UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
☐ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
☐ | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period from_________to__________.
Commission file number: 001-38527
Uxin Limited |
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
N/A |
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English) |
Cayman Islands |
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
21/F, Donghuang Building, No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
Feng
Lin, Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: +86 10 5691-6765 Email: ir@xin.com 21/F, Donghuang Building, No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China |
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person) |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
American depositary shares (one American depositary share representing 300 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share) |
(The Nasdaq Global Select Market) | |||
Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share* |
(The Nasdaq Global Select Market) |
* | Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on The Nasdaq Global Select Market of American depositary shares. |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None |
(Title of Class) |
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None |
(Title of Class) |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Class A ordinary shares (excluding the Class A ordinary shares issued to the depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under the Amended and Restated Plan), and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, as of March 31, 2024.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ☐ No ☒
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ☐ No ☒
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, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Emerging growth company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ☒ | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐ | Other ☐ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
☐ Item 17 | ☐ Item 18 |
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes ☐ No ☐
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i |
INTRODUCTION
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires:
● | we changed our fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31 in April 2020 and filed a transition report on Form 20-F covering the three-month period from January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020, or the Transition Period. Prior to such transition report on Form 20-F, we filed an annual report on Form 20-F covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Unless otherwise noted, all references to years are to the calendar year from January 1 to December 31 and references to our fiscal year or years are to the fiscal year or years which, prior to the Transition Period, ended December 31, and from and after the Transition Period, ended March 31. For the avoidance of doubt, “fiscal year of 2022” refer to the year ended March 31, 2022, “fiscal year of 2023” refer to the year ended March 31, 2023, and “fiscal year of 2024” refer to the year ended March 31, 2024; | |
● | “ADSs” refer to the American depositary shares, each of which represents 300 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 each; | |
● | “former VIEs” refer to the former variable interest entities that have become our wholly owned subsidiaries after the Restructuring, which are Youxin Internet (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., and Youxin Yishouche (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd.; | |
● | “GMV” refer to gross merchandise value of used cars as measured by gross selling price of used cars, excluding service fees and interests (if any) charged; | |
● | “Jiancebao (检测宝)” refer to our proprietary car inspection system; | |
● | “NPS” refer to net percentages of promoters for our products and services (those who are willing to keep buying and refer us to others) against detractors (those who are not satisfied with and complain about our offerings); | |
● | “ordinary shares” refer to our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share; | |
● | “senior convertible preferred shares” refer to our senior convertible preferred shares, which can be convertible into our Class A ordinary shares at the currently applicable conversion price, par value US$0.0001; on March 27, 2024, all of the Company’s then issued and outstanding senior convertible preferred shares were converted into Class A ordinary shares; | |
● | “RMB” and “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency of China, which is our reporting currency; | |
● | “shares” refer to our ordinary shares and, where applicable, our senior convertible preferred shares, par value US$0.0001 per share; | |
● | “US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “$,” and “dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States; | |
● | “Uxin” or “our platform” refer to our platform primarily for buying and selling used cars, which primarily consists of vehicle sales businesses under our inventory-owning model for the fiscal year of 2021 and afterwards; | |
● | “our WFOEs” refer to our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China; | |
● | “Restructuring” refers to a series of restructuring transactions in March 2022 to terminate the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs, which have become our wholly-owned subsidiaries; and | |
● | “we,” “us,” “our company,” the “Company” and “our” refer to Uxin Limited, our Cayman Islands holding company, and its subsidiaries. |
Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB7.2203 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on as of March 28, 2024 set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all.
1 |
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among other things:
● | our goals and strategies; | |
● | our ability to provide customers with high-quality used cars and other related products; | |
● | our ability to provide quality services and compete effectively; | |
● | our ability to effectively manage risks, including credit risks and fraud risks; | |
● | our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; | |
● | expected changes in our revenues, costs, expenses or expenditures; | |
● | the expected growth of, and trends in, the market for our services; | |
● | our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our services; | |
● | competition in our industry; | |
● | relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry; | |
● | public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, MERS, SARS, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, and avian flu; and | |
● | general economic and business conditions in China and globally. |
We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” Those risks are not exhaustive. We operate in an evolving environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. You should read this annual report and the documents that we reference in this annual report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
2 |
PART I
Item 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers |
Not applicable.
Item 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable |
Not applicable.
Item 3. | Key Information |
Our Holding Company Structure and Historical Contractual Arrangements with the Former VIEs
Uxin Limited is not a Chinese operating company but a Cayman Islands holding company with operations primarily conducted by its PRC subsidiaries and, historically, through contractual arrangements with the former VIEs in China. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunication services. In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, in the past we primarily operated these businesses in China through Youxin Internet (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. or Youxin Hulian, and Youxin Yishouche (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Yishouche, which we refer to as the former VIEs in this annual report. There were historical contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, the former VIEs and their shareholders, which were effectively terminated on March 31, 2022. As a result of the contractual arrangements, we were able to direct the activities of and derive economic benefits from the former VIEs and were considered the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs for accounting purposes in accordance with Accounting Standards Condition topic 810 under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB ASC 810”). Accordingly, we have consolidated the financial results of the former VIEs in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Neither Uxin Limited nor its investors has had an equity ownership in, direct foreign investment in, or control, other than as defined under U.S. GAAP, through contractual arrangements with, the former VIEs. The contractual arrangements were not equivalent to an equity ownership in the business of the former VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. As used in this annual report, “we,” “us,” “our company,” or “our” refers to Uxin Limited and its subsidiaries. Investors in our ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in our subsidiaries or the former VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, Uxin Limited.
3 |
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal subsidiaries as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F:
Historically, we, through Yougu and Youxinpai, were subject to a series of contractual arrangements with former VIEs and the shareholders of the former VIEs until March 31, 2022.
These historical contractual agreements included equity interest pledge agreements, powers of attorney, exclusive business cooperation agreements, exclusive option agreements. We had evaluated the guidance in FASB ASC 810 and concluded that we were the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs because of these historical contractual arrangements. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the financial statements of the former VIEs were consolidated as part of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 in this annual report. However, we consider revenues contributed by the former VIEs to be immaterial to our financial performance during the historical periods. Revenues contributed by the former VIEs accounted for 0.1% of our total revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. We recorded net loss contributed by the former VIEs of 2.9% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. Our business is primarily conducted through our subsidiaries.
In order to streamline our corporate structure and considering the changing regulatory environment, we have completed the Restructuring to terminate the contractual arrangements with both of the former VIEs which have become wholly owned subsidiaries of our Company. Pursuant to the Restructuring, our wholly owned subsidiaries that have contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and their respective shareholders have purchased all equity interests held by such shareholders in the former VIEs. Accordingly, all contractual arrangements that enabled such shareholders to direct the activities of and derive economic benefits from the former VIEs, were effectively terminated. As a result of the Restructuring, the former VIEs have become our wholly owned subsidiaries and we currently operate our business in China directly through our subsidiaries, rather than through any variable interest entity. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Historical Contractual Agreements with the Former VIEs and Their Respective Shareholders and the Related Termination Agreements.” However, prior to the Restructuring, our historical contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the former VIEs and the termination of these agreements may incur additional costs. There were and may also be substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to our historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and their shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to VIE structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of the former VIEs is found to be or had been in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail or had failed to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless.”
4 |
Our corporate structure has been subject to unique risks associated with our holding company structure, including the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs. If the PRC government deems that our historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs did not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow our holding company structure which could lead to a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of our ADSs, and could cause the value of our ADSs to significantly decline or become worthless. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, and investors of our Company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and, consequently, may affect the historical financial performance of the former VIEs and our Company as a whole. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless.”
We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has, in recent years, issued statements and regulatory actions relating to areas such as approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. For example, On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, and relevant five supporting guidelines, together as the New Overseas Listing Rules, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the New Overseas Listing Rules, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to complete the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. In addition, an overseas-listed company must also submit the filing with respect to its follow-on offerings, issuance of convertible corporate bonds and exchangeable bonds, and other equivalent offering activities, within the time frame specified by the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in China regarding any necessary approvals, filings or reports from the CSRC, and we will take any and all actions necessary to complete the filing with the CSRC if required. Please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC governmental authorities may be required in connection with an offering under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon we will be able to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval for any future offshore securities offering, or a rescission of obtained approval, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC government authorities.” In addition, if future regulatory updates mandate clearance of cybersecurity review or other specific actions to be completed by China-based companies listed on foreign stock exchanges, such as us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. Please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our business generates and processes a large amount of data, and we are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity. The improper use or disclosure of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects.” Furthermore, the PRC anti-monopoly and competition laws and regulations are evolving, and there remains uncertainties as to how the anti-monopoly laws, regulations and guidelines will impact our business and results of operations. Please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our business generates and processes a large amount of data, and we are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC rules on mergers and acquisitions may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.” PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in certain value-added telecommunication services, such as internet content provision services and online data processing and transaction processing businesses (operating e-commerce business). In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, in the past we primarily operated these businesses in China through the former VIEs. We currently operate such businesses through our PRC subsidiaries, Yougu and Youhan, established in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, which are not subject to restrictions on foreign investors maximum shareholding percentage, according to the Notice of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Removing the Restrictions on Foreign-owned Shareholding Percentage in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (operating commerce) Business in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless.” These statements and regulatory actions may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list on a United States or other foreign exchange. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”
5 |
PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations, including data security or anti-monopoly related regulations, in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be of little or no value. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.”
Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.”
As of the date of this annual report, laws and regulations in Hong Kong, including regulatory actions related to data security or anti-monopoly concerns in Hong Kong, do not have a material impact on our ability to conduct business, accept foreign investment, or continue to list on a United States stock exchange.
Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities
We conduct our business in China primarily through our subsidiaries and historically, through former VIEs in China with which we had maintained contractual arrangements. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. In the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel as to certain PRC legal matters, our PRC subsidiaries have obtained all requisite permissions and approvals from the PRC government authorities that are required for the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries, namely (i) the Electronic Data Interchange license, or the EDI license, (ii) Registrations for Used Car Dealers, and (iii) Registrations for Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs, with the details of all these licenses and permissions held by our PRC subsidiaries set forth below:
License/Permission | Holding Entity | Issuing Authority | ||
Electronic Data Interchange license (EDI license) | Youxin (Shaanxi) Information Technology Group Co., Ltd. | Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Hefei Youquan Information Technology Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Hefei Youxi Used Car Market Management Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Youxin (Ningbo) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Youxin (Hefei) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Hefei Youxin Automobile Maintenance Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Youche (Hainan) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Hainan Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Youtang (Shaanxi) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Shaanxi Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Xi’an Yousheng Automobile Sales Service Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Shaanxi Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Used Car Dealers | Youxin (Shaanxi) Information Technology Group Co., Ltd. | The Administrative Department of Commerce of Shaanxi Province of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair | Xi’an Youcheng Vehicle Maintenance Co., Ltd. | Bureau of City Manage and Road Transport of Fengdongxincheng of the People’s Republic of China | ||
Registrations for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair | Hefei Youzhi Automobile Maintenance Co., Ltd. | Bureau of Road Transport of Hefei of the People’s Republic of China |
Except for the permissions or approvals listed above that we have obtained, we, our PRC subsidiaries and the former VIEs, have not been required to apply for or obtain any other permission or approval from any PRC government authority with respect to the operation of our business, nor have we been denied for or dismissed by any government authority of any application of permissions or approvals that are necessary to the operations of our business. Given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and regulations and the enforcement practice by relevant government authorities, we may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future. If we and our PRC subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain any necessary permissions or approvals from PRC authorities to operate business or offer securities, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or (iii) if applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the necessary permissions or approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such circumstance could subject us to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of the required licenses, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Failure to obtain certain filings, approvals, licenses, permits and certificates required for our business operations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”
6 |
The PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, and relevant five supporting guidelines, together as the New Overseas Listing Rules, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the New Overseas Listing Rules, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to complete the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. In addition, an overseas-listed company must also submit the filing with respect to its follow-on offerings, issuance of convertible corporate bonds and exchangeable bonds, and other equivalent offering activities, within the time frame specified by the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The New Overseas Listing Rules laid out the regulatory filing requirements for both direct and indirect overseas listings and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas markets. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC governmental authorities may be required in connection with an offering under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon we will be able to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval for any future offshore securities offering, or a rescission of obtained approval, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC government authorities.” In the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel as to certain PRC legal matters, pursuant to the New Overseas Listing Rules which became effective on March 31, 2023: (i) in connection with our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors, neither we nor our PRC subsidiaries or the former VIEs are required to obtain any prior permissions or approvals from the CSRC, and (ii) should we decide to issue additional equity or equity-linked securities for listing overseas in the future, we are not required to obtain any permissions or approvals from any PRC government authorities, except for the requisite filing with the CSRC in connection with such issuance. In the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel as to certain PRC legal matters, if we issue long-term debt securities in the future, we are not required to obtain any permissions or approvals from the PRC government authorities, except that such issuance is subject to the quota requirement of the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC. In addition, on March 26, 2024, we and Xin Gao Group Limited (“Xin Gao”) entered into a share subscription agreement, pursuant to which we issued 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao for a total consideration of US$7.0 million. As of the date of this annual report, we have submitted the necessary filings to the CSRC for the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao. For more information about the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.”
Additionally, in the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel as to certain PRC legal matters, we are not required to file any application for the cybersecurity review by CAC for our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors on the grounds that: (i) the relevant regulations do not require network platform operators holding personal information of over one million users to file a supplementary application of cybersecurity review for their historical issuance of securities to foreign investors that occurred before such regulations became effective; and (ii) our securities have already been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market before such regulations became effective. Thus, Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm does not expect that, as of the date of this annual report, we are required to file an application for the cybersecurity review by CAC for our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors. Furthermore, in the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, neither we nor our subsidiaries or the former VIEs are required to obtain prior permissions or approvals from the PRC government authorities. Lastly, as of the date of this annual report, neither we nor our PRC subsidiaries or the former VIEs have received or were denied any permissions or approvals by the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC government authorities relating to our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which was enacted on December 18, 2020 and further amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 signed into law on December 29, 2022, or the HFCAA, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, for two consecutive years, the SEC shall prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. Trading in our securities on U.S. markets, including Nasdaq Global Select Market, will be prohibited under the HFCAA if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor for two consecutive years. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued the HFCAA Determination Report to notify the SEC of its determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong (the “2021 Determinations”), including our auditor. On August 29, 2022, the SEC conclusively listed Uxin Limited as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it was able to conduct inspections and investigations completely of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2022. Accordingly, the PCAOB vacated its previous 2021 Determinations. As a result, we were not at risk of having our securities subject to a trading prohibition under the HFCAA unless a new determination is made by the PCAOB. However, whether the PCAOB will continue to conduct inspections and investigations completely to its satisfaction of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainty and depends on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s, control, including positions taken by authorities of the PRC. The PCAOB is expected to continue to demand complete access to inspections and investigations regarding registered accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in the future and states that it has already made plans to resume regular inspections going forward. The PCAOB is required under the HFCAA to make its determination on an annual basis with regards to its ability to inspect and investigate completely registered accounting firms based in the mainland China and Hong Kong. The possibility of being a Commission-Identified Issuer and risk of delisting could continue to adversely affect the trading price of our securities. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to completely inspect and investigate registered accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use such accounting firm to conduct audit work, we would be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA following the filing of the annual report for the relevant fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, trading in our securities on U.S. markets would be prohibited. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PCAOB, in prior years, was unable to completely inspect and investigate registered independent accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, which includes our auditor. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections over our auditor has deprived our investors of the benefits of such inspections in prior years and may continue to deprive investors of such benefits in the future should the PCAOB not continue to have the ability to completely inspect and investigate registered accounting firms in China” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our ADSs will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China for two consecutive years. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.”
7 |
Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization
Uxin Limited is a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and, historically, through contractual arrangements with the former VIEs in China. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains. In addition, upon payments of dividends to our shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.
Under PRC law, Uxin Limited may provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans, and to the former VIEs only through loans, subject to the satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. Loans by Uxin Limited to our PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE and capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to approval by the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts. For more details, please refer to “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—PRC regulations on loans and direct investments by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC entities.” For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Uxin Limited and its subsidiaries incorporated in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong did not make any capital contribution or loans to our PRC subsidiaries or the former VIEs, except that Xin HK Limited made capital contributions of RMB127.3 million, RMB116.4 million and RMB131.9 million (US$18.3 million), respectively, to Youxin (Hefei) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd., or Uxin Hefei, in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and capital contributions of RMB34.5 million and RMB65.7 million (US$9.1million), respectively, to Youtang (Shaanxi) Information Technology Co., Ltd. in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024. UcarShow HK Limited made capital contributions of RMB3.5 million (US$0.5 million) to Youfang (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations on loans and direct investments by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC entities” for details.
Our PRC subsidiaries received RMB50.2 million from the former VIEs for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which include cash advances made by the former VIEs to our PRC subsidiaries for the purchase of cars and/or services from third parties for daily operations. The former VIEs received RMB66.8 million from our PRC subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which include the repayment of aforementioned cash advances for daily operations. See “Item 4.A. History and Development of the Company—Divestitures of Our Loan Facilitation, Salvage Car and 2B Businesses.” We believe the amount of the cash flows between the former VIEs and our PRC subsidiaries were immaterial to our company for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. For risks relating to our corporate structure, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Summary of Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless.”
There were no other transfer of assets, dividends or distributions made between Uxin Limited, the former VIEs and our PRC subsidiaries and no transfer of cash or other assets, dividends or distributions made to U.S. investors for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.”
8 |
Furthermore, cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to entities outside of mainland China are subject to PRC government controls on currency conversion. As a result, cash in mainland China may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of us, our subsidiaries and the former VIEs to transfer cash or assets. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may temporarily delay the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. There is no assurance the PRC government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on us, our subsidiaries and the former VIEs to transfer cash or assets. In view of the foregoing, to the extent cash in our business is held in mainland China or by a mainland China entity, such cash may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of mainland China. As of the date of this annual report, we are not aware of equivalent or similar restrictions or limitations in Hong Kong on cash transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities. However, if certain restrictions or limitations were to become applicable to cash transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities in the future, the funds in our Hong Kong entities may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong. For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Summary of Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to entities outside of mainland China are subject to PRC government controls on currency conversion. As a result, cash in mainland China may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of mainland China due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of us, our PRC subsidiaries and the former VIEs to transfer cash or assets. There is no assurance the PRC government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on us and our subsidiaries to transfer cash or assets. Although currently we are not aware of equivalent or similar restrictions or limitations in Hong Kong on cash transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities, if certain restrictions or limitations in mainland China were to become applicable to cash transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities in the future, the funds in our Hong Kong entities, likewise, may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment” for details.
Our Mainland China and Hong Kong subsidiaries and the former VIEs have incurred cumulative losses since inception. We have no current intention to pay dividends to shareholders. Additionally, we have no intention to distribute earnings and our PRC subsidiaries have settled amounts with the former VIEs under the historical VIE agreements.
Our company has established a centralized cash management policy to direct how funds are transferred between Uxin Limited and our subsidiaries to improve the efficiency and ensure the security of cash management. Such cash management policies are our management policy and adhere to the applicable laws and regulations. Our company’s cash management program is centralized within our funds and payment center. Funds are deployed to each operating entity based on the budget and operating conditions of each operating entity. The funds and payment center is responsible for the centralized management of cash inflows and outflows of our operating entities. Each cash requirement, after raised by an operating entity, is required to go through a review process by our funds and payment center. We will allocate the cash to the operating entity after the application for cash requirement is approved by the funds and payment center.
For purposes of illustration, the following discussion reflects the hypothetical taxes that might be required to be paid in Mainland China and Hong Kong, assuming that: (i) we have taxable earnings, and (ii) we determine to pay a dividend in the future:
Tax calculation(1) | ||||
Hypothetical pre-tax earnings(2) | 100.0 | % | ||
Tax on earnings at statutory rate of 25%(3) | (25.0 | )% | ||
Net earnings available for distribution | 75.0 | % | ||
Withholding tax at standard rate of 10%(4) | (7.5 | )% | ||
Net distribution to Parent/Shareholders | 67.5 | % |
Notes:
(1) | For purposes of this example, the tax calculation has been simplified. | |
(2) | The hypothetical pre-tax earnings are assumed to equal taxable income in China, without considering timing differences. | |
(3) | One of our subsidiaries in Mainland China qualifies for a 15% preferential income tax rate from 2020 to 2025. However, such rate is subject to qualification, is temporary in nature, and may not be available in a future period when distributions are paid. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above reflects a maximum tax scenario under which the full statutory rate would be effective. | |
(4) | The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside of China. A lower withholding income tax rate of 5% is applied if the foreign-invested enterprise’s immediate holding company is registered in Hong Kong or other jurisdictions that have a tax treaty arrangement with China, subject to a qualification review at the time of the distribution. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above assumes a maximum tax scenario under which the full withholding tax would be applied. |
9 |
If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our WFOEs are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries and the former VIEs in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, our subsidiaries and the former VIEs may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to discretionary surplus funds at their discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Some of our PRC subsidiaries will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds. For restrictions and limitations on our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses, including subsidiaries and the former VIEs, to our Company and investors as well as the ability to settle amounts owed under historical VIE agreements, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations on loans and direct investments by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC entities.”
A. | [Reserved] |
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
C. | Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
D. | Risk Factors |
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this annual report before making an investment in the ADSs. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | If we fail to provide a differentiated and superior customer experience, the size of our customer base and the number of transactions on our platform could decline, and our business would be materially and adversely affected; | |
● | Failure to maintain or enhance customer trust in us could damage our reputation, reduce or slowdown the growth of our customer base, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations; | |
● | We face intense competition, which may lead to loss of market share, reduced service fees and revenue, increased expenses, departures of qualified employees, and disputes with competitors; | |
● | We are not profitable and have negative cash flows from operations, which may continue in the future; |
10 |
● | Failure to acquire attractive inventory, whether due to supply, competition, or other factors, may have a material adverse effect on our business, sales, and results of operations; | |
● | Failure to expeditiously sell our inventory could have a material adverse effect on our business, sales, and results of operations; | |
● | If we are unable to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected; | |
● | We rely, in part, on our marketing efforts for customer acquisition and achieving higher level of brand recognition. If we fail to conduct our marketing activities effectively and efficiently, our business could be harmed; | |
● | Our business generates and processes a large amount of data, and we are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity. The improper use or disclosure of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects; and | |
● | We work with third-party service providers and business partners. Actions of third parties are outside of our control and could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. |
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
Risks and uncertainties related to our corporate structure include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless. |
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations; | |
● | The approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC governmental authorities may be required in connection with an offering under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon we will be able to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval for any future offshore securities offering, or a rescission of obtained approval, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC government authorities. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry or notice or any objection in connection with our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors from the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC governmental authorities that have jurisdiction over our operations. However, given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, there remains uncertainty regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, which can change quickly and subject to any future actions within the discretion of PRC authorities; | |
● | The PRC government has significant oversight over our business operations in China, and may intervene in or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our securities. Any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs” for details; |
11 |
● | We face risks arising from the uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system. Certain rules and regulations can change quickly, and there may be risks and uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations. These risks and uncertainties may make it difficult for us to meet or comply with requirements under the applicable laws and regulations. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us” for details; | |
● | Our business is susceptible to changes in government policies, including policies on automobile purchases, ownership, taxation, vehicle title transfers, and used car transactions across regions and provinces. Failure to adequately respond to such changes could adversely affect our business; | |
● | You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions against us or our directors and management named in the annual report based on foreign laws; | |
● | Cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to entities outside of mainland China are subject to PRC government controls on currency conversion. As a result, cash in mainland China may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of mainland China due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of us, our PRC subsidiaries and the former VIEs to transfer cash or assets. There is no assurance the PRC government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on us and our subsidiaries to transfer cash or assets. Although currently we are not aware of equivalent or similar restrictions or limitations in Hong Kong on cash transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities, if certain restrictions or limitations in mainland China were to become applicable to cash transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities in the future, the funds in our Hong Kong entities, likewise, may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong. See “Item 3. Key Information—Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment” for details; | |
● | The PCAOB, in prior years, was unable to completely inspect and investigate registered independent accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, which includes our auditor. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections over our auditor has deprived our investors of the benefits of such inspections in prior years and may continue to deprive investors of such benefits in the future should the PCAOB not continue to have the ability to completely inspect and investigate registered accounting firms in China; and | |
● | Our ADSs will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China for two consecutive years. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. |
Risks Related to Our ADSs
Risks and uncertainties related to our ADSs include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors; | |
● | Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial; | |
● | The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs; | |
● | If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline; and | |
● | The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price. |
12 |
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
If we fail to provide a differentiated and superior customer experience, the size of our customer base and the number of transactions on our platform could decline, and our business would be materially and adversely affected.
Providing a differentiated and superior online used car transaction experience for our customers, including both consumers and businesses, is critical to our business. Our ability to provide a high-quality customer experience depends on a number of factors, including:
● | our ability to provide customers with high-quality used cars and other related products; | |
● | our ability to improve our existing service offerings and upgrade our platform; | |
● | our ability to meet the diverse needs of our customers with ongoing innovation and new service offerings; | |
● | our ability to maintain and improve operating efficiency, customer experience of online transactions and service quality of our offline networks and personnel; | |
● | our ability to leverage technology and data to improve our services; | |
● | our ability to adequately train and manage our employees; and | |
● | our ability to effectively ensure the quality of services provided by our third-party service providers on our platform. |
We cannot guarantee that we can provide a differentiated and superior experience to our customers as our business continues to evolve. Our failure to do so would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to maintain or enhance customer trust in us could damage our reputation, reduce or slowdown the growth of our customer base, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our reputation as a trusted leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in China is critical to our success. If we fail to maintain a high level of customer trust in our goods and services, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We work with third-party service providers to serve customers and fulfill the transactions made on our platform, such as car delivery, title transfer and warranty services, which are the key to earn customer trust. If we fail to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction or fail to properly manage these services, our business, financial condition and results of the operations would be adversely affected. We provide trainings to our third-party service providers and require them to act in line with our operating and customer servicing standards. However, if these third-party service providers fail to maintain a high level of performance consistent with our requirements, the level of customer satisfaction and trust we enjoy may be harmed, and our business, financial condition and results of the operations may be adversely affected.
We have received in the past, and we may continue to receive in the future, communications or complaints alleging that cars listed on our platform or sold by us are defective or inconsistent with the information provided on our platform, or the services provided by our third-party service providers are unsatisfactory to our customers. The information we include in our car listings is collected and maintained by us, which may not be accurate or complete due to human error, technological issues or misconduct.
13 |
We face intense competition, which may lead to loss of market share, reduced service fees and revenue, increased expenses, departures of qualified employees, and disputes with competitors.
We face intense competition in the used car industry both online and offline. Our competitors may have significantly more resources than we do, including financial, technological, marketing and others and may be able to devote greater resources to the development and promotion of their platforms and services. As a result, they may have deeper relationships with auto financing partners and other third-party service providers than we do. This could allow them to develop new services, adapt more quickly to changes in technology and to undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, which may render our platform less attractive to customers and businesses and cause us to lose market share. Moreover, intense competition in the markets we operate in may reduce our gross profit margin for vehicle sales, lower our service fees, increase our operating expenses and capital expenditures, and lead to departures of our qualified employees. We may also be harmed by negative publicity instigated by our competitors, regardless of its validity. We encountered and may in the future continue to encounter various disputes with our competitors, including lawsuits involving claims asserted under intellectual property laws, unfair competition laws and defamation which may adversely affect our business and reputation. Failure to compete with current and potential competitors could materially harm our business, financial condition and our results of operations.
There is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
The following factors raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern:
● | We have incurred net losses since inception, and as of March 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit in the amount of approximately RMB19,378.7 million (US$2,683.9 million); | |
● | Our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by approximately RMB658.8 million (US$91.2 million) as of March 31, 2024; | |
● | Our cash balance as of March 31,2024 was approximately RMB23.3 million (US$3.2 million); and | |
● | Our net cash used in operating activities was RMB262.4 million (US$36.3 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. |
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on our management’s ability to increase sales, achieve higher gross profit margin and control operating costs and expenses to reduce operating cash outflows, as well as our financing arrangements, including but not limited to the renewal of existing borrowings and obtaining new debt and equity financings, which in turn, subjects us to various risks, including, among others, risks relating to our ability to maintain and improve our liquidity and financial position.
The audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F were prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern. Facts and circumstances including continuous losses, accumulated losses from operations, net cash used in operating activities and negative working capital raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Likewise, the report of our independent registered public accounting firm includes a going concern paragraph that there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. The audited financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and the value we receive for our assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in our audited consolidated financial statements. Our lack of cash resources and our potential inability to continue as a going concern may materially and adversely affect the price of our ADSs and our ability to continue our operations.
We are not profitable and have negative cash flows from operations, which may continue in the future.
We have not been profitable since our inception in 2011. We incurred net losses of RMB143.2 million, RMB137.2 million and RMB369.5 million (US$51.2 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. In addition, we had negative cash flow from operating activities of RMB845.0 million, RMB251.1 million and RMB262.4 million (US$36.3 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
We have taken several steps to improve our liquidity and cash position. For more information, see “B. Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash flows and working capital.” However, However, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these measures. Additionally, we may need to continue to invest heavily in various aspects of our operations, such as labor, infrastructure, sales and marketing, to facilitate the expansion of the offline regional markets in the future. These investments may not lead to revenue increase or generate positive cash flow, potentially straining our financial resources.
14 |
We may incur additional losses and negative cash flow in the future for a number of reasons, including decreasing demand or slower than expected increase in demand for used cars and our services, increasing competition, weakness in the automotive retail industry in general, as well as other risks discussed herein, and we may incur unforeseen expenses, or encounter difficulties, complications and delays in generating revenue or achieving profitability. If our revenues decrease, we may not be able to reduce our costs and expenses proportionally in a timely manner because many of our costs and expenses are fixed. In addition, if we reduce our costs and expenses, we may limit our ability to acquire customers and grow our revenues. Accordingly, we may not be able to achieve profitability and we may continue to incur additional losses in the future.
If we are unable to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our business and prospects depend in part on our ability to effectively manage our growth or implement our growth strategies. As part of our business strategies, we intend to increase our penetration in existing markets and expand into new geographic markets. Our experience in the markets in which we currently operate may not be applicable to other parts of China. We may not be able to leverage our experience to expand into new geographic markets in China. As a result, our expansion and monetization strategies, including sales and marketing efforts designed to attract more consumers and businesses, may not be successful. Furthermore, expanding into new geographical markets will require us to hire additional employees to cover these markets. We will incur additional compensation and benefit costs, office rental expenses and other costs, as well as experience additional strain on our managerial resources. If we are unable to successfully expand and generate sufficient revenues to cover our increased costs and expenses, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Moreover, our business upgrade and expansion may lead to new challenges and risks. As a result, we need to continuously expand and enhance our infrastructure and technology, and improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and internal controls. We also need to train, manage and motivate our employees. In addition, we need to maintain and expand our relationships with our customers, third-party service providers and other third parties. We cannot assure you that our personnel, infrastructure, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our operations. Effectively managing our growth is dependent on a number of other factors, including our ability to:
● | providing high-quality and value-for-money used vehicles; | |
● | continue to improve our existing full-range car purchasing service and customer’s satisfaction; | |
● | launch new services and develop cross-selling opportunities; | |
● | stabilize our costs and expenses and enhance our efficiency; | |
● | achieve success with our used car superstores in Xi’an and Hefei, respectively, or Xi’an Superstore and Hefei Superstore; | |
● | recruit and retain skilled and experienced employees; | |
● | strengthen relationships with our business partners; | |
● | enhance our risk management and internal control; | |
● | upgrade our technology and continue to innovate; and | |
● | maintain and enhance the network effects of our platform. |
If we fail to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Failure to acquire attractive inventory, whether due to supply, competition, or other factors, may have a material adverse effect on our business, sales, and results of operations.
Since September 2020, we have shifted to an inventory-owning model where we build-up and sell our own inventory of used cars. By switching to and adopting the inventory-owning model, our vehicle supply channels are expanded to include consumers who intend to sell their existing cars, 4S shops, corporate clients and auction platforms. The transformation of our business model has enabled us to obtain better control over order flow and supply chain management, which further strengthens our ability to maximize customer value through our dedicated approach: offering high-quality and value-for-money used cars alongside best-in-class purchasing services. However, there can be no assurance that the supply of high-quality and value-for-money used vehicles will be sufficient to meet our needs. A reduction in the availability of or access to sources of desirable inventory could have a material adverse effect on our business, sales and results of operations.
15 |
Additionally, we evaluate and predict mechanical soundness, consumer desirability and relative value as prospective inventory. If we fail to properly assess vehicle condition before we purchase them, it could adversely affect our ability to acquire desirable inventory. Our ability to source vehicles could also be affected by fierce competition in our industry, both from e-commerce platform for used-car trading directly and through other used vehicle dealers directly. In addition, we remain dependent on others to sell us used vehicles, and there can be no assurance of an adequate supply of such vehicles on terms that are attractive to us.
Failure to expeditiously sell our inventory could have a material adverse effect on our business, sales, and results of operations.
Our purchases of used vehicles for building our own inventory are largely based on projected demand, which was primarily determined based on the then existing market condition. If our projections turn out to be inaccurate or actual sales are materially less than our forecasts, we may experience an over-supply of used vehicle inventory, which will generally cause downward pressure on our sales prices and margins and increase our average days to sale. If we have excess inventory or our average days to sale increases, we may be unable to liquidate such inventory at prices that allow us to meet margin targets or to recover our costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We work with third-party service providers and business partners. Actions of third parties are outside of our control and could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
We work with third-party service providers to serve customers and fulfill the transactions made on our platform, such as auto financing, car delivery, title transfers, and other after-sales services. We carefully select our third-party service providers and business partners, but we are not able to control their actions. If these third parties fail to perform as we expect, experience difficulty meeting our requirements or standards, fail to conduct their business ethically, fail to provide satisfactory services to our customers, receive negative press coverage, violate applicable laws or regulations, breach the agreements with us, or if the agreements we have entered into with the third parties are terminated or not renewed, our business and reputation could be damaged. In addition, if such third-party service providers cease operations, temporarily or permanently, face financial distress or other business disruptions, increase their fees, or if our relationships with them deteriorate, we could suffer from increased costs, be involved in legal or administrative proceedings with or against our third-party service providers and experience delays in providing customers with similar services until we find or develop a suitable alternative. In addition, if we are not successful in identifying high-quality partners, or establishing cost-effective relationships with them, or effectively managing these relationships, our business and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
We rely, in part, on our marketing efforts for customer acquisition and achieving higher level of brand recognition. If we fail to conduct our marketing activities effectively and efficiently, our business could be harmed.
We may continue to invest substantial financial and other resources in marketing initiatives to grow our customer base. We currently carry out our marketing activities mainly by acquiring traffic through new media platforms with the goal of attracting more visitors to our platform. We face intense competition from our competitors who may have greater marketing resources than we do. If we fail to conduct our marketing activities effectively and efficiently, or if our traffic acquisition efforts and marketing campaigns are not successful, our growth, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Our business generates and processes a large amount of data, and we are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity. The improper use or disclosure of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects.
Our business generates and processes a large quantity of data. We face risks inherent in handling and protecting large volume of data. In particular, we face a number of challenges relating to data from transactions and other activities on our platforms, including:
● | protecting the data in and hosted on our system, including against attacks on our system by outside parties or fraudulent behavior or improper use by our employees; |
16 |
● | addressing concerns related to privacy and sharing, safety, security and other factors; and | |
● | complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the collection, use, storage, transfer, disclosure and security of personal information, including any requests from regulatory and government authorities relating to these data. |
In general, we expect that data security and data protection compliance will receive greater attention and focus from regulators, both domestically and globally, as well as attract continued or greater public scrutiny and attention going forward, which could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. If we are unable to manage these risks, we could become subject to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
The PRC regulatory and enforcement regime with regard to data security and data protection is evolving and may be subject to different interpretations or significant changes. Moreover, different PRC regulatory bodies, including the Standing Committee of the NPC, the MIIT, the CAC, the Ministry of Public Security and the SAMR, have enforced data privacy and protections laws and regulations with varying standards and applications. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Information Security and Privacy Protection.” The following are examples of certain recent PRC regulatory activities in this area:
Data Security
● | In June 2021, the Standing Committee of the NPC promulgated the Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The Data Security Law, among other things, provides for security review procedure for data-related activities that may affect national security. In July 2021, the state council promulgated the Regulations on Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which became effective on September 1, 2021. Pursuant to this regulation, critical information infrastructure means key network facilities or information systems of critical industries or sectors, such as public communication and information service, energy, transportation, water conservation, finance, public services, e-government affairs and national defense science, the damage, malfunction or data leakage of which may endanger national security, people’s livelihoods and the public interest. In December 2021, the CAC, together with other authorities, jointly promulgated the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022 and replaces its predecessor regulation. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, critical information infrastructure operators that procure internet products and services must be subject to the cybersecurity review if their activities affect or may affect national security. The Cybersecurity Review Measures further stipulates that critical information infrastructure operators or network platform operators that hold personal information of over one million users shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before any public offering at a foreign stock exchange. The competent regulatory authorities for each of the critical industries and sectors shall be responsible for formulating eligibility criteria and determining the identity of critical information infrastructure operator in such industry or sector. As of the date of this annual report, no detailed rules or implementation rules have been issued by any authority and we have not been informed that we are a critical information infrastructure operator by any government authorities. Furthermore, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operators” under the current regulatory regime remains unclear, and the PRC government authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of the applicable laws. Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed to be a critical information infrastructure operator under PRC law. If we are deemed to be a critical information infrastructure operator under the PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations, we may be subject to obligations in addition to what we have fulfilled under the PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations. |
17 |
● | In November 2021, the CAC released the Regulations on the Network Data Security (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Regulations. The Draft Regulations provide that data processors refer to individuals or organizations that, during their data processing activities such as data collection, storage, utilization, transmission, publication and deletion, have autonomy over the purpose and the manner of data processing. In accordance with the Draft Regulations, data processors shall apply for a cybersecurity review for certain activities, including, among other things, (i) the listing abroad of data processors that process the personal information of more than one million users and (ii) any data processing activity that affects or may affect national security. However, there have been no clarifications from the relevant authorities as of the date of this annual report as to the standards for determining whether an activity is one that “affects or may affect national security.” In addition, the Draft Regulations requires that data processors that process “important data” or are listed overseas must conduct an annual data security assessment by itself or commission a data security service provider to do so, and submit the assessment report of the preceding year to the municipal cybersecurity department by the end of January each year. If we are not able to comply with the cybersecurity and network data security requirements in a timely manner, or at all, we may be subject to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app from the relevant application stores, among other sanctions, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Regulations was released for public comment only, and their respective provisions and anticipated adoption or effective date may be subject to change with substantial uncertainty. The Draft Regulation remains unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that have been listed in the United States, including our company. |
Personal Information and Privacy
● | The Anti-monopoly Guidelines for the Platform Economy Sector published by the Anti-monopoly Committee of the State Council, effective on February 7, 2021, prohibits collection of user information through coercive means by online platforms operators. | |
● | In August 2021, the Standing Committee of the NPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection and took effect on November 1, 2021. We update our privacy policies from time to time to meet the latest regulatory requirements of PRC government authorities and adopt technical measures to protect data and ensure cybersecurity in a systematic way. Nonetheless, the Personal Information Protection Law elevates the protection requirements for personal information processing, and many specific requirements of this law remain to be clarified by the CAC, other regulatory authorities, and courts in practice. We may be required to make further adjustments to our business practices to comply with the personal information protection laws and regulations. |
Many of the data-related legislations are relatively new and certain concepts thereunder remain subject to interpretation by the regulators. If any data that we possess belongs to data categories that are subject to heightened scrutiny, we may be required to adopt stricter measures for protection and management of such data. The Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Draft Regulations remain unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that are already listed in the United States, such as us. We cannot predict the impact of the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Draft Regulations, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any development in the rule-making process. If the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the enacted version of the Draft Regulations mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be taken by issuers like us, we face uncertainties as to whether these additional procedures can be completed by us timely, or at all, which may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app from the relevant application stores, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any formal investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis.
In general, compliance with the existing PRC laws and regulations, as well as additional laws and regulations that PRC regulatory bodies may enact in the future, related to data security and personal information protection, may be costly and result in additional expenses to us, and subject us to negative publicity, which could harm our reputation and business operations. There are also uncertainties with respect to how such laws and regulations will be implemented and interpreted in practice.
In addition, regulatory authorities around the world have adopted or are considering a number of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection. These legislative and regulatory proposals, if adopted, and the uncertain interpretations and application thereof could, in addition to the possibility of fines, result in an order requiring that we change our data practices and policies, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation, or the GDPR, which came into effect on May 25, 2018, includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the European Economic Area. The GDPR establishes new requirements applicable to the processing of personal data, affords new data protection rights to individuals and imposes penalties for serious data breaches. Individuals also have a right to compensation under the GDPR for financial or non-financial losses. Although we do not conduct any business in the European Economic Area, in the event that residents of the European Economic Area access our website or our mobile platform and input protected information, we may become subject to provisions of the GDPR.
18 |
Negative media coverage related to our business, regardless of its validity, could adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
Negative news or media coverage of our business, our employees, our third-party service providers and business partners, our directors and management or our shareholders, including, without limitation, alleged failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, alleged fraudulent car listings, alleged misrepresentation by our sales consultants or third-party service providers, breach of data security, failure to protect user privacy, inappropriate business practices, disclosure of inaccurate operating data, negative information on blogs and social media websites, regardless of their validity, could damage our reputation. If we fail to correct or mitigate misinformation or negative information about us, including information spread through social media or traditional media channels, customer trust in us may be undermined, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our limited operating history in certain of our services and the rapid evolution of our business model make it difficult for investors to evaluate our business and prospects.
Our limited operating history in certain of our services and the rapid evolution of our business model mean that our historical growth is not necessarily indicative of our future performance. We cannot assure you that our new product and service offerings will achieve the expected results or we will be able to achieve similar results or grow at the same rate as we did in the past. As our business and China’s used car industry continue to develop, we may adjust our product and service offerings or modify our business model. For example, we have shifted to an inventory-owning model since September 2020, when we build-up and sell our own inventory. In addition, our first used car superstore in Xi’an has been in operation in March 2021 and our second used car superstore in Hefei has been in operation since November 2021. In December 2022, we had completed the relocation and upgrade of our Xi’an Superstore. The upgraded Xi’an Superstore reopened for business as the largest fully self-owned used car marketplace in Northwest China with a showroom capacity of up to 3,000 vehicles to meet the used car consumption demand in the city of Xi’an and its surrounding areas.
Starting from early 2018, we have started to fulfill online used car transactions for consumers, which we previously referred to as “2C cross-regional business”. With our online used-car-buying product and service offerings, we enable consumers to buy used cars online without the need to go to offline dealerships or see the actual car when making the purchase. In addition, we entered into a binding term sheet, definitive agreements and supplemental agreements, in July 2019, September 2019 and April 2020, respectively, with Golden Pacer to divest our loan facilitation related business. Pursuant to the series of agreements, we divested our entire 2C intra-regional business in which we facilitated offline used car transactions between consumers and dealers in local used car marketplaces, and ceased to provide loan facilitation related guarantee services in connection with our 2C online transaction business since November 2019. We also divested our salvage car related business to Boche in January 2020 as well as our 2B business to 58.com pursuant to definitive agreements we entered into in March 2020. The transaction with Golden Pacer closed upon the signing of the supplemental agreements in April 2020, and the transactions with Boche and 58.com closed in January 2020 and April 2020, respectively. Such developments or adjustments may not achieve expected results and may have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The price of used cars sold on our platform and the fees we charge may fluctuate or decline in the future, and any material decrease in such price and fees would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since the built up of our own inventory since September 2020, most of our revenues are derived from vehicle sales. Before we built our own inventory, most of our revenues were derived from the fees we charged from transactions on our platform, such as commission fee and value-added service fee from our 2C business. Prior to the divestiture of our 2B business, we also generated transaction facilitation service fee from the 2B business. Maintaining and growing our revenues depends on a number of factors, including:
● | our ability to offer high-quality and value-for-money used cars to our customers; | |
● | our ability to deliver satisfactory online used car transaction experience to our customers; | |
● | our ability to attract consumers to our platform; |
19 |
● | the average unit price of used cars sold on our platform, which may decrease if we adjust down the price range of used cars available on our platform or enter into lower-tier city markets, or as a result of declining selling prices of new cars; | |
● | our ability to foster relationships with third-party service providers to provide services through our platform at attractive terms and prices to us and our customers; and | |
● | fluctuation in other macro-economic changes. |
Any failure to adequately and promptly address any of these risks and uncertainties would materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Failure to obtain certain filings, approvals, licenses, permits and certificates required for our business operations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our PRC subsidiaries used to engage in business activities that are not within their registered business scope. As of the date of this annual report, we are not aware of any action, claim, or investigation being conducted or threatened by the State Administration for Market Regulation (formerly known as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce), or the SAMR, or its local branches with respect to such business activities. While we have ceased conducting such business activities, we cannot rule out the possibility that our past practice could be interpreted by the SAMR as “doing business beyond the business scope” and subject us to enforcement actions such as confiscation of any illegal gains, or imposition of fines.
In addition, pursuant to relevant laws and regulations, as some of our PRC subsidiaries are regarded as operators of used car marketplaces and used car related business, these entities are required to complete filings with the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or the MOFCOM, at provincial level. These PRC subsidiaries have completed such required filings with the relevant authorities and we will strive to complete relevant filings if certain of our subsidiaries commence used car related business. However, there is no assurance we will be able to complete the filing in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to comply with the filing requirements may subject our business to restriction, which would have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
In addition, it is required by PRC laws and regulations for companies responsible for the construction projects to prepare environmental impact report, environmental impact statement, or environmental impact registration form based on the different level of potential environmental impact of the projects. The environmental impact reports (required if potentially serious environmental impact) and the environmental impact statements (required if potentially mild environmental impact) are subject to review and approval by the governmental authority and failure to satisfy such requirements may subject one to discontinuation of the construction projects, fines of 1% to 5% of the total investment in the projects or an order of restoration. The environmental impact registration forms (required if very little environmental impact where environmental impact assessment is not necessary) are required to be filed with competent authority and failure to satisfy such requirement may subject one to fines up to RMB50,000. We do not regularly conduct construction projects in the ordinary course of our business. However, some of our projects, including the building and overall decoration of our transaction centers from time to time, could be recognized as construction projects where a timely filing or submission for approval is required and failure to do so may subject us to fines and other enforcement actions as mentioned above.
In addition, certain of our PRC subsidiaries used to engage in Internet freight business temporarily, for which we might be required to obtain the Road Transportation Operation Permit and Value-added Telecommunications Business License that certain entities did not have. As of the date of this annual report, we are not aware of any action, claim, or investigation being conducted or threatened by the relevant authority. While we have ceased conducting such business activities, we cannot rule out the possibility that our past practice could be interpreted as “operating without a license” and subject us to enforcement actions such as confiscation of any illegal gains, or imposition of fines.
Considerable uncertainty exists regarding the interpretation and implementation of existing and future laws and regulations governing our business activities. Historically, some of our PRC subsidiaries have been fined due to late tax filings, although the amount of the fine was not significant. If we fail to complete, obtain, maintain or renew any of the required licenses or approvals or make the necessary filings, we may be subject to various penalties, such as confiscation of the illegal gains, imposition of fines and discontinuation or restriction of our operations. Any such penalties may disrupt our business operations and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
20 |
We may be held liable for information or content displayed on or linked to our platform, which may materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
We may be held liable for inaccurate or incomplete information, including car listings, that is available through or linked to our platform. The data we collect and use for the car listings may be inaccurate or incomplete due to errors or on the part of our employees or third-party information providers, or frauds. Our failure to ensure the accuracy and integrity of our data, regardless of its source, could undermine customer trust, result in further administrative penalties and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
We depend on our proprietary technology for critical functions of our business. Failure to properly maintain or promptly upgrade our technology may result in disruptions to or lower quality of our services, and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
We rely on our proprietary technology, including websites and mobile apps, car inspection system and AI algorithms for critical functions of our businesses. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Technology.” Maintaining and upgrading our technology carry certain risks, including the risk of disruptions caused by significant design or deployment errors, delays or deficiencies, which has made and may continue to make our platform and services unavailable. We may also implement additional or enhanced technology in the future to accommodate our growth and to provide additional capabilities and functionalities. The implementation of new or enhanced technologies may be disruptive to our business and can be time-consuming and expensive, and may increase management responsibilities and divert management attention. Additionally, our proprietary AI algorithms are based on data-driven analytics. If we do not have a large amount of data or the quality of data available to us for analysis is unsatisfactory, or if our algorithms have deficiencies, our proprietary AI algorithms may fail to perform effectively. If we fail to properly maintain or promptly upgrade our technology, our services may be disrupted or become of lower quality or unprofitable, and our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our historical loan facilitation services may subject us to regulatory risks, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Prior to the divestiture of our loan facilitation related business to Golden Pacer, or the Loan Facilitation Divestiture, we historically provided loan facilitation services in partnership with financial institutions who finance our customers’ car purchases. As a result of the divestiture, we have ceased to provide loan facilitation services since November 2019.
According to the Financing Guarantee Circular 37 which was issued and became effective on October 9, 2019, entities shall be prohibited from providing financing guarantee services unless obtaining the approval from the relevant regulatory authorities and establishing financing guarantee companies. Those who have been engaged in financing guarantee services shall properly settle its existing business. The authorities shall intensify the crackdowns on the financing guarantee companies with illegal operation or those who committed serious infringement of consumer’s (and guaranteed person’s) rights and shall timely report such cases to the banks so as to work together to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the consumers. The Financing Guarantee Circular 37 also stipulates that, without prior approval, any institution which provides customer promotion, credit evaluation and other services for any lending institution shall be prohibited from providing financing guarantee services or doing so in a disguised form. Any entity operating the financing guarantee business without a financing guarantee business license shall be banned by the regulatory authorities. As we (i) no longer provide any additional loan facilitation related guarantee services since November 2019 and have divested the guarantee liabilities in relation to our historically-facilitated loans for XW Bank, which accounted for more than half of the total loans we historically facilitated, to Golden Pacer as a result of the Loan Facilitation Divestiture and (ii) have entered into a supplemental agreement with one of our major financing partners with regards to our historically-facilitated loans in July 2020, where we agreed to entirely settle all of our remaining guarantee liabilities associated with the historically-facilitated loans for this financing partner under the condition that we would pay the settlement amount in instalments from 2020 to 2025 based on an agreed schedule, we are no longer subject to any guarantee liabilities for the consumer auto loans we historically facilitated through our 2C business. It is required by the Financing Guarantee Circular 37 for us to properly settle our existing business and we plan to settle and gradually relieve our guarantee obligations from these historically facilitated loans along with the maturity of those remaining outstanding loans. However, we cannot assure you that our guarantee services in connection with such historical auto loans will be regarded as our “proper settlement” of our existing auto loan guarantee business by the relevant authority, or that our past practices in connection with our loan facilitation services would not be regarded as historical noncompliance. The imposition of any enforcement action would adversely affect our reputation and business, financial condition and results of operations.
21 |
Furthermore, PRC laws and regulations concerning financial services, including internet financial services, are evolving and the PRC government authorities may promulgate further laws and regulations in the future. We cannot assure you that our past or current practices would not be regarded as non-compliance, and imposition of any enforcement action would adversely affect our reputation and business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, under current regulations, the risk assets of a PRC entity that conducts finance leasing business must not exceed 10 times its total net assets. In addition, PRC regulations stipulate that the amount of auto loans should be capped at 80% of the purchase price for a self-use conventionally-powered new car, 85% for a self-use new energy vehicle, and 70% for a used car. Our financing partners were responsible for designing the financing products that we offered through our historical loan facilitation services and are responsible for the financing products we currently refer to consumers on our platform. The financing products provided by our financing partners on our platform may be deemed to exceed the stipulated cap on the loan amount relative to the car purchase price, in which case we may be required to make adjustments to our cooperation arrangements or cease to cooperate with these financing partners.
We may be deemed to have operated financing guarantee business by the PRC regulatory authorities.
In August 2017, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, or the Financing Guarantee Rules, which became effective on October 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Financing Guarantee Rules, “financing guarantee” refers to the activities in which guarantors provide guarantee to the guaranteed parties as to loans, bonds or other types of debt financing, and “financing guarantee companies” refer to companies legally established and operating financing guarantee business. According to the Financing Guarantee Rules, the establishment of financing guarantee companies are subject to the approval by the relevant governmental authority, and unless otherwise stipulated, no entity may operate financing guarantee business without such approval. If any entity violates these regulations and operates financing guarantee business without approval, the entity may be subject to penalties including ban or suspension of business, fines of RMB500,000 to RMB1,000,000, confiscation of illegal gains if any, and criminal liability if the violation constitutes a criminal offense.
Prior to divesting our loan facilitation business to Golden Pacer announced in July 2019, we provided guarantees to our financing partners for historical consumer auto loans. Since November 2019, following the divestiture, we have ceased to provide loan facilitation related guarantee services and have divested the guarantee liabilities in relation to our historically-facilitated loans for XW Bank. Additionally, we settled the remaining guarantee liabilities for historically-facilitated loans with WeBank in July 2020. As of March 31, 2024, we have no outstanding guarantee obligations in relation to our historically facilitated loans. We do not believe that the Financing Guarantee Rules apply to such guarantee obligations as they were not independent from our principal business. However, due to the lack of further interpretations, the exact definition and scope of “operating financing guarantee business” under the Financing Guarantee Rules is unclear. It is uncertain whether our historical arrangements with certain financial institutions would be deemed as operating financing guarantee business in violation of PRC laws or regulations. If regulatory authorities determine that we were or are operating financing guarantee business, we may need to obtain approval or a license for such business, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
Our business is subject to risks related to China’s online used car transaction industry, including industry-wide and macroeconomic risks.
We operate as a leading used car retailer for buying and selling used cars in China. We cannot assure you that this market will continue to grow rapidly in the future. Furthermore, the growth of China’s used car industry could be affected by many factors, including:
● | general economic conditions in China and around the world; | |
● | the growth of disposable household income and the availability and cost of credit available to finance used car purchases; | |
● | the growth of China’s automobile industry; | |
● | the growth of China’s auto financing industry; |
22 |
● | consumer acceptance of used cars and willingness to purchase used cars online; | |
● | consumer acceptance of financing car purchases; | |
● | taxes and other incentives or disincentives related to used car purchases and ownership; | |
● | environmental concerns and measures taken to address these concerns; | |
● | the cost of energy, including gasoline prices, and the cost of car license plates in various cities with license plate lottery or auction systems; | |
● | the improvement of highway system and availability of parking facilities; | |
● | other government policies relating to used cars and auto financing in China; | |
● | fluctuations in the sales and price of new and used cars; | |
● | ride sharing, transportation networks, and other fundamental changes in transportation pattern; and | |
● | other industry-wide issues, including supply and demand for used cars, age distribution of cars, and supply chain challenges. |
Any adverse change to these factors could reduce demand for used cars and hence demand for our services, and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Any breaches to our security measures, including unauthorized access, computer viruses and “hacking” may adversely affect our database and reduce use of our services and damage our reputation and brand names.
The massive data that we have processed and stored makes us or third-party service providers who host our servers an easy target and potentially vulnerable to cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, or similar disruptions. Breaches to our security measures, including computer viruses and hacking, may result in significant damage to our hardware and software systems and database, disruptions to our business activities, inadvertent disclosure of confidential or sensitive information, interruptions in access to our platform, and other material adverse effects on our operations, during transfer of data or at any time, and result in persons obtaining unauthorized access to our systems and data. Our systems may be subject to infiltration as a result of any third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise. While we have taken reasonable steps to protect the confidential information that we have access to, techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our platform could cause confidential customer and investor information to be stolen and used for criminal purposes. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of any third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with customers and investors could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
We depend heavily on our management team and other key personnel to manage our business. If we fail to retain their employment or services or fail to attract talents, our ability to run and grow our business could be severely impaired.
Our future success is highly dependent on the ongoing efforts of our senior management and key personnel. We rely on our management team for their extensive knowledge of and experience in China’s automobile and internet industries as well as their deep understanding of the automobile market, business environment and regulatory regime in China. The loss of the services of one or more of our senior executives or key personnel may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Competition for senior management and key personnel is intense and the pool of suitable candidates is very limited. Hence, we may not be able to retain the employment or services of our senior executives or key personnel, or attract and retain senior executives or key personnel in the future. If we fail to retain our senior management, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if any members of our senior management or any of our key personnel join a competitor or form a competing company, we may not be able to replace them easily and we may lose customers, business partners and key staff members.
23 |
Our business is susceptible to employee misconduct, improper business practices and other fraudulent conduct by or between our employees and third parties.
We rely on our employees to carry out our operating objectives and are exposed to many types of operational risks, including the risk of misconduct and errors by our employees. Our business depends on our employees to interact with potential customers, conduct car inspection, process large numbers of transactions and provide support for other key aspects of our business, all of which involve the use and disclosure of personal information and are susceptible to human errors on the part of our employees.
We could be materially and adversely affected if transactions were redirected, misappropriated or otherwise improperly executed, if personal information was disclosed to unintended recipients or if an operational breakdown or failure occurred when processing transactions, whether as a result of human error, purposeful sabotage or fraudulent manipulation of our operations or systems.
Although we provide periodic and solid trainings to all our employees, it is not always possible to identify, deter or prevent misconduct or errors by employees, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent potential misconducts and human errors may not be completely effective in controlling risks or losses. If any of our employees takes, converts or misuses funds, documents or data or fails to follow protocols when interacting with customers or among themselves, we could be liable for damages and subject to regulatory actions and penalties. We could also be perceived to have facilitated or participated in the illegal misappropriation of funds, documents or data, or failed to follow applicable protocols, and therefore be subject to civil or criminal liability. Our employees may also engage in improper business practices and other fraudulent conduct with third parties. As a result of these potentially damaging activities, we could incur significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property and proprietary information could materially harm our business and operating results.
We believe our patents, trademarks, software copyrights, trade secrets, our brand and other intellectual property rights and proprietary information are critical to our success. Any unauthorized use of intellectual property rights and proprietary information could harm our business, reputation and competitive advantages. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright law, our internal control mechanism, and contractual arrangements to protect our intellectual property.
Legal protection may not always be effective. Infringement of intellectual property rights continues to pose a serious risk in doing business in China. Monitoring and preventing unauthorized use is difficult. Furthermore, the application of laws governing intellectual property rights in China is uncertain and evolving, and could involve substantial risks to us. The practice of intellectual property rights enforcement action by Chinese regulatory authorities is in its early stage of development. In the event that we have to resort to litigation and other legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights, such action, litigation or other legal proceedings could result in substantial costs and diversion of our management’s attention and resources and could disrupt our business. There is no assurance that we will be able to enforce our intellectual property rights effectively or otherwise prevent others from the unauthorized use of our intellectual property.
We try, to the extent possible, to protect our intellectual property, technology, and confidential information by requiring our employees, third-party service providers, and consultants to enter into confidentiality and assignment of inventions agreements. Due to potential willful or unintentional conduct of personnel who have access to our confidential and proprietary information, these agreements and control measures may not effectively prevent unauthorized disclosure or use of our confidential information, unauthorized use of our intellectual property or technology and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of such unauthorized disclosure or use. The enforceability of confidentiality agreements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Failure to obtain or maintain trade secrets and/or confidential know-how protection could adversely affect our competitive position.
Competitors may adopt service names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby harming our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to user confusion. Our competitors may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and may even apply for patent protection. If successful in obtaining such patent protection, our competitors could limit our use of our trade secrets and confidential know-how, and our financial position and operating results would be adversely affected.
24 |
We have been and may continue to be subject to intellectual property infringement claims or other allegations by third parties, which may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.
We depend to a large extent on our ability to develop and maintain the intellectual property rights relating to our technology and online businesses. We have devoted considerable resources to the development and improvement of our car inspection technology, big data and AI capabilities, mobile applications, mobile sites and websites and information technology systems. We cannot be certain that third parties will not claim that our business infringes upon or otherwise violates patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property rights that they hold. Companies operating online businesses and provide technology-based services are frequently involved in litigation related to allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights. The validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights, particularly in China, are still evolving. We were subject to several trademark claims in the past and may in the future be subject to intellectual property infringement claims from time to time. As we face increasing competition and as litigation becomes a more common method for resolving commercial disputes in China, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims.
Defending against intellectual property claims is costly and can impose a significant burden on our management attention and resources, and favorable final outcomes may not be obtained in all cases. Such claims, even if they do not result in liability, may harm our reputation. Any resulting liability or expenses, or changes required to our services to reduce the risk of future liability, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and prospects.
We were named as a defendant in two putative shareholder class action lawsuits in the past that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.
We were named as a defendant in the two putative shareholder class action lawsuits described in “Item 8, Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.” In May 2021, we have settled the two putative shareholder class action lawsuits for a total of US$9.5 million approved by court, out of which US$6.5 million were covered by our insurance policy and we made a contribution of US$3.0 million. Although the lawsuits were settled, the process lasted for over a year and utilized a significant portion of our resources and diverted management’s attention from the day-to-day operations of our company, all of which could harm our business. We cannot assure you that similar class action claims will not occur in the future. We also may be subject to claims for indemnification related to these matters, and we cannot predict the impact that indemnification claims may have on our business or financial results.
We may be subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We may be subject to disputes with various counterparties with which we transact from time to time in the ordinary course of our business, such as service providers, customers, competitors and investors, which may lead to legal proceedings. These proceedings, if and when materialize, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law could also be asserted against us by consumers and businesses that utilize our services, by competitors, or by governmental entities in civil or criminal investigations and proceedings or by other entities. These claims could be asserted under a variety of laws, including but not limited to consumer finance laws, product liability laws, consumer protection laws, intellectual property laws, unfair competition laws, privacy laws, labor and employment laws, securities laws, real estate laws, tort laws, contract laws, property laws and employee benefit laws. We may also be subject to lawsuits due to actions by our third-party financing partners, or third-party providers of various services, including logistics and delivery service, title transfer service, car repair, car inspection equipment, loan servicing, car collateral repossession, and certain data services.
For example, we are subject to ongoing contractual disputes and other proceedings in the PRC. These cases are still ongoing, but we believe the claims are without merit and we will defend ourselves accordingly. As of March 31, 2024, we have not recorded any accrual for expected loss payments related to these cases and do not believe any of these claims is material to our overall business operations. However, we cannot predict the outcome of these cases or reasonably estimate any potential loss due to the current status of the proceedings. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in defending ourselves in legal and administrative actions or in asserting our rights under various laws. Even if we are successful in our attempt to defend ourselves in legal and administrative actions or to assert our rights under various laws, enforcing our rights against the various parties involved may be expensive, time-consuming and ultimately futile. These actions could expose us to negative publicity and to substantial monetary damages and legal defense costs, injunctive relief and criminal and civil fines and penalties, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of licenses to conduct business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”
25 |
Acquisitions, strategic alliances and investments could be costly, difficult to integrate, disrupt our business and adversely affect our results of operations and the value of your investment.
As we continue to expand our operations, we have and may in the future enter into strategic alliances or to acquire substantial asset or equities from a pool of candidates that fit our criteria. We are not certain that we will be able to consummate any such transactions in the future or identify those candidates that would result in the most successful combinations, or that future acquisitions will be able to be consummated at reasonable prices and terms. In addition, increased competition for acquisition candidates could result in fewer acquisition opportunities for us and higher acquisition prices. Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
● | lack of suitable acquisition candidates; | |
● | intense competition with other auction groups or new industry consolidators for suitable acquisitions; | |
● | deterioration of our financial capabilities; | |
● | difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business; | |
● | inability of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other benefits; | |
● | difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel; | |
● | diversion of management’s time and resources from our normal daily operations; | |
● | difficulties in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology and rights into our platform and service offerings; | |
● | difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations; | |
● | difficulties in retaining relationships with customers, employees and third-party service providers of the acquired business; | |
● | risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience; | |
● | regulatory risks, including remaining in good standing with existing regulatory bodies or receiving any necessary pre-closing or post-closing approvals, as well as being subject to new regulators with oversight over an acquired business; | |
● | assumption of contractual obligations that contain terms that are not beneficial to us, require us to license or waive intellectual property rights or increase our risk for liability; | |
● | failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology or maintain acquired facilities; | |
● | liability for activities of the acquired business before the acquisition, including intellectual property infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities; | |
● | potential disruptions to our ongoing businesses; and | |
● | unexpected costs and unknown risks and liabilities associated with strategic investments or acquisitions. |
26 |
We may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced service offerings and that any new or enhanced technology or services, if developed or offered, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
We may need additional capital to achieve our business targets and respond to market opportunities. If we could not obtain sufficient capital through either debt or equity financing, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially harmed, and your ownership may be diluted.
Since our inception, we have raised substantial financing 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 improve our brand awareness, build and maintain our offline network, develop new products or services or further improve existing products and services, and acquire complementary businesses and technologies. We issued convertible notes in the total principal amount of US$280 million in 2019, of which US$50 million and US$69 million in principal amount were converted into Class A ordinary shares on July 23, 2020 and July 12, 2021, respectively. In October 2020, we completed private placements with GIC and Wells Fargo for subscription of our Class A ordinary shares for an aggregate amount of US$25 million. In addition, we entered into definitive agreements with NIO Capital and Joy Capital in June 2021 for the subscription of senior convertible preferred shares, or the 2021 Subscription Agreement, to raise an aggregate amount of up to US$315 million. The first closing for US$100 million was completed on July 12, 2021 and the second closing for the amounts of US$27.5 million, US$10 million and US$7.5 million were completed in November 2021, March 2022 and June 2022, respectively. In July 2022, NIO Capital assigned its rights and obligations to subscribe for 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares under the second closing for the total price of US$5 million to an independent third party. On the same day, we issued 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares to the third party and the second closing of the transaction was completed. The two investors have also purchased warrants to purchase 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$165 million. In January 2022, we entered into a definitive agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital to extend the expiration date of aforementioned warrants from January 12, 2023 to January 12, 2024. In addition, we entered into definitive agreements with NIO Capital in June 2022 for the subscription of 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$100 million, which are payable in multiple installments. In April 2023, we and NIO Capital entered into additional agreements regarding the settlement of then outstanding amount of US$81.6 million of the foregoing purchase price. Pursuant to these agreements: (i) the payment method of such outstanding purchase price was modified to permit a combination of cash payment and cancellation of indebtedness of us to NIO Capital; and (ii) such outstanding purchase price of US$81.6 million was partially offset by the cancellation and discharge by NIO Capital of our obligations under the 2024 Notes totaling US$61.6 million that NIO Capital assigned from Redrock Holding Investments Limited, TPG Growth III SF Pte. Ltd. and Magic Carpet International Limited in April 2023. For a detailed description of the terms of the 2024 Notes, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash flows and working capital.” As a result of and immediately following the foregoing transactions, NIO Capital had fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$80 million of the outstanding purchase price for its subscription of our senior convertible preferred shares. Meanwhile, we also fulfilled all of our obligations under the 2024 Notes of US$61.6 million. As of the date of this annual report, NIO Capital has fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$90.6 million of the outstanding purchase price, and we and NIO Capital have mutually agreed that NIO Capital will fulfil its payment obligations by December 31, 2024 regarding the outstanding purchase price of US$9.4 million pursuant to the definitive agreements we entered into with NIO Capital in June 2022. In June 2023, we have entered into a definitive agreement with Alpha Wealth Global Limited (“Alpha”) and Joy Capital, regarding the warrants issued by the Company to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021. Pursuant to the foregoing definitive agreement and certain assignments of warrants among Alpha, NIO Capital and Joy Capital, Alpha acquired from NIO Capital and Joy Capital warrants which provide the right to purchase up to 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares at a modified exercise price of US$0.0457 per share. Joy Capital only assigned a portion of its warrants under this amended agreement. Alpha and Joy Capital (either together or separately) are entitled to, at their discretion, exercise their respective warrants in full to subscribe for a total of 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company in an aggregate amount of US$21,964,754 no later than September 30, 2023. On August 17, 2023, Joy Capital has exercised its warrants to purchase 218,818,380 senior convertible preferred shares of our company for a total consideration of US$10.0 million. The warrants to purchase 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares held by Alpha were subsequently terminated. In September 2023, we entered into an equity investment agreement with Hefei Construction Investment North City Industrial Investment Co., Ltd. (the “Hefei Construction Investment”). Pursuant to the agreement, Hefei Construction Investment will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment is made by the Hefei subsidiary, over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.09 million was converted into the investment for the subscription of approximately 12.02% of the equity interests in Uxin Hefei in October 2023. For more information about the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.” On March 26, 2024, we and Xin Gao entered into a share subscription agreement for, and completed on the same day, the issuance of 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao for a total consideration of US$7.0 million. See “B. Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash flows and working capital.” For the accounting impact resulted from the issuance price lower than market price, please refer to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.” On June 21, 2024, we entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank which revised and extended the repayment schedule of RMB30.0 million each due on June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, respectively, to monthly repayments of RMB2.5 million each month from December 2024 to November 2026. Despite these and any future further financing activities, we cannot guarantee that additional funds to support our business will be available on reasonable terms, or at all when we need them.
27 |
If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing shareholders could suffer significant dilution. Specifically, pursuant to the currently effective certificate of designation and preferred shares, if, at any time while any senior convertible preferred shares are outstanding, we or any of our subsidiaries, as applicable, sells or grants any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announces any sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition), any (a) ordinary shares, or (b) any rights, options or warrants to acquire ordinary shares and any depositary shares (including, without limitation, the ADSs), notes, debentures, preference shares or other equity securities or rights, which are ultimately convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable for, ordinary shares entitling any person to acquire ordinary shares or ADSs at an effective price per share that is lower than the then applicable Conversion Price (such lower price, the “Base Conversion Price” and such issuances, collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) of such senior convertible preferred share, then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance, the applicable Conversion Price for such senior convertible preferred shares shall be reduced to equal the Base Conversion Price, subject to certain exceptions, in which case the number of ordinary shares convertible from the foregoing such senior convertible preferred share will correspondingly increase.
Additionally, any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our ordinary shares. Our ability to retain our existing financial resources and obtain additional financing on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including but not limited to:
● | economic, political and other conditions in China; | |
● | PRC governmental policies relating to bank loans and other credit facilities; | |
● | PRC governmental regulations of foreign investment and the automobile industry in China; | |
● | conditions of capital markets in which we may seek to raise funds; and | |
● | our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. |
If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on satisfactory terms, 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, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
We are subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with certain investor’s repurchase rights.
Under the terms of an equity investment agreement with Hefei Construction Investment, signed on September 20, 2023, the investor will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment is made by the Hefei subsidiary, over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.09 million was converted into the investment for the subscription of approximately 12.02% of the equity interests in Uxin Hefei in October 2023. Details of each investment will be subject to future negotiation. Hefei Construction Investment’s equity interests in Uxin Hefei will be capped at 50%. For more information about this transaction, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.” Both parties hold significant repurchase rights under this agreement. Specifically, while we retain the right to buy back the equity interests from Hefei Construction Investment at any time, the investor similarly possesses the right to request that we repurchase their equity interests at potentially any point during the agreement’s tenure when Uxin Hefei meets the performance condition or fails to meet certain conditions as stipulated in the equity investment agreement.
28 |
Furthermore, on July 8, 2024, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Uxin (Anhui) Industrial Investment Co., Ltd., or Uxin Anhui, entered into an equity investment agreement with Zhengzhou Airport Automobile Industry Co., Ltd., or Zhengzhou Airport Industry, to establish Youxin (Zhengzhou) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd., or Uxin Zhengzhou, as our subsidiary in Zhengzhou. For more information about this transaction, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.” Both parties hold significant repurchase rights under this equity investment agreement. Specifically, while Uxin Anhui retains the right to buy back the equity interest from Zhengzhou Airport Industry at any time, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, Zhengzhou Airport Industry has the right to request Uxin Anhui to acquire its equity interests if certain performance-based conditions are met (the “Repurchase Obligations”). We undertake to provide an irrevocable joint and several liability guarantee for the performance by Uxin Anhui of Repurchase Obligations.
If Hefei Construction Investment or Zhengzhou Airport Industry opts to exercise their respective repurchase rights, we may be required to secure substantial funds to buy back the equity interests. This demand for liquidity could coincide with other financial obligations or during a period of tightened cash flows, thereby straining our financial resources. The request for a repurchase could come at a time when market conditions are unfavorable, which may necessitate fundraising under less favorable terms or divesting assets at suboptimal prices to fulfill the repurchase obligation, in which case our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
Prior to our initial public offering in June 2018, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weakness identified related to our lack of sufficient accounting staff and management resources with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting and compliance requirements. We are in the process of implementing a number of measures to remedy these control deficiencies. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures—Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct these control deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could significantly hinder our ability to prevent fraud.
We are a public company in the United States subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, requires that we include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F. Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of March 31, 2024. In addition, since we ceased to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, we will also be subject to the requirement that an independent registered public accounting firm must issue an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, if we become a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer. Our management may continue to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report concluding that our internal control over financial reporting is ineffective if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, as we are a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
29 |
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other material weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to implement adequate measures to remediate our existing material weakness, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of the ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements for prior periods.
A severe or prolonged downturn in the Chinese or global economy could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The global macroeconomic environment is facing numerous challenges. The growth rate of the Chinese economy had already been slowing since 2010. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies which had been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China, even before 2020. The war in Ukraine and the imposition of broad economic sanctions on Russia could raise energy prices and disrupt global markets. Unrest, terrorist threats and the potential for war in the Middle East and elsewhere may increase market volatility across the globe. There have also been concerns about the relationship between China and other countries, including the surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially have economic effects. In particular, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “—We may need additional capital to achieve our business targets and respond to market opportunities. If we could not obtain sufficient capital through either debt or equity, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially harmed.”
The trade war between the U.S. and China may dampen economic growth in China and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In 2018 and 2019, the U.S. government imposed additional tariffs on specified products imported from China. In response, China has also imposed additional tariffs on specified products imported from the U.S. The U.S. and the Chinese governments are continuing to conduct negotiations on trade matters. We cannot assure you that the negotiations will result in an agreement between the two countries, or that the proposed tariffs will not be imposed even if an agreement will be reached.
Although we are not currently subject to any of these tariff measures, the proposed tariffs may adversely affect the economic growth in China and the financial condition of our customers. With the potential decrease in the spending powers of our target customers, we cannot guarantee that there will be no negative impact on our operations. In addition, the current and future actions or escalations by either the U.S. or China that affect trade relations may result in global economic turmoil, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Allegations or lawsuits against us or our management and related negative publicity may harm our reputation and have a material and adverse impact on our business operations and the trading price of our ADSs.
We have been, and may become, subject to allegations or lawsuits brought by our competitors, customers, business partners, short sellers, investment research firms or other individuals or entities. For example, a report was published on April 16, 2019 making various allegations about us, and we responded publicly stating the allegations are unfounded. Any such allegation or lawsuit, with or without merit, or any perceived unfair, unethical, fraudulent or inappropriate business practice by us or perceived malfeasance by our management, or failure or perceived failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, alleged accounting or financial reporting irregularities, could harm our reputation and distract our management from our daily operations. Allegations or lawsuits against us or our management may also generate negative publicity that significantly harms our reputation, which may materially and adversely affect our ability to attract customers, third-party service providers and business partners and hence our business operations, and cause the trading price of our ADSs to decline and fluctuate significantly.
30 |
We may continue to be the target of adverse publicity and detrimental conduct against us, including complaints, anonymous or otherwise, to regulatory agencies regarding our operations, accounting, and regulatory compliance. We may be subject to government or regulatory investigation or inquiries, or shareholder lawsuits, as a result of such third-party conduct and may be required to incur significant time and substantial costs to defend ourselves, and there is no assurance that we will be able to conclusively refute each of the allegations within a reasonable period of time or at all. Our reputation may also be negatively affected as a result of the public dissemination of allegations or malicious statements about us, which in turn may materially and adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs.
Any failure by us or our third-party service providers to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations could damage our reputation.
Our financing partners and payment companies are subject to anti-money laundering obligations under applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations and are regulated in that respect by the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC. If any of our third-party service provides fail to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, our reputation could suffer and we could become subject to regulatory intervention, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any negative perception of the industry, such as that arises from any failure of other loan facilitation service providers, consumer finance marketplaces or e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars to detect or prevent money laundering activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image or undermine the trust and credibility we have established.
We are subject to changing laws and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
We are subject to rules and regulations promulgated by various governing bodies, including, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and the various regulatory authorities in China and the Cayman Islands, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable laws. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices.
If we fail to address and comply with these regulations and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
We have limited business, disruption or litigation insurance coverage.
The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products and are, to our knowledge, not well-developed in the field of business liability insurance. While business disruption insurance is available to a limited extent in China, we have determined that the risks of disruption, cost of such insurance and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. As a result, except for limited property insurance coverage, we do not maintain general business liability, disruption or litigation insurance coverage for our operations in China. We consider our insurance coverage to be reasonable in light of the nature of our business, but we cannot assure you that our insurance coverage is sufficient to prevent us from any loss or that we will be able to successfully claim our losses under our current insurance policies on a timely basis, or at all.
We have granted, and may continue to grant, options and other types of awards under our share incentive plan, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.
We adopted an amended and restated share incentive plan in February 2018, which was further amended in August 2018, November 2018 and April 2024, referred to as the Amended and Restated Plan, for the purpose of granting share-based compensation awards to employees, directors and consultants to incentivize their performance and align their interests with ours. We recognize expenses in our consolidated statement of comprehensive loss in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the Amended and Restated Plan is 622,873,386 ordinary shares.
31 |
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, we recorded an aggregate of negative RMB26.5 million, RMB47.3 million and RMB47.1 million (US$6.5 million), respectively, in share-based compensation expenses related to the equity awards granted under the Amended and Restated Plan. As of March 31, 2024, our unrecognized share-based compensation expenses related to the share options and restricted share units amounted to RMB86.2 million (US$11.9 million). We believe the granting of share-based compensation is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based compensation to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, the issuance of additional equity upon the exercise of options or other types of awards would result in further dilution to our shareholders.
Our business is dependent on the performance of the internet and mobile internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China, which may not be able to support the demands associated with our growth.
Our internet businesses are heavily dependent on the performance and reliability of China’s internet infrastructure, the continual accessibility of bandwidth and servers to our service providers’ networks, and the continuing performance, reliability and availability of our technology platform. We use the internet to deliver services to our customers, who access our websites and mobile apps on the internet.
We rely on major Chinese telecommunication companies to provide us with bandwidth for our services, and we may not have any access to comparable alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems.
Internet access may not be available in certain areas due to national disasters, such as earthquakes, or local government decisions. Surges in internet traffic on our platform, regardless of the cause, may seriously disrupt services we provide through our platform and in-store or cause our technology systems and our platform to shut down. If we experience technical problems in delivering our services over the internet either at national or regional level or system shutdowns, we could experience reduced demand for our services, lower revenues and increased costs. Consequently, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.
We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of other epidemics such as COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees is suspected of having Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS, or other epidemics, since it could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the Chinese and global economy in general.
We are also vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide products and services on our platform.
In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that any health epidemic, natural disaster or other calamities harms the Chinese and global economies in general. Our headquarters are located in Beijing, where most of our management and employees currently reside. Most of our system hardware and back-up systems are hosted in facilities located in Beijing. Consequently, if any natural disasters, health epidemics or other public safety concerns were to affect Beijing, our operation may experience material disruptions, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to quarterly fluctuations and unexpected interruptions.
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, quarterly fluctuations in our revenues and results of operations. Our revenue trends are a reflection of consumers’ car purchase patterns. The holiday period following the Chinese New Year is usually in the first quarter of each year, which may contribute to lower activity levels in that quarter of each year. As a result, our revenues may vary from quarter to quarter and our quarterly results may not be comparable to the corresponding periods of prior years. Our actual results may differ significantly from our targets or estimated quarterly results. The quarterly fluctuations in our revenues and results of operations could result in volatility and cause the price of our shares to fall.
32 |
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs structure did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless.
Uxin Limited is not a Chinese operating company but a Cayman Islands holding company with operations primarily conducted by its subsidiaries and, historically, through contractual arrangements with the former VIEs based in China. As a result, investors face unique risks associated with our holding company structure. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow our holding company structure which could lead to a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of our ADSs, and could cause the value of our ADSs to significantly decline or become worthless. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunications services businesses, such as internet content provision services and online data processing and transaction processing businesses (operating e-commerce business). In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, in the past we primarily operate these businesses in China through the former VIEs.
In January 2015, Ministry of Industry & Information Technology announced the Notice of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Removing the Restrictions on Foreign-owned Shareholding Percentage in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (operating commerce) Business in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, or SHFTZ Notice. Pursuant to SHFTZ Notice, there are no restrictions on foreign investors maximum shareholding percentage in an enterprise established in Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone that conducts value-added telecommunications services in the scope of online data processing and transaction processing (Operating E-commerce). Therefore, our eligible PRC subsidiaries, Yougu and Youhan, have applied for and obtained approval from Shanghai Communications Administration to conduct e-commerce, and since then they have been operating our main online businesses instead of the former VIEs, Youxin Hulian and Yishouche.
In order to streamline our corporate structure and considering the changing regulatory environment, we have completed the Restructuring to terminate the contractual arrangements with both of the former VIEs which have become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Pursuant to the Restructuring, our wholly owned subsidiaries that have contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders have purchased all equity interests held by such shareholders in the VIEs. Accordingly, all contractual arrangements that enabled such shareholders to direct the activities of and derive economic benefits from the VIEs, were effectively terminated. As a result of the Restructuring, the VIEs have become our wholly owned subsidiaries and we currently operates our business in China directly through our subsidiaries, rather than through any variable interest entity.
We, through the former VIEs, had been historically subject to a series of contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and the shareholders of the former VIEs until March 31, 2022. Because of these contractual arrangements, we were considered as the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs in China and accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the financial statements of the former VIEs are consolidated as part of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 in this annual report.
Although we have completed the Restructuring in March 2022, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations, and rules relating to the agreements that established the former VIE structure for our operations in China, including potential future actions by the PRC government, which may retroactively affect the enforceability and legality of our historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and, consequently, affect the historical financial condition and results of operations of the former VIEs, and our ability to consolidate the results of the former VIEs into our consolidated financial statements for the periods prior to the completion of the Restructuring. No service fee was accrued or paid by the former VIEs according to the contractual agreements as the services provided were immaterial during the historical periods. The consideration for termination of the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs was the same as the loan amount under the contractual agreements, therefore, there was no cash transfer for the termination of the contractual arrangements. If the PRC government finds such agreements non-compliant with relevant PRC laws, regulations, and rules, or if these laws, regulations, and rules or the interpretation thereof change in the future, and such changes may be retroactively applied to our historical contractual arrangements, we could be subject to severe penalties and our contractual arrangements with the former VIEs may be rendered ineffective, which could result in potential restatement of our financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. As a result, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless.
33 |
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Substantially all of our operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. The growth rate of the Chinese economy has gradually slowed since 2010, and the COVID-19 also had some impact on the Chinese economy in the past two years. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our products and services and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC, the CAC, or other PRC governmental authorities may be required in connection with an offering under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon we will be able to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval for any future offshore securities offering, or a rescission of obtained approval, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC government authorities.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to any public securities offerings on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. If a governmental approval is required, it is uncertain how long it will take for us to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or a delay in obtaining the requisite governmental approval for an offering, or a rescission of such CSRC approval if obtained by us, may subject us to sanctions imposed by the relevant PRC regulatory authority, which could include fines and penalties on our and the former VIEs’ operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel regarding certain PRC legal matters, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval under the M&A Rules for an offering because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether our offerings are subject to this regulation; and (ii) our PRC subsidiaries were incorporated as wholly foreign-owned enterprises by means of direct investment and we did not acquire any equity interests or assets of a “PRC domestic company” as such terms are defined under the M&A Rules.
34 |
However, in the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel regarding certain PRC legal matters, there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering, and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC governmental authorities, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel, and hence, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from them. Furthermore, relevant PRC governmental authorities promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities on July 6, 2021, which provided that the administration and supervision of overseas-listed China-based companies will be strengthened, and the special provisions of the State Council on overseas issuance and listing of shares by such companies will be revised, clarifying the responsibilities of domestic industry competent authorities and regulatory authorities. However, the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities were still leaving uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of these opinions. It is possible that any new rules or regulations may impose additional requirements on us. Furthermore, the Review Measures required that, in addition to network products and services acquired by critical information infrastructure operators, online platform operators are also subject to cybersecurity review if they carry out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, and online platform operators listing in a foreign country with more than one million users’ personal information data must apply for a cybersecurity review with the Cybersecurity Review Office. It is uncertain whether we would be deemed as a CIIO or an online platform operator which is under the censorship of the Review Measure in the future. In the event that we become under investigation or review by the CAC, we may have to substantially change our current business and our operations may be materially and adversely affected. If it is determined in the future that CSRC approval or other procedural requirements are required to be met for and prior to an offering, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such procedures and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such procedures for an offering, or a rescission of any such approval, could subject us to sanctions by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. The PRC governmental authorities may impose restrictions and penalties on our operations in China, such as the suspension of our apps and services, revocation of our licenses, or shutting down part or all of our operations, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from an offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. The PRC governmental authorities may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt an offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs being offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the PRC governmental authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for filings, registrations or other kinds of authorizations for an offering, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the approval, authorizations, or complete required procedures or other requirements in a timely manner, or at all, or obtain a waiver of the requisite requirements if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC, as approved by the State Council, released the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, domestic companies in the Chinese mainland that directly or indirectly offer or list their securities in an overseas market, are required to file with the CSRC. Specifically, the securities under the Trial Measures refer to stocks, depositary receipts, convertible corporate bonds, exchangeable bonds and other equity-linked securities to be issued and offered in overseas markets by domestic companies directly or indirectly, while a direct offering and listing refers to the overseas offering and listing of a joint-stock company incorporated in the Chinese mainland, and an indirect offering and listing refers to the overseas offering and listing of a domestic company which conducts its business operations primarily in the Chinese mainland, in the name of an offshore company and based on the underlying equities, assets, earnings or similar interests of the domestic company. In particular, the determination of an indirect offering and listing will be conducted on a “substance over form” basis, and an offering and listing should be considered as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company if the issuer meets both of the following conditions: (i) 50% or more of the issuer’s revenue, profit, total assets or net assets as documented in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements in the most recent financial year is accounted by domestic companies; and (ii) the majority of its business operations are conducted in the Chinese mainland or its principal place of business is located in the Chinese mainland, or the majority of senior management in charge of business operations are Chinese citizens or have domicile in the Chinese mainland. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, an overseas offering and listing is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the intended securities offering and listing is specifically prohibited by the laws, administrative regulations and relevant national provisions; (ii) if the intended securities offering and listing may constitute a threat to or endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (iii) the domestic companies or their controlling shareholders or actual controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy in the past three years; (iv) the domestic companies are currently under investigations in connection with suspicion of having committed criminal offenses or material violations of applicable laws and regulations, and there is still no explicit conclusion; or (v) there are material ownership disputes over the shareholdings held by the controlling shareholder or the shareholder under the control of the controlling shareholder or the actual controllers. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, the issuer or its affiliated domestic company, as the case may be, is required to file with the CSRC (i) with respect to its initial public offering and listing and its subsequent securities offering in an overseas market different from the market where it has listed, within three business days after its submission of listing application documents to the relevant regulator in the place of intended listing, (ii) with respect to its follow-on offering in the same overseas market where it has listed (including issuance of any corporate convertible bonds, exchangeable bonds and other equity-linked securities, but excluding the offering for employees incentive, dividend distribution by shares and share split), within three business days after completion of such follow-on offering, (iii) with respect to listing by means of single or multiple acquisitions, share swap, transfers of shares and similar transactions, within three business days after its initial filing of the listing application or the first public announcement of the transaction, as case may be. Failure to comply with the filing requirements may result in an order of rectification, a warning and fines ranging from RMB1 million to RMB10 million to the non-compliant domestic companies, and the directly responsible persons of the companies will be warned and fined between RMB500,000 and RMB5 million. Furthermore, if the controlling shareholder and the actual controller of the non-compliant companies organizes or instigates the breach, they will be fined between RMB1 million and RMB10 million. In addition to above filing requirements, the Filings Rules also requires an issuer to report to the CSRC within three business days after occurrence of any the following events: (i) its change of control; (ii) its being subject to investigation or sanctions by any overseas securities regulators or overseas authorities; (iii) its change of listing status or listing segment; (iv) voluntary or mandatory delisting; and (v) material change of its principal business operations to the extent that it ceases to be subject to the filing requirements of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures.
35 |
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC released the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, or, the Confidentiality Provisions, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Confidentiality Provisions, any future inspection or investigation conducted by overseas securities regulator or the relevant competent authorities on our PRC domestic companies with respect to our overseas issuance and listing shall be carried out in the manner in compliance with PRC laws and regulations.
