;

(e) if other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency in which Securities of the series shall be denominated or in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable and any other terms concerning such payment;

(f) if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method including, but not limited to, an index based on a Currency or Currencies other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(g) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable without such election, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the time and the manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which the Securities are denominated or payable without such election and the Currency in which the Securities are to be paid if such election is made;

(h) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and where Securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;

(i) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

(j) the obligation or right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(k) if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(l) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02;

 

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(m) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities and the amount of discount with which such Securities may be issued;

(n) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of Securities of the series in whole or in part and any addition or change in the provisions related to satisfaction and discharge;

(o) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby;

(p) the date as of which any Global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(q) the form of the Securities of the series;

(r) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities or property of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any additions or changes, if any, to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

(s) whether the Securities of such series are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

(t) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;

(u) any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the Trustee which applies to Securities of such series;

(v) any addition or change in the provisions related to supplemental indentures set forth in Sections 14.04 and 14.02 which applies to Securities of such series;

(w) provisions, if any, granting special rights to Holders upon the occurrence of specified events;

(x) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02 and any addition or change in the provisions set forth in Article VII which applies to Securities of the series;

(y) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series;

(z) whether and the extent to which the Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any guarantees by any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any other form of guarantee and the terms of such guarantees; and

(aa) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 14.01).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.

Section 3.02 Denominations . In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of any integral multiple of $1,000, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.

 

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Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

(a) The Securities shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its Chief Executive Officer, President, one of its Vice Presidents or Treasurer. If the Person whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated and delivered, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, if required pursuant to Section 3.01, a supplemental indenture or Company Order setting forth the terms of the Securities of a series. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities without any further action by the Company. The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated.

(c) In authenticating the first Securities of any series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 11.02) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each prepared in accordance with Section 16.01 stating that the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture have been complied with.

(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver the Securities under this Section 3.03 if the issue of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(e) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all of the Securities of any series are not to be originally issued at the same time, then the documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03 must be delivered only once prior to the authentication and delivery of the first Security of such series;

(g) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered, if in registered form, in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”

The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture.

(h) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Global Security in registered form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.

 

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(i) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Security Custodian under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar and any of their agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar or any of their agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Members and Persons that may hold interests through Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

(j) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in one of the forms provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or by an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 3.04 Temporary Securities .

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Any such temporary Security may be in global form, representing all or a portion of the Outstanding Securities of such series. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Security or Securities in lieu of which it is issued.

(b) If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(c) Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Securities represented thereby pursuant to this Section 3.04 or Section 3.06, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed.

Section 3.05 Registrar and Paying Agent .

(a) The Company will keep, at an office or agency to be maintained by it in a Place of Payment where Securities may be presented for registration or presented and surrendered for registration of transfer or of exchange, and where Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable (the “Registrar”), a security register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities (the registers maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Register”), as in this Indenture provided, which Register shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection by the Trustee. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars; the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar.

 

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(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar for any series, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 11.01. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.

(c) The Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Registrar in connection with the Securities and this Indenture, until such time as another Person is appointed as such.

Section 3.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer.

(i) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the Registrar the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations. The transfer of any Security shall not be valid as against the Company or the Trustee unless registered at the Registrar at the written request of the Holder, or at the request of his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(b) Exchange.

(i) At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at the Registrar.

(ii) Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

(c) Exchange of Global Securities for Individual Securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive individual Securities.

(i) Individual Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests if: (A) at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 3.03(h) and, in each case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and the Registrar an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable.

In connection with the exchange of an entire Global Security for individual Securities pursuant to this subsection (c), such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of individual Securities of authorized denominations.

 

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(ii) The owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to receive an individual Security in exchange for such interest if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt by the Security Custodian and Registrar of instructions from the Holder of a Global Security directing the Security Custodian and Registrar to (x) issue one or more individual Securities in the amounts specified to the owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security and (y) debit or cause to be debited an equivalent amount of beneficial interest in such Global Security, subject to the rules and regulations of the Depositary:

(A) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall notify the Company and the Trustee of such instructions, identifying the owner and amount of such beneficial interest in such Global Security;

(B) the Company shall promptly execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver to such beneficial owner individual Securities in an equivalent amount to such beneficial interest in such Global Security; and

(C) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall decrease such Global Security by such amount in accordance with the foregoing. In the event that the individual Securities are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a written request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such individual Securities, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial Holder of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial Holder’s Securities as if such individual Securities had been issued.

(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part for individual Securities of such series on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

(A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new individual Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

(B) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in clauses (i) through (iii), the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in registered form in authorized denominations.

(v) Upon the exchange in full of a Global Security for individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

(d) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

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(e) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

(f) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or charge to the Holders.

(g) The Company shall not be required to (i) register, transfer or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the transmission of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 4.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission, or (ii) register, transfer or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

(h) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer or exchange of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for all purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

(i) In case a successor Company (“Successor Company”) has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article XIV, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered pursuant to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of the Successor Company, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the Successor Company with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the Successor Company, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a Successor Company pursuant to this Section 3.06 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such Successor Company, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time Outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.

(j) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities laws.

(k) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(l) Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

Section 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .

(a) If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, that neither gain nor loss in interest shall result from such exchange or substitution. In every case the applicant for a replacement Security shall furnish the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless.

 

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(b) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay the amount due on such Security in accordance with its terms.

(c) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

(d) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

(e) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 3.08 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .

(a) Interest on any Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the Record Date. Payment of interest on Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Any interest on any Security that is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Record Date by virtue of his, her or its having been such a Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a “Special Record Date”), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holders of such Securities at their addresses as they appear in the Register, not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

 

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(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(c) Subject to the provisions set forth herein relating to Record Dates, each Security delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture in exchange or substitution for, or upon registration of transfer of, any other Security shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.09 Cancellation . Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or credit against any sinking fund or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and shall be promptly canceled by it and, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures and , at the expense and written direction of the Company, deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 3.10 Computation of Interest . Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11 Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities .

(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Securities of such series will be made in U.S. Dollars.

(b) For purposes of any provision of the Indenture where the Holders of Outstanding Securities may perform an action that requires that a specified percentage of the Outstanding Securities of all series perform such action and for purposes of any decision or determination by the Trustee of amounts due and unpaid for the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series in respect of which moneys are to be disbursed ratably, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Outstanding Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency will be the amount in U.S. Dollars based upon exchange rates, determined as specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, as of the date for determining whether the Holders entitled to perform such action have performed it or as of the date of such decision or determination by the Trustee, as the case may be.

(c) Any decision or determination to be made regarding exchange rates shall be made by an agent appointed by the Company; provided, that such agent shall accept such appointment in writing and the terms of such appointment shall, in the opinion of the Company at the time of such appointment, require such agent to make such determination by a method consistent with the method provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for the making of such decision or determination. All decisions and determinations of such agent regarding exchange rates shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Securities.

 

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Section 3.12 Judgments . The Company may provide pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series that (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of any series in a Foreign Currency or U.S. Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 is of the essence and agrees that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, judgments in respect of such Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other Currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other Currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) on the business day in the country of issue of the Designated Currency or in the international banking community (in the case of a composite currency) immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.

Section 3.13 CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice of redemption or exchange with respect to such series provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.

ARTICLE IV

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 4.01 Applicability of Right of Redemption . Redemption of Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

Section 4.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed .

(a) If the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any portion of the Securities of a series then Outstanding, it shall at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. In any case where more than one Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security of such series. The Trustee shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Company in writing of the Securities and portions of Securities so selected.

(b) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security that has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.

 

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Section 4.03 Notice of Redemption .

(a) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed in whole or in part pursuant to this Article, in the manner provided in Section 16.04. Any notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. Failure to give such notice, or any defect in such notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption, in whole or in part, shall not affect the sufficiency of any notice of redemption with respect to the Holder of any other Security of such series.

(b) All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if available) and shall state:

(i) such election by the Company to redeem Securities of such series pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case;

(ii) the Redemption Date;

(iii) the Redemption Price;

(iv) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the Securities of such series to be redeemed;

(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and that, if applicable, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(vi) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and

(vii) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

Section 4.04 Deposit of Redemption Price . On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 6.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 4.05 Securities Payable on Redemption Date . Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price; provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 4.06 Securities Redeemed in Part . Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

SINKING FUNDS

Section 5.01 Applicability of Sinking Fund .

(a) Redemption of Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series by the terms of such series of Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms of such series of Securities and this Article, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.02.

Section 5.02 Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation . The Company may, at its option, satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, in whole or in part, with respect to a particular series of Securities by (a) delivering to the Trustee Securities of such series in transferable form theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or redeemed at the election of the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 or (b) receiving credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company and theretofore delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall credit such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation with an amount equal to the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be reduced accordingly. If the Company shall elect to so satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date a written notice signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its President, one of its Vice Presidents, its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers, which shall designate the Securities (and portions thereof, if any) so delivered or credited and which shall be accompanied by such Securities (to the extent not theretofore delivered) in transferable form. In case of the failure of the Company, at or before the time so required, to give such notice and deliver such Securities the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation shall be paid entirely in moneys.

Section 5.03 Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price . In addition to the sinking fund requirements of Section 5.02, to the extent, if any, provided for by the terms of a particular series of Securities, the Company may, at its option, make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such Securities. Unless otherwise provided by such terms, (a) to the extent that the right of the Company to make such Optional Sinking Fund Payment shall not be exercised in any year, it shall not be cumulative or carried forward to any subsequent year, and (b) such optional payment shall operate to reduce the amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation as to Securities of the same series. If the Company intends to exercise its right to make such optional payment in any year it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date a certificate signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its President, one of its Vice Presidents, its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers stating that the Company will exercise such optional right, and specifying the amount which the Company will pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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Section 5.04 Application of Sinking Fund Payment .

(a) If the sinking fund payment or payments made in funds pursuant to either Section 5.02 or 5.03 with respect to a particular series of Securities plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in funds with respect to such series shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request, or such equivalent sum for Securities denominated other than in U.S. Dollars), it shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund payment date, to the redemption of Securities of such series at the redemption price specified pursuant to Section 4.03(b). The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 4.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 4.03(a) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.04. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.

(b) On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 5.04.

(c) The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on any Securities of such series or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Securities if funds sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Securities of such series; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.04.

ARTICLE VI

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

Section 6.01 Payments of Securities . The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, on each series of Securities, and the interest which shall have accrued thereon, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.

Section 6.02 Paying Agent .

(a) The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, if any, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served (the “Paying Agent”). The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

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(b) The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and of any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.

Section 6.03 To Hold Payment in Trust .

(a) If the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption shall become payable, the Company or such Affiliate will segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest which shall have so become payable until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act in that regard. Upon any proceeding under any federal bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.

(b) If the Company shall appoint, and at the time have, a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any series of Securities, then prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, whether by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will deposit with such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee), the Company or any other obligor of such Securities will promptly notify the Trustee of its payment or failure to make such payment.

(c) If the Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.03, that such Paying Agent shall:

(i) hold all moneys held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(ii) give to the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

(d) Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a release, satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee as required by this Section 6.03, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.

 

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(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Order along with any interest that has accumulated thereon as a result of such money being invested at the direction of the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such amounts without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 6.04 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:

(a) The Company will not consolidate with any other entity or accept a merger of any other entity into the Company or permit the Company to be merged into any other entity, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all its assets to another entity, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another entity, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume, by indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered by such entity prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all other obligations to the Holders and the Trustee under this Indenture or under the Securities to be performed or observed by the Company; and (ii) immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or purchase the Company or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) would not be in Default in the performance of any covenant or condition of this Indenture. A purchase by a Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of another entity shall not be deemed to be a purchase of such assets by the Company.

(b) Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other entity, or any sale other than for cash, or any conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with this Section 6.04, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which the Company is sold or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and from time to time such entity may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company, or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board or officer of any entity that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Section 6.04) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.

Section 6.05 Compliance Certificate . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) and, in the event of any Default, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge. Such certificates need not comply with Section 16.01 of this Indenture.

 

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Section 6.06 Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities . Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company or a guarantor of any series of Securities may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with a covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VIII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company or a guarantor of any series of Securities and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6.07 Statement by Officers as to Default . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 6.08 Calculation of Original Issue Discount . The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE VII

REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 7.01 Events of Default . Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:

(a) the failure to pay any installment of interest on any Security of such series when and as the same shall become payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(b) the failure to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at Maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

(c) the failure to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when and as the same shall become payable by the terms of a Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(d) the failure, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, to perform any covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which the Securities of such series were issued as contemplated by Section 3.01) (other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series and other than a covenant or agreement a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section 7.01 specifically addressed), which failure shall not have been remedied, or without provision deemed to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 90 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

 

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(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any action; or

(g) the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01;

provided, however, that no event described in clause (d) or (other than with respect to a payment default) (g) above shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder until a Responsible Officer assigned to and working in the Trustee’s corporate trust department has actual knowledge thereof or until a written notice of any such event is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice refers to the facts underlying such event, the Securities generally, the Company and the Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States and such Currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in the Currency of the United States in an amount equal to the Currency of the United States equivalent of the amount payable in such other Currency, as determined by the Trustee by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Currency (“Exchange Rate”), as such Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, any payment made under such circumstances in the Currency of the United States where the required payment is in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Section 7.02 Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment .

(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f)) shall happen with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities of such series then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the principal amount of all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding shall automatically, and without any declaration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.

(b) The provisions of Section 7.02(a), however, are subject to the condition that, at any time after the principal of all the Securities of such series, to which any one or more of the above-described Events of Default is applicable, shall have been so declared to be due and payable, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Event of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if:

(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent a sum in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay

 

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(A) all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a) (provided, however, that all sums payable under this clause (A) shall be paid in U.S. Dollars);

(B) all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the Securities of such series (with interest, to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by such Securities at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities); and

(C) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon;

(ii) every other Default and Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 7.06.

(c) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(d) For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

Section 7.03 Other Remedies . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, upon failure for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Securities of any series or failure to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption (other than pursuant to the sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, or failure for a period of 30 days to make any required sinking fund payment as to a series of Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).

In case of failure forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.

 

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Section 7.04 Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact . The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not there shall be a Default in respect of the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any of the Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every taker or Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor, to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a); provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of any Securities in any such proceeding.

Section 7.05 Priorities . Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VII shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series, in the chronological order of the Maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto.

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest.

Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or as directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 7.06 Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.01 and 11.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a Default in the payment of interest or any premium on or the principal of the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, any guarantor of any series of Securities, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 7.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

 

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Section 7.07 Limitation on Suits . No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of one or more of the Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, (b) the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, (c) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, (d) the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request; and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series; provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company or any guarantor of any series of Securities, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.

Section 7.08 Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 7.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.

Section 7.09 Remedies Cumulative . No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VII to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder of Securities, then and in every such case the Company, any guarantor of any series of Securities, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 8.01 Evidence of Action of Securityholders . Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by (a) any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depositary for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company), or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Securityholders.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities . Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

(a) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved (i) by the certificate of any notary public or other officer in any jurisdiction who, by the laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments or proof of deeds to be recorded within such jurisdiction, that the Person who signed such instrument did acknowledge before such notary public or other officer the execution thereof, or (ii) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution sworn to before any such notary or other officer. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority.

(b) The ownership of Securities of any series shall be proved by the Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series.

(c) The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.

(d) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem appropriate or necessary, so long as the request is a reasonable one.

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities of any series any action, the Company may, at its option fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be computed as of such record date.

 

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Section 8.03 Persons Deemed Owners .

(a) The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.08) interest, if any, on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All payments made to any Holder, or upon his, her or its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon such Security.

(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.04 Effect of Consents . After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

ARTICLE IX

SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 9.01 Purposes of Meetings . A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article VIII;

(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article XI;

(c) to consent to the execution of an Indenture or of indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.02; or

(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 9.02 Call of Meetings by Trustee . The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of all Securityholders of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register of the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Section 9.03 Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders . In case at any time the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series (or of all series, as the case may be) then Outstanding that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of such series (or of all series), by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.

 

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Section 9.04 Qualifications for Voting . To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities affected by the action proposed to be taken at the meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more such Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 9.05 Regulation of Meetings .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem fit.

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chair. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

(c) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, at any meeting of Securityholders of a series, each Securityholder of such series of such Securityholder’s proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series Outstanding held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities of such series held by him or her or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him or her as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. At any meeting of the Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or 9.03 the presence of Persons holding or representing Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 9.06 Voting . The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Securityholders of a series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of the Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the principal amounts of the Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Section 9.07 No Delay of Rights by Meeting . Nothing contained in this Article IX shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Securityholders of any series or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders of such series under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE X

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS

Section 10.01 Reports by Trustee .

(a) So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided therein. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports required pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(b) The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of Securities of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01, file a copy of such report with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, if any, or de-listed therefrom. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee in writing when, as and if the Securities become listed on any stock exchange.

The Company will reimburse the Trustee for all expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01 and of Section 10.02.

Section 10.02 Reports by the Company . The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, unless available on EDGAR, any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is filed with the SEC; and provided further, that the filing of the reports specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act by an entity that is the direct or indirect parent of the Company will satisfy the requirements of this Section 10.02 so long as such entity is an obligor or guarantor on the Securities; and provided further that the reports of such entity will not be required to include condensed consolidating financial information for the Company in a footnote to the financial statements of such entity.

Section 10.03 Securityholders’ Lists . The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, within 15 days after each Record Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities to which such Record Date applies, as of such Record Date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

 

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ARTICLE XI

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 11.01 Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity . The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Securities agree:

(a) The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (including in any agent capacity in which it acts). The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee (including the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, or expense incurred without its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties (including in any agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 11.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 11.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and any satisfaction and discharge under Article XII. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 7.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

(b) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(c) The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals herein or in the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon) contained, all of which are made solely by the Company; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities, or the proceeds of any Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

(d) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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(e) The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, may conclusively rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any Board Resolution or resolution of the stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may rely upon, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

(f) Subject to Section 11.04, the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

(g) Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

(h) Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of such Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Security or Securities which may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.

(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Securities, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more of the Holders of the Securities shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

(k) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(l) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Securities notify the Trustee thereof.

(m) Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, may, but shall not be required to, make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(n) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.

(o) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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(p) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

(q) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

Section 11.02 Duties of Trustee .

(a) If one or more of the Events of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to such Securities, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture contained to the contrary,

(i) unless and until an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened which at the time is continuing,

(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Securities of that series as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and

(B) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by the provisions of this Indenture, are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein);

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Securityholders given as provided in Section 7.06, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(c) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 11.02.

 

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Section 11.03 Notice of Defaults . Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee, by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “Default” being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 7.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series.

Section 11.04 Eligibility; Disqualification .

(a) The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and shall have a Corporate Trust Office. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

(b) The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(i) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(i) are met. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. If Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act is amended any time after the date of this Indenture to change the circumstances under which a Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any series or to change any of the definitions in connection therewith, this Section 11.04 shall be automatically amended to incorporate such changes.

Section 11.05 Resignation and Notice; Removal . The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.

If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 11.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

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Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of its compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 11.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

Section 11.06 Successor Trustee by Appointment .

(a) In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Section 11.04(b), in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said subdivision), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that or those series then Outstanding, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee; but, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.04 and 11.05, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment other than by the Holders of Securities of that or those series, the Person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company but any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series so appointed shall, immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

(b) If any Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall resign or be removed and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Securities of such series or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.06 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(c) Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a). Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a); and, upon request of any such successor Trustee and the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

 

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Section 11.07 Successor Trustee by Merger . Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 11.08 Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate . Subject to Section 11.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 16.01 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 11.09 Appointment of Authenticating Agent . The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.

Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article XI, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article XI, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article XI.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Article XI, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

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An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 11.09.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 11.09.

Section 11.10 Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders . Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to such communications.

Section 11.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company . The Trustee is subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE XII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01 Applicability of Article . If, pursuant to Section 3.01, provision is made for the defeasance of Securities of a series and if the Securities of such series are denominated and payable only in U.S. Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01), then the provisions of this Article shall be applicable except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

Section 12.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series (if all series issued under this Indenture are not to be affected), shall, upon Company Order, cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when,

(a) either:

(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07 and (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 6.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

(A) have become due and payable, or

 

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(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, and in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, in the event a petition for relief under federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, is filed with respect to the Company within 91 days after the deposit and the Trustee is required to return the moneys then on deposit with the Trustee to the Company, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such Securities shall not be deemed terminated or discharged;

(b) the Company or any guarantor, if applicable, has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it hereunder; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 11.01 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (a)(i) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 12.07 and the last paragraph of Section 6.03(e) shall survive.

Section 12.03 Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations . At the Company’s option, either (a) the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from their obligations with respect to Securities of any series (including the related guarantees, if any) on the first day after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b)(i) the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 6.04, 6.07 and 10.02 with respect to Securities of any series (including the related guarantees, if any) (and, if so specified pursuant to Section 3.01, any other restrictive covenant added for the benefit of such series pursuant to Section 3.01) and (ii) the occurrence of an event specified in Sections 7.01(d), (e), (f) or (g) shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied (“covenant defeasance”):

(a) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm) to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and premium are due;

(b) No Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds and the grant of any related liens to be applied to such deposit); and

 

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(c) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such action had not been exercised and, in the case of the Securities of such series being Discharged accompanied by a ruling to that effect received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service.

Covenant defeasance means that the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, may omit to comply with and shall have no other liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or clause whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or clause or by reason of any reference in any such Section or clause to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

“Discharged” means that the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series (including the related guarantees, if any) and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series and the related guarantees, if any (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 6.02, 12.06 and 12.07, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article XII.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely of payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the action of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Section 12.04 Repayment to Company . The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time, including any such moneys or obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 12.06. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 6.03 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Securities for which money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 12.03.

Section 12.05 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 12.06 Deposits to Be Held in Escrow . Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 12.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 12.04 and 12.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. If any Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any mandatory sinking fund payment requirements, whether by deposit of moneys, application of proceeds of deposited U.S. Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess moneys pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the sinking fund payment requirements so satisfied.

 

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If Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to optional sinking fund payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional sinking fund payment rights by the Company, such agreement shall, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.

Section 12.07 Application of Trust Money .

(a) Neither the Trustee nor any other paying agent shall be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it shall agree with the Company in writing to pay thereon. Any moneys so deposited for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after the date of the maturity of the Securities of such series or the date fixed for the redemption of all the Securities of such series at the time outstanding, as the case may be, shall be repaid by the Trustee or such other paying agent to the Company upon its written request and thereafter, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, any rights of the Holders of Securities of such series in respect of which such moneys shall have been deposited shall be enforceable only against the Company, and all liability of the Trustee or such other paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereafter cease.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph, any moneys which at any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Securities shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred and set over to the Trustee or such other paying agent in trust for the respective Holders of the Securities for the purpose for which such moneys shall have been deposited; but such moneys need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 12.08 Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article shall be as set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Securities of such series are issued.

ARTICLE XIII

IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS

Section 13.01 No Personal Liability . No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, or interest on, any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the Indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any successor corporation or any guarantor, either directly or through the Company, any successor corporation or any guarantor, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any successor corporation or any guarantor, either directly or through the Company, any successor corporation or any guarantor, because of the incurring of the Indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer and director is, by the acceptance of the Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities expressly waived and released.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 14.01 Without Consent of Securityholders . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company, each of the guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more of or all the following purposes:

(a) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(b) to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture as permitted in Section 3.01 (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to fewer than all such series of the Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable), and to specify the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of such Securities in connection therewith;

(c) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;

(d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;

(e) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 11.06(c);

(g) to secure any series of Securities;

(h) to evidence any changes to this Indenture pursuant to Sections 11.05, 11.06 or 11.07 hereof as permitted by the terms thereof;

(i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture;

(j) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;

(k) to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities;

 

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(l) to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders of such Securities;

(m) to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities;

(n) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities;

(o) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

(p) to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01, or to authorize the issuance of additional Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed.

Subject to the provisions of Section 14.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 14.01 may be executed by the Company, each of the guarantors, if any, and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 14.02.

Section 14.02 With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations .

(a) With the consent of the Holders (evidenced as provided in Article VIII) of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture voting separately, the Company, each of the guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each such series affected thereby,

(i) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption thereof, or extend the Stated Maturity of, or change the Currency in which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Security is denominated or payable, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or materially adversely affect the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01; or

(ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or

(iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 7.06 or Section 6.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 6.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 11.06 and 14.01(f); or

 

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(iv) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

(b) A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 14.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

(d) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of the Holders of each series of Securities entitled to give a written consent or waive compliance by the Company as authorized or permitted by this Section. Such record date shall not be more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or waiver or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(e) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 14.02, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Register of the Company. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

Section 14.03 Trustee Protected . Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 16.01 stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 14.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon such Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel.

Section 14.04 Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture . Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIV, this Indenture shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, each of the guarantors, if any, and the Holders of all of the Securities or of the Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 14.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities . Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.

 

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Section 14.06 Conformity with TIA . Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

ARTICLE XV

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 15.01 Agreement to Subordinate . In the event a series of Securities is designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01, and except as otherwise provided in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities of such series by his, her or its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities of such series is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. In the event a series of Securities is not designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01(s), this Article XV shall have no effect upon the Securities.

Section 15.02 Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities . Subject to Section 15.01, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

(a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; and

(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV shall be paid by the liquidation trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or his, her or its representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, as calculated by the Company, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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(d) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to such holder have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness) to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 15.05, shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereof and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.03 No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, no payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made at anytime if: (i) a default on Senior Indebtedness exists that permits the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and (ii) the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company has received notice of such default. The Company may resume payments on the Securities when full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.03, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 15.04 Payments on Securities Permitted . Subject to Section 15.01, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 15.02 and 15.03, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys or assets deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any fact prohibiting the making of such payment from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee more than two Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.

Section 15.05 Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination . Subject to Section 15.01, each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his, her or its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

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Section 15.06 Notices to Trustee . The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies or assets to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Subject to Section 15.01, notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any fact which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys or assets to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to presume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys or assets may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys or assets the notice provided for in this Section 15.06, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys or assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 15.07 Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Sections 7.05 or 11.01.

Section 15.08 Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article XV or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

Section 15.09 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent . Subject to Section 15.01, upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.10 Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance . Subject to Section 15.01, amounts and U.S. Government Obligations deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article XII and not, at the time of such deposit, prohibited to be deposited under Sections 15.02 or 15.03 shall not be subject to this Article XV.

 

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Section 15.11 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness . With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holder if it shall pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company, or any other Person, moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

ARTICLE XVI

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 16.01 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent .

(a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture) shall include (i) a statement that the Person giving such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the view or opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed view or opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the view or opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

(c) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion is based are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

(d) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel to the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any firm of independent registered public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

(e) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

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(f) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 16.02 Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

Section 16.03 Notices to the Company and Trustee . Any notice or demand authorized by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to:

(a) the Company, at 200 SW 1 st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Legal Department, Facsimile No.: 954-769-6340 or at such other address or facsimile number as may have been furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

(b) the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, Attention: Corporate Trust Services.

Any such notice, demand or other document shall be in the English language.

Section 16.04 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver . Any notice required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided),

(a) if to Holders, if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register of the Company.

(b) In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

(c) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver.

In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. In any case where notice to Holders is given by publication, any defect in any notice so published as to any particular Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given.

Section 16.05 Legal Holiday . Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.

 

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Section 16.06 Effects of Headings and Table of Contents . The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 16.07 Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 16.08 Separability Clause . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 16.09 Benefits of Indenture . Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person or corporation other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

Section 16.10 Counterparts Originals . This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 16.11 Governing Law . This Indenture, the Securities and the guarantees, if any, shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.

Section 16.12 Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 16.13 U.S.A. Patriot Act . The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

AutoNation, Inc.,

as Issuer

By:  

/s/ C. Coleman G. Edmunds

Name:   C. Coleman G. Edmunds
Title:   Sr. Vice President, Deputy General
  Counsel and Assistant Secretary

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Martin Reed

Name:   Martin Reed
Title:   Vice President

 

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Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

AutoNation, Inc. , as Issuer

The Guarantors Party Hereto , as Guarantors

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee

 

 

Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of April 14, 2010

to Indenture

Dated as of April 14, 2010

Establishing a series of Securities designated

6.750% Senior Notes due 2018

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01

  Relation to Base Indenture    1

SECTION 1.02

  Definitions    1
ARTICLE II
CREATION, FORMS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01

  Creation of the Notes    10

SECTION 2.02

  Form of the Notes    10

SECTION 2.03

  Terms and Conditions of the Notes    11

SECTION 2.04

  Ranking    13

SECTION 2.05

  Sinking Fund    13

SECTION 2.06

  Place of Payment    13

SECTION 2.07

  Transfer and Exchange    13

SECTION 2.08

  Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes    14
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

SECTION 3.01

  Optional Redemption by Company    14
ARTICLE IV
CHANGE OF CONTROL

SECTION 4.01

  Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon Change of Control Repurchase Event    15
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS

SECTION 5.01

  Limitation on Liens    16

SECTION 5.02

  Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions    19

SECTION 5.03

  Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness    20

SECTION 5.04

  Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets    20

SECTION 5.05

  Compliance Certificate    21
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01

  Events of Default    22
ARTICLE VII
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE; DISCHARGE

SECTION 7.01

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    23

SECTION 7.02

  Defeasance and Discharge    23

SECTION 7.03

  Covenant Defeasance    24

SECTION 7.04

  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    24

SECTION 7.05

  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    25

 

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         Page

SECTION 7.06

  Repayment to the Company    26

SECTION 7.07

  Reinstatement    26

SECTION 7.08

  Discharge    26
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 8.01

  Without Consent of Holders of Notes    27

SECTION 8.02

  With Consent of Holders of Notes    28

SECTION 8.03

  Revocation and Effect of Consents    29

SECTION 8.04

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes    29

SECTION 8.05

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    30
ARTICLE IX
GUARANTEES

SECTION 9.01

  Guarantee    30

SECTION 9.02

  Limitation on Guarantor Liability    31

SECTION 9.03

  Execution and Delivery of Guarantee    31

SECTION 9.04

  Release of Guarantor    32

SECTION 9.05

  Acknowledgement of Manufacturers’ Letter Agreements    32

SECTION 9.06

  Certain California Law Waivers    33
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 10.01

  Ratification of Base Indenture    33

SECTION 10.02

  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act    33

SECTION 10.03

  Conflict with Base Indenture    34

SECTION 10.04

  Effect of Headings    34

SECTION 10.05

  Successors and Assigns    34

SECTION 10.06

  Separability Clause    34

SECTION 10.07

  Governing Law    34

SECTION 10.08

  Waiver of Jury Trial    34

SECTION 10.09

  Counterparts    34

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A – Form of Note

EXHIBIT B – Form of Guarantee

EXHIBIT C – Form of Supplemental Indenture Evidencing Future Guarantors

EXHIBIT D – Form of Affidavit of Out-of-State Execution

EXHIBIT E – Form of Affidavit of Out-of-State Receipt and Acceptance

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of April 14, 2010 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), by and among AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined below), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

R ECITALS OF T HE C OMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Base Indenture” and, together with this Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes or other evidences of Indebtedness (herein and therein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, Section 14.01 of the Base Indenture permits the Company and the Trustee to enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture to establish the form and terms of any series of Securities;

WHEREAS, Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture permits the form of Securities of any series to be established in a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture permits certain terms of any series of Securities to be established pursuant to a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 3.01 of the Base Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of Securities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 to be designated the “6.750% Notes due 2018” (hereinafter called the “Notes”) under the Base Indenture, the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and the purchase of the Notes established by this Supplemental Indenture by the Holders (as defined below) thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all such Holders, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01 Relation to Base Indenture . This Supplemental Indenture constitutes a part of the Base Indenture (the provisions of which, as modified by this Supplemental Indenture, shall apply to the Notes) in respect of the Notes but shall not modify, amend or otherwise affect the Base Indenture insofar as it relates to any other series of Securities or modify, amend or otherwise affect in any manner the terms and conditions of the Securities of any other series.

SECTION 1.02 Definitions . For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, the capitalized terms used herein (i) which are defined in this Section 1.02 have the respective meanings assigned hereto in this Section 1.02 and (ii) which are defined in the Base Indenture (and which are not defined in this Section 1.02) have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Base Indenture. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture:

(a) Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, any reference to an Article or Section refers to an Article or Section, as the case may be, of this Supplemental Indenture;


(b) The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(c) Headings are for convenience or reference only and do not affect interpretations; and

(d) The terms defined in this Section 1.02(d) have the meanings assigned to them in this Section and include the plural as well as the singular:

“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the first referred to Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Applicable Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(a).

“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, at the time of determination, the total obligation (discounted to the present value at the imputed rate of interest as determined in good faith by the Company) of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of taxes, assessments, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates or similar charges required to be paid by such lessee thereunder and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights or any amount required to be paid by lessee thereunder contingent upon the amount of maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water charges or similar charges) during the remaining portion of the initial term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such rental payments shall be the lesser of (x) the amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but shall not include any rent that would be required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or (y) the amount determined assuming no such termination.

“Automobile Retailing Activities” means vehicle retailing, wholesaling, leasing, financing, servicing and related activities.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, or any similar United States federal or state law or foreign law relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or any amendment to, succession to or change in any such law.

“Base Indenture” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereof.

“Capital Lease Obligation” of any Person means all monetary obligations of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis under any capital lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) real or personal property which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be recorded as a capitalized lease obligation.

 

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“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s capital stock, other equity interests whether now outstanding or issued after the date of the Base Indenture, partnership interests (whether general or limited), limited liability company interests, any other interest or participation that confers on a Person that right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, including any Preferred Stock, and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into Capital Stock), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such Capital Stock.

“Change of Control” shall occur if:

(1) any “Person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1) such Person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the Company;

(2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election to such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of such Board of Directors then in office;

(3) the Company consolidates with or merges with or into any Person (other than a Permitted Holder), or any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) consolidates with or merges into or with the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock of such surviving Person representing a majority of the voting power of all Voting Stock of such surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such issuance;

(4) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “Person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Company, one of the Company’s Subsidiaries or a Permitted Holder; or

(5) the Company is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation or dissolution other than in a transaction which complies with Section 5.04.

“Change of Control Offer” has the meanings set forth in Section 4.01(b).

“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.

“Commodity Price Protection Agreement” means any forward contract, commodity swap, commodity option or other similar financial agreement or arrangement relating to, or the value which is dependent upon, fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

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“Company” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereof.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term (as measured from the date of redemption) of the Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained by the Company for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, (ii) if the Company is unable to obtain at least four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained by the Company or (iii) if the Company can only obtain one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation, such quotation.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, of any Person as of any date, the total assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for which a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries is available as of that date, minus (i) all current liabilities of such Person and its Subsidiaries reflected on such balance sheet (excluding any current liabilities for borrowed money having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower) and (ii) all goodwill, tradenames, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangible assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries reflected on such balance sheet, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03 hereof.

“Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement providing for revolving credit borrowings of up to $700.0 million and a term loan borrowing of $600.0 million, among the Company, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the syndication agent and documentation agents named therein, and the lenders party thereto from time to time, dated as of July 14, 2005, as amended as of the Issue Date, as such agreement, in whole or in part, in one or more instances, may be amended, renewed, extended, substituted, refinanced, restructured, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (including, without limitation, any successive renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings, restructurings, replacements, supplements or other modifications of the foregoing).

“Currency Agreement” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.

“Debt Facilities” means one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other financial institutions or institutional lenders, or other Persons which provide, originate or arrange debt or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing or letters of credit, including the Credit Agreement, and/or one or more indentures relating to debt securities, in each case in existence from time to time as such facilities, in whole or in part, in one or more instances, may be amended, renewed, extended, substituted, refinanced, restructured, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (including, without limitation, any successive renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings, restructurings, replacements, supplements or other modifications of the foregoing).

 

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“Defeasance” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02 hereof.

“Definitive Notes” means certificated Notes registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Security shall not bear the Global Note Legend.

“Depositary” means, with respect to Global Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture, DTC.

“Dollar” and “$” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their successors and assigns.

“Eligible Special Purpose Entity” means any Person which is or is not a Subsidiary of the Company which has been formed by or for the benefit of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the purpose of (i) financing or refinancing, leasing, selling or securitizing Vehicles or related receivables and which finances, refinances or securitizes Vehicles or related receivables of, leases Vehicles to or purchases Vehicles or related receivables from the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; or (ii) financing or refinancing consumer receivables, leases, loans or retail installment contracts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

“Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” or “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles and interpretations thereof in the United States, consistently applied, which are in effect at the time of the relevant calculation.

“Global Note” means a single permanent fully-registered global note in book-entry form, without coupons, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

“Global Note Legend” means a legend containing substantially the legend set forth in the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto.

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided , however , that the term “guarantee” will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee,” when used as a verb, has a correlative meaning.

 

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“Guarantors” means each Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.

“Hedging Obligations” means the obligations of any Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Register.

“Incur” means issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including, without limitation, Indebtedness for borrowed money evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments), excluding any trade payables and other current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business.

“Indenture” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereof.

“Independent Investment Banker” means Banc of America Securities LLC, or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

“Indenture Obligations” means the obligations of the Company and any other obligor under the Indenture or under the Notes, including any Guarantor, to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest when due and payable, and all other amounts due or to become due under or in connection with this Indenture, the Notes and the performance of all other obligations to the Trustee and the holders under this Indenture and the Notes, according to the respective terms thereof.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).

“Interest Rate Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

“Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) or the equivalent Investment Grade credit rating from any additional Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by the Company.

“Issue Date” means April 14, 2010.

“Lien” means any mortgage or deed of trust, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise), privilege, security interest, assignment, deposit, arrangement, easement, hypothecation, claim, preference, priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any kind (including any conditional sale, capital lease or other title retention agreement, any leases in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest), real or personal, movable or immovable, now owned or hereafter acquired. A Person will be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease Obligation or other title retention agreement.

