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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-36449
 
 
TRUECAR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
04-3807511
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
120 Broadway, Suite 200
Santa Monica, California 90401
(800200-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices) 
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
TRUE
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes     No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes      No   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  No 
As of August 1, 2019, 106,184,703 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.




 




TRUECAR, INC.
INDEX
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
6
 
7
 
8
 
9
 
10
23
36
37
 
 
38
38
64
65
 
67

3



SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “likely,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to, statements about:
our future financial performance and our expectations regarding our revenue, cost of revenue, gross profit or gross margin, operating expenses and ability to grow revenue, scale our business, generate cash flow, fulfill our mission and achieve and maintain future profitability; 
our relationship with key industry participants, including car dealers and automobile manufacturers;
anticipated trends, growth rates and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we operate;
our ability to anticipate market needs and develop new and enhanced products and services to meet those needs and our ability to successfully monetize those products and services;
maintaining and expanding our customer base in key geographies, including our ability to increase the number of high-volume brand dealers in our network generally and in key geographies; 
our relationship with the United Services Automobile Association, or USAA, our ability to negotiate an extension of our agreement with USAA and the terms on which such an extension can be secured;
our reliance on our third-party service providers; 
the impact of competition in our industry and innovation by our competitors; 
our anticipated growth and growth strategies, including our ability to increase close rates and the rate at which site visitors prospect with a TrueCar certified dealer; 
our ability to successfully increase dealer subscription rates, and manage dealer churn, as the number of dealers on subscription billing arrangements increases relative to those on a pay-per-sale billing model;
our ability to attract significant automobile manufacturers to participate, and remain participants, in our incentive programs;
our ability to increase the number of dealers participating in our automotive trade-in program, expand its geographic coverage and successfully monetize the TrueCar Trade product;
our ability to anticipate or adapt to future changes in our industry;  
the impact on our business of seasonality, cyclical trends affecting the overall economy and actual or threatened severe weather events; 
our ability to hire and retain a chief executive officer and fill other vacancies in our management team and integrate them and other recent additions into our management team;
our ability to hire and retain necessary qualified employees, including anticipated additions to our dealer, product and technology teams; 
our continuing ability to provide customers access to our products; 
our ability to maintain and scale our technical infrastructure and leverage the completion of our technology replatforming project to enhance our customer experience and launch new product offerings;
the evolution of technology affecting our products, services and markets; 
our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property; 
the outcome, and effect on our business, of litigation to which we are a party, including our ability to settle any such litigation, the terms on which we reach any such settlement and the likelihood of obtaining final court approval of any such settlement, if required; 
our ability to navigate changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including changes in interest rates, consumer demand and import tariffs;
our ability to stay abreast of, and in compliance with, new or modified laws and regulations that currently apply or become applicable to our business, including newly-enacted and rapidly-changing data protection and net neutrality laws and regulations and changes in applicable tax laws and regulations; 
the continued expense and administrative workload associated with being a public company; 
our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls necessary to accurately report our financial results and prevent fraud; 
our liquidity and working capital requirements;

4



the estimates and estimate methodologies used in preparing our consolidated financial statements;
the future trading prices of our common stock and the impact of securities analysts’ reports on these prices;
our plans to invest in new businesses, products, services and technologies, systems and infrastructure, including potential investments and acquisitions;
our ability to effectively and timely integrate our operations with those of any business we acquire, including DealerScience, and related factors, including the difficulties associated with such integration (such as the difficulties, challenges and costs associated with managing and integrating new facilities, assets and employees) and the achievement of the anticipated benefits of such integration;
the preceding and other factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and in other reports we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time; and
the factors set forth in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss these risks in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

5





TRUECAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
(Unaudited)
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
176,565

 
$
196,128

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4,781 and $3,382 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (includes related party receivables of $184 and $349 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)
49,286

 
47,760

Prepaid expenses
9,006

 
7,468

Other current assets
34,002

 
4,103

Total current assets
268,859

 
255,459

Property and equipment, net
32,282

 
61,511

Operating lease right-of-use assets
39,066

 

Goodwill
73,311

 
73,311

Intangible assets, net
20,353

 
23,451

Equity method investment
22,901

 

Other assets
4,738

 
7,228

Total assets
$
461,510

 
$
420,960

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable (includes related party payables of $4,225 and $5,039 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)
$
20,400

 
$
26,305

Accrued employee expenses
10,361

 
4,349

Operating lease liabilities, current
6,933

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (includes related party accrued expenses of $2,151 and $218 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)
49,387

 
10,908

Total current liabilities
87,081

 
41,562

Deferred tax liabilities
695

 
568

Lease financing obligations, net of current portion

 
22,987

Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
39,851

 

Other liabilities
2,484

 
9,290

Total liabilities
130,111

 
74,407

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 

Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock — $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018

 

Common stock — $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; 105,895,609 and 104,337,508 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
10

 
10

Additional paid-in capital
746,986

 
720,025

Accumulated deficit
(415,597
)
 
(373,482
)
Total stockholders’ equity
331,399

 
346,553

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
461,510

 
$
420,960

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6



TRUECAR, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenues (includes related party contra revenue of $345 and $0 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $509 and $0 for the six months ended June 30 2019 and 2018, respectively)
$
88,075

 
$
87,850

 
$
173,657

 
$
168,911

Costs and operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below; includes related party cost of revenue of $289 and $0 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $423 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively)
8,332

 
7,752

 
17,268

 
15,204

Sales and marketing (includes related party expenses of $5,749 and $5,277 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $11,222 and $9,818 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively)
60,233

 
52,014

 
114,971

 
100,432

Technology and development
16,045

 
15,694

 
31,699

 
31,288

General and administrative
21,382

 
13,494

 
36,486

 
26,975

Depreciation and amortization
6,767

 
5,641

 
13,182

 
10,816

Total costs and operating expenses
112,759

 
94,595

 
213,606

 
184,715

Loss from operations
(24,684
)
 
(6,745
)
 
(39,949
)
 
(15,804
)
Interest income
966

 
750

 
1,967

 
1,354

Interest expense

 
(662
)
 

 
(1,323
)
Loss from equity method investment
(273
)
 

 
(273
)
 

Loss before income taxes
(23,991
)
 
(6,657
)
 
(38,255
)
 
(15,773
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
69

 
(35
)
 
170

 
(96
)
Net loss
$
(24,060
)
 
$
(6,622
)
 
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
(0.37
)
 
$
(0.16
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
105,485

 
101,150

 
105,139

 
100,862

Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive loss
$
(24,060
)
 
$
(6,622
)
 
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


7



TRUECAR, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands except share data)
(Unaudited) 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
APIC
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
104,337,508

 
$
10

 
$
720,025

 
$
(373,482
)
 
$
346,553

Cumulative-effect of accounting change adopted as of January 1, 2019

 

 

 
(3,690
)
 
(3,690
)
Net loss

 

 

 
(14,365
)
 
(14,365
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
9,108

 

 
9,108

Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
781,538

 

 
2,261

 

 
2,261

Balance at March 31, 2019
105,119,046

 
$
10

 
$
731,394

 
$
(391,537
)
 
$
339,867

Net loss

 

 

 
(24,060
)
 
(24,060
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
16,061

 

 
16,061

Shares withheld for employee taxes, net of shares issued in connection with employee stock plans
776,563

 

 
(469
)
 

 
(469
)
Balance at June 30, 2019
105,895,609

 
$
10

 
$
746,986

 
$
(415,597
)
 
$
331,399


 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
APIC
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
100,428,656

 
$
10

 
$
664,192

 
$
(351,084
)
 
$
313,118

Cumulative-effect of accounting change adopted as of January 1, 2018

 

 

 
5,923

 
5,923

Net loss

 

 

 
(9,055
)
 
(9,055
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
9,431

 

 
9,431

Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
468,809

 

 
(166
)
 

 
(166
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
100,897,465

 
$
10

 
$
673,457

 
$
(354,216
)
 
$
319,251

Net loss

 

 

 
(6,622
)
 
(6,622
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
9,445

 

 
9,445

Shares issued in connection with employee stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
708,935

 

 
1,905

 

 
1,905

Balance at June 30, 2018
101,606,400

 
$
10

 
$
684,807

 
$
(360,838
)
 
$
323,979

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8



TRUECAR, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
13,182

 
10,818

Deferred income taxes
127

 
(120
)
Bad debt expense and other reserves
485

 
811

Stock-based compensation
24,191

 
18,069

Increase in the fair value of contingent consideration liability
150

 

Amortization of lease right-of-use assets
2,944

 

Loss from equity method investment
273

 

Non-cash interest expense on lease financing obligation

 
218

Impairment or write-off and loss on disposal of finite-lived assets
1,139

 
143

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(2,011
)
 
(4,491
)
Prepaid expenses
(2,538
)
 
(2,882
)
Other current assets
(29,711
)
 
(787
)
Other assets
1,406

 
(835
)
Accounts payable
(5,777
)
 
(232
)
Accrued employee expenses
5,905

 
106

Operating lease liabilities
(3,064
)
 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
39,047

 
3,033

Other liabilities
(99
)
 
393

Net cash provided by operating activities
7,224

 
8,567

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Purchase of property and equipment
(5,405
)
 
(9,615
)
Cash paid for equity method investment
(23,174
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(28,579
)
 
(9,615
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 

 
 

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options
2,835

 
3,196

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards
(1,043
)
 
(1,423
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,792

 
1,773

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(19,563
)
 
725

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
196,128

 
197,762

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
176,565

 
$
198,487

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation capitalized for software development
978

 
807

Capitalized assets included in accounts payable, accrued employee expenses and other accrued expenses
245

 
554

Proceeds receivable from exercise of stock options included in other current assets

 
1

Taxes payable related to net share settlement of equity awards included in accrued employee expenses

 
29

 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

9



TRUECAR, INC. 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.
Organization and Nature of Business
TrueCar, Inc. is an Internet-based information, technology, and communication services company. Hereinafter, TrueCar, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries ALG, Inc., TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc. and DealerScience, LLC are collectively referred to as “TrueCar” or the “Company,” ALG, Inc. is referred to as “ALG,” TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc. is referred to as “TCDS” and DealerScience, LLC is referred to as “DealerScience.” TrueCar was incorporated in the state of Delaware in February 2005 and began business operations in April 2005. Its principal corporate offices are located in Santa Monica, California.
TrueCar is a digital automotive marketplace that (i) provides pricing transparency about what other people paid for their cars and enables consumers to engage with TrueCar Certified Dealers who are committed to providing a superior purchase experience; (ii) empowers Certified Dealers to attract these informed, in-market consumers in a cost-effective, accountable manner; and (iii) allows automobile manufacturers (“OEMs”) to more effectively target their incentive spending at deep-in-market consumers during their purchase process. TrueCar has established a diverse software ecosystem on a common technology infrastructure, powered by proprietary data and analytics. Consumers access TrueCar’s platform through the TrueCar.com website and TrueCar mobile applications or through the car buying websites and mobile applications that TrueCar operates for its affinity group marketing partners (“Auto Buying Programs”). An affinity group is comprised of a network of members or employees that provides discounts to its members.
ALG provides forecasts, consulting, and other services regarding determination of the residual value of an automobile at future given points in time, which are used to underwrite automotive loans and leases and by financial institutions to measure exposure and risk across loan, lease, and fleet portfolios. ALG also obtains automobile purchase data from a variety of sources and uses this data to provide consumers and dealers with highly accurate, geographically specific, real-time pricing information.
Through its subsidiary TCDS, the Company provides its TrueCar Trade product, which gives consumers information on the value of their trade-in vehicles and enables them to obtain a guaranteed trade-in price before setting foot in the dealership. This valuation is, in turn, backed by a third-party guarantee to dealers that the vehicles will be repurchased at the indicated price if the dealer does not want to keep them. In addition, through TCDS, the Company acted as an agent for DealerSync, Inc. (“DealerSync”) until June 2019 and in that capacity offered dealers its products and services, including a dealer website creation and management service and a software platform that assists dealers in managing, marketing and growing their business.
Additionally, in December 2018, the Company acquired DealerScience, which, through TCDS, provides dealers with advanced digital retailing software tools that allow them to calculate accurate monthly payments, expedite vehicle desking, which is the process of presenting and agreeing upon financial terms and financing options, and streamline the consumer’s experience.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Article 10-1 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, some information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, except for the accounting policy changes detailed in Note 3 as a result of the Company’s adoption of the new leasing standard, and include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial

10


statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019. 
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TrueCar and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Business acquisitions are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The Company’s purchase accounting resulted in all assets and liabilities of acquired businesses being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. Equity investments through which the Company is able to exercise significant influence over but does not control the investee and is not the primary beneficiary of the investee’s activities are accounted for using the equity method. The Company’s share of the income or loss from equity method investments is recognized on a one-quarter lag due to the timing and availability of financial information. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Assets and liabilities that are subject to judgment and use of estimates include sales allowances and allowances for doubtful accounts, contract assets, the fair value of a warrant asset and the related liability, the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, the fair value of capitalized lease facilities, the recoverability of goodwill and long-lived assets, valuation allowances with respect to deferred tax assets, useful lives associated with property and equipment and intangible assets, lease exit liabilities, contingencies, and the valuation and assumptions underlying stock-based compensation and other equity instruments. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates compared to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company engaged valuation specialists to assist with management’s determination of the valuation of the fair value of a warrant asset and the related liability, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, the fair value of capitalized lease facilities, the fair values of assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations, the fair value of reporting units in connection with annual goodwill impairment testing, the fair value of performance shares, and in periods prior to the Company’s initial public offering, valuation of common stock.
Segments
The Company has one operating segment. During the first quarter of 2019, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) was the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, who managed the Company’s operations based on consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating resources. Effective April 1, 2019, the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer resigned from his positions. From April 1, 2019, through May 31, 2019, the Company’s CODM was solely comprised of the President and Chief Executive Officer until his resignation on May 31, 2019. From June 1, 2019 through June 16, 2019, the CODM was comprised of the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Upon the hiring of the Chief Financial Officer on June 17, 2019 and through June 30, 2019, the CODM was comprised of both the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company’s operations were managed based on consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating resources by the various CODM in place.
The CODM reviews financial information on a consolidated basis, accompanied by information about dealer revenue, OEM incentive revenue, and forecasts, consulting and other revenue (Note 12). All of the Company’s principal operations, decision-making functions and assets are located in the United States.
Equity Method Investment
On February 8, 2019, the Company acquired 20% of the outstanding equity interests of Accu-Trade, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Accu-Trade”), from R.M. Hollenshead Auto Sales & Leasing, Inc., a Florida corporation (“RHAS”), Robert M. Hollenshead (“Hollenshead”) and Jeffrey J. Zamora (“Zamora” and, together with RMHS and Hollenshead, the “Sellers”), pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2019 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among Accu-Trade, RMHS, Hollenshead, Zamora and the Company. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, the Company paid the Sellers $17.9 million in cash consideration and made a $5 million capital contribution to Accu-Trade. The Company recognizes its proportional share of the

11


income or loss from the equity method investment on a one-quarter lag due to the timing and availability of financial information from Accu-Trade.
Included in the initial carrying value of $22.9 million, which represents the fair value on the transaction date, was a basis difference of $21.0 million related to the difference between the cost of the investment and the Company’s proportionate share of the net assets of Accu-Trade. The carrying value of the equity method investment is primarily adjusted for the Company’s share in the losses of Accu-Trade and amortization of the basis difference. The Company amortizes its basis difference between the estimated fair value and the underlying book value of Accu-Trade’s technology and guarantor relationship over their respective useful lives using the straight-line method. The weighted-average life of these intangible assets is approximately 5 years.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance amending the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new leasing standard using the prospective transition method. See Note 3 for further details.
In June 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions by expanding the scope of ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Under the new standard, most of the guidance on stock compensation payments to nonemployees would be aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3.
Leases
Adoption of the New Lease Accounting Standard
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting standard using the modified retrospective transition method applied at the effective date of the standard. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under the new leasing standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting. The Company has elected to utilize the package of practical expedients at the time of adoption, which allows the Company to (1) not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) not reassess the lease classification of any expired or existing leases, and (3) not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also has elected to utilize the short-term lease recognition exemption and, for those leases that qualified, the Company did not recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets or lease liabilities.
New Lease Accounting Policies
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and determine the classification of the lease, as either operating or finance, at commencement. The Company has various operating leases for its offices. These existing leases have remaining lease terms ranging from 1 to 11 years. Certain lease agreements contain options to renew, with renewal terms that generally extend the lease terms by 3 to 5 years for each option. The Company does not have any finance leases.
ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate to reflect the profile of secured borrowing over the expected term of the leases based on the information available at the later of the initial date of adoption or the lease commencement date.
The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Sublease rental income is recognized as a reduction to the related lease expense on a straight-line basis over the sublease term.

12


Adoption Impact
As a result of adoption, the Company recorded a material impact as ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet related to office facility leases. The ROU assets and lease liabilities were valued using the incremental borrowing rate as of the adoption date. Additionally, the Company expects to recognize greater rent expense in operating expenses and less interest expense as the Company’s prior build-to-suit leases are now classified as operating leases. Additionally, the change related to build-to-suit leases resulted in the removal of build-to-suit assets from the consolidated balance sheet, which reduced property and equipment, net by $28.3 million and eliminated the lease financing obligation of $1.8 million within accrued expenses and other liabilities and $23.0 million within lease financing obligation, net of current portion. See Note 5 for further details.
The cumulative effects of the changes made to the Company’s January 1, 2019 consolidated balance sheet were as follows (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2018
 
Adjustments Due to Adoption of New Leasing Standard
 
January 1, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Other current assets
$
4,103

 
$
188

 
$
4,291

Property and equipment, net
61,511

 
(25,461
)
 
36,050

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 
42,010

 
42,010

Other assets
7,228

 
147

 
7,375

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Operating lease liabilities, current
$

 
$
6,498

 
$
6,498

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
10,908

 
(2,637
)
 
8,271

Lease financing obligation, net of current portion
22,987

 
(22,987
)
 

Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

 
43,351

 
43,351

Other liabilities
9,290

 
(3,651
)
 
5,639

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deficit
$
(373,482
)
 
$
(3,690
)
 
$
(377,172
)
Lease Costs
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded operating lease costs, excluding subleases, that were included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss as follows:
Operating lease costs recorded within:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
$
192

$
392

Sales and marketing
443

882

Technology and development
893

1,764

General and administrative
616

1,250

Total operating lease costs
$
2,144

$
4,288


The Company did not include short term or variable lease costs in the table above as these amounts were immaterial. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded lease costs, excluding subleases, of $2.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The Company made cash payments for operating leases of $2.4 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $4.7 million and $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, all of which were included in cash flows from operating activities within the consolidated statements of

13


cash flows. The Company’s operating leases have a weighted average remaining lease term of 7.2 years and weighted average discount rate of 5.6%. For its subleases, the Company recorded contra rent expense of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded contra rent expense of $1.0 million related to its subleases.
Lease Commitments
Future undiscounted lease payments for the Company’s operating lease liabilities, a reconciliation of these payments to its operating lease liabilities, and related sublease income at June 30, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
Six months ended December 31, 2019 and years ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
$
3,929

2020
 
8,523

2021
 
7,152

2022
 
7,369

2023
 
7,628

Thereafter
 
22,561

Total lease payments
 
$
57,162

Less: imputed interest
 
(10,378
)
Total lease liabilities (discounted)
 
$
46,784


Six months ended December 31, 2019 and year ended December 31, 2020
 
Sublease Income
2019
 
$
(1,096
)
2020
 
(1,299
)
Total sublease income
 
$
(2,395
)

As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the previous lease accounting standard, future minimum lease payments for the Company’s operating leases at December 31, 2018, on an undiscounted basis, were as follows (in thousands):    
Years ended December 31,
 
Lease Commitments
 
Sublease Income
2019
 
$
9,220

 
$
(2,180
)
2020
 
8,716

 
(1,282
)
2021
 
7,145

 

2022
 
7,362

 

2023
 
7,621

 

Thereafter
 
22,532

 

Total minimum lease payments
 
$
62,596

 
$
(3,462
)


4.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accounting standards describe a fair value hierarchy based on the following three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:

14



Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, liabilities, or funds.
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items.
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 
At June 30, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fair
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fair
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
171,254

 
$

 
$

 
$
171,254

 
$
192,207

 
$

 
$

 
$
192,207

Total Assets
$
171,254

 
$

 
$

 
$
171,254

 
$
192,207

 
$

 
$

 
$
192,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration, current
$

 
$

 
$
2,352

 
$
2,352

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Contingent consideration, non-current
$

 
$

 
$
2,275

 
$
2,275

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,477

 
$
4,477

Total Liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
4,627

 
$
4,627

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,477

 
$
4,477




15


5.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment consisted of the following at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
 
Computer equipment, software, and internally developed software
$
104,471

 
$
99,204

Furniture and fixtures
4,762

 
4,758

Leasehold improvements
15,839

 
8,602

Capitalized facility leases

 
30,632

 
125,072

 
143,196

Less: Accumulated depreciation
(92,790
)
 
(81,685
)
Total property and equipment, net
$
32,282

 
$
61,511


Prior to the adoption of the new lease guidance, the Company was considered the owner, for accounting purposes only, of one of its Santa Monica, California leased office spaces as it had taken on certain risks of construction build cost overages above normal tenant improvement allowances. These capitalized facility leases were removed from the balance sheet at adoption. Refer to Note 3 for further details.
Included in the table above are property and equipment of $1.0 million and $1.1 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, which are capitalizable but had not yet been placed in service. These balances were comprised primarily of capitalized software not ready for its intended use.
Total depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $5.2 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was $10.1 million and $8.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Amortization of internal use capitalized software development costs was $3.9 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization of internal use capitalized software development costs was $7.3 million and $6.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
6.
Credit Facility
The Company is party to a third amended and restated loan and security agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with a financial institution that provides for advances under a $35.0 million revolving line of credit. In February 2018, the Company entered into a first amendment to the Credit Facility that, among other things, extended the expiration of the Credit Facility from February 18, 2018 to February 18, 2021. In December 2018, the Company entered into a second amendment to the Credit Facility to make certain other revisions that do not alter the borrowing amounts, interest rates, or required ratios. The Credit Facility provides a $10.0 million subfacility for the issuance of letters of credit and contained an increase option permitting the Company, subject to the lender’s consent, to increase the revolving credit facility by up to $15.0 million, to an aggregate maximum of $50.0 million.
The Credit Facility bears interest, at the Company’s option, at either (i) the prime rate published by The Wall Street Journal, plus a spread of -0.25% to 0.50%, or (ii) a LIBOR rate determined in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility, plus a spread of 1.75% to 2.50%. In each case, the spread is based on the Company’s adjusted quick ratio, which is a ratio of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents plus net billed accounts receivable to current liabilities plus all borrowings under the Credit Facility.
Interest is due and payable quarterly in arrears for prime rate loans and on the earlier of the last day of each quarter or the end of an interest period, as defined in the Credit Facility, for LIBOR rate loans. The Company is also obligated to pay an unused revolving line facility fee of 0.00% to 0.20% per annum based on the Company’s adjusted quick ratio.
The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain an adjusted quick ratio of at least 1.50 to 1.00 on the last day of each quarter. If this adjusted quick ratio is not maintained, then the facility requires the Company to maintain, as measured at each quarter end, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.00 or 2.50 to 1.00, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25 to 1.00.

16



Consolidated leverage ratio is a ratio of all funded indebtedness, including all capital lease obligations, plus all letters of credit under the facility to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months. Fixed charge coverage ratio is the ratio of the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA minus cash income taxes to its cash interest payments for the trailing twelve months. The Credit Facility also limits the Company’s ability to pay dividends. At June 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the Credit Facility’s financial covenants. 
The Company’s future material domestic subsidiaries are required, upon the lender’s request, to become co-borrowers under the Credit Facility. Additionally, the Credit Facility contains acceleration clauses that accelerate any borrowings in the event of default. The Company’s obligations and those of its future material domestic subsidiaries are collateralized by substantially all of their respective assets, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. 
At June 30, 2019, the Company had no outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility and the amount available was $31.5 million, reduced for the letters of credit issued and outstanding under the subfacility of $3.5 million.
7.
Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Exit Costs
The Company had historically accounted for exit and disposal activities through the use of a lease exit liability. Under the new leasing guidance, the remaining lease exit liability was eliminated and the remaining balance was included as an adjustment to reduce the ROU assets for the relevant properties. Refer to Note 3 for further details.
Reorganization and Executive Departures
In January 2019, the Company initiated and completed a restructuring plan (the “Reorganization Plan”) to improve efficiency and reduce expenses. The Company recorded severance costs of approximately $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2019 in connection with the Reorganization Plan. These costs were recorded within cost of revenue, sales and marketing, technology and development, and general and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. The Company does not expect to incur significant additional charges in future periods related to this Reorganization Plan.
In the second quarter of 2019, the Company incurred severance costs totaling $4.6 million associated with the separations of executive-level employees including its former chief executive officer. Of the total, the Company recorded $0.4 million in sales and marketing, $0.9 million in technology and development and $3.3 million in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive loss during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.
The following table presents a roll forward of the severance liability for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (in thousands):
 
Severance Liability
Accrual at December 31, 2018
$

Expense
7,871

Cash Payments
(3,180
)
Accrual at June 30, 2019
$
4,691


Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to the Company’s pending litigation and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings, other than as described below.

17



On March 9, 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit purportedly filed on behalf of numerous automotive dealers who are not on the TrueCar platform in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “NY Lanham Act Litigation”). The complaint in the NY Lanham Act Litigation alleged that the Company violated the Lanham Act as well as various state laws prohibiting unfair competition and deceptive acts or practices related to the Company’s advertising and promotional activities. The complaint sought injunctive relief in addition to over $250 million in damages as a result of the alleged diversion of customers from the plaintiffs’ dealerships to TrueCar Certified Dealers. On April 7, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint. Thereafter, the plaintiffs amended their complaint, and on July 13, 2015, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On January 6, 2016, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss with respect to some, but not all, of the advertising and promotional activities challenged in the amended complaint. On January 19, 2018, the Company filed a motion to exclude testimony from the plaintiffs’ damages expert. On April 10 and April 11, 2018, the court held an evidentiary hearing on that motion. On May 9, 2018, the court granted the Company’s motion to exclude testimony from the plaintiffs’ damages expert. On July 2, 2018, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the amended complaint in its entirety. On March 27, 2019, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion, allowing the plaintiffs to pursue disgorgement of the Company’s profits on a deterrence theory but granting summary judgment to the Company on the other aspects of the plaintiffs’ claims. On April 9, 2019, the Company filed a motion for reconsideration of the court’s ruling, which the court granted on July 12, 2019. As a result, the court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment in its entirety as to the plaintiffs’ Lanham Act claim. In light of the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ sole federal claim, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state-law claims alleged by the amended complaint and therefore dismissed them without prejudice, meaning that the state-law claims could be re-filed in state court at a later date. If any such claims are re-filed in state court, or if the plaintiffs appeal the dismissal of their federal claims, the Company intends to vigorously defend itself. The Company has not recorded an accrual related to this matter as of June 30, 2019, as it does not believe a loss is probable or reasonably estimable.
On December 23, 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit filed by Gordon Rose in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. The complaint asserted claims for unjust enrichment, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and violation of the California Business and Professions Code, based principally on allegations that the Company was operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker as well as factual allegations similar to those asserted in the NY Lanham Act Litigation. The complaint sought an award of unspecified damages, interest, disgorgement, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. In the complaint, the plaintiff sought to represent a class of California consumers defined as “[a]ll California consumers who purchased an automobile by using TrueCar, Inc.’s price certificate during the applicable statute of limitations.” On January 12, 2016, the court entered an order staying all proceedings in the case pending an initial status conference, which was scheduled for April 13, 2016. On March 16, 2016, the case was reassigned to a different judge. As a result of that reassignment, the initial status conference was rescheduled for and held on May 26, 2016. By stipulation, the stay of discovery was continued until a second status conference, which was scheduled for October 12, 2016. On July 13, 2016, the plaintiff amended his complaint. The amended complaint continues to assert claims for unjust enrichment, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and violation of the California Business and Professions Code. The amended complaint retains the same proposed class definition as the initial complaint. Like the initial complaint, the amended complaint seeks an award of unspecified damages, punitive and exemplary damages, interest, disgorgement, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. On September 12, 2016, the Company filed a demurrer to the amended complaint. On October 12, 2016, the court heard oral argument on the demurrer. On October 13, 2016, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s demurrer to the amended complaint, dismissing the unjust enrichment claim but declining to dismiss the balance of the claims at the demurrer stage of the litigation. At a status conference held on January 26, 2017, the court ruled that discovery could then proceed regarding matters related to class certification only. At a status conference held on July 25, 2017, the court set a deadline of January 8, 2018 for the filing of the plaintiff’s motion for class certification and provided that discovery could continue to proceed regarding matters related to class certification only at that time. Subsequently, the court extended to February 7, 2018 the deadline for the filing of plaintiff’s motion for class certification and for the completion of related discovery. On February 7, 2018, the plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. The court held a hearing on the plaintiff’s class certification motion on July 12, 2018 and denied the motion on July 27, 2018. On September 26, 2018, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal and proceedings in the trial court have been stayed pending the resolution of the appeal. The Company believes that the amended complaint is without merit, and it intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter. The Company has not recorded an accrual related to this matter as of June 30, 2019 as the Company does not believe a loss is probable or reasonably estimable.

18



On March 30, 2018, the Company and one of its former officers were named as defendants in a putative securities class action filed by Leon Milbeck in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (the “Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation”). The complaint sought an award of unspecified damages, interest, attorney’s fees and equitable relief based on allegations that the defendants made false or misleading statements about our business, operations, prospects and performance during a purported class period of February 16, 2017 through November 6, 2017 in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On June 27, 2018, the court appointed the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement Fund as lead plaintiff. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint on August 24, 2018. The amended complaint reiterated the claims in the prior complaint and added claims under Section 11 of the Exchange Act. The amended complaint also added our chief executive officer Chip Perry, our former interim chief financial officer John Pierantoni, our former chief financial officer Michael Guthrie and our underwriters and directors who signed the registration statement for our secondary offering that occurred during the class period (the “2017 Registration Statement”) as defendants. On October 31, 2018, the plaintiff dismissed the underwriters from the litigation “without prejudice,” meaning that they could be reinstated as defendants at a later time, and on November 5, 2018, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which the court denied on February 5, 2019. On May 9, 2019, the court granted lead plaintiff’s motion for class certification and scheduled trial to begin on November 5, 2019. On July 3, 2019, the lead plaintiff, the Company and the individual defendants notified the court that they had reached an agreement in principle to settle the outstanding claims in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. On August 2, 2019, the parties entered into an agreement to settle the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation on a classwide basis for $28.25 million, which will be covered by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Later that day, the lead plaintiff filed an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the proposed settlement, which the court has not yet granted. As of June 30, 2019, the proposed settlement amount and offsetting insurance receivable of $28.25 million are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other current assets” in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On March 6, 2019, the Company, its former chief executive officer Chip Perry, its former chief financial officer Michael Guthrie, its former interim chief financial officer John Pierantoni, its directors who signed the 2017 Registration Statement and USAA were named as defendants in a derivative action filed by Dean Drulias nominally on behalf of the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (the “California Derivative Litigation”). The complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment and seeks contribution for damages awarded against the Company in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation and an award of unspecified damages, interest, attorney’s fees and equitable relief based on substantially the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. On June 13, 2019, the court granted the Company’s motion to stay the California Derivative Litigation pending the decision of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “JPML”) on the Company’s motion to transfer the California Derivative Litigation to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to enable its consolidation with the Delaware Derivative Litigation. On July 31, 2019, the JPML denied the Company’s motion. The Company believes that the complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter. The Company has not recorded an accrual related to this matter as of June 30, 2019 as the Company does not believe a loss is probable or reasonably estimable.

On April 1 and April 3, 2019, respectively, the Company, its former chief executive officer Chip Perry, its former chief financial officer Michael Guthrie, its former interim chief financial officer John Pierantoni, its directors who signed the 2017 Registration Statement and USAA were named as defendants in derivative actions filed by Ara Afarian and Shelley Niemi nominally on behalf of the Company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaints allege breach of Section 29(b) of the Exchange Act as well as breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment and seek contribution for damages awarded against the Company in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation and an award of unspecified damages, interest, attorney’s fees and equitable relief based on substantially the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. The Niemi complaint also seeks rescission of certain contracts. On April 17, 2019, the two cases, and all similar cases originating in or transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re TrueCar, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation (the “Delaware Derivative Litigation”). On May 23, 2019, the Delaware Derivative Litigation was stayed pending the decision of the JPML on the Company’s motion that the California Derivative Litigation be transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to enable its consolidation with the Delaware Derivative Litigation. On July 31, 2019, the JPML denied the Company’s motion. The Company believes that the complaints are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter. The Company has not recorded an accrual related to this matter as of June 30, 2019 as the Company does not believe a loss is probable or reasonably estimable.
Employment Contracts
The Company has entered into employment contracts with certain executives of the Company. Employment under these contracts is at-will employment. However, under the provisions of the contracts, the Company would incur severance obligations of up to twelve months of the executive’s annual base salary for certain events such as involuntary terminations.