As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry or notice or any objection in connection with our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors from the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC governmental authorities that have jurisdiction over our operations. In the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel as to certain PRC legal matters, we are not required to file an application for the cybersecurity review by CAC for our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors as of the date of this annual report on the grounds that: (i) the relevant regulations do not require network platform operators holding personal information of over one million users to file a supplementary application of cybersecurity review for their historical issuance of securities to foreign investors that occurred before such regulations became effective; and (ii) our securities have already been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market before such regulations became effective. Thus, Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm does not expect that, as of the date of this annual report, we are required to file an application for the cybersecurity review by CAC for our historical issuance of securities to foreign investors.
Furthermore, in the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel as to certain PRC legal matters, based on the facts that, (i) the Cybersecurity Review Measures were newly adopted and the Draft Regulations have not been formally adopted, and the implementation and interpretation of both are subject to uncertainties, (ii) as of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis, and (iii) we have not received any inquiries, notices, warnings, or sanctions from any competent PRC regulatory authorities related to cybersecurity, data security and personal data protection that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, we believe we are in compliance with the existing PRC laws and regulations on cybersecurity, data security and personal data protection in all material respects. However, given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, there remains uncertainty regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, which can change quickly with little notice in advance and subject to any future actions within the discretion of PRC authorities.
According to the New Overseas Listing Rules, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to complete the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. In addition, an overseas-listed company must also submit the filing with respect to its follow-on offerings, issuance of convertible corporate bonds and exchangeable bonds, and other equivalent offering activities, within the time frame specified the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in China regarding any necessary approvals, filings or reports from the CSRC, and we will take any and all actions necessary to complete the filing with the CSRC if required.
36 |
The PRC government’s oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.
We historically conducted our business in China primarily through the former VIEs and their subsidiaries. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has oversight over the conduct of our business, and may intervene or influence our operations as the government deems appropriate to advance regulatory and social goals and policy positions. The PRC government deems appropriate to advance regulatory and social goals and policy positions. The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies that directly or indirectly affect our industry or require us to seek additional permission to continue our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our ADSs. In addition, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer ADSs to investors and cause the value of our ADSs to significantly decline or become worthless. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face potential uncertainty from actions taken by the PRC government affecting our business.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always consistent and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
In particular, PRC laws and regulations concerning the used car e-commerce industry are developing and evolving. Although we have taken measures to comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations and avoid conducting any activities that may be deemed as illegal under the current applicable laws and regulations, the PRC government authority may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating our industry and amend the existing laws and regulations in the future. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Failure to obtain certain filings, approvals, licenses, permits and certificates for our business operations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.” We cannot assure you that our practices would not be deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations. Moreover, developments in the used car service industry and online used car transaction industry may lead to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or in the interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies that may limit or restrict e-commerce platform for used cars like us, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In addition, we are required to satisfy various requirements by relevant authorities from time to time and we cannot assure you that we will comply with all those requirements within prescribed time. For example, some of our PRC subsidiaries have been included in the list of abnormal business operation by the local branch of the SAMR for reasons including delay in information disclosure and failure to be reached by the authority. Failure to do so may subject us to administrative penalties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
Furthermore, recently, certain PRC regulatory authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which were available to the public on July 6, 2021 and further emphasized to strengthen the cross-board regulatory collaboration, to improve relevant laws and regulations on data security, cross-border data transmission, and confidential information management, and provided that efforts will be made to revise the regulations on strengthening the confidentiality and file management relating to the offering and listing of securities overseas, to implement the responsibility on information security of overseas listed companies, and to strengthen the standardized management of cross-border information provision mechanisms and procedures. However, these opinions were newly issued, and there were no further explanations or detailed rules or regulations with respect to such opinions, and there are still uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of these opinions.
37 |
These and other similar legal and regulatory developments could lead to legal and economic uncertainty, affect how we design, market and sell solutions, how we operate our business, how our customers process and share data, how we process and use data, and how we transfer personal data from one jurisdiction to another, which could negatively impact demand for our solutions. We may incur substantial costs to comply with such laws and regulations, to meet the demands of our customers relating to their own compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and to establish and maintain internal compliance policies.
Our business is susceptible to changes in government policies, including policies on automobile purchases, ownership, taxation, vehicle title transfers, and used car transactions across regions and provinces. Failure to adequately respond to such changes could adversely affect our business.
Government policies on automobile purchases and ownership may have a material impact on our business due to their influence on consumer behaviors. Since 2009, the PRC government has changed the vehicle purchase tax on automobiles with 1.6 liter or smaller engines several times. In addition, in August 2014, several PRC governmental authorities jointly announced that from September 2014 to December 2017, purchases of new energy automobiles designated on certain catalogs will be exempted from vehicle purchase taxes. In April 2015, several PRC governmental authorities also jointly announced that from 2016 to 2020, purchasers of new energy automobiles designated on certain catalogs will enjoy subsidies. In December 2016, relevant PRC governmental authorities further adjusted the subsidy policy for new energy automobiles. We cannot predict whether government subsidies will remain in the future or whether similar incentives will be introduced, and if they are, their impact on automobile retail transactions in China. It is possible that automobile retail transactions may decline significantly upon expiration of the existing government subsidies if consumers have become used to such incentives and postpone purchase decisions in the absence of new incentives. If automobile retail transactions indeed decline, our revenues and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People’s Republic of China, as amended on August 29, 2015 and on October 26, 2018, advocate reasonable control over the number of fuel vehicles in accordance with urban planning. Some local governmental authorities issued regulations and implementation rules in order to control urban traffic and the number of automobiles within particular urban areas. Municipal authorities of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Guiyang and Shenzhen adopted regulations and implemented rules to limit the total number of license plates issued to new automobile purchases. In addition to the quantity control of automobiles, some local governmental authorities have also adopted environmental protection policies and regulations in recent years, pursuant to which an automobile, failing to meet certain environmental protection requirements or standards, will not be able to obtain the license plate issued by relevant local governmental authorities.
As some used cars cannot meet the environmental protection standards required in some regions, the above policies and regulations may restrict or adversely impact the transactions of such used cars. Such regulatory developments, as well as other uncertainties, may adversely affect the growth prospects of China’s automobile industry, which in turn may have a material adverse impact on our business.
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions against us or our directors and management named in the annual report based on foreign laws.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, to our best knowledge, as of the date of this annual report, other than two independent directors that reside in the United States, all of the remaining directors and senior executive officers, namely, Kun Dai, Bin Li, Erhai Liu, Rong Lu, Feng Lin, Zhitian Zhang and Wenbing Jing, reside within mainland China and Hong Kong for a significant portion of the time and are residents of mainland China or Hong Kong. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside mainland China and Hong Kong. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors who reside in mainland China and Hong Kong and whose assets are located outside the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or mainland China or Hong Kong would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state.
38 |
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of reciprocity with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Furthermore, judgment of United States courts will not be directly enforced in Hong Kong. There are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the United States.
Shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including securities law class actions and fraud claims, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC and no entities or individuals may provide documents or materials in connection with its securities activities to the overseas without proper authorization. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law have yet to be available, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by investors in protecting your interests. See also “—Risks Related to our ADSs—You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law” for risks associated with investing in us as a Cayman Islands company.
Changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, may adversely impact our business and operating results.
Recently there have been changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, but also as a result of the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. The U.S. government has made statements and taken certain actions that may lead to potential changes to U.S. and international trade policies towards China. The progress of trade talks between U.S. and China is subject to uncertainties, and there can be no assurance as to whether the United States will maintain or reduce tariffs, or impose additional tariffs on Chinese products in the near future. The United States may take further actions to eliminate perceived unfair competitive advantages created by alleged manipulating actions. Changes to national trade or investment policies, treaties and tariffs, fluctuations in exchange rates or the perception that these changes could occur, and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
While cross-border business currently may not be an area of our focus, if we plan to expand our business internationally in the future or list imported vehicles and other products on our platforms, any unfavorable government policies on international trade, such as capital controls or tariffs, may affect the consumer demands, our ability to provide certain products on our platforms or our ability to provide services in certain countries. In particular, if any new tariffs, legislation and/or regulations are implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated or, especially, if the U.S. government takes retaliatory trade actions due to the recent U.S.-China trade and political tension, such changes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected if any such tensions or unfavorable government trade policies harm the Chinese economy or the global economy in general.
Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the internet in China may adversely affect our business, and we may be liable for information displayed on, retrieved from or linked to our websites and mobile apps.
China has enacted laws and regulations governing internet access and the distribution of information through the internet. The PRC government prohibits information that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China or the public interest, contains terrorism or extremism content, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory, from being distributed through the internet. PRC laws also prohibit the use of the internet in ways which, among other things, result in a leakage of state secrets or the distribution of socially destabilizing content. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in sanctions or penalties such as revocation of licenses to provide internet content and other licenses, the shut-down of the concerned websites or mobile apps, and reputational harm. A website or mobile apps operator may also be held liable for censored information displayed on or linked to its website or mobile apps. We may be subject to potential liability for certain unlawful actions of users of our platform or for content we distribute that is deemed inappropriate. We may be required to delete content that violates PRC laws and report content that we suspect may violate PRC laws, which may reduce our consumer base. It may be difficult to determine the type of content that may result in liability for us, and if we are found to be liable, we may be prevented from operating our business or offering other services in China.
39 |
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents and enterprises may increase our administrative burden and restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities. If our PRC resident and enterprise shareholders fail to make any applications and filings required under these regulations, we may be unable to distribute profits to such shareholders and may become subject to liability under PRC law.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, to replace the previous SAFE Circular 75, which ceased to be effective upon the promulgation of SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities) to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we may make in the future.
Under SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who make, or have prior to the implementation of SAFE Circular 37 made, direct or indirect investments in offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, are required to register such investments with SAFE or its local branches. In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an SPV, is required to update its registration with the local branch of SAFE with respect to that SPV, to reflect any material change. Moreover, any subsidiary of such SPV in China is required to urge the PRC resident shareholders to update their registration with the local branch of SAFE to reflect any material change. If any PRC resident shareholder of such SPV fails to make the required registration or update the registration, the subsidiary of such SPV in China may be prohibited from distributing its profits or the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, and the SPV may also be prohibited from making additional capital contributions into its subsidiaries in China. In February 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13. Under SAFE Notice 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound direct investments, including those required under SAFE Circular 37, must be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE. Qualified banks should examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.
In April 2014, the National Development Reform Committee, or the NDRC, promulgated the Administrative Measures for the Approval and Filing of Overseas Investment Projects and MOFCOM promulgated the Measures for the Administration of Overseas Investment in September 2014. In December 2017, the NDRC further promulgated the Administrative Measures of Overseas Investment of Enterprises, which became effective in March 2018 and abolished the Administrative Measures for the Approval and Filing of Overseas Investment Projects. Pursuant to these regulations, any outbound investment of PRC enterprises in the area and industry that is not sensitive is required to be filed with MOFCOM and the NDRC or their local branch.
Mr. Kun Dai, who indirectly holds our shares through SPVs and who is known to us as a PRC resident, has completed the applicable foreign exchange registrations to the extent acceptable by SAFE in accordance with SAFE Circular 75 and SAFE Circular 37. We cannot assure you, however, that Mr. Kun Dai will continue to make required filings or updates in a timely manner, or at all. Moreover, we can provide no assurance that we are or will in the future continue to be informed of the identities of all PRC residents and PRC enterprises holding direct or indirect interest in our company, and even if we are aware of such shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents or PRC enterprises, we may not be able to compel them to comply with SAFE Circular 37 and outbound investment related regulations, and we may not even have any means to know whether they comply with these requirements. Any failure or inability by such individuals or enterprises to comply with SAFE and outbound investment related regulations may subject such individuals or the responsible officers of such enterprises to fines or legal sanctions, and may result in adverse impact on us, such as restrictions on our ability to distribute or pay dividends.
40 |
Furthermore, as these foreign exchange and outbound investment related regulations are relatively new and their interpretation and implementation have been constantly evolving, it is uncertain how these regulations, and any future regulations concerning offshore or cross-border investments and transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Due to the complexity and constantly changing nature of the foreign exchange and outbound investment related regulations as well as the uncertainties involved, we cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all applicable foreign exchange and outbound investment related regulations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company primarily relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to utilize cash held in mainland China or generated by a PRC entity to fund our operations outside of mainland China or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs. There is no assurance the PRC government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on us and our subsidiaries to transfer cash or assets. Although currently we are not aware of equivalent or similar restrictions or limitations in Hong Kong on cash transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities (including currency conversion), if certain restrictions or limitations in mainland China were to become applicable to cash transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities (including currency conversion) in the future, the funds in our Hong Kong entities, likewise, may not be available to meet our currency demand. See “Item 3. Key Information—Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization.”
Fluctuations in exchange rates of the Renminbi could materially affect our reported results of operations.
The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the PBOC. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. We cannot assure you that Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Any significant appreciation or depreciation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. As of the date of this annual report, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency or to convert foreign currency into Renminbi.
41 |
PRC rules on mergers and acquisitions may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.
The Anti-Monopoly Law, or the AML, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which became effective in 2008 and last amended on June 24, 2022, requires that when a concentration of undertakings occurs and reaches statutory thresholds, the undertakings concerned shall file a prior notification with MOFCOM. Without the clearance from MOFCOM, no concentration of undertakings shall be implemented and effected. Mergers, acquisitions or contractual arrangements that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on another market player must also be notified in advance to MOFCOM when the threshold under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, revised in 2018, is triggered. If such prior notification is not obtained, MOFCOM may order the concentration to cease its operations, dispose of shares or assets, transfer the business of the concentration within a time limit, take any other necessary measures to restore the situation as it was before the concentration, and may impose administrative fines. The AML specifies that a fine of not more than 10% of its sales amount in the previous year shall be imposed if the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition and a fine of not more than RMB5 million shall be imposed if the concentration has no effect of eliminating or restricting competition. The AML further specifies that the relevant authority may investigate a transaction where there is evidence that the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold. On February 7, 2021, the Anti-Monopoly Committee of the State Council promulgated the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector which stipulates that any concentration of undertakings involving variable interest entities (VIE) shall fall within the scope of anti-monopoly review. Furthermore, the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms prohibits certain monopolistic acts of internet platforms so as to protect market competition and safeguard interests of users and undertakings participating in internet platform economy, including without limitation, prohibiting platforms with dominant position from abusing their market dominance (such as discriminating customers in terms of pricing and other transactional conditions using big data and analytics, coercing counterparties into exclusivity arrangements, using technology means to block competitors’ interface, favorable positioning in search results of goods displays, using bundle services to sell services or products, compulsory collection of unnecessary user data). On August 17, 2021, the SAMR issued the Provisions on Prohibition of Unfair Competition on the Internet (Draft for Comments), which prohibits business operators from using data, algorithms and other technical means to commit traffic hijacking, interference, malicious incompatibility and other improprieties to influence user choices or hinder or damage the normal operation of network products or services offered by other business operators.
Also, the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. Such regulation requires, among other things, that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor acquires control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) it is concerned with certain industries, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have an impact on the national economic security, or (iii) such transaction may lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise that holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. The approval from MOFCOM shall be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies.
In addition, PRC national security review rules, i.e. Provisions of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, which became effective in September 2011 and Notice of the General Office of State Council on Establishment of Security Review System Pertaining to Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, which became effective in March 2011, require acquisitions by foreign investors of PRC companies engaged in military related or certain other industries that are crucial to national security be subject to security review before consummation of any such acquisition. We believe that our business is not in an industry related to national security. However, we cannot preclude the possibility that MOFCOM or other government agencies may publish interpretations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of the security review in the future.
Moreover, the Administrative Measures for Enterprises’ Overseas Investment, or the Overseas Investment Rules, adopted by the NDRC on December 26, 2017 and will become effective on March 1, 2018, stipulates that for local enterprises (enterprises that are not managed by the state government), if the amount of investment made by the Chinese investors is less than US$300 million and the target project is non-sensitive, then the overseas investment project will require filing, instead of approval, with the local branch of the CSRC where the enterprise itself is registered. Although the NDRC has deregulated on overseas investment to certain extent, we are still subject to the procedures required by the NDRC before any of our PRC subsidiaries can conduct any overseas investment activities. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—M&A Rules and Overseas Listings.”
42 |
On December 19, 2020, the Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment was jointly issued by NDRC and MOFCOM and took effect from January 18, 2021. The Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment specified provisions concerning the security review mechanism on foreign investment, including the types of investments subject to review, review scopes and procedures, among others. As these measures are recently promulgated, designated office in charge of such security review has not yet issued official guidance. At this stage, the interpretation of those measures remains unclear in many aspects such as what would constitute “important information technology and internet services and products” and whether these measures may apply to foreign investment that is implemented or completed before the enactment of these new measures. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. It is unclear whether our business would be deemed to be in an industry that raises “national defense and security” or “national security” concerns. However, MOFCOM, NDRC and other government agencies may publish explanations in the future determining that our business is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand our market share through future acquisitions would as such be materially and adversely affected.
PRC regulations on loans and direct investments by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC entities.
As an offshore holding company of our PRC subsidiaries, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Such loans to our PRC subsidiaries in China and capital contributions are subject to PRC regulations and approvals or filing. For example, loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE or its local branch. Information about capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries must be filed with the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart. In addition, the PRC government also restricts the convertibility of foreign currencies into Renminbi and use of the proceeds. On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Circular 19, which took effect and replaced certain previous SAFE regulations from June 1, 2015. SAFE further promulgated Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which, among other things, amend certain provisions of Circular 19. According to SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that Renminbi capital may not be used for business beyond its business scope or to provide loans to persons other than affiliates unless otherwise permitted under its business scope. On October 23, 2019, SAFE promulgated Circular 28, which stipulates that non-investment foreign-funded enterprises are allowed to make domestic equity investment with their capital funds on the premise that the Negative List is not violated and the projects invested thereby in China are true and compliant. Violations of the applicable circulars and rules may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines as set forth in the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations. If our variable interest entity requires financial support from us or our wholly owned subsidiaries in the future and we find it necessary to use foreign currency-denominated capital to provide such financial support, our ability to fund our variable interest entity’s operations will be subject to statutory limits and restrictions, including those described above. The Circular Regarding Further Optimizing the Cross-border RMB Policy to Support the Stabilization of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment jointly promulgated by the PBOC, NDRC, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and SAFE on December 31, 2020 and effective on February 4, 2021 allows the non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to make domestic reinvestment with RMB capital in accordance with the law on the premise that they comply with prevailing regulations and the invested projects in China are authentic and compliant. In addition, if a foreign-invested enterprise uses RMB income under capital accounts to conduct domestic reinvestment, the invested enterprise is not required to open a special deposit account for RMB capital.
The applicable foreign exchange circulars and rules may significantly limit our ability to convert, transfer and use the net proceeds from our initial public offering and the concurrent private placement of convertible notes or any offering of additional equity securities in China, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. As the foreign exchange related regulatory regime and practice are complex and still evolving and involve many uncertainties, we cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all applicable foreign exchange circulars and rules, or that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or filings on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or filings, our ability to contribute additional capital to fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely and materially affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
43 |
Increases in labor costs and enforcement of stricter labor laws and regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and our profitability.
China’s overall economy and the average wage in China have increased in recent years and are expected to continue to grow. The average wage level for our employees has also increased in recent years. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to those who pay for our services, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, we have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In October 2010, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Social Insurance Law, effective on July 1, 2011 and amended on December 29, 2018. On April 3, 1999, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Funds, which was amended on March 24, 2019. Companies registered and operating in China are required under the Social Insurance Law and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Funds to, apply for social insurance registration and housing fund deposit registration within 30 days of their establishment and, to pay for their employees different social insurance including pension insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to the extent required by law. As of the date of this annual report, except for the PRC subsidiaries with no employees, all of our PRC subsidiaries have obtained and applied for social insurance registration. However, given the evolving changes of the laws on social insurance, we cannot guarantee that we are able to make adequate contribution for each employee in a timely and appropriate manner at all times. We could be subject to orders by the competent labor authorities for rectification and failure to comply with the orders may further subject us to administrative fines.
As the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, we cannot assure you that our employment practices do not and will not violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. We cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all labor-related law and regulations regarding including those relating to obligations to make social insurance payments and contribute to the housing provident funds. If we are deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, we could be required to provide additional compensation to our employees and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee share ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, replacing earlier rules promulgated in 2007. Pursuant to these rules, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a qualified PRC agent, which could be the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas-listed company, and complete certain other procedures. The PRC agent shall amend the SAFE registration within three months in the event that there are any material changes to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes.
44 |
In addition, an overseas-entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We and our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who reside in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted options are subject to these regulations. However, we cannot assure you that the SAFE registrations for the grantees of our stock options could be completed and updated in a timely manner. Failure to complete SAFE registrations or to amend such registrations in time may subject us to fines of up to RMB300,000 for entities and up to RMB50,000 for individuals, and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Stock Incentive Plans.”
Dividends we may receive from our subsidiaries located in the PRC may be subject to PRC withholding tax, which could materially and adversely affect the amount of dividends, if any, we may pay our shareholders.
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, classifies enterprises as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. The EIT Law provides that an income tax rate of 20% may be applicable to dividends payable to non-resident investors, which (i) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. The State Council of the PRC reduced such rate to 10% through the implementation regulations of the EIT Law. Further, pursuant to the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement between Hong Kong and Mainland China and the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued in February 2009 by the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”), if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns more than 25% of the equity interest in a company in China at all times during the 12-month period immediately prior to obtaining a dividend from such company, the 10% withholding tax on dividends is reduced to 5% provided certain other conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement between Hong Kong and Mainland China and other applicable PRC laws are satisfied at the discretion of relevant PRC tax authority.
We are a Cayman Islands holding company and we have three Cayman Islands subsidiaries, five British Virgin Islands subsidiaries, and ten Hong Kong subsidiaries which in turn hold controlling equity interests in 54 PRC subsidiaries as of the date of this annual report. If we and our Cayman Islands and Hong Kong subsidiaries are considered as non-resident enterprises and each of our Hong Kong subsidiaries is considered as a Hong Kong resident enterprise under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied relevant conditions and requirements, then the dividends paid to our Hong Kong subsidiaries by its PRC subsidiaries may be subject to the reduced income tax rate of 5% under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement. However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment; and based on the Notice on the Comprehension and Recognition of Beneficial Owner in Tax Treaties issued in October 2009 by the SAT, conduit companies, which are established for the purpose of evading or reducing tax, transferring or accumulating profits, shall not be recognized as beneficial owner and thus are not entitled to the abovementioned reduced income tax rate of 5% under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement. If we are required under the EIT Law to pay income tax for any dividends we receive from our subsidiaries in China, or if any of our Hong Kong subsidiaries is determined by PRC government authority as receiving benefits from reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, it would materially and adversely affect the amount of dividends, if any, we may pay to our shareholders.
Under the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China; such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
45 |
We believe that Uxin Limited is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Tax—Enterprise Income Tax.” However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that Uxin Limited is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are nonresident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% which in the case of dividends may be withheld at source. Any PRC tax liability may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty. However, it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.
In addition to the uncertainty as to the application of the “resident enterprise” classification, we cannot assure you that the PRC Government will not amend or revise the taxation laws, rules, and regulations to impose stricter tax requirements, higher tax rates, or retroactively apply the EIT Law. If such changes occur or if such changes are applied retroactively, such changes could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial conditions.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC shareholders.
In February 2015, the SAT issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or SAT Public Notice 7. SAT Public Notice 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Public Notice 7 provides clear criteria for assessment of reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets. In October 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017 and was amended on June 15, 2018. The Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax. Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an indirect transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer other than transfer of Shares of ADSs acquired and sold on public markets may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.
We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions that involve PRC taxable assets, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Public Notice 7 or Bulletin 37, or both. We have not filed certain filings under SAT Notice 7 filings for some of our historical share transfers and restructurings. For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Public Notice 7 and Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Public Notice 7 and Bulletin 37, or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
46 |
In October 2017, the SAT released the Public Notice Regarding Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Public Notice 37, effective from December 2017. STA Public Notice 37 replaced a series of important circulars, including but not limited to SAT Circular 698, and revised the rules governing the administration of withholding tax on China-source income derived by a nonresident enterprise. SAT Public Notice 37 provides for certain key changes to the previous withholding regime. For example, the withholding obligation for a non-resident enterprise deriving dividend arises on the date on which the payment is actually made rather than on the date of the resolution that declared the dividends.
Under SAT Public Notice 7 and SAT Public Notice 37, the entities or individuals obligated to pay the transfer price to the transferor are the withholding agents and must withhold the PRC income tax from the transfer price if the indirect transfer is subject to the PRC enterprise income tax. If the withholding agent fails to do so, the transferor should report to and pay the tax to the PRC tax authorities. In the event that neither the withholding agent nor the transferor fulfills their obligations under SAT Public Notice 7 and SAT Public Notice 37, according to the applicable law, apart from imposing penalties such as late payment interest on the transferor, the tax authority may also hold the withholding agent liable and impose a penalty of 50% to 300% of the unpaid tax on the withholding agent. The penalty imposed on the withholding agent may be reduced or waived if the withholding agent has submitted the relevant materials in connection with the indirect transfer to the PRC tax authorities in accordance with SAT Public Notice 7.
However, as there is a lack of clear statutory interpretation, we face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences on future private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or purchase of shares in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. Our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group may be subject to filing obligations or being taxed if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferors in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferees in such transactions. For the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under the rules and notices. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with these rules and notices or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply, or to establish that our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group should not be taxed under these rules and notices, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. There is no assurance that the tax authorities will not apply the rules and notices to our offshore restructuring transactions where non-PRC residents were involved if any of such transactions were determined by the tax authorities to lack reasonable commercial purpose. As a result, we and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being taxed under these rules and notices and may be required to comply with or to establish that we should not be taxed under such rules and notices, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or such non-PRC resident investors’ investments in us. We have conducted acquisition transactions in the past and may conduct additional acquisition transactions in the future. We cannot assure you that the PRC tax authorities will not, at their discretion, adjust any capital gains and impose tax return filing obligations on us or require us to provide assistance for the investigation of PRC tax authorities with respect thereto. Heightened scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.
The PCAOB, in prior years, was unable to completely inspect and investigate registered independent accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, which includes our auditor. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections over our auditor has deprived our investors of the benefits of such inspections in prior years and may continue to deprive investors of such benefits in the future should the PCAOB not continue to have the ability to completely inspect and investigate registered accounting firms in China.
Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Since our auditor is located in mainland China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities until 2022, our auditor was historically uninspected by PCAOB. However, on August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in China, which marks the first step toward providing access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in Mainland China and Hong Kong. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it was able to conduct inspections and investigations completely of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2022, and vacated its previous 2021 Determinations accordingly. This marks the first time that Chinese authorities allowed access for complete inspections and investigations meeting U.S. standards, as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
47 |
However, whether the PCAOB will continue to conduct inspections and investigations completely to its satisfaction of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainty and depends on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s, control, including positions taken by authorities of the PRC. The PCAOB is expected to continue to demand complete inspections and investigations against registered accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in the future and states that it has already made plans to resume regular inspections going forward. The PCAOB is required under the HFCAA to make its determination on an annual basis with regards to its ability to inspect and investigate completely registered accounting firms based in the mainland China and Hong Kong. The possibility of being a “Commission-Identified Issuer” and risk of delisting in the future could continue to adversely affect the trading price of our securities. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely registered accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use such accounting firm to conduct audit work, we would be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA following the filing of the annual report for the relevant fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, trading in our securities on U.S. markets would be prohibited.
Our ADSs will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China for two consecutive years. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which was enacted on December 18, 2020 and further amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 signed into law on December 29, 2022, or the HFCAA, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, for two consecutive years, the SEC shall prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted final amendments implementing the disclosure and submission requirements of the HFCAA, pursuant to which the SEC will identify an issuer as a “Commission Identified Issuer” if the issuer has filed an annual report containing an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely, and will then impose a trading prohibition on an issuer after it is identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for two consecutive years. On August 29, 2022, the SEC conclusively listed Uxin Limited as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. In accordance with the HFCAA, our securities will be prohibited from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States if the PCAOB, for two consecutive years, is unable to inspect or completely investigate PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China. As a result, the Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities.
Based on the above, trading in our securities on U.S. markets, including Nasdaq Global Select Market, would be prohibited under the HFCAA if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor for two consecutive years. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued the HFCAA Determination Report, or the 2021 Determinations, to notify the SEC of its determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, including our auditor. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it was able to conduct inspections and investigations completely of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2022. Accordingly, the PCAOB vacated its previous 2021 Determinations. As a result, we were not at risk of having out securities subject to a trading prohibition under the HFCAA unless a new determination is made by the PCAOB. However, whether the PCAOB will continue to conduct inspections and investigations completely to its satisfaction of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainty and depends on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s, control, including positions taken by authorities of the PRC. The PCAOB is expected to continue to demand complete access to inspections and investigations regarding registered accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in the future and states that it has already made plans to resume regular inspections. The PCAOB is required under the HFCAA to make its determination on an annual basis with regards to its ability to inspect and investigate completely registered accounting firms based in the mainland China and Hong Kong. The possibility of being a Commission-Identified Issuer and risk of delisting in the future could continue to adversely affect the trading price of our securities. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely registered accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use such accounting firm to conduct audit work, we would be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA following the filing of the annual report for the relevant fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, trading in our securities on U.S. markets would be prohibited.
48 |
If our shares and ADSs are prohibited from trading in the United States, there is no certainty that we will be able to list on a non-U.S. exchange or that a market for our shares will develop outside of the United States. Such a prohibition would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ADSs. Also, such a prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects.
The enforcement of stricter advertisement laws and regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and our profitability.
In April 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Advertising Law, effective on September 1, 2015 and amended on October 26, 2018 and April 29, 2021. According to the Advertising Law, advertisements shall not have any false or misleading content, or defraud or mislead consumers. Furthermore, an advertisement will be deemed as a “false advertisement” if any of the following situations exist: (i) the advertised product or service does not exist; (ii) there is any inconsistency that has a material impact on the decision to purchase in what is included in the advertisement with the actual circumstances with respect to the product’s performance, functions, place of production, uses, quality, specification, ingredient, price, producer, term of validity, sales condition, and honors received, among others, or the service’s contents, provider, form, quality, price, sales condition, and honors received, among others, or any commitments, among others, made on the product or service; (iii) fabricated, forged or unverifiable scientific research results, statistical data, investigation results, excerpts, quotations, or other information have been used as supporting material; (iv) effect or results of using the good or receiving the service are fabricated; or (v) other circumstances where consumers are defrauded or misled by any false or misleading content. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Advertisement” for further details.
Our current marketing relies on advertising, via both online and offline channels. The laws and regulations of advertising are relatively new and evolving and there is substantial uncertainty as to the interpretation of “false advertisement” by the SAMR. If any of the advertisements that we publish is deemed to be a “false advertisement” by the SAMR or its local branch, we could be subject to various penalties, such as discontinuation of publishing the target advertisement, imposition of fines and obligations to eliminate any adverse effects incurred by such false advertisement. Some of our outdoor advertisements has historically been deemed as giving misstatement, resulting in fines by the local SAMR. The amount of the fine was not significant. We cannot assure you that the advertisement we publish in the future will not be subject to further penalties. And any such penalties may disrupt our business and our competition with competitors, which could affect our results of operations and financial conditions.
Certain of our leased property interests may be defective and we may be forced to relocate operations affected by such defects, which could cause a significant disruption to our business.
As to most of our leased properties, we are not provided with sufficient property title certificates or other supporting documents to prove the legitimate possession of the leased properties by the lessors. Our lease agreements therefore may not be enforceable, our rights as the lessee could be challenged by third parties and we may be forced to relocate if the lessors do not have legitimate rights upon the properties. We cannot assure you that such defects could be cured in time, or at all, and our business may be significantly disrupted with additional costs and expenses if we have to relocate.
Some of our leases have expired or will expire soon. We may not be able to successfully extend or renew such leases upon expiration of the current term on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and may therefore be forced to relocate our affected operations. This could disrupt our operations and result in significant relocation expenses, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, we compete with other businesses for premises at certain locations or of desirable sizes. As a result, even though we could extend or renew our leases, rental payments may significantly increase as a result of the high demand for the leased properties. In addition, we may not be able to locate desirable alternative sites for our facilities as our business continues to grow and failure in relocating our affected operations could adversely affect our business and operations.
49 |
We may in the future be involved in legal and administration proceedings initiated by government authorities, property owners or any other third parties regarding our leasehold interests in or use of such properties. We cannot assure you that we can successfully defend ourselves against those claims or that our use of such leased properties will not be challenged in the future. In the event that our use of properties is successfully challenged, we may be subject to fines and forced to relocate the affected operations. In addition, we may become involved in disputes with the property owners or third parties who otherwise have rights to or interests in our leased properties. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to find suitable replacement sites on terms acceptable to us on a timely basis, or at all, or that we will not be subject to material liability resulting from third parties’ challenges on our use of such properties. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may be required to register our business premises outside of our registered residence addresses as branch offices under PRC law.
Under PRC law, a company doing business at a fixed venue outside its registered residence address is required to register with the local branch of the SAMR where the business premise is located to set it up as branch office and obtain business license. We have successfully registered and set up branch offices nationwide for all of our newly opened business premise. If the PRC regulatory authorities determine that we are in violation of the relevant laws and regulations, we may be subject to penalties, including fines, confiscation of income and suspension of operation and our business, results of operations and financial condition could thus be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our ADSs
The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The trading price of our ADSs has been volatile since our ADSs became listed on Nasdaq on June 27, 2018. The trading price of the ADSs could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:
● | variations in our revenues, earnings and cash flow; |
● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations; |
● | announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors; |
● | announcements of new service offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors; |
● | changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; |
● | conditions in China’s used car market and used car consumer financing market; |
● | changes in the operating performance or market evaluations of other e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars; |
● | detrimental adverse publicity about us, our services or our industry; |
● | additions or departures of key personnel; |
● | release of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities; |
● | short seller reports that make allegations against us or our affiliates, even if unfounded; |
50 |
● | potential litigation or regulatory investigations; and |
● | general economic or political conditions in China or elsewhere in the world. |
Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for internet-related companies and companies with operations in China in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. The securities of some China-based companies that have listed their securities in the United States have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings in recent years, including, in some cases, substantial declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of these companies’ securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies listed in the United States in general, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities. In particular, the global financial crisis, the ensuing economic recessions and deterioration in the credit market in many countries have contributed and may continue to contribute to extreme volatility in the global stock markets. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in our ADS price may also adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, most of whom have been granted options or other equity incentives.
Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
We have a dual-class share structure such that our ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares with disparate voting powers. We have also issued senior convertible preferred shares, which have the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in our memorandum and articles of association. On March 27, 2024, all of our then issued and outstanding senior convertible preferred shares were converted into Class A ordinary shares. In respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes per share based on our dual-class share structure, and each senior convertible preferred share is entitled to that number of votes equal to the largest number of whole Class A ordinary shares into which each such senior convertible preferred share could be converted. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon (i) any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof or direct or indirect transfer or assignment of the voting power attached to such number of Class B ordinary shares through voting proxy or otherwise to any person or any entity which is not an affiliate of such holder, or (ii) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of a majority of the issued and outstanding voting securities of, or the direct or indirect transfer or assignment of the voting power attached to such voting securities through voting proxy or otherwise, or the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of, a holder of Class B ordinary shares to any person that is not an affiliate of such holder, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the same number of Class A ordinary shares, or (iii) of Mr. Kun Dai ceases to be the ultimate beneficial owner of any outstanding Class B ordinary shares.
As of July 23, 2024, Mr. Kun Dai, the beneficial owner of all our issued Class B ordinary shares, beneficially owned 3.3% of the aggregate voting power of our company. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership” for details on ordinary shares beneficially owned by Kun Dai. As a result of the dual-class share structure, holders of Class B ordinary shares may have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers and consolidations, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. Such holders may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. The dual-class share structure may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs. The dual-class share structure may limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
51 |
The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs.
S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and materially impair our ability to raise capital through offerings of equity or equity linked securities in the future. To our knowledge, certain of our shareholders, including those affiliated with Mr. Kun Dai, our chairman and chief executive officer, had pledged a total of 14,764,090 Class A ordinary shares held by record of BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited, that represent approximately 0.03% of our outstanding share capital as of July 23, 2024 in favor of third-party note subscribers in connection with certain notes. Most of the proceeds from such notes were used to fund the purchase of shares in our company in the latest rounds of pre-IPO equity financings. The notes became due in December 2019. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership.” If any note subscriber enforces its security interests in such pledged shares upon an event of default or any borrower needs to use the pledged shares to repay the note, the pledged shares may be sold on the public market. On September 2, 2020, one of the third-party note subscribers issued a notice to BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited declaring that an event of default had occurred and such note subscriber exercised its call option accordingly. As of the date of this annual report, BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited was in discussion with such note subscriber on the details and mechanisms of the potential share transfer. Furthermore, in connection with a loan in the principal amount of US$150.0 million under a facility agreement entered into between Kingkey New Era Auto Industry Limited as borrower and China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd. Hong Kong Branch and Huangpu Investment Holding Limited as lenders, Huangpu Investment Holding Limited enforced its security interests in shares pledged by Kingkey New Era Auto Industry Limited and as a result, 61,129,800 Class A ordinary shares were transferred to Huangpu Investment Holding Limited on May 17, 2021. Huangpu Investment Holding Limited disposed of these securities in December 2021. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of the ADSs.
Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on a price appreciation of the ADSs for return on your investment.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.
52 |
Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs.
Our memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions, including a dual-class voting structure that gives disproportionate voting power to the Class B ordinary shares held by Xin Gao Group Limited, of which our founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Kun Dai, is the sole shareholder and sole director. Through Xin Gao Group Limited and BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited, Mr. Dai beneficially owned an aggregate of 3.3% of the total voting power of our company as of July 23, 2024. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A ordinary shares, in the form of the ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies.
Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” for a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
53 |
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, to our best knowledge, as of the date of this annual report, other than two independent directors that reside in the United States, all of the remaining directors and senior executive officers, namely, Kun Dai, Bin Li, Erhai Liu, Rong Lu, Feng Lin, Zhitian Zhang and Wenbing Jing, reside within mainland China and Hong Kong for a significant portion of the time and are residents of mainland China or Hong Kong. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADS.
Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of the ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which are attached to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as the holder of the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try, as far as is practicable, to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares, and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to withdraw the underlying shares represented by your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our memorandum and articles of association, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. Under our memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is seven days. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the underlying shares represented by your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the underlying shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
You may experience dilution of your holdings due to the inability to participate in rights offerings.
We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.
54 |
You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly since we have ceased to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and Nasdaq Global Select Market, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also permits an emerging growth company to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
Since we have ceased to be an “emerging growth company,” we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. Operating as a public company also makes it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
● | the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K; |
● | the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
● | the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and |
● | the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD. |
We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of Nasdaq. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
55 |
As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the Nasdaq, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. Currently, we rely on home country exemption for the requirement under Nasdaq Rule 5605(b)(1) that majority of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors as defined under Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). We also relied on home country practice in our transaction with NIO Capital and Joy Capital in June 2021 in which the issue price is less than the minimum price requirements stipulated by the Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) without seeking shareholder approval, in adopting our 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan in November 2018 without seeking shareholder approval and did not hold an annual shareholders meeting for the fiscal year of 2024. In addition, in connection with the transaction with Alpha and Joy Capital in June 2023 regarding certain warrants initially issued by us to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021, we have relied on home country practices in lieu of (i) Nasdaq’s requirement that voting rights of existing shareholders of publicly traded common stock registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States cannot be disparately reduced or restricted through any corporate action or issuance; (ii) Nasdaq’s requirement that shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a change of control of the company and (iii) Nasdaq’s requirement that shareholder approval is required prior to issuance at a price that is less than the minimum price requirements stipulated by the Nasdaq Rule 5635(d). Lastly, we have relied on home country practice and our board of directors does not consist of a majority of independent directors. If we continue to rely on these and other exemptions available to foreign private issuers in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under the Nasdaq governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.
A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of passive income, or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (generally based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, and capital gains. Goodwill and other intangible assets are generally treated as active assets to the extent associated with business activities that generate active income. For purposes of these calculations, a non-U.S. corporation will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.
We do not believe that we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended March 31, 2024. However, because the determination of whether we have been or will become a PFIC is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that we have not been or will not be a PFIC in any taxable year. In prior Annual Reports on Form 20-F, we stated that we believed that we were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and that it is possible that one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such year for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Our PFIC status may depend, in part, on the average value of our goodwill and other intangible assets. If the value of our assets (including our goodwill and other intangible assets) is determined by reference to our market capitalization, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may result in us becoming a PFIC for the current or future taxable years. The market price of our ADSs may continue to fluctuate considerably and, consequently, we cannot assure you of our PFIC status for any taxable year. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets. In addition, if our revenue from activities that produce passive income increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, our risk of becoming a PFIC may substantially increase, including as a result of our potential future inability to operate as a going concern. If we cease to operate as a going concern, our PFIC status may be adversely affected as a result See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—There is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.”
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (defined below) owns an ADS or an ordinary share, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to the U.S. Holder. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares even if we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status. As noted above, we believed we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. If we were a PFIC for 2019, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder that owns ADSs or Class A ordinary shares that such Holder owned during any portion of 2019, even if we are not a PFIC for any other taxable year, unless the U.S. Holder made or makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to their particular circumstances. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
56 |
Item 4. | Information on the Company |
A. | History and Development of the Company |
We commenced operations in August 2011 through Youxin Internet (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Youxin Hulian, to conduct used car auctions and other transaction related services.
In December 2011, we incorporated Uxin Limited in the Cayman Islands as our offshore holding company to facilitate financing and offshore listing. Shortly following its incorporation, Uxin Limited established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Uxin Hong Kong Limited. In June 2012, in connection with our Series A financing, Uxin Hong Kong Limited established a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Youxinpai (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., referred to as Youxinpai or one of our WFOEs. Youxinpai subsequently established and acquired several wholly-owned subsidiaries, among which are Youhan (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Youhan, and Baogu Automobile Technology Services (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
In November 2014, we established UcarShow Holding Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uxin Limited. UcarShow Holding Limited established UcarShow HK Limited in Hong Kong. In January 2015, we established Uxin Used Car Limited, and in February 2015, UcarShow Holding Limited transferred all its interests in UcarShow HK Limited to Uxin Used Car Limited. In March 2015, UcarShow HK Limited established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Yougu (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd, or Yougu. Yougu acquired Youzhen (Beijing) Business Consulting Co., Ltd. from Youxinpai in September 2016.
In November 2014, we established UcarEase Holding Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uxin Limited. UcarEase Holding Limited acquired GloryFin International Group Holding Company Limited, or GloryFin, which was incorporated in Hong Kong, and its three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kai Feng Finance Lease (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., or Kaifeng, Youqin (Shaanxi) Automobile Manufacture Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Youqin (Shaanxi) Finance Lease Co., Ltd.), and Boyu Finance Lease (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.
In November 2014, we established UcarBuy Holding Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uxin Limited. UcarBuy Holding Limited established UcarBuy HK Limited, which established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Youxin (Shanghai) Used Car Business Co., Ltd., which we refer to as Youxin Shanghai. In July 2019, Youxin Shanghai became a wholly-owned subsidiary of GloryFin.
Youxinpai and Yougu entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Youxin Hulian and Youxin Yishouche (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Yishouche, respectively, and their respective shareholders. Youxin Hulian and Yishouche are collectively referred to as the former VIEs.
We have been conducting our 2C business through Yougu and Yishouche. Yougu operates the website www.xin.com and mobile apps for our 2C business and has obtained approval from Shanghai Communications Administration to conduct value-added telecommunications services in the scope of online data processing and transaction processing (operating e-commerce).
On June 27, 2018, our ADSs commenced trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “UXIN.” We raised from our initial public offering US$204.8 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commissions and the offering expenses payable by us. Concurrently with our initial public offering, we sold convertible notes to CNCB and Golden Fortune, resulting in net proceeds to us of US$100 million and US$75 million, respectively. The notes each bears an interest rate of 6% and 6.5% per annum. They became due and were paid in June 2019.
In June 2019, we sold convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$230 million to Redrock, TPG, 58.com, among others, which will become due and payable on June 11 and June 12, 2024 unless converted earlier (the “2024 Notes”). The note holders have the right to convert the convertible notes into our Class A ordinary shares during the period from and including the 181st day after the issuance date to and including the maturity date. The conversion price per Class A ordinary share of the notes equals US$1.03 and may be adjusted and each note bears an interest rate of 3.75% per annum. On July 12, 2021, the note holders have converted a principal amount of US$69 million convertible notes to 66,990,291 Class A ordinary shares. The remaining principal amount of US$161 million is subject to customary payment schedules. The note holders have also irrevocably waived the conversion rights with respect to their respective remaining portions. In July 2022, we issued 183,495,146 Class A ordinary shares to 58.com in exchange for the full release of our obligations to 58.com under the convertible promissory note and certain other historical transactions.
57 |
Between July and November 2019, we sold convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$50 million to affiliates of PacificBridge. Among the notes, notes of US$20.05 million in principal amount bears an interest rate of 10% per annum, which will become due and payable 12 months after the issuance date, and notes of US$29.95 million in principal amount bears an interest rate of 11% per annum, which will become due and payable 15 months after the issuance date, unless converted earlier. The noteholders have the right to convert the convertible notes into our Class A ordinary shares during the period from and including the 181st day after the issuance date to and including the maturity date, which right may be exercised twice only. The conversion prices of the notes are US$1.663, US$1.683 and US$1.7, as applicable, and may be adjusted. On July 23, 2020, we entered into agreements with PacificBridge to amend the terms of the notes to adjust the conversion price. On the same day, PacificBridge converted its convertible notes into 136,279,973 Class A ordinary shares at the adjusted conversion price.
On April 26, 2020, our board of directors approved the change in our fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31. We filed a transition report on Form 20-F covering the transition period from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 with the SEC on July 24, 2020.
Since September 2020, we have shifted to an inventory-owning model where we build-up and sell our own inventory of used cars. Youxin (Ningbo) Information Technology Co., Ltd., established in July 2020, is the operating entity under the new business model.
In October 2020, we completed private placements with GIC and Wells Fargo for subscription of a total of 84,692,839 Class A ordinary shares for an aggregate amount of US$25 million.
In March 2021 and June 2021, we entered into a term sheet and definitive agreements, respectively, with NIO Capital and Joy Capital to raise an aggregate amount of up to US$315 million for the subscription of a total of 917,564,810 senior convertible preferred shares. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association” for a more detailed description of our senior convertible preferred shares. The first closing in the amount of US$100 million was completed for our issuance of 291,290,416 senior convertible preferred shares on July 12, 2021. The second closing in the amount of US$27.5 million was completed for the issuance of 80,104,865 senior convertible preferred shares in November 2021. Another US$10 million and US$7.5 million of the second closing was completed in March 2022 and June 2022, respectively. In July 2022, NIO Capital assigned its rights and obligations to subscribe for 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares under the second closing for the total price of US$5 million to an independent third party. On the same day, we issued 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares to the third party and the second closing of the transaction was completed. The two investors have also purchased warrants to purchase 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$165 million. In January 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital to extend the expiration date of the aforesaid warrants from January 12, 2023 to January 12, 2024.
As of March 31, 2022, we had completed the Restructuring of the VIE structure to terminate the contractual arrangements with both of the former VIEs which have become wholly owned subsidiaries of the company.
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a share subscription agreement, or the 2022 Subscription Agreement, with NIO Capital for the subscription of 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company for an aggregate amount of US$100 million, which will be paid in multiple installments. The 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares were issued on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing and we have received the first installment. Pursuant to the then-effective certificate of designation of senior convertible preferred shares of our company, the issuance of the senior convertible preferred shares on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing of the foregoing transaction has led to an reduction in the conversion price, from US$0.3433 per Class A ordinary share to US$0.14 per Class A ordinary share, of the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to the 2021 Subscription Agreement we entered into with certain investors in June 2021 and then outstanding. The fair value impact of the triggered down round feature amounted to RMB755.6 million and was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional-paid in capital.
On July 19, 2022, we issued 183,495,146 Class A ordinary shares to 58.com in exchange for the full release of our obligations to 58.com under the 2024 Notes held by 58.com (such notes, as amended, the “58.com Notes”) and certain other historical transactions. These shares were issued at a price equivalent to US$10.3 per ADS (or US$1.03 per ADS prior to the ADS Ratio Change (as defined below)). The 58.com Notes were extinguished upon such issuance of shares.
58 |
On August 29, 2022, we issued 36,699,029 Class A ordinary shares to ClearVue Uxin Holdings, Ltd., or ClearVue, in exchange for the full release of our obligations under the 2024 Notes held by ClearVue (such notes, as amended, the “ClearVue Notes”). These shares were issued at a price equivalent to US$10.3 per ADS (or US$1.03 per ADS prior to the ADS Ratio Change (as defined below)). The ClearVue Notes were extinguished upon such issuance of shares.
On October 12, 2022, Uxin Limited announced a change in ADS to Class A ordinary share ratio from each ADS representing three Class A ordinary shares to each ADS representing 30 Class A ordinary shares (the “ADS Ratio Change”). The ADS Ratio Change became effective on October 28, 2022.
On April 4, 2023, we and NIO Capital entered into additional supplemental agreements to amend the 2022 Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which the payment method of purchase price payable under the 2022 Subscription Agreement is revised to permit a combination of cash payment and cancellation of indebtedness of us to NIO Capital. As of the date of this annual report, NIO Capital has fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$90.6 million of the outstanding purchase price and have also fully performed our outstanding payment obligations under certain promissory notes originally issued in June 2019 and amended in June 2021, totaling an aggregate of US$61.6 million, held by NIO Capital.
On June 30, 2023, we have entered into a definitive agreement with Alpha and Joy Capital, or 2023 Warrant Amendment, regarding the warrants issued by the Company to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021. Pursuant to the foregoing definitive agreement and certain assignments of warrants among Alpha, NIO Capital and Joy Capital, Alpha acquired from NIO Capital and Joy Capital warrants that provide the right to purchase up to 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company at a modified exercise price of US$0.0457 per share. Joy Capital only assigned a portion of its warrants under this amended agreement. Alpha and Joy Capital (either together or separately) are entitled to, at their discretion, exercise their respective warrants in full to subscribe for a total of 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company in an aggregate amount of US$21,964,754 no later than September 30, 2023.
On August 17, 2023, Joy Capital has exercised its warrants to purchase 218,818,380 senior convertible preferred shares of our company at an exercise price of US$0.0457 per share for a total consideration of US$10.0 million. The closing of the foregoing transaction has led to a reduction in the conversion price, from US$0.14 per Class A ordinary share to US$0.0457 per Class A ordinary share, of the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to the 2021 Subscription Agreement we entered into with certain investors in June 2021 and then outstanding. The fair value impact of the triggered down round feature amounted to RMB278.8 million and was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional-paid in capital.
On September 20, 2023, we entered into an equity investment agreement with Hefei Construction Investment. Pursuant to the agreement, Hefei Construction Investment will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment is made by the Hefei subsidiary, over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.09 million was converted into the investment for the subscription of approximately 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei in October 2023. Details of each investment will be subject to future negotiation. Hefei Construction Investment’s equity interests in Uxin Hefei will not exceed 50% after these contributions are completed. We retain the right to repurchase the equity interests in Uxin Hefei from Hefei Construction Investment at any time, and Hefei Construction Investment has the right to request us to do the same when Uxin Hefei meets the performance condition or fails to meet certain conditions as stipulated in the equity investment agreement. This investment is intended to support the operation and development of our used car superstore in Changfeng County, Hefei City.
On December 29, 2023, Uxin Limited announced a change in ADS to Class A ordinary share ratio from each ADS representing 30 Class A ordinary shares to each ADS representing 300 Class A ordinary shares (the “Second ADS Ratio Change”). The Second ADS Ratio Change became effective on January 16, 2024.
On March 1, 2024, we held an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders and the shareholders passed an ordinary resolution that the authorized share capital of our company be increased by the creation of an additional 190,000,000,000 new Class A ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Share Capital Increase”), such that, following the Share Capital Increase, our authorized share capital became US$20,000,000 divided into 200,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 198,180,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and (iii) 1,720,000,000 senior preferred shares of a par value of US$0.0001.
59 |
On March 18, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized by written resolutions the re-designation of 8,180,000,000 authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares as 8,180,000,000 senior preferred shares (the “Re-designation”), such that, following the Re-designation, our authorized share capital is US$20,000,000 divided into 200,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 190,000,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and (iii) 9,900,000,000 senior preferred shares of a par value of US$0.0001.
On March 18, 2024, we entered into a term sheet with Xin Gao and an investment fund specializing in automatable industry (the “NC Fund”) to enter into definitive agreements for the financing in an aggregate amount of approximately US$34.8 million at a subscription price of US$0.004858 per share. On March 26, 2024, we and Xin Gao entered into a share subscription agreement for, and completed on the same day, the issuance of 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao for a total consideration of US$7.0 million. For the accounting impact resulted from the issuance price lower than market price, please refer to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.” The closing of the foregoing transaction has led to an reduction in the conversion price, from US$0.0457 per Class A ordinary share to US$0.004858 per Class A ordinary share, of the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to the 2021 Subscription Agreement we entered into with certain investors in June 2021 and then outstanding. The fair value impact of the triggered down round feature amounted to RMB1,781.5 million and was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional-paid in capital.
On March 27, 2024, by virtue of the consents of the requisite holders of senior convertible preferred shares, the 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares issued to Xin Gao on March 26, 2024 were converted into 1,440,922,190 Class A ordinary shares, and all the other senior convertible preferred shares then issued and outstanding were also converted into Class A ordinary shares at the applicable conversion prices.
On July 8, 2024, we entered into a strategic partnership with Zhengzhou Airport Industry to establish Uxin Zhengzhou to support our plan to establish a new used car super store in Zhengzhou. Pursuant to the equity investment agreement, Uxin Anhui will contribute RMB120.0 million and Zhengzhou Airport Industry will contribute RMB50.0 million, representing approximately 70% and 30% of Uxin Zhengzhou’s total registered capital, respectively. Uxin Anhui has the right to acquire Zhengzhou Airport Industry’s equity interests in Uxin Zhengzhou, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, and Zhengzhou Airport Industry has the right to request Uxin Anhui to acquire its equity interests if certain performance-based conditions are met (the “Repurchase Obligations”). We undertake to provide an irrevocable joint and several liability guarantee for the performance by Uxin Anhui of the Repurchase Obligations.
Divestitures of Our Loan Facilitation, Salvage Car and 2B Businesses
Since early 2018, when we began to fulfill online used car transactions for consumers, we have gradually shifted our strategic focus to our 2C online transaction business, which was previously referred to as “2C cross-regional business.” Through our 2C online transaction business, we help consumers buy the car of their choice online by providing them with a nationwide selection of used cars, a wide range of car-related value-added products and services as well as a full suite of supporting services to fulfill these online used car transactions. With our innovative online used car product and service offerings, we have created an innovative and unique used car buying experience for consumers centered around four key values — more selection, better prices, premium service and convenience. As a result, in order to better devote our attention and resources towards developing and scaling up our 2C online transaction business, we have divested our loan facilitation, salvage car and 2B related businesses, which are collectively referred to as the Divested Businesses.
B. | Business Overview |
We are a leading used car retailer, pioneering industry transformation with advanced production, new retail experiences, and digital empowerment in China. With our inventory-owning model, we provide our customers a comprehensive transaction solution that encompasses the entire value chain, ranging from used-car acquisition, inspection and reconditioning, warehousing, as well as pre-sales and after-sales services. We offer high-quality and value-for-money used cars as well as superior full suites of services to customers through a reliable, one-stop and hassle-free transaction experience. Empowered by our omni-channel sales approach, we are able to establish market leadership by serving customers both nationwide through our online platform and in selected regions through our offline used car superstores.
Since early 2018, we have been offering online used-car-buying products and services (2C online transactions) to customers nationwide through our online platform. By removing the geographic boundaries of used car transactions, our online platform facilitates each step of the transaction process and establishes a seamless self-service purchasing experience. With the abundant used-car listings and transparent price estimates displayed on our platform, our customers can easily place an order online, free from paying any hidden extra fees, and also enjoy our carefree after-sales support. Leveraging our vast nationwide logistics and delivery network, we are able to provide door-to-door delivery to our customers nationwide. In addition, we also collaborate with various third-party partners to provide a wide range of value-added products and services, such as auto financing options and insurance products, as well as other after-sales services.
60 |
In September 2020, we started to shift to an inventory-owning model from a third-party inventory commissioned-based model, aiming to better control our supply chain and deliver higher-quality used cars and higher transaction certainty to our customers.
Meanwhile, to further strengthen our ability to provide high-quality and value-for-money used cars, we have been building our own used car superstores where we can recondition all retail inventory to a “like new” condition. Our first used car superstore in Xi’an has been in operation in March 2021. Furthermore, we completed the relocation and upgrade of our Xi’an Superstore in December 2022. The upgraded facility has an annual production capacity of 40,000 vehicles and an extended showroom capacity of up to 3,000 vehicles, making it the largest fully self-owned used car marketplace in northwest China. In September 2021, we entered into a strategic partnership with Changfeng County Government of Hefei City to jointly invest in and build the industry-leading Hefei Superstore in Changfeng, Hefei. With a total investment of up to RMB2.5 billion, the Hefei Superstore is expected to have an annual production capacity of 60,000 to 100,000 vehicles once it is in operation in the next few years. This production capacity is expected to provide us with a stable and large supply of high-quality used vehicles in the coming years. The phase one of Hefei Superstore has been in operation since its launch in November 2021. The Hefei Superstore has a total construction area of 450,000 square meters, comprising of used car reconditioning factories and used car warehouse-style showrooms capable of showcasing up to 10,000 vehicles. It serves as a central hub for our expansion plans in the used car industry, anchoring in Hefei City and extending its reach across the Anhui Province and facilitating sales nationwide. On September 20, 2023, we entered into an equity investment agreement with Hefei Construction Investment. Pursuant to the agreement, Hefei Construction Investment will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment is made by the Hefei subsidiary, over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.09 million was converted into the investment for the subscription of approximately 12.02% of the equity interests in Uxin Hefei in October 2023. Details of each investment will be subject to future negotiation. Hefei Construction Investment’s equity interests in Uxin Hefei will not exceed 50% after these contributions are completed. We retain the right to repurchase the equity interests in Uxin Hefei from Hefei Construction Investment at any time, and Hefei Construction Investment has the right to request us to do the same when Uxin Hefei meets the performance condition or fails to meet certain conditions as stipulated in the equity investment agreement. This investment is intended to support the operation and development of our used car superstore in Changfeng County, Hefei City. In July 2024, we entered into a strategic partnership with Zhengzhou Airport Industry to establish Uxin Zhengzhou. Pursuant to the equity investment agreement, Uxin Anhui will contribute RMB120.0 million and Zhengzhou Airport Industry will contribute RMB50.0 million, representing approximately 70% and 30% of Uxin Zhengzhou’s total registered capital, respectively. Uxin Zhengzhou aims to support our plan to establish a new used car super store in Zhengzhou.
In addition to reconditioning retail used cars, our used car superstores, as a type of warehouse stores, offer local customers and customers within Shaanxi and Anhui provinces with in-store visit and purchase options. Accordingly, we have shifted from an online-only sales approach to an omni-channel sales approach, which integrates online sales into its warehouse-style operation.
Consumers in China have been facing significant challenges when buying used cars via traditional supply chains, such as limited access to a wide selection of used cars, inconvenience in terms of buying used cars from other cities and regions, lack of transparent and reliable information on car condition and complex transaction processes. Operated under the brand Uxin Used Car (优信二手车), our platform is able to address these pain points by providing customers with a reliable and one-stop car buying experience and enabling customers to select from our own inventory of selected used cars nationwide and access various car-related value-added products and services throughout China. We now have much stronger control and management over the entire value chain and improved ability to provide high-quality used car products and premium services. We have started to track customer satisfaction via monitoring NPS (net promoter score) since the second quarter of 2020 and have made remarkable progress over the past years. We have significantly improved our average NPS per year from 31 for the fiscal year 2021 to 61 for the fiscal year 2024.
Deeply rooted in the used-car market for over a decade, we are transforming the used car buying experience in China through our innovative inventory-owning model, integrated omni-channel sales approach, high-quality vehicle products and premium services, which perfectly echo the meaning of our brand name as Uxin (优信) translates to quality and trust in Chinese.
61 |
Our Platform and Business
Retail vehicle sales and wholesale vehicle sales
Our vehicle sales business consists of retail vehicle sales business and wholesale vehicle sales business.
Our acquired vehicles that meet our retail standards will be delivered to our Xi’an Superstore or Hefei Superstore for further inspection and reconditioning, and then sold to customers, which we refer to as our retail vehicle sales business. We acquire vehicles for sale through numerous sources, including directly from consumers, auction platforms and car dealerships. As we have such rich sources for vehicle acquisition, we are able to have greater access to used cars at more favorable prices and enjoy greater flexibility in offering more competitive prices to customers. The vehicles that we acquire from customers, either as trade-ins or independent of a retail sale, and that do not meet our retail standards to list and sell will be wholesaled via offline channels, which we refer to as our wholesale vehicle sales business. In addition, in order to boost cash turnover, we may increase the proportion of wholesale vehicle sales by wholesaling certain vehicles that meet our retail standards but nevertheless do not suit our design of retail inventory composition.
For the fiscal year of 2024, our vehicle sales volume was 15,550, among which retail vehicle sales volume was 10,179 and wholesale vehicle sales volume was 5,371, respectively.
Others
We also generate other revenues from commissions earned from our financing and insurance partners and from provisions of warranty and repair services.
Customer journey in our vehicle sales business
For a typical Uxin Used Car customer, there are two ways to buy used cars from Uxin: online purchase for nationwide customers or in-store purchase at our used car superstores for regional customers.
Online purchase journey for nationwide customers
A customer’s online purchase journey is as follows:
● | Online vehicle search: We provide an intuitive user interface to help the customer navigate through a vast selection of used cars. The customer can search by brand, price and other features. Built upon our technology capabilities in user categorizing and deep learning, our platform also personalizes and prioritizes the display of high-quality listings according to the customer’s specific needs and requirements, which can make the decision-making process much more efficient. As we improve the quality and price competitiveness of the used-car inventories under our inventory-owning model, we provide customers with wider choice of high-quality value-for-money used cars. |
● | Vehicle selection: Transaction process on our online platform is highly transparent. Customers are able to easily acquire basic information of each car listing on our platform, such as photos of the interior and exterior of a car. Furthermore, an in-depth car condition report generated by our Jiancebao (检测宝) system, is available to assist our customers’ vehicle selection. The car condition report provides an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition in accordance with the national standard–GB/T 30323 “Technical Specifications for Appraisal and Evaluation of Used Vehicles.” It includes a clear definition and standard for vehicle mileage adjustment, assessment of structural damage, water damage, and fire damage. Additionally, it includes a maintenance list of the vehicle, information about any historical accidents, and details about the vehicle’s maintenance history. This comprehensive report ensures that our customers are fully informed about the condition of the vehicles listed. Based on our comprehensive inventory database, our system also accommodates easy comparison of different cars across a multitude of features, including price, car condition and residual value, all of which would enable the customer to make a more informed buying decision. |
● | Products and services: When searching for used cars, the customer can also view and choose from various value-added products and services, such as used car financing options and auto insurance products, offered by third-party providers on our platform. Once the customer buys a car, we provide a full suite of supporting services to fulfill the online car purchase, such as nationwide logistics and delivery service, nationwide title transfer service, and assistance with vehicle registration for license plate. All of these products and services significantly lower the barrier to buy used cars online from our platform. |
62 |
● | Customer support: In a similar way to click-and-buy shopping, our online platform allows used car buyers to virtually navigate the listing information, make informed decisions, lock in their favorite cars, place order and complete the transaction online without the assistance of a sales consultant. At any step of the transaction process, the customer can also contact our pre-sales and after-sales customer service personnel through online chat or hotlines. Our online customer service center primarily handles pre-sales car-buying enquiries, such as preliminary questions on car price, car condition, car selection, title transfer, vehicle registration and used car financing options. Our AI-enabled sales consultant assistance system, which integrates Lingxi (灵犀) intelligent recommendation system, Edison intelligent user profiling system and communication records generated from our online customer service center, empowers our sales consultants to provide more personalized and professional services by enabling them to understand the customer’s specific needs and requirements in greater detail and automatically generating car comparison and recommendations accordingly. Our fulfillment management center primarily handles after-sales enquiries and answers all sorts of questions that may arise in connection with the car purchased by the customer, such as questions on auto loan repayment, insurance claim and car repair covered by our warranty programs, as well as resolves customer complaints. |
● | Signing and delivery: Customers can either purchase the car with full payment or in installments utilizing different financing options. After the customer enters into contracts with us and makes the down payment, our nationwide logistics and delivery service ships the car in a timely manner to the customer’s nearest fulfillment center. When the car arrives, our fulfillment service consultant will carry out a pre-fulfillment check on the car’s condition and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection process. Once confirmed that the car is in good condition, we will invite the customer to our fulfillment center to inspect and pick up the car. The customer will make the rest of the payment at the fulfillment center. Once all procedures are completed, we will help our customer to register the car at local vehicle bureau and complete title transfers. If a customer is unable to pick up the car in person, we provide door-to-door car shipping services. |
● | After-sale warranty: Every certified used car currently carries a 7-day unconditional return policy and lifetime refund policy covering certain major damages caused by severe accidents that occurred prior to the sale but were not originally identified through Uxin’s certificate program. We provide these warranty programs to the customer for no extra charge. |
In-store purchase journey at our used car superstores for regional customers
Our used car superstores are able to directly serve regional customers in Xi’an and Hefei and also cover customers in Shaanxi and Anhui provinces. All of the products, transaction processes and services are the same as that of online purchase journey, with the only difference being that customers can visit our used car superstores to have a clearer picture of the cars being offered and can pick up the car of their choice on the same day. Our in-store sales personnel are able to provide services and support to these customers from every aspect of their buying journey. In-store purchase is more convenient for regional customers and also caters to the buying habits of most customers.
We believe the combination of online and in-store purchase best tailors to the purchasing demands of our Chinese customers. As we further expand our customer base and increase word-of-mouth marketing through regional superstores, we will further improve our brand image and build trust among our customers, which will allow us to further boost our online sales.
63 |
Our Services
Our full suites of services provide customers with one-stop buying experience, for instance, we assist customers in dealing with a wide range of post-sale matters leveraging our expertise in the industry. Our omni-channel used car transaction business provides the following crucial service components:
● | Sales services. We have upgraded and transformed the entire online used car buying process and our online consulting team is able to deliver timely vehicle consulting services and facilitate a seamless self-service purchasing experience. In addition, we also enhanced the responsiveness and quality of our after-sales services delivered through online chat and hotlines to ensure high customer satisfaction. Since our Xi’an Superstore and Hefei Superstore have been in operation in 2021, we have expanded our offline service teams in both superstores to offer all-around and seamless services to our offline customers. Under our omni-channel sales approach, we provide the same reliable, one-stop and hassle-free transaction services to customers no matter they purchase through our online platform or from our superstores. |
● | Value-added products and services. In addition to vehicle sales services, we also have a wide range of car-related value-added products and services. We cooperate with used car financing solution providers and recommend personalized used car financing options to our customers according to their needs and profiles. We also cooperate with insurance solution providers and refer their auto insurance products to our customers. As of March 31, 2024, we partnered with five financing solution providers and six insurance companies. |
● | Warranty and repair services. As part of our after-sale warranty, every used car bought from us currently carries a 10-year refund policy covering certain major damages caused by severe accidents that existed prior to the sale. In addition, our extended warranty services provide customers with different extended warranty solutions. Our maintenance service network covers nearly 300 prefecture-level cities across China. Our maintenance review team reviews the maintenance plan and ensures our maintenance quality. Our service consultants provide one-on-one exclusive after-sales services to improve our customers’ purchasing experience. |
● | Nationwide door-to-door delivery services. A used car can be delivered to our fulfillment center and picked up by our customer in person. For cities with no fulfillment center, we provide door-to-door car shipping services leveraging our nationwide logistics network. Our logistic and delivery network covers more than 300 cities in China. With our industry-leading logistic routing system, a used car sold through our platform can be delivered to our customers typically within four days. |
● | Nationwide title transfers and vehicle registration. For the retail vehicle sales under our inventory-owning model, Uxin owns the titles of the cars before they are sold to our customers. Following the completion of a transaction, the title will be transferred to our customer. We also offer flexible and comprehensive vehicle registration solutions to assist our customers from different cities in obtaining local license plates, which greatly reduces their waiting time. As of March 31, 2024, we partnered with title transfer service providers in nearly 250 cities nationwide to handle the entire title transfer process for our customers. |
64 |
Our Capabilities
Our comprehensive products and services are supported by a number of critical foundations, including proprietary technology and data analytics capabilities, reconditioning capabilities, one-stop services capabilities and unique omni-channel used car transaction fulfillment capabilities.
● | Data Analytics and Technology Capabilities: With a significant amount of data accumulated on our platform for more than 10 years since our inception in 2011, including user behavioral data, and data on used cars and used car transactions, we are able to continue to innovate our proprietary technologies. Our patented and industry-leading car inspection system, Jiancebao(检测宝), provides a comprehensive overview of a used car’s condition. Our AI- and big data-driven Manhattan pricing engine provides pricing for the sale of each used car based on the car’s specific condition. In addition, based on a wealth of data we have on user behavior, our AI-enabled Lingxi (灵犀) intelligent recommendation system provides personalized car recommendations to customers by analyzing their preferences, which make it easier for them to find the car of their choice; and our AI-powered Edison intelligent user profiling system helps our customer service personnel and sales consultants better understand customer profiles by analyzing their preferences in real time and predicting which used cars they are likely to buy, enabling us to create more effective sales strategies. |
● | Reconditioning Capabilities: Equipped with our inspection and reconditioning experts and professional equipment, our used car superstores are able to recondition all retail vehicles to a “like new” condition, and streamline and standardize the entire reconditioning process, thereby greatly improving both quality and efficiency of our operations. By implementing sustainable supply chain practice and zero-waste policy, we optimize the reconditioning costs and offer our customers high-quality vehicles at attractive prices. We have accumulated and set up an integrated database of reconditioning standards and processes. In addition, we have adopted an advanced and intelligent reconditioning technology, which is more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. After our Hefei Superstore in Changfeng, Hefei is fully completed and put into operation in the next few years, we expect the plant to have an annual production capacity of 60,000 to 100,000 vehicles, which is expected to provide Uxin with a stable and large supply of high-quality used vehicles in the coming years. Furthermore, we completed the relocation and update of our Xi’an Superstore in December 2022. The reconditioning factory in Xi’an has an annual capacity of 40,000 units to ensure that we have a large-scale supply of high-quality used cars. |
● | Nationwide Logistic and Delivery Capabilities: We believe we are the first company in China that has built a nationwide logistics and delivery network for used cars. All the logistics planning and delivery solutions are automated and output from our integrated intelligent logistics and routing system, which ensures a timely delivery and standard delivery fee. Through our order management system (OMS) and transportation management system (TMS), we operate and manage our logistics and delivery network in a centralized and transparent fashion, which allows us to take a systematic approach to assigning shipment orders to logistics providers as well as monitoring and managing delivery progress. In addition, our historically accumulated transaction volume brings better economy of scale to our platform, which in turn enables us to increase overall resource utilization and delivery efficiency by optimizing route planning. As a result, we have significantly improved our capabilities in operating used car logistics and delivery across China. For the purpose of monitoring each shipment, we temporarily install GPS device to track the car’s location in real time. A used car sold through our platform can be delivered to our customers typically within five calendar days via our logistics and delivery network. |
65 |
Technology
We leverage sophisticated technology to provide a differentiated customer experience and improve our operations.
Jiancebao (检测宝) inspection system
Our proprietary Jiancebao (检测宝) system is an integrated and interactive vehicle inspection system. A significant portion of the inspection process is automatically conducted by our proprietary and state-of-the-art technology. The automatic inspection is enabled through wearable digital glasses to record the inspection process, automatic diagnostics of car condition from image recognition technology that can automatically identify certain car condition. A mobile device serves as the hardware management and data collection terminal during each car inspection. Equipped with touch screen and voice command features, the mobile device is a highly interactive platform powered by our inspection software. The mobile device is also connected to multiple inspection hardware devices, including wearable digital glasses, endoscopy, a vehicle on-board diagnostics system and a coating thickness gauge. Our inspection professionals follow the instructions prompted by the mobile device and interact with the software system through the touch screen and voice commands during the inspection process. After each inspection, our system automatically generates a comprehensive standardized inspection report. Each condition report includes extensive information on, among many other data points, the exterior and interior of the car, structure and engine condition. Our upgraded inspection system involves a standard procedure that covers more than 750 documented check points. As a result, our inspection system improves both inspection accuracy and efficiency. As of March 31, 2024, we had 12 patents in relation to vehicle inspection.
Manhattan pricing engine
Our AI- and data-driven Manhattan pricing engine provides assessments on sale prices based on each car’s specific condition. We also use the Manhattan pricing engine to assess the residual value of retail vehicles, and continue to optimize the accuracy of residual value estimates based on the latest used car information on the market and external data such as the latest selling prices for comparable new vehicles. In addition, the Manhattan pricing engine provides us with price assessment that guides us in acquiring vehicles.
Our Manhattan pricing engine maintains high accuracy by updating its algorithms on a real-time basis with the transaction data collected in the latest week. Since 2018, our platform has completed over 177,379 online used cars transactions through our 2C business, which has contributed valuable transaction-related data to our database.
Lingxi(灵犀) intelligent recommendation system
Based on a wealth of data on retail transaction history and used car information accumulated on our platform, our AI-enabled Lingxi (灵犀) intelligent recommendation system makes personalized car recommendations to customers on our platform by analyzing their preferences, making it easier for them to find the car of their choice. In addition, Lingxi (灵犀) is also embedded with user categorization module which reveals user preference on different feature for a car. Our Lingxi (灵犀) intelligent recommendation system serves as an important foundation for our business operations.
Edison intelligent user profiling system
Our AI-powered Edison intelligent system helps our sales consultants and customer service personnel to better understand potential buyers and provide effective services to them. Edison effectively studies and predicts user preferences for specific car features, such as certain make and model, car color, engine and gearbox, and constantly adjusts its prediction by monitoring user behavior data on a real-time basis. In addition, Edison can provide our sales consultants with insights on which used car the customer is likely to buy through a process of matching car features with the customer’s profile.
Marketing and Brand Promotion
In terms of online marketing strategies, we obtained sustainable customer traffic by displaying our vehicles on e-commerce platforms for used cars. We also sell our vehicles through live steaming which enhanced our brand recognition and attracted more targeted customers. We also collaborated with internet celebrities to raise the awareness of our superstores. In terms of offline marketing strategies, we have implemented cost-effective marketing strategies, such as hosting events at our superstores. By continuously improving our marketing efficiency, we have reduced the cost of customer acquisition while significantly increasing our customer traffic and enhancing our brand recognition.
66 |
As an established used car brand in China, Uxin has enjoyed high brand awareness among Chinese consumers. In May 2019, we were named as the only used car e-commerce brand in BrandZ’s 2019 Top 100 Most Valuable Chinese Brands and the 71st most valuable Chinese brand on the list. In 2020, we were named as the No. 1 Brand for Mind Share in the Used Car Transactions Market as well as the Premier Used Car Brand in the 9th Hubei Auto Jinlun Prize. In 2021, we were awarded the Outstanding Member of China Automobile Dealers Association and won the General Business Award issued by China Automobile Dealers Association. In 2022, we were awarded the 2021-2022 Industry Quality Breakthrough Award by China Business Herald, Most Valuable Social Service Company by Zhitongcaijing as well as the 10th Hubei Auto Jinlun Prize–the Premier Used Car Brand by Hubei Daily. In 2023, we were awarded the Outstanding Used Car Dealer of the Year for the Anhui Automobile Industry, the Best User Experience Award in the used car circulation sector at the China Internet Economy Forum, and the Innovative Enterprise of the Year for Industry Quality at the Seventh Annual Northwest Automobile Market Awards. As we continue to optimize our traffic acquisition channels, starting from 2020, we have also been working on enhancing NPS among our customers by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction to further increase our brand awareness as well as the likelihood of existing customers to recommend or refer our products and services to other potential customers.
Our Former Businesses Before September 2020
Online used car business (formerly known as “2C cross-regional business”) after the divestiture of intra-regional business and loan facilitation business
Starting from early 2018 until September 2020 when we shifted to an inventory-owning model, our former business focused primarily on online used car transaction services under a platform model, which services we previously referred to as our “2C cross-regional business.”
Pursuant to the Loan Facilitation Divestiture, we had closed our divestiture of entire “2C intra-regional business” and loan facilitation business to Golden Pacer by April 2020. Therefore, “2C cross-regional business” is renamed as “online used car business”. Accordingly, the revenues generated from the online used car business are renamed as commission revenue, and value-added service revenue starting in the three months ended September 30, 2019. We no longer provide any loan facilitation services since November 2019 as a result of the Loan Facilitation Divestiture.
Commission. We provided used car purchase assistance, used car inspection services, title transfer and title registration service, as well as logistics service during the purchase process. We charged consumers the commission fees based on agreed percentage of final sales price.
Value-added services. For consumers with financing needs, we provided additional services to them based on agreed amount or agreed percentages, including but not limited to the following:
● | Channel services: We provided advice on financial solutions to our consumers and referred them to financing platforms. We also assisted consumers in preparing paperwork in relation to their applications to financial products. |
● | Safety-guaranteed services: We provided consumers with full range of safety-guaranteed services such as GPS purchase and installation services as well as other necessary assistance, for instance, sharing the GPS trajectory in the event of a car theft. |
● | Mortgage service: We assisted consumers in their mortgage registration process when needed and also assisted them in the purchase of insurance policies. |
Others.
We generated other revenues mainly from salvage car business and other miscellaneous revenue streams.
Intra-regional and loan facilitation business (formerly part of “2C business”) and 2B business prior to their respective divestiture
Our 2C business
2C cross-regional. Cross-regional transactions meant transactions completed on our platform where the buyer completed the purchase of a car without the need to physically inspect the car on-site. These transactions primarily took place if the buyer was located in a different city from where the car was purchased.
2C intra-regional. 2C intra-regional transactions mainly included similar transactions when the consumers were located in the same city as where the cars were located. In intra-regional business model, consumers needed to go to offline dealerships or inspect the car physically when making the purchase.
By April 2020, we had closed our divestiture of entire 2C intra-regional business and loan facilitation business to Golden Pacer. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Divestitures of Our Loan Facilitation, Salvage Car and 2B Businesses.” Prior to such divestiture revenues generated from the 2C businesses were presented as revenue streams as transaction facilitation revenue to consumers and loan facilitation revenue to consumers if loan facilitation business was provided.
67 |
Our 2B business
Launched in 2011, our 2B business, Uxin Auction (优信拍) catered to business buyers and sellers with a comprehensive suite of transaction solutions through our auction service, connecting businesses with one another across China, helping them source used cars and optimize their turnover as well as facilitating transactions among our business customers of different sizes across China. Business sellers included used car dealers, 4S dealerships which are authorized to sell the products of a single brand of automobiles and provide key automobile-related services, car rental companies, auto manufacturers and large corporations that may need to dispose of large fleets of used cars. Used cars were sold on Uxin Auction through online auction. In 2019, approximately 370,000 used cars were listed on our platform for auction. In 2018 and 2019, our 2B business achieved GMV of RMB15.3 billion and RMB6.8 billion, respectively. Our 2B business mainly generated revenues from the fees we charge for transaction facilitation services.
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Divestitures of Our Loan Facilitation, Salvage Car and 2B Businesses.”
Others
We also generated revenues from other businesses, including commission for sales of salvage cars and interest income of financing lease.
Competition
We operate in a highly competitive and highly fragmented used car market in China. Players in this market mostly consist of numerous small and medium-sized car dealers. We face competition mainly from a large number of small-sized car dealers, a small number of large-scale dealer groups, other e-commerce platforms and online used car listing service platforms. Competition with other players in this market is primarily centered on brand recognition, inventory acquisition, market share, used car products, services and reputation.
Seasonality
Seasonal fluctuations have affected, and are likely to continue to affect, our business. We generally generate less revenue during Lunar New Year holidays in the first quarter of each year which typically last for one month. In addition, public holidays such as Labor Day and National Day will also have temporary impact on our business. We expect that the seasonal fluctuations will cause our quarterly and annual operating results to fluctuate.
Intellectual Properties
Our intellectual property contributes to our competitive advantages among e-commerce platforms for used cars in China. To protect our brand and other intellectual property, we rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright laws in China as well as imposing procedural and contractual confidentiality and invention assignment obligations on our employees, contractors and others. As of March 31, 2024, we had obtained 131 patents (of which 27 patents have been non-exclusively licensed to an affiliate of 58.com in 2020 as part of the divestiture of 2B businesses to 58.com or the 2B Divestiture), 1,222 trademarks (of which 12 trademarks have been non-exclusively licensed and 90 trademarks have been exclusively licensed to an affiliate of 58.com in 2020 as part of the 2B Divestiture), 275 software copyrights (of which 18 software copyrights have been non-exclusively licensed to an affiliate of 58.com in 2020 as part of the 2B Divestiture), and 13 works copyrights (of which one has been transferred in part, and one has been non-exclusively licensed to an affiliate of 58.com in 2020 as part of the 2B Divestiture), 40 domain names and have entered into confidentiality and proprietary rights agreement with employees, consultants, contractors, and other business partners.
Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Initiatives
As a platform for the buying and selling of used cars, we believe that our business inherently helps prevent waste and reduce carbon emissions following the ESG principles. We published our ESG report in July 2022. We are committed to integrating the concept of sustainable development into every aspect of our business operations to foster high-quality and eco-friendly growth of the used car industry. We have continuously improved our corporate social responsibility initiatives under the guidance of our ESG framework. We believe our continued growth depends on our integration of ESG values into our corporate strategies and operations.
68 |
Environmental protection
We believe it’s important to manage our carbon emissions and improve our ability to cope with the challenges brought by climate changes. We identified climate-related risks and opportunities and have implemented a series of measures to use cleaner energy, reduce energy consumption, enhance the efficiency of our day-to-day business operation, and limit our carbon footprint. For example, we have implemented “5S” management (Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke) to eliminate waste in reconditioning, and used environmentally friendly water-based paint and smart refurbishment process during reconditioning and repair process to save energy. Leveraging our self-developed logistics and delivery network, we have helped reduce the empty-runs rate, energy consumption and air pollution. We also actively advocate the concept of “5R” environmental protection (Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle and Reject) and paperless office.
Business ethics and labor management
We believe business ethics can help regulate employees’ behavior, guarantee honest management and enhance the credibility of our Company. We continuously improved and adjusted our organizational structure, delineated the rights and responsibilities of the management and executives, and implemented internal rules to set values and norms to guide the actions of our management and employees. For example, we have implemented the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Uxin Limited Red Line Management System, Uxin Limited Red and Yellow Card Management System, and Uxin Limited Management System for Employees Violations.
We believe our employees are our most important asset. We are on a continuous journey to improve the wellbeing of everyone working with and for us. We have set up an open and transparent staff promotion and appraisal system to help our employees achieve their career goals. We also provide employees with diverse training programs, including, among others, new-comer training, professional training, and safety training. Through these trainings, we help our employees improve their skill sets and enhance safety awareness.
Regulation
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China.
Amended Company Law
The establishment, operation and management of corporate entities in the PRC are governed by the Company Law of the PRC. On December 29, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the amended Company Law of the PRC, which will come into effect on July 1, 2024, to supersede the existing PRC Company Law which was amended in October 2018. The major revisions made by the amended PRC Company Law included improving the system for the establishment and liquidation of companies, optimizing organizational structures of companies, improving the capital system of companies, strengthening the responsibilities of the controlling shareholder and management staff, and enhancing the social responsibilities of companies, etc. With respect to the period for payment of the registered capital, pursuant to the amended PRC Company Law, all shareholders of a PRC limited liability company shall fully pay up the registered capital subscribed for by such shareholders within five years since the date of establishment of the PRC limited liability company, unless otherwise provided by laws and regulations. According to the Provisions of the State Council on Implementing the Registered Capital Registration and Management System under the PRC Company Law issued on July 1, 2024, for companies registered and established before June 30, 2024, if the remaining subscription period of a limited liability company exceeds 5 years from July 1, 2027, it shall adjust its remaining subscription period to within 5 years before June 30, 2027 and record such adjustment in the company’s articles of association. Shareholders shall pay the registered capital in full within the adjusted period. If a company fails to adjust the capital subscription period and registered capital in accordance with these regulations, the company registration authority shall order such company to make corrections; if such company fails to make corrections within the prescribed time limit, the company registration authority shall make public announcement to the society. According to the Company Law of the PRC, where any shareholder fails to make capital contributions on the date of capital contribution as provided for in the articles of association, the equities of such shareholder for which the capital contribution has not been paid shall be forfeited.
69 |
Foreign Investment Law
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law and on December 26, 2019, the State Council published the Implementation Rules of the Foreign Investment Law, both of which went into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced three existing laws on foreign investments in China, namely, the PRC Equity Joint Venture Law, the PRC Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic invested enterprises in China. The Foreign Investment Law establishes the basic framework for the access to, and the promotion, protection and administration of foreign investments in view of investment protection and fair competition.
According to the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by one or more natural persons, business entities, or otherwise organizations of a foreign country (collectively referred to as “foreign investor”) within China, and the “investment activities” include the following situations: (i) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within China; (ii) a foreign investor acquires stock shares, equity shares, shares in assets, or other like rights and interests of an enterprise within China; (iii) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, invests in a new project within China; and (iv) investments in other means as provided by laws, administrative regulations, or the State Council.
According to the Foreign Investment Law, the State Council shall publish or approve to publish a negative list stipulating the special management measures for the access of foreign investment in certain industries, or the “negative list.” The Foreign Investment Law grants national treatment to foreign-invested entities, except for those foreign-invested entities that operate in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in the “negative list.” The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign investors shall not invest in the “prohibited” industries, and shall meet certain conditions stipulated under the “negative list” for making investment in “restricted” industries. The currently effective “negative list” is the Special Management Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (2021 version), or the 2021 Negative List, jointly published by NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce on December 27, 2021 and went into effect on January 1, 2022.
On December 26, 2019, the Supreme People’s Court published the Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues concerning the Application of the Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China, which went into effect on January, 1, 2020, pursuant to which the court shall rule in favor of the party claim the invalidity of the investment agreement with respect to foreign investment in the “restricted” industry under the “negative list” or foreign investment in the “restricted” industry under the “negative list” that fails to comply with the requirements unless necessary mitigating measures are taken before the ruling.
Furthermore, the Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign-invested enterprises established according to the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC, the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law of the PRC or the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC may maintain their current structure and corporate governance within five years after the implementing of the Foreign Investment Law.
In addition, the Foreign Investment Law also provides several protective rules and principles for foreign investors and their investments in the PRC, including, among others, that local governments shall abide by their commitments to the foreign investors; foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to issue stocks and corporate bonds; except for special circumstances, in which case statutory procedures shall be followed and fair and reasonable compensation shall be made in a timely manner, expropriation or requisition of the investment of foreign investors is prohibited; mandatory technology transfer is prohibited; and the capital contributions, profits, capital gains, proceeds out of asset disposal, licensing fees of intellectual property rights, indemnity or compensation legally obtained, or proceeds received upon settlement by foreign investors within China, may be freely remitted inward and outward in RMB or a foreign currency. Also, foreign investors or the foreign investment enterprise should be imposed legal liabilities for failing to report investment information in accordance with the requirements.
On December 30, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce and the SAMR jointly promulgated the Measures for Information Reporting on Foreign Investment, which became effective on January 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Measures for Information Reporting on Foreign Investment, where a foreign investor carries out investment activities in China directly or indirectly, the foreign investor or the foreign-invested enterprise shall submit the investment information to the competent commerce department.
70 |
According to the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment promulgated by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce on December 19, 2020 and became effective on January 18, 2021, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce will establish a working mechanism office in charge of the security review of foreign investment. Such measures define foreign investment as direct or indirect investment by foreign investors in the PRC, which includes (i) investment in new onshore projects or establishment of wholly foreign owned onshore companies or joint ventures with foreign investors; (ii) acquisition of equity or asset of onshore companies by merger and acquisition; and (iii) onshore investment by and through any other means. Investment in certain key areas with bearing on national security, such as important cultural products and services, important information technology and internet services and products, key technologies and other important areas with bearing on national security which results in the acquisition of de facto control of investee companies, shall be filed with a specifically established office before such investment is carried out. What may constitute “onshore investment by and through any other means” or “ASC Topic 326” could be broadly interpreted under such measures. It is likely that control through contractual arrangement be regarded as de facto control based on provisions applied to security review of foreign investment in the free trade zone. Failure to make such filing may subject such foreign investor to rectification within prescribed period, and will be recorded as negative credit information of such foreign investor in the relevant national credit information system, which would then subject such investors to joint punishment as provided by relevant rules. If such investor fails to or refuses to undertake such rectification, it would be ordered to dispose of the equity or asset and to take any other necessary measures so as to return to the status quo and to erase the impact to national security.