 

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“Manufacturer” means a vehicle manufacturer which is a party to a dealership agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

“Manufacturers’ Letter Agreements” means each of the following: (i) that certain letter dated January 30, 2006 to Mr. Kevin Flynn of Toyota Motor Sales USA, which was confirmed and agreed by Ms. Nancy Davies on behalf of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., (ii) that certain letter dated January 30, 2006 to Ms. Olga Reisler of Nissan North America, Inc., which was confirmed and agreed by Ms. Reisler on behalf of Nissan North America, Inc., (iii) that certain letter dated January 30, 2006 to Mr. Alex Larkin of Kia Motors America, Inc., which was confirmed and agreed by Mr. Larkin on behalf of Kia Motors America, Inc., (iv) that certain letter dated January 30, 2006 to Ms. Jennifer Moneagle of Ford Motor Company, which was confirmed and agreed by R. Erik Peterson on behalf of Ford Motor Company and (v) that certain letter dated February 23, 2006 to Ms. Donna Parlapiano, Vice President, Regional Operations & Industry Relations, of the Company, from BMW of North America, LLC.

“Maturity” means, when used with respect to the Notes, the date on which the principal of the Notes becomes due and payable as therein provided or as provided in the Indenture, whether at Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date and whether by declaration of acceleration, Change of Control Offer in respect of a Change of Control, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b) hereof.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

“Mortgage Facilities” means one or more debt facilities in each case with banks, manufacturers and/or other entities providing for borrowings secured primarily by real property in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time; provided , that the value of the security securing such debt facilities shall not, at the time such debt facilities are entered into, exceed 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness in respect of such debt facilities.

“Notes” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereof.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

“Permitted Holders” means ESL Investments, Inc. and any Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, ESL Investments, Inc.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over the Capital Stock of any other class in such Person.

“Principal Property” means any building, structure or other facility located within the United States (other than its territories and possessions) and owned by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary, the book value of which is not less than 0.5% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. For purposes of this definition, book value will be measured

 

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at the time the relevant Lien is being created or, in the case of any Lien incurred pursuant to Section 5.01(c), at the time the relevant secured Indebtedness is deemed to be Incurred. The term “Principal Property” does not include any building, structure or other facility that the Board of Directors declares by resolution not to be of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Domestic Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

“Prospectus Supplement” means the prospectus supplement of the Company dated March 31, 2010, relating to the Notes.

“Public Equity Offering” means an underwritten public offering of common stock (other than redeemable Capital Stock) of the Company with gross cash proceeds to the Company of at least $50.0 million pursuant to an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 (or any successor form covering substantially the same transactions), Form S-8 (or any successor form covering substantially the same transactions) or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan).

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the control of the Company, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

“Rating Date” means the date that is 60 days prior to the earlier of (i) a Change of Control or (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Company to affect a Change of Control.

“Ratings Event” means the occurrence of the events described in (a) or (b) of this definition on, or within 60 days after the earlier of, (i) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies): (a) if the Notes are rated by one or both Rating Agencies on the Rating Date as Investment Grade, the rating of the Notes shall be reduced so that the Notes are rated below Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies or (b) if the Notes are rated below Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies on the Rating Date, the rating of the Notes shall remain below Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies.

“Redemption Date” means the Business Day on which Notes are redeemed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means Banc of America Securities LLC and its successors, and at least two other primary U.S. government securities dealers in New York City (each, a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) selected by the Independent Investment Banker; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date for the Notes, an average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue for the Notes, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

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“Regular Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).

“Registered Securities” means any Securities which are registered in the Register.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement by the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries with any other Person pursuant to which the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries leases any Principal Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary to such other Person with the intention of taking back a lease, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

“Securities” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereof.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Indebtedness or any installment of interest thereon, the dates specified in such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness or such installment of interest, as the case may be, is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which a majority of the shares or securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or another governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by the parent.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Company’s Indenture Obligations.

“Treasury Yield” means, with respect to any Redemption Date applicable to the Notes, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity, computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed as a percentage of its principal amount, equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

“Trustee” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereof.

“Vehicle Inventory Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (including pursuant to a commercial paper program) Incurred by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any Eligible Special Purpose Entity to purchase, lease, finance or refinance or guaranty the purchasing, leasing, financing or refinancing of Vehicles in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or related receivables, which Indebtedness (x) is secured by the Vehicles or related receivables so financed, to the extent, at any date of determination thereof, the amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the depreciated book value of such Vehicles or the book value of such related receivables determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis or (y) is unsecured and provides for a borrowing base which may not exceed 85% of the value of such Vehicles.

 

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“Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (including pursuant to a commercial paper program) Incurred by any Eligible Special Purpose Entity to finance, refinance or guaranty the financing or refinancing of consumer receivables, leases, loans or retail installment contracts incurred in the sale, transfer or lease of Vehicles; provided (x) no assets other than the Vehicles, consumer receivables, leases, loans, retail installment contracts or related proceeds (including, without limitation, proceeds from insurance, Vehicles and other obligations under such receivables, leases, loans or retail installment contracts) to be financed or refinanced secure such Indebtedness; and (y) neither the Company nor any of its other Subsidiaries shall incur any liability with respect to such Indebtedness other than liability arising by reason of (1) a breach of a representation or warranty or customary indemnities, in each case contained in any instrument relating to such Indebtedness or (2) customary interests retained by the Company and/or its Domestic Subsidiaries in such Indebtedness.

“Vehicles” means all now existing or hereafter acquired new and used automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks and vans of all types and descriptions, whether held for sale, lease, rental or operational purposes, which relate to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiary’s Automobile Retailing Activities.

“Voting Stock” of any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date means the Capital Stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

ARTICLE II

CREATION, FORMS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01 Creation of the Notes . The Notes are hereby authorized and are designated the 6.750% Senior Notes due 2018, unlimited in aggregate principal amount. In accordance with Sections 2.01 and 3.01 of the Base Indenture, the Company hereby creates the Notes as a separate series of its Securities issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes shall be issued on the date hereof initially in an aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000, which amount shall be set forth in the written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture. In addition, the Company may issue, from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, additional Notes having the same terms and conditions as the Notes issued on the date hereof in all respects (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such additional Notes), so that such additional Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes issued on the Issue Date and shall be governed by the terms of the Indenture.

SECTION 2.02 Form of the Notes . The Notes shall each be issued in the form of a Global Note, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee, which shall be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of “Cede & Co.,” as the nominee of DTC. The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon). Notes issued in definitive certificated form in accordance with the terms of the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, if any, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon). So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a Global Note, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, shall be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture. Ownership of beneficial

 

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interests in such Global Note shall be shown on, and transfers thereof shall be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) or by participants or Persons that hold interests through participants (with respect to beneficial interests of beneficial owners). In addition, the following provisions of clauses (1), (2), and (3) below shall apply only to Global Notes:

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in the Indenture, no Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and the Company has not appointed a successor Depositary within 90 days of receipt of such notice (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes or (C) the Company (subject to the procedures of the Depositary) so directs the Trustee by Company Order. Beneficial interests in Global Notes may be exchanged for Definitive Notes of the same series upon request upon prior written notice given to the Trustee by us or behalf of the Depositary in accordance with customary procedures.

(2) Subject to clause (1) above, any exchange of a Global Note for other Definitive Notes may be made in whole or in part, and all Definitive Notes issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Note shall direct.

(3) Every Definitive Note authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, unless such note is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof.

SECTION 2.03 Terms and Conditions of the Notes . The Notes shall be governed by all the terms and conditions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture. In particular, the following provisions shall be terms of the Notes:

(a) Title and Aggregate Principal Amount . The title of the Notes shall be as specified in the Recitals of the Company; and the aggregate principal amount of the Notes shall be as specified in Section 2.01 of this Article II and this Section 2.03, except as permitted by Sections 3.04, 3.06 or 3.07 of the Base Indenture.

(b) Stated Maturity . The Notes shall mature, and the unpaid principal thereon shall be payable, on April 15, 2018 (the “Maturity Date”), subject to the provisions of the Base Indenture and Articles III and IV below.

(c) Interest . The rate per annum at which interest shall be payable on the Notes shall be 6.750%. Interest on the Notes shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2010 (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), to the Persons in whose names the applicable Notes are registered in the Register applicable to the Notes at the close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 or October 1, respectively, prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date regardless of whether such day is a Business Day (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from and including April 14, 2010 or the most recent Interest Payment Date on which interest was paid. If an Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the

 

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payment shall be made on the next Business Day as if it were made on the date the payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after that Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date the payment is made. Interest payments shall include accrued interest from and including the Issue Date or from and including the last date in respect to which interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be.

(d) Registration and Form . The Notes shall be issuable as Registered Securities as provided in Section 2.02 of this Article II. The Notes shall be issued and may be transferred only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount. All payments of principal, the price payable on redemption, the repurchase price payable pursuant to any Change of Control Offer and interest in respect of the Notes shall be made by the Company in immediately available funds.

(e) Further Issues . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Base Indenture, the Company may, from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Holders, create and issue further securities having the same ranking and terms and conditions as the Notes in all respects, except for issue date, the public offering price and, in some cases, the first Interest Payment Date. Additional Notes issued in this manner shall be consolidated with and shall form a single series with the previously Outstanding Notes. Notice of any such issuance shall be given to the Trustee and a new supplemental indenture shall be executed in connection with the issuance of such additional Notes.

(f) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets . The provisions regarding merger, consolidation or sale of assets contained in Section 6.04 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Section 5.04 of this Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes.

(g) Compliance Certificate . The provisions for furnishing the Trustee certificates regarding compliance contained in Sections 6.05 and 6.07 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Section 5.05 of this Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes.

(h) Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance; Discharge . The provisions regarding Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and Discharge contained in Article XII of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article VII of this Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes.

(i) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . The provisions regarding amendment, supplement and waiver contained in Article XIV of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article VIII of this Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes.

(j) Guarantee . The full and punctual payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each of the Guarantors as provided in Article IX of this Supplemental Indenture

(k) Other Terms and Conditions . The Notes shall have such other terms and conditions as provided in the form thereof attached as Exhibit A .

 

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SECTION 2.04 Ranking . The Notes shall be general unsecured obligations of the Company. The Notes shall rank pari passu in right of payment with all unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, including, without limitation, any unsecured senior indebtedness, of the Company and senior in right of payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company.

SECTION 2.05 Sinking Fund . The Notes shall not be entitled to any sinking fund.

SECTION 2.06 Place of Payment . The Place of Payment in respect of the Notes will be at the office or agency of the Company in The City of New York, State of New York or at the office or agency of the Paying Agent in The City of New York, State of New York.

SECTION 2.07 Transfer and Exchange .

(a) The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of the Base Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture and the then applicable procedures of the Depositary (the “Applicable Procedures”). In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Trustee either (A)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or, if Definitive Notes are at such time permitted to be issued pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, (B)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in the Base Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof.

(b) Upon written request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(b), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Trustee the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. The Trustee shall cancel any such Definitive Notes so surrendered, and the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a new Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.07(b) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Definitive Notes are so registered. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to Section 3.06 of the Base Indenture.

 

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SECTION 2.08 Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Base Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

SECTION 3.01 Optional Redemption by Company .

(a) At any time prior to April 15, 2013, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings of its common stock at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 106.75%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided that :

(i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued on the Issue Date remains Outstanding after each such redemption; and

(ii) notice of any such redemption (with a copy to the Trustee) is mailed within 60 days of each such Public Equity Offering.

(b) The Company shall may redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

(i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and

(ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed, exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Yield, plus fifty (50) basis points plus, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) above, installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a Redemption Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the amount payable on redemption, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof that are called for redemption.

(d) The Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first-class mail at least thirty (30) but not

 

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more than sixty (60) days before such Redemption Date to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee). At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice. The Company shall calculate the amount payable on redemption and shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee setting forth the amount payable on redemption no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.

(e) If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by lot by DTC, in the case of Global Notes, or by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate, in the case of Notes that are not represented by a Global Note. No Notes of $2,000 in principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note will state the portion of the principal amount to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note.

ARTICLE IV

CHANGE OF CONTROL

SECTION 4.01 Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon Change of Control Repurchase Event .

(a) If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall be required to make an offer to each Holder of the Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) of that Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of repurchase; provided that after giving effect to the purchase, any Notes that remain outstanding shall have a denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount.

(b) Within thirty (30) days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the option of the Company, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase the Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date shall be no earlier than thirty (30) days and no later than sixty (60) days from the date such notice is mailed. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.

(c) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes or the Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

 

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(d) On the repurchase date following a Change of Control Repurchase Event, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all the Notes or portions of the Notes (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) properly tendered pursuant to the applicable Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all the Notes or portions of the Notes properly tendered pursuant to the applicable Change of Control Offer; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being purchased by the Company.

(e) The Trustee shall promptly mail, or cause the Paying Agent to promptly mail, to each Holder of Notes properly tendered, the purchase price for the Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly, upon the receipt of a Company Order, authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided , that each new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 above that amount.

(f) The Company shall not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

(g) If Holders of not less than 95% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company, as described in Section 4.01(f) of this Supplemental Indenture, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days’ prior notice, given not more than thirty (30) days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described in this Section 4.01, to redeem all Notes that remain Outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

SECTION 5.01 Limitation on Liens .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Domestic Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on (a) any Principal Property or (b) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company, in each case to secure Indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any other Person, unless prior to or at the same time, the Notes (together with, at the option of the Company, any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary ranking equally in right of payment with the Notes) are equally and

 

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ratably secured with or, at the option of the Company, prior to, such Indebtedness. Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 5.01(a) shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of such Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes under this Section 5.01(a).

(b) The restrictions set forth in Section 5.01(a) shall not apply, with respect to any Person, to any of the following:

(i) any Lien existing on the Issue Date;

(ii) any Lien arising by reason of:

1) any judgment, decree or order of any court, so long as such Lien is adequately bonded or with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;

2) taxes, governmental assessments or similar governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith;

3) security for payment of workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other governmental insurance or benefits and/or other insurance arrangements (including, without limitation, pledges or deposits securing liability under self insurance general liability insurance programs);

4) good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, statutory obligations, leases and contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money);

5) zoning and other restrictions, charges or encumbrances (whether or not recorded), easements (including, without limitation, reciprocal easement agreements and utility agreements) licenses, reservations, title defects, rights of others for rights of way, utilities, sewers, electric lines, telephone or telegraph lines, and other similar purposes, provisions, covenants, consents, conditions, waivers, variations, encroachments, restrictions on the use of property or minor irregularities of title (and with respect to leasehold interests, mortgages, obligations, liens and other encumbrances incurred, created assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or owner of the leased property, with or without consent of the lessee), none of which materially impairs the use of any parcel of property material to the operation of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the value of such property for the purpose of such business;

6) deposits to secure public, statutory or similar obligations, or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds or Liens incurred or deposits made as a result of progress payments under government contracts;

7) Liens incurred or deposits made in connection with letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business; or

 

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8) operation of law in favor of mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords, materialmen, laborers, employees, suppliers or other similar Persons, incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith by negotiations or by appropriate proceedings which suspend the collection thereof;

(iii) any Lien to secure the performance bids, trade contracts, leases (including, without limitation, statutory and common law landlord’s liens), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, letters of credit and other obligations of a like nature and incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(iv) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property, plant or equipment of such Person; provided , however , that the Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person at the time the Lien is incurred (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto), and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 180 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;

(v) Liens on property or shares of Capital Stock of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided , however , that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto);

(vi) Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person; provided , however , that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto);

(vii) Liens in favor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(viii) any Lien securing any Vehicle Inventory Indebtedness and/or Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness;

(ix) Liens securing Indebtedness under Mortgage Facilities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500.0 million Incurred and outstanding after the Issue Date;

(x) Liens securing Indebtedness under Debt Facilities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,300.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(xi) Liens securing Indebtedness under Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements or Commodity Price Protection Agreements or otherwise Incurred to hedge interest rate risk or currency or commodity pricing risk;

(xii) Liens to secure any refinancing (or successive refinancings) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i), (iv), (v), (vi) or (xi); provided , however , that: (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described in clauses (i), (iv), (v), (vi) or (xi) at the time the

 

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original Lien became a Lien permitted under the Indenture and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; and

(xiii) Liens on assets subject to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction securing Attributable Debt permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Supplemental Indenture.

(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to Incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 without equally and ratably securing the Notes, if any, provided that, after giving effect to such Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens (not including Liens permitted under clauses (i) through (xiii) of Section 5.01(b)), together with all Attributable Debt outstanding pursuant to Section 5.02(b), does not exceed 15% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company calculated as of the date of the creation or incurrence of the Lien. The Company and its Subsidiaries also may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, create or incur Liens that extend, renew, substitute or replace (including successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, any Lien permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence.

SECTION 5.02 Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Domestic Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, unless:

(i) such transaction with respect to a Principal Property if a binding commitment with respect thereto is entered into within one year after the later of (x) the Issue Date or (y) the date such Principal Property was acquired;

(ii) the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is solely with the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries;

(iii) the lease is for a period not in excess of 36 months, including renewals;

(iv) the Company would (at the time of entering into such arrangement) be entitled to Incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, without equally and ratably securing the Notes then Outstanding under the Indenture, pursuant to Section 5.01(c) of this Supplemental Indenture; or

(v) leases where the proceeds from the sale of the subject Principal Property are at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the subject Principal Property and the Company applies an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of such Principal Property to the purchase of other property or assets used or useful in its business or to the retirement of long-term Indebtedness within 365 days of the effective date of any such Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that, in lieu of applying such amount to the retirement of long-term Indebtedness, the Company may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.

(b) Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 5.02, the Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions, if after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to such transactions, together with all Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 5.01(c) of this Supplemental Indenture, does not exceed 15% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company calculated as of the closing date of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

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SECTION 5.03 Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness .

(a) The Company shall not cause or permit any Domestic Subsidiary (which is not a Guarantor), directly or indirectly, to guarantee, assume or in any other manner become liable with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary unless such Domestic Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes on the same terms as the guarantee of such Indebtedness except that (A) such guarantee need not be secured unless required pursuant to Section 5.01 of this Supplemental Indenture and (B) if such Indebtedness is by its terms expressly subordinated to the Notes, any such assumption, guarantee or other liability of such Domestic Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to such Domestic Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes at least to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.

The preceding paragraph will not be applicable to any Guarantees of any Domestic Subsidiary given to a bank or trust company or any commercial banking institution that is a member of the U.S. Federal Reserve System (or any branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof), in connection with the operation of cash management programs established for its benefit or that of any other Domestic Subsidiary.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section 5.03, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Domestic Subsidiary of the Notes shall provide by its terms that it (and all Liens securing the same) shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets of, such Domestic Subsidiary, which transaction is in compliance with the terms of the Indenture and such Domestic Subsidiary is released from all Guarantees, if any, by it of other Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary, and (ii) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantee created after the Issue Date, the release by the holders of the Indebtedness of the Company described in subsection (a) of this Section 5.03 of their Guarantee by such Domestic Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness), at such time as (A) no other Indebtedness of the Company has been guaranteed by such Domestic Subsidiary or (B) the holders of all such other Indebtedness which is guaranteed by such Domestic Subsidiary also release their Guarantee by such Domestic Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness).

SECTION 5.04 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .

(a) The Company shall not, in a single transaction or through a series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into any other Person, or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to another Person, or permit any Person to merge with or into it, unless:

(i) the Company is the continuing Person or the successor Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Indenture, including payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes, and the performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Company, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(iv) at the time of such transaction, the Company or the surviving Person shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance or other transaction and the supplemental indenture in respect thereof comply with the Indenture and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; and

(v) at the time of the transaction, each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transaction described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes.

In the event of any transaction (other than a lease) described in and complying with the conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraph in which the Company is not the continuing corporation, the successor Person formed or remaining or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company and the Company will be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes.

(b) Each Guarantor (other than any Guarantor whose Subsidiary Guarantee is to be released in accordance with the terms of its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture in connection with the sale, exchange or transfer to any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) shall not, and the Company shall not cause or permit any Guarantor to, consolidate with or merge with or into any Person other than the Company or any other Guarantor unless:

(i) such Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person assumes by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Guarantor on its Subsidiary Guarantee; and

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

The successor Guarantor shall succeed to, and except in the case of a lease, be substituted for, such Guarantor under the Indenture and such Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

SECTION 5.05 Compliance Certificate . The Company shall furnish, so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding, to the Trustee annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any

 

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period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture). The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding, also deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible, but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, a certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default. Such certificates need not comply with Section 16.01 of the Base Indenture.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default .

(a) In addition to those specified in Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture, each of the following is an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:

(i) failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of Section 4.01 or Section 5.04 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(ii) default under any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having an aggregate amount of at least $50.0 million constituting a default either (a) of payment of principal when due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise) or (b) which results in acceleration of the Indebtedness, and in each case after the Company has received written notice (with a copy to the Trustee if sent by the Holders) of the default from the Trustee or from the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then Outstanding and thereafter do not cure the default within 30 days;

(iii) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million above available insurance coverage or indemnity coverage, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; and

(iv) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary of the Company is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid.

(b) Clause (c) of Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes.

(c) Clauses (d), (e) and (f) of Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the following:

“(d) failure by the Company to comply with any of the agreements contained in the Indenture or the Notes (other than an agreement, a default in the performance of which, is specifically handled elsewhere in this Section 6.01(a) or Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture) for 30 days after written notice is received by the Company from the Trustee or by the Company and the Trustee from the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then Outstanding specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied);”

“(e) there shall have been the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of (a) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or (b) a decree or order adjudging the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a

 

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custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or of any substantial party of their respective properties, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of their affairs, and any such decree or order for relief shall continue to be in effect, or any such other decree or order shall be unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 consecutive days;”

“(f) (i) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent,

(ii) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it,

(iii) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law,

(iv) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (1) consents to the filing of such petition or the appointment of, or taking possession by, a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of their respective properties, (2) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or (3) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or

(v) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such actions described in this clause (f);”

ARTICLE VII

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE; DISCHARGE

SECTION 7.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 7.02 or 7.03 of this Supplemental Indenture be applied to all Outstanding Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VII.

SECTION 7.02 Defeasance and Discharge . Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 7.01 of the option applicable to this Section 7.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7.04, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all Outstanding Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Defeasance”). For this purpose, Defeasance means that the Company, a Guarantor, if applicable, and any other obligor under the Indenture shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Notes being defeased, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 7.05 and the other Sections of the Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and the Indenture (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Notes to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 7.04, and as more fully set forth

 

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in such Section 7.04, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article II of the Supplemental Indenture and Article III and Section 6.02 of the Base Indenture, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article VII. Subject to compliance with this Article VII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 7.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 7.03.

SECTION 7.03 Covenant Defeasance . Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 7.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 7.03, the Company and each Guarantor shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.01, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04 and 5.05 of this Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Outstanding Notes, and the Events of Default set forth in Sections 6.01(a)(i), 6.01(a)(ii), 6.01(a)(iii) and 6.01(a)(iv) of this Supplemental Indenture shall cease to apply, in each case, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 7.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that the Notes shall not be deemed Outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Notes, the Company and each Guarantor may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 of this Supplemental Indenture or Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes, but, except as specified above, the remainder of the Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 7.04 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 7.02 or 7.03 of this Supplemental Indenture to the Outstanding Notes:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of such Notes, cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, to pay and discharge the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 7.02 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from independent counsel in the United States stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel from independent counsel in the United States shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(c) in the case of an election under Section 7.03, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from independent counsel in the United States to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to such Notes either (a) on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default solely resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit); or (b) insofar as clauses (e) and (f) of Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture (as amended pursuant to Section 6.01(c) of this Supplemental Indenture) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(e) such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, the Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument (other than, to the extent set forth in clause (d) above, the Indenture) to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which it is bound;

(f) such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder;

(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from independent counsel in the United States to the effect that after the 91st day following the date of deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;

(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Trustee, Holders of such Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee over the other creditors of the Company or any Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or any Guarantor or others; and

(i) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from independent counsel in the United States, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to either the Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

SECTION 7.05 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

Subject to Section 7.06 of this Supplemental Indenture, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 7.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 7.04 of this Supplemental Indenture in respect of the Outstanding Notes being defeased shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and the Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 7.04 of this Supplemental Indenture or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Notes being defeased.

Anything in this Article VII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 7.04 of this Supplemental Indenture which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 7.04(a) of this Supplemental Indenture), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 7.06 Repayment to the Company . Subject to applicable laws relating to abandoned property, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as a secured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 7.07 Reinstatement . If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 7.02 or 7.03 of this Supplemental Indenture, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes theretofore defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 7.02 or 7.03 of this Supplemental Indenture until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with such Section 7.02 or 7.03, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

SECTION 7.08 Discharge . The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the notes as expressly provided for in the Indenture) and the Trustee, at the expense and written direction of the Company, will execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as to all Outstanding Notes under the Indenture when:

(a) either:

(i) all such Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid or Notes whose payment has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust as provided for in the Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

 

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(ii) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (a) have become due and payable, (b) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (c) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company;

(b) the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount in United States dollars sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest at such Maturity, Stated Maturity or redemption date;

(c) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(d) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable under the Indenture by the Company and any Guarantor;

(e) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment of the Notes at Maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and

(f) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent under the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such Indenture have been complied with.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 8.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes . Notwithstanding Section 8.02 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder of a Note:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture or the Notes;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

(4) to make any change that, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder;

(5) to secure the Notes or to add additional Guarantors;

(6) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

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(7) to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” in the Prospectus Supplement to the extent that such provision in the “Description of the Notes” in the Prospectus Supplement was intended to be a verbatim recitation of the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes;

(8) to remove a Guarantor which, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, ceases to be liable in respect of its Subsidiary Guarantee;

(9) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor;

(10) to provide for the issuance of additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the Issue Date;

(11) to comply with the provisions of the DTC or the Trustee with respect to the provisions in the Indenture and the Notes relating to transfer and exchanges of Notes or beneficial interests in Notes; and

(12) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee.

SECTION 8.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes .

Except as provided below in this Section 8.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes and/or any Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended or supplemented (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes affected by such modifications or amendments; and, subject to Section 7.06 of the Base Indenture, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).

Upon the written request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of any document requested by it pursuant to Section 11.02(e) of the Base Indenture, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, unless such amended or supplemental Indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental Indenture or waiver. Subject to Section 7.06, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company and/or the Guarantors with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 8.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described in Section 4.01 of this Supplemental Indenture);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes;

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described in Section 4.01 of this Supplemental Indenture);

(8) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions;

(9) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee; or

(10) release any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary from its Subsidiary Guarantee, except as provided in the Indenture.

SECTION 8.03 Revocation and Effect of Consents . Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

SECTION 8.04 Notation on or Exchange of Notes . The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any affected Note thereafter

 

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authenticated. The Company in exchange for all affected Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an authentication order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 8.05 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized pursuant to this Article VIII if the amendment or supplement does not in the judgment of the Trustee adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until its Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 11.01 of the Base Indenture) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE IX

GUARANTEES

SECTION 9.01 Guarantee .

Subject to this Article IX, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid by the Company in full when due, whether at Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid by the Company in full or performed by the Company, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid by the Company in full when due or performed by the Company in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due by the Company of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed which failure continues for ten (10) days after demand therefor is made to the Company for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a Guarantee of payment and not a Guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment (except as specifically provided in the preceding paragraph), filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands (except as specifically provided in the preceding paragraph) whatsoever and covenant that this Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture. Each Guarantor also expressly waives,

 

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without any requirement of any notice to or further assent by such Guarantor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of all principles or provisions of applicable law which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof, including, without limitation, Section 10-7-23 and Section 10-7-24 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Subsidiary Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VII of the Base Indenture and Article VI of this Supplemental Indenture for the purposes of this Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VII of the Base Indenture and Article VI of this Supplemental Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Subsidiary Guarantee, failing payment when due by the Company which failure continues for ten (10) days after demand therefor is made to the Company. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantee.

SECTION 9.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability . Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Subsidiary Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Article IX shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article IX, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

SECTION 9.03 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee .

To evidence the Subsidiary Guarantees set forth in Section 9.01 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company hereby agrees to cause a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto to be endorsed by manual or facsimile signature by an officer of each Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. The Company shall cause all future Guarantors to execute a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 9.01 of this Supplemental Indenture and in any subsequent supplemental indentures shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

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If an officer whose signature is on any supplemental indenture or on the Subsidiary Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Subsidiary Guarantee is endorsed, the Subsidiary Guarantee shall be valid and obligatory nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Supplemental Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

In the event that the Company creates or acquires any new Domestic Subsidiaries subsequent to the date of this Supplemental Indenture, if required by Section 5.03 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall cause such Domestic Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to the Indenture and Subsidiary Guarantees in accordance with Section 5.03 of this Supplemental Indenture and this Article IX, to the extent applicable.

SECTION 9.04 Release of Guarantor . The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

(a) upon any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets of, such Domestic Subsidiary, which transaction is in compliance with the terms of the Indenture and such Domestic Subsidiary is released from all guarantees, if any, by it of other Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary;

(b) either Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance occurs with respect to such Notes in compliance with Article VII of this Supplemental Indenture; or

(c) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantees created after the Issue Date, the release by the holders of the Indebtedness of the Company described in Section 5.03(a) of this Supplemental Indenture of their Guarantee by such Domestic Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness), at such time as (A) no other Indebtedness of the Company has been guaranteed by such Domestic Subsidiary or (B) the holders of all such other Indebtedness which is guaranteed by such Domestic Subsidiary also release their Guarantee by such Domestic Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness).

The Trustee, at the expense and written direction of the Company, will execute proper instruments acknowledging the termination of such Subsidiary Guarantee as reasonably required by the representative of such Guarantor.

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal and premium, if any, of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under the Indenture as provided in this Article IX.

SECTION 9.05 Acknowledgement of Manufacturers’ Letter Agreements . It is hereby acknowledged that the enforcement of certain rights with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantees is subject to the terms and conditions of the Manufacturers’ Letter Agreements.

 

32


SECTION 9.06 Certain California Law Waivers . As used in this Section 9.06, any reference to “the principal” includes the Company, and any reference to “the creditor” includes the Holders. In accordance with Section 2856 of the California Civil Code:

(a) each Guarantor agrees (i) to waive any and all rights of subrogation and reimbursement against the Company or against any collateral or security granted by the Company for any of the Guarantor’s obligations and (ii) to withhold the exercise of any and all rights of contribution against any other guarantor of any of the Guarantor’s obligations and against any collateral or security granted by any such other guarantor for any of the Guarantor’s obligations until the Guarantor’s obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full;

(b) each Guarantor waives any and all other rights and defenses available to the Guarantor by reason of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899 and 3433 of the California Civil Code, including any and all rights or defenses Guarantor may have by reason of protection afforded to the principal with respect to any of the Guarantor’s obligations, or to any other guarantor of any of the Guarantor’s obligations with respect to any of such guarantor’s obligations under its guaranty, in either case pursuant to the antideficiency or other laws of the State of California limiting or discharging the principal’s indebtedness or such guarantor’s obligations, including Section 580a, 580b, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure; and

(c) each Guarantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by the creditor, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for any Subsidiary Guarantee obligation, has destroyed Guarantor’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement against the principal by the operation of Section 580d of the Code of Civil Procedure or otherwise; and even though that election of remedies by the creditor, such as nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for an obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guarantor’s obligations, has destroyed Guarantor’s rights of contribution against such other guarantor.

No other provision of this Article IX shall be construed as limiting the generality of any of the covenants and waivers set forth in this Section 9.06. In accordance with Section 10.06 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be governed by, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. This Section 9.06 is included solely out of an abundance of caution, and shall not be construed to mean that any of the above-referenced provisions of California law are in any way applicable to the Subsidiary Guarantees or to any of the Guarantor’s obligations.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 10.01 Ratification of Base Indenture . This Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall be construed as an indenture supplemental to the Base Indenture, and as supplemented and modified hereby, the Base Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

SECTION 10.02 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof, or with a provision of the Base Indenture, which is required to be included in this Supplemental Indenture, or in the Base Indenture, respectively, by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control to the extent it is applicable.

 

33


SECTION 10.03 Conflict with Base Indenture . To the extent not previously amended or modified by this Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture relating to the Notes is inconsistent with any provision of the Base Indenture, the provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall control.

SECTION 10.04 Effect of Headings . The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 10.05 Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Supplemental Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 10.06 Separability Clause . In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 10.07 Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 10.08 Waiver of Jury Trial . The Company, each Guarantor and the Trustee each hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 10.09 Counterparts . This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

[Signature page follows]

 

34


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AUTONATION, INC.
By:  

/s/ C. Coleman G. Edmunds

  Name:   C. Coleman G. Edmunds
  Title:  

Sr. Vice President, Deputy General

Counsel and Assistant Secretary

THE GUARANTORS NAMED IN SCHEDULE

1 HERETO

By:  

/s/ C. Coleman G. Edmunds

  Name:   C. Coleman G. Edmunds
  Title:   Authorized Signatory
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Martin Reed

  Name:   Martin Reed
  Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT A

[GLOBAL NOTE LEGEND]

[THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAYBE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.06 OF THE BASE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAYBE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.06 OF THE BASE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAYBE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 3.07 OF THE BASE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAYBE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]*

 

* Legend to be included only for Global Notes

 

A-1


[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

No.                $[            ]
    CUSIP No. 05329WAJ1

6.750% Senior Notes due 2018

AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to [            ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [            ] Dollars ($[            ]) on April 15, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2010.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

AUTONATION, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Global Notes referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

 

By:

 

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

6.750% Senior Notes due 2018

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1. Interest

AutoNation, Inc. (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing October 15, 2010. 1 Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from April 14, 2010. 2 The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the interest rate for the Notes. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

2. Method of Payment

The Company shall pay interest on the Notes to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its judgment), to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3. Paying Agent and Registrar

Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

1

In the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date.

 

2

In the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date.

 

A-4


4. Indenture

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), each among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. § § 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Trust Indenture Act”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of those terms.

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 2.03(e) of the Supplemental Indenture, to create and issue further securities having the same ranking and terms and conditions as the Notes in all respects, except for the issue date, the public offering price and, in some cases, the first Interest Payment Date. The Notes initially issued on the Issue Date and any additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

 

5. Optional Redemption

Except as described below, the Notes will not be redeemable by the Company prior to Maturity.

At any time prior to April 15, 2013, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings of its common stock at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 106.75%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; provided that : (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued on the Issue Date remains Outstanding after each such redemption; and (2) notice of any such redemption is mailed within 60 days of each such Public Equity Offering (with a copy to the Trustee).

“Public Equity Offering” means an underwritten public offering of common stock (other than redeemable Capital Stock) of the Company with gross cash proceeds to the Company of at least $50.0 million pursuant to an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 (or any successor form covering substantially the same transactions), Form S-8 (or any successor form covering substantially the same transactions) or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan).

In addition, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time, in part at a redemption price (the “Redemption Price”) equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed, exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Yield, plus fifty (50) basis points, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.

 

6. Notice of Redemption

The Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Notice of redemption (with a copy to the Trustee) shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder to be redeemed at his or her registered address.

 

A-5


7. Repurchase at Option of Holder Upon Change of Control Repurchase Event

If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to the Indenture, the Company shall be required to make an offer to each Holder of the Notes to repurchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date fixed for redemption). Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurred, the Company must send (with a copy to the Trustee), by first class mail, a notice to each Holder, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer and shall be in compliance with the Indenture. Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice.

 

8. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may register, transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

9. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

10. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

11. Amendment, Waiver

The Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

12. Defaults and Remedies

If any Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee (if declared by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration,” and the same shall

 

A-6


become immediately due and payable. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

13. Guarantee

The full and punctual payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each of the Guarantors. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders.

 

14. Trustee Dealings with the Company

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

15. No Recourse Against Others

Any past, present, or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder, as such, of the Company, any Guarantors or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

 

16. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

17. Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

A-7


18. CUSIP Numbers

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

19. Governing Law

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS NOTE.

 

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

AutoNation, Inc.

200 SW 1 st Ave

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Attention: Legal Department

Facsimile No.: 954-769-6340

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably, appoint                                          agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Date:  

 

     Your Signature:  

 

       (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.)
      

 

     Signature
Signature Guarantee:     

 

      
Signature must be guaranteed       

(Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized Signature Medallion Program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.)

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Supplemental Indenture check the box:   ¨

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Supplemental Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $                     

 

Dated:  

 

   Your Signature:   

 

        (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.)

 

Signature Guarantee:  

 

  
 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

  

(Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized Signature Medallion Program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.)

 

A-10


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OR INTERESTS IN GLOBAL NOTE

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount  of
decrease
in  Principal
amount
of this Global Note
   Amount  of
increase
in  Principal
amount
of this Global Note
   Principal
amount of
this Global Note
following  such
decrease or
increase
   Signature  of
authorized
signatory
of Trustee  or
Custodian
                       

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among AutoNation, Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), (a) the full and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Guarantor and that such Guarantor shall remain bound hereunder notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article IX of the Supplemental Indenture and reference is hereby made such provisions for the precise terms of the Guarantee. Each Holder, by accepting the same agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions. This Guarantee is subject to release as and to the extent set forth in Sections 7.02, 7.08 and 9.04 of the Supplemental Indenture. The terms of the Indenture, including, without limitation, Article IX of the Supplemental Indenture, are incorporated herein by reference. The internal law of the State of New York shall govern and be used to construe this Guarantee. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined are used herein as so defined in the Indenture.

 

[GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of AutoNation, Inc. (or its permitted successor) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and the Guarantors named therein have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee the Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “ Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 6.750% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8.01 of the Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

 

  (a) To jointly and severally Guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

  (i) the principal of and interest on the Notes shall be promptly paid by the Company in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid by the Company in full or performed by the Company, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

C-1


  (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid by the Company in full when due or performed by the Company in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due by the Company of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed which failure continues for three days after demand therefor is made to the Company for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

  (b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

 

  (c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment (except as specifically provided in (a) above), filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands (except as specifically provided in (a) above) whatsoever.

 

  (d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except (i) by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture. Each Guarantor also expressly waives, without any requirement of any notice to or further assent by such Guarantor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of all principles or provisions of applicable law which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof, including, without limitation, Section 10-7-23 and Section 10-7-24 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

 

  (e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

  (f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

 

  (g)

As between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed

 

C-2


  hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VII of the Base Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VII of the Base Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee, failing payment when due by the Company which failure continues for three days after demand therefor is made to the Company.

 

  (h) The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

3. Guaranteeing Subsidiary May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms . Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that, unless its Guarantee is being concurrently released in conformity with Section 9.04 of the Supplemental Indenture, it may not consolidate with or merge with or into any Person other than the Company or any other Guarantor unless (a) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary will be the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person assumes by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary on its Guarantee and (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

4. Execution and Delivery . Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantees shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

5. Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be released in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Indenture, including, without limitation, Section 9.04 of the Supplemental Indenture. The Trustee, at the expense and written direction of the Company, will execute proper instruments acknowledging the termination of such Subsidiary Guarantee as reasonably required by the representative of such Guarantor. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under the Indenture as provided in Article IX of the Supplemental Indenture.