19



Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnities of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, investors, directors, officers, employees and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements, services to be provided by the Company, or intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. While the Company’s future obligations under certain of these agreements may contain limitations on liability for indemnification, other agreements do not contain such limitations and under such agreements it is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by the Company under such indemnities have not had a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, the Company does not believe that any amounts that it may be required to pay under these indemnities in the future will be material to the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.  
8.
Stock-based Awards
Stock Options
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:
 
Number of
Options
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
14,114,651

 
$
12.32

 
7.0
Granted
2,022,047

 
7.06

 
 
Exercised
(355,147
)
 
7.98

 
 
Forfeited/expired
(2,701,845
)
 
12.96

 
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2019
13,079,706

 
$
11.50

 
6.8

At June 30, 2019, total remaining stock-based compensation expense for unvested stock option awards was $17.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years. For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards of $6.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards of $10.0 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
Activity in connection with restricted stock units is as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2019:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested — December 31, 2018
5,375,963

 
$
11.01

Granted
4,498,063

 
6.80

Vested
(1,704,577
)
 
9.63

Forfeited
(1,468,517
)
 
9.91

Non-vested — June 30, 2019
6,700,932

 
$
8.77


At June 30, 2019, total remaining stock-based compensation expense for non-vested restricted stock units was $56.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years. The Company recorded $8.7 million and $5.2 million in stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recorded $14.2 million and $9.6 million in stock-based compensation for restricted stock units for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

20



Stock-based Compensation Cost
The Company recorded stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options and restricted stock units in the following categories on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
$
553

 
$
443

 
$
1,052

 
$
741

Sales and marketing
4,716

 
3,543

 
8,188

 
6,670

Technology and development
3,463

 
2,698

 
5,409

 
5,051

General and administrative
6,824

 
2,288

 
9,542

 
5,607

Total stock-based compensation expense
15,556

 
8,972

 
24,191

 
18,069

Amount capitalized to internal software use
505

 
473

 
978

 
807

Total stock-based compensation cost
$
16,061

 
$
9,445

 
$
25,169

 
$
18,876

 
As referenced in Note 7, certain executive-level employees, including the Company’s former chief executive officer, separated from the Company in the second quarter of 2019. Benefits provided associated with these terminations include severance payments, acceleration of certain equity awards and extension of the exercise period for certain vested stock options. As a result of these termination benefits, the Company recognized $7.2 million in additional stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

9.
Income Taxes
In determining quarterly provisions for income taxes, the Company uses the annual estimated effective tax rate applied to the actual year-to-date loss. The Company’s annual estimated effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily as a result of state taxes, tax amortization of goodwill and changes in the Company’s valuation allowance. The Company recorded income tax expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and an income tax benefit of $35 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The Company recorded income tax expense of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and an income tax benefit $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
There were no material changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits in the six months ended June 30, 2019, and the Company does not expect to have any significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits through the end of the fiscal year. Due to the presence of NOL carryforwards, all income tax years remain open for examination by the IRS and various state taxing authorities.
10.
Net Loss Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data): 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(24,060
)
 
$
(6,622
)
 
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
105,485

 
101,150

 
105,139

 
100,862

Net loss per share - basic and diluted
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
(0.37
)
 
$
(0.16
)


21



The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share at June 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 


 
 
Options to purchase common stock
13,080

 
16,456

Common stock warrants
1,459

 
1,459

Non-vested restricted stock unit awards
6,701

 
3,727

Total shares excluded from net loss per share
21,240

 
21,642


 
11.
Related Party Transactions
Transactions with USAA
USAA is a large stockholder in the Company and the Company’s most significant affinity marketing partner. The Company has entered into arrangements with USAA to operate its Auto Buying Program. At the time that the Company entered into these arrangements, USAA met the definition of a related party. The Company had amounts due from USAA at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. In addition, the Company had amounts due to USAA at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 of $6.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively. The Company recorded sales and marketing expense of $5.7 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to service arrangements entered into with USAA. The Company recorded sales and marketing expense of $11.2 million and $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Transactions with Accu-Trade
During the first quarter of 2019, the Company became a 20% owner of Accu-Trade and accounts for the investment using the equity method, as the Company has significant influence over the investee. The Company had amounts due to Accu-Trade at June 30, 2019 of $0.4 million. The Company recognized contra-revenue of $0.3 million and cost of revenue of $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019 related to a software and data licensing agreement entered into with Accu-Trade. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recognized contra-revenue of $0.5 million and cost of revenue of $0.4 million.
12.
Revenue Information
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company disaggregates revenue into three revenue streams: dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and forecasts, consulting and other revenue. The following table presents the Company’s revenue categories during the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dealer revenue
$
78,977

 
$
75,271

155,791

 
147,608

OEM incentives revenue
4,143

 
7,927

8,344

 
12,348

Forecasts, consulting and other revenue
4,955

 
4,652

9,522

 
8,955

Total revenues
$
88,075

 
$
87,850

$
173,657

 
$
168,911


Contract Balances
The Company’s contract asset balance for estimated variable consideration to be received upon the occurrence of subsequent vehicle sales is included within other current assets and is distinguished from accounts receivable in that these amounts are conditional upon subsequent sales and not only upon the passage of time. Substantially all of the contract asset balances of $3.3 million at December 31, 2018 were transferred to accounts receivable during the six months ended June 30, 2019 as vehicle sales occurred, with no significant changes in the estimate. A contract asset of $3.4 million was recorded as of June 30, 2019 for leads delivered where consideration to be received was still conditional upon subsequent vehicle sales.

22




Item 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Item 1 “Financial Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
Our Mission: We exist to be the most transparent brand in automotive, to serve as a catalyst that dramatically improves the way people discover, buy and sell cars.
We have established a diverse software ecosystem on a common technology infrastructure, powered by proprietary data and analytics. Our company-branded platform is available on our TrueCar website and mobile applications. In addition, we customize and operate our platform on a co-branded basis for our many affinity group marketing partners, including financial institutions like USAA and American Express; membership-based organizations like Consumer Reports, AARP, Sam’s Club, and AAA; and employee buying programs for large enterprises such as IBM and Walmart. We enable users to obtain market-based pricing data on new and used cars, and to connect with our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. We also allow automobile manufacturers, known in the industry as OEMs, to connect with TrueCar users during the purchase process and efficiently deliver targeted incentives to consumers.
We benefit consumers by providing information related to what others have paid for a make, model and trim of car in their area and guaranteed savings off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, or MSRP, for that make, model and trim, as well as, in most instances, price offers on actual vehicle inventory, which we refer to as VIN-based offers, from our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. Guaranteed savings off MSRP are reflected in a Guaranteed Savings Certificate which the consumer may then take to the dealer and apply toward the purchase of the specified make, model and trim of car. VIN-based offers provide consumers with price offers for specific vehicles from specific dealers. We benefit our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers by enabling them to attract these informed, in-market consumers in a cost-effective, accountable manner, which we believe helps them to sell more cars profitably. We benefit OEMs by allowing them to more effectively target their incentive spending at deep-in-market consumers during their purchase process.
Our network of over 16,000 TrueCar Certified Dealers consists primarily of new car franchises, representing all major makes of cars, as well as independent dealers selling used vehicles. TrueCar Certified Dealers operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Our subsidiary, ALG, provides forecasts and consulting services regarding determination of the residual value of an automobile at given future points in time. These residual values are used to underwrite automotive loans and leases to determine payments by consumers. In addition, financial institutions use this information to measure exposure and risk across loan, lease, and fleet portfolios.
Further, our subsidiary, TCDS, provides our TrueCar Trade product, which gives consumers information on the value of their trade-in vehicles and enables them to obtain a guaranteed trade-in price before setting foot in the dealership. This valuation is, in turn, backed by a third-party guarantee to dealers that the vehicles will be repurchased at the indicated price if the dealer does not want to keep them. In addition, through TCDS, we acted as an agent for DealerSync until June 2019 and in such capacity offered products and services developed by DealerSync, including a dealer website creation and management service and a software platform that assists dealers in managing, marketing and growing their business.
Additionally, in December 2018, we acquired DealerScience, which, through TCDS, provides dealers with advanced digital retailing software tools that allow them to calculate accurate monthly payments, expedite vehicle desking, which is the process of presenting and agreeing upon financial terms and financing options, and streamline the consumer’s experience from shopping to showroom.

23



During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we generated revenues of $88.1 million and recorded a net loss of $24.1 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we generated revenues of $173.7 million and recorded a net loss of $38.4 million.

Key Metrics
We regularly review a number of key metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make operating and strategic decisions.
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Average Monthly Unique Visitors
7,229,910

 
7,763,112

 
7,164,380

 
7,784,160

Units(1)
249,856

 
250,269

 
482,637

 
479,986

Monetization
$
333

 
$
332

 
$
340

 
$
333

Franchise Dealer Count
12,681

 
12,368

 
12,681

 
12,368

Independent Dealer Count
4,014

 
3,166

 
4,014

 
3,166

 
(1)
We issued full credits of the amount originally invoiced with respect to 5,703 and 5,371 units during the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We issued full credits of the amount originally invoiced with respect to 14,609 and 10,505 units during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The number of units has not been adjusted downwards related to units credited as discussed in the description of the unit metric below.
Average Monthly Unique Visitors
We define a monthly unique visitor as an individual who has visited our website, our landing page on our affinity group marketing partner sites, or our mobile applications within a calendar month. We identify unique visitors through cookies for browser-based visits on either a desktop computer or mobile device and through device IDs for mobile application visits. In addition, if a TrueCar.com user logs in, we supplement their identification with their log-in credentials to attempt to avoid double counting on TrueCar.com across devices, browsers and mobile applications. If an individual accesses our service using different devices or different browsers on the same device within a given month, the first access through each such device or browser is counted as a separate monthly unique visitor, except where adjusted based upon TrueCar.com log-in information. We calculate average monthly unique visitors as the sum of the monthly unique visitors in a given period, divided by the number of months in the period. We view our average monthly unique visitors as a key indicator of the growth in our business and audience reach, the strength of our brand, and the visibility of car-buying services to the member base of our affinity group marketing partners.
The number of average monthly unique visitors decreased 6.9% to approximately 7.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2019 from approximately 7.8 million in the same period of 2018. The number of average monthly unique visitors decreased 8.0% to approximately 7.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2019 from approximately 7.8 million in the same period of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to changes in the search algorithms used by popular search engines reducing our organic traffic that started in the fourth quarter of 2018 and have continued into 2019.
Units
We define units as the number of automobiles purchased from TrueCar Certified Dealers that are matched to users of TrueCar.com, our TrueCar-branded mobile applications or the car-buying sites and mobile applications we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners. A unit is counted after we have matched the sale to a TrueCar user with one of TrueCar Certified Dealers. We view units as a key indicator of the growth of our business, the effectiveness of our product and the size and geographic coverage of our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers.
On occasion, we issue credits to our TrueCar Certified Dealers with respect to units sold. However, we do not adjust our unit metric for these credits as we believe that in most cases a vehicle has in fact been purchased through our platform given the high degree of accuracy of our sales matching process. Credits are most frequently issued to a dealer that claims that it had a pre-existing relationship with a purchaser of a vehicle, and we determine whether we will issue a credit based on a number of factors, including the facts and circumstances related to the dealer claim and the level of claim activity at the dealership. In most cases, we issue credits in order to maintain strong business relations with the dealer and not because we have made an erroneous sales match or billing error.

24



For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to June 30, 2018, total units remained fairly flat. The number of units decreased 0.2% to 249,856 in the three months ended June 30, 2019 from 250,269 in the three months ended June 30, 2018. The number of units increased 0.6% to 482,637 in the six months ended June 30, 2019 from 479,986 in the same period of 2018.
Monetization
We define monetization as the average transaction revenue per unit, which we calculate by dividing all of our transaction revenue (dealer revenue and OEM incentives revenue) in a given period by the number of units in that period. Our monetization increased slightly by 0.3% to $333 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $332 for the same period of 2018, primarily as a result of growth in revenue from new dealer products, which no incremental units are generated, offset by a decline in OEM revenue. Our monetization increased 2.1% to $340 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 from $333 for the same period of 2018, primarily as a result of growth in our new dealer products revenue. We expect our monetization to be affected in the future by changes in our pricing structure, the unit mix between new and used cars, with used cars providing higher monetization, and the introduction of new products and services, including new OEM incentive programs.
Franchise Dealer Count
We define franchise dealer count as the number of franchise dealers in the network of TrueCar Certified Dealers at the end of a given period. This number is calculated by counting the number of brands of new cars sold at each individual location, or rooftop, regardless of the size of the dealership that owns the rooftop. The network is comprised of dealers with a range of unit sales volume per dealer, with dealers representing certain brands consistently achieving higher than average unit sales volume. We view our ability to increase our franchise dealer count, particularly dealers representing high volume brands, as an indicator of our market penetration and the likelihood of converting users of our platform into unit sales. Our TrueCar Certified Dealer network includes independent non-franchised dealers that primarily sell used cars and are not included in franchise dealer count.
Our franchise dealer count was 12,681 at June 30, 2019, an increase from 12,368 at June 30, 2018, and an increase from 12,674 at December 31, 2018. Note that our franchise dealer count excludes Genesis franchises on our program due to Hyundai’s transition of Genesis to a stand-alone brand. In order to facilitate period-over-period comparisons, we have continued to count each Hyundai franchise that also has a Genesis franchise as one franchise dealer rather than two. We intend to increase the number of dealers representing high-volume brands in our dealer network, generally, and in key geographies, by investing to improve the dealer experience and increasing dealer satisfaction.
Independent Dealer Count

We define independent dealer count as the number of dealers in the network of TrueCar Certified Dealers at the end of a given period that exclusively sell used vehicles and are not directly affiliated with a new car manufacturer. This number is calculated by counting each location, or rooftop, individually, regardless of the size of the dealership that owns the rooftop. Our independent dealer count was 4,014 at June 30, 2019, an increase from 3,166 at June 30, 2018, and an increase from 3,655 at December 31, 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted to exclude interest income, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, income (loss) from equity method investment, certain litigation costs, certain restructuring costs, certain costs associated with the departures of certain of our former executives, certain transaction costs, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, and income taxes. We define Non-GAAP net (loss) income as net loss adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation, income (loss) from equity method investment, certain litigation costs, certain restructuring costs, certain costs associated with the departures of certain of our former executives, certain transaction costs, and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. We have provided below a reconciliation of each of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Non-GAAP net (loss) income should be considered as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other organizations as they may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA or Non-GAAP net (loss) income in the same manner as we calculate these measures. 
We use Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income as operating performance measures as each is (i) an integral part of our reporting and planning processes; (ii) used by our management and board of directors to assess our

25



operational performance, and together with operational objectives, as a measure in evaluating employee compensation and bonuses; and (iii) used by our management to make financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operating investments. We believe that using Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income facilitates operating performance comparisons on a period-to-period basis because these measures exclude variations primarily caused by changes in the excluded items noted above. In addition, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP net (loss) income and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts, rating agencies and other parties in evaluating companies as measures of financial performance and debt service capabilities.
Our use of each of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the payment or receipt of interest or the payment of income taxes; 
neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Non-GAAP net (loss) income reflects changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; 
although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditures or any other contractual commitments;
neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Non-GAAP net (loss) income reflects the costs to advance our claims in certain litigation or the costs to defend ourselves in various complaints filed against us, which we expect to continue to be significant;
neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Non-GAAP net (loss) income reflects severance charges associated with the departures of certain of our former executives in the second quarter of 2019;
neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Non-GAAP net (loss) income reflects the severance charges associated with a restructuring plan initiated and completed in the first quarter of 2019 to improve efficiency and reduce expenses;
neither Adjusted EBITDA non Non-GAAP net (loss) income reflects the legal, accounting, consulting and other third-party fees and costs incurred by the Company in connection with the evaluation and negotiation of potential merger and acquisition transactions;
neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Non-GAAP net (loss) income considers the potentially dilutive impact of shares issued or to be issued in connection with stock-based compensation; and
other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income alongside other financial performance measures, including our net loss, our other GAAP results, and various cash flow metrics. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income you should be aware that in the future we will incur expenses such as those that are the subject of adjustments in deriving Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income, and you should not infer from our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP net (loss) income that our future results will not be affected by these expenses or any unusual or non-recurring items.

26



The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
(in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(24,060
)
 
$
(6,622
)
 
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
Non-GAAP adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
(966
)
 
(750
)
 
(1,967
)
 
(1,354
)
Interest expense

 
662

 

 
1,323

Depreciation and amortization
6,767

 
5,641

 
13,182

 
10,816

Stock-based compensation (1)
15,556

 
8,972

 
24,191

 
18,069

Loss from equity method investment
273

 

 
273

 

Certain litigation costs (2)
351

 
862

 
1,279

 
1,661

Executive departure costs (3)
4,681

 

 
4,681

 

Restructuring charges (4)

 

 
3,280

 

Transaction costs (5)
832

 

 
1,926

 

Change in the fair value of contingent consideration
150

 

 
150

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
69

 
(35
)
 
170

 
(96
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
3,653

 
$
8,730

 
$
8,740

 
$
14,742

 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The excluded amounts included stock-based compensation of $7.2 million incurred in the second quarter of 2019 associated with the acceleration of certain equity awards and the extension of the exercise period for certain vested stock options related to the departures of certain executives, including our former chief executive officer.
(2)
The excluded amounts relate to legal costs incurred in connection with complaints filed by non-TrueCar dealers and the California New Car Dealers Association against TrueCar and consumer class action lawsuits. We believe the exclusion of these costs is appropriate to facilitate comparisons of our core operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Based on the nature of the specific claims underlying the excluded litigation matters, once these matters are resolved, we do not believe our operations are likely to entail defending against the types of claims raised by these matters. We expect the cost of defending these claims to continue to be significant pending that resolution.
(3)
The excluded amounts represent severance charges associated with the separation of our former chief executive officer and the termination of executive-level employees in connection with the change in CEO of $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2019, as well as related recruiting fees of $0.1 million for the search for a new chief executive officer. We believe excluding the impact of these terminations and the associated chief executive officer recruiting fees is consistent with our use of these non-GAAP measures as we do not believe they are a useful indicator of our ongoing operating results.  We expect to incur an additional $0.4 million in executive recruiting fees in the second half of 2019.
(4)
The excluded amounts represent charges associated with a restructuring plan initiated and completed in the first quarter of 2019 to improve efficiency and reduce expenses. We believe excluding the impact of these charges is consistent with our use of these non-GAAP measures as we do not believe they are a useful indicator of our ongoing operating results.
(5)
The excluded amounts represent external legal, accounting, consulting and other third-party fees and costs we incurred in connection with the evaluation and negotiation of potential acquisition transactions. These expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. We consider these fees and costs, which are associated with potential merger and acquisition transactions outside the normal course of our operations, to be unrelated to our underlying results of operations and believe that their exclusion provides investors with a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business operations. We also incurred $0.6 million of such transaction expenses in the three months ended December 31, 2018 and will recast our prior-period Adjusted EBITDA presented in previous filings to reflect the exclusion of such expenses in future filings that present Adjusted EBITDA figures for such three-month period.


27



The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Non-GAAP net (loss) income for each of the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Non-GAAP net (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(24,060
)
 
$
(6,622
)
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
Non-GAAP adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation (1)
15,556

 
8,972

24,191

 
18,069

Loss from equity method investment
273

 

273

 

Certain litigation costs (2)
351

 
862

1,279

 
1,661

Executive departure costs (3)
4,681

 

4,681

 

Restructuring charges (4)

 

3,280

 

Transaction costs (5)
832

 

1,926

 

Change in the fair value of contingent consideration
150

 

150

 

Non-GAAP net (loss) income (6)
$
(2,217
)
 
$
3,212

$
(2,645
)
 
$
4,053

 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The excluded amounts include stock-based compensation of $7.2 million incurred in the second quarter of 2019 associated with the acceleration of certain equity awards and the extension of the exercise period for certain vested stock options related to the departures of certain executives, including our former chief executive officer.
(2)
The excluded amounts relate to legal costs incurred in connection with complaints filed by non-TrueCar dealers and the California New Car Dealers Association against TrueCar and consumer class action lawsuits. We believe the exclusion of these costs is appropriate to facilitate comparisons of our core operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Based on the nature of the specific claims underlying the excluded litigation matters, once these matters are resolved, we do not believe our operations are likely to entail defending against the types of claims raised by these matters. We expect the cost of defending these claims to continue to be significant pending that resolution.
(3)
The excluded amounts represent severance charges associated with the separation of our former chief executive officer and the termination of executive-level employees in connection with the change in CEO of $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2019, as well as related recruiting fees of $0.1 million for the search for a new CEO. We believe excluding the impact of these terminations and the associated chief executive officer recruiting fees is consistent with our use of these non-GAAP measures as we do not believe they are a useful indicator of our ongoing operating results.  We expect to incur an additional $0.4 million in executive recruiting fees in the second half of 2019.
(4)
The excluded amounts represent charges associated with a restructuring plan initiated and completed in the first quarter of 2019 to improve efficiency and reduce expenses. We believe excluding the impact of these charges is consistent with our use of these non-GAAP measures as we do not believe they are a useful indicator of our ongoing operating results.
(5)
The excluded amounts represent external legal, accounting, consulting and other third-party fees and costs we incurred in connection with the evaluation and negotiation of potential acquisition transactions. These expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. We consider these fees and costs, which are associated with potential merger and acquisition transactions outside the normal course of our operations, to be unrelated to our underlying results of operations and believe that their exclusion provides investors with a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business operations. We also incurred $0.6 million of such transaction expenses in the three months ended December 31, 2018 and will recast our prior-period Non-GAAP net (loss) income presented in previous filings to reflect the exclusion of such expenses in future filings that present Non-GAAP net (loss) income figures for such three-month period.
(6)
There is no income tax impact related to the adjustments made to calculate Non-GAAP net (loss) income because of our available net operating loss carryforwards and the full valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets at June 30, 2019 and 2018.

28



Components of Operating Results 
Revenues
Our revenues are comprised of dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and forecasts, consulting and other revenue. We recognize transaction revenue earlier for certain of our Auto Buying Program and OEM incentives arrangements at the time introductions and incentives are delivered based upon expected subsequent vehicle sales between the Auto Buying Program user and the dealer.
Costs and Operating Expenses
Cost of Revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Cost of revenue includes expenses related to the fulfillment of our services, consisting primarily of data costs and licensing fees paid to third-party service providers and expenses related to operating our website and mobile applications, including those associated with our data centers, hosting fees, data processing costs required to deliver introductions to our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, employee costs related to certain dealer operations, sales matching, employee and consulting costs related to delivering data and consulting services to our customers, and facilities costs. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization of software costs and other hosting and data infrastructure equipment used to operate our platforms, which are included in the depreciation and amortization line item on our statement of comprehensive loss.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of: television, digital, and radio advertising; media production costs; affinity group partner marketing fees, which also include loan subvention costs where we pay certain affinity group marketing partners a portion of consumers’ borrowing costs for car loan products offered by these affinity group marketing partners, and common stock warrants issued to USAA; marketing sponsorship programs; and digital customer acquisition. In addition, sales and marketing expenses include employee-related expenses for sales, customer support, marketing and public relations employees, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, severance, and stock-based compensation expenses; third-party contractor fees; and facilities costs. Marketing and advertising costs promote our services and are expensed as incurred, except for media production costs, which are expensed the first time the advertisement is aired.
 Technology and Development. Technology and development expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses including salaries, bonuses, benefits, severance, and stock-based compensation expenses; third-party contractor fees; facilities costs; software costs; and costs associated with our product development, product management, research and analytics, and internal IT functions.
 General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, severance, and stock-based compensation expenses for executive, finance, accounting, legal, and human resources functions. General and administrative expenses also include legal, accounting, and other third-party professional service fees, bad debt, lease exit costs, and facilities costs.
 Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation consists primarily of depreciation expense recorded on property and equipment. Amortization expense consists primarily of amortization recorded on intangible assets, capitalized software costs and leasehold improvements.
 Interest Income. Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents.
 Interest Expense. Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our built-to-suit lease financing obligations.  
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes. We are subject to federal and state income taxes in the United States. We provided a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as it is more likely than not that some or all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. As a result of the valuation allowance, our income tax benefit (or expense) is significantly less than the federal statutory rate of 21%. Our provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily reflects a tax expense associated with the amortization of tax-deductible goodwill that was not an available source of income to realize deferred tax assets. Our benefit for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflects a decrease in valuation allowance associated with the recognition of the Company’s tax-deductible goodwill amortization as an available source of income to realize deferred tax assets.

29



Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated statements of operations data for each of the periods indicated.
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
(in thousands)
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
88,075

 
$
87,850

 
$
173,657

 
$
168,911

Costs and operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below)
8,332

 
7,752

 
17,268

 
15,204

Sales and marketing
60,233

 
52,014

 
114,971

 
100,432

Technology and development
16,045

 
15,694

 
31,699

 
31,288

General and administrative
21,382

 
13,494

 
36,486

 
26,975

Depreciation and amortization
6,767

 
5,641

 
13,182

 
10,816

Total costs and operating expenses
112,759

 
94,595

 
213,606

 
184,715

Loss from operations
(24,684
)
 
(6,745
)
 
(39,949
)
 
(15,804
)
Interest income
966

 
750

 
1,967

 
1,354

Interest expense

 
(662
)
 

 
(1,323
)
Loss from equity method investment
(273
)
 

 
(273
)
 

Loss before income taxes
(23,991
)
 
(6,657
)
 
(38,255
)
 
(15,773
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
69

 
(35
)
 
170

 
(96
)
Net loss
$
(24,060
)
 
$
(6,622
)
 
$
(38,425
)
 
$
(15,677
)
Other Non-GAAP Financial Information:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Adjusted EBITDA
$
3,653

 
$
8,730

 
$
8,740

 
$
14,742

Non-GAAP net income
$
(2,217
)
 
$
3,212

 
$
(2,645
)
 
$
4,053

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018
Revenues
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Dealer revenue
$
78,977

 
$
75,271

 
$
155,791

 
$
147,608

OEM incentives revenue
4,143

 
7,927

 
8,344

 
12,348

Forecasts, consulting and other revenue
4,955

 
4,652

 
9,522

 
8,955

Revenues
$
88,075

 
$
87,850

 
$
173,657

 
$
168,911

Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in our revenues of $0.2 million, or 0.3%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected an increase in our dealer revenue. Dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and forecasts, consulting and other revenue comprised 89.7%, 4.7%, and 5.6%, respectively, of revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 85.7%, 9.0%, and 5.3%, respectively, for the same period in 2018. The increase of $3.7 million in dealer revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2019 primarily reflected a 0.3% increase in monetization, along with increases within newer revenue streams of $2.5 million due to our Trade and DealerScience products. The decrease of $3.8 million in OEM incentives revenue was primarily due to the lack of recurring revenue from a large OEM client and softness in our existing clients for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Forecasts, consulting and other revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2019 remained materially consistent with the same period in 2018. For 2019, we expect our annual revenue to remain flat as compared to the prior year as we continue to improve our consumer experience.

30



Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in our revenues of $4.7 million, or 2.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected an increase in our dealer revenue. Dealer revenue, OEM incentives revenue, and forecasts, consulting and other revenue comprised 89.7%, 4.8%, and 5.5%, respectively, of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 87.4%, 7.3%, and 5.3%, respectively, for the same period of 2018. The increase of $8.2 million in dealer revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily reflected a 2.1% increase in monetization, along with increases within newer revenue streams of $4.7 million due to our Trade and DealerScience products. The decrease of $4.0 million in OEM incentive revenue was primarily due to the lack of recurring revenue from a large OEM client and softness in our existing clients for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Forecasts, consulting and other revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2019 remained materially consistent with the same period in 2018.
Costs and Operating Expenses
Cost of Revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
$
8,332

 
$
7,752

 
$
17,268

 
$
15,204

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) as a percentage of revenues
9.5
%
 
8.8
%
 
9.9
%
 
9.0
%
Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. Cost of revenue increased $0.6 million, or 7.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018 primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in data and licensing costs and a $0.1 million increase in stock-based compensation. Although we expect our cost of revenue to increase in dollar amount, we believe that the nature of our cost structure will enable us to realize operating leverage in our business over time.
Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. Cost of revenue increased $2.1 million, or 13.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in employee-related expenses and a $0.8 million increase in data and licensing costs.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Sales and marketing expenses
$
60,233

 
$
52,014

 
$
114,971

 
$
100,432

Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues
68.4
%
 
59.2
%
 
66.2
%
 
59.5
%
Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. Sales and marketing expenses increased $8.2 million, or 15.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase primarily reflected a $2.9 million increase in branded media spend, a $1.9 million increase in employee-related expenses primarily due to increased headcount, a $2.2 million increase in partner marketing and revenue share paid to affinity marketing partners, and a $1.2 million increase in stock-based compensation. We expect the dollar amount of sales and marketing expenses to continue to increase due to increased media production costs, television and radio advertising, digital customer acquisition costs, affinity group marketing partner fees, and marketing programs as we grow our business and expand our product offerings.

31



Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. Sales and marketing expenses increased $14.5 million, or 14.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase primarily reflected a $5.8 million increase in employee-related expenses primarily due to increased headcount, a $3.8 million increase in branded media spend, a $3.4 million increase in partner marketing and revenue share paid to affinity marketing partners, and a $1.5 million increase in stock-based compensation.
Technology and Development Expenses
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Technology and development expenses
$
16,045

 
$
15,694

 
$
31,699

 
$
31,288

Technology and development expenses as a percentage of revenues
18.2
%
 
17.9
%
 
18.3
%
 
18.5
%
Capitalized software costs
$
2,992

 
$
4,037

 
$
6,089

 
$
7,548

Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. Technology and development expenses increased $0.4 million, or 2.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in employee-related expenses of $0.3 million.
Capitalized software costs decreased $1.0 million primarily due to a decrease of $0.6 million in third-party software costs and a $0.4 million decrease in internal capitalized software costs.
We expect our technology and development expenses to increase in dollar amount as we continue to increase our developer headcount to invest in our products, expand the functionality of our platform, and provide new product offerings. We also expect technology and development expenses to continue to be affected by variations in the amount of capitalized internally developed software.
Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. Technology and development expenses increased $0.4 million, or 1.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in employee-related expenses of $0.5 million and an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in outsourced services of $0.4 million.
Capitalized software costs decreased $1.5 million primarily due to a decrease of $1.3 million in third-party software costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
General and administrative expenses
$
21,382

 
$
13,494

 
$
36,486

 
$
26,975

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues
24.3
%
 
15.4
%
 
21.0
%
 
16.0
%
Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. General and administrative expenses increased $7.9 million, or 58.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to a $4.5 million increase in stock-based compensation, the majority of which relates to the acceleration of certain equity awards and the extension of the exercise period for certain vested stock options provided to our former chief executive officer in connection with his departure, a $3.2 million increase in severance costs

32



associated with such departure, and a $0.7 million increase in outsourced services. Due to ongoing litigation matters, we expect general and administrative expenses to vary depending on the timing and course of litigation proceedings and related legal fees.
Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. General and administrative expenses increased $9.5 million, or 35.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to a $3.9 million increase in stock-based compensation, a $3.2 million increase in severance costs associated with the departure of our former chief executive officer, and a $2.4 million increase in outsourced services primarily due to increased legal fees.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization expenses
$
6,767

 
$
5,641

 
$
13,182

 
$
10,816

Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $1.1 million, or 20.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to a $0.6 million increase related to the intangible assets acquired from the acquisition of DealerScience in December 2018 and a $0.4 million increase associated with the reclass of certain build-to-suit assets to leasehold improvements upon the adoption of the new lease guidance in January 2019. We expect our depreciation and amortization expenses to continue to be affected by the amount of capitalized internally developed software costs, property and equipment, and the timing of placing projects in service.
Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $2.4 million, or 21.9%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to a $1.2 million increase related to the intangible assets acquired from the acquisition of DealerScience in December 2018 and a $0.7 million increase associated with the reclass of certain build-to-suit assets to leasehold improvements upon the adoption of the new lease guidance in January 2019.
Interest Expense
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest expense
$

 
$
662

 
$

 
$
1,323

Three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to three months ended June 30, 2018. Historically our interest expense primarily related to interest incurred on our lease financing obligation for our leased office spaces under build-to-suit lease accounting. Under the new lease guidance adopted as of January 1, 2019, the build-to-suit leases are now classified as operating leases. As a result, we had no interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to $0.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018. We do not expect to incur interest expense in the remaining quarters of 2019, unless we draw down on our credit facility or incur other forms of debt financing.
Six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to six months ended June 30, 2018. We had no interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as build-to-suit leases are now classified as operating leases under the new lease guidance. Interest expense was $1.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018, and primarily consisted of interest expense incurred on our lease financing obligation for our Santa Monica and San Francisco leased office spaces.
.