Regulations on Value-Added Telecommunications Services
China’s telecommunication related businesses (including internet business) are still at an early stage of development, the laws and regulations of which still remain subject to many uncertainties. On September 25, 2000, the Telecommunications Regulations of the People’s Republic of China, or the Telecom Regulation, was issued by the PRC State Council, which was amended and became effective on February 6, 2016, as the primary governing law on telecommunication services by PRC companies. The Telecom Regulation draws a distinction between “basic telecommunication services” and “value-added telecommunication services.” The Catalog of Telecommunications Business, or the Telecommunication Catalog, was issued as an appendix to the Telecom Regulations to categorize telecommunications services as basic or value-added, and information services via public communication networks such as fixed networks, mobile networks and Internet are classified as value-added telecommunications services. According to the Telecommunication Catalog, value-added telecommunication services include online data processing and transaction processing business (operating e-commerce business), internet information services business and other value-added telecommunication services.
On March 5, 2009, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, issued the Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating Permit, or the Telecom Permit Measures, which took effect on April 10, 2009. The Telecom Permit Measures were later amended on July 3, 2017 and the amendment took effect on September 1, 2017. The Telecom Permit Measures confirm that there are two types of telecom operating licenses for operators in China, namely, licenses for basic telecommunications services and licenses for value-added telecommunications services, or the VATS License. The license granted will set out the operation scope of the enterprise which details the permitted activities of such enterprise. An approved telecommunication services operator shall conduct its business in accordance with the specifications listed in its VATS License. In addition, a VATS License holder is required to obtain approval from the original permit-issuing authority in respect of any change to its shareholders.
Regulation Relating to Internet Information Services
On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Measures, which were later amended in January 8, 2011. On January 8, 2021, Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services (Draft Revision for Comment), or the Draft Revision, were promulgated. Under the Internet Measures and Draft Revision, a VATS License shall be obtained before conducting profitable internet information services in the PRC, and a filing requirement shall be satisfied before conducting non-profitable internet information service. The provision of information services through mobile apps is subject to the PRC laws and regulations governing Internet information services.
71 |
In addition, on June 28, 2016, the State Internet Information Office promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Application Information Services, or the Mobile Application Administrative Provisions, which were later amended on June 14, 2022 and took effect on August 1, 2022, to strengthen the regulation of the mobile apps information services. Pursuant to the Mobile Application Administrative Provisions, an internet application program provider must verify each user’s mobile phone number and other identity information under the principle of mandatory real name registration at the back-office end and voluntary real name display at the front-office end. An internet application program provider must not enable functions that can collect a user’s geographical location information, access user’s contact list, activate the camera or recorder of the user’s mobile smart device or other functions irrelevant to its services, nor is it allowed to conduct bundle installations of irrelevant application programs, unless it has clearly indicated to the user and obtained the user’s consent on such functions and application programs. Furthermore, in December 16, 2016, the MIIT promulgated the Interim Measures on the Administration of Pre-Installation and Distribution of Applications for Mobile Smart Terminals, or the Mobile Application Interim Measures, which took effect on July 1, 2017. The Mobile Application Interim Measures require, among others, that internet information service providers must ensure that a mobile apps, as well as its ancillary resource files, configuration files and user data can be uninstalled by a user easily, unless it is a basic function software, which refers to a software that supports the normal functioning of hardware and operating system of a mobile smart device.
The content of the internet information is highly regulated in China and pursuant to the Internet Measures, the PRC government may shut down the websites of internet information providers and revoke their VATS Licenses (for profitable Internet information services) if they produce, reproduce, disseminate or broadcast internet content that contains content that is prohibited by law or administrative regulations. Internet information services operators are also required to monitor their websites. They may not post or disseminate any content that falls within the prohibited categories, and must remove any such content from their websites, save the relevant records and make a report to the relevant governmental authorities. Additionally, as the internet information service providers, under the According to the PRC Civil Code, which took effect on January 1, 2021, they shall bear tortious liabilities in the event they infringe upon other person’s rights and interests due to providing wrong or inaccurate content through the internet. Where an internet service provider conducts tortious acts through internet services, the infringed person has the right to request the internet service provider take necessary actions such as deleting contents, screening and de-linking. Failing to take necessary actions after being informed, the internet service provider will be subject to its liabilities with regard to the additional damages incurred. Where an internet service provider knows that an internet user is infringing upon other persons’ rights and interests through its internet service but fails to take necessary actions, it is jointly and severally liable with the internet user.
Regulation Relating to E-Commerce
Online data processing and transaction processing business (operating e-commerce business) is a value-added telecommunication service, and e-commerce operation shall be required to obtain VATS License.
On March 15, 2021, the SAMR promulgated the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Trading, or the Online Trading Measures, which aims to regulate business activities involving the sale of commodities or provision of services through the internet and other information networks, to replace the Administrative Measures for Online trading promulgated in January 2014. Pursuant to the Online Trading Measures, online trading operators are classified into four types: online trading platform operators, operators on platform, operators of self-built websites, and operators that carry out online trading activities through other online services. The Online Trading Measures reinforces the operation requirements as provided under the E-Commerce Law and the principles of legality, rationality and necessity in the collection and use of the users’ information and disclosure of the rules, purposes, methods and scopes of collection and use of user information. The Online Trading Measures also provides that the online trading operators (i) shall not use false transactions, fabricated user review etc. to conduct false or misleading business promotion, so as to defraud or mislead consumers and (ii) shall not eliminate or restrict competition, damage or ruin the competitor’s reputation. Furthermore, the Online Trading Measures imposes a series of regulatory requirements on new forms of online trading, such as online social networking e-commerce and online livestreaming e-commerce.
On August 31, 2018, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC E-Commerce Law, or the E-Commerce Law, which became effective on January 1, 2019. The E-Commerce Law establishes the regulatory framework for the e-commerce sector in the PRC for the first time by laying out certain requirements on e-commerce operators, including e-commerce platform operators like us. Pursuant to the E-Commerce Law, e-commerce platform operators are required to (i) take necessary actions or report to relevant competent government authorities when such operators notice any illegal production or services provided by merchants on the e-commerce platforms; (ii) verify the identity of the business operators on the platforms;(iii) provide identity and tax related information of merchants to local branches of State Administration for Market Regulation and relevant tax authorities; or (iv) record and preserve goods and service information and transaction information on the e-commerce platform. The E-Commerce Law also specifically stipulates that e-commerce platform operators shall not impose unreasonable restrictions or conditions on the transactions of their business operators on the platforms. According to the E-Commerce Law, failures to comply with these requirements may subject the e-commerce platform operators to administrative penalties, fines and/or suspension of business. In addition, for goods and services provided via e-commerce platforms and pertinent to the life and health of consumers, e-commerce platform operators shall bear relevant responsibilities, which may give rise to civil or criminal liabilities if the consumers suffered damages due to the e-commerce platform operators’ failure to duly verify the qualifications or the licenses of the business operators on the platforms or to duly perform their safety protection obligations as required by the E-Commerce Law.
72 |
Regulation Relating to Foreign Investment Restriction on Value-Added Telecommunications Services
Pursuant to the Provisions on Administration of Foreign Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulation, promulgated by the State Council on December 11, 2001 and amended on September 10, 2008 and February 6, 2016, except as otherwise provided by MIIT, the ultimate foreign equity ownership in a value-added telecommunications services provider shall not exceed 50%. Pursuant to the Circular of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology concerning Lifting Restrictions on the Proportion of Foreign Equity in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business (Operating E-commerce Business) promulgated by the MIIT on June 19, 2015, the online data processing and transaction processing businesses (operating e-commerce business) could be 100% owned by foreign investors. Moreover, for a foreign investor to acquire any equity interest in a value-added telecommunications business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating good track records and experience in operating value-added telecommunications business overseas. Foreign investors that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from the MIIT and MOFCOM or their authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals. Pursuant to publicly available information, the PRC government has issued telecommunications business operating licenses to Sino-foreign joint ventures in very limited circumstances. However, pursuant to the latest amendment to the Regulations for Administration of Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises issued by the State Council in March 2022, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, several provisions, including the requirement that such major foreign investors described above to have a good and profitable record and operating experience in the industry, had been removed.
The 2021 Negative List also imposes the 50% restrictions on foreign ownership in value-added telecommunications business except for operating e-commerce, domestic multi-party communications services, store and forward services, and call center services business. In addition, the services for releasing information by the public through internet are listed as businesses that are prohibited for foreign investors under 2021 Negative List.
On July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in and Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business, or the MIIT Circular, which requires foreign investors to set up a value-added telecommunications business foreign-invested enterprise and obtain a VATS License to conduct relevant value-added telecommunications business in China. Under the MIIT Circular, a domestic company that holds a VATS License is prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling the license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities, to foreign investors that conduct value-added telecommunications business illegally in China. Furthermore, the relevant trademarks and domain names that are used in the value-added telecommunications business must be owned by the local VATS License holder or its shareholder. The MIIT Circular further requires each VATS License holder to have the necessary facilities for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license and all value-added telecommunications services providers shall improve network and information security, enact relevant information safety administration regulations and set up emergency plans to ensure network and information safety.
Regulations on Information Security and Privacy Protection
Internet content in China is regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. On December 28, 2000, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress enacted the Decisions on Maintaining Internet Security, later amended on August 27, 2009, which subject violators to criminal punishment in China for any effort to: (i) use the internet to market fake and substandard products or carry out false publicity for any commodity or service; (ii) use the internet for the purpose of damaging the commercial goodwill and product reputation of any other person; (iii) use the internet for the purpose of infringing on the intellectual property of any person; (iv) use the internet for the purpose of fabricating and spreading false information that affects the trading of securities and futures or otherwise jeopardizes the financial order; or (v) create any pornographic website or webpage on the internet, provide links to pornographic websites, or disseminate pornographic books and magazines, movies, audiovisual products, or images. The Ministry of Public Security has promulgated measures that prohibit use of the Internet in ways which, among other things, would result in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content, and require internet service providers to take proper measures including anti-virus, data back-up and other related measures, to keep records of certain information about its users (including user registration information, log-in and log-out time, IP address, content and time of posts by users) for at least 60 days, and to detect illegal information, stop transmission of such information, and keep relevant records. If an internet information service provider violates these measures, the Ministry of Public Security and the local security bureaus may revoke its operating license and shut down its websites.
73 |
PRC governmental authorities have enacted laws and regulations on internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure. In December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress promulgated the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the internet. In July 2013, the MIIT promulgated the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users to regulate the collection and use of users’ personal information in the provision of telecommunication services and internet information services in China. Telecommunication business operators and internet service providers are required to establish its own rules for collecting and use of users’ information and cannot collect or use users’ information without users’ consent. Telecommunication business operators and internet service providers are prohibited from disclosing, tampering with, damaging, selling or illegally providing others with, collected personal information. In August 2015, the Standing Committee of the NPC promulgated the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law, which became effective in November 2015 and amended the standards of crime of infringing citizens’ personal information and reinforced the criminal culpability of unlawful collection, transaction, and provision of personal information. It further provides that any ICP provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders will be subject to criminal liability. The Civil Code promulgated in 2020 also provides specific provisions regarding the protection of personal information.
On November 7, 2016, Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress published the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, which took effect on June 1, 2017 and requires network operators to perform certain functions related to cyber security protection and the strengthening of network information management. For instance, under the Cyber Security Law, network operators of key information infrastructure shall store within the territory of the PRC all the personal information and important data collected and produced within the territory of PRC and their purchase of network products and services that may affect national securities shall be subject to national cybersecurity review. On April 29, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples’ Congress issued a Second Draft for review of the Personal Information Protection Law, or the Draft Personal Information Protection Law, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection.
For the further purposes of regulating data processing activities, safeguarding data security, promoting data development and utilization, protecting the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and maintaining national sovereignty, security, and development interests, on June 10, 2021, Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress published the Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, which will take effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law requires data processing, which includes the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, publication of data, to be conducted in a legitimate and proper manner. The Data Security Law provides for data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities. The Data Security Law also introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it may cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations if such data are tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or illegally used. The appropriate level of protection measures is required to be taken for each respective category of data. For example, a processor of important data is required to designate the personnel and the management body responsible for data security, carry out risk assessments of its data processing activities and file the risk assessment reports with the competent authorities. Moreover, the Data Security Law provides a national security review procedure for those data activities which may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information.
On July 6, 2021, certain PRC regulatory authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which were available to the public on July 6, 2021, to improve relevant laws and regulations on data security, cross-border data transmission, and confidential information management. It provided that efforts will be made to revise the regulations on strengthening the confidentiality and file management relating to the offering and listing of securities overseas, to implement the responsibility on information security of overseas listed companies, and to strengthen the standardized management of cross-border information provision mechanisms and procedures.
74 |
On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, or the PIPL, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection and took effect on November 1, 2021. The PIPL aims at protecting the personal information rights and interests, regulating the processing of personal information, ensuring the orderly and free flow of personal information in accordance with the law, and promoting the reasonable use of personal information. Personal information, as defined in the PIPL, refers to information related to identified or identifiable natural persons and recorded by electronic or other means, but excluding the anonymized information. The PIPL provides the circumstances under which a personal information processor could process personal information, which include but not limited to, where the consent of the individual concerned is obtained and where it is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract to which the individual is a contractual party. It also stipulates certain specific rules with respect to the obligations of a personal information processor, such as to inform the purpose and method of processing to the individuals, and the obligation of the third party who has access to the personal information by way of co-processing or delegation.
On December 28, 2021, the CAC, together with another twelve regulatory authorities jointly issued the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Review Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022. The Review Measures establishes the basic framework and principle for national cybersecurity reviews of network products and services, and provides that a critical information infrastructure operator purchasing network products and services, and platform operators carrying out data processing activities which affect or may affect national security must apply for cybersecurity review. The Review Measures also provides that a platform operator with more than one million users’ personal information aiming to list abroad must apply for cybersecurity review. However, the Review Measures has not provided further explanation or interpretation for “listed abroad” and the scope of “listed abroad”.
On July 7, 2022, the CAC promulgated the Security Assessment Measures for Outbound Data Transfer, or the Security Assessment Measures, which became effective on September 1, 2022. The Security Assessment Measures provide for the circumstances under which a data processor shall be subject to security assessment, including (i) where a data processor provides important data abroad; (ii) where a critical information infrastructure operator or a data processor that processes personal information of more than one million individuals provides personal information abroad; (iii) where a data processor that has exported personal information of over 100,000 individuals or sensitive personal information of over 10,000 individuals in total since January 1 of the previous year provides personal information abroad; and (iv) other circumstances prescribed by the CAC.
Regulations on Auction Business
On April 24, 2015, Auction Law of the People’s Republic of China was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for the purpose of regulating and administrating the business operation of auction. Pursuant to the Auction Law, “auction” refers to a way of selling particular goods or property rights to the bidder who offers the highest price in the form of public bidding. Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Auctions, as amended in March 2013, November, 2017 and on October 23, 2020, stipulates that an applicant for the formation of an auction enterprise in accordance with the Auction Law and Company Law shall be approved by the autonomous region of the local province government. According to the Measures for the Administration of the Circulation of Used Cars promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce and three other ministries on August 29, 2005 and amended on September 14, 2017, “used car auction” refers to the business activities whereby a used car auction enterprise transfers a used car to a bidder that offers the highest price through public bidding. According to The Specifications for Used Cars Transaction promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce on March 24, 2006, where an auction is conducted through the internet, the color photo of the car and information of auctioned car shall be published on internet. The publication period shall not be less than seven days. An enterprise engaging in activities of auction should undergo the review and approval procedure with relevant government authority and obtain the license for auction business. Any entity engaging in the auction business without the license may be subject to enforcement action, including orders issued by the relevant regulatory authorities to cease the auction business, confiscation of any illegal gains, or imposition of fines.
Regulations on the Circulation of Used Cars
On August 29, 2005, the Measures for the Administration of the Circulation of Used Cars, or the Used Cars Measures, which was amended on September 14, 2017, were promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, the Ministry of Public Security, the SAMR, and the State Administration of Tax, or the SAT, for the purpose of intensifying the administration of the circulation of used cars, regulating the business operations of used cars, guaranteeing the legitimate interests and rights of both parties to transactions of used cars and promoting the sound development of the circulation of used cars. The Used Cars Measures stipulate that an archival filing system for the operators of used car markets and operators of used cars shall be established. The operators of used car markets and operators of used cars that have handled the registration in the administrative department of industry and commerce according to law and obtained the business license shall go to the administrative department of commerce at the provincial level for archival filing within 2 months as of obtaining their business license. The administrative department of commerce at the provincial level shall report the information on the archival filing of the operators of used car markets as well as operational subjects of used cars to the administrative department of commerce of the State Council on a periodic base. The Used Cars Measures further stipulate that (i) a business operator of a used car market, a retail enterprise and brokerage entity of used cars shall possess the qualification of an enterprise legal-person and shall complete the registration procedures with the administrative department of industry and commerce, and (ii) the establishment of an auction enterprise of used cars (including a foreign-funded auction enterprise of used cars) shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Auction Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Measures for the Administration of Auction, and shall be handled according to the procedures as prescribed by the Measures for the Administration of Auction, which means that an auction enterprise of used cars shall obtain an Approval License for Operation of Auction before it engages in auction of used cars. On March 24, 2006, the MOFCOM promulgated the Specifications for Used Car Trade, or the Specifications, which set forth detailed criteria and requirements for the purchase, sale, dealing, auction, evaluation, trading and post-sale services in respect of used car.
75 |
Regulations on Financing Lease
In September 18, 2013, MOFCOM issued the Administration Measures of Supervision on Financing Lease Enterprises, or the Leasing Measures, to regulate and administer the business operations of financing lease enterprises. According to the Leasing Measures, financing lease enterprises are allowed to carry out financing lease business in such forms as direct lease, sublease, sale-and-lease-back, leveraged lease, entrusted lease and joint lease in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws, regulations and rules. However, the Leasing Measures prohibit financing lease enterprises from engaging in financial business such as accepting deposits, providing loans or entrusted loans. Without the approval from relevant authorities, financing lease enterprises shall not engage in interbank borrowing and other businesses. In addition, financing lease enterprises are prohibited from carrying out illegal fund-raising activities in the name of financing lease. The Leasing Measures require financing lease enterprises to establish and improve their financial and internal risk control systems, and a financing lease enterprise’s risk assets shall not exceed ten times of its total net assets. Risk assets generally refer to the adjusted total assets of a financing lease enterprise excluding cash, bank deposits, sovereign bonds and entrusted leasing assets. On May 26, 2020, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Interim Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Finance Leasing Companies, to regulate and administer the business operations of financing lease companies. On May 28, 2020, the PRC National People’s Congress published the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect on January 1, 2021. The Chapter 15 of PRC Civil Code detailed regulations on the financial leasing contract.
The main regulation governing foreign investment in the PRC financing lease industry included the Administrative Measures on Foreign-Invested Lease Industry, as amended on October 28, 2015. However, it has recently been repealed by MOFCOM on February 22, 2018. The above measures require that foreign investors investing directly in the PRC financing lease industry must have total assets of no less than US$5 million. MOFCOM is the competent administrative authority in charge of the foreign-invested lease industry and is also responsible for the examination and approval of such business. A foreign-invested financing lease enterprise may undertake the following business: (i) the financing lease business; (ii) the lease business; (iii) the purchase of leased properties from onshore and offshore; (iv) the disposal of scrap value of and maintenance of leased properties; (v) the consultancy and guaranty business relating to lease transactions; and (vi) other business approved by the examination and approval department. In addition, a foreign-invested financing lease enterprise shall meet the following requirements: (i) have corresponding professionals, with its senior management personnel having relevant professional qualifications and experience of at least three years, (ii) the operating period of a foreign-invested financing lease enterprise established in the form of limited liability company shall not exceed thirty years. The risk assets of a foreign-invested financing lease enterprise shall not exceed ten times of its total net assets.
Regulations on Motor Vehicle Maintenance
On June 24, 2005, the MOT promulgated the Administration of Motor Vehicle Maintenance, which was amended on August 8, 2015, April 19, 2016, June 21, 2019 and August 11, 2021, pursuant to which, a motor vehicle maintenance operator shall file with the local road transport administration for record after completing registration with the local SAMR in accordance with the law and shall operate business in accordance with the registered business scope. “Motor vehicle maintenance” refers to business activities of maintenance, repair and maintenance aids as carried out with maintaining or recovering the technical state and normal functions of motor vehicles, and extending the serving term thereof as operational tasks. The operational business of automobile maintenance is classified into operational business of Grades I, II and III in light of their operational items and serving capabilities. A maintenance operator of automobiles of Grade I and Grade II may undertake entire automobile repair, assembly repair, entire automobile maintenance, minor repair, maintenance aids, specific repair and the examination work after the completion of maintenance of corresponding vehicle types. A maintenance operator of automobiles of Grade III may undertake general minor repair and special repair, such as repair and maintenance of engines, vehicle bodies and electric systems. Anyone failing to carry out the filing for motor vehicle maintenance in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Maintenance or unlawfully engaging in the motor vehicle maintenance business shall be ordered to make rectification, and, in case of refusing to rectify, be subject to a fine of RMB5,000 to RMB20,000.
76 |
Regulations on Advertisement
The PRC government regulates advertising principally through the SAMR. The PRC Advertising Law, or the Advertising Law, as amended in April 2015, on October 26, 2018 and on April 29, 2021, outlines the regulatory framework for the advertising industry. The Advertising Law stipulates that advertisements shall not contain any false or misleading content or defraud or mislead consumers. Any advertisement that defrauds or misleads consumers with any false or misleading content is considered a false advertisement. An advertiser shall be responsible for the veracity of contents of advertisement. Violation of these regulations may result in penalties calculated on the basis of advertising expenses.
Regulations on Online Consumer Finance and Debt Collection
The regulation on online consumer finance industry in China is still under development. In December 2017, the Internet Financial Risks Rectification Office and the P2P Online Lending Risks Rectification Office jointly issued the Circular 141, outlining general requirements on the “cash loan” business conducted by network microcredit companies, banking financial institutions and online lending information intermediaries. The Circular 141 specifies the features of “cash loans” as not relying on consumption scenarios, with no specified use of loan proceeds, no qualification requirement on customers and unsecured etc. The Circular 141 further requires that financial institutions that participate in the “cash loan” business not to accept any credit enhancement services or other similar services from third parties without qualification to provide guarantee, and third party cash loan facilitators are prohibited from directly charging fees from borrowers. However, there is no clear definition of “cash loan” set forth in the Circular 141.
In addition, according to the Circular 141, institutions or the engaged third party institutions shall not collect loan debts by methods of violence, intimidation, insult, defamation, or harassment. In case of violation, the regulatory authorities may, depending on the seriousness of the case, urge such institution to rectify by taking measures such as suspending its business, ordering it to make correction, circulating a notice of criticism, rejecting its filing or revoking its business qualification. In case where malicious fraud or violent debt collection or other serious illegal conducts were suspected, such cases shall be promptly transferred to the Ministry of Public Security and may subject to criminal liability.
Regulations on Intellectual Property
Copyright and Software Products
The National People’s Congress adopted the Copyright Law on September 7, 1990 and amended it on October 27, 2001, February 26, 2010 and June 1, 2021, respectively. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to internet activities, products disseminated over the internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center.
In order to further implement the Computer Software Protection Regulations promulgated by the State Council on December 20, 2001 and amended on January 30, 2013, the State Copyright Bureau issued the Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002, which apply to software copyright registration, license contract registration and transfer contract registration.
According to the Copyright Law, an infringer will be subject to various civil liabilities, which include cessation of the infringement and apologizing to and compensating the actual loss suffered by the copyright owner. If the actual loss of the copyright owner is difficult to calculate, the income received by the infringer as a result of the infringement will be deemed as the actual loss or if such illegal income is also difficult to calculate, the court can decide the amount of the actual loss up to RMB5,000,000.
77 |
Trademarks
Trademarks are protected by the PRC Trademark Law adopted in August 23, 1982 and subsequently amended in February 22, 1993, October 27, 2001, August 30, 2013 and November 1, 2019 as well as the Implementation Regulation of the PRC Trademark Law adopted by the State Council in August 3, 2002 and amended on April 29, 2014. The Trademark Office under the SAMR handles trademark registrations and grants a term of ten years to registered trademarks and another ten years if requested upon expiry of the first or any renewed ten-year term. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for record. The PRC Trademark Law has adopted a “first-to-file” principle with respect to trademark registration. Where a trademark for which a registration has been made is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or been subject to a preliminary examination and approval for use on the same kind of or similar commodities or services, the application for registration of such trademark may be rejected. Any person applying for the registration of a trademark may not prejudice the existing right first obtained by others, nor may any person register in advance a trademark that has already been used by another party and has already gained a “sufficient degree of reputation” through such party’s use. After receiving an application, the PRC Trademark Office will make a public announcement if the relevant trademark passes the preliminary examination. During the three months after this public announcement, any person entitled to prior rights and any interested party may file an objection against the trademark. The PRC Trademark Office’s decisions on rejection, objection or cancellation of an application may be appealed to the PRC Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, whose decision may be further appealed through judicial proceedings. If no objection is filed within three months after the public announcement or if the objection has been overruled, the PRC Trademark Office will approve the registration and issue a registration certificate, at which point the trademark is deemed to be registered and will be effective for a renewable ten-year period, unless otherwise revoked. Trademark license agreements should be filed with the Trademark Office or its regional offices.
Domain Names
Internet domain name registration and related matters are primarily regulated by the Measures on Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet, issued by MIIT on November 5, 2004 and effective as of December 20, 2004 which was replaced by the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names issued by MIIT as of November 1, 2017, and the Implementing Rules on Registration of Domain Names issued by China Internet Network Information Center on May 28, 2012, which became effective on May 29, 2012. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and the applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.
Patent
On March 12, 1984, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Patent Law, which was amended in September 4, 1992, August 25, 2000, December 27, 2008 and October 17, 2020. On June 15, 2001, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulation for the Patent Law, which was amended on January 9, 2010. According to these laws and regulations, the State Intellectual Property Office is responsible for administering patents in the PRC. The Chinese patent system adopts a “first to file” principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention, a patent will be granted to the person who filed the application first. To be patentable, invention or utility models must meet three conditions: novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. Invention patent is valid for 20 years, design patent is valid for 15 years, and utility model patent is valid for 10 years. A third-party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent. Otherwise, third-party use constitutes an infringement of patent rights. As of December 31, 2019, we had been issued 84 patents in the PRC.
Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange
Regulations on Foreign Currency Exchange
Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, as amended on August 5, 2008, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless prior approval is obtained from State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, and prior registration with SAFE is made.
On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign invested Enterprises, or the SAFE Circular 19, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142. SAFE further promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or the SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016 and was amended on December 4, 2023, which, among other things, amend certain provisions of Circular 19. According to SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that Renminbi capital may not be used for purposes beyond its business scope or to provide loans to persons other than affiliates unless otherwise permitted under its business scope. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 or SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.
78 |
From 2012, SAFE has promulgated several circulars to substantially amend and simplify the current foreign exchange procedure. Pursuant to these circulars, the opening of various special purpose foreign exchange accounts, the reinvestment of RMB proceeds by foreign investors in the PRC and remittance of foreign exchange profits and dividends by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign shareholders no longer require the approval or verification of SAFE. In addition, domestic companies are allowed to provide cross-border loans not only to their offshore subsidiaries, but also to their offshore parents and affiliates. SAFE also promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Administration over Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors and the Supporting Documents in May 2013, as amended on October 10, 2018 and December 30, 2019, which specifies that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in the PRC shall be conducted by way of registration and banks shall process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its branches. In February 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Management Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 13, which took effect on June 1, 2015 and amended on December 30, 2019. SAFE Circular 13 delegates the power to enforce the foreign exchange registration in connection with inbound and outbound direct investments under relevant SAFE rules from local branches of SAFE to banks, thereby further simplifying the foreign exchange registration procedures for inbound and outbound direct investments.
On January 26, 2017, SAFE issued the Notice on Improving the Check of Authenticity and Compliance to Further Promote Foreign Exchange Control, or the SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. Moreover, pursuant to SAFE Circular 3, domestic entities shall make detailed explanations of the sources of capital and utilization arrangements, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof when completing the registration procedures in connection with an outbound investment.
In October 2019, the SAFE promulgated the Notice for Further Advancing the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, and was amended on December 4, 2023, which, among other things, allows all Foreign-Invested Enterprises to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine, does not violate applicable laws, and complies with the negative list on foreign investment. The Circular Regarding Further Optimizing the Cross-border RMB Policy to Support the Stabilization of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment jointly promulgated by the PBOC, the NDRC, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and SAFE on December 31, 2020 and effective on February 4, 2021 allows the non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to make domestic reinvestment with RMB capital in accordance with the law on the premise that they comply with prevailing regulations and the invested projects in China are authentic and compliant. In addition, if a foreign-invested enterprise uses RMB income under capital accounts to conduct domestic reinvestment, the invested enterprise is not required to open a special deposit account for RMB capital.
According to the Circular of the State Administration for Foreign Exchange on Optimizing Foreign Exchange Administration to Support the Development of Foreign-related Business, or the SAFE Circular 8, promulgated and effective on April 10, 2020 by the SAFE, the reform of facilitating the payments of incomes under the capital accounts shall be promoted nationwide. Under the prerequisite of ensuring true and compliant use of funds and compliance and complying with the prevailing administrative provisions on use of income from capital projects, enterprises which satisfy the criteria are allowed to use income under the capital account, such as capital funds, foreign debt and overseas listing, etc., for domestic payment, without the need to provide proof materials for veracity to the bank beforehand for each transaction.
Regulations on Dividend Distribution
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises include the PRC Company Law and the Foreign Investment Law. Under these laws and regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with China accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. Wholly foreign-owned companies may, at their discretion, allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on China accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
79 |
Regulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents
SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions.
SAFE Circular 37 was issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles issued by SAFE in October 2005. SAFE further enacted SAFE Circular 13, which allows PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. However, remedial registration applications made by PRC residents that previously failed to comply with the SAFE Circular 37 continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant local branch of SAFE. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from distributing profits to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.
Regulations on Stock Incentive Plans
In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Foreign Exchange Administration of PRC Residents Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Offshore Listed Companies, or the Stock Option Rules, replacing the previous rules issued by SAFE in March 2007. Under the Stock Option Rules and other relevant rules and regulations, domestic individuals, which means the PRC residents and non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, who participate in a stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas publicly-listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. The participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, the purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. The PRC agents must, on behalf of the PRC residents who have the right to exercise the employee share options, apply to SAFE or its local branches for an annual quota for the payment of foreign currencies in connection with the PRC residents’ exercise of the employee share options. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC residents from the sale of shares under the stock incentive plans granted and dividends distributed by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in the PRC opened by the PRC agents before distribution to such PRC residents. In addition, SAFE Circular 37 provides that PRC residents who participate in a share incentive plan of an overseas unlisted special purpose company may register with SAFE or its local branches before exercising rights.
Regulations Relating to Tax
Enterprise Income Tax
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was subsequently amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, and its implementing rules, enterprises are classified as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. PRC resident enterprises typically pay an enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% while non-PRC resident enterprises without any branches in the PRC should pay an enterprise income tax in connection with their income from the PRC at the tax rate of 10%. An enterprise established outside of the PRC with its “de facto management bodies” located within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a PRC domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define a de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. Enterprises qualified as “High and New Technology Enterprises” are entitled to a 15% enterprise income tax rate rather than the 25% uniform statutory tax rate. The preferential tax treatment continues as long as an enterprise can retain its “High and New Technology Enterprise” status.
80 |
The EIT Law and the implementation rules provide that an income tax rate of 10% should normally be applicable to dividends payable to investors that are “non-resident enterprises,” and gains derived by such investors, which (a) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (b) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business to the extent such dividends and gains are derived from sources within the PRC. Such income tax on the dividends may be reduced pursuant to a tax treaty between China and other jurisdictions. Pursuant to the Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5% upon receiving approval from in-charge tax authority. However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued on February 20, 2009 by the SAT, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment; and based on the Announcement on Relevant Issues Concerning the “Beneficial Owners” in Tax Treaties issued on February 3, 2018 by the SAT and effective from April 1, 2018, which replaces the Notice on the Interpretation and Recognition of Beneficial Owners in Tax Treaties and the Announcement on the Recognition of Beneficial Owners in Tax Treaties by the SAT, comprehensive analysis based on the stipulated factor therein and actual circumstances shall be adopted when recognizing the “beneficial owner” and agents and designated wire beneficiaries are specifically excluded from being recognized as “beneficial owners.”
Value-added Tax
Pursuant to applicable PRC regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and the SAT, any entity or individual conducting business in the service industry is required to pay a valued-added tax, or VAT, with respect to revenues derived from the provision of services. A taxpayer is allowed to offset the qualified input VAT paid on taxable purchases against the output VAT chargeable on the revenue from services provided.
M&A Rules and Overseas Listings
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, adopted the Regulations on Mergers of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009. Foreign investors shall comply with the M&A Rules when they purchase equity interests of a domestic company or subscribe the increased capital of a domestic company, and thus changing the nature of the domestic company into a foreign-invested enterprise; or when the foreign investors establish a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC, purchase the assets of a domestic company and operate the assets; or when the foreign investors purchase the asset of a domestic company, establish a foreign-invested enterprise by injecting such assets and operate the assets. The M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange.
On December 26, 2017, the NDRC adopted the Administrative Measures for Enterprises’ Overseas Investment, or the Overseas Investment Rules, which will become effective on March 1, 2018. The New M&A Rules provides that, for local enterprises (enterprises that are not managed by the state government), if the amount of investment made by the Chinese investors is less than US$300 million, and the target project is non-sensitive, then the overseas investment project will require online filing with the local branch of the NDRC where the enterprise itself is registered. And “overseas investment” shall mean activities where an PRC enterprise, directly or through an overseas enterprise controlled by it, acquires overseas any ownership, right of control, right of business management, or other relevant rights and interests, by contributing assets or rights and interests, providing financing and/or guarantee, or any other means.
81 |
On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC governmental authorities promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities, which provided that the administration and supervision of overseas-listed China-based companies will be strengthened, and the special provisions of the State Council on overseas issuance and listing of shares by such companies will be revised, clarifying the responsibilities of domestic industry competent authorities and regulatory authorities. However, the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities were still leaving uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of these opinions. It is possible that any new rules or regulations may impose additional requirements on us. Furthermore, the Review Measures required that, in addition to network products and services acquired by critical information infrastructure operators, online platform operators are also subject to cybersecurity review if they carry out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, and online platform operators listing in a foreign country with more than one million users’ personal information data must apply for a cybersecurity review with the Cybersecurity Review Office. It is uncertain whether we would be deemed as a CIIO or an online platform operator which is under the censorship of the Review Measure in the future. In the event that we become under investigation or review by the CAC, we may have to substantially change our current business and our operations may be materially and adversely affected. If it is determined in the future that CSRC approval or other procedural requirements are required to be met for and prior to an offering, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such procedures and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such procedures for an offering, or a rescission of any such approval, could subject us to sanctions by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. The PRC governmental authorities may impose restrictions and penalties on our operations in China, such as the suspension of our apps and services, revocation of our licenses, or shutting down part or all of our operations, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from an offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. The PRC governmental authorities may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt an offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs being offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the PRC governmental authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for filings, registrations or other kinds of authorizations for an offering, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the approval, authorizations, or complete required procedures or other requirements in a timely manner, or at all, or obtain a waiver of the requisite requirements if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver.
On December 27, 2021, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2021 Version), or the 2021 Negative List, which will become effective on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to such Special Administrative Measures, if a domestic company engaging in the prohibited business stipulated in the 2021 Negative List seeks an overseas offering and listing, it shall obtain the approval from the competent governmental authorities. Besides, the foreign investors of the company shall not be involved in the company’s operation and management, and their shareholding percentage shall be subject, mutatis mutandis, to the relevant regulations on the domestic securities investments by foreign investors.
82 |
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC, as approved by the State Council, released the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, domestic companies in the Chinese mainland that directly or indirectly offer or list their securities in an overseas market, are required to file with the CSRC. Specifically, the securities under the Trial Measures refer to stocks, depositary receipts, convertible corporate bonds, exchangeable bonds and other equity-linked securities to be issued and offered in overseas markets by domestic companies directly or indirectly, while a direct offering and listing refers to the overseas offering and listing of a joint-stock company incorporated in the Chinese mainland, and an indirect offering and listing refers to the overseas offering and listing of a domestic company which conducts its business operations primarily in the Chinese mainland, in the name of an offshore company and based on the underlying equities, assets, earnings or similar interests of the domestic company. In particular, the determination of an indirect offering and listing will be conducted on a “substance over form” basis, and an offering and listing should be considered as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company if the issuer meets both of the following conditions: (i) 50% or more of the issuer’s revenue, profit, total assets or net assets as documented in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements in the most recent financial year is accounted by domestic companies; and (ii) the majority of its business operations are conducted in the Chinese mainland or its principal place of business is located in the Chinese mainland, or the majority of senior management in charge of business operations are Chinese citizens or have domicile in the Chinese mainland. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, an overseas offering and listing is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the intended securities offering and listing is specifically prohibited by the laws, administrative regulations and relevant national provisions; (ii) if the intended securities offering and listing may constitute a threat to or endangers national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (iii) the domestic companies or their controlling shareholders or actual controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy in the past three years; (iv) the domestic companies are currently under investigations in connection with suspicion of having committed criminal offenses or material violations of applicable laws and regulations, and there is still no explicit conclusion; or (v) there are material ownership disputes over the shareholdings held by the controlling shareholder or the shareholder under the control of the controlling shareholder or the actual controllers. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, the issuer or its affiliated domestic company, as the case may be, is required to file with the CSRC (i) with respect to its initial public offering and listing and its subsequent securities offering in an overseas market different from the market where it has listed, within three business days after its submission of listing application documents to the relevant regulator in the place of intended listing, (ii) with respect to its follow-on offering in the same overseas market where it has listed (including issuance of any corporate convertible bonds, exchangeable bonds and other equity-linked securities, but excluding the offering for employees incentive, dividend distribution by shares and share split), within three business days after completion of such follow-on offering, (iii) with respect to listing by means of single or multiple acquisitions, share swap, transfers of shares and similar transactions, within three business days after its initial filing of the listing application or the first public announcement of the transaction, as case may be. Failure to comply with the filing requirements may result in an order of rectification, a warning and fines ranging from RMB1 million to RMB10 million to the non-compliant domestic companies, and the directly responsible persons of the companies will be warned and fined between RMB500,000 and RMB5 million. Furthermore, if the controlling shareholder and the actual controller of the non-compliant companies organizes or instigates the breach, they will be fined between RMB1 million and RMB10 million. In addition to above filing requirements, the Filings Rules also requires an issuer to report to the CSRC within three business days after occurrence of any the following events: (i) its change of control; (ii) its being subject to investigation or sanctions by any overseas securities regulators or overseas authorities; (iii) its change of listing status or listing segment; (iv) voluntary or mandatory delisting; and (v) material change of its principal business operations to the extent that it ceases to be subject to the filing requirements of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC released the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, or, the Confidentiality Provisions, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Confidentiality Provisions, any future inspection or investigation conducted by overseas securities regulator or the relevant competent authorities on our PRC domestic companies with respect to our overseas issuance and listing shall be carried out in the manner in compliance with PRC laws and regulations.
Employment Laws
Pursuant to the PRC Labor Law, the PRC Labor Contract Law and the Implementing Regulations of the Employment Contracts Law, labor relationships between employers and employees must be executed in written form. Wages may not be lower than the local minimum wage. Employers must establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state standards and provide relevant education to its employees. Employees are also required to work in safe and sanitary conditions.
Under PRC laws, rules and regulations, including the Social Insurance Law, the Interim Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social Security Funds and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Accumulation Funds, employers are required to contribute, on behalf of their employees, to a number of social security funds, including funds for basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, basic medical insurance, occupational injury insurance, maternity leave insurance and housing accumulation funds. These payments are made to local administrative authorities and any employer who fails to contribute may be fined and ordered to pay the deficit amount.
Regulations on Leasing
Pursuant to the Law on Administration of Urban Real Estate which took effect in January 1995 with the latest amendment in August 2019, lessors and lessees are required to enter into a written lease contract, containing such provisions as the term of the lease, the use of the premises, liability for rent and repair, and other rights and obligations of both parties. Both lessor and lessee are also required to register the lease with the real estate administration authorities. Pursuant to implementing rules stipulated by certain provinces or cities, such as Tianjin, if the lessor and lessee fail to go through the registration procedures, both lessor and lessee may be subject to fines.
According to the PRC Civil Code which took effect on January 1, 2021, the lessee may sublease the leased premises to a third party, subject to the consent of the lessor. Where the lessee subleases the premises, the lease contract between the lessee and the lessor remains valid. The lessor is entitled to terminate the lease contract if the lessee subleases the premises without the consent of the lessor. In addition, if the ownership of the leased premises changes during the lessee’s possession in accordance with the terms of the lease contract, the validity of the lease contract shall not be affected.
83 |
Pursuant to the PRC Civil Code, if the mortgaged property has been leased and transferred for occupation prior to the establishment of the mortgage right, the original tenancy shall not be affected by such mortgage right. According to the Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Cases about Disputes Over Lease Contracts on Urban Buildings (2020 version), which took effect on January 1, 2021, if the ownership of the leased premises changes during lessee’s possession in accordance with the terms of the lease contract, and the lease requests the assignee to continue to perform the original lease contract, the PRC court shall support it, except that the mortgage right has been established before the lease of the leased premises and the ownership changes due to the mortgagee’s realization of the mortgage right.
In addition, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Interpretation on Several Issues with respect to the Specific Application of Law in the Trial of Disputes over Partitioned Ownership of Buildings, pursuant to which, if the landlord uses his property, which is designated for residential use, for business purposes without prior consents of other owners whose interests are involved, the other owners may request for removing impairment, eliminating danger, reinstatement or compensation for losses.
Regulations on Unfair Competition
On April 23, 2019, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the amended Anti-Unfair Competition Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, which became effective on April 23, 2019.
Pursuant to the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, a business operator shall not conduct any false or misleading commercial publicity in respect of the performance, functions, quality, sales, user reviews, and honors received of its commodities, in order to defraud or mislead consumers. A business operator publishing any false advertisements in violation of this provision shall be punished in accordance with the Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China.
The Anti-Unfair Competition Law also stipulated that a business operator engaging in production or distribution activities online shall abide by the provisions of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law. No business operator may, by technical means to affect users’ options, among others, commit the acts of interfering with or sabotaging the normal operation of online products or services legally provided by another business operator.
In addition, according to the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, a business operator is prohibited from any of the following unfair activities: (i) committing act of confusion to mislead a person into believing that a commodity is one of another person or has a particular connection with another person; (ii) seeking transaction opportunities or competitive edges by bribing relevant entities or individuals with property or by any other means; (iii) infringing trade secrets; (iv) premium campaign violating the provision of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law; and (v) fabricating or disseminating false or misleading information to damage the goodwill or product reputation of a competitor.
Regulations Relating to Anti-Monopoly
The currently effective Anti-Monopoly Law of PRC, or the Anti-Monopoly Law, was promulgated by Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in 2007 and most recently amended on June 24, 2022. Pursuant to the Anti-Monopoly Law, the relevant operators of a concentration of undertakings which reaches the standard for declaration shall make an advance declaration to the anti-monopoly law enforcement authority under the State Council. The fines for illegal concentration of business operators shall be “no more than ten percent of its preceding year’s sales revenue if the concentration of business operator has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competition; or a fine of up to RMB5 million if the concentration of business operator does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition.” Pursuant to the Anti-Monopoly Law, the relevant authority to investigate transaction where there is evidence that the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold.
84 |
On February 7, 2021, the Anti-Monopoly Committee of the State Council promulgated the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector which stipulates that any concentration of undertakings involving variable interest entities (VIE) shall fall within the scope of anti- monopoly review. Furthermore, the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms prohibits certain monopolistic acts of internet platforms so as to protect market competition and safeguard interests of users and undertakings participating in internet platform economy, including without limitation, prohibiting platforms with dominant position from abusing their market dominance (such as discriminating customers in terms of pricing and other transactional conditions using big data and analytics, coercing counterparties into exclusivity arrangements, using technology means to block competitors’ interface, favorable positioning in search results of goods displays, using bundle services to sell services or products, compulsory collection of unnecessary user data). On August 17, 2021, the SAMR issued the Provisions on Prohibition of Unfair Competition on the Internet (Draft for Comments), which prohibits business operators from using data, algorithms and other technical means to commit traffic hijacking, interference, malicious incompatibility and other improprieties to influence user choices or hinder or damage the normal operation of network products or services offered by other business operators.
C. | Organizational Structure |
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal subsidiaries as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F:
Historical Contractual Agreements with the Former VIEs and Their Respective Shareholders and the Related Termination Agreements
Historically, in order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements restricting foreign ownership of Internet information services, value-added telecommunications and certain other businesses in China, we primarily conducted those businesses through one of the former VIEs, Youxin Hulian. In January 2015, Ministry of Industry & Information Technology announced the Notice of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Removing the Restrictions on Foreign-owned Shareholding Percentage in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (operating commerce) Business in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, or SHFTZ Notice. Pursuant to SHFTZ Notice, there are no restrictions on foreign investors maximum shareholding percentage in an enterprise established in Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone that conducts value-added telecommunications services in the scope of online data processing and transaction processing (Operating E-commerce). Therefore, our eligible PRC subsidiaries Yougu and Youhan, have applied for and obtained approval from Shanghai Communications Administration to conduct e-commerce, and since then they have been operating our main online businesses instead of the former VIEs, Youxin Hulian and Yishouche.
85 |
Our historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and their respective shareholders include exclusive option agreements, equity pledge agreements and exclusive business cooperation agreements. As a result of the contractual arrangements, we were able to derive economic benefits from the former VIEs and were considered the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs for accounting purposes. Accordingly, we were historically regarded as the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs, and we treated them and their subsidiaries as the consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP. We had consolidated the financial results of the former VIEs and their respective subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
In order to streamline our corporate structure and considering the changing regulatory environment, we have completed the Restructuring to terminate the contractual arrangements with both of the former VIEs, which as a result have become wholly owned subsidiaries of the company. Pursuant to the Restructuring, our wholly owned subsidiaries that have contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and their respective shareholders have purchased all equity interests held by such shareholders in the former VIEs. Accordingly, all contractual arrangements that enabled such shareholders to direct the activities of and derive economic benefits from the former VIEs, were effectively terminated.
The following is a summary of the historical contractual arrangements, which are effectively terminated in March 2022, (i) by and among Youxinpai (one of our WFOEs), Youxin Hulian (one of the former VIEs) and Youxin Hulian’s shareholders and (ii) by and among Yougu (one of our WFOEs), Yishouche (one of the former VIEs) and Yishouche’s shareholders.
Historical contractual Arrangements relating to Youxin Hulian
The following is a summary of the historical contractual arrangements by and among Youxinpai, Youxin Hulian and the shareholders of Youxin Hulian.
Agreements that Provided Us with Effective Control over Youxin Hulian
Equity Interest Pledge Agreements. Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreements, each shareholder of Youxin Hulian pledged all of his or her equity interests in Youxin Hulian to guarantee the shareholder’s and Youxin Hulian’s performance of their obligations under the amended and restated exclusive business cooperation agreement, loan agreement entered into between Mr. Kun Dai and Youxinpai, exclusive option agreement and power of attorney. If Youxin Hulian or its shareholders breach their contractual obligations under these agreements, Youxinpai, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights regarding the pledged equity interests, including receiving proceeds from the auction or sale of all or part of the pledged equity interests of Youxin Hulian in accordance with the law. Each shareholder of Youxin Hulian agreed that, during the term of the equity interest pledge agreements, he or she would not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests without the prior written consent of Youxinpai. We have registered the equity pledge with the local branches of the Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
Powers of Attorney. Pursuant to the powers of attorney, each shareholder of Youxin Hulian irrevocably appointed Youxinpai to act as such shareholder’s exclusive attorney-in-fact to exercise all shareholder rights, including, but not limited to, voting on all matters of Youxin Hulian requiring shareholder approval, disposing of all or part of the shareholder’s equity interests in Youxin Hulian, and appointing directors and executive officers. Youxinpai was entitled to designate any person to act as such shareholder’s exclusive attorney-in-fact without notifying or the approval of such shareholder, and if required by PRC law, Youxinpai shall designate a PRC citizen to exercise such right. Each shareholder of Youxin Hulian, waived all the rights which have been authorized to Youxinpai and will not exercise such rights.
86 |
Agreement that Allowed us to Receive Economic Benefits from Youxin Hulian
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the amended and restated exclusive business cooperation agreement between Youxinpai and Youxin Hulian, Youxinpai had the exclusive right to provide Youxin Hulian with technical support, consulting services and other services. Without Youxinpai’s prior written consent, Youxin Hulian agreed not to accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party. Youxinpai may designate other parties to provide services to Youxin Hulian. Youxin Hulian agreed to pay service fees on a quarterly basis and at an amount determined by Youxinpai after taking into account multiple factors, such as the complexity and difficulty of the services provided, the time consumed, the content and commercial value of services provided, the market price of comparable services and the operation conditions. Youxinpai owned the intellectual property rights arising out of the performance of this agreement. In addition, Youxin Hulian granted Youxinpai an irrevocable and exclusive option to purchase any or all of the assets and businesses of Youxin Hulian at the lowest price permitted under PRC law.
Agreements that Provided Us with the Option to Purchase the Equity Interest in Youxin Hulian
Exclusive Option Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreements, each shareholder of Youxin Hulian irrevocably granted Youxinpai an exclusive option to purchase, or have its designated person or persons to purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the shareholder’s equity interests in Youxin Hulian. The purchase price shall be RMB10 (US$1.4) or the minimum price required by PRC law. If Youxinpai exercises the option to purchase part of the equity interest held by a shareholder, the purchase price shall be calculated proportionally. Without Youxinpai’s prior written consent, Youxin Hulian shall not amend its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell or otherwise dispose of its assets or beneficial interest, create or allow any encumbrance on its assets or other beneficial interests, provide any loans to any third parties, enter into any material contract with a value of more than RMB500,000 (US$71,821) (except those contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), merge with or acquire any other persons or make any investments, or distribute dividends to the shareholders. Each shareholder of Youxin Hulian agreed that, without Youxinpai’s prior written consent, he or she would not dispose of his or her equity interests in Youxin Hulian or create or allow any encumbrance on their equity interests. Moreover, without Youxinpai’s prior written consent, no dividend will be distributed to Youxin Hulian’s shareholders, and if any of the shareholders receives any profit, interest, dividend or proceeds of share transfer or liquidation, the shareholder must give such profit, interest, dividend and proceeds to Youxinpai or its designated person(s).
Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the loan agreement between Youxinpai and Mr. Kun Dai shareholder of Youxin Hulian, dated November 23, 2016, Youxinpai made loans in an aggregate amount of RMB96.0 million (US$13.8 million) to Mr. Kun Dai solely for the capitalization of Youxin Hulian. Pursuant to the loan agreement, Youxinpai may at its sole discretion request the borrower to repay the loan by the sale of all his equity interest in Youxin Hulian to Youxinpai or its designated person(s) pursuant to the exclusive option agreement. Mr. Kun Dai must pay all of the proceeds from sale of such equity interests to Youxinpai. In the event the borrower sells his equity interests to Youxinpai or its designated person(s) with a price equivalent to or less than the amount of the principal, the loans will be interest free. If the price is higher than the amount of the principal, the excess amount will be paid to Youxinpai as the loan interest. The loan must be repaid immediately under certain circumstances, including, among others, if a foreign investor is permitted to hold majority or 100% equity interest in Youxin Hulian and Youxinpai elects to exercise its exclusive equity purchase option.
Historical Contractual Arrangements relating to Yishouche
The following is a summary of the historical contractual arrangements by and among Yougu, Yishouche and the shareholders of Yishouche.
Agreements that Provided Us with Effective Control over Yishouche
Equity Interest Pledge Agreements. Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreements, each shareholder of Yishouche pledged all of his or her equity interests in Yishouche to guarantee the shareholder’s and Yishouche’s performance of their obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, exclusive option agreement and power of attorney. If Yishouche or any of its shareholders breaches their contractual obligations under these agreements, Yougu, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights regarding the pledged equity interests, including receiving proceeds from the auction or sale of all or part of the pledged equity interests of Yishouche in accordance with the law. Each of the shareholders of Yishouche agreed that, during the term of the equity interest pledge agreements, he or she would not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests without the prior written consent of Yougu. We have registered the equity pledge with the local branches of the Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
87 |
Powers of Attorney. Pursuant to the powers of attorney, each shareholder of Yishouche irrevocably appointed Yougu to act as such shareholder’s exclusive attorney-in-fact to exercise all shareholder rights, including, but not limited to, voting on all matters of Yishouche requiring shareholder approval, disposing of all or part of the shareholder’s equity interests in Yishouche, and appointing directors and executive officers. Yougu was entitled to designate any person to act as such shareholder’s exclusive attorney-in-fact without notifying or the approval of such shareholder, and if required by PRC law, Yougu shall designate a PRC citizen to exercise such right. Each shareholder waived all the rights which have been authorized to Yougu and will not exercise such rights.
Agreement that Allowed us to Receive Economic Benefits from Yishouche
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the exclusive business cooperation agreement between Yougu and Yishouche, Yougu had the exclusive right to provide Yishouche with technical support, consulting services and other services. Without Yougu’s prior written consent, Yishouche agreed not to accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party. Yougu may designate other parties to provide services to Yishouche. Yishouche agreed to pay service fees on a monthly basis and at an amount determined by Yougu and Yishouche after taking into account multiple factors, such as the complexity and difficulty of the services provided, the time consumed, the content and commercial value of services provided and the market price of comparable services and the operation conditions. Yougu owned the intellectual property rights arising out of the performance of this agreement. In addition, Yishouche granted Yougu an irrevocable and exclusive option to purchase any or all of the assets and businesses of Yishouche at the lowest price permitted under PRC law.
Agreements that Provided Us with the Option to Purchase the Equity Interest in Yishouche
Exclusive Option Agreements. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreements, each shareholder of Yishouche irrevocably granted Yougu an exclusive option to purchase, or have its designated person or persons to purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the shareholder’s equity interests in Yishouche. The purchase price shall be RMB10 (US$1.4) or the minimum price required by PRC law. Without Yougu’s prior written consent, Yishouche shall not amend its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell or otherwise dispose of, or create or allow any encumbrance on its assets or beneficial interest with a value of more than RMB500,000 (US$71,821), provide any loans to any third parties, enter into any material contract with a value of more than RMB500,000 (US$71,821) (except those contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), merge with or acquire any other persons or make any investments, or distribute dividends to the shareholders. The shareholders of Yishouche agreed that, without Yougu’s prior written consent, they would not dispose of their equity interests in Yishouche or create or allow any encumbrance on their equity interests. Moreover, without Yougu’s prior written consent, no dividend will be distributed to Yishouche’s shareholders, and if any of the shareholders receives any profit, interest, dividend or proceeds of share transfer or liquidation, the shareholder must give such profit, interest, dividend and proceeds to Yougu or its designated person(s).
In the opinion of Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm, our counsel regarding certain PRC legal matters:
● | the historical ownership structures of the former VIEs in China and our WFOEs that had entered into contractual arrangements with the former VIEs will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and | |
● | the historical contractual arrangements among Youxinpai, Youxin Hulian and the shareholders of Youxin Hulian and the historical contractual arrangements among Yougu, Yishouche and the shareholders of Yishouche governed by PRC law were valid, binding and enforceable, and do not and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect. |
However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. The PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to the above opinion of our PRC counsel. If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our online businesses did not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunications services businesses, such as internet content provision services and online data processing and transaction processing businesses (operating e-commerce business), we could be subject to penalties, including being prohibited from continuing operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government determines that the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs structure did not, or that our holding company structure do not, comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, our shares and/or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Failure to obtain certain filings, approvals, licenses, permits and certificates required for our business operations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations”, and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.”
D. | Property, Plants and Equipment |
Our Beijing office, Xi’an Superstore and Hefei Superstore covered an aggregate of more than 500,000 square meters. These facilities currently accommodate our management headquarters, used car superstores, as well as most of our sales and marketing, R&D, general and administrative activities.
In December 2022, we completed the relocation and upgrade of our Xi’an Superstore as well as its used car super stores. The upgraded Xi’an Superstore is comprised of (i) a reconditioning factory with an annual capacity of 40,000 units and (ii) a warehouse-style superstore with a showroom capacity of 3,000 vehicles.
In July 2023, we moved our principle executive offices to 21/F, Donghuang Building, No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102, People’s Republic of China.
Item 4A. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
88 |
Item 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects |
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report on Form 20-F. This report contains forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Information.” In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information provided under the caption “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 20-F. We caution you that our businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.
A. | Operating Results |
Overview
We are a leading used car retailer, pioneering industry transformation with advanced production, new retail experiences, and digital empowerment in China. We operate vehicle sales business, where we provide consumers with a reliable, one-stop and hassle-free used-car-buying experience, including access to our best selection of high-quality and value-for-money used cars and various car-related value-added products and services.
From September 2020, our vehicle sales business generates revenues from vehicle sales under the new inventory-owning model, which covers retail vehicle sales business and wholesale vehicle sales business. We select vehicle inventory from consumers who intend to sell their existing cars, auction platforms, 4S stores and offline dealers. Our first used car superstore in Xi’an and second used car superstore in Hefei have been in operation since March 2021 and November 2021, respectively, where we can recondition all retail inventory to a “like new” condition. Meanwhile, our Xi’an Superstore and Hefei Superstore may also serve regional customers who pay in-store visit to our superstores. For retail vehicle sales business, the vehicles that meet our retail standards will be delivered to our Xi’an Superstore or Hefei Superstore for further preparation, and then sell to consumers under our omni-channel sales approach, either from our online platform or from offline superstores. Wholesale vehicle sales refer to vehicles purchased by us from individuals that do not meet our retail standards and are subsequently sold through online and offline channels.
Prior to the inventory-owing model, our 2C business generated revenues from (i) commission fee in relation to assisting consumers buying our inspected and certified used cars directly online and providing relevant fulfillment services, such as logistics and delivery, title transfers and vehicle registration, which equals to a certain percentage of final car sales price and (ii) value-added service fee in relation to the additional services provided to consumers, for example, we help consumers select and apply for customized auto financing options that are provided by our financing partners, assist them purchasing suitable insurance policies that are provided by insurance companies, and provide well-rounded warranty programs.
By April 2020, we had closed our divestiture of entire 2C intra-regional business and loan facilitation business to Golden Pacer. Prior to the divestiture, our 2C business generated revenues from the transaction facilitation and loan facilitation services we provided to car buyers. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Divestitures of Our Loan Facilitation, Salvage Car and 2B Businesses.”
Historically, we also operated 2B business — Uxin Auction, where we primarily facilitated used car transactions between business customers via online auction. By April 2020, we had closed our divestiture of the entire 2B business to 58.com and both parties released the other party from claims arising out of this transaction in July 2022. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Divestitures of Our Loan Facilitation, Salvage Car and 2B Businesses.” Prior to the divestiture of our 2B business, we generated revenues from transaction facilitation service fee charged in relation to connecting business buyers with used car sellers and facilitating car sales through our auction service, as well as the title transfer service we provide.
Major Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
General Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our business and operating results are affected by general factors affecting China’s online used car transaction industry, which include:
● | China’s overall economic growth and level of per capita disposable income; |
89 |
● | changes in the supply and demand for used cars, and changes in geographic distribution of cars; and | |
● | regulations and policies affecting the used car industry and consumer auto finance industry. |
Unfavorable changes in any of these general industry conditions could negatively affect demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
While our business is influenced by general factors affecting China’s online used car transaction industry, we believe our results of operations are more directly affected by company specific factors, including the following:
Ability to increase transaction volume
Our ability to continue to increase our transaction volume affects the growth of our business and our revenues. From 2018 when we started to provide 2C online used car transaction services, we have witnessed significant growth in our business. However, as a result of our business transformation to an inventory-owning model since September 2020, the total number of used car transactions for fiscal year of 2021 and fiscal year of 2022 are not comparable. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, our vehicle sales volume was 15,550, among which retail vehicle sales volume was 10,179 and wholesale vehicle sales volume was 5,371. We anticipate that our future revenue growth will continue to depend largely on the increase of transaction volume on our platform, especially the increase of retail vehicle transaction volume. Our ability to increase transaction volume depends on, among other things, our ability to continuously maintain a broad inventory and improve the service and user experience that we offer, our ability to maintain capital sufficiency, increase brand awareness, expand our service network and enhance our online used car transaction fulfillment and technology capabilities.
Ability to acquire high-quality value-for-money used cars for our customers
Different from offline dealers’ traditional way of acquiring inventory based only on individual experience, we will procure our used cars by analyzing the extensive user behavioral, used car and transactional data gathered on our platform over the years. Therefore, we can identify used cars that meet our criteria and procure those used cars our customers prefer, value-for-money and in line with the market trends and dynamics. Our data-driven and quality-focused inventory strategy enhances customer satisfaction, and also enables us to achieve a fast inventory turnover.
Ability to enhance operational efficiency
Our results of operations are directly affected by our scale and operational efficiency. We have been relentlessly pursuing ways to optimizing our operating costs and expenses. To that end, our organizational structure has been upgraded according to the adjustment of our business model and all aspects of our business operations are undergoing refined management. “Spend where it matters most” has become our management philosophy. We have been improving our operational efficiency and targeting profitability in the mid to long term.
Selected Statements of Operations Items
Revenues
We derive our revenues from our retail vehicle sales, wholesale vehicle sales and other businesses. The following table presents our revenues by category, in terms of absolute amounts and as percentages of our total revenues for the periods presented.
For the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail vehicle sales | 780,371 | 47.7 | 1,312,857 | 63.8 | 1,024,401 | 141,878 | 74.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale vehicle sales | 823,466 | 50.3 | 707,385 | 34.3 | 315,909 | 43,753 | 23.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Others | 32,279 | 2.0 | 38,999 | 1.9 | 34,419 | 4,767 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 1,636,116 | 100.0 | 2,059,241 | 100.0 | 1,374,729 | 190,398 | 100.0 |
90 |
Retail vehicle sales
From September 2020, we have started to build-up our own used car inventory. We have also started to select “value-for-money” used cars in the market, procure these cars and arrange for reconditioning to upgrade them to a like-new condition before selling them to customers. Vehicle sales revenue is recognized on a gross basis as we sell our own inventory.
Wholesale vehicle sales
Wholesale vehicle sales refer to vehicles purchased by us from individuals that do not meet our retail standards and are subsequently sold through online and offline channels.
Others
Our other revenues mainly consist of rebates collected from our financing and insurance partners.
Cost of Revenues
The cost of revenues primarily consists of the cost to acquire used vehicles as well as direct and indirect vehicle reconditioning costs associated with preparing the vehicles for resale. Cost of revenues also includes any necessary adjustments to reflect vehicle inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We expect that our cost of revenues will increase in absolute dollar amounts in the foreseeable future resulting from continuous business expansion.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses primarily consist of (i) sales and marketing expenses, (ii) general and administrative expenses, (iii) research and development expenses, and (iv) provision for credit losses. We improved our overall operational efficiency through strict cost management and aimed at growing the business at the most cost-efficient level. Our cost management efforts will continue and we expect to continue to optimize our operating expense structure.
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for our sales and marketing personnel, traffic acquisition costs, brand advertising costs, outbound logistic expenses and depreciation expenses of our superstore right-of-use assets. We expect that our sales and marketing expenses will increase in absolute dollar amounts in the foreseeable future resulting from continuous business expansion and increases in transaction volumes.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits as well as share-based compensation for our management and administration employees performing general corporate functions, office rental expenses, and professional service fees. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will remain relatively stable in the foreseeable future primarily due to our continuous efforts in controlling such costs.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for our research and development personnel and IT infrastructure services-related expenses. We expect our research and development expenses will remain relatively stable in the foreseeable future as our proprietary technology, including websites, mobile apps and various information technology systems to support our business, matures.
91 |
Reversal of/(provision for) credit losses
Our provision for credit loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 mainly related to impairment due to the credit loss incurred from outstanding receivables, taking into account the risk characteristics, supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and any recoveries. Our reversal of credit loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was mainly due to the loans recognized as a result of payment under the guarantee associated with our historically-facilitated loans.
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares
The fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares is primarily related to the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares, specifically the second tranche of the transaction and the warrants offered to Joy Capital and NIO Capital in connection with the first tranche. The warrants and the second tranche of the transaction were recorded as liabilities at fair value, respectively, with subsequent fair value changes to be charged to the profit and loss.
Taxation
British Virgin Islands
Some of our subsidiaries are companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current law of the British Virgin Islands, we are not subject to income, corporation or capital gains tax in the British Virgin Islands. In addition, payment of dividends by the British Virgin Islands subsidiaries to their respective shareholders who are not resident in the British Virgin Islands, if any, is not subject to withholding tax in the British Virgin Islands.
Hong Kong
Our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to the uniform tax rate of 16.5%. Under Hong Kong tax law, our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are exempted from income tax on their foreign-derived income and there is no withholding tax in Hong Kong on remittance of dividends. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax was made as we had no estimated assessable profit that was subject to Hong Kong profits tax in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
92 |
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total revenues, for the periods presented.
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail vehicle sales | 780,371 | 47.7 | 1,312,857 | 63.8 | 1,024,401 | 141,878 | 74.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale vehicle sales | 823,466 | 50.3 | 707,385 | 34.3 | 315,909 | 43,753 | 23.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Others | 32,279 | 2.0 | 38,999 | 1.9 | 34,419 | 4,767 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 1,636,116 | 100.0 | 2,059,241 | 100.0 | 1,374,729 | 190,398 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (1) | (1,588,398 | ) | (97.1 | ) | (2,033,797 | ) | (98.8 | ) | (1,294,161 | ) | (179,239 | ) | (94.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 47,718 | 2.9 | 25,444 | 1.2 | 80,568 | 11,159 | 5.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing (1) | (222,139 | ) | (13.6 | ) | (236,307 | ) | (11.5 | ) | (202,493 | ) | (28,045 | ) | (14.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Research and development (1) | (36,200 | (2.2 | ) | (37,704 | ) | (1.8 | ) | (33,820 | ) | (4,684 | ) | (2.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative (1) | (151,024 | ) | (9.2 | ) | (164,505 | ) | (8.0 | ) | (177,386 | ) | (24,568 | ) | (12.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Reversal of/(provision for) credit losses, net | 687 | 0.0 | (13,844 | ) | (0.7 | ) | 2,631 | 364 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | (408,676 | ) | (25.0 | ) | (452,360 | ) | (22.0 | ) | (411,068 | ) | (56,933 | ) | (29.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other operating income, net | 82,017 | 5.0 | 69,990 | 3.4 | 18,001 | 2,493 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (278,941 | ) | (17.0 | ) | (356,926 | ) | (17.3 | ) | (312,499 | ) | (43,281 | ) | (22.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 3,660 | 0.2 | 603 | 0.0 | 169 | 23 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (41,222 | ) | (2.5 | ) | (21,243 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (62,598 | ) | (8,670 | ) | (4.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income | 5,227 | 0.3 | 17,088 | 0.8 | 15,870 | 2,198 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | (8,925 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (24,153 | ) | (1.2 | ) | (5,941 | ) | (823 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange (losses)/gain | (9,336 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (2,457 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 1,525 | 211 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 186,231 | 11.4 | 242,733 | 11.8 | (11,776 | ) | (1,631 | ) | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Losses from extinguishment of debt | — | — | (2,778 | ) | (0.1 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income tax expense | (143,306 | ) | (8.8 | ) | (147,133 | ) | (7.1 | ) | (375,250 | ) | (51,973 | ) | (27.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (245 | ) | 0.0 | (366 | ) | 0.0 | (311 | ) | (43 | ) | (0.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Dividend from long-term investment | — | — | 10,374 | 0.5 | 11,970 | 1,658 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in income/(loss) of affiliates, net of tax | 328 | 0.0 | (44 | ) | 0.0 | (5,951 | ) | (824 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (8.8 | ) | (137,169 | ) | (6.7 | ) | (369,542 | ) | (51,182 | ) | (26.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Add: accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | (2,901 | ) | (402 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders | — | — | (12 | ) | 0.0 | (56 | ) | (8 | ) | (0.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders due to triggering of a down round feature | — | — | (755,635 | ) | (36.7 | ) | (2,060,254 | ) | (285,342 | ) | (149.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,223 | ) | (8.8 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (43.4 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) | (336,918 | ) | (177.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net loss per share for ordinary shareholders, basic | (0.12 | ) | — | (0.66 | ) | — | (1.11 | ) | (0.15 | ) | — |
(1) | Share-based compensation in the amount of negative RMB26.5 million, RMB47.3 million and RMB75.8 million (US$10.5 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively, was charged to cost of revenues, sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, and general and administrative expenses. |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023
Revenues
Total revenue. Our total revenues decreased by 33.2% from RMB2,059.2 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB1,374.7 million (US$190.4 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, driven by the decrease of wholesale vehicle sales revenue, mainly due to a decline in wholesale transaction volume, and the decrease of retail vehicle sales revenue, mainly due to a decline in retail average selling price.
Retail vehicle sales revenue. Retail vehicle sales revenue was RMB1,024.4 million (US$141.9 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, compared to RMB1,312.9 million in the fiscal year of 2023. The decrease in retail vehicle sales revenue was mainly due to a decline in retail average selling price by 18.0% year-over-year. Besides, the decrease in retail vehicle sales revenue was also drive by a decline in retail transaction volume. Retail transaction volume in the fiscal year of 2024 was 10,179 units, compared to 10,703 units in the fiscal year of 2023. The decrease in retail transaction volume was mainly related to the lower inventory level. We have maintained a prudent inventory procurement strategy and keeps a low inventory level as compared with the same period last year, which constrained retail sales growth.
93 |
Wholesale vehicle sales revenue. Wholesale vehicle sales revenue was RMB315.9 million (US$43.8 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, compared to RMB707.4 million in the fiscal year of 2023. Wholesale vehicle sales refer to vehicles purchased by us from individuals that do not meet our retail standards and are subsequently sold through online and offline channels. As we are focusing on creating value for our customers through retail transactions and continuing to improve our inventory capacity and reconditioning capabilities, the wholesale transaction volume decreased accordingly. We expect that our wholesale transaction volume will gradually represent a lower portion of our total transaction volume.
Others. Our other revenues were RMB34.4 million (US$4.7 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, compared to RMB38.9 million in the fiscal year of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in our value-added services such as rebate received from certain financing partners for referring them to our retail customers with financing needs, a decrease in revenue from sales of vehicle accessories and a decrease in revenue from vehicle repair services.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues were RMB1,294.2 million (US$179.2 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, representing a decrease of 36.4% from RMB2,033.8 million in the fiscal year of 2023, mainly due to a decrease in cost for acquiring used vehicles as a result of our prudent inventory procurement strategy implemented.
Gross profit
Our total gross profit was RMB80.6 million (US$11.2 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, compared to RMB25.4 million in the fiscal year of 2023. Our gross profit margin increased from 1.2% in the fiscal year of 2023 to 5.9% in the fiscal year of 2024. The increases in gross profit and gross profit margin were mainly due to the acceleration of the inventory turnover rate, the improvement of pricing and sales capabilities, the increase of our value added services penetration rate and the decrease of our per-vehicle reconditioning costs.
Sales and marketing expenses
Our sales and marketing expenses decreased by 14.3% from RMB236.3 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB202.5 million (US$28.0 million) in the fiscal year of 2024. The decrease was mainly due to the decline in marketing expenses driven by the adoption of more cost-effective promotion measures and the decline of outbound logistic expenses, partially offset by the increase in right-of-use assets depreciation expenses as a result of relocation to our Hefei Superstore.
Research and development expenses
Our research and development expenses decreased by 10.3% from RMB37.7 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB33.8 million (US$4.7 million) in the fiscal year of 2024. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease of the salaries and benefits expenses of employees engaged in research and development.
General and administrative expenses
Our general and administrative expenses increased by 7.8% from RMB164.5 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB177.4 million (US$24.6 million) in the fiscal year of 2024. The increase was mainly due to an increase in shared-based compensation for personnel performing general and administrative functions, including the share-based compensation expense of US$4.0 million (equivalent to RMB28.7 million) resulting from the issuance of the senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao, which is controlled by Mr. Kun Dai, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of Company.
Reversal of/(provision for) credit losses, net
We recorded provision for credit losses, net of RMB13.8 million in the fiscal year of 2023 and reversal for credit losses, net of RMB2.6 million (US$0.4 million) in the fiscal year of 2024. Our provision for credit losses, net primarily consists of impairment due to the credit loss incurred from outstanding deposits, taking into account the risk characteristics, supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and any recoveries as of the dates indicated. Our reversal of credit loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was mainly due to the loans recognized as a result of payment under the guarantee associated with our historically-facilitated loans.
94 |
Other operating income, net
Our other operating income, net decreased from RMB70.0 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB18.0 million (US$2.5 million) in the fiscal year of 2024. The decrease was mainly due to the reduction in liability waiver gain, which was recognized as we fulfilled our payment conditions under the operating payable waiver agreements we had entered into with several suppliers.
Interest income
We had interest income of RMB0.6 million in the fiscal year of 2023 and RMB169 thousand (US$23 thousand) in the fiscal year of 2024, respectively.
Interest expenses
We had interest expense of RMB21.2 million in the fiscal year of 2023 and RMB62.6 million (US$8.7 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, respectively. The increase was mainly due to the increase of interest expenses on finance lease liabilities relating to the lease of Hefei Superstore in September 2023.
Other income
Other income decreased from RMB17.1 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB15.9 million (US$2.2 million) in the fiscal year of 2024.
Other expenses
Other expenses decreased from RMB24.2 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB5.9 million (US$0.8 million) in the fiscal year of 2024. Other expenses in the fiscal year of 2023 and 2024 were mainly due to the COVID-related business disruptions and the impairment loss for equity investments accounted for using measurement alternative, respectively.
Foreign exchange (losses)/gain
We had foreign exchange losses of RMB2.5 million in the fiscal year of 2023 and foreign exchange gain of RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million) in the fiscal year of 2024.
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares was a fair value gain of RMB11.8 million (US$1.6 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, compared to a fair value loss of RMB242.7 million in the fiscal year of 2023, which was related to the fair value change of the warrants issued in relation to the senior convertible preferred shares. In December 2023, unexercised warrants were subsequently terminated.
Losses from extinguishment of debt
We recorded losses from extinguishment of debt in the amount of RMB2.8 million in the fiscal year of 2023 by issuing 183,495,146 Class A ordinary shares to 58.com in exchange for the full release of our obligations to 58.com under the 58.com Notes and certain other historical transactions. We did not record losses from extinguishment of debt in the fiscal year of 2024.
Income tax expense
We had income tax expense of RMB311 thousand (US$43 thousand) in the fiscal year of 2024, compared to RMB366 thousand in the fiscal year of 2023.
Dividend from long-term investment
We had a dividend from long-term investment in the amount of RMB12.0 million (US$1.7 million) in the fiscal year of 2024 due to dividends from a PRC entity that we invested in.
95 |
Equity in loss of affiliates
Equity in loss of affiliates increased from RMB44 thousand in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB6.0 million (US$0.8 million) in the fiscal year of 2024, which reflects a decline in investees’ earnings.
Net loss
As a result of the foregoing, our net loss decreased from RMB137.2 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to RMB369.5 million (US$51.2 million) in the fiscal year of 2024.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022
For a detailed description of the comparison of our operating results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, see “Item 5.A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022” of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2023.
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
Cash flows and working capital
In addition to experiencing net losses during the periods presented, we had net cash used in operating activities of RMB845.0 million, RMB251.1 million and RMB262.4 million (US$36.3 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Our principal sources of liquidity have been proceeds from issuances of equity and equity-linked securities.
● | In January 2018, we raised an aggregate of US$250.0 million by issuing additional preferred shares to certain investors in a private placement. | |
● | In June 2018, we completed our initial public offering in which we issued and sold an aggregate of 25,000,000 ADSs, representing 75,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, resulting in net proceeds to us of US$204.8 million. Concurrently with our initial public offering, we sold convertible notes to CNCB (Hong Kong) Investment Limited (“the CNCB Note”) and Golden Fortune Company Limited (“the GF Note”), resulting in net proceeds to us of US$100 million and US$75 million, respectively. The CNCB Note and the GF Note each bears an interest rate of 6% and 6.5% per annum. The convertible notes became due and were paid in June 2019. | |
● | In June 2019, we sold convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$230 million to Redrock Holding Investments Limited, or Redrock, TPG Growth III SF Pte. Ltd., or TPG, 58.com Holdings Inc., or 58.com, Zhuhai Guangkong Zhongying Industrial Investment Fund (Limited Partnership), Magic Carpet International Limited and ClearVue Uxin Holdings, Ltd. (the “2024 Notes”). The 2024 Notes will become due and payable on June 11 and June 12, 2024 unless converted earlier. The purchasers of the convertible notes have the right to convert the convertible notes into Class A ordinary shares of our company during the period from and including the 181st day after the issuance date to and including the maturity date. The conversion price per Class A ordinary share of the 2024 Notes equals US$1.03 and may be adjusted. The 2024 Notes each bears an interest rate of 3.75% per annum, payable until the outstanding principal amount is fully paid; provided that if any portion of the convertible notes are duly converted into Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of the convertible notes, no interest accrued on the principal amount being converted shall be payable. | |
● | On July 12, 2021, the 2024 Notes for a principal amount of US$69 million were converted into a total of 66,990,291 Class A ordinary shares. The remaining principal amount of US$161 million is subject to customary payment schedules. The noteholders have also irrevocably waived the conversion rights with respect to their respective remaining amount. In July 2022, we issued 183,495,146 Class A ordinary shares to 58.com in exchange for the full release of our obligations to 58.com under the convertible promissory note and certain other historical transactions. The remaining amount of US$81.9 million has been recognized as debt against other noteholders. |
96 |
● | Between July and November 2019, we sold convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$50 million to affiliates of PacificBridge Asset Management, or PacificBridge (the “PB Notes”). Among the PB Notes, notes of US$20.05 million in principal amount bears an interest rate of 10% per annum (the “10% Notes”), and notes of US$29.95 million in principal amount bears an interest rate of 11% per annum (the “11% Notes”). The 10% Notes will become due and payable 12 months after the issuance date, and the 11% Notes will become due and payable 15 months after the issuance date, unless converted earlier. The purchasers of the convertible notes have the right to convert the convertible notes into Class A ordinary shares of our company during the period from and including the 181st day after the issuance date to and including the maturity date, which right may be exercised twice only. The conversion prices per Class A ordinary share of the PB Notes are US$1.663, US$1.683 and US$1.7, as applicable, and may be adjusted. The interests are payable until the outstanding principal amount is fully paid; provided that if any portion of the convertible notes are duly converted into Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of the convertible notes, no interest accrued on the principal amount being converted shall be payable. | |
● | On July 23, 2020, we entered into agreements with PacificBridge to amend the terms of the PB Notes. Pursuant to the agreements, the parties have agreed that the conversion prices of the PB Notes will be adjusted to our volume weighted average price for the last 30 trading days prior to the signing of the agreements multiplied by 78%, and PacificBridge will convert all the PB Notes into our Class A ordinary shares upon the signing of the agreements. On the same day, PacificBridge converted all the PB Notes into 136,279,973 Class A ordinary shares of ours at the adjusted conversion price. | |
● | In October 2020, we completed private placements with GIC and Wells Fargo for subscription of a total of 84,692,839 Class A ordinary shares for an aggregate amount of US$25 million. | |
● | In March 2021 and June 2021, we entered into a term sheet and definitive agreements, respectively, with NIO Capital and Joy Capital to raise an aggregate amount of up to US$315 million for the subscription of a total of 917,564,810 senior convertible preferred shares. The first closing in the amount of US$100 million was completed for the issuance of 291,290,416 senior convertible preferred shares on July 12, 2021. The second closing in the amount of US$27.5 million, US$10 million and US$7.5 million was completed for Uxin Limited’s issuance of 80,104,865 senior convertible preferred shares, 29,129,042 senior convertible preferred shares and 21,846,781 senior convertible preferred shares senior convertible preferred shares in November 2021, March 2022 and June 2022, respectively. In July 2022, NIO Capital assigned its rights and obligations to subscribe for 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares under the second closing for the total price of US$5 million to an independent third party. On the same day, we issued 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares to the third party and the second closing of the transaction was completed. The two investors have also purchased warrants to purchase 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$165 million. | |
● | In June 2022, we entered into definitive agreements with NIO Capital for the subscription of 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares of our Company for an aggregate amount of US$100 million, which will be paid in multiple installments. The 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares were issued on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing and we have received the first installment. | |
● | In July 2022, we issued 183,495,146 Class A ordinary shares to 58.com at a price equivalent to US$10.3 per ADS (or US$1.03 per ADS prior to the ADS Ratio Change) in exchange for the full release of our obligations to 58.com under the 58.com Notes and certain other historical transactions. | |
● | In August 2022, we issued 36,699,029 Class A ordinary shares to ClearVue at a price equivalent to US$10.3 per ADS (or US$1.03 per ADS prior to the ADS Ratio Change) in exchange for the full release of our obligations to ClearVue under the ClearVue Notes. | |
● | In April 2023, we and NIO Capital entered into additional agreements regarding the settlement of then outstanding amount of US$81.6 million of the purchase price under the 2022 Subscription Agreement. Pursuant to these agreements: (i) the payment method of such outstanding purchase price was modified to permit a combination of cash payment and cancellation of indebtedness of us to NIO Capital; and (ii) such outstanding purchase price of US$81.6 million was partially offset by the cancellation and discharge by NIO Capital of our obligations under the 2024 Notes totaling US$61.6 million that NIO Capital assigned from Redrock Holding Investments Limited, TPG Growth III SF Pte. Ltd. and Magic Carpet International Limited in April 2023. For a detailed description of the terms of the 2024 Notes, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash flows and working capital.” As a result of and immediately following the foregoing transactions, NIO Capital had fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$80 million of the outstanding purchase price for its subscription of our senior convertible preferred shares. As of the date of this annual report, NIO Capital has fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$90.6 million of the outstanding purchase price, and we and NIO Capital have mutually agreed that NIO Capital will fulfil its payment obligations by December 31, 2024 regarding the outstanding purchase price of US$9.4 million pursuant to the definitive agreements we entered into with NIO Capital in June 2022. Meanwhile, we also fulfilled all of our obligations under the 2024 Notes of US$61.6 million. |
97 |
● | In June 2023, we have entered into a definitive agreement with Alpha and Joy Capital, regarding the warrants issued by the Company to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021. Pursuant to the foregoing definitive agreement and certain assignments of warrants among Alpha, NIO Capital and Joy Capital, Alpha acquired from NIO Capital and Joy Capital the right to purchase up to 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company. Alpha and Joy Capital (either together or separately) are entitled to, at their discretion, exercise their respective warrants in full to subscribe for a total of 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares in an aggregate amount of US$21,964,754 no later than September 30, 2023. On August 17, 2023, Joy Capital has exercised its warrants to purchase 218,818,380 senior convertible preferred shares of our company at an exercise price of US$0.0457 per share for a total consideration of US$10.0 million. The warrants to purchase 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares held by Alpha were subsequently terminated. | |
● | On September 20, 2023, we entered into an equity investment agreement with Hefei Construction Investment. Pursuant to the agreement, Hefei Construction Investment will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment is made by the Hefei subsidiary, over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.09 million was converted into the investment for the subscription of approximately 12.02% of the equity interests in Uxin Hefei in October 2023. Details of each investment will be subject to future negotiation. Hefei Construction Investment’s equity interests in Uxin Hefei will not exceed 50% after these contributions are completed. | |
● | On March 18, 2024, we entered into a term sheet with Xin Gao and NC Fund to enter into definitive agreements for the financing in an aggregate amount of approximately US$34.8 million at a subscription price of US$0.004858 per share. On March 26, 2024, we and Xin Gao entered into a share subscription agreement for, and completed on the same day, the issuance of 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao for a total consideration of US$7.0 million. For the accounting impact resulted from the issuance price lower than market price, please refer to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.” | |
● | On June 21, 2024, we entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank which revised and extended the repayment schedule of RMB30.0 million each due on June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, respectively, to monthly repayments of RMB2.5 million each month from December 2024 to November 2026. |
The following factors raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern:
We have incurred net losses since inception, and as of March 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit in the amount of approximately RMB19.4 billion (US$2.7 billion). Our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by approximately RMB658.8 million (US$91.2 million) as of March 31, 2024. Our cash balance as of March 31, 2024 was approximately RMB23.3 million (US$3.2 million), and our operating cash outflow during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was approximately RMB262.4 million (US$36.3 million). These adverse conditions and events raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Accordingly, we assessed our ability to meet our maturing obligations and working capital requirements over the next twelve months. This assessment included an evaluation of whether our business and financing plans would be sufficient to conclude we could continue as a going concern.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the effective implementation of our plans to mitigate these conditions and events. A summary of our plans includes:
Improvement in cash flows from operations:
● | Increase in sales and the gross margin on automobile sales, optimize our cost structure to reduce discretional expenses such as labor costs, advertising expenses and administrative expenses. |
98 |
External equity and debt financing:
● | As of the date of this annual report, we were entitled to a consideration receivable of US$9.4 million due from NIO Capital expected to be received no later than December 31, 2024 for the subscription of its senior convertible preferred shares, which had been converted into ordinary shares in March 2024. | |
● | On March 18, 2024, we entered into a non-binding term sheet with NC Fund for an aggregate amount of financing of RMB200.0 million at a subscription price of US$0.004858 per share. We are under negotiation with NC fund to complete the investment. | |
● | As of March 31, 2024, we obtained aggregated inventory-pledging facilities amount of RMB290.0 million (equivalent to approximately US$40.2 million) from certain reputable banks and financial institution in the PRC. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had the outstanding borrowings of RMB55.0 million under the inventory-pledged financing facilities and the unused facilities amounted to RMB235.0 million. These facilities will mature within one year since the date of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements. We plan to obtain the renewals of the facilities when they become mature. | |
● | Pursuant to an equity investment agreement entered into in September 2023 with Hefei Construction Investment, who is also the lessor of the Superstore in Hefei, Hefei Construction Investment will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment is made by the Hefei subsidiary, over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.09 million was converted into the investment of approximately 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei by Hefei Construction Investment in October 2023. We plan to further negotiate with Hefei Construction Investment to seek net cash flow settlement of the future rental instalments to reduce the cash outflows in relation to the Hefei Superstore. | |
● | On June 21, 2024, we entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank which revised and extended the repayment schedule of RMB30.0 million each due on June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, respectively, to monthly repayments of RMB2.5 million each month from December 2024 to November 2026. |
Our plans include significant and subjective assumptions that are subject to uncertainty. These assumptions include increasing demand for used cars over the next twelve months, achieving the profit improvement and costs and expenses optimization. In addition, the planned equity and debt financings that are not already contractually committed may not be available at terms that are favorable to us, or in amounts that are not sufficient to meet our needs over the next twelve months.
Based on the evaluation, we have concluded that these uncertainties cast substantial doubt on our ability to meet its maturing obligations and working capital requirements over the next twelve months, which would impact our ability to continue as a going concern.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated.
For the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (844,962 | ) | (251,140 | ) | (262,446 | ) | (36,348 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (16,769 | ) | (32,032 | ) | (11,339 | ) | (1,570 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities | 764,422 | 239,985 | 205,301 | 28,434 | ||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (113 | ) | 221 | (914 | ) | (127 | ) | |||||||||
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (97,422 | ) | (42,966 | ) | (69,398 | ) | (9,611 | ) | ||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period | 233,719 | 136,297 | 93,331 | 12,926 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period | 136,297 | 93,331 | 23,933 | 3,315 |
99 |
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was RMB262.4 million (US$36.3 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. In the fiscal year of 2024, the difference between our net cash used in operating activities and our net loss of RMB369.5 million (US$51.2 million) mainly resulted from certain non-cash expenses and non-operating income, including shared-based compensation of RMB75.8 million (US$10.5 million), and partially offset by fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares of RMB11.8 million (US$1.6 million) and waiver of operating payables of RMB11.6 million (US$1.6 million). Changes in the working capital accounts mainly included an increase of inventory of RMB11.6 million (US$1.6 million), a decrease of payables, accruals and other current liabilities of RMB34.0 million (US$4.7 million), a decrease in consideration payable to WeBank of RMB40.0 million (US$5.5 million). The increase in inventory was primarily attributable to the new car market volatility in March 2023 which influence the used car market. To stimulate new car sales, some motor factories decreased their sales price which caused potential buyers to become more hesitant in purchasing used cars. The decreases in payables, accruals and other current liabilities and consideration payable to WeBank were mainly due to the settlement of our historical payables and instalment payments based on the agreed-upon schedule with certain suppliers and WeBank.