6. No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, the Indenture, any Guarantees or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

7. New York Law to Govern . THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

8. Waiver of Jury Trial . The Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee each hereby irrevocable waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Supplemental Indenture, the Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

C-3


9. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

10. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

11. The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity, legality or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

 

C-4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
AUTONATION, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WELLS FARGO BANK, National Association, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title

 

C-5


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF AFFIDAVIT OF OUT-OF-STATE EXECUTION

STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

I hereby certify that on this          day of             , 2010, before me, an officer duly authorized in the County and State aforesaid to take acknowledgments, personally appeared [Name], as [Title] of AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and as [Title] or authorized signatory of each of the subsidiaries of the Company party to the hereinafter defined Indenture (the “Guarantors”), who is personally known to me or who has produced                                          as identification, who did/did not take an oath, who is known to me to be the person who executed the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association., as trustee (the “Trustee”), to which this Affidavit is attached on behalf of the Company and on behalf of each of the Guarantors in New York, New York, and who acknowledged before me that be executed the same.

 

 

Notary Public

 

Print Name
My Commission Expires:  

 

 

D-1


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF AFFIDAVIT OF OUT OF STATE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE

STATE OF NEW YORK)

COUNTY OF NEW YORK)

Before me this day personally appeared                      (“Affiant”), who being personally sworn, deposes and says that:

1. Affiant is a [Title] of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) under the Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), by and among AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto (the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee.

2. The Indenture was executed in the City of New York, and the State of New York by [Name] as [Title] of the Company and as [Title] or authorized signatory of each of the Guarantors.

3. On the date hereof, Affiant received delivery of and accepted the Indenture on behalf of the Trustee and on behalf of the Initial Purchasers within the City of New York, and the State of New York.

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NOT.

Dated:                  , 20     

 

 

Print Name:  

 

 

E-1


THE FOREGOING instrument was acknowledged before me this     day of April, 2006, by                                         , who is personally known to me or who has produced                                          as identification and who did/did not take an oath.

 

 

Notary Public  

 

Print Name  
My Commission Expires:  

 

This should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

E-2


Schedule I

Guarantors

7 Rod Real Estate North, a Limited Liability Company

7 Rod Real Estate South, a Limited Liability Company

Abraham Chevrolet-Miami, Inc.

Abraham Chevrolet-Tampa, Inc.

ACER Fiduciary, Inc.

Al Maroone Ford, LLC

Albert Berry Motors, Inc.

Allison Bavarian

Allison Bavarian Holding, LLC

All-State Rent A Car, Inc.

American Way Motors, Inc.

AN Cadillac of WPB, LLC

AN Central Region Management, LLC

AN Chevrolet - Arrowhead, Inc.

AN Chevrolet of Phoenix, LLC

AN CJ Valencia, Inc.

AN Collision Center of Addison, Inc.

AN Collision Center of North Houston, Inc.

AN Collision Center of Las Vegas, Inc. f/k/a Desert Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

AN Collision Center of Tempe, Inc.

AN Corporate Management Payroll Corp.

AN Corpus Christi Chevrolet, LP

AN Corpus Christi GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports Adv. GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports Adv., LP

AN Corpus Christi Imports GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports II GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports II, LP

AN Corpus Christi Imports, LP

AN Corpus Christi Motors, Inc.

AN Corpus Christi T. Imports GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi T. Imports, LP

AN County Line Ford, Inc.

AN Dealership Holding Corp.

AN Florida Region Management, LLC

AN Fremont Luxury Imports, Inc.

AN Imports of Ft. Lauderdale, Inc.

AN Imports of Lithia Springs, LLC

AN Imports of Spokane, Inc.

AN Imports on Weston Road, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports GP, LLC

AN Luxury Imports Holding, LLC

AN Luxury Imports of Palm Beach, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Pembroke Pines, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of San Diego, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Sarasota, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Phoenix, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Spokane, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Tucson, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports, Ltd.


AN Motors of Dallas, Inc.

AN Motors of Delray Beach, Inc.

AN Motors of Scottsdale, LLC

AN Pontiac GMC Houston North GP, LLC

AN Pontiac GMC Houston North, LP

AN Subaru Motors, Inc.

AN Texas Region Management, Ltd.

AN West Central Region Management, LLC

AN Western Region Management, LLC

AN/CF Acquisition Corp.

AN/FMK Acquisition Corp.

AN/GMF, Inc.

AN/KPBG Motors, Inc.

AN/MF Acquisition Corp.

AN/MNI Acquisition Corp.

AN/PF Acquisition Corp.

AN/STD Acquisition Corp.

Anderson Chevrolet

Anderson Chevrolet Los Gatos, Inc.

Anderson Cupertino, Inc.

Appleway Chevrolet, Inc.

Atrium Restaurants, Inc.

Auto Ad Agency, Inc.

Auto Car Holding, LLC

Auto Car, Inc.

Auto Holding, LLC

Auto Mission Holding, LLC

Auto Mission Ltd.

Auto West, Inc.

Autohaus Holdings, Inc.

AutoNation Benefits Company, Inc.

AutoNation Corporate Management, LLC

AutoNation Dodge of Pembroke Pines, Inc.

AutoNation Enterprises Incorporated

AutoNation Financial Services, LLC

AutoNation Fort Worth Motors, Ltd.

AutoNation GM GP, LLC

AutoNation Holding Corp.

AutoNation Imports of Katy GP, LLC

AutoNation Imports of Katy, L.P.

AutoNation Imports of Lithia Springs, Inc.

AutoNation Imports of Longwood, Inc.

AutoNation Imports of Palm Beach, Inc.

AutoNation Imports of Winter Park, Inc.

AutoNation Motors Holding Corp.

AutoNation Motors of Lithia Springs, Inc.

AutoNation North Texas Management GP, LLC

AutoNation Northwest Management, LLC

AutoNation Orlando Venture Holdings, Inc.

AutoNation Oxnard Venture Holdings, Inc.

AutoNation Realty Corporation

AutoNation USA of Perrine, Inc.

AutoNation V. Imports of Delray Beach, LLC

AutoNationDirect.com, Inc.

Bankston Auto, Inc.

Bankston Chrysler Jeep of Frisco, L.P.


Bankston CJ GP, LLC

Bankston Ford of Frisco, Ltd. Co.

Bankston Nissan in Irving, Inc.

Bankston Nissan Lewisville GP, LLC

Bankston Nissan Lewisville, Ltd.

Bargain Rent-A-Car

Batfish, LLC

BBCSS, Inc.

Beach City Chevrolet Company, Inc.

Beach City Holding, LLC

Beacon Motors, Inc.

Bell Dodge, L.L.C.

Bengal Motor Company, Ltd.

Bengal Motors, Inc.

Bill Ayares Chevrolet, LLC

Bledsoe Dodge, LLC

Bob Townsend Ford, Inc.

Body Shop Holding Corp.

BOSC Automotive Realty, Inc.

Brown & Brown Chevrolet - Superstition Springs, LLC

Brown & Brown Chevrolet, Inc.

Brown & Brown Nissan Mesa, LLC

Brown & Brown Nissan, Inc.

Buick Mart Limited Partnership

Bull Motors, LLC

C. Garrett, Inc.

Carlisle Motors, LLC

Carwell Holding, LLC

Carwell, LLC

Cerritos Body Works Holding, LLC

Cerritos Body Works, Inc.

Cerritos Imports Holding, LLC

Cerritos Imports, Inc.

Champion Chevrolet Holding, LLC

Champion Chevrolet, LLC

Champion Ford, Inc.

Charlie Hillard, Inc.

Charlie Thomas Chevrolet GP, LLC

Charlie Thomas Chevrolet, Ltd.

Charlie Thomas Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.

Charlie Thomas Courtesy Leasing, Inc.

Charlie Thomas F. GP, LLC

Charlie Thomas Ford, Ltd.

Charlie Thomas’ Courtesy Ford, Ltd.

Charlie Thomas’ Courtesy GP, LLC

Chesrown Auto, LLC

Chesrown Chevrolet, LLC

Chesrown Collision Center, Inc.

Chesrown Ford, Inc.

Chevrolet World, Inc.

Chuck Clancy Ford of Marietta, LLC

CJ Valencia Holding, LLC

Coastal Cadillac, Inc.

Consumer Car Care Corporation

Contemporary Cars, Inc.

Cook-Whitehead Ford, Inc.


Corporate Properties Holding, Inc.

Costa Mesa Cars Holding, LLC

Costa Mesa Cars, Inc.

Courtesy Auto Group, Inc.

Courtesy Broadway, LLC

Covington Pike Motors, Inc.

CT Intercontinental GP, LLC

CT Intercontinental, Ltd.

CT Motors, Inc.

D/L Motor Company

Deal Dodge of Des Plaines, Inc.

Dealership Properties, Inc.

Dealership Realty Corporation

Desert Buick-GMC Trucks, L.L.C.

Desert Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.

Desert Dodge, Inc.

Desert GMC, L.L.C.

Dobbs Brothers Buick-Pontiac, Inc.

Dobbs Ford of Memphis, Inc.

Dobbs Ford, Inc.

Dobbs Mobile Bay, Inc.

Dobbs Motors of Arizona, Inc.

Dodge of Bellevue, Inc.

Don Mealey Chevrolet, Inc.

Don Mealey Imports, Inc.

Don-A-Vee Jeep Eagle, Inc.

Downers Grove Dodge, Inc.

Driver’s Mart Worldwide, Inc.

Eastgate Ford, Inc.

Ed Mullinax Ford, LLC

Edgren Motor Company, Inc.

Edgren Motor Holding, LLC

El Monte Imports Holding, LLC

El Monte Imports, Inc.

El Monte Motors Holding, LLC

El Monte Motors, Inc.

Elmhurst Auto Mall, Inc.

Emich Chrysler Plymouth, LLC

Emich Dodge, LLC

Emich Oldsmobile, LLC

Emich Subaru West, LLC

Empire Services Agency, Inc.

Financial Services GP, LLC

Financial Services, Ltd.

First Team Automotive Corp.

First Team Ford of Manatee, Ltd.

First Team Ford, Ltd

First Team Imports, Ltd.

First Team Jeep Eagle, Chrysler-Plymouth, Ltd.

First Team Management, Inc.

First Team Premier, Ltd.

Fit Kit Holding, LLC

Fit Kit, Inc.

Florida Auto Corp.

Ford of Garden Grove Limited Partnership

Ford of Kirkland, Inc.


Fox Chevrolet, LLC

Fox Imports, LLC

Fox Motors, LLC

Fred Oakley Motors, Inc.

Fremont Luxury Imports Holding, LLC

Ft. Lauderdale Nissan, Inc.

G.B. Import Sales & Service Holding, LLC

G.B. Import Sales & Service, LLC

Gene Evans Ford, LLC

George Sutherlin Nissan, LLC

Government Boulevard Motors, Inc.

Gulf Management, Inc.

Hayward Dodge, Inc.

Hillard Auto Group, Inc.

Hollywood Imports Limited, Inc.

Hollywood Kia, Inc.

Horizon Chevrolet, Inc.

House of Imports Holding, LLC

House of Imports, Inc.

Houston Auto M. Imports Greenway, Ltd.

Houston Auto M. Imports North, Ltd.

Houston Imports Greenway GP, LLC

Houston Imports North GP, LLC

Hub Motor Company, LLC

Irvine Imports Holding, LLC

Irvine Imports, Inc.

Irvine Toyota/Nissan/Volvo Limited Partnership

Jemautco, Inc.

Jerry Gleason Chevrolet, Inc.

Jerry Gleason Dodge, Inc.

Jim Quinlan Chevrolet Co.

Jim Quinlan Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Joe MacPherson Ford

Joe MacPherson Imports No. I

Joe MacPherson Infiniti

Joe MacPherson Infiniti Holding, LLC

Joe MacPherson Oldsmobile

John M. Lance Ford, LLC

J-R Advertising Company

J-R Motors Company North

J-R Motors Company South

JRJ Investments, Inc.

J-R-M Motors Company Northwest, LLC

Kenyon Dodge, Inc.

King’s Crown Ford, Inc.

L.P. Evans Motors WPB, Inc.

L.P. Evans Motors, Inc.

Lance Children, Inc.

Leesburg Imports, LLC

Leesburg Motors, LLC

Les Marks Chevrolet, Inc.

Lew Webb’s Ford, Inc.

Lew Webb’s Irvine Nissan Holding, LLC

Lew Webb’s Irvine Nissan, Inc.

Lewisville Imports GP, LLC

Lewisville Imports, Ltd.


Lexus of Cerritos Limited Partnership

Lot 4 Real Estate Holdings, LLC

MacHoward Leasing

MacHoward Leasing Holding, LLC

MacPherson Enterprises, Inc.

Magic Acquisition Corp.

Magic Acquisition Holding, LLC

Marks Family Dealerships, Inc.

Marks Transport, Inc.

Maroone Chevrolet Ft. Lauderdale, Inc.

Maroone Chevrolet, LLC

Maroone Dodge, LLC

Maroone Ford, LLC

Maroone Management Services, Inc

Maroone Oldsmobile, LLC

MC/RII, LLC

Mealey Holdings, Inc.

Mechanical Warranty Protection, Inc.

Metro Chrysler Jeep, Inc.

Midway Chevrolet, Inc.

Mike Hall Chevrolet, Inc.

Mike Shad Chrysler Plymouth Jeep Eagle, Inc.

Mike Shad Ford, Inc.

Miller-Sutherlin Automotive, LLC

Mission Blvd. Motors, Inc.

Mr. Wheels Holding, LLC

Mr. Wheels, Inc.

Mullinax East, LLC

Mullinax Ford North Canton, Inc.

Mullinax Ford South, Inc.

Mullinax Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Mullinax of Mayfield, LLC

Mullinax Used Cars, Inc.

Naperville Imports, Inc.

Newport Beach Cars Holding, LLC

Newport Beach Cars, LLC

Nichols Ford, Ltd.

Nichols GP, LLC

Nissan of Brandon, Inc.

Northpoint Chevrolet, LLC

Northpoint Ford, Inc.

Northwest Financial Group, Inc.

Ontario Dodge, Inc.

Orange County Automotive Imports, LLC

Payton-Wright Ford Sales, Inc.

Peyton Cramer Automotive

Peyton Cramer Automotive Holding, LLC

Peyton Cramer F. Holding, LLC

Peyton Cramer Ford

Peyton Cramer Infiniti

Peyton Cramer Infiniti Holding, LLC

Peyton Cramer Jaguar

Peyton Cramer Lincoln-Mercury

Peyton Cramer LM Holding, LLC

Pierce Automotive Corporation

Pierce, LLC


Pitre Buick-Pontiac-GMC of Scottsdale, Inc.

Pitre Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep of Scottsdale, Inc.

Pitre Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep on Bell, Inc.

Plains Chevrolet GP, LLC

Plains Chevrolet, Ltd.

PMWQ, Inc.

PMWQ, Ltd.

Port City Imports, Inc.

Prime Auto Resources, Inc.

Quality Nissan GP, LLC

Quality Nissan, Ltd.

Quinlan Motors, Inc.

R. Coop Limited

R.L. Buscher II, Inc.

R.L. Buscher III, Inc.

Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

Republic DM Property Acquisition Corp.

Republic Resources Company

Republic Risk Management Services, Inc.

Resources Aviation, Inc.

RI Merger Corp.

RI/ASC Acquisition Corp.

RI/BB Acquisition Corp.

RI/BBNM Acquisition Corp

RI/BRC Real Estate Corp.

RI/DM Acquisition Corp.

RI/Hollywood Nissan Acquisition Corp.

RI/LLC Acquisition Corp.

RI/LLC-2 Acquisition Corp.

RI/PII Acquisition Corp.

RI/RMC Acquisition GP, LLC

RI/RMC Acquisition, Ltd.

RI/RMP Acquisition Corp.

RI/RMT Acquisition GP, LLC

RI/RMT Acquisition, Ltd.

RI/WFI Acquisition Corporation

RKR Motors, Inc.

Roseville Motor Corporation

Roseville Motor Holding, LLC

RRM Corporation

Sahara Imports, Inc.

Sahara Nissan, Inc.

Saul Chevrolet Holding, LLC

SCM Realty, Inc.

Service Station Holding Corp.

Shamrock F. Holding, LLC

Shamrock Ford, Inc.

Six Jays LLC

SMI Motors Holding, LLC

SMI Motors, Inc.

Smythe European Holding, LLC

Smythe European, Inc.

Southwest Dodge, LLC

Spitfire Properties, Inc.

Star Motors, LLC

Steakley Chevrolet GP, LLC


Steakley Chevrolet, Ltd.

Steeplechase Motor Company

Steve Moore Chevrolet Delray, LLC

Steve Moore Chevrolet, LLC

Steve Moore’s Buy-Right Auto Center, Inc.

Steve Rayman Pontiac-Buick-GMC-Truck, LLC

Stevens Creek Holding, LLC

Stevens Creek Motors, Inc.

Sunrise Nissan of Jacksonville, Inc.

Sunrise Nissan of Orange Park, Inc.

Sunset Pontiac-GMC Truck South, Inc.

Sunset Pontiac-GMC, Inc.

Superior Nissan, Inc.

Sutherlin Chrysler-Plymouth Jeep-Eagle, LLC

Sutherlin H. Imports, LLC

Sutherlin Imports, LLC

Sutherlin Nissan, LLC

Sutherlin Town Center, Inc.

Tartan Advertising, Inc.

Tasha Incorporated

Taylor Jeep Eagle, LLC

Team Dodge, Inc.

Terry York Motor Cars Holding, LLC

Terry York Motor Cars, Ltd.

Texan Ford Sales, Ltd.

Texan Ford, Inc.

Texan Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Texan Sales GP, LLC

Texas Management Companies LP, LLC

The Consulting Source, Inc.

The Pierce Corporation II, Inc.

Tinley Park A. Imports, Inc.

Tinley Park J. Imports, Inc.

Tinley Park V. Imports, Inc.

Torrance Nissan Holding, LLC

Torrance Nissan, LLC

Tousley Ford, Inc.

Town & Country Chrysler Jeep, Inc.

Toyota Cerritos Limited Partnership

Triangle Corporation

T-West Sales & Service, Inc.

Valencia B. Imports Holding, LLC

Valencia B. Imports, Inc.

Valencia Dodge

Valencia Dodge Holding, LLC

Valencia H. Imports Holding, LLC

Valencia H. Imports, Inc.

Valley Chevrolet, LLC

Vanderbeek Motors Holding, LLC

Vanderbeek Motors, Inc.

Vanderbeek Olds/GMC Truck, Inc.

Vanderbeek Truck Holding, LLC

Village Motors, LLC

Vince Wiese Chevrolet, Inc.

Vince Wiese Holding, LLC

W.O. Bankston Nissan, Inc.


Wallace Dodge, LLC

Wallace Ford, LLC

Wallace Lincoln-Mercury, LLC

Wallace Nissan, LLC

Webb Automotive Group, Inc.

West Colton Cars, Inc.

West Side Motors, Inc.

Westgate Chevrolet GP, LLC

Westgate Chevrolet, Ltd.

Westmont A. Imports, Inc.

Westmont B. Imports, Inc.

Westmont M. Imports, Inc.

Woody Capital Investment Company II

Woody Capital Investment Company III

Working Man’s Credit Plan, Inc.

York Enterprises Holding, LLC

Exhibit 4.3

NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of April 14, 2010, among AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors listed as signatories hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore executed an Indenture (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of April 12, 2006 (and supplemented as of August 17, 2006, January 24, 2007, March 19, 2007, October 18, 2007, March 11, 2008, August 12, 2008, February 6, 2009 and February 8, 2010), providing for the issuance of Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ Floating Rate Notes ”) and 7% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “ Fixed Rate Notes ” and together with the Floating Rate Notes, the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, Section 9.2 of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes;

WHEREAS, the Company has distributed an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated March 31, 2010 (the “ Statement ”), and accompanying Letter of Transmittal and Consent (the “ Letter of Transmittal ”) to the Holders of the Notes in connection with proposed amendments to the Indenture, as further described in the Statement (the “ Proposed Amendments ”), that provide for, among other things, elimination from the Indenture of substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default and the shortening of the notice periods required to undertake an optional redemption of the Notes;

WHEREAS, the Holders of at least a majority of each series of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes not owned by the Company or any of its affiliates have consented to the Proposed Amendments; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Guarantors desire to amend the Indenture, as set forth in Section 2 hereof; and

WHEREAS, this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and the Guarantors.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Amendments

(a) Section 3.1 is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

“If the Company elects to redeem Floating Rate Notes or Fixed Rate Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.7, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 5 days but not more than


90 days before the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the redemption date, (ii) the principal amount of Floating Rate Notes or Fixed Rate Notes, as the case may be, to be redeemed and (iii) the redemption price or, if then indeterminable, basis for determining the redemption price.”

(b) Section 3.3 is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

“If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.7, at least 2 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date and, if applicable, no later than 30 days after the closing of the related Public Equity Offering, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee). The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including “CUSIP” number(s)) and shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price or, if then indeterminable, basis for determining the redemption price; (iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note; (iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent; (v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price; (vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; (vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and (viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the “CUSIP” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes. At the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 5 days prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the previous paragraph.”

(c) The following Sections of the Indenture, and any corresponding provisions in the Notes, are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with “[Intentionally Omitted.]”:

 

Indenture Section Number

  

Caption

Section 4.3

   Reports

Section 4.4

   Compliance Certificate

Section 4.5

   Taxes

Section 4.6

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

Section 4.7

   Limitation on Restricted Payments

Section 4.8

   Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

 

2


Indenture Section Number

  

Caption

Section 4.9

   Limitation on Indebtedness

Section 4.10

   Limitation on Sale of Assets

Section 4.11

   Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates

Section 4.12

   Limitation on Liens

Section 4.13

   Limitation on Unrestricted Subsidiaries

Section 4.14

   Corporate Existence

Section 4.15

   Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control

Section 4.16

   Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries

(d) Clauses (2) and (3) of Section 5.1 of the Indenture, and any corresponding provisions in the Notes, are hereby deleted and replaced with “[Intentionally Omitted.]”

(e) Clauses (3)(a), (4), (6) and (7) of Section 6.1 of the Indenture are hereby deleted and replaced with “[Intentionally Omitted.]”

(f) Any definitions used exclusively in the provisions of the Indenture or Notes that are deleted pursuant to paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 2, and any definitions used exclusively within such definition, are hereby deleted in their entirety from the Indenture and the Notes.

(g) Any and all references in the Indenture and the Notes to clauses, Sections or other terms or provisions of the Indenture or Notes referred to in paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2 or that have been otherwise deleted pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture and any and all obligations thereunder related solely to such clauses, Sections, terms or provisions are hereby deleted throughout the Indenture and the Notes, and shall be of no further force and effect.

3. Effect of Supplemental Indenture . From and after the Amendment Operative Time (as defined below), the Indenture shall be amended and supplemented in accordance herewith. Each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or “herein” shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture unless the context otherwise requires. The Indenture as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument, and every Holder heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture shall be bound thereby.

 

3


4. Existing Indenture Remains in Full Force and Effect . Except as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, all provisions in the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.

5. Severability . In case any provision of this Supplemental Indenture is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

6. Successors . All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Supplemental Indenture will bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture will bind the Trustee’s successor.

7. Effectiveness . This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective and binding on the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee upon the execution and delivery by the parties to this Supplemental Indenture; provided , however , that this Supplemental Indenture and the Proposed Amendments shall become operative, and the terms of the Indenture shall be amended, supplemented, modified or deleted hereby, in each case only upon the acceptance for payment of Notes representing at least a majority of the outstanding Floating Rate Notes and at least a majority of the outstanding Fixed Rate Notes (the “ Amendment Operative Time ”).

8. New York Law to Govern . THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

9. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

10. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

11. The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity, legality or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company and the Guarantors.

[ Signature Pages Follow. ]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

 

AUTONATION, INC.

By

 

/s/ C. Coleman G. Edmunds

Name:   C. Coleman G. Edmunds
Title:  

Sr. Vice President, Deputy

General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE

 

By

 

/s/ Martin Reed

Name:   Martin Reed
Title:   Vice President

 

GUARANTORS (listed on the following pages)

 

By

 

/s/ C. Coleman G. Edmunds

Name:   C. Coleman G. Edmunds
Title:   Authorized Signatory

Signature page to Supplemental Indenture for Floating and Fixed Rate Notes

 

5


AFFIDAVIT OF OUT-OF-STATE EXECUTION

STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

I hereby certify that on this 14 th day of April     , 2010, before me, an officer duly authorized in the County and State aforesaid to take acknowledgments, personally appeared C. Coleman G. Edmunds, as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and as an authorized signatory of each of the subsidiaries of the Company party to the hereinafter defined Supplemental Indenture (the “ Guarantors ”), who is personally known to me or who has produced                                          as identification, who did /did not take an oath, who is known to me to be the person who executed the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2010 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), to which this Affidavit is attached on behalf of the Company and on behalf of each of the Guarantors in New York, New York, and who acknowledged before me that be executed the same.

 

/s/ Perri Thaler
Notary Public
Perri Thaler

Print Name

My Commission Expires:

 

12/15/11


GUARANTORS

7 Rod Real Estate North, a Limited Liability Company

7 Rod Real Estate South, a Limited Liability Company

Abraham Chevrolet-Miami, Inc.

Abraham Chevrolet-Tampa, Inc.

ACER Fiduciary, Inc.

Al Maroone Ford, LLC

Albert Berry Motors, Inc.

Allison Bavarian

Allison Bavarian Holding, LLC

All-State Rent A Car, Inc.

American Way Motors, Inc.

AN Cadillac of WPB, LLC

AN Central Region Management, LLC

AN Chevrolet - Arrowhead, Inc.

AN Chevrolet of Phoenix, LLC

AN CJ Valencia, Inc.

AN Collision Center of Addison, Inc.

AN Collision Center of North Houston, Inc.

AN Collision Center of Las Vegas, Inc. f/k/a Desert Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

AN Collision Center of Tempe, Inc.

AN Corporate Management Payroll Corp.

AN Corpus Christi Chevrolet, LP

AN Corpus Christi GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports Adv. GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports Adv., LP

AN Corpus Christi Imports GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports II GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi Imports II, LP

AN Corpus Christi Imports, LP

AN Corpus Christi Motors, Inc.

AN Corpus Christi T. Imports GP, LLC

AN Corpus Christi T. Imports, LP

AN County Line Ford, Inc.

AN Dealership Holding Corp.

AN Florida Region Management, LLC

AN Fremont Luxury Imports, Inc.

AN Imports of Ft. Lauderdale, Inc.

AN Imports of Lithia Springs, LLC

AN Imports of Spokane, Inc.

AN Imports on Weston Road, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports GP, LLC

AN Luxury Imports Holding, LLC

AN Luxury Imports of Palm Beach, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Pembroke Pines, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of San Diego, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Sarasota, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Phoenix, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Spokane, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports of Tucson, Inc.

AN Luxury Imports, Ltd.

AN Motors of Dallas, Inc.

AN Motors of Delray Beach, Inc.

AN Motors of Scottsdale, LLC

AN Pontiac GMC Houston North GP, LLC

AN Pontiac GMC Houston North, LP


AN Subaru Motors, Inc.

AN Texas Region Management, Ltd.

AN West Central Region Management, LLC

AN Western Region Management, LLC

AN/CF Acquisition Corp.

AN/FMK Acquisition Corp.

AN/GMF, Inc.

AN/KPBG Motors, Inc.

AN/MF Acquisition Corp.

AN/MNI Acquisition Corp.

AN/PF Acquisition Corp.

AN/STD Acquisition Corp.

Anderson Chevrolet

Anderson Chevrolet Los Gatos, Inc.

Anderson Cupertino, Inc.

Appleway Chevrolet, Inc.

Atrium Restaurants, Inc.

Auto Ad Agency, Inc.

Auto Car Holding, LLC

Auto Car, Inc.

Auto Holding, LLC

Auto Mission Holding, LLC

Auto Mission Ltd.

Auto West, Inc.

Autohaus Holdings, Inc.

AutoNation Benefits Company, Inc.

AutoNation Corporate Management, LLC

AutoNation Dodge of Pembroke Pines, Inc.

AutoNation Enterprises Incorporated

AutoNation Financial Services, LLC

AutoNation Fort Worth Motors, Ltd.

AutoNation GM GP, LLC

AutoNation Holding Corp.

AutoNation Imports of Katy GP, LLC

AutoNation Imports of Katy, L.P.

AutoNation Imports of Lithia Springs, Inc.

AutoNation Imports of Longwood, Inc.

AutoNation Imports of Palm Beach, Inc.

AutoNation Imports of Winter Park, Inc.

AutoNation Motors Holding Corp.

AutoNation Motors of Lithia Springs, Inc.

AutoNation North Texas Management GP, LLC

AutoNation Northwest Management, LLC

AutoNation Orlando Venture Holdings, Inc.

AutoNation Oxnard Venture Holdings, Inc.

AutoNation Realty Corporation

AutoNation USA of Perrine, Inc.

AutoNation V. Imports of Delray Beach, LLC

AutoNationDirect.com, Inc.

Bankston Auto, Inc.

Bankston Chrysler Jeep of Frisco, L.P.

Bankston CJ GP, LLC

Bankston Ford of Frisco, Ltd. Co.

Bankston Nissan in Irving, Inc.

Bankston Nissan Lewisville GP, LLC

Bankston Nissan Lewisville, Ltd.

Bargain Rent-A-Car

Batfish, LLC


BBCSS, Inc.

Beach City Chevrolet Company, Inc.

Beach City Holding, LLC

Beacon Motors, Inc.

Bell Dodge, L.L.C.

Bengal Motor Company, Ltd.

Bengal Motors, Inc.

Bill Ayares Chevrolet, LLC

Bledsoe Dodge, LLC

Bob Townsend Ford, Inc.

Body Shop Holding Corp.

BOSC Automotive Realty, Inc.

Brown & Brown Chevrolet - Superstition Springs, LLC

Brown & Brown Chevrolet, Inc.

Brown & Brown Nissan Mesa, LLC

Brown & Brown Nissan, Inc.

Buick Mart Limited Partnership

Bull Motors, LLC

C. Garrett, Inc.

Carlisle Motors, LLC

Carwell Holding, LLC

Carwell, LLC

Cerritos Body Works Holding, LLC

Cerritos Body Works, Inc.

Cerritos Imports Holding, LLC

Cerritos Imports, Inc.

Champion Chevrolet Holding, LLC

Champion Chevrolet, LLC

Champion Ford, Inc.

Charlie Hillard, Inc.

Charlie Thomas Chevrolet GP, LLC

Charlie Thomas Chevrolet, Ltd.

Charlie Thomas Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.

Charlie Thomas Courtesy Leasing, Inc.

Charlie Thomas F. GP, LLC

Charlie Thomas Ford, Ltd.

Charlie Thomas’ Courtesy Ford, Ltd.

Charlie Thomas’ Courtesy GP, LLC

Chesrown Auto, LLC

Chesrown Chevrolet, LLC

Chesrown Collision Center, Inc.

Chesrown Ford, Inc.

Chevrolet World, Inc.

Chuck Clancy Ford of Marietta, LLC

CJ Valencia Holding, LLC

Coastal Cadillac, Inc.

Consumer Car Care Corporation

Contemporary Cars, Inc.

Cook-Whitehead Ford, Inc.

Corporate Properties Holding, Inc.

Costa Mesa Cars Holding, LLC

Costa Mesa Cars, Inc.

Courtesy Auto Group, Inc.

Courtesy Broadway, LLC

Covington Pike Motors, Inc.

CT Intercontinental GP, LLC

CT Intercontinental, Ltd.

CT Motors, Inc.


D/L Motor Company

Deal Dodge of Des Plaines, Inc.

Dealership Properties, Inc.

Dealership Realty Corporation

Desert Buick-GMC Trucks, L.L.C.

Desert Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.

Desert Dodge, Inc.

Desert GMC, L.L.C.

Dobbs Brothers Buick-Pontiac, Inc.

Dobbs Ford of Memphis, Inc.

Dobbs Ford, Inc.

Dobbs Mobile Bay, Inc.

Dobbs Motors of Arizona, Inc.

Dodge of Bellevue, Inc.

Don Mealey Chevrolet, Inc.

Don Mealey Imports, Inc.

Don-A-Vee Jeep Eagle, Inc.

Downers Grove Dodge, Inc.

Driver’s Mart Worldwide, Inc.

Eastgate Ford, Inc.

Ed Mullinax Ford, LLC

Edgren Motor Company, Inc.

Edgren Motor Holding, LLC

El Monte Imports Holding, LLC

El Monte Imports, Inc.

El Monte Motors Holding, LLC

El Monte Motors, Inc.

Elmhurst Auto Mall, Inc.

Emich Chrysler Plymouth, LLC

Emich Dodge, LLC

Emich Oldsmobile, LLC

Emich Subaru West, LLC

Empire Services Agency, Inc.

Financial Services GP, LLC

Financial Services, Ltd.

First Team Automotive Corp.

First Team Ford of Manatee, Ltd.

First Team Ford, Ltd

First Team Imports, Ltd.

First Team Jeep Eagle, Chrysler-Plymouth, Ltd.

First Team Management, Inc.

First Team Premier, Ltd.

Fit Kit Holding, LLC

Fit Kit, Inc.

Florida Auto Corp.

Ford of Garden Grove Limited Partnership

Ford of Kirkland, Inc.

Fox Chevrolet, LLC

Fox Imports, LLC

Fox Motors, LLC

Fred Oakley Motors, Inc.

Fremont Luxury Imports Holding, LLC

Ft. Lauderdale Nissan, Inc.

G.B. Import Sales & Service Holding, LLC

G.B. Import Sales & Service, LLC

Gene Evans Ford, LLC

George Sutherlin Nissan, LLC

Government Boulevard Motors, Inc.


Gulf Management, Inc.

Hayward Dodge, Inc.

Hillard Auto Group, Inc.

Hollywood Imports Limited, Inc.

Hollywood Kia, Inc.

Horizon Chevrolet, Inc.

House of Imports Holding, LLC

House of Imports, Inc.

Houston Auto M. Imports Greenway, Ltd.

Houston Auto M. Imports North, Ltd.

Houston Imports Greenway GP, LLC

Houston Imports North GP, LLC

Hub Motor Company, LLC

Irvine Imports Holding, LLC

Irvine Imports, Inc.

Irvine Toyota/Nissan/Volvo Limited Partnership

Jemautco, Inc.

Jerry Gleason Chevrolet, Inc.

Jerry Gleason Dodge, Inc.

Jim Quinlan Chevrolet Co.

Jim Quinlan Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Joe MacPherson Ford

Joe MacPherson Imports No. I

Joe MacPherson Infiniti

Joe MacPherson Infiniti Holding, LLC

Joe MacPherson Oldsmobile

John M. Lance Ford, LLC

J-R Advertising Company

J-R Motors Company North

J-R Motors Company South

JRJ Investments, Inc.

J-R-M Motors Company Northwest, LLC

Kenyon Dodge, Inc.

King’s Crown Ford, Inc.

L.P. Evans Motors WPB, Inc.

L.P. Evans Motors, Inc.

Lance Children, Inc.

Leesburg Imports, LLC

Leesburg Motors, LLC

Les Marks Chevrolet, Inc.

Lew Webb’s Ford, Inc.

Lew Webb’s Irvine Nissan Holding, LLC

Lew Webb’s Irvine Nissan, Inc.

Lewisville Imports GP, LLC

Lewisville Imports, Ltd.

Lexus of Cerritos Limited Partnership

Lot 4 Real Estate Holdings, LLC

MacHoward Leasing

MacHoward Leasing Holding, LLC

MacPherson Enterprises, Inc.

Magic Acquisition Corp.

Magic Acquisition Holding, LLC

Marks Family Dealerships, Inc.

Marks Transport, Inc.

Maroone Chevrolet Ft. Lauderdale, Inc.

Maroone Chevrolet, LLC

Maroone Dodge, LLC

Maroone Ford, LLC


Maroone Management Services, Inc

Maroone Oldsmobile, LLC

MC/RII, LLC

Mealey Holdings, Inc.

Mechanical Warranty Protection, Inc.

Metro Chrysler Jeep, Inc.

Midway Chevrolet, Inc.

Mike Hall Chevrolet, Inc.

Mike Shad Chrysler Plymouth Jeep Eagle, Inc.

Mike Shad Ford, Inc.

Miller-Sutherlin Automotive, LLC

Mission Blvd. Motors, Inc.

Mr. Wheels Holding, LLC

Mr. Wheels, Inc.

Mullinax East, LLC

Mullinax Ford North Canton, Inc.

Mullinax Ford South, Inc.

Mullinax Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Mullinax of Mayfield, LLC

Mullinax Used Cars, Inc.

Naperville Imports, Inc.

Newport Beach Cars Holding, LLC

Newport Beach Cars, LLC

Nichols Ford, Ltd.

Nichols GP, LLC

Nissan of Brandon, Inc.

Northpoint Chevrolet, LLC

Northpoint Ford, Inc.

Northwest Financial Group, Inc.

Ontario Dodge, Inc.

Orange County Automotive Imports, LLC

Payton-Wright Ford Sales, Inc.

Peyton Cramer Automotive

Peyton Cramer Automotive Holding, LLC

Peyton Cramer F. Holding, LLC

Peyton Cramer Ford

Peyton Cramer Infiniti

Peyton Cramer Infiniti Holding, LLC

Peyton Cramer Jaguar

Peyton Cramer Lincoln-Mercury

Peyton Cramer LM Holding, LLC

Pierce Automotive Corporation

Pierce, LLC

Pitre Buick-Pontiac-GMC of Scottsdale, Inc.

Pitre Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep of Scottsdale, Inc.

Pitre Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep on Bell, Inc.

Plains Chevrolet GP, LLC

Plains Chevrolet, Ltd.

PMWQ, Inc.

PMWQ, Ltd.

Port City Imports, Inc.

Prime Auto Resources, Inc.

Quality Nissan GP, LLC

Quality Nissan, Ltd.

Quinlan Motors, Inc.

R. Coop Limited

R.L. Buscher II, Inc.