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Benefit from / Provision for Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
$
69

 
$
(35
)
 
$
170

 
$
(96
)
Our provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily reflects a tax expense associated with the amortization of tax deductible goodwill that is not an available source of income to realize deferred tax assets. Our benefit from income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflects a decrease in valuation allowance in partial recognition of deferred tax assets associated with 2018 indefinite-lived net operating losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At June 30, 2019, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents totaling $176.6 million.
We have incurred cumulative losses of $415.6 million from our operations through June 30, 2019, and expect to incur additional losses in the future. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. However, our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, the timing and extent of our spending to support our technology and development efforts, and costs related to potential acquisitions to further expand our business and product offerings. To the extent that existing cash and cash equivalents, and cash from operations are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financing. Additional funds may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all.
Credit Facility
We are party to a credit facility with Silicon Valley Bank that provides for advances of up to $35.0 million. This credit facility provides a $10.0 million subfacility for the issuance of letters of credit and contains an increase option permitting us, subject to the lender’s consent, to increase the revolving credit facility by up to $15.0 million, to an aggregate maximum of $50.0 million. The credit facility has a three-year term and matures on February 18, 2021. No amounts were outstanding at June 30, 2019. The amount available under the amended credit facility at June 30, 2019 was $31.5 million, reduced for the letters of credit issued and outstanding under the subfacility of $3.5 million. See Note 6 of our condensed consolidated financial statements herein for more information about our amended credit facility.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Cash Flow Data:
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
7,224

 
$
8,567

Net cash used in investing activities
(28,579
)
 
(9,615
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,792

 
1,773

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
(19,563
)
 
$
725

Operating Activities
Our net loss and cash flows provided by or used in operating activities are significantly influenced by our investments in headcount and infrastructure to support our growth, marketing, advertising, and sponsorship expenses. Our net loss has been significantly greater than cash provided by or used in operating activities due to the inclusion of non-cash expenses and charges.
Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $7.2 million. This was primarily due to our net loss of $38.4 million, which, adjusted for non-cash items, primarily including stock-based compensation expense of $24.2 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $13.2 million, and amortization of lease right-of-use assets of $2.9

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million, resulted in $4.1 million in cash provided by operations. Net cash provided by operations also reflected an increase of $3.2 million related to changes in operating assets and liabilities.
The $3.2 million increase related to changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily reflected an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $39.0 million primarily related to a proposed legal settlement of approximately $28.3 million that will be covered by applicable directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and an increase in accrued employee expenses of $5.9 million primarily related to severance. These sources of cash were partially offset by an increase in other current assets of $29.7 million related to a $28.3 million insurance receivable associated with the aforementioned proposed legal settlement that will be covered by liability insurance, a decrease in accounts payable of $5.8 million primarily related to decreased accrued marketing spend and marketing fees payable to our affinity group partners and advertisers, a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $3.1 million, and an increase in prepaid expenses of $2.5 million primarily related to software expenses and hosting fees.
Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $8.6 million. This was primarily due to our net loss of $15.7 million, which, adjusted for non-cash items, primarily including stock-based compensation expense of $18.1 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $10.8 million, resulted in $14.3 million in cash provided by operations. Net cash provided by operations also reflected a decrease of $5.7 million related to changes in operating assets and liabilities.
The $5.7 million decrease related to changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily reflected an increase in accounts receivable of $4.5 million primarily related to the timing of billings to and payments from OEMs; an increase in prepaid expenses of $2.9 million primarily related to an increase in prepaid marketing, insurance, and other costs; an increase in other current assets of $0.8 million primarily related to an increase in the contract asset balance for estimated variable consideration to be received upon the occurrence of subsequent vehicle sales; and an increase in other assets of $0.8 million primarily related to a long-term prepayment for cloud computing services. These uses of cash were partially offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $3.0 million primarily due to increased accrued marketing fees.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures for capitalized software development costs and property and equipment.
Cash used in investing activities of $28.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 resulted primarily from a $23.2 million equity method investment as well as $5.1 million of investments in software and $0.3 million of investments in computer hardware.
Cash used in investing activities of $9.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 resulted primarily from $6.9 million of investments in software, $2.0 million of investments in furniture, leasehold, and facility improvements, and $0.7 million of investments in computer hardware.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities of $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 reflects $2.8 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options reduced by taxes paid for the net share settlement of certain equity awards of $1.0 million.
Cash provided by financing activities of $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected $3.2 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, net of taxes paid for the net share settlement of certain equity awards of $1.4 million.
Contractual Obligations and Known Future Cash Requirements
There were no significant changes to our contractual obligations and known future cash requirements for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not engage in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, as part of our ongoing business. Accordingly, our operating results, financial condition and cash flows are not subject to off-balance sheet risks.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances, stock-based compensation, income taxes, goodwill and other intangible assets, internal use capitalized software development costs, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other estimates and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.
There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019, except the accounting policy changes detailed in Note 2 of our condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of the adoption of the new lease standard.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included herein.
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk represents the risk of loss that may affect our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. We do not believe that there is any material market risk exposure that would require disclosure under this item.
Interest Rate Risk
We had cash and cash equivalents of $176.6 million at June 30, 2019, which consist entirely of bank deposits and short-term money market funds. Such interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. To date, fluctuations in interest income have not been significant.
We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes and have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure.
To the extent we borrow funds under our credit facility, we would be subject to fluctuations in interest rates. See Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein. As of June 30, 2019, we had no borrowings under the credit facility.
We believe that we do not have a material exposure to changes in fair value as a result of changes in interest rates.
Inflation Risk
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, if our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Historically, as our operations and sales have been primarily in the United States, we have not faced any significant foreign currency risk. If we plan for international expansion, our risks associated with fluctuation in currency rates will become greater, and we will continue to reassess our approach to managing this risk. 

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Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2019. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2019, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level. 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
As of April 1, 2019, we implemented a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP’) system, by transitioning certain of our operations, including the general ledger, to the new ERP system. We have modified our existing controls infrastructure, as well as added other processes and internal controls, to adapt to our new ERP system and to take advantage of the increased functionality of the new system.


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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Refer to the disclosure under the heading “Legal Proceedings” in Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for legal proceedings. From time to time, we may be involved in various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of our business activities.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this report, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, and Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before making an investment in our common stock. If any of the following risks is realized, our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not believed by us to be material could also impact us.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

The growth of our business relies significantly on our ability to grow and optimize the geographic coverage of dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers and increase the representation of high-volume brands in our network such that we are able to increase the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers, as well as our ability to manage dealer churn and increase dealer subscription rates. Failure to do so would limit our growth.
Some automotive brands consistently achieve higher than average sales volume per dealer. As a consequence, dealers representing those brands make a disproportionately greater contribution to our unit volume. Our ability to grow and to optimize the geographic coverage of dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, increase the number of dealers representing high-volume brands and grow the overall number of dealers in our network is an important factor in growing our business.
As described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, we are a relatively new participant in the automobile retail industry and car dealerships have sometimes viewed our business in a negative light. Although we have taken steps intended to improve our relationships with, and reputation among, car dealerships, including the commitments made in our pledge to dealers, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful. We may be unable to maintain or grow the number of car dealers in our network, in a geographically optimized manner or at all, or increase the proportion of dealers in our network representing high volume brands. For example, during the second half of 2015, we experienced both a decline in the proportion of high-volume dealers in our network and slowed quarter-over-quarter revenue growth. If we experience a similar decline in the future it could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, our ability to increase the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers in an optimized manner depends on strong relationships with other constituents, including car manufacturers and state dealership associations. From time to time, car manufacturers have communicated concerns about our business to dealers in our network. For example, many car manufacturers maintain guidelines that prohibit dealers from advertising a car at a price that is below an established floor, referred to as “minimum allowable advertised price,” or “MAAP,” guidelines. If a manufacturer takes the position that its MAAP guidelines apply to prices provided by a TrueCar Certified Dealer to our users and the dealer submits a price to a user that falls below the applicable MAAP guidelines, the manufacturer may discourage that dealer from remaining in the network and may discourage other dealers within its brand from joining the network. For example, in late 2011, Honda publicly announced that it would not provide advertising allowances to dealers that remained in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers. While we subsequently addressed Honda’s concerns and it ceased withholding advertising allowances from our TrueCar Certified Dealers, discord with specific car manufacturers impedes our ability to grow our dealer network. Although an increasing number of manufacturers have begun introducing MAAP guidelines recently, and we have implemented certain changes designed to accommodate these guidelines, it is unclear whether we will continue to be able to do so without making material, unfavorable adjustments to our business practices or user experience and, if we are not, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.


38



In addition, state dealership associations maintain significant influence over the dealerships in their states as lobbying groups and as thought leaders. To the extent that these associations view us in a negative light, our reputation with car dealers in the corresponding states may be negatively affected. If our relationships with car manufacturers or state dealership associations suffer, our ability to maintain and grow the number of car dealers in our network would be harmed.
Further, in 2018, approximately 35% of our unit volume was subject to pay-per-sale billing arrangements, with the remaining units being subject to subscription billing arrangements. If the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers on subscription billing arrangements continues to increase relative to those on a pay-per-sale billing model, the growth of our business could become more dependent on our ability to increase dealer subscription rates, as rising unit volumes at dealers on subscription billing arrangements do not automatically result in higher revenues. If we are unable to convince subscription-based dealers of our value proposition, we could be unable to increase dealer subscription rates even if our unit volume increases, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We cannot assure you that we will expand our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers in a manner that provides a sufficient number of dealers by brand and geography for our unique visitors, or that we will be able to increase dealer subscription rates, and failure to do so would limit our growth.
If key industry participants, including car dealers and automobile manufacturers, perceive us in a negative light or our relationships with them suffer harm, our ability to grow and our financial performance may be damaged.
Our primary source of revenue consists of fees paid by TrueCar Certified Dealers to us in connection with the sales of automobiles to our users. In addition, our value proposition to consumers depends on our ability to provide pricing information on automobiles from a sufficient number of automobile dealers by brand and in a given consumer’s geographic area. If our relationships with our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers suffer harm in a manner that leads to the departure of these dealers from our network, then our revenue and ability to maintain and grow unique visitor traffic would be adversely affected.
For example, at the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, due to certain regulatory and publicity-related challenges, many dealers canceled their agreements with us and our franchise dealer count fell from 5,571 at November 30, 2011 to 3,599 at February 28, 2012. In 2015, 279 franchise dealers became inactive as the result of a contractual dispute with a large dealer group, and our franchise dealer count decreased from 9,300 at June 30, 2015 to 8,702 at September 30, 2015. At June 30, 2019 our franchise dealer count was 12,681.
TrueCar Certified Dealers have no contractual obligation to maintain their relationship with us. Accordingly, these dealers may leave our network at any time or may develop or use other products or services in lieu of ours. Further, while we believe that our service provides a lower cost, accountable customer acquisition channel, dealers may have difficulty rationalizing their marketing spend across TrueCar and other channels, which may have the effect of diluting our dealer value proposition. If we are unable to create and maintain a compelling value proposition for dealers to become and remain TrueCar Certified Dealers, our dealer network might not grow and could decline.
In addition, although the automobile dealership industry is fragmented, a small number of groups have significant influence over the industry, including state and national dealership associations, state regulators, car manufacturers, consumer groups, individual dealers and consolidated dealer groups. If any of these groups comes to believe that automobile dealerships should not do business with us, this belief could become quickly and widely shared by automobile dealerships and we could lose a significant number of dealers in our network. In May 2015, the California New Car Dealers Association filed a lawsuit alleging that we were operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker. Although this litigation was ultimately settled, we cannot assure you that similar litigation will not be brought against us in the future. For more information on this lawsuit, refer to the risk factor below: “We face litigation and are party to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.” A significant number of automobile dealerships are also members of larger dealer groups, and if a group decides to leave our network, that decision would typically apply to all dealerships within the group.
Furthermore, automobile manufacturers may provide their franchise dealers with financial or other marketing support on the condition that they adhere to certain marketing guidelines, and may determine that the manner in which certain dealers use our platform is inconsistent with the terms of those guidelines. That determination could result in potential or actual loss of the manufacturers’ financial or other marketing support to the dealers whose use of the TrueCar platform is deemed objectionable. The potential or actual loss of marketing support could cause those dealers to cease being members of our TrueCar Certified Dealer network, which could adversely affect our ability to maintain or grow the number and productivity of dealers in our network or the revenue derived from those dealers.
We cannot assure you that we will maintain strong relationships with the dealers in our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers or that we will not suffer dealer attrition in the future. We may also have disputes with dealers from time to time, including relating to the collection of fees from them and other matters. We may need to modify our products, change pricing or

39



take other actions to address dealer concerns in the future. If a significant number of these automobile dealerships decide to leave our network or change their financial or business relationship with us, our business, growth, operating results, financial condition and prospects would suffer.
If we are unable to provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users, the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers, and the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers, could decline, and our revenue and results of operations would suffer harm.
The user experience on our TrueCar-branded website platform has evolved since its launch in 2010, but has not changed dramatically. We cannot assure you that we will be able to provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users. Our failure to do so could cause the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers to decline and prevent us from effectively monetizing our user traffic. In addition, as described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, if we are unable to provide a compelling car-buying experience to our users, the quality of the leads we provide to dealers could decline, which could result in dealers leaving our network.
We believe that our ability to provide a compelling car-buying experience is dependent on a number of factors, including:
our ability to launch new products that are effective and have a high degree of consumer engagement;

our ability to constantly innovate and improve our existing products;

compliance of the dealers within our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers with applicable laws, regulations and the rules of our platform, including honoring the TrueCar certificates submitted by our users;

our access to a sufficient amount of data to enable us to provide relevant pricing information to consumers; and

our ability to constantly innovate and improve our mobile application and platform to enable us to provide products and services that users want to use on the devices they prefer.
If the quality of the leads we provide to TrueCar Certified Dealers declines, our unit volume could decrease and TrueCar Certified Dealers could lose faith in our value proposition and choose to leave our network or insist on lower subscription rates, which could reduce our revenue and harm our business.
Our Auto Buying Program introduces consumers to TrueCar Certified Dealers, who either pay us a subscription fee or pay us a fee per vehicle sold to our users introduced to them through our platform. The quality of these leads is an important variable in the success of our business and depends on many factors, including the attractiveness of our car-buying experience and the efficiency of the algorithm that matches our users with TrueCar Certified Dealers, among others. If our lead quality declines, our unit volume could decline, which could result in lower revenues from pay-per-sale billing arrangements, as well as an inability to convince TrueCar Certified Dealers that our value proposition justifies maintaining or increasing our subscription rates. Additionally, diminished lead quality could cause TrueCar Certified Dealers to be dissatisfied with our program, which could result in their choosing to leave our network or insist on lower subscription rates. Historically, some of our TrueCar Certified Dealers have expressed concern about our lead quality[, and we observed an increase in this concern in the first quarter of 2019]. Negative developments in this metric, like many others in the total value proposition that we provide to our TrueCar Certified Dealers, can adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and business.
We have experienced significant turnover in our top executives, and our business could be adversely affected by these and other transitions in our senior management team or if any of the resulting vacancies cannot be filled with qualified replacements in a timely manner.
In the first half of 2019, we experienced significant turnover in our top executives, including the departures of our chief executive officer, chief technology officer and chief marketing officer and the replacement of our chief financial officer, chief people officer and executive vice president of dealer sales and services. As a result of this turnover, our remaining management team has taken on increased responsibilities, which could divert attention from key business areas, and several key management roles remain vacant.
Management transition is often difficult and inherently causes some loss of institutional knowledge, which could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our ability to execute our business strategies may be adversely affected by the uncertainty associated with these transitions and the time and board and management attention needed to fill the vacant roles could disrupt our business. If we are unable to successfully identify and attract adequate replacements for the vacancies in our management roles in a timely manner, including the role of chief executive officer, we could experience increased employee turnover and harm to our business, growth, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows. We

40



face significant competition for executives with the qualifications and experience we are seeking. The search for replacements for these positions is also likely to result in significant recruiting and relocation costs, and we can give no assurances concerning the timing or outcome of our search for these replacements.
Further, we cannot guarantee that we will not face similar turnover in the future. Although we generally enter into employment agreements with our executives, the agreements have no specific duration and our executive officers are at-will employees. As a result, they may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time, and we cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of any of them. Our senior management’s knowledge of our business and industry would be difficult to replace, and any further turnover could negatively affect our business, growth, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows.
An inability to retain, attract and integrate qualified personnel could harm our ability to develop and successfully grow our business.
We believe our success has depended, and continues to depend, on the efforts and talents of our executives and employees. The loss of key personnel, including members of management as well as key engineering, product and technology employees who understand our business and can innovate our products, could have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, our future success depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees, including our dealer, marketing, finance, accounting, legal and other personnel. Competition for qualified employees in our industry, particularly for software engineers, data scientists and other technical staff, is intense and we face significant competition in hiring and retaining them and difficulties in attracting them to move to the Los Angeles area, where our headquarters are located and the cost of living is high. In addition, we expect to face increasing competition for talented individuals with automotive or technology experience within Southern California as the “Silicon Beach” area of Los Angeles County continues to develop. Moreover, we have in the past conducted reductions in force to optimize our organizational structure and reduce costs, and certain senior personnel have also departed for various reasons. We are also limited in our ability to recruit internationally by domestic immigration laws.
To attract and retain executives and other key employees in this competitive marketplace, we must provide competitive compensation packages, including cash and stock-based compensation. Our primary forms of stock-based incentive awards are stock options and restricted stock units. If the anticipated value of our stock-based incentive awards does not materialize, if our stock-based compensation is otherwise not viewed as a valuable benefit or if our total compensation packages are not considered competitive, our ability to attract, retain and motivate executives and key employees could be weakened. Our ability to attract, retain and motivate employees could also be adversely affected by stock price volatility or negative publicity. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees, retaining and motivating existing employees or integrating new employees, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
Our growth in prior years may not be indicative of our future growth, and we may not be able to manage future growth effectively.
Our revenue grew from $38.1 million in 2010 to $353.6 million in 2018. However, our rate of revenue growth declined from 2017 to 2018 and may continue to be lower than it has been in past periods. In addition, our future revenue growth is dependent on our ability to:
expand our dealer network in a geographically optimized manner, including increasing dealers in our network representing high-volume brands; 
increase the number of transactions between our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers;
increase dealer subscription rates, and manage dealer churn, as the number of dealers on subscription billing arrangements increases relative to those on a pay-per-sale billing model and, as a result, our revenue and revenue growth potential become more subscription-based;
grow the revenue we derive from car manufacturer incentive programs;
increase the number of dealers participating in our automotive trade-in program, expand its geographic coverage and successfully monetize the TrueCar Trade product;
maintain and grow our affinity group marketing partner relationships and increase the productivity of our current affinity group marketing partners; 

41



increase the number of users of our products and services, and in particular the number of unique visitors to the TrueCar website and our TrueCar-branded mobile applications, including by improving our search-engine optimization; 
further improve the quality of our existing products and services, and introduce high-quality new products and services; and 
introduce third-party ancillary products and services, including by integrating acquired companies like DealerScience and their products and services into our business.
We may not successfully accomplish any of these objectives. We plan to continue our investment in future growth. Among other things, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on:
marketing and advertising; 
dealer outreach and training, including the hiring of additional personnel in our dealer team;
technology and product development, including the hiring of additional personnel in our product development and technical teams, improvement of our software infrastructure and the development of new products and new features for existing products;
strategic partnerships, investments and acquisitions; and 
general administration, including legal, accounting and other compliance expenses related to being a public company.
In addition, our historical growth has placed and may continue to place significant demands on our management and our operational and financial resources. We have hired, and expect to continue hiring, additional personnel, particularly in our dealer, product and technology teams. The additional personnel in our dealer team are intended to enhance the service experience and the productivity of our dealer network while the additional personnel in our product and technology teams are focusing on developing new products and features empowered by the completion of the replatforming of our technology infrastructure and delivering a better experience to consumers, dealers and affinity group marketing partners and car manufacturers that offer incentive programs through our platform. Finally, our organizational structure is becoming more complex as we continue to add additional staff, and we will need to improve our operational, financial and management controls as well as our reporting systems and procedures. We will require significant capital expenditures and the allocation of valuable management resources to grow and change in these areas without undermining our corporate culture of rapid innovation, teamwork and attention to the car-buying experience for the consumer and the economics of the dealer.
We may be unable to maintain or grow relationships with data providers or may experience interruptions in the data feeds they provide, which may limit the information that we are able to provide to our users and dealers as well as the timeliness of the information, and which may impair our ability to attract or retain consumers and TrueCar Certified Dealers and to timely invoice our dealers.
We receive automobile purchase data from many third-party data providers, including our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers; dealer management system, or DMS, data feed providers; data aggregators and integrators; survey companies; purveyors of registration data; and our affinity group marketing partners. In the circumstances in which we employ a pay-per-sale billing model, we use this data to match purchases with users who obtained a Guaranteed Savings Certificate from a TrueCar Certified Dealer so that we may collect a transaction fee from those dealers and recognize revenue from the related transactions.
From time to time, we experience interruptions in one or more data feeds that we receive from third-party data providers, particularly DMS data feed providers, in a manner that affects our ability to timely invoice the dealers in our network. These interruptions may occur for a number of reasons, including changes to the software used by these data feed providers and difficulties in renewing our agreements with third-party data feed providers. In the circumstances in which we employ a pay-per-sale billing model, an interruption in the data feeds that we receive may affect our ability to match automobile purchases with users who obtained a Guaranteed Savings Certificate from a TrueCar Certified Dealer, thereby delaying our submission of an invoice to an automobile dealer in our network for a given transaction and delaying the timing of cash receipts from the dealer. The redundancies of data feeds received from multiple providers may not result in sufficient data to match automobile purchases with users who obtained a Guaranteed Savings Certificate from a TrueCar Certified Dealer. In the case of an interruption in our data feeds, our billing structure may transition to a subscription model for affected automobile dealers in our network until the interruption ceases. However, our subscription billing model may result in lower revenues

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during an interruption and, when an interruption ceases, we are not always able to retroactively match a transaction and collect a fee. In addition, our likelihood of collecting the fee owed to us for a given transaction decreases for those periods in which we are unable to submit an invoice to automobile dealers. Interruptions that occur in close proximity to the end of a given reporting period could result in delays in our ability to recognize those transaction revenues in that reporting period and these shortfalls in transaction revenue could be material to our operating results.
We have a history of losses and we may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
 
We have not been profitable since inception. We had an accumulated deficit of $415.6 million at June 30, 2019 and we experienced a net loss of $38.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2019. From time to time in the past, we have made significant investments in our operations that have not resulted in corresponding revenue growth and, as a result, increased our losses. We expect to make significant future investments to support the further development and expansion of our business and these investments may not result in increased revenue or growth on a timely basis or at all. Our revenue growth has been highly influenced by marketing expenditures. Incremental marketing expenditures in certain situations do not result in sufficient incremental revenue to cover their cost. This limits the growth in revenue that can be achieved through marketing expenditures. In addition, as a public company, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses.
We may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including slowing demand for our products and services, increasing competition, weakness in the automobile industry generally, as well as other risks described in this report, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays, and other unknown factors. If we incur losses in the future, we may not be able to reduce costs effectively because many of our costs are fixed. In addition, if we reduce variable costs to respond to losses, this may affect our ability to acquire users and dealers and grow our revenues. Accordingly, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and we may continue to incur significant losses in the future, and this could seriously harm our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.
We have operated our business at scale for a limited period of time and we cannot predict whether we will continue to grow. If we are unable to successfully respond to changes in the market, our business could be harmed.
Our business has grown as users and automobile dealers have increasingly used our products and services. However, our business is relatively new and has operated at a substantial scale for only a limited period of time. Given this limited history, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or grow our business. We expect that our business will evolve in ways that may be difficult to predict. For example, marketing expenditures in certain situations become inefficient, particularly with respect to the TrueCar website and our branded mobile applications. Continued revenue growth will require more focus on increasing the number of transactions from which we derive revenue by growing our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers, including dealers representing high-volume brands, both on an overall basis and in important geographies, as well as growth in the revenue we derive from car manufacturer incentive programs. It is also possible that car dealers could broadly determine that they no longer believe in the value of our services. In the event of these or any other developments, our continued success will depend on our ability to successfully adjust our strategy to meet the changing market dynamics. If we are unable to do so, our business could be harmed and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
The loss of a significant affinity group marketing partner or a significant reduction in the number of cars purchased from our TrueCar Certified Dealers by members of our affinity group marketing partners would reduce our revenue and harm our operating results.
Our financial performance is substantially dependent upon the number of automobiles purchased from TrueCar Certified Dealers by users of the TrueCar website, our branded mobile applications and the car-buying sites we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners. A majority of the automobiles purchased by our users have historically been, and continue to be, matched to the car-buying sites we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners. As a result, our relationships with our affinity group marketing partners are critical to our business and financial performance. However, several aspects of our relationships with affinity groups might change in a manner that harms our business and financial performance, including:
affinity group marketing partners might terminate their relationship with us or make the relationship non-exclusive, resulting in a reduction in the number of transactions between users of our platform and TrueCar Certified Dealers; 
affinity group marketing partners might de-emphasize the automobile buying programs within their offerings or alter the user experience for members in a way that results in a decrease in the number of transactions between their members and our TrueCar Certified Dealers; or 
the economic structure of our agreements with affinity group marketing partners might change, resulting in a decrease in our operating margins on transactions by their members.

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A significant change to our relationships with affinity group marketing partners may have a negative effect on our business in other ways. For example, the termination by an affinity group marketing partner of our relationship may create the perception that our products and services are no longer beneficial to the members of affinity groups or a more general negative association with our business. In addition, a termination by an affinity group marketing partner may result in the loss of the data they provided to us about automobile transactions. This loss of data may decrease the quantity and quality of the information that we provide to consumers and may also reduce our ability to identify transactions for which we can invoice dealers. If our relationships with affinity group marketing partners change, our business, revenue, operating results and prospects may be harmed.
Any adverse change in our relationship with United Services Automobile Association, or USAA, or the user experience on its car-buying site, could harm our business.
The largest source of user traffic and unit sales from our affinity group marketing partners comes from the site we maintain for USAA, which is also a large stockholder. In 2018, 271,830 units, representing 27% of all units purchased by users from TrueCar Certified Dealers during that period, were matched to users of the car-buying site we maintain for USAA. In the six months ended June 30, 2019, 141,363 units, representing 29% of all units purchased by users from TrueCar Certified Dealers during that period, were matched to users of the car-buying site we maintain for USAA. As such, the number of units purchased using USAA’s car-buying site has a significant influence on our operating results. We define units as the number of automobiles purchased from TrueCar Certified Dealers that are matched to users of the TrueCar website and our branded mobile applications or the car-buying sites we maintain for our affinity group marketing partners. At June 30, 2019, USAA beneficially owned 9,054,239 shares, which represented 8.5% of our outstanding common stock. 
Our affinity group marketing agreement with USAA extends through February 13, 2020, but we cannot assure you that it will be extended at the expiration of its current term on terms satisfactory to us, or at all. In addition, USAA has broad discretion in how the car-buying site we maintain for USAA is promoted and marketed on its own website and in whether, and at what level, to subsidize a portion of its members’ borrowing costs for car loan products. Changes in USAA’s promotion and marketing, or the user experience on its website, have in the past and may in the future adversely affect the volume of user traffic we receive from USAA, the close rate of that traffic and, consequently, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
For example, during the third quarter of 2017, USAA made changes to the user experience for its car-buying site that we believe contributed to a decrease in the number of transactions between its members and our TrueCar Certified Dealers during the second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018. Additionally, USAA has informed us that it may be required to implement site changes that make it clearer to its members that they are interacting with a third-party website operated by us, which could adversely affect the volume of user traffic we receive from USAA. This change could be implemented as early as the second half of 2019. Changes in how USAA promotes and markets our platform, its subvention of its members’ borrowing costs or future modifications of its car-buying site and its user experience could adversely affect our business and operating results in the future. 
The failure to attract significant manufacturers to participate in our car manufacturer incentive programs, or to induce significant manufacturers to remain participants in those programs, could reduce our growth or have an adverse effect on our operating results.
In the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, we derived approximately 4.8% and 7.3% of our revenue from our arrangements with car manufacturers to promote the sale of their vehicles through additional consumer incentives, and we believe that this revenue stream represents a substantial growth opportunity for our business. Failure to attract additional manufacturers to participate in these programs could reduce our growth and harm our operating results. Additionally, our relationships with manufacturers typically begin with a short-term pilot arrangement and, even if a relationship progresses beyond the pilot stage, it may only be for a short term and may not be renewed by the manufacturer. If we are unable to induce the manufacturers with which we currently have relationships to continue or expand their incentive programs on our platform, or to enter into longer-term arrangements, or if we are unable to attract new manufacturers to our platform, that could have an adverse effect on our business, revenue, operating results and prospects.
If we are not successful in increasing the number of dealers participating in our automotive trade-in program, expanding its geographic coverage, providing a compelling value proposition to consumers using our TrueCar Trade product, monetizing that product or integrating it into our consumer experience, our business and prospects could be adversely affected.
We believe that our TrueCar Trade product is a vital element of our effort to build out an end-to-end consumer experience, and we recently entered into a 10-year commercial partnership with Accu-Trade to replace our trade-in pilot program. Accu-Trade, through its affiliates, supplies the valuation data we use in providing offers and guarantees those offers to dealers. We cannot assure you that Accu-Trade will continue to be able to supply accurate valuation data and to stand behind its guarantees. If it is unable to do so, our TrueCar Trade product, and our business and prospects, could be adversely affected.

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Further, the TrueCar Trade product is a relatively new offering. We cannot guarantee that the results we obtained during our pilot program can be replicated on a larger scale as we offer the product more broadly. If we are not able to increase the number of dealers who offer the TrueCar Trade product, expand its geographic coverage, provide a compelling value proposition to consumers who use the product, successfully monetize it or integrate it into our consumer experience, that failure would negatively impact our business, revenue, operating results and prospects.
The success of our business relies heavily on our marketing and branding efforts, especially with respect to the TrueCar website and our branded mobile applications, as well as those efforts of the affinity group marketing partners whose websites we power, and these efforts may not be successful.
We believe that the TrueCar website and our TrueCar-branded mobile applications represent an important component of the growth of our business. Because TrueCar.com is a consumer brand, we rely heavily on marketing and advertising to increase the visibility of this brand with potential users of our products and services. We currently advertise through television and radio marketing campaigns, digital and online media, sponsorship programs and other means, the goals of which are to increase the strength and recognition of, and trust in, the TrueCar brand and to drive more unique visitors to our website and mobile applications. We incurred expenses of $115.0 million and $100.4 million on sales and marketing during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Our business model relies on our ability to scale rapidly and to decrease incremental user acquisition costs as we grow. Our revenue growth has been highly influenced by marketing expenditures. In part because of our increasing reliance on a subscription-based billing model, incremental marketing expenditures may not result in sufficient revenue to permit recovery of incremental user acquisition costs through revenue growth. This limits the growth in revenue that can be achieved through marketing expenditures. If we are unable to recover our marketing costs through increases in user traffic and in the number of transactions by users of our platform, it could have a material adverse effect on our growth, results of operations and financial condition.
Additionally, if we discontinue our broad marketing campaigns or elect to reduce our sales and marketing costs to decrease our losses, this may affect our ability to acquire consumers and dealers and grow our revenues. Our current and potential competitors may also have significantly more financial, marketing and other resources than we have and the ability to devote greater resources to the promotion and support of their products and services. The realities of competing for users and brand visibility, as well as ensuring the satisfaction of our dealers, may limit our ability to reduce our own marketing expenditures, potentially negatively impacting our operating margins and financial results.
In addition, the number of transactions generated by the members of our affinity group marketing partners depends in part on the emphasis that these affinity group marketing partners place on marketing the purchase of cars within their platforms. For example, USAA is a large diversified financial services group of companies serving the United States military community with hundreds of highly competitive product and service offerings. At any given time, USAA’s car-buying service may or may not be a priority relative to its other offerings. Consequently, changes in how USAA promotes and markets the car-buying site we maintain for them can affect, and have from time to time in the past affected, the volume of purchases generated by USAA members. For example, in the past USAA adjusted the location and prominence of the links to our platform on its web pages, which we believe adversely affected the volume of traffic to our platform. Should USAA or one or more of our other affinity group marketing partners decide to deemphasize the marketing of our platform, or if their marketing efforts are otherwise unsuccessful, our revenue, business and financial results will be harmed.
Failure to increase our revenue, or to reduce our expenses as a percentage of revenue, would adversely affect our financial condition and profitability.
We expect to make significant future investments to support the further development and expansion of our business and these investments may not result in increased revenue or growth on a timely basis or at all. Furthermore, these investments may not decrease as a percentage of revenue if our business grows. In particular, we intend to increase expenditures to acquire or develop and launch new products and enhance our existing products and services, continue to grow and train our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers and continue to upgrade and enhance our technology infrastructure. We also intend to continue investing to increase awareness of our brand, including through television, digital and radio advertisements. There can be no assurance that these investments will increase revenue or that we will eventually be able to decrease our expenses as a percentage of revenue, and failure to do so would adversely affect our financial condition and profitability.
We are subject to a complex framework of federal and state laws and regulations primarily concerning vehicle sales, advertising and brokering, many of which are unsettled, still developing and contradictory, which have in the past, and could in the future, subject us to claims, challenge our business model or otherwise harm our business.
Various aspects of our business are or may be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. federal and state laws and regulations. Failure to comply with those laws or regulations may result in the suspension or termination of our ability to do

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business in affected jurisdictions or the imposition of significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines or the award of significant damages against us and our TrueCar Certified Dealers in class action or other civil litigation.
State Motor Vehicle Sales, Advertising and Brokering Laws
The advertising and sale of new or used motor vehicles is highly regulated by the states in which we do business. Although we do not sell motor vehicles, state regulatory authorities or third parties could take the position that some of the regulations applicable to dealers or to the manner in which motor vehicles are advertised and sold generally are directly applicable to our business. If our products or services are determined not to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, we or our TrueCar Certified Dealers could be subject to significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation, as well as orders interfering with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain states. In addition, even without a determination that our products or services do not comply with relevant regulatory requirements, if dealers are uncertain about the applicability of those laws and regulations to our business, we may lose, or have difficulty increasing the number of, TrueCar Certified Dealers in our network, which would adversely affect our future growth.
Several states in which we do business have laws and regulations that strictly regulate or prohibit the brokering of motor vehicles or the making of so-called “bird-dog” payments by dealers to third parties in connection with the sale of motor vehicles through persons other than licensed salespersons. If our products or services are determined to fall within the scope of those laws or regulations, we may be forced to implement new measures, which could be costly, to reduce our exposure to those obligations, including the discontinuation of certain products or services in affected jurisdictions. Additionally, if regulators conclude that our products or services fall within the scope of those laws and regulations, we or our TrueCar Certified Dealers could be subject to significant civil or criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation.
In addition to generally applicable consumer protection laws, many states in which we do business have laws and regulations that specifically regulate the advertising for sale of new or used motor vehicles. These state advertising laws and regulations are frequently subject to multiple interpretations and are not uniform from state to state, sometimes imposing inconsistent requirements on the advertiser of a new or used motor vehicle. If the content displayed on the websites we operate is determined or alleged to be inaccurate or misleading, under motor vehicle advertising laws, generally applicable consumer protection laws or otherwise, we could be subject to significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, or the award of significant damages in class action or other civil litigation. Moreover, allegations like these, even if unfounded or decided in our favor, could be extremely costly to defend, could require us to pay significant sums in settlements and could interfere with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain states.
From time to time, certain state authorities, dealer associations and others have taken the position that aspects of our products and services violate state brokering, “bird-dog” or advertising laws. When these allegations have arisen, we have endeavored to resolve the identified concerns on a consensual and expeditious basis, through negotiation and education efforts, without resorting to the judicial process. In some instances, we have nevertheless been required to suspend all or certain aspects of our business operations in a state pending the resolution of these issues, the resolution of which included the payment of fines in 2011 and 2012 in an aggregate amount of approximately $26,000. For example, in the beginning of 2012, following implementation of our first nationwide television advertising campaign, state regulatory inquiries into the compliance of our products and services with state brokering, “bird-dog” and advertising laws intensified to a degree we had not previously experienced. Responding to and resolving these inquiries, as well as our efforts to ameliorate the related adverse publicity and loss of TrueCar Certified Dealers from our network, resulted in decreased revenues and increased expenses and, accordingly, increased our losses during much of 2012.
In May 2015, we were named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the California New Car Dealers Association, or CNCDA, in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles, which we refer to as the CNCDA Litigation. The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief based on allegations that we were operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker. In December 2017, the parties entered into a binding settlement agreement to fully resolve the lawsuit, and the litigation was dismissed.
In July 2015, we were named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles by numerous dealers participating on the TrueCar platform, which we refer to as the Participating Dealer Litigation. The complaint, as subsequently amended, sought declaratory and injunctive relief based on allegations that we were engaging in unfairly competitive practices and were operating as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker in contravention of various state laws. In September 2015, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this lawsuit “without prejudice,” which means that the Participating Dealer Litigation is currently resolved, but that it could be re-filed at a later date.
In September 2015, we received a letter from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, which we refer to as the Texas DMV Notice, asserting that certain aspects of our advertising in Texas constituted false, deceptive, unfair or misleading advertising within the meaning of applicable Texas law. On September 24, 2015, we responded to the Texas DMV Notice in an

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effort to resolve the concerns raised by the Texas DMV Notice without making material, unfavorable adjustments to our business practices or user experience in Texas. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter following our response to the Texas DMV Notice, we consider the issues raised by the Texas DMV Notice to be informally resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
In December 2015, we were named as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit filed by Gordon Rose in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles, which we refer to as the California Consumer Class Action. The complaint asserts claims for unjust enrichment, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and violation of the California Business and Professions Code, based in part on allegations that we are operating in the State of California as an unlicensed automobile dealer and autobroker. The plaintiff seeks to represent a class of “[a]ll California consumers who purchased an automobile by using TrueCar, Inc.’s price certificate during the applicable statute of limitations.” For more information concerning this lawsuit, refer to the risk factor below: “We face litigation and are party to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In July 2016, we received a letter from the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission, which we refer to as the Mississippi MVC Letter, asserting that an aspect of our advertising in Mississippi was not in compliance with a regulation adopted by the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission. On July 19, 2016 we responded to the Mississippi MVC Letter in an effort to resolve the concerns raised by the Mississippi MVC Letter without making material, unfavorable adjustments to our business practices or user experience in Mississippi. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter following our response to the Mississippi MVC Letter, we consider the issues raised by the Mississippi MVC Letter to be informally resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
In August 2016, we met with investigators from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or the California DMV, regarding an allegation made by a dealer that we were operating as an unlicensed automobile auction in California, which we refer to as the Unlicensed Auction Allegation. We provided the investigators with information about our business in an effort to resolve the concerns raised by the Unlicensed Auction Allegation. In October 2016, we were informally advised by an investigator for the California DMV that the concerns raised by the Unlicensed Auction Allegation had been resolved, but that the investigators will continue to evaluate our responses regarding certain matters related to the advertising of new motor vehicles. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter, we consider the issues raised by the Unlicensed Auction Allegation to be informally resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
In March 2017, we received an investigatory subpoena from the Consumer Protection Section of the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Ohio issued pursuant to the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The investigatory subpoena requested certain information about online content we displayed related to vehicles listed for sale by TrueCar Certified Dealers in Ohio. On April 18, 2017, we responded to the investigatory subpoena and supplied the information it sought. In light of the fact that no further action has been taken with respect to this matter subsequent to our response to the investigatory subpoena, we consider this matter to be resolved, but we cannot assure you that this matter or similar matters will not reemerge in the future.
In June 2017, we were named as a defendant in a putative class action filed by Kip Haas in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which we refer to as the Federal Consumer Class Action. The complaint asserted claims for violation of the California Business and Professions Code, based principally on allegations of false and misleading advertising and unfair business practices. The complaint sought an award of unspecified damages, interest, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. In November 2017, the parties entered into a binding settlement agreement, and the litigation was dismissed in December 2017.
If state regulators or other third parties take the position in the future that our products or services violate applicable brokering, “bird-dog” or advertising laws or regulations, responding to those allegations could be costly, require us to pay significant sums in settlements, require us to pay civil and criminal penalties, including fines, interfere with our ability to continue providing our products and services in certain states or require us to make adjustments to our products and services or the manner in which we derive revenue from our participating dealers, any or all of which could result in substantial adverse publicity, loss of TrueCar Certified Dealers from our network, decreased revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability.
Federal Advertising Regulations
The Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, has authority to take actions to remedy or prevent advertising practices that it considers to be unfair or deceptive and that affect commerce in the United States. If the FTC takes the position in the future that any aspect of our business constitutes an unfair or deceptive advertising practice, responding to those allegations could require us to pay significant damages, settlements and civil penalties, or could require us to make adjustments to our products and services, any or all of which could result in substantial adverse publicity, loss of participating dealers, lost revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability.