Net cash used in operating activities was RMB251.1 million (US$36.6 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. In the fiscal year of 2023, the difference between our net cash used in operating activities and our net loss of RMB137.2 million (US$20.0 million) mainly resulted from certain non-cash expenses and non-operating income, including shared-based compensation of RMB47.3 million (US$6.9 million), and partially offset by fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares of RMB242.7 million (US$35.3 million) and waiver of operating payables of RMB70.5 million (US$10.3 million). Changes in the working capital accounts mainly included a decrease of inventory of RMB327.1 million (US$47.6 million), a decrease of payables, accruals and other current liabilities of RMB204.8 million (US$29.8 million), a decrease in consideration payable to WeBank of RMB53.4 million (US$7.8 million). The decrease in inventory was primarily attributable to the new car market volatility in March 2023 which influence the used car market. To stimulate new car sales, some motor factories decreased their sales price which caused potential buyers to become more hesitant in purchasing used cars. The decrease in payables, accruals and other current liabilities and consideration payable to WeBank was mainly due to the settlement of our historical payables and instalment payments based on the agreed-upon schedule with certain suppliers and WeBank.
Net cash used in operating activities was RMB845.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. In the fiscal year of 2022, the difference between our net cash used in operating activities and our net loss RMB143.2 million mainly resulted from certain non-cash expenses and non-operating income, including shared-based compensation of RMB26.5 million, and partially offset by fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares of RMB186.2 million and waiver of operating payables of RMB73.7 million. Changes in the working capital accounts mainly included an increase of inventory of RMB372.1 million, a decrease of payables, accruals and other current liabilities of RMB266.9 million, a decrease in consideration payable to WeBank of RMB81.6 million, and partially offset by a decrease in loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees of RMB148.7 million. The increase in inventory was primarily attributable to the expansion of business scale. The decrease in payables, accruals and other current liabilities and consideration payable to WeBank was mainly due to the settlement of our historical payables and instalment payments based on the agreed-upon schedule with certain suppliers and WeBank. The decrease in loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees was mainly due to our collection of outstanding balance.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB11.3 million (US$1.6 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, primarily attributable to purchase of property, equipment and software as we expanded our business.
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB32.0 million (US$4.7 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, primarily attributable to purchase of property, equipment and software as we expanded our business.
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB16.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, primarily attributable to the purchase of property, equipment and software which was aligned with the expansion of our business scale.
100 |
Financing Activities
Net cash generated from financing activities was RMB205.3 million (US$28.4 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, primarily attributable to the proceeds from issuance of senior convertible preferred shares and proceeds from borrowings, partially offset by the repayments of borrowings.
Net cash generated from financing activities was RMB240.0 million (US$34.9 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, primarily attributable to the proceeds from issuance of senior convertible preferred shares and proceeds from borrowings, partially offset by the repayments of borrowings and long-term debt.
Net cash generated from financing activities was RMB764.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, primarily attributable to the proceeds from issuance of senior convertible preferred shares and partially offset by the repayments of borrowings and long-term debt.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In January 2024, Kaifeng Finance Lease (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Kaifeng”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Chengdu Tianfu Software Park Co., Ltd., entered into an equity transfer agreement for Jincheng Consumer Finance (Sichuan) Co., Ltd. (“Jincheng”) pursuant to which the Kaifeng intends to transfer 19% of equity interest in Jincheng to Chengdu Tianfu Software Park Co., Ltd at a cash consideration of RMB271.0 million. In conjunction with the sale of its equity interests in Jincheng, Kaifeng also entered into a financial advisory agreement pursuant to which we agreed to pay a cash consideration of RMB31.0 million advisory fee upon the successful completion of the sale of Jincheng. The transaction was closed in April 2024.
Following the above transaction, in April 2024, we settled the long-term borrowing amounting to RMB292.0 million and the related interest payable, using RMB240.0 million in cash from the sale of Jincheng, with the rest unpaid amount waived.
We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.
Holding Company Structure
Uxin Limited is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries in China. As a result, Uxin Limited’s ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with China accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, each of our WFOEs in China may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on China accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at its discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.
Material Cash Requirements
We made capital expenditures of RMB18.7 million, RMB33.2 million and RMB12.7 million (US$1.8 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Our capital expenditures were primarily related to procurement of equipment and expenditure regarding construction of Hefei Superstore in Changfeng, Hefei, purchase of computer equipment and software and leasehold improvements. We will continue to make such capital expenditures to support the expected growth of our business.
101 |
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2024.
Payment Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations | 204,370 | 19,330 | 38,473 | 46,967 | 99,600 | |||||||||||||||
Finance lease obligations | 1,814,628 | 128,692 | 257,384 | 257,384 | 1,171,168 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 2,018,998 | 148,022 | 295,857 | 304,351 | 1,270,768 |
Under the terms of an equity investment agreement with Hefei Construction Investment, both parties hold significant repurchase rights under this agreement. Specifically, while we retain the right to buy back the equity interests from Hefei Construction Investment at any time, the investor similarly possesses the right to request us to repurchase their equity interests at potentially any point during the agreement’s tenure when Uxin Hefei meets the performance condition or fails to meet certain conditions as stipulated in the equity investment agreement. Our redeemable non-controlling interests amounted to RMB150.0 million as of March 31, 2024. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.”
Other than the above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations, or guarantees as of March 31, 2024.
C. | Research and Development |
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Technology” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Property.”
D. | Trend Information |
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 that are reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial conditions.
E. | Critical Accounting Estimates |
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures. We evaluate our judgments and estimates on an ongoing basis. Our estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. There are other items within our financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed critical, as defined above. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements. For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies and related judgments, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Warrant liabilities
In July 2021, we issued warrants to each of NIO Capital and Joy Capital to purchase up to 240,314,593 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$165 million. As the senior convertible preferred shares are considered contingently redeemable, the warrants are warrants on redeemable shares and fall within the scope of ASC 480. The warrants are recorded initially at fair value and subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date with the changes in fair value recognized in “Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares.”
102 |
The Black-Scholes option pricing model is used to measure the fair value of warrant liabilities. The determination of the fair value is affected by the fair value of senior convertible preferred shares as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables, including risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, dividend yield, expected term, etc. The fair value of warrant liabilities was determined by management with the assistance from an independent valuation firm using management’s estimates and assumptions. The assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of warrant liabilities represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and application of management judgment. If factors change or different assumptions are used, the fair value of warrant liabilities could be materially different for any period.
For the purpose of determining the estimated fair value of the warrant liabilities, we believe the expected volatility and expected term are the most critical assumptions. Changes in each assumption could significantly affect the fair value of warrant liabilities and hence the amount of fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares we recognize in our consolidated financial statements. The expected volatility of our future share price was estimated based on the price volatility of the shares of comparable public companies that operate in the same or similar business.
Restricted Share Units with Market Condition
We have granted certain management with restricted share units (“RSU”) which vest based upon certain market conditions. The market-based conditions are satisfied upon our achievement of specified fully diluted equity values, as determined based on our stock price.
We account for RSUs with market conditions as equity classified, with the effect of a market condition reflected in the award’s fair value on the grant date, in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and recognize the share-based compensation expense over the derived service period determined based on valuation techniques that are used to estimate fair value.
We modified market condition of the RSU in October 2023. The modification resulted into an increase of fair value of the award. We recognize compensation cost equal to the unrecognized grant-date fair value of the original award plus the incremental fair value arising from the modification over the remaining requisite service period determined based on valuation techniques that are used to estimate incremental fair value.
We determine the grant-date fair value and the incremental fair value utilizing a Monte Carlo valuation model, which incorporates various assumptions including expected share price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and expected timing and proceeds received due to the exercise of warrant and settlement of forward contract, which requires us to use judgement to evaluate. If our stock price and any of the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo model changes significantly, share-based compensation expense for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards granted previously.
For the purpose of determining the grant day fair value of RSU and incremental fair value due to modification of market condition, we believe the expected volatility is the most critical assumption. Changes in it could significantly affect the grant day fair value of RSU and incremental fair value due to modification of market condition and hence the amount of share-based compensation we recognize in our consolidated financial statements. The expected volatility of our future share price was estimated based on the price volatility of the shares of comparable public companies that operate in the same or similar business. Our estimation of the grant day fair value of RSU and incremental fair value due to modification of market condition is highly sensitive to the expected volatility. The higher the expected volatility, the higher the grant day fair value of the RSU and incremental fair value due to modification of market condition.
Allowance for current expected credit losses
Our primary receivables, namely loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees which was resulted from the historical loan-facilitation service we provided, are within the scope of ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASC Topic 326”). We have identified the relevant risk characteristics and grouped our receivables by credit status, product types, aging schedule, collateral types and other risk characteristics as appropriate in the calibration and adjustments of these parameters. Receivables with similar risk characteristics have been grouped into the same pools. We also incorporate the forward-looking impacts based on our best estimates of macroeconomic forecasts. Quantitative adjustments are applied to key parameters such as the probability of default, loss given default, and loss rates on a collective basis. We estimate loss rate considering the historical loss information, the recent performance of this portfolio, categories of credit status (normal, attention and secondary), the collateral, and the forecasts of selected macroeconomic factors. This is assessed at each quarter based on our specific facts and circumstances.
103 |
Provision for loan recognized as result of payment under the guarantee amounted to RMB10.3 million (US$1.5 million) are fully provided.
Accounting of down round features
We assess whether there are circumstances that trigger the a down round feature for convertible preferred shares and warrants. When the down round features are triggered, we consider the provision of ASC 260-10-30-1 and measures the value of the effect of the feature as the difference between (a) the fair value of the issued financial instrument (without the down round feature) with a conversion or exercise price corresponding to the stated conversion or exercise price before the conversion or exercise price reduction and(b) the fair value of the issued financial instrument (without the down round feature) with a conversion or exercise price corresponding to the reduced conversion or exercise price upon the down round feature being triggered. The excess value of the convertible preferred shares or warrant resulting from the triggering of the down round feature as determined on the measurement date shall be a deemed dividend to the preferred shareholders or to the warrant holders, which should be deducted to arrive at net income/(loss) to ordinary shareholders. Therefore, recognition of the fair value of the down round feature results in a charge to returned earnings/(accumulated deficit) and a credit to additional paid-in capital in permanent equity rather in mezzanine equity.
The fair value of down round feature triggered for the senior convertible preferred shares resulted in a deemed dividend of RMB2,060.3 million (US$285.3 million) to the preferred shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The fair value of down round feature was estimated by management based on a hybrid method comprising the probability-weighted method and the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The use of this model includes significant unobservable inputs to measure the fair value of the down round feature which required management to make judgments and assumptions relating to probability of the scenarios assumed, expected volatility and expected term. In our case, three scenarios were assumed, namely: (i) the liquidation scenario, in which the option pricing method was adopted to allocate the value between convertible preferred shares and ordinary shares, and (ii) the redemption scenario, in which the option pricing method was adopted to allocate the value between convertible preferred shares and ordinary shares, and (iii) the mandatory conversion scenario, in which equity value was allocated to convertible preferred shares and ordinary shares on an as-if converted basis. When there is 10% increase/decrease in the probability of mandatory conversion scenario and 10% decrease/increase in the probability of liquidation and redemption scenarios, deemed dividends would be increased/decreased by approximately RMB294.0/305.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2024. When there is 10% increase or decrease in the volatility, deemed dividends would be increased/decreased, as the case may be, by approximately RMB298.4/338.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2024. When there is an increase/decrease in the expect term by one year, deemed dividends would be increased/decreased, as the case may be, by approximately RMB236.4/399.5 million, as the case may be, for the year ended March 31, 2024.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 17 of Part III, “Financial Statements—Note 2—Summary of significant accounting policies—Recent accounting pronouncements.”
104 |
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees |
A. | Directors and Senior Management |
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this annual report.
Directors and Executive Officers |
Age |
Position/Title | ||
Kun Dai | 42 | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Bin Li | 50 | Director | ||
Erhai Liu | 56 | Director | ||
Cheng Lu | 41 | Independent Director | ||
Rong Lu | 53 | Independent Director | ||
John Zhuang Yang | 69 | Independent Director | ||
Feng Lin | 44 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Zhitian Zhang | 42 | Chief Operating Officer | ||
Wenbing Jing | 43 | Chief Strategy Officer |
Mr. Kun Dai is our founder and has served as chairman of our board of directors and chief executive officer since our inception. Mr. Dai has been involved in interact and automobile industries for over ten years. Mr. Dai founded one of China’s first online used car websites, CarResume.com, in 2005. From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Dai worked at an NYSE-listed auto information provider, BitAuto, first as deputy general manager and later as vice president. Mr. Dai received a master’s degree in commerce from Cardiff University.
Mr. Bin Li has been serving as our director since July 2021. Mr. Li is the founder of NIO Inc., a NYSE-listed company with stock code NIO and has served as chairman of the board since the inception of NIO and the chief executive officer of NIO since March 2018. In 2000, Mr. Li co-founded Beijing Bitauto E-Commerce Co., Ltd. and served as its director and president until 2006. From 2010 to 2020, Mr. Li served as chairman of the board of directors at Bitauto Holdings Limited, (previously listed on NYSE with stock code BITA), a former NYSE-listed automobile service company and a leading automobile service provider in China. In 2002, Mr. Li co-founded Beijing Creative & Interactive Digital Technology Co., Ltd. as the chairman of the board of directors and had served as its president and director. Mr. Li received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Peking University.
Mr. Erhai Liu has been serving as our director since July 2021. Mr. Liu is the founding and managing partner of Joy Capital. He has nearly 20 years of investment experience in high-tech and innovative companies. Previously, Mr. Liu was engaged in engineering, R&D, operation and senior management in telecommunication and Internet companies for more than 10 years. Mr. Liu was named as one of the “Global Top 100 Technology Investors” on Forbes Midas List in 2012, and from 2018 to 2020. Mr. Liu holds a master’s degree in communications and information system from Xidian University, a master’s degree in psychology from Peking University, a master’s degree in global finance and an MBA from Fordham University, an EMBA from Tsinghua University, and a bachelor’s degree in communication engineering from Guilin University of Electronic Technology.
Mr. Cheng Lu has been serving as our director since July 2021. Mr. Lu is the President and Chief Executive Officer of TuSimple (Nasdaq: TSP), a global self-driving technology company based in San Diego, California. He has over 13 years of experience in strategy and corporate finance in the U.S. and Asia. Prior to TuSimple, Mr. Lu co-founded and was a Partner and Chief Operating Officer of KCA Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm. Prior to this, Mr. Lu worked in Beijing with HOPU Investments and CITIC Capital, and Cerberus Capital Management in New York, which focused on private equity and special situation investments. He started his career in the investment banking division of Citigroup in New York. Mr. Lu received his bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Ms. Rong Lu has been serving as our director since October 2017. Presently, Ms. Lu is an independent venture capitalist investing in technology start-ups in the United States and China. In October 2019, she founded Atypical Ventures, an early-stage technology venture investment firm in China. In 2006, she co-founded DCM China, an early-stage venture capital firm. During her more than 12-year tenure at DCM, Ms. Lu invested in and served as a board member for many companies including Kuaishou, BitAuto Holdings Ltd., E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc., Pactera Technology International Ltd., DXY.cn, and HaoDF.com. She also served as an independent director and on the audit committee of iKang Healthcare Group, Inc. and served as an independent director and chairman of the special committee for iDreamSky Technologies Limited before those two companies were taken private. Ms. Lu is currently an independent director on the board of Yum China Holdings Inc (NYSE; YUMC). Prior to joining DCM in 2003, Ms. Lu was a Vice President in the technology, media and telecommunications investment banking group of Goldman Sachs & Co. in Menlo Park, California. Ms. Lu received her master’s degree in international economics and energy, environment, science and technology from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies and bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
105 |
Dr. John Zhuang Yang has been serving as our director since July 2021. Dr. Yang has served as an independent director of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (NYSE: EDU and SEHK: 9901). Dr. Yang is currently a professor of Management at the National School of Development, Peking University. He also holds a tenured professorship at the Graduate School of Business at Fordham University in New York. Dr. Yang’s main research consists of organizational behavior and global leadership, with an extensive focus on China’s strategies for multinational companies and strategies for Chinese companies expanding globally. Dr. Yang earned his bachelor’s degree from the English Language and Literature Department of Peking University, a master’s degree in Sociology from Columbia University, an MPA in International and Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Columbia University.
Mr. Feng Lin joined us as vice president of finance in August 2019 and has been serving as our chief financial officer since January 2021. He has over 15 years of experience overseeing finance and operations at multinational corporations across technology, financial, and real estate industries. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Lin was the vice general manager of finance at China Fortune Land Development, where he managed corporate planning and group controlling. Prior to that, he served as finance director at Lenovo, and earlier as financial controller at Microsoft. Mr. Lin had also served at HSBC, Capital One Financial Corporation, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Lin holds a double bachelor of science degree in geophysics and economics from Peking University. He received both an MBA degree and an MPP degree from The University of Chicago.
Mr. Zhitian Zhang joined us in April 2012 and has been serving as our chief operating officer since February 2020. Prior to his appointment as the chief operating officer, Mr. Zhang served as president of our online used car transaction business, where he was responsible for operations and sales management, as well as general manager of our sales management center. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Zhang worked for Bitauto Holdings Limited (NYSE: BITA) from 2007 to 2012, first as a director and then as vice general manager of its used car business. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor’s degree in Law from the National Police University for Criminal Justice.
Mr. Wenbing Jing rejoined us in November 2021 as our chief strategy officer and has extensive experience in strategy and operation management. Prior to re-joining Uxin, Mr. Jing served as vice president as well as general manager of the used car department at Autohome Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHM). Prior to that, Mr. Jing had served various roles at Uxin from 2011 to 2019, including general manager of Uxin’s southern division, and executive president and chief strategy officer of Uxin. Mr. Jing received his master of laws from the school of law of Cardiff University in the United Kingdom.
B. | Compensation |
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
For the year ended March 31, 2024, we paid an aggregate of RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million) in cash to our executive officers, and we did not pay any cash compensation to our non-executive directors. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers and directors. Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entity are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon three-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we will provide severance payments to the executive officer as expressly required by applicable law of the jurisdiction where the executive officer is based. The executive officer may resign at any time with a three-month advance written notice.
106 |
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination or expiry of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment or pursuant to applicable law, any of our confidential information or trade secrets, any confidential information or trade secrets of our clients or prospective clients, or the confidential or proprietary information of any third party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations. The executive officers have also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice during the executive officer’s employment with us and to assign all right, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining and enforcing patents, copyrights and other legal rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets.
In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for one year following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our suppliers, clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors, without our express consent; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of any of our employees who is employed by us on or after the date of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination, without our express consent.
We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.
2018 Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan
We adopted the 2018 Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan in February 2018, which was further amended in August 2018, November 2018 and April 2024, for the purpose of promoting the success and enhance the value of our company, by linking the personal interests of the members of the board, employees, consultants and other individuals to those of our shareholders and, by providing an incentive for outstanding performance, to generate superior returns for our shareholders. We increased the number of shares reserved for future awards under the plan as we amended such plan in November 2018. We refer to the 2018 Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan, as amended, as the Amended and Restated Plan in this annual report. Under the Amended and Restated Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards is 622,873,386 Class A ordinary shares. As of July 23, 2024, 44,507,700 share options have been issued and outstanding under the Amended and Restated Plan. We also issued 6,888,300 restricted share units as of July 23, 2024.
On September 22, 2019, our board of directors approved a reduction in the exercise price for outstanding options previously granted by our company with an exercise price higher than $1.03 per ordinary share to $1.03 per ordinary share, provided that any participating option holder agrees to amend the number of shares subject to his or her option as determined by the plan administrator.
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the Amended and Restated Plan.
Types of Awards. The Plan permits the awards of options, stock appreciation right, dividend equivalent right, restricted shares and restricted share units or other right or benefit under the Plan.
Plan Administration. The board or a committee appointed by the board acts as the plan administrator. The plan administrator will determine the participants who are to receive awards, the type or types of awards to be granted, the number of awards to be granted, and the terms and conditions of each award grant. The plan administrator can amend outstanding awards and interpret the terms of the Amended and Restated Plan and any award agreement.
Award Agreement. Awards granted under the Amended and Restated Plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions for each grant.
107 |
Exercise Price. The excises price of an option will be determined by the plan administrator, but in the case of an award issued in connection with acquisitions, the exercise or purchase price for the award shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the relevant instrument evidencing the agreement to issue such award.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to our employees, consultants, and all members of the board, and other individuals.
Term of the Awards. The term of each option or share appreciation right granted under the Amended and Restated Plan shall not exceed ten years from date of the grant.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is set forth in the relevant award agreement.
Transfer Restrictions. Awards may not be transferred in any manner by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except as otherwise provided by the plan administrator. The grantee may designate one or more beneficiaries of the grantee’s award in the event of the grantee’s death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the administrator.
Termination. The plan shall terminate in February 2028, provided that our board may terminate the plan at any time and for any reason.
The following table summarizes the outstanding options and restricted share units that we had granted to our directors and executive officers under the Amended and Restated Plan as of July 23, 2024:
Ordinary Shares Underlying Outstanding Options or Restricted Share units |
(US$/Share) Exercise Price |
Grant Date | Expiration Date | |||||
Rong Lu | * | — | Various dates from November 19, 2018 to June 30, 2023 |
August 20, 2028 | ||||
Cheng Lu | * | — | Various dates from September 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023 |
August 20, 2028 | ||||
John Zhuang Yang | * | — | Various dates from September 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023 |
August 20, 2028 | ||||
Feng Lin | * | 0.00003333 to 0.00333333 | Various dates from August 19, 2019 to November 1, 2021 |
August 20, 2028 | ||||
Zhitian Zhang | * | 0.033 to 1.09 | Various dates from March 01, 2019 to March 31, 2020 |
August 20, 2028 | ||||
Wenbing Jing | * | 0.000000003 to 0.0001 |
Various dates from January 1, 2022 and September 28, 2023 |
August 20, 2028 | ||||
Total | * |
* | Less than 1% of our total ordinary shares outstanding on as-converted basis. |
As of July 23, 2024, other grantees as a group held options to purchase 36,669,000 Class A ordinary shares of our company, with exercise prices ranging from US$0.00001 to US$3.0 per share.
108 |
C. | Board Practices |
Board of Directors
Our board of directors consists of six directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director may vote with respect to any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the board of directors at which such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction is considered and voted upon. Any director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction with our company is required to declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the board. The directors may exercise all the powers of the company to raise or borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, and issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party. None of our non-executive directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have established three committees under the board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Rong Lu, Cheng Lu and John Zhuang Yang. Rong Lu is the chairperson of our audit committee. We have determined that each of Rong Lu, Cheng Lu and John Zhuang Yang satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. We have determined that Rong Lu qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
● | appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors; | |
● | reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response; | |
● | discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors; | |
● | reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures; | |
● | reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions; | |
● | meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and | |
● | monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance. |
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of John Zhuang Yang, Rong Lu and Cheng Lu. John Zhuang Yang is the chairperson of our compensation committee. We have determined that each of John Zhuang Yang, Rong Lu and Cheng Lu. John Zhuang Yang satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
● | reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers; | |
● | reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors; | |
● | reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and | |
● | selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management. |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Cheng Lu, John Zhuang Yang and Rong Lu. Cheng Lu is the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. We have determined that each of Cheng Lu, John Zhuang Yang and Rong Lu satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:
● | selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board; | |
● | reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity; | |
● | making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and | |
● | advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken. |
109 |
Terms of Directors and Executive Officers
Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they resign by notice in writing to our company, or are removed from office by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders or by the board. In addition, a director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; or (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) without special leave from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for three consecutive meetings and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or (iv) is removed from office pursuant to our current memorandum and articles of association.
Board Diversity
Board Diversity Matrix (As of July 23, 2024) | |||||||
Country of Principal Executive Offices: | People’s Republic of China | ||||||
Foreign Private Issuer | Yes | ||||||
Disclosure Prohibited Under Home Country Law | No | ||||||
Total Number of Directors | 6 | ||||||
Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose Gender | ||||
Part I: Gender Identity | |||||||
Directors | 1 | 5 | N/A | N/A | |||
Part II: Demographic Background | |||||||
Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction | 0 | ||||||
LGBTQ+ | 0 |
D. | Employees |
As of March 31, 2024, we had a total of 846 employees. We had a total of 814 employees as of March 31, 2022 and 760 employees as of March 31, 2023.
110 |
The following tables give breakdowns of our employees as of March 31, 2024 by function:
As
of March 31, 2024 | ||||
Functions: | ||||
Products and technology | 26 | |||
Operations | 52 | |||
Car supply and purchase related personnel | 216 | |||
Car inspection and inventory related personnel | 180 | |||
Sales and pre-sales customer service | 139 | |||
Fulfillment and after-sales customer service | 131 | |||
Finance and legal | 44 | |||
Human Resources, Administration & Corporate Procurement | 25 | |||
Corporate communication and marketing | 20 | |||
Others | 13 | |||
Total | 846 |
E. | Share Ownership |
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of July 23, 2024 by:
● | each of our directors and executive officers; and | |
● | each of our principal shareholders who beneficially own 5% or more of our ordinary shares on an as-converted basis. |
The calculations in the table below are based on 56,383,673,199 shares outstanding as of July 23, 2024, comprising of (i) 56,342,863,338 Class A ordinary shares, excluding 19,553,692 Class A ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our Amended and Restated Plan, and (ii) 40,809,861 Class B ordinary shares.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.
Class
A Ordinary Shares | Class
B Ordinary Shares | Total
Shares (on an as-converted basis) | % † | %
of Aggregate Voting Power†† | ||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers**: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kun Dai(1) | 1,455,686,280 | 40,809,861 | 1,496,496,141 | 2.7 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||
Bin Li(2) | 34,993,824,619 | — | 34,993,824,619 | 62.1 | 61.7 | |||||||||||||||
Erhai Liu(3) | 17,496,912,310 | — | 17,496,912,310 | 31.0 | 30.8 | |||||||||||||||
Cheng Lu | * | — | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
Rong Lu | * | — | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
John Zhuang Yang | * | — | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
Feng Lin | * | — | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
Zhitian Zhang | * | — | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
Wenbing Jing | * | — | * | * | * | |||||||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers in the aggregate | 53,960,656,109 | 40,809,861 | 54,001,465,970 | 95.8 | 95.2 | |||||||||||||||
Principal Shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Xin Gao Group Limited(4) | 1,440,922,190 | 40,809,861 | 1,481,732,051 | 2.6 | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||
NIO Capital Entities(2) | 34,993,824,619 | — | 34,993,824,619 | 62.1 | 61.7 | |||||||||||||||
Astral Success Limited(3) | 17,496,912,310 | — | 17,496,912,310 | 31.0 | 30.8 |
* | Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares. |
111 |
** | Each of Mr. Kun Dai, Mr. Feng Lin, Mr. Zhitian Zhang, Mr. Cheng Lu, Ms. Rong Lu and Mr. John Zhuang Yang’s business address is 21/F, Donghuang Building, No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China. Mr. Bin Li’s business address is Unit 2412, 24F HKRI Taikoo Hui Center I, 288 Shimen Yi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China 20041. Mr. Erhai Liu’s business address is 1501, Greenland Center B, Wangjingdongyuan 4, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China. |
† | For each person and group included in this column, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of (i) 56,383,673,199 shares outstanding as of July 23, 2024, and (ii) the number of ordinary shares underlying the share options held by such person or group that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this annual report. |
†† | For each person and group included in this column, percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by such person or group by the voting power of all of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares as a single class. Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of our Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as may otherwise be required by law. Our Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. |
(1) | Represents (i) 40,809,861 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Xin Gao, a British Virgin Islands company beneficially owned by Mr. Kun Dai through a trust and of which Mr. Kun Dai is the sole director, (ii) 14,764,090 Class A ordinary shares directly held by BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, as reported on the Schedule 13G/A filed by Mr. Dai, among others, on May 27, 2021, and (iii) 1,440,922,190 Class A ordinary Shares directly held by Xin Gao, which are convertible from 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares on March 27, 2024, as reported on the Schedule 13D/A filed by Mr. Dai, among others, on March 28, 2024. Pursuant to the Schedule 13G/A filed by Mr. Dai on July 30, 2020, Gao Li Group Limited, which is wholly owned by Mr. Kun Dai, pledged 17,276,410 Class A ordinary shares pursuant to a share charge in connection with a loan in a maximum principal amount of US$50 million under a facility agreement entered into with a lender in June 2018. On April 6, 2020, the lender issued an instruction letter to enforce its security interests in the 17,276,410 Class A ordinary shares, and Gao Li Group Limited transferred such shares on July 21, 2020 to the lender. Pursuant to the Schedule 13G/A filed by Mr. Dai on May 27, 2021, Kingkey New Era Auto Industry Global Limited pledged 61,129,800 Class A ordinary shares pursuant to a share charge in connection with a loan in a maximum principal amount of US$150 million under a facility agreement entered into with certain lenders in December 2017, as amended from time to time. On March 15, 2021, one of the lenders issued a notice declaring that an event of default as defined under the facility agreement has occurred and an acceleration letter demanding immediate payment of the outstanding sum and declaring its intention to enforce its security interests. As a result, Kingkey New Era Auto Industry Global Limited transferred the 61,129,800 Class A ordinary shares it held to such lender on in May 2021. Mr. Kun Dai, together with Mr. Jiarong Chen and JenCap UX, jointly controls the voting power of all shares of Uxin Limited held by BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited and is deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares of Uxin Limited held by BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited. BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited pledged 14,764,090 Class A ordinary shares pursuant to a share charge in connection with certain subscription agreement entered into with certain note subscribers in November 2017. On September 2, 2020, one of the note subscribers issued a notice declaring that an event of default as defined under the subscription agreement had occurred and such note subscriber exercised its call option pursuant to the subscription agreement. As of the date of this annual report, BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited was in discussion with such note subscriber on the details and mechanisms of the potential share transfer. The registered office of Xin Gao is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The registered office of BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited is Craigmuir Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Redrock, TPG, 58.com and other existing shareholders.” |
(2) | Represents 34,993,824,619 Class A ordinary shares, comprising of (i) 32,935,364,347 Class A ordinary shares held by Abundant Grace Investment Limited, which are convertible from 889,059,964 senior convertible preferred shares on March 27, 2024 and (ii) 2,058,460,272 Class A ordinary shares held by Abundant Glory Investment L.P., which are convertible from 29,129,042 senior convertible preferred shares on March 27, 2024. NBNW Investment Limited and Eve One Fund II L.P. comprise the owners of the majority of the voting interest of Abundant Grace Investment Limited. NBNW Investment Limited is a holding company indirectly and wholly owned by a family trust set up by Mr. Bin Li. NIO Capital II LLC is the general partner of Eve One Fund II L.P. and Abundant Glory Investment L.P., and Mr. Bin Li is one of the managers of NIO Capital II LLC. The registered offices of Abundant Grace Investment Limited and Abundant Glory Investment L.P. are at Craigmuir Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands. The business address of NBNW Investment Limited is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The address of Eve One Fund II L.P. is c/o Harneys Fiduciary (Cayman) Limited, 4th Floor, Harbour Place, 103 South Church Street, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, Cayman Islands. The address of NIO Capital II LLC is Sertus Chambers, Governors Square, Suite #5-204, 23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue, P.O. Box 2547, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. The above is based on the Schedule 13D/A filed by Eve One Fund II L.P. on July 7, 2023. |
(3) | Represents 17,496,912,310 Class A ordinary shares Astral Success Limited, which are convertible from 437,286,192 senior convertible preferred shares on March 26, 2024. Joy Capital Opportunity, L.P., Joy Capital II, L.P. and Joy Capital III, L.P. comprise the owners of the majority of the voting interest of Astral Success Limited. Joy Capital Opportunity GP, L.P., Joy Capital II GP, L.P. and Joy Capital III GP, L.P. are the respective general partners of Joy Capital Opportunity, L.P., Joy Capital II, L.P. and Joy Capital III, L.P. Joy Capital GP, Ltd. Is the general partner of Joy Capital Opportunity GP, L.P., Joy Capital II GP, L.P. and Joy Capital III GP, L.P. Each of these entities are ultimately controlled by Mr. Erhai Liu. Mr. Erhai Liu disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities in us held by each of the above entities, except to the extent of Mr. Erhai Liu’s pecuniary interest therein, if any. The registered office of Astral Success Limited is at Craigmuir Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, VG 1110, British Virgin Islands. The address of each of Joy Capital Opportunity, L.P., Joy Capital Opportunity GP, L.P., Joy Capital II, L.P., Joy Capital II GP, L.P., Joy Capital III, L.P., Joy Capital III GP, L.P. and Joy Capital GP, Ltd. Is c/o Harneys Fiduciary (Cayman) Limited, 4th Floor, Harbour Place, 103 South Church Street, P.O. Box 10240, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, Cayman Islands. The above is based on the Schedule 13D/A filed by Joy Capital Opportunity, L.P. on July 7, 2023. |
112 |
(4) | Represents 1,481,732,051 ordinary shares, all of which are directly held by Xin Gao, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Kun Dai. The registered office of Xin Gao is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to ten votes per share. Holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares vote together as one class on all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstance. We have also issued senior convertible preferred shares, which are convertible into our Class A ordinary shares. On March 27, 2024, all of our then issued and outstanding senior convertible preferred shares were converted into Class A ordinary shares. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association” for a more detailed description of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.
To our knowledge, a total of 4,211,940,768 Class A ordinary shares (including 19,553,692 Class A ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our share incentive plans) were held by two record holders in the United States, representing approximately 7.5% of our total outstanding ordinary shares on an as-converted basis. One of these holders is The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of our ADS program. The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our ordinary shares in the United States.
We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
F. | Disclosure of a Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation |
None.
113 |
Item 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions |
A. | Major Shareholders |
Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership.”
B. | Related Party Transactions |
Historical Contractual Arrangements with Our Variable Interest Entities and Their Shareholders
PRC laws and regulations currently limit foreign ownership of companies that engage in a value-added telecommunications service business or the distribution of media products in China. Due to these restrictions, we operate our relevant business through contractual arrangements between Youxinpai and Yougu, our PRC subsidiaries, Youxin Hulian and Yishouche, the former VIEs, and their respective shareholders. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4.C. Information on the Company—Organizational Structure.”
Transactions with Redrock, TPG, 58.com and other existing shareholders
Convertible Note Purchase Agreement
We entered into a convertible note purchase agreement (the “NPA”) with Redrock Holding Investment Limited, TPG Growth III SF Pte. Ltd., 58.com Holdings Inc., ClearVue Uxin Holdings, Ltd., Magic Carpet International Limited and Zhuhai Guangkong Zhongying Industrial Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) (collectively, the “Purchasers”) and Mr. Kun Dai (the “Founder”) on May 29, 2019. Pursuant to the NPA, we issued convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$230 million to the Purchasers through a private placement on June 10, 2019. For a detailed description of the terms of the convertible notes, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash flows and working capital.”
Investors’ Rights Agreement
In connection with the NPA, we entered into an investors’ rights agreement (the “IRA”) with Redrock Holding Investments Limited, TPG Growth III SF Pte. Ltd., 58.com Holdings Inc. (each a “Key Investor”). Mr. Kun Dai, Xin Gao Group Limited, Gao Li Group Limited and JenCap UX on June 10, 2019.
Pursuant to the IRA, during the three years following the issuance of the notes pursuant to the NPA, which may be extended by another two years if all Key Investors agree to extend (the “Period”), the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) shall consist of eight directors, among which, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Investors’ Rights Agreement, each of the Key Investors and Mr. Kun Dai shall be entitled to nominate one director, the Key Investors shall be entitled to collectively nominate two independent directors, Mr. Kun Dai shall be entitled to nominate one independent director, and the Board shall appoint the eighth director. Each party to the IRA has agreed that it or he will exercise its or his respective voting rights to (i) elect the directors nominated by each of the Key Investors and Mr. Kun Dai (each a “Director Nominating Party”) to the Board, (ii) remove such director from the Board if the Director Nominating Party so determines, and (iii) replace such director as nominated by the Director Nominating Party in the event of a vacancy. The IRA also provides for certain corporate governance arrangements during the Period.
During the Period, for so long as the Key Investors hold in aggregate no less than 30% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes they hold on June 10, 2019, the Board shall maintain an executive committee (the “Executive Committee”) consisting of directors nominated by each of the Key Investors and the Founder, to oversee certain matters of our company.
In addition, during the Period, without the affirmative prior written consent or approval of the required number of Key Investors as provided for in the IRA, we shall not take any actions with respect to certain prescribed matters.
The Founder, Xin Gao Group Limited and Gao Li Group Limited also agreed that during the Period, (i) they will not transfer any of their shares without the prior written consent of each of the Key Investors, and (ii) the Founder shall not and shall cause Xin Gao not to convert any Class B ordinary share of Company held by Xin Gao into Class A ordinary share.
On July 12, 2021, the IRA was terminated and shall have no further effect by way of a termination agreement.
114 |
Transactions with 58.com
In the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, inventory leads sold to 58.com amounted to RMB0.2 million, nil and nil, respectively.
On July 19, 2022, we issued 183,495,146 Class A ordinary shares to 58.com in exchange for the full release of our obligations to 58.com under the 58.com Notes and certain other historical transactions. These shares were issued at a price equivalent to US$10.3 per ADS (or US$1.03 per ADS prior to the ADS Ratio Change). The 58.com Notes were extinguished upon such issuance of shares.
Transactions with Weiche
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, Weiche provided advertising services to us at arm’s length in the amount of RMB351 thousand.
Transactions with NIO Capital and Joy Capital
The second closing for the amounts of US$27.5 million, US$10 million and US$7.5 million were completed in November 2021, March 2022 and June 2022, respectively, pursuant to the financing transaction entered into among us, NIO Capital and Joy Capital in June 2021.
On January 12, 2023, we entered into an amendment agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital to extend the expiration date of certain warrants from January 12, 2023 to January 12, 2024, which entitled the warrants holders to subscribe to our convertible preferred shares of up to US$165 million.
Transaction with NIO Capital
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a definitive agreement, or the 2022 Subscription Agreement, with affiliates of an existing shareholder, NIO Capital, pursuant to which, NIO Capital has agreed to subscribe 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$100 million, which will be paid in multiple installments. The 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares were issued on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing. Pursuant to the then-effective certificate of designation of senior convertible preferred shares of our company, the issuance of the senior convertible preferred shares on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing of the foregoing transaction has led to an reduction in the conversion price, from US$0.3433 per Class A ordinary share to US$0.14 per Class A ordinary share, of the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to the 2021 Subscription Agreement we entered into with certain investors in June 2021 and then outstanding. The fair value impact of the triggered down round feature amounted to RMB755.6 million and was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional-paid in capital.
On April 4, 2023, we and NIO Capital entered into certain additional agreements in connection with the 2022 Subscription Agreement. Pursuant to these agreements: (i) the payment method of such outstanding purchase price was modified to permit a combination of cash payment and cancellation of indebtedness of us to NIO Capital; and (ii) the then outstanding purchase price of US$81.6 million under the 2022 Subscription Agreement was partially offset by the cancellation and discharge by NIO Capital of our obligations under the 2024 Notes totaling US$61.6 million that NIO Capital assigned from Redrock Holding Investments Limited, TPG Growth III SF Pte. Ltd. and Magic Carpet International Limited in April 2023. For a detailed description of the terms of the 2024 Notes, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash flows and working capital.” As a result of and immediately following the foregoing transactions, NIO Capital had fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$80 million of the outstanding purchase price for its subscription of our senior convertible preferred shares. As of the date of this annual report, NIO Capital has fulfilled its obligation in an aggregate amount of US$90.6 million of the outstanding purchase price, and we and NIO Capital have mutually agreed that NIO Capital will fulfil its payment obligations by December 31, 2024 regarding the outstanding purchase price of US$9.4 million pursuant to the definitive agreements we entered into with NIO Capital in June 2022.
115 |
Transaction with Joy Capital and Alpha
In June 2023, we have entered into a definitive agreement with Alpha and Joy Capital, regarding the warrants issued by the Company to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021. Pursuant to the foregoing definitive agreement and certain assignments of warrants among Alpha, NIO Capital and Joy Capital, Alpha acquired from NIO Capital and Joy Capital the right to purchase up to 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company at a modified exercise price of US$0.0457 per share. Joy Capital only assigned a portion of its warrants under this amended agreement. Alpha and Joy Capital (either together or separately) are entitled to, at their discretion, exercise the respective warrants in full to subscribe for a total of 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company in an aggregate amount of US$21,964,754 no later than September 30, 2023. On August 17, 2023, Joy Capital has exercised its warrants to purchase 218,818,380 senior convertible preferred shares of our company at an exercise price of US$0.0457 per share for a total consideration of US$10.0 million. The warrants to purchase 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares held by Alpha were subsequently terminated.
Transaction with Xin Gao
On March 18, 2024, we entered into a term sheet with Xin Gao and NC Fund regarding the financing in an aggregate amount of approximately US$34.8 million at a subscription price of US$0.004858 per share. On March 26, 2024, we and Xin Gao entered into a share subscription agreement for, and completed on the same day, the issuance of 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares to Xin Gao for a total consideration of US$7.0 million. On March 27, 2024, by virtue of the consents of the requisite holders of senior convertible preferred shares, the 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares issued to Xin Gao on March 26, 2024 were converted into 1,440,922,190 Class A ordinary shares, and all the other senior convertible preferred shares then issued and outstanding were also converted into Class A ordinary shares at the applicable conversion prices. As Xin Gao is controlled by Mr. Kun Dai, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of Company and the fair value of the senior convertible preferred shares is higher than the consideration received from Xin Gao, a share-based compensation expense of US$4.0 million (equivalent to RMB28.7 million) equal to the difference between the fair value of the preferred shares issued and the consideration received was recorded in general and administrative expenses in March 2024.
Transaction with Mr. Kun Dai
On February 22, 2024, we signed a short-term loan agreement with Mr. Kun Dai for a total principal of RMB7.0 million at an annual interest rate of 6%.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation.”
Share Incentives
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation.”
C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
116 |
Item 8. | Financial Information |
A. | Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information |
We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.
Legal Proceedings
We and certain of our current and former officers and directors were named as defendants in two putative securities class actions. Both cases were purportedly brought on behalf of a class of persons who allegedly suffered damages as a result of alleged misstatements and omissions in certain disclosure documents in connection with our initial public offering in June 2018.
The first case, In re Uxin Limited Securities Litigation, Index No. 650427/2019 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cty.), consolidated six complaints filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in January 2019. A Consolidated Amended Complaint was filed on August 5, 2019, and on March 9, 2020, the Court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss. The second case, Machniewicz v. Uxin Limited et al, Case No. 1:19-cv-00822 (E.D.N.Y.), was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on February 11, 2019. On April 23, 2021, we settled the two cases for a total sum of US$9.5 million approved by court, out of which US$6.5 million were covered by our insurance policy and we made a contribution for US$3.0 million. For risks and uncertainties relating to the pending cases against us, please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We were named as a defendant in two putative shareholder class action lawsuits in the past that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.”
We are also subject to ongoing contractual disputes and other proceedings in the PRC and may be subject to other legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Litigations or any other legal or administrative proceedings, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management’s time and attention. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We may be subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.”
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if we decide to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
We have not declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange—Regulations on Dividend Distribution.” If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the ordinary shares underlying our ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—D. American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
117 |
B. | Significant Changes |
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing |
A. | Offer and Listing Details |
Our ADSs, each representing three of our Class A ordinary shares, have been listed on Nasdaq since June 27, 2018. Our ADSs trade under the symbol “UXIN.”
B. | Plan of Distribution |
Not applicable.
C. | Markets |
Our ADSs have been listed on Nasdaq since June 27, 2018 under the symbol “UXIN.”
D. | Selling Shareholders |
Not applicable.
E. | Dilution |
Not applicable.
F. | Expenses of the Issue |
Not applicable.
Item 10. | Additional Information |
A. | Share Capital |
Not applicable.
B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association |
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Act below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
Memorandum and Articles of Association and Ordinary Shares
The following are summaries of material provisions of our current memorandum and articles of association, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Registered Office and Objects
Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited at P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other location within the Cayman Islands as our board of directors may from time to time decide. The objects for which our company is established are unrestricted and we have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Act, as amended from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands.
118 |
Board of Directors
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices.”
Ordinary Shares
Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in our register of shareholders. We may not issue shares to bearer. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
Conversion
Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon (i) any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof or the direct or indirect transfer or assignment of the voting power attached to such Class B ordinary shares through voting proxy or otherwise to any person or entity that is not an Affiliate (as defined in our memorandum and articles of association) of such holder, or (ii) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of a majority of the issued and outstanding voting securities of, or the direct or indirect transfer or assignment of the voting power attached to such voting securities through voting proxy or otherwise, or the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of, a holder of Class B ordinary shares that is an entity to any person that is not an Affiliate of such holder, such Class B ordinary shares will be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares.
Dividends
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to our memorandum and articles of association. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may declare and pay a dividend only out of funds legally available, namely out of either our profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if, immediately after this payment, this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Dividends received by each Class B ordinary share and Class A ordinary share in any dividend distribution shall be the same.
Voting Rights
Our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares and our senior convertible preferred shares vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as may otherwise be required by law or provided for in our memorandum and articles of association. In respect of matters requiring shareholders’ vote, each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, each Class B ordinary share is entitled to ten votes, and each senior convertible preferred share is entitled to that number of votes equal to the largest number of whole Class A ordinary shares into which each such senior convertible preferred share could be converted. There are currently no senior convertible preferred shares issued or outstanding. Voting at any shareholders’ meeting is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any shareholder who holds not less than 10% of the votes attaching to the total shares which are present in person or by proxy at the meeting.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. Both ordinary resolutions and special resolutions may also be passed by a unanimous written resolution signed by all the shareholders of our company, as permitted by the Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association. Holders of our shares may, among other things, divide or combine all or any of our company’s share capital by ordinary resolution.
119 |
General Meetings of Shareholders
As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors.
Shareholders’ general meetings may be convened by the chairman of our board of directors or by a resolution passed by a majority of our board of directors. Advance notice of at least seven (7) calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting (if any) and any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder holding shares which carry in aggregate (or representing by proxy) not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares in our company entitled to vote at general meetings, present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. Holders of our senior convertible preferred shares shall be included for the purposes of determining whether the quorum requirement is satisfied.
The Companies Act provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that upon the requisition of shareholders representing in aggregate not less than a majority of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings, our board is obliged to call an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. However, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the restrictions in our memorandum and articles of association as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
● | the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; | |
● | the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary shares; | |
● | the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; and | |
● | in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four. | |
● | a fee of such maximum sum as the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof. |
If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, be suspended and our register of members closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor our register of members closed for more than 30 days in any year as our board may determine.
120 |
Liquidation
On a return of capital or the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares
We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors or by the shareholders by special resolution. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our Company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if our company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of Shares
If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes or series of shares, the rights attached to any class or series of shares (subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class or series), may only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of all of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of an ordinary resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class or series. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the shares of that class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation, allotment or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to such existing class of shares, or the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company. The rights of the holders of our shares shall not be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.
Issuance of Additional Shares
Our memorandum and articles of association authorize our board of directors to issue additional Class A ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our memorandum and articles of association also authorize our board of directors to authorize the division of our shares into any number of classes and the different classes shall be authorized, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be), and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different classes may be fixed and determined by our board of directors. Our directors may issue shares with such preferred or other rights, all or any of which may be greater than the rights of our ordinary shares, at such time and on such terms as they may think appropriate. Our directors may issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of our shareholders, and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
● | the designation of the series; |
121 |
● | the number of shares of the series; | |
● | the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and | |
● | the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences. |
Issuance of preferred shares may dilute the voting power of holders of Class A ordinary shares.
Inspection of Books and Records
Holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records (other than our memorandum and articles of association, special resolutions passed by our shareholders, and our register of mortgages and charges). However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
● | authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders; and | |
● | limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders. |
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Exempted Company
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:
● | does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies; | |
● | is not required to open its register of members for inspection; | |
● | does not have to hold an annual general meeting; | |
● | may issue negotiable or bearer shares or shares with no par value; | |
● | may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); | |
● | may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; | |
● | may register as a limited duration company; and | |
● | may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of our company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
122 |
Changes in Capital
Our shareholders may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
● | increase our share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe; | |
● | consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares; | |
● | sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount, provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; or | |
● | cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled. |
Our shareholders may by special resolution, subject to confirmation by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on an application by our company for an order confirming such reduction, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.
Register of Members
Under Companies Act, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:
● | the names and addresses of the members, together with a statement of the shares held by each member, and such statement shall confirm (i) of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member, (ii) the number and category of shares held by each member, and (iii) whether each relevant category of shares held by a member carries voting rights under the articles of association of the company, and if so, whether such voting rights are conditional; | |
● | the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and | |
● | the date on which any person ceased to be a member. |
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members should be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. The shareholders recorded in our register of members are deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name in the register of members.
If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.
C. | Material Contracts |
Other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in this item, “Item 4. Information on the Company” or “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions” or elsewhere in this annual report, we have not entered into any material contract during the two years immediately preceding the date of this annual report.
Certain Agreements with GIC
In October 2020, we entered into a series of agreements with GIC Private Limited in connection with a private placement. Set forth below is a summary of certain of the agreements.
123 |
Share Subscription Agreement. On October 5, 2020, we entered into a share subscription agreement with GIC, pursuant to which GIC subscribed for 50,813,008 of our newly issued Class A ordinary shares for an amount of US$15 million. GIC also agreed, for a period of 180 days commencing from the closing date, not to transfer, sell or dispose of any of the newly subscribed shares except to its affiliates.
Registration Rights Agreement. On October 8, 2020, we entered into a registration rights agreement with GIC, pursuant to which, on or no later than three business days after (i) the date of the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 and (ii) July 31, 2021, we shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. GIC also has piggyback registration rights.
Share Subscription Agreement with Wells Fargo
On October 5, 2020, we entered into a share subscription agreement with Wells Capital Management, Inc., pursuant to which Wells Fargo subscribed for 33,879,831 of our newly issued Class A ordinary shares for an amount of US$10 million. Wells Fargo also agreed, for a period of 180 days commencing from the closing date, not to transfer, sell or dispose of any of the newly subscribed shares with limited exceptions.
Certain Agreements with NIO Capital and Joy Capital
In June 2021, we entered into a share purchase agreement with, and issued warrants to, Abundance Grace Investment Limited, an affiliate of NIO Capital, and Astral Success Limited, an affiliate of Joy Capital, in connection with a financing transaction.
Share Subscription Agreement. On June 14, 2021, we entered into a share subscription agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital. Pursuant to the share subscription agreement, NIO Capital and Joy Capital agreed to subscribe for 436,935,624 of our newly issued senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$150 million. On July 12, 2021, the first closing was completed for an aggregate amount of US$100 million for the issuance of 291,290,416 senior convertible preferred shares. The second closing in the amount of US$27.5 million and US$10 million US$7.5 million was completed for the issuance of 80,104,865, 29,129,042 and 21,846,781 senior convertible preferred shares in November 2021, March 2022 and June 2022, respectively. Each of NIO Capital and Joy Capital also agreed, for a period of 180 days commencing from July 12, 2021, not to transfer, sell or dispose of any of the newly subscribed shares with limited exceptions. In July 2022, NIO Capital assigned its rights and obligations to subscribe for 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares under the second closing for the total price of US$5 million to an independent third party. On the same day, we issued 14,564,520 senior convertible preferred shares to the third party and the second closing of the transaction was completed.
Warrant. On July 12, 2021, we issued warrants to each of NIO Capital and Joy Capital. Pursuant to the warrants, each of NIO Capital and Joy Capital has the right to purchase up to 240,314,593 senior convertible preferred shares with an exercise price of US$0.3433, exercisable, at the option of the holder, at any time and from time to time on or prior to 5 p.m. (New York City time) of January 12, 2023.
In June 2022, we entered into a share subscription agreement, or the 2022 Subscription Agreement, with Abundance Grace Investment Limited, an affiliate of NIO Capital, in connection with another round of financing transaction.
Share Subscription Agreement. On June 30, 2022, we entered into a share subscription agreement with NIO Capital, or the 2022 Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which NIO Capital agreed to subscribe for 714,285,714 of our newly issued senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$100 million, which will be paid in multiple installments. The 714,285,714 senior convertible preferred shares were issued on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing. Pursuant to the then-effective certificate of designation of senior convertible preferred shares of our company, the issuance of the senior convertible preferred shares on July 27, 2022 in connection with the closing of the foregoing transaction has led to an reduction in the conversion price, from US$0.3433 per Class A ordinary share to US$0.14 per Class A ordinary share, of the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to the 2021 Subscription Agreement we entered into with certain investors in June 2021 and then outstanding. The fair value impact of the triggered down round feature amounted to RMB755.6 million and was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional-paid in capital.
Set forth below is a summary of certain other agreements in connection with the above transactions.
124 |
Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement. On July 27, 2022, we entered into an investors’ rights agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital, which amended and restated the investor’s rights agreement on July 12, 2021. Pursuant to the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, NIO Capital and Joy Capital enjoy certain information rights, co-sale rights and rights of first refusal. In addition, they agreed to certain lock-up and transfer restrictions. During the lock-up period, upon the occurrence of certain events, the 40,809,861 Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned by Mr. Kun Dai will be automatically converted into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares.
Voting Agreement. On July 27, 2022, we entered into an additional voting agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital, pursuant to which, each of NIO Capital and Joy Capital is entitled to nominate one director of our company under certain conditions. In addition, NIO Capital and Joy Capital are entitled to jointly nominate two independent directors of our company under certain conditions. Mr. Kun Dai is entitled to nominate one director and one independent director under certain conditions.
Registration Rights Agreement. On July 27, 2022, we entered into a registration rights agreement with NIO Capital. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, on or no later than three business days after the earlier of (i) the date of the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and (ii) July 31, 2022, we shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 for an offering of registrable securities to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. NIO Capital also has piggyback registration rights under this registration rights agreement.
Amendment Agreement. On January 12, 2023, we entered into an amendment agreement with Abundance Grace Investment Limited, an affiliate of NIO Capital, and Astral Success Limited, an affiliate of Joy Capital, to extend the expiration date of certain warrants issued in the share purchase agreement entered into in June 2021 from January 12, 2023 to January 12, 2024, which entitled the warrants holders to subscribe to our convertible preferred shares of up to US$165 million.
Supplementary Agreement. On April 4, 2023, we and NIO Capital entered into a Supplementary Agreement and certain other ancillary agreement, pursuant to which the payment method of purchase price payable under the 2022 Subscription Agreement is revised to permit a combination of cash payment and cancellation of indebtedness of us to NIO Capital. NIO Capital fulfilled its obligations to pay a portion of the remaining outstanding purchase price for its subscription of senior convertible preferred shares of us under the 2022 Subscription Agreement, based on further agreed-upon schedule.
Warrant Amendment. On June 30, 2023, we have entered into a definitive agreement with Alpha and Joy Capital, or 2023 Warrant Amendment, regarding the warrants issued by the Company to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021. Pursuant to the foregoing definitive agreement and certain assignments of warrants among Alpha, NIO Capital and Joy Capital, Alpha acquired warrants from NIO Capital and Joy Capital which provide the right to purchase up to 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company at a modified exercise price of US$0.0457 per share. Joy Capital only assigned a portion of its warrants under this amended agreement. Alpha and Joy Capital are entitled to, at their discretion, exercise their respective warrants in full to subscribe for a total of 480,629,186 senior convertible preferred shares of the Company in an aggregate amount of US$21,964,754 no later than September 30, 2023. On August 17, 2023, Joy Capital has exercised its warrants to purchase 218,818,380 senior convertible preferred shares of our company at an exercise price of US$0.0457 per share for a total consideration of US$10.0 million. The warrants to purchase 261,810,806 senior convertible preferred shares held by Alpha were subsequently terminated.
Certain Agreements with Xin Gao
Share Subscription Agreement. On March 26, 2024, we and Xin Gao entered into a share subscription agreement for, and completed on the same day, the issuance of 1,440,922,190 senior convertible preferred shares, or the 2024 Subscription Agreement, to Xin Gao for a total consideration of US$7.0 million.
Investors’ Rights Agreement. On March 26, 2024 and upon the completion of the share issuance to Xin Gao (the “Xin Gao Closing”), we, Mr. Kun Dai, Xin Gao and certain other holders of senior convertible preferred shares entered into an amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, which superseded and replaced the investors’ rights agreement in effect prior to the Xin Gao Closing. Such investors’ rights agreement sets forth certain rights and restrictions of the senior convertible preferred shares acquired by Xin Gao, including that holders of such shares have a right to participate in our new financing and that such shares are subject to a one-year lock-up and a right of first refusal of certain holders of senior convertible preferred shares.
125 |
Voting Agreement. On March 26, 2024 and upon the Xin Gao Closing, we, Kun Dai, Xin Gao and certain other holders of senior convertible preferred shares entered into an amended and restated voting agreement, which superseded and replaced the voting agreement in effect prior to the Xin Gao Closing. Such voting agreement sets the shareholding requirement for director nomination right of Astral Success Limited (“Astral”) and NIO Capital at a certain number of Class A ordinary shares (which number was derived based on the previous threshold number of senior convertible preferred shares and the conversion ratio applicable upon the Xin Gao Closing). The composition of the board under such voting agreement otherwise remains unchanged, i.e., subject to the limitations set forth in such voting agreement, Astral, NIO Capital and Kun Dai shall each be entitled to nominate one director, Astral and NIO Capital shall be collectively entitled to nominate two independent directors and Mr. Kun Dai or the board shall be entitled to appoint the third independent director.
Registration Rights Agreement. On March 26, 2024 and upon the Xin Gao Closing, we and Xin Gao entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the Class A ordinary shares and American depositary shares representing Class A ordinary shares issuable to Xin Gao upon conversion of the senior convertible preferred shares. The registration rights agreement grants the Xin Gao customary shelf and piggyback registration rights.
D. | Exchange Controls |
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange.”
E. | Taxation |
The following summary of the principal Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state and local tax laws or under the tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China and the United States.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us or our shareholders levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares and ADSs will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares or the ADSs, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares or the ADSs be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
People’s Republic of China Taxation
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
126 |
We believe that Uxin Limited is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. Uxin Limited is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group and we do not believe that Uxin Limited meets all of the conditions above. Uxin Limited is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with us.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that Uxin Limited is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. It is unclear whether our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such non-PRC individual shareholders in the event we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise. If any PRC tax were to apply to such dividends or gains, it would generally apply at a rate of 20% which in the case of dividends may be withheld at source. Any PRC tax liability may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty. However, it is also unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of Uxin Limited would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that Uxin Limited is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
Provided that our Cayman Islands holding company, Uxin Limited, is not deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our ADSs and ordinary shares who are not PRC residents will not be subject to PRC income tax on dividends distributed by us or gains realized from the sale or other disposition of our shares or the ADSs. SAT Public Notice 7 further clarifies that, if a non-resident enterprise derives income by acquiring and selling shares in an offshore listed enterprise in the public market, such income will not be subject to PRC tax. In addition, SAT Public Notice 37 provided certain key changes to the previous withholding regime, such as (i) the withholding obligation for a non-resident enterprise deriving dividend arises on the date on which the payment is actually made rather than on the date of the resolution that declared the dividends, (ii) non-resident enterprises are not obligated to report tax to relevant authorities if their withholding agents fail to perform the withholding obligation is removed. However, there is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Public Notice 37 and SAT Public Notice 7, we and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being required to file a return and being taxed under SAT Public Notice 37 and SAT Public Notice 7 and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Public Notice 37 and SAT Public Notice 7 or to establish that we should not be taxed under SAT Public Notice 37 and SAT Public Notice 7. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC shareholders.”
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that holds the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion is based upon the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between the PRC and the United States (the “Treaty”), all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion, moreover, does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, and alternative minimum tax considerations, Medicare tax on certain net investment or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations. The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:
● | banks and other financial institutions; | |
● | insurance companies; |
127 |
● | pension plans; | |
● | cooperatives; | |
● | regulated investment companies; | |
● | real estate investment trusts; | |
● | broker-dealers; | |
● | traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting; | |
● | certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents; | |
● | tax-exempt entities, “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”; | |
● | persons who acquired their ADSs or Class A ordinary shares pursuant to any employee share option or otherwise as compensation; | |
● | persons that hold their ADSs or Class A ordinary shares as part of a straddle, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; | |
● | persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; | |
● | persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power or value of our stock; or | |
● | partnerships or other entities taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons holding ADSs or Class A ordinary shares through such entities, |
all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below.
Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the application of U.S. federal taxation to its particular circumstances, and the state, local, non-U.S. and other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a person that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and:
● | a citizen or individual resident of the United States; | |
● | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created in, or organized under the law of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or | |
● | an estate or trust the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source. |
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and their partners are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Consideration
A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of passive income, or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (generally based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, and capital gains. Goodwill and other intangible assets are generally treated as active assets to the extent associated with business activities that generate active income. For purposes of these calculations, a non-U.S. corporation will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.
128 |
We do not believe that we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended March 31, 2024. However, because the determination of whether we have been or will become a PFIC is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that we have not been or will not be a PFIC in any taxable year. In prior Annual Reports on Form 20-F, we stated that we believed that we were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and that it is possible that one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such year for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Our PFIC status may depend, in part, on the average value of our goodwill and other intangible assets. If the value of our assets (including our goodwill and other intangible assets) is determined by reference to our market capitalization, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may result in us becoming a PFIC for the current or future taxable years. The market price of our ADSs may continue to fluctuate considerably and, consequently, we cannot assure you of our PFIC status for any taxable year. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets. In addition, if our revenue from activities that produce passive income increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, our risk of becoming a PFIC may substantially increase, including as a result of our potential future inability to operate as a going concern. If we cease to operate as a going concern, our PFIC status may be adversely affected as a result See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—There is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.” If we cease to operate as a going concern, our PFIC status may be adversely affected as a result. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares even if we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status. As noted above, we believed we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. If we were a PFIC for 2019, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder that owns ADSs or Class A ordinary shares that such Holder owned during any portion of 2019, even if we are not a PFIC for any other taxable year, unless the U.S. Holder made or makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. Under a deemed sale election, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold such ADSs or Class A ordinary shares at their fair market value and any gain recognized on such deemed sale will be treated as an “excess distribution,” as described below. As a result of this election, the U.S. Holder will have additional basis (to the extent of any gain recognized in the deemed sale) and, solely for purposes of the PFIC rules, a new holding period in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. U.S. Holders that owned our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in 2019 are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of the deemed sale election rules to their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election (as described below), the U.S. Holder will generally be subject to special tax rules that have a penalizing effect regardless of whether we remain a PFIC on (i) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (which generally means any distribution paid during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder to the extent that it is greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:
● | such excess distribution and/or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares; | |
● | such amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable years in the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we become a PFIC (each, a “pre-PFIC year”), will be taxable as ordinary income; | |
● | such amount allocated to each prior taxable year, other than a pre-PFIC year, will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that year; and | |
● | an interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the tax attributable to each prior taxable year, other than a pre-PFIC year. |
129 |
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and any of our subsidiaries is also a PFIC, such U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock. The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable Treasury regulations. Our ADSs, but not our Class A ordinary shares, are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes. However, a mark-to-market election will not be available if our ADSs are delisted from the Nasdaq Global Select Market and are not listed on any other qualified exchange or if our stock is not regularly traded on a qualified exchange. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our ADSs will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China for two consecutive years. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.” Over-the-counter quotation systems are not qualified exchanges for these purposes. If a U.S. Holder makes this election with respect to the ADSs, the holder will generally (i) include as ordinary income for each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of ADSs held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs and (ii) deduct as an ordinary loss in each such taxable year the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over the fair market value of such ADSs held at the end of the taxable year, but such deduction will only be allowed to the extent of the amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of the ADSs and we cease to be a PFIC, the U.S. Holder will not be required to take into account the gain or loss described above during any period that we are not a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election, any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of the ADSs in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election, with any excess treated as capital loss.
There is no provision in the Code, Treasury regulations or other official guidance that would permit U.S. Holders to make a mark-to-market election for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, the shares of which are not regularly traded. Therefore, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such U.S. Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If we are a PFIC (or with respect to a particular U.S. Holder are treated as a PFIC) for a taxable year of ours in which we pay a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the favorable tax rate described below with respect to “qualified dividend income” paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will not apply.
We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
If a U.S. Holder owns our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder must generally file an annual report containing such information as the United States Treasury Department may require. Each U.S. Holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares if we are or become a PFIC, including the possibility of making a mark-to-market election.
Dividends
The following discussion is subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations” above.
Any cash distributions (including the amount of any PRC tax withheld) paid on the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of Class A ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that any distributions we pay will be reported by financial intermediaries to U.S. Holders as dividends. The amount of any dividend income paid in non-U.S. currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the amount received. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.
130 |
Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid on our ADSs to certain non-corporate U.S. investors may be taxable at the favorable rates applicable to long-term capital gains for so long as our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or if in the future we are eligible for benefits under the Treaty. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our ADSs will be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China for two consecutive years. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.” However, as described above the favorable rate does not apply if we are (or are treated with respect to a U.S. Holder as) a PFIC, for the year the dividend is paid or the preceding year. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers to determine whether the favorable rate will apply to dividends they receive and whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to be taxed at this favorable rate.
In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation”), a U.S. Holder may be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid on the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. In this event, it is unclear whether U.S. Holders would be entitled to claim benefits under the Treaty. For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from foreign sources and generally will constitute passive category income. Subject to applicable limitations, which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, and the discussion below regarding certain Treasury regulations, PRC taxes withheld from dividend payments (at a rate not exceeding any applicable Treaty rate) would be creditable against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, but, Treasury regulations provide that, in the absence of an election to apply the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, in order for foreign income taxes to be creditable, the relevant foreign income tax rules must be consistent with certain U.S. federal income tax principles, and we have not determined whether the PRC income tax system meets these requirements. However, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released notices that provide relief from certain of the provisions of the Treasury regulations described above for taxable years ending before the date that a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying the temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). If a U.S. Holder does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit, such holder may be able to instead claim a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes in respect of such withholding, but only for a year in which such holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
Sale or Other Disposition
The following discussion is subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations” above.
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. The gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders who have held the ADS or Class A ordinary shares for more than one year will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations.
As described in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation,” if we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, gains from the disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares may be subject to PRC income tax. In this event, it is unclear whether U.S. Holders would be entitled to claim benefits under the Treaty. Under the Code, capital gains of U.S. persons are generally treated as U.S. source income. However, if a U.S. Holder is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty, such holder may be able to elect to treat such gain as PRC source income under the Treaty and claim a foreign tax credit in respect of any PRC taxes on such disposition gains. Pursuant to certain Treasury regulations, however, if a U.S. Holder is not eligible for the benefits of the Treaty or does not elect to apply the Treaty, then such holder may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit arising from any PRC tax imposed on the disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. As noted above under “—Dividends,” the IRS recently released notices which provide relief from certain of the provisions of the Treasury regulations discussed above (including the limitation described in the preceding sentence) for taxable years ending before the date that a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying the temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). However, even if these Treasury regulations do not prohibit U.S. Holders from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to PRC income taxes on disposition gains, other limitations under the foreign tax credit rules may preclude U.S. Holders from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to such taxes. If a U.S. Holder is precluded from claiming a foreign tax credit, it is possible that any PRC income taxes on disposition gains may either be deductible or reduce the amount realized on the disposition. The rules governing foreign tax credits and deductibility of foreign taxes are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit or deduction in light of their particular circumstances, including the applicability of the notice, their eligibility for benefits under the Treaty, the Treaty’s resourcing rule, the obligation to report a Treaty-based return position and any limitation on the creditability or deductibility of any PRC tax on disposition gains in their particular circumstances.
131 |
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other “exempt recipient” (and establishes that status if required to do so) and (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (or certain specified entities) may be required to report information relating to their ownership of Class A ordinary shares or non-U.S. accounts through which ADSs or Class A ordinary shares are held. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to ADSs and Class A ordinary shares.
F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
G. | Statement by Experts |
Not applicable.
H. | Documents on Display |
We previously filed with the SEC our registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-225266), as amended, including the annual report contained therein, to register the issuance and sale of our ordinary shares represented by ADSs in relation to our initial public offering. We have also filed with the SEC the registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-225594) to register the ADSs.
We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers, and are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually an annual report on Form 20-F within four months after the end of each fiscal year, which is March 31. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
We will furnish the Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of the ADSs, with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders’ meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, upon our request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us.
In accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5250(d), we will post this annual report on Form 20-F on our website at http://ir.xin.com. In addition, we will provide hardcopies of our annual report free of charge to shareholders and ADS holders upon request.
I. | Subsidiary Information |
Not applicable.
J. | Annual Report to Security Holders |
Not applicable.
132 |
Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
Interest Rate Risk
We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure.
We may invest in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Substantially all of our revenues and expenses are denominated in RMB. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while our ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.
The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.
As of March 31, 2024, we had RMB-denominated cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash RMB17.3 million, and U.S. dollar-denominated cash balances of US$0.9 million. Assuming we had converted RMB17.3million into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of RMB7.2203 for US$1.00 as of March 28, 2024, our U.S. dollar cash balance converted from RMB-denominated cash and cash equivalents would have been US$2.4 million. If the RMB had depreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, our U.S. dollar cash balance converted from RMB-denominated cash and cash equivalents would have been US$2.2 million instead. Assuming we had converted US$0.9 million into RMB at the exchange rate of RMB7.2203 for US$1.00 as of March 28, 2024, our RMB cash balance converted from U.S. dollar-denominated cash balances would have been RMB6.8 million. If the RMB had depreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, our RMB cash balance converted from U.S. dollar-denominated cash balances would have been RMB7.5 million instead.
Inflation
To date, inflation in the PRC has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index were increases of 1.5% and 1.8% for December 2021 and 2022, and decrease of 0.3% for December 2023, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in the PRC. For example, certain operating costs and expenses, such as employee compensation and office operating expenses may increase as a result of higher inflation. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our assets consists of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, high inflation could significantly reduce the value and purchasing power of these assets. We are not able to hedge our exposure to higher inflation in China.
133 |
Item 12. | Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities |
A. | Debt Securities |
Not applicable.
B. | Warrants and Rights |
Not applicable.
C. | Other Securities |
Not applicable.
D. | American Depositary Shares |
Fees and Charges Our ADS holders May Have to Pay
An ADS holder will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of the ADSs):
Persons depositing or withdrawing Class A ordinary shares or ADS holders must pay: |
For: | |
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of Class A ordinary shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates | |
$0.05 (or less) per ADS | Any cash distribution to ADS holders | |
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been Class A ordinary shares and the Class A ordinary shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs | Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders | |
$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year | Depositary services | |
Registration or transfer fees | Transfer and registration of Class A ordinary shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw Class A ordinary shares | |
Expenses of the depositary | Cable and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars | |
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or Class A ordinary shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes | As necessary | |
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities | As necessary |
Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us
The depositary has agreed to reimburse us annually for our expenses incurred in connection with investor relationship programs and any other program related to our ADS facility and the travel expense of our key personnel in connection with such programs. The depositary has also agreed to provide additional payments to us based on the applicable performance indicators relating to our ADS facility. There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is not necessarily tied to the amount of fees the depositary collects from investors. We received reimbursement from the depositary for our expenses incurred in connection with investor relationship programs related to the ADS facility and the travel expense of our key personnel in connection with such programs amounted to approximately US$2.0 million (after tax) in April 2022 and approximately US$1.3 million (after tax) in August 2023, respectively. Except for the accrued and unpaid amount prior to the date of the Second ADS Ratio Change, the depositary shall no longer pay any reimbursement to us after the Second ADS Ratio Change.
134 |
Part II
Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies |
None.
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds |
None.
Item 15. | Controls and Procedures |
A. | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act.
Based upon that evaluation, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of March 31, 2024, because of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described below. However, we believe that the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F correctly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal years covered thereby in all material respects.
B. | Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of our company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of our company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, as required by Rule 13a-15(c) of the Exchange Act, based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of March 31, 2024 due to a material weakness identified in our internal control over financial reporting as described below.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we determined that one material weakness (initially identified in connection with the audit for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017) remains unremediated at the end of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. As defined in the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness identified is related to the lack of sufficient accounting staff and management resources with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting and compliance requirements.
135 |
We are in the process of implementing a number of measures to address the material weakness identified, including: (i) hire more qualified financial and reporting personnel, including financial reporting manager, equipped with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experiences and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up financial and system control framework; (ii) implement regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; and (iii) enhance our process and controls in dealing with non-recurring and complex transactions.
We cannot assure you that we will remediate our material weakness in a timely manner. The process of designing and implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligation. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.”
C. | Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm |
This annual report on Form 20-F does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC where domestic and foreign registrants that are non-accelerated filers, which we are, are not required to provide the auditor attestation report.
D. | Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
Other than as described above, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 16. | [Reserved] |
Item 16A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert |
Our board of directors has determined that Rong Lu, an independent director (under the standards set forth in Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2) and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act) and member of our audit committee, is an audit committee financial expert.
Item 16B. | Code of Ethics |
Our board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees in June 2018. We have posted a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics on our website at http://irxin.com.
Item 16C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, our principal external auditors, for the periods indicated.
In the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2022 | In the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2023 | In the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
Audit fees(1) | US$1,381,856 | US$1,295,940 | US$872,540 | |||||||||
All other fees(2) | — | — | — |
(1) | “Audit fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for the audit of our annual financial statements and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC. In the fiscal year of 2022, 2023 and 2024, the audit refers to financial audit. |
(2) | “All other fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our principal auditors associated with certain financial due diligence projects, permissible services to review and comment on internal control design over financial reporting and other advisory services. |
136 |
The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as described above, other than those for de minimis services which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit.
Item 16D. | Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees |
Not applicable.
Item 16E. | Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
None.
Item 16F. | Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant |
Not applicable.
Item 16G. | Corporate Governance |
As a Cayman Islands company listed on Nasdaq, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel, has provided a letter to the Nasdaq Stock Market certifying that under Cayman Islands law, (i) we are not required to hold annual shareholders meetings every year; (ii) shareholder approval is not required for the adoption or amendment of an equity compensation plan; (iii) shareholder approval is not required for 20% share issuance at a price that is less than the minimum price as required in Nasdaq Rule 5635(d); (iv) we are not required to maintain a majority independent board as required in Nasdaq Rule 5605(b)(1); (v) shareholder approval is not required for issuance or potential issuance of securities that will result in a change of control as required in Nasdaq Rule 5635(b); (vi) we are not required to ensure that voting rights of existing shareholders of publicly traded common stock registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States cannot be disparately reduced or restricted through any corporate action or issuance; (vii) we are not required to solicit proxies and provide proxy statements for all meetings of shareholders and provide copies of such proxy solicitation to Nasdaq; (viii) we are not required to provide for a quorum as specified in its by-laws for any meeting of the holders of common stock; provided, however, that in no case shall such quorum be less than 33 1/3 % of the outstanding shares of the company’s common voting stock; (ix) shareholder approval is not required in certain circumstances prior to an issuance of securities in connection with the acquisition of the stock or assets of another company as required in Nasdaq Rule 5635(a); (x) shareholder approval is not required prior to the issuance of securities when a stock option or purchase plan is to be established or materially amended or other equity compensation arrangement made or materially amended, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees, or consultants, subject to certain exceptions, as required in Nasdaq Rule 5635(c); and (xi) shareholder approval is not required prior to the issuance of securities in connection with a transaction other than a public offering involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the company of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) at a price less than the lower of (i) the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement; or (ii) the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price of the common stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement, which alone or together with sales by officers, directors or substantial shareholders of the company equals 20% or more of common stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance.
137 |
We followed and intend to continue to follow our home country practice in lieu of the requirement to hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of a fiscal year under Nasdaq Rule 5620(a). Specifically, we followed home country practice in connection with the transaction with NIO Capital and Joy Capital in June 2021, the transaction with NIO Capital in July 2022 and the adoption of our 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan in November 2018 in each case without seeking shareholder approval. In addition, in connection with the transaction with Alpha and Joy Capital in June 2023 regarding certain warrants initially issued by us to NIO Capital and Joy Capital in 2021, we have relied on home country practices in lieu of (i) Nasdaq’s requirement that voting rights of existing shareholders of publicly traded common stock registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States cannot be disparately reduced or restricted through any corporate action or issuance; (ii) Nasdaq’s requirement that shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a change of control of the company and (iii) Nasdaq’s requirement that shareholder approval is required prior to issuance at a price that is less than the minimum price requirements stipulated by the Nasdaq Rule 5635(d). Lastly, we have relied on home country practice and our board of directors does not consist of a majority of independent directors. In addition, we rely on home country practice so that our board of directors does not consist of a majority of independent directors.
Other than the practices described above, there are no significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. domestic companies under Nasdaq Stock Market Rules.
However, if we choose to follow other home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our ADSs—We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.”
Item 16H. | Mine Safety Disclosure |
Not applicable.
Item 16I. | Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdiction that Prevent Inspections |
Not applicable.
Item 16J. | Insider Trading Policies |
We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale and other dispositions of our securities by directors, senior management and employees, which policies and procedures are reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and any listing standards applicable to us. We have filed our insider trading policies, as amended, as Exhibit 11.2 to this annual report on Form 20-F.
Item 16K. | Cybersecurity |
Cybersecurity risk management is an integral part of our overall risk management program. Our cybersecurity risk management program is based on industry best practices and provide a framework for handling cybersecurity threats and incidents, including threats and incidents associated with the use of applications developed and services provided by third-party service providers, and facilitate coordination across different departments of our company. This framework includes steps for assessing the severity of a cybersecurity threat, identifying the source of a cybersecurity threat including whether the cybersecurity threat is associated with a third-party service provider, implementing cybersecurity countermeasures and mitigation strategies and informing management and our board of directors of material cybersecurity threats and incidents. Our cybersecurity team also engages third-party security experts for risk assessment and our cybersecurity team is responsible for our system enhancements. In addition, our cybersecurity team provides training to all employees annually.
Our board of directors has overall oversight responsibility for our risk management, and delegates cybersecurity risk management oversight to the audit committee of the board of directors. The audit committee is responsible for ensuring that management has processes in place designed to identify and evaluate cybersecurity risks to which the company is exposed and implement processes and programs to manage cybersecurity risks and mitigate cybersecurity incidents. The audit committee also reports material cybersecurity risks to our full board of directors. Management is responsible for identifying, considering and assessing material cybersecurity risks on an ongoing basis, establishing processes to ensure that such potential cybersecurity risk exposures are monitored, putting in place appropriate mitigation measures and maintaining cybersecurity programs. Our cybersecurity programs are under the direction of our chief executive officer who receives reports from our cybersecurity team and monitors the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. Our chief executive officer has rich management experience, including cybersecurity management. Our vice president of technology, the member of our cybersecurity team, is an experienced information system security professional and information security manager with years of experience. Management, including the chief executive officer and our cybersecurity team, regularly update the audit committee on the company’s cybersecurity programs, material cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies and provide cybersecurity reports annually that cover, among other topics, third-party assessments of the company’s cybersecurity programs, developments in cybersecurity and updates to the company’s cybersecurity programs and mitigation strategies.
In the fiscal year of 2024, we did not identify any cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurances that we have not experienced an undetected cybersecurity incident. For more information about these risks, please see “Item 3. Key Information—3.D. Risk Factors—Risk Related to Our Business and Industry—Our business generates and processes a large amount of data, and we are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity. The improper use or disclosure of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects” on page 16 of this annual report.
138 |
part iii
Item 17. | Financial Statements |
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
Item 18. | Financial Statements |
The consolidated financial statements of Uxin Limited, its subsidiaries and the former VIEs, as applicable, are included at the end of this annual report.
139 |
Item 19. | Exhibits |
140 |
141 |
142 |
143 |
144 |
145 |
* | Filed herewith |
** | Furnished herewith |
† | Certain information has been excluded from this exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 under the Securities Act. |
146 |
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing its annual report on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
Uxin Limited | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
Date: July 31, 2024 |
147 |
UXIN LIMITED
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1 |
UXIN LIMITED
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Uxin Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Uxin Limited and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred net losses since inception and, as of March 31, 2024, had an accumulated deficit and net current liability and the Company incurred operating cash outflow during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These events and conditions raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
F-2 |
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Fair value of a down round feature triggered for the senior convertible preferred shares
As described in Notes 2.24, 16 and 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the conversion rights of the Company’s senior convertible preferred shares issued include a conversion price down round feature. The down round feature is triggered when the Company provides for a lower conversion price in subsequent convertible preferred shares offerings. The provision of a lower conversion price results in the repricing of existing convertible preferred offerings to match any such lower stated conversion rate. When the down round feature is triggered, the Company measures the value of the effect of the feature as the difference between (a) the fair value of the issued financial instrument (without the down round feature) with a conversion or exercise price corresponding to the stated conversion or exercise price before the conversion or exercise price reduction and (b) the fair value of the issued financial instrument (without the down round feature) with a conversion or exercise price corresponding to the reduced conversion or exercise price upon the down round feature being triggered. The Company determined that, the reduction of the conversion price for senior convertible preferred shares in August 2023 and March 2024 triggered the down round feature operative within the then existing senior convertible preferred shares. The fair value impact related to the reduction in the conversion price of the senior convertible preferred shares in August 2023 and March 2024, amounting to RMB278.8 million and RMB1,781.5 million respectively, was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional paid in capital in permanent equity. For the fair value impact related to the reduction in the conversion price of the senior convertible preferred shares, with the assistance from a third-party valuation firm, the Company made estimation using a hybrid method comprising the probability-weighted method and the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The use of this hybrid method includes significant unobservable inputs to measure the fair value of the down round feature which required management to make judgments and assumptions relating to probability of the scenarios assumed, expected volatility and expected term.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the fair value of the down round feature triggered for the senior convertible preferred shares is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimation of the down round feature, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to management’s significant assumptions. The audit effort also involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others, (a) reading the senior convertible preferred shares subscription agreements to verify the conversion prices; (b) testing management’s process to estimate the fair value of the down round feature; (c) evaluating the appropriateness of the hybrid method comprising the probability-weighted method and the Black-Scholes option pricing model; (d) testing the completeness, accuracy and relevance of underlying data used in the hybrid method; and (e) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions, including the probability of the scenarios assumed, expected volatility and expected term. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China
July 31, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
F-3 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 92,713 | 23,339 | 3,232 | |||||||||
Restricted cash | 618 | 594 | 82 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 790 | 2,089 | 289 | |||||||||
Inventory, net | 110,893 | 110,494 | 15,303 | |||||||||
Loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees, net of provision for credit losses of RMB10,337 and RMB7,995 as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively | ||||||||||||
Other receivables, net of provision for credit losses of RMB26,541 and RMB22,739 as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively | 15,345 | 18,080 | 2,504 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 61,390 | 71,787 | 9,942 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 281,749 | 226,383 | 31,352 | |||||||||
Non-current assets: | ||||||||||||
Property, equipment and software, net | 63,725 | 74,243 | 10,283 | |||||||||
Long-term investments | 288,712 | 279,300 | 38,683 | |||||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net | 1,339,537 | 185,524 | ||||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 84,461 | 168,418 | 23,326 | |||||||||
Other non-current assets | 268 | 37 | ||||||||||
Total non-current assets | 436,898 | 1,861,766 | 257,853 | |||||||||
Total assets | 718,647 | 2,088,149 | 289,205 |
F-4 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
F-5 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||
Commitments | ||||||||||||
Mezzanine equity | ||||||||||||
Redeemable non-controlling interests | 149,991 | 20,774 | ||||||||||
Senior convertible preferred shares (US$ | par value, and shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively; and shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively)1,245,721 | |||||||||||
Subscription receivable from preferred shareholders | (550,074 | ) | ||||||||||
Total Mezzanine equity | 695,647 | 149,991 | 20,774 | |||||||||
Shareholders’ deficit | ||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (US$ | par value, and shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively; Class A ordinary shares and Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively; Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2024)806 | 39,806 | 5,513 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 15,451,803 | 18,928,837 | 2,621,613 | |||||||||
Subscription receivable from shareholders | (107,879 | ) | (14,941 | ) | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 220,185 | 225,090 | 31,175 | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (16,946,064 | ) | (19,378,705 | ) | (2,683,920 | ) | ||||||
Total Uxin Limited shareholders’ deficit | (1,273,270 | ) | (292,851 | ) | (40,560 | ) | ||||||
Non-controlling interests | (175 | ) | (231 | ) | (32 | ) | ||||||
Total shareholders’ deficit | (1,273,445 | ) | (293,082 | ) | (40,592 | ) | ||||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ deficit | 718,647 | 2,088,149 | 289,205 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Retail vehicle sales | 780,371 | 1,312,857 | 1,024,401 | 141,878 | ||||||||||||
Wholesale vehicle sales | 823,466 | 707,385 | 315,909 | 43,753 | ||||||||||||
Others | 32,279 | 38,999 | 34,419 | 4,767 | ||||||||||||
Total Revenues | 1,636,116 | 2,059,241 | 1,374,729 | 190,398 | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | (1,588,398 | ) | (2,033,797 | ) | (1,294,161 | ) | (179,239 | ) | ||||||||
Gross profit | 47,718 | 25,444 | 80,568 | 11,159 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | (222,139 | ) | (236,307 | ) | (202,493 | ) | (28,045 | ) | ||||||||
Research and development | (36,200 | ) | (37,704 | ) | (33,820 | ) | (4,684 | ) | ||||||||
General and administrative | (151,024 | ) | (164,505 | ) | (177,386 | ) | (24,568 | ) | ||||||||
Reversal of/(provision for) credit losses, net | 687 | (13,844 | ) | 2,631 | 364 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | (408,676 | ) | (452,360 | ) | (411,068 | ) | (56,933 | ) | ||||||||
Other operating income, net | 82,017 | 69,990 | 18,001 | 2,493 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (278,941 | ) | (356,926 | ) | (312,499 | ) | (43,281 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income | 3,660 | 603 | 169 | 23 | ||||||||||||
Interest expenses | (41,222 | ) | (21,243 | ) | (62,598 | ) | (8,670 | ) | ||||||||
Other income | 5,227 | 17,088 | 15,870 | 2,198 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses | (8,925 | ) | (24,153 | ) | (5,941 | ) | (823 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange (losses)/gains | (9,336 | ) | (2,457 | ) | 1,525 | 211 | ||||||||||
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 186,231 | 242,733 | (11,776 | ) | (1,631 | ) | ||||||||||
Losses from extinguishment of debt | (2,778 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Loss before income tax expense | (143,306 | ) | (147,133 | ) | (375,250 | ) | (51,973 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense | (245 | ) | (366 | ) | (311 | ) | (43 | ) | ||||||||
Dividend from long-term investment | 10,374 | 11,970 | 1,658 | |||||||||||||
Equity in income/(loss) of affiliates, net of tax | 328 | (44 | ) | (5,951 | ) | (824 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (137,169 | ) | (369,542 | ) | (51,182 | ) |
F-7 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (137,169 | ) | (369,542 | ) | (51,182 | ) | ||||||||
Less: net (loss)/profit attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests and non-controlling interests shareholders | (12 | ) | 2,845 | 394 | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Uxin Limited | (143,223 | ) | (137,157 | ) | (372,387 | ) | (51,576 | ) | ||||||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders due to triggering of a down round feature | (755,635 | ) | (2,060,254 | ) | (285,342 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,223 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) | (336,918 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (137,169 | ) | (369,542 | ) | (51,182 | ) | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income/(loss) | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation, net of nil tax | 70,714 | (68,276 | ) | 4,905 | 679 | |||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss | (72,509 | ) | (205,445 | ) | (364,637 | ) | (50,503 | ) | ||||||||
Less: total comprehensive (loss)/profit attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests and non-controlling interests shareholders | (12 | ) | 2,845 | 394 | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Uxin Limited | (72,509 | ) | (205,433 | ) | (367,482 | ) | (50,897 | ) |
F-8 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023, AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,223 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) | (336,918 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic | 1,168,419,750 | 1,344,536,565 | 2,185,363,635 | 2,185,363,635 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted | 1,354,506,021 | 1,344,536,565 | 2,185,363,635 | 2,185,363,635 | ||||||||||||
Net loss per share for ordinary shareholders, basic | (0.12 | ) | (0.66 | ) | (1.11 | ) | (0.15 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss per share for ordinary shareholders, diluted | (2.07 | ) | (0.66 | ) | (1.11 | ) | (0.15 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-9 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
Ordinary share (US $ par value) | Additional | Accumulated other | Total Uxin Limited | Non- | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of shares | Amount | paid-in capital | comprehensive income | Accumulated deficit | shareholders’ deficit | controlling interests | shareholders’ deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2021 | 1,112,431,559 | 733 | 13,695,877 | 217,747 | (15,910,049 | ) | (1,995,692 | ) | (163 | ) | (1,995,855 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | - | 70,714 | 70,714 | 70,714 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | (143,223 | ) | (143,223 | ) | (143,223 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares due to exercise of the share options | 7,432,870 | 6 | 15,707 | 15,713 | 15,713 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | 26,534 | 26,534 | 26,534 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt restructuring gain from equity holders of the Company (Note 11) | - | 61,018 | 61,018 | 61,018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from a shareholder due to the Restructuring (Note 2.2) | - | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of convertible notes (Note 11) | 66,990,291 | 43 | 446,973 | 447,016 | 447,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | 1,186,854,720 | 782 | 14,254,109 | 288,461 | (16,053,272 | ) | (1,509,920 | ) | (163 | ) | (1,510,083 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | 1,186,854,720 | 782 | 14,254,109 | 288,461 | (16,053,272 | ) | (1,509,920 | ) | (163 | ) | (1,510,083 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | - | (68,276 | ) | (68,276 | ) | (68,276 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | (137,157 | ) | (137,157 | ) | (12 | ) | (137,169 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders due to triggering of a down round feature (Note 16) | - | 755,635 | (755,635 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares due to exercise of the share options | 3,777,520 | 2 | 41 | 43 | 43 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | 47,313 | 47,313 | 47,313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares to 58.com Holdings Inc. and ClearVue UXin Holdings, Ltd. (“ClearVue”) (Note 11) | 220,194,175 | 22 | 394,705 | 394,727 | 394,727 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | 1,410,826,415 | 806 | 15,451,803 | 220,185 | (16,946,064 | ) | (1,273,270 | ) | (175 | ) | (1,273,445 | ) |
F-10 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
Ordinary share (US $ par value) | Additional | Subscription receivable | Accumulated other | Total Uxin Limited | Non- | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | paid-in | from | comprehensive | Accumulated | shareholders’ | controlling | shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shares | Amount | capital | shareholders | income | deficit | deficit | interests | deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | 1,410,826,415 | 806 | 15,451,803 | 220,185 | (16,946,064 | ) | (1,273,270 | ) | (175 | ) | (1,273,445 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | - | 4,905 | 4,905 | 4,905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | (369,486 | ) | (369,486 | ) | (56 | ) | (369,542 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests | - | (2,901 | ) | (2,901 | ) | (2,901 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders due to triggering of a down round feature (Note 16) | - | 2,060,254 | (2,060,254 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of senior convertible preferred shares into Class A ordinary shares | 54,960,889,255 | 38,993 | 1,369,688 | (107,879 | ) | 1,300,802 | 1,300,802 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares due to exercise of the share options | 9,765,729 | 7 | (3 | ) | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | 47,095 | 47,095 | 47,095 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2024 | 56,381,481,399 | 39,806 | 18,928,837 | (107,879 | ) | 225,090 | (19,378,705 | ) | (292,851 | ) | (231 | ) | (293,082 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-11 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Cash flows used in operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (137,169 | ) | (369,542 | ) | (51,182 | ) | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Shared-based compensation | 26,534 | 47,313 | 75,806 | 10,499 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software | 14,265 | 13,355 | 12,264 | 1,699 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 27 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets | 15,373 | 17,489 | 28,557 | 3,955 | ||||||||||||
(Gains)/loss from disposal of property, equipment and software | (1,494 | ) | 670 | 512 | 71 | |||||||||||
Equity in (income)/loss of affiliates | (328 | ) | 44 | 5,951 | 824 | |||||||||||
Impairment loss for equity investments accounted for using measurement alternative (Note 7) | 3,461 | 480 | ||||||||||||||
Inventory valuation adjustments | 14,223 | (12,003 | ) | 9,310 | 1,289 | |||||||||||
(Reversal of)/provision for credit losses | (687 | ) | 13,844 | (2,631 | ) | (364 | ) | |||||||||
Guarantee income | (126 | ) | (46 | ) | ||||||||||||
Discounting impact of non-current consideration payables | 11,986 | 8,486 | 3,761 | 521 | ||||||||||||
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares (Note 11, 16) | (186,231 | ) | (242,733 | ) | 11,776 | 1,631 | ||||||||||
Gains from waiver of operating payables (Note 12) | (73,747 | ) | (70,500 | ) | (10,604 | ) | (1,469 | ) | ||||||||
Losses from extinguishment of debt | 2,778 |
F-12 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets | 51,824 | 28,268 | (15,312 | ) | (2,121 | ) | ||||||||||
Amounts due from related parties | 3,817 | |||||||||||||||
Loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees | 148,708 | 14,330 | 2,342 | 324 | ||||||||||||
Financial lease receivables | 10 | |||||||||||||||
Inventory | (372,120 | ) | 327,083 | (11,622 | ) | (1,610 | ) | |||||||||
Payables, accruals and other current liabilities net of discounting impact | (266,922 | ) | (204,786 | ) | 33,030 | 4,575 | ||||||||||
Deferred revenue | (5,247 | ) | (4,140 | ) | 495 | 69 | ||||||||||
Consideration payable to WeBank, net of discounting impact | (81,604 | ) | (53,423 | ) | (40,000 | ) | (5,540 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (844,962 | ) | (251,140 | ) | (262,446 | ) | (36,349 | ) | ||||||||
Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property, equipment and software | 1,885 | 494 | 1,354 | 188 | ||||||||||||
Purchase of property, equipment and software | (18,654 | ) | (33,196 | ) | (12,693 | ) | (1,758 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries | 670 | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (16,769 | ) | (32,032 | ) | (11,339 | ) | (1,570 | ) |
F-13 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from borrowings | 313,000 | 78,181 | 10,828 | |||||||||||||
Repayment of borrowings | (79,560 | ) | (234,050 | ) | (20,000 | ) | (2,770 | ) | ||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (58,956 | ) | (51,882 | ) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of share options | 15,713 | 42 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 887,225 | 212,875 | 147,116 | 20,375 | ||||||||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities | 764,422 | 239,985 | 205,301 | 28,434 | ||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (113 | ) | 221 | (914 | ) | (127 | ) | |||||||||
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (97,422 | ) | (42,966 | ) | (69,398 | ) | (9,612 | ) | ||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period | 233,719 | 136,297 | 93,331 | 12,926 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period | 136,297 | 93,331 | 23,933 | 3,314 |
F-14 |
UXIN LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022, 2023 AND 2024
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
(Note 2.6) | ||||||||||||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||||||||||
- Cash paid for income tax | 179 | 222 | 288 | 40 | ||||||||||||
- Cash paid for interest (Note 8) | 5,111 | 58,945 | 2,586 | 377 | ||||||||||||
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities | ||||||||||||||||
- Settlement of finance lease liabilities with the issuance of redeemable non-controlling interests (Note 17) | 147,090 | 20,372 | ||||||||||||||
- Net settlement of long-term debt with unreceived disposal consideration (Note 4) | 45,350 | |||||||||||||||
- Conversion of long-term debt into Class A ordinary shares (Note 11) | 511,318 | |||||||||||||||
- Net settlement of long-term debt with subscription receivable from preferred shareholders (Note 11) | 417,223 | 57,785 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-15 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
1. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Uxin Limited (the “Company” or “Uxin”), its subsidiaries and the former variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company, its subsidiaries and the former consolidated VIEs are collectively referred to as the “Group”.