R.L. Buscher III, Inc.


Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

Republic DM Property Acquisition Corp.

Republic Resources Company

Republic Risk Management Services, Inc.

Resources Aviation, Inc.

RI Merger Corp.

RI/ASC Acquisition Corp.

RI/BB Acquisition Corp.

RI/BBNM Acquisition Corp

RI/BRC Real Estate Corp.

RI/DM Acquisition Corp.

RI/Hollywood Nissan Acquisition Corp.

RI/LLC Acquisition Corp.

RI/LLC-2 Acquisition Corp.

RI/PII Acquisition Corp.

RI/RMC Acquisition GP, LLC

RI/RMC Acquisition, Ltd.

RI/RMP Acquisition Corp.

RI/RMT Acquisition GP, LLC

RI/RMT Acquisition, Ltd.

RI/WFI Acquisition Corporation

RKR Motors, Inc.

Roseville Motor Corporation

Roseville Motor Holding, LLC

RRM Corporation

Sahara Imports, Inc.

Sahara Nissan, Inc.

Saul Chevrolet Holding, LLC

SCM Realty, Inc.

Service Station Holding Corp.

Shamrock F. Holding, LLC

Shamrock Ford, Inc.

Six Jays LLC

SMI Motors Holding, LLC

SMI Motors, Inc.

Smythe European Holding, LLC

Smythe European, Inc.

Southwest Dodge, LLC

Spitfire Properties, Inc.

Star Motors, LLC

Steakley Chevrolet GP, LLC

Steakley Chevrolet, Ltd.

Steeplechase Motor Company

Steve Moore Chevrolet Delray, LLC

Steve Moore Chevrolet, LLC

Steve Moore’s Buy-Right Auto Center, Inc.

Steve Rayman Pontiac-Buick-GMC-Truck, LLC

Stevens Creek Holding, LLC

Stevens Creek Motors, Inc.

Sunrise Nissan of Jacksonville, Inc.

Sunrise Nissan of Orange Park, Inc.

Sunset Pontiac-GMC Truck South, Inc.

Sunset Pontiac-GMC, Inc.

Superior Nissan, Inc.

Sutherlin Chrysler-Plymouth Jeep-Eagle, LLC

Sutherlin H. Imports, LLC

Sutherlin Imports, LLC

Sutherlin Nissan, LLC


Sutherlin Town Center, Inc.

Tartan Advertising, Inc.

Tasha Incorporated

Taylor Jeep Eagle, LLC

Team Dodge, Inc.

Terry York Motor Cars Holding, LLC

Terry York Motor Cars, Ltd.

Texan Ford Sales, Ltd.

Texan Ford, Inc.

Texan Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Texan Sales GP, LLC

Texas Management Companies LP, LLC

The Consulting Source, Inc.

The Pierce Corporation II, Inc.

Tinley Park A. Imports, Inc.

Tinley Park J. Imports, Inc.

Tinley Park V. Imports, Inc.

Torrance Nissan Holding, LLC

Torrance Nissan, LLC

Tousley Ford, Inc.

Town & Country Chrysler Jeep, Inc.

Toyota Cerritos Limited Partnership

Triangle Corporation

T-West Sales & Service, Inc.

Valencia B. Imports Holding, LLC

Valencia B. Imports, Inc.

Valencia Dodge

Valencia Dodge Holding, LLC

Valencia H. Imports Holding, LLC

Valencia H. Imports, Inc.

Valley Chevrolet, LLC

Vanderbeek Motors Holding, LLC

Vanderbeek Motors, Inc.

Vanderbeek Olds/GMC Truck, Inc.

Vanderbeek Truck Holding, LLC

Village Motors, LLC

Vince Wiese Chevrolet, Inc.

Vince Wiese Holding, LLC

W.O. Bankston Nissan, Inc.

Wallace Dodge, LLC

Wallace Ford, LLC

Wallace Lincoln-Mercury, LLC

Wallace Nissan, LLC

Webb Automotive Group, Inc.

West Colton Cars, Inc.

West Side Motors, Inc.

Westgate Chevrolet GP, LLC

Westgate Chevrolet, Ltd.

Westmont A. Imports, Inc.

Westmont B. Imports, Inc.

Westmont M. Imports, Inc.

Woody Capital Investment Company II

Woody Capital Investment Company III

Working Man’s Credit Plan, Inc.

York Enterprises Holding, LLC

Exhibit 5.1

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

155 North Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Tel: (312) 407-0700

Fax: (312) 407-0411

www.skadden.com

April 14, 2010

AutoNation, Inc.

200 SW 1st Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

 

  Re: AutoNation, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the public offering of $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.750% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”) to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of the date hereof (the “Base Indenture”), among the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the supplemental indenture, dated as of the date hereof, to the Base Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee. The Indenture provides that the Notes will be guaranteed (the “Guarantees” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”) by the Guarantors.

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of

 

  (i) the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-157354) of the Company relating to the Notes and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on February 17, 2009 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed on February 23, 2010, including information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”) (such registration statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);


AutoNation, Inc.

April 14, 2010

Page 2

 

  (ii) the prospectus, dated February 23, 2010, which forms a part of and is included in the Registration Statement;

 

  (iii) the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated March 31, 2010;

 

  (iv) the prospectus supplement, dated March 31, 2010, relating to the offering of the Securities, in the form filed by the Company on April 1, 2010 with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

 

  (v) an executed global note evidencing the Securities;

 

  (vi) an executed copy of the Base Indenture;

 

  (vii) an executed copy of the Supplemental Indenture;

 

  (viii) the certificate of Cheryl Scully, Vice President and Treasurer of the Company, dated the date hereof, setting forth the terms of the Securities issued under the Indenture (the “Company’s Certificate”);

 

  (ix) an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement dated March 31, 2010, among the Company, the Guarantors and Banc of America Securities LLC, as representative of the several Underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of the Notes;

 

  (x) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Incorporation”);

 

  (xi) the Bylaws of the Company, as certified by C. Coleman G. Edmunds, Assistant Secretary of the Company (the “Bylaws”); and

 

  (xii) resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, dated February 12, 2009 and March 25, 2010 and resolutions of the Pricing Committee thereof, dated March 31, 2010; as certified by C. Coleman G. Edmunds, Assistant Secretary of the Company.


AutoNation, Inc.

April 14, 2010

Page 3

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and the Guarantors and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company, the Guarantors and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company but including the Guarantors, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. We have also assumed that each Guarantor has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing, and has requisite legal status and legal capacity, under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and that each Guarantor has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of all relevant jurisdictions (including the laws of each such Guarantors jurisdiction of organization) in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of obligations under, the Indenture and the Securities, other than the laws of the United States of America and the State of New York insofar as we express our opinions herein. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company, the Guarantors and others and of public officials, including the facts set forth in the Company’s Certificate.

The opinions set forth below are subject to the following further qualifications, assumptions and limitations:

 

  (a) we do not express any opinion as to the effect on the opinions expressed herein of (i) the compliance or noncompliance of any party to the Indenture and the Securities (other than with respect to the Company and the Guarantors to the extent necessary to render the opinions set forth herein) with any state, federal or other laws or regulations applicable to it or them or (ii) the legal or regulatory status or the nature of the business of any party;


AutoNation, Inc.

April 14, 2010

Page 4

 

  (b) we have assumed that the execution and delivery by the Company and each of the Guarantors of the Indenture and the Securities and the performance by the Company and each of the Guarantors of their respective obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective properties is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (i) with respect to the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws), (ii) any law, rule, or regulation to which the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective properties is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and those laws, rules and regulations of the State of New York and those federal laws, rules and regulations of the United States of America, in each case that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Indenture, but without our having made any special investigation as to the applicability of any specific law, rule or regulation), (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority;

 

  (c) the validity or enforcement of any agreements or instruments may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

  (d) we do not express any opinion as to the applicability or effect of any fraudulent transfer, preference or similar law on the Securities;

 

  (e) we do not express any opinion as to the enforceability of the provisions contained in Section 9.02 of the Supplemental Indenture to the extent that such provisions limit the obligations of the Guarantors under the Guarantees or any right of contribution of any other party with respect to such Guarantees; and

 

  (f) to the extent any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions of any agreement or instrument, our opinion is rendered in reliance upon N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§5-1401, 5-1402 (McKinney 2001) and N.Y. C.P.L.R. 327(b) (McKinney 2001) and is subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by public policy considerations.


AutoNation, Inc.

April 14, 2010

Page 5

We do not express any opinion as to any laws other than Delaware corporate law and those laws, rules and regulations of the State of New York that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined on Law”). We do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined on Law on the opinion herein. Insofar as the opinions expressed herein relate to matters governed by laws other than those set forth in the preceding sentence, we have assumed, without having made any independent investigation, that such laws do not affect any of the opinions set forth herein.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. The Notes have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and, when duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, the Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

  2. When the Notes are duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, the Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission on the date hereof. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

EXECUTION COPY

Exhibit 10.1

FOURTH AMENDMENT

FOURTH AMENDMENT, dated as of April 14, 2010 (this “ Amendment ”), to the FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of July 14, 2005, as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of April 12, 2006, the Second Amendment thereto dated as of July 18, 2007 and the Third Amendment thereto dated as of March 26, 2008, among AUTONATION, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. (“ JPMorgan ”) and BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC, as co-lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as syndication agent, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and the other agents party thereto (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to make, and have made, certain loans and other extensions of credit to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested certain amendments to the Credit Agreement as more fully set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to such amendments but only on the terms and conditions contained in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Defined Terms . Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement (as defined after giving effect to this Amendment).

SECTION 2. Amendments . Effective as of the date on which all the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 of this Amendment shall be satisfied (such date, the “ Effective Date ”), the Credit Agreement, including all exhibits and schedules thereto, shall be amended to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A to this Amendment.

SECTION 3. Lender Addendum . By executing this Amendment on or prior to the Effective Date, each institution not a party to the Credit Agreement prior to the Effective Date agrees to and shall, as of the Effective Date, join the Credit Agreement (as amended pursuant to this Amendment) as a Lender.

SECTION 4. Conditions to Effectiveness . This Amendment shall become effective upon the date on which each of the following shall have been received or waived by the Administrative Agent in its discretion (except that the Administrative Agent may not waive receipt of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (x), (xi) and (xii) of this Section 4), each in form and substance satisfactory to the applicable recipient:

(i) the Administrative Agent shall have received this Amendment, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of (a) the Borrower and (b) the Required Lenders (including, in any event, each Lender providing a portion of the Extended Facilities), together with all schedules and exhibits hereto and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent;


(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received an acknowledgment and consent (“ Acknowledgment and Consent ”), substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, duly executed and delivered by each Guarantor;

(iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received the favorable written opinion or opinions with respect to the Amendment and related Loan Documents executed on the Effective Date and the transactions contemplated thereby of (A) in-house legal counsel to the Borrower and (B) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to the Borrower and Guarantors, in each case dated the Effective Date, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(iv) the Administrative Agent shall have received resolutions of the boards of directors or other appropriate governing body (or of the appropriate committee thereof) of the Borrower and each Guarantor certified by its secretary or assistant secretary as of the Effective Date, approving this Amendment, adopting the Loan Documents to be executed by such Person, and authorizing the execution and delivery thereof;

(v) the Administrative Agent shall have received specimen signatures of officers or other appropriate representatives executing the Loan Documents on behalf of the Borrower and each Guarantor, certified by the secretary or assistant secretary of such Borrower or Guarantor;

(vi) the Administrative Agent shall have received any changes to the Organizational Documents of the Borrower and each Guarantor since the First Amendment Effective Date or since last provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, certified as true and correct by its secretary or assistant secretary;

(vii) the Administrative Agent shall have received any changes to the Operating Documents of the Borrower and each Guarantor since the First Amendment Effective Date or since last provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, certified as of the Effective Date as true and correct by its secretary or assistant secretary;

(viii) the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates issued as of a recent date by the Secretaries of State of the respective jurisdictions of formation of the Borrower and each Guarantor as to the due existence and good standing of such Person;

(ix) the Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Notice in respect of the Extended Term Loans in each case requested to be made on the Effective Date in accordance with the Credit Agreement (after giving effect to this Amendment);

(x) the Borrower shall have purchased, defeased, discharged or redeemed at least 80% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Year 2006 Senior Notes using cash on hand (not resulting from borrowings under the Credit Agreement) or proceeds from the Year 2010 Senior Notes;

(xi) the Borrower shall have repaid the Term Loans under the Credit Agreement to the extent contemplated by the “Lender Commitments” section of the Term Sheet provided to the Lenders in connection with this Amendment, using cash on hand (not resulting from borrowings under the Credit Agreement) or proceeds from the Year 2010 Senior Notes; and

(xii) the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all fees payable by the Borrower on or before the Effective Date to the Administrative Agent, JPMorgan and the Lenders (or their affiliates) in connection with this Amendment, have been paid in full, including the fees and

 

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expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced at least one (1) Business Day prior to or on the Effective Date (which may include amounts constituting reasonable estimates of such fees and expenses incurred or to be incurred in connection with the transaction; provided that no such estimate shall thereafter preclude the final settling of accounts as to such fees and expenses) in each case to the extent agreed upon in the Engagement Letter, dated March 31, 2010, among the Administrative Agent, JPMorgan and the Borrower (the “ Engagement Letter ”).

SECTION 5. Waivers . By executing this Amendment, each Lender party hereto agrees:

(a) to waive any costs described in Section 4.5(a) of the Credit Agreement incurred by such Lender to the extent they may arise in connection with this Amendment or the transactions contemplated thereby;

(b) in connection with (i) the repayment of the Term Loans described in Section 4(xi) hereof or (ii) the reduction of any Revolving Credit Commitment occurring on or about the Effective Date, to waive any notice requirements set forth in Section 2.10(a) or (b) of the Credit Agreement;

(c) that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Credit Agreement, Term Loans made or outstanding on the Effective Date may be converted to Eurodollar Loans on two (2) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent delivered on or before 2:00 p.m. on the Effective Date.

SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties . The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that (before and after giving effect to this Amendment):

(a) Each Loan Party has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Amendment and the Acknowledgement and Consent (the “ Amendment Documents ”) to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow under the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment (the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”). Each Loan Party has taken all necessary corporate or other action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Amendment Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to authorize the borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement. No material consent, approval or authorization of or filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or other authority or any other Person on the part of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is required as a condition to the execution, delivery, performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Amendment or the Acknowledgement and Consent, except consents, approvals, filings, registrations or qualifications which have been obtained or effected, as the case may be and are in full force and effect. Each Amendment Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party that is a party thereto. Each Amendment Document constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party that is a party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

(b) The execution, delivery and performance of the Amendment Documents will not violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or conflict with any material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower is a party, or by which the properties or assets of the Borrower is bound and will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of the Borrower pursuant to any such agreement.

 

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(c) Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party herein or in the Loan Documents as amended by this Amendment is true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date, as if made on and as of such date (except that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of an earlier date shall be true and correct as of such earlier date).

(d) There does not exist any Default or Event of Default.

SECTION 7. Payment of Expenses . The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Amendment, any other documents prepared in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, in each case to the extent agreed upon in the Engagement Letter.

SECTION 8. No Other Amendment or Waivers; Confirmation . Except as expressly provided hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement, the Facility Guaranties and the other Loan Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect. The amendments contained herein (including Exhibit A) shall not be construed as an amendment of any other provision of the Credit Agreement, the Facility Guaranties or the other Loan Documents or for any purpose except as expressly set forth herein or a consent to any further or future action on the part of the Borrower that would require the waiver or consent of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

SECTION 9. GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; MISCELLANEOUS .

(a)  THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION 11.14 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTION WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.

(c) On and after the Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein”, or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the “Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof”, or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement.

(d) This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Amendment and the Acknowledgement and Consent signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. This Amendment may be delivered by facsimile or electronic transmission of the relevant signature pages hereof.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Borrower and each of the Lenders promptly upon the occurrence of the “Effective Date.”

(f) The execution and delivery of this Amendment by any Lender shall be binding upon each of its successors and assigns (including assignees of its Loans in whole or in part prior to effectiveness hereof).

 

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SECTION 10. Severability . If any provision of this Amendment shall be determined to be illegal or invalid as to one or more of the parties hereto, then such provision shall remain in effect with respect to all parties, if any, as to whom such provision is neither illegal nor invalid, and in any event all other provisions hereof shall remain effective and binding on the parties hereto.

SECTION 11. Headings . Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Amendment and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Amendment.

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

AUTONATION, INC.
By:   /s/ C. Coleman G. Edmunds
  Name:   C. Coleman G. Edmunds
  Title:  

Sr. Vice President, Deputy General

Counsel and Assistant Secretary


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as Lender
By:   /s/ Robert P. Kellas
  Name:   Robert P. Kellas
  Title:   Executive Director


Name of Lender:  

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

As a Lender

  By:   /s/ Manuel Comas
  Name:   Manuel Comas
  Title:   Senior Vice President

 


Name of Lender:   Bank of America, N.A.
  By:   /s/ M. Patricia Kay
    Name:   M. Patricia Kay
    Title:   Senior Vice President

 


Name of Lender:   Toyota Motor Credit Corporation
  By:   /s/ Mark Doi
    Name:   Mark Doi
    Title:   National Dealer Credit Manager


Name of Lender:   Comerica Bank, a Texas Banking Assoc.
  By:   /s/ David M. Garbarz
    Name:   David M. Garbarz
    Title:   SVP


Name of Lender:   SunTrust Bank
  By:   /s/ Michael Silverman
    Name:   Michael Silverman
    Title:   Managing Director


Name of Lender:   Sovereign Bank
  By:   /s/ Steven Fahringer
    Name:   Steven Fahringer
    Title:   Vice President


Name of Lender:   Fifth Third Bank, An Ohio Banking Corporation
  By:   /s/ John A. Marian
    Name:   John A. Marian
    Title:   Vice President


Name of Lender:   MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.
  By:   /s/ Robert Gallagher
    Name:   Robert Gallagher
    Title:   Authorized Signatory


Name of Lender:   MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK (USA)
  By:   /s/ Robert Gallagher
    Name:   Robert Gallagher
    Title:   Senior Vice President


Name of Lender:   Union Bank, NA
  By:   /s/ Megan R. Webster
    Name:   Megan R. Webster
    Title:   Vice President


Name of Lender:   E.Sun Commercial Bank, Ltd., Los Angeles Branch
  By:   /s/ Benjamin Lin
    Name:   Benjamin Lin
    Title:   EVP & General Manager


Name of Lender:   The Bank of East Asia, Limited, New York Branch
  By:   /s/ Kenneth Pettis
    Name:   Kenneth Pettis
    Title:   Senior Vice President
  By:   /s/ Kitty Sin
    Name:   Kitty Sin
    Title:   Senior Vice President


Name of Lender:   Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Ltd., New York Branch
  By:   /s/ Eric Y.S. Tsai
    Name:   Eric Y.S. Tsai
    Title:   VP & General Manager


Name of Lender:   US Bank, National Association
  By:   /s/ Steven L. Sawyer
    Name:   Steven L. Sawyer
    Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT A

Amended Credit Agreement


EXECUTION COPY

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

by and among

AUTONATION, INC.,

as Borrower,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent and as Lender,

and

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent and as Lender,

and

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUNTRUST BANK and

TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION,

as Documentation Agents and as Lenders,

and

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME

July 14, 2005

As amended pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, dated as of April 14, 2010

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.                                                      BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
   ARTICLE I   
   DEFINITIONS   
1.1    Definitions    1
1.2    Rules of Interpretation    26
1.3    Accounting for Permitted Acquisitions    27
1.4    Accounting for Derivatives    28
1.5    Accounting and Financial Determinations    28
   ARTICLE II   
   THE LOANS   
2.1    Term Loans    28
2.2    Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing    29
2.3    Repayment of Term Loans    29
2.4    Revolving Credit Commitments    29
2.5    Competitive Bid Loans    31
2.6    Payment of Interest    35
2.7    Payment of Principal    35
2.8    Non-Conforming Payments    36
2.9    Pro Rata Payments    36
2.10    Reductions and Prepayment    37
2.11    Decrease in Amounts    38
2.12    Conversions and Elections of Subsequent Interest Periods    38
2.13    Fees    38
2.14    Deficiency Advances; Failure to Purchase Participations    39
2.15    Intraday Funding    39
2.16    Use of Proceeds    40
2.17    Swing Line    40
2.18    Increased Amounts    42
   ARTICLE III   
   LETTERS OF CREDIT   
3.1    Letters of Credit    43
3.2    Reimbursement and Participations    44
3.3    Governmental Action    47
3.4    Letter of Credit Fee    47
3.5    Administrative Fees    47

 

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     ARTICLE IV     
   CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES   
4.1    Increased Cost and Reduced Return    47
4.2    Limitation on Types of Loans    49
4.3    Illegality    49
4.4    Treatment of Affected Loans    50
4.5    Compensation    50
4.6    Taxes    51
4.7    Replacement Lenders    52
4.8    Defaulting Revolving Lenders    53
   ARTICLE V   
   CONDITIONS TO MAKING LOANS AND ISSUING LETTERS OF CREDIT   
5.1    [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]    55
5.2    Conditions of Loans    55
5.3    Supplements to Schedules    56
   ARTICLE VI   
   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   
6.1    Representations and Warranties    57
   ARTICLE VII   
   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   
7.1    Financial Reports, Etc.    61
7.2    Maintain Properties    63
7.3    Existence, Qualification, Etc.    63
7.4    Regulations and Taxes    63
7.5    Insurance    63
7.6    True Books    63
7.7    Right of Inspection    64
7.8    Observe all Laws    64
7.9    Governmental Licenses    64
7.10    Covenants Extending to Subsidiaries    64
7.11    Officer’s Knowledge of Default    64
7.12    Suits or Other Proceedings    64
7.13    Notice of Discharge of Hazardous Material or Environmental Complaint    64
7.14    Environmental Compliance    64
7.15    Employee Benefit Plans    65
7.16    Continued Operations    66
7.17    Use of Proceeds    66
7.18    New Subsidiaries    66

 

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   ARTICLE VIII   
   NEGATIVE COVENANTS   
8.1    Financial Covenants    66
8.2    Indebtedness    67
8.3    Liens    67
8.4    Merger, Consolidation or Fundamental Changes    68
8.5    Transactions with Affiliates    68
8.6    Compliance with ERISA, the Code and Foreign Benefit Laws    69
8.7    Fiscal Year    69
8.8    Change in Control    69
8.9    Limitations on Upstreaming    69
8.10    Subsidiary Guaranties    70
8.11    Manufacturer Consents    70
   ARTICLE IX   
   EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION   
9.1    Events of Default    70
9.2    Administrative Agent to Act    72
9.3    Cumulative Rights    73
9.4    No Waiver    73
9.5    Allocation of Proceeds    73
   ARTICLE X   
   THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT   
10.1    Appointment    73
10.2    Delegation of Duties    74
10.3    Exculpatory Provisions    74
10.4    Reliance by Administrative Agent    74
10.5    Notice of Default    75
10.6    Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders    75
10.7    Indemnification    75
10.8    Agent in its Individual Capacity    76
10.9    Successor Administrative Agent    76
10.10    Other Agents, etc.    76
   ARTICLE XI   
   MISCELLANEOUS   
11.1    Assignments and Participations    76
11.2    Notices    79
11.3    Right of Set-off; Adjustments    80
11.4    Survival    81
11.5    Expenses    81
11.6    Amendments and Waivers    81

 

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11.7    Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures    82
11.8    Termination    83
11.9    Indemnification; Limitation of Liability    83
11.10    Severability    84
11.11    Entire Agreement    84
11.12    Agreement Controls    84
11.13    Usury Savings Clause    84
11.14    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial    85
11.15    Confidentiality    86
11.16    Releases of Facility Guarantees    86
11.17    MANUFACTURER CONSENTS    86
11.18    USA Patriot Act Notice    87

 

EXHIBIT A    Revolving Credit Commitments and Term Loan Amounts
EXHIBIT B    Form of Assignment and Assumption
EXHIBIT C    Notice of Appointment (or Revocation) of Authorized Representative
EXHIBIT D-1    Form of Borrowing Notice—Revolving Credit Facility
EXHIBIT D-2    Form of Borrowing Notice – Term Facility
EXHIBIT D-3    Form of Borrowing Notice—Swing Line
EXHIBIT E    Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT F    Form of Interest Rate Selection Notice
EXHIBIT G    Form of Competitive Bid Quote Request
EXHIBIT H    Form of Competitive Bid Quote
EXHIBIT I-1    Form of Opinion of Borrower’s In-House Counsel
EXHIBIT I-2    Form of Opinion of Borrower’s Special Counsel
EXHIBIT J    Form of Facility Guaranty
EXHIBIT K    Form of Commitment Increase Agreement
EXHIBIT L    Form of Added Lender Agreement
EXHIBIT M    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Schedule 1.1(a)    Existing Issuing Banks and Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.1(b)    Manufacturer Consents
Schedule 1.1(c)    Existing Vehicle Lenders
Schedule 6.1(c)    Subsidiaries and Investments in Other Persons
Schedule 6.1(g)    Litigation
Schedule 6.1(k)    Consenting Manufacturers
Schedule 6.1(l)    ERISA
Schedule 6.1(n)    Environmental Issues
Schedule 7.5    Insurance
Schedule 8.3    Existing Liens
Schedule 8.9    Limitations on Upstreaming

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of July 14, 2005 (the “Agreement”), is made by and among:

AUTONATION, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”); and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (“JPMorgan Chase Bank”), each other lender signatory hereto on the Closing Date, each Person which may hereafter execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 and each Person which hereafter becomes an Added Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 (hereinafter JPMorgan Chase Bank and such other lenders and Added Lenders may be referred to individually as a “Lender” or collectively as the “Lenders”); and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”);

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders make available revolving credit facilities in an aggregate amount of $638,620,512.53, with a sublimit of $200,000,000 for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a sublimit of $25,000,000 for swing line loans; and

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders make available term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of $533,387,179.65; and

WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make such revolving credit facilities and term loan facilities available to the Borrower upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

1.1 Definitions . For the purposes of this Agreement, in addition to the definitions set forth above, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

“Absolute Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.5(c)(ii)(C) hereof.

“Acquisition” means the acquisition of (i) a controlling equity interest in another Person (including the purchase of an option, warrant or convertible or similar type security to acquire such a controlling interest at the time it is exercised by the holder thereof), whether by purchase of such equity interest or upon exercise of an option or warrant for, or conversion of securities into, such equity interest, or (ii) assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a line or lines of business conducted by such Person.

“Acquisition Adjustments” means with respect to any Permitted Acquisition the adjustments provided for in Section 1.3 .


“Added Commitments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18 hereof.

“Added Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18 hereof.

“Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA” means Consolidated EBITDA minus any Consolidated Interest Expense related to Vehicle Secured Indebtedness.

“Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

“Advance” means a borrowing under (i) the Revolving Credit Facility, consisting of the aggregate principal amount of a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan, as the case may be, (ii) the Swing Line consisting of a Base Rate Loan, (iii) the Competitive Bid Facility consisting of a Competitive Bid Loan or (iv) the Term Facility, consisting of the aggregate principal amount of a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan, as the case may be.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (i) which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person; (ii) which beneficially owns or holds 5% or more of any class of the outstanding Voting Securities of such Person; or (iii) 5% or more of any class of the outstanding Voting Securities of which is beneficially owned or held by such Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting stock, by contract or otherwise.

“Agent-Related Persons” means the Administrative Agent (including any successor administrative agent), together with its Affiliates (including, in the case of JPMorgan Chase Bank in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.), and the officers, directors, employees and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

“Agents” means the collective reference to the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent and Documentation Agents referred to on the cover page hereof.

“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Aggregate Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans and (b) the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender’s Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations then in effect.

“Aggregate Exposure Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

“Applicable Base Rate Margin” means, for any Facility, that number of basis points per annum set forth in the Pricing Grid under the heading “Applicable Base Rate Margin” with respect to such Facility.

“Applicable Commitment Fee” for each Extended Revolving Credit Lender means (a) that number of basis points per annum set forth on the Pricing Grid under the heading “Applicable Commitment Fee”, multiplied by (b) such Lender’s Extended Available Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

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“Applicable Eurodollar Margin” means, for any Facility, that number of basis points per annum set forth on the Pricing Grid under the heading “Applicable Eurodollar Margin” for such Facility.

“Applicable Facility Fee” for each Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lender means (a) that number of basis points per annum set forth on the Pricing Grid under the heading “Applicable Facility Fee”, multiplied by (b) such Lender’s Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitment.

“Applicable Lending Office” means, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the “Lending Office” of such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan on the signature pages hereof or such other office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by written notice in accordance with the terms hereof as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.

“Applicable Margin” means the Applicable Base Rate Margin or Applicable Eurodollar Margin, as applicable.

“Applications and Agreements for Letters of Credit” means, collectively, the Applications and Agreements for Letters of Credit executed by the Borrower from time to time and delivered to the applicable Issuing Bank to support the issuance of Letters of Credit.

“Assignment and Assumption” shall mean an Assignment and Assumption substantially in the form of Exhibit B (with blanks appropriately filled in) delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with an assignment of a Lender’s interest under this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 .

“Authorized Representative” means any of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, President, Executive Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents of the Borrower and, with respect to financial matters, the Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower or any other person expressly designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower (or the appropriate committee thereof) as an Authorized Representative of the Borrower, as set forth from time to time in a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

“Automobile Retailing Activities” means new and used vehicle retailing, renting, leasing, financing, servicing, repairing and related or complementary activities, including but not limited to the selling of finance and insurance related products and other aftermarket parts and accessories.

“Base Rate” means the sum of:

(a) on any day, the greatest of (i) the sum of the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus one-half of one percent (  1 / 2 %), (ii) the Prime Rate in effect on such day or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate that would be calculated as of such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, as of the next preceding Business Day) in respect of a proposed Eurodollar Loan with a one-month Interest Period plus one percent (1.0%)

 

3


plus

(b) the Applicable Base Rate Margin;

provided , that in the case of Swing Line Loans, the Base Rate shall be the rate determined in accordance with Section 2.17(b) .

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan for which the rate of interest is determined by reference to the Base Rate.

“Base Rate Refunding Loan” means a Base Rate Revolving Credit Loan or Swing Line Loan made either to (i) satisfy Reimbursement Obligations arising from a drawing under a Letter of Credit or (ii) pay JPMorgan Chase Bank in respect of Swing Line Outstandings.

“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor body).

“Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

“Borrowing Notice” means the notice delivered by an Authorized Representative in connection with an Advance under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Facility or the Swing Line, in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits D-1 , D-2 and D-3 respectively.

“Business Day” means (i) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or any Competitive Bid Loan at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate, any day which is a Business Day, as described below, and on which the relevant international financial markets are open for the transaction of business contemplated by this Agreement in New York City and in the relevant interbank eurodollar market, and (ii) with respect to any other Loan and for any other purposes hereof, any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or governmental decree to be closed.

“Capital Leases” means all leases which have been or should be capitalized in accordance with GAAP (including Statement No. 13 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board) applied on a Consistent Basis.

“Change in Control” means (i) if any Person or group of Persons acting in concert, other than the Permitted Investors, shall own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of the outstanding securities (on a fully diluted basis and taking into account any Voting Securities or contract rights exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into equity securities) of the Borrower having voting rights in the election of directors; or (ii) the replacement or resignation (other than by reason of death, illness or incapacity), within any two-year period, of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower (the “Board”) or a change in the size of the Board, within any two-year period, which results in members of the Board who were in office at the beginning of such two-year period constituting less than a majority of the members of the Board (unless such replacement, resignation or change in size of the Board shall have been effected or initiated by a majority of the members of the Board in office at the beginning of such two-year period or whose Board nomination or appointment were previously so approved).

“Closing Date” means July 14, 2005.

 

4


“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, any successor provision or provisions and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Commitment” means, as to any Lender, the sum of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Extended Incremental Term Commitment of such Lender.

“Competitive Bid Borrowing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.5(b) hereof.

“Competitive Bid Facility” means the facility described in Section 2.5 hereof providing for Competitive Bid Loans to the Borrower.

“Competitive Bid Loans” means the Loans bearing interest at an Absolute Rate or a Eurodollar Competitive Rate provided for in Section 2.5 hereof.

“Competitive Bid Quote” means an offer in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof by a Revolving Credit Lender to make a Competitive Bid Loan with one single specified interest rate.

“Competitive Bid Quote Request” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.5(b) hereof.

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit E furnished to the Administrative Agent and Lenders by the Borrower pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof.

“Consenting Manufacturers” means the Manufacturers listed on Schedule 6.1(l) .

“Consistent Basis” in reference to the application of GAAP means the accounting principles (including interpretations of GAAP) observed in the period referred to are comparable in all material respects to those observed in the preparation of the audited financial statements of the Borrower referred to in Section 6.1(e)(i) hereof.

“Consolidated Capitalization Ratio” means the ratio of (a) the sum of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness plus Vehicle Secured Indebtedness to (b) the sum of Consolidated Total Capitalization plus Vehicle Secured Indebtedness.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period of computation thereof during such period, the sum of, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Net Income, plus (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense during such period, plus (iii) taxes on income during such period, plus (iv) amortization during such period, plus (v) depreciation during such period (with the exclusion of any depreciation related to Vehicles), plus (vi) non-cash charges arising from share-based payments (as defined in accordance with GAAP) to employees and directors, plus (vii) to the extent reflected as a charge in the statement of Consolidated Net Income for such period, the amortization or expense of all premiums, fees and expenses payable to the extent related to Indebtedness and plus (viii) to the extent reflected as a charge in the statement of Consolidated Net Income for such period, any non-cash impairment charge or asset write-off of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent reflected as a charge pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” or Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” and the amortization of intangibles or non-cash write-off of assets arising pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 141 or No. 141 (revised 2007) “Business Combinations” (or any revisions or successor standards

 

5


with respect to such Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement covering substantially the same subject matter) minus (b) any cash payments made during such period in respect of items described in clause (viii) above subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash charges were reflected as a charge in the statement of Consolidated Net Income; the foregoing to be determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis subject to the Acquisition Adjustments.

“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means Funded Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis.

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any period of computation thereof, the gross interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including without limitation (i) the amortization of debt discounts and (ii) the portion of any liabilities incurred in connection with Capital Leases allocable to interest expense, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis, subject to the Acquisition Adjustments.

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as at the date of computation thereof, the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (determined as at such date) to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (for the Four-Quarter Period ending on (or most recently ended prior to) such date).

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period of computation thereof, the net income from continuing operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, but excluding all extraordinary gains or losses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis, subject to Acquisition Adjustments.

“Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity” means at any time as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the sum of the following in respect of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis and excluding intercompany items among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any upward adjustment after December 31, 2004 due to revaluation of assets): (i) the amount of issued and outstanding share capital, plus (ii) the amount of additional paid-in capital and retained income (or, in the case of a deficit, minus the amount of such deficit), minus (iii) the amount of any foreign currency translation adjustment which is included in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet (whether positive or negative), minus (iv) the absolute value of any treasury stock and the absolute value of any stock subscription receivables, plus (v) to the extent deducted in calculating the foregoing amount, any non-cash impairment charge or asset write-off of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” or Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” and the amortization of intangibles or non-cash write-off of assets arising pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 141 or No. 141 (revised 2007) “Business Combinations” (or any revisions or successor standards with respect to such Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements covering substantially the same subject matter), in each case with respect to this clause (v) to the extent occurring after December 31, 2007 (which amount in the aggregate equals approximately $1,500,000,000 after taxes as of March 31, 2010) and only to the extent no cash payments have been subsequently made in respect of such items; the foregoing to be determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis.

 

6


“Consolidated Tangible Assets” means Consolidated Total Assets minus the book value of all Intangible Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

“Consolidated Tangible Unencumbered Assets” means Consolidated Tangible Assets excluding assets encumbered by a Lien (other than a Lien permitted by Section 8.3(ii) , (iii) , (v) , (viii)  or (xi) ).

“Consolidated Total Assets” means assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis.

“Consolidated Total Capitalization” means, as at any time as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the sum of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness plus Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity.

“Contingent Obligation” of any Person means all contingent liabilities required (or which, upon the creation or incurring thereof, would be required) to be included in the consolidated financial statements (including footnotes) of such Person in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis, including Statement No. 5 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and any Guaranty Obligation.

With respect to Contingent Obligations (such as litigation and pension plan liabilities), such liabilities shall be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represent the present value of the amount which can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

“Continue”, “Continuation”, and “Continued” shall refer to the continuation pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof of a Loan of one Type as a Loan of the same Type from one Interest Period to the next Interest Period.

“Control Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that (a) directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person and (b) is organized by such Person primarily for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or more companies. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

“Convert”, “Conversion”, and “Converted” shall refer to a conversion pursuant to Section 2.12 of one Type of Loan into another Type of Loan.

“Default” means any event or condition which, with the giving or receipt of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder.

“Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to (a) with respect to a Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Base Rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; (b) with respect to a Eurodollar Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Eurodollar Rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; (c) with respect to a Base Rate Loan under the Term Facility, the Base Rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; (d) with respect to a Eurodollar Loan under the Term Facility, the Eurodollar Rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; and (e) with respect to a Competitive Bid Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Absolute Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

7


“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, that (a) in the case of any Revolving Credit Lender, has (i) failed to fund any portion of its Revolving Credit Loans or Participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder and such failure is continuing, (ii) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (iii) failed, within three Business Days after receipt of request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Revolving Credit Loans and Participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans or (iv) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (b) in the case of any Lender, has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment, unless, in the case of any Lender referred to in this clause (b), the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that such Lender intends, and has all approvals required to enable it, to continue to perform its obligations as a Lender hereunder.

“Dollars” and the symbol “$” means dollars constituting legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States of America.

“Eligible Special Purpose Entity” means any Person which is or is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower which has been formed by or for the benefit of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the purpose of (i) financing or refinancing, leasing, selling or securitizing Vehicles or related receivables and which finances, refinances or securitizes Vehicles or related receivables of, leases Vehicles to or purchases Vehicles or related receivables from the Borrower or any Subsidiary; or (ii) financing or refinancing consumer receivables, leases, loans or retail installment contracts; provided that AutoNation Financial Services Corp. shall not be deemed an Eligible Special Purpose Entity.