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In March 2015, we were named as a defendant in a lawsuit purportedly filed on behalf of numerous automotive dealers who are not on the TrueCar platform in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which we refer to as the NY Lanham Act Litigation. The complaint sought injunctive relief in addition to over $250 million in damages based on allegations that we violated the Lanham Act as well as various state laws prohibiting unfair competition and deceptive acts or practices related to our advertising and promotional activities. In July 2019, the court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment as to the plaintiffs’ Lanham Act claim and, in light of the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ sole federal claim, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over their state-law claims and therefore dismissed them without prejudice. For more information concerning this litigation, refer to the risk factor below: “We face litigation and are party to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Federal Antitrust Laws
The antitrust laws prohibit, among other things, any joint conduct among competitors that would lessen competition in the marketplace. Some of the information that we obtain from dealers is competitively sensitive and, if disclosed inappropriately, could potentially be used by dealers to impede competition or otherwise diminish independent pricing activity. A governmental or private civil action alleging the improper exchange of information, or unlawful participation in price maintenance or other unlawful or anticompetitive activity, even if unfounded, could be costly to defend and adversely impact our ability to maintain and grow our dealer network.
In addition, governmental or private civil actions under the antitrust laws could result in orders suspending or terminating our ability to do business or otherwise altering or limiting certain of our business practices, including the manner in which we handle or disclose dealer pricing information, or the imposition of significant civil or criminal penalties, including fines or the award of significant damages against us and our TrueCar Certified Dealers in class action or other civil litigation.
Other
The foregoing description of laws and regulations to which we are or may be subject is not exhaustive, and the regulatory framework governing our operations is subject to continuous change. The enactment of new laws and regulations or the interpretation of existing laws and regulations in an unfavorable way may affect the operation of our business, directly or indirectly, which could result in substantial regulatory compliance costs, civil or criminal penalties, including fines, adverse publicity, loss of participating dealers, lost revenues, increased expenses and decreased profitability. Further, investigations by government agencies, including the FTC, into allegedly anticompetitive, unfair, deceptive or otherwise unlawful business practices by us or our TrueCar Certified Dealers, could cause us to incur additional expenses and, if adversely concluded, could result in substantial civil or criminal penalties and significant legal liability.
We face litigation and are party to legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2015, we were named as a defendant in the NY Lanham Act Litigation. The complaint in the NY Lanham Act Litigation, purportedly filed on behalf of numerous automotive dealers who are not on the TrueCar platform, alleges that we violated the Lanham Act as well as various state laws prohibiting unfair competition and deceptive acts or practices related to our advertising and promotional activities. The complaint sought injunctive relief in addition to over $250 million in damages as a result of the alleged diversion of customers from the plaintiffs’ dealerships to TrueCar Certified Dealers. On April 7, 2015, we filed an answer to the complaint. Thereafter, the plaintiffs amended their complaint, and on July 13, 2015, we filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On January 6, 2016, the court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss. On January 19, 2018, we filed a motion to exclude testimony from the plaintiffs’ damages expert. On April 10 and April 11, 2018, the court held an evidentiary hearing on that motion, which it granted on May 9, 2018. On July 2, 2018, we filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the amended complaint in its entirety. On March 27, 2019, the court granted in part and denied in part our motion, allowing the plaintiffs to pursue disgorgement of our profits on a deterrence theory but granting summary judgment to us on the other aspects of the plaintiffs’ claims. On April 9, 2019, we filed a motion for reconsideration of the court’s ruling, which the court granted on July 12, 2019. As a result, the court granted our motion for summary judgment in its entirety as to the plaintiffs’ Lanham Act claim. In light of the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ sole federal claim, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state-law claims alleged by the amended complaint and therefore dismissed them without prejudice, meaning that the state-law claims could be re-filed in state court at a later date. If any such claims are re-filed in state court, or if the plaintiffs appeal the dismissal of their federal claims, we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter. Based on the current stage of the proceedings in this case, the ultimate outcome of this legal proceeding, including the anticipated legal defense costs, remains uncertain; however, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damage awards resulting from this or other civil litigation. If this matter is not ultimately resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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In December 2015, we were named as a defendant in the California Consumer Class Action. The complaint asserted claims for unjust enrichment, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and violation of the California Business and Professions Code, based principally on factual allegations similar to those asserted in the NY Lanham Act Litigation and the CNCDA Litigation. In the complaint, the plaintiff sought to represent a class of “[a]ll California consumers who purchased an automobile by using TrueCar, Inc.’s price certificate during the applicable statute of limitations.” On January 12, 2016, the court entered an order staying all proceedings in the case pending an initial status conference, which was scheduled for April 13, 2016. On March 16, 2016, the case was reassigned to a different judge. As a result of that reassignment, the initial status conference was rescheduled for and held on May 26, 2016. By stipulation, the stay of discovery was continued until a second status conference, which was scheduled for October 12, 2016. On July 13, 2016, the plaintiff amended his complaint. The amended complaint continues to assert claims for unjust enrichment, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and violation of the California Business and Professions Code. The amended complaint retains the same proposed class definition as the initial complaint. Like the initial complaint, the amended complaint seeks an award of unspecified damages, punitive and exemplary damages, interest, disgorgement, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. On September 12, 2016, we filed a demurrer to the amended complaint. On October 12, 2016, the court heard oral argument on the demurrer. On October 13, 2016, the court granted in part and denied in part our demurrer to the amended complaint, dismissing the unjust enrichment claim but declining to dismiss the balance of the claims at the demurrer stage of the litigation. At a status conference held on January 26, 2017, the court ruled that discovery could then proceed regarding matters related to class certification only. At a status conference held on July 25, 2017, the court set a deadline of January 8, 2018 for the filing of the plaintiff’s motion for class certification and provided that discovery could continue to proceed regarding matters related to class certification only at that time. Subsequently, the court extended to February 7, 2018 the deadline for the filing of plaintiff’s motion for class certification and for the completion of related discovery. On February 7, 2018, the plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. The court held a hearing on the plaintiff’s class certification motion on July 12, 2018 and denied the motion on July 27, 2018. On September 26, 2018, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal and proceedings in the trial court have been stayed pending the resolution of the appeal. We believe that the amended complaint is without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter. Based on the current stage of the proceedings in this case, the outcome of this legal proceeding, including the anticipated legal defense costs, remains uncertain; however, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damage awards resulting from this or other civil litigation. If this matter is not resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2018, Leon Milbeck filed a putative securities class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California naming us and one of our former officers as defendants, which we refer to as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. The complaint sought an award of unspecified damages, interest, attorney’s fees and equitable relief based on allegations that the defendants made false or misleading statements about our business, operations, prospects and performance during a purported class period of February 16, 2017 through November 6, 2017 in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On June 27, 2018, the court appointed the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement Fund as lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint on August 24, 2018. The amended complaint reiterated the claims in the prior complaint and added claims under Section 11 of the Exchange Act. The amended complaint also added our former chief executive officer Chip Perry, our former interim chief financial officer John Pierantoni, our former chief financial officer Michael Guthrie and our underwriters and directors who signed the registration statement for our secondary offering that occurred during the class period, which we refer to as the 2017 Registration Statement, as defendants. On October 31, 2018, the lead plaintiff dismissed the underwriters from the litigation “without prejudice,” meaning that they could be reinstated as defendants at a later time, and on November 5, 2018, we filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which the court denied on February 5, 2019. On May 9, 2019, the court granted the lead plaintiff’s motion for class certification and scheduled trial to begin on November 5, 2019. On July 3, 2019, we, the lead plaintiff and the individual defendants notified the court that we had reached an agreement in principle to settle the outstanding claims in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. On August 2, 2019, the parties entered into an agreement to settle the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation on a classwide basis for $28.25 million, which will be covered by our directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Later that day, the lead plaintiff filed an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the proposed settlement, which the court has not yet granted. Although the court has not yet approved the settlement, and the ultimate outcome of this legal proceeding therefore remains uncertain, we do not believe that a loss is probable because we expect that any settlement amount will be covered by our directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. However, if similar litigation is filed against us, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damage awards as a result. If any such matter is not resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2019, Dean Drulias filed a derivative action complaint nominally on behalf of the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which we refer to as the California Derivative Litigation, naming our former chief executive officer Chip Perry, our former chief financial officer Michael Guthrie, our former interim chief financial officer John Pierantoni, our directors who signed the 2017 Registration Statement and USAA as defendants. The complaint

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alleges breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment and seeks contribution for damages awarded against us in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation and an award of unspecified damages, interest, attorney’s fees and equitable relief based on substantially the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. On June 13, 2019, the court granted our motion to stay the California Derivative Litigation pending the decision of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, or JPML, on our motion to transfer the California Derivative Litigation to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to enable its consolidation with the Delaware Derivative Litigation. On July 31, 2019, the JPML denied our motion. We believe that the complaint is without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter. Based on the current stage of the proceedings in this case, the outcome of this legal proceeding, including the anticipated legal defense costs, remains uncertain; however, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damages awards resulting from this or other civil litigation. If this matter is not resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In April 2019, each of Ara Afarian and Shelley Niemi filed a derivative action complaint nominally on behalf of the Company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware naming our former chief executive officer Chip Perry, our former chief financial officer Michael Guthrie, our former interim chief financial officer John Pierantoni, our directors who signed the 2017 Registration Statement and USAA as defendants. Each complaint alleges breach of Section 29(b) of the Exchange Act as well as breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment and seeks contribution for damages awarded against us in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation and an award of unspecified damages, interest, attorney’s fees and equitable relief based on substantially the same factual allegations as the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation. The Niemi complaint also seeks rescission of certain contracts. On April 17, 2019, the two cases, and all similar cases originating in or transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re TrueCar, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, which we refer to as the Delaware Derivative Litigation. On May 23, 2019, the Delaware Derivative Litigation was stayed pending the decision of the JPML on our motion that the California Derivative Litigation be transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to enable its consolidation with the Delaware Derivative Litigation. On July 31, 2019, the JPML denied our motion. We believe that the complaints are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter. Based on the current stage of the proceedings in this case, the outcome of this legal proceeding, including the anticipated legal defense costs, remains uncertain; however, we may incur significant legal fees, settlements or damages awards resulting from this or other civil litigation. If this matter is not resolved in our favor, losses arising from the results of litigation or settlements, as well as ongoing defense costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
As a public company, we face the risk of shareholder lawsuits, particularly if we experience declines in the price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market prices of a particular company’s securities, securities class action lawsuits have often been instituted against affected companies, and as noted immediately above, this type of lawsuit has been instituted against us in the form of the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation, the California Derivative Litigation and the Delaware Derivative Litigation, among others. Additional lawsuits of this type or similar types, if instituted against us or one or more of our officers or directors, whether arising from alleged facts the same as, similar to or different from those alleged in the Milbeck Federal Securities Litigation, the California Derivative Litigation or the Delaware Derivative Litigation, could result in significant legal fees, settlements or damage awards, as well as the diversion of our management’s attention and resources, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have incurred significant legal fees in our defense of certain of the matters referred to above and we may incur additional fees and other liabilities in connection with those matters that are still pending and any additional lawsuits that may be filed against us or one or more of our officers or directors hereafter.  Our insurance policies may not provide sufficient coverage to adequately mitigate the legal fees and potential liabilities arising from these matters and, even where fees and liabilities are covered by those policies, we may be unable to fully collect the insurance proceeds in a timely manner or at all. As a result, these fees and other liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We participate in a highly competitive market, and pressure from existing and new companies may adversely affect our business and operating results.
We face significant competition from companies that provide vehicle inventory listings, vehicle information, lead generation and car-buying services designed to reach consumers and enable dealers to reach these consumers.
Our competitors offer various products and services that compete with us. Some of these competitors include:
Internet search engines and online automotive sites such as Google, Amazon Vehicles, Autotrader.com, eBay Motors, AutoWeb.com (formerly Autobytel.com), Edmunds.com, KBB.com, CarSaver.com, CarGurus.com and Cars.com; 

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sites operated by automobile manufacturers such as General Motors and Ford;
providers of offline, membership-based car-buying services such as the Costco Auto Program; and 
offline automotive classified listings, such as trade periodicals and local newspapers. 
We compete with many of the companies that provide the above-mentioned products and services, among other companies, for a share of car dealers’ overall marketing budget for online and offline media marketing spend. If car dealers come to view alternative marketing and media strategies to be superior to us, we may not be able to maintain or grow the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers and our TrueCar Certified Dealers may sell fewer cars to users of our platform, and our business, operating results and financial condition will be harmed.
We also expect that new competitors will continue to enter the automotive retail industry with competing products and services, which could have an adverse effect on our revenue, business and financial results.
Our competitors could significantly impede our ability to expand and optimize our network of TrueCar Certified Dealers and to reach consumers. Our competitors may also develop and market new technologies that render our existing or future products and services less competitive, unmarketable or obsolete. In addition, if our competitors develop products or services with similar or superior functionality to our solutions, we may need to decrease the prices for our solutions in order to remain competitive. If we are unable to maintain our current pricing structure due to competitive pressures, our revenue will be reduced and our operating results will be negatively affected.
Our current and potential competitors may have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have, and the ability to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and support of their products and services. Additionally, they may have more extensive automotive industry relationships, longer operating histories and greater name recognition than we have. As a result, these competitors may be better able to respond more quickly with new technologies and to undertake more extensive marketing or promotional campaigns. In addition, if any of our competitors have existing relationships with dealers or automobile manufacturers for marketing or data analytics solutions, those dealers and automobile manufacturers may be unwilling to continue to partner with us. If we are unable to compete with these companies, the demand for our products and services could substantially decline.
In addition, if one or more of our competitors were to merge or partner with another of our competitors, the change in the competitive landscape could adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Our competitors may also establish or strengthen cooperative relationships with our current or future third-party data providers, technology partners or other parties with whom we have relationships, thereby limiting our ability to develop, improve and promote our solutions. We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and competitive pressures may harm our revenue, business and financial results.
We may acquire or invest in other businesses, products or technologies, which could divert our managements attention, result in additional dilution to our stockholders and otherwise disrupt our operations and harm our operating results, and we may not be able to successfully or efficiently integrate our acquisitions.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to grow our business in response to the demands of consumers, dealers and other constituents within the automotive industry, as well as competitive pressures. In some circumstances, we may determine to do so through the acquisition of or investment in complementary businesses and technologies rather than through internal development, such as our acquisition of DealerScience in December 2018 and our investment in Accu-Trade in February 2019. The identification of suitable acquisition or investment candidates can be difficult, time-consuming and costly, and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions or investments.
The integration of acquisitions requires significant time and resources, and we may not manage these processes successfully. Our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, products and technologies is unproven. We may be required to make substantial investments of resources to support our acquisitions, which would result in significant ongoing operating expenses and could divert resources and management attention from other areas of our business. We cannot assure you that these investments will be successful. Additionally, strategic investments in and partnerships with other businesses expose us to the risk that we may not be able to control the operations of those businesses, which could decrease the benefits we realize from a particular relationship. We are also exposed to the risk that our partners in strategic investments may encounter financial difficulties that could lead to disruption of their activities, or impairment of assets acquired, which could adversely affect future reported results of operations and stockholders’ equity. 
The risks we face in connection with our acquisitions and investments include: 
diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to addressing acquisition integration or investment management challenges; 

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additional operating losses and expenses of the business we acquired or in which we invested;
coordination of technology, research and development and sales and marketing functions; 
transition of the acquired business’s users to our website and mobile applications; 
retention of employees from the acquired business; 
cultural and other challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired business into our organization; 
integration of the acquired business’s accounting, management information, human resources, legal and other administrative systems; 
the need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies at a business that prior to the acquisition may have lacked effective controls, procedures and policies; 
potential write-offs of intangibles or other assets acquired, or write-downs of investments, that may have an adverse effect our operating results in a given period;
the risks associated with the business, product or technology we acquired or invested in, which may differ from or be more significant than the risks our business faces;
liability for the activities, products or services of the business we acquired or invested in, including patent and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities; and 
litigation or other claims in connection with the business, product or technology we acquired or invested in, including claims from terminated employees, consumers, former stockholders or other third parties.
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions or investments, cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities and harm our business generally. Future acquisitions or investments could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities; the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses; or the write-off of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition. Also, the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions or investments may not materialize.
We rely, in part, on Internet search engines to drive traffic to our website, and if we fail to appear prominently in the search results, our traffic would decline and our business would be adversely affected.
We depend in part on Internet search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo! to drive traffic to our website, both through organic search results and the purchase of car-related keywords. For example, when a user types an automobile into an Internet search engine, we rely on a high organic search ranking of our webpages in these search results to refer the user to our website. However, our ability to maintain high, non-paid search result rankings is not within our control. Our competitors’ Internet search engine optimization efforts may result in their websites receiving a higher search result page ranking than ours, or Internet search engines could revise their methodologies in a way that adversely affects our search result rankings. If Internet search engines modify their search algorithms in ways that are detrimental to us, or if our competitors’ search engine optimization efforts are more successful than ours, overall growth in our user base could slow, our user base could decline or we could attract a less in-market user base. Internet search engine providers could provide automobile dealer and pricing information directly in search results, align with our competitors or choose to develop competing services. Our website has experienced fluctuations in search result rankings in the past, and we anticipate similar fluctuations in the future.
We also purchase car-related keywords by anticipating what words and terms consumers will use to search for car purchases on search engines and then bid on those words and terms in the search engines’ auction systems. Search engines frequently update and change the logic that determines the placement and ordering of results on a user’s search, which may reduce the effectiveness of the keywords we have purchased. Further, we bid against our competitors and other advertisers for preferred placement on the search engines’ results pages. Many of our competitors have greater resources with which to bid and better brand recognition than we do. We have experienced increased competition for paid advertisements, which has increased the cost of paid Internet search advertising and as a result our marketing and advertising expenses. Search engines may also adopt a more aggressive auction-pricing system for keywords that causes us to incur higher advertising costs or reduces our market visibility to prospective users. If paid search advertising costs further increase or become cost-prohibitive, whether

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because of increased competition, pricing system changes, algorithm changes or otherwise, our advertising expenses could rise significantly or we could reduce or discontinue our paid search advertisements. Moreover, the use of voice recognition technology like Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana or Siri may drive traffic away from search engines, which could reduce traffic to our website. Any reduction in the number of users directed to our website through Internet search engines could harm our business and operating results.
Our platform must integrate with a variety of web browsers and operating systems, both on desktop computers and mobile devices, that are developed by others, and our business is dependent on our ability to maintain our platform’s functionality and deliver a compelling consumer experience across those browsers and operating systems.
We interact with users through our Internet-based platform, which is designed to operate on a variety of network, hardware and software platforms that are developed by others and over which we have no control, including the numerous web browsers and operating systems that consumers use to access the Internet, both on desktop computers and mobile devices. As a result, we need to continuously modify and enhance our platform to keep pace with consumers’ evolving expectations and changes in network, hardware, software, communication and browser technologies. If we are unable to respond in a timely and cost-effective manner to these rapid technological developments, or otherwise to provide a compelling consumer experience across each of the devices and browsers that consumers prefer to use, our platform could become obsolete or otherwise attract fewer users, which could adversely impact our revenues, business and operating results.
The success of our business depends on consumers’ continued and unimpeded access to our platform on the Internet.
Consumers must have Internet access to use our platform. Some providers may take measures that affect consumers’ ability to use our platform, such as degrading the quality of the data packets we transmit over their lines, giving those packets lower priority, giving other packets higher priority than ours, blocking our packets entirely or attempting to charge their customers more for using our platform. If network operators attempt to interfere with our services, extract fees from us to deliver our platform or otherwise engage in discriminatory practices, our business could be adversely affected.
In December 2010, the FCC adopted so-called “net neutrality” rules barring Internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to online content, protecting services like ours from this type of interference, which we refer to as the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations. Effective June 11, 2018, however, the FCC repealed the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations, and considerable uncertainty currently surrounds the regulatory environment in this field. For example, on September 30, 2018, California enacted the California Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act of 2018, or the California Net Neutrality Act. Among other things, the California Net Neutrality Act, which took effect on January 1, 2019, imposes net neutrality requirements similar to the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations. On the day of its enactment, the federal government sued California, claiming that the California Net Neutrality Act is preempted by federal law, and the State of California subsequently agreed not to enforce the California Net Neutrality Act pending the resolution of the ongoing legal challenges. Further, on February 1, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral argument in Mozilla v. FCC, a case challenging the FCC’s repeal of the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations. Additionally, on April 10, 2019, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that would reinstate the Federal Net Neutrality Regulations. We cannot predict the outcome of the legal challenges to the FCC’s action and the California Net Neutrality Act or whether other states or governmental entities, including the U.S. Congress, will respond to the FCC’s decision or the enactment of the California Net Neutrality Act. Within this regulatory environment, we could experience discriminatory or anti-competitive practices that could impede our growth, cause us to incur additional expense or otherwise negatively affect our business.
The failure to maintain our brand could harm our ability to grow unique visitor traffic and to expand our dealer network.
Maintaining and enhancing the TrueCar brand largely depends on the success of our efforts to maintain the trust of our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers and to deliver value to each of our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers. If our existing or potential users come to perceive that we are not focused primarily on providing them with a better car-buying experience or if dealers do not perceive us as offering a compelling value proposition, our reputation and the strength of our brand would be adversely affected.
Complaints or negative publicity about our business practices, our marketing and advertising campaigns, our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the integrity of the data that we provide to users, our approach to data privacy and security issues and other aspects of our business, irrespective of their validity, could diminish users’ and dealers’ confidence in and use of our products and services and adversely affect our brand. These concerns could also diminish the trust of existing and potential affinity group marketing partners. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain or enhance our brand, and failure to do so could harm our business growth prospects and operating results.

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Our ability to enhance our current product offerings, or grow complementary product offerings, may be limited, which could negatively impact our growth rate, revenues and financial performance.
 As we introduce new offerings, such as DealerScience’s digital retailing tools and our TrueCar Trade product, or enhance existing products and services on our platform, we may incur losses or otherwise fail to enter these markets successfully. Our expansion into these markets may place us in competitive and regulatory environments with which we are unfamiliar and involves various risks, including the need to invest significant resources and the possibility that returns on these investments will not be achieved for several years, if at all.
In attempting to enhance our current product offerings and establish our new product offerings we expect to incur significant expenses and face various other challenges, such as expanding our sales force and technology teams or management personnel to cover these markets and complying with complicated regulations that may apply to these markets. For example, in addition to management attention and redeployment of existing employees and resources, since the inception of our TrueCar Trade product with Accu-Trade and certain of its affiliates, we have incurred $6.3 million in license fees and revenue share costs. We incurred $0.6 million in such license fees and revenue share costs in the six months ended June 30, 2019.

In addition, we may not successfully demonstrate the value of these expanded or complementary products to dealers or consumers, and failure to do so would compromise our ability to successfully expand our user experience and could harm our growth rate, revenue and operating performance.

Additionally, key contractual counterparties, including our affinity group marketing partners and automobile manufacturers who participate in our incentive programs, are increasingly requiring that our products adhere to technical standards, including accessibility standards, more stringent than those required by applicable law. Ensuring that our products adhere to these requirements could divert our attention from key initiatives and require the investment of a significant amount of resources and, if we are unsuccessful in implementing the standards, could negatively affect our reputation and contractual relationships, which could adversely affect our growth rate, revenue and financial and operating performance.
We may make product and investment decisions that do not prioritize short-term financial results and may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect.
We may make product and investment decisions that do not prioritize short-term financial results if we believe that those decisions are consistent with our mission or will otherwise improve our financial performance over the long term. For example, we recently completed a long-term replatforming of our technology platform that required a substantial dedication of resources over a sustained period of time and therefore caused a delay in pursuing other projects that may have had a more immediate financial impact. We also may introduce new features or other changes to existing products, or introduce new stand-alone products, that attract users away from products or use cases where we have more proven means of monetization. For example, we plan to introduce a product experience that would allow our users more control over when their contact information is provided to dealers. Although we believe that this experience will ultimately improve our product and yield long-term financial benefits, in the short-term it could result in less revenue as our traditional product monetizes fewer users, and it could ultimately be unsuccessful. These decisions may adversely affect our business and results of operations and may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect.
Our business is subject to risks related to the larger automotive ecosystem, including interest rates, consumer demand, global supply chain challenges and other macroeconomic issues.
Decreases in consumer demand could adversely affect the market for automobile purchases and, as a result, reduce the number of consumers using our platform. Consumer purchases of new and used automobiles generally decline during recessionary periods and other periods in which disposable income is adversely affected. For example, the number of new vehicle sales in the United States decreased from approximately 16.1 million in 2007 to approximately 10.4 million in 2009, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Various economic uncertainties, including stock market and commodity pricing volatility, could lead to a downturn that may impact our business. Purchases of new and used automobiles are typically discretionary for consumers and have been, and may continue to be, affected by negative trends in the economy, including the cost of energy and gasoline, the availability and cost of credit, reductions in business and consumer confidence, stock market volatility, new tariffs or border adjustment taxes, increased unemployment and changes in environmental regulations and fuel economy standards.
Interest rates in particular can have a significant impact on automobile purchases and affordability due to the direct relationship between interest rates and monthly loan payments, a critical factor for many consumers. Recent and potential future interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve could negatively affect the number of vehicles purchased by consumers, and any reduction in purchases could adversely affect automobile dealers and car manufacturers and lead to a reduction in other spending by these constituents, including targeted incentive programs. In addition, our business may be negatively affected by challenges to the larger automotive ecosystem, including challenges arising from growth in car

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manufacturer subscription service offerings, increasing interest rates on loans, global supply chain challenges, such as those resulting from automotive tariffs or the Japanese tsunami in 2011, and other macroeconomic issues. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Further, in 2018, tariffs were imposed on certain imports of steel and aluminum into the United States. These tariffs are likely to increase the cost of manufacturing automobiles in the United States. Substantial tariffs have also been proposed on the importation into the United States of European automobiles, which represent a material portion of the new vehicles sold in the United States, and automobile parts from China. Each of these policies could materially increase the cost to U.S. consumers of new automobiles and thereby decrease the number of new vehicle sales in the United States, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
We may fail to respond adequately to changes in technology and consumer demands that could lead to decreased demand for automobiles.
In recent years, the market for motor vehicles has been characterized by rapid changes in technology and consumer demands. Self-driving technology, ride sharing, transportation networks and other fundamental changes in the automotive industry and transportation technology and infrastructure could have a substantial impact on consumer demand for the purchase or lease of automobiles. If we fail to respond adequately to a decline in the demand for automobile purchases, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
If we suffer a significant interruption in our ability to gain access to third-party data, we may be unable to maintain key aspects of our user experience, including the TrueCar Curve, and our business and operating results would suffer.
Our business relies on our ability to analyze data for the benefit of our users and the TrueCar Certified Dealers in our network. We use data obtained pursuant to agreements with third parties to power certain aspects of the user experience on our platform, including the TrueCar Curve, a graphical distribution of what others paid for the same make and model of car. In addition, the effectiveness of our user acquisition efforts depends in part on the availability of data relating to existing and potential users of our platform. If we are unable to renew data agreements as they expire, or use alternative data sources, and we experience a material disruption in the data provided to us, the information that we provide to our users and TrueCar Certified Dealers may be limited, the quality of this information may suffer, the user experience may be negatively affected and certain functionality on our platform may be disabled, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be materially and adversely affected.
Our unique visitors, revenue and operating results fluctuate due to seasonality.
Our revenue trends are a reflection of consumers’ car buying patterns. Across the automotive industry, consumers tend to purchase a higher volume of cars in the second and third quarters of each year, due in part to the introduction of new vehicle models from manufacturers. In the past, these seasonal trends have not been pronounced due the overall growth of our business, but we expect that in the future our revenues may be affected by these seasonal trends. Our business could also be impacted by cyclical trends affecting the overall economy, specifically the retail automobile industry, as well as by actual or threatened severe weather or other significant events outside of our control.
We may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances. If capital is not available to us, our operating results, business and financial condition may be harmed.
Since our founding, we have raised substantial equity and debt financing to support the growth of our business. Because we intend to continue to make investments to support the growth of our business, we may require additional capital to pursue our business objectives and respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances, including to increase our marketing expenditures to improve our brand awareness, develop new products or services or further improve existing products and services, enhance our operating infrastructure and acquire complementary businesses and technologies. Accordingly, we may need to engage in further equity or debt financings to secure additional funds. However, additional funds may not be available when we need them, on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. In addition, our current revolving credit facility contains restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, and any debt financing that we secure in the future could involve further restrictive covenants which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and pursue business opportunities. Volatility in the credit markets may also have an adverse effect on our ability to obtain debt financing.
If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our common stock. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to pursue our business objectives and to respond to business opportunities, challenges or unforeseen circumstances could be significantly limited, and our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.