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted limited liability company on December 8, 2011. The Company serves as an investment holding company and currently has no operations of its own.
The Group’s principal operations and geographic market is in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The Group operates vehicle sales business through an “inventory-owning” model where the Group sells its own inventory of used vehicles.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s principal subsidiaries are as follows:
Subsidiaries | Place of incorporation | Date of incorporation or acquisition | Percentage of direct or indirect equity ownership | Principal activities | ||||||
Youxin (Hefei) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd. (“Uxin Hefei”) | Hefei | September 8, 2021 | 88 | % | Vehicle sales | |||||
Youfang (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | Beijing | March 25, 2016 | 100 | % | Vehicle sales | |||||
Youtang (Shaanxi) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | Xi’an | May 12, 2022 | 100 | % | Vehicle sales |
Variable interest entities
In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements restricting foreign ownership of internet information services under value-added telecommunications services and certain other businesses in China, the Company used to operate online platforms that provided internet information services and engaged in other foreign-ownership-restricted businesses through certain PRC domestic companies, whose equity interests were held by certain management members of the Company (“Nominee Shareholders”). The Company obtained control, as determined under US GAAP, over these PRC domestic companies (“former VIEs”) by entering into a series of contractual arrangements, including exclusive options agreements, power of attorney, exclusive business cooperation agreements (which includes arrangements which provide for services to these domestic companies), equity pledge agreements and loan agreements, with these PRC domestic companies and their respective Nominee Shareholders. Historically, we, through Yougu (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Youxinpai (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., had a series of contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and the shareholders of the former VIEs until the Company conducted a series of restructuring transactions in March 2022 to terminate the historical contractual arrangements with the former VIEs, which have become the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, effective from March 31, 2022 (“Restructuring”). As a result of these historical contractual arrangements, we were able to direct the activities of and derive the economic benefits from the former VIEs and were considered the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs, and we have consolidated the financial results of these companies in our consolidated financial statements (through the date of our Restructuring) in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Neither Uxin Limited nor its investors have had an equity ownership in, direct foreign investment in, or control, other than as defined under U.S. GAAP, through contractual arrangements with, the former VIEs. The contractual arrangements were not equivalent to an equity ownership in the business of the former VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. After the Restructuring, we continue to consolidate the financial results of these companies in our consolidated financial statements as they have become our wholly owned subsidiaries.
Pursuant to the Restructuring, the wholly owned subsidiaries that previously had contractual arrangements with the former VIEs and their respective shareholders purchased all equity interests held by such shareholders in the former VIEs. Accordingly, all contractual arrangements that enabled such shareholders to exercise effective control over the former VIEs, receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the former VIEs and have exclusive options to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the former VIEs, were effectively terminated on March 31, 2022.
F-16 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
1. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)
Liquidity
The Company has incurred net losses since inception and, as of March 31, 2024, had an accumulated deficit in the amount of approximately RMB billion. The Company’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by approximately RMB658.8 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company’s cash balance as of March 31, 2024 was approximately RMB million, and its operating cash outflow during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was approximately RMB million. These adverse conditions and events raise substantial doubt about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, management assessed the Company’s ability to meet its maturing obligations and working capital requirements over the next twelve months. This assessment included an evaluation of whether management’s business and financing plans would be sufficient to conclude the Company could continue as a going concern.
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the effective implementation of management’s plans to mitigate these conditions and events. A summary of management’s plans includes:
Improvement in cash flows from operations:
● | Increase in sales and the gross margin on automobile sales, optimize the cost structure of the Group to reduce discretional expenses such as labour costs, advertising expenses and administrative expenses. |
External equity and debt financing:
● | As of the date of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements, the Company was entitled to a consideration receivable of US$9.4 million due from NIO Capital expected to be received no later than December 31, 2024 for the subscription of its senior convertible preferred shares, which had been converted into ordinary shares in March 2024. | |
● | On March 18, 2024, the Company entered into a non-binding term sheet with an investment fund (“NC Fund”) for an aggregate amount of financing of RMB200.0 million at a subscription price of US$ per share. Management is under negotiation with NC fund to complete the investment. | |
● | As of March 31, 2024, the Group obtained an aggregated inventory-pledging facilities amount of RMB290.0 million (equivalent to approximately US$40.2 million) from certain reputable banks and financial institution in the PRC. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had the outstanding borrowings of RMB55.0 million under the inventory-pledged financing facilities and the unused facilities amounted to RMB235.0 million. These facilities will mature within one year since the date of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements. Management plans to obtain the renewals of the facilities when they become mature. | |
● | Pursuant to an equity investment agreement entered into in September 2023 with Hefei Construction Investment North City Industrial Investment Co., Ltd. (“HCI”), who is also the lessor of the used car retail superstore (the “Superstore”) in Hefei, HCI will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment made by Uxin Hefei over a 10-year period. The first-year rental of approximately RMB147.1 million was converted into the investment of approximately 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei by HCI in October 2023 (Note 17). Management plans to further negotiate with HCI to seek net cash flow settlement of the future rental instalments to reduce the cash outflows in relation to the Hefei Superstore; | |
● | On June 21, 2024, the Company entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank which revised and extended the repayment schedule of RMB30.0 million each due on June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024 respectively to the monthly repayments of RMB2.5 million for each month from December 2024 to November 2026. |
The Company’s plans include significant, subjective assumptions that are subject to uncertainty. These assumptions include increasing demand for used cars over the next twelve months, achieving the profit improvement and costs and expenses optimization. In addition, the planned equity and debt financings that are not already contractually committed may not be available at terms that are favourable to the Company, or in amounts that are not sufficient to meet the Company’s needs over the next twelve months.
Based on the evaluation, management has concluded that these uncertainties cast substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to meet its maturing obligations and working capital requirements over the next twelve months, which would impact the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
F-17 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
2.1 Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Significant accounting policies followed by the Group in the preparation of its accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below.
2.2 Basis of consolidation
The Group’s consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and the former VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary.
A subsidiary is an entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors; to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of the board of directors or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.
A VIE is an entity in which the Company, or its subsidiary, through contractual arrangements, bears the risks of, and enjoys the rewards normally associated with, ownership of the entity, and therefore the Company or its subsidiary is the primary beneficiary of the entity.
All transactions and balances among the Company, its subsidiaries, and the former VIEs have been eliminated upon consolidation.
2.3 Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets, long-lived assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, the Company’s management reviews these estimates based on information that is currently available. Changes in facts and circumstances may cause the Company to revise its estimates. Accounting estimates reflected in the Group’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to the fair value of a down round feature triggered for senior convertible preferred shares, the fair value of warrant liabilities and forward contracts, share-based compensation arrangements, fair value of the long-term investment, provision for credit losses for loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees, trade receivables and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, the useful lives of property, equipment and software, discount rate applied in lease accounting, inventory provision, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and management′s assessment of going concern. Given that changes in circumstances, facts and experience may cause the Group to revise its estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates.
F-18 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.4 Fair value measurements
Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
Level 2 — Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity
Financial instruments of the Company primarily are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, current portion of long-term debt and borrowing, accounts payable, and warrant liabilities. Except for warrant liabilities which are measured at fair value as of March 31, 2023, the carrying values approximated the fair values of these instruments because of their generally short maturities as of March 31, 2023 and 2024. The warrant liabilities were recorded at the fair value at the inception date and classified as a Level 3 measurement.
2.5 Foreign currencies
The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The USD (“US$”) is the functional currency of the Group’s entities incorporated in Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong, and the RMB is the functional currency of the Group’s PRC subsidiaries.
Transactions denominated in other than the functional currencies are translated into the functional currency of the entity at the exchange rates quoted by authoritative banks prevailing on the transaction dates. Exchange gains and losses resulting from those foreign currency transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
The financial statements of the Group are translated from the functional currency into RMB. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into RMB using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts other than earnings generated in current period are translated into RMB at the appropriate historical rates. Revenues, expenses, gain and loss are translated into RMB using the periodic average exchange rates. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders’ deficit.
2.6 Convenience translation
Translations of Consolidated Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows from RMB into US$ as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB7.2203 on March 29, 2024 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 31, 2024, or at any other rate.
F-19 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.7 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash includes currency on hand and deposits held by financial institutions that can be added to or withdrawn without limitation. Cash equivalents represent short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amount of cash and with original maturities from the date of purchase of generally three months or less.
2.8 Restricted cash
As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, restricted cash primarily represents cash reserved in relation to certain litigations.
2.9 Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of used vehicles and is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory cost is determined by specific identification and includes acquisition cost, direct and indirect reconditioning costs and inbound transportation expenses. Net realizable value represents the estimated selling price less costs to complete, dispose and transport the vehicles. Each reporting period the Company recognizes any necessary adjustments to reflect vehicle inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value in the cost of revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Total carrying amount of used vehicles was RMB110.9 million and RMB million as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Total amount of inventory write-downs recorded for used vehicles were RMB14.2 million, RMB30.2 million and RMB9.3 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
2.10 Property, equipment and software, net
Property, equipment and software are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives, taking into account any estimated residual value:
Electronic equipment | 3 years |
Furniture | 5 years |
Vehicles and motors | 4 years |
Software | 5 years |
Machine | 12 years |
Leasehold improvement | lesser of the term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets |
The Company recognizes the gain or loss on the disposal of property, equipment and software in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
F-20 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.11 Long-term investments
In accordance with ASC 323 Investment—Equity Method and Joint Ventures, the Company accounts for an equity investment over which it has significant influence but does not own a majority of the equity interest or otherwise controls and the investments are either common stock or in substance common stock using the equity method. The Company’s share of the investee’s profit and loss is recognized in the earnings of the period.
The Company also holds investments in privately held companies in the form of equity securities without readily determinable fair values and in which the Company does not have a controlling interest or significant influence. In accordance with ASC 321 Investment- Equity Securities, investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted to fair value for impairments and price changes from observable transactions in the same or a similar security from the same issuer. Impairment provision of RMB3.5 million was recognized for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and no impairment of long-term investments was recognized for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and 2023.
Pursuant to ASC 321, for equity investments measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, the Company does not assess whether those securities are impaired. Based on ASU 2016-01, the Company will be able to elect to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values and not accounted for by the equity method either at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income or at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer (“measurement alternative”). For equity investments without readily determinable fair value for which the Company has elected to use the measurement alternative, at each reporting period, the Company makes a qualitative assessment of whether the investment is impaired at each reporting date, applying significant judgement in considering various factors and events including a) adverse performance of investees, credit rating, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee; b) adverse industry developments affecting investees; and c) adverse regulatory, social, economic or other developments affecting investees. If a qualitative assessment indicates that the investment is impaired, the Company estimates the investment’s fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC 820. If the fair value is less than the investment’s carrying value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value.
F-21 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.12 Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets including property, equipment, financing and operating lease right-of-use assets and software with definite lives are assessed for impairment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. When these events occur, the Group will assess whether an impairment of the long-lived assets in question exists by comparing the carrying value of the assets to an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, the Group recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the fair value of the asset. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
2.13 Revenue recognition
The Group adopted ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for all periods presented. Consistent with the criteria of Topic 606, the Group recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply five steps defined under Topic 606. The Group assesses its revenue arrangements against specific criteria in order to determine if it is acting as principal or agent. Revenue arrangements with multiple performance obligations are divided into separate units of accounting. The Company considered appropriate methods to allocate the transaction price to each performance obligations, based on the relative standalone selling prices of the services provided. In estimating the standalone selling price for the services that are not directly observable, the Company considered the suitable methods included in ASC 606-10-21-34, and determined the adjusted market assessment approach is the most appropriate method. When estimating the relative standalone selling prices, the Group considers standalone selling prices of similar services. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of these promised services to a customer.
Revenue is recorded net off value-added-tax.
F-22 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.13 Revenue recognition (continued)
Retail vehicle sales business
The Company sells used vehicles directly to its customers through its e-commerce platform (www.xin.com). The Company procures used cars by analyzing the extensive user behavioral, used car and transactional data aggregated on its platform over the years. This enables the Company to selectively build its inventory of used cars with value-for-money performance and have greater flexibility in offering more competitive pricing to individual consumer (the “Consumer”).
The prices of used vehicles are set forth in the customer contracts at stand-alone selling prices which are agreed upon prior to delivery. The Company satisfies its performance obligation for used vehicles sales when the Consumer obtains control of the underlying vehicles. The Company receives payment for used vehicle sales directly from the Consumer at the time of sale. Payments received prior to delivery or pick-up of used vehicles are recorded as “Other payables and other current liabilities” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Wholesale vehicle sales business
The Company sells vehicles to wholesalers through offline dealership. These vehicles sold to wholesalers are primarily acquired from individuals that do not meet the Company’s retail standards to list and sell through its e-commerce platform, and therefore, sold through offline dealership. The Company satisfies its performance obligation and recognizes revenue for wholesale vehicle sales at the point in time when the wholesale purchasers obtain control of the underlying vehicles. The payments are received when the vehicles are sold.
Others
Other revenue was immaterial for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. It mainly represented the commissions earned from the Group’s financing and insurance partners from introducing them to the Company’s retail customers with financing needs, as well as revenues earned from warranty services.
Remaining performance obligations
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations represents that portion of the overall transaction price that has been received (or for which the Group has an unconditional right to payment) allocated to performance obligations that the Group has not yet fulfilled, which is presented as deferred revenue that has not yet been recognized. As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was RMB2.3 million and , respectively, reflecting the Group’s remaining obligations.
F-23 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.14 Value-added-tax (“VAT”) and surcharges
The Company’s subsidiaries and the former VIEs are subject to value-added tax and related surcharges on the revenues earned for services provided in the PRC. The applicable value-added-tax rate for general VAT payers is set out in the following table.
Type of service | Applicable VAT rate (%) | |
Vehicle sales | 0.5% - 6% | |
Commission | 6% | |
Value-added service | 6% | |
Other services | 6% |
The surcharges (i.e. urban construction and maintenance tax, educational surtax, local educational surtax), vary from 5% to 12% of the value-added-tax depending on the tax payer’s location. The surcharges are recorded in the “cost of revenue” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.
2.15 Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues includes the cost to acquire used vehicles and direct and indirect vehicle reconditioning costs associated with preparing the vehicles for resale and warranty services. Cost of revenues also includes any necessary adjustments to reflect vehicle inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
2.16 Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits expenses for sales and marketing personnel, advertising and promotion expenses and warranty expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses primarily include branding advertisements, online traffic acquisition costs and costs incurred in other marketing activities. Salaries and benefits for employees engaged in aftersales services and costs relating to outbound logistics were classified as “sales and marketing expense”.
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. For those advertisements that are extended over a period of time, the advertising costs are recognised ratably over the beneficial period. The total amounts charged to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss amounted to approximately RMB58.7 million, RMB46.9 million and RMB20.8 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
2.17 Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits expenses, fees for outsourced technical services and depreciation of servers and computers relating to research and development.
All research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Software development costs required to be capitalized under ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software, were not material to the consolidated financial statements.
F-24 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.18 General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits and share-based compensation for employees engaged in management and administration positions or involved in general corporate functions, office rental, professional service fees and depreciation.
The Company grants share options, restricted shares and restricted share units (“RSUs”) to eligible employees, director and execute officers. All share-based awards are measured at fair value on the grant date. The share-based compensation expenses have been categorized as either cost of revenues, sales and marketing expenses research and development expenses, or general and administrative expenses, depending on the job functions of the grantees.
Share Options Granted
The Company follows ASC 718 to determine whether a share option should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or equity award. All grants of share-based awards classified as equity awards are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values which are calculated using an option pricing model. The Company classifies the share-based awards granted to employees as equity award and has elected to recognize compensation expense on share-based awards with service condition on a graded vesting basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.
Restricted Shares and RSUs
For the restricted shares, the awards are measured at fair value on the grant date. Share-based compensation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period or immediately at the grant date if no vesting conditions are required.
For grants of RSUs with certain market conditions, it is classified as equity awards and recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values which are determined using the Monte Carlo valuation model, which incorporates various assumptions including expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and expected timing and proceeds received due to the exercise of warrants and settlement of forward contracts (Note 16). Related expenses are recognized over the derived service period determined based on valuation techniques that are used to estimate fair value and is not adjusted if the market condition is not met, so long as the requisite service is provided.
The assumptions used in share-based compensation expense recognition represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and application of management judgment. If factors change or different assumptions are used, the share-based compensation expenses could be materially different for any period. Moreover, the estimates of fair value of the awards are not intended to predict actual future events or the value that ultimately will be realized by grantees who receive share-based awards. In accordance with ASU 2016-09, the Group made an entity-wide accounting policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur.
F-25 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.20 Taxation
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, net operating loss carries forwards and credits. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in which temporary differences are expected to be received or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in the statements of comprehensive loss in the period of the enactment of the change.
The Group considers positive and negative evidence when determining whether a portion or all of its deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry-forward periods, its experience with tax attributes expiring unused, and its tax planning strategies. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income within the carry-forward periods provided for in the tax law and during the periods in which the temporary differences become deductible. When assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, the Group has considered possible sources of taxable income including (i) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (ii) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry-forwards, (iii) future taxable income arising from implementing tax planning strategies, and (iv) specific known trend of profits expected to be reflected within the industry.
The Group recognizes a tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in its judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the-more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Group initially and subsequently measures the tax benefit as the largest amount that the Group judges to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The Group’s liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The Group’s effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management. The Group classifies interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Undistributed earnings are expected to be indefinitely reinvested for the foreseeable future, if any.
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, the net loss is allocated between ordinary shares and other participating securities, including senior convertible preferred shares, based on their participating rights. Net loss is not allocated to other participating securities if based on their contractual terms they are not obligated to share in the loss. The diluted loss per share is calculated by giving effect to all potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period using the treasury stock method or the if-converted method based on the nature of such securities. Ordinary equivalent shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted loss per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. Except for voting rights, the Class A and Class B ordinary shares have all the same rights and therefore the loss per share for both classes of shares are identical.
F-26 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.22 Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Operating leases are primarily for offices and stores and are included in Right-of-use assets, net, Operating lease liabilities, current and Operating lease liabilities, non-current on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and Operating lease liabilities represent obligation to make lease payment arising from the lease. The operating lease right of use assets and liabilities are recognized at lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payment over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The right of use assets also includes any lease payments made. The Company’s lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease. Renewal options are considered within the operating lease right of use assets and liabilities 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. Finance lease assets are presented as finance lease right-of-use assets, net, and the corresponding finance lease liabilities are included in current portion of finance lease liabilities for the current portion, and in finance lease liabilities within non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance lease costs consists of interest expense on the finance lease liabilities as well as amortization of the finance lease right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
For operating leases with a term of one year or less, the Company has elected to not recognize a lease liability or lease right of use asset on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Instead, it recognizes the lease payment as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Short-term lease costs are immaterial to its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The Company has operating lease agreements with insignificant non-lease components and has elected the practical expedient to combine and account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
2.23 Provision for credit losses
The Company has several types of financial assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 326’s CECL model. The CECL reserves for credit loss represents the Company’s best estimate of the expected lifetime credit losses for accounts receivable, loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees and other receivables as of the balance sheet dates. The adequacy of the reserves for credit losses is assessed quarterly; and the assumptions and models used in establishing the allowance are evaluated regularly. Because credit losses can vary substantially over time, estimating credit loss reserves requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date.
F-27 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.23 Provision for credit losses (continued)
Measurement of CECL reserve
The Company estimates its CECL reserve for different financial instruments using various methods including the probability-of-default method, the loss rate method, the roll rate method and the discounted cash flow method.
● | For loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees and financial lease receivables, the loss rate method is applied as the comprehensive product impact of Probability of Default (“PD”) and Loss Given Default (“LGD”). | |
● | The roll rate model is adopted for accounts receivable; while for some other receivables which cannot be pooled with financial assets with similar risk characteristics, the reserve for credit losses is evaluated on an individual basis using the discounted cash flow method. |
Note that to incorporate the forward-looking impacts based on the Company’s best macroeconomic forecasts, quantitative adjustments are applied to key parameters such as PD, LGD, loss rates, and roll rates on a collective basis. The Company groups its financial instruments into pools by credit status, product types, accounts receivable aging schedule, collateral types and other risk characteristics as appropriate in the calibration and adjustments of these parameters.
2.24 Accounting of the down round feature
The Company assesses whether there are circumstances that trigger the down round feature for convertible preferred shares and warrants. When the down round feature is triggered, the Company considers the provision of ASC 260-10-30-1 and measures the value of the effect of the feature as the difference between (a) the fair value of the issued financial instrument (without the down round feature) with a conversion or exercise price corresponding to the stated conversion or exercise price before the conversion or exercise price reduction and (b) the fair value of the issued financial instrument (without the down round feature) with a conversion or exercise price corresponding to the reduced conversion or exercise price upon the down round feature being triggered. The excess value of the convertible preferred shares or warrant resulting from the triggering of the down round feature as determined on the measurement date shall be a deemed dividend to the preferred shareholders or to the warrant holders, which should be deducted to arrive at net income/(loss) to ordinary shareholders. Therefore, recognition of the fair value of the down round feature results in a charge to retained earnings/(accumulated deficit) and a credit to additional paid-in capital in permanent equity rather than mezzanine equity.
F-28 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.25 Recent accounting pronouncements
Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (Topic 280). This ASU updates reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring disclosures of significant reportable segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of a segment′s profit or loss. This ASU also requires disclosure of the title and position of the individual identified as the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of a segment′s profit or loss in assessing segment′s performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption of the ASU should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is also permitted. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740). The ASU requires disaggregated information
about a reporting entity′s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. The ASU is
effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is also permitted for annual financial
statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. This ASU will result in the required additional disclosures
being included in the Group′s consolidated financial statements, once adopted.
F-29 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
3. LOANS RECOGNIZED AS A RESULT OF PAYMENTS UNDER GUARANTEES
The Group used to provide loan facilitation related guarantee service before April 2020. The third-party financing partners offered financing solutions to the Borrowers and the Group was required to provide a guarantee. In the event of a payment default from the Borrower, the Group was required to repay the monthly instalment or full amount of outstanding loan to the financing partner as the guarantor. As such, the Group recognized loan receivables as a result of payment under the guarantee deducted by an allowance to its expected recoverable amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees | 10,337 | 7,995 | ||||||
Less: provision for credit losses | (10,337 | ) | (7,995 | ) | ||||
An aging analysis of loans recognized as result of payments under guarantees was as follows:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Up to 6 months | 1,756 | |||||||
6 months to 12 months | 460 | |||||||
Over 12 months | 8,121 | 7,995 | ||||||
10,337 | 7,995 |
The Group relies on the consumers’ credit history, loan-to-value ratio and other certain application information to evaluate and rank their respective risk on an ongoing basis. The credit grades represent the relative likelihood of repayment. Customers assigned a grade of “Normal” are determined to have the highest probability of repayment, customers assigned a grade of “Attention” are determined to have a lower probability of repayment, and customers assigned a grade of “Secondary” are determined to have a lowest probability of repayment. Loan performance is reviewed on a recurring basis to identify whether the assigned grades adequately reflect the customers’ likelihood of repayment.
The balance of loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees by grade of monitored credit risk quality indicator as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 were listed as below:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Normal | ||||||||
Attention | ||||||||
Secondary | 10,337 | 7,995 | ||||||
10,337 | 7,995 |
F-30 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
3. LOANS RECOGNIZED AS A RESULT OF PAYMENTS UNDER GUARANTEES (CONTINUED)
The movement of provision for credit losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was as follows:
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Beginning balance of the period | (1,182,609 | ) | (324,371 | ) | (10,337 | ) | ||||||
(Provision for)/reversal of credit losses | (94 | ) | (1,770 | ) | 1,719 | |||||||
Write-offs | 13,093 | 308,847 | ||||||||||
Bought out by certain non-bank financing institutions without recourse | 821,496 | |||||||||||
Payments from the borrowers or other recoveries | 23,743 | 6,957 | 623 | |||||||||
Ending balance of the period | (324,371 | ) | (10,337 | ) | (7,995 | ) |
The following table explains the changes in the provision of credit losses by grade of monitored credit risk quality indicator as of March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024:
Normal | Attention | Secondary | Total | |||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | |||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2021 | (11,787 | ) | (149,220 | ) | (1,021,602 | ) | (1,182,609 | ) | ||||||||
Reversal of/(provision for) credit losses | 6,483 | 49,903 | (56,480 | ) | (94 | ) | ||||||||||
Write-off | 36 | 1,589 | 11,468 | 13,093 | ||||||||||||
Bought out by certain non-bank financing institutions without recourse | 1,286 | 38,599 | 781,611 | 821,496 | ||||||||||||
Payments from the borrowers or other recoveries | 14 | 6,105 | 17,624 | 23,743 | ||||||||||||
Transfer from Normal to Attention | 2,358 | (2,358 | ) | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Normal to Secondary | 514 | (514 | ) | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Attention to Secondary | 22,040 | (22,040 | ) | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Attention to Normal | (343 | ) | 343 | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Secondary to Attention | (41,784 | ) | 41,784 | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Secondary to Normal | (366 | ) | 366 | |||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 | (1,805 | ) | (74,783 | ) | (247,783 | ) | (324,371 | ) | ||||||||
(Provision for)/reversal of credit losses | (8,126 | ) | (4,844 | ) | 11,200 | (1,770 | ) | |||||||||
Write-offs | 3,341 | 74,519 | 230,987 | 308,847 | ||||||||||||
Payments from the borrowers or other recoveries | 297 | 6,660 | 6,957 | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Normal to Secondary | 6,590 | (6,590 | ) | |||||||||||||
Transfer from Attention to Secondary | 4,811 | (4,811 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 | (10,337 | ) | (10,337 | ) | ||||||||||||
Reversal of credit losses | 1,719 | 1,719 | ||||||||||||||
Payments from the borrowers or other recoveries | 623 | 623 | ||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2024 | (7,995 | ) | (7,995 | ) |
F-31 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
4. OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Rental and other deposits | 26,418 | 25,681 | ||||||
Staff advance | 13,890 | 15,138 | ||||||
Others | 1,578 | |||||||
41,886 | 40,819 | |||||||
Less: provision for credit losses | (26,541 | ) | (22,739 | ) | ||||
15,345 | 18,080 |
The movement of the provision for credit loss for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was as follows:
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Beginning balance of the period | (20,980 | ) | (30,251 | ) | (26,541 | ) | ||||||
Additions | (3,494 | ) | (12,400 | ) | ||||||||
Write-offs | 679 | 16,110 | 3,802 | |||||||||
Reclassified from amounts due from related parties | (6,456 | ) | ||||||||||
Ending balance of the period | (30,251 | ) | (26,541 | ) | (22,739 | ) |
F-32 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
5. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
VAT-input deductible | 54,601 | 67,452 | ||||||
Prepaid marketing expense | 2,009 | 2,290 | ||||||
Prepaid consulting and professional service fees | 1,247 | 1,300 | ||||||
Prepaid insurance cost | 139 | 479 | ||||||
Prepaid rental expense | 2,537 | 51 | ||||||
Others | 857 | 215 | ||||||
61,390 | 71,787 |
6. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE, NET
Property, equipment and software, net, consist of the following:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Cost | ||||||||
Leasehold improvement | 178,023 | 212,123 | ||||||
Electronic equipment | 51,748 | 49,036 | ||||||
Software | 26,953 | 26,953 | ||||||
Furniture | 2,151 | 15,643 | ||||||
Machine | 11,081 | |||||||
Vehicles and motors | 4,057 | 6,621 | ||||||
Construction in progress | 43,489 | 778 | ||||||
Total property, equipment and software | 306,421 | 322,235 | ||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
Leasehold improvement | (174,014 | ) | (175,667 | ) | ||||
Electronic equipment | (49,008 | ) | (45,327 | ) | ||||
Software | (16,630 | ) | (22,974 | ) | ||||
Furniture | (1,136 | ) | (1,083 | ) | ||||
Machine | (477 | ) | ||||||
Vehicles and motors | (1,908 | ) | (2,464 | ) | ||||
Total accumulated depreciation and amortization | (242,696 | ) | (247,992 | ) | ||||
Net book value | 63,725 | 74,243 |
The total amounts charged to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for depreciation and amortization expense are approximately RMB14.3 million, RMB13.4 million and RMB12.3 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
F-33 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
7. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Group’s long-term investments consist of the following:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Equity investments accounted for using the equity method | ||||||||
Beijing Gangjian Shoubao Cultural Media Center LLP (“Gangjian Shoubao”) | 4,500 | |||||||
Weiche Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Weiche”) | 1,451 | |||||||
5,951 | ||||||||
Equity investments accounted for using the measurement alternative | ||||||||
Jincheng Consumer Finance (Sichuan) Co., Ltd. (“Jincheng”) | 282,761 | 279,300 | ||||||
Total long-term investments | 288,712 | 279,300 |
Investment in Jincheng
Investment in Jincheng represents an investment of 19% ordinary equity interest in a professional consumer financial service company. As the Group could not execute significant influence over Jincheng, the Group accounted for the investment using the alternative method measurement, and no measurement events were identified during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023. In July 2022 and June 2023, the Group received a cash dividend from Jincheng amounting to RMB10.4 million and RMB12.0 million.
In November 2022, the Group entered into a definitive agreement with a third-party, pursuant to which the equity interest of Jincheng with carrying amount of RMB282.8 million was pledged to obtain a loan with RMB292.0 million principal bearing 5% annum interest rate, and due in December 2024 (Note 8).
The Group performs impairment assessment of its investments under the measurement alternative whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment may not be fully recoverable. In January 2024, the Group entered into an equity transfer agreement with a third party for the disposal of the investment at a cash consideration of RMB271.3 million. The transaction will be terminated if the sale of investment is not approved by the government. Given the uncertainty of the approval, the Company did not derecognize the investment as of March 31, 2024 until the approval and the sale of investment was subsequently completed in April 2024. As the cash consideration of RMB271.3 million received and cash dividend of RMB8.0 million expected to be received in July 2024 is lower than the carrying value of the investment of RMB282.8 million as of March 31, 2024, the Group recognised the impairment provision of approximately RMB3.5 million against the carrying value of the investment, and the impairment was recorded in “other expenses” in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. In conjunction with the sale of investment transaction, the Group also entered into a financial advisory agreement and a supplement agreement in which the Group agrees to pay a cash consideration of RMB39.1 million for the advisory fee upon the successful completion of the sale of investment. The corresponding expense was not recorded until the completion of the sale of investment in April 2024.
F-34 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
8. BORROWINGS
The following table presents short-term and long-term borrowings from commercial banks or other institutions as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.
Funding Partners | Terms | Rate | March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | ||||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||||||
Short-term borrowing from related party (Note 14) | within 12 months | 6% | 7,000 | |||||||||
Short-term borrowing from third parties | within | months%- % | 20,000 | 71,181 | ||||||||
20,000 | 78,181 | |||||||||||
Current portion of long-term borrowings | 291,950 | |||||||||||
Non-current portion of long-term borrowings | 291,950 | |||||||||||
Long-term borrowings | 2 years, due in December 2024 | 5% | 291,950 | 291,950 |
Short-term borrowings from third parties outstanding as of March 31, 2023 represented the loans drawn down under the Group’s working capital facility. Short-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2024 comprised of: a) the loans of RMB55 million drawn down under the Group’s inventory-pledged financing facilities, b) other short-term borrowings from third parties.
The Group entered into inventory-pledged financing facilities with several reputable banks and financial institutions to finance its procurement of vehicle inventory, which was pledged by the Group’s vehicle inventory. Under the inventory-pledged financing facilities, repayment of amounts drawn for the purchase of a vehicle should generally be made within several days after selling or otherwise disposing of the vehicle or in 90 days if the vehicle is not sold or disposed. The inventory-pledged financing facilities require monthly interest payments with an annual interest rate of 4.0% - 9.0%. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had borrowings of RMB55.0 million outstanding under the inventory-pledged financing facilities and the unused facilities amounted to RMB235.0 million.
Long-term borrowing outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 was pledged with the equity interest the Group holds in an investment (Note 7). The long-term borrowing will be due in December 2024. In December 2023, the Group entered into a supplementary agreement with the borrower, mutually agreed that if the Group successfully disposes the investment pledged and pays the borrower cash proceeds of RMB240.0 million, the remaining principal and interests will be waived. However, if the sale of investment transaction fails, the Group is still obligated to repay all the principal and interests under the original borrowing agreement. As of March 31, 2024, the outstanding principal and interests of the borrowing amounted to RMB292.0 million and RMB19.3 million, respectively. Given the uncertainty of the sale of investment as discussed in Note 7, the Group did not account for the extinguishment of the borrowing as a result of a troubled debt restructuring until the completion of the sale of investment and settlement of the borrowing in April 2024.
The weighted average interest rate for the outstanding borrowings was approximately 5.0% and 6.5% as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
F-35 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
9. OTHER PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Consideration payable to WeBank, current (Note 10) | 55,887 | 78,207 | ||||||
Tax payables | 66,010 | 65,506 | ||||||
Accrued service fee for IT and other professional support | 65,514 | 61,518 | ||||||
Deposits | 40,162 | 34,925 | ||||||
Accrued advertising expenses | 34,942 | 29,739 | ||||||
Accrued service fee for transaction support | 24,386 | 25,580 | ||||||
Accrued salaries and benefits | 13,834 | 21,872 | ||||||
Interest payable | 4,457 | 19,460 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 13,909 | 14,404 | ||||||
Others | 17,734 | 19,591 | ||||||
336,835 | 370,802 |
F-36 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
10. CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO WEBANK
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Consideration payable to WeBank in total (i) | 114,446 | 78,207 | ||||||
Less: current portion (recorded in “other payables and other current liabilities” (Note 9) | (55,887 | ) | (78,207 | ) | ||||
58,559 |
(i) | In 2020, the Group entered into agreements with WeBank in order to settle the Group’s remaining guarantee liabilities with regards to its historically-facilitated loans. Pursuant to the agreements, the Company will pay an aggregate amount of RMB372.0 million to WeBank from 2020 to 2025 as a guarantee settlement with a maximum annual settlement amount of no more than RMB84.0 million. Upon the signing of the 2020 July Agreement, the Group was no longer subject to guarantee obligations in relation to its historically facilitated loans for WeBank under the condition that the Group made the instalments based on the agreed-upon schedule in agreements. |
Subsequently on June 21, 2021, the Company entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank and under this supplemental agreement a total of RMB48.0 million instalment payments was waived immediately upon the effectiveness of this supplemental agreement. The effectiveness of this supplemental agreement was conditioned on the closing of the first tranche of financing with NIO Capital and Joy Capital. The first tranche of financing closed on July 12, 2021 and therefore this supplemental agreement became effective on July 12, 2021, and related waived payment, total amount of RMB73.7 million, was recorded in “other operating income” for the year ended March 31, 2022.
On June 28, 2023, the Company entered into supplemental agreement with WeBank to extend the repayment of RMB30.0 million due on June 30, 2023. Under the new terms, the repayment will be divided into monthly instalments of to RMB5.0 million each month from June 2023 to November 2023.
On December 31, 2023, the Company entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank to extend the repayment of RMB30.0 million due on December 31, 2023. Under the new terms, the repayment will be divided into monthly instalments of RMB2.5 million for each month from December 2023 to November 2024.
On June 21, 2024, the Company entered into another supplemental agreement with WeBank which revised and extended the repayment schedule of RMB30.0 million each due on June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024 respectively to the monthly repayments of RMB2.5 million for each month from December 2024 to November 2026.
F-37 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
11. LONG-TERM DEBT
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 158,736 | |||||||
Long-term debt | 264,560 | |||||||
423,296 |
The Company entered into a convertible note purchase agreement with affiliates of 58.com, Warburg Pincus, TPG and certain other investors on May 28, 2019, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$230 million on June 10, 2019 bearing 3.75% interest rate per annum due on June 9, 2024 (“2024 Notes”). As one of the pre-closing conditions of the new round of financing with NIO Capital and Joy Capital, on June 14, 2021, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with the 2024 Notes holders. Pursuant to the supplemental agreement, a total of US$69 million of 2024 Notes would be automatically converted into a total of Class A ordinary shares at a price of US$ per Class A ordinary share upon the first closing date of the new round of financing. On July 12, 2021, the aforementioned conversion was completed, and related Class A ordinary shares were issued. The remaining principal amount, a total of US$161 million, was also modified to be repaid by instalments by the Company from July 2021 to June 2024, recorded as other non-current liabilities as of March 31, 2022, and the 2024 Notes holders are not able to execute conversion rights anymore.
On July 18 and August 29, 2022, the Company issued 308.2 million and RMB62.8 million, respectively. As a result, the 2024 Notes issued to 58.com and ClearVue amounting to US$63.0 million and US$12.6 million, respectively were extinguished upon such issuance of shares. and Class A ordinary shares with par value of US$ per share to 58.com and ClearVue in exchange for the full release of the Company’s obligations under the 2024 Notes issued to 58.com and ClearVue on June 10, 2019. These shares were issued at a price equivalent to US$ per Class A ordinary share with a fair value of RMB
In connection with the foregoing transaction, in July 2022, the Company and 58.com have mutually released the other party from claims arising out of certain obligations under certain additional historical transactions. 58.com released the Company from its long-term debt of RMB424.9 million and other payables and other current liabilities of RMB69.4 million. The Company, in turn, released 58.com from amounts owed, including other receivables of RMB114.1 million, loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees of RMB41.9 million, other non-current assets of RMB21.0 million and prepaid expense and other current assets of RMB12.0 million. As a result of the Company’s issuance of Class A ordinary shares to 58.com with the fair value of RMB308.1 million and the mutual release between 58.com and the Company for certain obligations described above, the Group recognized losses from extinguishment of debt of RMB2.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.
The long-term debt of RMB59.0 million and RMB51.9 million were repaid for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
On April 4, 2023, NIO Capital, NBNW Investment Limited (“NBNW”, an affiliate of NIO Capital) and the long-term debt holders of the Company, namely WP, TPG, and Magic Carpet, entered into assignment agreements to assign all the rights under the then outstanding long-term debt of US$61.6 million to NBNW and then further assign to NIO Capital. Concurrently, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with NIO Capital, and agreed to offset its subscription receivable reflected as a deduction from mezzanine equity by US$61.6 million with all its obligation under long-term debt due to NIO Capital after the assignment. Accordingly, the Company derecognized the subscription receivable and long-term debt of US$ million (equivalent to RMB million).
F-38 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
12. OTHER OPERATING INCOME, NET
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Gains from waiver of operating payables (i) | 73,747 | 70,500 | 10,604 | |||||||||
Government grant | 1,895 | 5,252 | 6,135 | |||||||||
Guarantee income | 126 | 46 | ||||||||||
Income from sale of loans recognized as a result of payments under guarantees | 26,279 | |||||||||||
Transfer-out of unused VAT-input deductible | (20,030 | ) | ||||||||||
Others | (5,808 | ) | 1,262 | |||||||||
82,017 | 69,990 | 18,001 |
(i) | The Company entered into supplemental agreements with several suppliers in May and June 2021, pursuant to which the Company would be exempted, conditionally, from the repayment of other payables of approximately RMB120.4 million. In this regard, the Company satisfied certain necessary payment conditions during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 which resulted in RMB64.3 million in other payables being waived pursuant to the relevant supplier agreements. The waiver of this payable balance resulted in a like gain recorded in the same fiscal year. Additional payment conditions were met during fiscal year 2023 resulting in an incremental RMB56.1 million in payables waived pursuant to the operative supplier agreements. The waiver of this additional payables balance resulted in a like gain recorded in the same fiscal year. In addition, the Company continued to negotiate with other suppliers to settle long-aged payables, resulting in additional wavier gains of RMB9.4 million, RMB14.4 million and RMB10.6 million recorded for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. |
F-39 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
13. LEASES
The Group recognized lease assets and lease liabilities related to substantially all of the Group’s lease arrangements in the consolidated financial statements. The Group has operating leases primarily for office and operations space. The Group’s operating lease arrangements have remaining terms of one year to ten years.
The Group’s finance lease represented the lease of the used car retail superstore (the “Superstore”) in Hefei. A subsidiary of the Company, Uxin Hefei entered into a lease and purchase agreement with HCI to lease the Superstore in Hefei with a 10-year lease term with an annual lease payment of RMB147.1 million from September 2023 to September 2032, and further obtained an option to purchase the Superstore at the cost of RMB716.9 million at the end of lease term. The initial direct cost made and the incentive received on or before the lease commencement date were immaterial. On the lease commencement date, the property, plant and equipment for the Superstore amounted RMB1,563.5 million with the estimated useful lives of 50 years, being the present value of the lease payments and the exercise price of the purchase obligation using the implicit rate of return in the finance lease arrangement. The Group commenced the lease of the Superstore in September 2023. As the lease contains an option to purchase the underlying asset which is reasonably certain to be exercised by the Company, it was classified as a finance lease.
In October 2023, Uxin Hefei and HCI mutually agreed that HCI will convert its first-year rental of RMB147.1 million into an investment for the subscription of 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei (Note 17).
In January 2024, the total lease payment was modified and the lease liability is remeasured based on the modified lease by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate at the effective date of the modification. Right-of-us assets and lease liabilities are adjusted down by RMB216.1 million upon the modification.
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets information related to leases were as follows:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Operating leases | ||||||||
Right-of-use assets | 84,461 | 168,418 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities - current | 7,667 | 12,310 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities - non-current | 77,462 | 154,846 | ||||||
Total operating lease liabilities | 85,129 | 167,156 | ||||||
Finance leases | ||||||||
Right-of-use assets | 1,339,537 | |||||||
Finance lease liabilities - current | 51,160 | |||||||
Finance lease liabilities - non-current | 1,191,246 | |||||||
Total finance lease liabilities | 1,242,406 |
F-40 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
13. LEASES (CONTINUED)
The components of lease expense are as follows within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss:
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Operating lease expense: | ||||||||||||
Operating lease expense | 16,596 | 17,490 | 20,115 | |||||||||
Short-term lease expense | 3,228 | 5,905 | 5,452 | |||||||||
Total operating lease expenses | 19,824 | 23,395 | 25,567 | |||||||||
Finance lease expense: | ||||||||||||
Amortization expense | 14,290 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 41,184 | |||||||||||
Total finance lease expenses | 55,474 | |||||||||||
Total lease expenses | 19,824 | 23,395 | 81,041 |
Other information related to leases where the Group is the lessee was as follows:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
Weighted average remaining lease term | ||||||||
Operating leases | 8.64 | 8.75 | ||||||
Finance leases | - | 9.50 | ||||||
Weighted average incremental borrowing rate | ||||||||
Operating leases | 5.13 | % | 4.30 | % | ||||
Finance leases | 6.60 | % |
F-41 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
13. LEASES (CONTINUED)
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases were as follows:
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Operating cash outflows from operating leases | 23,547 | 10,231 | 18,011 | |||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | 23,628 | 84,947 | 97,731 | |||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for finance lease liabilities, after modification | 1,353,827 |
Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:
March 31, 2024 | ||||||||
Finance lease | Operating lease | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 | 128,692 | 19,330 | ||||||
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 | 128,692 | 18,670 | ||||||
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2027 | 128,692 | 19,803 | ||||||
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2028 | 128,692 | 22,804 | ||||||
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2029 | 128,692 | 24,163 | ||||||
Thereafter | 1,171,168 | 99,600 | ||||||
Total lease payments | 1,814,628 | 204,370 | ||||||
Less: imputed interest | (572,222 | ) | (37,214 | ) | ||||
Total lease liabilities | 1,242,406 | 167,156 | ||||||
Less: current portion | (51,160 | ) | (12,310 | ) | ||||
Non-current portion of lease liabilities | 1,191,246 | 154,846 |
F-42 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
14. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group as of March 31, 2023 and 2024:
Name of related parties | Relationship with the Group | |
58.com Holdings Inc. | Non-controlling shareholder since July 2022 | |
Joy Capital | Preferred shareholder before March 27, 2024 and non-controlling shareholder since March 27, 2024 | |
NIO Capital | Preferred shareholder before March 27, 2024 and controlling shareholder since March 27, 2024 | |
Xin Gao Group Limited (“Xin Gao”) | Non-controlling shareholder, controlled by Mr. Kun Dai, chairman and chief executive officer of the Company | |
Mr. Kun Dai (i) | Chairman and chief executive officer of the Company |
(i) On February 22, 2024, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Mr. Kun Dai, the principal of which is RMB7.0 million the interest rate is 6% per annum.
Except for the loan mentioned above and the senior convertible preferred shares, warrants and forward contracts issued to NIO Capital, Joy Capital and Xin Gao (Note 16), there were no material related party transactions for the years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and balances as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.
F-43 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
15. INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Cayman Islands
Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company and its subsidiaries incorporated in the Cayman Islands are not subject to tax on income or capital gain. Additionally, the Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.
British Virgin Islands
Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, entities incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are not subject to tax on their income or capital gains.
Hong Kong
Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, the Group’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to 16.5% Hong Kong profit tax on its taxable income generated from operations in Hong Kong. Additionally, payments of dividends by the subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong to the Company are not subject to any Hong Kong withholding tax.
China
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of PRC enacted a new Corporate Income Tax Law (“new CIT law”), under which Foreign Investment Enterprises (“FIEs”) and domestic companies would be subject to corporate income tax at a uniform rate of 25%. The new CIT law became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the new CIT law, preferential tax treatments will continue to be granted to entities which conduct businesses in certain encouraged sectors and to entities otherwise classified as “High and New Technology Enterprises” or “Software Enterprises”.
Youxin Internet (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youxin Hulian”) and Youfang (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youfang”) have been qualified as “high and new technology enterprise” (“HNTE”) and enjoy a preferential income tax rate of 15% from 2020 to 2022 and from 2023 to 2025, respectively.
The Group’s other PRC subsidiaries, former VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries are subject to the statutory income tax rate of 25%.
As of March 31, 2024, the major tax jurisdictions of the Group are China and Hong Kong, and the tax year is the calendar year.
F-44 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
15. INCOME TAX EXPENSE (CONTINUED)
Composition of income tax expense
The current and deferred portions of income tax expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were as follows:
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Current income tax expense | (245 | ) | (366 | ) | (311 | ) | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense | ||||||||||||
Total income tax expense | (245 | ) | (366 | ) | (311 | ) |
Reconciliation of the differences between statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate
The following table sets forth a reconciliation between the statutory PRC EIT rate of 25% and the effective tax rate:
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
Statutory income tax rate 25.0% | 25.0 | % | 25.0 | % | 25.0 | % | ||||||
Permanent differences | (42.0 | )% | (3.3 | )% | (1.1 | )% | ||||||
Effect of different tax rate (i) | 12.4 | % | 36.7 | % | (5.5 | )% | ||||||
Change of valuation allowance | 4.8 | % | (58.1 | )% | (18.3 | )% | ||||||
Effective tax rate | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | 0.1 | % |
(i) | The effect of different tax rate is attributed to varying rates in other jurisdictions where the Group is established, such as the Cayman Islands or Hong Kong, and the preferential tax rate certain entities in the Group enjoys. |
F-45 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
15. INCOME TAX EXPENSE (CONTINUED)
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities
The following table sets forth the significant components of the deferred tax assets:
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Deferred tax assets | ||||||||
Net operating loss carry forwards | 1,591,988 | 1,512,929 | ||||||
Deductible advertising expense | 582,306 | 444,484 | ||||||
Leases | 21,115 | 193,523 | ||||||
Provision for credit losses | 13,421 | 10,762 | ||||||
Impairment loss for equity investments accounted for using measurement alternative | 865 | |||||||
Less: valuation allowance | (2,187,715 | ) | (1,977,402 | ) | ||||
Net deferred tax assets | 21,115 | 185,161 |
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||
Leases | (21,115 | ) | (185,161 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax liabilities, net | (21,115 | ) | (185,161 | ) |
Movement of valuation allowance
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Balance at beginning of the period | (2,005,864 | ) | (2,096,090 | ) | (2,187,715 | ) | ||||||
Changes of valuation allowance | (90,226 | ) | (91,625 | ) | 210,313 | |||||||
Balance at end of the period | (2,096,090 | ) | (2,187,715 | ) | (1,977,402 | ) |
As of March 31, 2024, the Group had net operating loss carry forwards of approximately RMB5,872.2 million which arose from the subsidiaries established in the PRC. For all subsidiaries in China, the loss carry forwards will expire from 2024 to 2028.
A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that amount of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making such determination, the Group evaluates a variety of factors including the Group’s operating history, accumulated deficit, the existence of taxable temporary differences and reversal periods.
The Group has incurred net accumulated operating losses for income tax purposes since its inception. The Group believes that it is more likely than not that these its net operating losses and other deferred tax assets will not be utilized in the future. Therefore, the Group has provided full valuation allowances for the deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.
F-46 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
16. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS
2021 Subscription Agreement
In June 2021, the Company entered into shares subscription agreements, respectively, with NIO Capital and Joy Capital for an aggregate investment amount of up to US$315.0 million for the subscription of senior convertible preferred shares. The first closing in the amount of US$100.0 million was completed for the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares on July 12, 2021. On the same day, the Company also issued warrants to each of NIO Capital and Joy Capital to purchase up to 240,314,593 senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$165.0 million which was included in the aforementioned US$315.0 million. Each investor has the option to exercise the warrants within 18 months of the first closing date. In January 2023, the Company entered into a new agreement with NIO Capital and Joy Capital to extend the expiration date of the forementioned warrants from January 12, 2023 to January 12, 2024. In August 2023, Joy Capital exercised its warrants in full. Warrants authorised to NIO Capital was not exercised and terminated in December 2023.
For the second closing in the amount of US$50.0 million, US$27.5 million, US$10.0 million and US$7.5 million were received in November 2021, March 2022 and June 2022, respectively, and accordingly, a total of senior convertible preferred shares, and senior convertible preferred shares were issued, respectively. In July 2022, NIO Capital assigned its rights and obligations to an independent third party to subscribe for senior convertible preferred shares for a total price of US$5.0 million under the second closing. On the same day, the Company received the remaining US$5.0 million. Following this closing, the second closing of this financing transaction for the amount of US$50.0 million has been completed.
2022 Subscription Agreement
In June 2022, the Company entered into another definitive agreement with affiliates of an existing shareholder, NIO Capital. Pursuant to the definitive agreement, NIO Capital had agreed with the Company for the subscription of 100.0 million, which was to be paid in multiple instalments. The first payment for the par value of these preferred shares of US$71.4 thousand was made by NIO Capital in July 2022. In October 2022 and March 2023, a total of US$9.9 million and US$8.4 million was paid by NIO Capital The remaining US$ million was recorded in “Subscription receivable from shareholders” and reflected as a deduction from mezzanine equity as of March 31, 2023. Subsequently on April 4, 2023, NIO Capital, NBNW Investment Limited (“NBNW”, an affiliate of NIO Capital) and the long-term debt holders of the Company, namely WP, TPG, and Magic Carpet, entered into assignment agreements to assign all the rights under the then outstanding long-term debt of US$61.6 million to NBNW and then further assign to NIO Capital. Concurrently, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with NIO Capital, and agreed to offset its subscription receivable by US$61.6 million with its obligation under long-term debt due to NIO Capital after the assignment. This supplemental agreement resulted in a remaining US$ million amount due to the Company from NIO Capital relating to the aforementioned senior convertible shares subscription agreement. In April and October 2023, subscription receivable of US$ million and US$ million was received, and the remaining subscription receivable of US$ million was presented as subscriptions receivable, a contra-equity balance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 after the conversion of all the preferred shares into Class A ordinary shares in March 2024. senior convertible preferred shares for an aggregate amount of US$
2024 Subscription Agreement
On March 26, 2024, the Company entered into definitive agreements with Xin Gao Group Limited (“Xin Gao”) and issued 7.0 million. As Xin Gao is controlled by Mr. Kun Dai, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Company and the fair value of the senior convertible preferred shares is higher than the consideration received from Xin Gao, a share-based compensation expense of US$ million (equivalent to RMB million) equal to the difference between the fair value of the preferred shares issued and the consideration received was recorded in general and administrative expenses in March 2024. senior convertible preferred shares at conversion price of US$ per Class A ordinary share for an aggregate amount of US$
On March 27, 2024, as agreed by all preferred shareholders, all senior convertible preferred shares were converted into Class A ordinary shares.
F-47 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
16. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
The major rights, preferences and privileges of the senior convertible preferred shares under the 2024 Subscription Agreement, 2022 Subscription Agreement and 2021 Subscription Agreement are as follows:
Conversion rights
Each senior convertible preferred share shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after the applicable original issue date of 2021 Subscription Agreement and 2022 Subscription Agreement. The original conversion price for each senior convertible preferred share shall be US$ per Class A ordinary share for 2021 Subscription Agreement.
The conversion price down round feature is triggered when the Company provides for a lower conversion price in subsequent convertible preferred shares offerings. The provision of a lower conversion price results in the repricing of existing convertible preferred offerings to match any such lower stated conversion rate.
According to 2022 Subscription Agreement, the conversion price for each senior convertible preferred share shall be US$ per Class A ordinary share. At the closing of 2022 Subscription, the conversion price for each senior convertible preferred share issued pursuant to the 2021 Subscription Agreement and outstanding were adjusted to US$ per Class A ordinary share. In August 2023, Joy Capital exercised its warrants to purchase senior convertible preferred shares and the Company issued senior convertible preferred shares to Joy Capital at conversion price of US$ per Class A ordinary share. The conversion price for each senior convertible preferred share outstanding as of the date were further adjusted to US$ per Class A ordinary share. On March 26, 2024, the Company issued senior convertible preferred share to Xin Gao Group Limited at conversion price of US$ per Class A ordinary share. As a result, the conversion price for each senior convertible preferred share outstanding as of the date were further adjusted to US$ per Class A ordinary share. On March 27, 2024, as agreed by all preferred shareholders, all senior convertible preferred shares were converted into Class A ordinary shares at conversion price at US$ per ordinary share.
Voting rights
Holder of each senior convertible preferred share shall be entitled to vote that number of votes equal to the largest number of whole shares of Class A ordinary shares into which each such senior convertible preferred shares could be converted.
Dividends
Each senior convertible preferred share shall have the right to receive dividends, on as converted and non-cumulative basis, when, as and if declared by the Board. No dividend shall be paid on the ordinary shares at any time unless and until all dividends on the senior convertible preferred share have been paid in full. No dividends on preferred and ordinary shares have been declared since the issuance date until March 31, 2024.
Liquidation Preference
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, each senior convertible preferred shareholder shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Company an amount equal to one hundred and fifty percent ( %) of applicable stated value, per senior convertible preferred share held by such holder, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any junior securities.
F-48 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
16. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
Redemption Rights
At any time and from time to time, upon written notice of each holder of senior convertible preferred share, the Company shall redeem all or part of the senior convertible preferred share held by such holder at the redemption price (as defined below), provided that any of the following events occurs: (i) any material breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants by the Company; (ii) any conviction of breaches or violation of Applicable Law by the Company which is reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect; (iii) during the principal lock-up period, all or part of the Class B ordinary shares held by the principal parties shall be subject to enforcement, foreclosure, freezing order or other judicial measures; (iv) the principal’s employment with the Company shall be terminated for whatever reason; (v) the Company shall fail to have available a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved Class A ordinary shares to issue to such holder upon a conversion hereunder; (vi) there shall have occurred a bankruptcy event; (vii) the ADSs shall fail to be listed or quoted for trading on a trading market for more than five ( ) Trading Days, which need not be consecutive trading days; (viii) the electronic transfer by the Company of ADSs through the depository trust company or another established clearing corporation is no longer available or is subject to a “chill”; (ix) with respect to the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to the 2022 Subscription Agreement only, the Company shall receive any notice (whether written or not) from any holder of a 2024 Note declaring accelerate payment of its outstanding principal and interests accruing thereon under the 2024 Note held by it based on occurrence of any Event of Default under the 2024 Notes (whether actual of alleged).
Redemption price is defined as sum of the aggregate amount of the stated value (as adjusted for any share dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like), plus an amount accruing at a compound annual rate of eight percent ( %) of such stated value for a period of time commencing from the original issue date and ending on the redemption closing date plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
Accounting for senior convertible preferred share and warrants
The Company classified the senior convertible preferred shares in the mezzanine equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets because certain redemption features allow the senior convertible preferred shareholders to force the Company to redeem the preferred shares and therefore, the senior convertible preferred shares are considered contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of certain liquidation events outside of the Company’s control. The senior convertible preferred share is carried at the amount recorded at inception and no accretion to the redemption value is needed until it becomes probable that the preferred shares will become redeemable. Continual evaluation is performed to assess whether probable of becoming redeemable.
The Company classified the warrants in the warrant liabilities and recorded at fair value initially with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the profit and loss as warrants issued with redeemable share are liabilities within the scope of ASC 480. Warrants issued in connection with debt or equity, if the warrants are classified as a liability and recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the profit and loss, then the proceeds should be allocated first to the warrants based on their fair value (not relative fair value). The residual should be allocated to the base debt or equity instrument. Therefore, all proceeds were allocated to warrants on July 12, 2021, as the fair value of the warrants on that day was higher than total proceeds received. Besides, financial liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value should be recorded at fair value with the excess of the fair value over the net proceeds received recognized as a loss in the profit and loss.
F-49 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
16. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
Accounting for senior convertible preferred share and warrants (continued)
The Company classified the obligation for the second closing as forward contracts as the investors were obligated to purchase and the Company was required to issue the shares within that twelve-month period since the first closing date. Forward contracts were recorded at fair value initially with subsequent fair value changes to be recorded through profit and loss.
The Company determined that, the reduction of the conversion price for senior convertible preferred shares in July 2022, August 2023 and March 2024 the down round feature operative within the then existing senior convertible preferred shares. The fair value impact related to the reduction in the conversion price of the senior convertible preferred shares in July 2022, August 2023 and March 2024, amounting to RMB million, RMB million and RMB million respectively, was recorded as a charge to accumulated deficit and a credit to additional paid in capital in permanent equity.
The Company’s senior convertible preferred shares activities for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are summarized below (except the fair value impact of the down round feature which solely affected the classification of permanent equity):
Preferred shares | ||||
RMB | ||||
Beginning balance as of April 1, 2021 | ||||
Issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 239,452 | |||
Fair value impact recorded upon cash receipt for subscription | 287,032 | |||
Ending balance as of March 31, 2022 | 526,484 | |||
Issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 758,252 | |||
Subscription receivable from preferred shareholders | (550,074 | ) | ||
Fair value impact recorded upon cash receipt for subscription | (39,015 | ) | ||
Ending balance as of March 31, 2023 | 695,647 | |||
Issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 163,072 | |||
Settlement of subscription receivable from preferred shareholders (Note 11) | 442,195 | |||
Conversion to Class A ordinary shares | (1,300,914 | ) | ||
Ending balance as of March 31, 2024 |
F-50 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
16. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
The roll forward of Level 3 financial instruments, including both warrant liabilities and forward contracts, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was as follows:
Warrant liabilities | Forward contract assets | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Fair value of Level 3 financial instruments as of March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Issuance of warrants | 647,850 | |||||||
Fair value of warrants and forward contracts at issuance | 1,800,147 | 735,244 | ||||||
Settlement of forward contracts | (287,032 | ) | ||||||
The change in fair value of financial instruments | (2,224,660 | ) | (441,088 | ) | ||||
Foreign currency translation | (26,947 | ) | (7,160 | ) | ||||
Fair value of Level 3 financial instruments as of March 31, 2022 | 196,390 | (36 | ) | |||||
Settlement of forward contracts | 39,015 | |||||||
The change in fair value of financial instruments | (204,687 | ) | (38,046 | ) | ||||
Foreign currency translation | 8,305 | (933 | ) | |||||
Fair value of Level 3 financial instruments as of March 31, 2023 | 8 | |||||||
The change in fair value of financial instruments | 11,776 | |||||||
Settlement of warrants | (12,617 | ) | ||||||
Foreign currency translation | 833 | |||||||
Fair value of Level 3 financial instruments as of March 31, 2024 |
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Fair value impact of the warrants | 424,513 | 204,687 | (11,776 | ) | ||||||||
Fair value impact of the forward contracts | (294,156 | ) | 38,046 | |||||||||
Gain from the TDR of the 2024 Notes (Note 11) | 55,874 | |||||||||||
186,231 | 242,733 | (11,776 | ) |
The forward contracts and warrants are not traded in an active securities market. In terms of forward contracts, discounted cash flow model was applied to estimate its fair value using the risk-free interest rate as the discount rate.
For the warrants, with the assistance from an independent valuation firm, the Company estimated its fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following main assumptions:
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 0.12%~1.39 | % | 2.53%~4.74 | % | 5.43%~5.55 | % | ||||||
Expected volatility | 43.08%~55.29 | % | 45.91%~49.01 | % | 37.35%~40.84 | % | ||||||
Dividend yield | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||||
Expected term (in years) | 0.78~1.50 | 0.28~1.03 | 0.25~0.28 | |||||||||
Fair value of underlying senior convertible preferred share | US$ ~US$ | US$ ~US$ | US$ ~US$ |
F-51 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
16. SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
For the fair value impact related to the reduction in the conversion price of the senior convertible preferred shares, with the assistance from an independent valuation firm, the Company made estimation using a hybrid method comprising the probability-weighted method and Black-Scholes option pricing model. In addition to probability of the scenarios assumed, other main data and assumptions used are as follows:
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2024 | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | % | %~ | % | |||||
Expected volatility | % | %- | % | |||||
Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
Expected term (in years) | - |
17. REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
In addition to the lease agreement Uxin Hefei entered into with HCI as described in Note 13, Uxin Hefei also entered into an equity investment agreement with HCI. Pursuant to this agreement, HCI will invest by multiple instalments in Uxin Hefei, and each instalment will be made after the lease payment made by Uxin Hefei over a 10-year period. While HCI committed to invest, details of each investment will be subject to future negotiation.
In October 2023, Uxin Hefei and HCI mutually agreed that HCI will convert its first-year rental of RMB147.1 million into an investment for the subscription of 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei. As the details of the remaining investments will be subject to future negotiation, they were not accounted for as of March 31, 2024.
The 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei held by HCI are redeemable at the holders’ option when Uxin Hefei meets the performance condition or fails to meet certain conditions as stipulated in the equity investment agreement, which are not solely within the control of Uxin Hefei. As HCI’s redemption rights and Uxin Hefei’s repurchase rights in the equity investment agreement do not meet the criteria as a derivative, no bifurcation of the redemption and repurchase rights is required. Accordingly, such 12.02% equity interests in Uxin Hefei are recorded and accounted for as a whole as redeemable non-controlling interests outside of permanent equity in the Group’s Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 480-10-S99-3A.
Subsequently, the redeemable non-controlling interests should be carried at the higher of (1) the carrying amount after the attribution of net income or loss of Uxin Hefei (2) the expected redemption value. The Group accretes for the difference between the initial carrying value and the ultimate redemption price to the earliest possible redemption date using the effective interest method. The accretion, which increases the carrying value of the redeemable non-controlling interests, is recorded against accumulated deficit.
The change in the carrying amount of redeemable non-controlling interests for the year ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:
Redeemable non-controlling interests | ||||
Beginning balance at April 1, 2023 | ||||
Issuance of redeemable non-controlling interests | 147,090 | |||
Accretion to redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests | 2,901 | |||
Ending balance at March 31, 2024 | 149,991 |
F-52 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
18. ORDINARY SHARES
As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, Each Class B ordinary share was entitled to 10 votes, while each Class A ordinary shares was entitled to one vote. and ordinary shares had been authorized, respectively. A total of ordinary shares, par value US$ per share, consists of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, had been issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024. A total of ordinary shares, par value US$ per share, consists of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, had been issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023.
In June 2021, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with 2024 Notes holders. Pursuant to the supplemental agreement, 30% of the outstanding 2024 Notes principal amount would be converted into a total of Class A ordinary shares at a price of US$ per Class A ordinary share upon the first closing. On July 12, 2021, the aforementioned conversion was completed and a total of Class A ordinary shares were issued.
In July 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with 58.com, pursuant to which the Company issued 63.0 million on June 10, 2019. These shares were issued at a price equivalent to US$ per Class A ordinary share. Class A ordinary shares with par value of US$ per share to 58.com in exchange for the full release of the Company’s obligations under the 2024 Notes issued to 58.com amounting to US$
In August 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with ClearVue, pursuant to which the Company issued 12.6 million on June 10, 2019. These shares were issued at a price equivalent to US$ per Class A ordinary share with a fair value of RMB62.8 million. Class A ordinary shares with par value of US$ per share to ClearVue in exchange for the full release of the Company’s obligations under the 2024 Notes issued to ClearVue amounting to US$
Effective October 28, 2022, the Company changed its ADS to Class A ordinary share ratio from each ADS representing three Class A ordinary shares to each ADS representing 30 Class A ordinary shares (“the ADS Ratio Change”). Effective on January 16, 2024, the Company further changed its ADS to Class A ordinary share ratio from each ADS representing 30 Class A ordinary shares to each ADS representing 300 Class A ordinary shares (the “Second ADS Ratio Change”). The ADS Ratio Change has been reflected retroactively herein.
On March 27, 2024, as agreed by all the preferred shareholders, all of the Company’s outstanding senior convertible preferred shares were converted into Class A ordinary shares. Accordingly, subscription receivable of US$ million due from one of the preferred shareholders before conversion reflected as a deduction from mezzanine equity was presented as subscriptions receivable, a contra-equity balance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024. The subscription receivables amounting to US$ million were subsequently received in May, June and July 2024, and the remaining subscription receivables amounting to US$ million were mutually agreed to be received from NIO Capital no later than December 31, 2024.
F-53 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
(a) Share options
In 2018, the Company adopted 2018 Second Amended and Restated Incentive Plan (“2018 Second Plan”).
The Company accounts for share-based compensation costs using a graded-vesting method over the requisite service period for the award based on the fair value on their respectively grant date.
Number of shares | Weighted-average exercise price | Weighted average remaining contractual term | Aggregate intrinsic value | Weighted average fair value of options | ||||||||||||||||
US$ | YEARS | US$’000 | US$ | |||||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2021 | 25,754,673 | 1.79 | 3,974.57 | 1.20 | ||||||||||||||||
Granted | 1,266,357 | 0.01 | - | - | 0.57 | |||||||||||||||
Forfeited | (1,681,323 | ) | 1.34 | - | - | 2.58 | ||||||||||||||
Exercised | (6,826,300 | ) | 0.36 | - | - | 0.67 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2022 | 18,513,407 | 0.75 | 2,405.17 | 1.23 | ||||||||||||||||
Granted | 10,429,567 | * | - | - | 0.13 | |||||||||||||||
Forfeited | (1,353,071 | ) | 0.81 | - | - | 0.33 | ||||||||||||||
Exercised | (933,285 | ) | 0.01 | - | - | 0.34 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2023 | 26,656,618 | 0.48 | 9,585.96 | 0.88 | ||||||||||||||||
Granted | 22,064,611 | * | - | - | 0.04 | |||||||||||||||
Forfeited | (4,522,500 | ) | 0.86 | - | - | 1.81 | ||||||||||||||
Exercised | (6,880,590 | ) | * | - | - | 0.11 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024 | 37,318,139 | 0.24 | 8,898.37 | 0.44 | ||||||||||||||||
Vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2024 | 37,318,139 | 0.24 | 8,898.37 | 0.44 | ||||||||||||||||
Exercisable as of March 31, 2024 | 37,318,139 | 0.24 | 8,898.37 | 0.44 |
* | Less than 0.01 |
F-54 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
19. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
(a) Share options (continued)
As the granted option exercise prices were equal or close to nominal prices during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, their fair values approximated the fair values of the Class A ordinary share on the grant day.
(b) Restricted shares
Number of shares | Weighted average grant date fair value | |||||||
US$ | ||||||||
Unvested as of March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Granted | 606,570 | 0.42 | ||||||
Vested | (606,570 | ) | 0.42 | |||||
Unvested as of March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Granted | 2,844,235 | 0.13 | ||||||
Vested | (2,844,235 | ) | 0.13 | |||||
Unvested as of March 31, 2023 | ||||||||
Granted | 2,871,270 | 0.05 | ||||||
Vested | (2,871,270 | ) | 0.05 | |||||
Unvested as of March 31, 2024 |
F-55 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
19. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
(c) Performance Awards
In December 2021, the Company issued certain restricted share units with market conditions to certain management (“Performance Awards”). The market conditions are satisfied upon the Company’s achievement of a certain specified market capitalization subject to continuous employment of each recipient. Total numbers of shares to be granted would be a certain percentage of issued and outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis as of the date when the market conditions are fulfilled. The amount of share-based compensation recorded will vary depending on the Company’s attainment of performance-targets and amortized during the requisite service period.
In October 2023, the Company modified the market conditions under the restricted share units. The modification resulted into an incremental fair value of RMB million. The Company will recognize compensation cost equal to the unrecognized grant-date fair value of the original award plus the incremental fair value arising from the modification over the remaining requisite service period.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, RMB million, RMB million and RMB million related to Performance Awards was recorded in general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2024, total amount of unrecognized expense related to the Performance Awards was RMB million.
(d) Share-based compensation to Mr. Kun Dai
Please refer to Note 16 for the details of share-based compensation to Mr. Kun Dai.
(e) Share-based compensation expenses by function
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 26,534 | 44,088 | 72,942 | |||||||||
Research and development expenses | 1,709 | 1,420 | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | 1,516 | 1,444 | ||||||||||
Total | 26,534 | 47,313 | 75,806 |
20. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Segments are business units that offer different services and are reviewed separately by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”), or the decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
The CODM, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segment, has been identified as Uxin’s Chief Executive Officer.
The Group operates as a single operating segment. The single operating segment is reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the CODM.
The Group primarily generates its revenues in China, and assets of the Company are also primarily located in China Area. Accordingly, no geographical segments are presented.
F-56 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
21. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
The Company measures its property and equipment and, intangible assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may no longer be recoverable.
Equity investments without readily determinable fair value are recorded at fair value only if an impairment or observable price adjustment is recognized in the current period. The Company classified these assets as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy based on the nature of the fair value inputs.
The Company measured on a non-recurring basis for the fair values associated with the down round feature triggered for the senior convertible preferred shares issued pursuant to 2021 Subscription Agreement and 2022 Subscription Agreement. These valuations resulted in a deemed dividend of RMB755.6 million, RMB278.8 million and RMB1,781.5 million being distributed to the Company’s preferred shareholders as of July 27, 2022, August 17, 2023 and March 26, 2024 (Note 16), respectively.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
The Company measures its warrant liabilities and forward contracts at fair value on a recurring basis. As the Company’s warrant liabilities and forward contracts are not traded in an active market with readily observable prices, the Company uses significant unobservable inputs to measure the fair value of warrant liabilities and forward contracts. These instruments are categorized in the Level 3 valuation hierarchy based on the significance of unobservable factors in the overall fair value measurement. The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities in or out of Level 3 during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (continued)
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on recurring basis as of March 31, 2023:
March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
Active market | Observable input | Non-observable input | ||||||||||||||
(Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Warrant liabilities | 8 | 8 |
F-57 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Basic net loss per share | ||||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Uxin Limited | (143,223 | ) | (137,157 | ) | (372,387 | ) | ||||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders due to triggering of a down round feature | (755,635 | ) | (2,060,254 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,223 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) | ||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic | 1,168,419,750 | 1,344,536,565 | 2,185,363,635 | |||||||||
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic | (0.12 | ) | (0.66 | ) | (1.11 | ) | ||||||
Diluted net loss per share | ||||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,223 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) | ||||||
Add: the change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (2,224,660 | ) | ||||||||||
Add: the change in fair value of forward contract assets | (441,088 | ) | ||||||||||
Diluted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (2,808,971 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) |
F-58 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
22. NET LOSS PER SHARE (CONTINUED)
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic | 1,168,419,750 | 1,344,536,565 | 2,185,363,635 | |||||||||
Weighted average effect of potential dilutive securities outstanding | ||||||||||||
- Warrants | 147,895,143 | |||||||||||
- Forward contracts | 38,191,128 | |||||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, diluted | 1,354,506,021 | 1,344,536,565 | 2,185,363,635 | |||||||||
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, diluted | (2.07 | ) | (0.66 | ) | (1.11 | ) |
As the Group incurred losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, except for the effect of potential dilutive securities related to the Company’s warrants and forward contracts for the year ended March 31, 2022, the other potential ordinary shares were anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of the Group. The weighted-average numbers of senior convertible preferred shares and options granted excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of the Group of the respective periods were as follows:
For the fiscal years ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
Senior convertible preferred shares | 240,274,690 | 912,262,870 | 1,288,858,108 | |||||||||
Outstanding weighted average share options | 5,114,834 | 11,114,657 | 13,605,459 | |||||||||
Total | 245,389,524 | 923,377,527 | 1,302,463,567 |
F-59 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
23. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to the employees. Chinese labour regulations require that the PRC subsidiaries, former VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries of the Group make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentage of the employees’ salaries, up to a maximum amount specified by the government. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contribution made.
The total amounts charged to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for such employee benefits amounted to RMB25.8 million, RMB31.7 million and RMB31.5 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
24. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to the concentration of credit risks consist of cash and cash equivalents.
The Group deposits its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions located in jurisdictions where the subsidiaries are located. The Company believes that no significant credit risk exists as these financial institutions and financing partners have high credit quality.
Substantially all revenue was derived from customers located in China. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in any of the periods presented.
25. COMMITMENTS
As of March 31, 2024, the Group has no material commitments.
F-60 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
26. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In addition to the disposal of Jincheng and the repayment of long-term borrowings completed in April 2024 as disclosed in Note 7, the Group entered into an equity investment agreement with Zhengzhou Airport Automobile Industry Co., Ltd. (“Zhengzhou Airport Industry”) to establish a subsidiary to operate the new used car super store in Zhengzhou on July 8, 2024. Pursuant to the equity investment agreement, the Group will contribute RMB120.0 million and Zhengzhou Airport Industry will contribute RMB50.0 million, representing approximately 70% and 30% of the subsidiary’s total registered capital, respectively. The Group has the right to acquire Zhengzhou Airport Industry’s equity interests in the subsidiary, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, and Zhengzhou Airport Industry has the right to request the Group to acquire its equity interests if certain performance-based conditions are met in which the Company will provide an irrevocable joint and several liability guarantee for the repurchase obligations. The subsidiary named Youxin (Zhengzhou) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd. has been established on July 16, 2024. As of the date of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements, there was no capital contribution made to the subsidiary by both parties yet.
27. RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
Pursuant to laws applicable to entities incorporated in the PRC, the Group’s subsidiaries in the PRC must make appropriations from after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds. These reserve funds include one or more of the following: (i) a general reserve, (ii) an enterprise expansion fund and (iii) a staff bonus and welfare fund. Subject to certain cumulative limits, the general reserve fund requires an annual appropriation of 10% of after-tax profit (as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the PRC at each year-end) until the accumulative amount of such reserve fund reaches 50% of a company’s registered capital; the other fund appropriations are at the subsidiaries’ discretion. These reserve funds can only be used for specific purposes of enterprise expansion and staff bonus and welfare and are not distributable as cash dividends. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, no appropriations to the statutory reserve, enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund have been made by the Group.
Since the Company has a consolidated shareholders’ deficit, its net asset base for purposes of calculating the proportionate share of restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries should be zero. Therefore, the restrictions placed on the net assets of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries with positive equity would result in the 25% threshold being exceeded and a corresponding requirement to provide parent company financial information (see Note 28).
F-61 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
28. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY
The Company performed a test on the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Rule 4-08 (e) (3), “General Notes to Financial Statements” and concluded that it was applicable for the Company to disclose the financial statements for the parent company.
The subsidiaries did not pay any dividends to the Company for the periods presented. For the purpose of presenting parent company only financial information, the Company records its investments in its subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. Such investments are presented on the separate condensed balance sheets of the Company as “Investments (deficit) in subsidiaries” and the loss of the subsidiaries is presented as “share of losses of subsidiaries”. Certain information and footnote disclosures generally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed and omitted. The footnote disclosures contain supplemental information relating to the operations of the Company, as such, these statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
The parent company did not have significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations, other long-term debt, or guarantees as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.
F-62 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
28. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (CONTINUED)
Balance sheets
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 62,244 | 2,206 | ||||||
Amounts due from intra-Group entities | 9,085,314 | 10,012,615 | ||||||
Other receivables | 2,065 | 2,306 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 118 | 316 | ||||||
Total assets | 9,149,741 | 10,017,443 | ||||||
LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
Other payables and other current liabilities | 31,624 | 11,922 | ||||||
Investment deficit in subsidiaries | 9,605,620 | 10,205,332 | ||||||
Amounts due to intra-Group entities | 90,112 | 93,040 | ||||||
Warrant liabilities | 8 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 9,727,364 | 10,310,294 |
F-63 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
28. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (CONTINUED)
Balance sheets (Continued)
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | |||||||
Mezzanine equity | ||||||||
Senior convertible preferred shares (US$ | par value, and shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively; and issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively)1,245,721 | |||||||
Subscription receivable from preferred shareholders | (550,074 | ) | ||||||
Total mezzanine equity | 695,647 | |||||||
Shareholders’ deficit | ||||||||
Ordinary shares (US$ | par value, and shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively; Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023; Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024)806 | 39,806 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 15,451,803 | 18,928,837 | ||||||
Subscription receivable from shareholders | (107,879 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 220,185 | 225,090 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (16,946,064 | ) | (19,378,705 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders’ deficit | (1,273,270 | ) | (292,851 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ deficit | 9,149,741 | 10,017,443 |
F-64 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
28. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (CONTINUED)
Statements of comprehensive loss
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Operation expense | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | ||||||||||||
Research and development | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | (39,398 | ) | (64,254 | ) | (73,236 | ) | ||||||
Provision for credits losses, net | (273 | ) | ||||||||||
Total operating expenses | (39,398 | ) | (64,527 | ) | (73,236 | ) | ||||||
Loss from operations | (39,398 | ) | (64,527 | ) | (73,236 | ) | ||||||
Share of loss of subsidiaries | (293,128 | ) | (331,935 | ) | (299,613 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense, net | 13 | (546 | ) | |||||||||
Other income, net | 3,303 | 16,560 | 12,746 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain | (231 | ) | (1 | ) | 38 | |||||||
Fair value impact of the issuance of senior convertible preferred shares | 186,231 | 242,733 | (11,776 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (137,157 | ) | (372,387 | ) | ||||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders due to triggering of a down round feature | (755,635 | ) | (2,060,254 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (143,223 | ) | (892,792 | ) | (2,432,641 | ) | ||||||
Net loss | (143,223 | ) | (137,157 | ) | (372,387 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive income/(loss) | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | 70,714 | (68,276 | ) | 4,905 | ||||||||
Total comprehensive loss | (72,509 | ) | (205,433 | ) | (367,482 | ) |
F-65 |
UXIN LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)
28. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (CONTINUED)
Statements of cash flow
For the fiscal year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | ||||||||||
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities | (52,104 | ) | 187 | (11,150 | ) | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (204,327 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities | 52,379 | 62,300 | 153,269 | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (22 | ) | (842 | ) | 2,170 | |||||||
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 253 | 61,645 | (60,038 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 346 | 599 | 62,244 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 599 | 62,244 | 2,206 |
F-66 |
Exhibit 4.1
UXIN LIMITED
2018 THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2018 Third Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan (the Plan) are to attract and retain the best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to Employees, Directors and Consultants and to promote the success of the Companys business. The Plan amends and restates the previously adopted 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan of the Company in its entirety and assumes all awards granted under the previous 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan.
2. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply as used herein and in the individual Award Agreements except as defined otherwise in an individual Award Agreement. In the event a term is separately defined in an individual Award Agreement, such definition shall supersede the definition contained in this Section 2.
(a) Administrator means the Board or any of the Committees appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
(b) Affiliate and Associate shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
(c) Applicable Laws means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under applicable provisions of federal securities laws, state corporate and securities laws, the Code, the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, and the rules of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein.
(d) Assumed means that pursuant to a Corporate Transaction either (i) the Award is expressly affirmed by the Company or (ii) the contractual obligations represented by the Award are expressly assumed (and not simply by operation of law) by the successor entity or its Parent in connection with the Corporate Transaction with appropriate adjustments to the number and type of securities of the successor entity or its Parent subject to the Award and the exercise or purchase price thereof which at least preserves the compensation element of the Award existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction as determined in accordance with the instruments evidencing the agreement to assume the Award.
(e) Award means the grant of an Option, SAR, Dividend Equivalent Right, Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or other right or benefit under the Plan.
(f) Award Agreement means the written agreement evidencing the grant of an Award executed by the Company and the Grantee, including any amendments thereto.
(g) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) Cause means, with respect to the termination by the Company or a Related Entity of the Grantees Continuous Service, that such termination is for Cause as such term is expressly defined in a then-effective written agreement between the Grantee and the Company or such Related Entity, or in the absence of such then-effective written agreement and definition, is based on, in the determination of the Administrator, the Grantees: (i) performance of any act or failure to perform any act in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company or a Related Entity; (ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct or material breach of any agreement with the Company or a Related Entity; or (iii) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person.
(i) Change in Control means (as determined by the Administrator acting reasonably) a change in ownership or control of the Company after the Registration Date effected through the following transactions: the direct or indirect acquisition by any person or related group of persons (other than an acquisition from or by the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan or by a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Companys outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Companys shareholders which a majority of the Directors who are not affiliates or associates of the offeror do not recommend such shareholders accept.