“Employee Benefit Plan” means (i) any employee benefit plan, including any Pension Plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (A) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates or is assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Acquisition or (B) has at any time within the last six (6) years been maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any current or former Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate and (ii) any plan, arrangement, understanding or scheme maintained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate that provides retirement, deferred compensation, employee or retiree medical or life insurance, severance benefits or any other benefit covering any employee or former employee and which is administered under any Foreign Benefit Law or regulated by any Governmental Authority other than the United States of America.

“Environmental Laws” means, collectively, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances

 

8


Control Act, as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Clean Water Act, as amended, any other “Superfund” or “Superlien” law or any other applicable statute, law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order or decree, of the United States or any foreign nation or any province, territory, state, protectorate or other political subdivision thereof, regulating, relating to, or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning, any hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste, substance or material.

“ERISA” means, at any date, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at such date.

“ERISA Affiliate”, as applied to the Borrower, means any Person or trade or business which is a member of a group which is under common control with the Borrower, who together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b) and (c) of the Code.

“Eurodollar Competitive Rate” means, for the Interest Period for any Competitive Bid Loan at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate, the rate of interest per annum determined pursuant to the following formula:

 

Eurodollar

Competitive

Rate

 

=

  

        Interbank Offered Rate        

1 – Reserve Requirement

applicable to such

Competitive Bid Loan

   + or -    a margin
          

“Eurodollar Loan” or “Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan for which the rate of interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

“Eurodollar Rate” means, for the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan, the rate of interest per annum determined pursuant to the following formula:

 

Eurodollar

Rate      =

    

        Interbank Offered Rate        

1 – Reserve Requirement

applicable to such Eurodollar

Loan

         +   

Applicable

Eurodollar

Margin

          

“Event of Default” means any of the occurrences set forth as such in Section 9.1 hereof, provided that any requirement for notice or lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

“Excluded Subsidiaries” means, collectively, (a) all Eligible Special Purpose Entities, (b) each Subsidiary organized solely for the purpose of engaging in the insurance business, (c) Rosecrans Holdings, L.L.C. and Auto By Internet, Inc. and (d) any Subsidiary organized or incorporated outside of the United States.

“Executive Officer” means the President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel of the Borrower.

 

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“Existing Credit Agreement” means this Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.

“Existing Vehicle Lenders” means those financial institutions listed on Schedule 1.1(c) .

“Existing Vehicle Secured Indebtedness” means Indebtedness arising under floorplan arrangements with the Existing Vehicle Lenders described on Schedule 1.1(c) .

“Extended Available Revolving Commitment” means, as to any Extended Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect over (b) the sum of such Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding and such Lender’s Participation in the Letter of Credit Outstandings.

“Extended Facilities” means the collective reference to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility and the Extended Term Facility.

“Extended Incremental Term Commitment” means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make an Extended Term Loan to the Borrower in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Extended Incremental Term Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Exhibit A attached hereto.

“Extended Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations” means the sum of (i) the Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings, (ii) Letter of Credit Outstandings (ratably allocated to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility according to the Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Credit Lenders), (iii) Swing Line Outstandings (ratably allocated to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility according to the Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Credit Lenders thereunder), and (iv) outstanding Competitive Bid Loans, all as at the date of determination thereof.

“Extended Revolving Credit Commitment” means with respect to each Extended Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Extended Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower and purchase Participations up to an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth for such Lender on Exhibit A attached hereto, as the same may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.

“Extended Revolving Credit Facility” means the facility described in Section 2.4(a) hereof providing for Extended Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower and Participations in respect of Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans by the Extended Revolving Credit Lenders in the aggregate principal amount of the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment less the aggregate amount of outstanding Competitive Bid Loans.

“Extended Revolving Credit Lenders” means each Lender that has an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or that holds Extended Revolving Credit Loans.

“Extended Revolving Credit Loans” means a Loan made pursuant to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility.

“Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Extended Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding.

 

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“Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date” means July 18, 2014.

“Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date” means the earlier of (a) July 18, 2014 and (b) the date on which the Borrower shall have terminated the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.10(a).

“Extended Revolving Percentage” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Commitment then constitutes of the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment (or, at any time after the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding constitutes of the Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings); provided that each Extended Revolving Percentage of each Extended Revolving Credit Lender shall be increased or decreased to reflect any assignments to or by such Lender effected in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof and any voluntary or mandatory reductions in such committed amounts.

“Extended Term Facility” means the Extended Incremental Term Commitments and the Extended Term Loans.

“Extended Term Lender” means each Lender that has an Extended Incremental Term Commitment or that holds an Extended Term Loan.

“Extended Term Loan Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Extended Term Loans then outstanding.

“Extended Term Loan Stated Maturity Date” means July 18, 2014.

“Extended Term Loans” means term loans converted to, or made as, “Extended Term Loans”, as described in Section 2.1(a).

“Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment” means $581,582,051.61, as increased from time to time in accordance with Section 2.18 and as reduced from time to time in accordance with Section 2.10 and Section 2.11 , which shall be made available by the Lenders to the Borrower until the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date.

“Facility” means each of the Extended Revolving Credit Facility, Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility, Extended Term Facility and Non-Extended Term Facility, as applicable.

“Facility Guaranty” means each Guaranty Agreement between one or more Guarantors and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, delivered as of the Closing Date and otherwise pursuant to Section 7.18 , as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented.

“Facility Termination Date” means such date as all of the following shall have occurred: (a) termination of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Facility, the Letter of Credit Facility, the Competitive Bid Facility and the Swing Line and payment in full of all Revolving Credit Outstandings, all Term Loan Outstandings, the outstanding principal of all Competitive Bid Loans, all Swing Line Outstandings and, except as provided in clause (b), all Letter of Credit Outstandings, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and fees thereon, (b) the undrawn portion of Letters of Credit and all letter of credit fees relating thereto accruing after such date to

 

11


the respective expiry dates of the Letters of Credit (which fees shall be payable solely for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank and shall be computed based on interest rates and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin for the Extended Revolving Credit Facility then in effect) shall be fully cash collateralized in a manner consistent with the terms of Section 9.1(B) or otherwise provided for pursuant to arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank; and (c) the Borrower shall have fully, finally and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full all other Obligations then due and owing (except for Obligations consisting of continuing indemnities and other contingent Obligations of the Borrower or any Guarantor that may be owing to any Agent-Related Person or any Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents that expressly survive termination of this Agreement).

“FASB 133” means Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (or any revisions or successor standards with respect to such Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement covering substantially the same subject matter).

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by JPMorgan Chase Bank from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

“First Amendment Effective Date” means April 12, 2006.

“Fiscal Year” means the period of the Borrower beginning on the first day of January of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of such calendar year.

“Foreign Benefit Law” means any applicable statute, law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order or decree of any foreign nation or any province, state, territory, protectorate or other political subdivision thereof regulating, relating to, or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning, any Employee Benefit Plan.

“Four-Quarter Period” means a period of four full consecutive fiscal quarterly periods, taken together as one accounting period.

“Fourth Amendment” means the Fourth Amendment, dated as of April 14, 2010, to this Agreement.

“Fourth Amendment Documents” means the Fourth Amendment and the Acknowledgment and Consent executed by certain Subsidiaries in accordance with the Fourth Amendment.

“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” means the Effective Date as defined in Section 2 of the Fourth Amendment.

“Funded Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, without duplication, all indebtedness in respect of money borrowed, including without limitation all Capital Leases and the deferred purchase price of any property or asset, evidenced by a promissory note, bond or similar written obligation for the payment of money (including, but not limited to, conditional sales or similar title retention agreements), all determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis, and all undrawn amounts of letters of credit in excess

 

12


of $150,000,000 in the aggregate, Guaranty Obligations (excluding Guaranty Obligations with respect to obligations of Subsidiaries that are not Funded Indebtedness), Synthetic Lease Obligations and any reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, provided , Vehicle Secured Indebtedness and Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness shall be excluded from the calculation of Funded Indebtedness.

“GAAP” means those principles of accounting set forth in pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or which have other substantial authoritative support and are applicable in the circumstances as of the date of a report, as such principles are from time to time supplemented and amended.

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations the timely payment of principal and interest on which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, municipal, national or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any entity or officer exercising executive, legislative or judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government, any court or any arbitrator, in each case whether a state of the United States, the United States or foreign nation, state, province or other governmental instrumentality.

“Guarantors” means, at any date, the Subsidiaries which are required to be parties to a Facility Guaranty at such date.

“Guaranty Obligation” means, as to any Person, any (a) guaranty by such Person of Indebtedness of, or other obligation payable by, any other Person or (b) assurance, agreement, letter of responsibility, letter of awareness, undertaking or arrangement given by such Person to an obligee of any other Person with respect to the payment of an obligation by, or the financial condition of, such other Person, whether direct or indirect or contingent, including any purchase or repurchase agreement covering such obligation or any collateral security therefor, any agreement to provide funds (by means of loans, capital contributions or otherwise) to such other Person, any agreement to support the solvency or level of any balance sheet item of such other Person or any “keep-well” or other arrangement of whatever nature given for the purpose of assuring or holding harmless such obligee against loss with respect to any obligation of such other Person; provided , however , that the term Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation shall be computed at the amount which, in the light of all facts and circumstances existing at the time, represents the present value of the amount which can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

“Hazardous Material” means and includes any pollutant, contaminant, or hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste, substance or material (including without limitation petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials and lead), the generation, handling, storage, transportation, disposal, treatment, release, discharge or emission of which is subject to any Environmental Law.

“Increased Commitment Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18 hereof.

“Increasing Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18 hereof.

 

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“Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, including all Funded Indebtedness, all Vehicle Secured Indebtedness, all Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness, and all Rate Hedging Obligations (but excluding any premiums, fees and deposits received in the ordinary course of business), (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable or other like obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person with respect to Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.

“Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning therefor provided in Section 11.9 .

“Intangible Assets” means all assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which would be treated as intangible assets, such as (without limitation) goodwill (whether representing the excess of cost over book value of assets acquired or otherwise), capitalized debt cost and expenses, unamortized debt discount and expense, consignment inventory rights, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, franchises and licenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis.

“Interbank Offered Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan or any Competitive Bid Loan at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate, with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining thereto, the rate per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest Period appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period. In the event that such rate does not appear on such page (or otherwise on such screen), the “Interbank Offered Rate” shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying eurodollar rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which the Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., New York City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar and foreign currency and exchange operations are then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein.

“Interest Period” (a) for each Eurodollar Loan means a period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Loan is made or Converted or Continued and each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan, and ending, at the Borrower’s option, on the date one, three or six months thereafter or, subject to market availability to all Lenders, one week, two months or twelve months thereafter, as notified to the Administrative Agent by the Authorized Representative three (3) Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period; provided , that,

(i) if the Authorized Representative fails to notify the Administrative Agent of the length of an Interest Period three (3) Business Days prior to the first day of such

 

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Interest Period, the Loan for which such Interest Period was to be determined shall be deemed to be a Base Rate Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate, as of the first day thereof;

(ii) if an Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan would end on a day which is not a Business Day such Interest Period shall be extended to the next Business Day (unless such extension would cause the applicable Interest Period to end in the succeeding calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day); and

(iii) on any day, with respect to all Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and Competitive Bid Loans, there shall not be in effect (x) more than ten (10) Interest Periods, or (y) more than one (1) Interest Period having a term of one (1) week;

(b) for each Competitive Bid Loan at an Absolute Rate means the period commencing on the date of such Loan and ending on such date as may be mutually agreed upon by the Borrower and the Lender or Lenders making such Competitive Bid Loan or Loans, as the case may be, comprising such Competitive Bid Loan; provided that no Interest Period for a Competitive Bid Loan at an Absolute Rate shall be for a period of less than seven (7) or greater than 90 days; and

(c) for each Competitive Bid Loan at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate means the period commencing on the date such Competitive Bid Loan is made and ending, at the Borrower’s option, on the date one week or one, two, three, six or (to the extent available) twelve months thereafter as notified by the Borrower to such Lender by the Authorized Representative three (3) Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period; provided that if an Interest Period for such Loan would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next Business Day (unless such extension would cause the applicable Interest Period to end in the succeeding calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end in the next preceding Business Day).

“Interest Rate Selection Notice” means the written notice delivered by an Authorized Representative in connection with the election of a subsequent Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan or Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate or the Conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Loan or Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate into a Base Rate Loan or the Conversion of any Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Rate Loan or Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate, in the form of Exhibit F .

“Issuing Banks” means the Lenders who agree from time to time (upon the request of Borrower) to issue (provided that no Lender shall be obligated to do so) Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 3.1 and “Issuing Bank” means any one of such Issuing Banks. On any date of determination, no more than four (4) Lenders may be Issuing Banks hereunder.

“JPMorgan Chase Bank” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

“Lender” shall as of any date have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto so long as such Lender still holds a Term Loan, a Revolving Credit Loan or a Revolving Credit Commitment as of such date.

 

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“Letter of Credit” means a standby letter of credit issued by an Issuing Bank for the account of the Borrower in favor of a Person advancing credit or securing an obligation on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Letter of Credit Commitment” means with respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Lender to acquire Letter of Credit Participations up to an aggregate stated amount at any one time outstanding equal to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the Total Letter of Credit Commitment as the same may by increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.

“Letter of Credit Facility” means the facility described in Article III hereof providing for the issuance by the Issuing Banks for the account of the Borrower of Letters of Credit in an aggregate stated amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the Total Letter of Credit Commitment.

“Letter of Credit Outstandings” means all undrawn amounts of Letters of Credit plus Reimbursement Obligations.

“Lien” means any interest in property securing any obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and including but not limited to the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be the owners of any property which either of them have acquired or hold subject to a conditional sale agreement, financing lease, or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the property has been retained by or vested in some other Person for security purposes.

“Loan” or “Loans” means any of the Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans, Competitive Bid Loans or Swing Line Loans.

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Applications and Agreements for Letters of Credit, the Facility Guaranties, the Fourth Amendment and all other instruments and documents heretofore or hereafter executed or delivered to and in favor of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Loans or the Letters of Credit made, issued or created under this Agreement, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Loan Parties” means the collective reference to the Borrower and the Guarantors.

“Manufacturer” means a vehicle manufacturer or distributor which is party to a dealer agreement, franchise agreement or framework agreement with, or binding upon, the Borrower or any Retail Subsidiary.

“Manufacturer Consents” means, collectively, (a) those consent letters described on Schedule 1.1(b) attached hereto on the date hereof, and (b) any additional written consent by a Manufacturer to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby which consent is added to Schedule 1.1(b) and is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

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“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, operations, business prospects, or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower to pay or perform its obligations, liabilities and indebtedness under the Loan Documents as such payment or performance becomes due in accordance with the terms thereof, or (iii) the rights, powers and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document or the validity, legality or enforceability thereof.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Mortgage Facilities” means one or more debt facilities with banks, manufacturers and/or other entities providing for borrowings by the Borrower or a Subsidiary secured primarily by real estate, in each case as such facilities are amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or is accruing an obligation to make, contributions or has made, or been obligated to make, contributions within the preceding six (6) Fiscal Years.

“Non-Extended Facilities” means the collective reference to the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility and the Non-Extended Term Facility.

“Non-Extended Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations” means the sum of (i) the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings, (ii) Letter of Credit Outstandings (ratably allocated to the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility according to the Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Credit Lenders thereunder), and (iii) Swing Line Outstandings (ratably allocated to the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility according to the Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Credit Lenders thereunder).

“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitment” means with respect to each Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower and purchase Participations up to an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth for such Lender on Exhibit A attached hereto, as the same may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.

“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility” means the facility described in Section 2.4(a) hereof providing for Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower and Participations in respect of Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans by the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lenders in the aggregate principal amount of the Non-Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lenders” means each Lender that has a Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or that holds Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans.

“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans” means a Loan made pursuant to the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility.

“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding.

 

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“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date” means July 18, 2012.

“Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date” means the earlier of (a) July 18, 2012 and (b) the date on which the Borrower shall have terminated the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.10(a).

“Non-Extended Revolving Percentage” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitment then constitutes of the Non-Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment (or, at any time after the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding constitutes of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings); provided that each Non-Extended Revolving Percentage of each Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lender shall be increased or decreased to reflect any assignments to or by such Lender effected in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof and any voluntary or mandatory reductions in such committed amounts.

“Non-Extended Term Facility” means the Non-Extended Term Loans.

“Non-Extended Term Loan Stated Maturity Date” means July 18, 2012.

“Non-Extended Term Loans” means term loans maintained as “Non-Extended Term Loans”, as described in Section 2.1(a).

“Non-Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment” means $57,038,460.92, as reduced from time to time in accordance with Section 2.10 and Section 2.11 , which shall be made available by the Lenders to the Borrower until the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date.

“Notes”: means the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.

“Obligations” means the obligations, liabilities and Indebtedness of the Borrower with respect to (i) the principal and interest on the Loans, (ii) the Reimbursement Obligations and (iii) the payment and performance of all other obligations, liabilities and Indebtedness of the Borrower hereunder, under any one or more of the other Loan Documents or with respect to the Loans.

“Operating Documents” means with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other legally authorized incorporated or unincorporated entity, the bylaws, operating agreement, partnership agreement, limited partnership agreement or other applicable documents relating to the operation, governance or management of such entity.

“Organizational Action” means with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other legally authorized incorporated or unincorporated entity, any corporate, organizational or partnership action (including any required shareholder, member or partner action), or other similar action, as applicable, taken by such entity.

“Organizational Documents” means with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other legally authorized incorporated or unincorporated entity, the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other applicable organizational or charter documents relating to the creation of such entity.

 

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“Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations” means the sum of (i) the Revolving Credit Outstandings, (ii) Letter of Credit Outstandings, (iii) Swing Line Outstandings, and (iv) outstanding Competitive Bid Loans, all as at the date of determination thereof.

“Participation” means, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender (other than JPMorgan Chase Bank with respect to a Swing Line Loan, and other than the applicable Issuing Bank with respect to a Letter of Credit), the extension of credit represented by the participation of such Lender hereunder in (a) the rights of JPMorgan Chase Bank in respect of a Swing Line Loan made or (b) the liability of the applicable Issuing Bank in respect of Letters of Credit issued, and the rights of the applicable Issuing Bank in respect of Reimbursement Obligations, all in accordance with the terms hereof. All Participations shall be allocated ratably under the Extended Revolving Credit Facility and the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility according to the respective Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Credit Lenders.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any successor thereto.

“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and which (i) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates or is assumed by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Acquisition or (ii) has at any time during the last six (6) years been maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any current or former ERISA Affiliate.

“Permitted Acquisition” means an Acquisition effected with the consent and approval of the Board of Directors (or the appropriate committee thereof) or other applicable governing body of such Person being acquired and the duly obtained approval of such shareholders or other holders of equity interests in such Person as may be required to be obtained under applicable law, the charter documents of or any shareholder agreements or similar agreements pertaining to such Person, which Person derives the majority of its revenues from Automobile Retailing Activities.

“Permitted Indebtedness” means (i) the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or a Subsidiary.

“Permitted Investor” means (a) any Person that, on the Closing Date, owns more than 10% of the outstanding securities of the Borrower having voting rights in the election of directors and (b) any Control Investment Affiliate of any such Person.

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, joint venture or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Pricing Grid” means the applicable table set forth below setting forth the number of basis points to be utilized in calculating each of (i) the Applicable Eurodollar Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, (ii) the Applicable Base Rate Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, (iii) the Applicable Eurodollar Margin with respect to Term Loans, (iv) the Applicable Base Rate Margin with respect to Term Loans, (v) the Applicable Facility Fee and (vi) the Applicable Commitment Fee.

 

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EXTENDED FACILITIES :

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio

   Applicable
Commitment Fee
   Applicable
Eurodollar Margin
   Applicable Base
Rate Margin

Greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0

   50.0    250.0    150.0

Greater than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0 but less than 3.0 to 1.0

   50.0    225.0    125.0

Greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.0 but less than 2.0 to 1.0

   37.5    200.0    100.0

Less than 1.50 to 1.0

   25.0    175.0    75.0

Until the first date after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date on which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.1, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the purposes of the Pricing Grid set forth above shall be deemed to be greater than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0 but less than 3.0 to 1.0. For the purposes of the Pricing Grid set forth above, changes in the rates set forth therein resulting from changes in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date that is three Business Days after the date on which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.1 and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements or the Compliance Certificate referred to above are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 7.1, then, until the date that is three Business Days after the date on which such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, the highest rate set forth in each column of such Pricing Grid shall apply. Each determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to such Pricing Grid shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 8.1.

NON-EXTENDED FACILITIES :

 

Ratings

   Applicable
Facility
Fee
   Applicable
Eurodollar
Margin
(Revolving
Credit Loans)
   Applicable
Base Rate
Margin
(Revolving
Credit Loans)
   Applicable
Eurodollar
Margin
(Term Loans)
   Applicable
Base Rate
Margin
(Term
Loans)

Baa1 / BBB+ or higher

   8.0    42.0    0    50.0    0

Baa2 / BBB

   10.0    52.5    0    62.5    0

 

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Ratings

   Applicable
Facility
Fee
   Applicable
Eurodollar
Margin
(Revolving
Credit Loans)
   Applicable
Base Rate
Margin
(Revolving
Credit Loans)
   Applicable
Eurodollar
Margin
(Term Loans)
   Applicable
Base Rate
Margin
(Term
Loans)

Baa3 / BBB-

   12.5    62.5    0    75.0    0

Ba1 / BB+

   15.0    72.5    0    87.5    0

Ba2 / BB

   20.0    92.5    0    112.5    12.5

Ba3 / BB- or lower

   25.0    125.0    25.0    150.0    50.0

For the purposes of the Pricing Grid set forth above, (a) if the Ratings from the Rating Agencies fall within different levels: (i) if one Rating is one level higher than the other Rating, the Pricing Grid level will be based on the higher Rating and (ii) otherwise, the Pricing Grid level will be based on the Rating that is one level higher than the lower Rating and (b) changes in the rates set forth therein shall become effective on and as of the date of any public announcement by any Rating Agency of any Rating that indicates a different rate should be applicable.

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).

“Principal Office” means the office of the Administrative Agent at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Loan & Agency, 1111 Fannin Street, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Syed Abbas or such other office and address as the Administrative Agent may from time to time designate.

“Quotation Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.5(b) hereof.

“Rate Hedge Value” means, with respect to each contract, instrument or other arrangement creating a Rate Hedging Obligation, the net obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereunder equal to the termination value thereof as determined in accordance with its provisions (if such Rate Hedging Obligation has been terminated) or the mark to market value thereof as determined on the basis of available quotations from any recognized dealer in, or from Bloomberg or other similar service providing market quotations for, the applicable Rate Hedging Obligation (if such Rate Hedging Obligation has not been terminated).

“Rate Hedging Obligations” means, without duplication, any and all obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all agreements, devices or arrangements designed to protect at least one of the parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates or forward rates applicable to such party’s assets, liabilities or exchange transactions, including, but not limited to, Dollar-denominated or cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange agreements, interest rate cap or collar

 

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protection agreements, forward rate currency or interest rate options, puts, warrants and those commonly known as interest rate “swap” agreements; (ii) all other “derivative instruments” as defined in FASB 133 and which are subject to the reporting requirements of FASB 133; and (iii) any and all cancellations, buybacks, reversals, terminations or assignments of any of the foregoing. For purposes of any computation hereunder, each Rate Hedging Obligation shall be valued at the Rate Hedge Value thereof.

“Rating” means the rating assigned by any Rating Agency to the Loans.

“Rating Agencies” means S&P and Moody’s.

“Reimbursement Obligation” shall mean at any time, the obligation of the Borrower with respect to any Letter of Credit to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank and the Revolving Credit Lenders to the extent of their respective Participations (including by the receipt by such Issuing Bank of proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 3.2 ) for amounts theretofore paid by such Issuing Bank or the Lenders pursuant to a drawing under such Letter of Credit.

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date, the holders of more than 50% of the sum of (i) the Term Loan Outstandings and (ii) the Total Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated, the Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations.

“Reserve Requirement” means, for any day as applied to any Eurodollar Loan or Competitive Rate Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate during any Interest Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%), if any, in effect on such day with respect to such Eurodollar Loan or Competitive Rate Loan under regulations issued from time to time by the Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities”). The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan and the Eurodollar Competitive Rate for each outstanding Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Reserve Requirement.

“Retail Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary which is engaged in the sale or distribution of new or used motor vehicles, or both, and/or parts and accessories used in connection with motor vehicles.

“Revolving Credit Commitments” means the collective reference to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments.

“Revolving Credit Facility” means the collective reference to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility and the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility.

“Revolving Credit Lenders” means, as the context may require, the Extended Revolving Credit Lenders, the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lenders, or all such Lenders.

“Revolving Credit Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to the Revolving Credit Facility.

“Revolving Credit Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding.

 

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“Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date” means, as applicable, with respect to Extended Revolving Credit Loans, the Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date or with respect to Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans, the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date. Each reference herein to “Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date” shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date with respect to the relevant Revolving Credit Facility.

“Revolving Credit Termination Date” means, as applicable, with respect to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility, the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date or with respect to the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility, the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date. Each reference herein to “Revolving Credit Termination Date” shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Revolving Credit Termination Date with respect to the relevant Revolving Credit Facility.

“Revolving Percentage” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment (or, at any time after the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding constitutes of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings); provided that each Revolving Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender shall be increased or decreased to reflect any assignments to or by such Lender effected in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof and any voluntary or mandatory reductions in such committed amounts; and provided , further , that in the case of interest payments and fees payable pursuant to Section 2.13(a) or 3.4(i), “Revolving Percentage” shall refer to the Extended Revolving Percentage or the Non-Extended Revolving Percentage, as applicable.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

“Senior Note Guaranty” means the collective reference to the Year 2006 Senior Note Guaranty and the Year 2010 Senior Note Guaranty.

“Senior Note Indenture” means the collective reference to the Year 2006 Senior Note Indenture and the Year 2010 Senior Note Indenture.

“Senior Notes” means the collective reference to the Year 2006 Senior Notes and the Year 2010 Senior Notes.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which more than 50% of its outstanding voting stock or more than 50% of all equity interests is owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower and/or by one or more of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries.

“Subsidiary Securities” means the shares of capital stock or the other equity interests issued by or equity participations in any Subsidiary, whether or not constituting a “security” under Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any jurisdiction.

“Swing Line” means the revolving line of credit established by JPMorgan Chase Bank in favor of the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.17 .

“Swing Line Lender” means JPMorgan Chase Bank in its capacity as the Lender in respect of Swing Line Loans.

 

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“Swing Line Loan” means a Loan made by JPMorgan Chase Bank to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.17 .

“Swing Line Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Loans then outstanding.

“Synthetic Lease Obligations” means all monetary obligations of a lessee under any tax retention or other synthetic leases which is treated as an operating lease under GAAP but the liabilities under which are or would be characterized as indebtedness of such Person for tax purposes or upon the insolvency of such Person. The amount of Synthetic Lease Obligations in respect of any synthetic lease at any date of determination thereof shall be equal to the aggregate purchase price of any property subject to such lease less the aggregate amount of payments of rent theretofore made which reduce the lessee’s obligations under such synthetic lease and which are not the financial equivalent of interest.

“Term Facility” means the collective reference to the Extended Term Facility and the Non-Extended Term Facility.

“Term Lender” means any Extended Term Lender or Non-Extended Term Lender.

“Term Loan” means the collective reference to the Extended Term Loans and the Non-Extended Term Loans.

“Term Loan Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans then outstanding.

“Term Percentage” means, as to any Term Lender at any time, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding; provided , that each Term Percentage of each Term Lender shall be increased or decreased to reflect any assignments to or by such Lender effected in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof.

“Termination Event” means: (i) a “Reportable Event” described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than an event for which the 30-day notice requirement has been waived by applicable regulation); or (ii) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or was deemed such under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; or (iii) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA; or (iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan by the PBGC; or (v) any other event or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; or (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA) of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; or (vii) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA; or (viii) any event or condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4241 or Section 4245 of ERISA, respectively; or (ix) any event or condition which results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; or (x) any event or condition with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan which is regulated by any Foreign Benefit Law that results in the termination of such Employee Benefit Plan or the revocation of such Employee Benefit Plan’s authority to operate under the applicable Foreign Benefit Law.

 

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“Total Letter of Credit Commitment” means an amount not to exceed $200,000,000.

“Total Revolving Credit Commitment” means the sum of the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment and the Non-Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

“Total Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the sum of the Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings and the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings.

“Type” shall mean any type of Loan (i.e., a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan).

“Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness” means Indebtedness incurred by any Eligible Special Purpose Entity to finance, refinance or guaranty the financing or refinancing of consumer receivables, leases, loans or retail installment contracts incurred in the sale, transfer or lease of Vehicles; provided (x) such Indebtedness shall in accordance with GAAP on a Consistent Basis not appear as an asset or liability on the balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (y) no assets other than the Vehicles, consumer receivables, leases, loans, retail installment contracts or related proceeds (including, without limitation, proceeds from insurance, Vehicles and other obligations under such receivables, leases, loans or retail installment contracts) to be so financed or refinanced secure such Indebtedness; and (z) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries other than such Eligible Special Purpose Entity shall incur any liability with respect to such Indebtedness other than liability arising by reason of (1) a breach of a representation or warranty or customary indemnities in each case contained in any instrument relating to such Indebtedness or (2) customary interests retained by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in such assets or Indebtedness.

“Vehicle Secured Indebtedness” means, collectively, (a) the Existing Vehicle Secured Indebtedness and (b) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Eligible Special Purpose Entity to lease, finance or refinance or guaranty the leasing, financing or refinancing of Vehicles or related receivables, which Indebtedness in the case of this clause (b) is secured by the Vehicles or related receivables so financed and (but only to the extent permitted by the last sentence of this definition) other assets, to the extent, at any date of determination thereof, the amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the depreciated book value of the Vehicles so financed or the book value of such related receivables, in each case plus the book value of any other assets securing such Indebtedness (in the aggregate, “Security Book Value”) as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis. It is understood that, to the extent the amount of such Indebtedness exceeds the associated Security Book Value, such excess amount shall not constitute “Vehicle Secured Indebtedness” and, accordingly, shall constitute “Funded Indebtedness”. On the date any Vehicle Secured Indebtedness is incurred and on any date any lien is granted securing such Indebtedness, the percentage of Security Book Value contributed by Vehicles and related receivables financed thereby shall not be less than 85% of the total Security Book Value with respect to such Indebtedness.

“Vehicles” means all now existing or hereafter acquired new and used automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks and vans of all types and descriptions, whether held for sale, lease, rental or operational purposes, which relate to the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s Automobile Retailing Activities.

 

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“Voting Securities” means shares of capital stock issued by a corporation, or equivalent interests in any other Person, the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even if the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

“Year 2006 Senior Note Guaranty” means each Guaranty Agreement delivered by the Guarantors for the benefit of the holders of the Year 2006 Senior Notes.

“Year 2006 Senior Note Indenture” means the Indenture dated April 12, 2006 among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. pursuant to which the Borrower has issued the Year 2006 Senior Notes, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Year 2006 Senior Notes” means the Borrower’s 7% Senior Notes due April 15, 2014 and the Floating Rate Senior Notes due April 15, 2013 issued pursuant to the Year 2006 Senior Note Indenture and shall include the notes issued in exchange therefor (as contemplated by the Year 2006 Senior Note Indenture and the registration rights agreement described therein), as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Year 2010 Senior Note Guaranty” means each Guaranty Agreement delivered by the Guarantors for the benefit of the holders of the Year 2010 Senior Notes.

“Year 2010 Senior Note Indenture” means the Indenture dated April 12, 2010 among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo, N.A. pursuant to which the Borrower has issued the Year 2010 Senior Notes, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Year 2010 Senior Notes” means the Borrower’s 6.750% Senior Notes due April 15, 2018, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

1.2 Rules of Interpretation .

(a) The headings, subheadings and table of contents used herein or in any other Loan Document are solely for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of any such document or affect the meaning, construction or effect of any provision thereof.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided, references in any Loan Document to articles, sections, paragraphs, clauses, annexes, appendices, exhibits and schedules are references to articles, sections, paragraphs, clauses, annexes, appendices, exhibits and schedules in or to such Loan Document.

(c) All definitions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document shall apply to the singular as well as the plural form of such defined term, and all references to the masculine gender shall include reference to the feminine or neuter gender, and vice versa, as the context may require.

(d) When used herein or in any other Loan Document, words such as “hereunder”, “hereto”, “hereof” and “herein” and other words of like import shall, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, refer to the whole of the applicable document and not to any particular article, section, subsection, paragraph or clause thereof.

 

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(e) References to “including” means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term, and such term shall not limit a general statement to matters similar to those specifically mentioned.

(f) Except as otherwise expressly provided, all dates and times of day specified herein shall refer to such dates and times at New York City.

(g) Whenever interest rates or fees are established in whole or in part by reference to a numerical percentage expressed as “    %”, such arithmetic expression shall be interpreted in accordance with the convention that 1% = 100 basis points.

(h) Each of the parties to the Loan Documents and their counsel have reviewed and revised, or requested (or had the opportunity to request) revisions to, the Loan Documents, and any rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall be inapplicable in the construing and interpretation of the Loan Documents and all exhibits, schedules and appendices thereto.

(i) Any reference to an officer of the Borrower or any other Person by reference to the title of such officer shall be deemed to refer to each other officer of such Person, however titled, exercising the same or substantially similar functions.

(j) All references to any agreement or document as amended, modified or supplemented, or words of similar effect, shall mean such document or agreement, as the case may be, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time only as and to the extent permitted therein and not prohibited by the Loan Documents.

(k) Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party and all covenants, provisions and agreements by or on behalf of the Borrower which are contained in the Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, or any of them.

1.3 Accounting for Permitted Acquisitions . With respect to any Permitted Acquisition consummated on or after the Closing Date, the following shall apply:

For each Four-Quarter Period that includes the date of a Permitted Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense shall include the results of operations of the Person or assets so acquired, which amounts shall be determined on a historical pro forma basis and which may include such adjustments as are permitted under Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided , however , Consolidated Interest Expense shall be adjusted on a historical pro forma basis to (i) eliminate interest expense accrued during such period on any Indebtedness repaid in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and (ii) include interest expense on any Indebtedness (including Indebtedness hereunder) incurred, acquired or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition (“Incremental Debt”) calculated (x) as if all such Incremental Debt had been incurred as of the first day of such Four-Quarter Period and (y) at the following interest rates: (I) for all periods subsequent to the date of the Permitted Acquisition and for Incremental Debt assumed or acquired in the Permitted Acquisition and in effect prior to the date of Permitted Acquisition, at the actual rates of interest applicable thereto, and (II) for all periods prior to the actual incurrence of such Incremental Debt, equal to the rate of interest actually applicable to such Incremental Debt hereunder or under other financing documents applicable thereto as at the end of each affected Four-Quarter Period.

 

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1.4 Accounting for Derivatives . In making any computation under Section 8.1 , all adjustments to such computation or amount resulting from the application of FASB 133 shall be disregarded.

1.5 Accounting and Financial Determinations . Except as provided in Section 1.3 , where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined, or any accounting computation is required to be made, for the purpose of this Agreement, such determination or calculation shall, to the extent applicable, be made in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis except insofar as:

(a) the Borrower shall have elected (with the concurrence of its independent public accountant and upon prior written notification to the Lenders) to adopt more recently promulgated GAAP (which election shall continue to be effective for subsequent years); and

(b) the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders shall have consented to such election (it being understood that such consent may be conditioned upon the implementation of such changes to Article VIII as are appropriate to reflect such adoption of more recently promulgated GAAP and it being further understood that such consent shall be deemed to have been given upon the implementation of such changes).

Upon a change in GAAP which becomes effective after the Closing Date which would have a material effect on the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements and the assets and liabilities reflected therein or otherwise affect the calculation or the application of the covenants contained in Article VIII hereof, such change shall not be given effect for purposes hereof until sixty (60) days from the otherwise effective date of such change. Prior to such effectiveness the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall in good faith negotiate to amend the pertinent provisions of this Agreement to account for such change to the extent appropriate to effect the substance thereof as of the Closing Date. If such an amendment is not entered into with respect to any such change, such change shall not be given effect for purposes hereof. The Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, upon request, comfort from its accountants that, without giving effect to such change in GAAP, upon their review of the calculations set forth in the Compliance Certificate prepared on a Consistent Basis, nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe the Borrower was not in compliance with the financial covenants contained in this Agreement.

Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.

ARTICLE II

The Loans

2.1 Term Loans . (a) Each Term Lender that is not an Extended Term Lender shall maintain hereunder a portion of its Term Loan outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement as a “Non-Extended Term Loan” in the principal amount specified for such Lender on Exhibit A . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (i) each Extended Term Lender agrees to convert a portion of its Term Loan outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement to an “Extended Term Loan” in the principal amount specified for such Lender on Exhibit A and (ii) each Term Lender that has an Extended Incremental Term Commitment severally agrees to make a term loan (which shall be an “Extended Term Loan”) to the Borrower on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Extended Incremental Term Commitment of such Lender.

 

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(b) The Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and  2.12 .

2.2 Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing . With respect to borrowings under the Extended Incremental Term Commitments, which shall initially be Base Rate Loans, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice in the form of a borrowing notice (which notice shall be substantially in the form of a Borrowing Notice for Revolving Credit Loans, mutatis mutandis , which shall have been received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the proposed borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day) requesting that the relevant Term Lenders make Extended Term Loans on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date and specifying the amount to be borrowed. Upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Term Lender thereof. Not later than 1:30 P.M., New York City time, on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, each relevant Term Lender shall, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, make available to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office an amount in immediately available funds equal to the incremental Extended Term Loan to be made by such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall credit the account of the Borrower on the books of such office of the Administrative Agent with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant Term Lenders in immediately available funds. The Borrower shall take such actions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent such that, as soon as practicable after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, each Extended Term Lender holds a ratable share of each Extended Term Loan having a particular Interest Period.

2.3 Repayment of Term Loans . The Non-Extended Term Loan of each Non-Extended Term Lender shall mature and be payable in full on the Non-Extended Term Loan Stated Maturity Date. The Extended Term Loan of each Extended Term Lender shall mature and be payable in full on the Extended Term Loan Stated Maturity Date.

2.4 Revolving Credit Commitments .

(a) Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make Advances to the Borrower, from time to time until the Revolving Credit Termination Date, on a pro rata basis as to the total borrowing requested by the Borrower under the Revolving Credit Facility on any day determined by its Revolving Percentage up to but not exceeding the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender, provided , however, that the Revolving Credit Lenders will not be required and shall have no obligation to make any Advance (i) so long as not all of the conditions under Section 5.2 hereof have been fulfilled, (ii) so long as a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) if the Administrative Agent has accelerated the maturity of the Revolving Credit Loans as a result of an Event of Default in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof; provided further, however, that immediately after giving effect to each such Advance, the principal amount of Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations shall not exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment. Within such limits, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder, on any Business Day, until, but (as to borrowings and reborrowings) not including, the applicable Revolving Credit Termination Date; provided , however, that (x) no Eurodollar Loan that is a Revolving Credit Loan shall be made which has an Interest Period that extends beyond the applicable Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date and (y) each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.12 , be repaid only on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto unless the Borrower has paid any amounts due pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof. All borrowings of Revolving

 

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Credit Loans shall be made ratably under the Extended Revolving Credit Facility and the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility according to the respective Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Credit Lenders.

(b) Amounts . The aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Extended Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations shall not exceed at any time an amount equal to the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment. The aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Non-Extended Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations shall not exceed at any time an amount equal to the Non-Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment. Each Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility, other than a Swing Line Loan or a Base Rate Refunding Loan, and each Conversion thereof under Section 2.12 , shall be in a principal amount of (i) at least $10,000,000, and, if greater than $10,000,000, an integral multiple of $1,000,000, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or (ii) at least $5,000,000 and, if greater than $5,000,000, an integral multiple of $1,000,000, in the case of Base Rate Loans.

(c) Advances and Rate Selection . (i) An Authorized Representative shall give the Administrative Agent (1) at least three (3) Business Days’ irrevocable telephonic notice of each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan (whether representing an additional borrowing hereunder or the Conversion of borrowing hereunder from Base Rate Loans or other Eurodollar Loans to Eurodollar Loans) prior to 12:00 Noon; and (2) irrevocable telephonic notice of each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan (other than Base Rate Refunding Loans to the extent the same are effective without notice pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(iv) ) representing an additional borrowing hereunder prior to 12:00 noon on the day of such proposed Base Rate Loan. Each such borrowing notice, which shall be effective upon receipt by the Administrative Agent, shall specify the amount of the borrowing, the Type of Loan, the date of borrowing and, if a Eurodollar Loan, the Interest Period to be used in the computation of interest. The Authorized Representative shall provide the Administrative Agent written confirmation of each such telephonic notice on the same day by telefacsimile transmission in the form of a Borrowing Notice, for additional Advances, or in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F as to selection or Conversion of interest rates as to outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, in each case with appropriate insertions, but failure to provide such confirmation shall not affect the validity of such telephonic notice. The duration of the initial Interest Period for each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan shall be as specified in the initial Borrowing Notice. The Borrower shall have the option to elect the duration of subsequent Interest Periods and to Convert the Revolving Credit Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof. If the Administrative Agent does not receive a notice of election of duration of an Interest Period or to Convert by the time prescribed hereby and by Section 2.12 hereof, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected as to any Revolving Credit Loan, to Convert such Loan to (or Continue such Loan as) a Base Rate Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate until the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Section and Section 2.12 .

(ii) Notice of receipt of each Borrowing Notice shall be provided by the Administrative Agent to each Revolving Credit Lender by telefacsimile or telephonic notice with reasonable promptness on the same day as Administrative Agent’s receipt of such Borrowing Notice.

(iii) Not later than 3:00 P.M. on the date specified for each Advance under the Revolving Credit Facility, each Revolving Credit Lender shall, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, make the amount of the Loan or Loans to be made by it on such day available to the Administrative Agent, by depositing or transferring the proceeds thereof in immediately available funds at the Principal Office. The amount so received by the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower by delivery of the proceeds thereof as shall be directed in the applicable Borrowing Notice by the Authorized Representative.

 

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(iv) If a drawing is made under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank for such drawing by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such drawing not later than 2:00 P.M. on (A) the Business Day (which may be the date such drawing is made) that the Borrower receives notice of such drawing, if the Borrower shall have received such notice prior to 10:00 a.m., or (B) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received by the Borrower on a day other than a Business Day or after 10:00 a.m. on a Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a drawing is made under any Letter of Credit, such drawing is honored by the Issuing Bank thereunder, and the Borrower shall not immediately fully reimburse such Issuing Bank in respect of such drawing, (y) provided that the conditions to making a Revolving Credit Loan as herein provided shall then be satisfied, the Reimbursement Obligation arising from such drawing shall be paid to such Issuing Bank by the Administrative Agent without the requirement of notice to or from the Borrower from immediately available funds which shall be advanced as a Base Rate Refunding Loan by each Lender under the Revolving Credit Facility in an amount determined with reference to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Reimbursement Obligation, and (z) if the conditions to making a Revolving Credit Loan as herein provided shall not then be satisfied, each of the Revolving Credit Lenders shall fund by payment to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Issuing Bank) in immediately available funds the purchase from such Issuing Bank of their respective Participations in the related Reimbursement Obligation based on their respective Revolving Percentages. If a drawing is presented under any Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms thereof and the Borrower shall not immediately reimburse the Issuing Bank thereunder in respect thereof as provided above, then notice of such drawing shall be provided promptly by such Issuing Bank to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall provide notice to each Revolving Credit Lender by telephone or telefacsimile transmission. If notice to the Revolving Credit Lenders of a drawing under any Letter of Credit is given by the Administrative Agent at or before 2:00 P.M. on any Business Day, each Revolving Credit Lender shall, pursuant to the conditions specified in this Section 2.4(c)(iv) , either make a Base Rate Refunding Loan or fund the purchase of its Participation in the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such drawing or payment and shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank at the Principal Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds before 2:30 P.M. on the same Business Day. If notice to the Revolving Credit Lenders of a drawing under a Letter of Credit is given by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 P.M. on any Business Day, each Revolving Credit Lender shall, pursuant to the conditions specified in this Section 2.4(c)(iv) , either make a Base Rate Refunding Loan or fund the purchase of its Participation in the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such drawing and shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank at the Principal Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds before 2:00 P.M. on the next following Business Day. Any such Base Rate Refunding Loans shall be advanced as, and shall continue as, a Base Rate Loan unless and until the Borrower Converts such Base Rate Loan in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 .

2.5 Competitive Bid Loans .

(a) In addition to Revolving Credit Loans, at any time after the termination of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and provided no Default or Event of Default exists hereunder, the Borrower may, as set forth in this Section 2.5 , request the Revolving Credit Lenders to make offers to make Competitive Bid Loans to the Borrower in Dollars. The Revolving Credit Lenders may, but shall have no obligation to, make such offers and the Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers in the manner set forth in this Section 2.5 . There may be no more than ten (10) Interest Periods, and no more than one (1) one-week Interest Periods, for all Revolving Credit Loans and Competitive Bid Loans outstanding at the same time (for which purpose Interest Periods for each Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan and each Competitive Bid Loan shall be deemed to be different Interest Periods even if they are coterminous). The aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations shall not exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at any time. The aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Competitive Bid Loans shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at any time.

 

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(b) When the Borrower wishes to request offers to make Competitive Bid Loans, it shall give the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders notice (a “Competitive Bid Quote Request”) to be received no later than 12:00 Noon on (A) the fourth Business Day prior to the date of borrowing proposed therein, in the case of a Competitive Bid Quote Request for Competitive Bid Loans at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate or (B) the Business Day prior to the date of borrowing proposed therein, in the case of a Competitive Bid Quote Request for Competitive Bid Loans at the Absolute Rate (or, in any such case, such other time and date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may agree). The Borrower may request offers to make Competitive Bid Loans for up to three (3) different Interest Periods in a single notice; provided that the request for each separate Interest Period shall be deemed to be a separate Competitive Bid Quote Request for a separate borrowing (a “Competitive Bid Borrowing”) and there shall not be outstanding at any one time more than four (4) Competitive Bid Borrowings. Each such Competitive Bid Quote Request shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto and shall specify as to each Competitive Bid Borrowing:

(i) the proposed date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(ii) the aggregate amount of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, which shall be at least $10,000,000 (or in increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) but shall not cause the limits specified in Section 2.5(a) hereof to be violated;

(iii) the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto;

(iv) whether the Competitive Bid Quote Request for a particular Interest Period is seeking quotes for Competitive Bid Loans at the Absolute Rate or the Eurodollar Competitive Rate;

(v) whether the Borrower shall have the right to prepay a requested Competitive Bid Loan; and

(vi) the date on which the Competitive Bid Quotes are to be submitted if it is before the proposed date of borrowing (the date on which such Competitive Bid Quotes are to be submitted is called the “Quotation Date”).

Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.5(b) , no more than two (2) Competitive Bid Quote Requests shall be given within five (5) Business Days (or such other number of days as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may agree) of any other Competitive Bid Quote Request.

(c) (i) Each Revolving Credit Lender may submit one or more Competitive Bid Quotes, each containing an offer to make a Competitive Bid Loan in response to any Competitive Bid Quote Request; provided that, if the Borrower’s request under Section 2.5(b) hereof specified more than one Interest Period, such Lender may make a single submission containing one or more Competitive Bid Quotes for each such Interest Period. Each Competitive Bid Quote must be submitted to the Borrower not later than 9:30 A.M. on (A) the third Business Day prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of a Competitive Bid Quote Request for Competitive Bid Loans at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate or (B) the Quotation Date, in the case of a Competitive Bid Quote Request for Competitive Bid Loans at the Absolute Rate (or, in any such case, such other time and date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may agree) provided that if JPMorgan Chase Bank is receiving quotes as provided in Section 2.5(g) , any Competitive Bid Quote may be submitted by JPMorgan Chase Bank (or its applicable Lending

 

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Office) only if JPMorgan Chase Bank (or such applicable Lending Office) notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer contained therein not later than 9:15 A.M. on the Quotation Date. Any Competitive Bid Quote so made shall be irrevocable except with the consent of the Administrative Agent given on the instructions of the Borrower.

(ii) Each Competitive Bid Quote shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto and shall specify:

(A) the proposed date of borrowing and the Interest Period therefor;

(B) the principal amount of the Competitive Bid Loan for which each such offer is being made, which principal amount shall be at least $5,000,000 (or in increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof); provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Competitive Bid Loans for which a Lender submits Competitive Bid Quotes may not exceed the principal amount of the Competitive Bid Borrowing for a particular Interest Period for which offers were requested;

(C) in the case of a Competitive Bid Quote for Competitive Bid Loans at an Absolute Rate, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/10,000th of 1%) offered for each such Competitive Bid Loan (the “Absolute Rate”);

(D) in the case of a Competitive Bid Quote for Competitive Bid Loans at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate, the positive or negative margin to be added to or deducted from the Interbank Offered Rate; and

(E) the identity of the quoting Lender.

Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, no Competitive Bid Quote shall contain qualifying, conditional or similar language or propose terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable Competitive Bid Quote Request and, in particular, no Competitive Bid Quote may be conditioned upon acceptance by the Borrower of all (or some specified minimum) of the principal amount of the Competitive Bid Loan for which such Competitive Bid Quote is being made. Any subsequent Competitive Bid Quote submitted by a Revolving Credit Lender that amends, modifies or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Competitive Bid Quote submitted by such Lender with respect to the same Competitive Bid Quote Request shall be disregarded by the Borrower unless such subsequent Competitive Bid Quote is submitted solely to correct a manifest error in such former Competitive Bid Quote.

(d) The Borrower shall as promptly as practicable after the Competitive Bid Quote is submitted (but in any event not later than 12:00 Noon on (A) in the case of a Competitive Bid Loan at an Absolute Rate, the Quotation Date (or such other time and date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may agree) or (B) in the case of a Competitive Bid Loan at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate, the third Business Day prior to the proposed date of borrowing) notify the Administrative Agent and Revolving Credit Lenders of (x) the aggregate principal amount of the Competitive Bid Borrowing for which Competitive Bid Quotes have been received as well as the ranges of bids submitted for each Interest Period requested, (y) the respective principal amounts and Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Competitive Rates, as the case may be, so offered by each Revolving Credit Lender (identifying the Lender that made each Competitive Bid Quote), and (z) its acceptance or nonacceptance of the Competitive Bid Quotes. In the case of acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that are accepted. The Borrower may accept any Competitive Bid Quote in whole or in part ( provided that any Competitive Bid Quote accepted in part shall be at least $5,000,000 or in increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof); provided that:

(i) the aggregate principal amount of each Competitive Bid Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid Quote Request;

 

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(ii) the aggregate principal amount of each Competitive Bid Borrowing shall be at least $5,000,000 (or an increment of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) but shall not cause the limits specified in Section 2.5(a) hereof to be violated;

(iii) except as provided below, acceptance of Competitive Bid Quotes for any Interest Period may be made only in ascending order of Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Competitive Rates, as the case may be, beginning with the lowest rate so offered; and

(iv) the Borrower may not accept any Competitive Bid Quote where such Competitive Bid Quote fails to comply with Section 2.5(c)(ii) hereof or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2.5(a) hereof).

Any of the conditions above notwithstanding, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, accept a Competitive Bid Quote that does not contain the lowest Absolute Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rates, as the case may be, where acceptance of the Competitive Bid Quote containing the lowest Absolute Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate, as the case may be, would be less favorable to the Borrower or would cause the principal amount of Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations to exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

If Competitive Bid Quotes are made by two or more Revolving Credit Lenders with the same Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Competitive Rates, as the case may be, for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which Competitive Bid Quotes are accepted for the related Interest Period after the acceptance of all Competitive Bid Quotes, if any, of all lower Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Competitive Rates, as the case may be, offered by any Revolving Credit Lender for such related Interest Period, the principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans in respect of which such Competitive Bid Quotes are accepted shall be allocated by the Borrower among such Lenders as nearly as possible (in amounts of at least $1,000,000 or in increments of $100,000 in excess thereof) in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of such Competitive Bid Quotes. Determinations by the Borrower of the amounts of Competitive Bid Loans and the lowest bid after adjustment as provided in Section 2.5(d)(iii) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

(e) Any Revolving Credit Lender whose offer to make any Competitive Bid Loan has been accepted shall, not later than 1:00 P.M. on the date specified for the making of such Loan, make the amount of such Loan available to the Borrower as shall be directed by the Authorized Representative in Dollars and in immediately available funds.

(f) From time to time, the Borrower shall furnish such information to the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may request relating to the making of Competitive Bid Loans, including the amounts, interest rates, dates of borrowings and maturities thereof.

(g) The Borrower may request the Administrative Agent to receive the Competitive Bid Quotes, in which event the Administrative Agent shall (A) in the case of a Competitive Bid Loan at the Absolute Rate, as promptly as practicable after the Competitive Bid Quote is submitted (but in no event later than 10:00 A.M. on the Quotation Date) or (B) in the case of a Competitive Bid Loan at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate, by 10:00 A.M. on the date a Competitive Quote is submitted, notify the

 

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Borrower of the terms of any Competitive Bid Quote submitted by a Revolving Credit Lender that is in accordance with Section 2.5(c) hereof. The Administrative Agent’s notice to the Borrower shall specify (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Competitive Bid Borrowing for which Competitive Bid Quotes have been received and (B) the respective principal amounts and Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Competitive Rate, as the case may be, offered by each Revolving Credit Lender (identifying the Lender that made each Competitive Bid Quote). Not later than 12:00 Noon on (A) the third Business Day prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of Competitive Bid Loans at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate or (B) the Quotation Date (or, in any such case, such other time and date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may agree), the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of their acceptance or nonacceptance of the Competitive Bid Quotes so notified to it (and the failure of the Borrower to give such notice by such time shall constitute nonacceptance) and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender. Together with each notice of a request for Competitive Bid Quotes which the Borrower requires the Administrative Agent to issue pursuant to this paragraph (g), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Administrative Agent a bid administration fee of $1,500.00.

2.6 Payment of Interest . (a) The Borrower shall pay interest (i) to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office for the account of each Lender on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan and each Term Loan made by such Lender for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall be due at the Eurodollar Rate or the Base Rate, as elected or deemed elected by the Borrower or otherwise applicable to such Loan as herein provided, (ii) to each Revolving Credit Lender making a Competitive Bid Loan at its Applicable Lending Office, at the applicable Absolute Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate, as the case may be, and (iii) to the Administrative Agent in the case of each Swing Line Loan, at the Base Rate; provided , however , that if any amount shall not be paid when due (at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all amounts outstanding hereunder shall bear interest thereafter at a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to the Default Rate, or (in each case) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, whichever is lower, from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full.

(b) Interest on the outstanding principal balance of each Loan shall be computed on the basis of (x) in the case of Loans, other than Loans bearing interest based on the Prime Rate, a year of 360 days and calculated for the actual number of days elapsed and (y) in the case of Loans bearing interest based on the Prime Rate, a year of 365-366 days and calculated for the actual number of days elapsed. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of each Loan shall be paid (a) quarterly in arrears, such payment to be made not later than the third (3rd) Business Day of each April, July, October and January, on each Base Rate Loan, (b) on the last day of the applicable Interest Period for each Eurodollar Loan and Competitive Bid Loan, but in no event less frequently than at the end of each three month period and (c) upon payment in full of the principal amount of such Loan at the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

2.7 Payment of Principal . The principal amount of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings shall be due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each applicable Lender in full on the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date, or earlier as herein expressly provided. The principal amount of the Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings shall be due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each applicable Lender in full on the Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date, or earlier as herein expressly provided. The principal amount of all Swing Line Outstandings shall be due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Swing Line Lender in full on the Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date, or earlier as herein expressly provided. The principal amount of all Competitive Bid Loans shall be due and payable to the Lender making such Competitive Bid Loan in full on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, or earlier as herein expressly provided. The principal amount of all Term Loans shall be due and payable to each

 

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Term Lender making such Term Loan as provided in Section 2.3 , or earlier as herein expressly provided. Prepayments of Term Loans may not be reborrowed. The principal amount of Eurodollar Loans may only be prepaid at the end of the applicable Interest Period, unless the Borrower shall pay to the applicable Lenders the amounts, if any, required under Section 4.5 . The principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans may only be prepaid at the end of the applicable Interest Period, unless (i) the Borrower shall have retained in the Competitive Bid Quote Request with respect to such Competitive Bid Loans the right of prepayment, and (ii) the Borrower shall have paid to the Lender making such Competitive Bid Loans which bear interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, the amounts, if any, required under Section 4.5 . The Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent telephonic notice of its intention to make a principal payment (including Competitive Bid Loans) prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such payment. All payments of principal on Loans other than Competitive Bid Loans and Swing Line Loans shall be in the amount of (i) $10,000,000, or such greater amount which is an integral multiple of $1,000,000, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or (ii) $5,000,000, or such greater amount which is an integral multiple of $1,000,000, in the case of Base Rate Loans. Optional prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans shall be applied ratably to the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Loans. Optional prepayments of Term Loans shall be applied ratably to the outstanding balance of the Term Loans.

2.8 Non-Conforming Payments . (a) Each payment of principal (including any prepayment) and payment of interest (other than principal and interest on Competitive Bid Loans which shall be paid to the Lender making such Loans) shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office, for the account of each applicable Lender’s Applicable Lending Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds before 2:00 P.M. on the date such payment is due. The Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, debit the amount of any such payment which is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit account, if any, of the Borrower with the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall deem any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder that is not made both (a) in Dollars and in immediately available funds and (b) prior to 2:00 P.M. on the date payment is due to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to be received by the Administrative Agent until the time such funds become available funds. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt telephonic notice to the Authorized Representative and each of the applicable Lenders (confirmed in writing) if any payment is non-conforming. Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding Business Day) at the applicable rate of interest per annum specified in Section 2.6(a) until the date such amount is paid in Dollars and in immediately available funds.

(c) In the event that any payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, then such due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day; provided that interest shall continue to accrue during the period of any such extension.

2.9 Pro Rata Payments . Except as otherwise provided herein, (a) each payment and prepayment on account of the principal of and interest on the Revolving Credit Loans and the fees described in Section 2.13(a) hereof shall be made to the Administrative Agent in the aggregate amount payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders pro rata based on their applicable Revolving Percentages, (b) each payment and prepayment on account of the principal of and interest on the Term Loans shall be made to the Administrative Agent in the aggregate amount payable to the Term Lenders for the account of the Term Lenders pro rata based on their applicable Term Percentages and each principal prepayment of the Term Loans shall be applied to reduce the Term Loans pro rata based upon the respective then remaining principal amounts thereof, (c) each payment of principal and interest on the Competitive Bid Loans shall be made to (i) the Administrative Agent for the

 

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account of the respective Lender making such Competitive Bid Loan if the Borrower has elected that the Administrative Agent act under Section 2.5(g) hereof and (ii) otherwise directly to the Lender making such Competitive Bid Loan, (d) each payment of principal and interest on Swing Line Loans shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of JPMorgan Chase Bank, (e) all payments to be made by the Borrower for the account of each of the Lenders on account of principal, interest and fees, shall be made without set-off or counterclaim except as provided in Section 4.6 , and (f) the Administrative Agent will distribute such payments when received to the Lenders as provided for herein and subject to Section 4.6 .

2.10 Reductions and Prepayment . (a)  Reductions . The Borrower shall, by notice from an Authorized Representative, have the right from time to time (but not more frequently than twice during each Fiscal Year), upon not less than three (3) Business Days irrevocable written notice to the Administrative Agent to reduce the Total Revolving Credit Commitment without premium or penalty. The Administrative Agent shall give each Revolving Credit Lender, within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice from the Borrower, telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) of such reduction. Each such reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or such greater amount which is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000, and shall permanently reduce the Total Revolving Credit Commitment. Any such reduction in the Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall be allocated ratably to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments unless (i) no Revolving Credit Loans or funded Participations are outstanding at the time thereof and (ii) if any Swing Line Obligations or Letter of Credit Obligations are outstanding, the conditions to extensions of credit set forth in Section 5.2 can be satisfied, in which case such reduction may be allocated ratably to the Revolving Credit Commitments under either the Extended Revolving Credit Facility or the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility, as selected by the Borrower, and, in such case, any unfunded Participations shall automatically be reallocated ratably among all Revolving Lenders based on their Revolving Percentages after giving effect to such reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments. No such reduction shall be permitted that results in the payment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period of such Loan unless such prepayment is accompanied by amounts due, if any, under Section 4.5 . Each reduction of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall be accompanied by payment of the Revolving Credit Loans to the extent that the aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment after giving effect to such reduction, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the amounts prepaid. In no event shall the Borrower be entitled to reduce the Total Revolving Credit Commitment if, as a result of and after giving effect to such reduction, the aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

(b) Optional Prepayments . The Borrower may at any time and from time to time, subject to Section 2.7 , prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable prior notice which notice may be given by telephone (to be promptly confirmed in writing, including by facsimile) delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, three Business Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans and no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, one Business Day prior thereto in the case of Base Rate Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans and Swing Line Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Optional prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans shall be applied ratably to the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Loans. Optional prepayments of Term Loans shall be applied ratably to the outstanding balance of the Term Loans.

 

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(c) Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date . If, on the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date, after giving effect to the termination of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and any payments made on such date pursuant to Section 2.7, the aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments, then the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans to eliminate such excess and, in the event that the Borrower fails to comply with such preceding requirement, the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall automatically terminate on the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date; provided , that Borrower may use the proceeds of Extended Revolving Credit Loans to repay Non-Extended Revolving Credit Loans on the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date.

2.11 Decrease in Amounts . The amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment which shall be available to the Borrower shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of all Swing Line Outstandings, Letter of Credit Outstandings and all outstanding Competitive Bid Loans.

2.12 Conversions and Elections of Subsequent Interest Periods . Subject to the limitations set forth below and in Article IV hereof, the Borrower may:

(a) upon notice to the Administrative Agent on or before 12:00 noon on any Business Day Convert all or a part of Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans on the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loans; and

(b) provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and on three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent on or before 12:00 noon:

(i) elect a subsequent Interest Period for all or a portion of Eurodollar Loans to begin on the last day of the current Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loans; or

(ii) Convert Base Rate Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) to Eurodollar Loans on any Business Day.

Notice of any such elections or Conversions shall specify the effective date of such election or Conversion and, with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period to be applicable to the Loan as Continued or Converted. Each election and Conversion pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be subject to the limitations on Eurodollar Loans set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” herein and in Article IV hereof. All such Continuations or Conversions of Loans shall be effected pro rata based on the Revolving Percentages or Term Percentages of the applicable Lenders, as the case may be.

2.13 Fees . (a)  Facility Fee; Commitment Fee . (i) Until the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Non-Extended Revolving Credit Lender based on such Lender’s Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitment, the quarterly portion of the Applicable Facility Fee for such Lender. Such fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears, such payments to be made not later than the third (3rd) Business Day of each April, July, October and January to and on the Non-Extended Revolving Stated Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as any Lender fails to make available any portion of its Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitment when requested, such Lender shall not be entitled to receive payment of its pro rata share of such fee until such Lender shall make available such portion. Such fee shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

(ii) Until the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated), the Borrower agrees to pay to the

 

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Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Extended Revolving Credit Lender based on such Lender’s Extended Available Revolving Credit Commitment, the quarterly portion of the Applicable Commitment Fee for such Lender. Such fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears, such payments to be made not later than the third (3rd) Business Day of each April, July, October and January to and on the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated). Such fee shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

(b) Agent Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the Administrative Agent’s individual account, an annual Administrative Agent’s fee to be payable in advance and annually thereafter on the anniversary of the Closing Date such amounts as agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing.

2.14 Deficiency Advances; Failure to Purchase Participations . No Lender shall be responsible for any default of any other Lender in respect of such other Lender’s obligation to make any Loan or Advance hereunder nor shall the Revolving Credit Commitment or Extended Incremental Term Commitment of any Lender hereunder be increased as a result of such default of any other Lender. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or the provisions of Section 2.15 , in the event any Lender shall fail to advance funds to the Borrower as herein provided, the Administrative Agent may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, advance to the Borrower all or any portion of such amount or amounts (each, a “deficiency advance”) and shall thereafter be entitled to payments of principal of and interest on such deficiency advance in the same manner and at the same interest rate or rates to which such other Lender would have been entitled had it made such Advance; provided that, (i) such defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive payments of principal, interest or fees with respect to such deficiency advance until such deficiency advance (together with interest thereon as provided in clause (ii)) shall be paid by such Lender and (ii) upon payment to the Administrative Agent from such other Lender of the entire outstanding amount of each such deficiency advance, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, from the most recent date or dates interest was paid to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower on each Loan comprising the deficiency advance at the Federal Funds Rate, then such payment shall be credited in full payment of such deficiency advance and the Borrower shall be deemed to have borrowed the amount of such deficiency advance from such other Lender as of the most recent date or dates, as the case may be, upon which any payments of interest were made by the Borrower thereon.

2.15 Intraday Funding . Without limiting the provisions of Section 2.14 , unless the Borrower or any Lender has notified the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 Noon of the Business Day before the date any payment (including in the case of Lenders any Advance) to be made by it is due, that it does not intend to remit such payment, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, assume that Borrower or each Lender, as the case may be, has timely remitted such payment in the manner required hereunder and may, in its discretion and in reliance thereon, make available such payment (or portion thereof) to the Person entitled thereto as otherwise provided herein. If such payment was not in fact remitted to the Administrative Agent in the manner required hereunder, then:

(i) if Borrower failed to make such payment, each applicable Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the amount of such assumed payment made available to such Lender, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the Federal Funds Rate; and

(ii) if any Lender failed to make such payment, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s

 

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demand therefor, the Administrative Agent promptly shall notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall promptly pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds upon receipt of such demand. The Administrative Agent also shall be entitled to recover interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, (A) from such Lender at a rate per annum equal to the daily Federal Funds Rate or (B) from the Borrower, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to the Loan which includes such corresponding amount. Until the Administrative Agent shall recover such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, such corresponding amount shall constitute a deficiency advance within the meaning of Section 2.14 . Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Administrative Agent or the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

2.16 Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit issued pursuant to the Letter of Credit Facility shall be used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to repay indebtedness, finance acquisitions and for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

2.17 Swing Line . (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in order to administer the Revolving Credit Facility in an efficient manner and to minimize the transfer of funds between the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its individual capacity and not as Administrative Agent, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(c) , shall make available Swing Line Loans to the Borrower prior to the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date. JPMorgan Chase Bank shall not make any Swing Line Loan pursuant hereto (i) if to the actual knowledge of JPMorgan Chase Bank the Borrower is not in compliance with all the conditions to the making of Loans set forth in this Agreement, (ii) if after giving effect to such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Outstandings exceed $25,000,000, or (iii) if after giving effect to such Swing Line Loan, the aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment. Swing Line Loans shall be limited to Base Rate Loans unless JPMorgan Chase Bank and the Borrower shall agree otherwise. The Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under this Section 2.17 . Unless notified to the contrary by JPMorgan Chase Bank, borrowings under the Swing Line shall be made in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 or, if greater, in amounts which are integral multiples of $100,000, or in the amount necessary to effect a Base Rate Refunding Loan, upon irrevocable telephonic notice, by an Authorized Representative of Borrower made to JPMorgan Chase Bank not later than 12:30 P.M. on the Business Day of the requested borrowing. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent written confirmation of each such telephonic notice on the same day by telefacsimile or electronic transmission in the form of a Borrowing Notice. Each such Borrowing Notice shall specify the amount of the borrowing, and the date of borrowing, and shall be in the form of Exhibit D-3 , with appropriate insertions. Unless notified to the contrary by JPMorgan Chase Bank, each repayment of a Swing Line Loan shall be in an amount which is an integral multiple of $100,000 or the aggregate amount of all Swing Line Outstandings. If the Borrower instructs JPMorgan Chase Bank to debit any demand deposit account of the Borrower in the amount of any payment with respect to a Swing Line Loan, or JPMorgan Chase Bank otherwise receives repayment, after 2:00 P.M. on a Business Day, such payment shall be deemed received on the next Business Day.

(b) Swing Line Loans shall bear interest at the Base Rate applicable to Extended Revolving Credit Loans or at any rate otherwise mutually agreed upon by JPMorgan Chase Bank and the Borrower. The interest payable on Swing Line Loans is solely for the account of JPMorgan Chase Bank, and all accrued and unpaid interest on Swing Line Loans shall be payable on the dates and in the manner provided in Section 2.6 with respect to interest on Base Rate Loans.

 

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(c) Upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to have purchased from JPMorgan Chase Bank a Participation therein in an amount determined with reference to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Swing Line Loan. Upon demand made by JPMorgan Chase Bank, each Revolving Credit Lender shall, according to its Revolving Percentage of such Swing Line Loan, promptly provide to JPMorgan Chase Bank its purchase price therefor in an amount equal to its Participation therein. Any Advance made by a Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to demand of JPMorgan Chase Bank of the purchase price of its Participation shall be deemed (i) provided that the conditions to making Revolving Credit Loans shall be satisfied, a Base Rate Refunding Loan under Section 2.4 until the Borrower converts such Base Rate Loan in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 , and (ii) in all other cases, the funding by each Revolving Credit Lender of the purchase price of its Participation in such Swing Line Loan. The obligation of each Revolving Credit Lender to so provide its purchase price to JPMorgan Chase Bank shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a Default, an Event of Default or any other occurrence or event. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by a Revolving Credit Lender to JPMorgan Chase Bank to fund such Lender’s purchase price of a Participation in such Swing Line Loan pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph, such Lender shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of JPMorgan Chase Bank or such Lender, have the right to enforce its Participation in an amount equal to such payment (excluding the portion thereof constituting interest accrued prior to the date the Revolving Credit Lender made its payment) in the related rights of JPMorgan Chase Bank with respect to obligations of the Borrower as to such Swing Line Loan (it being understood that the interest component thereof accruing after the date referred to in the previous parenthetical shall be based on the Base Rate applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility).

The Borrower, at its option and subject to the terms hereof, may request an Advance pursuant to Section 2.4 in an amount sufficient to repay Swing Line Outstandings on any date and the Administrative Agent shall provide from the proceeds of such Advance to JPMorgan Chase Bank the amount necessary to repay such Swing Line Outstandings (which JPMorgan Chase Bank shall then apply to such repayment) and credit any balance of the Advance in immediately available funds in the manner directed by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(iii) . The proceeds of such Advances shall be paid to JPMorgan Chase Bank for application to the Swing Line Outstandings and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall then be deemed to have made Revolving Credit Loans in the amount of such Advances. The Swing Line shall continue in effect until the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date, at which time all Swing Line Outstandings and accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Swing Line Outstandings shall be immediately due and payable at any time upon notice by JPMorgan Chase Bank or the Administrative Agent to the Borrower. In the event the Revolving Credit Lenders have funded Participations in any Swing Line Loan, then at the time payment (in fully collected, immediately available funds) of any principal amount of, or interest on, such Swing Line Loan, in whole or in part, is received by JPMorgan Chase Bank or the Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank or the Administrative Agent (as applicable) shall promptly pay to each Revolving Credit Lender an amount equal to its Revolving Percentage of such payment from the Borrower.

(d) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(c) , on the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date (and without any further action), and so long as the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall not have terminated at or prior to such time (whether pursuant to Article IX or otherwise), the Participations in respect of all outstanding Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Extended Revolving Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Percentages as of such date (after giving effect to the termination of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments) and the Non-Extended Revolving Lenders shall be released from their Participations in respect of such outstanding Swing Line Loans.

 

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2.18 Increased Amounts . (a) The Borrower shall have the right from time to time, without the consent of the Lenders, subject to the terms of this Section 2.18 and provided that the Borrower has obtained any required consents of third parties, to effectuate, (i) prior to the date of any voluntary reduction of the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment (other than any reduction pursuant to Section 4.8(e)), an increase in the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment under this Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200,000,000 and (ii) in addition to any increases pursuant to clause (i), from and after the date on which the Borrower takes any action pursuant to Section 4.8(e), an increase in the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment in the amount equal to or less than (in the discretion of the Borrower) the amount of such terminated Revolving Credit Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, in each case, by adding to this Agreement one or more Persons acceptable to the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, who shall, upon completion of the requirements of this Section 2.18, constitute an “Extended Revolving Credit Lender” or “Extended Revolving Credit Lenders” hereunder (each an “Added Lender”), or by allowing one or more Extended Revolving Credit Lenders in their sole discretion to increase their respective Extended Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder (each an “Increasing Lender”), so that such increased Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall equal the aggregate increase in the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment effectuated pursuant to this Section 2.18; provided that (A) the aggregate addition of or increase in the Extended Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender to be effected under this Section 2.18 (collectively, the “Added Commitments”) shall be, other than increases pursuant to clause (ii) above, in an amount not less than $5,000,000, and, if greater than $5,000,000, an integral multiple of $1,000,000, (B) no increase in or added Extended Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall result in the sum of the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder exceeding $781,582,051.61, (C) no Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Commitment shall be increased under this Section 2.18 without the consent of such Lender, and (D) there shall not exist any Default or Event of Default immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to any such Added Commitment. The Borrower shall deliver or pay, as applicable, to the Administrative Agent not later than five (5) Business Days prior to any such increase in the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment each of the following items with respect to each Added Lender and Increasing Lender:

(i) a written notice of Borrower’s intention to increase the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.18 , which shall specify each Added Lender and Increasing Lender, the proposed effective date for the increase in Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, the amounts of the Added Commitments of each such Lender that will result (which amounts shall be subject to confirmation by the Administrative Agent), and such other information as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent;

(ii) documents in the form of Exhibit K or Exhibit L , as may be required by the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by each Added Lender and each Increasing Lender, pursuant to which it becomes a party hereto or increases its Extended Revolving Credit Commitment; and

(iii) a non-refundable processing fee of $3,500 with respect to each Added Lender or Increasing Lender for the sole account of the Administrative Agent.

(b) Upon receipt of any notice referred to in clause (a)(i) above, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof and shall distribute an amended Exhibit A (which shall be deemed effective as of the Increased Commitment Date referred to below and thereupon incorporated into this Agreement) to reflect any changes therein resulting from such increase. Upon execution and

 

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delivery of the documents and the payment of the fee as described above, and upon delivery to the Administrative Agent by each Added Lender and Increasing Lender for further delivery to the Borrower or other Revolving Credit Lenders (as applicable) of immediately available, freely transferable funds in an amount equal to, for each Added Lender, such Added Lender’s Revolving Percentage (after giving effect to all Added Commitments) of Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings and funded Participations and, for each Increasing Lender, the product of the increase in such Increasing Lender’s Revolving Percentage (after giving effect to all Added Commitments) multiplied by the sum of Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings and funded Participations, as applicable (the “Increased Commitment Date”), (x) each such Added Lender shall constitute a “Revolving Credit Lender” for all purposes under this Agreement and related documents without any acknowledgment by or the consent of the other Lenders, with an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment as specified in such documents and revised Exhibit A , (y) each such Increasing Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Commitment shall increase as specified in such documents and revised Exhibit A , and each other Lender’s Revolving Percentage shall be adjusted to reflect the Added Commitments and shall be specified in such revised Exhibit A , as the case may be. As of the Increased Commitment Date, (i) the respective Revolving Percentages of the Lenders shall be deemed modified as appropriate to correspond to such Added Commitments, and (ii) on the Increased Commitment Date, to the extent necessary to keep all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and funded Participations ratable among all Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with any revised Revolving Percentages arising from any Added Commitments under this Section 2.18 , all Interest Periods then outstanding shall be deemed to be terminated without further action or consent of the Borrower and the Borrower shall pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 4.5 in connection therewith). In addition, if there are at such time outstanding any Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings and funded Participations, each Extended Revolving Credit Lender whose Revolving Percentage has been decreased as a result of the increase in the Extended Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall be deemed to have assigned, without recourse, to each Added Lender and Increasing Lender such portion of such Lender’s Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings or funded Participations as shall be necessary to effectuate such adjustment in Revolving Percentages. Each Increasing Lender and Added Lender (i) shall be deemed to have assumed such portion of such Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings and funded Participations and (ii) shall fund to each other Extended Revolving Credit Lender on the Increased Commitment Date the amount of Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings and funded Participations assigned to it by such Lender. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Extended Revolving Credit Lenders on demand any and all amounts required pursuant to Section 4.5 resulting from any such assignment of Extended Revolving Credit Outstandings.

(c) This Section 2.18 shall supersede any provisions in Section 11.1 and 11.6 to the contrary.

ARTICLE III

Letters of Credit

3.1 Letters of Credit . (a) The Issuing Banks agree, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon request of the Borrower, to issue from time to time for the account of the Borrower Letters of Credit upon delivery to the applicable Issuing Bank of an Application and Agreement for Letter of Credit relating thereto in form and content acceptable to such Issuing Bank; provided , that (i) no Issuing Bank shall issue (or renew) any Letter of Credit if it has been notified by the Administrative Agent or has actual knowledge that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) the aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Total Letter of Credit Commitment and (iii) no Letter of Credit shall be issued (or renewed) if, after giving effect thereto, Letter of Credit Outstandings plus Revolving Credit Outstandings plus Swing Line Outstandings plus outstanding Competitive Bid Loans shall exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment. No Letter of Credit shall

 

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have an expiry date (including all rights of the Borrower or any beneficiary named in such Letter of Credit to require renewal, but not any renewal options that are subject to the approval of the Issuing Bank) or payment date occurring later than the earlier to occur of one year after the date of its issuance or the fifth Business Day prior to the Extended Revolving Credit Stated Maturity Date. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or renewal of a Letter of Credit, whether pursuant to an Application and Agreement for Letter of Credit or otherwise, shall constitute its certification that the conditions specified in Section 5.2 with respect to such issuance or renewal have been satisfied. At any one time during the term of this Agreement, not more than four (4) different Revolving Credit Lenders shall be allowed to act as an Issuing Bank.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(c), on the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date (and without any further action), and so long as the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall not have terminated at or prior to such time (whether pursuant to Article IX or otherwise), the Participations in respect of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall be reallocated among the Extended Revolving Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Percentages as of such date (after giving effect to the termination of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments) and the Non-Extended Revolving Lenders shall be released from their Participations in respect of such outstanding Letters of Credit.

3.2 Reimbursement and Participations .

(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally agrees to pay to the applicable Issuing Bank immediately on demand at its Applicable Lending Office all amounts required to pay all drafts drawn under any Letters of Credit and all reasonable expenses incurred by an Issuing Bank in connection with the Letters of Credit, and in any event and without demand to place in possession of the applicable Issuing Bank (which shall include Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility if permitted by Section 2.4 and Swing Line Loans if permitted by Section 2.17 ) sufficient funds to pay all debts and liabilities arising under any Letter of Credit. The Borrower’s obligations to pay an Issuing Bank under this Section 3.2 , and such Issuing Bank’s right to receive the same, shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever. Each Issuing Bank agrees to give the Borrower prompt notice of any request for a draw under a Letter of Credit, but failure to provide such notice shall not affect the parties’ Obligations with respect thereto. Each Issuing Bank may charge any account the Borrower may have with it for any and all amounts such Issuing Bank pays under a Letter of Credit, plus reasonable charges and reasonable expenses as from time to time agreed to by such Issuing Bank and the Borrower; provided that to the extent permitted by Section 2.4(c)(iv) and Section 2.17 , such amounts shall be paid pursuant to Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility or, if the Borrower shall elect, by Swing Line Loans. The Borrower agrees that an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, accept or pay, as complying with the terms of any Letter of Credit, any drafts or other documents otherwise in order which may be signed or issued by an administrator, executor, trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver, attorney in fact or other legal representative of a party who is authorized under such Letter of Credit to draw or issue any drafts or other documents. The Borrower agrees to pay an Issuing Bank interest on any Reimbursement Obligations not paid when due hereunder at the Default Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Extended Revolving Credit Facility.

(b) In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(c) , each Issuing Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent (and shall also notify the Borrower) of any drawing under any Letter of Credit as promptly as practicable following the receipt by the Issuing Bank of such drawing, but failure to provide such notice shall not affect the parties’ Obligations with respect thereto.

(c) Each Revolving Credit Lender (other than the applicable Issuing Bank) shall automatically acquire on the date of issuance thereof, a Participation in the liability of such Issuing Bank

 

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in respect of each Letter of Credit in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such liability, and to the extent that the Borrower is obligated to pay such Issuing Bank under Section 3.2(a) , each Revolving Credit Lender (other than the Issuing Bank) thereby shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume, and shall be unconditionally obligated to pay to such Issuing Bank, its Revolving Percentage of the liability of such Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit in the manner and with the effect provided in Section 2.4(c)(iv) . With respect to drawings under any of the Letters of Credit, each Revolving Credit Lender, upon receipt from the Administrative Agent of notice of a drawing in the manner described in Section 2.4(c)(iv) , shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, prior to the applicable time set forth in Section 2.4(c)(iv) , its Revolving Percentage of such drawing. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by a Revolving Credit Lender to an Issuing Bank, such Lender shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of such Issuing Bank or such Lender, acquire a Participation in an amount equal to such payment (excluding the portion thereof constituting interest accrued prior to the date such Lender made its payment) in the related Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. The Reimbursement Obligations of the Borrower shall be immediately due and payable upon notice to the Borrower, whether in Advances made in accordance with Section 2.4(c)(iv) or otherwise. Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(iv) and this Section 3.2(c) , and the right of such Issuing Bank to receive the same, shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever and shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. In the event the Revolving Credit Lenders have purchased Participations in any Reimbursement Obligation as set forth above, then at any time payment (in fully collected, immediately available funds) of such Reimbursement Obligation, in whole or in part, is received by the applicable Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent from the Borrower, such Issuing Bank or Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to each Revolving Credit Lender an amount equal to its Revolving Percentage of such payment from the Borrower. If any Revolving Credit Lender is obligated to pay but does not pay amounts to the Administrative Agent for the account of an Issuing Bank in full upon such request as required by this Section 3.2(c) , such Lender shall, on demand, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank interest on the unpaid amount for each day during the period commencing on the date of notice given to such Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(c) until such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank in full at the Federal Funds Rate.

(d) As soon as practical following the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Credit Lender, of the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, the stated amount and the expiry date of such Letter of Credit. Promptly following the end of each calendar quarter, each Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a notice describing the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit at the end of such quarter. Upon the request of any Revolving Credit Lender from time to time, each Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall deliver to such Lender, any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to the Letter of Credit Outstandings.

(e) Each issuance by an Issuing Bank of a Letter of Credit shall, in addition to the conditions precedent set forth in Article V , be subject to the conditions that (x) such Letter of Credit be in such form and contain such terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank consistent with the then current practices and procedures of such Issuing Bank with respect to similar letters of credit, (y) the issuance of such Letter of Credit shall not violate any written policy of the Issuing Bank, and (z) the Borrower shall have executed and delivered such other instruments and agreements relating to such Letters of Credit as the Issuing Bank shall have reasonably requested consistent with such practices and procedures. Except as otherwise provided therein, all Letters of Credit shall be governed by the rules of the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

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(f) Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 11.9 , the Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Issuing Bank, each other Revolving Credit Lender and the Administrative Agent from and against any and all claims and damages, losses, liabilities, and reasonable costs and expenses which such Issuing Bank, such other Revolving Credit Lender or the Administrative Agent may incur (or which may be claimed against such Issuing Bank, such other Revolving Credit Lender or the Administrative Agent) by any Person by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of or payment or failure to pay under any Letter of Credit; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to indemnify an Issuing Bank, any other Revolving Credit Lender or the Administrative Agent for any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses to the extent, but only to the extent, (i) caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the party to be indemnified or (ii) caused by the failure of an Issuing Bank to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it of a request for payment strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, unless such payment is prohibited by any law, regulation, court order or decree or failure to pay is permitted under the terms of the Applicable Letter of Credit. The indemnification and hold harmless provisions of this Section 3.2(f) shall survive repayment of the Obligations, occurrence of the Revolving Credit Termination Date, the Facility Termination Date and expiration or termination of this Agreement.

(g) Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.2(f) , the obligation of the Borrower to immediately reimburse an Issuing Bank for drawings made under Letters of Credit and each Issuing Bank’s right to receive such payment shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and such obligations of the Borrower shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such Letters of Credit and the related Application and Agreement for any Letter of Credit, under all circumstances whatsoever, including the following circumstances:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Letter of Credit, the obligation supported by the Letter of Credit or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto (collectively, the “Related LC Documents”);

(ii) any amendment or waiver of or any consent to or departure from all or any of the Related LC Documents;

(iii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense (other than the defense of payment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) or other rights which the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of a Letter of Credit (or any persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any other Person, whether in connection with the Loan Documents, the Related LC Documents or any unrelated transaction;

(iv) any breach of contract or other dispute between the Borrower and any beneficiary or any transferee of a Letter of Credit (or any persons or entities for whom such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any other Person;

(v) any draft, statement or any other document presented under the Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect whatsoever so long as any such document appeared to comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit;

 

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(vi) any delay, extension of time, renewal, compromise or other indulgence or modification granted or agreed to by the Administrative Agent, with or without notice to or approval by the Borrower in respect of any of Borrower’s Obligations; or

(vii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever where the applicable Issuing Bank has acted in good faith, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing;

provided , however , that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to release an Issuing Bank or any other Lender of any liability for actual loss arising as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct or out of the wrongful dishonor by an Issuing Bank of a proper demand for payment made under and strictly complying with the terms of any Letter of Credit.

3.3 Governmental Action . No Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that such Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Letter of Credit any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, unless the Borrower agrees to compensate the Issuing Bank for such restriction, reserve, capital requirement, loss, cost or expense on terms satisfactory to the Issuing Bank.

3.4 Letter of Credit Fee . The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders based on their applicable Revolving Percentages, a fee on the aggregate amount available to be drawn on each Letter of Credit Outstanding at a rate equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin with respect to the Extended Revolving Credit Facility or the Non-Extended Revolving Facility, as the case may be, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) to the applicable Issuing Bank, as issuer of each Letter of Credit, an issuance fee in such amount as may be agreed by such Issuing Bank and the Borrower from time to time. Such payments of fees provided for in this Section 3.4 shall be due with respect to each Letter of Credit quarterly in arrears, such payment to be made not later than the third (3rd) Business Day of each April, July, October and January, commencing on the first such date following the issuance of a Letter of Credit under this Agreement. Such fees shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed.

3.5 Administrative Fees . The Borrower shall pay to any Issuing Bank such standard administrative fee and other standard fees, if any, in connection with the Letters of Credit in such amounts and at such times as such Issuing Bank and the Borrower shall agree from time to time.

ARTICLE IV

Change in Circumstances

4.1 Increased Cost and Reduced Return .

(a) If after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency:

(i) shall subject such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) to any increase in the cost (other than Taxes and Other Taxes as to which Section 4.6 shall govern, and other than the Reserve Requirement utilized in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate) of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loans, any Competitive Bid Loans bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate or its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans or Competitive Bid Loans at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate, or change the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement in respect of any Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Loans at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate (other than taxes imposed on the income, assets, receipts or branch profits of such Lender, franchise taxes, or taxes described in Sections 4.6(a)(ii)-(vi)  in each case by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office or such Applicable Lending Office);

 

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(ii) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, assessment or similar requirement (other than the Reserve Requirement utilized in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of, such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office), including the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender hereunder; or

(iii) shall impose on such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or on the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, Converting into, Continuing, or maintaining any Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement in each case with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans or any Competitive Bid Loans bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate, then, within five (5) Business Days of the Borrower’s receipt of a request certifying in reasonable detail calculations of such amount and the basis therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction, provided , that no Lender shall be entitled to claim any such amount or amounts for such increased cost or reduction incurred more than six months prior to the delivery of such request. If any Lender requests compensation by the Borrower under this Section 4.1(a) , the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender to make or Continue Loans of the Type with respect to which such compensation is requested, or to Convert Loans of any other Type into Loans of such Type, until the event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 4.4 shall be applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested.

(b) If after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or regulation regarding capital adequacy or any change therein or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or any request or directive made or issued after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change, request, or

 

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directive (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy), then, within five (5) Business Days of the Borrower’s receipt of a request certifying in reasonable detail calculations of such amount and the basis therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction, provided , that no Lender shall be entitled to claim any such amount or amounts for such increased cost incurred more than six months prior to the delivery of such request.

(c) Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section 4.1 and will designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to it. Any Lender claiming compensation under this Section 4.1 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

(d) The provisions of this Section 4.1 shall continue in effect notwithstanding the Facility Termination Date.

4.2 Limitation on Types of Loans . If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan or Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate:

(a) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate, as the case may be, for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Required Lenders determine in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) and notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate or Eurodollar Competitive Rate, as the case may be, will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof specifying the relevant Type of Loans and the relevant amounts or periods, and so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to make additional Loans of such Type, Continue Loans of such Type, or to Convert Loans of any other Type into Loans of such Type and the Borrower shall, on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for the outstanding Loans of the affected Type, either prepay such Loans or Convert such Loans into another Type of Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

4.3 Illegality . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its Applicable Lending Office to make, maintain, or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Loans bearing interest at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof and such Lender’s obligation to make or Continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Loans bearing interest at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate and to Convert other Types of Loans into Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Loans bearing interest at the Eurodollar Competitive Rate shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make, maintain, and fund Eurodollar Rate Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 4.4 shall be applicable).

 

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4.4 Treatment of Affected Loans . If the obligation of any Lender to make a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Competitive Bid Loan bearing interest at a Eurodollar Competitive Rate or to Continue, or to Convert Loans of any other Type into, Loans of a particular Type shall be suspended pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.3 hereof (Loans of such Type being herein called “Affected Loans” and such Type being herein called the “Affected Type”), such Lender’s Affected Loans shall be automatically Converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for Affected Loans (or, in the case of a Conversion required by Section 4.3 hereof, on such earlier date as such Lender may specify to the Borrower with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and, unless and until such Lender gives notice as provided below that the circumstances specified in Section 4.1 or 4.3 hereof that gave rise to such Conversion no longer exist:

(a) to the extent that such Lender’s Affected Loans have been so Converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s Affected Loans shall be applied instead to its Base Rate Loans; and

(b) all Loans that would otherwise be made or Continued by such Lender as Loans of the Affected Type shall be made or Continued instead as Base Rate Loans, and all Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be Converted into Loans of the Affected Type shall be Converted instead into (or shall remain as) Base Rate Loans.

If such Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 4.1 or 4.3 hereof that gave rise to the Conversion of such Lender’s Affected Loans pursuant to this Section 4.4 no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Loans of the Affected Type made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender’s Base Rate Loans shall be automatically Converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Loans of the Affected Type, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding Loans of the Affected Type and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, Types, and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages or Term Percentages, as applicable.

4.5 Compensation . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Rate Loan or Competitive Bid Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or

(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan notwithstanding satisfaction of all conditions precedent thereto) to prepay, borrow, Continue (including by reason of any prepayment) or Convert any Eurodollar Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower;

including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 4.5 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan or Competitive Bid Loan made by it at the Interbank Offered Rate used in determining the Eurodollar Rate or Eurodollar

 

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Competitive Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the applicable offshore Dollar interbank market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

The provisions of this Section 4.5 shall continue in effect notwithstanding the Facility Termination Date.

4.6 Taxes . (a) Subject to Sections 4.6(d) and 4.6(e) , any and all payments by or on behalf of any Loan Party to or for the account of any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, (i) net income taxes, franchise taxes or branch profits taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document), (ii) any United States withholding taxes payable with respect to payments hereunder on the date such Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a Lender or the Administrative Agent (as applicable), except to the extent that such Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such taxes pursuant to this paragraph, (iii) any taxes arising after the Closing Date solely as a result of or attributable to Lender changing its designated lending office after the date such Lender becomes a party hereto (other than a change pursuant to Section 4.6(g)), (iv) any taxes that are imposed by reason of Section 1471 or Section 1472 of the Code other than by reason of a change in Law imposed after the date hereof, (v) any taxes that are imposed by reason of a Lender’s failure to comply with its obligations under Section 4.6(d) and (vi) backup withholding taxes imposed under Section 3406 of the Code (all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”). If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.6) such Lender or the Administrative Agent receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law, and (iv) the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 11.2, the original or a certified copy of a receipt or other reasonably acceptable documentation evidencing payment thereof.

(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and the Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 4.6 ) paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest, and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto.

 

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(d) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of any applicable withholding tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding (including any documentation necessary to prevent withholding under Section 1471 or Section 1472 of the Code). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender (or Assignee) that is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN, Form W-8ECI or Form W-8IMY (together with any applicable underlying IRS forms), or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit M and the applicable IRS Form W-8, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation) and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower or Administrative Agent (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section that such Lender is not legally able to deliver.

(e) Each Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent for the full amount of any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings or similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority that are attributable to such Lender and that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent, together with all interest, penalties, reasonable costs and expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, as determined by the Administrative Agent in good faith. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(f) If the Borrower is required to pay additional amounts to or for the account of any Lender pursuant to this Section 4.6 , then such Lender will agree to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

(g) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent the original or certified copy of a receipt or other reasonably acceptable documentation evidencing such payment.

(h) The provisions of this Section 4.6 shall continue in effect notwithstanding the Facility Termination Date.

4.7 Replacement Lenders . The Borrower may, in its sole discretion, on ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and a Lender, cause a Lender that (a) is or may

 

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become entitled to receive any indemnification payment, additional amount or other compensation under this Article IV or that fails to make Loans for the reasons provided in this Article IV or (b) does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders affected thereby (so long as the consent of the Required Lenders has been obtained) to (and such Lender shall) assign pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof (with such Lender being deemed to have executed an Assignment and Assumption for the purpose of effecting such assignment), all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to another Lender, an Affiliate of another Lender or a Person reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and designated by the Borrower which is willing to become a Lender for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans payable to such Lender, together with any accrued but unpaid interest on such Loans, any accrued but unpaid fees with respect to such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and any other amounts payable to such Lender under this Agreement; provided, that any expenses or other amounts which would be owing to such Lender pursuant to any indemnification provision hereunder shall be payable by the Borrower to such Lender. The replacement Lender under this Section shall pay the applicable processing fee under Section 11.1 .

4.8 Defaulting Revolving Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Revolving Credit Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) commitment fees shall cease to accrue on the Extended Available Revolving Credit Commitment (if any) of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.13(a)(ii);

(b) if any Swing Line Outstandings or Letter of Credit Outstandings exist at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of such Swing Line Outstandings and Letter of Credit Outstandings shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders’ Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied at such time; and

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the Swing Line Outstandings (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) and (y) second, (1) if a drawing is made under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.4(c)(iv) and (2) if a Letter of Credit is requested by the Borrower in accordance with Section 3.1(a) during any period where there is a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall enter into an arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank to cover in whole or in part (which such arrangement may include cash collateralization) the exposure of the Issuing Bank related to the participating interests of such Defaulting Lender in such newly issued Letter of Credit Outstandings (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender or until such Lender is replaced pursuant to Section 4.7;

(iii) if and so long as the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of Letter of Credit Outstandings pursuant to Section 4.8(b)(ii) , then, in the case of any such Defaulting Lender that is an Extended Revolving Credit Lender, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.4 with respect thereto;

 

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(iv) upon any reallocation described in clause (i) above, the fees payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.13(a)(ii) and 3.4 shall be adjusted accordingly; and

(v) if any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of Letter of Credit Outstandings is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 4.8(b)(i) , then, if such Defaulting Lender is an Extended Revolving Credit Lender, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Banks or any Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 3.4 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of Letter of Credit Outstandings shall be payable to the relevant Issuing Bank until such cash collateralization and/or reallocation occurs;

(c) the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is reasonably satisfied that the related exposure will be covered in whole or in part by the Revolving Credit Commitments of the non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders and/or cash collateral or other arrangements will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 4.8(b)(ii), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swing Line Loan shall be (i) allocated among non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders and/or (ii) covered by arrangements made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.8(b)(ii) in a manner consistent with Section 4.8(b)(i) and (ii) (and any such Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and

(d) in the case of any Defaulting Lender that is an Extended Revolving Credit Lender, any amount payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise and including any amount that would otherwise be payable to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.3 but excluding Section 4.7 ) shall, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender and without duplication, be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated interest-bearing account reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and, subject to any applicable requirements of law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent (i) first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Banks or Swing Line Lender hereunder, (iii) third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by an Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, held in such account as cash collateral for existing or (unless such Defaulting Lender has no remaining unutilized Extended Revolving Credit Commitment) future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of any existing or (unless such Defaulting Lender has no remaining unutilized Extended Revolving Credit Commitment) future Participation in any Swing Line Loan or Letter of Credit, (iv) fourth, to the funding of any Revolving Credit Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (v) fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, unless such Defaulting Lender has no remaining unutilized Extended Revolving Credit Commitment, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of any Extended Revolving Credit Loans under this Agreement, (vi) sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to any Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by such Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, (vii) seventh, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this

 

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Agreement, and (viii) eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided, that, with respect to this clause (viii), if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any Revolving Credit Loans or Reimbursement Obligations as to which a Defaulting Lender has funded its Participation and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Revolving Credit Loans of, and Reimbursement Obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Revolving Credit Loans of, or Reimbursement Obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender.

(e) Upon not less than three Business Days’ prior notice to such Defaulting Lender and the Administrative Agent (which the Administrative Agent will promptly provide to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Swing Line Lender), the Borrower shall have the right to terminate the then unutilized Revolving Credit Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, after taking into account the portion of such Revolving Credit Commitment, if any, which theretofore has been, or substantially contemporaneous therewith is being, assigned pursuant to Section 4.7 . In the event of any such termination, future extensions of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be allocated to the non-Defaulting Revolving Credit Lenders in a manner that disregards the existence of any remaining Revolving Credit Commitment of such Defaulting Lender.

In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, each Issuing Bank and the Swing Line Lender each agrees that any such Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then (i) the Swing Line Outstandings and Letter of Credit Outstandings of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Revolving Credit Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swing Line Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Revolving Percentage and (ii) any arrangements made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.8(b)(ii) shall be terminated and any cash collateral or arrangement provided by the Borrower in accordance thereto will be terminated or promptly returned to the Borrower, as applicable.

The provisions of this Agreement relating to funding, payment and other matters with respect to the Revolving Facility may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Section 4.8. The provisions of this Section 4.8 may not be amended, supplemented or modified without, in addition to consents required by Section 11.6, the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower.

ARTICLE V

Conditions to Making Loans and Issuing Letters of Credit

5.1 [ INTENTIONALLY OMITTED ].

5.2 Conditions of Loans . The obligations of the Lenders to make any Loans, and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit, hereunder on or subsequent to the Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Notice if required by Article II ;

 

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(b) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and Guarantors set forth in Article VI and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Advance or issuance of such Letters of Credit with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date and except that the financial statements referred to in Section 6.1(e)(i) shall be deemed (solely for the purpose of the representation and warranty contained in such Section 6.1(e)(i) but not for the purpose of any cross reference to such Section 6.1(e)(i) or to the financial statements described therein contained in any other provision of Section 6.1(e) or elsewhere in Article VI ) to be those financial statements most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.1 ;

(c) in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the applicable Issuing Bank an Application and Agreement for Letter of Credit in form and content acceptable to such applicable Issuing Bank together with such other instruments and documents as it shall request;

(d) immediately after giving effect to a Swing Line Loan, the aggregate Swing Line Outstandings shall not exceed $25,000,000;

(e) at the time of (and after giving effect to) each Advance, Swing Line Loan or issuance of each Letter of Credit, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(f) immediately after giving effect to:

(i) a Loan or Letter of Credit, the aggregate principal balance of all outstanding Loans (other than Term Loans) and Participations for each Lender shall not exceed, respectively, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment or Letter of Credit Commitment; and

(ii) a Loan or Letter of Credit, the Outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations shall not exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

5.3 Supplements to Schedules . The Borrower may, from time to time, amend or supplement the Schedules, other than Schedules 1.1(a) , 1.1(b) and 8.3 to this Agreement by delivering (effective upon receipt) to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a copy of such revised Schedule or Schedules which shall (i) be dated the date of delivery, (ii) be certified by an Authorized Representative as true, complete and correct as of such date and as delivered in replacement for the corresponding Schedule or Schedules previously in effect, and (iii) show in reasonable detail (by blacklining or other appropriate graphic means) the changes from each such corresponding predecessor Schedule. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, in the event that the Required Lenders determine based upon such revised Schedule (whether individually or in the aggregate or cumulatively) that there has been a material adverse change since the Fourth Amendment Effective Date which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Lenders shall have no further obligation to fund additional Advances hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Representations and Warranties

6.1 Representations and Warranties . The Borrower represents and warrants with respect to itself and to its Subsidiaries (which representations and warranties shall survive the delivery of the documents mentioned herein and the making of Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit), that:

(a) Organization and Authority .

(i) the Borrower and each Subsidiary is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or creation;

(ii) the Borrower and each Subsidiary (x) has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as contemplated in the Loan Documents, and (y) is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which failure so to qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect;

(iii) the Borrower has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and to borrow hereunder, and to execute, deliver and perform each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(iv) each Guarantor has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the Facility Guaranty and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party; and

(v) when executed and delivered, each of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any Guarantor is a party will be the legal, valid and binding obligation or agreement of the Borrower or such Guarantor, as the case may be, enforceable against the Borrower or such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and to the effect of general principles of equity which may limit the availability of equitable remedies (whether in a proceeding at law or in equity).

(b) Loan Documents . The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each Guarantor of each of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party:

(i) have been duly authorized by all Organizational Action of the Borrower or such Guarantor, as the case may be, required for the lawful execution, delivery and performance thereof;

(ii) do not violate any provisions of (1) any applicable law, rule or regulation, (2) any judgment, writ, order, determination, decree or arbitral award of any Governmental Authority or arbitral authority binding on the Borrower or such Guarantor or its properties, or (3) the Organizational Documents or Operating Documents of the Borrower or such Guarantor;

 

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(iii) do not and will not be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute an event of default, or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an event of default, under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower is a party, or by which the properties or assets of the Borrower is bound; and

(iv) do not and will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of the Borrower.

(c) Subsidiaries and Stockholders . As of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those Persons listed as Subsidiaries on Schedule 6.1(c)) hereto; Schedule 6.1(c) to this Agreement states as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date the capitalization of each Subsidiary listed thereon, the number of shares or other equity interests of each class of capital stock or interest issued and outstanding of each such Subsidiary and the number and/or percentage of outstanding shares or other equity interest (including options, warrants and other rights to acquire any interest) of each such class of capital stock or equity interest owned by the Borrower or by any such Subsidiary, whether such Subsidiary is an Eligible Special Purpose Entity or a Subsidiary engaged solely in the insurance business or otherwise; as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the outstanding shares or other equity interests of each such Subsidiary which is a corporation have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and, as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower and each such Subsidiary owns beneficially and of record all the shares and other interests it is listed as owning in Schedule 6.1(c) , free and clear of any Lien other than the Liens permitted under Section 8.3 .

(d) Ownership Interests . As of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower owns no interest in any Person having an aggregate book value of $1,000,000 or more other than the Persons listed in Schedule 6.1(c) hereto.

(e) Financial Condition . (i) The Borrower has prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date furnished to each Lender an audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2009 and the notes thereto and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and changes in stockholders’ equity and the notes thereto for the Fiscal Year then ended as examined and certified by KPMG LLP. Except as set forth therein (including, in the case of such audited balance sheet, the notes thereto), such financial statements (including, in the case of such audited balance sheet, the notes thereto) present fairly the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and such interim period and results of their operations and the changes in their stockholders’ equity for the Fiscal Year and interim period then ended, all in conformity with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis (except for, with respect to interim financial statements, normal year-end adjustments); and

(ii) since the later of (i) December 31, 2005 or (ii) the date of the audited financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) hereof, there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or in the businesses, properties and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.

(f) Taxes . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns which are required to be filed by them and except for taxes and assessments being contested in good faith and against which reserves satisfactory to the

 

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Borrower’s independent certified public accountants have been established, and have paid or caused to be paid all taxes as shown on said returns or on any assessment received by them, to the extent that such taxes have become due except, with respect to any of the foregoing, where any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Litigation . Except as set forth in Schedule 6.1(g) attached hereto, there is no action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or by or before any governmental instrumentality or agency or arbitral body pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any properties or rights of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Margin Stock . No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used in violation of Regulation U, as amended (12 C.F.R. Part 221), of the Board; and the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries will comply with Regulation U at all times. The proceeds of the borrowings made pursuant to Article II hereof will be used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries only for the purposes set forth in Section 2.16 hereof.

(i) Investment Company . Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an “investment company,” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 80a-1, et seq.).

(j) No Untrue Statement . Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document or certificate or document executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in accordance with or pursuant to any Loan Document, nor any statement, representation or warranty provided to the Administrative Agent in writing in connection with the negotiation or preparation of the Fourth Amendment Documents through the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, contains any misrepresentation or untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary, in light of the circumstance under which it was made, in order to make any such representation or statement contained herein or therein not misleading in any material respect.

(k) No Consents, Etc. Neither the respective businesses or properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, nor any relationship between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any other Person, nor any circumstance in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is such as to require a material consent, approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or other authority or any other Person on the part of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as a condition to the execution, delivery and performance of, or consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or if so, such material consent, approval, authorization, filing, registration or qualification has been obtained or effected, as the case may be and is in full force and effect. As of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, and subject to Section 11.17 , the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have obtained the consent of the Manufacturers set forth on Schedule 6.1(k) to the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents.

(l) Employee Benefit Plans .

(i) The Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and all Foreign Benefit Laws, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder, with respect to all Employee Benefit

 

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Plans except for the making of any required amendments thereto for which the remedial amendment period as defined in Section 401(b) of the Code has not yet expired. Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined to be, or the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate is in the process of obtaining a determination by the Internal Revenue Service that such Employee Benefit Plan is, so qualified, and each trust related to each such plan has been determined to be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code. Each Employee Benefit Plan subject to any Foreign Benefit Law has received the required approvals by any Governmental Authority regulating such Employee Benefit Plan or the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate is in the process of obtaining such determination or approvals. No material liability has been incurred by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate for any taxes or penalties with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or any Multiemployer Plan which remains unsatisfied;

(ii) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has (a) engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA affecting any of the Employee Benefit Plans or the trusts created thereunder which could subject it to a material tax or penalty on prohibited transactions imposed under Code Section 4975 or Section 502(i) of ERISA, (b) failed to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, whether or not waived, or incurred any liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment of premiums and there are no such premium payments which are due and unpaid, (c) failed to make a material required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan, (d) failed to make a required installment or other required payment under Section 430(j) of the Code, Section 303(j) of ERISA or the terms of such Employee Benefit Plan, or (e) failed to make any required contribution or payment, required by any Foreign Benefit Law with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or otherwise failed to operate in compliance with any Foreign Benefit Law regulating any Employee Benefit Plan;

(iii) No Termination Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any unpaid withdrawal liability with respect to any Multiemployer Plan;

(iv) Except as provided in Schedule 6.1(l) , the present value of all vested accrued benefits under each Employee Benefit Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA, or the funding of which is regulated by any Foreign Benefit Law did not, as of the most recent valuation date for each such plan, exceed the then current value of the assets of such Employee Benefit Plan allocable to such benefits (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 or applicable non-US financial accounting standards);

(v) To the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, (A) each Employee Benefit Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA or the funding of which is regulated by any Foreign Benefit Law, maintained by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, has been administered in accordance with its terms in all material respects and is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable requirements of ERISA, applicable Foreign Benefit Law and other applicable laws, regulations and rules, (B) there has been no determination that any Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA) and (C) neither the

 

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Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notice of a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA);

(vi) Assuming that none of the Lenders is, is acting on behalf of, or is an entity the assets of which constitute the assets of an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) or a “plan” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to which the Borrower is a “party in interest” (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code), the consummation of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit provided for herein will not involve any prohibited transaction under ERISA which is not subject to a statutory or administrative exemption; and

(vii) No material proceeding, claim, lawsuit and/or investigation exists or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry, is threatened concerning or involving any Employee Benefit Plan.

(m) No Default . There does not exist any Default or Event of Default.

(n) Environmental Laws . Except as listed on Schedule 6.1(n) and except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and has been issued and currently maintains all required federal, state and local permits, licenses, certificates and approvals. Except as listed on Schedule 6.1(n) and except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has been notified of any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation, and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is aware of any facts, which (a) calls into question, or could reasonably be expected to call into question, compliance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with any Environmental Laws, (b) seeks, or could reasonably be expected to form the basis of a meritorious proceeding, to suspend, revoke or terminate any license, permit or approval necessary for the operation of the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s business or facilities or for the generation, handling, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, or (c) seeks to cause, or could reasonably be expected to form the basis of a meritorious proceeding to cause, any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to be subject to any restrictions on ownership, use, occupancy or transferability under any Environmental Law.

ARTICLE VII

Affirmative Covenants

Until the Facility Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and where applicable will cause each Subsidiary to:

7.1 Financial Reports, Etc . (a) as soon as practical and in any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (i) the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with the notes thereto, the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity and the respective notes thereto for such Fiscal Year, setting forth comparative financial statements for the preceding Fiscal Year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a Consistent Basis and containing opinions of KPMG LLP, or other such independent certified public accountants selected by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), which are unqualified as to the scope of the audit performed and as to the “going concern” status of the Borrower; and (ii) a Compliance Certificate of an Authorized Representative as to the existence of any Default or Event of Default and demonstrating compliance with Section 8.1 of this Agreement;

 

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(b) as soon as practical and in any event within 55 days after the end of each quarterly period (except the last reporting period of the Fiscal Year), deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (i) the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such reporting period, the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for such reporting period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year through the end of such reporting period, accompanied by a certificate of an Authorized Representative to the effect that such financial statements present fairly the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such reporting period and the results of their operations and the changes in their financial position for such reporting period, in conformity with the standards set forth in Section 6.1(e)(i) with respect to interim financials, and (ii) a Compliance Certificate of an Authorized Representative as to the existence of any Default or Event of Default and containing computations for such quarter comparable to that required pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(ii) ;

(c) with respect to any financial statements required by Section 7.1(a)(i) , either

(i) include a footnote in such financial statements stating that, as at the end of the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, the Borrower was in compliance with all financial covenants set forth in this Agreement, or if the Borrower was in default under any such financial covenant, describing such default, and specifying the nature and period of existence thereof; or

(ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (together with the delivery of such financial statements) a letter from the Borrower’s accountants specified in Section 7.1(a)(i) stating that in performing the audit necessary to render an opinion on the financial statements delivered under Section 7.1(a)(i) , they obtained no knowledge of any default by the Borrower in complying with the financial covenants set forth in this Agreement; or if the accountants have obtained knowledge of such default, a statement specifying the nature and period of existence thereof;

(d) promptly upon their becoming available to the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a copy of (i) all regular or special reports or effective registration statements which the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any securities exchange, (ii) any proxy statement distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders, bondholders or the financial community in general, and (iii) any management letter or other report submitted to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(e) promptly upon an Executive Officer obtaining actual knowledge thereof, deliver to the Administrative Agent notice of any announcement by any Rating Agency of any change in any Rating or other announcement as to the Borrower; and

(f) promptly, from time to time, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Lender such other information regarding Borrower’s and any Subsidiary’s operations, business affairs and financial condition as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may reasonably request.

 

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The Administrative Agent and the Lenders are hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any such financial or other information delivered hereunder to the Lenders (or any Affiliate of any Lender) or to the Administrative Agent, to any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders pursuant to any written request therefor or in the ordinary course of examination of loan files, or to any other Person who shall acquire or consider the assignment of, or acquisition of any participation interest in, any Obligation permitted by this Agreement, subject to Section 11.15 .

Financial statements required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to clauses (a)(i) and (b)(i) of this Section 7.1 shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which the Borrower causes such financial statements, or reports containing such financial statements, to be posted on the Internet at www.sec.gov or at such other website identified by the Borrower in a notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and that is accessible by the Lenders without charge.

7.2 Maintain Properties . Maintain all properties necessary to its operations in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), make all needed repairs, replacements and renewals to such properties, and maintain free from Liens (other than Liens permitted by Section 8.3 ) all trademarks, trade names, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how, and other intellectual property and proprietary information (or adequate licenses thereto), in each case as are reasonably necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted or as contemplated hereby, all in accordance with prudent business practices.

7.3 Existence, Qualification, Etc . Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all material rights and franchises, trade names, trademarks and permits, except to the extent conveyed or permitted in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 8.4 hereof, and maintain its license or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation and good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature of its business makes such license or qualification necessary, except, with respect to any of the foregoing, where any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.4 Regulations and Taxes . Comply in all material respects with all statutes and governmental regulations and pay all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims for labor, supplies, rent and any other obligation which, if unpaid, might become a Lien against any of its properties except liabilities being contested in good faith and against which adequate reserves have been established and except, with respect to any of the foregoing, where any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.5 Insurance . (i) Keep all of its insurable properties adequately insured at all times with responsible insurance carriers or self-insured against loss or damage by fire and other hazards as are customarily insured against by similar businesses owning such properties similarly situated, (ii) maintain general public liability insurance at all times with responsible insurance carriers or self-insured against liability on account of damage to persons and property having such limits, deductibles, exclusions and co-insurance and other provisions providing coverage similar to that specified in Schedule 7.5 attached hereto, such insurance policies to be in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (iii) maintain insurance under all applicable workers’ compensation laws (or in the alternative, maintain required reserves if self-insured for workers’ compensation purposes).

7.6 True Books . Keep true books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all of its dealings and transactions in accordance with customary business practices, and set up on its books such reserves as may be required by GAAP with respect to doubtful accounts and all taxes, assessments, charges, levies and claims and with respect to its business in general, and include such reserves in interim as well as year-end financial statements.

 

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7.7 Right of Inspection . Permit any Person designated by any Lender or the Administrative Agent at the Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s expense, as the case may be, to visit and inspect any of the properties, corporate books and financial reports of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their principal officers and independent certified public accountants, all at reasonable times, at reasonable intervals and with reasonable prior notice.

7.8 Observe all Laws . Conform to and duly observe in all material respects all laws, rules and regulations and all other valid requirements of any Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws) with respect to the conduct of its business the non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.9 Governmental Licenses . Obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, certifications and approvals of all applicable Governmental Authorities as are required for the conduct of its business as currently conducted and as contemplated by the Loan Documents, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.10 Covenants Extending to Subsidiaries . Cause each of its Subsidiaries to do with respect to itself, its business and its assets, each of the things required of the Borrower in Sections 7.2 through 7.9 , inclusive to the extent the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.11 Officer’s Knowledge of Default . Upon any Executive Officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of any Default or Event of Default hereunder or under any other obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to any Lender, or any event, development or occurrence which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, cause such officer or an Authorized Representative to promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the nature thereof, the period of existence thereof, and what action the Borrower or any Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto.

7.12 Suits or Other Proceedings . Upon any Executive Officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of any litigation or other proceedings being instituted against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any attachment, levy, execution or other process being instituted against any assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent written notice thereof stating the nature and status of such litigation, dispute, proceeding, levy, execution or other process.

7.13 Notice of Discharge of Hazardous Material or Environmental Complaint . Promptly provide to the Administrative Agent true, accurate and complete copies of any and all notices, complaints, orders, directives, claims, or citations received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to any (a) violation or alleged violation by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any applicable Environmental Laws or OSHA; (b) release or threatened release by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Hazardous Material, except where occurring legally; or (c) liability or alleged liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the costs of cleaning up, removing, remediating or responding to a release of Hazardous Materials, which violation, alleged violation, release, threatened release, actual liability or threatened liability described in clause (a), (b) or (c) could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

7.14 Environmental Compliance . If the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall receive notice from any Governmental Authority that the Borrower or any Subsidiary has violated any applicable Environmental Laws in any respect that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse

 

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Effect, the Borrower shall promptly (and in any event within the time period permitted by the applicable Governmental Authority) remove or remedy, or the Borrower shall cause the applicable Subsidiary to remove or remedy, such violation.

7.15 Employee Benefit Plans .

(a) With reasonable promptness, and in any event within thirty (30) days thereof, give notice to the Administrative Agent of (i) the establishment of any new Pension Plan (which notice shall include a copy of such plan), (ii) the commencement of contributions to any funded Employee Benefit Plan to which the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates was not previously contributing, (iii) any amendment materially increasing the benefits under, or any material increase in the unfunded liability of, any existing funded Employee Benefit Plan, (iv) each funding waiver request filed pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan and all communications received or sent by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to such request and (v) the failure of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make a required installment or payment under Section 303(j) of ERISA or Section 430(j) of the Code (in the case of Employee Benefit Plans regulated by the Code or ERISA) or under any Foreign Benefit Law (in the case of Employee Benefit Plans regulated by any Foreign Benefit Law) or a required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan by its due date;

(b) Promptly and in any event within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of the occurrence or forthcoming occurrence of any (a) Termination Event, (b) nonexempt “prohibited transaction,” as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or related trust, (c) determination that any Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA), or (d) determination that any Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in “endangered” or critical“ status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), deliver to the Administrative Agent a notice specifying the nature thereof, what action the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto;

(c) With reasonable promptness but in any event within fifteen (15) days for purposes of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof, deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of (i) any unfavorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code, (ii) all notices received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the PBGC’s or any Governmental Authority’s intent to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (iii) each Schedule SB (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan and (iv) all notices received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA. The Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent in writing within five (5) Business Days of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate obtaining knowledge or reason to know that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has filed or intends to file a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA; and

(d) Promptly following receipt thereof, copies of any documents described in Sections 101(k) or 101( l ) of ERISA that Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided, that if Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator of sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, then, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and the Borrower shall provide

 

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copies of such documents and notices to the Administrative Agent promptly after receipt thereof; and further provided, that the rights granted to the Administrative Agent in this section shall be exercised not more than once during a 12-month period with respect to any Multiemployer Plan.

7.16 Continued Operations . Continue at all times (i) to conduct its business and engage principally in the same or complementary line or lines of business substantially as heretofore conducted (subject to the right to make Permitted Acquisitions) and (ii) preserve, protect and maintain free from Liens (other than Liens permitted under Section 8.3 hereof) its material patents, copyrights, licenses, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, trade secrets and know-how necessary or reasonably required in the conduct of its operations.

7.17 Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes specified in Section 2.16 hereof.

7.18 New Subsidiaries . Cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent each of the following (by the earlier of (I) the date that any Subsidiary guarantees any obligations under the Senior Notes or the Senior Note Indenture and (II) the date that is thirty (30) days after the acquisition or creation of any Subsidiary other than an Excluded Subsidiary):

(a) a Facility Guaranty executed by such Subsidiary substantially in the form of Exhibit J ;

(b) an opinion of counsel to the Subsidiary dated as of the date of delivery of the Facility Guaranty provided for in this Section 7.18 and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (which opinion shall include opinions regarding such Subsidiary and Facility Guaranty substantially similar to the opinions of counsel delivered on the Closing Date, and which opinion may include assumptions and qualifications of similar effect to those contained in the opinions of counsel delivered on the Closing Date); and

(c) current copies of the Organizational Documents and Operating Documents of such Subsidiary, minutes of duly called and conducted meetings (or duly effected consent actions) of the Board of Directors, partners, or appropriate committees thereof (and, if required by such Organizational Documents, Operating Documents or applicable law, of the shareholders, members or partners) of such Subsidiary authorizing the actions and the execution and delivery of documents described in this Section 7.18 .

ARTICLE VIII

Negative Covenants

Until the Facility Termination Date unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to:

8.1 Financial Covenants .

(a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio . Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at the last day of any Four-Quarter Period to be greater than 3.25 to 1.00.

(b) Consolidated Total Capitalization . Permit at any time the Consolidated Capitalization Ratio to be greater than 0.60 to 1.00.

 

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8.2 Indebtedness . Incur, create or assume any Funded Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) unless, after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 8.1 (with Consolidated EBITDA, for such purpose, being calculated in respect of the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available).

8.3 Liens . Incur, create or permit to exist any Lien of any nature whatsoever with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, other than

(i) Liens existing as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date and as set forth in Schedule 8.3 attached hereto;

(ii) Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments or charges of any Governmental Authority for claims not yet due or payable, Liens for judgments or levies, in each case which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, employees or suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or created in the ordinary course of business and in existence less than 120 days from the date of creation thereof for amounts not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(iv) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, surety bonds and appeal bonds) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, contracts (other than for the repayment of Indebtedness), self insurance general liability insurance programs, public or statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds posted in the ordinary course of business, letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business and other similar obligations or arising as a result of progress payments under government contracts;

(v) easements (including, without limitation, reciprocal easement agreements and utility agreements), licenses, rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities, sewers, electric lines, telephone or telegraph lines and similar purposes, covenants, consents, reservations, encroachments, variations and zoning and other restrictions, charges or encumbrances (whether or not recorded), which do not interfere materially with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and which do not materially detract from the value of the property to which they attach or materially impair the use thereof to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(vi) Liens on real property and improvements securing (A) Mortgage Facilities of the Borrower or any Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000 at any time outstanding and (B) Rate Hedging Obligations related to such Mortgage Facilities (which Rate Hedging Obligations are owed to any of the respective lenders under such Mortgage Facilities and secured by the same assets as such Mortgage Facilities), provided that the amount of Indebtedness under any Mortgage Facility does not exceed eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value of the real property and improvements securing such Indebtedness as of the date such Liens are granted on such real property and improvements;

 

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(vii) Liens to secure the refinancing of any Indebtedness described on Schedule 8.3 to the extent such Liens encumber substantially the same assets in substantially the same manner as the Liens securing the debt being refinanced or to the extent such Liens constitute Liens permitted under this Section 8.3 ; and any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement in whole or in part of any Lien described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi) so long as no additional collateral is granted as security;

(viii) Liens on claims of the Borrower or any Subsidiary against Persons renting or leasing Vehicles, Persons damaging Vehicles or Persons issuing applicable insurance coverage for such Persons, which claims relate to damage to Vehicles, to the extent that such damage exceeds the renter’s or lessee’s collision damage waiver limitation or insurance deductible;

(ix) Liens securing Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness and Vehicle Secured Indebtedness and Rate Hedging Obligations related to such Indebtedness, which Rate Hedging Obligations are owed to any of the respective lenders of such Indebtedness and secured by the same assets as such Indebtedness;

(x) Liens incurred in compliance with Section 4.8 or Section 9.1(B) ; and

(xi) Liens not otherwise permitted hereby securing Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries so long as, on the date any such Lien is granted or any such Indebtedness is incurred, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness described in this clause (x) shall not exceed 15% of Consolidated Tangible Unencumbered Assets (calculated using Consolidated Tangible Unencumbered Assets as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements are available).

8.4 Merger, Consolidation or Fundamental Changes . (a) Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a majority of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), (b) consolidate with or merge into any other Person, or (c) permit any other Person to merge into it or (d) in the case of the Borrower, liquidate, wind-up or dissolve; provided, however, (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets into or consolidate with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be the case so long as the surviving or continuing entity shall be a Subsidiary and, if not a corporation, directly or indirectly controlled by the Borrower, upon consummation of such merger, transfer or consolidation), (ii) any Person may merge with the Borrower if the Borrower shall be the survivor thereof and such merger shall not cause, create or result in the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder, (iii) any Subsidiary may merge with or transfer substantially all of its assets to or consolidate with any other Person so long as such merger, transfer or consolidation does not constitute a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or a majority of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to such other Person and (iv) any Person (other than the Borrower) may consolidate with or merge into any Subsidiary.

8.5 Transactions with Affiliates . Other than transactions (x) permitted under Section 8.4 hereof, (y) between or among one or more Loan Parties or (z) share repurchases of the Borrower’s common stock and the repurchases of the Senior Notes in connection with the Transaction referred to in the First Amendment to this Agreement, enter into any transaction after the date hereof, including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, leasing or exchange of property, real or personal, or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate of the Borrower, except (a) that such Persons may render services to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries for compensation at the same rates generally paid by Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses for the same or similar services and (b) in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s (or any Subsidiary’s) business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate, provided , that share repurchases of the Borrower’s common stock shall not be restricted to the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business.

 

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8.6 Compliance with ERISA, the Code and Foreign Benefit Laws . With respect to any Pension Plan, Employee Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan:

(a) permit the occurrence of any Termination Event which is reasonably likely to result in a liability on the part of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC or to any Governmental Authority; or

(b) except as provided in Schedule 6.1(l) , permit the present value of all benefit liabilities under all Pension Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposed of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 or applicable non-US financial accounting standard) to exceed the current value of the assets of such Pension Plans allocable to such benefit liabilities by a material amount; or

(c) except as provided in Schedule 6.1(l) , permit any Pension Plan to fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA), whether or not waived, fail to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430 of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan, or be in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); or

(d) fail to make any material contribution or payment to any Multiemployer Plan which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may be required to make under any agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan, or any law pertaining thereto; or

(e) engage, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage, in any prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Sections 4975 of the Code for which a civil penalty pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code may be imposed; or

(f) permit the establishment of any Employee Benefit Plan providing post-retirement welfare benefits or establish or amend any Employee Benefit Plan, which establishment or amendment could result in liability to the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, or increase the obligation of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to a Multiemployer Plan, which annual liability or increase, individually or together with all similar liabilities and increases, is in excess of $500,000; or

(g) fail, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail, to establish, maintain and operate each Employee Benefit Plan in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, all applicable Foreign Benefit Laws and all other applicable laws and the regulations and interpretations thereof.

8.7 Fiscal Year . Change the Borrower’s Fiscal Year.

8.8 Change in Control . Permit at any time a Change in Control.

8.9 Limitations on Upstreaming . Enter into any agreement restricting or limiting the payment of dividends or other distributions from any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to any other Subsidiary owning Subsidiary Securities of such Subsidiary; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions (i) imposed by law or any Loan Document, (ii) existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 8.9 , (iii) customarily contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary

 

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pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) in existence at the time a Person becomes a Subsidiary and not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (v) contained in (A) any agreement in respect of Vehicle Secured Indebtedness or Vehicle Receivables Indebtedness or (B) any other agreement of an entity or related to assets acquired by or merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary so long (in the case of clause (B)) as such encumbrance or restriction was not entered into in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, merger or consolidation, (vi) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing any leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (vii) covenants in franchise agreements and/or framework agreements with Manufacturers customary for franchise agreements and/or framework agreements in the automobile retailing industry.

8.10 Subsidiary Guaranties . Permit any Subsidiary to enter into any guaranty agreement, or incur any Guaranty Obligation, with respect to any Indebtedness unless such Subsidiary has executed and delivered a Facility Guaranty to the Administrative Agent.

8.11 Manufacturer Consents .

(a) Terminate, revoke or violate the terms of any Manufacturer Consent or amend or modify the terms of any Manufacturer consent in any manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

(b) Authorize any Manufacturer to amend, modify, terminate, revoke or violate the terms of any Manufacturer Consent or to amend or modify the terms of any Manufacturer consent in each case in any manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

ARTICLE IX

Events of Default and Acceleration

9.1 Events of Default . If any one or more of the following events (herein called “Events of Default”) shall occur for any reason whatsoever (and whether such occurrence shall be voluntary or involuntary or come about or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to or in compliance with any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), that is to say:

(a) if default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of the principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, when and as the same shall be due and payable whether pursuant to any provision of Article II or Article III hereof, at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise; or

(b) if default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of any amount of interest on any Loan or of any fees or other amounts payable to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Banks or JPMorgan Chase Bank under the Loan Documents on the date on which the same shall be due and payable and such failure to pay shall continue for a period of three Business Days (after receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent with respect to amounts other than interest); or

(c) if default shall be made in the performance or observance of any covenant set forth in Sections 7.7 , 7.11 , 7.17 , 7.18 or Article VIII hereof; or

 

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(d) if a default shall be made in the performance or observance of, or shall occur under, any covenant, agreement or provision contained in any Loan Document (other than as described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above) and such default shall continue for 30 or more days after the earlier of receipt of notice of such default by an Authorized Representative from the Administrative Agent or the Borrower becomes aware of such default, or if any Loan Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of any action by the Administrative Agent), or if without the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be disaffirmed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or shall terminate, be terminable or be terminated or become void or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever (other than in accordance with its terms in the absence of default or by reason of any action by the Administrative Agent or any Lender); or

(e) if a default shall occur, which is not waived, (i) in the payment of any principal, interest, premium or other amounts with respect to any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) of the Borrower or of any Subsidiary in an outstanding aggregate amount not less than $20,000,000, or (ii) in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any term or covenant contained in any agreement or instrument under or pursuant to which any such Indebtedness described in clause (i) above may have been issued, created, assumed, guaranteed or secured by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) such default shall continue for more than the period of grace, if any, therein specified, and if such default shall permit the holder of any such Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity thereof; or

(f) if any representation, warranty or other statement of fact contained herein or any other Loan Document or in any writing, certificate, report or statement at any time furnished to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, shall be false or misleading in any material respect when given or made or deemed given or made; or

(g) if the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be unable to pay its debts generally as they become due; file a petition to take advantage of any insolvency, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership or similar law, domestic or foreign; make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; commence a proceeding for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or conservator of itself or of the whole or any substantial part of its property; file a petition or answer seeking reorganization or arrangement or similar relief under the federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute, federal, state or foreign; or

(h) if a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter an order, judgment or decree appointing a custodian, receiver, trustee, liquidator or conservator of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or of the whole or any substantial part of its properties and such order, judgment or decree continues unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days, or approve a petition filed against the Borrower or any Subsidiary seeking reorganization or arrangement or similar relief under the federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state or foreign country, province or other political subdivision, which petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days; or if, under the provisions of any other law for the relief or aid of debtors, a court of competent jurisdiction shall assume custody or control of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or of the whole or any substantial part of its properties, which control is not relinquished within sixty (60) days; or if there is commenced against the Borrower or any Subsidiary any proceeding or petition seeking reorganization, arrangement or similar relief under the federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state or foreign country, province or other political subdivision which proceeding or petition remains undismissed for a period of thirty (30) days; or if the Borrower or any Subsidiary takes any action to indicate its consent to or approval of any such proceeding or petition; or

 

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(i) if (i) any judgments where the aggregate amount not covered by insurance (or the amount as to which the insurer denies liability) is in excess of $10,000,000 are rendered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (ii) there are attachments, injunctions or executions against any of the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s properties for an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000; and such judgments, attachments, injunctions or executions referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above remain unpaid, unstayed, undischarged, unbonded or undismissed for a period of thirty (30) days;

then, and in any such event and at any time thereafter, if such Event of Default or any other Event of Default shall be continuing,

(A) either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) the Administrative Agent may with the consent of the Required Lenders, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, declare any obligation of the Lenders to make further Loans or of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit terminated, whereupon the obligation of each Lender to make further Loans or of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall terminate immediately, and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall at the direction of the Required Lenders, at their option, declare by notice to the Borrower any or all of the Obligations to be immediately due and payable, and the same, including all interest accrued thereon and all other obligations of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, shall forthwith become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice or other formality of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in any instrument evidencing the Obligations to the contrary notwithstanding; provided , however , that notwithstanding the above, if there shall occur an Event of Default under clause (g) or (h) above with respect to the Borrower, then the obligation of the Lenders to lend and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall automatically terminate and any and all of the Obligations shall be immediately due and payable without the necessity of any action by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or notice to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders;

(B) at any time after the Administrative Agent has received the consent or direction of the Required Lenders to take action under clause (A)(i) or (A)(ii) above (or if an Event of Default described under clause (g) or (h) has occurred with respect to the Borrower) the Borrower shall, upon demand of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, deposit cash with the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of any Letters of Credit remaining undrawn or unpaid, as collateral security for the repayment of any future drawings or payments under such Letters of Credit and the Borrower shall forthwith deposit and pay such amounts and such amounts shall be held by the Administrative Agent as cash collateral for the Borrower’s obligations in respect thereof; and

(C) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have all of the rights and remedies available under the Loan Documents or under any applicable law.

9.2 Administrative Agent to Act . In case any one or more Events of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, proceed to protect and enforce their rights or remedies either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both, whether

 

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for the specific performance of any covenant, agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document, or to enforce the payment of the Obligations or any other legal or equitable right or remedy.

9.3 Cumulative Rights . No right or remedy herein conferred upon the Lenders or the Administrative Agent is intended to be exclusive of any other rights or remedies contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and every such right or remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other such right or remedy contained herein and therein or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute, or otherwise.

9.4 No Waiver . No course of dealing between the Borrower and any Lender or the Administrative Agent or any failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in exercising any rights or remedies under any Loan Document or otherwise available to it shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies and no single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or of the same right or remedy on a future occasion.

9.5 Allocation of Proceeds . If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated pursuant to Article X hereof, all payments received by the Administrative Agent hereunder, in respect of any principal of or interest on the Obligations or any other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder (other than amounts deposited with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.1(B) , which shall be applied to repay any unreimbursed drawings or payments under the Letters of Credit) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

(i) amounts due to the Issuing Banks, JPMorgan Chase Bank and the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.13 , 3.4 and 11.5 hereof;

(ii) amounts due to (A) any Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof, and (B) the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.13(b) hereof;

(iii) payments of interest on Loans, to be applied for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;

(iv) payments of principal on Loans, to be applied for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;

(v) payment of cash amounts to the Administrative Agent in respect of Letter of Credit Outstandings pursuant to Section 9.1(B) hereof;

(vi) payments of all remaining Obligations, if any, to be applied for the ratable benefit of the Lenders; and

(vii) any surplus remaining after application as provided for herein, to the Borrower or otherwise as may be required by applicable law.

ARTICLE X

The Administrative Agent

10.1 Appointment . Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,

 

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and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

10.2 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in fact selected by it with reasonable care.

10.3 Exculpatory Provisions . Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

10.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent . (a) The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

 

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(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 5.1 , each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter either sent by the Administrative Agent to such Lender for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.

10.5 Notice of Default . The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

10.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders . Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or affiliates.

10.7 Indemnification . The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so to the extent required by Section 11.9 hereof), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in

 

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connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

10.8 Agent in its Individual Capacity . Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

10.9 Successor Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 9.1(g) or (h)  with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article X shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

10.10 Other Agents, etc . None of the Lenders or other Persons identified on the cover page or signature pages of this Agreement as a “Syndication Agent,” “Documentation Agent,” “Co-Lead Arranger” or “Joint Bookrunner” shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

ARTICLE XI

Miscellaneous

11.1 Assignments and Participations . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.

 

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(b)(i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Person (in which case the Borrower shall instead be promptly notified of such assignment by the assigning Lender unless the Assignee is an Affiliate of such assigning Lender); and

(B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below).

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

(B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee shall not be reimbursed by the Borrower); and

(C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire.

For the purposes of this Section 11.1 , “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.1 , 4.5 , 4.6 and 11.9 ). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights

 

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or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 11.1 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register, including the total ownership interest of the relevant Loan that the Assignee owns subsequent to the assignment. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(c)(i) Any Lender may, without the consent of or notice to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including with respect to the matters described in this Section 11.1(c)(i)) and (D) such participations shall be in a minimum amount equal to the lesser of $5,000,000 or the remaining portion of a Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder which are not subject to a pre-existing participation. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to Section 11.6(a) or (b)  and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.1 , 4.5 and 4.6 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.3(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 11.3(a) as though it were a Lender.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 4.1 , 4.5 or 4.6 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the

 

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participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. Any Participant that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.6 unless such Participant complies with Section 4.6(d) .

(iii) Each Lender that sells a participation, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, and such Lender, each Loan Party and the Administrative Agent shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register pursuant to the terms hereof as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue a Note to any Lender requiring such Note to facilitate transactions of the type described in this paragraph (d).

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Lender will assign or sell participations in all or a portion of its Loans or Commitments to any Person who is (i) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and/or on any other similar list maintained by the OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation or (ii) either (A) included within the term “designated national” as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (B) designated under Sections 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) of Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (published September 25, 2001) or similarly designated under any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders.

11.2 Notices . Any notice shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by any party hereto and be effective (i) on the day on which delivered (including hand delivery by commercial courier service) to such party (against receipt therefor), (ii) on the date of transmission to such party, in the case of notice by telefacsimile (where the proper transmission of such notice is either acknowledged by the recipient or electronically confirmed by the transmitting device), or (iii) on the fifth Business Day after the day on which mailed to such party, if sent prepaid by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, in each case delivered, transmitted or mailed, as the case may be, to the address or telefacsimile number, as appropriate, set forth below or such other address or number as such party shall specify by notice hereunder:

 

  (a) if to the Borrower:

AutoNation, Inc.

200 Southwest 1 st Avenue

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301

Attn: Treasurer

Telephone: (954)769-7734

Telefacsimile: (954) 769-4521

 

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with a copy to:

AutoNation, Inc.

200 Southwest 1 st Avenue

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301

Attn: General Counsel

Telephone: (954) 769-7224

Telefacsimile: (954) 769-6340

 

  (b) if to the Administrative Agent:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Loan & Agency

1111 Fannin Street, 10th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Syed Abbas

Telephone: (713) 750-7924

Telefacsimile: (713) 750-2938

Email: syed.x.abbas@JPMChase.com

with a copy to:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

270 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Vincent Bolognini

Telephone: (212) 270-3292

Telefacsimile: (212) 270-4016

Email: Vincent.Bolognini@JPMorgan.com

 

  (c) if to the Lenders:

At the addresses set forth in administrative questionnaires furnished by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent;

 

  (d) if to any Guarantor, at the address set forth in (a) above.

11.3 Right of Set-off; Adjustments . (a) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 11.3 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Lender may have.

(b) If any Lender (a “benefitted Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of the Loans owing to it, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or

 

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collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Loans owing to it, or interest thereon, such benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans owing to it, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders; provided , however , that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such benefitted Lender or is repaid in whole or in part by such benefitted Lender in good faith settlement of a pending or threatened avoidance claim, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery or settlement payment, but without interest. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from a Lender pursuant to this Section 11.3 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all of its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Person were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

11.4 Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit and the execution and delivery to the Lenders of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date, subject to Section 11.8 .

11.5 Expenses . The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the syndication, preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, and amendment of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under the Loan Documents. The Borrower further agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and, during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Lenders, if any (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) of the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered hereunder.

11.6 Amendments and Waivers . Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed (or consented to in writing) by the Borrower or other applicable Loan Party party to such Loan Document and (except as provided in clauses (a) and (b) below) either the Required Lenders or (as to Loan Documents other than this Agreement) the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders (and, if Article X hereof or the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent are affected thereby, by the Administrative Agent); provided that

(a) no such amendment or waiver shall, unless signed by each Lender directly affected thereby, (i) (except as provided in Section 2.18 ) increase the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Lender or the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, (ii) reduce (x) the principal of or rate of interest on any Revolving Credit Loan, Term Loan or Competitive Bid Loan made by such Lender, (y) the amounts of any Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Lender hereunder or (z) any fees payable to such Lender hereunder, except that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” hereunder or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate, (iii) postpone any date scheduled for the payment of principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender hereunder or for termination of any Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender, (iv) adversely change any pro rata provisions of Section 2.9 or (v) reduce the specified percentage amount below 50% in the definition of Required Lenders or the percentage of the Revolving Credit Commitments or outstanding Loans held by any Lender, as applicable, which shall be required for the Lenders or

 

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any of them to take any action under this Section 11.6(a) ; and provided , further , that no such amendment or waiver that affects the rights, privileges or obligations of JPMorgan Chase Bank as provider of Swing Line Loans, shall be effective unless signed in writing by JPMorgan Chase Bank or that affects the rights, privileges or obligations of any Issuing Bank as issuer of Letters of Credit, shall be effective unless signed in writing by such Issuing Bank; and

(b) no such amendment or waiver shall, unless signed by each Lender directly affected thereby, release any Guarantor (unless such Person is simultaneously released from its Senior Note Guaranty and Year 2006 Senior Note Guaranty), subordinate any Facility Guaranty of any Guarantor (unless the Senior Note Guaranty and Year 2006 Senior Note Guaranty of such Person is subordinated or substantially the same terms), release all or substantially all of the Guarantors, or subordinate all or substantially all of the Facility Guaranties, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as contemplated in the applicable Loan Documents.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended with only the written consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld), the Borrower and the Lenders providing the relevant Replacement Term Loans (as defined below) (but not any other Lender) to permit the refinancing, replacement or modification of all outstanding Term Loans (“ Replaced Term Loans ”) with a replacement term loan tranche hereunder (“ Replacement Term Loans ”), provided that (a) the aggregate principal amount of such Replacement Term Loans shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Replaced Term Loans, (b) the weighted average Applicable Margin for such Replacement Term Loans shall not be higher than the weighted average Applicable Margin for such Replaced Term Loans and (c) the weighted average life to maturity of such Replacement Term Loans shall not be shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of such Replaced Term Loans at the time of such refinancing.

Any such waiver and any such amendment or modification pursuant to this Section 11.6 shall be binding upon the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans. Except as otherwise set forth in such waiver, any Default or Event of Default that is waived pursuant to this Section 11.6 shall not be deemed to be a Default or Event of Default during the period of such waiver.

No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. No delay or omission on any Lender’s or the Administrative Agent’s part in exercising any right, remedy or option shall operate as a waiver of such or any other right, remedy or option or of any Default or Event of Default.

11.7 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such fully-executed counterpart. Signatures on communications and other documents may be transmitted by facsimile only with the consent of the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion in each instance. The effectiveness of any such signatures accepted by the Administrative Agent shall, subject to applicable law, have the same force and effect as manual signatures and shall be binding on all parties. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such signature be confirmed by a manually-signed hard copy thereof. Each party hereto hereby adopts as an original executed signature page each signature page hereafter furnished by such party to the Administrative Agent (or an agent of the Administrative Agent) bearing (with the consent of the Administrative Agent) a facsimile signature by or on behalf of such party. Nothing contained in this Section shall limit the provisions of Section 10.4 .

 

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11.8 Termination . This Agreement shall terminate on the Facility Termination Date, except that (x) those provisions which by the express terms thereof continue in effect notwithstanding the Facility Termination Date, and (y) obligations in the nature of continuing indemnities or expense reimbursement obligations not yet due and payable, shall continue in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if after receipt of any payment of all or any part of the Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender (including the Swing Line lender) is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment to any Person because such payment is determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, a diversion of trust funds or for any other reason or elects to repay any such amount in good faith settlement of a pending or threatened avoidance claim, (i) this Agreement (including the provisions pertaining to Participations in Letters of Credit, Reimbursement Obligations and Swing Line Loans) shall continue in full force (or be reinstated, as the case may be) and the Borrower shall be liable to, and shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender harmless for, the amount of such payment surrendered until the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender shall have been finally paid in full, and (ii) in the event any portion of any amount so required to be surrendered by the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank or the Swing Line lender shall have been distributed to the Lenders, the Lenders shall promptly repay such amounts to the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank or the Swing Line lender on demand therefor. The provisions of the foregoing sentence shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Lenders in reliance upon such payment, and any such contrary action so taken shall be without prejudice to the Administrative Agent’s, any Issuing Bank’s or the Lenders’ rights under this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been conditioned upon such payment having become final and irrevocable.

11.9 Indemnification; Limitation of Liability . (a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person and each Lender and each of their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and advisors (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) that may be incurred by or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or by reason of (including, without limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation, or proceeding or preparation of defense in connection therewith) the Loan Documents or the Fourth Amendment or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit (all of the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), except to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability, cost, or expense resulted from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 11.9 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Borrower, its directors, shareholders or creditors or an Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated. The Borrower agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to it, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor, or any security holders or creditors thereof arising out of, related to or in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, except to the extent that such liability resulted from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower agrees not to assert any claim against any Agent-Related Person, any Lender, any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and advisers, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Loan Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or the Fourth Amendment or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans.

(b) The agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section 11.9 shall continue in effect notwithstanding the Facility Termination Date.

 

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11.10 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be determined to be illegal or invalid as to one or more of the parties hereto, then such provision shall remain in effect with respect to all parties, if any, as to whom such provision is neither illegal nor invalid, and in any event all other provisions hereof shall remain effective and binding on the parties hereto.

11.11 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous proposals, negotiations, representations, commitments and other communications between or among the parties, both oral and written, with respect thereto (except that those provisions (if any) which by the express terms of (i) the commitment letter dated as of June 6, 2005, executed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and Banc of America Securities LLC and accepted by the Borrower, (ii) the commitment letter, dated as of March 6, 2006, executed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and accepted by the Borrower, (iii) the engagement letter, dated as of March 31, 2010, executed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and accepted by the Borrower, or (iv) the engagement letter, dated as of March 31, 2010, executed by Bank of America, N.A. and Banc of America Securities LLC and accepted by the Borrower, survive the closing of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Facility, the Letter of Credit Facility or the Fourth Amendment, as applicable, shall survive and continue in effect).

11.12 Agreement Controls . In the event that any term of any of the Loan Documents other than this Agreement conflicts with any express term of this Agreement, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall control to the extent of such conflict.

11.13 Usury Savings Clause . Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged hereunder, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate (as such term is defined below). If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate (as defined below), the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the Lenders and the Borrower to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to the Borrower. As used in this paragraph, the term “Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

 

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11.14 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN MAY BE INSTITUTED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND, BY THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE BORROWER EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN, OR TO THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION OVER IT AND ITS PROPERTY BY, ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

(c) THE BORROWER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY PERSONAL SERVICE OF A COPY OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, OR BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (POSTAGE PREPAID) TO THE ADDRESS OF THE BORROWER PROVIDED IN SECTION 11.2 , OR BY ANY OTHER METHOD OF SERVICE PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE APPLICABLE LAWS IN EFFECT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(d) NOTHING CONTAINED IN SUBSECTIONS (b)  OR (c)  HEREOF SHALL PRECLUDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER FROM BRINGING ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR OR ANY OF THE BORROWER’S OR ANY GUARANTOR’S PROPERTY OR ASSETS MAY BE FOUND OR LOCATED. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION, THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES, IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, OBJECTION TO THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION OVER IT AND ITS PROPERTY BY ANY SUCH OTHER COURT OR COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR OR ANY OF THE BORROWER’S OR ANY GUARANTOR’S PROPERTY OR ASSETS MAY BE FOUND OR LOCATED.

(e) IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER OR RELATED TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR THAT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY

 

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AGREE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PERSON MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING. ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

(f) THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY HAVE THAT ANY COURT TO WHOSE JURISDICTION IT HAS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

11.15 Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (together, the “Lending Parties”, and individually a “Lending Party”) agrees to keep confidential any information furnished or made available to it by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lending Party from disclosing such information (a) to any other Lending Party or any Affiliate of any Lending Party, or any officer, director, employee, agent, or advisor of any Lending Party or Affiliate of any Lending Party, (b) to any other Person if reasonably incidental to the administration of the credit facility provided herein so long as such Person is bound by the provisions of this Section 11.15 , (c) as required by any law, rule, or regulation, (d) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority, (f) that is or becomes available to the public or that is or becomes available to any Lending Party other than as a result of a disclosure by any Lending Party prohibited by this Agreement, (g) in connection with any litigation to which such Lending Party or any of its Affiliates may be a party, (h) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (i) to any actual or proposed participant or assignee that is subject to provisions substantially similar to those contained in this Section 11.15 .

11.16 Releases of Facility Guarantees . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 11.6 ) to take any action requested by the Borrower, at the Borrower’s expense, having the effect of releasing any Facility Guaranty to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 11.6 .

11.17 MANUFACTURER CONSENTS . IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED, UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT (EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURER WAIVES ANY OF THE TERMS OF A MANUFACTURER CONSENT OR A MANUFACTURER CONSENT IS TERMINATED OR CEASES TO BE IN EFFECT): (A) THE EXERCISE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER (WHETHER THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR OTHERWISE) OF REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE MANUFACTURER CONSENTS, (B) IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THE MANUFACTURER CONSENTS AND THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, THE TERMS OF THE MANUFACTURER CONSENTS WILL CONTROL, (C) THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AGREES TO FURNISH SUCH NOTICES AS IT IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH UNDER SUCH MANUFACTURER CONSENTS, AND (D) THE MANUFACTURERS PROVIDING SUCH MANUFACTURER CONSENTS SHALL BE THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES

 

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OF THIS SECTION. PARTICIPATION BY AN AFFILIATE OR SUBSIDIARY OF A MANUFACTURER AS A LENDER SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF THE TERMS OF ANY MANUFACTURER CONSENT GRANTED BY SUCH MANUFACTURER.

11.18 USA Patriot Act Notice . Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and the Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and the Guarantors and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act

 

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EXHIBIT B

Acknowledgement and Consent

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO   

Contact: Marc Cannon

(954) 769-3146

cannonm@autonation.com

 

Investor contact: Derek Fiebig

(954) 769-7342

fiebigd@autonation.com

AUTONATION ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF REFINANCING

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., (April 14, 2010) — AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), America’s largest automotive retailer, announced that today it closed its previously announced offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% senior unsecured notes due 2018 (referred to as the “2018 Notes”).

AutoNation also announced that today it accepted for payment all Floating Rate Notes due 2013 and 7% Senior Notes due 2014 (these two series of notes are referred to as the “old notes”) that were validly tendered prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 13, 2010 (the “consent deadline”) pursuant to the previously announced cash tender offers and related consent solicitations. Holders of 99.6% of the outstanding Floating Rate Notes due 2013 and holders of 88.8% of the outstanding 7% Senior Notes due 2014, representing $263.3 million aggregate principal amount of old notes, validly tendered their old notes and provided their consents prior to the consent deadline. As a result of receiving consents from the holders of more than 50% of each series of the old notes, AutoNation entered into a supplemental indenture primarily to eliminate most of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default contained in the indenture for the old notes. The cash tender offers remain open for holders of old notes that have not yet tendered, and are scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 27, 2010, (the “expiration time”), unless extended or earlier terminated by AutoNation.

AutoNation also announced that today it entered into an amendment to the credit agreement governing its term loan and revolving credit facilities. Pursuant to such amendment, the maturity date for $479.4 million of term loan borrowings and $581.6 million of revolving credit commitments was extended from July 18, 2012 to July 18, 2014. The maturity date for $54.0 million of term loan borrowings and $57.0 million of revolving credit commitments, relating to lenders that did not consent to the extension, remains July 18, 2012. The size of the term loan facility was reduced from $600 million to $533.4 million, and the size of the revolving credit facility was reduced from $700 million to $638.6 million. The amendment also modified certain financial covenants, including an increase in the maximum leverage ratio from 2.75x to 3.25x and a decrease in the maximum capitalization ratio from 65% to 60%. In calculating the capitalization ratio, AutoNation is now permitted to exclude goodwill, franchise rights and long-lived asset impairments subsequent to 2007.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 2018 Notes was used to pay $273.8 million (which included the consent payments and accrued and unpaid interest) for the old notes that were validly tendered prior to the consent deadline, and also to reduce borrowings under the term loan facility of the credit agreement. The remaining proceeds from the issuance of the 2018 Notes will be used to pay the consideration with respect to any additional old notes validly tendered prior to the expiration time, transaction fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.

The depositary and information agent for the offers and consent solicitations is Global Bondholder Services Corporation. The dealer managers for the offers are Banc of America Securities LLC ((888) 292-0070 (toll-free), (980) 388-9217 (collect)), J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ((866) 834-4666 (toll-free), (212) 834-3424 (collect)) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ((866) 309-6316 (toll-free), (704) 715-8341 (collect)).

 

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This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the 2018 Notes or an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Company's Floating Rate Notes due 2013 or 7% Senior Notes due 2014. The offering of the 2018 Notes was made solely by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, which was filed with the SEC. A copy of the prospectus for the offering of the 2018 Notes may be obtained on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The offers and the consent solicitations related to the old notes are being made only pursuant to the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement, letter of transmittal and consent and related materials previously distributed to noteholders. Noteholders and investors should read carefully the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement, letter of transmittal and consent and related materials because they contain important information, including the various terms of and conditions to the offers and the consent solicitation.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation, Inc., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is America’s largest automotive retailer and has been named America’s Most Admired Automotive Retailer by FORTUNE Magazine five times. A component of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index, AutoNation owns and operates 249 new vehicle franchises in 15 states. For additional information, please visit www.autonation.com or corp.autonation.com/investors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “goals,” “plans,” “believes,” “continues,” “may,” “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: economic conditions generally; conditions in the credit markets and changes in interest rates; assumptions and expectations relating to financial covenants contained in our debt agreements; the success and financial viability of vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises; factors affecting our goodwill and other intangible asset impairment testing; natural disasters and other adverse weather events; restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers; the resolution of legal and administrative proceedings; regulatory factors affecting our business; and other factors described in our news releases and filings made under the securities laws, including, among others, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 

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