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Security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, or other hacking and phishing attacks on our systems, could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business.
Our industry is prone to cyberattacks by third parties seeking unauthorized access to our data or users’ data or to disrupt our ability to provide service. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, including personal information, content or payment information from users, could result in the loss or misuse of such data, which could harm our business and reputation and diminish our competitive position. In addition, computer malware, viruses, social engineering (such as spear phishing attacks) and general hacking have become more prevalent in our industry, have occurred on our systems in the past and are likely to occur on our systems in the future. Such attacks may cause interruptions to the services we provide, degrade the user experience, cause users to lose confidence and trust in our products, impair our internal systems or result in financial harm to us. Our efforts to protect our data or the data we receive could also be unsuccessful due to software bugs or other technical malfunctions; employee, contractor or vendor error or malfeasance; government surveillance; or other threats. In addition, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose information to gain access to our data or our users’ data. Cyberattacks continue to evolve in sophistication and volume and may be inherently difficult to detect for long periods of time. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect our data and user data, to prevent data loss and to prevent or detect security breaches, we cannot assure you that such measures will provide absolute security, and we may need to expend significant resources in protecting against or remediating security breaches and cyberattacks.
In addition, some of our third-party partners, including developers, affinity group marketing partners and OEM partners, may receive or store information that we or our users provide. If these partners fail to adopt or adhere to adequate data security practices, or suffer a breach of their networks, our data or our users’ data could be improperly accessed, used or disclosed. Affected users or government authorities could initiate legal or regulatory actions against us in connection with any actual or perceived security breaches or improper disclosure of data, which could cause us to incur significant expense and liability or result in orders or consent decrees requiring us to modify our business practices. Such incidents or our efforts to remediate those incidents could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation or financial results.
We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data, and our actual or perceived failure to protect this information and data could damage our reputation and brand and harm our business and operating results.
We collect, process, store, share, disclose and use personal information and other data provided by consumers and dealers. We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to effect secure transmission of this information. From time to time, concerns have been expressed about whether our products, services or processes compromise the privacy of our users. Concerns about our practices with regard to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information or other privacy-related matters, even if unfounded, could harm our business and operating results.
There are numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws regarding privacy and the collection, processing, storage, sharing, disclosure, use or protection of personal information and other data. The scope of these laws is changing, they are subject to differing interpretations and they may be costly to comply with and may be inconsistent between countries and jurisdictions or conflict with other rules. Numerous jurisdictions are currently considering, or have recently enacted, data protection legislation. For example, on June 28, 2018, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which we refer to as the California Act. The California Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2020 but contains a “lookback” to January 1, 2019, will impose sweeping data protection obligations on many companies doing business in California and provides for substantial fines for non-compliance and, in some cases, a private right of action for consumers who are victims of data breaches involving their unencrypted personal information. Similar legislation has also passed in other states, including Colorado, Maine and Utah. The potential effects of these states’ legislation are far-reaching and may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies and incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply, and it is unclear whether, and if so how, the United States Congress will respond to these state-level enactments.
Our business operations and data handling procedures are based on industry standards. We maintain and update privacy and information security policies and employ an audit and assurance program designed to ensure that we comply with privacy and security-related obligations to third parties. We strive to monitor the changing regulatory environment and to address the new requirements of applicable laws and regulations and other mandatory obligations relating to privacy and data protection. However, it is possible that these obligations may be interpreted and applied in new ways or in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another, that they may conflict with other rules or our practices or that new regulations could be enacted. In addition to the increasing technical and financial burdens they impose on our business, the rapid legislative and other legal developments in this field create considerable uncertainties and impose substantial compliance costs and challenges. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to consumers or other third parties or our privacy-related legal obligations, including those imposed by the California Act and other state privacy laws, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of sensitive information, which may include personally identifiable information or other user data, may result in governmental enforcement

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actions, litigation or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others. Any of these consequences could cause consumers and automobile dealers to lose trust in us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Additionally, if vendors, developers or other third parties that we work with violate applicable laws or our policies, such violations may also put consumer or dealer information at risk and could in turn harm our reputation, business and operating results.
Our products and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors or vulnerabilities, our business could be adversely affected.
Our products and internal systems rely on software, including software developed or maintained internally or by third parties, that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our products and internal systems depend on the ability of that software to store, retrieve, process and manage substantial amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained, and may in the future contain, undetected errors, bugs or vulnerabilities. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Errors, vulnerabilities or other design defects within the software on which we rely have in the past, and may in the future, result in a negative experience for consumers, dealers and partners who use our products, delay product introductions or enhancements, result in targeting, measurement or billing errors, compromise our ability to protect consumers’, dealers’ and partners’ data and our intellectual property or lead to reductions in our ability to provide some or all of our products and services. In addition, any errors, bugs, vulnerabilities or defects discovered in the software on which we rely, and any associated degradations or interruptions of service, could result in damage to our reputation, loss of users, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
Our business is dependent on our ability to maintain and scale our technical infrastructure, and any significant disruption in service on our website or mobile applications could damage our reputation and result in a loss of consumers, which could harm our business, brand, operating results and financial condition.
Our brand, reputation and ability to attract consumers, affinity groups and advertisers depend on the reliable performance of our technology platform and content delivery. We have on occasion in the past and may in the future experience interruptions with our systems. Interruptions in these systems, whether due to system failures, computer viruses, denial-of-service attacks or physical or electronic break-ins, could affect the security or availability of our products and services on our website and mobile application and prevent or inhibit the ability of consumers to access our products and services. As our consumer base and the number of TrueCar Certified Dealers continue to grow, we will need an increasing amount of technical infrastructure, including network capacity and computing power, to continue to satisfy consumers’ and dealers’ needs. It is possible that we may not effectively scale and grow our technical infrastructure to accommodate these increased demands. Problems with the reliability or security of our systems or with the upgrading, architectural unification or scaling of those systems could harm our reputation, result in a loss of consumers, dealers and affinity group marketing partners and result in additional costs. In addition, a significant disruption in our billing systems could affect our ability to match automobile purchases with users who obtained a Guaranteed Savings Certificate and delay or prevent us from submitting invoices to TrueCar Certified Dealers, receiving payment for invoices and recognizing revenue related to purchases.
Any errors, defects, disruptions or other performance or reliability problems with our network operations, or with the services we receive from third-party network infrastructure providers, could cause interruptions in access to our products and could harm our reputation, business, operating results and financial condition.
We rely on Amazon Web Services for the vast majority of our computing, storage, bandwidth and other services. Any disruption of or interference with our use of the Amazon Web Services operation would negatively affect our operations and seriously harm our business.
Amazon provides a distributed computing infrastructure platform for business operations, or what is commonly referred to as a “cloud” computing service, and we currently run the vast majority of our computing on Amazon Web Services.
     Any transition of the cloud services currently provided by Amazon Web Services to another cloud provider would be difficult to implement and would cause us to incur significant time and expense. We have built our software and computer systems to use computing, storage capabilities, bandwidth and other services provided by Amazon, some of which do not have a readily available alternative in the market. Given this, any significant disruption of or interference with our use of Amazon Web Services would negatively impact our operations and seriously harm our business.
If our users or partners are not able to access our products and services through Amazon Web Services or encounter difficulties in doing so, we may lose customers, TrueCar Certified Dealers, partners and revenue. The level of service provided by Amazon Web Services or similar providers may also impact our customers’, TrueCar Certified Dealers’ and partners’ usage of our products and services and satisfaction with us. If Amazon Web Services or similar providers experience interruptions in service regularly or for a prolonged period of time, or other similar issues, our business would be seriously harmed. Hosting costs also have increased and are likely to continue to increase as our user base and user engagement grow and may seriously

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harm our business if we are unable to grow our revenues faster than the cost of using the services of Amazon or similar providers.
Our relationship with Amazon is governed by a short-term agreement and we cannot guarantee that Amazon will not terminate our relationship or that we will continue to have access to Amazon Web Services on commercially reasonable terms. Amazon may take actions beyond our control that could seriously harm our business, including limiting our access to its Amazon Web Services platform, increasing pricing terms, establishing more favorable relationships or pricing terms with one or more of our competitors and modifying or interpreting its terms of services or other policies in a manner that adversely affects our ability to run our business and operations.
Amazon has broad discretion to change and interpret its terms of service and other policies that apply to us, and those actions may be unfavorable to us. Amazon may also alter how we are able to process data on the Amazon Web Services platform. If Amazon makes changes or interpretations that are unfavorable to us, our business could be seriously harmed. Additionally, any disruption of or interference with the use of Amazon Web Services, including disruptions due to system failures, denial-of-service or other cyberattacks and computer viruses, or an interruption to Amazon’s systems or in the infrastructure that allows us to connect to them for an extended period, may impact our ability to operate the business and could adversely impact our operations and our business.
We may experience difficulties with our new enterprise resource planning, or ERP, software solution.
We recently implemented a new ERP software solution. We committed significant resources to this new system, which went live on April 1, 2019, and it may take time for us to fully realize its functionality. As a result of the conversion process and during our initial use of the new system, we may experience delays or disruptions in the integration of our systems, procedures or controls. The policies and security measures established with this ERP system and our other information technology systems may be vulnerable to data breaches, cyber-attacks or fraud. We may also encounter errors in data, an inability to accurately process or record transactions or security or technical reliability issues. Any of these issues could harm our ability to conduct core operating functions such as processing invoices and recording and reporting financial information on a timely and accurate basis or impact our internal control compliance efforts, which could disrupt our operations, divert management’s attention from key strategic initiatives and have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property could harm our business and operating results.
Our business depends on our intellectual property, the protection of which is crucial to the success of our business. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright law and contractual restrictions to protect our intellectual property. In addition, we attempt to protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information by requiring our employees and consultants to enter into confidentiality and assignment of inventions agreements and third parties to enter into nondisclosure agreements. These agreements may not effectively prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our website features, software and functionality or obtain and use information that we consider proprietary.
Competitors may adopt service names similar to ours, thereby harming our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to user confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement claims brought by owners of other registered trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of the term “TrueCar.”
We currently hold the “TrueCar.com” and “True.com” Internet domain names as well as various other related domain names. The regulation of domain names in the United States is subject to change. Regulatory bodies could establish additional top-level domains, appoint additional domain name registrars or modify the requirements for holding domain names. As a result, we may not be able to acquire or maintain all domain names that use the name TrueCar.
We may in the future be subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly to defend and could harm our business and operating results.
We may from time to time face allegations that we, or businesses we acquired or in which we invested, have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors or non-practicing entities.
Patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict and may require us to stop offering some features, purchase licenses or modify our products and features while we develop non-infringing substitutes or may result in significant settlement costs.
In addition, we use open-source software in our products and expect to use open-source software in the future. From time to time, we may face claims against companies that incorporate open-source software into their products, claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the source code, the open-source software or derivative works that were developed

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using the software, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open-source license. These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our platform or services, any of which would have a negative effect on our business and operating results.
Even if these matters do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor or without significant cash settlements, these matters, and the time and resources necessary to litigate or resolve them, could harm our business, operating results and reputation.
We have incurred and will continue to incur substantial costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management has been and will be required to continue to devote substantial time to compliance with our public company responsibilities and corporate governance practices.
As a public company, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and rules implemented by the SEC and Nasdaq impose various requirements on public companies, including in relation to corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, changing rules and regulations may increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time consuming and costly. If, despite our efforts to comply with new or changing laws, regulations and standards, we fail to comply, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us, and our business may be harmed. Further, failure to comply with these laws, regulations and standards may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage, which could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or our board committees or as executive officers.
Our compliance with applicable provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to management assessment of internal controls requires that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management time on compliance-related issues as we implement additional corporate governance practices and comply with reporting requirements. If we or our independent registered public accounting firm identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
Furthermore, investor perceptions of our company may suffer if, in the future, material weaknesses are found, and this could cause a decline in the market price of our stock. Irrespective of compliance with Section 404, any failure of our internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our stated operating results and harm our reputation. If we are unable to implement internal controls effectively or efficiently, it could harm our operations, financial reporting or financial results and could result in an adverse opinion on internal control from our independent registered public accounting firm.
 
If our intangible assets and goodwill become impaired we may be required to record a significant non-cash charge to earnings which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
 
We had goodwill and intangible assets of $93.7 million at June 30, 2019. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we review our goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We review our intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. While we have not recognized any impairment charges since our inception, we may recognize impairment charges in future periods in connection with businesses we acquire or in which we invest. The carrying value of our goodwill and intangible assets may not be recoverable due to factors such as a decline in our stock price and market capitalization, reduced estimates of future revenues or cash flows or slower growth rates in our industry. Estimates of future revenues and cash flows are based on a long-term financial outlook of our operations. Actual performance in the near-term or long-term could be materially different from these forecasts, which could impact future estimates and the recorded value of the intangibles. For example, a significant, sustained decline in our stock price and market capitalization may result in impairment of our intangible assets, including goodwill, and a significant charge to earnings in our consolidated financial statements during the period in which an impairment is determined to exist. If we have to reduce the carrying value of our goodwill or intangible assets, the impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. 
If our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes is limited, we may not receive the benefit of those assets.

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We had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $404.0 million and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $255.1 million at December 31, 2018. These federal and state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in the years ending December 31, 2025 and 2019, respectively. Federal net operating losses generated after December 31, 2017 will not expire and will carry forward indefinitely, but will be limited in any given year to offsetting a maximum of 80% of our taxable income for the year, determined without regard to the application of such net operating loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2018, we had federal and state research and development credit carryforwards of approximately $0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The federal credit carryforwards begin to expire in the year ending December 31, 2028. The state credit carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely.
Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code impose substantial restrictions on the use of net operating losses and other tax attributes in the event of a cumulative “ownership change” of a corporation of more than 50% over a three-year period. Accordingly, if we generate taxable income in the future, changes in our stock ownership, including equity offerings, as well as other changes that may be outside our control, could potentially result in material limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss and research tax credit carryforwards.
Changes in applicable tax law and resolutions of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results.
We are subject to taxation in the United States. Changes in tax laws applicable to us, including interpretations thereof and related accounting standards, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For example, in 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. That decision overturned prior case law that online sellers are not required to collect sales and use taxes unless they have a physical presence in the buyer’s state. Although we believe that the Wayfair decision is unlikely to have a material effect on our business, it has resulted in nationwide uncertainty over sales tax liability and could precipitate responses from federal and state legislators, regulators and courts that materially increase our tax administrative costs and tax risk.
Catastrophic events or geopolitical conditions could disrupt our business.
A disruption or failure of our systems or operations because of a major earthquake, weather event, cyberattack, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event could cause delays in providing our services or performing other critical functions. Our corporate headquarters, a majority of our employees and many of our essential business operations are located in the Los Angeles area, which is a seismically active region. A catastrophic event that results in the destruction or disruption of any of our critical business or IT systems could harm our ability to conduct normal business operations and adversely affect our revenues and operating results.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
We may fail to meet our publicly announced guidance or other expectations about our business and future operating results, which could cause our stock price to decline.
We have provided and may continue to provide guidance about our business and future operating results, including financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2019, as well as the year ending December 31, 2019, as part of our press releases, investor conference calls or otherwise. In developing this guidance, our management must make certain assumptions and judgments about our future performance. For example, in the second quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2018, our business results varied significantly from guidance for the quarter and the price of our common stock declined. Our future business results may vary significantly from management’s guidance due to a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, and which could materially and adversely affect our operations, financial condition and operating results. If our publicly-announced guidance of future operating results fails to meet the expectations of securities analysts, investors or other interested parties, the price of our common stock could decline.

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Concentration of ownership among our existing executive officers and directors, their affiliates and holders of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
 
As of June 30, 2019, our executive officers, directors and holders of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock (based upon the most recent filings on Schedule 13G with the SEC with respect to each such holder) beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 88% of our outstanding shares of common stock (assuming exercise of all beneficially owned shares). Some of these persons or entities may have interests that are different from yours. For example, these stockholders may support proposals and actions with which you may disagree or which are not in your interests. These stockholders are able to exercise a significant level of control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult or impossible without the support of these stockholders, which in turn could reduce the price of our common stock.

The price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile, and the value of your investment could decline.
 
The trading price of our common stock has been volatile since our initial public offering and is likely to continue to fluctuate substantially. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the trading price of our common stock fluctuated from a low of $5.02 per share to a high of $10.39 per share. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the trading price of our common stock fluctuated from a low of $8.03 per share to a high of $14.55 per share. The trading price of our common stock depends on a number of factors, including those described in this “Risk Factors” section, many of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. These fluctuations could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in our common stock since you might be unable to sell your shares at or above the price you paid. Factors that could cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock include the following:
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time; 
volatility in the market prices and trading volumes of high technology stocks; 
changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other technology companies generally, or those in our industry in particular; 
sales of shares of our common stock by us or our stockholders; 
the failure of securities analysts to maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates or recommendations by any securities analysts who follow our company; 
our failure to meet our publicly-announced guidance of future operating results or otherwise to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in this regard;
announcements by us or our competitors of new products; 
the public’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements and filings with the SEC;
rumors and market speculation involving us or other companies in our industry; 
actual or anticipated changes in our operating results or fluctuations in our operating results; 
actual or anticipated developments in our business, our competitors’ businesses or the competitive landscape generally; 
our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses;
litigation involving us, our industry or both, or investigations by regulators into our operations or those of our competitors; 
developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights; 

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announced or completed acquisitions of or investments in businesses or technologies by us or our competitors;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business; 
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations or principles; 
any significant change in our management; 
conditions in the automobile industry; and 
general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our markets.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Additionally, as a public company, we face the risk of shareholder lawsuits, particularly if we experience declines in the price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market prices of a particular company’s securities, securities class action lawsuits have often been instituted against affected companies. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to these legal actions.  
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of the sale of substantial amounts of our common stock, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders, a large number of shares of our common stock becoming available for sale or the perception in the market that holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares.
At June 30, 2019, approximately 105.9 million shares of our common stock were outstanding. In addition, as of June 30, 2019, there were 13.1 million shares underlying options and 6.7 million shares underlying restricted stock units. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold in the public market, the trading price of our stock could decline. Under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, shares held by non-affiliates for more than six months may generally be sold without restriction, other than a current public information requirement, and may be sold freely without any restrictions after one year. Shares held by affiliates may also be sold under Rule 144, subject to applicable restrictions, including volume and manner of sale limitations.
In January 2017, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which we refer to as the 2017 Registration Statement. Under the 2017 Registration Statement, we may, from time to time, sell securities of any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, subscription rights or units at prices and on terms that we may determine up to a total dollar amount of $100 million, and certain of our stockholders may sell, from time to time, up to 20 million shares of common stock. The 2017 Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on February 6, 2017. On May 2, 2017, we effected an offering under the 2017 Registration Statement in which we sold 1.15 million shares of common stock and certain selling stockholders sold 9.2 million shares of common stock.
We or selling stockholders may periodically offer additional securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be announced when and if the securities are offered. At the time any of the securities covered by the 2017 Registration Statement are offered for sale, we will prepare and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the offering.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.
If we raise additional funds through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of the securities will result in dilution to our stockholders. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in the past, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid in the past. In addition, if we were to issue securities in connection with our acquisition of complementary businesses, products or technologies, our stockholders would also experience dilution.
Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
If our existing stockholders, including employees and service providers who obtain equity, sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline. All of our outstanding shares are

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eligible for sale in the public market, other than approximately 13.7 million shares (including vested options) as of June 30, 2019 held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates that are subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Our employees, other service providers and directors are subject to our quarterly trading blackouts. In addition, we have reserved shares for issuance under our equity incentive plans. The issuance and subsequent sale of these shares will be dilutive to our existing stockholders and the trading price of our common stock could decline.
Anti-takeover provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our board of directors. Our corporate governance documents include provisions: 
creating a classified board of directors whose members serve staggered three-year terms;
authorizing “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our board of directors without stockholder approval and may contain voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock; 
limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers; 
limiting the ability of our stockholders to call and bring business before special meetings; 
requiring advance notice of stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at meetings of our stockholders and for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors; 
controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of board of directors and stockholder meetings; and 
providing our board of directors with the express power to postpone previously scheduled annual meetings and to cancel previously scheduled special meetings.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management.
As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prevents some stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders of substantially all of our outstanding common stock.
Any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or of Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we otherwise agree, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for:
any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; 
any action asserting a claim against us under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; 
any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our certificate of incorporation; and
any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal-affairs doctrine. 
This exclusive-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, employees and other agents. If a court were to find this exclusive-forum provision to be inapplicable

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or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about us, our business or our market, or if they change their recommendations regarding our stock adversely, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If any of the analysts who cover us change their recommendation regarding our stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors, our stock price could decline. If any analyst who covers us were to cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
We do not expect to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our credit facility currently restrict our payment of cash dividends on our capital stock. Consequently, investors may need to rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a)
Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.

(b)
Use of Proceeds from Public Offerings of Common Stock 
Our initial public offering of common stock was effected through a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-195036), which was declared effective on May 15, 2014. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our initial public offering or follow-on offerings as described in our final prospectuses filed with the SEC on May 16, 2014, November 12, 2014 and April 27, 2017, respectively, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Pending the uses described, we have invested the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade interest-bearing securities and obligations, such as money market accounts.

64



Item 6.   Exhibits
The documents listed below are incorporated by reference or are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in each case as indicated therein (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
Exhibit 
Number
 
Description
 
Incorporated by 
Reference From Form
 
Incorporated 
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
 
Date Filed
3.1
 
 
 
3.2
 
5/5/2014
3.2
 
 
 
3.4
 
5/5/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XRBL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibit 101)
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
# Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

65



(1)
This certification is deemed not filed for purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

66



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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TRUECAR, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
August 9, 2019
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael Darrow
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael Darrow
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interim President & Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
August 9, 2019
 
By:
 
/s/ Noel B. Watson
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noel B. Watson
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


67


Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made by and between John Pierantoni (“Employee”) and TrueCar, Inc. (“Company”) (collectively, “Parties” or individually, a “Party”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Employee is employed at-will by the Company;

WHEREAS, Employee signed an At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement with the Company dated as of December 2, 2013 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Employee signed an Employment Agreement with the Company entered into as of August 18, 2015 (the “Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have entered into Stock Option Agreements granted as of the dates indicated in Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to which Employee was granted the option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (each such grant, an “Option” and together, the “Options”) and have entered into Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements granted as of the dates indicated in Exhibit A hereto, granting Employee the right to receive an award of restricted stock units (each such award, an “RSU Award” and together, the “RSU Awards”), each subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement or the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, as applicable, related to the award (collectively with the Plan, “Stock Agreements”);

WHEREAS, Employee’s employment with the Company is expected to terminate effective March 31, 2019 (the “Planned Termination Date” and Employee’s actual date of employment termination, the “Termination Date”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:

COVENANTS

1.    Consideration.    In consideration of Employee’s execution of this Agreement and Employee’s fulfillment of all of its terms and conditions, including service through the Planned Termination Date, and provided that Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 6 below, the Company agrees as follows:

a.    Post-Employment Consulting Services. Conditioned upon Employee’s timely execution of this Agreement, the Company agrees to retain Employee to perform services for the Company as a Consultant, in which role he shall provide consulting services (“Consulting Services”) to the Company as an independent contractor pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Consulting Agreement”). The term during which Employee shall provide Consulting Services shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Consulting Term.” Nothing in this Agreement or the Consulting Agreement pertaining to Employee’s anticipated role as a Consultant shall in any way be construed to constitute Employee as a continuing agent, officer, employee, or representative of the Company after the Termination Date, but Employee shall perform the services under the Consulting Agreement solely as an independent contractor. For purposes of clarification, there shall be no break of service between the Termination Date and the commencement of the Consulting Services.

b.    General. Employee acknowledges that without this Agreement, he is otherwise not entitled to the consideration listed in this Section 1.

2.    Equity. The Parties agree that for purposes of determining the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that Employee is entitled to purchase from the Company, pursuant to the exercise of the outstanding Options, or that Employee has vested in pursuant to the RSU Awards, Employee will have vested in the number of shares subject to the Options





and the RSU Awards as listed on Exhibit A-1 hereto, provided Employee is employed through the Planned Termination Date of March 31, 2019. Employee acknowledges that, as noted in Exhibit A-1, if the actual Termination Date is different than March 31, 2019, the number of shares subject to the Options that will have vested as of the actual Termination Date and the number of shares subject to the RSU Awards that will have vested as of the actual Termination Date may differ from the numbers shown on Exhibit A-1. In addition, Exhibit A-2 hereto sets forth the number of shares subject to Employee’s Options and RSU Awards that Employee will vest in through the Consulting Term if the Consulting Term lasts through March 31, 2020; if the actual date Employee ceases to be a Service Provider (as defined in the Plan) is different than March 31, 2020, the number of shares subject to the Options and RSU Awards that will have vested as of the actual date Employee ceases to be a Service Provider may differ from the numbers shown on Exhibit A-2. The exercise of Employee’s vested Options, the shares purchased thereunder and Employee’s RSU Awards shall continue to be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Agreements. For purposes of clarification, any post-termination exercise period for purposes of exercising the vested portion of the Options shall not commence until the termination of the Consulting Term.

3.    Benefits. Employee’s health insurance benefits shall cease on the last day of the month of his Termination Date, subject to Employee’s right to continue his health insurance under COBRA. Employee’s participation in all benefits and incidents of employment, including, but not limited to, the accrual of bonuses, vacation, and paid time off, will cease as of the Termination Date.

4.    Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Employee acknowledges and represents that, other than the consideration set forth in this Agreement, and the payment of any accrued vacation/paid time off, which shall be timely paid, and the payment of wages owed through the Termination Date, the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, premiums, leaves, vacation, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee.

5.    Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”). Employee, on his own behalf and on behalf of his respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the date Employee signs this Agreement, including, without limitation:

a.    any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship, including claims under the Employment Agreement or other agreement with the Company;

b.    any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;

c.    any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; constructive discharge; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

d.    any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor Code; the California Workers’ Compensation Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the Unruh Civil Rights Act; the California Equal Pay Law; the California Unfair Business Practices Act; and the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act;

e.    any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;






f.    any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;

g.    any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement; and

h.    any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this Section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this release does not extend to (i) any obligations incurred under this Agreement; (ii) Employee’s rights to receive accrued but unpaid base salary wages owed through the Effective Date; (iii) health, disability or life insurance benefits payable in accordance with the Company’s employee benefit plans; (iv) any rights with respect to director and officer indemnification pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation and/or bylaws of the Company and all written agreements for indemnification, exculpation of liability or advancement of expenses, in effect as of the Effective Date between the Company and any of its current or former directors and officers, as well as any indemnification or contribution rights afforded to Employee under applicable state or federal law, including without limitation all such claims arising out of Milbeck v. TrueCar et al. (C.D. Cal.) and Drulias v. Guthrie et al. (C.D. Cal.), and any subsequently-filed cases alleging similar claims in any state or federal court; or (v) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including any Protected Activity (as defined below). Employee represents that he has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section.

6.    Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that: (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the twenty-one (21)-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and understands that revocation must be accomplished by a written notification to the person executing this Agreement on the Company’s behalf that is received prior to the Effective Date. The Parties agree that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the twenty-one (21)-day period.

7.    California Civil Code Section 1542. Employee acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.

Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights he may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect, except as provided in Section 5.

8.    No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or





any of the other Releasees with respect to the claims herein released.

9.    Confidentiality. Subject to Section 27 governing Protected Activity, Employee agrees to maintain in complete confidence the existence of this Agreement, the contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Separation Information”). Except as required by law, Employee may disclose Separation Information only to his immediate family members, the Court in any proceedings to enforce the terms of this Agreement, Employee’s attorney(s), and Employee’s accountant and any professional tax advisor to the extent that they need to know the Separation Information in order to provide advice on tax treatment or to prepare tax returns, and must prevent disclosure of any Separation Information to all other third parties. Employee agrees that he will not publicize, directly or indirectly, any Separation Information.

10.    Trade Secrets and Confidential Information/Company Property. Subject to Section 27 governing Protected Activity, Employee reaffirms and agrees to observe and abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, specifically including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information, and nonsolicitation of Company employees. No later than the Termination Date, Employee will return all documents and other items provided to Employee by the Company, developed or obtained by Employee in connection with his employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company (with the exception of a copy of the Employee Handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to Employee).

11.    No Cooperation. Subject to Section 27 governing Protected Activity, Employee agrees that he will not knowingly encourage, advise, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or upon written request from an administrative agency or the legislature or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement. Employee agrees both to immediately notify the Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature,, and to furnish, within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature. If approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against any of the Releasees, Employee shall state no more than that he cannot provide counsel or assistance.

12.    Nondisparagement. Employee agrees to refrain from any disparagement, defamation, libel, or slander of any of the Releasees, and agrees to refrain from any tortious interference with the contracts and relationships of any of the Releasees. Employee shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department.

13.    Breach. In addition to the rights provided in the “Attorneys’ Fees” section below, Employee acknowledges and agrees that any material breach of this Agreement, unless such breach constitutes a legal action by Employee challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, or of any provision of the Confidentiality Agreement shall entitle the Company immediately to recover and/or cease providing the consideration provided to Employee under this Agreement and to obtain damages, except as provided by law.

14.    No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that with respect to all claims released herein, this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee unless such claims were explicitly not released by the release in this Agreement. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.

15.    Nonsolicitation. Employee agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the Effective Date of this Agreement, Employee shall not directly or indirectly solicit any of the Company’s employees to leave their employment at the Company.

16.    Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.

17.    Taxes; Section 409A; Limitations on Payments.

a.    Taxes; Section 409A. Employee agrees and understands that he is responsible for payment, if any, of personal local, personal state, and/or personal federal taxes on the payments and any other consideration provided hereunder by the Company and any penalties or assessments thereon. It is intended that none of the payments or benefits under this





Agreement will constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any final regulations and guidance under that statute, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be amended or promulgated from time to time (together, “Section 409A”), but rather such payments and benefits will be exempt from, or if not exempt from will comply with, Section 409A so that none of the payments to be provided under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms will be interpreted in such manner. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement or otherwise is intended to constitute a separate payment under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- 2(b)(2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Employee to an additional tax under Section 409A, any payments or benefits deemed to be separation-related deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether under this Agreement or any other arrangement, payable to Employee will be delayed until the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following Employee’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A), except that in the event of Employee’s death, any such delayed payments will be paid as soon as practicable after the date of Employee’s death, and in each case all subsequent payments and benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment or benefit. In no event will the Company reimburse Employee for any taxes that may be imposed on Employee as a result of Section 409A. In no event will Employee have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any separation-related payments.

b.    Limitation on Payments. In the event that any payment or benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 17.b, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:

i.    delivered in full, or

ii.    delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Employee, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Employee on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Employee have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

Unless the Company and Employee otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 17.b will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Employee and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 17.b, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Employee will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 17.b.

18.    Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through his to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.

19.    No Representations. Employee represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.






20.    Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.

21.    Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or affect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.

22.    Entire Agreement. Except as provided in Section 5, this Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company, including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement, with the exception of the Confidentiality Agreement (other than as specified in Section 27) and the Stock Agreements.

23.    No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and an authorized officer of the Company.

24.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard for choice/conflict of law provisions. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the applicable state or federal courts in Los Angeles County, California.

25.    Effective Date. Employee understands that this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by him within twenty-one (21) days from the date this Agreement is presented. Each Party has seven (7) days after that Party signs this Agreement to revoke it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Employee signed this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (“Effective Date”).

26.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

27.    Protected Activity Not Prohibited. Employee understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Employee from engaging for a lawful purpose in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” shall mean filing a charge or complaint, or otherwise communicating, cooperating, or participating with, any state, federal, or other governmental agency, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board (“Government Agencies”). Employee understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Employee is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information under the Confidentiality Agreement to any parties other than the Government Agencies. Employee further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications, and that any such disclosure without the Company’s written consent shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. Any language in the Confidentiality Agreement regarding Employee’s right to engage in Protected Activity that conflicts with, or is contrary to, this paragraph is superseded by this Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

28.    Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that he executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of his claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees. Employee acknowledges that:






(a)    he has read this Agreement;

(b)    he has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of his own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel;

(c)    he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and

(d)    he is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:


John Pierantoni, an individual


Dated: March 20, 2019                /s/ John Pierantoni
John Pierantoni






TRUECAR, INC.


Dated: March 20, 2019                By /s/ Jeff Swart
Jeff Swart
EVP, General Counsel & Secretary






EXHIBIT A-1

EMPLOYEE’S OPTIONS AND RSUs AS OF TERMINATION DATE*

Grant No.
Grant Date
Grant Type
Type
Shares Granted
Option Price
Options Exercised / RSUs Released
Cancelled / Forfeited
Shares Outstanding at 3/31/2019
Exercisable Options / Pending RSU Releases
Total Vested Shares
Total Unvested Shares
ZA2239IS
02/07/2014
ISO
Options
50,510

$9.255
43,218

                -
7,292

7,292

50,510

                -
ZA2239NQ
02/07/2014
NQ
Options
66,156

$9.255
5,000

                -
61,156

61,156

66,156

                -
N1608006
08/11/2016
NQ
Options
72,280

$10.850
                -
                -
72,280

49,692

49,692

22,588

N1706063
06/10/2017
NQ
Options
48,000

$18.910
                -
                -
48,000

4,800

4,800

43,200

N1706014
06/10/2017
NQ
Options
28,368

$18.910
                -
                -
28,368

12,411

12,411

15,957

N1805008
05/12/2018
NQ
Options
23,211

$9.590
                -
                -
23,211

5,319

5,319

17,892

ZA2619IS
05/15/2014
ISO
Options
5,662

$12.810
                -
649

5,013

5,013

5,013

                -
ZA2619NQ
05/15/2014
PSO
Options
69,336

$12.810
                -
7,975

61,361

61,361

61,361

                -
ZA3018OA
05/21/2014
PSU
RSUs
11,260

$ -
9,966

1,294

                -
                -
9,966

                -
ZA3734
03/12/2015
RSU
RSUs
1,195

$ -
1,195

                -
                -
                -
1,195

                -
R1505289
05/28/2015
RSU
RSUs
8,333

$ -
8,333

                -
                -
                -
8,333

                -
R1510012
10/01/2015
RSU
RSUs
22,840

$ -
19,985

                -
2,855

                -
19,985

2,855

R1601021
01/27/2016
RSU
RSUs
10,660

$ -
8,661

                -
1,999

                -
8,661

1,999

R1607006
07/01/2016
RSU
RSUs
31,720

$ -
21,807

                -
9,913

                -
21,807

9,913

R1706014
06/10/2017
RSU
RSUs
4,720

$ -
2,065

                -
2,655

                -
2,065

2,655

R1805632
05/12/2018
RSU
RSUs
19,324

$ -
                -
                -
19,324

                -
                -
19,324

R1805008
05/12/2018
RSU
RSUs
25,455

$ -
4,772

                -
20,683

                -
4,772

20,683

R1806014
06/13/2018
RSU
RSUs
1,506

$ -
1,506

                -
                -
                -
1,506

                -
R181100
11/27/2018
RSU
RSUs
1,087

$ -
272

                -
815

                -
272

815

 
03/15/2019
RSU
RSUs
2,133

$ -
                -
                -
2,133

                -
                -
2,133

 
 
 
 
503,756

 
126,780

9,918

367,058

207,044

333,824

160,014



* This assumes continued service through March 31, 2019 and no further Option exercises through such date. If the Termination Date is different than March 31, 2019, the number of shares subject to the Options and RSU Awards that will have vested as of the Termination Date may differ from the numbers shown in this table. Similarly, if options are exercised on or prior to such date, the shares outstanding as of such date may differ from the numbers shown in this table.