(j) Committee means any committee composed of members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
(k) Company means UXIN LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands or any successor corporation that adopts the Plan in connection with a Change in Control.
(l) Consultant means any person (other than an Employee or a Director, solely with respect to rendering services in such persons capacity as an Employee or Director) who is engaged by the Company or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or such Related Entity.
(m) Continuous Service means that the provision of services to the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant is not interrupted or terminated. In jurisdictions requiring notice in advance of an effective termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant, Continuous Service shall be deemed terminated upon the actual cessation of providing services to the Company or a Related Entity notwithstanding any required notice period that must be fulfilled before a termination as an Employee, Director or Consultant can be effective under Applicable Laws. A Grantees Continuous Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Continuous Service or upon the entity for which the Grantee provides services ceasing to be a Related Entity. Continuous Service shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Related Entity, or any successor, in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant (except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave.
(n) Corporate Transaction means (as determined by the Administrator acting reasonably) any of the following transactions:
(i) a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination of the Company with or into any person, or any other transaction or series of transactions, as a result of which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions will cease to own a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after consummation of such transaction or series of transactions, but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Administrator determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction;
(ii) the sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license to a third party or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(iii) any complete liquidation, winding-up, or dissolution of the Company; or
(iv) the sale (whether by merger, reorganization or other transaction) of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Administrator determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction.
(o) Director means a member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related Entity.
(p) Disability means as defined under the long-term disability policy of the Company or the Related Entity to which the Grantee provides services regardless of whether the Grantee is covered by such policy. If the Company or the Related Entity to which the Grantee provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, Disability means that a Grantee is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Grantee by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days. A Grantee will not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Administrator in its discretion.
(q) Dividend Equivalent Right means a right entitling the Grantee to compensation measured by dividends paid with respect to Ordinary Shares.
(r) Drag-Along Transaction have the meaning as defined in the shareholders agreement of the Company, as amended from time to time.
(s) Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is in the employ of the Company or any Related Entity, subject to the control and direction of the Company or any Related Entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance. The payment of a directors fee by the Company or a Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute employment by the Company.
(t) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(u) Expiration Date means February 13, 2028.
(v) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of Ordinary Shares determined as follows:
(i) If the Ordinary Shares are traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the securitys closing prices on such exchange over the thirty (30) day period ending one (1) day prior to the distribution, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Ordinary Shares are traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices over the thirty (30) day period ending three (3) days prior to the distribution as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; and
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Ordinary Shares of the type described in (i) and (ii), above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Administrator on the basis of the Companys valuation in the Companys latest round of financing.
The method of valuation of securities subject to investment letter or other restrictions on free marketability shall be adjusted to make an appropriate discount from the market value determined as above in sub-clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) to reflect the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Administrator, or by a liquidator if one is appointed.
(w) Grantee means an Employee, Director or Consultant who receives an Award under the Plan.
(x) IPO shall mean the Companys first firm commitment underwritten public offering of any of its securities or the same class of securities of a successor corporation (or its Parent) issued pursuant to a Corporate Transaction in exchange for or in substitution of the Ordinary Shares to the general public pursuant to (a) a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the securities laws applicable to an offering of securities in another jurisdiction pursuant to which such securities will be listed on an internationally recognized securities exchange.
(y) Option means an option to purchase Shares pursuant to an Award Agreement granted under the Plan.
(z) Ordinary Share means class A ordinary share of US$0.0001 nominal or par value, of the Company.
(aa) Parent means any company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of companies ending with the Company, if each of the companies other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other companies in such chain. A company that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
(bb) Plan means this 2018 Third Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
(cc) Registration Date means the first to occur of (i) the closing of IPO; and (ii) in the event of a Corporate Transaction, the date of the consummation of the Corporate Transaction if the same class of securities of the successor corporation (or its Parent) issuable in such Corporate Transaction shall have been sold to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on or prior to the date of consummation of such Corporate Transaction.
(dd) Related Entity means any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company or a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly.
(ee) Replaced means that pursuant to a Corporate Transaction the Award is replaced with a comparable share or stock award or a cash incentive program of the Company, the successor entity (if applicable) or Parent of either of them which preserves the compensation element of such Award existing at the time of the Corporate Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same (or a more favorable) vesting schedule applicable to such Award. The determination of Award comparability shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(ff) Restricted Share means a Share issued under the Plan to the Grantee for such consideration, if any, and subject to such restrictions on transfer, rights of first refusal, repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, and other terms and conditions as established by the Administrator.
(gg) Restricted Share Units means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon the passage of time or the attainment of performance criteria established by the Administrator and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of cash, Shares or other securities as established by the Administrator.
(hh) SAR means a share appreciation right entitling the Grantee to Shares or cash compensation, as established by the Administrator, measured by appreciation in the value of Ordinary Shares.
(ii) Share means an Ordinary Share of the Company.
(jj) Spin-off Transaction means a distribution by the Company to its shareholders of all or any portion of the securities of any Subsidiary of the Company.
(kk) Subsidiary means, with respect to a specific entity, (i) any entity (x) more than fifty percent (50%) of whose shares or other interests entitled to vote in the election of directors or (y) more than a fifty percent (50%) interest in the profits or capital of such entity are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the subject entity or through one (1) or more Subsidiaries of the subject entity, (ii) any entity whose assets, or portions thereof, are consolidated with the net earnings of the subject entity and are recorded on the books of the subject entity for financial reporting purposes in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, or (iii) any entity with respect to which the subject entity has the power to otherwise direct the business and policies of that entity directly or indirectly through another Subsidiary.
3. Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 10 below, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards is 622,873,386 Shares (proportionally adjusted to reflect any share dividends, share splits, or similar transactions) (the Award Pool). The Awards granted and outstanding under the 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan shall survive the termination of the 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan as provided for under Section 22 and shall be counted against the Award Pool under the Plan.
(b) Any Shares covered by an Award (or portion of an Award) which is forfeited, canceled or expires (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan. Shares that actually have been issued under the Plan pursuant to an Award shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future issuance under the Plan, except that if unvested Shares are forfeited, or repurchased by the Company at the lower of their original purchase price or their Fair Market Value at the time of repurchase, such Shares shall become available automatically for future grant under the Plan. To the extent not prohibited by the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market (or other established stock exchange or national market system on which the Ordinary Shares are traded) and Applicable Law, any Shares covered by an Award which are surrendered (i) in payment of the Award exercise or purchase price or (ii) in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations incident to the exercise of an Award shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards under the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Plan Administrator.
(i) Administration. The Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee designated by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in accordance with the Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. The Board may authorize one or more officers to grant such Awards and may limit such authority as the Board determines from time to time.
(ii) Administration Errors. In the event an Award is granted in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection (a), such Award shall be presumptively valid as of its grant date to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to Applicable Laws and the provisions of the Plan (including any other powers given to the Administrator hereunder), and except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to select the Employees, Directors and Consultants to whom Awards may be granted from time to time hereunder;
(ii) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares or the amount of other consideration to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder (including the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Award and Award Agreements);
(vi) to amend the terms of any outstanding Award granted under the Plan, provided that any amendment that would adversely affect the Grantees rights under an outstanding Award shall not be made without the Grantees written consent;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards, including without limitation, any notice of award or Award Agreement, granted pursuant to the Plan; and
(viii) to take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator deems appropriate.
(c) Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or as Employees of the Company or a Related Entity, members of the Board and any Employees of the Company or a Related Entity to whom authority to act for the Board, the Administrator or the Company is delegated shall be defended and indemnified by the Company to the extent permitted by law on an after-tax basis against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any Award granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct; provided, however, that within thirty (30) days after the institution of such claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at the Companys expense to defend the same.
5. Eligibility. Awards may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants. An Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Awards.
6. Terms and Conditions of Awards.
(a) Types of Awards. The Administrator is authorized under the Plan to award any type of arrangement to an Employee, Director or Consultant that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and that by its terms involves or might involve the issuance of (i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) an Option, a SAR, or similar right with a fixed or variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares and with an exercise or conversion privilege related to the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions. Such awards include, without limitation, Options, SARs, sales or bonuses of Restricted Share, Restricted Share Units or Dividend Equivalent Rights, and an Award may consist of one such security or benefit, or two (2) or more of them in any combination or alternative.
(b) Designation of Award. Each Award shall be designated in the Award Agreement.
(c) Conditions of Award. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each Award including, but not limited to, the Award vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, rights of first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of payment (cash, Shares, or other consideration) upon settlement of the Award, payment contingencies, and satisfaction of any performance criteria. The performance criteria established by the Administrator may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following: (i) increase in share price, (ii) earnings per share, (iii) total shareholder return, (iv) operating margin, (v) gross margin, (vi) return on equity, (vii) return on assets, (viii) return on investment, (ix) operating income, (x) net operating income, (xi) pre-tax profit, (xii) cash flow, (xiii) revenue, (xiv) expenses, (xv) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, (xvi) economic value added and (xvii) market share. The performance criteria may be applicable to the Company, Related Entities and/or any individual business units of the Company or any Related Entity. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in a payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Award Agreement.
(d) Acquisitions and Other Transactions. The Administrator may issue Awards under the Plan in settlement, assumption or substitution for, outstanding awards or obligations to grant future awards in connection with the Company or a Related Entity acquiring another entity, an interest in another entity or an additional interest in a Related Entity whether by merger, share purchase, asset purchase or other form of transaction.
(e) Deferral of Award Payment. The Administrator may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Grantees the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Grantee to payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an Award. The Administrator may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, Shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Administrator deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.
(f) Separate Programs. The Administrator may establish one or more separate programs under the Plan for the purpose of issuing particular forms of Awards to one or more classes of Grantees on such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator from time to time.
(g) Early Exercise. The Award Agreement may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Grantee may elect at any time while an Employee, Director or Consultant to exercise any part or all of the Award prior to full vesting of the Award. Any unvested Shares received pursuant to such exercise may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or a Related Entity or to any other restriction the Administrator determines to be appropriate.
(h) Term of Award. The term of each Award shall be the term stated in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the specified term of any Award shall not include any period for which the Grantee has elected to defer the receipt of the Shares or cash issuable pursuant to the Award.
(i) Transferability of Awards. Subject to the Applicable Laws, Awards shall be transferable (i) by will and by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) during the lifetime of the Grantee, to the extent and in the manner authorized by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee may designate one or more beneficiaries of the Grantees Award in the event of the Grantees death on a beneficiary designation form provided by the Administrator.
(j) Time of Granting Awards. The date of grant of an Award shall for all purposes be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination to grant such Award, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator.
7. Award Exercise or Purchase Price, Consideration and Taxes.
(a) Exercise or Purchase Price. The exercise or purchase price, if any, for an Award shall be determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(a), in the case of an Award issued pursuant to Section 6(d) above, the exercise or purchase price for the Award shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the relevant instrument evidencing the agreement to issue such Award.
(b) Consideration. Subject to Applicable Laws, the consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise or purchase of an Award including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Administrator. In addition to any other types of consideration the Administrator may determine, the Administrator is authorized to accept as consideration for Shares issued under the Plan the following:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) if the exercise or purchase occurs on or after the Registration Date, surrender of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of ownership of Shares as the Administrator may require which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Award shall be exercised, provided, however, that Shares acquired under the Plan or any other equity compensation plan or agreement of the Company must have been held by the Grantee for a period of more than six (6) months (and not used for another Award exercise by attestation during such period);
(iv) with respect to Options, if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration Date, payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the Grantee (A) shall provide written instructions to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of some or all of the purchased Shares and remit to the Company sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased Shares and (B) shall provide written directives to the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction; or
(v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
The Administrator may at any time or from time to time, by adoption of or by amendment to the standard forms of Award Agreement described in Section 4(b)(iv), or by other means, grant Awards which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment for the Shares or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(c) Taxes. No Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Grantee or other person until such Grantee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of any income and employment tax withholding obligations under any Applicable Laws. Upon exercise of an Award the Company shall withhold or collect from Grantee an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations.
8. Exercise of Award.
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder.
(i) Any Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator under the terms of the Plan and specified in the Award Agreement.
(ii) An Award shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised, including, to the extent selected, use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the purchase price as provided in Section 7(b)(iv).
(b) Exercise of Award Following Termination of Continuous Service.
(i) An Award may not be exercised after the termination date of such Award set forth in the Award Agreement and may be exercised following the termination of a Grantees Continuous Service only to the extent provided in the Award Agreement.
(ii) Where the Award Agreement permits a Grantee to exercise an Award following the termination of the Grantees Continuous Service for a specified period, the Award shall terminate to the extent not exercised on the last day of the specified period or the last day of the original term of the Award, whichever occurs first.
(c) Exercise in Violation of Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, regardless of whether an Award has otherwise become exercisable, the Award may not be exercised if the Administrator (in its sole discretion) determines that an exercise could violate any Applicable Laws.
9. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all Applicable Laws, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any Applicable Laws.
(c) As a condition to the exercise of an Award and subject to the Award Agreement, the Grantee shall grant a power of attorney to the Board or any person designated by the Board to exercise the voting rights with respect to the Shares and the Company may require the person exercising such Award to acknowledge and agree to be bound by the provisions of the shareholders agreement entered into by and among the shareholders of the Company from time to time, as if the Grantee is a holder of Ordinary Shares thereunder.
10. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each such outstanding Award, the maximum number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted to any Grantee in any fiscal year of the Company, as well as any other terms that the Administrator determines require adjustment shall be proportionately adjusted for (i) any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a share split, reverse share split, share dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or similar transaction affecting the Shares, (ii) any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, or (iii) as the Administrator may determine in its discretion, any other transaction with respect to Ordinary Shares including a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or equity, separation (including a spin-off or other distribution of shares or property), reorganization, liquidation (whether partial or complete) or any similar transaction; provided, however that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been effected without receipt of consideration. Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as the Administrator determines, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award. In the event of a Spin-off Transaction, the Administrator may in its discretion make such adjustments and take such other action as it deems appropriate with respect to outstanding Awards under the Plan, including but not limited to: (i) adjustments to the number and kind of Shares, the exercise or purchase price per Share and the vesting periods of outstanding Awards, (ii) prohibit the exercise of Awards during certain periods of time prior to the consummation of the Spin-off Transaction, or (iii) the substitution, exchange or grant of Awards to purchase securities of the Subsidiary; provided that the Administrator shall not be obligated to make any such adjustments or take any such action hereunder.
11. Corporate Transactions and Changes in Control.
(a) Termination of Award to the Extent Not Assumed in Corporate Transaction. Effective upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction, all outstanding Awards under the Plan shall terminate. However, all such Awards shall not terminate to the extent they are Assumed in connection with the Corporate Transaction.
(b) Acceleration of Award upon Corporate Transaction or Change in Control.
(i) Corporate Transaction. Except as provided otherwise in an individual Award Agreement, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, for the portion of each Award that is neither Assumed nor Replaced, such portion of the Award shall automatically become fully vested and exercisable and be released from any repurchase or forfeiture rights (other than repurchase rights exercisable at Fair Market Value) for all of the Shares at the time represented by such portion of the Award, immediately prior to the specified effective date of such Corporate Transaction, provided that the Grantees Continuous Service has not terminated prior to such date. The portion of the Award that is not Assumed shall terminate under subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the extent not exercised prior to the consummation of such Corporate Transaction.
(ii) Change in Control. Except as provided otherwise in an individual Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control which also is a Corporate Transaction), each Award which is at the time outstanding under the Plan automatically shall become fully vested and exercisable and be released from any repurchase or forfeiture rights (other than repurchase rights exercisable at Fair Market Value), immediately prior to the specified effective date of such Change in Control, for all of the Shares at the time represented by such Award, provided that the Grantees Continuous Service has not terminated prior to such date.
12. Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan is effective as of the date it is adopted and approved by the Board (the Effective Date). Subject to Applicable Laws, Awards may be granted under the Plan upon its becoming effective. The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after, the Expiration Date. Any Awards that are outstanding on the Expiration Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
13. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.
(a) The Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Companys shareholders to the extent such approval is required by Applicable Laws, or if such amendment would change any of the provisions of Section 4(b)(vi) or this Section 13(a).
(b) No Award may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan.
(c) No suspension or termination of the Plan (including termination of the Plan under Section 12, above) shall adversely affect any rights under Awards already granted to a Grantee.
14. Reservation of Shares.
(a) The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
(b) The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
15. No Effect on Terms of Employment/Consulting Relationship. The Plan shall not confer upon any Grantee any right with respect to the Grantees Continuous Service, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the right of the Company or any Related Entity to terminate the Grantees Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without notice. The ability of the Company or any Related Entity to terminate the employment of a Grantee who is employed at will is in no way affected by its determination that the Grantees Continuous Service has been terminated for Cause for the purposes of this Plan.
16. No Effect on Retirement and Other Benefit Plans. Except as specifically provided in a retirement or other benefit plan of the Company or a Related Entity, Awards shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits or contributions under any retirement plan of the Company or a Related Entity, and shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of any kind or any benefit plan subsequently instituted under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to level of compensation. The Plan is not a Retirement Plan or Welfare Plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
17. Vesting Schedule. The Awards to be issued to any Grantee under the Plan shall be subject to the vesting schedule as specified in the Award Agreement. .
18. Drag-Along Transaction. In the event of a Drag-Along Transaction, the Grantees who hold any Shares upon exercise of the Award shall sell, transfer, convey or assign all of their Shares pursuant to, and so as to give effect to, the Drag-Along Transaction, and each of such Grantees shall grant to the then current chief executive officer of the Company or an authorized officer, a power of attorney to transfer his/her Shares and to do and carry out all other acts and to sign all other documents that are necessary or advisable to complete the Drag-Along Transaction.
19. IPO. In the case of an IPO, the Grantees shall enter into any agreements with any underwriter, coordinator, bankers or sponsor elected by the Company for the purpose of the IPO, and each of such Grantees shall grant to the then current chief executive officer or other authorized officer of the Company a power of attorney to enter into any agreements with any underwriter, coordinator, bankers or sponsor elected by the Company and to do and carry out all the acts and to sign all the documents that are necessary or advisable to complete the IPO.
20. Unfunded Obligation. Any amounts payable to Grantees pursuant to the Plan shall be unfunded and unsecured obligations for all purposes. Neither the Company nor any Related Entity shall be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Grantee account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Administrator, the Company or any Related Entity and a Grantee, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Grantee or the Grantees creditors in any assets of the Company or a Related Entity. The Grantees shall have no claim against the Company or any Related Entity for any changes in the value of any assets that may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Plan.
21. Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term or is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
22. Replacement of the 2018 Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan. The Plan shall replace the 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan in its entirety, and the 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan shall cease to be effective upon the Effective Date (as defined in Section 12). The Awards granted and outstanding under the 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan and the evidencing original Award Agreements shall survive the termination of the 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan and remain effective and binding under the Plan, subject to any amendment and modification to the original Award Agreements that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
Exhibit 4.61
THE SYMBOL “[*]” DENOTES PLACES WHERE CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL, AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE COMPANY TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL
SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
dated March 26, 2024
by and between
XIN GAO GROUP LIMITED
and
UXIN LIMITED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||
Section 1.01 | Definitions. | 1 | |
Section 1.02 | Other Definitional and Interpretive Provisions | 5 | |
ARTICLE II SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SUBSCRIPTION SECURITIES | 6 | ||
Section 2.01 | Sale and Issuance of the Subscription Securities at the Closing | 6 | |
Section 2.02 | Closing | 6 | |
Section 2.03 | Actions at the Closing. | 6 | |
Section 2.04 | Restrictive Legend | 7 | |
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 7 | ||
Section 3.01 | Existence and Qualification | 7 | |
Section 3.02 | Capitalization; Issuance of Subscription Securities | 8 | |
Section 3.03 | Capacity, Authorization and Enforceability | 9 | |
Section 3.04 | Non-Contravention | 9 | |
Section 3.05 | Consents and Approvals | 9 | |
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTOR | 10 | ||
Section 4.01 | Existence | 10 | |
Section 4.02 | Capacity | 10 | |
Section 4.03 | Authorization And Enforceability | 10 | |
Section 4.04 | Non-Contravention | 10 | |
Section 4.05 | Consents and Approvals | 10 | |
Section 4.06 | Securities Law Matters | 11 | |
Section 4.07 | Investment Experience | 11 | |
Section 4.08 | Availability of Funds | 11 | |
Section 4.09 | No Additional Representations; Non-reliance | 11 | |
ARTICLE V COVENANTS | 11 | ||
Section 5.01 | CSRC Filing | 11 |
i |
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | 11 | ||
Section 6.01 | Efforts; Further Assurances | 11 | |
Section 6.02 | Public Announcements | 12 | |
Section 6.03 | Survival | 12 | |
Section 6.04 | Integration | 13 | |
Section 6.05 | Shareholder Rights Plan | 13 | |
Section 6.06 | Use of Proceeds | 13 | |
Section 6.07 | Listing of ADSs | 13 | |
Section 6.08 | Tax Filings | 13 | |
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS | 14 | ||
Section 7.01 | Notices | 14 | |
Section 7.02 | Severability | 14 | |
Section 7.03 | Entire Agreement | 14 | |
Section 7.04 | Counterparts | 14 | |
Section 7.05 | Assignments | 14 | |
Section 7.06 | Descriptive Headings; Construction | 15 | |
Section 7.07 | Amendment | 15 | |
Section 7.08 | Governing Law | 15 | |
Section 7.09 | Dispute Resolution. | 15 | |
Section 7.10 | Expenses | 16 | |
Section 7.11 | Third Party Beneficiaries | 16 | |
Section 7.12 | Specific Performance | 16 | |
Section 7.13 | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies | 16 | |
Section 7.14 | Non-recourse | 16 | |
Section 7.15 | Replacement of Shares | 16 |
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES | |
SCHEDULE I | Particulars of the Investor |
ii |
SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
SHARE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into on March 26, 2024 by and among:
1. | Uxin Limited, a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”) |
2. | The Person listed on SCHEDULE I (the “Investor”). |
Each of the forgoing parties is referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to allot and issue to the Investor, and the Investor desires to subscribe for and be issued from the Company, the number of Senior Preferred Shares set forth in SCHEDULE I (the “Subscription Securities”), pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement and make the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and accepted, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Action” means claim, complaint, action, arbitration, charge, hearing, inquiry, litigation, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, audit, examination, investigation or any other proceeding or any settlement, judgment, order, award, injunction or decree pending or other proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or informal), including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition.
“ADSs” means the American Depositary Shares of the Company, each representing three hundred (300) Class A Ordinary Shares.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Applicable Laws” means, with respect to any Person, any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Entity that is binding upon or applicable to such Person or any of such Person’s assets, rights or properties.
1 |
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China (which for the purpose of this Agreement shall exclude Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan) or the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Certificate of Designation” means the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Senior Convertible Preferred Shares dated as the same date hereof with respect to the rights and preferences of the Senior Preferred Shares, as maybe amended from time to time pursuant to its terms.
“Class A Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Class B Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Closing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Closing Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Code” means the Inland Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Company Securities” means (a) Ordinary Shares, (b) Senior Preferred Shares, (c) securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable, for Ordinary Shares, (d) any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Ordinary Shares and/or Senior Preferred Shares, and (e) any ADSs, depository receipts or similar instruments issued in respect of Ordinary Shares.
“Conversion Shares” means Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares to be issued or issuable at the Closing.
“Designated Bank Account” has the meaning assigned to such terms in Section 2.03(a)(i).
“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, title defect, right of first refusal, claim, easement, right-of-way, option, preemptive or similar right or other restriction of any kind or nature.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Principal”
means Mr. Kun Dai ().
“Fundamental Company Representations” means the representations and warranties by the Company contained in Section 3.01, Section 3.02, Section 3.03 and Section 3.04.
“Fundamental Investor Representations” means the representations and warranties by the Investor contained in Section 4.01, Section 4.02, Section 4.03 and Section 4.04.
2 |
“Group” or “Group Companies” means the Company and its Subsidiaries, and each a “Group Company”.
“Governmental Entity” means any transnational or supranational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal governmental, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority, department, court, arbitral body, agency or official, including any department, commission, board, agency, bureau, subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
“HKIAC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.09(a).
“Investor” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Investors’ Rights Agreement” means the second amended and restated investors’ rights agreement to be entered into by and among the Company, the Principal, the Investor and certain other parties thereto at the Closing.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, occurrence, fact, condition, change or development, individually or together with other events, occurrences, facts, conditions, changes or developments, that has had, has, or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business of the Company as presently conducted, or the condition (financial or otherwise), affairs, properties, employees, liabilities, assets or results of operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the ability of the Company to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the sale of the Subscription Securities) or timely perform its material obligations hereunder; provided, however, that in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, there shall be excluded any effect on the business of the Company or the Company or any Subsidiary relating to or arising in connection with (i) any action required to be taken pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or taken at the written direction of the Investor, (ii) economic changes affecting the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate generally or the economy of the PRC or any other market where the Company and its Subsidiaries have material operations or sales generally (provided in each case that such changes do not have a unique and materially disproportionate impact on the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries), (iii) the execution, announcement or disclosure of this Agreement or the pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, (iv) actions or omissions of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have been consented by the Investor in writing, (v) changes in generally accepted accounting principles that are generally applicable to comparable companies (provided that such changes do not have a unique and materially disproportionate impact on the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries), (vi) changes in general legal, tax or regulatory conditions (provided that such changes do not have a unique and materially disproportionate impact on the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries), (vii) changes in national or international political or social conditions, including any engagement in hostilities or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack or civil unrest in each case occurring after the date hereof, or (viii) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, epidemic- induced public health crises or other disasters in each case occurring after the date hereof.
“Memorandum and Articles” means the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company currently in effect, as may be amended or restated from time to time.
“Nasdaq” means the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
3 |
“Ordinary Shares” means Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.
“Party” or “Parties” has the meaning assigned to such terms in the preamble.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a Governmental Entity.
“Purchase Price” means the amount of aggregate purchase price payable under this Agreement as set forth opposite the Investor’s name of SCHEDULE I, as consideration for that number of Senior Preferred Shares set forth opposite the Investor’s name on SCHEDULE I.
“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China.
“Professional Advisors” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.10.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement to be entered into by and among the Company and the Investor at the Closing.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions broadly restricting or prohibiting dealings with such country, region, territory or government.
“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under Sanctions, including (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions- related list of designated or identified Persons maintained by the United States (including by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any of its member states, Her Majesty’s Treasury, Switzerland or any other relevant authority, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in, or any Governmental Authority or governmental instrumentality of, a Sanctioned Country, or (c) any Person directly or indirectly owned by, controlled by, or acting for the benefit or on behalf of, any Person described in clauses (a) or (b) hereof.
“Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes or restrictive measures enacted, imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce, (b) the United Nations Security Council, (c) the European Union or any of its member states or (d) Her Majesty’s Treasury, (e) Switzerland, or (f) any other relevant authority.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“SEC Documents” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
4 |
“Senior Preferred Shares” means the Company’s senior convertible preferred shares, par value $0.0001 per share having the rights, preferences and privileges provided in the Certificate of Designation of Senior Convertible Preferred Shares, as amended from time to time.
“Subscription Securities” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recital.
“Subsidiary” means any entity of which a majority of the outstanding equity securities or other ownership interests representing a majority of the outstanding equity interests or otherwise having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Company, and includes any entity which is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any variable interest entities that are consolidated into the financial statements of the Company).
“Stated Value” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.
“Taxes” means (a) all U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, alternative or add-on minimum taxes, customs, unclaimed property or escheat, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto and (b) any liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in the immediately preceding clause (a) as a result of (1) being a “transferee” (within the meaning of Section 6901 of the Code, or any other Applicable Law) of another Person, (2) being a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated or unitary group or (3) any contractual liability.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Investors’ Rights Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Certificate of Designation and any other documents or agreements executed on or after the date of this Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“U.S.” means the United States of America.
“Voting Agreement” means the second amended and restated voting agreement to be entered into by and among the Company, the Principal, the Investor and certain other parties thereof at the Closing.
Section 1.02 Other Definitional and Interpretive Provisions. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be disregarded in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles, Sections, Clauses, Exhibits and Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Clauses, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meanings given to them in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively. References to “law”, “laws” or to a particular statute or law shall be deemed also to include any and all Applicable Law. References to any statute shall be deemed to refer to such statute as amended from time to time and to any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. References to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars.
5 |
ARTICLE II
SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SUBSCRIPTION SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Sale and Issuance of the Subscription Securities at the Closing. On the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined below), the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor agrees to subscribe for and purchase that certain number of Senior Preferred Shares for that certain Purchase Price set forth opposite its name on SCHEDULE I, corresponding to an issue price of $0.004858 per Senior Preferred Share (the “Stated Value”) (subject to adjustments for any stock splits, combinations, stock dividends, recapitalizations or the like).
Section 2.02 Closing. The consummation of the purchase and sale of the Subscription Securities at the Closing hereunder (the “Closing”, and the date of the Closing, the “Closing Date”) shall take place remotely via electronic exchange of documents on the date hereof.
Section 2.03 Actions at the Closing. At the Closing, the following actions shall take place, all of which shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously and no action shall be deemed to have been completed or any document delivered until all such actions have been completed and all required documents have been delivered:
(a) The Investor shall:
(i) pay and deliver or cause to be paid and delivered the Purchase Price to the Company in U.S. dollars by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account designated by the Company;
(ii) deliver to the Company the Investors’ Rights Agreement, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Investor and the Principal;
(iii) deliver to the Company the Registration Rights Agreement, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Investor;
6 |
(iv) deliver to the Company the Voting Agreement, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Investor and the Principal.
(b) The Company shall:
(i) allot and issue to the Investor the Senior Preferred Shares being purchased by the Investor under this Agreement pursuant to the SCHEDULE I, and deliver to the Investor one or more duly executed share certificate(s) representing such Senior Preferred Shares registered in the name of the Investor (the original copies of which shall be delivered to the Investor as soon as practicable within ten (10) Business Days following the Closing Date);
(ii) deliver to the Investor a certified true copy of the register of members of the Company evidencing the Senior Preferred Shares being owned by the Investor at the Closing;
(iii) deliver to the Investor the Investors’ Rights Agreement, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company;
(iv) deliver to the Investor the Registration Rights Agreement, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company;
(v) deliver to the Investor the Voting Agreement, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company;
(vi) deliver to the Investor a copy of (i) the resolutions adopted by the Board approving this Agreement and other Transaction Documents and matters relating to the Closing, and (ii) the Certificate of Designation in effect at the Closing.
Section 2.04 Restrictive Legend. Each certificate representing the Senior Preferred Shares shall be endorsed with the following legend: THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (AS AMENDED, THE “ACT”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS SUCH TRANSFER IS EFFECTED (1) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR (2) PURSUANT TO ANY AVAILABLE EXEMPTION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. ANY ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IN VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE VOID.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, except as otherwise disclosed in the SEC Documents, as of the Closing Date (except for the representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be made as of such date):
Section 3.01 Existence and Qualification. The Company is an exempted company that is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its property and to conduct its business as currently conducted and as described in the registration statements, proxy statements and other statements, reports, schedules, forms and other documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC (all of the foregoing documents filed with or furnished to the SEC and all exhibits included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, the “SEC Documents”). The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership, leasing or operation of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected have a Material Adverse Effect.
7 |
Section 3.02 Capitalization; Issuance of Subscription Securities.
(a) As of March 22, 2024, the authorized share capital of the Company is US$20,000,000 divided into 200,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 190,000,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, of which 1,379,873,273 Class A Ordinary Shares (excluding the 21,654,502 Class A Ordinary Shares issued to the Company’s depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under the Company’s share incentive plan) were issued and outstanding, (ii) 100,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, of which 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares were issued and outstanding, and (iii) 9,900,000,000 Senior Preferred Shares, of which 436,935,624 Senior Preferred Shares with a stated value equal to US$0.3433, 714,285,714 Senior Preferred Shares with a stated value equal to US$0.14, and 218,818,380 Senior Preferred Shares with a stated value equal to US$0.0457 were issued and outstanding. The Senior Preferred Shares issuable upon the Closing shall be duly and validly reserved for issuance. The Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares to be issued or issuable at the Closing shall be duly and validly reserved for issuance.
(b) Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company has no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the shareholders of the Company on any matter.
(c) The Subscription Securities have been or will be duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free and clear of any Encumbrance and restrictions on transfer (except for restrictions on transfer arising under applicable securities laws or created by virtue of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents). The issuance of the Subscription Securities will not be subject to any preemptive, right of first refusal, right of participation or similar rights except for the waiver and consent from certain shareholders which will be obtained prior to the Closing. Upon entry of the Investor in the register of members of the Company as the legal owner of the Subscription Securities, the Company will transfer to the Investor good and valid title to the Subscription Securities free and clear of any Encumbrances.
(d) Except as set forth in SEC Documents, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any Company Securities, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional Company Securities. Except as set out in the SEC Documents, there are no obligations (whether outstanding or authorized) of the Company or any Subsidiary requiring the repurchase of any Company Securities.
8 |
(e) The offers and sales of Company Securities were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the applicable investors, exempt from such registration requirements. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, there are no shareholders’ agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company Securities to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the holders of Company Securities.
(f) The Company is not, and has never been, an issuer of the type described in paragraph (i) of Rule 144.
Section 3.03 Capacity, Authorization and Enforceability. The Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto and thereto, this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as of the Closing, no approval by the shareholders of the Company is required in connection with this Agreement or other Transaction Documents, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for those that have been obtained, waived or exempted on or prior to the Closing.
Section 3.04 Non-Contravention. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the Memorandum and Articles or other constitutional documents of the Company or (ii) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, Governmental Entity or court to which the Company is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations of any self-regulatory organization to which the Company or its securities are subject, including all Trading Markets), or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which the Company’s assets are subject, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no Action, suit or proceeding, pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Company to enter into this Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.05 Consents and Approvals. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Investor under this Agreement, neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Company of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the performance by the Company of this Agreement in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing and those filings required to be made with the SEC and Nasdaq (including, without limitation, a Form 6-K) or the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”).
9 |
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTOR
The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that, as of the Closing Date (except for the representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be made as of such date):
Section 4.01 Existence. The Investor has been duly organized, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.
Section 4.02 Capacity. The Investor has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.03 Authorization And Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investor, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other Parties, this Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
Section 4.04 Non-Contravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the memorandum and articles or other constitutional documents of the Investor; (ii) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, Governmental Entity or court to which the Investor is subject, or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor is bound or to which any assets of the Investor are subject, except in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or, to the knowledge of the Investor, threatened against the Investor that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to enter into this Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.05 Consents and Approvals. Neither the execution and delivery by the Investor of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Investor of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the performance by the Investor of this Agreement in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing.
10 |
Section 4.06 Securities Law Matters.
(a) The Investor is acquiring the Subscription Securities for its own account without violation of applicable securities laws, provided, that, this representation and warranty does not obligate the Investor to hold any of the Subscription Securities for any minimum or other specific term, nor limit the Investor’s right to sell the Subscription Securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.
(b) The Investor acknowledges that the Subscription Securities are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, and any certificate representing the Subscription Securities shall be endorsed with the restrictive legend set forth in Section 2.04 of this Agreement. The Investor further acknowledges that, absent an effective registration under the Securities Act, the Subscription Securities may only be offered, sold or otherwise transferred in compliance with Applicable Laws.
Section 4.07 Investment Experience. The Investor is a sophisticated investor with knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that the Investor is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Subscription Securities. The Investor is able to bear the economic risks of an investment in the Subscription Securities.
Section 4.08 Availability of Funds. The Investor will have at the Closing cash available in an amount adequate to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to this Agreement. No source of funding for the Purchase Price relates, directly or indirectly, to any activities or business of or with a Sanctioned Person or with or in a Sanctioned Country, or any activities or business in violation of any Applicable Law relating to anti-money laundering.
Section 4.09 No Additional Representations; Non-reliance. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly set forth in Article III, no Person is making or has made any other written or oral representation or warranty, express or implied, of any nature whatsoever, with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Investor disclaims that it is relying on or has relied on any such representation or warranty as an inducement to enter into this Agreement or otherwise.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
Section 5.01 CSRC Filing. The Parties shall cooperate with each other to timely file with the CSRC the required materials with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 6.01 Efforts; Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or desirable under Applicable Laws to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
11 |
Section 6.02 Public Announcements.
(a) The Company shall (a) prior to the start of the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof issue a press release in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Investor disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby (but not disclosing the identity of the Investor unless the Investor’s prior written consent has been obtained); and (b) file a Current Report on Form 6-K in the form required by the Exchange Act and attaching the material Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the SEC within the time required by the Exchange Act. The Company shall obtain prior written approval of the Investor and consider in good faith any comments the Investor may have on, the filling of Form 6-K or any press release related thereto.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from and after the date of this Agreement until the date on which the Investor ceases to hold any Subscription Securities, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, issue any press release or make any filing with the SEC, in each case, to the extent such press release or filing identifies the Investor or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, unless the Company first consults with the Investor, and considers in good faith any comments that the Investor may have on, such materials; provided, that the Company may make any subsequent press release or filings with the SEC that are substantially consistent in form with any such materials previously approved by the Investor in the manner provided for in this Section 6.02 without being required to first consult the Investor as otherwise required in this Section 6.02. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall not issue any press release or otherwise make any public statement that identifies the Investor without the Investor’s prior written consent; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt the Company shall be permitted to (i) identify the Investor in any filing required to be made with the SEC but only to the extent that the identification of the Investor is expressly required, and subject to the consultation rights and right to comment contained in the immediately preceding sentence; and (ii) solely to the extent required by applicable securities laws, identify the Investor in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F in Item 7.A. (Major Shareholders) or in Item 19 (Exhibits) to the extent that the Investor’ name is mentioned in Exhibits that have been included in such Form 20-F, without consultation with or seeking prior consent from the Investor.
Section 6.03 Survival.
(a) The Fundamental Company Representations and the Fundamental Investor Representations shall survive indefinitely or until the latest date permitted by law.
(b) All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement other than the Fundamental Company Representations and the Fundamental Investor Representations shall survive the Closing until the expiration of twenty-four (24) months from the Closing.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing sub-clause (a) and (b), any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in respect of which breach of contract is sought shall survive the time at which it would otherwise terminate pursuant to the sub- clause (a) or (b) above, if notice of the inaccuracy or breach thereof giving rise to such right of claim shall have been given to the party against whom such claim may be sought prior to such time.
12 |
Section 6.04 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Subscription Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.
Section 6.05 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that the Investor is an acquiring Person under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that the Investor could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of purchasing Subscription Securities under this Agreement.
Section 6.06 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Securities hereunder solely for the purposes of (i) funding its operation and other activities duly approved by the board of directors of the Company, and (ii) fees and expenses of the Investor in connection with this Agreement payable by the Company pursuant to Section 7.10.
Section 6.07 Listing of ADSs. The Company hereby agrees to use reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing or quotation of the ADSs on the Trading Market on which it is currently listed.
Section 6.08 Tax Filings. The Company shall cooperate, and shall cause each Subsidiary to cooperate, with the Investor in providing the Investor with any information reasonably requested for it to timely make all filings, returns, reports, forms or calculations in order to assist the Investor with the preparation of its Tax returns, Tax reports, information returns, declarations of estimated Tax and other declarations and statements with respect to Taxes, obtaining any benefit pursuant to applicable Tax law, or complying with any other Tax law that the Investor is subject. The Company shall not make any elections or take any other actions to be treated as other than a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company shall also cause the Group Companies to meet all payment, withholding and all other tax compliance obligations in accordance with the Applicable Laws.
13 |
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, and delivery shall be deemed sufficient in all respects and to have been duly given as follows: (a) on the actual date of service if delivered personally; (b) at the time of receipt if given by electronic mail to the e-mail addresses set forth in this Article VII; (c) on the third day after mailing if mailed by first-class mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid and properly addressed as set forth in this Article VII; or (d) on the day after delivery to a nationally recognized overnight courier service during its business hours for overnight delivery against receipt, and properly addressed as set forth in this Article VII:
If to the Investor: | Xin Gao Group Limited |
No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China | |
E-mail: [*] | |
Attn: [*] | |
If to the Company: | Uxin Limited |
No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China | |
E-mail: [*] | |
Attn: [*] |
Any party may change its address or other contact information for notice by giving notice to each other party in accordance with the terms of this Article VII. In no event will delivery to a copied Person alone constitute delivery to the party represented by such copied Person.
Section 7.02 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 7.03 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and thereto with respect to the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, related to the subject matter hereof and thereof, provided that the terms and agreements in the non- binding term sheet by and among the Company, the Investor and certain other parties thereto dated March 18, 2024 relating to certain other investor’s proposed investment in the Company will remain intact.
Section 7.04 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signatures in the form of facsimile or electronically imaged “PDF” shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes hereunder. The parties irrevocably and unreservedly agree that this Agreement may be executed by way of electronic signatures and the parties agree that this Agreement, or any part thereof, shall not be challenged or denied any legal effect, validity and/or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an electronic record.
Section 7.05 Assignments. This Agreement is personal to each of the Parties. The Company shall not assign any rights and obligations herein to any third party without the prior written consent of the Investor. The rights and obligations herein may not be assigned or transferred by the Investor to any third party without the prior written consent of the Company unless transferred in connection with the transfer of Senior Preferred Shares.
14 |
Section 7.06 Descriptive Headings; Construction. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The Parties agree that this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties and individuals, all of whom were represented by counsel, and each of whom had an opportunity to participate in and did participate in the drafting of each provision hereof. Accordingly, ambiguities in this Agreement, if any, shall not be construed strictly or in favor of or against any party but rather shall be given a fair and reasonable construction without regard to the rule of contra proferentem.
Section 7.07 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by each of the Parties.
Section 7.08 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
Section 7.09 Dispute Resolution.
(a) Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably (i) agrees that any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or concerning any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration to be held in Hong Kong and administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules in force at the time of the commencement of the arbitration, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such arbitration, and (iii) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of Hong Kong in any such arbitration. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. The claimant shall appoint one (1) arbitrator, and the respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator no more than ten (10) days following the official appointment of the arbitrator appointed by the claimant, failing which such arbitrator shall be appointed by HKIAC; the third arbitrator shall be the presiding arbitrator and shall be appointed jointly by the arbitrators ap-pointed by the claimant and respondent within ten (10) days of the later of the appointment of the arbitrators appointed by the said Parties, failing which such arbitrator shall be appointed by HKIAC.
(b) The arbitration shall be conducted in English.
(c) The Parties acknowledge and agree that, in addition to contract damages, the arbitrator may award provisional and final equitable relief, including injunctions, specific performance and lost profits.
(d) The decision of the arbitration tribunal shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitration tribunal’s decision in any court having jurisdiction.
(e) When any dispute occurs and when any dispute is under arbitration, except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to fulfil their respective obligations and shall be entitled to exercise their rights under this Agreement.
(f) The Parties understand and agree that this provision regarding arbitration shall not prevent any Party from pursuing preliminary, equitable or injunctive relief in a judicial forum pending arbitration in order to compel another Party to comply with this provision, to preserve the status quo prior to the invocation of arbitration under this provision, or to prevent or halt actions that may result in irreparable harm. A request for such equitable or injunctive relief shall not waive this arbitration provision.
(g) The Parties expressly consent to the joinder of additional part(ies) in connection with the other Transaction Documents to the arbitration proceedings commenced hereunder and/or the consolidation of arbitration proceedings commenced hereunder with arbitration proceedings commenced pursuant to the arbitration agreements contained in the other Transaction Documents. In addition, the Parties expressly agree that any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents concern the same transaction or series of transactions.
15 |
(h) If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
Section 7.10 Expenses. The Company shall pay the Investor’s fees and expenses reasonably incurred by the Investor, including legal and out-of-pocket costs reasonably incurred by the Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, provided that such fees and expenses shall not exceed $50,000. With respect to professional fees and related expenses payable by the Investor, the Company will receive or has received copies of the engagement letters between the Investor and their counsel (the “Professional Advisors”), and the Company agrees to the terms including without limitation fee estimates, assumptions and payment schedule included therein, and shall pay such amounts at such times directly to the Professional Advisors according to such terms, subject to the overall cap amount specified above. The Company hereby agrees and acknowledges that such Professional Advisors may enforce their rights to receive such fees and expenses under this Section 7.10 against the Company. The Company further agrees and acknowledges that the Investor may deduct any amounts owed pursuant to this Section 7.10 from the amount of Purchase Price.
Section 7.11 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement (which shall include without limitation Section 7.10), there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any Person any rights, remedies or obligations.
Section 7.12 Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
Section 7.13 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. Except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or remedy or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement.
Section 7.14 Non-recourse. All actions, obligations, losses or causes of action (whether in contract, in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company veil) that may be based upon, in respect of, arise under, out or by reason of, be connected with, or relate in any manner to (i) this Agreement, (ii) the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in connection with, or as inducement to, this Agreement), (iii) any breach or violation of this Agreement, and (iv) any failure of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated, in each case, may be made only against (and are those solely of) the Persons that are expressly identified as Parties to this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions hereof.
Section 7.15 Replacement of Shares. If any certificate or instrument evidencing the Subscription Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The Investor applying for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement certificate or instrument.
[Signature Pages Follow]
16 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.
UXIN LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.
Xin Gao Group Limited | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Share Subscription Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Particulars of the Investor
Name | Number of Senior Preferred Shares to be Purchased at the Closing | Purchase Price | ||||||
Xin Gao Group Limited | 1,440,922,190 | US$ | 7,000,000 |
SCHEDULE I
Exhibit 4.62
THE SYMBOL “[*]” DENOTES PLACES WHERE CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL, AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE COMPANY TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS’ RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and among
UXIN LIMITED
MR. KUN DAI
XIN GAO GROUP LIMITED
ASTRAL SUCCESS LIMITED
ABUNDANT GRACE INVESTMENT LIMITED
and
ABUNDANT GLORY INVESTMENT L.P.
Dated March 26, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION | 2 | |
Section 1.01 | Definitions. | 2 |
Section 1.02 | Interpretation. | 9 |
ARTICLE II INFORMATION RIGHTS | 10 | |
Section 2.01 | Financial Information. | 10 |
Section 2.02 | Exchange Act Filings; Rule 144 Information. | 11 |
Section 2.03 | Books, Records and Internal Controls. | 12 |
Section 2.04 | Inspection Rights. | 13 |
Section 2.05 | Confidentiality. | 13 |
Section 2.06 | Listing. | 13 |
Section 2.07 | United States Tax Information. | 13 |
ARTICLE III PARTICIPATION RIGHT | 13 | |
Section 3.01 | General | 13 |
Section 3.02 | First Participation Notice | 14 |
Section 3.03 | Second Participation Notice; Oversubscription. | 14 |
Section 3.04 | Sale by the Company. | 15 |
Section 3.05 | New Securities. | 15 |
ARTICLE IV COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS | 16 | |
Section 4.01 | Compliance with Laws. | 16 |
Section 4.02 | PFIC | 16 |
Section 4.03 | United States Tax Classification. | 16 |
-i- |
ARTICLE V TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. | 17 | |
Section 5.01 | Principal Lock-up. | 17 |
Section 5.02 | Permitted Transfers | 17 |
Section 5.03 | Right of First Refusal | 17 |
Section 5.04 | Co-Sale Right | 19 |
Section 5.05 | Conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares. | 21 |
ARTICLE VI CONFIDENTIALITY | 22 | |
Section 6.01 | General Obligations | 22 |
Section 6.02 | Exceptions. | 22 |
Section 6.03 | Press Release | 23 |
Section 6.04 | Use of Investors’ Name or Logo | 23 |
Section 6.05 | Overriding Provision. | 23 |
ARTICLE VII REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES | 24 | |
Section 7.01 | Existence | 24 |
Section 7.02 | Capacity | 24 |
Section 7.03 | Authorization And Enforceability | 24 |
Section 7.04 | Non-Contravention | 24 |
ARTICLE VIII REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF PRINCIPAL PARITIES | 24 | |
Section 8.01 | Ownership of Company Securities. | 24 |
ARTICLE IX OTHER UNDERTAKINGS | 25 | |
Section 9.01 | Non-Competition. | 25 |
ARTICLE X TERMINATION | 26 | |
Section 10.01 | General | 26 |
Section 10.02 | Termination with Respect to a Shareholder | 26 |
Section 10.03 | Survival. | 26 |
-ii- |
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS | 26 | |
Section 11.01 | Notices. | 26 |
Section 11.02 | Further Assurances. | 28 |
Section 11.03 | Assignments and Transfers. | 28 |
Section 11.04 | Rights Cumulative; Specific Performance | 28 |
Section 11.05 | Amendment | 28 |
Section 11.06 | Waiver | 28 |
Section 11.07 | No Presumption. | 29 |
Section 11.08 | Severability. | 29 |
Section 11.09 | Entire Agreement | 29 |
Section 11.10 | Counterparts | 29 |
Section 11.11 | Descriptive Headings; Construction. | 29 |
Section 11.12 | Control | 29 |
Section 11.13 | Adjustments for Share Splits, Etc | 30 |
Section 11.14 | Use of English Language | 30 |
Section 11.15 | Governing Law | 30 |
Section 11.16 | Dispute Resolution. | 30 |
Section 11.17 | Deed of Adherence | 31 |
SCHEDULES | ||
SCHEDULE A | ||
Principal Securities | ||
SCHEDULE B | ||
Deed of Adherence |
-iii- |
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS’ RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS’ RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on March 26, 2024 by and among:
1. | Uxin Limited, an exempted company organized under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), |
2. | Mr. Kun Dai (戴琨) (PRC identity card no. [*]) (the “Principal”), |
3. | Xin Gao Group Limited, a company organized under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (“Xin Gao” or the “Principal Holding Company”, collectively with the Principal, the “Principal Parties”, and each a “Principal Party”), |
4. | Astral Success Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (“Joy Capital”), |
5. | Abundant Grace Investment Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws of British Virgin Islands (“NIO Grace”), and |
6. | Abundant Glory Investment L.P., a limited partnership formed under the Laws of British Virgin Islands (“NIO Glory”, together with NIO Grace, “NIO Capital”, and NIO Capital and Joy Capital, collectively the “Investors” and each an “Investor”). |
Each of the parties to this Agreement is referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
A | Certain Investors are the holders of the Company’s Senior Preferred Shares and possess information rights, participation rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights and other rights pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement dated July 27, 2022, by and among the Company, the Investors and the Principal Parties (the “Prior Agreement”). |
B | The Company and the Principal Holding Company have entered into that certain Share Subscription Agreement dated March 26, 2024 (as may be supplemented and amended from time to time, the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Principal Holding Company has agreed to purchase certain Senior Preferred Shares from the Company. |
C | The Subscription Agreement requires the execution and delivery of this Agreement upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Subscription Agreement. |
D | The Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to regulate their relationship with each other and certain aspects of the affairs, and their dealings, with the Company. The terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon its duly execution, shall amend, restate, supersede and replace in their entirety the Prior Agreement. |
1 |
WITNESSETH
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties intending to be legally bound hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
Section 1.01 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
“Additional Number” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03.
“Additional Offered Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(iii).
“ADSs” means the American Depositary Shares of the Company, each currently representing three hundred (300) Class A Ordinary Shares. The number of Class A Ordinary Shares each ADS represents may change from time to time with the approval of the Board.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such Person.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Annual Budget” means an annual budget in respect of a fiscal year of the Group, setting forth, among other things, the projected balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows for such period; the projected budget for operation of each major business segment; any dividend or distribution to be declared or paid; the projected incurrence, assumption or refinancing of indebtedness; projected revenue and profit during such period; any proposed merger, consolidation, reorganization, or amalgamation of any Group Member with or into any other Person, or any scheme of arrangement or other business combination with or into any other Person; and payments projected to be made not in the ordinary course of business of the Group.
“Applicable Laws”, “Law” or “Laws” means, with respect to any Person, any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Entity that is binding upon or applicable to such Person or any of such Person’s assets, rights or properties.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, provided that Beneficial Ownership under Rule 13d-3(1)(i) shall be determined based on whether a Person has a right to acquire Beneficial Ownership irrespective of whether such right is exercisable within 60 days of the time of determination, and “Beneficially Own”, “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” have meanings correlative to that of Beneficial Owner.
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
2 |
“BOCOM” means BOCOM International Supreme Investment Limited, a business company duly incorporated and validly existing under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China (which for the purpose of this Agreement shall exclude Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan) or the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
“Certificate of Designation” means the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Senior Convertible Preferred Shares dated as of the date hereof approved and adopted by the Board, as may be supplemented, amended or restated from time to time.
“Charter Documents” means, with respect to any Person that is not a natural person, such Person’s articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, by-laws, memorandum of associations, articles of association and other similar organizational documents. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to “Charter Documents” refers to the Charter Documents of the Company, and for avoidance of doubt, such Charter Documents of the Company include the Certificate of Designation.
“Class A Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents” means Senior Preferred Shares on an as- converted basis, ADSs converted from Class A Ordinary Shares (taking into account the then effective ratio between ADS and Class A Ordinary Share), and the Senior Preferred Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares vested under the warrant to subscribe for Senior Preferred Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Term Sheet on an as-converted (if applicable) and as fully exercised basis. A Senior Preferred Share or Class A Ordinary Share shall be deemed vested under the warrant if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received the economic benefit equivalent to the purchase price for such share and such economic benefit has not been withdrawn or cancelled.
“Class B Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Code” means the Inland Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Company Options” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.05(i).
“Company Securities” the Equity Securities of the Company.
“Confidential Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.
“Control” of a given Person means the power or authority, whether exercised or not, to direct the business, management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided, that such power or authority shall conclusively be presumed to exist upon possession of Beneficial Ownership or power to direct the vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of the members or shareholders of such Person or power to control the composition of a majority of the board of directors of such Person. The terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
3 |
“Conversion Shares” means Class A Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares.
“Co-Sale Holder” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04.
“Co-Sale Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04.
“Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04(i).
“Co-Sale Right Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04.
“Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person that is a legal entity, any and all shares of capital stock, membership interests, units, depositary shares, profits interests, ownership interests, equity interests, registered capital, and other equity securities or ownership interests of such Person, and any right, warrant, option, call, commitment, conversion privilege, preemptive right or other right to acquire any of the foregoing, or security convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to “Equity Securities” refers to the Equity Securities of the Company.
“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, title defect, right of first refusal, claim, easement, right-of-way, option, preemptive or similar right or other restriction of any kind or nature.
“Existing Share Incentive Scheme” means the Company’s 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Extension Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(iii).
“First Participation Notice” or “First Participation Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.
“First Refusal Expiration Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(viii).
“Fully Participating Holders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03.
“Governmental Entity” means any transnational or supranational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal governmental, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority, department, court, arbitral body, agency or official, including any department, commission, board, agency, bureau, subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
“Group” means the Company and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, and “Group Member” means any of them.
“HKIAC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.16(i).
4 |
“Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
“Investor” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Investor ROFR Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(ii).
“Joy Capital” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Memorandum and Articles” means the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company currently in effect, as may be amended or restated from time to time.
“NASDAQ” means the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
“New Transaction Documents” means the subscription agreement and other definitive transaction documents in relation to an investment into the Company for subscription of the Company’s Senior Preferred Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares (including the investment contemplated under the Term Sheet) by an investor (who becomes a party to this Agreement as an Investor by signing a Deed of Adherence), which are specified in the applicable subscription agreement to be “Transaction Documents”.
“New Securities” means any Equity Securities issued and allotted by the Company on or after the date of this Agreement, other than such allotments and issuances of Equity Securities expressly excluded under Section 3.05.
“NIO Grace”, “NIO Glory” or “NIO Capital” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Non-Selling Shareholders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(i).
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
“Offered Shares” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(i).
“Ordinary Share Equivalents” means (a) any rights, options or warrants to acquire Ordinary Shares and (b) any depositary shares (including, without limitation, the ADSs), notes, debentures, preference shares or other Equity Securities or rights, which are ultimately convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable for, Ordinary Shares.
“Ordinary Shares” means Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.
“Overallotment New Securities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03.
“Over-Purchasing Holder” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(iii).
“Oversubscribing Fully Participating Holders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03.
“Participation Rights Holder” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.
5 |
“Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a Governmental Entity.
“Permitted Transferee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(ii).
“PFIC” means a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297(a) of the Code.
“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China.
“Principal” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Principal Holding Company” or “Principal Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Principal Lock-up Period” with respect to each of the Principal Securities, means the applicable lock-up period as set forth opposite such Principal Securities of SCHEDULE A.
“Principal New Shares” means the Senior Preferred Shares subscribed by the Principal Holding Company pursuant to the Subscription Agreement on an as-converted basis, and the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or the ADSs (taking into account the then effective ratio between ADS and Class A Ordinary Share) converted therefrom.
“Principal Securities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.01(i).
“Prior Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Purchasing Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(iii).
“Re-allotment Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(iii).
“Registration Rights Agreement(s)” means each of and collectively, the 2021 Registration Rights Agreement, the 2022 Registration Rights Agreement, the 2023 Registration Rights Agreement, the 2024 Registration Rights Agreement and each registration rights agreement (upon execution) between the Company and an Investor (who becomes a party to this Agreement as an Investor by signing a Deed of Adherence).
“Remaining Offered Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(iii).
“Restricted Business” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01(i).
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, the directors, officers, legal representatives, employees, counsel, accountants, agents, consultants, advisors and other representatives of such Person and its Subsidiaries and any other Person acting on behalf of the foregoing.
“Related Party” means (i) any shareholder of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any director of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) any officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iv) any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (v) any Relative of a shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (vi) any Person in which any shareholder or any director or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary has any interest, other than a passive shareholding of less than 5% in a publicly listed company, and (vii) any other Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary.
6 |
“Relative” of a natural person means the spouse of such person and any parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, cousin, in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece of such person or spouse.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Second Participation Notice” or “Second Participation Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Selling Shareholder” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(i).
“Senior Preferred Shares” means the senior convertible preferred shares of the Company with such preference, priority, special privilege and other rights provided in the Certificate of Designation.
“Shares” means Ordinary Shares and Senior Preferred Shares.
“Subscription Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Subsidiary” means any entity of which a majority of the outstanding equity securities or other ownership interests representing a majority of the outstanding equity interests or otherwise having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned or Controlled by the Company, and includes any entity which is directly or indirectly Controlled by the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any variable interest entities that are consolidated into the financial statements of the Company).
“Tax” means (a) all U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, alternative or add-on minimum taxes, customs, unclaimed property or escheat, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto and (b) any liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in the immediately preceding clause (a) as a result of (1) being a “transferee” (within the meaning of Section 6901 of the Code, or any other Applicable Law) of another Person, (2) being a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated or unitary group or (3) any contractual liability.
“Tax Returns” means all Tax returns, Tax reports, information returns, declarations of estimated Tax and other declarations and statements with respect to Taxes.
7 |
“Term Sheet” means a Term Sheet dated March 18, 2024 for New Financing of Uxin Limited by and among the Company, the Principal Holding Company and an investment fund focusing on the industry of new energy vehicles referred to as “NC Fund” thereunder.
“Transaction Documents” has the meaning set forth in the Subscription Agreement, provided that, to the extent any Transaction Document is supplemented, amended or restated, it shall be referred to such Transaction Document as supplemented, amended or restated.
“Transfer” (or any correlative term) means, in respect of any Equity Securities, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, pledge, charge, mortgage, hypothecation, gift, placement in trust (voting or otherwise) or transfer by operation of Law of such Equity Securities (including through the transfer of shares or ownership interest in any Person that directly or indirectly Controls any Person that holds such Equity Securities), or the creation of a security interest in, or lien on, or any other Encumbrance or disposal (directly or indirectly and whether or not voluntary) on such Equity Securities, and shall include any transfer by will or intestate succession or entry into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to any Person, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such Equity Securities, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Equity Securities or other Equity Securities, in cash or otherwise.
“Transfer Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.03(i).
“Trust” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.01(iv).
“U.S.” means the United States of America.
“U.S. GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States.
“U.S. Investor” means any Investor who is or is deemed a United States person or one or more owners of such Investor is or is deemed as United States persons under the Code, or subject to Tax reporting obligation under the Code.
“Voting Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated as the date hereof entered or to be entered into by and among the Company, the Principal Parties and the Investors, as supplemented, amended or restated from time to time.
“2021 Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated July 12, 2021 by and among the Company and certain Investors thereto, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
“2021 Subscription Agreement” means the Share Subscription Agreement dated June 14, 2021 by and among the Company and certain Investors thereto, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
“2021 Transaction Documents” means the “Transaction Documents” set forth in the 2021 Subscription Agreement, provided that, to the extent any 2021 Transaction Document is supplemented, amended or restated, it shall be referred to such 2021 Transaction Document as supplemented, amended or restated.
“2022 Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated July 27, 2022 by and among the Company and certain Investors thereto, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
8 |
“2022 Subscription Agreement” means the Share Subscription Agreement dated June 30, 2022 by and among the Company and certain Investors thereto, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
“2022 Transaction Documents” means the “Transaction Documents” set forth in the 2022 Subscription Agreement, provided that, to the extent any 2022 Transaction Document is supplemented, amended or restated, it shall be referred to such 2022 Transaction Document as supplemented, amended or restated.
“2023 Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated August 17, 2023 by and among the Company and certain Investors thereto, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
“2023 Transaction Documents” means the “Transaction Documents” set forth in the 2023 Warrant Agreement, provided that, to the extent any 2023 Transaction Document is supplemented, amended or restated, it shall be referred to such 2023 Transaction Document as supplemented, amended or restated.
“2023 Warrant Agreement” means the Agreement in Relation to Amendment to and Exercise of Warrants Issued by Uxin Limited entered into by and among the Company, Joy Capital and Alpha Wealth Global Limited dated June 30, 2023, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
“2024 Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated as the date hereof entered or to be entered into by and between the Company and the Principal Holding Company, as supplemented and amended from time to time.
Section 1.02 Interpretation. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly herein provided, (i) the terms defined in this Article I shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article I and include the plural as well as the singular, (ii) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under U.S. GAAP, (iii) all references in this Agreement to designated “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Sections and other subdivisions of the body of this Agreement, (iv) pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms, (v) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision, (vi) references to this Agreement and any other document shall be construed as references to such document as the same may be amended, supplemented or novated from time to time, (vii) the term “including” will be deemed to be followed by “, but not limited to,” (viii) the terms “shall,” “will,” and “agrees” are mandatory, and the term “may” is permissive, (ix) the phrase “directly or indirectly” means directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediate Persons or through contractual or other arrangements, and “direct or indirect” has the correlative meaning, (x) the term “voting power” refers to the number of votes attributable to the Ordinary Shares in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum and Articles and the number of votes attributable to the Senior Preferred Shares in accordance with the Certificate of Designation, (xi) the headings used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement, (xii) references to Laws include any such Law modifying, re-enacting, extending or made pursuant to the same or which is modified, re-enacted, or extended by the same or pursuant to which the same is made, and (xiii) all references to dollars or to “$” are to currency of the United States of America and all references to RMB are to currency of the PRC (and each shall be deemed to include reference to the equivalent amount in other currencies).
9 |
ARTICLE II
INFORMATION RIGHTS
Section 2.01 Financial Information. Except to the extent such materials are available to the public through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (also known as “EDGAR”) or its Interactive Data Electronic Applications information portal (also known as “IDEA”) or through Bloomberg (or other similar financial information service provider) at the relevant time, the Company agrees to provide to the Investors:
(i) as soon as practicable, but in any event within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, consolidated and consolidating income statements and statements of cash flows for the Company and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year and consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and accounts receivable aging reports for the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case comparisons to the Annual Budget and to the preceding fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, consistently applied, and audited and certified by the Company’s auditors and accompanied by a copy of such auditing firm’s annual management letter to the Board;
(ii) as soon as practicable, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, unaudited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter, including unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then-current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, setting forth in each case comparisons to the Annual Budget and to the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, consistently applied, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments made in accordance with U.S. GAAP, consistently applied;
(iii) as soon as practicable, but in any event within fourteen (14) days after the end of each monthly accounting period in each fiscal year, unaudited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such monthly period, including unaudited consolidated and consolidating required balance sheet items of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such monthly period and the related consolidated and consolidating management accounts, required cash flow items and statements of income for such monthly period and for the period from the beginning of the then-current fiscal year to the end of such monthly period, setting forth in each case comparisons to the Annual Budget and to the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, consistently applied, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments made in accordance with U.S. GAAP, consistently applied;
(iv) within thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, an Annual Budget in respect of such upcoming fiscal year, to be approved by the Board;
(v) promptly upon receipt thereof, any additional reports, management letters or other detailed information concerning significant aspects of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ operations or financial affairs given to the Company by its independent accountants (and not otherwise contained in other materials provided hereunder);
10 |
(vi) as soon as available, copies of any communications, or reports or statements furnished to or filed by the Company (other than such information covered under sub clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above), with the SEC or any securities exchange on which any class of Equity Securities of the Company may be listed;
(vii) promptly (but in any event within five Business Days) after the discovery or receipt of notice of any Event of Default (as such term is defined in its respective 2019 Note), any default under any material agreement to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, any condition or event which is reasonably likely to result in any material adverse effect affecting the Company or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, the filing of any material litigation against the Company or any Subsidiary or the existence of any dispute with any Person which involves a reasonable likelihood of such litigation being commenced), a certificate from an officer of the Company specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what actions the Company and its Subsidiaries have taken and propose to take with respect thereto; and
(viii) as soon as practicable, such other information and financial data concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Investors may reasonably request.
Section 2.02 Exchange Act Filings; Rule 144 Information. As long as any of the Investors holds any Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs, the Company covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the Exchange Act. As long as any of the Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADS are “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 (or any successor rule thereto), if the Company is not required to file reports pursuant to the Exchange Act, it will prepare and make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c), and furnish to the Investors such information, as is required to sell such Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADS under Rule 144 (or any successor rule thereto), to the extent Rule 144 is available to the Investors for the public resale of restricted securities. In addition, the Company shall maintain its eligibility to register the Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares for resale by the Investors on Form F- 3 or any similar short form registration statement hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Parties acknowledge and confirm that, if any Investor converts any of the Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares (as the case may be) it holds in the Company into ADSs pursuant to the Company’s written request, for the purpose of satisfying the amount of ADSs of the Company that is required by any governmental authority, listing exchange, depositary or any other Person, then in addition to the expenses incident to such conversion that should be borne by the Company according to such Investor’s Registration Rights Agreement and the Certificate of Designation, all expenses payable to third parties incident to such Investor’s holding and maintenance of such ADSs after conversion (by way of example but not limited to, pursuant to certain deposit agreement entered into by and among the Company, the Bank of New York Mellon and certain other parties thereto, (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses thereunder, (3) fees of such converted ADSs (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant thereto, (4) fees of such converted ADSs (or portion thereof) for the distribution of securities pursuant thereto, (5) fees of such converted ADSs (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, and (6) any other charges payable in connection with the servicing of such converted ADSs) shall be paid by the Company until (i) the date of such Investor’s sale, transfer, exchange or other similar disposition of such ADSs (the “Sale”), or (ii) to the extent such converted ADSs are ADSs with restrictive legend, the date the restrictive legend is removed from such ADSs as requested by such Investor (the “De-legending”), whichever is earlier, provided that the Company shall not be responsible for any fees or expenses incident to or as a result of any Sale or De-legending, or the charge, pledge, creation of a lien or other encumbrance on such ADSs. If any Investor converts any of the Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares (as the case may be) it holds in the Company into ADSs at its own discretion, such Investor shall be liable for all expenses incident to such Investor’s holding and maintenance, Sale, De-legending and other disposal of such converted ADSs by its own. In the event an Investor has ADSs converted at its own discretion and ADSs converted per the Company’s request as described above (the “Requested Converted ADSs”), the Company’s obligations to pay the post-conversion expenses shall be limited to the expenses attributable to the Requested Converted ADSs only and the Requested Converted ADSs shall be deemed Sold or De-legending first in any Sale or De-legending of ADSs by the Investor.
11 |
Section 2.03 Books, Records and Internal Controls.
(i) The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, (A) make and keep books, records and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly (x) reflect their transactions and dispositions of assets and (y) present their financial instruments and Equity Securities; and (B) prepare its financial statements and disclosure documents accurately, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and ensure the completeness and timeliness of such financial statement and disclosure documents in all material respects.
(ii) The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, devise and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that:
(a) transactions are executed and access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization;
(b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of periodic financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP or any other criteria applicable to such statements and to maintain accountability for assets;
(c) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and
(d) any transaction by and between the Company, its Subsidiaries and any Related Party is properly monitored, recorded and disclosed.
(iii) The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, install and have in operation an accounting and control system, management information system and books of account and other records, which together will adequately give a fair and true view of the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the results of their operations in conformation with U.S. GAAP, as applicable.
12 |
Section 2.04 Inspection Rights. Notwithstanding any additional rights the Investors may have under the Memorandum and Articles or under Applicable Law, the Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, upon reasonable prior written notice of any of the Investors, permit such Investor and its Representatives to have reasonable access at all reasonable times during regular working hours (and at the Investor’s sole cost and expense), and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business operations of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries or otherwise result in any significant interference with the prompt and timely discharge by the employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries of their normal duties, to the officers and senior management, premises, employees, agents, contractors, accountants, customers, books, records, contracts, financial and operating data and other information with respect to the business, properties and personnel of or pertaining to the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, as such Investors may reasonably request in writing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.04, nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives to provide the Investors or any of its Representatives with access to any contracts, books, records, documents or other information (i) to the extent the disclosure of such contracts, books, records, documents or other information is prohibited by Law, or (ii) to the extent disclosure of such contracts, books, records, documents or other information, as reasonably determined by the Company’s counsel, would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of any confidentiality obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are bound.
Section 2.05 Confidentiality. For the avoidance of doubt, any Confidential Information obtained by the Investors pursuant to this Article II shall be subject to Article VI.
Section 2.06 Listing. The Company shall maintain the ADSs’ authorization for listing on the NASDAQ. Neither the Company nor any other Group Member shall take any action which would be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of trading of the ADSs on the NASDAQ.
Section 2.07 United States Tax Information. As long as any U.S. Investor or its Affiliates hold any Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs, the Company shall use its best efforts to (and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to) provide such U.S. Investor with such information and records and make such of its officers, directors, employees and agents available during usual business hours as may reasonably be requested by such U.S. Investor at any time or from time to time relating to:
(i) the income Tax classification of any distributions (whether cash, stock, in kind, or otherwise) made by the Company to the U.S. Investor, including the U.S. federal income Tax classification;
(ii) the extent to which a distribution made by the Company to the U.S. Investor is entitled to the benefits of any applicable income Tax treaty; and
(iii) all such other information that is reasonably necessary for the U.S. Investor, or any direct or indirect owner of the U.S. Investor, to duly complete and file its Tax Returns, or may be reasonably necessary in connection with any Tax audit or controversy.
ARTICLE III
PARTICIPATION RIGHT.
Section 3.01 General. In the event the Company proposes to undertake an allotment and issuance of New Securities, the Company hereby undertakes to the Investors and the Principal Parties that it shall not undertake such allotment and issuance of New Securities unless it first delivers to the Investors and the Principal Parties a Participation Notice and complies with the provisions set forth in this Article III.
13 |
Section 3.02 First Participation Notice. In the event that the Company proposes to undertake an issuance of any New Securities (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), it shall give to each Investor and the Principal Parties (the “Participation Rights Holder”) written notice of its intention to issue such New Securities (the “First Participation Notice”), describing the amount and class of the New Securities, the price and the general terms upon which the Company proposes to issue such New Securities. Each Participation Rights Holder shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of any such First Participation Notice (the “First Participation Period”) to agree on behalf of itself or its Affiliates in writing to purchase such Participation Rights Holder’s Pro Rata Share of such New Securities for the price and upon the terms and conditions specified in the First Participation Notice by giving written notice to the Company and stating therein the quantity of the New Securities to be purchased (not to exceed such Participation Rights Holder’s Pro Rata Share). If any Participation Rights Holder fails to so agree in writing within the First Participation Period to purchase such Participation Rights Holder’s full Pro Rata Share of an offering of such New Securities, then such Participation Rights Holder shall forfeit the right hereunder to purchase that part of its Pro Rata Share of such New Securities that it did not agree to purchase. A Participation Rights Holder’s “Pro Rata Share” for purposes of the right of participation in this Article III is the ratio of (a) the number of Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by such Participation Rights Holder (with respect to the Principal Parties, the Principal New Shares then held by the Principal Parties only), to (b) the total number of Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by all Participation Rights Holders (among which, with respect to the Principal Parties, the Principal New Shares then held by the Principal Parties only) immediately prior to the issuance of the New Securities giving rise to the Right of Participation.
Section 3.03 Second Participation Notice; Oversubscription. If any Participation Rights Holder fails or declines to fully exercise its Right of Participation in accordance with Section 3.02 above, the Company shall promptly (but no later than three (3) Business Days after the expiration of the First Participation Period) give notice (the “Second Participation Notice”) to other Participation Rights Holders who have fully exercised their Right of Participation (the “Fully Participating Holders”) in accordance with Section 3.02 above, which notice shall set forth the number of the New Securities not purchased by the other Participation Rights Holders pursuant to Section 3.02 above (such shares, the “Overallotment New Securities”). Each Fully Participating Holder shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the Second Participation Notice (the “Second Participation Period”) to notify the Company of its desire to purchase more than its Pro Rata Share of the New Securities, stating the number of the additional New Securities it proposes to buy (the “Additional Number”). Such notice may be made by telephone if confirmed in writing within two (2) Business Days thereafter. If, as a result thereof, the total number of additional New Securities the Fully Participating Holders (the “Oversubscribing Fully Participating Holders”) propose to buy exceeds the total number of the Overallotment New Securities, the number each such Oversubscribing Fully Participating Holder is entitled to subscribe will equal to the lesser of (x) its Additional Number and (y) the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of the Overallotment New Securities available for subscription by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of the Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by such Oversubscribing Fully Participating Holder (with respect to the Principal Parties, the Principal New Shares then held by the Principal Parties only) and the denominator of which is the total number of the Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by all the Oversubscribing Fully Participating Holders (among which, with respect to the Principal Parties, the Principal New Shares then held by the Principal Parties only).
14 |
Section 3.04 Sale by the Company. If Participation Rights Holders fail or decline to exercise their rights or purchase all New Securities included in the First Participation Notice within the First Participation Period or the Second Participation Period under Section 3.02 or Section 3.03 (as the case may be), the Company shall have one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date of the First Participation Notice or Second Participation Notice, as the case may be, to sell the New Securities described in the First Participation Notice (with respect to which the Right of Participation hereunder were not exercised) at the same or higher price and upon non-price terms no more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the First Participation Notice. At the request of any Participation Rights Holder, the purchaser (which is not a party to this Agreement) shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement by executing a Deed of Adherence in substantially the form attached hereto as SCHEDULE B. In the event that the Company has not issued and sold such New Securities within such one hundred and twenty (120)-day period, then the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without offering such New Securities to the Participation Rights Holders pursuant to this Article III again.
Section 3.05 New Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article III, the Participation Rights Holder’s participation right under this Article III shall not apply to, and “New Securities” shall not include, the following allotments and issuances of Equity Securities:
(i) options, grants, awards, restricted shares or any other Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents issued under the Existing Share Incentive Scheme or any other employee share incentive scheme(s) approved pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Voting Agreement (collectively, “Company Options”), and Equity Securities upon the exercise or conversion of any Company Options;
(ii) Ordinary Shares issued upon the termination of the Company’s American Depositary Receipts program or the termination, cancelation or exchange of any ADSs by the holders thereof;
(iii) the warrant to subscribe for Senior Preferred Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares issued in connection with the Term Sheet, and the Senior Preferred Shares or Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon exercise of such warrant;
(iv) Conversion Shares issued upon conversion of Senior Preferred Shares;
(v) Equity Securities of the Company issued in connection with any share split, share dividend, reclassification or other similar event that has been approved in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Voting Agreement; and
(vi) other than to the extent covered above in sub-clauses (i) and (ii), Ordinary Shares or ADSs issued upon the conversion or exercise of any Ordinary Share Equivalents outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or issued subsequent to the date of this Agreement in compliance with the participation rights set forth in this Article III (in each case, pursuant to the terms of the relevant Ordinary Share Equivalents as unmodified).
15 |
ARTICLE IV
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
The Company undertakes and covenants with each Investor as follows:
Section 4.01 Compliance with Laws.
(i) The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, make or authorize any offer, gift, payment, or transfer, or promise of, any money or anything else of value, or provide any benefit, to any government official, Governmental Entity or Person that would result in a breach of any anti-corruption law.
(ii) The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to, permit any government official to serve in any capacity within the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including as a board member, employee or consultant.
(iii) The Company shall, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain complete and accurate books and records, including records of payments to any government official or Governmental Entity, in accordance with anti- corruption laws and applicable generally accepted accounting principles.
(iv) The Company shall cooperate with any compliance audit or investigation by the Investors and provide all reasonable information and assistance requested upon an investigation or inquiry by a Governmental Entity directed to the Company or any shareholder of the Company.
(v) The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws, including the requirements of (a) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, (b) any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder that are effective with the force of Law and (c) all applicable provisions of the sanction programs administered by OFAC.
Section 4.02 PFIC. The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to conduct its business activities and operations in a manner that avoids the Company or any of its Subsidiaries being considered a PFIC. The Company shall determine whether it or any of its Subsidiaries constituted a PFIC not later than seventy-five (75) days after the end of any fiscal year. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, in the event it is determined that it or any of its Subsidiaries is a PFIC, and at the request of any U.S. Investor, to furnish to such U.S. Investor: (i) all information necessary to permit the U.S. Investor (or any direct or indirect owner of the U.S. Investor) to complete United States Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 with respect to its interest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are or may be PFICs, (ii) a PFIC Annual Information Statement described in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.1295-1(g)(1) with respect to the Company and such of its Subsidiaries that are or may be PFICs, and shall attempt to provide such information within ninety (90) days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Section 4.03 United States Tax Classification. The Company shall not take any action that would cause it to cease to be classified as a corporation for United States federal income Tax purposes (including, without limitation, filing any United States Internal Revenue Service Form 8832 that would cause the Company to be taxed other than as a corporation for United States federal income Tax purposes).
16 |
ARTICLE V
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.
Section 5.01 Principal Lock-up. Subject to Section 5.02, during the applicable Principal Lock-up Period, no Principal Party shall Transfer, or publicly announce an intention to Transfer, any Equity Securities in the Company directly or indirectly held by the Principal Party as of the date hereof, without the prior written consent of the Investors; provided however, any Transfer due to the enforcement of the existing pledge on the Class A Ordinary Shares held by BOCOM as set forth in SCHEDULE A shall not be subject to this Article V. The Principal irrevocably agrees to cause and guarantee the performance by the Principal Holding Company of all of its covenants and obligations under this Section 5.01. Any purported Transfer by any Principal Party in violation of this Section 5.01 shall be null and void and of no force and effect and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such Transfer and shall not register or otherwise reflect on its records any change in ownership of such Equity Securities in the Company purported to have been Transferred.
Section 5.02 Permitted Transfers.
(i) Regardless of anything else contained herein, Section 5.01 shall not apply to Transfers of Equity Securities of the Company by the Principal Holding Company (i) to the Principal, a Relative of the Principal, a trust formed for the exclusive benefit of the Principal or his Relatives, or an entity 100% Controlled exclusively by the Principal, or (ii) through will or intestacy, in each case where the transferee shall have executed and delivered to each of the Parties (other than the transferor) an instrument, reasonably acceptable to the other Parties, agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement as if such transferee were the transferor.
(ii) Any transferee of Equity Securities expressly contemplated under Section 5.02 is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”. If any Permitted Transferee to which Equity Securities of the Company are Transferred ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of the Party from which or whom it acquired such Equity Securities of the Company pursuant to such provision, such Person shall reconvey such Equity Securities of the Company to such transferring Party (or another Permitted Transferee of such Party) immediately before such Person ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of such transferring Party so long as such Person knows of its upcoming change of status immediately prior thereto. If such change of status is not known until after its occurrence, the former Permitted Transferee shall make such Transfer to such transferring Party (or another Permitted Transferee of such Party) as soon as practicable after the former Permitted Transferee receives notice thereof.
Section 5.03 Right of First Refusal. Transfer Notice.
(i) Subject to Section 5.01 and Section 5.02, if any of the Principal Parties, any of his/its Permitted Transferee (the “Selling Shareholder”) proposes to Transfer all or any Equity Securities of the Company directly or indirectly held by it/him, then the Selling Shareholder shall promptly give written notice (the “Transfer Notice”) to each of the Investors (collectively, the “Non-Selling Shareholders”) and the Company prior to such Transfer. The Transfer Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the proposed Transfer including, without limitation, the number of Equity Securities to be Transferred (the “Offered Shares”), the nature of such Transfer, the consideration to be paid, and the name and address of each prospective purchaser or transferee or acquirer. The Transfer Notice shall also include a copy of any written proposal, term sheet or letter of intent or other agreement relating to the proposed Transfer (if any).
17 |
(ii) Each Non-Selling Shareholder shall have the right for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days following the Non-Selling Shareholder’s receipt of the Transfer Notice (the “Investor ROFR Period”) to elect to purchase up to its respective pro rata share of the Offered Shares at the same price and subject to the same material terms and conditions as described in the Transfer Notice. Each Non-Selling Shareholder may exercise such right of first refusal and, thereby, purchase all or any portion of its pro rata share of the Offered Shares, by notifying the Selling Shareholder and the Company in writing, before expiration of the Investor ROFR Period as to the number of such Offered Shares that it wishes to purchase. Each Non-Selling Shareholder’s pro rata share of the Offered Shares shall be a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of the Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by such Non-Selling Shareholder on the date of the Transfer Notice and the denominator of which shall be the total number of the Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by all the Non-Selling Shareholders on such date.
(iii) If any Non-Selling Shareholder elects not to exercise or fully exercise or fails to fully exercise such right of first refusal pursuant to Section 5.03(ii), the Selling Shareholder shall, within three (3) Business Days after the expiration of the Investor ROFR Period, give notice of such election or failure (the “Re-allotment Notice”) to each other Non- Selling Shareholder that elected to purchase its entire pro rata share of the Offered Shares (the “Purchasing Holders”), which notice shall set forth the number of the Offered Shares not purchased by the other Non-Selling Shareholders pursuant to Section 5.03(ii) (such shares, the “Remaining Offered Shares”). Such Re-allotment Notice may be made by telephone if confirmed in writing within five (5) Business Days. The Purchasing Holders shall have a right of re-allotment such that they shall have ten (10) Business Days from the date of such Re- allotment Notice was given (the “Extension Period”) to elect to increase the number of the Offered Shares they agreed to purchase under Section 5.03(ii). Such right of re-allotment shall be subject to the following conditions: Each Purchasing Holder shall first, within the Extension Period, notify the Selling Shareholder of its desire to increase the number of the Offered Shares it agreed to purchase under Section 5.03(ii), stating the number of the additional Offered Shares it proposes to buy (the “Additional Offered Shares”). Such notice may be made by telephone if confirmed in writing within two (2) Business Days. If, as a result thereof, the total number of Additional Offered Shares the Purchasing Holders propose to buy exceeds the total number of the Remaining Offered Shares, each such Purchasing Holder (an “Over-Purchasing Holder”) shall be entitle to buy such number of Remaining Offered Shares equal to the lesser of (x) its Additional Offered Shares and (y) the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of the Remaining Offered Shares available to the Over-Purchasing Holders for over-purchase by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of the Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by such Over-Purchasing Holder and the denominator of which is the total number of the Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by all the Over-Purchasing Holders, calculated as at the date of Transfer Notice.
(iv) Subject to applicable securities laws and other Applicable Laws, the Non-Selling Shareholders shall be entitled to apportion the Offered Shares to be purchased among its partners and Affiliates upon written notice to the Company and the Selling Shareholder; provided that such partners and Affiliates (which are not parties to this Agreement) shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement by executing the Deed of Adherence in substantially the form attached hereto as Schedule B.
18 |
(v) If a Non-Selling Shareholder gives the Selling Shareholder notice that it desires to purchase the Offered Shares, then payment for the Offered Shares to be purchased shall be made by check or wire transfer in immediately available funds of the appropriate currency, against delivery of such Offered Shares to be purchased and the delivery of updated register of members of the Company reflecting the purchase of such Offered Shares by such Non-Selling Shareholder, at a place agreed by the Selling Shareholder and all the participating Non-Selling Shareholders and at the time of the scheduled closing therefor, which shall be no later than forty-five (45) Business Days after the Non-Selling Shareholder’s receipt of the Transfer Notice, unless such notice contemplated a later closing with the prospective third party transferee or unless the value of the purchase price has not yet been established pursuant to Section 5.03(ii).
(vi) Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Offered Shares to be purchased by the Non-Selling Shareholders exercising their right of first refusal will be the price set forth in the Transfer Notice. If the purchase price in the Transfer Notice includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration will be as previously determined by the Board in good faith, which determination will be binding upon the Company and the Non-Selling Shareholder, absent fraud or error.
(vii) Rights of Selling Shareholder. If any Non-Selling Shareholder exercises its right of first refusal to purchase the Offered Shares, then, upon the date the notice of such exercise is given by such Non-Selling Shareholder, the Selling Shareholder will have no further rights as a holder of such Offered Shares except the right to receive payment for such Offered Shares from the Non-Selling Shareholder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the Selling Shareholder will forthwith cause all certificate(s) evidencing such Offered Shares to be surrendered to the Non-Selling Shareholder for Transfer to the Non- Selling Shareholder.
(viii) Application of Co-Sale Right. Within seven (7) Business Days after expiration of the Extension Period (or if no Extension Period, the Investor ROFR Period), the Selling Shareholder shall give each Non-Selling Shareholder a written notice (the “First Refusal Expiration Notice”) specifying either (i) that all of the Offered Shares have been purchased by the Non-Selling Shareholders exercising rights of first refusal, or (ii) that the Non-Selling Shareholders have not purchased for all of the Offered Shares. If the Non-Selling Shareholders have not purchased for all of the Offered Shares, then the sale of the remaining Offered Shares will become subject to the co-sale right set forth in Section 5.04 below. This Section 5.03(viii) and Section 5.04 shall not apply to the Offered Shares that are Principal New Shares.
Section 5.04 Co-Sale Right.
Each of the Non-Selling Shareholders that has not exercised its right of first refusal with respect to any Offered Share proposed to be Transferred by the Selling Shareholder (the “Co-Sale Holder”) shall have the right, exercisable upon written notice to the Selling Shareholder and the Company (the “Co-Sale Notice”) within twenty (20) Business Days after receipt of the First Refusal Expiration Notice (the “Co-Sale Right Period”), to participate in the sale of the Offered Shares at the same price and subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Transfer Notice. The Co-Sale Notice shall set forth the number of Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) that such Co-Sale Holder wishes to include in such Transfer, which amount shall not exceed the Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of such Co-Sale Holder. To the extent any Co-Sale Holder exercises such right of co-sale in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below, the number of the Offered Shares that the Selling Shareholder may sell in the transaction shall be correspondingly reduced. The co-sale right of each Co-Sale Holder shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion. A Co-Sale Holder may sell all or any part of that number of Class A Ordinary Shares held by or issuable to it (on an as-converted basis) that is equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of the Offered Shares subject to the co-sale right hereunder by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by such Co-Sale Holder at the time of the date of First Refusal Expiration Notice and the denominator of which is the combined number of Class A Ordinary Shares (on an as-converted basis) held by the Selling Shareholder and Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) held by all the Co-Sale Holders exercising the co-sale right hereunder at the time of the date of First Refusal Expiration Notice (the “Co-Sale Pro Rata Portion”). The co-sale right under this Section 5.04 shall not apply with respect to any Shares sold or to be sold to the Non-Selling Shareholders under the right of first refusal under Section 5.03.
19 |
(ii) Transferred Shares. A Co-Sale Holder shall effect its participation in the co-sale by promptly delivering to the Selling Shareholder for transfer to the prospective purchaser instrument(s) of transfer executed by such Co-Sale Holder and one or more certificates, properly endorsed for transfer, which represent:
(a) the number of the Class A Ordinary Shares which such Co-Sale Holder elects to sell;
(b) Senior Preferred Shares, in the event that the Co-Sale Holder delivers certificates for that number of Senior Preferred Shares which is at such time convertible into the number of Class A Ordinary Shares that the Co-Sale Holder elects to sell (on an as-converted basis); provided in such case that, if the prospective purchaser objects to the Transfer of the Senior Preferred Shares in lieu of the Class A Ordinary Shares, the Co-Sale Holder shall convert such Senior Preferred Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares and deliver certificates for Class A Ordinary Shares as provided in Section 5.04(ii)(a) above. The Company agrees to make any such conversion concurrent with the actual Transfer of such shares to the prospective purchaser; or
(c) a combination of the above.
provided however, if the Selling Shareholder proposes to Transfer any ADSs to the prospective purchaser, or if the prospective purchaser objects to the Transfer of the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Senior Preferred Shares in lieu of the ADSs, upon written request of such Co-Sale Holder, the Company shall, and the Principal Parties shall cause the Company to, use its best efforts to convert such Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Senior Preferred Shares into ADSs pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements.
(iii) Payment to Co-Sale Holders; Registration of Transfer. The share certificate or certificates that a Co-Sale Holder delivers to the Selling Shareholder pursuant to Section 5.04(ii) above shall be transferred to the prospective purchaser in consummation of the Transfer of the Offered Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Transfer Notice, and the Selling Shareholder shall concurrently therewith remit to the Co-Sale Holder exercising the co-sale right that portion of the sale proceeds to which the Co-Sale Holder is entitled by reason of its participation in such Transfer. To the extent that any prospective purchaser or purchasers prohibits such assignment or otherwise refuses to purchase Shares or other securities from the Co-Sale Holders exercising the co-sale right hereunder, the Selling Shareholder shall not Transfer to such prospective purchaser or purchasers any Offered Shares unless and until, simultaneously with such Transfer, the Selling Shareholder shall purchase such Shares or other securities from the Co-Sale Holders exercising the co-sale right. The Company shall, upon surrendering by the Co-Sale Holder or the Selling Shareholder of the certificates for the Shares or other securities being Transferred from the Co-Sale Holders as provided above, make proper entries in the register of members of the Company and cancel the surrendered certificates and issue any new certificates in the name of the prospective purchase or the Selling Shareholder, as the case may be, as necessary to consummate the transactions in connection with the exercise by the Co-Sale Holder of its co-sale rights under this Section 5.04.
20 |
Section 5.05 Conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares.
(i) With respect to the 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Principal Holding Company, in addition to the restrictions set forth in the Memorandum and Articles, the Company and the Principal Parties agree that all the number of Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Principal Holding Company will be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) the Principal ceases to be the ultimate Beneficial Owner of the entire equity interests of the Principal Holding Company;
(b) any direct or indirect sale, Transfer, assignment or disposition of the equity interest in the Principal Holding Company by the Principal to any Person; or
(c) any direct or indirect transfer or assignment of the voting power attached to the equity interest in the Principal Holding Company through voting proxy or otherwise to any Person.
(ii) During the applicable Principal Lock-up Period, other than as required by the Memorandum and Articles or Section 5.05(i) above, the Principal shall not, and shall cause the Principal Holding Company not to, convert or cause or permit the conversion of, any Class B Ordinary Share into Class A Ordinary Share.
(iii) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary under the Memorandum and Articles, the Company may effect any conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares required pursuant to Section 5.05(i) above in any manner available under Applicable Law, including redeeming or repurchasing the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares with proceeds from the issuance of new Class A Ordinary Shares. Any Class B Ordinary Shares converted pursuant to Section 5.05(i) above shall be cancelled. For purposes of such redemption or repurchase, the Company may, subject to the Company being able to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business, make payments out of its capital.
21 |
ARTICLE VI
CONFIDENTIALITY
Section 6.01 General Obligations. Each Party undertakes to the other Party that it shall not reveal, and that it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to procure that its respective Representatives who are in receipt of any Confidential Information do not reveal, to any third party any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the concerned Party. The term “Confidential Information” as used in this Article VI means: (a) any non-public information concerning the organization, structure, business or financial results or condition of any Party, including but not limited to any non-public information that the Investors may have or acquire in relation to any Group Members or its customers, business, assets or affairs pursuant to Article II; (b) the terms of the 2021 Transaction Documents, the 2022 Transaction Documents, the 2023 Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents and the New Transaction Documents (upon execution), and the identities of the Parties and their respective Affiliates; and (c) any other information or material prepared by a Party or its Representatives to the extent it contains or otherwise reflects, or is generated from, Confidential Information (collectively, the “Confidential Information”); provided that “Confidential Information” shall not include information that is (i) or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by or at the direction of a Party or any of its Representatives in breach of this Agreement, (ii) or becomes available to a Party from a source other than the Company, (iii) already in the possession of the Party on the date hereof (other than information furnished by or on behalf of a Party) or (iv) independently developed by the Party without violating any of the confidentiality terms herein.
Section 6.02 Exceptions. The provisions of Section 6.01 shall not apply to:
(i) disclosure by a Party to a Representative or an Affiliate if such Representative or Affiliate (a) is under a similar obligation of confidentiality or (b) is otherwise under a binding professional obligation of confidentiality;
(ii) disclosure, after giving prior notice to the other Parties to the extent practicable under the circumstances and subject to any practicable arrangements to protect confidentiality, to the extent requested or required under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Equity Securities of a Party or any of its Affiliates are listed or by Laws or governmental regulations or judicial or regulatory process or in connection with any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement; provided that no prior notice to any Party shall be required to be given under this Section 6.02 with respect to any Proceeding commenced or brought by a Party in pursuit of its rights or in the exercise of its remedies arising out of the 2021 Transaction Documents, the 2022 Transaction Documents, the 2023 Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents or the New Transaction Documents (upon execution);
(iii) disclosure by the Investors to a financing source in connection with a bona fide loan or financing arrangement, if the recipient agrees in writing prior to any such disclosure to be subject to confidentiality obligations substantially similar to those set forth in this Article VI;
(iv) following notification in writing to the Company on a no names basis, disclosure by any Investor to a bona fide potential purchaser of any portion or all of the Equity Securities of the Company held by such Investor to the extent necessary for such potential purchaser to evaluate such a proposed transaction or for other similar business purposes, if the recipient agrees in writing prior to any such disclosure to be subject to confidentiality obligations substantially similar to those set forth in this Article VI, of which the Company is a third-party beneficiary; or
22 |
(v) disclosure by the Investors or its Affiliates of Confidential Information that is reasonably necessary in connection with its reporting requirements to its shareholders, limited partners and/or director or indirect investors in the ordinary course of business in each case, so long as the Persons being disclosed such information have been advised of the confidential nature of such information
Section 6.03 Press Release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Investors, the Company shall not disclose any Confidential Information or make any press releases that contains any Confidential Information, even if such disclosure or press release is required by Applicable Laws, regulations or stock exchange rules. The final form of any such disclosure or press release shall be approved in advance in writing by each Party.
Section 6.04 Use of Investors’ Name or Logo.
(i) Without the prior written consent of Joy Capital, none of the other Parties shall use, publish, reproduce, or refer to the name of Joy Capital or its Affiliate, including the name of “Joy Capital” and “愉悦资本”, or any similar name, trademark or logo in any discussion, documents or materials, including without limitation for marketing or other purposes.
(ii) The Company acknowledges that the name, brand and/or logo of NIO Capital and its Affiliates (including but not limited to “蔚来” and “NIO”) are important properties with high valuation and reputation. Abuse of which may lead to NIO Capital and/or its Affiliates unmeasurable damage. Without the prior written consent of NIO Capital, the Company, its shareholders (other than NIO Capital), its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not use name, brand and/or logo of NIO Capital and/or its Affiliate (including but not limited to “蔚来” and “NIO”), claim itself as a partner of NIO Capital or its Affiliate, use the name “William Li” or “李斌” for publicity, or make any similar representations. If the Company, its shareholders (other than NIO Capital), its Subsidiaries and Affiliates would like to make, or cause to be made, any press release, public announcement or any other disclosure to the public or through any third party to the public, in respect of the 2021 Transaction Documents or the 2022 Transaction Documents with NIO Capital, or NIO Capital’s subscription of share interest of the Company or any other kind of information relating to, or in connection with NIO Capital, or “William Li”/ “李斌”, they shall consult with NIO Capital first, and only release such press release, public announcement or disclosure upon written consent of NIO Capital.
Section 6.05 Overriding Provision. The provisions of this Article VI shall supersede the provisions of any separate nondisclosure agreements executed by any of the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and all such other nondisclosure agreements shall be terminated and null and void as between the Parties, including without limitation, any term sheet, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar agreement entered into by two or more of the Parties in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.
23 |
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES
Each Party severally but not jointly represents and warrants, with respect to itself, to the other Party that:
Section 7.01 Existence. Such Party (other than the Principal) has been duly organized, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.
Section 7.02 Capacity. Such Party has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its or his respective obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 7.03 Authorization And Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Party, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other Parties, this Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
Section 7.04 Non-Contravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the memorandum and articles or other constitutional documents of such Party (other than the Principal); (ii) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, Governmental Entity or court to which such Party is subject, or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which such Party is a party or by which such Party is bound or to which any assets of such Party are subject, except in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) as would not have a material adverse effect. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or, to the knowledge of such Party, threatened against such Party that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of such Party to enter into this Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF PRINCIPAL PARITIES
Section 8.01 Ownership of Company Securities. The Principal Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Investor on the date hereof that:
(i) SCHEDULE A hereto sets forth a true, correct and complete list of (a) the Company Securities directly and indirectly owned, whether beneficially or of record, by the Principal or any of his Affiliates as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Principal Securities”), and (b) the Encumbrances the Principal Securities or any direct or indirect interest in the Principal Securities is subject to;
(ii) other than the Principal Securities, as of the date of this Agreement, the Principal and the Principal Entities do not directly or indirectly own, beneficially or of record, any Company Securities or any interest in any Company Securities (including without limitation through any direct or indirect interest in any other Person that owns, beneficially or of record, any Company Securities);
24 |
(iii) other than as specifically set forth on SCHEDULE A hereto, the Principal and/or the Principal Entities are the sole owner(s) of all right, title and interest (including voting power and power of disposition) in the Principal Securities, free and clear of any Encumbrance (including without limitation any Encumbrance on any direct or indirect interest in any other Person that owns, beneficially or of record, any Principal Securities);
(iv) (a) the Principal and a trust established under the laws of Hong Kong (the “Trust”) collectively indirectly own, beneficially and of record, 100% of all of the share capital and other securities of and all other right, title and interest (whether economic, voting or otherwise) in the Principal Holding Company, in each case free and clear of any Encumbrance; (b) all of the beneficiaries of the Trust are the Principal or his children, parents, spouse or other direct Relatives; (c) the Principal is (A) the sole director of the Trust and (B) the only Person that Controls the Trust; (d) the Principal Holding Company is the sole record and Beneficial Owner of 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares and all right, title and interest therein, free and clear of any Encumbrance except as specified in on SCHEDULE A; and (e) the Principal does not have any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, arising out of or related to any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of BOCOM, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which could reasonably be expected to result in such indebtedness, liability or obligation;
(v) except as set forth on SCHEDULE A hereto, the Principal Securities are not subject to any voting trust or other agreement, arrangement or understanding restricting or otherwise related to the voting or Transfer of such Principal Securities (other than this Agreement), and the Principal and the Principal Entities have not appointed or granted any proxy, power-of-attorney or other authorization or consent that is still in effect with respect to any Principal Securities (other than this Agreement); and
(vi) except as set forth on SCHEDULE A hereto, the Principal and the Principal Entities are not subject to any agreement, contract, instrument or other contractual obligations that may cause the change of Beneficial Ownership of the Principal Securities.
ARTICLE IX
OTHER UNDERTAKINGS
Section 9.01 Non-Competition.
(i) Without prejudice to any non-completion and non-solicitation agreement of the Principal with the Company or any other Group Company, each of the Principal Parties undertakes to the Investors that, for so long as he/it beneficially holds any Company Securities and two years thereafter or such other shorter, but longest period permitted by Applicable Laws, he/it will not, without the prior written consent of the Investors, either on his/its own account or through any of his/its Affiliates, or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other Person: (a) carry out, be engaged, concerned or interested directly or indirectly whether as shareholder, director, employee, partner, agent in any business in competition with the businesses as engaged by any Group Company from time to time (the “Restricted Business”), provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to being a passive owner, directly or indirectly, of less than 1% of the outstanding share capital of any publicly traded company engaged in any Restricted Business; or (b) solicit or entice away or attempt to solicit or entice away from any Group Company, any Person who is a customer, client, representative, agent or correspondent of such Group Company or in the habit of dealing with such Group Company.
(ii) In the event any entity directly or indirectly established or managed by any Principal Party, engages or will engage in any Restricted Business, the Principal Parties shall cause such entity (a) to disclose any relevant information to the Investors upon request, and (b) transfer such lawful business to the Company or any Subsidiary designated by the Company immediately.
25 |
ARTICLE X
TERMINATION
Section 10.01 General. Save for the provisions which Section 10.03 provides shall continue in full force following termination for any reason whatsoever, this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the mutual written consent of the Parties (or their respective lawful successors and assigns).
Section 10.02 Termination with Respect to a Shareholder. Subject to Article V, upon the Transfer by any of the Investors or the Principal Holding Company of all of the Equity Securities of the Company registered in its name to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or upon an Investor or the Principal Holding Company otherwise ceasing to hold any Equity Securities of the Company, such Party (and with respect to the Principal Holding Company, the Principal Parties) shall automatically cease to be a party to this Agreement and shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder.
Section 10.03 Survival. If this Agreement terminates, the Parties shall be released from their obligations under this Agreement, except that (i) Article I, Article VI, this Section 10.03, Section 11.15 and Section 11.16 shall continue to exist after the termination of this Agreement in accordance with their terms, and (ii) termination of this Agreement shall not affect any rights or liabilities that the Parties have accrued under this Agreement prior to such termination.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 11.01 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, and delivery shall be deemed sufficient in all respects and to have been duly given as follows: (a) on the actual date of service if delivered personally; (b) at the time of receipt if given by electronic mail to the e-mail addresses set forth in this Section 11.01; (c) on the third day after mailing if mailed by first-class mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid and properly addressed as set forth in this Section 11.01; or (d) on the day after delivery to a nationally recognized overnight courier service during its business hours for overnight delivery against receipt, and properly addressed as set forth in this Section 11.01:
If to the Investors: Joy Capital |
Astral Success Limited
3303-04, 33/F FLOOR, AIA KOWLOON TOWER, LANDMARK EAST, 100 HOW MING STREET, KWUN TONG DISTRICT, HONG KONG E-mail: [*] [*] With copy to: [*] Attn: [*] |
26 |
NIO Capital | Abundant Grace Investment Limited, Abundant Glory Investment L.P. Unit 2412, 24F HKRI Taikoo Hui Center I, 288 Shimen Yi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China 200041 E-mail: [*] With copy to: [*] [*] Attn: [*] | |
If to the Company: | Uxin Limited No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [*] Attn: [*] | |
If to Principal Parties | ||
Principal |
No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [*] Attn: [*] | |
Principal Holding Company | Xin Gao Group Limited No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [*] Attn: [*] |
Any party may change its address or other contact information for notice by giving notice to each other party in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.01. In no event will delivery to a copied Person alone constitute delivery to the party represented by such copied Person.
27 |
Section 11.02 Further Assurances. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein, each of the Parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, to do or cause to be done, to execute such further instruments, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under Applicable Laws or otherwise to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
Section 11.03 Assignments and Transfers. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties; provided, however, that (a) each Investor may assign all or part of its rights under this Agreement to (i) any Affiliate of such Investor without the prior consent of the other Parties, (ii) to any transferee with a Transfer of Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs to such third party, and (iii) for collateral security purposes, to any lender of such Investor or any of its Affiliates in connection with a bona fide loan or financing arrangement secured by Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs; (b) the Principal Holding Company may assign its rights under this Agreement by virtual of being a holder of the Principal New Shares to any transferee with a Transfer of Principal New Shares to such third party in compliance with Article V; and (c) the Principal Holding Company shall assign this Agreement to any Permitted Transferee of the Principal Holding Company with a Transfer of all Equity Securities of the Company it holds (other than the Principal New Shares) to such Permitted Transferee in accordance with Section 5.02.
Section 11.04 Rights Cumulative; Specific Performance. Except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
Section 11.05 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by each of the Parties.
Section 11.06 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument signed by the Party waiving such provision. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of the same preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Without limiting the foregoing, no waiver by a Party of any breach by any other Party of any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of that or any other provision hereof.
28 |
Section 11.07 No Presumption. The Parties acknowledge that any Applicable Law that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived. If any claim is made by a Party relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in the provisions of this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion will be implied because this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of any Party or its counsel.
Section 11.08 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 11.09 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and thereto with respect to the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, related to the subject matter hereof and thereof, including the Prior Agreement. The Prior Agreement is terminated in its entirety by virtue of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the 2023 Transaction Documents, the 2022 Transaction Documents and the 2021 Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the respective parties thereto with respect to the transactions contemplated under the 2023 Subscription Agreement, the 2022 Subscription Agreement and the 2021 Subscription Agreement, respectively.
Section 11.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signatures in the form of facsimile or electronically imaged “PDF” shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes hereunder. The parties irrevocably and unreservedly agree that this Agreement may be executed by way of electronic signatures and the parties agree that this Agreement, or any part thereof, shall not be challenged or denied any legal effect, validity and/or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an electronic record.
Section 11.11 Descriptive Headings; Construction. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The Parties agree that this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties and individuals, all of whom were represented by counsel, and each of whom had an opportunity to participate in and did participate in the drafting of each provision hereof. Accordingly, ambiguities in this Agreement, if any, shall not be construed strictly or in favor of or against any party but rather shall be given a fair and reasonable construction without regard to the rule of contra proferentem.
Section 11.12 Control. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any of the terms of this Agreement and any of the terms of any of the Charter Documents for any of the Group Members, or in the event of any dispute related to any such Charter Document, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail in all respects among the Parties, the Parties shall give full effect to and act in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement over the provisions of the Charter Documents.
29 |
Section 11.13 Adjustments for Share Splits, Etc. Wherever in this Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of Shares, then, upon the occurrence of any subdivision, combination or share dividend of the Shares, the specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement shall automatically be proportionally adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect the effect on the outstanding Shares by such subdivision, combination or share dividend.
Section 11.14 Use of English Language. This Agreement has been executed and delivered in the English language. Any translation of this Agreement into another language shall have no interpretive effect. All documents or notices to be delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the English language or, if any such document or notice is not in the English language, accompanied by an English translation thereof, and the English language version of any such document or notice shall control for purposes thereof.
Section 11.15 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
Section 11.16 Dispute Resolution.
(i) Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably (i) agrees that any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or concerning any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration to be held in Hong Kong and administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules in force at the time of the commencement of the arbitration, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such arbitration, and (iii) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of Hong Kong in any such arbitration. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. The claimant shall appoint one (1) arbitrator, and the respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator no more than ten (10) days following the official appointment of the arbitrator appointed by the claimant, failing which such arbitrator shall be appointed by HKIAC; the third arbitrator shall be the presiding arbitrator and shall be appointed jointly by the arbitrators ap-pointed by the claimant and respondent within ten (10) days of the later of the appointment of the arbitrators appointed by the said Parties, failing which such arbitrator shall be appointed by HKIAC.
(ii) The arbitration shall be conducted in English.
(iii) The Parties acknowledge and agree that, in addition to contract damages, the arbitrator may award provisional and final equitable relief, including injunctions, specific performance and lost profits.
(iv) The decision of the arbitration tribunal shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitration tribunal’s decision in any court having jurisdiction.
(v) When any dispute occurs and when any dispute is under arbitration, except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to fulfil their respective obligations and shall be entitled to exercise their rights under this Agreement.
30 |
(vi) The Parties understand and agree that this provision regarding arbitration shall not prevent any Party from pursuing preliminary, equitable or injunctive relief in a judicial forum pending arbitration in order to compel another Party to comply with this provision, to preserve the status quo prior to the invocation of arbitration under this provision, or to prevent or halt actions that may result in irreparable harm. A request for such equitable or injunctive relief shall not waive this arbitration provision.
(vii) The Parties expressly consent to the joinder of additional part(ies) in connection with the Transaction Documents to the arbitration proceedings commenced hereunder and/or the consolidation of arbitration proceedings commenced hereunder with arbitration proceedings commenced pursuant to the arbitration agreements contained in the Transaction Documents. In addition, the Parties expressly agree that any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents concern the same transaction or series of transactions.
(viii) If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
Section 11.17 Deed of Adherence. (a) NC Fund, in connection with its investment into the Company contemplated under the Term Sheet and subject to the terms and conditions of the definitive transaction documents for such investment, or (b) any investor of the Company or any transferee of an Investor who acquires rights, interests and obligations of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 5.03 or Section 11.03, may, by signing and delivering a Deed of Adherence in substantially the form attached hereto as SCHEDULE B, join and become a party to the Agreement as an “Investor” with the same force and effect as if it were originally a party hereto.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
31 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
COMPANY: | ||
UXIN LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Print Name: | Kun DAI | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
PRINCIPAL: | ||
/s/ Kun Dai | ||
Kun DAI (戴琨) |
PRINCIPAL HOLDING COMPANY: | ||
XIN GAO GROUP LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Print Name: | Kun DAI (戴琨) | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
INVESTOR: | ||
JOY CAPITAL | ||
ASTRAL SUCCESS LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Erhai Liu | |
Print Name: | Erhai Liu | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
INVESTOR: | ||
NIO CAPITAL | ||
ABUNDANT GRACE INVESTMENT LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Mao Wei | |
Print Name: | Mao Wei | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
INVESTOR: | ||
NIO CAPITAL | ||
ABUNDANT GLORY INVESTMENT L. P. | ||
acting through Nio Capital II LLC in its capacity as the general partner | ||
By | /s/ Zhu Yan | |
Print Name: | Zhu Yan | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
PRINCIPAL SECURITIES
Company Securities | Number of Shares | Shareholder | Encum-brances | Voting Rights/ Transfer Restrictions | Principal Lock-up Period | |||||
Class B Ordinary Shares | 40,809,861 | Xin Gao | None | Subject to this Agreement | From the date hereof to June 30, 2026. | |||||
Class A Ordinary Shares | 14,764,090 | BOCOM | All pledged to a third party lender and subject to enforcement. | Voting rights of these shares shall be exercised (i) in accordance with the directions of Apex Wisdom Investment Limited, as holder of a note issued by BOCOM, or (ii) subject to certain conditions and at the option of Huarong Rongde (Hong Kong) Investment Management Company Limited, as holder of a note issued by BOCOM, either by, or in accordance with the directions of, Huarong Rongde (Hong Kong) Investment Management Company Limited.
Transfer of these shares requires the affirmative vote or written consent of a majority of the Apex Wisdom Investment Limited’s directors. |
None | |||||
Senior Preferred Shares | 1,440,922,190 | Xin Gao | None | Subject to this Agreement | From the date hereof to March 25, 2025. |
Schedule A to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement
SCHEDULE B
DEED OF ADHERENCE
THIS DEED is made on [*], 202[*] by [*] of [*] (the “New Party”)
WHEREAS:
(A) | On March 26, 2024, Uxin Limited (the “Company”) and certain other parties thereto entered into a second restated and amended investors’ rights agreement (as amended, supplemented or novated from time to time, the “Investors’ Rights Agreement”). |
(B) | This Deed is entered into to record and effect the admission of the New Party under the Investors’ Rights Agreement. |
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSES as follows:
1. | Unless the context otherwise requires, (a) words and expressions defined in the Investors’ Rights Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in this Deed, and (b) the rules of interpretation contained in Section 1.02 (Interpretation) of the Investors’ Rights Agreement shall apply to the construction of this Deed. |
2. | The New Party hereby confirms that it has been supplied with a copy of the Investors’ Rights Agreement, and has reviewed the same and understands its contents. |
3. | The New Party undertakes to each of the parties to the Investors’ Rights Agreement (whether assuming any rights or obligations under the Investors’ Rights Agreement on the date of the Investors’ Rights Agreement or thereafter) to be bound by and comply in all respects with the Investors’ Rights Agreement, and to assume the benefits of the Investors’ Rights Agreement, as if the New Party had executed the Investors’ Rights Agreement as an Investor and was named as a party to it. |
4. | The New Party warrants and undertakes to each of the parties to the Investors’ Rights Agreement (and each other person who may from time to time expressly adhere to the Investors’ Rights Agreement) in the terms set out in Article VII of the Investors’ Rights Agreement (except that the warranty set out in Section 7.01 (Existence) of the Investors’ Rights Agreement shall not be given by the New Party if it is an individual), but so that such warranties and undertakings shall be deemed to be given on the date of this Deed and shall be deemed to refer to this Deed. |
5. | This Deed is made for the benefit of: |
(a) | the parties to the Investors’ Rights Agreement; and |
(b) | any other Person who may after the date of the Investors’ Rights Agreement (and whether or not prior to, on or after the date hereof) assume any rights or obligations under the Investors’ Rights Agreement and be permitted to do so by the terms thereof; |
and this Deed shall be irrevocable.
6. | The address and e-mail address of the New Party for the purpose of Section 11.01 (Notices) of the Investors’ Rights Agreement shall be as follows: |
Address: [*] | |
E-mail: [*] | |
For the attention of: [*] |
7. | This Deed shall be read as one with the Investors’ Rights Agreement so that any reference in the Investors’ Rights Agreement to “this Deed” and similar expressions shall include this Deed. |
8. | Section 11.15 (Governing Law) and Section 11.16 (Dispute Resolution) of the Investors’ Rights Agreement shall apply to this Deed. This Deed and any non- contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong. |
[Signature Pages Follow]
Schedule B to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has hereto executed and delivered this Deed as of the day and year first above written.
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED as a deed by [*] acting by __________________________, who is duly authorised to sign on its behalf | ![]() |
![]() |
Director/Authorised Signatory | ||
Schedule B to Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement
Exhibit 4.63
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on March 26, 2024 by and among Uxin Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), and Xin Gao Group Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands (the “Investor”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor are parties to a Share Subscription Agreement dated March 26, 2024 (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agrees to issue and the Investor agrees to subscribe for certain Senior Preferred Shares, which are convertible into Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company or American depositary shares of the Company (“ADSs”), each currently representing three hundred (300) Class A Ordinary Shares, or such other number of Class A Ordinary Shares as may be approved by the Board from time to time; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement, and pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement in order to grant certain rights to the Investor as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Certain Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, for all purposes of this Agreement, shall have the meanings specified in this Section 1.
“ADSs” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“ADS Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a).
“Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, the Investor and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company and its Affiliates, on the other, shall not be deemed to be “Affiliates” of one another.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Applicable Laws” means, with respect to any Person, any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a governmental entity that is binding upon or applicable to such Person or any of such Person’s assets, rights or properties.
“Blue Sky Application” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China (which for the purpose of this Agreement shall exclude Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan), or the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
1 |
“Class A Ordinary Shares” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Closing” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Closing Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Conversion Shares” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Depositary” means the Bank of New York Mellon, or any other successive depositary bank of the Company.
“Effective Date” means the date that a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1(a) is first declared effective by the SEC.
“Effectiveness Deadline” means, with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement or New Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares issued at the Closing, six (6) months anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, however, that if the Company is notified by the SEC that the Shelf Registration Statement or the New Registration Statement will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the Effectiveness Deadline as to such Shelf Registration Statement shall be the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the dates otherwise required above; provided, further, that if the Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.
“Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Event Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
“Filing Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
“Form F-3” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor or similar registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the Commission that permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the Commission.
“Free Writing Prospectus” means an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to an offer of Registrable Securities.
“Holder” means any Person owning or having the right to acquire Registrable Securities.
“Investor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Investor Representatives” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
“Liquidated Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“New Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
2 |
“Participating Holder” means with respect to any registration, any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement.
“Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, all amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement, and all other material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Register”, “registered” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement or document.
“Registrable Securities” means any Class A Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares, and Class A Ordinary Shares issued or issuable in respect of such Class A Ordinary Shares upon any anti-dilution provisions, share split, share dividend, share combination or consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification or other similar event in relation to the Class A Ordinary Shares (including, in each case, as long as the ADSs remain listed on a national recognized securities market, Class A Ordinary Shares in the form of ADSs (it being understood that a Holder may receive Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares, and that while any offers and sales made under a registration statement contemplated by this Agreement will be of ADSs, the securities to be registered by any such registration statement under the Securities Act are Class A Ordinary Shares, and the ADSs are registered under a separate Form F-6)); provided, however, that any such Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities for all purposes hereunder upon the earliest to occur of the following: (A) the sale by any Person of such Registrable Securities to the public either pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act or under Rule 144 (in which case, only such Registrable Securities sold shall cease to be Registrable Securities) or (B) such Registrable Securities becoming eligible for sale by the Holder pursuant to Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions (but only if the Company has effected the removal of any legend from the certificates evidencing the Registrable Securities and any ADS Conversion requested by the Investor).
“Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company that covers Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement filed with, or to be filed with, the SEC under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, including the related Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including pre- and post- effective amendments, and all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Remainder Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the SEC.
“SEC” or “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
“SEC Guidance” means (i) any publicly-available written or oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff and (ii) the Securities Act.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar successor federal statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
“Selling Securities” has the meaning set forth in Annex A.
3 |
“Senior Preferred Shares” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Subscription Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for business.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the ADSs is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
2. Registration Rights.
2.1 | Shelf Registration. |
(a) | Registration Statements. |
For the Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares issued at the Closing, to the extent such Senior Preferred Shares have been issued by such time, on or no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which the Company files its annual report for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 with the SEC on Form 20-F (the “Filling Deadline”), the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (or, if Form F-3 is not then available to the Company, on such form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of the applicable Registrable Securities) for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “Shelf Registration Statement”). Such Shelf Registration Statement shall, subject to the limitations of Form F-3, include without limitation the aggregate amount of Registrable Securities to be registered therein and shall contain (except if otherwise required pursuant to written comments received from the Commission upon a review of such Shelf Registration Statement) the “Plan of Distribution” section in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A. To the extent the staff of the SEC does not permit all of the Registrable Securities to be registered on the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) or for any other reason any Registrable Securities are not then included in a Registration Statement filed under this Agreement, the Company shall (i) inform each of the Holders thereof and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement as required by the Commission; and/or (ii) withdraw the Shelf Registration Statement and file a new registration statement (a “New Registration Statement”), in either case covering without limitation the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the SEC, on Form F-3 or such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment or New Registration Statement, the Company shall be obligated to use its commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the SEC for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the SEC Guidance, including without limitation, the Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations D.29. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and subject to the payment of Liquidated Damages in Section 2.1(c), if any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation of the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Company used diligent efforts to advocate with the SEC for the registration of all or a greater number of Registrable Securities), unless otherwise directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will first be reduced by Registrable Securities not acquired pursuant to the Subscription Agreement (whether pursuant to registration rights, or otherwise, for the avoidance of doubt, the Senior Preferred Shares issued to the Investor prior to the Closing, and the Registrable Securities owned by the Investor issued or issuable upon the conversion of such Senior Preferred Shares, shall be regarded as acquired pursuant to the Subscription Agreement), and second by Registrable Securities represented by the Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares acquired pursuant to the Subscription Agreement (applied, in the case that some Registrable Securities may be registered, to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of unregistered Registrable Securities held by such Holders), subject to a determination by the Commission that certain Holders must be reduced first based on the number of Registrable Securities held by such Holders. In addition, if any SEC Guidance requires any Person seeking to sell securities under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement to be specifically identified as an “underwriter” in order to permit such Registration Statement to become effective, and such Person does not consent to being so named as an underwriter in such Registration Statement, then, in each such case, the Company shall reduce the total number of Registrable Securities to be registered on behalf of such Person, until such time as the Commission does not require such identification or until such Person accepts such identification and the manner thereof. In the event the Company amends the Shelf Registration Statement or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC, as promptly as allowed by SEC or SEC Guidance provided to the Company or to registrants of securities in general, one or more Registration Statements on Form F-3 or such other form available to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Shelf Registration Statement, as amended, or the New Registration Statement (the “Remainder Registration Statement”).
4 |
(b) | Effectiveness. |
(i) | The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to have the Shelf Registration Statement or New Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline (including filing with the Commission a request for acceleration of effectiveness in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement or New Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earlier of (a) such time as all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been publicly sold by the Holders; or (b) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement may be sold without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144, without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144 as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and reasonably acceptable to the Depositary and the affected Holders (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall notify the Investor by facsimile or e-mail as promptly as practicable, and in any event, within twenty-four (24) hours, after any Registration Statement is declared effective and shall simultaneously provide the Investor with copies of any related Prospectus to be used in connection with the sale or other disposition of the securities covered thereby. |
(ii) | During the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of each Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus contained therein, or the suspension of the qualification, or the loss of an exemption from qualification, of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment. |
(c) | If: (i) the Shelf Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the Filing Deadline; (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement or the New Registration Statement, as applicable, is not declared effective by the SEC (or otherwise does not become effective) for any reason on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline; (iii) after its Effective Date, (A) such Registration Statement ceases for any reason (including without limitation by reason of a stop order, or the Company’s failure to update the Registration Statement), to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement or (B) the Company suspends the use of the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement; or (iv) the Company fails to satisfy the current public information requirement pursuant to Rule 144(c)(1) as a result of which the Holders are unable to sell Registrable Securities without restriction under Rule 144 (or any successor thereto) and fails to cure any such failure to satisfy the Rule 144(c)(1) requirement within fifteen (15) Business Days following the date upon which the Holder notifies the Company in writing that such Holder is unable to sell Registrable Securities as a result thereof, (any such failure or breach in clauses (i) through (iv) above being referred to as an “Event,” and the date on which such Event occurs, being referred to as an “Event Date”), then in addition to any other rights the Holders may have hereunder or under Applicable Laws, on each such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of each such Event Date (if the applicable Event shall not have been cured by such date) until the earlier of (1) the applicable Event is cured or (2) the Registrable Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 without manner of sale or volume restrictions, the Company shall pay to each Holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty (the “Liquidated Damages”), equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement for any unregistered Registrable Securities then held by such Holder. The parties agree that (1) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Subscription Agreement, no Liquidated Damages shall be payable with respect to any period after the expiration of the Effectiveness Period (it being understood that this sentence shall not relieve the Company of any Liquidated Damages accruing prior to the Effectiveness Deadline) and in no event shall, the aggregate amount of Liquidated Damages payable to a Holder exceed, in the aggregate, three percent (3%) of the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and (2) in no event shall the Company be liable in any thirty (30) day period for Liquidated Damages under this Agreement in excess of one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate purchase price paid by the Holders pursuant to the Subscription Agreement. If the Company fails to pay any Liquidated Damages pursuant to this Section 2.1(c) in full within five (5) Business Days after the date payable, the Company will pay interest thereon at a rate of one percent (1.0%) per month (or such lesser maximum amount that is permitted to be paid by Applicable Laws) to the Holder, accruing daily from the date such Liquidated Damages are due until such amounts, plus all such interest thereon, are paid in full. The Liquidated Damages pursuant to the terms hereof shall apply on a daily pro- rata basis for any portion of a month prior to the cure of an Event, except in the case of the first Event Date. The Company shall not be liable for Liquidated Damages under this Agreement as to any Registrable Securities which are not permitted by the Commission to be included in a Registration Statement due solely to SEC Guidance from the time that it is determined that such Registrable Securities are not permitted to be registered until such time as the provisions of this Agreement as to the Remainder Registration Statements required to be filed hereunder are triggered, in which case the provisions of this Section 2.1(c) shall once again apply, if applicable. In such case, the Liquidated Damages shall be calculated to only apply to the percentage of Registrable Securities which are permitted in accordance with SEC Guidance to be included in such Registration Statement. The Effectiveness Deadline for a Registration Statement shall be extended without default or Liquidated Damages hereunder in the event that the Company’s failure to obtain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement on a timely basis results from the failure of the Investor to timely provide the Company with information requested by the Company and necessary to complete the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act (in which the Effectiveness Deadline would be extended with respect to Registrable Securities held by the Investor). |
5 |
(d) | In the event that Form F-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Holders and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form F-3 promptly after such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form F-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the Commission. |
2.2 | Piggyback Registrations. |
(a) | If at any time after the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, there is not then an effective registration statement covering all of the Registrable Securities, and the Company determines to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others of any of its equity securities other than (x) a registration pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other registration solely relating to an offering or sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit arrangement), (y) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form F-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), or (z) in connection with any dividend or distribution reinvestment or similar plan, then the Company shall send to each Holder written notice of such determination and, if within 15 Business Days after the date of such notice, any such Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities such Holder requests to be registered. |
(b) | The Company shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to postpone, terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.2 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration. |
2.3 | Removal of Legend, Share Certificates. |
(a) | The Investor shall have the right to request removal of the legend set forth in Section 2.04 of the Subscription Agreement or any other legend from certificates evidencing Registrable Securities in any of the following circumstances: (i) when the Registrable Securities are eligible for resale under Rule 144 without restriction; (ii) when such Registrable Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement; or (iii) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, controlling judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the SEC). |
(b) | Upon receipt of a request from the Investor under Section 2.3(a) above, the Company shall, at its own expense, no later than three (3) Business Days following the delivery by the Investor to the Company of a legended certificate representing such Registrable Securities (endorsed or with stock powers attached, signatures guaranteed, and otherwise in form necessary to affect the reissuance and/or transfer, if applicable), as directed by the Investor, issue and dispatch by overnight courier to the Investor, a certificate representing such Registrable Securities that is free from all restrictive and other legends, registered in the name of the Investor or its designee. |
2.4 | Expenses. All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement shall be paid by the Company, other than underwriting discounts or commissions deducted from the proceeds in respect of any Registrable Securities, including (i) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with the SEC, FINRA or any other regulatory authority and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” as such term is defined in NASD Rule 2720 (or any successor provision) and of its counsel, (ii) all fees and expenses in connection with compliance with any securities or “Blue Sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with “Blue Sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing, duplicating, word processing, messenger, telephone, facsimile and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses and Free Writing Prospectuses), (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of all independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and cold comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), (v) Securities Act liability insurance or similar insurance if the Company so desires or the underwriters so require in accordance with then- customary underwriting practice, (vi) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or quotation of the Registrable Securities on any inter-dealer quotation system, (vii) all fees and expenses of any special experts or other Persons retained by the Company in connection with any registration, (viii) all of the Company’s internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (ix) all transfer agent fees required for same-day processing of any notice of conversion and all fees to the Depositary and The Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), including without limitation any ADS conversion fees, required for same-day electronic delivery of the Conversion Shares, and (x) all expenses related to the “road-show” for any underwritten offering, including all travel, meals and lodging. All such expenses are referred to herein as “Registration Expenses”. Subject to the Subscription Agreement, the Company shall not be responsible for any underwriting commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or any outside counsel fees of the Investor incurred in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities. |
6 |
2.5 | Company Obligations. The Company will use reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will: |
(a) | prepare the required Registration Statement including all exhibits and financial statements required under the Securities Act to be filed therewith, and before filing a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, (x) furnish to the Participating Holders, if any, copies of all documents prepared to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review of such Participating Holders and their respective counsel and (y) except in the case of a registration under Section 2.2, not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto to which any Participating Holders shall reasonably object; |
(b) | file with the SEC a Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities including all exhibits and financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act; |
(c) | prepare and file with the SEC such pre- and post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement, supplements to the Prospectus and such amendments or supplements to any Free Writing Prospectus as may be necessary to keep such registration effective for the period of time required by this Agreement, and comply with provisions of the applicable securities laws with respect to the sale or other disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement; |
(d) | promptly notify the Participating Holders, and (if requested) confirm such advice in writing and provide copies of the relevant documents, as soon as reasonably practicable after notice thereof is received by the Company (A) when the applicable Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed or becomes effective, and when the applicable Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto has been filed, (B) of any written comments by the SEC or any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or any order by the SEC preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary or final Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purposes, (D) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction and (E) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction; |
7 |
(e) | promptly notify the Participating Holders when the Company becomes aware of the happening of any event as a result of which the Registration Statement, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (as then in effect) or any Free Writing Prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of such Prospectus, any preliminary Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, when any Free Writing Prospectus includes information that may conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such time period to amend or supplement such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act and, in either case as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter, prepare and file with the SEC and furnish without charge to the Participating Holders an amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus which shall correct such misstatement or omission or effect such compliance; |
(f) | promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement, Free Writing Prospectus or post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement such information as the Participating Holders agree should be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities, and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement, Free Writing Prospectus or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement, Free Writing Prospectus or post-effective amendment; |
(g) | furnish to each Participating Holder, without charge, as many conformed copies as such Participating Holder may reasonably request of the applicable Registration Statement and any amendment or post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference); |
(h) | deliver to each Participating Holder, without charge, as many copies of the applicable Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus), any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Participating Holder may reasonably request (it being understood that the Company consents to the use of such Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by such Participating in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities thereby) and such other documents as such Participating Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such Participating Holder; |
(i) | on or prior to the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate with the Participating Holders and their respective counsel, in connection with the registration or qualification of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of each state and other jurisdiction of the United States as any Participating Holder or their respective counsel reasonably request in writing and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to keep such registration or qualification in effect for such period as required by this Agreement, provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any action which would subject it to taxation or general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject; |
8 |
(j) | cooperate with the Participating Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as may be requested at least three (3) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities; |
(k) | use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; |
(l) | enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting and indemnification agreements) and take all such other actions as the Investor reasonably requests in order to expedite or facilitate the registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities; |
(m) | obtain for delivery to the Participating Holders an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company dated the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in customary form, scope and substance, which opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Participating Holders or underwriters, as the case may be, and their respective counsel; |
(n) | cooperate with each Participating Holder participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA or any other securities regulatory authority; |
(o) | use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable securities laws and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; |
(p) | provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the Effective Date of such Registration Statement; |
(q) | use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which any of the Class A Ordinary Shares is then listed or quoted and on each inter- dealer quotation system on which any of the Class A Ordinary Shares is then quoted; |
(r) | the Company shall make available, during normal business hours, for inspection and review by the Investor, advisors to and representatives of the Investor (who may or may not be affiliated with the Investor and who are reasonably acceptable to the Company), all financial and other records, all SEC Documents (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and other filings with the SEC, and all other corporate documents and properties of the Company as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of such review, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees, within a reasonable time period, to supply all such information reasonably requested by the Investor or any such representative, advisor or underwriter in connection with such Registration Statement (including, without limitation, in response to all questions and other inquiries reasonably made or submitted by any of them), prior to and from time to time after the filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement for the sole purpose of enabling the Investor and the representatives, advisors and underwriters and their respective accountants and attorneys to conduct initial and ongoing due diligence with respect to the Company and the accuracy of such Registration Statement; and |
9 |
(s) | with a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144 (or its successor rule) and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investor to sell Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs to the public without registration, the Company covenants and agrees to: (i) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, until the earlier of (A) the date as all of the Registrable Securities may be sold without restriction by the holders thereof pursuant to Rule 144 or any other rule of similar effect or (B) such date as all of the Registrable Securities shall have been resold; (ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act; and (iii) furnish to the Investor upon request, as long as the Investor owns any Registrable Securities, (A) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, (B) a copy of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F or Quarterly Report on Form 6-K, and (C) such other information as may be reasonably requested in order to avail the Investor of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such Registrable Securities without registration. |
All such information made available or provided pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be treated as confidential information and shall not be disclosed by the Investor to any other Person other than the Investor and its Affiliate’s respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, partners, prospective buyers or financiers, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, investment bankers, advisors and authorized agents (collectively, the “Investor Representatives”); provided, that, the Investor Representative shall be informed that such confidential information is strictly confidential and shall be subject to confidentiality restrictions in favor of the Investor with respect to the confidential information disclosed by the Investor to the Investor Representative. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the foregoing restrictions shall not prevent the disclosure by the Investor of any information (x) that is required to be disclosed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, administrative body or other governmental authority, or by subpoena, summons or legal process, or by law, rule or regulation or (y) that is publicly available (other than by a breach of the Investor’s confidentiality obligations to the Company), provided that, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, in the event the Investor or the Investor Representative is required to make a disclosure pursuant to clause (x) hereof, it shall provide to the Board prompt notice of such disclosure and allow the Company, at the Company’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to seek to obtain a protective order for, such information (other than any such disclosure required by any administrative body or other governmental authority in the exercise of its regulatory or other oversight authority with respect to the Investor or the Investor Representative). The confidentiality obligations herein shall, with respect to the Investor, expire on the earlier of (i) with respect to each confidential information, third (3rd) anniversary of disclosure of such confidential information; and (ii) second (2nd) anniversary of the date on which the Investor ceases to hold any Senior Preferred Shares, Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required to be disclosed in such Registration Statement pursuant to the Securities Act, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.
10 |
2.6 | Obligations of the Investor. |
(a) | The Investor shall furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. At least seven (7) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of any Registration Statement, the Company shall notify the Investor of the information the Company requires from the Investor if the Investor elects to have any of its Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement. The Investor shall provide such information to the Company at least three (3) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement if the Investor elects to have any of its Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement. |
(b) | The Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities agrees to timely cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement hereunder, unless the Investor has notified the Company in writing of its election to exclude all of its Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement. |
(c) | The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of an event pursuant to Section 2.5(d)(C), Section 2.5(d)(D) and Section 2.5(e) hereof, the Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities, until the Investor is advised by the Company that such dispositions may again be made. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.6(c), the Investor may dispose of the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs it holds and the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended Class A Ordinary Shares to a transferee of the Investor in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which the Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in the first sentence of this Section 2.6(c), and for which the Investor has not yet settled. |
(d) | Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall require the Investor to provide any non-public financial information with respect to itself or its Affiliates. |
11 |
2.7 | Indemnification. |
(a) | Indemnification by the Company. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and its officers, directors, members, employees and agents, successors and assigns, and each other person, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading; (ii) any “Blue Sky” application or other document executed by the Company specifically for that purpose or based upon written information furnished by the Company filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to qualify any or all of the Registrable Securities under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or information herein called a “Blue Sky Application”); (iii) the omission or alleged omission to state in a Blue Sky Application a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in light of the circumstances in which they were made; (iv) any violation by the Company or its agents of any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act applicable to the Company or its agents and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with such registration; or (v) any failure to register or qualify the Registrable Securities included in any such Registration Statement in any state where the Company or its agents has affirmatively undertaken or agreed in writing that the Company will undertake such registration or qualification on the Investor’s behalf and will reimburse the Investor, and each such officer, director or member and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by the Investor or any such controlling person in writing specifically for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus. |
(b) | Indemnification by the Investor. The Investor agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Company, its directors, officers, employees, shareholders and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expense (including reasonable attorney fees) resulting from (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading; (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in a Blue Sky Application a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation by the Investor or its agents of any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act applicable to the Investor or its agents and relating to action or inaction required of the Investor under this Agreement, to the extent, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is contained in any information furnished in writing by the Investor to the Company specifically for inclusion in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto. In no event shall the liability of the Investor be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of all expense paid by the Investor in connection with any claim relating to this Section 2.7 and the amount of any damages the Investor has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission) received by the Investor upon the sale of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation. |
12 |
(c) | Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party (provided, however, that such indemnified party shall, at the expense of the indemnifying party, be entitled to counsel of its own choosing to monitor such defense); provided that, subject to the preceding sentence, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Person unless (a) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees or expenses, or (b) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such person or (c) in the reasonable judgment of any such Person, based upon written advice of its counsel, a conflict of interest exists between such person and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims (in which case, if the Person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that such Person elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such Person); and provided, further, that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that such failure to give notice shall materially adversely affect the indemnifying party in the defense of any such claim or litigation. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for fees or expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties. No indemnifying party will, except with the consent of the indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation. |
(d) | Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provided for in the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient to hold it harmless, other than as expressly specified therein, then the indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act shall be entitled to contribution from any Person not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. In no event shall the contribution obligation of a Holder of Registrable Securities be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of all expenses paid by such Holder in connection with any claim relating to this Section 2.7 and the amount of any damages such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission) received by it upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation. |
13 |
2.8 | Facilitation of ADS Conversion. |
(a) | The Company acknowledges that the Investor intends to convert the Senior Preferred Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares and deposit such Class A Ordinary Shares with the Depositary in exchange for ADSs as soon as practicable for future sale (the “ADS Conversion”). |
(b) | At any time from and from time to time, upon written request of the Investor, the Company shall promptly and in any event no later than three (3) Trading Days following receipt of the Investor’s request, effect, or cause the Depositary to effect, the ADS Conversion, if there is an effective Registration Statement on file with the SEC covering the re-sale of the Investor’s Class A Ordinary Shares (issued or issuable upon conversion of Senior Preferred Shares) or such Class A Ordinary Shares may be re-sold without restriction by the Investor pursuant to Rule 144, provided that, if requested by the Company, the Investor shall provide reasonable and timely cooperation to facilitate the ADS Conversion to the extent reasonably required. |
(c) | For purposes of completing the ADS Conversion contemplated under Section 2.8(b) above, the Company shall, at its sole cost and expense, take all necessary actions to cause the ADS Conversion, including but not limited to directing its Depositary (including to provide any consent or confirmation and to satisfy any other procedural or substantive requirements under that certain deposit agreement dated June 27, 2018 among the Company, the Depositary and the holders and beneficial owners of American depositary shares issued thereunder (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time)), share registrar, transfer agent and an outside counsel to take all necessary actions (including the removal of the restrictive legend) in accordance with the procedures for conversion of Senior Preferred Shares or Conversion Shares into ADSs. |
2.9 | Termination of Registration Rights. The registration rights provided to the Holders under Section 2 shall terminate in their entirety upon such time as there are no Registrable Securities and all Senior Preferred Shares and Conversion Shares have been converted into ADSs that are fully tradable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 2.4, 2.7 and 3 shall survive the termination of such registration rights. |
3. Miscellaneous.
3.1 | Governing Law; Dispute Resolution. The provisions of Sections 7.08 (Governing Law) and 7.09 (Dispute Resolution) of the Subscription Agreement shall be incorporated herein by reference and shall apply as if set forth in full herein, mutatis mutandis. |
3.2 | Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successor and assigns of the parties hereto. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder except with the prior written consent of each Holder. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder to any assignees or successors of any of its Registrable Securities. |
14 |
3.3 | Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof. Any previous agreements among the parties relative to the specific subject matter hereof are superseded by this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. |
3.4 | Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made as set forth in Section 7.01 of the Subscription Agreement. |
3.5 | Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable. |
3.6 | Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. |
3.7 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof. The parties irrevocably and unreservedly agree that this Agreement may be executed by way of electronic signatures and the parties agree that this Agreement, or any part thereof, shall not be challenged or denied any legal effect, validity and/or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an electronic record. |
3.8 | Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or any acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in writing, and that all remedies, either under this Agreement, by law or otherwise, shall be cumulative and not alternative. |
3.9 | Consents. Any permission, consent, or approval of any kind or character under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. |
15 |
3.10 | SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT IRREPARABLE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT WERE NOT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS SPECIFIC INTENT OR WERE OTHERWISE BREACHED. IT IS ACCORDINGLY AGREED THAT THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN INJUNCTION OR INJUNCTIONS, WITHOUT BOND, TO PREVENT OR CURE BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND TO ENFORCE SPECIFICALLY THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS HEREOF, THIS BEING IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REMEDY TO WHICH THEY MAY BE ENTITLED BY LAW OR EQUITY, AND ANY PARTY SUED FOR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE THAT A REMEDY IN DAMAGES WOULD BE ADEQUATE. |
3.11 | Construction of Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed against either party as the drafter thereof. |
3.12 | Section References. Unless otherwise stated, any reference contained herein to a Section or subsection refers to the provisions of this Agreement. |
3.13 | Variations of Pronouns. All pronouns and all variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, singular or plural, as the context in which they are used may require. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]
16 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
UXIN LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun DAI | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
INVESTOR: | ||
XIN GAO GROUP LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun DAI | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
Annex A
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs issued to the selling shareholders to permit the resale of these Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs by the holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling shareholders of the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs.
The selling shareholders may sell all or a portion of the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs beneficially owned by them and offered hereby (the “Selling Securities”) from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling shareholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs may be sold on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, in the over-the-counter market or in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the- counter market and in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. The selling shareholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling such Class A Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs:
● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; | |
● | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | |
● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
● | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | |
● | privately negotiated transactions; | |
● | settlement of short sales entered into after the Effective Date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; | |
● | broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number of such Selling Securities at a stipulated price per security; | |
● | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; | |
● | a combination of any such methods of sale; and | |
● | any other method permitted pursuant to Applicable Laws. |
The selling shareholders also may resell all or a portion of the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as permitted by that rule, or Section 4(1) under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of those provisions.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in sales. If the selling shareholders effect such transactions by selling the Selling Securities to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholders or commissions from purchasers of the Selling Securities for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal. Such commissions will be in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction will not be in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110.
Annex A-1 |
In connection with sales of the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs or otherwise, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Selling Securities in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell Selling Securities short and if such short sale shall take place after the date that this Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, the selling shareholders may deliver Selling Securities covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling shareholders may also loan or pledge Selling Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. The selling shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the selling shareholders have been advised that they may not use shares registered on this registration statement to cover short sales of our ordinary shares made prior to the date the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, has been declared effective by the SEC.
The selling shareholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the warrants or Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the Selling Securities from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling shareholders under this prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer and donate the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealer or agents participating in the distribution of the Selling Securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer or agent and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Selling Shareholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and may be subject to certain statutory liabilities of, including but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Each selling shareholder has informed the Company that it is not a registered broker-dealer and does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the ordinary shares. Upon the Company being notified in writing by a selling shareholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of ordinary shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the name of each such selling shareholder and of the participating broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs were sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s), where applicable, (v) that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and (vi) other facts material to the transaction. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups, which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%).
Under the securities laws of some states, the Selling Securities may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the Selling Securities may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
Annex A-2 |
There can be no assurance that any selling shareholder will sell any or all of the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs registered pursuant to the shelf registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
Each selling shareholder and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the Selling Securities by the selling shareholder and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the Selling Securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the Selling Securities. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the Selling Securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the Selling Securities.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the Class A Ordinary Shares or ADSs pursuant to the registration rights agreement, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, that each selling shareholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any, and any legal expenses incurred by it. We will indemnify the selling shareholders against certain liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with a registration rights agreement, or the selling shareholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling shareholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling shareholders specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements, or we may be entitled to contribution.
We have agreed with the selling shareholders to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until the earlier of (1) such time as all of the securities covered by this prospectus have been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with the registration statement, or (2) the date on which all of the securities may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
Annex A-3 |
Exhibit 4.64
THE SYMBOL “[*]” DENOTES PLACES WHERE CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL, AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE COMPANY TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED VOTING AGREEMENT
by and among
UXIN LIMITED
MR. KUN DAI
XIN GAO GROUP LIMITED
ASTRAL SUCCESS LIMITED
ABUNDANT GRACE INVESTMENT LIMITED
and
ABUNDANT GLORY INVESTMENT L.P.
Dated March 26, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION | 2 |
Section 1.01 Definitions. | 2 |
Section 1.02 Interpretation | 6 |
ARTICLE II CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 6 |
Section 2.01 Board of Director | 6 |
Section 2.02 Removal and Replacement of Directors. | 7 |
Section 2.03 Investor Agreements | 8 |
Section 2.04 Board Approval Matters. | 9 |
ARTICLE III [RESERVED] | 9 |
ARTICLE IV [RESERVED] | 9 |
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES | 9 |
Section 5.01 Existence | 9 |
Section 5.02 Capacity | 9 |
Section 5.03 Authorization And Enforceability | 9 |
Section 5.04 Non-Contravention | 9 |
ARTICLE VI TERMINATION | 10 |
Section 6.01 General | 10 |
Section 6.02 Termination with Respect to a Shareholder | 10 |
Section 6.03 Survival | 10 |
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS. | 10 |
Section 7.01 Notices. | 10 |
Section 7.02 Further Assurances. | 11 |
Section 7.03 Assignments and Transfers | 11 |
-i- |
Section 7.04 Rights Cumulative; Specific Performance | 12 |
Section 7.05 Amendment | 12 |
Section 7.06 Waiver | 12 |
Section 7.07 No Presumption | 12 |
Section 7.08 Severability. | 12 |
Section 7.09 Entire Agreement | 13 |
Section 7.10 Counterparts. | 13 |
Section 7.11 Descriptive Headings; Construction | 13 |
Section 7.12 Control | 13 |
Section 7.13 Adjustments for Share Splits, Etc | 13 |
Section 7.14 Use of English Language | 13 |
Section 7.15 Governing Law | 13 |
Section 7.16 Dispute Resolution | 13 |
Section 7.17 Deed of Adherence | 14 |
SCHEDULES | |
SCHEDULE A | Board Approval Matters |
SCHEDULE B | Adverse Persons |
SCHEDULE C | Deed of Adherence |
-ii- |
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED VOTING AGREEMENT
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on March 26, 2024 by and among:
1. | Uxin Limited, an exempted company organized under the Laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), |
2. | Mr. Kun Dai (戴琨) (PRC identity card no. [*]) (the “Principal”), |
3. | Xin Gao Group Limited, a company organized under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Principal Holding Company”, collectively with the Principal, the “Principal Parties”, and each a “Principal Party”), |
4. | Astral Success Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands (together with its successors, assignees and transferees, “Joy Capital”), |
5. | Abundant Grace Investment Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws of British Virgin Islands (together with its successors, assignees and transferees, “NIO Grace”), |
6 | Abundant Glory Investment L.P., a limited partnership formed under the Laws of British Virgin Islands (together with its successors, assignees and transferees, “NIO Glory”, together with NIO Grace, “NIO Capital”; NIO Capital and Joy Capital, collectively, the “Investors” and each an “Investor”). |
Each of the parties to this Agreement is referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
A | The Company, Joy Capital, NIO Grace, NIO Glory and the Principal Parties entered into an Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated August 17, 2023 (the “Prior Agreement”). |
B | The Company and the Principal Holding Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement dated March 26, 2024 (as may be supplemented and amended from time to time, the “Subscription Agreement”). |
C | The Subscription Agreement requires the execution and delivery of this Agreement upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Subscription Agreement. |
D | The Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to supersede and replace the Prior Agreement in its entirety to regulate their relationship with each other and certain aspects of the affairs, and their dealings, with the Company. |
1 |
WITNESSETH
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties intending to be legally bound hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
Section 1.01 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
“ADSs” means the American Depositary Shares of the Company, each currently representing three hundred (300) Class A Ordinary Shares. The number of Class A Ordinary Shares each ADS represents may change from time to time with the approval of the Board.
“Adverse Person” means any Person identified in SCHEDULE B hereto, any additional Persons to be mutually agreed in writing by the Company and the Investors from time to time, and any controlled Affiliates of any of the foregoing.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such Person.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Annual Budget” means an annual budget in respect of a fiscal year of the Group, setting forth, among other things, the projected balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows for such period; the projected budget for operation of each major business segment; any dividend or distribution to be declared or paid; the projected incurrence, assumption or refinancing of indebtedness; projected revenue and profit during such period; any proposed merger, consolidation, reorganization, or amalgamation of any Group Member with or into any other Person, or any scheme of arrangement or other business combination with or into any other Person; and payments projected to be made not in the ordinary course of business of the Group.
“Applicable Laws”, “Law” or “Laws” means, with respect to any Person, any transnational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Entity that is binding upon or applicable to such Person or any of such Person’s assets, rights or properties.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, provided that Beneficial Ownership under Rule 13d-3(1)(i) shall be determined based on whether a Person has a right to acquire Beneficial Ownership irrespective of whether such right is exercisable within 60 days of the time of determination, and “Beneficially Own”, “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” have meanings correlative to that of Beneficial Owner.
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Certificate of Designation” means the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Senior Convertible Preferred Shares dated as of the date hereof approved and adopted by the Board, as may be supplemented, amended or restated from time to time.
“Charter Documents” means, with respect to any Person that is not a natural person, such Person’s articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, by-laws, memorandum of associations, articles of association and other similar organizational documents. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to “Charter Documents” refers to the Charter Documents of the Company, and for avoidance of doubt, such Charter Documents of the Company include the Certificate of Designation.
“Class A Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
2 |
“Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents” means Senior Preferred Shares on an as- converted basis and/or ADSs converted from Class A Ordinary Shares (taking into account the then effective ratio between ADS and Class A Ordinary Share).
“Class B Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Control” of a given Person means the power or authority, whether exercised or not, to direct the business, management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided, that such power or authority shall conclusively be presumed to exist upon possession of Beneficial Ownership or power to direct the vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of the members or shareholders of such Person or power to control the composition of a majority of the board of directors of such Person. The terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Conversion Shares” means Class A Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares.
“Director” means a director serving on the Board.
“Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person that is a legal entity, any and all shares of capital stock, membership interests, units, depositary shares, profits interests, ownership interests, equity interests, registered capital, and other equity securities or ownership interests of such Person, and any right, warrant, option, call, commitment, conversion privilege, preemptive right or other right to acquire any of the foregoing, or security convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to “Equity Securities” refers to the Equity Securities of the Company.
“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, title defect, right of first refusal, claim, easement, right-of-way, option, preemptive or similar right or other restriction of any kind or nature.
“Existing Share Incentive Scheme” means the Company’s 2018 Second Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Governmental Entity” means any transnational or supranational, domestic or foreign federal, national, state, provincial, local or municipal governmental, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority, department, court, arbitral body, agency or official, including any department, commission, board, agency, bureau, subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
“Group” means the Company and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, and “Group Member” means any of them.
“Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
“HKIAC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.16(i).
“Investor” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Investor Director” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(i)(b).
3 |
“Investors’ Rights Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement entered into by and among the Company, the Principal Parties and Investors dated as of the date hereof, as may be supplemented, amended or restated from time to time.
“Joy Capital” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Joy Director” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(i)(a).
“Memorandum and Articles” means the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company currently in effect, as may be amended or restated from time to time.
“NASDAQ” means the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
“New Securities” means any Equity Securities issued and allotted by the Company on or after the date of this Agreement. “New Securities” shall not include, the following allotments and issuances of Equity Securities: (i) options, grants, awards, restricted shares or any other Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents issued under the Existing Share Incentive Scheme or any other employee share incentive scheme(s) approved pursuant to Section 2.04 (collectively, “Company Options”), and Equity Securities upon the exercise or conversion of any Company Options; (ii) Ordinary Shares issued upon the termination of the Company’s American Depositary Receipts program or the termination, cancelation or exchange of any ADSs by the holders thereof; (iii) Conversion Shares issued upon conversion of Senior Preferred Shares; (iv) Equity Securities of the Company issued in connection with any share split, share dividend, reclassification or other similar event that has been approved in accordance with Section 2.04; and other than to the extent covered above in (i) and (ii), Ordinary Shares or ADSs issued upon the conversion or exercise of any Ordinary Share Equivalents outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or issued subsequent to the date of this Agreement in compliance with the participation rights (in each case, pursuant to the terms of the relevant Ordinary Share Equivalents as unmodified).
“NIO Competitor” means any of [*]
“NIO Director” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(i)(b).
“NIO Grace”, “NIO Glory” or “NIO Capital” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Ordinary Share Equivalents” means (a) any rights, options or warrants to acquire Ordinary Shares and (b) any depositary shares (including, without limitation, the ADSs), notes, debentures, preference shares or other Equity Securities or rights, which are ultimately convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable for, Ordinary Shares.
“Ordinary Shares” means Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.
“Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a Governmental Entity.
“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China.
“Principal” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Principal Holding Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
4 |
“Principal Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
“Prior Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.
“Quarter Budget” means a budget in respect of a quarter of the Group, setting forth, among other things, the projected budget for operation of each major business segment and payments projected to be made in connection thereto, including without limitation transactions set forth in paragraphs 14 to 18 of SCHEDULE A hereto.
“Replacement Director” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(ii).
“Related Party” means (i) any shareholder of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any director of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) any officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iv) any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (v) any Relative of a shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (vi) any Person in which any shareholder or any director or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary has any interest, other than a passive shareholding of less than 5% in a publicly listed company, and (vii) any other Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Relative” of a natural person means the spouse of such person and any parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, cousin, in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece of such person or spouse.
“Senior Preferred Shares” means the senior convertible preferred shares of the Company with such preference, priority, special privilege and other rights provided in the Certificate of Designation.
“Shares” means Ordinary Shares and Senior Preferred Shares.
“Shareholders” means the shareholders of the Company.
“Subsidiary” means any entity of which a majority of the outstanding equity securities or other ownership interests representing a majority of the outstanding equity interests or otherwise having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned or Controlled by the Company, and includes any entity which is directly or indirectly Controlled by the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any variable interest entities that are consolidated into the financial statements of the Company).
“Subscription Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.
“Transaction Documents” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Subscription Agreement.
“Transfer” (or any correlative term) means, in respect of any Equity Securities, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, pledge, charge, mortgage, hypothecation, gift, placement in trust (voting or otherwise) or transfer by operation of Law of such Equity Securities (including through the Transfer of shares or ownership interest in any Person that directly or indirectly Controls any Person that holds such Equity Securities), or the creation of a security interest in, or lien on, or any other Encumbrance or disposal (directly or indirectly and whether or not voluntary) on such Equity Securities, and shall include any transfer by will or intestate succession or entry into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to any Person, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such Equity Securities, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Equity Securities or other Equity Securities, in cash or otherwise.
“U.S.” means the United States of America.
5 |
“U.S. GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States.
Section 1.02 Interpretation. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly herein provided, (i) the terms defined in this Article I shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article I and include the plural as well as the singular, (ii) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under U.S. GAAP, (iii) all references in this Agreement to designated “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Sections and other subdivisions of the body of this Agreement, (iv) pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms, (v) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision, (vi) references to this Agreement and any other document shall be construed as references to such document as the same may be amended, supplemented or novated from time to time, (vii) the term “including” will be deemed to be followed by “, but not limited to,” (viii) the terms “shall,” “will,” and “agrees” are mandatory, and the term “may” is permissive, (ix) the phrase “directly or indirectly” means directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediate Persons or through contractual or other arrangements, and “direct or indirect” has the correlative meaning, (x) the term “voting power” refers to the number of votes attributable to the Ordinary Shares in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum and Articles, (xi) the headings used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement, (xii) references to Laws include any such Law modifying, re-enacting, extending or made pursuant to the same or which is modified, re-enacted, or extended by the same or pursuant to which the same is made, and (xiii) all references to dollars or to “$” are to currency of the United States of America and all references to RMB are to currency of the PRC (and each shall be deemed to include reference to the equivalent amount in other currencies).
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Section 2.01 Board of Director.
(i) The Board shall consist of six (6) Directors or such other number of Directors as approved by the Board (including the affirmative consent of Investor Directors), including the following:
(a) one (1) Director nominated by Joy Capital and/or any of its Affiliate who holds any Share in the Company (the “Joy Director”), as long as Joy Capital and/or its Affiliates hold no less than 5,146,150,670 Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) (subject to appropriate adjustment for share splits, share dividends, combinations and other recapitalizations);
(b) one (1) Director nominated by NIO Capital and/or any of its Affiliate who holds any Share in the Company (the “NIO Director”, collectively with the Joy Director, the “Investor Directors” and each an “Investor Director”), as long as NIO Capital and its Affiliates hold no less than 5,146,150,670 Class A Ordinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) (subject to appropriate adjustment for share splits, share dividends, combinations and other recapitalizations);
(c) one (1) Director nominated by the Principal, who shall be the chairman of the Board, as long as the Principal beneficially owns no less than 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company;
6 |
(d) two (2) independent Directors jointly nominated by the Investors, who shall both (x) meet the independence requirements of NASDAQ and (y) not be Affiliated with, or employed by, any Adverse Person; and
(e) one (1) independent Director nominated (x) by the Principal for so long as the Principal beneficially owns no less than 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, or (y) by the Board, if the Principal beneficially owns less than 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, who shall, in each case, (A) meet the independence requirements of NASDAQ and (B) not be Affiliated with, or employed by, any Adverse Person,
provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, (1) if the number of Class A Oridinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) beneficially owned by Joy Capital and its Affiliates is less than 5,146,150,670 Class A Oridinary Shares (subject to appropriate adjustment for share splits, share dividends, combinations and other recapitalizations), Joy Capital and/or its Affiliates shall immediately cease to have the right to nominate one (1) Director pursuant to Section 2.01(i)(a), (2) if the number of Class A Oridinary Shares (including Class A Ordinary Share Equivalents) beneficially owned by NIO Capital and its Affiliates is less than 5,146,150,670 Class A Oridinary Shares (subject to appropriate adjustment for share splits, share dividends, combinations and other recapitalizations), NIO Capital and/or its Affiliates shall immediately cease to have the right to nominate one (1) Director pursuant to Section 2.01(i)(b), (3) if the Principal beneficially owns less than 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, the Principal shall immediately cease to have the right to nominate one (1) Director pursuant to Section 2.01(i)(c), and (4) if the Principal beneficially owns less than 40,809,861 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, the Principal shall immediately cease to have the right to nominate one (1) independent Director pursuant to Section 2.01(i)(e), and in the case of each of (1) to (4), Joy Capital, NIO Capital and the Principal, as applicable, shall cause such Director nominated by it or him to immediately resign from the Board, and if applicable, the board of directors of each Subsidiary of the Company.
(ii) Each of the Parties other than the Company agrees that (a) he or it shall, to the extent in compliance with Applicable Laws, cause the Director(s) nominated by him or it to vote at any meeting of the Board or execute any written resolution or consent of Directors and take all other necessary actions in order to ensure that the composition of the Board is as set forth in this Section 2.01; and (b) it shall vote (and, in the case of any Principal Party, cause any Affiliate Controlled by such Principal Party to vote) all of his or its Equity Securities of the Company at any general meeting of Shareholders or execute any written resolution or consent of Shareholders or proxy and take all other necessary actions, in order to ensure that the composition of the Board is as set forth in this Section 2.01. The Company further agrees to take any and all necessary actions within its control in order to ensure that the composition of the Board is as set forth in this Section 2.01.
Section 2.02 Removal and Replacement of Directors.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in the Memorandum and Articles, the Person(s) entitled to nominate a Director under Section 2.01(i) shall have the right to remove such Director nominated by it or them. Each of the Parties other than the Company shall vote its Equity Securities of the Company at any general meeting of Shareholders or execute any written consent or resolution of Shareholders or proxy and take all other necessary action so as to effectuate the foregoing removal rights. Each Party other than the Company agrees that, if at any time it is then entitled to vote for or execute any written consent or resolution of Shareholders or proxy for the removal of Directors from the Board, it shall not vote any of its Equity Securities of the Company or execute proxies or written consents, as the case may be, in favor of the removal of any Director who shall have been nominated pursuant to Section 2.01, unless the Person or Persons entitled to nominate such Director pursuant to Section 2.01 shall have consented to such removal in writing.
7 |
(ii) If, as a result of death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal pursuant to Section 2.02(i) of a Director by the Person(s) entitled under Section 2.01(i) to nominate such Director, the Person(s) entitled under Section 2.01(i) to nominate the Director whose death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal resulted in such vacancy shall have the absolute and exclusive right to nominate another individual (each such another individual, the “Replacement Director”) to serve in place of such Director. Each of the Parties other than the Company agrees that (i) he or it shall, to the extent in compliance with Applicable Laws, cause the Director(s) nominated by him or it to vote at any meeting of the Board or execute any written resolution or consent of Directors and take all other necessary actions in order to elect the Replacement Director to serve as a Director to fill such vacancy; and (ii) he or it shall vote (and, in the case of any Principal Party, cause any Affiliate Controlled by such Principal Party to vote) all of his or its Equity Securities of the Company at any general meeting of Shareholders or execute any written resolution or consent of Shareholders or proxy and take all other necessary action, in order to elect the Replacement Director to serve as a Director to fill such vacancy. The Company further agrees to take any and all necessary actions within its control in order to ensure the election of the Replacement Director to serve as a Director as set forth in this Section 2.02.
(iii) Prior to his or her appointment as a replacement Investor Director, any individual nominated by the Investors and/or its Affiliates after the date of this Agreement to serve on the Board pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall first provide to the Company and the Board a duly executed and appropriately responsive customary “D&O Questionnaire.”
(iv) So long as an Investor Director is then serving on the Board, the Company shall, upon the reasonable request of the Investors and/or its Affiliates, designate and appoint the Investor Director to each committee of the Board so requested by the Investors and/or its Affiliates, subject always to (a) any restriction on such Investor Director (or any nominee of the Investors and/or their Affiliates) from serving on such committee, (b) the satisfaction of any qualifications (including “independence”) required of such Investor Director to serve on such committee, in each case, as may be imposed or promulgated under Applicable Laws (including limitations under the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, as amended) and the rules and regulations of any securities exchange where the Company’s Equity Securities are then listed.
(v) The Company shall maintain customary D&O insurance for all members of the Board. The Company shall procure, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, that any Investor Director shall enjoy the same indemnification rights and D&O insurance coverage as any other members of the Board.
(vi) The Company shall procure, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, that the Subsidiaries implement the resolutions adopted by the Board and shall not take any actions that contravene the resolutions adopted by the Board.
Section 2.03 Investor Agreements. Each Investor undertakes to the Company that:
(i) with respect to each election of Directors by resolution of shareholders of the Company, it shall exercise all voting rights attaching to the Equity Securities of the Company it holds at all times and from time to time at any shareholder meeting, adjournment, postponement or continuation thereof, or consent of shareholders, in order to (i) cause the election or re-election as members of the Board of each of the individuals designated by the Company, and (ii) against any nominees not designated by the Company; and
8 |
(ii) with respect to each appointment of a Director by resolution of the Board, whether to fill a casual vacancy, upon any increase in the size of the Board or otherwise, it shall cause any Investor Director then serving to vote at each meeting of the Directors, or in lieu of any such meeting, to give his or her written consent as may be necessary (i) to cause the appointment as a member of the Board each of the individuals designated by a majority of the Directors then serving (other than the Investor Director), and (ii) against any nominees not designated by a majority of the Directors then serving (other than the Investor Director).
Section 2.04 Board Approval Matters.
In addition to any requirements imposed by Applicable Law, this Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles and any other constitutional documents of the Company, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, take any action with respect to any of the matters set forth on SCHEDULE A hereto without approval of the Board.
ARTICLE III
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE IV
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES
Each Party severally but not jointly represents and warrants, with respect to itself, to the other Parties that:
Section 5.01 Existence. Such Party (other than the Principal) has been duly organized, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.
Section 5.02 Capacity. Such Party has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its or his respective obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.03 Authorization And Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Party, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other Parties, this Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of such Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
Section 5.04 Non-Contravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the memorandum and articles or other constitutional documents of such Party (other than the Principal); (ii) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, Governmental Entity or court to which such Party is subject, or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an Encumbrance under, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which such Party is a party or by which such Party is bound or to which any assets of such Party are subject, except in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) as would not have a material adverse effect. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or, to the knowledge of such Party, threatened against such Party that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of such Party to enter into this Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
9 |
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION
Section 6.01 General. Save for the provisions which Section 6.03 provides shall continue in full force following termination for any reason whatsoever, this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the mutual written consent of the Parties hereof (or their respective lawful successors and assigns).
Section 6.02 Termination with Respect to a Shareholder. Subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Investors’ Rights Agreement, upon the Transfer by any of the Investors or the Principal Holding Company of all of the Equity Securities of the Company registered in its name in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investors’ Rights Agreement or an Investor or the Principal Holding Company otherwise ceasing to hold any Equity Securities of the Company, such Party (and with respect to the Principal Holding Company, the Principal Parties) shall automatically cease to be a party to this Agreement and shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder.
Section 6.03 Survival. If this Agreement terminates, the Parties shall be released from their obligations under this Agreement, except that (i) Article I, this Section 6.03, Section 7.01, Section 7.15 and Section 7.16 shall continue to exist after the termination of this Agreement in accordance with their terms, and (ii) termination of this Agreement shall not affect any rights or liabilities that the Parties have accrued under this Agreement prior to such termination.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 7.01 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications that are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, and delivery shall be deemed sufficient in all respects and to have been duly given as follows: (a) on the actual date of service if delivered personally; (b) at the time of receipt if given by electronic mail to the e-mail addresses set forth in this Section 7.01; (c) on the third day after mailing if mailed by first-class mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid and properly addressed as set forth in this Section 7.01; or (d) on the day after delivery to a nationally recognized overnight courier service during its business hours for overnight delivery against receipt, and properly addressed as set forth in this Section 7.01:
If
to the Investors: Joy Capital |
Astral Success Limited 3303-04, 33/F FLOOR, AIA KOWLOON TOWER, LANDMARK EAST, 100 HOW MING STREET, KWUN TONG DISTRICT, HONG KONG E-mail: [*] [*] With copy to: [*] Attn: [*] |
10 |
Any party may change its address or other contact information for notice by giving notice to each other party in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.01. In no event will delivery to a copied Person alone constitute delivery to the party represented by such copied Person.
Section 7.02 Further Assurances. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein, each of the Parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, to do or cause to be done, to execute such further instruments, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under Applicable Laws or otherwise to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited that the Company and the Principal Parties shall (a) use their best efforts to ensure that the rights granted under Section 2.01 and Section 7.03 to the Investors and/or its Affiliates are effective and that the Investors and/or its Affiliates enjoy the benefits thereof, and (b) take any and all actions as may be necessary, advisable or reasonably requested by the Investors and/or its Affiliates in order to carry out the transactions contemplated by Section 2.01 and Section 7.03 and to protect the rights of the Investors and/or its Affiliates under Section 2.01 and Section 7.03 against impairment.
Section 7.03 Assignments and Transfers. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties; provided, however, that (a) each Investor may assign this Agreement to (i) any Affiliate of such Investor without the prior consent of the other Parties, (ii) to any transferee with a Transfer of Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares or ADSs to such third party, and (iii) for collateral security purposes, to any lender of such Investor or any of its Affiliates in connection with a bona fide loan or financing arrangement secured by Senior Preferred Shares, Conversion Shares or ADSs; and (b) the Principal Holding Company shall assign this Agreement to any Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Investors’ Rights Agreement) of the Principal Holding Company with a Transfer of all Equity Securities of the Company it holds (other than the Principal New Shares) to such Permitted Transferee.
11 |
Section 7.04 Rights Cumulative; Specific Performance. Except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
Section 7.05 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by each of the Parties.
Section 7.06 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument signed by the Party waiving such provision. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of the same preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Without limiting the foregoing, no waiver by a Party of any breach by any other Party of any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of that or any other provision hereof.
Section 7.07 No Presumption. The Parties acknowledge that any Applicable Law that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived. If any claim is made by a Party relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in the provisions of this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion will be implied because this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of any Party or its counsel.
Section 7.08 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
12 |
Section 7.09 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and thereto with respect to the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, related to the subject matters hereof and thereof, including the Prior Agreement. The Prior Agreement is terminated in its entirety by virtue of this Agreement.
Section 7.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signatures in the form of facsimile or electronically imaged “PDF” shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes hereunder. The parties irrevocably and unreservedly agree that this Agreement may be executed by way of electronic signatures and the parties agree that this Agreement, or any part thereof, shall not be challenged or denied any legal effect, validity and/or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an electronic record.
Section 7.11 Descriptive Headings; Construction. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The Parties agree that this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties and individuals, all of whom were represented by counsel, and each of whom had an opportunity to participate in and did participate in the drafting of each provision hereof. Accordingly, ambiguities in this Agreement, if any, shall not be construed strictly or in favor of or against any party but rather shall be given a fair and reasonable construction without regard to the rule of contra proferentem.
Section 7.12 Control. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any of the terms of this Agreement and any of the terms of the Charter Documents for any of the Group Members, or in the event of any dispute related to this Agreement or any such Charter Document, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail in all respects among the Parties, and the Parties shall give full effect to and act in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement over the provisions of the Charter Documents.
Section 7.13 Adjustments for Share Splits, Etc. Wherever in this Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of Shares, then, upon the occurrence of any subdivision, combination or share dividend of the Shares, the specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement shall automatically be proportionally adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect the effect on the outstanding Shares by such subdivision, combination or share dividend.
Section 7.14 Use of English Language. This Agreement has been executed and delivered in the English language. Any translation of this Agreement into another language shall have no interpretive effect. All documents or notices to be delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the English language or, if any such document or notice is not in the English language, accompanied by an English translation thereof, and the English language version of any such document or notice shall control for purposes thereof.
Section 7.15 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
Section 7.16 Dispute Resolution.
13 |
(i) Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably (i) agrees that any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or concerning any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration to be held in Hong Kong and administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules in force at the time of the commencement of the arbitration, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such arbitration, and (iii) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of Hong Kong in any such arbitration. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. The claimant shall appoint one (1) arbitrator, and the respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator no more than ten (10) days following the official appointment of the arbitrator appointed by the claimant, failing which such arbitrator shall be appointed by HKIAC; the third arbitrator shall be the presiding arbitrator and shall be appointed jointly by the arbitrators ap-pointed by the claimant and respondent within ten (10) days of the later of the appointment of the arbitrators appointed by the said Parties, failing which such arbitrator shall be appointed by HKIAC.
(ii) The arbitration shall be conducted in English.
(iii) The Parties acknowledge and agree that, in addition to contract damages, the arbitrator may award provisional and final equitable relief, including injunctions, specific performance and lost profits.
(iv) The decision of the arbitration tribunal shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitration tribunal’s decision in any court having jurisdiction.
(v) When any dispute occurs and when any dispute is under arbitration, except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to fulfil their respective obligations and shall be entitled to exercise their rights under this Agreement.
(vi) The Parties understand and agree that this provision regarding arbitration shall not prevent any Party from pursuing preliminary, equitable or injunctive relief in a judicial forum pending arbitration in order to compel another Party to comply with this provision, to preserve the status quo prior to the invocation of arbitration under this provision, or to prevent or halt actions that may result in irreparable harm. A request for such equitable or injunctive relief shall not waive this arbitration provision.
(vii) The Parties expressly consent to the joinder of additional part(ies) in connection with the Transaction Documents to the arbitration proceedings commenced hereunder and/or the consolidation of arbitration proceedings commenced hereunder with arbitration proceedings commenced pursuant to the arbitration agreements contained in the Transaction Documents. In addition, the Parties expressly agree that any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents concern the same transaction or series of transactions.
(viii) If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
Section 7.17 Deed of Adherence. Any transferee of an Investor who acquires rights, interests and obligations of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.03 hereof, may, by signing and delivering a Deed of Adherence in substantially the form attached hereto as SCHEDULE C, join and become a party to this Agreement as an “Investor” with the same force and effect as if it were originally a party hereto.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
14 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
COMPANY: | ||
UXIN LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Print Name: | Kun DAI | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature page to Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
PRINCIPAL: | |
/s/ Kun Dai | |
Kun DAI (戴琨) |
PRINCIPAL HOLDING COMPANY: | ||
XIN GAO GROUP LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Print Name: | Kun DAI (戴琨) | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature page to Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
INVESTOR: | ||
JOY CAPITAL | ||
ASTRAL SUCCESS LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Erhai Liu | |
Print Name: | Erhai Liu | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature page to Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
INVESTOR: | ||
NIO CAPITAL | ||
ABUNDANT GRACE INVESTMENT LIMITED | ||
By | /s/ Mao Wei | |
Print Name: | Mao Wei | |
Title: | Director |
[Signature page to Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused their respective duly authorized representatives to execute this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
INVESTOR: | ||
NIO CAPITAL | ||
ABUNDANT GLORY INVESTMENT L.P. | ||
acting through Nio Capital II LLC in its capacity as the general partner | ||
By | /s/ Zhu Yan | |
Print Name: | Zhu Yan | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature page to Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
BOARD APPROVAL MATTERS
1. | Adoption, change or waiver of any provision of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association or other Charter Documents of any Group Member. |
2. | Delisting of the ADSs from NASDAQ. |
3. | Any authorization, creation or issuance by any Group Member of any New Securities or any instruments that are convertible into securities, excluding (x) any issuance of Ordinary Shares upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares, (y) any issuance of Ordinary Shares (or options or warrants therefor) under any written share incentive plans duly approved, and (z) any issuance of securities as a dividend or distribution on Ordinary Share. |
4. | (x) Any adoption of new share incentive plan by any Group Member or change of the Existing Share Incentive Scheme; or (y) grant of awards that represent over 0.5% of the Company’s outstanding Shares to any individual under any share incentive plans of the Company. |
5. | Any repurchase or redemption of any Equity Securities of any Group Member (including the manner in which such repurchase or redemption is structured) other than pursuant to contractual rights to repurchase Ordinary Shares from the employees, officers, directors or consultants of the Group Members upon termination of their employment or services. |
6. | Any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization (i) in which the Company is not the surviving entity or (ii) following which the holders of the voting securities of the Company do not continue to hold more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity. |
7. | Any transaction or series of transactions in which more than 50% of the voting power of any Group Member (other than the Company) is transferred or in which a majority of the assets of any Group Member are sold. |
8. | Declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its Equity Securities or make any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution in respect of any of its Equity Securities or otherwise make any payments to shareholders in their capacity as such, except for cash dividends made by any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or one of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries. |
9. | Pass any resolution for the winding up of the Company and/or any other Group Member, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, reconstruction, dissolution or liquidation concerning the Company and/or any other Group Member, or appointing a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property. |
10. | Any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or reorganization of the Company following which transaction, any NIO Competitor would hold more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity. |
11. | The entry into any binding agreement to privatize the Company following which privatization any NIO Competitor would hold more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or, if the Company is not the surviving entity of such privatization, the surviving entity. |
SCHEDULE A
12. | Approval or amendment of annual business plan and Annual Budget or any strategic plan. |
13. | Appointment, replacement, removal, dismissal or settlement or change of terms of employment of the chief executive officer, the chief financial offer, the chief operating officer, the general manager or the five (5) most highly compensated employees or officers of the Company. |
14. | To the extent not already approved in the Annual Budget or the Quarter Budget, any investment in any entity or any acquisition of another company with consideration, whether in cash or otherwise, in excess of RMB50 million in valuation; or any disposal of or dilution of the Company’s interest, directly or indirectly, in any other Group Member; or any Transfer of any Equity Securities (or any interest therein) of any Group Member (other than the Company). |
15. | To the extent not already approved in the Annual Budget or the Quarter Budget, any purchase, license, lease, transfer or disposal of assets, properties, goodwill and businesses in excess of RMB1 million individually or in excess of RMB5 million collectively during any financial year. |
16. | To the extent not already approved in the Annual Budget or the Quarter Budget, any advertising or user acquisition agreements in excess of RMB1 million individually or in excess of RMB5 million collectively during any financial year. |
17. | To the extent not already approved in the Annual Budget or the Quarter Budget, any incurrence of debt, any investment in any indebtedness, any provision of any guarantee, indemnity or mortgage for any indebtedness or advance of any loan to any third party, in each case in excess of RMB1 million individually or in excess of RMB5 million collectively during any financial year. |
18. | To the extent not already approved in the Annual Budget or the Quarter Budget, any capital expenditure projects or agreements in excess of RMB1 million individually or in excess of RMB5 million collectively during any financial year, other than purchase of automobiles in the ordinary course of the Company’s business consistent with past practice. |
19. | Ceasing to conduct or carry on the business of the Company and/or any other member of the Group substantially as currently conducted as of the date of this Agreement or change any part of its major business activities. |
20. | Any transaction with Related Party (excluding for such purposes any member of the Group) that is not on an arm’s length basis or which is not contemplated in the Company’s annual business plan and budget duly approved and adopted. |
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE B
ADVERSE PERSONS
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
SCHEDULE B
SCHEDULE C
DEED OF ADHERENCE
THIS DEED is made on [*], 202[*] by [*] of [*] (the “New Party”)
WHEREAS:
(A) | On March 26, 2024, the Company and certain other parties thereto entered into a second amended and restated voting agreement (as amended, supplemented or novated from time to time, the “Voting Agreement”). |
(B) | This Deed is entered into to record and effect the admission of the New Party under the Voting Agreement. |
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSES as follows:
1. | Unless the context otherwise requires, (a) words and expressions defined in the Voting Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in this Deed, and (b) the rules of interpretation contained in Section 1.02 (Interpretation) of the Voting Agreement shall apply to the construction of this Deed. |
2. | The New Party hereby confirms that it has been supplied with a copy of the Voting Agreement, and has reviewed the same and understands its contents. |
3. | The New Party undertakes to each of the parties to the Voting Agreement (whether assuming any rights or obligations under the Voting Agreement on the date of the Voting Agreement or thereafter) to be bound by and comply in all respects with the Voting Agreement, and to assume the benefits of the Voting Agreement, as if the New Party had executed the Voting Agreement as [an Investor, Joy Capital / NIO Capital, Principal Party] and was named as a party to it. |
4. | The New Party warrants and undertakes to each of the Parties to the Voting Agreement (and each other Person who may from time to time expressly adhere to the Voting Agreement) in the terms set out in Article V of the Voting Agreement (except that the warranty set out in Section 5.01 (Existence) of the Voting Agreement shall not be given by the New Party if it is an individual), but so that such warranties and undertakings shall be deemed to be given on the date of this Deed and shall be deemed to refer to this Deed. |
5. | This Deed is made for the benefit of: |
(a) | the parties to the Voting Agreement; and |
(b) | any other Person who may after the date of the Voting Agreement (and whether or not prior to, on or after the date hereof) assume any rights or obligations under the Voting Agreement and be permitted to do so by the terms thereof; |
and this Deed shall be irrevocable.
6. | The address and e-mail address of the New Party for the purpose of Section 7.01 (Notices) of the Voting Agreement shall be as follows: |
Address: [*]
E-mail: [*]
For the attention of: [*]
7. | This Deed shall be read as one with the Voting Agreement so that any reference in the Voting Agreement to “this Deed” and similar expressions shall include this Deed. |
8. | Section 7.15 (Governing Law) and Section 7.16 (Dispute Resolution) of the Voting Agreement shall apply to this Deed. This Deed and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong. |
[Signature Pages Follow]
SCHEDULE C
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has hereto executed and delivered this Deed as of the day and year first above written.