EXHIBIT A-2

EMPLOYEE’S OPTIONS AND RSUs AS OF THE END OF CONSULTING TERM*

Grant No.
Grant Date
Grant Type
Type
Shares Granted
Option Price
Options Exercised / RSUs Released
Cancelled / Forfeited
Shares Outstanding at 3/31/2020
Exercisable Options / Pending RSU Releases
Total Vested Shares
Total Unvested Shares
ZA2239IS
02/07/2014
ISO
Options
50,510

$9.255
43,218

                -
7,292

7,292

50,510

                -
ZA2239NQ
02/07/2014
NQ
Options
66,156

$9.255
5,000

                -
61,156

61,156

66,156

                -
N1608006
08/11/2016
NQ
Options
72,280

$10.850
                -
                -
72,280

67,762

67,762

4,518

N1706063
06/10/2017
NQ
Options
48,000

$18.910
                -
                -
48,000

14,400

14,400

33,600

N1706014
06/10/2017
NQ
Options
28,368

$18.910
                -
                -
28,368

19,503

19,503

8,865

N1805008
05/12/2018
NQ
Options
23,211

$9.590
                -
                -
23,211

11,121

11,121

12,090

ZA2619IS
05/15/2014
ISO
Options
5,662

$12.810
                -
649

5,013

5,013

5,013

                -
ZA2619NQ
05/15/2014
PSO
Options
69,336

$12.810
                -
7,975

61,361

61,361

61,361

                -
ZA3018OA
05/21/2014
PSU
RSUs
11,260

$ -
9,966

1,294

                -
                -
9,966

                -
ZA3734
03/12/2015
RSU
RSUs
1,195

$ -
1,195

                -
                -
                -
1,195

                -
R1505289
05/28/2015
RSU
RSUs
8,333

$ -
8,333

                -
                -
                -
8,333

                -
R1510012
10/01/2015
RSU
RSUs
22,840

$ -
19,985

                -
                -
2,855

22,840

                -
R1601021
01/27/2016
RSU
RSUs
10,660

$ -
8,661

                -
                -
1,999

10,660

                -
R1607006
07/01/2016
RSU
RSUs
31,720

$ -
21,807

                -
1,983

7,930

29,737

1,983

R1706014
06/10/2017
RSU
RSUs
4,720

$ -
2,065

                -
1,475

1,180

3,245

1,475

R1805632
05/12/2018
RSU
RSUs
19,324

$ -
                -
                -
                -
19,324

19,324

                -
R1805008
05/12/2018
RSU
RSUs
25,455

$ -
4,772

                -
14,319

6,364

11,136

14,319

R1806014
06/13/2018
RSU
RSUs
1,506

$ -
1,506

                -
                -
                -
1,506

                -
R181100
11/27/2018
RSU
RSUs
1,087

$ -
272

                -
                -
815

1,087

                -
 
03/15/2019
RSU
RSUs
2,133

$ -
                -
                -
                -
2,133

2,133

                -
 
 
 
 
503,756

 
126,780

9,918

324,458

290,208

416,988

76,850


* This assumes continued service through March 31, 2020 and no further Option exercises through such date. If the date Employee ceases to be a Service Provider is different than March 31, 2020, the number of shares subject to the Options and RSU Awards that will have vested as of such date may differ from the numbers shown in this table. Similarly, if options are exercised on or prior to such date, the shares outstanding as of such date may differ from the numbers shown in this table.





EXHIBIT B

CONSULTING AGREEMENT














Exhibit 10.2

TRUECAR, INC.

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This Consulting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 20, 2019 and will become effective on the Termination Date (as such term is defined in the Separation Agreement and Release, dated March 20, 2019, between the Company and Consultant) (the “Effective Date”) by and between TrueCar, Inc., (the “Company”), and John Pierantoni (“Consultant”) (each herein referred to individually as a “Party,” or collectively as the “Parties”).

The Company desires to retain Consultant as an independent contractor to perform consulting services for the Company, and Consultant is willing to perform such services, on the terms described below. In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1.    Services and Compensation

Consultant shall perform the services described in Exhibit A (the “Services”) for the Company (or its designee), and the Company agrees to pay Consultant the compensation described in Exhibit A for Consultant’s performance of the Services.

2.    Confidentiality

A.    Definition of Confidential Information. Confidential Information” means any information (including any and all combinations of individual items of information) that relates to the actual or anticipated business and/or products, research or development of the Company, its affiliates or subsidiaries, or to the Company’s, its affiliates’ or subsidiaries’ technical data, trade secrets, or know- how, including, but not limited to, research, product plans, or other information regarding the Company’s, its affiliates’ or subsidiaries’ products or services and markets therefor, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, customers of the Company on whom Consultant called or with whom Consultant became acquainted during the term of this Agreement), software, developments, inventions, discoveries, ideas, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances, and other business information disclosed by the Company, its affiliates or subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally or by drawings or inspection of premises, parts, equipment, or other property of Company, its affiliates or subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include any such information which Consultant can establish (i) was publicly known or made generally available prior to the time of disclosure to Consultant; (ii) becomes publicly known or made generally available after disclosure to Consultant through no wrongful action or inaction of Consultant; or (iii) is in the rightful possession of Consultant, without confidentiality obligations, at the time of disclosure as shown by Consultant’s then- contemporaneous written records; provided that any combination of individual items of information shall not be deemed to be within any of the foregoing exceptions merely because one or more of the individual items are within such exception, unless the combination as a whole is within such exception.

B.    Nonuse and Nondisclosure. During and after the term of this Agreement, Consultant will hold in the strictest confidence, and take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information, and Consultant will not (i) use the Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than as necessary for the performance of the Services on behalf of the Company, or (ii) subject to Consultant’s right to engage in Protected Activity (as defined below), disclose the Confidential Information to any third party without the prior written consent of an authorized representative of the Company, except that Consultant may disclose Confidential Information to any third party on a need-to-know basis for the purposes of Consultant performing the Services; provided, however, that such third party is subject to written non-use and non-disclosure obligations at least as protective of Company and the Confidential Information as this Section 2. Consultant may also disclose Confidential Information to the extent compelled by applicable law; provided however, prior to such disclosure, Consultant shall provide prior written notice to Company and seek a protective order or such similar confidential protection as may be available under applicable law. Consultant agrees that no ownership of Confidential Information is conveyed to the Consultant. Without limiting the foregoing, Consultant shall not use or disclose any Company property, intellectual property rights, trade secrets or other proprietary know-how of the Company to invent, author, make, develop, design, or otherwise enable others to invent, author, make, develop, or design identical or substantially similar designs as those developed under this Agreement for any third party. Consultant agrees that Consultant’s obligations under this Section 2.B shall continue after the termination of this Agreement.

C.    Other Client Confidential Information. Consultant agrees that Consultant will not improperly use, disclose, or induce the Company to use any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or current employer of





Consultant or other person or entity with which Consultant has an obligation to keep in confidence. Consultant also agrees that Consultant will not bring onto the Company’s premises or transfer onto the Company’s technology systems any unpublished document, proprietary information, or trade secrets belonging to any third party unless disclosure to, and use by, the Company has been consented to in writing by such third party.

D.    Third Party Confidential Information. Consultant recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Consultant agrees that at all times during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Consultant owes the Company and such third parties a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to use it or to disclose it to any person, firm, corporation, or other third party except as necessary in carrying out the Services for the Company consistent with the Company’s agreement with such third party.

3.    Ownership

A.    Assignment of Inventions. Consultant agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to any copyrightable material, notes, records, drawings, designs, inventions, improvements, developments, discoveries, ideas and trade secrets conceived, discovered, authored, invented, developed or reduced to practice by Consultant, solely or in collaboration with others, during the term of this Agreement and arising out of, or in connection with, performing the Services under this Agreement and any copyrights, patents, trade secrets, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating to the foregoing (collectively, “Inventions”), are the sole property of the Company. Consultant also agrees to promptly make full written disclosure to the Company of any Inventions and to deliver and assign (or cause to be assigned) and hereby irrevocably assigns fully to the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Inventions.

B.    Pre-Existing Materials. Subject to Section 3.A, Consultant will provide the Company with prior written notice if, in the course of performing the Services, Consultant incorporates into any Invention or utilizes in the performance of the Services any invention, discovery, idea, original works of authorship, development, improvements, trade secret, concept, or other proprietary information or intellectual property right owned by Consultant or in which Consultant has an interest, prior to, or separate from, performing the Services under this Agreement (“Prior Inventions”), and the Company is hereby granted a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, worldwide license (with the right to grant and authorize sublicenses) to make, have made, use, import, offer for sale, sell, reproduce, distribute, modify, adapt, prepare derivative works of, display, perform, and otherwise exploit such Prior Inventions, without restriction, including, without limitation, as part of or in connection with such Invention, and to practice any method related thereto. Consultant will not incorporate any invention, discovery, idea, original works of authorship, development, improvements, trade secret, concept, or other proprietary information or intellectual property right owned by any third party into any Invention without Company’s prior written permission, including without limitation any free software or open source software.

C.    Moral Rights. Any assignment to the Company of Inventions includes all rights of attribution, paternity, integrity, modification, disclosure and withdrawal, and any other rights throughout the world that may be known as or referred to as “moral rights,” “artist’s rights,” “droit moral,” or the like (collectively, “Moral Rights”). To the extent that Moral Rights cannot be assigned under applicable law, Consultant hereby waives and agrees not to enforce any and all Moral Rights, including, without limitation, any limitation on subsequent modification, to the extent permitted under applicable law.

D.    Maintenance of Records. Consultant agrees to keep and maintain adequate, current, accurate, and authentic written records of all Inventions made by Consultant (solely or jointly with others) during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of three (3) years thereafter. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, electronic files, reports, or any other format that is customary in the industry and/or otherwise specified by the Company. Such records are and remain the sole property of the Company at all times and upon Company’s request, Consultant shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) the same.

E.    Further Assurances. Consultant agrees to assist Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure the Company’s rights in Inventions in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments that the Company may deem necessary in order to apply for, register, obtain, maintain, defend, and enforce such rights, and in order to deliver, assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns and nominees the sole and exclusive right, title, and interest in and to all Inventions and testifying in a suit or other proceeding relating to such Inventions. Consultant further agrees that Consultant’s obligations under this Section 3.E shall continue after the termination of this Agreement.






F.    Attorney-in-Fact. Consultant agrees that, if the Company is unable because of Consultant’s unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Consultant’s signature with respect to any Inventions, including, without limitation, for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright registrations covering the Inventions assigned to the Company in Section 3.A, then Consultant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Consultant’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on Consultant’s behalf to execute and file any papers and oaths and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Inventions to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright and mask work registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Consultant. This power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest, and shall be irrevocable.

4.    Conflicting Obligations

A.    Consultant represents and warrants that Consultant has no agreements, relationships, or commitments to any other person or entity that conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, Consultant’s obligations to the Company under this Agreement, and/or Consultant’s ability to perform the Services. Consultant will not enter into any such conflicting agreement during the term of this Agreement.

B.    In light of the unique and specialized nature of Consultant’s services, Consultant shall have the right to subcontract the performance of any Services only with the prior written permission of the Company.

5.    Return of Company Materials

Upon the termination of this Agreement, or upon Company’s earlier request, Consultant will immediately deliver to the Company, and will not keep in Consultant’s possession, recreate, or deliver to anyone else, any and all Company property, including, but not limited to, Confidential Information, tangible embodiments of the Inventions, all devices and equipment belonging to the Company, all electronically-stored information and passwords to access such property, those records maintained pursuant to Section 3.D and any reproductions of any of the foregoing items that Consultant may have in Consultant’s possession or control.

6.    Term and Termination

A.    Term. The term of this Agreement will begin on the Effective Date of this Agreement and will continue until the earlier of (i) March 31, 2020, or (ii) termination as provided in Section 6.B.

B.    Termination. Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon giving the other Party fourteen (14) days’ written notice of such termination pursuant to Section 12.G of this Agreement. The Company may terminate this Agreement immediately and without prior written notice if Consultant refuses to or is unable to perform the Services or is in breach of any material provision of this Agreement.

C.    Survival. Upon any termination, all rights and duties of the Company and Consultant toward each other shall cease except:

(1)    The Company will pay, within thirty (30) days after the effective date of termination, all amounts owing to Consultant for Services completed and accepted by the Company prior to the termination date and related reimbursable expenses, if any, submitted in accordance with the Company’s policies and in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Agreement; and

(2)    Section 2 (Confidentiality), Section 3 (Ownership), Section 4.A (Conflicting Obligations), Section 5 (Return of Company Materials), Section 6 (Term and Termination), Section 7 (Independent Contractor; Benefits), Section 8 (Indemnification), Section 9 (Nonsolicitation), Section 10 (Limitation of Liability), Section 11 (Arbitration and Equitable Relief), and Section 12 (Miscellaneous) will survive termination or expiration of this Agreement in accordance with their terms.

7.    Independent Contractor; Benefits

A.    Independent Contractor. It is the express intention of the Company and Consultant that Consultant perform the Services as an independent contractor to the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way be construed to





constitute Consultant as an agent, employee or representative of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Consultant is not authorized to bind the Company to any liability or obligation or to represent that Consultant has any such authority. Consultant agrees to furnish (or reimburse the Company for) all tools and materials necessary to accomplish this Agreement and shall incur all expenses associated with performance. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that Consultant is obligated to report as income all compensation received by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant agrees to and acknowledges the obligation to pay all self-employment and other taxes on such income.

B.    Benefits. The Company and Consultant agree that Consultant will receive no Company-sponsored benefits from the Company where benefits include, but are not limited to, paid vacation, sick leave, medical insurance and 401k participation. If Consultant is reclassified by a state or federal agency or court as the Company’s employee, Consultant will become a reclassified employee and will receive no benefits from the Company, except those mandated by state or federal law, even if by the terms of the Company’s benefit plans or programs of the Company in effect at the time of such reclassification, Consultant would otherwise be eligible for such benefits.

8.    Indemnification

Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its affiliates and their directors, officers and employees from and against all taxes, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses, arising directly or indirectly from or in connection with (i) any negligent, reckless or intentionally wrongful act of Consultant or Consultant’s assistants, employees, contractors or agents, (ii) a determination by a court or agency that the Consultant is not an independent contractor, (iii) any breach by the Consultant or Consultant’s assistants, employees, contractors or agents of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement and corresponding Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, (iv) any failure of Consultant to perform the Services in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, or (v) any violation or claimed violation of a third party’s rights resulting in whole, or in part, from the Company’s use of the Inventions or other deliverables of Consultant under this Agreement.

9.    Nonsolicitation

To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, from the date of this Agreement until twelve (12) months after the termination of this Agreement for any reason (the “Restricted Period”), Consultant will not, without the Company’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly, solicit any of the Company’s employees to leave their employment, or attempt to solicit employees of the Company, either for Consultant or for any other person or entity. Consultant agrees that nothing in this Section 9 shall affect Consultant’s continuing obligations under this Agreement during and after this twelve (12) month period, including, without limitation, Consultant’s obligations under Section 2.

10.    Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL COMPANY BE LIABLE TO CONSULTANT OR TO ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OF BUSINESS, HOWEVER CAUSED AND UNDER ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER COMPANY WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. IN NO EVENT SHALL COMPANY’S LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY COMPANY TO CONSULTANT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE SERVICES, DELIVERABLES OR INVENTION GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY.

11.    Arbitration and Equitable Relief

A.    Arbitration. IN CONSIDERATION OF CONSULTANT’S CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, ITS PROMISE TO ARBITRATE ALL DISPUTES RELATED TO CONSULTANT’S CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY AND CONSULTANT’S RECEIPT OF THE COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS PAID TO CONSULTANT BY COMPANY, AT PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE, CONSULTANT AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES WITH ANYONE (INCLUDING COMPANY AND ANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE), ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM CONSULTANT’S CONSULTING OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF CONSULTANT’S CONSULTING OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS





AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION UNDER THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT AND PURSUANT TO THE ARBITRATION PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 1280 THROUGH 1294.2 (THE “CCP ACT”) AND PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA LAW. CONSULTANT MAY BRING A PROCEEDING AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS PERMITTED BY LAW. THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT GOVERNS THIS AGREEMENT AND SHALL CONTINUE TO APPLY WITH FULL FORCE AND EFFECT NOTWITHSTANDING THE APPLICATION OF PROCEDURAL RULES SET FORTH IN THE CCP ACT AND CALIFORNIA LAW. CONSULTANT AGREES TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL COMMON LAW AND/OR STATUTORY CLAIMS UNDER LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE, CLAIMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS, CLASSIFICATION, AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, AND CLAIMS OF BREACH OF CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW. CONSULTANT ALSO AGREES TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INTERPRETATION OR APPLICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE, BUT NOT TO DISPUTES ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY, REVOCABILITY OR VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE OR ANY PORTION HEREOF OR THE CLASS, COLLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING WAIVER HEREIN. WITH RESPECT TO ALL SUCH CLAIMS AND DISPUTES THAT CONSULTANT AGREES TO ARBITRATE, CONSULTANT HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREES TO WAIVE, AND DOES WAIVE, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. CONSULTANT FURTHER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ALSO APPLIES TO ANY DISPUTES THAT THE COMPANY MAY HAVE WITH CONSULTANT.

B.    Procedure. CONSULTANT AGREES THAT ANY ARBITRATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY JUDICIAL ARBITRATION & MEDIATION SERVICES, INC. (“JAMS”) PURSUANT TO ITS EMPLOYMENT ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES (THE “JAMS RULES”), WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration. CONSULTANT AGREES THAT THE USE OF THE JAMS RULES DOES NOT CHANGE CONSULTANT’S CLASSIFICATION TO THAT OF AN EMPLOYEE. TO THE CONTRARY, CONSULTANT REAFFIRMS THAT CONSULTANT IS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. CONSULTANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ANY MOTIONS BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY TO THE ARBITRATION, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND/OR ADJUDICATION AND MOTIONS TO DISMISS AND DEMURRERS APPLYING THE STANDARDS SET FORTH UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. CONSULTANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECISION ON THE MERITS. CONSULTANT ALSO AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO AWARD ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL AWARD ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY WHERE PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW. CONSULTANT AGREES THAT THE DECREE OR AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR MAY BE ENTERED AS A FINAL AND BINDING JUDGMENT IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION THEREOF. CONSULTANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ADMINISTER AND CONDUCT ANY ARBITRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAW, INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND THE CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE CODE, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL APPLY SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL CALIFORNIA LAW TO ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAW. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE JAMS RULES CONFLICT WITH CALIFORNIA LAW, CALIFORNIA LAW SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE. CONSULTANT FURTHER AGREES THAT ANY ARBITRATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

C.    Remedy. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY THE CCP ACT AND THIS AGREEMENT, ARBITRATION SHALL BE THE SOLE, EXCLUSIVE, AND FINAL REMEDY FOR ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN CONSULTANT AND THE COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FOR BY THE CCP ACT AND THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER CONSULTANT NOR THE COMPANY WILL BE PERMITTED TO PURSUE COURT ACTION REGARDING CLAIMS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION.

D.    Availability of Injunctive Relief. IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 1281.8 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY PARTY MAY ALSO PETITION THE COURT FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF WHERE EITHER PARTY ALLEGES OR CLAIMS A VIOLATION OF ANY AGREEMENT REGARDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OR NONINTERFERENCE. IN THE EVENT EITHER PARTY SEEKS INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER REASONABLE COSTS AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES.

E.    Administrative Relief. CONSULTANT UNDERSTANDS THAT EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT PROHIBIT CONSULTANT FROM PURSUING CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE





CLAIMS WITH LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES OR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING, THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, OR THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD. THIS AGREEMENT DOES, HOWEVER, PRECLUDE CONSULTANT FROM BRINGING ANY ALLEGED WAGE CLAIMS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT. LIKEWISE, THIS AGREEMENT DOES PRECLUDE CONSULTANT FROM PURSUING COURT ACTION REGARDING ANY ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

F.    Voluntary Nature of Agreement. CONSULTANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT CONSULTANT IS EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT ANY DURESS OR UNDUE INFLUENCE BY THE COMPANY OR ANYONE ELSE. CONSULTANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT CONSULTANT HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT CONSULTANT HAS ASKED ANY QUESTIONS NEEDED FOR CONSULTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE TERMS, CONSEQUENCES AND BINDING EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, INCLUDING THAT CONSULTANT IS WAIVING CONSULTANT’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. FINALLY, CONSULTANT AGREES THAT CONSULTANT HAS BEEN PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY OF CONSULTANT’S CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.

12.    Miscellaneous

A.    Governing Law; Consent to Personal Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions of any jurisdiction. To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted under this Agreement, the Parties hereby expressly consent to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in California.

B.    Assignability. This Agreement will be binding upon Consultant’s heirs, executors, assigns, administrators, and other legal representatives, and will be for the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns. There are no intended third-party beneficiaries to this Agreement, except as expressly stated. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Agreement, Consultant may not sell, assign or delegate any rights or obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Company may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of Company’s relevant assets, whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, sale of assets or stock, change of control or otherwise.

C.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior written and oral agreements, discussions, or representations between the Parties. Consultant represents and warrants that Consultant is not relying on any statement or representation not contained in this Agreement. To the extent any terms set forth in any exhibit or schedule conflict with the terms set forth in this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Parties in such exhibit or schedule.

D.    Headings. Headings are used in this Agreement for reference only and shall not be considered when interpreting this Agreement.

E.    Severability. If a court or other body of competent jurisdiction finds, or the Parties mutually believe, any provision of this Agreement, or portion thereof, to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the Parties, and the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

F.    Modification, Waiver. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in a writing signed by the Parties. Waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

G.    Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted by this Agreement to be given to a Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) if delivered personally or by commercial messenger or courier service, (ii) when sent by confirmed facsimile, or (iii) if mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), to the Party at the Party’s address written below or at such other address as the Party may have previously specified by like notice. If by mail, delivery shall be deemed effective three business days after mailing in accordance with this Section 12.G.

(1)    If to the Company, to:





120 Broadway, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Attention: Chip Perry

(2)    If to Consultant, to the address for notice on the signature page to this Agreement or, if no such address is provided, to the last address of Consultant provided by Consultant to the Company.

H.    Attorneys’ Fees. In any court action at law or equity that is brought by one of the Parties to this Agreement to enforce or interpret the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing Party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, in addition to any other relief to which that Party may be entitled.

I.    Signatures. This Agreement may be signed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, with the same force and effectiveness as though executed in a single document.

J.    Applicability to Past Activities. Consultant agrees that if and to the extent that Consultant provided any services or made efforts on behalf of or for the benefit of Company, or related to the current or prospective business of Company in anticipation of Consultant’s involvement with the Company, that would have been “Services” if performed during the term of this Agreement (the “Prior Consulting Period”) and to the extent that during the Prior Consulting Period: (i) Consultant received access to any information from or on behalf of Company that would have been “Confidential Information” if Consultant received access to such information during the term of this Agreement; or (ii) Consultant (a) conceived, created, authored, invented, developed or reduced to practice any item (including any intellectual property rights with respect thereto) on behalf of or for the benefit of Company, or related to the current or prospective business of Company in anticipation of Consultant’s involvement with Company, that would have been an Invention if conceived, created, authored, invented, developed or reduced to practice during the term of this Agreement; or (b) incorporated into any such item any pre-existing invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or other proprietary information that would have been a Prior Invention if incorporated into such item during the term of this Agreement; then any such information shall be deemed Confidential Information hereunder and any such item shall be deemed an Invention or Prior Invention hereunder, and this Agreement shall apply to such activities, information or item as if disclosed, conceived, created, authored, invented, developed or reduced to practice during the term of this Agreement. Consultant further acknowledges that Consultant has been fully compensated for all services provided during any such Prior Consulting Period.

K.    Protected Activity Not Prohibited. Consultant understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Consultant from engaging in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” shall mean filing a charge, complaint, or report with, or otherwise communicating, cooperating, or participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by, any federal, state or local government agency or commission, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Government Agencies”). Consultant understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Consultant is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information to any parties other than the Government Agencies. Consultant further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications. Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Consultant is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

(signature page follows)






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Consulting Agreement as of the date first written above.


CONSULTANT                    TRUECAR, INC.


By:    /s/ John Pierantoni                By:    /s/ Jeff Swart

Name:    John Pierantoni                    Name:    Jeff Swart

Title:    Consultant                    Title:    EVP, General Counsel & Secretary

Address for Notice:








EXHIBIT A

SERVICES AND COMPENSATION

1.    Contact. Consultant’s principal Company contact:

Name:    Chip Perry
            
Title:    President and CEO

Email:    chip@truecar.com

Phone:    800-200-2000

2.    Services. Consultant will provide services to the Company as a Special Advisor on assisting with the transition of duties in the Company’s Accounting and Finance department, and other related services as requested by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Consultant will provide Services only upon request by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and solely at his discretion.

3.    Compensation. During the term of the Consulting Agreement, Consultant will continue to be eligible to vest in his outstanding stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (the Options”) and outstanding restricted stock units covering shares of the Company’s common stock (“RSUs”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the equity incentive plan and equity award agreement under which they were granted (as may have been amended from time to time). A list of Consultant’s Options and RSUs can be found at https://www.stockplanconnect.com/. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that any of his Options that are incentive stock options, if any, will become nonstatutory stock options on the date three (3) months and one (1) day following the date Consultant terminated his employment with the Company. The Parties acknowledge that Consultant has been in continuous service to the Company from the termination of his employment through the date hereof.
This Exhibit A is accepted and agreed upon as of March 20, 2019.


CONSULTANT                    TRUECAR, INC.


By:    /s/ John Pierantoni                By:    /s/ Jeff Swart

Name:    John Pierantoni                    Name:    Jeff Swart

Title:    Consultant                    Title:    EVP, General Counsel & Secretary





Exhibit 10.3

TRUECAR, INC.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of May 24, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and between TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”), and Noel B. Watson (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).
   
RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain the services of Executive and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recital and the respective undertakings of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.    Duties and Obligations.

(a)    Duties and Scope of Employment. As of June 17, 2019 (the “Start Date”), Executive will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”). Executive will have the authority generally allowed to persons discharging the duties of such position. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to him by the CEO. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”

(b)    Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform his duties faithfully and to the best of his ability and will devote his full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Employment Term for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the CEO or the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and Executive will not engage in any other activities that conflict with Executive’s obligations to the Company.

2.    At-Will Employment. Subject to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause or with or without notice. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment.

3.    Compensation.

(a)    Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary of $450,000 as compensation for his services (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding. Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.

(b)    Bonus. Executive will be eligible to receive a discretionary bonus targeted annually at 50% of Executive’s then-current Base Salary (the “Bonus”). Any Bonus may be based on a variety of metrics including Executive’s performance and the Company’s performance, and will be paid in the Company’s sole discretion. Because a primary objective of the discretionary Bonus is employee retention, Executive will only be eligible to earn a Bonus if Executive remains employed by the Company in good standing on the date that the Bonus is paid. The discretionary Bonus, if awarded, is generally paid, less the usual, required withholding, in quarterly installments and generally paid to employees during the quarter immediately following the end of the performance period to which the bonus relates, and in all cases, not later than March 15th of the year after the year to which the bonus relates. All or a portion of the Bonus may, at the discretion of the Company, instead of quarterly installments be paid in the form of annual, “spot” or periodic bonuses that may be paid throughout the year or in such other form as the Company determines. No discretionary Bonus will be paid for Q1 of 2019. Any discretionary Bonus Executive receives for Q2 of 2019 will reflect a pro-ration based on Executive’s Start Date. The Company’s bonus program is subject to change at the Company’s discretion. In addition, the Company may, in their discretion, grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to Executive.






(c)    Signing Bonus. Executive will be eligible to receive a signing bonus totaling $400,000 (the “Signing Bonus”), which will be paid in two equal installments as follows: (i) $200,000 will be paid on the first payroll period following Executive’s Start Date, and (ii) provided that, except as provided under Section 6(c), Executive remains employed through December 31, 2020, $200,000 will be paid on such date, in each case, subject to the usual, required withholding. Except as provided under Section 6(c), in the event Executive resigns his employment with the Company prior to December 31, 2020, Executive will be required to repay to the Company a prorated portion of the first installment of the Signing Bonus, based upon the number of months remaining in the period measured from the Start Date through and December 31, 2020, and will forfeit any right to the second installment of the Signing Bonus.

(d)    Equity.

(i)    Initial Stock Option. At the first meeting of the Compensation and Workforce Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) following the Start Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted a stock option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $468,750 (the “Initial Option”). The Initial Option shall have an exercise price no less than 100% of the per share fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company will recommend that, subject to the accelerated vesting provisions set forth herein, the shares subject to the Initial Option be scheduled to vest in forty-eight (48) approximately equal monthly installments, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through each vesting date, with the first vesting date occurring on the one (1)-month anniversary of Executive’s ninety-first (91st) day of employment with the Company. The Initial Option will be subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and a stock option agreement by and between Executive and the Company, which will control the Initial Option grant, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(ii)    Initial RSU Award. At the first Compensation Committee meeting following the Start Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted an award of restricted stock units having an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $2,031,250 (the “Initial RSUs”). The Company will recommend that the Initial RSUs have a vesting commencement date of the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month after the Start Date and will vest in approximately equal quarterly amounts over sixteen (16) quarters, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through each vesting date, with the first vesting date occurring on the three (3)-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date. All Initial RSUs will be subject to terms and conditions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and restricted stock unit agreement provided by the Company, which will control the Initial RSU grant, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(iii)    Executive will be eligible to receive additional awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.

4.    Employee Benefits.

(a)    General. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in benefit plans and programs of the Company (including vacation and/or paid-time off), maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees if any, on the same terms and conditions as other similarly-situated employees to the extent that Executive’s position, tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make Executive eligible to participate in such plans or programs, subject to the rules and regulations applicable thereto. Executive will be provided with additional information about those benefits upon or shortly following Executive’s Start Date. The Company reserves the right to modify employee compensation and cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time in its discretion.

(b)    Relocation and Temporary Housing Benefits.

(i)    Relocation Benefits. The Company will assist Executive with certain reasonable and customary moving expenses associated with Executive’s relocation to the Santa Monica, California area, up to a maximum reimbursement of $100,000, in accordance with the Company’s relocation program currently administered through Odyssey Relocation (a copy of which will be provided to Executive by the Company or its delegate), but specifically excluding any tax assistance or gross-up benefits; provided, however, that in order to be eligible for any relocation expense reimbursements or benefits under the relocation program (“Relocation Benefits”), Executive must be employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries on the date any such Relocation Benefits are paid or provided to Executive. All Relocation Benefits will be subject to the usual, required tax withholdings. Except as provided under Section 6(c), in the event that Executive resigns his





employment within twelve (12) months following the Start Date, then no later than thirty (30) days after Executive’s last day of work, Executive will be required to repay to the Company a prorated portion of any Relocation Benefit expenses incurred by the Company in connection with Executive’s relocation, based upon the number of months remaining in the twelve (12)-month period measured from the Start Date. Except as provided under Section 6(c), Executive also may be required to repay certain Relocation Benefit expenses as provided in the relocation program provided to Executive.

(ii)    Housing Allowance. The Company will provide Executive with a monthly housing allowing of $15,000 (the “Housing Allowance”) for the first six (6) calendar months of Executive’s employment, beginning with the month in which the Start Date occurs. In order to receive a Housing Allowance payment, Executive must be employed on at least one day during the applicable month. Each applicable Housing Allowance payment will be paid to Executive, less the usual, required withholding, in the first payroll period of the applicable month (with respect to the first Housing Allowance payment, in the first payroll period following the Start Date).

5.    Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

6.    Severance Benefits.

(a)    Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Prior to a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs prior to a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards as to the number of shares subject to each such Equity Award that otherwise would have vested had he remained an employee of the Company through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended or comparable state law (“COBRA”) through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the terms of this Agreement may restrict the Company’s ability to make future modifications, including but not limited to the vesting schedule and/or payment timing, to Executive’s restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units without risking a violation of Section 409A (as defined below).

(b)    Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, regardless of whether before, on or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive or, if applicable, his estate (in which case references to “Executive” in this Section 6(b) and in Section 6(d) will be deemed to refer to Executive’s estate) will receive as severance from the Company: (i) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards; and (ii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.

(c)    Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason on or after a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs upon or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s





termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s outstanding Equity Awards that (x) are outstanding as of the date of the termination of Executive’s employment and (y) other than with respect to the Initial Option and Initial RSUs referenced in Sections 3(d)(i) and 3(d)(ii), respectively, of this Agreement, were granted at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control; (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage; (iv) Executive will receive a lump sum payment of any then-unpaid portion of the Signing Bonus, and any obligation of Executive to repay the Signing Bonus that otherwise would apply under Section 3(c) of this Agreement will automatically be waived; and (v) any obligation of Executive to repay any Relocation Benefits that otherwise would apply under Section 4(b)(i) of this Agreement will automatically be waived. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.