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED as a deed by [*] acting by |
Director/Authorised Signatory | |
_____________________________, who is duly authorised to sign on its behalf | [Seal] |
Exhibit 4.66
THE SYMBOL “[*]” DENOTES PLACES WHERE CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL, AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE COMPANY TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL
Equity Transfer Contract
January 2024
Table of Contents
Article 1 Definition and Interpretation | 3 |
Article 2 Equity | 6 |
Article 3 Company | 7 |
Article 4 Equity Transfer Price and Payment | 7 |
Article 5 Closing Matters on Transfer of the Equity | 8 |
Article 6 Transition Period Arrangement | 11 |
Article 7 Payment of Equity Transaction Fee | 12 |
Article 8 Inheritance of Shareholder’s Rights of Party A | 12 |
Article 9 Representations and Warranties of Party A | 12 |
Article 10 Representations and Warranties of Party B | 13 |
Article 11 Liability for Breach | 13 |
Article 12 Modification and Termination | 14 |
Article 13 Governing Law and Dispute Resolution | 15 |
Article 14 Confidentiality | 15 |
Article 15 Notice | 16 |
Article 16 Effectiveness | 16 |
Article 17 Miscellaneous | 16 |
1 |
Transferor (Party A): Kaifeng Financial Leasing (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd.
Address: [*]
Legal Representative: Zeng Zhen
Transferee (Party B): Tianfu Software Park Co., Ltd.
Address: [*]
Legal Representative: Wan Xiang
(Party A and Party B are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”)
WHEREAS:
1. Party A, as a civil entity established on March 25, 2013 and legally existing under the laws of China, holds the registered capital of Sichuan Jincheng Consumer Finance Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) of RMB 79.8 million as of the date of this Contract, accounting for 19% of the registered capital of the Company (the “Equity”), has the unified social credit code of [*], and is qualified to execute and perform this Contract;
2. The Company is a legally established and existing limited liability company, with unified social credit code of [*];
3. Party B is an enterprise legally established and existing under the laws of China, with the unified social credit code of [*], and is qualified to execute and perform this Contract;
4. After friendly negotiation between the Parties, Party B plans to acquire all the Equity of the Company held by Party A (the “Transaction”). On such basis, the Parties signed the Project Cooperation Framework Agreement on December 29, 2023, which stipulates the Parties’ transaction intention and the core transaction elements;
2 |
5. In December 2023, the Company was listed on the Southwest United Equity Exchange to solicit investors, and intended to increase capital and shares by a combination of capital reserve conversion and cash injection to increase the registered capital of the Company from RMB 420 million to RMB 1 billion. The Parties understand that the Company will not further increase the capital and shares.
THEREFORE, in accordance with the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China, the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Implementation Measures for the Administrative Licensing Items Concerning Non-banking Financial Institutions, the Pilot Administrative Measures for Consumer Finance Companies and other relevant laws, regulations and rules, Party A and Party B, following the principles of voluntariness, fairness, and good faith, reach a consensus on matters related to the transfer of the Equity by Party A to Party B through friendly negotiation, and sign this Equity Transfer Contract (this “Contract”) as follows:
Article 1 Definition and Interpretation
Unless otherwise agreed in this Contract, the relevant terms herein shall have the following meanings:
1.1 | Transferor (Party A): means Kaifeng Financial Leasing (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd.; |
1.2 | Transferee (Party B): means Tianfu Software Park Co., Ltd. | |
1.3 | Company: means Sichuan Jincheng Consumer Finance Co., Ltd. | |
1.4 | Pledgee: means Shenzhen Baodechang Investment Co., Ltd. | |
1.5 | Equity: means 19% equity of the Company held by Party A, corresponding to registered capital of the Company of RMB 79.8 million. For the avoidance of doubt, “Equity” herein includes the amount of increased registered capital of the Company to be held by Party A due to the possible conversion by the Company. Specifically, if the Company’s shareholders’ meeting or board of directors approves and decides to implement the conversion, the ratio of the increased registered capital to the original registered capital is hereinafter referred to as the “Conversion Ratio”. The registered capital corresponding to the Equity will be changed to RMB 79.8 million multiplied by the Conversion Ratio after the conversion. |
3 |
1.6 | Equity Transfer: means the transfer of the Equity held by Party A to Party B. | |
1.7 | Equity Transfer Price: means the consideration that Party A shall receive from Party B for the transfer hereunder. | |
1.8 | Asset Evaluation Report: means the asset evaluation report issued by the asset evaluation agency entrusted by Party B after evaluating the value of all shareholders’ equity of the Company. | |
1.9 | Base Date of Evaluation: means the base date on which the asset evaluation agency entrusted by Party B evaluates the value of shareholders’ equity of the Company and issues the Asset Evaluation Report, namely August 31, 2023. | |
1.10 | Closing Date: means the date on which Party A transfers all the Equity to Party B and the Company completes the procedures for industrial and commercial registration of changes related to the Equity Transfer for all the Equity transferred to Party B. | |
1.11 | Transition Period: means the period from the Base Date of Evaluation (inclusive) to the Closing Date (inclusive). | |
1.12 | Approval Authority: means Sichuan Local Office of National Financial Regulatory Administration and other authorities or other competent authorities that have the authority to approve the Transaction in accordance with laws and regulations. | |
1.13 | Registration Authority: means the Administration for Market Regulation of Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone or its parent bodies or other authorities or other competent authorities that have the authority to approve the industrial and commercial registration of changes related to the equity involved in the Transaction in accordance with laws and regulations. |
4 |
1.14 | Notary Public Office: means the Notary Public Office of Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. | |
1.15 | Framework Agreement: means the Project Cooperation Framework Agreement signed by the Parties on December 29, 2023. | |
1.16 | Equity Transaction Fee: means the total amount of all expenses and fees incurred by the Transferor and/or the Transferee or the Company in connection with the transfer or negotiation, preparation, signing of this Contract and/or any document hereunder, or performance or completion of the transactions hereunder, including the fees and expenses incurred in obtaining necessary or appropriate waivers, consents or approvals from any governmental authority or third party, and the transaction service fees. | |
1.17 | Working Day: means a day other than Saturday, Sunday and public holidays in China. | |
1.18 | China: means the People’s Republic of China (for the purpose of this Contract, excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan). | |
1.19 | Calculation of Period: if any action or measure is to be taken before, during or after a period under this Contract, the base date shall be excluded when the period is calculated. If the last day of the period is a non-business day, the period shall be extended to terminate on the first subsequent business day. | |
1.20 | Currency: means the legal tender of China for all involved in this Contract. | |
1.21 | Including: means including but not limited to. |
5 |
Article 2 Equity
2.1 | The Equity hereunder shall be the 19% equity of the Company held by Party A, corresponding to registered capital of the Company of RMB 79.8 million. | |
2.2 | Party A shall have made full payment for the registered capital of the Company subscribed by it. | |
2.3 | The sales of the 19% equity of the Company held by Party A is restricted from October 22, 2018 to October 21, 2023, that is, after the lifting of the ban on October 21, 2023, the transfer shall not be subject to the supervision by the Company and National Financial Regulatory Administration or the restriction by other regulatory authorities. | |
2.4 | As of the date of this Contract, except for the 9.49% equity (the “Pledged Equity”) pledged to Shenzhen Baodechang Investment Co., Ltd., there shall been no guarantee or other defects of right of any kind on the Equity, including but not limited to pledge or any other restriction or obligation affecting the Equity Transfer or the exercise of shareholder’ rights on the Equity, nor shall any competent authority have seized, frozen or taken other mandatory measures against the Equity. | |
2.5 | After the Closing Date, the Transferor’s rights and obligations with respect to the Equity shall be transferred to the Transferee. | |
2.6 | The Parties are aware that the Company has recently been increasing capital and shares through the conversion of capital reserves to share capital and public recruitment of investors on the Southwest United Equity Exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, “Equity” herein includes the amount of increased registered capital of the Company to be held by Party A due to the possible conversion by the Company. |
6 |
Article 3 Company
3.1 | The Company is a legally existing limited liability company with independent corporate capacity. | |
3.2 | The Company has obtained legal approval or permission to operate in accordance with the following: | |
(1) | Financial License [*] issued by Sichuan Local Office of China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on July 14, 2021; | |
(2) | Reply of China Banking Regulatory Commission on Approving the Opening of Sichuan Jincheng Consumer Finance Co., Ltd. ([*]) issued by China Banking Regulatory Commission on February 25, 2010; | |
(3) | Reply on Approval of the Qualification of Sichuan Jincheng Consumer Finance Co., Ltd. to Start Credit Asset Securitization Business ([*]) issued by Sichuan Local Office of China Banking Regulatory Commission on August 11, 2017. |
Article 4 Equity Transfer Price and Payment
4.1 | Transfer price |
The Parties agree that the transfer price of the Equity hereunder shall be RMB [*] per share multiplied by the registered capital of RMB 79,800,000 corresponding to the Equity currently held by Party A, that is, RMB [*] (in words: [*]) shall be the final transfer price under the Transaction. Whether the Company increases capital and shares or not during the performance of this Contract, and whether the amount of registered capital corresponding to the Equity changes or not accordingly, the aforementioned transfer price shall be an immutable and fixed total price.
4.2 | Payment method of the transfer price |
The Equity Transfer Price hereunder shall be paid as follows: the transfer price shall be notarized and deposited first, and then paid after the transfer procedures are completed. The specific transaction procedures shall be subject to Article 5.2 hereof.
7 |
4.3 | Collection account of the Transferor |
On the date of this Contract, the Parties shall respectively sign the Notice of Payment with the form and content shown in Annex I (Payment Order I) and Annex II (Payment Order II) hereto. Subject to the agreed terms of payment, the Transferee shall pay the corresponding transfer price to the corresponding collection account in full based on the amount set out in the Notice of Payment in Annex I and Annex II hereto respectively.
Article 5 Closing Matters on Transfer of the Equity
5.1 | The Parties agree that this Contract shall be valid only if all of the following conditions are fulfilled or are waived in writing by the relevant parties: |
(1) | Party A has sent a notice of Equity Transfer to the other shareholders of the Company, and for each of the other shareholders of the Company, (i) has received a written notice that such shareholders have waived the right of first refusal on the Equity; or (ii) has not received any notice that such shareholders have requested exercising the right of first refusal on the Equity within 30 days from the date of the notice of Equity Transfer sent by Party A; | |
(2) | The shareholders’ meeting of the Company has made a resolution to approve the Transaction. | |
5.2 | Steps for transferring the Equity | |
(1) | Facilitate the fulfillment of the conditions stipulated in Article 5.1 hereof. Party A shall make commercially reasonable efforts to urge the Company to hold a shareholders’ meeting to approve the Transaction before February 28, 2024, and obtain the relevant documents related to the effective requirements in Article 5.1 hereof. Party B shall actively cooperate with the Company in providing the necessary materials to prepare for making proposals at the shareholders’ meeting and its board meeting, so that the relevant meeting can be held successfully. |
8 |
(2) | Sign a deposit agreement. Party A and Party B shall, as soon as possible after the signing of this Contract, but no later than the date following the fulfillment of the conditions stipulated in Article 5.1 hereof, sign a notarization and deposit agreement with the Notary Public Office selected by Party B. The relevant deposit fees shall be borne by Party B, and the Parties shall cooperate in handling the relevant deposit procedures as required by the Notary Public Office. | |
(3) | Deposit part of the Equity Transfer Price. Party B shall pay the Equity Transfer Price of RMB [*] (in words: [*]) (the “Deposit Price”) to the Notary Public Office for deposit within 5 days after the shareholders’ meeting of the Company makes a resolution approving the Transaction, and then the Notary Public Office shall be responsible for payment of the price according to the terms of the deposit agreement. | |
(4) | Discharge the equity pledge. Party A shall, within 10 Working Days after receiving the notice from the Notary Public Office that Party B has paid the Deposit Price to the Notary Public Office in accordance with the provisions of Article 5.2(3), urge the Pledgee to cancel the registration of equity pledge on the pledged equity. | |
(5) | Obtain the approval of the Approval Authority for the Transaction. The Parties shall make every effort to urge the Company to submit the approval materials related to the Transaction to the Approval Authority within 5 days after the Pledgee cancels the registration of equity pledge on the pledged equity, and obtain the approval of the Approval Authority as soon as possible. | |
(6) | Complete closing and industrial and commercial registration of changes. Subject to cancellation of the registration of equity pledge by the Pledgee, the Parties shall cooperate with and urge the Company to transfer all the Equity to Party B within 10 Working Days after obtaining the approval of the Approval Authority for the Transaction. |
9 |
(7) | Make payment. Party B shall notify the Notary Public Office of payment of the Deposit Price to the corresponding collection account within 5 days after the Closing Date in accordance with the Notice of Payment shown in Annex I; at the same time, Party B shall, within 5 days after the Closing Date, pay the remaining Equity Transfer Price (i.e., RMB 31,320,000, in words RMB Thirty-one Million Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand) to the corresponding collection account in accordance with the Notice of Payment shown in Annex II. Party A confirms that Party B shall be deemed to have paid the full transaction amount to Party A upon completion of the relevant payment in accordance with the aforementioned Notice of Payment. | |
(8) | Provide filing certificate. The Parties shall urge the Company, as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, to provide Party B with the filing certificate issued by the Administration for Market Regulation of Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone stating that 19% equity of the Company is held by Party B and the new articles of association of the Company meets Article 8 of this Contract. | |
5.3 | In the process of reporting the Equity Transfer to the Approval Authority and/or registering the changes industrially and commercially, either party and/or the Company shall have the right to request the other party to provide the required relevant application materials, perform or assist in performing the relevant reporting obligations, and provide other reasonable and necessary assistance. The other party shall use its best reasonable efforts to satisfy such request of the requesting party and/or the Company, provide the requested materials within 3 Working Days after the other party receives such request from the requesting party and/or the Company, and agree to cooperate in handling requests and inquiries from the Approval Authority and issue specific documents required by the Approval Authority and/or the Registration Authority to ensure that other reasonably necessary assistance is provided within a reasonable time, so that the purpose of this Contract can be achieved. |
10 |
Article 6 Transition Period Arrangement
6.1 | The Base Date of Evaluation and ownership of dividend rights for 2023 are as follows: | |
(1) | Since the Company has not made dividend arrangement for 2023, after the signing of this Contract, Party A shall enjoy any dividend attributable to the Equity during the period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023; Party B shall enjoy any dividend attributable to the Equity during the period from January 1, 2024 to the Closing Date. If the Transaction has been completed when the Company holds a board meeting/shareholders’ meeting to consider the dividends attributable to the Equity from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, Party B shall obtain the consent of Party A before the board of directors and/or shareholders’ meeting of the Company vote on the aforesaid dividends, and vote according to the content agreed by Party A. If the Transaction has not been completed when the Company holds a board meeting/shareholders’ meeting to consider the dividends attributable to the Equity from January 1, 2024 to the Closing Date, Party A shall obtain the consent of Party B before the board of directors and/or shareholders’ meeting of the Company vote on the aforesaid dividends, and vote according to the content agreed by Party B. Party A and Party B shall transfer the dividends paid by the Company in accordance with the aforesaid principles. | |
(2) | Except as previously agreed, the normal operating profits and losses of the Company during and after the Transition Period shall be enjoyed and borne by Party B. |
6.2 | During the Transition Period hereunder, Party A shall have the obligation of kind management to the Company and its equity. Party A shall promote the normal operation of the Company. Party A shall promptly notify Party B of any material adverse impact caused by the Company and urge the Company to properly deal with it. Party A and Party B confirm that during the period from the signing of this Contract to the Closing Date, if Party A, as a shareholder of the Company, intends to exercise its voting rights on matters other than the dividends attributable to the Equity from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, it shall notify Party B in advance and synchronize the voting results with Party B, provided, however, that Party A’s exercise of voting rights shall not violate the Equity Transfer arrangement and the provisions hereof, nor shall it impair Party B’s relevant rights and interests after Party B becomes a shareholder of the Company. |
11 |
Article 7 Payment of Equity Transaction Fee
7.1 | Taxes and fees to be paid by the Parties in the process of transaction of the Equity hereunder shall be borne and paid by each party in accordance with laws and regulations. |
Article 8 Inheritance of Shareholder’s Rights of Party A
8.1 | After the Closing Date, Party B shall have the right to inherit the rights enjoyed by Party A in the Company and its articles of association, including but not limited to the independent nomination of one director. | |
8.2 | The Parties agree that the articles of association of the Company submitted by the Company at the time of the industrial and commercial registration of the changes corresponding to the Equity Transfer and in force after the Closing Date shall be consistent with the arrangements set out in Article 8. |
Article 9 Representations and Warranties of Party A
9.1 | Party A warrants that it has all the rights, shareholder authorizations and approvals necessary to sign this Contract and has all the rights, authorizations and approvals necessary to fully perform its obligations hereunder from the date of establishment hereof. | |
9.2 | Party A warrants to provide all the materials related to the Equity according to the material list provided by Party B within its knowledge and without reservation upon signing of this Contract. Party A undertakes that all due diligence materials and information already provided and to be subsequently provided to Party B (including but not limited to materials on the ownership of the Equity and defects of right, etc.) are true, legal and complete without concealment. | |
9.3 | Except for the disclosed equity pledge and other provisions regarding the Equity in the agreement signed by Party A, Baodechang and Henan Shiwei Data Technology Co., Ltd. (collectively the “Prior Equity Arrangement”), Party A warrants that, prior to the signing of this Contract, Party A has not signed any form of legal documents with any third party, nor has it taken any other way permitted by law to dispose of the Equity in any form, including but not limited to transfer, pledge, escrow or assignment of all or part of the rights attached to the Equity. | |
9.4 | Except for the disclosed Prior Equity Arrangement, Party A ensures that the Equity can be legally transferred, that there are no circumstances restricting the transfer such as seizure, freezing, holding entrustment, etc., that there will be no new encumbrance or defects of right affecting the transfer of the Equity after the signing of this Contract, and that it will coordinate to obtain the written proof materials issued by the Pledgee agreeing to the Transaction and agreeing to cooperate in discharging the equity pledge, the resolution of the Company’s shareholders’ meeting agreeing to the transfer of the equity and the written documents of other shareholders giving up the right of first refusal under the same conditions. |
12 |
Article 10 Representations and Warranties of Party B
10.1 | Party B warrants that it has all the rights, authorizations and approvals necessary to sign this Contract and has all the rights, authorizations and approvals necessary to fully perform its obligations hereunder from the date of establishment hereof. | |
10.2 | Party B warrants that the funds used to pay the Equity Transfer Price are from legitimate sources. | |
10.3 | Party B warrants that at the time of signing this Contract, it shall meet the qualifications of non-financial general investors of consumer finance companies as required by the following effective regulatory provisions: the net assets at the end of the most recent fiscal year being not less than 30% of the total assets; good financial position, and profitable in the last 2 consecutive fiscal years; good reputation, good social reputation, integrity record and tax payment record, no major illegal business records in the last 2 years; the investment funds being self-owned funds, not non-self-owned funds such as entrusted funds and debt funds; the balance of equity investment in principle not exceeding 50% of the net assets of the enterprise (including the amount of the investment). |
Article 11 Liability for Breach
11.1 | If Party B fails to pay the transfer price in full within the time limit agreed herein for reasons other than breach by Party A, it shall pay Party A liquidated damages for overdue payment, which shall be five ten thousandth per day of the price payable during the delay in payment. If Party A fails to transfer the Equity as agreed herein for reasons other than breach by Party B, it shall pay Party B liquidated damages for the delayed registration of the transfer, which shall be five ten thousandth per day of the Equity Transfer Price hereunder during the delay in registration. | |
11.2 | Except as stipulated in Article 11.1, if there is a specific performance time stipulated herein, the obligor shall complete the performance as agreed herein; otherwise, it shall be deemed as a breach, and the breaching party shall pay the non-breaching party liquidated damages, which shall be five ten thousandth per day of the Equity Transfer Price hereunder during the delay in performance. | |
11.3 | After this Contract comes into force, either party shall be deemed to be in breach of this Contract by any of the following acts: | |
(1) | Failing to perform any of its obligations or undertakings under this Contract in a timely and complete manner; | |
(2) | Making untrue, inaccurate or incomplete representations and warranties hereunder. |
13 |
11.4 | Upon the occurrence of any breach under this Contract, the breaching party shall, upon receipt of the written notice from the non-breaching party requesting it to correct the breach or take remedial measures, immediately correct the breach or take effective remedial measures within a reasonable period specified in the notice so as to prevent the non-breaching party from suffering losses. If the breaching party fails to correct the breach or take effective remedial measures within the reasonable period proposed by the non-breaching party, and the legitimate interests of the non-breaching party are damaged, the non-breaching party shall have the right to take one or more of the following remedial measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests: | |
(1) | Suspend performance of its obligations temporarily and resume performance of its obligations after the event of default and its effects are eliminated; | |
(2) | Perform as agreed if the liability for breach is expressly stipulated herein, or require the breaching party to pay liquidated damages equal to 10% of the transfer price in one lump sum if the liability for breach is not expressly stipulated, and recover the full amount from the breaching party if it is insufficient to make up for the loss of the non-breaching party. | |
11.5 | In case of breach under any circumstances, the breaching party shall, in addition to being liable for breach to the non-breaching party as agreed herein, also bear the legal costs, attorney’s fees, notary fees, travel expenses and other expenses incurred by the non-breaching party in asserting its rights. |
Article 12 Modification and Termination
12.1 | The Parties may modify or terminate this Contract upon consensus. | |
12.2 | Either party may terminate this Contract under any of the following circumstances: | |
(1) | The purpose of this Contract cannot be achieved due to force majeure or any reason not attributable to either party; | |
(2) | The other party loses the ability to perform this Contract or either party fails to perform this Contract more than 20 days after the time limit for performance set herein; |
(3) | The purpose of this Contract cannot be achieved as a result of serious breach by the other party; | |
(4) | The other party can unilaterally terminate this Contract as described herein (if either party maliciously causes the fulfillment of conditions for unilateral termination of this Contract through its own breach, it shall be deemed that the conditions for termination of contract are not fulfilled). |
14 |
12.3 | Party A shall have the right to unilaterally terminate this Contract under the following circumstances: if the Equity Transfer is not approved by the external banking supervision authority before April 20, 2024 (except for reasons attributable to Party A), Party A shall have the right to unilaterally terminate this Contract and the Framework Agreement from April 20, 2024. This Contract and the Framework Agreement shall terminate on the date on which Party A sends the written notice of termination to Party B. If Party A chooses to terminate this Contract and the Framework Agreement under the foregoing circumstances, the Parties shall not hold each other liable for breach. If the Transaction is not approved because during the review process, the external regulatory body considers that Party B does not meet the qualifications of non-financial general investors of consumer finance companies as agreed herein or other financial regulatory requirements, and Party A chooses not to terminate this Contract, Party B shall, within 50 days upon receipt of the first notice from the Approval Authority and the Company, correct the qualifications or replace with a qualified affiliated company and obtain the approval from the Approval Authority for the new company with respect to the Transaction; otherwise, Party B shall be deemed to be in breach of this Contract and shall pay Party A or Party A’s designated entity liquidated damages equal to 10% of the Equity Transfer Price. If the Approval Authority approves the Equity Transfer within the 50 days for correction, the Parties shall actively perform their obligations to facilitate the closing before August 15, 2024. |
12.4 | If the closing is not completed before August 15, 2024, Party A shall have the right to unilaterally terminate this Contract and the Framework Agreement. If the closing is not fully completed due to Party A or Party B, the breaching party shall bear the corresponding liability for breach as agreed herein. If this Contract is terminated in accordance with laws or provisions hereof, the Parties shall exercise relevant rights and perform relevant obligations in accordance with relevant laws or provisions hereof. For the part that has been performed, the Parties shall make the settlement as agreed, and for the part that has not been performed, the Parties shall not continue the performance. The Parties agree that after the termination of this Contract, Party B may unilaterally notify the Notary Public Office of returning the remaining deposit amount to Party B. | |
12.5 | This Contract shall be terminated in writing. Upon termination hereof, the effect of termination shall be subject to the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant provisions of Chinese laws, and the relevant payment shall be subject to provisions hereof. Article 7 (Payment of Equity Transaction Fee), Article 11 (Liability for Breach), Article 12 (Modification and Termination), Article 13 (Governing Law and Dispute Resolution), Article 14 (Confidentiality), Article 15 (Notice), Article 16 (Effectiveness), Article 17 (Miscellaneous) and other provisions of this Contract involving liability for breach and confidentiality obligation shall survive the termination hereof. |
Article 13 Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
13.1 | This Contract and the equity transaction shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China. | |
13.2 | Any dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation or performance of this Contract shall be settled by the Parties through negotiation. If no settlement can be reached through negotiation, either party shall have the right to bring a suit to the people’s court with jurisdiction in the place where the Company is located. |
Article 14 Confidentiality
14.1 | Whether or not any transaction or cooperation in connection with this Contract is realized or completed, neither party shall disclose this Contract or information in connection with this Contract to any unrelated third party without the express prior written consent of the other party, other than its attorneys or other advisors who have agreed to be bound by this confidentiality clause. |
15 |
Article 15 Notice
15.1 | In the course of the performance of this Contract, the relevant notices shall be in writing and sent in one or more of the following ways, the effective date of service shall be: (1) the date of receipt in the case of direct service; (2) the date of sending the E-mail in the case of sending by E-mail; (3) the third Working Day after delivery to the express service company or such earlier date as the express service company may confirm in writing to the sender in the case of express delivery. |
All notices, requests and other communications shall be sent to the following addresses:
Party A: Kaifeng Financial Leasing (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd.
Address: [*]
Postal Code: [*]
E-mail Address/Tel.: [*]
Contact: [*]
Party B: Tianfu Software Park Co., Ltd.
Address: [*]
Postal Code: [*]
E-mail Address/Tel.: [*]
Contact: [*]
Article 16 Effectiveness
16.1 | This Contract is a contract subject to effective conditions. This Contract shall be established on the date when the legal representatives or authorized representatives of the Parties sign and affix the official seal of the company and shall come into effect on the date when the effective conditions set forth herein are fulfilled. During the period when this Contract is established but not effective, this Contract shall be in the waiting period for performance, during which neither party shall terminate or rescind this Contract without cause; otherwise, the breach clause stipulated in this Contract shall apply, without affecting the performance of the obligations for the exclusivity period stipulated in the Framework Agreement. |
Article 17 Miscellaneous
17.1 | Any modification or supplement to this Contract shall be made by the Parties in writing and shall be annexed to this Contract. The annexes to this Contract shall have the same legal effect as this Contract. | |
17.2 | In case of any inconsistency between this Contract and the Framework Agreement, provisions hereof shall prevail. In case of no provisions hereof, provision of the Framework Agreement shall still be followed. | |
17.3 | The Equity Transfer Agreement (industrial and commercial version) signed by the Parties for the purpose of industrial and commercial registration of changes is only for the industrial and commercial registration of changes. The rights and obligations of the Parties based on the Transaction shall be subject only to the provisions hereof. | |
17.4 | This Contract is made in ten copies, with each party holding two copies, and the remaining copies used for the approval and registration of the equity transaction. |
(End of body text)
Date of signing: January 31, 2024
16 |
(Signature page of the Equity Transfer Contract)
Transferor (Party A): Kaifeng Financial Leasing (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd.
(Seal)
Legal or Authorized Representative (signature): /s/ ZENG Zhen
17 |
(Signature page of the Equity Transfer Contract)
Transferee: Tianfu Software Park Co., Ltd.
(Seal)
Legal or Authorized Representative (signature): /s/ WAN Xiang
18 |
Exhibit 4.67
Loan Contract
This loan contract (this “Contract”) was signed by the following parties in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China on February 22, 2024.
Lender: Kun Dai, a PRC individual with PRC identity card no. of [*] (hereinafter referred to as “Party A”)
Borrower: Uxin Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Party B”)
Address: 21/F, Donghuang Building No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC
Party A and Party B are collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually as the “Party”.
Parties A and Party B enter into this Loan Contract through consensus to jointly abide by it.
I | Amount of Loan |
Artical 1 Party A provides Party B with Loan [*] million in RMB (RMB [*] million) (the “Loan”).
II | Term and Purpose of the Loan |
Artical 2 The Term of the Loan under this Contract is one year, from [*] to [*]. If the actual disbursement date of the loan is inconsistent with the commencement date of the loan, the commencement date of the loan shall be the actual disbursement date of the loan, and the term of the loan shall be extended accordingly.
Artical 3 After the expiration of the loan term, it will be automatically extended for one year, unless either party notifies the other party in writing one month in advance of the termination of the Loan Contract after the expiration of the loan term.
第 1 页 共 6 页 |
Artical 4 The Loan under this Contract is designated for Party B’s normal business activities, that is, the purchase of second-hand cars, and without the written consent of Party A, Party B shall not change the purpose of the loan and divert it for other purposes.
III | Loan Interest Rate and Payment Method |
Artical 5 The Loan Interest rate under this Contract is a fixed interest rate, the Annual Interest Rate of the Loan is [*]%, and the interest commencement date is the date on which the Loan under this Contract is provided.
Artical 6 The Parties shall calculate the interest payable on the expiration date of the term of the loan. If the accounting is correct, Party B shall pay the interest accrued to Party A’s designated account within 5 days of expiration date of the term of loan.
Artical 7 Party B shall pay the Loan and the interest of Loan in RMB to the bank account designated by Party A, and once the transfer is successful, it will be deemed that the Loan and interest have been returned.
IV | Provision of the Loan |
Artical 8 Both parties agree that Party A or the Person designated by Party A will remit the Loan in RMB to Party B’s following account, and once the transfer is successful, it will be deemed that the Loan has been withdrawn and used by Party B.
Account Name: [*]
Account: [*]
Bank: [*]
V | Party A’s Rights and Obligations |
Artical 9 Party A has the right to require Party B to repay the Loan, interest and fees in accordance with this Contract, and has the right to exercise other rights stipulated in this Contract and require Party B to perform other obligations under this Contract
Artical 10 Party A has the right to dispatch personnel into Party B’s store or vehicle inventory management system to conduct vehicle inventory at any time.
第 2 页 共 6 页 |
Artical 11 Party A promises and guarantees that the Loan under this Contract is legally owned by it and has the right to dispose of, and has performed the necessary internal procedures, has the right to lend to Party B, and does not infringe the legitimate rights and interests of any third party; otherwise, Party A shall bear all the consequences arising therefrom.
Artical 12 Under the premise that Party B performs the obligations stipulated in this Contract, Party A shall provide the Loan to Party B in accordance with this Contract.
Artical 13 Party A shall have confidentiality obligations for the information obtained in accordance with this Contract related to Party B’s operation, including but not limited to financial data, second-hand car ownership details, etc., and shall not disclose it to any third party without Party B’s written consent; if Party A violates the confidentiality obligation, it shall compensate Party B for all losses caused thereby.
VI | Party B’s Rights and Obligations |
Artical 14 Party B has the right to repay part of the Loan in advance after notifying Party A in writing, and the repayment is successful after Party B transfers to Party A’s designated account.
Artical 15 Party B shall use the Loan according to the purpose agreed in this Contract, and shall not divert the Loan under this Contract for other purposes or use the Loan to engage in illegal or illegal transaction.
Artical 16 Party B shall repay the Loan under this Contract and pay interest according to the time, amount and currency agreed in this Contract.
VII | Early Return of Loan |
Artical 17 Before the expiration of the loan term, Party A may notify Party B in writing one month in advance to repay part of the Loan, and the notice shall clearly list the Loan and the interest that needs to be repaid by Party B.
Artical 18 Before the expiration of the loan term, Party B may notify Party A in writing one month in advance to repay part or all of the Loan and interest in advance.
第 3 页 共 6 页 |
Artical 19 In case of early repayment, the interest of the Loan shall be calculated according to the amount and term of Party B’s actual use of the Loan.
VIII | Liability for Breach of Contract |
Artical 20 Party B’s violation of the obligations, commitments and guarantees stipulated in this Contract constitutes a breach of contract, and Party A has the right to require Party B in writing to repay the Loan in advance, and Party B shall repay all the Loan and the interest within ten business days from the date of receiving the aforesaid written notice. If Party B fails to repay the Loan and interest within the aforementioned period, Party B shall pay penalty interest according to three ten-thousandths per day of the total amount of the outstanding loan and interest to Party A.
Artical 21 If Party B fails to repays the Loan according to the Term of Loan stipulated in this Contract, Party A has the right to dispose of the second-hand car purchased by Party B using the loan and not sold to offset the loan principal, interest and the penalty of three ten-thousandths per day.
IX | Governing Law and Dispute Resolution |
Artical 22 The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China (excludes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan).
Artical 23 Any dispute or controversy arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be resolved through negotiation, and if the negotiation fails, either party shall have the right to submit the dispute to HKIAC for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules. The arbitration shall take place in Hong Kong. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the Parties.
X | Notice and Delivery |
Artical 24 Contact information for both parties is as follows:
Contact information | Party A | Party B | ||
Name | [*] | [*] | ||
Tel Number | [*] | [*] | ||
[*] | [*] |
第 4 页 共 6 页 |
XI | Miscellaneous |
Artical 25 This Contract shall enter into force when signed or sealed by both parties.
Artical 26 Any variation to this contract shall be made by mutual agreement of the parties and in writing, and the terms or agreement of the change shall form part of this contract and shall have the same legal effect as this contract. Except for the changes, the rest of this contract shall remain in force.
Artical 27 This Contract is written in both English and Chinese, the Chinese version and English version shall have equal legal validity, and in case of any discrepancy between different versions, the Chinese version shall prevail
The Remainder of this page is intentionally left blank
第 5 页 共 6 页 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused their authorized representatives to execute this Loan Contract as of the date first above written.
Party A: Kun Dai | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Party B: Uxin Limited | ||
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Director |
第 6 页 共 6 页 |
Exhibit 4.68
THE SYMBOL “[*]” DENOTES PLACES WHERE CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL, AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE COMPANY TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL
Joint Venture Contract
Recitals
This Joint Venture Contract (this “Contract”) is made and entered into on July 8, 2024 by and among:
(1) Party A: Uxin (Anhui) Industrial Investment Co., Ltd., a limited liability company duly established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of China, with its registered address at Building A1, Southeast Complex Building, intersection of Yangmiao Road and Chezuo Road, Wushan Town, Changfeng County, Hefei, Anhui.
(2) Party B: Zhengzhou Airport Automobile Industry Investment Co., Ltd., a limited liability company duly established and validly existing in accordance with the laws of China, with its registered address at Financial Plaza, No. 180 Huaxia Avenue, Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, He’nan, China.
(3) Party C (Guarantor): Uxin Limited, a listed company registered in the Cayman Islands, with its office address at 21/F, Donghuang Building, No. 16 Guangshun South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
In this Contract, Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter individually referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
The Parties hereby enter into this Contract through friendly negotiation on the principle of equality and mutual benefit in accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and other applicable laws of China.
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
Article 1 Basic Information of the Joint Venture
1.1 Place of establishment of the Joint Venture
In accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant laws and regulations of China, the Parties hereby agree to establish a joint venture at Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, He’nan, China.
1.2 Name and registered address of the Joint Venture
1.2.1 Chinese name of the Joint Venture: “优信(郑州)智能再制造有限公司” (the “Joint Venture”), subject to the industrial and commercial registration.
1.2.2 Registered address of the Joint Venture: Financial Plaza, No. 180 Huaxia Avenue, Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, He’nan.
1.3 Legal representative of the Joint Venture
Pan Wenjie is the legal representative of the Joint Venture.
1.4 Legal status of the Joint Venture
The Joint Venture is a limited liability company established under the laws of China. Each Party shall bear limited liability to the Joint Venture only to the extent of the registered capital it has subscribed to the Joint Venture.
Page 1 of 12 |
Article 2 Purpose and Business Scope of the Joint Venture
2.1 Purpose of the Joint Venture
The purpose of the Joint Venture is to carry on business in the territory of China on the basis of the principle of promoting equal and friendly economic exchange and mutual benefit.
2.2 Business scope of the Joint Venture
2.2.1 Business scope of the Joint Venture: general items: auto parts and accessories manufacturing; mechanical and electrical equipment manufacturing; electronic components manufacturing; metal processing machinery manufacturing; operation of used car trading market; used car brokerage; car sales; used car appraisal; auto parts retail; automobile decoration supplies sales; motor vehicle repair and maintenance; spray processing; property management; general goods storage services (excluding hazardous chemicals and other items requiring approval); information consulting services (excluding licensed information consulting services); new energy vehicle sales; sales of electric accessories for new energy vehicles; sales of replacement facilities for new energy vehicles; sales of new energy vehicle production and testing equipment; business agency service; car towing, assistance, obstacle removal services; non-residential real estate leasing (except for licensed business, items not prohibited or restricted by laws and regulations can be operated independently according to law). All activities of the Joint Venture shall comply with and be protected by the relevant laws and regulations published in China.
Article 3 Term of Operation
3.1 Term of operation
3.1.1 The term of operation of the Joint Venture shall be unlimited and shall be counted from the date of its establishment.
Article 4 Total Investment and Registered Capital
4.1 Total investment
The total investment in the Joint Venture is RMB One Hundred and Seventy Million (RMB 170,000,000).
4.2 Registered capital, method and time of contribution
4.2.1 The registered capital of the Joint Venture is RMB One Hundred and Seventy Million (RMB 170,000,000). The proportion of contribution in the registered capital of the Joint Venture by each Party and the method of contribution are as follows:
Monetary unit: RMB
Name of shareholder | Amount of contribution | Equity ratio | Method of contribution | |||
Party A | 120,000,000 | 70.59% | In currency and physical assets | |||
Party B | 50,000,000 | 29.41% | In currency | |||
Total | 170,000,000 | 100.0% | - |
4.2.2 Each contribution shall be made by Party A and Party B in the same proportion as the subscribed capital contribution.
4.2.3 Party A shall have the priority to make each contribution. Party B shall make a contribution within 5 days after Party A completes each contribution. In each actual contribution, the amount of contribution in currency by Party A shall be higher than that in physical assets.
Page 2 of 12 |
Article 5 Business Management Office
5.1 Business management
5.1.1 The Joint Venture shall have a business management office, which shall be composed of one general manager and one financial officer, who shall be responsible for the daily business management of the Joint Venture.
5.1.2 The general manager and the financial officer shall be nominated by Party A and appointed or dismissed as approved by the board of directors.
5.1.3 Party B shall have the right to appoint a financial staff of the Joint Venture to check the financial status and account books of the Joint Venture at any time, and Party A shall cooperate.
5.2 Responsibilities of business management
5.2.1 The general manager shall be responsible for implementing the resolutions of the shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors, organizing and leading the daily business management of the Joint Venture, and exercising other functions and powers authorized by the board of directors.
5.2.2 The responsibilities of the financial officer are as follows:
(1) Fully manage the financial work of the Joint Venture, sign important financial documents and statements, be responsible for and report the work to the general manager;
(2) Implement the financial decisions of the shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors, control the costs of the Joint Venture, prepare capital plans, review and supervise the use of funds and the balance of payments by the Joint Venture, submit financial analysis reports to the shareholders’ meeting, the board of directors and the general manager, and put forward suggestions for improvement;
(3) Participate in the formulation of the business plan of the Joint Venture and plan the use of funds; and
(4) Guide the Joint Venture to operate in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, codes for listed companies and other relevant institutional documents.
5.3 Term of office, dismissal and replacement
5.3.1 The general manager and the financial officer shall serve for a term of three years and may be re-elected upon further appointment as resolved by the board of directors.
5.3.2 If the general manager or the financial officer is dismissed or resigns, his/her successor shall be appointed in accordance with Article 5.1.2 hereof.
5.4 Senior management
Senior management means the Joint Venture’s general manager, financial officer, chief operating officer, managers at deputy general manager level and above, and other personnel considered by the board of directors to be senior management.
5.5 Obligations of senior management
5.5.1 The general manager and other senior management of the Joint Venture shall be diligent and responsible, and work in the best interests of the Joint Venture;
5.5.2 The financial officer shall report to the general manager, but the report shall not adversely affect the normal operation of the Joint Venture.
Page 3 of 12 |
Article 6 Supervisor
6.1 Appointment and removal of supervisor
6.1.1 The Joint Venture shall have no board of supervisors, but shall have one supervisor, who shall be appointed by Party A. The supervisor shall serve for a term of three years and may be re-elected upon further appointment by Party A.
6.1.2 The appointment or removal of supervisor shall be valid only after Party A issues a written document.
6.1.3 No director or senior management shall concurrently serve as supervisor.
6.2 Functions and powers of supervisor
For the avoidance of doubt, the supervisor of the Joint Venture shall exercise the following functions and powers:
(1) Check the financial affairs of the Joint Venture;
(2) Supervise the performance of duties by the directors and senior management of the Joint Venture, and recommend the removal of the directors and senior management who violate laws, administrative regulations, articles of association or any board resolution;
(3) Require the directors and senior management to make corrections when their acts harm the interests of the Joint Venture;
(4) Put forward proposals to the shareholders’ meeting;
(5) Litigate against directors and senior management according to law.
Page 4 of 12 |
Article 7 Board of Directors
7.1 Executive body of the Joint Venture
7.1.1 The board of directors shall be the executive body of the Joint Venture and shall be responsible for implementing the resolutions of the shareholders’ meeting and the daily business decisions of the Joint Venture.
7.1.2 For the avoidance of doubt, the functions and powers of the board of directors shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Formulating business policies and investment plans for the Joint Venture and its branches;
(2) Formulating annual financial budget plans and final accounting plans for the Joint Venture and its branches;
(3) Formulating profit distribution plans and loss recovery plans for the Joint Venture;
(4) Convening shareholders’ meetings and reporting work to shareholders;
(5) Reviewing the basic management system of the Joint Venture and its branches;
(6) Reviewing the Joint Venture’s purchase or sale of assets, investment and financing involving a single amount of RMB 5 million or above;
(7) Reviewing the Joint Venture’s single expenditure of RMB 5 million or above;
(8) Making resolutions on matters concerning guarantees provided by the Joint Venture to others (including shareholders of the Joint Venture, related parties and other third parties); and
(9) Other functions and powers provided for in this Contract and the articles of association (and any amendments thereto).
The matters referred to in paragraphs (6) - (8) above are matters requiring special resolution of the board of directors.
7.2 Total number of directors, authority to appoint and term of office of directors
7.2.1 The board of directors shall be composed of three directors (the “Total Number of Directors”), two of which may be appointed by Party A and one by Party B.
7.2.2 Each director shall serve for a term of three years and may be re-elected upon further appointment by the shareholder entitled to appoint.
7.3 Chairman
Page 5 of 12 |
7.3.1 The Chairman of the Joint Venture (the “Chairman”) shall be a director nominated by Party A.
7.4 Rules of procedure of the board of directors
7.4.1 A resolution made at a board meeting shall be valid only if two or more directors are present at such meeting. The board of directors shall not adopt any resolution on any matter if at any board meeting, the number of directors present in person or by proxy is less than the number of directors required for a valid resolution as provided for in this article.
7.4.2 Each director shall have one vote. If a director is unable to attend for any reason, he/she may issue a written proxy to entrust another director to attend and vote at the board meeting as a proxy. The entrusted proxy director shall have the same rights and powers as the director who issued the proxy within the scope of the proxy.
7.4.3 A board meeting shall be convened and presided over by the Chairman.
7.4.4 Two days prior to a proposed regular or interim board meeting, a notice of the date, place and agenda of the meeting shall be issued to each director by E-mail, unless the director waives the requirement for such notice.
7.4.5 Each director may participate in a board meeting by means of which all directors attending the meeting may communicate with each other (such as teleconference or other means of communication). A director participating in a board meeting by such means shall be deemed to have attended the meeting in person. For matters to be resolved by the board of directors, a resolution may be made directly by all the directors without holding a board meeting, provided that all the directors shall sign and seal the resolution document.
7.5 Adoption of board resolutions
A general resolution of the board of directors shall be adopted and take effect only with the consent of two or more directors present at the board meeting. A special resolution of the board of directors shall be adopted and take effective only with the consent of all the directors.
7.6 Board resolution
A board resolution shall be written in Chinese, signed by the participating directors or the proxies entrusted by the directors, and then filed with the Joint Venture before copied to the Parties.
Page 6 of 12 |
Article 8 Shareholders’ Meeting
8.1 The shareholders’ meeting of the Joint Venture shall be composed of all the shareholders, shall be the authority of the Joint Venture, and exercise the following functions and powers:
(1) Decide on the business policies and investment plans for the Joint Venture and its branches;
(2) Elect and replace the members of the board of directors and decide on matters relating to the remuneration of directors and supervisor;
(3) Examine and approve the reports of the board of directors;
(4) Examine and approve the reports of the supervisor;
(5) Examine and approve the profit distribution plans and loss recovery plans for the Joint Venture;
(6) Amend the articles of association;
(7) Increase or decrease the registered capital (including equity redemption or repurchase);
(8) Decide on the liquidation, merger, division, dissolution or change of company form of the Joint Venture;
(9) Increase or decrease the number of directors or make other changes in the structure of the board of directors;
(10) Decide on any equity investment, or enter into any joint venture agreement;
(11) Decide on the issuance of bonds by the Joint Venture;
Execute any document or make any arrangement in respect of any of the above matters.
Items (6) to (10) above are matters requiring special resolution of the shareholders’ meeting.
8.2 A general resolution of the shareholders’ meeting shall be approved by the shareholders representing more than two-thirds of the voting rights, while a special resolution of the shareholders’ meeting shall be adopted with unanimous consent of all the shareholders. The shareholders shall exercise their voting rights in accordance with the proportion of the subscribed capital contribution at a shareholders’ meeting.
Page 7 of 12 |
Article 9 Profit Distribution
9.1 When the Joint Venture distributes the after-tax profits of the current year, 10% of the profits shall be included in the statutory provident fund of the Joint Venture. If the accumulative amount of the statutory provident fund of the Joint Venture is more than 50% of the registered capital of the Joint Venture, it may no longer be withdrawn.
9.2 Where the statutory provident fund of the Joint Venture is insufficient to make up the losses of previous years, the profits of the current year shall be used to make up the losses before the statutory provident fund is withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
9.3 After the Joint Venture has withdrawn the statutory provident fund from the after-tax profits, it may also withdraw any provident fund from the after-tax profits upon resolution of the shareholders’ meeting.
9.4 The residual after-tax profits of the Joint Venture after making up the losses and withdrawing the provident fund shall be distributed according to the proportion of the actual contribution by the shareholders upon approval by the shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors of the Joint Venture.
Article 10 Right to Know and Right of Inspection
10.1 From the date of establishment of the Joint Venture, the Joint Venture shall employ an accounting firm to conduct annual audits in accordance with Chinese accounting standards.
10.2 Party B shall have the right to request the Joint Venture to provide financial statements to Party B and Party A on a monthly basis. Party B and Party A shall have the right to request inspecting all books, records and business documents of the Joint Venture and verify all assets of the Joint Venture by themselves or by their authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants and other professionals), and request the management of the Joint Venture to provide written explanations and replies on issues related to the operation of the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture shall, and shareholders of the Joint Venture other than the persons with right to inspect shall cause the Joint Venture to, cooperate fully in such inspection.
Page 8 of 12 |
Article 11 Equity Transfer
11.1 From the date of establishment of the Joint Venture, Party A shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equity of the Joint Venture held by Party B in accordance with the following price mechanism. Party B understands and agrees to such transfer terms and shall cooperate in such transfer after approval by the state-owned assets supervision and administration department. At that time, the transfer premium for each registered capital of the Joint Venture shall be equal to each registered capital multiplied by the average one-year loan prime rate (LPR) of the loan market issued by the National Interbank Funding Center within 90 days prior to the date of equity transfer, multiplied by the actual number of days from the date of actual contribution to the date of equity transfer divided by 360. The date of equity transfer shall be the date on which Party A issues the notice of equity purchase to Party B, and the transfer price of each registered capital shall be equal to RMB 1 plus the corresponding transfer premium.
11.2 Within five years from the date on which Party B completes the first actual contribution in the registered capital of the Joint Venture, Party A shall guarantee that the cumulative net profit of the Joint Venture after audit shall not be less than RMB 15 million; otherwise, Party B shall have the right to request Party A to purchase all or part of the equity of the Joint Venture held by it. At that time, the corresponding price of each registered capital to purchase the equity shall be RMB 1 + RMB 1 × average one-year loan prime rate (LPR) of the loan market issued by the National Interbank Funding Center within 90 days prior to the date of equity transfer, multiplied by the actual number of days from the date of actual contribution to the date of equity transfer divided by 360.
11.3 Party A shall, within 30 days from the date on which Party B issues a notice requesting equity repurchase, purchase the corresponding equity of the Joint Venture held by Party B at the agreed price.
11.4 During the period when Party A and Party B hold the equity of the Joint Venture, neither Party A nor Party B shall transfer part or all of their equity to any third party other than each other.
11.5 Repurchase guarantee: Party C shall voluntarily undertake the irrevocable joint and several liability guarantee for Party A’s equity repurchase obligation to the Joint Venture (including payment of equity price and liquidated damages, etc.). Party C shall ensure that before the establishment of the Joint Venture, Party C shall provide Party B with the internal resolution documents, articles of association and guarantee system related to its guarantee for Party A’s equity repurchase obligation to ensure that the guarantee is legal and effective.
Page 9 of 12 |
Article 12 Modification
12.1 Modification
Any modification to this Contract shall not take effect unless a separate written agreement is signed by the Parties.
Article 13 Liability for Breach
13.1 If any Party breaches any warranty, undertaking, agreement or any other provision made by it hereunder, or any representation made by any Party hereunder is untrue, as a result of which other Parties are liable for any costs, liabilities or losses (including but not limited to actual losses suffered by such Parties, any loss of profits that reasonably can be proved to be receivable by such Parties as expected, any interest paid or lost, attorneys’ fees and all due benefits deprived thereof, collectively referred to as “Compensable Losses”), the breaching Party or the Party making the untrue representation shall indemnify the non-breaching Party for all the above Compensable Losses.
13.2 If Party A or Party C fails to repurchase the corresponding equity of the Joint Venture held by Party B as agreed herein, Party B shall have the right to require Party A and Party C to perform the repurchase obligation as agreed herein, and to require Party A and Party C to pay Party B liquidated damages equal to two ten thousandth per day of the amount of the repurchase price. In case of other losses caused to Party B, Party A and Party C shall be jointly liable to Party B for compensation.
Article 14 Force Majeure
14.1 Force majeure
In the event of force majeure, including but not limited to earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fires, explosions, acts of God, civil or military acts, labor disputes, riots, wars, financial storms, SARS, influenza A (H1N1) or other unforeseen events beyond the effective control of a Party, or a change in the relevant laws, regulations, rules or policies of China, which prevents any Party from performing its obligations hereunder, the affected Party shall notify the other Parties without delay and within fifteen (15) days after such notice, provide detailed information about such event and notarized documents (if applicable) issued by a notary to prove such event, explaining the reasons for failure or delay in performing all or part of its obligations hereunder.
14.2 Performance of contract under force majeure
If a force majeure event or its consequence prevents a Party or the parties from performing part or all of the obligations hereunder for ninety (90) or more days, the Parties shall consider whether to terminate this Contract or release or postpone the performance of this Contract based on the impact of such force majeure event on the performance of this Contract.
Article 15 Governing Law
15.1 The conclusion, validity, interpretation, performance of this Contract and dispute resolution shall be governed by the laws of China, excluding the application of rules of conflict in the laws of China. If any change in the laws of China has a material adverse effect on any Party, the Parties shall modify this Contract in good faith with the aim of safeguarding the original economic interests of each Party.
Page 10 of 12 |
Article 16 Dispute Resolution
16.1 Any dispute arising out of the signing, conclusion, performance, validity or interpretation of this Contract or in connection with this Contract (the “Outstanding Dispute”) shall be settled by arbitration. Any Party to this Contract shall submit the Outstanding Dispute to Beijing Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The place of arbitration shall be Beijing and the language of arbitration shall be Chinese.
16.2 The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the Parties. The Parties agree to be bound by and act in accordance with the award. Unless otherwise provided in the arbitral award, the costs of arbitration and the costs of enforcing the arbitral award (including witness fees and attorneys’ fees) shall be borne by the losing Party. In the event of any Outstanding Dispute and in the event of any Outstanding Dispute being subject to arbitration, the Parties shall continue to exercise their remaining rights and perform their remaining obligations under this Contract, except for the matters covered by the Outstanding Dispute.
Article 17 Miscellaneous
17.1 Notice
Any notice, arbitration instrument or other judicial instrument or other communication of any nature sent by one Party to the other Parties in connection with this Contract (“Notice”) shall be in writing (including but not limited to letters, e-mails). For the purpose of serving a Notice, the contact details of the Parties are as follows:
Party A: [*]
Address: [*]
Postal Code: [*]
Tel.: [*]
E-mail: [*]
Attention: [*]
Party B: [*]
Address: [*]
Postal Code: [*]
Tel.: [*]
E-mail: [*]
Attention: [*]
17.2 Effectiveness
This Contract shall come into effect on the date of signing.
17.3 Counterparts
This Contract shall be executed in Chinese in six originals, with each Party holding two originals. Each original shall be deemed to be an original and all originals shall constitute one and the same document.
Blank below on this Page, followed by signature page
Page 11 of 12 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties or their authorized representatives have signed this Contract on the date set forth above.
Party A: Uxin (Anhui) Industrial Investment Co., Ltd.
(Seal)
Signature: | /s/ Wenbing Jing | |
Name: | Wenbing Jing | |
Title: | Legal Representative |
Party B: Zhengzhou Airport Automobile Industry Investment Co., Ltd.
(Seal)
Signature: | /s/ Ruihua Zhang | |
Name: | Ruihua Zhang | |
Title: | Legal Representative |
Party C: Uxin Limited
Signature: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Director |
Page 12 of 12 |
Exhibit 8.1
Uxin
Limited
List of Significant Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries | Place of Incorporation | |
Uxin Used Car Limited | Cayman Islands | |
Xin Limited | Cayman Islands | |
New Car Group Limited | British Virgin Islands | |
UcarBuy Holding Company | British Virgin Islands | |
UcarShow HK Limited | Hong Kong | |
Xin HK Limited | Hong Kong | |
UcarBuy HK Limited | Hong Kong | |
Youtang (Shaanxi) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youxin (Hefei) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youxin (Ningbo) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Hefei Youquan Information Technology Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youxin (Shaanxi) Information Technology Group Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youfang (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Hefei Youxin Automobile Maintenance Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Hefei Youxi Used Car Market Management Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youcheng (Shaanxi) Vehicle Maintenance Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youxin (Anhui) Industrial Investment Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Xi’an Yousheng Automobile Sales Service Co., Ltd. | PRC | |
Youxin (Zhengzhou) Automobile Intelligent Remanufacturing Co., Ltd. | PRC |
Exhibit 11.2
UXIN LIMITED
Statement of PolicIES
Governing Material non-public Information and
The Prevention of InsideR Trading
(AS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF UXIN LIMITED ON MAY 25, 2018, effective upon the effectiveness of the company’s registration statement on Form f-1 relating to the company’s initial public offering AND AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF UXIN LIMITED ON JULY 31, 2024)
This Statement of Policies Governing Material Non-Public Information and the Prevention of Insider Trading (this “Statement”) applies to all directors, officers, employees and consultants of Uxin Limited and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively, the “Company”).
This Statement consists of three sections: Section I provides an overview; Section II sets forth the Company’s policies prohibiting insider trading; and Section III explains insider trading.
I.
SUMMARY
Preventing insider trading is necessary to comply with United States securities laws and to preserve the reputation and integrity of the Company, as well as that of all persons affiliated with it. “Insider trading” occurs when any person purchases or sells a security while in possession of inside information relating to the security. As explained in Section III below, “inside information” is information which is considered to be both “material” and “non-public.”
The Company considers strict compliance with the policies set forth in this Statement to be a matter of utmost importance. Violation of the Statement could cause extreme reputational damage and possible legal liability to you and the Company. Knowing or willful violations of the letter or spirit of the Statement will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the Company. Violation of the Statement might expose the violator to severe criminal penalties, as well as civil liability to any person injured by the violation. The monetary damages flowing from a violation could be multiple times the profit realized by the violator, not to mention the attorney’s fees of the persons injured.
This Statement applies to all directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities and extends to all activities within and outside an individual’s duties at the Company. Every director, officer, employee and consultant of the Company must review this Statement, and when requested by the Company, must execute and return the Certificate of Compliance attached hereto to the Compliance Officer of the Company (or another authorized role as designated by the Board of Directors of the Company)(the “Compliance Officer”) within seven (7) days after receiving the request.
II.
POLICIES PROHIBITING INSIDER TRADING
For purposes of this Statement, the terms “purchase” and “sell” of securities exclude the acceptance of options granted by the issuer thereof and the exercise of options that does not involve the sale of securities. Among other things, the cashless exercise of options does involve the sale of securities and therefore is subject to the policies set forth below. The Statement does not apply to the exercise of a tax withholding right pursuant to which you elect to have the Company withhold ordinary shares or American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) subject to an option or other award to satisfy tax withholding requirements.
A. No Trading – No director, officer, employee or consultant may purchase or sell any ADSs, ordinary shares or other securities of the Company or enter into a binding security trading plan in compliance with Rule 10b5-1 (“Rule 10b5-1”) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and pursuant to the guidelines included in Annex A (Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan Guidelines) (a “Trading Plan”) while in possession of MNPI relating to the Company or its ADSs, ordinary shares or other securities (“MNPI”).
In addition, the Company itself must comply with U.S. securities laws applicable to its own securities trading activities, and shall not effect transactions in respect of its securities, or adopt any securities repurchase plans, when it is in possession of MNPI, other than in compliance with applicable law, subject to the guidelines included in Annex A (Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan Guidelines).
In the event that the MNPI possessed by you relates to the ADSs or other Company securities, the above policy will require waiting for at least forty-eight (48) hours after public disclosure of the MNPI by the Company, which forty-eight (48) hours shall include in all events at least one full Trading Day on the stock exchange where the Company’s American depositary shares representing its ordinary shares are listed and traded (the“Stock Exchange”) following such public disclosure. The term “Trading Day” is defined as a day on which the Stock Exchange is open for trading. Except for public holidays in the United States, the Stock Exchange’s regular trading hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, Monday through Friday.
In addition, no director, officer, employee or consultant may purchase or sell any Company security or enter into a Trading Plan, without the prior clearance by the Compliance Officer, during any period designated as a “limited trading period” by the Company, regardless of whether such director, officer, employee or consultant possesses any MNPI.
Furthermore, all transactions in Company securities (including without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of the ADSs, the sale of ordinary shares issued upon exercise of share options and the execution of a Trading Plan, but excluding the acceptance of options granted by the Company and the exercise of options that does not involve the sale of securities) by directors, officers and key employees designated by the Company from time to time must be pre-approved by the Compliance Officer.
2 |
Directors, officers, employees or consultants are prohibited from engaging in hedging transactions (including transactions involving options, puts, calls, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds or other derivatives) that are designed to hedge or speculate on any change in the market value of the Company’s equity securities. Trading in options or other derivatives is generally highly speculative and risky. People who buy options are betting that the stock price will move rapidly. For that reason, when a person trades in options in his or her employer’s stock, it will arouse suspicion in the eyes of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that the person was trading on the basis of inside information, particularly where the trading occurs before a company announcement or major event. It is difficult for a director, officer, employee or consultant to prove that he or she did not know about the announcement or event. If the SEC or the stock exchanges were to notice active options trading by one or more directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company prior to an announcement, they would investigate. Such an investigation could be embarrassing to the Company (as well as expensive), and could result in severe penalties and expense for the persons involved. For all of these reasons, the Company prohibits its directors, officers, employees and consultants from trading in options or other derivatives involving Company securities.
Please see Section III below for an explanation of MNPI.
B. Trading Window – Assuming none of the “no trading” restrictions set forth in Section II-A above applies, no director, officer, employee or consultant may purchase or sell any security of the Company or enter into a Trading Plan other than during a Trading Window.
A “Trading Window” is the period in any fiscal quarter of the Company commencing at the close of business on the second Trading Day following the date of the Company’s public disclosure of its financial results for the prior year or quarter, as applicable, and ending on December 31, March 31, June 30 or September 30, as the case may be.
In other words,
(1) beginning on January 1 of each year, no director, officer, employee or consultant may purchase or sell any security of the Company or enter into a Trading Plan until the close of business on the second Trading Day following the date of the Company’s public disclosure of its financial results for the fiscal year ended on December 31 of the prior year, and
(2) beginning on April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year, no director, officer, employee or consultant may purchase or sell any security of the Company or enter into a Trading Plan until the close of business on the second Trading Day following the date of the Company’s public disclosure of its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended on March 31, June 30 and September 30 of that year, respectively.
If the Company’s public disclosure of its financial results for the prior period occurs on a Trading Day more than four hours before the Stock Exchange closes, then such date of disclosure shall be considered the first Trading Day following such public disclosure.
3 |
Please note that trading in Company securities during the Trading Window is not a “safe harbor,” and all directors, officers, employees and consultants should strictly comply with all the policies set forth in this Statement.
When in doubt, do not trade! Check with the Compliance Officer first.
The Company from time to time may also impose an ad hoc trading freeze on directors, officers, employees and consultants due to significant unannounced corporate developments. These trading freezes may vary in length.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, sale of securities pursuant to an existing Trading Plan which was entered into in accordance with the Statement and in compliance with applicable law is not subject to the restrictions on trading in Sections II-A and II-B above.
C. No Tipping – No director, officer, employee or consultant may directly or indirectly disclose any MNPI to anyone who trades in securities (so-called “tipping”).
D. Confidentiality – No director, officer, employee or consultant may communicate any MNPI to anyone outside the Company under any circumstances unless approved by the Compliance Officer in advance, or to anyone within the Company other than on a need-to-know basis.
E. No Comment – No director, officer, employee or consultant may discuss any internal matters or developments of the Company with anyone outside of the Company, except as required in the performance of regular corporate duties. Unless you are expressly authorized to the contrary, if you receive any inquiries about the Company or its securities by the financial press, investment analysts or others, or any requests for comments or interviews, you are required to decline comment and direct the inquiry or request to the Compliance Officer, who is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the release of Company information to the investing public, analysts and others in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
F. Corrective Action – If you become aware that any potential MNPI has been or may have been inadvertently disclosed, you must notify the Compliance Officer immediately so that the Company can determine whether or not corrective action, such as general disclosure to the public, is warranted.
4 |
III.
EXPLANATION OF INSIDER TRADING
As noted above, “insider trading” refers to the purchase or sale of a security while in possession of “material” “non-public” information relating to the security. “Securities” include not only stocks, bonds, notes and debentures, but also options, warrants and similar instruments. “Purchase” and “sale” are defined broadly under the U.S. federal securities laws. “Purchase” includes not only the actual purchase of a security, but any contract to purchase or otherwise acquire a security. “Sale” includes not only the actual sale of a security, but any contract to sell or otherwise dispose of a security. These definitions extend to a broad range of transactions, including conventional cash-for-stock transactions, the grant and exercise of stock options and acquisitions and exercises of warrants or puts, calls or other options related to a security. It is generally understood that “insider trading” includes the following:
● | trading by insiders while in possession of MNPI; |
● | trading by persons other than insiders while in possession of MNPI where the information either was given in breach of an insider’s fiduciary duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; and |
● | communicating or tipping MNPI to others, including recommending the purchase or sale of a security while in possession of MNPI. |
As noted above, for purposes of this Statement, the terms “purchase” and “sell” of securities exclude the acceptance of options granted by the issuer thereof and the exercise of options that does not involve the sale of securities. Among other things, the cashless exercise of options does involve the sale of securities and therefore is subject to the policies set forth in this Statement.
What Facts are Material?
The materiality of a fact depends upon the circumstances. A fact is considered “material” if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making a decision to buy, sell or hold a security or where the fact is likely to have a significant effect on the market price of the security. MNPI can be positive or negative and can relate to virtually any aspect of a company’s business or to any type of security, debt or equity.
Examples of MNPI include (but are not limited to) information concerning:
● | dividends; |
● | corporate earnings or earnings forecasts; |
● | changes in financial condition or asset value; |
● | negotiations for the mergers or acquisitions or dispositions of significant subsidiaries or assets; |
● | significant new contracts or the loss of a significant contract; |
● | significant new products or services; |
● | significant marketing plans or changes in such plans; |
● | capital investment plans or changes in such plans; |
● | material litigation, administrative action or governmental investigations or inquiries about the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities, officers or directors; |
● | significant borrowings or financings; |
5 |
● | defaults on borrowings; |
● | new equity or debt offerings; |
● | significant personnel changes; |
● | changes in accounting methods and write-offs; and |
● | any substantial change in industry circumstances or competitive conditions which could significantly affect the Company’s earnings or prospects for expansion. |
When doubt exists, the information should be presumed to be material. A good general rule of thumb: when in doubt, do not trade.
What is Non-public?
Information is “non-public” if it is not available to the general public. In order for information to be considered public, it must be widely disseminated in a manner making it generally available to investors through such media as Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Associated Press, PR Newswire or United Press International. Circulation of rumors, even if accurate and reported in the media, does not constitute effective public dissemination.
In addition, even after a public announcement, a reasonable period of time must lapse in order for the market to react to the information. Generally, one should allow approximately forty-eight (48) hours following publication as a reasonable waiting period before such information is deemed to be public.
Who is an Insider?
“Insiders” include directors, officers, employees and consultants of a company and anyone else who has material inside information about a company. Insiders have independent fiduciary duties to their company and its shareholders not to trade on MNPI. All directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company are considered insiders with respect to MNPI about business, activities and securities of the Company. Directors, officers, employees and consultants may not trade the Company’s securities while in possession of MNPI relating to the Company or tip (or communicate except on a need-to-know basis) such information to others.
It should be noted that trading by members of a director’s, officer’s, employee’s or consultant’s household can be the responsibility of such director, officer, employee or consultant under certain circumstances and could give rise to legal and Company-imposed sanctions.
Trading by Persons Other than Insiders
Insiders may be liable for communicating or tipping MNPI to a third party (a “tippee”), and insider trading violations are not limited to trading or tipping by insiders. Persons other than insiders also can be liable for insider trading, including tippees who trade on MNPI tipped to them or individuals who trade on MNPI which has been misappropriated.
6 |
Tippees inherit an insider’s duties and are liable for trading on MNPI tipped to them by an insider. Similarly, just as insiders are liable for the insider trading of their tippees, so are tippees who pass the information along to others who trade. In other words, a tippee’s liability for insider trading is no different from that of an insider. Tippees can obtain MNPI by receiving overt tips from others or through, among other things, conversations at social, business, or other gatherings.
Penalties for Engaging in Insider Trading
Penalties for trading on or tipping MNPI can extend significantly beyond any profits made or losses avoided, both for individuals engaging in the unlawful conduct and their employers. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the United States Department of Justice have made the civil and criminal prosecution of insider trading violations a top priority.
In addition, insider trading could result in serious sanctions by the Company, including immediate dismissal. Insider trading violations are not limited to violations of the U.S. federal securities laws; other U.S. federal and state civil or criminal laws, also may be violated upon the occurrence of insider trading.
7 |
Annex A
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan Guidelines
(1) | The following guidelines apply for any Trading Plan relating to the securities of the Company. All Trading Plans entered into by any Insider (as defined below) and any amendment, suspension or termination must comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, the Statement and must meet the following conditions. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under the Statement. |
Overview of 10b5-1 Plans
(2) | Under Rule 10b5-1, an insider who regularly possesses MNPI but who nonetheless wish to buy or sell the issuer’s securities may establish an affirmative defense to an illegal insider trading charge by adopting a written plan to buy or sell at a time when they are not in possession of MNPI, i.e., a Trading Plan. A Trading Plan typically takes the form of a contract between the insider and his or her broker. |
Participants
(3) | Company directors, officers and employees (each, an “Insider,” and collectively, “Insiders”) are eligible to adopt a Trading Plan. |
Plan and Approval
(4) | The Trading Plan must be in writing and signed by the Insider, and the Insider must provide a copy to the Compliance Officer. The Company will keep a copy of each Trading Plan in its files. The form of each Trading Plan and any subsequent amendment must be consistent with these guidelines. Each Trading Plan must be approved in writing by the Compliance Officer prior to the adoption, amendment, suspension or termination of such plan. A Trading Plan must not permit an Insider to exercise any subsequent influence over how, when or whether to effect purchases or sales. Sales under a Trading Plan must be via a selected broker. The Insider must act in good faith with respect to a Trading Plan when the plan is adopted and for the duration of the Plan and must not enter into a Trading Plan as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5. In addition, each Trading Plan must include a representation by the Insider certifying that (a) such person is not in possession of MNPI about the Company or its securities, and (b) the Trading Plan is being adopted in good faith and not as part of a plan to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5. |
Timing and Term of Plan; Cooling-Off Period
(5) | Each Trading Plan must be adopted (a) during an open Trading Window under the Statement, and (b) when the Insider does not otherwise possess MNPI about the Company. Each Trading Plan must provide for delayed effectiveness after adoption or amendment (a “Cooling-Off Period”). For Insiders who are directors or officers, each Trading Plan must specify that trades may not execute under the Trading Plan until the later of (a) 90 days after the date of adoption or amendment of the Trading Plan; and (b) two (2) business days following the Company’s filing of a quarterly or annual report covering the financial reporting period in which the Trading Plan was adopted or amended, but in no event later than 120 days after the date of adoption or amendment of the Trading Plan. For all other Insiders, each Trading Plan must specify that trades may not execute under the Trading Plan for a period of at least 30 days after the date of adoption or amendment of the Trading Plan. |
8 |
Plan Specifications
(6) | A Trading Plan must be entered into at a time when the Insider has no MNPI about the issuer or its securities (even if no trades will occur until after the release of MNPI). The plan must: (a) specify the amount, price (which may include a limit price) and specific dates of purchases or sales; (b) include a formula or similar method for determining amount, price and date; or (c) give the broker the exclusive right to determine whether, how and when to make purchases and sales, as long as the broker does so without being aware of MNPI at the time the trades are made. |
(7) | Under the first two alternatives, the Trading Plan cannot give the broker any discretion as to trade dates. As a result, a plan that requests the broker to sell 1,000 shares per week would have to meet the requirements under the third alternative. On the other hand, under the second alternative, the date may be specified by indicating that trades should be made on any date on which the limit price is hit. The affirmative defense is only available if the trade is in fact made pursuant to the preset terms of the Trading Plan (unless the terms are revised at a time when the insider is not aware of any MNPI and could therefore enter into a new plan). Trades are deemed not to have been made pursuant to the plan if the Insider later enters into or alters a corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the securities covered by the plan (although hedging transactions could be part of the plan itself). |
Amendment, Suspension and Termination
(8) | Amendments, suspensions, and terminations of Trading Plans must be approved in advance in writing by the Compliance Officer. In addition, an Insider may voluntarily amend a Trading Plan only (a) during an open Trading Window under the Statement and (b) when such Insider does not otherwise possess MNPI. Insiders may make amendments to a Trading Plan without triggering a Cooling-Off Period so long as the amendment does not change the pricing provisions of the Trading Plan, the amount of securities covered under the Trading Plan or the timing of trades under the Trading Plan, or where a broker executing trades on behalf of the Insiders is substituted by a different broker (so long as the purchase or sales instructions remain the same). |
Mandatory Suspension
(9) | Each Trading Plan must provide for suspension of trades under such plan if legal, regulatory or contractual restrictions are imposed on the Insiders, or if these guidelines are amended, or other events occur, that would prohibit sales under such Trading Plan. |
9 |
Sales to Cover
(10) | An Insider may have only one Trading Plan in effect at any time, except that a written, irrevocable election (an “Election”) by such Insider to sell a portion of the securities of the Company as necessary to satisfy statutory tax withholding obligations arising solely from the vesting of compensatory awards (not including options) (“Sales to Cover”) is permitted even if not included in the directions in the Insider’s Trading Plan, provided that (a) the Election is made during an open Trading Window under the Statement, (b) at the time of the Election, the Insider is not aware of any MNPI, (c) the Sales to Cover are made in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5, (d) the Insider does not have, and will not attempt to exercise, authority, influence or control over any such Sales to Cover, and (e) the Election contains appropriate representations as to clauses (b)-(d). |
No Overlapping Plans
(11) | An Insider may adopt a new Trading Plan to replace an existing Trading Plan before the scheduled termination date of such existing Trading Plan, so long as the first scheduled trade under the new Trading Plan does not occur until after all trades under the existing Trading Plan are completed or expire without execution (subject to any Cooling-Off Periods). |
(12) | However, where the first trade under a later-commencing plan is scheduled during what would have been the Cooling-off Period for that plan assuming the termination date of the earlier-commencing plan were deemed to be the date of adoption of the later-commencing plan, then Rule 10b5-1 would not be available for the later-commencing plan. For example, an Insider who is not an officer or director has in place an existing Trading Plan with a scheduled date for the latest authorized trade of May 31, 2023. On May 1, 2023, that Insider adopts a later-commencing plan, intended to qualify for the affirmative defense under Rule 10b5-1, with a scheduled date for the first authorized trade of June 1, 2023. If that Insider terminates the earlier-commencing plan on May 15, the later-commencing plan will not receive the benefit of the affirmative defense, because June 1 is within 30 days of May 15, the date of termination of the earlier-commencing plan, and thus June 1 is during the “effective cooling-off period.” However, if the later-commencing plan were scheduled to begin trading on July 1, 2023, it could still receive the benefit of the affirmative defense because July 1, 2023 is more than 30 days after May 15 and thus is outside the “effective cooling-off period.” |
(13) | A series of separate contracts with different brokers to execute trades under a Trading Plan may be treated as a single plan, provided the contracts as a whole meet the conditions under Rule 10b5-1, and provided further that any amendment of one contract is treated as an amendment of all of the contracts under the plan. |
Limitation on Single-Trade Arrangements
(14) | In any 12-month period, an Insider is limited to one “single-trade plan” — one designed to effect the open market purchase or sale of the total amount of the securities subject to the plan as a single transaction. The following do not constitute single-trade plans: (a) a Trading Plan that gives discretion to an agent over whether to execute the Trading Plan as a single transaction or that provides the agent’s future acts depend on facts not known at the time the Trading Plan’s adoption and might reasonably result in multiple transactions and (b) Sales to Cover. |
10 |
No Hedging
(15) | As described in the Statement, individuals subject to the Statement are prohibited from engaging in any hedging or similar transactions designed to decrease the risks associated with holding securities of the Company. Further to this end, an Insider adopting a Trading Plan may not have entered into or altered a corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the securities subject to the Trading Plan and must agree not to enter into any such transaction while the Trading Plan is in effect. |
Compliance with Rule 144
(16) |
All sales made under a Trading Plan must be made in reliance on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and may not be made pursuant to a registration statement. To the extent that sales made under a Trading Plan are made pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, such Trading Plan must provide for specific procedures to comply with Rule 144, including the filing of Forms 144. |
11 |
Exhibit 12.1
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Kun Dai, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Uxin Limited (the “Company”);
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 Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Company’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 Company 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 Company, 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 Company’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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’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 Company’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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: July 31, 2024
By: | /s/ Kun Dai |
|
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 12.2
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Feng Lin, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Uxin Limited (the “Company”);
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 company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Company’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 Company 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 Company, 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 Company’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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’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 Company’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 company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: July 31, 2024
By: | /s/ Feng Lin |
|
Name: | Feng Lin | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 13.1
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Uxin Limited (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kun Dai, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my 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: July 31, 2024
By: | /s/ Kun Dai | |
Name: | Kun Dai | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 13.2
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Uxin Limited (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Feng Lin, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my 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: July 31, 2024
By: | /s/ Feng Lin | |
Name: | Feng Lin | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 15.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-227576 and No. 333-232204) and Form F-3 (No. 333-268111) of Uxin Limited of our report dated July 31, 2024 relating to the financial statements, which appears in this Form 20-F.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP | |
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China | |
July 31, 2024 |
Exhibit 15.2
July 31, 2024
Unix Limited,
21/F, Donghuang Building,
No. 16 Guangshun South Avenue,
Chaoyang District,
Beijing 100102,
People’s Republic of China
Dear Sir/Madam:
We hereby consent to the reference of our name under the headings on “Item 3 Key Information—Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities”, “Item 3 Key Information—D. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure” in Uxin Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2024 (the “Annual Report”), which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on the date hereof, and further consent to the incorporation by reference into the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-227576 and No. 333-232204) and Form F-3 (No. 333-268111) of the summary of our opinion under the headings “Item 3 Key Information—Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities”, “Item 3 Key Information—D. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure” in the Annual Report. We also consent to the filing of this consent letter with the SEC as an exhibit to the Annual Report.
In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act 1933, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in each case, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm
Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm
Exhibit 97.1
Uxin Limited COMPENSATION RECOUPMENT POLICY
This Uxin Limited Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “Policy”) has been adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Uxin Limited (the “Company”) on November 23, 2023. This Policy provides for the recoupment of certain executive compensation in the event of an accounting restatement resulting from material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under U.S. federal securities laws in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein. This Policy is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 10D of the Exchange Act (as defined below) and Section 5608 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
1. Definitions. For the purposes of this Policy, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
(a) “Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board of Directors “the Board” or any successor committee thereof. If there is no compensation committee of the Board, references herein to the “Committee” shall refer to the Company’s committee of independent directors that is responsible for executive compensation decisions, or in the absence of such a compensation committee, the independent members of the Board.
(b) “Covered Compensation” means any Incentive-based Compensation “received” by a Covered Executive during the applicable Recoupment Period; provided that:
(i) such Covered Compensation was received by such Covered Executive (A) after the Effective Date, (B) after he or she commenced service
as an Executive Officer and (C) while the Company had a class of securities publicly listed on a United States national securities exchange;
and
(ii) such Covered Executive served as an Executive Officer at any time during the performance period applicable to such Incentive-based Compensation.
For purposes of this Policy, Incentive-based Compensation is “received” by a Covered Executive during the fiscal period in which the Financial Reporting Measure applicable to such Incentive-based Compensation (or portion thereof) is attained, even if the payment or grant of such Incentive-based Compensation is made thereafter.
(c)
“Covered Executive” means any (i) current or former Executive Officer and (ii) any other employee of the Company and
its subsidiaries designated by the Committee as subject to this Policy from time to time.
(d) “Effective Date” means the date on which Section 5608 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules becomes effective.
(e) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(f)
“Executive Officer” means, with respect to the Company, (i) its president, (ii) its principal financial officer, (iii)
its principal accounting officer (or if there is no such accounting officer, its controller), (iv) any vice-president in charge of a
principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), (v) any other officer who performs a policy-making
function for the Company (including any officer of the Company’s parent(s) or subsidiaries if they perform policy-making functions
for the Company) and (vi) any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for the Company. Policy-making function is not
intended to include policy-making functions that are not significant. The determination as to an individual’s status as an Executive
Officer shall be made by the Committee and such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding on such individual and all other
interested persons.
(g)
“Financial Reporting Measure” means any (i) measure that is determined and presented in accordance with the accounting
principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, (ii) stock price measure or (iii) total shareholder return measure
(and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from any measure referenced in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above). For the avoidance
of doubt, any such measure does not need to be presented within the Company’s financial statements or included in a filing with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to constitute a Financial Reporting Measure.
(h)
“Financial Restatement” means a restatement of the Company’s financial statements due to the Company’s
material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. federal securities laws that is required in order to correct:
(i) an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements; or
(ii) an error that would result in a material misstatement if (A) the error were corrected in the current period or (B) left uncorrected in the current period.
For purposes of this Policy, a Financial Restatement shall not be deemed to occur in the event of a revision of the Company’s financial statements due to an out-of-period adjustment (i.e., when the error is immaterial to the previously issued financial statements and the correction of the error is also immaterial to the current period) or a retrospective (1) application of a change in accounting principles; (2) revision to reportable segment information due to a change in the structure of the Company’s internal organization; (3) reclassification due to a discontinued operation; (4) application of a change in reporting entity, such as from a reorganization of entities under common control; or (5) revision for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends or other changes in capital structure; or (6) adjustment to provisional amounts in connection with a prior business combination.
(j)
“Incentive-based Compensation” means any compensation (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any cash or equity or
equity-based compensation, whether deferred or current) that is granted, earned and/or vested based wholly or in part upon the achievement
of a Financial Reporting Measure. For purposes of this Policy, “Incentive-based Compensation” shall also be deemed to include
any amounts which were determined based on (or were otherwise calculated by reference to) Incentive-based Compensation (including, without
limitation, any amounts under any long-term disability, life insurance or supplemental retirement or severance plan or agreement or any
notional account that is based on Incentive-based Compensation, as well as any earnings accrued thereon).
(k) “Nasdaq” means the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or any successor thereof.
(l)
“Recoupment Period” means the three fiscal years completed immediately preceding the date of any applicable Recoupment
Trigger Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Recoupment Period additionally includes any transition period (that results from a change
in the Company’s fiscal year) within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years, provided that a transition period
between the last day of the Company’s previous fiscal year end and the first day of its new fiscal year that comprises a period
of nine (9) to twelve (12) months would be deemed a completed fiscal year.
(m) “Recoupment Trigger Date” means the earlier of (i) the date that the Board (or a committee thereof or the officer(s) of the Company authorized to take such action if Board action is not required) concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the Company is required to prepare a Financial Restatement, and (ii) the date on which a court, regulator or other legally authorized body directs the Company to prepare a Financial Restatement.
2. Recoupment of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
(a)
In the event of a Financial Restatement, if the amount of any Covered Compensation received by a Covered Executive (the “Awarded
Compensation”) exceeds the amount of such Covered Compensation that would have otherwise been received by such Covered Executive
if calculated based on the Financial Restatement (the “Adjusted Compensation”), the Company shall reasonably promptly
recover from such Covered Executive an amount equal to the excess of the Awarded Compensation over the Adjusted Compensation, each calculated
on a pre-tax basis (such excess amount, the “Erroneously Awarded Compensation”).
(b)
If (i) the Financial Reporting Measure applicable to the relevant Covered Compensation is stock price or total shareholder return (or
any measure derived wholly or in part from either of such measures) and (ii) the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation is not subject
to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the Financial Restatement, then the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
shall be determined (on a pre-tax basis) based on the Company’s reasonable estimate of the effect of the Financial Restatement
on the Company’s stock price or total shareholder return (or the derivative measure thereof) upon which such Covered Compensation
was received.
2 |
(c)
For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s obligation to recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation is not dependent on (i) if or
when the restated financial statements are filed or (ii) any fault of any Covered Executive for the accounting errors or other actions
leading to a Financial Restatement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 2(a) through (c) hereof, the Company shall not be required to recover any Erroneously Awarded Compensation if both (x) the conditions set forth in either of the following clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) are satisfied and (y) the Committee (or a majority of the independent directors serving on the Board) has determined that recovery of the Erroneously Awarded Compensation would be impracticable:
(i) the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the recovery of the Erroneously Awarded Compensation under this Policy would exceed the amount of such Erroneously Awarded Compensation to be recovered; provided that, before concluding that it would be impracticable to recover any amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation pursuant to this Section 2(d), the Company shall have first made a reasonable attempt to recover such Erroneously Awarded Compensation, document such reasonable attempt(s) to make such recovery and provide that documentation to the Nasdaq;
(ii) recovery of the Erroneously Awarded Compensation would violate Cayman Islands1 law to the extent such law was adopted prior to the Effective Date (provided that, before concluding that it would be impracticable to recover any amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation pursuant to this Section 2(d)), the Company shall have first obtained an opinion of home country counsel of Cayman Islands, that is acceptable to the Nasdaq, that recovery would result in such a violation, and the Company must provide such opinion to the Nasdaq; or
(iii) recovery of the Erroneously Awarded Compensation would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the Company, to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 401(a)(13) or 411(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
(e) The Company shall not indemnify any Covered Executive, directly or indirectly, for any losses that such Covered Executive may incur in connection with the recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation pursuant to this Policy, including through the payment of insurance premiums or gross-up payments.
(f) The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the manner and timing in which any Erroneously Awarded Compensation shall be recovered from a Covered Executive in accordance with applicable law, including, without limitation, by (i) requiring reimbursement of Covered Compensation previously paid in cash; (ii) seeking recovery of any gain realized on the vesting, exercise, settlement, sale, transfer or other disposition of any equity or equity-based awards; (iii) offsetting the Erroneously Awarded Compensation amount from any compensation otherwise owed by the Company or any of its affiliates to the Covered Executive; (iv) cancelling outstanding vested or unvested equity or equity-based awards; and/or (v) taking any other remedial and recovery action permitted by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in Section 2(d), in no event may the Company accept an amount that is less than the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation; provided that, to the extent necessary to avoid any adverse tax consequences to the Covered Executive pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, any offsets against amounts under any nonqualified deferred compensation plans (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) shall be made in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
3 |
3. Administration. This Policy shall be administered by the Committee. All decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Company and the Covered Executives, their beneficiaries, executors, administrators and any other legal representative. The Committee shall have full power and authority to (i) administer and interpret this Policy; (ii) correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in this Policy; and (iii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of this Policy and to comply with applicable law (including Section 10D of the Exchange Act) and applicable stock market or exchange rules and regulations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent permitted by Section 10D of the Exchange Act and Section 5608 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, administer this Policy in the same manner as the Committee.
4. Amendment/Termination. Subject to Section 10D of the Exchange Act and Section 5608 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, this Policy may be amended or terminated by the Committee at any time. To the extent that any applicable law, or stock market or exchange rules or regulations require recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation in circumstances in addition to those specified herein, nothing in this Policy shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right or obligation of the Company to recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the fullest extent required by such applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, this Policy shall no longer be effective from and after the date that the Company no longer has a class of securities publicly listed on a United States national securities exchange.
5.
Interpretation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Policy is intended to comply with the requirements of Section
10D of the Exchange Act and Section 5608 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules (and any applicable regulations, administrative interpretations
or stock market or exchange rules and regulations adopted in connection therewith). The provisions of this Policy shall be interpreted
in a manner that satisfies such requirements and this Policy shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of this Policy would otherwise
frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision shall be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.
6. Other Compensation Clawback/Recoupment Rights. Any right of recoupment under this Policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies, rights or requirements with respect to the clawback or recoupment of any compensation that may be available to the Company pursuant to the terms of any other recoupment or clawback policy of the Company (or any of its affiliates) that may be in effect from time to time, any provisions in any employment agreement, offer letter, equity plan, equity award agreement or similar plan or agreement, and any other legal remedies available to the Company, as well as applicable law, stock market or exchange rules, listing standards or regulations; provided, however, that any amounts recouped or clawed back under any other policy that would be recoupable under this Policy shall count toward any required clawback or recoupment under this Policy and vice versa.
7.
Exempt Compensation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company has no obligation to seek recoupment of amounts
paid to a Covered Executive which are granted, vested or earned based solely upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of nonfinancial events.
Such exempt compensation includes, without limitation, base salary, time-vesting awards, compensation awarded on the basis of the achievement
of metrics that are not Financial Reporting Measures or compensation awarded solely at the discretion of the Committee or the Board,
provided that such amounts are in no way contingent on, and were not in any way granted on the basis of, the achievement of any
Financial Reporting Measure performance goal.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Any applicable award agreement or other document setting forth the terms and conditions of any compensation covered by this Policy shall be deemed to include the restrictions imposed herein and incorporate this Policy by reference and, in the event of any inconsistency, the terms of this Policy will govern. For the avoidance of doubt, this Policy applies to all compensation that is received on or after the Effective Date, regardless of the date on which the award agreement or other document setting forth the terms and conditions of the Covered Executive’s compensation became effective, including, without limitation, compensation received under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan, and any successor plan thereto.
(b)
This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Covered Executives and their beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators
or other legal representatives.
4 |
(c)
All issues concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Policy and all related documents, including,
without limitation, any employment agreement, offer letter, equity award agreement or similar agreement, shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions
(whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than
the State of New York.
(d)
The Covered Executives, their beneficiaries, executors, administrators and any other legal representative and the Company shall initially
attempt to resolve all claims, disputes or controversies arising under, out of or in connection with this Policy by conducting good faith
negotiations amongst themselves. The federal and state courts sitting within the State of New York shall be the sole and exclusive forums
for any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action arising from or relating to the enforcement, performance or interpretation of this
Policy. The Covered Executives, their beneficiaries, executors, administrators and any other legal representative and the Company, shall
not commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in a federal and state court sitting
within the State of New York, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such suit,
action or proceeding, any claim that such party is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt
or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the
suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Policy or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts. To
the fullest extent permitted by law, the Covered Executives, their beneficiaries, executors, administrators, and any other legal representative,
and the Company, shall waive (and shall hereby be deemed to have waived) the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury.
(e) If any provision of this Policy is determined to be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such provision will be applied to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and shall automatically be deemed amended in a manner consistent with its objectives to the extent necessary to conform to any limitations required under applicable law.
5 |