(d)    COBRA Benefits. Any COBRA reimbursements under this Agreement will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy, provided that Executive submits documentation to the Company substantiating his payments for COBRA coverage. However, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot, without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provide any COBRA reimbursements or direct payments of COBRA premiums under this Agreement (either, the “COBRA Benefits”) that otherwise would be due to Executive under this Section 6, the Company will not provide, and Executive will not be entitled to, COBRA Benefits or any payments in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(b), but the Company will, in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(a) or Section 6(c) of this Agreement, provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment (“Healthcare Premium Payment”) in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue his group health coverage at coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage. At the same time each monthly Healthcare Premium Payment (if any is due) is paid to Executive, the Company also will provide Executive with a gross-up amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal and state income and employment taxes incurred by Executive with respect to such Healthcare Premium Payment (with such gross-up to be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Executive at the time the Healthcare Premium Payment is paid to Executive). Any Healthcare Premium Payments and any related gross-up payments will cease to be provided when, and under the same terms and conditions, COBRA Benefits would have ceased under this Section 6. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA Benefits may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the payments contemplated by this Section 6(d) without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive such payment or any further COBRA Benefits.

(e)    Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason and other than due to Executive’s death or Disability), or (ii) for Cause by the Company, then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits (including continued vesting) except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then-existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other then-effective written agreements with the Company that have not been superseded by this Agreement.

(f)    Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of and supersede any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company otherwise may be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract or in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses). Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon a termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.

7.    Change in Control Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control that occurs while Executive remains an employee of the Company, if Executive remains employed with the Company (or any successor of the Company or subsidiary





thereof) as of the first day immediately following the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Closing of the Change in Control (such day, the “Post-CIC Anniversary Date”), then 100% of any Equity Awards that (x) are outstanding as of the Post-CIC Anniversary Date and (y) other than with respect to the Initial Option and Initial RSUs referenced in Sections 3(d)(i) and 3(d)(ii), respectively, of this Agreement, were granted to Executive at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control, will vest and become fully exercisable (to the extent applicable) at such time. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, but granted prior to the Closing, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.

8.    Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate.

(a)    Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The payment of any severance set forth in Section 6(a), Section 6(b), Section 6(c) and Section 6(d) above is contingent upon Executive signing and not revoking a separation and release of claims agreement with the Company (which may include an agreement not to disparage the Company, non-solicit provisions and other standard terms and conditions) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Release”) upon or following Executive’s separation from service and such Release becoming effective no later than sixty (60) days following Executive’s separation from service (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective. Any severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be paid on, or, in the case of installments, will not commence until, the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service, or, if later, such time as required by Section 8(b)(ii); provided, however, that any acceleration of vesting of options and restricted stock will be provided on the Release effectiveness date. Except as required by Section 8(b)(ii), any payments and benefits that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60)-day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments will be made as provided in this Agreement. In no event will Executive have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any severance payments or benefits.

(b)    Section 409A.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Payments, if any, payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”). Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

(ii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this Section 8(b)(ii) will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.

(iii)    Any severance payment that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any payments or benefits due under Section 6 of this Agreement will be paid as provided under this Agreement, but in no event later than the last day of the second taxable year of Executive following Executive’s taxable year in which Executive’s separation from service from the Company occurs.

(iv)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (x) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year





preceding Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto, or (y) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.

(v)    Executive must be employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries in order to receive any Relocation Benefits, unless the Company waives such requirement. If the Company waives such requirement, then no such benefits will be paid or provided later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date such waiver occurs. Accordingly, any taxable Relocation Benefits are intended to be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations.

(vi)    The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. In no event will the Company reimburse Executive for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by Executive as a result of Section 409A. Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.

(c)    Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with:
(i) the terms of the Confidential Information Agreement (as defined in Section 11); and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches the provisions of this Section 8(c), all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to Section 6 will immediately cease.

(d)    No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.

9.    Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance or change in control-related or other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:

(a)    delivered in full, or

(b)    delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Executive, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Executive on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and





documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 9.

10.    Definitions.

(a)    Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) Executive’s failure to perform his assigned duties or responsibilities as an employee (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s Disability) after written notice thereof from the Company describing Executive’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) Executive engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Company; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates; (iv) Executive’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement (including, but not limited to, the Confidential Information Agreement) between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime. For purposes of clarity, Executive’s termination of employment due to death or Disability is not, by itself, deemed to be a termination by the Company other than for Cause or a resignation for Good Reason.

(b)    Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(i)    Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control and, provided, further; that the Board may, in its reasonable judgment, determine that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a financing of the Company or otherwise, in the determination of the Board, for fundraising purposes, in each case that is approved by the Board prior to such change in ownership also will not be considered a Change in Control; or

(ii)    [RESERVED]; or

(iii)    Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (iii)(B)(3) and, provided, further; that the Board may determine that certain asset transfers that should not, in the reasonable judgment of the Board (as constituted immediately prior to such asset transfers), be considered to be a “Change in Control” due to extenuating factors such as, for example, a determination being made to continue its business using only a certain subset of its assets rendering the remainder obsolete or retention of the proceeds from such sale by the Company for subsequent business use. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

For purposes of this definition of Change in Control, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.






Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

(c)    Closing. For purposes of this Agreement, “Closing” means the closing of the first transaction constituting a Change in Control that occurs on or following the Start Date.

(d)    Deferred Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, “Deferred Payments” means any severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries) pursuant to this Agreement and any other severance payments or separation benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), that in each case, when considered together, are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A.

(e)    Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Company employees.

(f)    Equity Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, “Equity Awards” means any of Executive’s stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (including unvested shares Executive has purchased through an early exercise of a stock option grant), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and any other equity compensation awards granted by the Company or any successor of the Company.

(g)    Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary which reduction is not applicable to a majority of the Company’s senior management, excluding the substitution of substantially equivalent compensation and benefits; (ii) a material reduction of Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, unless Executive is provided with a comparable position; provided, however, that a reduction in authority, duties, or responsibilities primarily by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity whether as a subsidiary, business unit or otherwise (as, for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition where the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the acquirer, but is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute “Good Reason”; or (iii) a material change in the geographic location of Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided, that a relocation of fifty (50) miles or less from Executive’s then present location or to Executive’s home as his primary work location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, and such grounds must not have been cured during such time. Any resignation for Good Reason must occur within two (2) years of the initial existence of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”.

(h)    Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Severance Period” means (x) if the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Start Date, the period of time commencing immediately after Executive’s separation of service from the Company through the date that is eighteen (18) months following such separation date, and (y), if the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company occurs on or following the first anniversary of the Start Date, the period of time commencing immediately after Executive’s separation of service from the Company through the date that is twelve (12) months following such separation date.

11.    Confidential Information. As a condition to employment, Executive will enter into the Company’s standard At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) upon or prior to commencing employment hereunder. This Agreement requires, among other provisions, Executive’s assignment of intellectual property rights to any invention made during Executive’s employment at the Company and non-disclosure of proprietary information.

12.    Identity Verification and Employment Authorization. Pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Company is required to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new hires. To comply with this legal obligation, the Company must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 within three (3) days of Executive’s





Start Date or the Company’s employment relationship with Executive may be terminated. Information about what Executive will need to bring to work to complete this form will be provided to Executive as soon as possible following Executive’s execution and return of this Agreement.

13.    Reference and Background Checks. This offer of employment with the Company is contingent upon the Company’s satisfactory completion of reference and background checks, proof of Executive’s authorization to work in the United States and Executive’s execution of the provided Confidential Information Agreement.

14.    No Conflicting Obligations. Executive confirms that Executive is not under any existing obligations that may impact Executive’s eligibility to be employed by the Company or limit the manner in which Executive may be employed. Executive agrees not to bring any third-party confidential information to the Company, including that of Executive’s former employer, and that Executive will not in any way utilize any such information in performing Executive’s duties for the Company.

15.    Successors.

(a)    The Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 15(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

(b)    Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

16.    Notices.

(a)    General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid or when delivered by a private courier service such as UPS, DHL or Federal Express that has tracking capability. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to him at the home address which he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(b)    Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or as a result of a voluntary resignation will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 16(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason will not waive any right of Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder.

17.    Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

18.    Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral, but this Agreement does not supersede any applicable Company policy with respect to the treatment of Company equity awards upon death or disability. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the Parties by a written instrument executed by the Parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement.

19.    Waiver of Breach. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.






20.    Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

21.    Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

22.    Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).

23.    Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, including that Executive is waiving his right to a jury trial, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

24.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

25.    Deadline for Execution. The offer under this Agreement will expire at the close of business on May 31, 2019, if the Company has not received Executive’s signed Agreement and Confidential Information Agreement by that date.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
 





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

COMPANY:

TRUECAR, INC.

By:     /s/ Chip Perry                            
Title:     CEO            

EXECUTIVE:

/s/ Noel B. Watson                        
NOEL B. WATSON






































[SIGNATURE PAGE TO NOEL B. WATSON EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]




Exhibit 10.4

May 31, 2019

Chris Claus, Chairman of the Board
Jeff Swart, EVP, General Counsel & Secretary
TrueCar, Inc.
120 Broadway, Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Dear Chris and Jeff,

This is to inform you that I hereby resign from all of my positions at TrueCar, Inc. and its affiliates, including my positions as President and CEO of TrueCar, Inc. and my positions as officer and/or director of ALG, Inc., TrueCar Dealer Solutions, Inc. and DealerScience, LLC.

I acknowledge that Section 1(b) of my employment agreement makes my resignation as President and CEO of TrueCar, Inc. trigger an automatic resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of TrueCar, Inc., unless otherwise requested by the Board. Because the Board has asked that I temporarily remain a member of the Board while TrueCar and I negotiate the terms of a 24-month consulting arrangement, TrueCar agrees that my resignation from the Board will be delayed until I enter into a consulting agreement with TrueCar, unless TrueCar earlier notifies me that negotiations over the agreement have reached an impasse.

TrueCar acknowledges and agrees that my resignation will be treated as a Qualifying Termination” as this term is defined in Section 6(a) of my employment agreement. As noted above, TrueCar intends to negotiate in good faith a consulting agreement with me that would have a 24-month term, which would have the effect of extending the exercise period of all of my stock options during the term of that agreement and for three months after its expiration.

Please acknowledge your acceptance and agreement by signing below.

Sincerely,

/s/ Chip Perry
Chip Perry


ACCEPTED AND AGREED BY:



By:     /s/ Jeff Swart    

Name:     Jeff Swart

Title:     EVP, General Counsel and Secretary





Exhibit 10.5

TRUECAR, INC.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 15, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and between TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”), and Simon Smith (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to promote Executive to Executive Vice President, Dealer Sales and Service and continue to retain the services of Executive, and Executive wishes to remain employed by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recital and the respective undertakings of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.    Duties and Obligations.

(a)    Duties and Scope of Employment. As of June 7, 2019 (the “Promotion Effective Date”), Executive will serve as Executive Vice President, Dealer Sales and Service of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s interim or permanent Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”). Executive will have the authority generally allowed to persons discharging the duties of such position. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to him by the CEO. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”

(b)    Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform his duties faithfully and to the best of his ability and will devote his full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Employment Term for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the CEO or the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and Executive will not engage in any other activities that conflict with Executive’s obligations to the Company.

2.    At-Will Employment. Subject to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment with the Company remains “at-will” employment and may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause or with or without notice. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment.

3.    Compensation.

(a)    Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary of $400,000 as compensation for his services (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding. Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.

(b)    Bonus. Executive will be eligible to receive a discretionary bonus targeted annually at fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s then-current Base Salary (the “Bonus”), and unless the Company determines otherwise, the Bonus will be under, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Company’s Executive Annual Incentive Plan. Any Bonus may be based on a variety of metrics including Executive’s performance and the Company’s performance, and will be paid in the Company’s sole discretion.  Because a primary objective of the discretionary Bonus is employee retention, Executive will only be eligible to earn a Bonus if Executive remains employed by the Company in good standing on the date that the Bonus is paid.  The discretionary Bonus, if awarded, is generally paid, less the usual, required withholding, in quarterly installments and generally paid to employees during the quarter immediately following the end of the performance period to which the bonus relates, and in all cases, not later than March 15th of the year after the year to which the bonus relates. All or a portion of the Bonus may, at the discretion of the Company, instead of quarterly installments be paid in the form of annual, “spot” or periodic bonuses that may be paid throughout the year or in such other form as the Company determines. The Company’s bonus program is subject to change at the Company’s discretion. In addition, the Company may, in their discretion, grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to Executive.






(c)    Equity.

(i)    Promotion Stock Option. At the first meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) following the Effective Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted a stock option to purchase 165,910 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price no less than 100% of the per share fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Option”). The Company will recommend that the Option have a vesting commencement date of the Promotion Effective Date and, subject to the accelerated vesting provisions set forth herein, the shares subject to the Option be scheduled to vest in forty-eight (48) approximately equal monthly installments, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through each vesting date, with the first vesting date occurring on the one (1)-month anniversary of the Promotion Effective Date. The Option will be subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and a stock option agreement by and between Executive and the Company, which will control the Option grant, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(ii)    Promotion RSU Award. At the first Compensation Committee meeting following the Effective Date, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted 47,081 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”). The Company will recommend that the RSUs have a vesting commencement date of June 15, 2019 and will vest in approximately equal quarterly amounts over sixteen (16) quarters, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through each vesting date, with the first vesting date occurring on the three (3)-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date. All RSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and restricted stock unit agreement provided by the Company, which will control the RSU grant, and both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(iii)    Executive will be eligible to receive additional awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.

4.    Employee Benefits.

(a)    General. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in benefit plans and programs of the Company (including vacation and/or paid-time off), maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees if any, on the same terms and conditions as other similarly-situated employees to the extent that Executive’s position, tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make Executive eligible to participate in such plans or programs, subject to the rules and regulations applicable thereto. The Company reserves the right to modify employee compensation and cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time in its discretion.

5.    Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

6.    Severance Benefits.

(a)    Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Prior to a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs prior to a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards as to the number of shares subject to each such Equity Award that otherwise would have vested had he remained an employee of the Company through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of Executive’s termination of employment; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended or comparable state law (“COBRA”) during the Severance Period or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions. Executive agrees





and acknowledges that the terms of this Agreement may restrict the Company’s ability to make future modifications, including but not limited to the vesting schedule and/or payment timing, to Executive’s restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units without risking a violation of Section 409A (as defined below).

(b)    Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, regardless of whether before, on or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive or, if applicable, his estate (in which case references to “Executive” in this Section 6(b) and in Section 6(d) will be deemed to refer to Executive’s estate) will receive as severance from the Company: (i) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards; and (ii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.

(c)    Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason on or after a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause (and not by reason of Executive’s death or Disability), or Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs upon or after a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; (ii) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s outstanding Equity Awards that both are outstanding as of the date of the termination of Executive’s employment and were granted at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control; and (iii) subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company will either, at the Company’s election, reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents under COBRA during the Severance Period or until Executive has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first, provided Executive timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.

(d)    COBRA Benefits. Any COBRA reimbursements under this Agreement will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy, provided that Executive submits documentation to the Company substantiating his payments for COBRA coverage. However, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot, without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provide any COBRA reimbursements or direct payments of COBRA premiums under this Agreement (either, the “COBRA Benefits”) that otherwise would be due to Executive under this Section 6, the Company will not provide, and Executive will not be entitled to, COBRA Benefits or any payments in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(b), but the Company will, in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Executive is entitled under Section 6(a) or Section 6(c) of this Agreement, provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment (“Healthcare Premium Payment”) in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue his group health coverage at coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage. At the same time each monthly Healthcare Premium Payment (if any is due) is paid to Executive, the Company also will provide Executive with a gross-up amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal and state income and employment taxes incurred by Executive with respect to such Healthcare Premium Payment (with such gross-up to be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Executive at the time the Healthcare Premium Payment is paid to Executive). Any Healthcare Premium Payments and any related gross-up payments will cease to be provided when, and under the same terms and conditions, COBRA Benefits would have ceased under this Section 6. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA Benefits may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the payments contemplated by this Section 6(d) without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive such payment or any further COBRA Benefits.






(e)    Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason and other than due to Executive’s death or Disability), or (ii) for Cause by the Company, then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits (including continued vesting) except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then-existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other then-effective written agreements with the Company.

(f)    Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of and supersede any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company otherwise may be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract or in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses). Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon a termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.

7.    Change in Control Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control that occurs while Executive remains an employee of the Company, if Executive remains employed with the Company (or any successor of the Company or subsidiary thereof) as of the first day immediately following the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Closing of the Change in Control (such day, the “Post-CIC Anniversary Date”), then 100% of any Equity Awards that both are outstanding as of the Post-CIC Anniversary Date and were granted to Executive at least ninety (90) days prior to the applicable Change in Control will vest and become fully exercisable (to the extent applicable) at such time. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, but granted prior to the Closing, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement or to a later employment or other agreement providing for similar vesting acceleration provisions.

8.    Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate.

(a)    Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The payment of any severance set forth in Section 6(a), Section 6(b), Section 6(c) and Section 6(d) above is contingent upon Executive signing and not revoking a separation and release of claims agreement with the Company (which may include an agreement not to disparage the Company, non-solicit provisions and other standard terms and conditions) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Release”) upon or following Executive’s separation from service and such Release becoming effective no later than sixty (60) days following Executive’s separation from service (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective. Any severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be paid on, or, in the case of installments, will not commence until, the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service, or, if later, such time as required by Section 8(b)(ii); provided, however, that any acceleration of vesting of options and restricted stock will be provided on the Release effectiveness date. Except as required by Section 8(b)(ii), any payments and benefits that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60)-day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments will be made as provided in this Agreement. In no event will Executive have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any severance payments or benefits.

(b)    Section 409A.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Payments, if any, payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”). Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

(ii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this Section 8(b)(ii) will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and





benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.

(iii)    Any severance payment that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any payments or benefits due under Section 6 of this Agreement will be paid as provided under this Agreement, but in no event later than the last day of the second taxable year of Executive following Executive’s taxable year in which Executive’s separation from service from the Company occurs.

(iv)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (x) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year preceding Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto, or (y) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.

(v)    The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance or other payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. In no event will the Company reimburse Executive for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by Executive as a result of Section 409A. Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.

(c)    Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with: (i) the terms of the Confidential Information Agreement (as defined in Section 11); and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches the provisions of this Section 8(c), all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to Section 6 will immediately cease.

(d)    No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.

9.    Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance or change in control-related or other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:

(a)delivered in full, or

(b)
delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Executive, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Executive on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.






Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 9.

10.    Definitions.

(a)    Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) Executive’s failure to perform his assigned duties or responsibilities as an employee (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s Disability) after written notice thereof from the Company describing Executive’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) Executive engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Company; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates; (iv) Executive’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement (including, but not limited to, the Confidential Information Agreement) between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime. For purposes of clarity, Executive’s termination of employment due to death or Disability is not, by itself, deemed to be a termination by the Company other than for Cause or a resignation for Good Reason.

(b)    Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(i)    Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control and, provided, further; that the Board may, in its reasonable judgment, determine that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a financing of the Company or otherwise, in the determination of the Board, for fundraising purposes, in each case that is approved by the Board prior to such change in ownership also will not be considered a Change in Control; or

(ii)    [RESERVED]; or

(iii)    Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (iii)(B)(3) and, provided, further; that the Board may determine that certain asset transfers that should not, in the reasonable judgment of the Board (as constituted immediately prior to such asset transfers), be considered to be a “Change in Control” due to extenuating factors such as, for example, a determination being made to continue its business using only a certain subset of its assets rendering the remainder obsolete or retention of the proceeds from such sale by the Company for subsequent business use. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

For purposes of this definition of Change in Control, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.






Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

(c)    Closing. For purposes of this Agreement, “Closing” means the closing of the first transaction constituting a Change in Control that occurs on or following the Effective Date.

(d)    Deferred Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, “Deferred Payments” means any severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries) pursuant to this Agreement and any other severance payments or separation benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), that in each case, when considered together, are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A.

(e)    Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Company employees.

(f)    Equity Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, “Equity Awards” means any of Executive’s stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (including unvested shares Executive has purchased through an early exercise of a stock option grant), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and any other equity compensation awards granted by the Company or any successor of the Company.

(g)    Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary which reduction is not applicable to a majority of the Company’s senior management, excluding the substitution of substantially equivalent compensation and benefits; (ii) a material reduction of Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, unless Executive is provided with a comparable position; provided, however, that a reduction in authority, duties, or responsibilities primarily by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity whether as a subsidiary, business unit or otherwise (as, for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition where the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the acquirer, but is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute “Good Reason”; or (iii) a material change in the geographic location of Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided, that a relocation of fifty (50) miles or less from Executive’s then present location or to Executive’s home as his primary work location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, and such grounds must not have been cured during such time. Any resignation for Good Reason must occur within two (2) years of the initial existence of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”.

(h)    Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Severance Period” means the period of time commencing immediately after Executive’s separation of service from the Company through the date that is six (6) months following such separation date, plus an additional two (2) months for every fully completed Year of Service; provided, however, that in all cases the Severance Period will end no later than on the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment.

(i)    Year of Service. For purposes of this Agreement, “Year of Service” means the twelve (12)-month period measured from Executive’s original start date with the Company.

11.    Confidential Information. Executive confirms his continuing obligations under the Company’s standard At Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement dated as of July 4, 2012 (the “Confidential Information Agreement”).






12.    Successors.

(a)    The Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 12(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

(b)    Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

13.    Notices.

(a)    General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid or when delivered by a private courier service such as UPS, DHL or Federal Express that has tracking capability. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to him at the home address which he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(b)    Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or as a result of a voluntary resignation will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 13(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason will not waive any right of Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder.

14.    Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

15.    Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral including but not limited to Executive’s offer letter with the Company, entered into effective as of July 4, 2012, but this Agreement does not supersede any applicable Company policy with respect to the treatment of Company equity awards upon death or disability. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the Parties by a written instrument executed by the Parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement.

16.    Waiver of Breach. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

17.    Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

18.    Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

19.    Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).

20.    Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions





of this Agreement, including that Executive is waiving his right to a jury trial, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

21.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

COMPANY:

TRUECAR, INC.



By: /s/ Michael Darrow                                    
Title: CEO                                    

EXECUTIVE:


/s/ Simon Smith                                    
Simon Smith































[SIGNATURE PAGE TO SIMON SMITH EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]





Exhibit 10.6

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made by and between Victor “Chip” Perry (“Executive” ) and TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Executive is a director of the Company and was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
WHEREAS, Executive was employed at-will by the Company and Executive signed an Employment Agreement with the Company entered into as of November 16, 2015 (the “Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Executive signed an At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, and Invention Assignment with the Company dated November 16, 2015 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Executive signed an Indemnification Agreement with the Company entered into as of November 16, 2015 (the “Indemnification Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have entered into Stock Option Agreements granted as of the dates indicated in Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to which Executive was granted the option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (each such grant, an “Option” and together, the “Options”) and have entered into Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements granted as of the dates indicated in Exhibit A hereto, granting Executive the right to receive an award of restricted stock units (each such award, an “RSU Award” and together, the “RSU Awards”), each subject to the terms and conditions of (i) the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and (ii) each of the Stock Option Agreement or the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, as applicable, related to the award (collectively with the Plan, “Stock Agreements”);

WHEREAS, Executive resigned from employment with the Company effective May 31, 2019 (the “Resignation Date”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Executive may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment with or separation from the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

COVENANTS

1.    Consideration. Notwithstanding that Executive resigned from employment, in consideration of Executive’s execution of this Agreement and Executive’s fulfillment of all of its terms and conditions, and provided that Executive does not revoke the Agreement under Section 7 below, the Company shall pay Executive severance benefits in accordance with a Qualifying Termination (as defined in the Employment Agreement) as follows:
 
a.    Severance Payment. The Company will pay to Executive a cash lump sum of Three Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,200,000.00), which is equivalent to 200% of the sum of Executive’s base salary and target bonus. This payment will be made to Executive, less applicable withholdings, within sixty (60) days after the Effective Date.

b.    Acceleration of Options and RSU Awards. On the Resignation Date, but subject to the effectiveness of this Agreement as provided herein, Executive’s vesting in each of the Options and each of the RSU Awards shall fully accelerate (the “Severance Acceleration”).

c.    General. Executive acknowledges that the consideration listed in Section 1(a) through (b) represents full and complete satisfaction of any severance obligations (i.e., cash, benefits, vesting, and other termination-related obligations) of the Company to Executive (but not with respect to any non-severance obligations of the Company to Executive) under the Employment Agreement and any other express, implied, written, and/or unwritten agreements or policies concerning compensation or benefits due upon termination of employment. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.






2.    Resignation. Effective as of the Resignation Date, Executive resigned from and relinquished all roles with the Company and any Company divisions, subsidiaries, and/or affiliates, including but not limited to, from all Company committees, any roles with organizations in connection with which Executive served as a Company representative, and as the “principal executive officer” of the Company for SEC reporting purposes, with the exception of the resignation of his position as a director on the Company’s Board of Directors, which resignation was not effective as of the Resignation Date, but was to be delayed until Executive entered into a consulting agreement with the Company (the “Consulting Agreement”), unless the Company earlier notified Executive that negotiations over such agreement were at an impasse, in which case such resignation was to be effective upon delivery of such notice to Executive.

3.    Transition Services. Effective as of the Resignation Date, Executive agrees to provide reasonably requested transition and advisory services to the Company for the two (2) year period following the Resignation Date, in accordance with Consulting Agreement signed on the same date as this Agreement.

4.    Benefits. Executive’s health insurance benefits shall cease on the last day of the month of the Resignation Date, subject to Executive’s right to continue his health insurance under COBRA. Executive’s participation in all benefits and incidents of employment, including, but not limited to, the accrual of bonuses, vacation, and paid time off, ceased as of the Resignation Date.

5.    Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Executive acknowledges and represents that, other than the consideration set forth in this Agreement (including but not limited to the severance payments and the severance acceleration set forth in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) above), and the payment of any accrued vacation/paid time off, which shall be timely paid, and the payment of wages owed through the Resignation Date, and the payment of all unreimbursed business expenses to the extent submitted to the Company prior to the Effective Date, the Company and its agents have paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, premiums, leaves, vacation, housing allowances, relocation costs, notice periods, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Executive.

6.    Release of Claims. Executive agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive by the Company and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”). Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of his respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

a.    any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship, including claims under the Employment Agreement or other agreement with the Company;
    
b.    any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Executive’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
    
c.    any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; constructive discharge; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;
    
d.    any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor Code; the California Workers’ Compensation Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the Unruh Civil Rights Act;





the California Equal Pay Law; the California Unfair Business Practices Act; and the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act;
        
e.    any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;

f.    any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;

g.    any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Executive as a result of this Agreement; and

h.    any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Executive agrees that the release set forth in this Section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this release does not extend to (i) any obligations incurred under this Agreement; (ii) Executive’s rights to receive accrued but unpaid base salary wages owed through the Effective Date; (iii) health, disability or life insurance benefits payable in accordance with the Company’s employee benefit plans; (iv) any rights with respect to director and officer indemnification pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation and/or bylaws of the Company and all written agreements for indemnification, exculpation of liability or advancement of expenses, in effect as of the Effective Date between the Company and any of its current or former directors and officers, as well as any indemnification or contribution rights afforded to Executive under applicable state or federal law, including without limitation all such claims arising out of Milbeck v. TrueCar et al. (C.D. Cal.) and Drulias v. Guthrie et al. (C.D. Cal.), and any subsequently-filed cases alleging similar claims in any state or federal court; or (v) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including any Protected Activity (as defined below). Executive represents that he has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section. This release does not extend to any right Executive may have to unemployment compensation benefits or workers’ compensation benefits.

7.    Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Executive acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that: (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Executive signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the twenty-one (21)-day period identified above, Executive hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. Executive acknowledges and understands that revocation must be accomplished by a written notification to the person executing this Agreement on the Company’s behalf that is received prior to the Effective Date. The Parties agree that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the twenty-one (21)-day period.

8.    California Civil Code Section 1542. Executive acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.

Executive, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights he may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect, except as provided in Section 6 above.

9.    No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Executive represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Executive also represents





that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees with respect to the claims herein released.

10.    Trade Secrets and Confidential Information/Company Property. Subject to Section 28 below governing Protected Activity, Executive reaffirms and agrees to observe and abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, specifically including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information, and nonsolicitation of Company employees. No later than sixty (60) days following the Resignation Date, Executive will return all documents and other items provided to Executive by the Company, developed or obtained by Executive in connection with his employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company, including, but not limited to, all passwords to any software or other programs or data that Executive used in performing services for the Company (with the exception of a copy of the Employee Handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to Executive).

11.    No Cooperation. Subject to Section 28 below governing Protected Activity, Executive agrees that he will not knowingly encourage, advise, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or upon written request from an administrative agency or the legislature or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement. Executive agrees both to immediately notify the Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature, and to furnish, within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature. If approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against any of the Releasees, Executive shall state no more than that he cannot provide counsel or assistance.

12.    Cooperation with the Company. Executive agrees that Executive will reasonably assist and cooperate with the Company in connection with the defense or prosecution of any claim that may be made against or by the Company or any Releasees, or in connection with any ongoing or future investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving the Company, including meeting with the Company’s counsel, any proceeding before any arbitral, administrative, judicial, legislative, or other body or agency, including testifying in any proceeding to the extent such claims, investigations or proceedings relate to services performed or required to be performed by Executive, pertinent knowledge possessed by Executive, or any act or omission by Executive. Executive further agrees to perform all acts and execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. The Company shall reasonably notify Executive in writing with respect to any request for cooperation under this Section, and the Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that all such cooperation under this Section 12 will be subject to Executive’s personal and business schedule. In addition, the Company will promptly reimburse Executive for all reasonable and necessary business expenses that he incurs with respect to such cooperation under this Section 12.

13.    Nondisparagement. Executive agrees to refrain from any disparagement, defamation, libel, or slander of any of the Company, all of its subsidiaries and affiliates, and all of its past and present directors, officers, and members of the Company’s management (the “Nondisparagement Group”) and agrees to refrain from any tortious interference with the contracts and relationships of any member of the Nondisapargement Group. Executive shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department or members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

14.    Breach. In addition to the rights provided in the “Attorneys’ Fees” section below, Executive acknowledges and agrees that any adjudicated material breach by Executive (i) of this Agreement, unless such breach constitutes a legal action by Executive challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, or (ii) of the Confidentiality Agreement, shall entitle the Company to recover and/or cease providing the consideration provided to Executive under this Agreement and to obtain damages, except as provided by law, provided, however, that the Company shall not recover One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of the consideration already paid pursuant to this Agreement and such amount shall serve as full and complete consideration for the promises and obligations assumed by Executive under this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement.

15.    No Admission of Liability. Executive understands and acknowledges that with respect to all claims released herein, this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Executive unless such claims were explicitly not released by the release in this Agreement. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Executive or to any third party.

16.    Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.






17.    Taxes; Section 409A; Limitations on Payments.

(a)    (i)    It is the intent of the Parties that all compensation and benefits payable or provided to Executive under this Agreement shall fully comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”), so that none of the payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. The Company and Executive shall cooperate in good faith so that all compensation paid under this Agreement or otherwise will comply with Section 409A.

(ii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Payments will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, each and every payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and not as a series of payments.

(iii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this Section 17(a)(iii) will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.

(iv)    Any severance payment that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations shall not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein.
    
(v)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (x) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year preceding Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto, or (y) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated. For purposes of this Agreement, “Deferred Payments” means any severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries) pursuant to this Agreement and any other severance payments or separation benefits, that in each case, when considered together, are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A.

(vi)    Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.

(b)    Limitation on Payments. In the event that any payment or benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 17(b), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:

i.    delivered in full, or

ii.    delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,






whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Executive, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Executive on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 17(b) will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 17(b), the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 17(b).

18.    Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Executive represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through his to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.

19.    No Representations. Executive represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Executive has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

20.    Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.

21.    Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or affect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.

22.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Executive’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Executive’s relationship with the Company, including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement, with the exception of the Indemnification Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, and the Stock Agreements, all of which shall continue with full force and effect and without amendment unless modified hereunder.

23.    No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company.

24.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard for choice/conflict of law provisions, unless preempted by federal law. Executive consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the applicable state or federal courts in Los Angeles County, California.

25.    Notices. Any notice contemplated or required by this Agreement (a “Notice”) shall be given in writing, delivered by first-class mail, courier, or overnight delivery service, addressed as follows:






If to Executive, then to:

Stewart Reifler, Esq.
8 Brightfield Lane
Westport, CT 06880
email: reifler@reiflerlaw.com

If to the Company, then to
Attn: Legal Department
TrueCar, Inc.
120 Broadway, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90401
email: legal@truecar.com
    
Either Party may, by written designation, identify a new or additional representative to receive Notices under this Agreement.

26.    Effective Date. Each Party has seven (7) days after that Party signs this Agreement to revoke it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Executive signed this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (“Effective Date”).

27.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. The counterparts of this Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile, photo, email PDF, Docusign/Echosign or a similarly accredited secure signature service, or other electronic transmission or signature. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and counterparts may be exchanged by electronic transmission (including by email), each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together constitute one and the same instrument.

28.    Protected Activity Not Prohibited. Executive understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Executive from engaging for a lawful purpose in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” shall mean filing a charge or complaint, or otherwise communicating, cooperating, or participating with, any state, federal, or other governmental agency, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board (“Government Agencies”). Executive understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Executive is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information under the Confidentiality Agreement to any parties other than the Government Agencies. Executive further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications, and that any such disclosure without the Company’s written consent shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. Any language in the Confidentiality Agreement regarding Executive’s right to engage in Protected Activity that conflicts with, or is contrary to, this paragraph is superseded by this Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

29.    Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Executive understands and agrees that he executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of his claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees. Executive acknowledges that:

(a)    he has read this Agreement;

(b)
he has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of his own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel;

(c)
he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and






(d)    he is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

VICTOR “CHIP” PERRY, an individual


Dated: 7/18        , 2019                /s/ Victor A. Perry III                        
Victor “Chip” Perry

TRUECAR, INC.


Dated: 7/18        , 2019                By /s/ Michael D. Darrow                        
Michael Darrow
Interim CEO







EXHIBIT A

EXECUTIVE’S OPTIONS AND RSUs AS OF RESIGNATION DATE
Grant No.
Grant Date
Grant Type
Type
Option Price
Shares Granted
Options Exercised / RSUs Released
Exercisable Options / Pending RSU Releases
Vested Shares
Unvested Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N1706001
06/10/2017
NQ
Options
$ 18.91
162,000

77,625

77,625
84,375

N1706048
06/10/2017
NQ
Options
$ 18.91
150,000

15,000

15,000
135,000

N1805001
05/12/2018
NQ
Options
$ 9.59
261,122

70,720

70,720
190,402

NA1903001
03/15/2019
NQ
Options
$ 6.93
113,444

4,726

4,726
108,718

N1512035
12/14/2015
NQ
Options
$ 8.02
1,840,000

1,494,999

1,494,999
345,001

R1512035
12/14/2015
RSU
RSUs
$—
660,000
536,250


536,250
123,750

R1706001
06/10/2017
RSU
RSUs
$—
31,472
13,769


13,769
17,703

R1707016
07/28/2017
RSU
RSUs
$—
10,225
8,947


8,947
1,278

R1805001
05/12/2018
RSU
RSUs
$—
81,818
20,454


20,454
61,364

RA1903001
03/15/2019
RSU
RSUs
$—
54,453
3,403


3,403
51,050

 
 
 
 
TOTAL
3,364,534
           582,823

 1,663,070

  2,245,893
1,118,641








Exhibit 10.7

TRUECAR, INC.

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) by and between TrueCar, Inc. (“Client”) and Victor “Chip” Perry, an individual (“Consultant”) is effective as of July 18, 2019, (the “Effective Date”).

RECITALS
WHEREAS, Consultant was an employee of the Client until he resigned on May 31, 2019;
WHEREAS, Consultant is a leader, originator and innovator in the on-line Internet auto-sales industry, with industry experience exceeding 30 years;
WHEREAS, the Client desires to maintain a professional relationship with Consultant, to use Consultant’s independent skill and expertise pursuant to this Agreement as an independent contractor; and to be able to avail itself of his extensive industry expertise from time to time;
WHEREAS, the parties desire for the Client to engage Consultant to perform bona fide services as a “Consultant” (as such term is defined under the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), such services described herein, and for Consultant to provide such bona fide services on the terms and conditions described herein; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.    Engagement of Services. Consultant agrees to provide the following consulting services to the Client: transitioning his prior employment duties to other Client employees and other advisory services upon reasonable request of the Chief Executive Officer or Chair of the Board of Directors of the Client. Consultant agrees to exercise the highest degree of professionalism and utilize his expertise and creative talents in performing these services.

2.    Compensation. In consideration for the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement and for the assignment of certain of Consultant’s right, title, and interest pursuant hereto, the parties desire for Consultant to remain a “Service Provider” (as such term is defined under the Plan) during the entire Consulting Period. No other fees, benefits, or other compensation will be provided by the Client hereunder, other than the prompt reimbursement payment to Consultant of all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Consultant in performing his consulting services, provided that such expense(s) shall be pre-approved in writing by the Client.

3.    Ownership of Work Product. Consultant hereby irrevocably assigns, grants and conveys to Client all right, title and interest now existing or that may exist in the future in and to any document, development, work product, know-how, design, processes, invention, technique, trade secret, or idea, and all intellectual property rights related thereto, that is created by Consultant, to which Consultant contributes, or which relates to Consultant’s services provided pursuant to this Agreement (the “Work Product”), including all copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights (including but not limited to patent rights) relating thereto. Consultant agrees that any and all Work Product shall be and remain the property of Client. Consultant will immediately disclose to the Client all Work Product. Consultant agrees to execute, at Client’s request and expense, all documents and other instruments necessary or desirable to confirm such assignment. In the event that Consultant does not, for any reason, execute such documents within a reasonable time of Client’s request, Consultant hereby irrevocably appoints Client as Consultant’s attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing such documents on Consultant’s behalf, which appointment is coupled with an interest. Consultant shall not attempt to register any works created by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement at the U.S. Copyright Office, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, or any foreign copyright, patent, or trademark registry. Consultant retains no rights in the Work Product and agrees not to challenge Client’s ownership of the rights embodied in the Work Product. Consultant further agrees to assist Client in every proper way to enforce Client’s rights relating to the Work Product in any and all countries, including, but not limited to, executing, verifying and delivering such documents and performing such other acts (including appearing as a witness) as Client may reasonably request for use in obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing Client’s rights relating to the Work Product.

4.    Artist’s, Moral, and Other Rights. If Consultant has any rights, including without limitation “artist’s rights” or “moral rights,” in the Work Product which cannot be assigned (the “Non-Assignable Rights”), Consultant agrees to waive





enforcement worldwide of such rights against Client. In the event that Consultant has any such rights that cannot be assigned or waived Consultant hereby grants to Client a royalty-free, paid-up, exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual license under the Non-Assignable Rights to (i) use, make, sell, offer to sell, have made, and further sublicense the Work Product, and (ii) reproduce, distribute, create derivative works of, publicly perform and publicly display the Work Product in any medium or format, whether now known or later developed.

5.    Representations and Warranties. Consultant represents and warrants that: (a) Consultant has the full right and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform his obligations hereunder; (b) Consultant has the right and unrestricted ability to assign the Work Product to Client as set forth in Sections 3 and 4 (including without limitation the right to assign any Work Product created by Consultant’s employees or contractors); (c) the Work Product has not heretofore been published in its entirety; and (d) the Work Product will not infringe upon any copyright, patent, trademark, right of publicity or privacy, or any other proprietary right of any person, whether contractual, statutory or common law. Consultant agrees to indemnify Client from any and all damages, costs, claims, expenses or other liability (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or relating to the breach or alleged breach by Consultant of the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 5.

6.    Independent Contractor Relationship. Consultant is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Client. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or should be construed to, create a partnership, agency, joint venture or employment relationship. The manner and means by which Consultant chooses to complete the consulting services are in Consultant’s sole discretion and control. In completing the consulting services, Consultant agrees to provide his own equipment, tools, and other materials at his own expense. Consultant is not authorized to represent that he is an agent, employee, or legal representative of the Client. Consultant is not authorized to make any representation, contract, or commitment on behalf of Client or incur any liabilities or obligations of any kind in the name of or on behalf of the Client. Consultant shall be free at all times to arrange the time and manner of performance of the consulting services. Consultant is not required to maintain any schedule of duties or assignments. Consultant is also not required to provide reports to the Client. In addition to all other obligations contained herein, Consultant agrees: (a) to proceed with diligence and promptness and hereby warrants that such services shall be performed in accordance with the highest professional standards in the field to the satisfaction of the Client; and (b) to comply, at Consultant’s own expense, with the provisions of all state, local, and federal laws, regulations, ordinances, requirements and codes which are applicable to the performance of the services hereunder.

7.    Consultant’s Responsibilities. As an independent contractor, the mode, manner, method and means used by Consultant in the performance of services shall be of Consultant’s selection and under the sole control and direction of Consultant. Consultant shall be responsible for all risks incurred in the operation of Consultant’s business and shall enjoy all the benefits thereof. Any persons employed by or subcontracting with Consultant to perform any part of Consultant’s obligations hereunder shall be under the sole control and direction of Consultant and Consultant shall be solely responsible for all liabilities and expenses thereof. The Client shall have no right or authority with respect to the selection, control, direction, or compensation of such persons.

8.    Tax Treatment. Consultant and the Client agree that the Client will treat Consultant as an independent contractor for purposes of all tax laws (local, state and federal) and file forms consistent with that status. Consultant agrees, as an independent contractor, that neither he nor his employees are entitled to unemployment benefits in the event this Agreement terminates, or workers’ compensation benefits in the event that Consultant, or any employee of Consultant, is injured in any manner while performing obligations under this Agreement. Consultant will be solely responsible to pay any and all local, state, and/or federal income, social security and unemployment taxes for Consultant and his employees. The Client will not withhold any taxes or prepare W-2 Forms for Consultant, but will provide Consultant with a Form 1099, if required by law. Consultant is solely responsible for, and will timely file all tax returns and payments required to be filed with, or made to, any federal, state or local tax authority with respect to the performance of services and receipt of fees under this Agreement. Consultant is solely responsible for, and must maintain adequate records of, expenses incurred in the course of performing services under this Agreement, except as provided herein. No part of Consultant’s compensation will be subject to withholding by the Client for the payment of any social security, federal, state or any other employee payroll taxes. The Client will regularly report amounts paid to Consultant with the appropriate taxing authorities, as required by law.

9.    No Employee Benefits. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that neither he nor anyone acting on his behalf shall receive any employee benefits of any kind from the Client. Consultant (and Consultant’s agents, employees, and subcontractors) is excluded from participating in any fringe benefit plans or programs as a result of the performance of services under this Agreement, without regard to Consultant’s independent contractor status. In addition, Consultant (on behalf of himself and on behalf of Consultant’s agents, employees, and contractors) waives any and all rights, if any, to participation in any of the Client’s fringe benefit plans or programs including, but not limited to, health, sickness, accident or dental coverage, life insurance, disability benefits, severance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, unemployment insurance coverage, workers’ compensation coverage, and pension or 401(k) benefit(s) provided by the Client to its employees.






10.    Expenses and Liabilities. Subject to Section 2 above, (i) Consultant agrees that as an independent contractor, he is solely responsible for all expenses (and profits/losses) he incurs in connection with the performance of services, and (ii) Consultant understands that he will not be reimbursed for any supplies, equipment, or operating costs, nor will these costs of doing business be defrayed in any way by the Client. In addition, the Client does not guarantee to Consultant that fees derived from Consultant’s business will exceed Consultant’s costs.

11.    Non-Exclusivity. The Client reserves the right to engage other consultants to perform services, without giving Consultant a right of first refusal or any other exclusive rights. Consultant reserves the right to perform services for other persons, provided that the performance of such services do not conflict or interfere with services provided pursuant to or obligations under this Agreement.

12.    No Conflict of Interest. During the term of this Agreement, Consultant may not enter into any agreement or perform any services which would conflict or interfere with the services provided pursuant to, or the obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, engagements with Google (motor vehicle activities only), Amazon (motor vehicle activities only), Autotrader, eBay Motors, AutoWeb, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, CarSaver, CarGurus, Cars, Inc., CarFax, Cox Automotive Group, and/or Hearst Autos Group. Consultant warrants that there is no other contract or duty on his part that prevents or impedes Consultant’s performance under this Agreement.

13.    Confidential Information. Consultant agrees to hold Client’s Confidential Information (as defined below) in strict confidence and not to disclose such Confidential Information to any third parties. Consultant also agrees not to use any of Client’s Confidential Information for any purpose other than performance of Consultant’s services hereunder. “Confidential Information” as used in this Agreement shall mean all information disclosed by Client to Consultant, or otherwise, regarding Client or its business obtained by Consultant pursuant to services provided under this Agreement that is not generally known in the Client’s trade or industry and shall include, without limitation, (a) concepts and ideas relating to the development and distribution of content in any medium or to the current, future and proposed products or services of Client or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (b) trade secrets, drawings, inventions, know-how, software programs, and software source documents; (c) information regarding plans for research, development, new service offerings or products, marketing and selling, business plans, business forecasts, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses and distribution arrangements, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (d) any information regarding the skills and compensation of employees, contractors or other agents of the Client or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Confidential Information also includes proprietary or confidential information of any third party who may disclose such information to Client or Consultant in the course of Client’s business. Consultant’s obligations set forth in this Section shall not apply with respect to any portion of the Confidential Information that Consultant can document by competent proof that such portion: (i) is in the public domain through no fault of Consultant; (ii) has been rightfully independently communicated to Consultant free of any obligation of confidence; or (iii) was developed by Consultant independently of and without reference to any information communicated to Consultant by Client. In addition, Consultant may disclose Client’s Confidential Information in response to a valid order by a court or other governmental body, as otherwise required by law. All Confidential Information furnished to Consultant by Client is the sole and exclusive property of Client or its suppliers or customers. Upon request by Client, Consultant agrees to promptly deliver to Client the original and any copies of such Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other agreement between Client and Consultant, nothing in this Agreement shall limit Consultant’s right to discuss Consultant’s engagement with the Client or report possible violations of law or regulation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other federal government agency or similar state or local agency or to discuss the terms and conditions of Consultant’s engagement with others to the extent expressly permitted by applicable provisions of law or regulation, including but not limited to “whistleblower” statutes or other similar provisions that protect such disclosure. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1833(b), Consultant shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (1) is made in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (2) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

14.    Term and Termination.

14.1    Term. The term of this Agreement and the “Consulting Period” is from the Effective Date and until May 31, 2021, unless earlier terminated as provided in this Agreement.

14.2    Scope and Limitation of Consulting Services. The Client will reasonably notify Consultant in writing of the need for his services at least 7 days prior to such need if such need requires Consultant to travel and/or will require 4 to 8 continuous hours of consulting services; otherwise the Client will reasonably and timely notify Consultant in writing of the need





for his services. The Client understands that all consulting services provided by Consultant to the Client will be subject to Consultant's personal and business schedule, and that all scheduling of Consultant’s service will be scheduled by Consultant in his reasonable discretion.

14.3    Termination. The Client may terminate this Agreement before its expiration immediately only if the Consultant commits a Material Breach. The Consultant may terminate this Agreement at any time for any reason or for no reason upon timely written notification to the Client. The parties agree that a “Material Breach” by Consultant shall occur if he: (i) materially breaches this Agreement or the At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, and Invention Assignment between Consultant and the Client dated November 16, 2015 (Confidentiality Agreement”) or the Separation Agreement and Release with the Client dated [DATE] (“Separation Agreement”); (ii) fails to provide services as reasonably requested by the Executive; (iii) engages in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Client; or (iv) violates federal, state, or local criminal law (excluding traffic and parking violations).

14.4    Effect of Termination. Upon any termination or expiration of this Agreement, Consultant (i) shall immediately discontinue all use of Client’s Confidential Information delivered under this Agreement; (ii) will cease being considered a Service Provider, as defined in any agreements between Consultant and the Client; (iii) shall delete any such Client Confidential Information from Consultant’s computer storage or any other media, including, but not limited to, online and off-line libraries; and (iv) shall return to Client, or, at Client’s option, destroy, all copies of such Confidential Information then in Consultant’s possession. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other Client policy, or agreement between Consultant and Client, in the event of the termination of this Agreement by Consultant, Consultant acknowledges and agrees that such termination shall not qualify as a resignation for Good Reason, termination by the Client for any reason, Retirement, or any other designation (as such terms may be used or defined in any such policies or agreements) that entitles Consultant to any separation pay, severance, vesting, health insurance, or other benefit under any Client policy or agreement with Client. In the event of the termination of this Agreement by either Party (to the extent permitted hereunder), Consultant will not receive any additional consulting fees or other compensation as of the date of termination.

14.5    Survival. The rights and obligations contained in Sections 3-6, 8-9, 13, 14.3, 14.4, and 15-22 will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

15.    Indemnification. Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Client and its officers, directors, agents, owners, and employees, for any claims brought or liabilities imposed against the Client by Consultant or any of his employees or by any other party (including private parties, governmental bodies and courts) arising from or in connection with the services performed by Consultant, including claims related to worker’s compensation, wage and hour laws, employment taxes, and benefits, and whether relating to Consultant’s status as an independent contractor, the status of his personnel, or any other matters involving the acts or omissions of Consultant and his personnel. Indemnification shall be for any and all losses and damages, including costs and attorneys’ fees.

16.    Successors and Assigns. Consultant may not subcontract or otherwise delegate his obligations under this Agreement without the Client’s prior written consent. The Client may not assign this Agreement unless there is a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) of the Client.

17.    Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered as follows with notice deemed given as indicated: (i) by overnight courier upon written verification of receipt; or (ii) by telecopy or facsimile transmission upon acknowledgment of receipt of electronic transmission. Notice shall be sent to the addresses set forth below or such other address as either party may specify in writing.

18.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within California between California residents, unless preempted by federal law. Any suit involving this Agreement that is determined to be non-arbitrable shall be brought in a court sitting in California. The parties agree that venue shall be proper in such courts, and that such courts will have personal jurisdiction over them.

19.    Severability. Should any provisions of this Agreement be held by a court of law to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

20.    Waiver. The waiver by the Client of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by Consultant shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach by Consultant and the waiver by Consultant of a breach of any





provision of this Agreement by the Client shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach by the Client.

21.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter and supersedes any previous oral or written communications, representations, understanding, or agreement between the parties concerning such subject matter. For avoidance of doubt, the Separation Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, Indemnification Agreement (as defined in the Separation Agreement), and Stock Agreements (as defined in the Separation Agreement) shall continue with full force and effect. This Agreement shall not be changed, modified, supplemented or amended except by express written agreement signed by Consultant and the Client.

22.    Arbitration. The provisions of Section 12 of the Confidentiality Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. Signature page follows.]






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first written above.

“CLIENT”                “CONSULTANT”

TRUECAR, INC.            VICTOR “CHIP” PERRY
        

By: /s/ Michael Darrow            /s/ Victor A Perry III            

Name (print): Michael Darrow        Name (print): Victor A Perry III    

Title: Interim CEO             Address:
Telephone: 800-200-2000                                         
Fax: N/A                Tel:                 
                    Fax:                     





Exhibit 10.8

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Release (Agreement”) is made by and between Robert T. (Tommy) McClung (“Employee ) and TrueCar, Inc. (Company”) (collectively, “Parties” or individually, a “Party”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company;

WHEREAS, Employee signed an At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement with the Company dated as of January 2, 2014 (the Confidentiality Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Employee signed a Senior Executive Employment Agreement with the Company entered into as of January 17, 2017 (the Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have entered into Stock Option Agreements granted as of the dates indicated in Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to which Employee was granted the option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (each such grant, an Option” and together, the Options”) and have entered into Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements granted as of the dates indicated in Exhibit A hereto, granting Employee the right to receive an award of restricted stock units or performance units ( each such award, an “RSU Awardand together, the “RSU Awards), each subject to the terms and conditions of the Companys 2005 Stock Plan (the 2005 Plan) or the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan” and, together with the 2005 Plan, the “Plans” and each, a Plan), and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement, the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement or the Performance Unit Award Agreement, as applicable, related to the award (collectively with the Plan, “Stock Agreements”);

WHEREAS, Employee’s employment with the Company terminated June 20, 2019 (the “Termination Date”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees (as defined below), including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:

COVENANTS

1.    Consideration. In consideration of Employees execution of this Agreement and Employees fulfillment of all of its terms and conditions, and provided that Employee does not revoke the Agreement under Section 6 below, the Company agrees as follows:

a.    Severance Payment. The Company will pay to Employee a total lump sum payment of Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000.00) (the Severance), which consists of (x) a lump sum equivalent to twelve (12) months of Employee’s base salary in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00), plus (y) a lump sum payment of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). The Severance shall be paid to Employee, less applicable withholdings, within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date.

b.    COBRA Continuation.






i.    Subject to Section 1.b.ii below, the Company will either, at the Companys election, reimburse Employee for the payments Employee makes, or pay directly to the insurance provider the premiums, for medical, vision and dental coverage for Employee and Employee s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended or comparable state law (COBRA”) during the twelve (12) month period following the Termination Date or until Employee has secured other employment that provides group health insurance coverage, whichever occurs first provided Employee timely elects COBRA coverage, remains eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and, with respect to reimbursements, pays for COBRA coverage.

ii.    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot, without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provide any COBRA reimbursements or direct payments of COBRA premiums under this Agreement (either, the COBRA Benefits) that otherwise would be due to Employee under this Section, the Company will not provide, and Employee will not be entitled to, COBRA Benefits, but the Company will, in lieu of any such COBRA Benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Section, provide to Employee a taxable monthly payment (Healthcare Premium Payment) in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Employee would be required to pay to continue his group health coverage at coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Employee’s termination (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Employee elects COBRA continuation coverage. At the same time each monthly Healthcare Premium Payment (if any is due) is paid to Employee, the Company also will provide Employee with a gross-up amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal and state income and employment taxes incurred by Employee with respect to such Healthcare Premium Payment (with such gross-up to be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Employee at the time the Healthcare Premium Payment is paid to Employee). Any Healthcare Premium Payments and any related gross-up payments will cease to be provided when, and under the same terms and conditions, COBRA Benefits would have ceased under this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA Benefits may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable withholdings . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the payments contemplated by this Section without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Employee will not receive such payment or any further COBRA Benefits.

c.    Acceleration of Equity Awards. On the Termination Date, but subject to the effectiveness of this Agreement as provided herein, Employees vesting in each of the Options and each of the RSU Awards other than the performance unit RSU Award granted on March 15, 2019 covering 14,952 shares of Company common stock (the PSU Award) shall accelerate as to the number of shares subject to the applicable Option or RSU Award that otherwise would have vested within the twelve (12) month period immediately following the Termination Date had Employee remained employed by the Company through such period (and assuming for this purposes that no Change in Control (as such term is defined in the applicable Plan and as defined in the Employment Agreement) occurred during such period) (the Severance Acceleration ).

d.    Acknowledgement. Employee acknowledges that without this Agreement, he is otherwise not entitled to the consideration listed in this Section 1. Employee acknowledges that the consideration listed in Section 1.a. through l .c. represents full and complete satisfaction of any severance obligations of the Company to Employee under the Employment Agreement , plus consideration in excess of any severance obligations of the Company to Employee under the Employment Agreement.

2.    Equity. The Parties agree that for purposes of determining the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that Employee is entitled to purchase from the Company, pursuant to the exercise of the outstanding Options, or that Employee has vested in pursuant to the RSU Awards, Employee will be considered to have vested only up to the Termination Date, including, if applicable, in accordance with the Severance Acceleration , and no more, except that the PSU Award will remain eligible to vest to the extent provided under, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Stock Agreements under which it was granted (which terms, for the avoidance of doubt, include the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement). Employee acknowledges that as of the Termination Date and after the application of the Severance Acceleration, Employee will have vested in the number of shares subject to the Options





and the RSU Awards as listed on Exhibit A hereto and no more, provided that, as noted above, the PSU Award will remain eligible to vest to the extent provided under, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Stock Agreements under which it was granted. Employee acknowledges that, as noted in Exhibit A, if the Severance Acceleration does not become effective (due to this Agreement not timely becoming effective and irrevocable), the number of shares subject to the Options that will have vested as of the actual Termination Date and the number of shares subject to the RSU Awards that will have vested as of the actual Termination Date may differ from the numbers shown on Exhibit A. Except as provided herein, the exercise of Employees vested Options, the shares purchased thereunder and Employees RSU Awards shall continue to be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Agreements.

3.    Benefits. Employee’s health insurance benefits shall cease on the last day of the month of his Termination Date, subject to Employee’s right to continue his health insurance under COBRA. Employee’s participation in all benefits and incidents of employment, including, but not limited to, vesting in equity awards ( other than pursuant to any applicable Severance Acceleration), the accrual of bonuses, vacation, and paid time off, ceased as of the Termination Date.

4.    Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Employee acknowledges and represents that, other than the consideration set forth in this Agreement, the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, premiums, leaves, vacation/paid time off, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, restricted stock units and other equity awards, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee.

5.    Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, Releasees”). Employee, on his own behalf and on behalf of his respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the date Employee signs this Agreement, including, without limitation:

a.    any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship, including claims under the Employment Agreement or other agreement with the Company;

b.    any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;

c.    any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; constructive discharge; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation ; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

d.    any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of I 964; the Civil Rights Act of I 991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 197 4; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002 ; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the National Labor





Relations Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor Code; the California WorkersCompensation Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the Unruh Civil Rights Act; the California Equal Pay Law; the California Unfair Business Practices Act; and the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act;

e.    any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;

f.    any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;

g.    any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement; and

h.    any and all claims for attorneysfees and costs.

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this Section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this release does not extend to (i) any obligations incurred under this Agreement; (ii) health, disability or life insurance benefits payable in accordance with the Company’s employee benefit plans; (iii) any rights with respect to director and officer indemnification pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation and/or bylaws of the Company and all written agreements for indemnification , exculpation of liability or advancement of expenses, in effect as of the Effective Date between the Company and any of its current or former directors and officers, as well as any indemnification or contribution rights afforded to Employee under applicable state or federal law, including without limitation all such claims arising out of Milbeck v. TrueCar et al. (C.D. Cal.) and Drulias v. Guthrie et al. (C.D. Cal.), and any subsequently-filed cases alleging similar claims in any state or federal court; or (iv) claims that cannot be released as a matter of law , including any Protected Activity (as defined below). Employee represents that he has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this Section.

6.    Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA’), and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee agrees that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that: (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement ; (b) he has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the twenty-one (21)-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and understands that revocation must be accomplished by a written notification to the person executing this Agreement on the Company’s behalf that is received prior to the Effective Date. The Parties agree that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the twenty-one (21 )-day period.

7.    California Civil Code Section 1542. Employee acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO





EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.

Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights he may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect, except as provided in Section 5.

8.    No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees with respect to the claims herein released.

9.    Confidentiality. Subject to Section 28 governing Protected Activity, Employee agrees to maintain in complete confidence the existence of this Agreement, the contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as Separation Information”). Except as required by law, Employee may disclose Separation Information only to his immediate family members, the Court in any proceedings to enforce the terms of this Agreement , Employee’s attorney(s), and Employee’s accountant and any professional tax advisor to the extent that they need to know the Separation Information in order to provide advice on tax treatment or to prepare tax returns, and must prevent disclosure of any Separation Information to all other third parties. Employee agrees that he will not publicize, directly or indirectly, any Separation Information.

10.    Trade Secrets and Confidential Information/Company Property. Subject to Section 28 governing Protected Activity, Employee reaffirms and agrees to observe and abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, specifically including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information, and nonsolicitation of Company employees. No later than the Termination Date, Employee will return all documents and other items provided to Employee by the Company, developed or obtained by Employee in connection with his employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company (with the exception of a copy of the Employee Handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to Employee).

11.    No Cooperation. Subject to Section 28 governing Protected Activity, Employee agrees that he will not knowingly encourage, advise, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or upon written request from an administrative agency or the legislature or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement. Employee agrees both to immediately notify the Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature , and to furnish , within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order or written request from an administrative agency or the legislature. If approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against any of the Releasees, Employee shall state no more than that he cannot provide counsel or assistance.

12.    Cooperation with the Company. Employee agrees that Employee will assist and cooperate with the Company in connection with the defense or prosecution of any claim that may be made against or by the Company or any Releasees, or in connection with any ongoing or future investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving the Company, including meeting with the Companys counsel, any proceeding before any arbitral, administrative,judicial, legislative, or other body or agency, including testifying in any proceeding to the extent such claims, investigations or proceedings relate to services performed or required to be performed by Employee, pertinent knowledge possessed by Employee, or any act or omission by Employee. Employee further agrees to perform all acts and execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.

13.    Nondisparagement. Employee agrees to refrain from any disparagement, defamation, libel, or slander of any of the Releasees, and agrees to refrain from any tortious interference with the contracts and relationships of any





of the Releasees. Employee shall direct any inquiries by potential future employers to the Company’s human resources department.

14.    Breach. In addition to the rights provided in the AttorneysFeessection below, Employee acknowledges and agrees that any material breach of this Agreement, unless such breach constitutes a legal action by Employee challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, or of any provision of the Confidentiality Agreement shall entitle the Company immediately to recover and/or cease providing the consideration provided to Employee under this Agreement and to obtain damages, except as provided by law.

15.    No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that with respect to all claims released herein, this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee unless such claims were explicitly not released by the release in this Agreement . No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.

16.    Nonsolicitation. Employee agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the Effective Date of this Agreement, Employee shall not directly or indirectly solicit any of the Company’s employees to leave their employment at the Company.

17.    Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneysfees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.

18.    Taxes; Section 409A; Limitations on Payments.

a.    Taxes; Section 409A. Employee agrees and understands that he is responsible for payment, if any, of personal local, personal state, and/or personal federal taxes on the payments and any other consideration provided hereunder by the Company and any penalties or assessments thereon. It is intended that none of the payments or benefits under this Agreement will constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), any final regulations and guidance under that statute, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be amended or promulgated from time to time (together, Section 409A), but rather such payments and benefits will be exempt from, or if not exempt from will comply with, Section 409A so that none of the payments to be provided under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms will be interpreted in such manner. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement or otherwise is intended to constitute a separate payment under Treasury Regulation Section l.409A-2(b)(2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Employee to an additional tax under Section 409A, any payments or benefits deemed to be separation-related deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether under this Agreement or any other arrangement, payable to Employee will be delayed until the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following Employees separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A), except that in the event of Employees death, any such delayed payments will be paid as soon as practicable after the date of Employee’s death, and in each case all subsequent payments and benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment or benefit. In no event will the Company reimburse or indemnify Employee for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on Employee as a result of Section 409A. In no event will Employee have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any separation-related payments.

b.    Limitation on Payments. In the event that any payment or benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 18.b, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments or benefits will be either:

i.    delivered in full, or






ii.    delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance or change in control-related or other payments or benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payments or benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which will occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Employee, which will occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Employee on the same date of grant, all such awards will have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event will Employee have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

Unless the Company and Employee otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 18.b will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Employee and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 18.b, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Employee will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 18.b.

19.    Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through his to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.

20.    No Representations. Employee represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

21.    Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision.

22.    Attorneys’ Fees. Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or affect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.

23.    Entire Agreement. Except as provided in Section 5, this Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and





Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company, including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement, with the exception of the Confidentiality Agreement (other than as specified in Section 28) and the Stock Agreements.

24.    No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and an authorized officer of the Company.

25.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard for choice/conflict of law provisions. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the applicable state or federal courts in Los Angeles County, California.

26.    Effective Date. Employee understands that this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by him within twenty-one (21) days from the date this Agreement is presented. Each Party has seven (7) days after that Party signs this Agreement to revoke it. This Agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after Employee signed this Agreement, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (“Effective Date”).

27.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

28.    Protected Activity Not Prohibited. Employee understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Employee from engaging for a lawful purpose in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” shall mean filing a charge or complaint, or otherwise communicating, cooperating, or participating with, any state, federal, or other governmental agency, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board (“Government Agencies”). Employee understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Employee is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information under the Confidentiality Agreement to any parties other than the Government Agencies. Employee further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications, and that any such disclosure without the Company’s written consent shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. Any language in the Confidentiality Agreement regarding Employee’s right to engage in Protected Activity that conflicts with, or is contrary to, this paragraph is superseded by this Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigation a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

29.    Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that he executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of his claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees. Employee acknowledges that:

(a)    he has read this Agreement;






(b)    he has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of his own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel;

(c)    he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and

(d)    he is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

Robert T. McClung, an individual

Dated:    7/19        , 2019                /s/ Robert T. McClung                
Robert T. McClung



TRUECAR, INC.

Dated:    7/19        , 2019                By /s/ Michael Darrow                
Michael Darrow
Interim President & Chief Executive Officer







EXHIBIT A

EMPLOYEE’S OPTIONS AND RSUs AS OF TERMINATION DATE, INCLUDING SEVERANCE
ACCELERATION*

EMPLOYEE’S OPTIONS
Date of Grant
Plan Under Which Option Was Granted
Number of Shares Granted under Option
Number of Shares Vested as of Termination Date
02/07/2014
2005 Stock Plan
45,302

45,302

02/07/2014
2005 Stock Plan
54,698

54,698

02/07/2014
2005 Stock Plan
11,950

11,950

02/07/2014
2005 Stock Plan
11,950

11,950

05/15/2014
2005 Stock Plan
3,888

3,441

05/15/2014
2005 Stock Plan
9,444

8,358

08/11/2016
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
300,000

293,749

06/10/2017
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
56,736

42,552

06/10/2017
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
123,000

73,800

08/16/2017
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
12,500

5,700

05/12/2018
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
116,054

62,862

03/15/2019
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
68,598

21,436

 
 
 
 
 
Total:
 
637,598


EMPLOYEE’S RSUs
Date of Grant
Plan Under Which RSU Was Granted
Number of Shares Granted
Number of Shares Vested as of Termination Date
05/21/2014
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
2,195

1,943

05/28/2015
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
4,167

4,167

10/01/2015
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
91,363

91,363

01/27/2016
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
42,637

42,637

07/01/2016
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
75,000

75,000

06/10/2017
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
34,440

25,830

07/28/2017
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
2,556

2,556

05/12/2018
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
36,364

18,182

11/27/2018
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
5,722

5,722

**03/15/2019
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
14,952

0

03/15/2019
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
32,927

10,289

03/15/2019
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
3,826

3,826

 
 
 
 
 
Total:
 
281,515


* This assumes the Severance Acceleration applies. If the Severance Acceleration does not become effective, the number of shares subject to the Options and RSU Awards that will have vested as of the Termination Date may differ from the numbers shown in this table . Similarly, if options are exercised on or prior to such date, the shares outstanding as of such date may differ from the numbers shown in this table.






**This PSU Award will remain eligible to vest to the extent provided under, and in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Stock Agreements under which it was granted.





Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to
Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a),
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael Darrow, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of TrueCar, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
August 9, 2019
 
 
 
/s/ Michael Darrow
 
Michael Darrow

 
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
 
(Principal Executive Officer)





Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to
Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a),
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Noel B. Watson, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of TrueCar, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and  procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
August 9, 2019
 
 
 
/s/ Noel B. Watson
 
Noel B. Watson

 
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer)





Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATIONS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended  June 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), Michael Darrow, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Noel B. Watson, as Chief Financial Officer, of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350), to his knowledge:
1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
Date:
August 9, 2019
 
By:
/s/ Michael Darrow
 
 
 
 
Michael Darrow

 
 
 
 
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 9, 2019
 
By:
/s/ Noel B. Watson
 
 
 
 
Noel B. Watson

 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer)