S-1/A
1
a2058757zs-1a.txt
S-1/A
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 12, 2001
REGISTRATION NO. 333-65998
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.*
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 5511 58-2241119
(State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or Industrial Identification No.)
organization) Classification Code Number)
3 LANDMARK SQUARE
SUITE 500
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
(203) 356-4400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
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THOMAS R. GIBSON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
3 LANDMARK SQUARE
SUITE 500
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
(203) 356-4400
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of agent for service)
COPIES TO:
ROBERT ROSENMAN, ESQ. ANDREW D. SOUSSLOFF, ESQ.
CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE SULLIVAN & CROMWELL
WORLDWIDE PLAZA 125 BROAD STREET
825 EIGHTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019 (212) 558-4000
(212) 474-1000 FAX: (212) 558-3588
FAX: (212) 474-3700
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. / /
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY
DETERMINE.
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* Immediately prior to the offering pursuant to this registration statement, all
the membership interests in Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. will be contributed
to Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Thus, Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. will
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be
changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary
prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED OCTOBER 12, 2001.
[ ] Shares
[LOGO]
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Common Stock
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This is an initial public offering of shares of common stock of Asbury
Automotive Group, Inc.
Asbury is offering [ ] of the shares to be sold in the offering. The
selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering an additional
[ ] shares. Asbury will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
shares being sold by the selling stockholders.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common
stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per
share will be between $[ ] and $[ ]. Asbury has applied to list the
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABG."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 5 TO READ ABOUT FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
BEFORE BUYING SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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PER SHARE TOTAL
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Initial public offering price............................... $ $
Underwriting discount....................................... $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Asbury........................ $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders...... $ $
To the extent that the underwriters sell more than [ ] shares of common
stock, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional [ ]
shares from Asbury at the initial public offering price less the underwriting
discount.
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The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment in New York,
New York on [ ], 2001.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
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Prospectus dated , 2001.
[MAP OF THE U.S. WITH ASBURY STORES]
[PHOTOS OF CERTAIN ASBURY STORES]
[LOGOS OF PLATFORMS]
No manufacturer or distributor has been involved, directly or indirectly, in the
preparation of this prospectus or in the offering being made hereby. No
manufacturer or distributor has been authorized to make any statements or
representations in connection with the offering, and no manufacturer or
distributor has any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this
prospectus or for the offering.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. IT MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. TO
UNDERSTAND THIS OFFERING FULLY, YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS,
INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
IN THIS PROSPECTUS THE TERMS "ASBURY," "WE," "US" AND "OUR" REFER TO ASBURY
AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC., UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS IN INTEREST. THIS PROSPECTUS
ASSUMES THAT, IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
WILL HAVE BEEN CONVERTED FROM A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTO A CORPORATION
NAMED ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. THROUGH THE CONTRIBUTION OF ALL OF THE
MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS IN ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C. TO ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE
GROUP, INC. AS A RESULT OF THIS CONVERSION, ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C. WILL
BECOME A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. PER SHARE DATA
INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUME THAT MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS IN THE LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY OUTSTANDING IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE CONVERSION WILL BE
EXCHANGED FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IN THE NEW CORPORATION ON THE BASIS OF
[ ] SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR EACH [ ]% OF MEMBERSHIP INTEREST.
THIS PROSPECTUS INCLUDES STATISTICAL DATA REGARDING THE AUTOMOTIVE RETAILING
INDUSTRY. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, SUCH DATA IS TAKEN OR DERIVED FROM
INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY:
- THE INDUSTRY ANALYSIS DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS
ASSOCIATION, ALSO KNOWN AS "NADA," NADA DATA 2000.
- AUTOMOTIVE NEWS 2001 MARKET DATA BOOK.
- AUTOMOTIVE NEWS DATA CENTER.
- CNW MARKETING/RESEARCH.
- SALES & MARKETING MANAGEMENT 2000 SURVEY OF BUYING POWER AND MEDIA
MARKETS.
BUSINESS
OUR COMPANY
We are one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States,
currently operating 127 franchises at 87 dealership locations. We offer our
customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new
and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance
and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts. Our retail network
is organized into nine regional dealership groups, which we refer to as
"platforms," located in 15 market areas that we believe represent attractive
opportunities. Our franchises include a diverse portfolio of 36 American,
European and Asian brands, and a majority of our dealerships are either luxury
franchises or mid-line import brands. We have grown rapidly in recent years,
primarily through acquisition, with annual sales of $3.0 billion in 1999 and
$4.0 billion in 2000, which represented a 34% increase in annual sales from
1999. For the six months ended June 30, 2001, we had sales of $2.1 billion
compared to sales for the first six months of 2001 of $2.0 billion, which
represented a 5% increase in sales. We sold a total of 154,422 new and used
retail units in 2000, which represented a 32% increase over the 116,790 retail
units sold in 1999. For the six months ended June 30, 2001, we sold a total of
76,320 new and used retail units, as compared to 76,394 retail units sold during
the first six months of 2000.
We compete in a large and highly fragmented industry comprised of
approximately 22,000 franchised dealerships. The U.S. automotive retailing
industry is estimated to have annual sales of approximately $1 trillion, with
the 100 largest dealer groups generating less than 10% of total sales revenue.
1
OUR STRENGTHS
We believe our strengths are as follows:
- EXPERIENCED AND INCENTIVIZED MANAGEMENT. The former platform owners of
seven of our nine platforms, each with greater than 24 years of experience
in the automotive retailing industry, continue to manage their respective
platforms. Our platforms' senior management teams will collectively own
approximately [ ]% of our outstanding common stock after this offering.
- ADVANTAGEOUS BRAND MIX. We believe our current brand mix includes a higher
proportion of luxury and mid-line import franchises to total franchises
than most public automotive retailers, accounting for 63% of new retail
vehicle revenue in the year 2000 and 68% of new retail vehicle revenue for
the first half of 2001. Luxury and mid-line imports generate above average
gross margins on new vehicles and have greater customer loyalty and repeat
purchases than mid-line domestic and value automobiles.
- REGIONAL CONCENTRATION AND STRONG BRANDING OF OUR PLATFORMS. Each of our
platforms is comprised of between eight and 22 franchises and generated
average 2000 pro forma revenues of approximately $500 million. Regional
concentration and strong brand recognition allow our platforms to realize
significant economies of scale.
- DIVERSIFIED REVENUE STREAMS/VARIABLE COST STRUCTURE. Used vehicle sales
and parts, service and collision repair generate higher profit margins
than new vehicle sales and tend to fluctuate less with economic cycles. In
addition, our incentive-based compensation structure helps us to manage
expenses in an economic downturn.
OUR STRATEGY
Our objective is to be the most profitable automotive retailer in select
markets in the United States. To achieve this objective, we intend to follow the
outlined strategy:
- CONTINUED GROWTH THROUGH TARGETED ACQUISITIONS. We will seek to establish
platforms in new markets through acquisitions of large, profitable and
well-managed dealership groups. We will also pursue additional dealerships
within our established markets to complement our platforms.
- FOCUS ON HIGHER MARGIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. We will continue to focus
our efforts on products and services that generate higher profit margins
than new vehicle sales, such as used vehicle retail sales, finance and
insurance, parts, service and collision repair, from which we currently
derive approximately two-thirds of our total gross profit.
- DECENTRALIZED DEALERSHIP OPERATIONS. We believe that decentralized
dealership operations on a platform basis, complemented by centralized
technology and financial controls, enable us to provide timely
market-specific responses to sales, services, marketing and inventory
requirements.
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Our principal executive offices are located at 3 Landmark Square, Stamford,
Connecticut 06901. Our telephone number is (203) 356-4400. Our World Wide Web
site address is http://www.asburyauto.com. Information contained on our website
or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference in
this prospectus. You should not consider information contained on our website or
that can be accessed through our website to be part of this prospectus.
2
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by us............. shares(1)
Common stock offered by selling
stockholders......................... shares
Total common stock offered............. shares(1)
Common stock outstanding after this
offering............................. shares(2)
Use of Proceeds........................ We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the
common stock offered by us for repayment of outstanding
indebtedness and general corporate purposes, including
working capital and possible acquisitions. We will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the
selling stockholders.
Proposed NYSE Symbol................... ABG
Risk Factors........................... See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5 of this prospectus
for a discussion of factors that you should carefully
consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common
stock.
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(1) Does not include shares of common stock that may be sold by us if the
underwriters choose to exercise their over-allotment option.
(2) Does not include (a) options issued under our 1999 Option Plan for [ ]% of
the limited liability company interests in us converted to [ ] shares of
common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $[ ] per share and
(b) [ ] shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2001 Stock
Option Plan, under which options to purchase [ ] shares of common stock
will be issued on the date of this prospectus at the offering price set
forth on the cover page.
3
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The summary below presents our consolidated financial information and should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The pro forma as adjusted columns
reflect: (a) our recently completed and probable acquisitions; (b) our change in
tax status and the method of valuing certain of our inventories that will occur
simultaneously with our becoming a corporation; (c) the conversion of certain
executives' carried interests (that is, interests in an increase in our value)
into options for our common stock; and (d) this offering of our common stock and
our use of a portion of the proceeds to us to pay down debt.
SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
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2000 2001
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PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
1998 1999 ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED 2000 ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
--------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------
($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
New vehicles.................. $ 687,850 $1,820,393 $2,439,729 $2,802,033 $1,212,693 $1,223,809 $1,320,532
Used vehicles................. 221,828 787,029 1,064,102 1,228,166 531,102 571,482 617,516
Parts, service and collision
repair...................... 156,037 341,506 434,478 487,576 207,250 239,396 256,735
Finance and insurance, net.... 19,149 63,206 89,481 97,478 42,823 49,739 51,569
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.................. 1,084,864 3,012,134 4,027,790 4,615,253 1,993,868 2,084,426 2,246,352
Gross profit.................... 155,449 441,168 597,539 673,093 293,196 322,093 341,471
Income from operations.......... 21,810 81,564 121,885 142,667 65,454 61,038 66,650
Income before minority interest
and extraordinary loss........ 18,118 37,420 38,667 31,156 25,172 18,935 14,632
Net income...................... 3,081 16,148 28,927 31,156 15,646 17,000 14,632
Income (loss) per common share--
basic......................... n/a n/a n/a [ ] n/a n/a $ [ ]
OTHER DATA:
Gross profit margin............. 14.3% 14.6% 14.8% 14.6% 14.7% 15.5% 15.2%
Operating income margin......... 2.0% 2.7% 3.0% 3.1% 3.3% 2.9% 3.0%
New vehicle retail units sold... 27,734 71,604 96,614 108,578 46,917 46,190 49,154
Used vehicle retail units
sold.......................... 15,205 45,186 57,808 66,255 29,477 30,130 32,626
AS OF JUNE 30, 2001
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PRO FORMA
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
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($ IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Inventories................................................. $508,331 $550,723
Total current assets........................................ 766,091 833,909
Property and equipment, net................................. 235,561 241,773
Goodwill.................................................... 364,002 403,490
Total assets................................................ 1,424,181 1,534,268
Floor plan notes payable.................................... 484,384 514,407
Total current liabilities, including floor plan notes
payable................................................... 607,370 638,458
Total long-term debt, including current portion............. 486,038 477,970
Total equity................................................ 327,428 399,968
4
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in
this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. If any
of the following risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business' financial
condition or operating results may be materially and adversely affected. In this
event, the trading price of our common stock may decline and you may lose part
or all of your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR DEPENDENCE ON VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN RENEWALS OF ONE OR MORE OF OUR FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS FROM
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ON FAVORABLE TERMS, OR IF ONE OR MORE OF OUR FRANCHISE
AGREEMENTS ARE TERMINATED, OUR OPERATIONS MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED.
Each of our dealerships operates under the terms of a franchise agreement
with the manufacturer (or manufacturer-authorized distributor) of each vehicle
brand it carries. Our dealerships may obtain new vehicles from manufacturers,
sell new vehicles and display vehicle manufacturers' trademarks only to the
extent permitted under franchise agreements. As a result of our dependence on
these franchise rights, manufacturers exercise a great deal of control over our
day-to-day operations and the terms of our franchise agreements implicate key
aspects of our operations, acquisition strategy and capital spending.
Each of our franchise agreements provides the manufacturer with the right to
terminate the agreement or refuse to renew it after the expiration of the term
of the agreement under specified circumstances. We cannot assure you we will be
able to renew any of our existing franchise agreements or that we will be able
to obtain renewals on favorable terms. Specifically, many of our franchise
agreements provide that the manufacturer may terminate the agreement or direct
us to divest the subject dealerships, if the dealership undergoes a change of
control. Provisions such as these may provide manufacturers with superior
bargaining positions in the event that they seek to terminate our franchise
agreements or renegotiate the agreements on terms that are disadvantageous to
us. Some of our franchise agreements also provide the manufacturer with the
right to purchase from us any franchise we seek to sell. Our results of
operations may be materially and adversely affected to the extent that our
franchise rights become compromised or our operations restricted due to the
terms of our franchise agreements.
MANUFACTURERS' STOCK OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO ISSUE
ADDITIONAL EQUITY, WHICH MAY HAMPER OUR ABILITY TO MEET OUR FINANCING NEEDS.
Some of our automobile franchise agreements prohibit transfers of any
ownership interests of a dealership or, in some cases, its parent. The most
prohibitive restriction, which has been imposed by various manufacturers,
provides that, under certain circumstances, we may lose a franchises if a person
or entity acquires an ownership interest in us above a specified level (ranging
from 20% to 50% depending on the particular manufacturer's restrictions) without
the approval of the applicable manufacturer. This trigger level can fall to as
low as 5% if another vehicle manufacturer is the entity acquiring the ownership
interest.
Violations by our stockholders or prospective stockholders (including
vehicle manufacturers) of these ownership restrictions are generally outside of
our control and may result in the termination or non-renewal of one or more
franchises, which may have a material adverse effect on us. We cannot assure you
that manufacturers will grant the approvals required for such acquisitions.
Moreover, if we are unable to obtain the requisite approval in a timely manner
we may not be able to issue additional equity in the time necessary to take
advantage of a market opportunity dependent on ready financing or an equity
issuance. These restrictions may also prevent or deter prospective acquirers
from acquiring control of us and, therefore, may adversely impact the value of
our common stock.
5
MANUFACTURERS' RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS MAY LIMIT OUR FUTURE GROWTH.
We are required to obtain the consent of the applicable manufacturer before
we can acquire any additional dealership franchises. We cannot assure you that
manufacturers will consent to future acquisitions which may deter us from being
able to take advantage of a market opportunity. Obtaining manufacturer consent
for acquisitions may also take a significant amount of time which may negatively
affect our ability to acquire an attractive target. In addition, under an
applicable franchise agreement or under state law, a manufacturer may have a
right of first refusal to acquire a dealership that we seek to acquire.
Many vehicle manufacturers place limits on the total number of franchises
that any group of affiliated dealerships may obtain. A manufacturer may place
generic limits on the number of franchises or share of total franchises or
vehicle sales maintained by an affiliated dealership group on a national,
regional or local basis. Manufacturers may also tailor these types of
restrictions to particular dealership groups. Our current franchise mix has
caused us to reach the present franchise ceiling, set by agreement or corporate
policy, with Acura, and we are close to our franchise ceiling with Toyota and
Jaguar. We may have difficulty, or it may be impossible, for us to obtain
additional franchises from manufacturers once we reach their franchise ceilings.
As a condition to granting their consent to our acquisitions, a number of
manufacturers may impose additional restrictions on us. Manufacturers'
restrictions typically prohibit:
- material changes in our company or extraordinary corporate transactions
such as a merger, sale of a substantial amount of assets or any change in
our board of directors or management that may have a material adverse
effect on the manufacturer's image or reputation or may be materially
incompatible with the manufacturer's interests;
- the removal of a dealership general manager without the consent of the
manufacturer; and
- the use of dealership facilities to sell or service new vehicles of other
manufacturers.
OUR DEALERS DEPEND UPON VEHICLE SALES AND, THEREFORE, THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDS IN
LARGE PART UPON THE DEMANDS FOR THE PARTICULAR VEHICLE LINES THEY CARRY.
The success of our dealerships depends in large part on the overall success
of the vehicle lines they carry. New vehicle sales generate the majority of our
gross revenue and lead to sales of higher-margin products and services such as
finance and insurance products and repair and maintenance services. Although we
have sought to limit our dependence on any one vehicle brand, we have focused
our new vehicle sales operations in mid-line import and luxury brands. Further,
in 2000, Honda, Ford, Toyota and Nissan accounted for 17%, 13%, 10% and 8% of
our revenues from new vehicle sales, respectively. No other franchise accounted
for more than 5% of our total new vehicle retail sales revenue in 2000. If one
or more vehicle lines that separately or collectively account for a significant
percentage of our new vehicle sales suffer from decreasing consumer demand, our
new vehicle sales and related revenues may be materially reduced.
IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN A DESIRABLE MIX OF POPULAR NEW VEHICLES FROM MANUFACTURERS,
OUR PROFITABILITY WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
We depend on manufacturers to provide us with a desirable mix of popular new
vehicles. Typically, popular vehicles produce the highest profit margins but
tend to be the most difficult to obtain from manufacturers. Manufacturers
generally allocate their vehicles among their franchised dealerships based on
the sales history of each dealership. If our dealerships experience prolonged
sales slumps, those manufacturers will cut back their allotments of popular
vehicles to our dealerships and new vehicle sales and profits may decline.
6
IF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS DISCONTINUE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, OUR SALES VOLUME
AND/OR PROFIT MARGIN ON EACH SALE MAY BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
Our dealerships depend on manufacturers for certain sales incentives,
warranties and other programs that are intended to promote and support new
vehicle sales. Manufacturers often make many changes to their incentive programs
during each year. Some key incentive programs include:
- customer rebates on new vehicles;
- dealer incentives on new vehicles;
- special financing or leasing terms;
- warranties on new and used vehicles; and
- sponsorship of used vehicle sales by authorized new vehicle dealers.
A reduction or discontinuation of key manufacturers' incentive programs may
reduce our new vehicle sales volume resulting in decreased vehicle sales and
related revenues.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS AFFECTING ONE OR MORE MANUFACTURERS MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR
PROFITABILITY.
The success of each of our dealerships depends to a great extent on vehicle
manufacturers':
- financial condition;
- marketing efforts;
- vehicle design;
- production capabilities;
- reputation;
- management; and
- labor relations.
Adverse conditions affecting these and other important aspects of
manufacturers' operations and public relations may adversely affect our ability
to market their automobiles to the public and, as a result, significantly and
detrimentally affect our profitability.
OUR FAILURE TO MEET A MANUFACTURER'S CONSUMER SATISFACTION AND FINANCIAL AND
SALES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO ACQUIRE NEW
DEALERSHIPS AND OUR PROFITABILITY.
Many manufacturers attempt to measure customers' satisfaction with their
purchase and warranty service experiences through rating systems which are
generally known as consumer satisfaction indexes, or CSI, which augment
manufacturers' monitoring of dealerships' financial and sales performance.
Manufacturers may use these performance indicators as a factor in evaluating
applications for additional acquisitions. The components of these performance
indicators have been modified by various manufacturers from time to time in the
past, and we cannot assure you that these components will not be further
modified or replaced by different systems in the future. Some of our dealerships
have had difficulty from time to time meeting these standards. We cannot assure
you that we will be able to comply with these standards in the future. A
manufacturer may refuse to consent to our acquisition of one of its franchises
if it determines our dealerships do not comply with its performance standards.
This may impede our ability to execute our acquisition strategy. In addition, we
receive payments from the manufacturers based, in part, on CSI scores, and
future payments may be materially reduced or eliminated if our CSI scores
decline.
7
IF STATE DEALER LAWS ARE REPEALED OR WEAKENED, OUR DEALERSHIPS WILL BE MORE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO TERMINATION, NON-RENEWAL OR RE-NEGOTIATION OF THEIR FRANCHISE
AGREEMENTS.
State dealer laws generally provide that a manufacturer may not terminate or
refuse to renew a franchise agreement unless it has first provided the dealer
with written notice setting forth good cause and stating the grounds for
termination or nonrenewal. Some state dealer laws allow dealers to file protests
or petitions or attempt to comply with the manufacturer's criteria within the
notice period to avoid the termination or nonrenewal. Though unsuccessful to
date, manufacturers' lobbying efforts may lead to the repeal or revision of
state dealer laws. If dealer laws are repealed in the states in which we
operate, manufacturers may be able to terminate our franchises without providing
advance notice, an opportunity to cure or a showing of good cause. Without the
protection of state dealer laws, it may also be more difficult for our dealers
to renew their franchise agreements upon expiration.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR ACQUISITION STRATEGY
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO
REALIZE DESIRED RESULTS FROM OUR GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITION STRATEGY AND
ACQUIRED OPERATIONS WILL DRAIN RESOURCES FROM COMPARATIVELY PROFITABLE
OPERATIONS.
The automobile retailing industry is considered a mature industry in which
minimal growth is expected in industry unit sales. Accordingly, our future
growth depends in large part on our ability to acquire additional dealerships,
manage expansion, control costs in our operations and consolidate acquired
dealerships into our organization. In pursuing our strategy of acquiring other
dealerships, we face risks commonly encountered with growth through
acquisitions. These risks include, but are not limited to:
- incurring significantly higher capital expenditures and operating
expenses;
- failing to integrate the operations and personnel of the acquired
dealerships;
- entering new markets with which we are unfamiliar;
- incurring undiscovered liabilities at acquired dealerships;
- disrupting our ongoing business;
- diverting our management resources;
- failing to maintain uniform standards controls and policies;
- impairing relationships with employees, manufacturers and customers as a
result of changes in management;
- causing increased expenses for accounting and computer systems;
- failing to obtain manufacturers' consents to acquisitions of additional
franchises; and
- incorrectly valuing acquired entities.
We may not adequately anticipate all the demands that our growth will impose
on our personnel, procedures and structures, including our financial and
reporting control systems, data processing systems and management structure.
Moreover, our failure to retain qualified management personnel at any acquired
dealership may increase the risk associated with integrating the acquired
dealership. If we cannot adequately anticipate and respond to these demands, we
may fail to realize acquisition synergies and our resources will be focused on
incorporating new operations into our structure rather than on areas that may be
more profitable.
8
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OUR
FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE LIMITED.
We intend to finance our acquisitions by issuing shares of common stock as
full or partial consideration for acquired dealerships. The extent to which we
will be able or willing to issue common stock for acquisitions will depend on
the market value of the common stock from time to time and the willingness of
potential acquisition candidates to accept common stock as part of the
consideration for the sale of their businesses. Since we may focus on large
platform acquisitions, it is possible that we will issue a significant number of
additional shares of common stock in connection with such acquisitions in the
near future. The additional shares of common stock may be as much as, or more
than, the number of outstanding shares of common stock available immediately
after the offering. Moreover, manufacturer consent is required before we can
acquire additional dealerships and, in some cases, to issue additional equity.
See "Risk Factors--Manufacturers' restrictions on acquisitions may limit our
future growth," and "Risk Factors--Manufacturers' stock ownership restrictions
limit our ability to issue additional equity, which may hamper our ability to
meet our financing needs." We may be required to use available cash or other
sources of debt or equity financing. We cannot assure you that we will be able
to obtain additional financing by issuing stock or debt securities, and using
cash to complete acquisitions may substantially limit our operating or financial
flexibility. If we are unable to obtain financing on acceptable terms, we may be
required to reduce the scope of our presently anticipated expansion, which may
materially and adversely affect our growth strategy.
We are dependent to a significant extent on our ability to finance our
inventory. Automotive retail inventory financing involves borrowing significant
sums of money in the form of "floor plan" financing. Floor plan financing is how
a dealership finances its purchase of new vehicles from a manufacturer. The
dealership borrows money to buy a particular vehicle from the manufacturer and
pays off the loan when it sells that particular vehicle, paying interest during
the interim period. We must obtain new floor plan financing or obtain consents
to assume such financing in connection with our acquisition of dealerships. Our
pledging of substantially all our inventory and other assets to obtain this
financing may impede our ability to borrow from other sources.
OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS MAY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN FINANCING FOR
ACQUISITIONS AND WILL REQUIRE THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR CASH FLOW BE
USED FOR DEBT SERVICE.
We have substantial indebtedness and, as a result, significant debt service
obligations. As of June 30, 2001, we had approximately $980.4 million of total
indebtedness outstanding. Of this amount, $484.4 represents floor plan
financing. Our total indebtedness outstanding (excluding floor plan financing)
is equal to approximately 60% of our total capitalization plus short-term debt.
As of June 30, 2001, after giving pro forma effect to this offering and the
application of the net proceeds to us, our total indebtedness would have been
approximately $1,002.4 million ($488.0 million, excluding floor plan financing),
representing approximately 55% of total capitalization. We may incur substantial
additional indebtedness in the future. We will have substantial debt service
obligations, consisting of cash payments of principal and interest, for the
foreseeable future.
The terms of our borrowing facilities also place restrictions on our ability
to engage in specific corporate transactions. In particular, the facilities
prohibit us from paying dividends, undergoing a change of control and disposing
of significant assets or subsidiaries.
The degree of our financial leverage and, as a result, significant debt
service obligations, may have a significant impact on our financial results and
operations, including:
- limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our growth
strategy, working capital requirements, capital expenditures,
acquisitions, debt service requirements or other general corporate
requirements;
9
- limiting our ability to use operating cash flow in other areas of our
business because we must dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow
to fund debt service obligations; and
- increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions
that may negatively impact our cash flow available for debt service.
THE COMPETITION WITH OTHER DEALER GROUPS TO ACQUIRE AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIPS IS
INTENSE, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FULLY IMPLEMENT OUR GROWTH THROUGH
ACQUISITION STRATEGY IF ATTRACTIVE TARGETS ARE ACQUIRED BY COMPETING GROUPS OR
PRICED OUT OF OUR REACH DUE TO COMPETITIVE PRESSURES.
We believe that the U.S. automotive retailing market is fragmented and
offers many potential acquisition candidates that meet our targeting criteria.
However, we compete with several other national dealer groups, some of which may
have greater financial and other resources, and competition with existing dealer
groups and dealer groups formed in the future for attractive acquisition targets
may result in fewer acquisition opportunities and increased acquisition costs.
We will have to forego acquisition opportunities to the extent that we cannot
negotiate acquisitions on acceptable terms.
RISKS RELATED TO COMPETITION
THE LOSS OF KEY PERSONNEL AND LIMITED MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES MAY
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND GROWTH.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions
of our management team, particularly our senior management, and service and
sales personnel. Additionally, manufacturer franchise agreements may require the
prior approval of the applicable manufacturer before any change is made in
dealership general managers. We do not have employment agreements with most of
our dealership managers and other key dealership personnel. Consequently, the
loss of the services of one or more of these key employees may materially impair
the efficiency and productivity of our operations.
In addition, we may need to hire additional managers as we expand. The
market for qualified employees in the industry and in the regions in which we
operate, particularly for general managers and sales and service personnel, is
highly competitive and may subject us to increased labor costs during periods of
low unemployment. The loss of the services of key employees or the inability to
attract additional qualified managers may adversely affect the ability of our
dealerships to conduct their operations in accordance with the standards set by
our headquarters management.
SUBSTANTIAL COMPETITION IN AUTOMOBILE SALES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
PROFITABILITY.
The automotive retailing and servicing industry is highly competitive with
respect to price, service, location and selection. Our competition includes:
- franchised automobile dealerships in our markets that sell the same or
similar new and used vehicles that we offer;
- other national or regional affiliated groups of franchised dealerships;
- privately negotiated sales of used vehicles;
- service center chain stores; and
- independent service and repair shops.
We do not have any cost advantage in purchasing new vehicles from
manufacturers. We typically rely on advertising, merchandising, sales expertise,
service reputation and dealership location to sell new and used vehicles. Our
franchise agreements do not grant us the exclusive right to sell a
manufacturer's product within a given geographic area. Our revenues or
profitability
10
may be materially and adversely affected if competing dealerships expand their
market share or are awarded additional franchises by manufacturers that supply
our dealerships.
RISKS RELATED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
OUR BUSINESS WILL BE HARMED IF OVERALL CONSUMER DEMAND SUFFERS FROM A SEVERE OR
SUSTAINED DOWNTURN.
Our business is heavily dependent on consumer demand and preferences. Our
revenues will be materially and adversely affected if there is a severe or
sustained downturn in overall levels of consumer spending. Retail vehicle sales
are cyclical and historically have experienced periodic downturns characterized
by oversupply and weak demand. These cycles are often dependent on general
economic conditions and consumer confidence, as well as the level of
discretionary personal income and credit availability. The current economic
outlook appears uncertain and consumer demand may decline in the aftermath of
the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001. Future recessions may
have a material adverse effect on our retail business, particularly sales of new
and used automobiles. Our sales of trucks and bulk sales of vehicles to
corporate customers are also cyclical and dependent on overall levels of
economic activity. In addition, severe or sustained increases in gasoline prices
may lead to a reduction in automobile purchases or a shift in buying patterns
from luxury/SUV models (which typically provide high profit margins to
retailers) to smaller, more economical vehicles (which typically have lower
margins).
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN OUR LOCAL
MARKETS, EVEN IF THOSE CONDITIONS ARE NOT PROMINENT NATIONALLY.
Our performance is also subject to local economic, competitive and other
conditions prevailing in our platforms' particular geographic areas. Our
dealerships currently are located primarily in the Atlanta, Austin, Chapel Hill,
Dallas-Fort Worth, Greensboro, Houston, Jackson, Jacksonville, Little Rock,
Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond, Portland, St. Louis and Tampa markets. Although we
intend to pursue acquisitions outside of these markets, our current operations
are based in these areas. As a consequence, our results of operations depend
substantially on general economic conditions and consumer spending levels in the
Southeast and Texas, and to a lesser extent in the Northwest and Midwest.
THE SEASONALITY OF THE AUTOMOBILE RETAIL BUSINESS MAGNIFIES THE IMPORTANCE OF
OUR SECOND AND THIRD QUARTER RESULTS.
The automobile industry is subject to seasonal variations in revenues.
Demand for automobiles is generally lower during the first and fourth quarters
of each year. Accordingly, we expect our revenues and operating results
generally to be lower in our first and fourth quarters than in our second and
third quarters. Therefore, if conditions surface during the second or third
quarters that retard automotive sales, such as high fuel costs, depressed
economic conditions or similar adverse conditions, our sales revenues for the
year will be disproportionately adversely affected.
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY IMPORT PRODUCT RESTRICTIONS AND
FOREIGN TRADE RISKS THAT MAY IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO SELL FOREIGN VEHICLES
PROFITABLY.
A significant portion of our new vehicle business will involve the sale of
vehicles, parts or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the
United States. As a result, our operations will be subject to customary risks of
importing merchandise, including fluctuations in the relative values of
currencies, import duties, exchange controls, trade restrictions, work stoppages
and general political and socio-economic conditions in foreign countries. The
United States or the countries from which our products are imported may, from
time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or
adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs, which may affect our
operations and our ability to purchase imported vehicles and/or parts at
reasonable prices.
11
OUR CAPITAL COSTS AND RESULT OF OPERATIONS MAY BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY
AFFECTED BY A RISING INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT.
We finance our purchases of new and, to a lesser extent, used vehicle
inventory under a floor plan borrowing arrangement under which we are charged
interest at floating rates. We obtain capital for acquisitions and for some
working capital purposes under a similar arrangement. As a result, our debt
service expenses may rise with increases in interest rates. Rising interest
rates may also have the effect of depressing demand in the interest rate
sensitive aspects of our business, particularly new and used vehicle sales,
because many of our customers finance their vehicle purchases. As a result,
rising interest rates may have the effect of simultaneously increasing our costs
and reducing our revenues.
GENERAL RISKS RELATED TO INVESTING IN OUR STOCK
WE WILL BE CONTROLLED BY RIPPLEWOOD HOLDINGS L.L.C., WHICH MAY HAVE INTERESTS
DIFFERENT FROM YOUR INTERESTS.
After the completion of the offering, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., a
controlled affiliate of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., will own [ ]% of our common
stock, and certain platform principals, consisting of the former owners of our
platforms and members of their management teams, will collectively own [ ]% of
our common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment
option. We do not know Asbury Automotive Holdings' future plans as to its
holdings of our common stock and cannot give you any assurances that its actions
will not negatively affect our common stock in the future. For example, Asbury
Automotive Holdings has from time to time had discussions with competitors
regarding potential business combinations.
Pursuant to stockholders agreement among us, Asbury Automotive Holdings and
the platform principals, the platform principals are required to vote their
shares in accordance with Asbury Automotive Holdings' instructions with respect
to:
- persons nominated by Asbury Automotive Holdings to our board of directors
(and persons nominated against Asbury Automotive Holdings' nominees); and
- any matter to be voted on by the holders of our common stock, whether or
not the matter was initiated by Asbury Automotive Holdings.
CONCENTRATION OF VOTING POWER AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER,
BYLAWS, DELAWARE LAW AND OUR FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS MAY REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF
ANY POTENTIAL CHANGE OF CONTROL.
When this offering is completed, Ripplewood, through its control of Asbury
Automotive Holdings, will control [ ]% of our common stock. Further, under the
stockholders agreement, Ripplewood will have the power to cause the platform
principals (who, together with Ripplewood will collectively hold [ ]% of our
common stock after this offering is completed, assuming no exercise of the
underwriters' over-allotment option) to vote in favor of Ripplewood's nominees
to our board of directors.
Provisions of our charter and bylaws may have the effect of discouraging,
delaying or preventing a change in control of us or unsolicited acquisition
proposals that a stockholder might consider favorable. These include provisions:
- providing that no more than one-third of the members of our board of
directors stand for re-election by the stockholders at each annual
meeting;
- permitting the removal of a director from office only for cause and only
by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power
of all common stock outstanding;
- vesting the board of directors with sole power to set the number of
directors;
12
- allowing a special meeting of the shareholders to be called only by the
chairman of our board of directors, either on his or her own initiative or
at the request of stockholders collectively holding at least 50% of the
common stock outstanding;
- prohibiting stockholder action by written consent;
- requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the
voting power of all common stock outstanding to effect certain amendments
to our charter or by-laws; and
- requiring formal advance notice for nominations for election to our board
of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at
stockholders' meetings.
In addition, Delaware law makes it difficult for stockholders who have
recently acquired a large interest in a corporation to cause the merger or
acquisition of the corporation against the directors' wishes. Furthermore, our
board of directors has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock in one
or more series and to fix the rights and preferences of the shares of any such
series without stockholder approval. Any series of preferred stock is likely to
be senior to the common stock with respect to dividends, liquidation rights and,
possibly, voting rights. Our board's ability to issue preferred stock may also
have the effect of discouraging unsolicited acquisition proposals, thus
adversely affecting the market price of the common stock. Finally, restrictions
imposed by some of our dealer agreements may impede or prevent any potential
takeover bid.
Under the terms of the options granted under our 2001 option plan, many
option grants will fully vest and become immediately exercisable upon a change
in control of us, which, together with severance arrangements and other change
of control provisions contained in several of our employment agreements with our
executives, may further deter a potential acquisition bid.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION COMPLIANCE COSTS MAY
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
We are subject to a wide range of federal, state and local laws and
regulations, such as local licensing requirements, consumer protection laws and
environmental requirements governing, among other things, discharges into the
air and water, above ground and underground storage of petroleum substances and
chemicals, handling and disposal of wastes and remediation of contamination
arising from spills and releases. If we or our properties violate these laws and
regulations, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, or a cease and
desist order may be issued against our operations that are not in compliance.
Our future acquisitions may also be subject to governmental regulation,
including antitrust reviews. We believe that all of our platforms, the first of
which we acquired in 1996, comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws and regulations relating to our business, but future laws and regulations
may be more stringent and require us to incur significant additional costs.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE, INCLUDING SHARES OWNED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE
HOLDINGS, MAY CAUSE THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY,
EVEN IF OUR BUSINESS IS DOING WELL.
The potential for sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the
public market after this offering may adversely affect the market price of the
common stock. After this offering is concluded, we will have [ ] shares of
common stock outstanding ([ ] shares if the underwriters exercise their
over-allotment option in full), including [ ] shares owned by Asbury
Automotive Holdings. Of these shares, the [ ] shares of common stock offered
hereby ([ ] shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in
full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under
the Securities Act, except for shares held by persons deemed to be "affiliates"
of us (including Asbury Automotive Holdings) or acting as "underwriters," as
those terms are defined in the Securities Act and related rules. The remaining
[ ] shares of common stock outstanding, including the shares owned by Asbury
Automotive Holdings, will be "restricted
13
securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and will be
eligible for resale subject to the volume, manner of sale, holding period and
other limitations of Rule 144.
In addition to outstanding shares eligible for sale, [ ] shares of our
common stock are issuable under currently outstanding stock options granted to
certain executive officers and employees. An additional [ ] shares of common
stock are reserved for issuance to employees under our 2001 Stock Option Plan,
and options for [ ] shares of common stock will be granted pursuant to that
plan at the time of the offering. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO RETAIN KEY MANAGEMENT OR OTHER PERSONNEL, WE MAY BE UNABLE
TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP OUR BUSINESS.
We depend on our executive officers as well as other key personnel. Not all
our key personnel are bound by employment agreements, and those with employment
agreements are bound only for a limited period of time. If we are unable to
retain our key personnel, we may be unable to successfully develop and implement
our business plans. Further, we do not maintain "key man" life insurance
policies on any of our executive officers or key personnel.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in
which we operate, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such
statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and
prospects under the headings "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,"
"Business," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting." Words such as
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates,"
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult
to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from
what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Except as
required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statements after we distribute this
prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
14
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that our proceeds from the sale of [ ] shares of common stock
in this offering (at an assumed offering price of $[ ] per share), after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses
payable by us, will be approximately $[ ] million ($[ ] million if the
underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). We will not receive
any proceeds from the sale of [ ] shares of common stock by the selling
stockholders. Pursuant to the terms of our $550 million acquisition credit
facility, we are required to apply 80% of the net proceeds to us from this
offering to repay debt incurred under the facility. Since the formation of the
credit facility in January 2001, we have drawn a total of $44 million to finance
the acquisition of five dealerships. The credit facility terminates in January
2004 and has a variable interest rate. After reduction of our debt under the
credit facility, we will have the ability to borrow additional funds from the
credit facility in accordance with its terms. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Credit Facilities".
We will use the remaining net proceeds to us for working capital, future
platform or dealership acquisitions and general corporate purposes.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We intend to retain all our earnings to finance the growth and development
of our business, including future acquisitions. Our acquisition financing credit
facility prohibits us from declaring or paying cash dividends or other
distributions to our stockholders. We do not anticipate paying any cash
dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future change in
our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and
will depend on the then applicable contractual restrictions on us contained in
our financing credit facilities and other agreements, our results of operations,
earnings, capital requirements and other factors considered relevant by our
board of directors.
DILUTION
Our pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 2001, was $[ ] per
share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents
our pro forma tangible net worth (pro forma tangible assets less pro forma total
liabilities), divided by the total number of shares of our common stock
outstanding.
Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference
between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in
this offering and the net tangible book value per share of common stock
immediately after the completion of this offering. After giving effect to the
sale by us of [ ] shares of common stock at an assumed initial public offering
price of $[ ] per share, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and
estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma net tangible book value
as of June 30, 2001, as adjusted would have been approximately $[ ], or $[ ]
per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma
net tangible book value of $[ ] per share to existing stockholders and
immediate dilution of $[ ] per share to new investors purchasing common stock
in this offering. If all outstanding stock options were exercised, pro forma
tangible net book value would be further diluted by $[ ] per share to $[ ] per
share.
15
The following table illustrates the pro forma per share dilution:
Assumed initial public offering price per share............. $ --
Pro forma net tangible book value per share before giving
effect to the offering and the related expenses........... $ --
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share
attributable to new investors............................. $ --
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving
effect to the offering.................................... $ --
Dilution per share to new investors......................... $ --
The following table sets forth on a pro forma basis, as of June 30, 2001,
the following:
- the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total
consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid to us by
existing stockholders; and
- the number of shares to be purchased and the total consideration to be
paid by new investors purchasing shares of common stock from us in this
offering (before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and offering
expenses).
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION
------------------- ------------------- AVERAGE PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------------
Existing stockholders.................... % $ % $
New investors............................
------ ------ ------- ------ -------
TOTAL.................................. $ 100.0% $ 100.0% $
====== ====== ======= ====== =======
The table assumes (1) the exercise of options for [ ] shares of common
stock with a weighted average exercise price of [ ] per share granted under our
1999 Stock Option Plan and (2) [ ] shares of common stock reserved for issuance
under our 2001 Stock Option Plan, under which options for [ ] shares of common
stock will be issued on the date hereof at the offering price set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus.
The preceding table assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their
over-allotment option. If the underwriters' over-allotment is exercised in full,
the pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 2001, as adjusted would
have been $[ ] million or $[ ] per share, which would result in dilution
to the new investors of $[ ] per share, and the number of shares held by the
new investors would increase to [ ] or [ ]% of the total number of shares to
be outstanding after this offering, and the number of shares held by the
existing stockholders would be [ ] shares, or [ ]% of the total number of
shares to be outstanding after this offering.
16
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth, as of June 30, 2001: (a) our historical
capitalization as a limited liability company; (b) our pro forma capitalization
which gives effect to our completed and currently probable acquisitions after
June 30, 2001; (c) our pro forma as adjusted capitalization which gives effect
to our conversion to a corporation and our issuance and sale of [ ] shares of
common stock offered hereby (at an assumed initial public offering price of
$[ ] per share, the midpoint of the range of the initial public offering price
set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the
underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering); and (d) the
application of the net proceeds of this offering as described under the heading
"Use of Proceeds."
AS OF JUNE 30, 2001
-------------------------------------
PRO FORMA AS
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA ADJUSTED
---------- --------- ------------
($ IN THOUSANDS)
Short-term debt (including current portion of
long-term debt)(1)..................................... $25,842 $25,842 $25,842
======== ======== ========
Long-term debt........................................... $470,196 $514,128 $462,128
Equity
Contributed capital.................................... 303,245 303,245 --
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, [ ]
shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding... -- -- --
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, [ ] shares
authorized; [ ] shares issued and outstanding, pro
forma; [ ] shares issued and outstanding, pro
forma as adjusted(2)................................. -- -- []
Additional paid-in capital............................. -- 5,000 396,179
Retained earnings...................................... 24,183 24,183 3,789
-------- -------- --------
Total equity......................................... 327,428 332,428 399,968
-------- -------- --------
Total capitalization..................................... $797,624 $846,556 $862,096
======== ======== ========
------------------------------
(1) Does not include floor plan notes payable of $484,384, $514,407 and
$514,407, respectively, relating to inventory financing.
(2) Does not include (a) options issued under our 1999 Option Plan for [ ]% of
the limited liability company interests in us converted to [ ] shares of
common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $[ ] per share and
(b) [ ] shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2001 Stock
Option Plan, under which options for [ ] shares of common stock will be
issued on the date hereof at the offering price set forth on the cover page
hereof.
17
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth our historical selected consolidated data for
the periods indicated. The data from the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998,
1999 and 2000 are derived from our audited financial statements, some of which
are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial statements for the
years ended 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants. The data for the six months ended June 30, 2000,
and 2001 are derived from unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in
this prospectus, which in management's opinion, include all adjustments,
consisting of only normally recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair
presentation.
We consider the Nalley (Atlanta) platform, our first platform, which we
acquired on February 20, 1997, to be our predecessor. The results of the Nalley
franchise for the period between January 1, 1996, to February 20, 1997, are set
forth in footnote 1 and were audited by Dixon Odom P.L.L.C. The historical
selected financial information may not be indicative of our future performance.
The information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements, the unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements and the related notes included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
SIX MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
------------------------------------------------ -----------------------
1997(1) 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001
INCOME STATEMENT DATA: --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
($ IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
New vehicles............. $298,967 $687,850 $1,820,393 $2,439,729 $1,212,693 $1,223,809
Used vehicles............ 91,933 221,828 787,029 1,064,102 531,102 571,482
Parts, service and
collision repair....... 69,425 156,037 341,506 434,478 207,250 239,396
Finance and insurance,
net.................... 4,304 19,149 63,206 89,481 42,823 49,739
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues............. 464,629 1,084,864 3,012,134 4,027,790 1,993,868 2,084,426
Cost of sales(2)........... 411,739 929,415 2,570,966 3,430,251 1,700,672 1,762,333
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit............... 52,890 155,449 441,168 597,539 293,196 322,093
Depreciation and
amortization............. 1,118 6,303 16,161 24,249 10,614 14,769
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses................. 45,432 127,336 343,443 451,405 217,128 246,286
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations..... 6,340 21,810 81,564 121,885 65,454 61,038
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Floor plan interest
expense.................. (4,160) (7,730) (22,982) (36,968) (17,172) (17,557)
Other interest expense..... (698) (7,104) (24,703) (42,009) (18,075) (23,446)
Interest income............ 27 1,108 3,021 5,846 2,717 1,787
Equity investment losses,
net...................... -- -- (616) (6,066) (6,027) (1,000)
Gain (loss) on sale of
assets................... 54 9,307 2,365 (1,533) -- 10
Other income, net.......... 760 727 550 1,023 444 849
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total other expense, net... (4,017) (3,692) (42,365) (79,707) (38,113) (39,357)
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes,
minority interest and
extraordinary loss....... 2,323 18,118 39,199 42,178 27,341 21,681
Income taxes(3)............ -- -- 1,779 3,511 2,169 2,746
Minority interest in
subsidiary earnings(4)... 801 14,303 20,520 9,740 9,526 502
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before extraordinary
loss..................... 1,522 3,815 16,900 28,927 15,646 18,433
Extraordinary loss on early
extinguishment of debt... -- (734) (752) -- -- (1,433)
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income............. $1,522 $3,081 $16,148 $28,927 $15,646 $17,000
======== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
18
AS OF
AS OF DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
($ IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Inventories(2)................. $6,428 $73,303 $255,878 $434,234 $554,141 $508,331
Total current assets........... 11,285 108,494 391,151 616,060 776,943 766,091
Property and equipment, net.... 436 29,907 125,410 141,786 215,149 235,561
Goodwill....................... 3,830 17,151 138,697 226,321 364,164 364,002
Total assets................... 17,988 162,835 709,457 1,034,606 1,404,200 1,424,181
Floor plan notes payable....... 7,263 66,305 232,297 385,263 499,332 484,384
Total current liabilities...... 8,972 85,503 323,061 497,376 625,574 607,370
Total long-term debt, including
current portion.............. 1,568 22,798 223,523 307,648 455,374 486,038
Total equity................... 7,448 36,957 127,380 198,113 321,882 327,428
------------------------------
(1) Selected financial data for the Nalley platform predecessor, exclusive of
the results from October 1, 1996, of a single Nalley Jeep dealership we
acquired on September 30, 1996, is as follows:
PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 1997
DECEMBER 31, 1996 FEBRUARY 20, 1997
------------------- ------------------
Total revenues................................. $343,331 $43,263
Income from operations......................... 572 87
Total assets................................... 63,405
Long-term debt................................. 1,954
(2) When we converted from a limited liability company to a corporation, we
changed our method of valuation of certain of our inventories from "last-in,
first-out," or LIFO, to specific identification and "first-in, first-out,"
or FIFO. The historical inventory valuation data in this table does not
reflect this change in inventory valuation method.
(3) Prior to this offering, we consisted primarily of a group of limited
liability companies and partnerships (with Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. as
the parent) which were treated as one partnership for tax purposes. Under
this structure, such limited liability companies and partnerships were not
subject to income taxes, but instead, our owners were taxed on their
respective distributive shares of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.'s taxable
income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been
included in the historical financial statements of the limited liability
companies and partnerships. Immediately prior to the offering, we changed
our tax status to corporation status and now provide for income taxes in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes."
(4) On April 30, 2000, the then parent company and the minority owners of our
subsidiaries reached an agreement whereby their respective equity interests
were transferred into escrow and subsequently into Asbury Automotive Oregon
L.L.C. in exchange for equity interests in Asbury Automotive Oregon, which
we refer to as the "minority member transaction." Following the minority
member transaction, the then parent company changed its name to Asbury
Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. changed its
name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. Substantially all minority interests
were eliminated effective April 30, 2000, in connection with the minority
member transaction.
19
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma balance sheet gives effect to the
following transactions and events as if they had occurred on June 30, 2001:
(a) our acquisitions of Audi of North Atlanta, Inc. (May 18, 2001), Roswell
Infiniti, Inc. (May 18, 2001), Dealer Profit Systems, Inc. (July 2,
2000), Key Cars, Inc. (July 2, 2000), (d/b/a Metro Imports), Brandon
Ford, Inc. (July 2, 2000), (d/b/a Gray-Daniels Ford) and Gage Motor Car
Company L.L.C. (September 18, 2001) (d/b/a Pegasus Motor Car Company);
(b) the probable acquisitions of Tom Wimberley Auto World, Inc., Crest
Pontiac, Inc. (d/b/a Kelly Pontiac) and the remaining portion (49%) of
the Deland Automotive Group that we had not previously acquired;
(c) the change in valuation of certain inventories from "last-in, first-out"
or LIFO to specific identification and "first-in, first-out" or FIFO,
upon conversion to a corporation;
(d) the change in our tax status resulting from our conversion to a
corporation;
(e) the conversion of certain executives' carried interest into options for
our common stock;
(f) the offering, including the use of a portion of the net proceeds to us
(assuming the net proceeds to us of $65 million) to reduce debt
outstanding as required by our credit facility; and
(g) the transfer of our ownership interests in CarsDirect.com to our
membership interest holders prior to this offering.
The following unaudited pro forma income statements for the year ended
December 31, 2000 and for the six months ended June 30, 2001 give effect to the
transactions and events listed above as well as our acquisition of Hutchinson
Automotive Group and the Minority Member Transaction (as described in Note 3 of
our Consolidated Financial Statements) as if they had occurred on January 1,
2000. The information, other than the individually insignificant acquisitions,
is based upon our historical financial statements and should be read in
conjunction with (a) our historical financial statements, (b) the historical
financial statements of Hutchinson Automotive Group, (c) the related notes to
such financial statements and (d) other information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative
of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been
had all of the previously mentioned acquisitions and this offering occurred on
the dates previously mentioned, nor does it give effect to: (a) any pending
transactions other than those previously mentioned above or this offering;
(b) our results of operations since June 30, 2001; or (c) the results of final
valuations of all assets and liabilities of the acquisitions mentioned above due
to pre-acquisition contingencies. We may revise the allocation of the purchase
price of these acquisitions when additional information becomes available in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16. Accordingly, the pro
forma financial information is not intended to be indicative of the financial
position or results of operations as of today's date, as of the offering or any
period ending at the offering, or as of or for any other future date or period.
20
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2001
($ IN THOUSANDS)
ACQUISITIONS PROBABLE
CONSUMMATED ACQUISITIONS
HISTORICAL AFTER PRO FORMA AFTER PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
ASBURY 6/30/01(1) ADJUSTMENTS(2) 6/30/01(1) ADJUSTMENTS(2) COMBINED
---------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -------------- ----------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents....... $147,941 $1,027 $(1,500) $372 $ $147,840
Accounts receivable............. 89,858 2,478 324 92,660
Inventory....................... 508,331 25,115 9,591 543,037
Prepaid and other current
assets........................ 19,961 21 200 126 20,308
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Total current assets.......... 766,091 28,641 (1,300) 10,287 126 803,845
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net....... 235,561 5,812 400 241,773
GOODWILL, net..................... 364,002 28,656 10,832 403,490
OTHER ASSETS...................... 58,527 119 281 (2,582) 56,345
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Total assets.................. $1,424,181 $34,572 $27,637 $10,687 $8,376 $1,505,453
========== ========== ========== ========= =========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Floor plan notes payable........ $484,384 $22,329 $ $7,694 $ $514,407
Current portion of long-term
debt.......................... 15,842 15,842
Short-term debt................. 10,000 10,000
Accounts payable................ 39,995 39,995
Accrued liabilities............. 57,149 1,300 315 (550) 58,214
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Total current liabilities..... 607,370 23,629 8,009 (550) 638,458
LONG-TERM DEBT.................... 470,196 32,762 11,170 514,128
OTHER LIABILITIES................. 19,187 818 434 20,439
EQUITY
Contributed capital............. 303,245 303,245
Common Stock, par value $.01
shares authorized [ ];
shares issued and outstanding
[ ].........................
Additional paid-in capital...... 10,125 (5,125) 2,244 (2,244) 5,000
Retained earnings............... 24,183 24,183
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Total equity.................. 327,428 10,125 (5,125) 2,244 (2,244) 332,428
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Total liabilities and
equity.................... $1,424,181 $34,572 $27,637 $10,687 $8,376 $1,505,453
========== ========== ========== ========= =========== ==========
OTHER
PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS AS ADJUSTED
----------- -----------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents....... $13,000 (3) $160,840
Accounts receivable............. 92,660
Inventory....................... 7,686 (4) 550,723
Prepaid and other current
assets........................ 9,378 (5) 29,686
---------- ----------
Total current assets.......... 30,064 833,909
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net....... 241,773
GOODWILL, net..................... 403,490
OTHER ASSETS...................... (1,249)(6) 55,096
---------- ----------
Total assets.................. $28,815 $1,534,268
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Floor plan notes payable........ $ $514,407
Current portion of long-term
debt.......................... 15,842
Short-term debt................. 10,000
Accounts payable................ 39,995
Accrued liabilities............. 58,214
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities..... 638,458
LONG-TERM DEBT.................... (52,000)(3) 462,128
OTHER LIABILITIES................. 13,275 (5) 33,714
EQUITY
Contributed capital............. (303,245)(7)
[ ] [ ]
Common Stock, par value $.01
shares authorized [ ];
shares issued and outstanding
[ ].........................
Additional paid-in capital...... 65,000(7) 396,179
24,183 (3)
303,245 (7)
(1,249 )(7)
(24,183)(7)
7,686 (4)
Retained earnings............... (3,897)(5) 3,789
---------- ----------
Total equity.................. 67,540 399,968
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and
equity.................... $28,815 $1,534,268
========== ==========
21
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
($ IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
2000 AND
2001
HUTCHINSON INDIVIDUALLY PRO OTHER
HISTORICAL AUTOMOTIVE INSIGNIFICANT PRO FORMA FORMA PRO FORMA
ASBURY GROUP(8) ACQUISITIONS(9) ADJUSTMENTS(10) COMBINED ADJUSTMENTS
---------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------- ------------
REVENUES
New vehicle sales..................... $2,439,729 $58,061 $304,243 $ $2,802,033 $
Used vehicle sales.................... 1,064,102 35,903 128,161 1,228,166
Parts, service and body shop sales.... 434,478 8,285 44,813 487,576
Finance and insurance, net............ 89,481 1,713 6,284 97,478
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Total revenues.......................... 4,027,790 103,962 483,501 4,615,253
COST OF SALES........................... 3,430,251 89,362 424,644 3,944,257 (2,097)(4)
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Gross profit........................ 597,539 14,600 58,857 670,996 2,097
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative... 451,405 10,705 40,842 502,952 [ ] (12)
Depreciation and amortization......... 24,249 260 707 2,258 27,474
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Income from operations.............. 121,885 3,635 17,308 (2,258) 140,570 2,097
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense........... (36,968) (635) (5,344) (42,947)
Interest expense...................... (42,009) (177) (8,638) (50,824) 5,252 (3)
Interest income....................... 5,846 5,846
Gain (loss) on sale of assets......... (1,533) 8 (1,525)
Equity investment losses, net......... (6,066) (6,066)
Other income, net..................... 1,023 58 280 1,361
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Total other income (expense), net... (79,707) (577) (5,233) (8,638) (94,155) 5,252
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Income before income taxes and
minority interest................... 42,178 3,058 12,075 (10,896) 46,415 7,349
INCOME TAX EXPENSE...................... 3,511 3,511
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY
EARNINGS.............................. 9,740 (9,740)(11)
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Net income.......................... 28,927 3,058 21,815 (10,896) 42,904 7,349
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX EXPENSE
(BENEFIT)(5).......................... 10,394 1,223 9,347 (4,358) 16,606 2,491
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Pro Forma Net Income.................... $18,533 $1,835 $12,468 $(6,538) $26,298 $4,858
========== ========= =========== =========== ========== =========
Earnings per common share:
Basic.................................
Diluted...............................
Weighted average shares outstanding (000s)
Basic.................................
Diluted...............................
PRO FORMA
AS ADJUSTED
------------
REVENUES
New vehicle sales..................... $2,802,033
Used vehicle sales.................... 1,228,166
Parts, service and body shop sales.... 487,576
Finance and insurance, net............ 97,478
-----------
Total revenues.......................... 4,615,253
COST OF SALES........................... 3,942,160
-----------
Gross profit........................ 673,093
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative... 502,952
Depreciation and amortization......... 27,474
-----------
Income from operations.............. 142,667
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense........... (42,947)
Interest expense...................... 45,572
Interest income....................... 5,846
Gain (loss) on sale of assets......... (1,525)
Equity investment losses, net......... (6,066)
Other income, net..................... 1,361
-----------
Total other income (expense), net... (88,903)
-----------
Income before income taxes and
minority interest................... 53,764
INCOME TAX EXPENSE...................... 3,511
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY
EARNINGS..............................
-----------
Net income.......................... 50,253
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX EXPENSE
(BENEFIT)(5).......................... 19,097
-----------
Pro Forma Net Income.................... $31,156
===========
Earnings per common share:
Basic................................. $[ ](16)
===========
Diluted............................... $[ ](16)
===========
Weighted average shares outstanding (000
Basic................................. [ ](16)
===========
Diluted............................... [ ](16)
===========
22
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
($ IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
2001
INDIVIDUALLY
HISTORICAL INSIGNIFICANT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
ASBURY ACQUISITIONS(13) ADJUSTMENTS(14) COMBINED
------------- --------------------- -------------------- --------------
REVENUES
New vehicle sales................ $1,223,809 $96,723 $ $1,320,532
Used vehicle sales............... 571,482 46,034 617,516
Parts, services and collision
repair......................... 239,396 17,339 256,735
Finance and insurance, net....... 49,739 1,830 51,569
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Total revenues..................... 2,084,426 161,926 2,246,352
COST OF SALES...................... 1,762,333 143,217 1,905,550
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Gross profit................... 322,093 18,709 340,802
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and
administrative................. 246,286 12,999 259,285
Depreciation and amortization.... 14,769 184 583 15,536
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Income from operations......... 61,038 5,526 (583) 65,981
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense...... (17,557) (1,758) (19,315)
Interest expense................. (23,446) (31) (2,530) (26,007)
Interest income.................. 1,787 1,787
Gain (loss) on sale of assets.... 10 2 12
Equity investment losses, net.... (1,000) (1,000)
Other income, net................ 849 69 918
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Total other income (expense),
net.......................... (39,357) (1,718) (2,530) (43,605)
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Income before income taxes,
minority interest and
extraordinary loss............. 21,681 3,808 (3,113) 22,376
INCOME TAX EXPENSE................. 2,746 2,746
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY
EARNINGS......................... 502 (502)(11)
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY
EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT........... (1,433) (1,433)
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Net Income......................... 17,000 4,310 (3,113) 18,197
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX
EXPENSE (5)...................... 6,036 1,736 (1,245) 6,527
----------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Pro Forma Net Income........... $10,964 $2,574 $(1,868) $11,670
=========== ============== ============== ============
Earnings per common share:
Basic............................
Diluted..........................
Weighted average shares outstanding (000s)
Basic............................
Diluted..........................
OTHER
PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS AS ADJUSTED
---------------- ----------------
REVENUES
New vehicle sales................ $ $1,320,532
Used vehicle sales............... 617,516
Parts, services and collision
repair......................... 256,735
Finance and insurance, net....... 51,569
------------ -------------
Total revenues..................... 2,246,352
COST OF SALES...................... (669)(4) 1,904,881
------------ -------------
Gross profit................... 669 341,471
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and
administrative................. [ ] (12) 259,285
Depreciation and amortization.... 15,536
------------ -------------
Income from operations......... 669 66,650
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense...... (19,315)
Interest expense................. 2,834 (3) (23,173)
Interest income.................. 1,787
Gain (loss) on sale of assets.... 12
Equity investment losses, net.... (1,000)
Other income, net................ 918
------------ -------------
Total other income (expense),
net.......................... 2,834 (40,771)
------------ -------------
Income before income taxes,
minority interest and
extraordinary loss............. 3,503 25,879
INCOME TAX EXPENSE................. 2,746
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY
EARNINGS.........................
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY
EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT........... 1,433 (15)
------------ -------------
Net Income......................... 4,936 23,133
PRO FORMA INCOME TAX
EXPENSE (5)...................... 1,974 8,501
------------ -------------
Pro Forma Net Income........... $2,962 $14,632
============ =============
Earnings per common share:
Basic............................ $[](16)
=============
Diluted.......................... $[](16)
=============
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic............................ [](16)
=============
Diluted.......................... [](16)
=============
23
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(1) Reflects the impact (historical results) of all acquisitions either
consummated after June 30, 2001, or currently probable as if the
transactions were consummated as of June 30, 2001.
(2) Reflects the fair value and other acquisition related adjustments to the
acquisitions consummated after June 30, 2001 or currently probable. Because
the majority of the acquisitions (all other than Audi of North Atlanta and
Roswell Infinity) either recently took place or have yet to take place, the
final valuations of all assets and liabilities have not yet been completed.
Amounts for certain of the acquisitions are subject to final purchase price
adjustments for items such as tangible net worth and seller's
representations regarding the adequacy of certain reserves. In addition, the
allocation of amounts to acquired intangibles is subject to final valuation.
The total purchase price for these acquisitions consisted of $44,882 in cash
and $5,000 in the form of equity interests in Asbury. The initial allocation
of the total purchase price of our 2001 individually insignificant
acquisitions is as follows:
Working Capital............................................. $7,617
Property and Equipment...................................... 6,212
Goodwill.................................................... 39,488
Other assets................................................ 573
Non-current liabilities assumed............................. (4,008)
-------
Total purchase price........................................ $49,882
=======
(3) Reflects the proceeds received by us from this offering (net of estimated
underwriting discounts, fees and expenses of $10 million). We assumed a
portion of our estimated net proceeds are to be used to reduce a portion of
our borrowings as contractually required under our acquisition financing
credit facility. The credit facility has a variable LIBOR based rate of
interest. The addition to interest expense was calculated using the weighted
average interest rate on the Company's credit facilities for the respective
periods (10.1% for 2000 and 10.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2001).
(4) Reflects adjustment to change Asbury's method of valuation of certain of it
inventories from the "last-in, first-out" or LIFO method to the specific
identification and "first-in, first-out" or FIFO methods upon changing from
a limited liability company to a corporation. Asbury believes that the
change to the specific identification and FIFO methods results in a better
matching of revenue and expense and most clearly reflects periodic income.
Additionally, the specific identification and FIFO methods are most widely
used by Asbury's major publicly held competitors.
(5) Reflects an adjustment to change our tax status to corporation status and,
accordingly provides for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes." Prior to the transfer of all interests in Asbury's predecessor
limited liability company to a corporation prior to this offering, we
consisted primarily of a group of limited liability companies and
partnerships (with us as the parent), which were treated as one partnership
for tax purposes. Under this structure, the limited liability companies and
partnerships were not themselves subject to income taxes, but instead our
members were taxed on their respective distributive shares of our taxable
income.
(6) Reflects the transfer of our cost basis investment in CarsDirect.com to our
membership interest holders prior to this offering.
(7) Reflects an adjustment to reclassify members' equity to common stock and
additional paid-in capital due to the conversion from a limited liability
company to a corporation.
(8) Reflects the impact (historical results) of the acquisition of the
Hutchinson Automotive Group on April 14, 2000, and related real estate as if
the transaction was consummated on January 1,
24
2000. Hutchinson Automotive Group was acquired for an aggregate purchase
price of $90,242 including the issuance of a $7.5 million equity interest in
Asbury to certain selling shareholders.
(9) Reflects the impact (historical results) of the 2000 and 2001 individually
insignificant acquisitions, as if the transactions were consummated on
January 1, 2000.
(10) Reflects adjustments to the historical financial statements of the
Hutchinson Automotive Group, Asbury's 2000 and 2001 individually
insignificant acquisitions and for the Minority Member Transaction (April
30, 2000) as if the transactions were consummated on January 1, 2000, for
(a) goodwill amortization using the straight-line method and a 40 year
useful life, (b) interest expense based on the acquisition financing and the
weighted average interest rate on Asbury's credit facilities for 2000
(10.1%), (c) tax expense based on a 40% effective tax rate, (d) additional
depreciation expense for long-lived assets acquired which was not included
in the historical results of the acquired companies using the straight-line
method and a useful life of 35 years and (e) amortization expense for other
intangible assets using the straight-line method and the useful life of
three years.
(11) Reflects the elimination of minority interest effective January 1, 2000 in
connection with the Minority Member Transaction.
(12) Reflects non-recurring charge for compensation of $[ ] related to an
arrangement whereby, due to the offering, some of our senior executives
participate in the increase in our value. See "Management--Employment
Agreements".
(13) Reflects the impact (historical results) of the 2001 individually
insignificant acquisitions, as if the transactions were consummated on
January 1, 2000.
(14) Reflects adjustments to the historical financial statements of the 2001
individually insignificant acquisitions as if the transactions were
consummated on January 1, 2000 for (a) goodwill amortization using the
straight-line method and a 40 year useful life, (b) interest expense based
on the acquisition financing and the weighted average interest rate on
Asbury's credit facility for the six months ended June 30, 2001 (10.9%
including the amortization of related deferred finance fees), (c) tax
expense based on a 40% effective tax rate, (d) additional depreciation
expense for long-lived assets acquired which was not included in the
historical results of the acquired companies using the straight-line method
and a useful life of 35 years and (e) amortization expense for other
intangible assets using the straight-line method and the useful life of
three years.
(15) Reflects the elimination of extraordinary loss.
(16) Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings
per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common
shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the period.
25
The basic and diluted earnings per share and number of common share and
common share equivalents were as follows:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
2000 2001
------------------ ------------------------
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic..............................
Diluted............................
Common shares and common share
equivalents (in thousands):
Weighted average shares
outstanding....................
------- -------
Basic shares.....................
Shares issuable with respect to
additional common share
equivalents (stock options)....
Shares issuable with respect to
carried interest...............
Shares issuable with respect to
CEO options....................
------- -------
Diluted equivalent shares........
------- -------
26
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THIS MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED IN
THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO THOSE DESCRIBED UNDER "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5, AND
INCLUDED IN OTHER PORTIONS OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
OVERVIEW
We are a national automotive retailer, currently operating 127 franchises at
87 dealership locations in nine states and 15 markets in the U.S. We also
operate 23 collision repair centers that serve our markets.
Our revenues are derived from selling new and used cars, light trucks and
replacement parts, providing vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair
services and arrangement of vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for
our automotive customers and the sale of heavy trucks.
Since inception, we have grown through the acquisition of nine large
platforms and additional tuck-in acquisitions. All acquisitions were accounted
for using the purchase method of accounting. As a result, the operations of the
acquired dealerships are included in the consolidated statements of income
commencing on the date acquired.
Prior to the completion of this offering, we consisted primarily of a group
of limited liability companies and partnerships (with us as the parent), which
were treated as one partnership for tax purposes. Under this structure, our
owners were taxed on their respective distributive shares of taxable income;
however, neither we nor our limited liability company and partnership
subsidiaries were subject to income tax. The balance of our subsidiaries were
"C" corporations under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and,
accordingly, provided for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under the provisions
of our limited liability company agreement, we had periodically distributed cash
to each owner equal to 50% of the owner's respective distributive share of
taxable income to cover the owner's tax liabilities. Immediately prior to the
completion of this offering, we will change our tax status to corporation status
and will provide for federal and state income taxes for the entire company going
forward. As a result of this change in our tax status, Asbury Automotive
Group, Inc. will succeed to the historic tax basis of the assets held by Asbury
Automotive Group L.L.C. (except as increased to reflect any gain recognized by
our owners).
Sales of motor vehicles (particularly new vehicles) have historically
fluctuated with general macroeconomic conditions such as general business
cycles, consumer confidence, availability of consumer credit, fuel prices and
interest rates. Although these factors may impact our business, we believe that
any future negative trends due to the above factors may be mitigated by the
performance of our parts, service and collision repair operations, our variable
cost structure, regional diversity and advantageous franchise mix.
Our operations are subject to modest seasonal variations that are somewhat
offset by our regional diversity. We typically generate more revenue and
operating income in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth
quarters. Seasonality is based upon, among other things, weather conditions,
manufacturer incentive programs, model changeovers and consumer buying patterns.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001, COMPARED TO JUNE 30, 2000
REVENUES--Our revenues for the first six months of 2001 increased
$90.6 million or 4.5% over the first half of 2000. The increase was primarily
due to $202.7 million of revenues from tuck-in
27
acquisitions completed after January 1, 2000, partially offset by a decrease in
revenues at dealerships owned prior to January 1, 2000 (same store), of
$112.1 million or 6.4%. Same store revenue increases at three of our platforms
(Texas, St. Louis and Jacksonville) were offset by significant same store
decreases at (a) our Oregon platform (down $74.3 million) primarily due to
changes in our business practices and restrictions in our sales policies,
declining Ford sales related to the Firestone tire recall and the effect on
employment and consumer spending in the Pacific Northwest from the technology
downturn, (b) our Arkansas platform (down $34.0 million) due to declining demand
in the local market, increased competition and issues with Ford related to the
Firestone recall and (c) the Atlanta platform's heavy truck business (down
$26.0 million) due to a cyclical downturn resulting from macroeconomic factors
such as higher interest rates and fuel prices.
Same store revenues from vehicle sales were off 7.7% primarily due to the
conditions noted above in Oregon, Arkansas and Atlanta. Overall, sales were
impacted by declining demand in the automotive industry as the average
seasonally adjusted annual rate of new vehicles sold in the U.S. declined from
17.8 million units in the first six months of 2000 to 16.9 million units for the
comparable period in 2001. Despite this national decline, our Texas platform
continued its strong performance with a $23.2 million or 12.9% increase in same
store vehicle sales over the prior year first half. In addition, our St. Louis
and Jacksonville platforms posted 4.6% and 2.7% increases, respectively. Finance
and insurance revenues per vehicle retailed were $613 for the six months ended
June 30, 2001, an 18% increase over the six months ended June 30, 2000.
Parts, service and collision repair revenues on a same store basis were up
4.6% in the first half of 2001 over the first half of 2000 due to a continued
emphasis on those products. Seven of the eight platforms in our organization in
2000 generated an increase in parts, service and collision repair in the first
six months of 2001 over the same period last year.
GROSS PROFIT--Gross profit for the first six months of 2001 increased
$28.9 million or 9.9% over the first six months of 2000. The increase was
primarily due to $31.3 million of gross profit from tuck-in acquisitions
completed after January 1, 2000, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit
at dealerships owned prior to January 1, 2000 (same store), of $2.4 million or
0.9%. Overall, gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the six months ended
June 30, 2001 was 15.5% as compared to 14.7% for the six months ended June 30,
2000. This increase is primarily attributable to a shift in product mix to
higher margin parts, service and collision repair services and finance and
insurance.
OPERATING EXPENSES--Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A,
for the first six months of 2001 increased $29.2 million or 13.4% over the first
six months of 2000. The increase was primarily due to $22.9 million of SG&A from
tuck-in acquisitions completed after January 1, 2000, and an increase in SG&A at
dealerships owned prior to January 1, 2000 (same store), of $6.3 million or
3.3%. Same store SG&A in the first six months of 2001 included special charges
related to stock compensation and severances of $4.1 million and the rebranding
of our Portland platform of $1.8 million. SG&A as a percentage of revenues
increased to 11.8% of revenues in the first half of 2001, from 10.9% in the
first half of 2000. Contributing to this increase were the aforementioned
special charges in 2001, increased variable compensation related to higher gross
profit, higher advertising and insurance costs, and expense control initiatives
in Oregon lagging behind revenue declines. The increase in depreciation and
amortization is principally attributable to acquisitions completed after
January 1, 2000.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)--Floor plan interest expense increased to
$17.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001 from $17.2 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2000, primarily due to acquisitions completed after
January 1, 2000, and a greater number of vehicles in inventory, offset by a
decline in interest rates. Other interest expense increased by $5.4 million over
the prior half year principally due to increased borrowings used to fund
acquisitions completed after January 1, 2000, partially offset by a decline in
interest rates. Equity investment losses in the six months ended June 30, 2001,
represent our share of losses in an automotive finance company
28
while losses in the six months ended June 30, 2000, primarily reflect our share
of losses in our investment in Greenlight.com, which was fully written off as of
December 31, 2000. Interest income was $0.9 million lower for the six months
ended June 30, 2001, as compared to the same period last year due to lower
interest rates and a decrease in average available cash.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
REVENUES--Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2000, increased
$1.02 billion or 33.7% over the year ended December 31, 1999. The increase was
primarily due to $898.1 million related to tuck-in acquisitions made subsequent
to January 1, 1999, an $84.5 million net increase in revenues generated by the
acquisition of our Arkansas platform (which we acquired in February 1999) and an
increase in revenues at dealerships owned prior to January 1, 1999 (same store),
of $33.1 million or 1.4%.
Same store revenues from vehicle sales increased $21.1 million, or 1.0%, as
strong year-over-year increases at five of our platforms were offset by declines
in our Oregon platform (down $86.9 million), primarily due to changes in our
business practices and restrictions in our sales policies, declining demand in
the local markets, declining Ford sales related to the Firestone tire recall and
reduced sales in Atlanta's heavy truck franchises (down $11.6 million). Finance
and insurance revenues per vehicle sold were $540 for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2000, a 10.8% increase over the twelve months ended December 31,
1999.
Parts, service and collision repair revenues on a same store basis were up
4.3% in fiscal 2000 versus fiscal 1999 principally due to a focus on this higher
margin product line. Six of our seven platforms posted year-over-year revenue
increases in this area.
GROSS PROFIT--Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2000, increased
$156.4 million or 35.4% over the year ended December 31, 1999. The increase was
primarily due to $120.1 million related to tuck-in acquisitions made subsequent
to January 1, 1999, a $12.7 million net increase in gross profit generated by
the acquisition of our Arkansas platform and an increase in gross profit at
dealerships owned prior to January 1, 1999 (same store) of $23.6 million or
6.7%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the year ended December 31,
2000, was 14.8% as compared to 14.6% for the year ended December 31, 1999. This
increase was primarily attributable to increased finance and insurance revenues
per vehicle sold, improved margins on new vehicles due to a shift away from
lower margin fleet sales and increased margins on used vehicles due to reduced
losses on wholesale dispositions.
OPERATING EXPENSES--SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2000,
increased $108.0 million or 31.4% over the year ended December 31, 1999. The
increase was primarily due to $90.6 million of SG&A expenses related to tuck-in
acquisitions made subsequent to January 1, 1999, a $9.3 million net increase in
SG&A expenses generated by the acquisition of our Arkansas platform and an
increase in SG&A expenses at dealerships owned prior to January 1, 1999 (same
store), of $8.1 million or 3.0%. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues
decreased to 11.2% in 2000 from 11.4% in 1999 principally due to containment of
variable and fixed compensation costs. Advertising costs increased
$12.6 million primarily due to significant number of acquisitions completed
after January 1, 1999. Depreciation and amortization increased $8.1 million to
$24.2 million principally due to a significant number of acquisitions completed
after January 1, 1999.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)--Floor plan interest expense increased to
$37.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, from $23.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 1999, primarily due to acquisitions completed after
January 1, 1999, higher interest rates throughout 2000 as compared to 1999, and
a greater number of vehicles in inventory. Other interest expense increased by
$17.3 million over the prior year principally due to increased borrowings used
to fund acquisitions completed after January 1, 1999, and to a lesser extent,
higher interest rates. Equity investment losses for the years ended
December 31, 2000, and December 31, 1999, primarily reflect our share of losses
in our investment in Greenlight.com of $6.9 million and $0.8 million,
respectively. Interest
29
income was $2.8 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2000, due to
higher interest rates and an increase in average available cash.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
REVENUES--Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999, increased
$1.93 billion or 177.7% over the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase was
primarily due to $1.87 billion of revenue from six platform acquisitions made
subsequent to January 1, 1998, along with an increase in revenues at platforms
owned prior to January 1, 1998 (Atlanta and St. Louis) (same store), of
$53.6 million or 7.8%. Same store revenues from vehicle sales increased
$44.4 million or 7.7% in 1999 as compared to 1998 due to a strong year-over-year
increase at our St. Louis platform. Parts, service and collision repair center
revenues on a same store basis increased 8.5% in fiscal 2000 from fiscal 1999 as
the Atlanta and St. Louis platforms both posted significant year-over-year
increases in these services.
GROSS PROFIT--Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1999, increased
$285.7 million or 183.8% over the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase was
primarily due to $279.1 million of gross profit from six platform acquisitions
made subsequent to January 1, 1998, along with an increase in gross profit at
platforms owned prior to January 1, 1998 (Atlanta and St. Louis) (same store),
of $6.6 million or 6.9%. Total gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the
year ended December 31, 1999, was 14.6% as compared to 14.3% for the year ended
December 31, 1998. This increase is primarily attributable to a slight shift in
product mix to finance and insurance revenue.
OPERATING EXPENSES--SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 1999,
increased $216.1 million or 169.7% over the year ended December 31, 1998. The
increase was primarily due to $206.0 million of SG&A expenses from six platform
acquisitions made subsequent to January 1, 1998, along with an increase in SG&A
expenses at platforms owned prior to January 1, 1998 (Atlanta and St. Louis)
(same store), of $10.1 million or 13.2%. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales
declined to 11.4% during the year ended 1999 from 11.7% during the year ended
1998 mostly due to containment of fixed operating expenses. Depreciation and
amortization increased $9.9 million to $16.2 million principally due to a
significant number of acquisitions completed after January 1, 1998.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)--Floor plan interest expense increased $15.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 1999, from $7.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998, primarily due to acquisitions completed after January 1,
1998. Other interest expense increased by $17.6 million over the prior year
principally due to increased borrowings used to fund acquisitions completed
after January 1, 1998. Interest income was $1.9 million higher for the year
ended December 31, 1999 due to an increase in average available cash.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We require cash to fund working capital needs, finance acquisitions of new
dealerships and fund capital expenditures. These requirements are met
principally from cash flow from operations, borrowings under our credit
facilities and floor plan financing below, mortgage notes and issuances of
equity interests. As of June 30, 2001, we had cash and cash equivalents of
$147.9 million, including contracts-in-transit of $81.6 million.
CREDIT FACILITIES
On January 17, 2001, we entered into two financing agreements with Ford
Motor Credit Company, Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C. and General Motors
Acceptance Corporation establishing an aggregate line of credit totaling
$1.3 billion. One facility provides for $550 million in committed acquisition
financing and general corporate purpose loans and the other facility establishes
a framework for obtaining up to $750 million in floor plan financing.
At the date of the closing, we borrowed $330.6 million under the acquisition
financing credit facility to repay certain existing term notes and pay certain
fees and expenses of the closing. In
30
addition, we refinanced substantially all of our existing floor plan debt under
the floor plan financing facility.
Borrowings under the acquisition credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus
a specified percentage depending on our attainment of certain leverage ratios
and the outstanding balance under the facility. This credit facility contains
covenants that, among other things, place restrictions on our ability to incur
additional debt, encumber our property and other assets, repay other debt,
dispose of assets, invest capital and permit our subsidiaries to issue equity
securities. This credit facility also imposes minimum requirements which the
terms of transactions to acquire prospective targets must meet before we can
borrow funds to finance the transactions. The terms of our credit facility
require us on an ongoing basis to meet certain financial ratios, including a
current ratio, as defined in our credit facility of at least 1.2 to 1, a fixed
charge coverage ratio, as defined in our credit facility, of no less than 1.2 to
1, and a leverage ratio, as defined in our credit facility, no greater than 4.4
to 1. A breach of these covenants or any other of the covenants in the facility
would be cause for acceleration of repayment and termination of the facility by
the lenders. This credit facility also contains provisions for default upon,
among other things, a change of control, a material adverse change and the
non-payment of obligations. As of the date of this prospectus, we were in
compliance with all of the covenants.
Our subsidiaries have guaranteed, and any future subsidiaries will be
required to guarantee, our obligations under this credit facility. Substantially
all of our assets not subject to security interests granted to floor plan
lenders are subject to security interests to lenders under the floor plan
financing and acquisition credit facilities. We pay annually in arrears a
commitment fee for the credit facility of 0.35% of the undrawn amount available
to us. The acquisition credit facility provides for an indefinite series of
one-year extensions at our request if approved by the lenders and the floor plan
financing credit facility has an indefinite duration. Conversely, we can
terminate the acquisition financing credit facility by repaying all of the
outstanding balances under the acquisition line plus a termination fee. The fee,
currently equal to 3% of $550 million, the amount committed under the
acquisition credit facility, declines one percentage point on each of the first,
second and third anniversaries of the facility. As of June 30, 2001,
$204.8 million remained available to us for additional borrowings under the
acquisition financing facility.
In addition, we have $10 million available through other revolving credit
facilities, which are secured by certain notes receivable for finance contracts.
The borrowings are repayable on the lenders' demand and accrue interest at
variable rates. These facilities are subject to certain financial and other
covenants. As of June 30, 2001, we had $10.0 million outstanding under these
facilities.
FLOOR PLAN FINANCING
We finance substantially all of our new vehicle inventory and a portion of
our used vehicle inventory under the floor plan financing credit facility, but
also use other revolving floor plan arrangements. We are required to make
monthly interest payments on the amount financed, but are not required to repay
the principal prior to the sale of the vehicle. These floor plan arrangements
grant a security interest in the financed vehicles as well as the related sales
proceeds. Amounts financed under the floor plan financing bear interest at
variable rates, which are typically tied to LIBOR or a prime rate. As of
June 30, 2001, we had $484.4 million outstanding under all of our floor plan
financing agreements.
CASH FLOW
Cash flow from operations totaled $64.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2001, as net income plus non-cash items of $36.6 million, along with a
reduction in inventories of $55.3 million, more than offset a reduction in floor
plan notes payable of $19.5 million due to our decision to finance a greater
percentage of our vehicles. Net cash flow used in investing activities was
$37.8 million, principally related to capital expenditures of $27.1 million,
acquisitions of $8.1 million, a net increase in finance contracts of
$2.6 million and a strategic investment in CarsDirect.com of $1.2 million. Net
cash flow used in financing activities was $2.1 million, as the $9.0 million
used to
31
pay member distributions was offset by a net increase in borrowings of
$6.9 million, principally to fund acquisitions. In addition, new borrowings
under the acquisition line of $330.6 million were used to repay existing debt
and finance certain fees and expenses of the closing of the credit facilities.
Cash flow from operations was $82.6 million for the year ended December 31,
2000, an increase of $33.5 million over the prior year. This was primarily due
to an increase in net income plus non-cash items of $18.4 million and an
increase in floor plan notes payable of $38.2 million which more than offset an
increase in inventories of $22.9 million due to our decision to finance a
greater percentage of vehicles. Cash flow was used in investing activities to
fund acquisitions of $179.5 million and capital expenditures $36.1 million,
offset by the proceeds from the sale of certain dealerships of $6.1 million.
Cash flow from financing was comprised of $159.4 million of proceeds from new
borrowings and $20.7 million of member contributions, principally to fund
acquisitions, offset by repayment of existing debt of $14.6 million and member
distributions of $13.4 million.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital spending for the six months ended June 30, 2001, and for the year
ended December 31, 2000, was $27.1 million and $36.1 million, respectively.
Capital spending other than from acquisitions is estimated to be approximately
$60 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, primarily related to an
increase in manufacturer-required spending to upgrade existing dealership
facilities.
Subsequent to June 30, 2000, we acquired three dealerships (operating seven
franchises) for consideration in the form of cash and equity in us equal to
$39.1 million. The cash component of the consideration we paid for the
acquisitions was funded through the proceeds of borrowings on our acquisition
financing credit facility.
Our future growth is dependent on our ability to acquire additional
dealerships and successfully operate existing dealerships. We believe that cash
flow generated from operations, working capital availability under the
acquisition line, availability under our floor plan arrangements as well as
mortgage financings, will be sufficient to fund debt service, working capital
requirements and capital spending. Future acquisitions will be funded from cash
flow from operations, capital available under our acquisition financing credit
facility and through the public or private issuance of equity or debt
securities.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives) and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative instrument may be
specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair
value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment,
(b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction
or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign
operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a
foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes
in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use
of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the
effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2000. SFAS No. 138 issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues
that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying
SFAS No. 133. We have determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not have
a material impact on our results of operations, financial position, liquidity or
cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". SAB 101 was effective for
years beginning after December 31,
32
1999, and provides clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain
circumstances. The adoption of SAB 101 did not have a material impact on
Asbury's revenue recognition policies.
On June 30, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) finalized
and issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business
Combinations" ("SFAS 141") and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets"
("SFAS 142").
SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001,
to be accounted for using the purchase method, eliminating the pooling of
interests method.
SFAS 142, when effective, eliminates amortization of the goodwill component
of an acquisition price over the estimated useful life of the acquisition.
However, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual assessment for
impairment by applying a fair-value based test. Additionally, acquired
intangible assets should be separately recognized if the benefit of the
intangible is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the
intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged,
regardless of the acquirer's intent to do so. Intangible assets with definitive
lives will need to be amortized over their useful lives.
The provisions of SFAS 142 apply immediately to all acquisitions completed
after June 30, 2001. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives
existing at June 30, 2001, will continue to be amortized until December 31,
2001. Effective January 1, 2002, such amortization will cease, as companies are
required to adopt the new rules on such date. By the end of the first quarter of
calendar year 2002, companies must begin to perform an impairment analysis of
intangible assets. Furthermore, companies must complete the first step of the
goodwill transition impairment test by June 30, 2002. Any impairment noted must
be recorded at the date of effectiveness restating first quarter results, if
necessary. Impairment charges, if any, that result from the application of the
above tests would be recorded as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle in the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2002.
Asbury will not be able to determine the ultimate impact of SFAS 142 on its
consolidated financial statements until such time as it applies their
provisions.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
INTEREST RATE RISK--We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest
rates on substantially all outstanding indebtedness. Outstanding balances under
the acquisition line bear interest at a variable rate based on a margin over the
benchmark LIBOR rate. Given amounts outstanding at June 30, 2001, a 1% change in
interest rate would result in a change of approximately $4.8 million to our
annual non-floor plan interest expense. Similarly, amounts outstanding under
floor plan financing arrangements (including the floor plan line) bear interest
at variable rates based on a margin over LIBOR or prime. Based on floor plan
amounts outstanding at June 30, 2001, a 1% change in interest rates would result
in a $4.8 million change to annual floor plan interest expense.
INTEREST RATE SWAPS--During 1998, we caused a subsidiary to enter into swap
arrangements with a bank in an aggregate initial notional principal amount of
$31 million in order to fix a portion of our interest expense and reduce our
exposure to floating interest rates. These swaps required the subsidiary to pay
fixed rates ranging from 4.7% to 5.2% on the notional principal amounts, and
receive in return payments calculated at LIBOR. In December 2000, we terminated
our swap arrangements resulting in a gain of $0.4 million which was recognized
in the quarter ended March 31, 2001, in connection with our refinancing of
certain existing debt utilizing our credit facilities. Management continually
monitors interest rates and trends in rates and will from time to time
reevaluate the advisability of entering into derivative transactions to hedge
our interest rate risk and may consider restructuring our debt from floating to
fixed rate.
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RISK--All our business is conducted in the U.S.
where all of our revenues and expenses are transacted in U.S. dollars. As a
result, our operations are not subject to foreign exchange risk.
33
BUSINESS
COMPANY
We are one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. We
offer our customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, in
addition to new and used vehicle sales. We have grown rapidly in recent years,
primarily through acquisition, with annual sales of $3.0 billion in 1999,
$4.0 billion in 2000 and $2.1 billion during the first six months of 2001.
Our retail network is organized into nine regional dealership groups, or
"platforms," which are groups of dealerships operating under a distinct brand.
Our platforms are located in markets or clusters of markets that we believe
represent attractive opportunities, generally due to the presence of relatively
few dealerships and high rates of population and income growth. The following is
a detailed breakdown of our platforms:
DATE OF INITIAL
PLATFORM-REGIONAL BRANDS ACQUISITION PLATFORM MARKETS FRANCHISES
------------------------ --------------- ---------------- ----------
Atlanta
Nalley Automotive Group September 1996 Atlanta Acura, Audi, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hino,
Honda, Infiniti, Isuzu Truck, Jaguar,
Jeep, Lexus(c), Navistar, Peterbilt
St. Louis
Plaza Motor Company December 1997 St. Louis Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land
Rover(a), Lexus, Mercedes-Benz,
Porsche
Texas
David McDavid Automotive Group April 1998 Dallas/Fort Worth Acura, Buick, GMC, Honda, Lincoln,
Mercury, Pontiac, Suzuki
Houston Honda, Kia, Nissan
Austin Acura
Tampa
Courtesy Dealership Group September 1998 Tampa Chrysler, GMC, Hyundai, Infiniti,
Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Mazda(c),
Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mitsubishi,
Nissan, Pontiac, Toyota
Jacksonville
Coggin Automotive Company October 1998 Jacksonville Chevrolet, GMC, Honda(c), Kia, Mazda,
Nissan(c), Pontiac(b), Toyota
Orlando Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford,
Honda(c), Lincoln, Mercury, Pontiac
Fort Pierce BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz
Oregon
Thomason Auto Group December 1998 Portland Ford(c), Honda, Hyundai(c), Mazda,
Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota
North Carolina
Crown Automotive Company December 1998 Greensboro Acura, Audi, BMW, Dodge, GMC, Honda,
Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac,
Volvo
Chapel Hill/Raleigh GMC, Honda, Isuzu, Pontiac, Volvo
Fayetteville Ford
Richmond, VA Acura, BMW(c), Porsche
Arkansas
North Point (previously known as February 1999 Little Rock BMW, Ford, Lincoln(c), Mazda,
McLarty Companies) Mercury(c), Nissan, Toyota,
Volkswagen, Volvo
Texarkana, TX Chrysler, Dodge, Ford
Mississippi
Gray-Daniels April 2000 Jackson Chrysler(b), Daewoo, Ford, Hyundai,
Isuzu, Jeep(b), Lincoln(b), Mazda,
Mercury(b), Mitsubishi, Nissan(c),
Suzuki, Toyota
------------------------------
(a) Minority owned and operated by us. See "Related Transactions" for a
description of our ownership interest in this franchise.
(b) Pending acquisitions.
(c) This platform market has two of these franchises.
34
Each platform originally operated as an independent business before being
acquired and integrated into our operations, and each continues to enjoy high
local brand name recognition and regional concentration.
COMPANY HISTORY
We were formed in 1995 by management and Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. In 1997,
an investment fund affiliated with Freeman Spogli & Co. Inc. acquired a
significant interest in us. The group identified an opportunity to aggregate a
number of the nation's top retail automotive dealers into one cohesive
organization. We acquired eight of our platforms between 1997 and 1999, and
combined them on February 1, 2000. In the combination, dealers holding ownership
interests in their respective platforms transferred their interests to the
Oregon platform in exchange for ownership interests in the Oregon platform.
Dealers who held interests in the Oregon platform did not exchange their
interests, but had their holdings adjusted to reflect their overall ownership
interest in the consolidated company. The Oregon platform then changed its name
to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and became the parent company to our platforms
and other companies. Since the consolidation of the eight platforms as of
February 1, 2000, a ninth platform, the Mississippi platform, was formed on
July 2, 2001, following our acquisition of five franchises in the Jackson
market, which we added to five franchises that we previously acquired in this
market.
OUR STRENGTHS
We believe our competitive strengths are as follows:
EXPERIENCED AND INCENTIVIZED MANAGEMENT
- RETAIL MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE. We have a management team with extensive
experience and expertise in the retail sector. Thomas R. Gibson, our
co-founder, chairman and interim chief executive officer, spent most of
his 28-year automotive career working with automobile retail dealers
throughout the U.S., including serving as president and chief operating
officer of Subaru of America. Thomas F. Gilman, our vice president and
chief financial officer, served for 25 years at DaimlerChrysler where his
knowledge of the dealer network allowed him to play a key role assisting
DaimlerChrysler dealerships during the recession of the automotive
industry in the early 1990s. See "Management." In addition, the former
platform owners of seven of our nine platforms, each with greater than 24
years of experience in the automotive retailing industry, continue to
manage their respective platforms.
- INCENTIVIZATION AT EVERY LEVEL. We tie compensation to performance by
relying upon an incentive-based pay system at both the platform and
dealership levels. At the platform level all our senior management are
compensated on an incentive-based pay system while 71% of the senior
management at our nine platforms have a stake in our performance based
upon their ownership of approximately 40% of our total equity, and will
continue to own [ ]% after giving effect to this offering. We also create
incentives at the dealership level. Each dealership is managed as a
separate profit center by a trained and experienced general manager who
has primary responsibility for decisions relating to inventory,
advertising, pricing and personnel. We compensate our general managers
based on dealership profitability, and the compensation of department
managers is similarly based upon departmental profitability. Approximately
80% of compensation earned by our dealerships' general managers and sales
forces in 2000 and the first six months of 2001 was earned through
commissions and performance-based bonuses.
ADVANTAGEOUS BRAND MIX
We classify our primary franchise sales lines into luxury, mid-line import,
mid-line domestic and value. We believe that our current brand mix includes a
higher proportion of luxury and mid-line imports franchises to total franchises
than most other public automotive retailers. Luxury and
35
mid-line imports together accounted for approximately 63% of our 2000 new retail
vehicle revenues and 68% of our new retail vehicle revenue in the first six
months of 2001, and comprise over half of our total franchises. Luxury and
mid-line imports generate above average gross margins on sales, and have greater
customer loyalty and repeat purchases than mid-line domestic and value
automobiles. We also believe that luxury vehicle sales are less susceptible to
economic cycles.
The following is a list of franchises currently owned and franchises
expected to be acquired through pending acquisitions:
% OF TOTAL % OF 2000
CURRENT AND NEW VEHICLE
CLASS/FRANCHISE CURRENT PENDING PENDING FRANCHISES REVENUE RETAIL
--------------- -------- -------- ------------------- ---------------
LUXURY
Acura................................. 5
Audi.................................. 3
BMW................................... 6
Cadillac.............................. 1
Infiniti.............................. 3
Jaguar................................ 1
Land Rover(a)......................... 1
Lexus................................. 3
Lincoln............................... 5 1
Mercedes-Benz......................... 3
Porsche............................... 2
Volvo................................. 3
--- ---
TOTAL LUXURY...................... 36 1 28% 25%
MID-LINE IMPORT
Honda................................. 11
Mazda................................. 6
Mitsubishi............................ 3
Nissan................................ 9
Subaru................................ 1
Toyota................................ 5
Volkswagen............................ 1
---
TOTAL MID-LINE IMPORT............. 36 27% 38%
MID-LINE DOMESTIC
Buick................................. 2
Chevrolet............................. 3
Chrysler.............................. 2 1
Dodge................................. 3
Ford.................................. 7
GMC................................... 6
Jeep.................................. 2 1
Mercury............................... 5 1
Pontiac............................... 6 1
--- ---
TOTAL MID-LINE DOMESTIC........... 36 4 30% 28%
VALUE
Daewoo................................ 1
Hyundai............................... 4
Isuzu................................. 3
Kia................................... 4
Suzuki................................ 3
---
TOTAL VALUE....................... 15 12% 4%
HEAVY TRUCKS
Hino.................................. 1
Isuzu................................. 1
Navistar.............................. 1
Peterbilt............................. 1
---
TOTAL HEAVY TRUCKS................ 4 3% 5%
--- --- ---- ----
TOTAL................................. 127 5 100% 100%
=== === ==== ====
------------------------------
(a) Minority owned and operated by us. See "Related Party Transactions" for a
description of our ownership interest in this franchise.
36
REGIONAL CONCENTRATION AND STRONG BRANDING OF OUR PLATFORMS
- REGIONAL CONCENTRATION. Each of our platforms, which is comprised of
between eight and 22 franchises, sold an average of over 19,000 cars and
generated average pro forma annual revenues of approximately $500 million
in 2000, and each sold an average of over 9,000 cars on a pro forma basis
and generated average pro forma revenues of approximately $250 million
during the six months ended June 30, 2001. Our regional concentration and
strong brand recognition allow our platforms to realize significant
regional economies of scale.
- BRANDING. Each of our platforms maintains a strong regional brand. We
believe that our cultivation of strong regional brands can be beneficial
because:
- platforms enjoy strong local brand recognition from their long presence
and regional advertising;
- consumers may prefer to interact with a locally recognized brand;
- placing our franchises in one region under a single brand allows us to
generate significant advertising savings; and
- our platforms can retain customers even as they purchase and service
different automobile brands.
DIVERSIFIED REVENUE STREAMS/VARIABLE COST STRUCTURE
Our operations provide a diversified revenue base that we believe mitigates
the impact of slower new car sales volumes. Used car sales and parts, service
and collision repair, which represented 37% of our total 2000 revenue and 39% of
our revenue for the first six months of 2001, generate higher profit margins
than new car sales and tend to fluctuate less with economic cycles. In addition,
our variable cost structure helps us manage expenses in an economic downturn, as
a large part of our operating expenses consist of incentive-based compensation,
vehicle carrying costs and advertising.
- NEW VEHICLES. Our franchises include a diverse portfolio of 36 American,
European and Asian brands. We believe that our diverse brand, product and
price mix enables us to reduce our exposure to specific product supply
shortages and changing customer preferences. New vehicle sales were
approximately 61% of our total revenues and 32% of total gross profit in
2000, and approximately 59% of our total revenues and 30% of total gross
profit in the first six months of 2001.
- USED VEHICLES. We sell used vehicles at virtually all our franchised
dealerships. Retail sales of used vehicles has become an increasingly
significant source of profit for us, making up approximately 26% of our
total revenues and 16% of total gross profit in 2000, and approximately
27% of our total revenues and 16% of total gross profit in the first six
months of 2001. We obtain used vehicles through customer trade-ins,
auctions restricted to new vehicle dealers (offering off-lease, rental and
fleet vehicles) and "open" auctions which offer repossessed vehicles and
vehicles sold by other dealers. We sell our used vehicles to retail
customers when possible. We dispose of used vehicles that are not
purchased by retail customers through sales to other dealers and at
auction.
- FINANCE AND INSURANCE. We arranged customer financing on over 70% of the
vehicles we sold in 2000 and in the first six months of 2001. These
transactions result in commissions being paid to us by the indirect
lenders, including manufacturer-captive finance arms. In addition to the
finance commissions, each of these transactions creates other highly
profitable sales opportunities, including extended service contracts and
various insurance-related products for the consumer. Our size and sales
volume motivate vendors to provide
37
these products to us at substantially reduced fees compared to industry
norms which result in competitive advantages as well as acquisition
synergies. Furthermore, many of the insurance products we sell result in
additional underwriting profits and investment income yields based on
portfolio performances. Profits from finance and insurance generated
approximately 2% of our total revenues and 15% of our total gross profit
in 2000, and approximately 2% of our total revenues and 15% of total gross
profit in the first six months of 2001.
- PARTS, SERVICE AND COLLISION REPAIR. We sell parts and provide maintenance
and repair service at all our franchised dealerships. In addition, we have
23 free-standing collision repair centers in close proximity to
dealerships in substantially all our platforms. Our dealerships and
collision repair centers collectively operate approximately 1,600 service
bays. Profits from parts, service and collision repair centers were
approximately 11% of our total revenues and 37% of our total gross profit
in 2000, and approximately 11% of our total revenues and 39% of total
gross profit in the first six months of 2001.
OUR STRATEGY
Our objective is to be the most profitable automotive retailer in select
markets in the United States. To achieve this objective, we intend to grow
through targeted acquisitions, expand our higher margin businesses, emphasize
decentralized dealership operations and enhance our customer relationship
management.
CONTINUED GROWTH THROUGH TARGETED ACQUISITIONS
We intend to continue to grow through acquisitions. We will seek to
establish platforms in new markets through acquisitions of large, profitable and
well-managed dealership groups. In addition, we will pursue tuck-in acquisitions
to complement the related platform by increasing brand diversity, market
coverage and services.
- PLATFORM ACQUISITIONS. We will seek to establish platforms in new
geographic markets through acquisitions of large, profitable and
well-managed dealership groups in metropolitan and high-growth suburban
markets in which we are not currently present. We will target those
platforms with superior operational and financial management personnel. We
believe that the retention of existing high quality management who
understand the local market will enable acquired platforms to continue to
operate efficiently, while allowing us to source future acquisitions more
effectively and expand our operations without having to employ and train
untested new personnel. Moreover, we believe we are well-positioned to
pursue larger, established acquisition candidates as a result of the
reputation of the original owners of our nine platforms as leaders in the
automotive retailing industry.
- TUCK-IN ACQUISITIONS. One of our goals is to become the market leader in
every region in which we operate a platform. We plan to acquire additional
dealerships in each of the markets in which we operate, including
acquisitions that increase the brands, products and services offered in
that market. Since 1995 we have made 15 tuck-in acquisitions (representing
34 franchises) to add additional strength and brand diversity to our
platforms. We believe that these acquisitions in the past and in the
future will facilitate our regional operating efficiencies and cost
savings in areas such as advertising and facility and personnel
utilization. We have recently entered into definitive agreements to
acquire five franchises consisting of Chrysler, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercury and
Pontiac franchises in Jackson, Mississippi and Orange Park, Florida for a
total cash consideration of $8.4 million.
- FOCUS ON ACQUISITIONS PROVIDING GEOGRAPHIC AND BRAND DIVERSITY. By
focusing on geographic and brand diversity, we seek to manage economic
risk and drive growth and profitability. By having a presence in all major
brands and by avoiding concentration with one
38
manufacturer, we are well positioned to reduce our exposure to specific
product supply shortages and changing customer preferences. At the same
time, we will seek to continue to increase the proportion of our
dealerships that are in markets with favorable demographic characteristics
or that are franchises of fast-growing, high margin brands. In particular,
we will focus on luxury dealerships (such as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz)
and mid-line import dealerships (such as Honda, Toyota and Nissan). On an
ongoing basis we will continue to evaluate the performance of our
dealerships to determine if the sale of a particular dealership is
advisable.
FOCUS ON HIGHER MARGIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
While new vehicle sales are critical to drawing customers to our
dealerships, used vehicle retail sales, parts, service and collision repair and
finance and insurance provide significantly higher gross profit margins. We
currently derive approximately two-thirds of our total gross profit from these
areas. In addition, we have discipline-specific executives at both the corporate
and platform level who focus on both increasing the penetration of current
services and expanding the breadth of our offerings to customers. While each of
our platforms operates independently in a manner consistent with its specific
market's characteristics, each platform will pursue an integrated strategy to
grow these higher margin businesses to enhance profitability and stimulate
internal growth.
- FINANCE AND INSURANCE. We intend to continue to bolster our finance and
insurance revenues by offering a broad range of conventional finance and
lease alternatives to fund the purchase of new and used vehicles. In
addition to financing vehicle sales, we intend to expand our already broad
offering of customer products like credit insurance, extended service
contracts, maintenance programs and a host of other niche products to meet
all of our customer needs on a "one stop" shopping basis. Furthermore,
based on size and scale, we believe we will be able to continue
negotiating with lending institutions and product providers to increase
commissions on each of the products and services we sell. Moreover,
continued in-depth sales training efforts and innovative computer
technologies will serve as important tools in enhancing our finance and
insurance profitability.
- PARTS, SERVICE AND COLLISION REPAIR. Each of our platforms offers parts
and performs vehicle service work and substantially all of our platforms
operate collision repair centers, all of which provide an important source
of recurring higher gross profit margins. Currently, gross profit
generated from these businesses absorbs approximately 60% of our total
operating expenses, excluding salespersons' compensation. Expanding this
absorption rate through focused marketing and customer relationship
management represents a major opportunity for growth.
DECENTRALIZED DEALERSHIP OPERATIONS
We believe that decentralized dealership operations on a platform basis
empower our retail network to provide market-specific responses to sales,
service, marketing and inventory requirements. These operations are complemented
by centralized technology and financial controls, as well as sharing of best
practices and market intelligence throughout the organization.
While our administrative headquarters is located in Stamford, Connecticut,
the day-to-day responsibility for the dealerships rests with each regional
management team. Each of our platforms has a management structure that is
intended to promote and reward entrepreneurial spirit and the achievement of
team goals.
39
The chart below depicts our typical platform management structure:
AVERAGE EXPERIENCE OF PLATFORM MANAGEMENT
[FLOW CHART OF PLATFORM MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE]
Each of our dealerships is managed by a general manager who has authority
over day-to-day operations. The general manager of each dealership is supported
by a management team consisting, in most circumstances, of a new vehicle sales
manager, a used vehicle sales manager, a finance and insurance manager and parts
and service managers. Our dealerships are operated as distinct profit centers in
which the general managers are given significant autonomy. The general managers
are responsible for the operations, personnel and financial performance of their
dealerships.
We employ professional management practices in all aspects of our
operations, including information technology and employee training. A peer
review process is also in place in which the platform managers address best
practices, operational challenges and successes, and formulate goals for other
platforms. Platforms utilize computer-based management information systems to
monitor each dealership's sales, profitability and inventory on a daily basis.
We believe the application of professional management practices provides us with
a competitive advantage over many dealerships. In addition, platform management
teams' thorough understanding of the local market enables them to effectively
run day-to-day operations, recruit new employees and gauge acquisition
opportunities in their market area.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
We are implementing a CRM initiative to increase customer loyalty and
satisfaction and reduce marketing costs by redirecting expenditures from mass
media to targeted communications. We expect to create a differentiated customer
experience, allowing us to capture a greater percentage of our targeted
households' automotive spending. Our CRM initiative includes the engagement of
McKinsey & Company, a leading management consulting firm, to help develop the
program and
40
pilot it in Jacksonville. We are also investing in a CRM software solution to
provide the necessary technological tools.
We believe the retail auto industry is ripe for CRM given high customer
(household) lifetime value, coupled with the industry's historic focus on
short-term transactions as opposed to long-term customer retention. In addition
to driving incremental new and used purchases over a multi-year period for a
given household, we can benefit from incremental finance and insurance purchases
and greater service expenditures, particularly post warranty. We also know that
profitability varies dramatically by customer segment, as it does in most retail
sectors; thus, we expect to benefit from initiatives that successfully target
high value segments.
SALES AND MARKETING
NEW VEHICLE SALES. Our new vehicle retail sales include new vehicle retail
lease transactions and other similar agreements, which are arranged by our
individual dealerships. New vehicle leases generally have short terms, which
cause customers to return to a dealership more frequently than in the case of
financed purchases. In addition, leases provide us with a steady source of
late-model, off-lease vehicles for our used vehicle inventory. Generally, leased
vehicles remain under factory warranty for the term of the lease, allowing
dealerships to provide repair service to the lessee throughout the lease term.
Historically, less than 2% of our new vehicle sales revenue is derived from
fleet sales, which are generally conducted on a commission basis.
We design our dealership service to meet the needs of our customers and
establish relationships that will result in both repeat business and additional
business through customer referrals. Our dealerships employ varying sales
techniques to address changes in consumer preference.
We incentivize our dealership managers to employ more efficient selling
approaches, engage in extensive follow-up to develop long-term relationships
with customers and extensively train sales staffs to be able to meet customer
needs. We continually evaluate innovative ways to improve the buying experience
for our customers and believe that our ability to share best practices across
our dealerships gives us an advantage over other dealerships.
We acquire substantially all our new vehicle inventory from manufacturers.
Manufacturers allocate limited inventory among their franchised dealers based
primarily on sales volume and input from dealers. We finance our inventory
purchases through revolving credit arrangements known in the industry as floor
plan facilities.
USED VEHICLE SALES. Used vehicle sales typically generate higher gross
margins than new vehicle sales. We intend to grow our used vehicle sales by
maintaining a high quality inventory, providing competitive prices and extended
service contracts and continuing to enhance our marketing initiatives.
Profits from sales of used vehicles are dependent primarily on the ability
of our dealerships to obtain a high quality supply of used vehicles and
effectively manage inventory. New vehicle operations provide our used vehicle
operations with a large supply of high quality trade-ins and off-lease vehicles,
which we believe are the best sources of attractive used vehicle inventory. We
supplement our used inventory with vehicles purchased at auctions.
Used vehicles are generally offered at our dealerships for 45 to 60 days on
average, after which, if they have not been sold to a retail buyer, they are
either sold to an outside dealer or offered at auction. During 2000 and for the
first six months of 2001, approximately 77% of used vehicles sales were made to
retail buyers. We may transfer used vehicles among dealerships to provide
balanced inventories of used vehicles at each of our dealerships. We believe
that acquisitions of additional dealerships will expand the internal market for
transfer of used vehicles among our dealerships and, therefore, increase the
ability of each dealership to offer a balanced mix of used vehicles. We
developed integrated computer inventory systems allowing us to coordinate
vehicle transfers among our dealerships, primarily on a regional basis.
41
Several steps have been taken towards building client confidence in our used
vehicle inventory, one of which includes participation in the manufacturers'
certification processes which are available only to new vehicle franchises. This
process makes certain used vehicles eligible for new vehicle benefits such as
new vehicle finance rates and extended manufacturer warranties. In addition,
each dealership offers extended warranties on our used car sales.
FINANCE AND INSURANCE. We arranged customer financing on over 70% of the
vehicles we sold in 2000 and during the first six months of 2001, approximately
99% of which was non-recourse to us. These transactions generate commission
revenue from indirect lenders, including manufacturer captive finance arms. In
addition to finance commissions, each of these transactions creates other
opportunities for more profitable sales, such as extended service contracts and
various insurance-related products for the consumer. Our size and volume
capabilities motivate vendors to provide these products at substantially reduced
fees compared to the industry average which result in competitive advantages as
well as acquisition synergies. Furthermore, many of the insurance products we
sell result in additional underwriting profits and investment income yields
based on portfolio performances.
PARTS, SERVICE AND COLLISION REPAIR. Historically, the automotive repair
industry has been highly fragmented. However, we believe that the increased use
of advanced technology in vehicles has made it difficult for independent repair
shops to achieve the expertise required to perform major or technical repairs.
Additionally, manufacturers permit warranty work to be performed only at
franchised dealerships. As a result, unlike independent service stations or
independent and superstore used car dealerships with service operations, our
franchised dealerships are qualified to perform work covered by manufacturer
warranties on increasingly technologically complex motor vehicles.
Our profitability in parts and service can be attributed to our
comprehensive management system, including the use of variable rate pricing
structures, cultivation of strong client relationships through an emphasis on
preventive maintenance and the efficient management of parts inventory.
We use variable rate structures designed to reflect the difficulty and
sophistication of different types of repairs to compensate employees working in
parts and service. The percentage mark-ups on parts are also variably priced
based on market conditions for different parts.
One of our major goals is to retain each vehicle purchaser as a long-term
customer of our parts and service department. Currently, only 30% of customers
return to our dealerships for other services after the vehicle warranty expires.
Significant opportunity for growth exists in the auxiliary services part of our
business. Each dealership has systems in place to track customer maintenance
records and notify owners of vehicles purchased at the dealerships when their
vehicles are due for periodic services. Service and repair activities are an
integral part of our overall approach to customer service.
ADVERTISING. Our largest advertising medium is local newspapers, followed
by radio, television, direct mail and the yellow pages. The retail automotive
industry has traditionally used locally produced, largely unprofessional
materials, often developed under the direction of each dealership's general
manager. Each of our platforms has created common marketing materials for their
dealerships using professional advertising agencies. Our corporate chief
marketing officer helps oversee and share creative materials and general
marketing best practices across platforms. Our total company marketing expense
was $42.2 million in 2000 and $21.2 million for the first six months of 2001
which translates into an average of $273 and $278, respectively, per retail
vehicle sold. In addition, manufacturers' direct advertising spending in support
of their brands provides approximately 60% of the total amount spent on new car
advertising in the U.S.
COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. We are focused on providing a high level of
customer service to meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and
demanding automotive consumer. We strive to cultivate lasting relationships with
our customers, which we believe enhances the opportunity for significant repeat
and referral business. For example, our platforms regard service
42
and repair operations as an integral part of the overall approach to customer
service, providing an opportunity to foster ongoing relationships with customers
and deepen loyalty.
INTERNET AND E-COMMERCE. We believe that the growth of the Internet and
e-commerce represents a new opportunity to build our platforms' brands and
expand the geographic borders of their markets. We are applying e-commerce to
our strategy of executing professionally developed best practices under the
supervision of discipline-specific central management throughout our autonomous
platforms. We believe that our e-commerce strategy constitutes a coherent,
cost-effective and sustainable approach that allows us to leverage the projected
growth of the Internet.
At the corporate level, information technology-e-commerce executives set the
parameters of our overall e-commerce strategy. Our strategy mandates that each
platform establish a website that incorporates a professional design to
reinforce the platform's unique brand and advanced functionalities to ensure
that the website can hold the attention of customers and perform the
informational and interactive functions for which the Internet is uniquely
suited. Manufacturer website links provide our platforms with key sources of
referrals.
Our commitment to e-commerce flows through to the platform level. Each
platform maintains an e-commerce department, staffed with dedicated personnel,
to promote the platform's brand over the World Wide Web and capitalize on
Internet-originated sales leads. Many platforms use the Internet to communicate
with customers both prior to vehicle purchase and after purchase to coordinate
and market maintenance and repair services. Finally, each platform utilizes the
Internet as an integral part of its overall branding and advertising efforts by
ensuring that its website is aggressively promoted and periodically upgraded.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. We consolidate financial, accounting and
operational data received from our dealers nationwide through an exclusive
private communication network.
The data from the dealers is gathered and processed through their individual
dealer management system. All our dealers use software from ADP, Inc.,
Reynolds & Reynolds, Co. or UCS, Inc. as their dealer management system. Our
systems strategy allows for our platforms to choose the dealer management system
that best fits their daily operational needs. We aggregate the information from
the three disparate systems at our corporate headquarters to create one single
view of the business using the Hyperion financial systems.
Our information technology allows us to quickly integrate and aggregate the
information from a new acquisition. By creating a connection over our private
network between the dealer management system and corporate Hyperion financial
systems, corporate management can quickly view the financial, accounting and
operational data of the newly acquired dealer. In that way, we can efficiently
integrate the acquired dealer into our operational strategy.
COMPETITION
In new vehicle sales, our platforms compete primarily with other franchised
dealerships in their regions. We do not have any cost advantage in purchasing
new vehicles from the manufacturers. Instead, we rely on advertising and
merchandising, sales expertise, service reputation and location of our
dealerships to sell new vehicles. In recent years, automobile dealers have also
faced increased competition in the sale or lease of new vehicles from
independent leasing companies, on-line purchasing services and warehouse clubs.
Our used vehicle operations compete with other franchised dealers, independent
used car dealers, automobile rental agencies and private parties for supply and
resale of used vehicles. See "Risk Factors--Substantial competition in
automobile sales may adversely affect our profitability."
In our vehicle financing business, we compete with direct consumer lending
institutions such as local banks, savings and loans and credit unions, including
through the Internet. Our ability to offer manufacturer-subsidized financing
terms as part of an incentive-based sales strategy can place
43
us at a competitive advantage relative to independent financing companies. We
also compete in this area based on:
- interest rates; and
- convenience of "one stop shopping," which we offer by arranging vehicle
financing at the point of purchase.
We seek to reduce our cost of funds, and as a result, the interest rates we
charge, through leveraging our volume of business to obtain discounted terms.
We compete against other franchised dealers to perform warranty repairs and
against other automobile dealers, franchised and independent service centers for
non-warranty repair and routine maintenance business. We compete with other
automobile dealers, service stores and auto parts retailers in our parts
operations. We believe that the principal competitive factors in parts and
service sales are the use of factory-approved replacement parts, price, the
familiarity with a manufacturer's brands and models and the quality of customer
service. A number of regional and national chains offer selected parts and
services at prices that may be lower than our prices.
FACILITIES
We have 127 franchises situated in 87 dealership locations throughout nine
states. We lease 49 of these locations and own the remainder. In addition, we
operate 23 collision repair centers.
COLLISION REPAIR
DEALERSHIPS CENTERS
------------------- -------------------
OWNED LEASED OWNED LEASED
-------- -------- -------- --------
Arkansas................................... 0 6 1 1
Atlanta.................................... 7 4 1 3
Jacksonville............................... 13 2 5 1
Mississippi................................ 5 2 0 0
North Carolina............................. 8 4 1 0
Oregon..................................... 0 10 0 2
St. Louis.................................. 5 0 1 0
Tampa...................................... 0 12 0 2
Texas...................................... 0 9 0 5
-- -- -- --
Total...................................... 38 49 9 14
== == == ==
We lease our corporate headquarters, which is located at 3 Landmark Square,
Suite 500 in Stamford, Connecticut.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS
Each of our dealerships operates pursuant to franchise agreements between
the applicable manufacturer and the dealership. The typical automotive franchise
agreement specifies the locations at which the dealer has the right and
obligation to sell the manufacturer's automobiles and related parts and products
and to perform certain approved services. The franchise agreement grants the
dealer the non-exclusive right to use and display the manufacturer's trademarks,
service marks and designs in the form and manner approved by the manufacturer.
The allocation of new vehicles among dealerships is subject to the
discretion of the manufacturer, which generally does not guarantee a dealership
exclusivity within a given territory. A franchise agreement may impose
requirements on the dealer concerning such matters as the showrooms, the
facilities and equipment for servicing vehicles, the maintenance of inventories
of vehicles and parts, the maintenance of minimum net working capital, the
achievement of certain minimum customer service and satisfaction standards and
the training of personnel. Compliance with these requirements is closely
monitored by the manufacturer. In addition, many manufacturers require each
dealership to submit monthly and annual financial statements.
We are subject to additional provisions contained in supplemental
agreements, framework agreements or franchise addenda, which we collectively
refer to as "franchise framework agreements." Many of our dealerships are also
subject to these agreements. Franchise framework
44
agreements impose requirements similar to those discussed above, as well as
limitations on changes in our ownership or management and limitations on the
number of a particular manufacturer's franchises we may own. In addition, we are
party to an agreement with General Motors Corporation under which we have
divested ourselves of and agreed not to acquire Saturn franchises.
PROVISIONS FOR TERMINATION OR NON-RENEWAL OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS. Certain
franchise agreements expire after a specified period of time, ranging from one
to five years, and we expect to renew expiring agreements for franchises we wish
to continue in the ordinary course of business. Typical franchise agreements
provide for termination or non-renewal by the manufacturer under certain
circumstances, including insolvency or bankruptcy of the dealership, failure to
adequately operate the dealership, failure to maintain any license, permit or
authorization required for the conduct of business, or material breach of other
provisions of the franchise agreement. Some of our franchise agreements and
franchise framework agreements provide that the manufacturer may acquire our
dealerships or terminate the franchise agreement if a person or entity acquires
an equity interest above a specified level (ranging from 20% to 50% depending on
the particular manufacturer's restriction) in us without the approval of the
applicable manufacturer. This trigger can fall to as low as 5% if the entity
acquiring the equity interest in us is another automobile manufacturer or a
felon whose conviction stems from fraudulent sales practices or violations of
state or federal consumer protection laws. Some manufacturers also restrict
changes in the membership of our board of directors. Although our franchise
agreements may not be renewed or may be terminated prior to the conclusion of
their terms, manufacturers have rarely chosen to take such action. Further, as
discussed below, state dealer laws substantially limit the ability of
manufacturers to terminate or fail to renew franchise agreements. See "Risk
Factors--If we fail to obtain renewals of one or more of our franchise
agreements from vehicle manufacturers on favorable terms, or if one or more of
our franchise agreements are terminated, our operations could be significantly
compromised."
MANUFACTURERS' LIMITATIONS ON ACQUISITIONS. We are required to obtain the
consent of the applicable manufacturer before we can acquire any additional
dealership franchises. Six of our manufacturers impose limits on the number of
dealerships we are permitted to own at the metropolitan, regional and national
levels. These limits vary according to the agreements we have with each of the
manufacturers but are generally based on fixed numerical limits or on a fixed
percentage of the aggregate sales of the manufacturer. We currently own the
maximum number of dealerships allowed under our franchise agreement with Acura
and have only one more dealership available for Jaguar. We are also approaching
the ownership limits allocated under our framework franchise agreement with
Toyota. Unless we renegotiate these franchise agreements or receive the consent
of the manufacturers, we may be prevented from making further acquisitions upon
reaching the limits provided for in these framework franchise agreements.
STATE DEALER LAWS. We operate in states that have state dealer laws
limiting manufacturers' ability to terminate dealer franchise agreements. We are
basing the following discussion of state dealer laws on our understanding of
these laws and therefore, the description may not be accurate. State dealer laws
generally provide that it is a violation for manufacturers to terminate or
refuse to renew franchise agreements unless they provide written notice to the
dealers setting forth good cause and stating the grounds for termination or
nonrenewal. State dealer laws typically require 60 to 90 days advance notice to
dealers prior to termination or nonrenewal of a franchise agreement. Some state
dealer laws allow dealers to file protests or petitions within the notice period
and allow dealers an opportunity to comply with the manufacturers' criteria.
These statutes also provide that manufacturers are prohibited from unreasonably
withholding approval for a proposed change in ownership of the dealership.
Acceptable grounds for disapproval include material reasons relating to the
character, financial ability or business experience of the proposed transferee.
See "Risk Factors--If state dealer laws are repealed or weakened, our
dealerships will be more susceptible to termination, non-renewal or
re-negotiation of their franchise agreements."
45
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
A number of federal, state and local regulations affect our marketing,
selling, financing and servicing of automobiles. The nine platforms also are
subject to state laws and regulations relating to business corporations
generally.
Under various state laws, each of our dealerships must obtain a license in
order to establish, operate or relocate a dealership or provide certain
automotive repair services. These laws also regulate conduct of our businesses,
including advertising and sales practices. Other states into which we may expand
our operations in the future are likely to have similar requirements.
Our financing activities with our customers are subject to federal
truth-in-lending, consumer leasing and equal credit opportunity regulations as
well as state and local motor vehicle finance laws, installment finance laws,
insurance laws, usury laws and other installment sales laws. Some states
regulate finance fees that may be paid as a result of vehicle sales. Penalties
for violation of any of these laws or regulations may include revocation of
necessary licenses, assessment of criminal and civil fines and penalties, and in
certain instances, create a private cause of action for individuals. We believe
that we comply substantially with all laws and regulations affecting our
business and do not have any material liabilities under such laws and
regulations and that compliance with all such laws and regulations will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our capital
expenditures, earnings or competitive position, and we do not anticipate that
such compliance will have a material effect on us in the future. See "Risk
Factors--Governmental regulations and environmental regulation compliance costs
may adversely affect our profitability."
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
We are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations,
including those governing discharges into the air and water, the storage of
petroleum substances and chemicals, the handling and disposal of wastes and the
remediation of contamination. As with automobile dealerships generally, and
service and parts and collision repair center operations in particular, our
business involves the generation, use, handling and disposal of hazardous or
toxic substances and wastes. Operations involving the management of wastes are
subject to requirements of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
and comparable state statutes. Pursuant to these laws, federal and state
environmental agencies have established approved methods for handling, storage,
treatment, transportation and disposal of regulated substances and wastes with
which we must comply.
Our business also involves the use of above ground and underground storage
tanks. Under applicable laws and regulations, we are responsible for the proper
use, maintenance and abandonment of our regulated storage tanks and for
remediation of subsurface soils and groundwater impacted by releases from
existing or abandoned storage tanks. In addition to these regulated tanks, we
own, operate, or have otherwise closed in place other underground and above
ground devices or containers (such as automotive lifts and service pits) that
may not be classified as regulated tanks, but which could or may have released
stored materials into the environment, thereby potentially obligating us to
clean up any soils or groundwater resulting from such releases.
We are also subject to laws and regulations governing remediation of
contamination at or from our facilities or to which we send hazardous or toxic
substances or wastes for treatment, recycling or disposal. The Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, also known as
the "Superfund" law, imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality
of the original conduct, on those that are considered to have contributed to the
release of a "hazardous substance." Responsible parties include the owner or
operator of the site or sites where the release occurred and companies that
disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances released at
such sites. These responsible parties may be subject to joint and several
liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been
released into the environment and for damages to natural resources. It is not
uncommon for neighboring
46
landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and
property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances.
Further, the Federal Clean Water Act and comparable state statutes prohibit
discharges of pollutants into regulated waters without the necessary permits,
require containment of potential discharges of oil or hazardous substances and
require preparation of spill contingency plans. We believe that we are in
material compliance with those wastewater discharge requirements as well as
requirements for the containment of potential discharges and spill contingency
planning.
Environmental laws and regulations are very complex and it has become
difficult for businesses that routinely handle hazardous and non-hazardous
wastes to achieve and maintain full compliance with all applicable environmental
laws. From time to time we experience incidents and encounter conditions that
will not be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. However, none
of our dealerships have been subject to any material environmental liabilities
in the past and we do not anticipate that any material environmental liabilities
will be incurred in the future. Nevertheless, environmental laws and regulations
and their interpretation and enforcement are changed frequently and we believe
that the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental legislation and
regulations is likely to continue. Hence, there can be no assurance that
compliance with environmental laws or regulations or the future discovery of
unknown environmental conditions will not require additional expenditures by us,
or that such expenditures would not be material. See "Risk Factors--Governmental
regulations and environmental regulation compliance costs may adversely affect
our profitability."
EMPLOYEES
As of June 30, 2001, we employed approximately 7,030 people, of whom
approximately 590 were employed in managerial positions, approximately 1,800
were employed in non-managerial sales positions, approximately 3,800 were
employed in non-managerial parts and service positions, approximately 650 were
employed in administrative support positions and approximately 200 were employed
in non-managerial finance and insurance positions. We intend, upon completion of
the offering, to provide certain executive officers and managers with options to
purchase common stock and believe this equity incentive will be attractive to
our existing and prospective employees. See "Management--2001 Stock Option
Plan".
We believe our relationship with our employees is favorable. None of our
employees are represented by a labor union. Because of our dependence on vehicle
manufacturers, however, we may be affected by labor strikes, work slowdowns and
walkouts at vehicle manufacturers' production facilities.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND INSURANCE
From time to time, we and our nine platforms are named in claims involving
the manufacture of automobiles, contractual disputes and other matters arising
in the ordinary course of our business. Currently, no legal proceedings are
pending against us or the nine platforms that, in management's opinion, could be
expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
or results of operations.
Because of their vehicle inventory and nature of business, automobile retail
dealerships generally require significant levels of insurance covering a broad
variety of risks. Our insurance program includes two umbrella policies with a
total per occurrence and aggregate limit of $100 million. We also have insurance
on our real property, comprehensive coverage for our vehicle inventory, garage
liability and general liability insurance, employee dishonesty insurance and
errors and omissions insurance in connection with our vehicle sales and
financing activities.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Automotive retailing, with 2000 industry sales of approximately $1 trillion,
is the largest consumer retail market in the U.S., representing approximately 9%
of gross domestic product according to figures provided by the Bureau of
Economic Analysis. Since 1996, retail new vehicle unit sales have grown at a
3.5% compound annual rate. Over the same period, retail used vehicle
47
units have grown at a 0.7% compound annual rate. Retail sales of new vehicles,
which are conducted exclusively through new vehicle dealers, were approximately
$386 billion in 2000. In addition, used vehicle sales in 2000 were estimated at
$367 billion, with approximately $306 billion in sales by franchised and
independent dealers and the balance in privately negotiated transactions.
Of the approximately 17.4 million new vehicles sold in the United States in
2000, approximately 28.3% were manufactured by General Motors Corporation, 24.1%
by Ford Motor Company, 15.7% by DaimlerChrysler Corporation, 9.3% by Toyota
Motor Corp., 6.7% by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 4.3% by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and
11.6% by other manufacturers. Sales of newer used vehicles have increased over
the past five years, primarily as a result of the greater availability of newer
used vehicles due to the increased popularity of short-term leases.
Approximately 44 million used vehicles were sold in 2000. Franchised dealers
accounted for 16.2 million, or 37%, of all used vehicle units sold. Independent
lots accounted for 31% with the balance accounted for in privately negotiated
transactions.
INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION. Franchised dealerships were originally established
by automobile manufacturers for the distribution of new vehicles. In return for
granting dealers exclusive distribution rights within specified territories,
manufacturers exerted significant influence over their dealers by limiting the
transferability of ownership in dealerships, designating the dealership's
location, and managing the supply and composition of the dealership's inventory.
These arrangements resulted in the proliferation of small, single-owner
operations that, at their peak in the late 1940's, totaled almost 50,000. As a
result of competitive, economic and political pressures during the 1970's and
1980's, significant changes and consolidation occurred in the automotive retail
industry. One of the most significant changes was the increased penetration by
foreign manufacturers and the resulting loss of market share by domestic
manufacturers, which forced many dealerships to close or sell to better
capitalized dealership groups. According to industry data, the number of
franchised dealerships has declined from approximately 27,900 in 1980 to
approximately 22,000 in 2000. Although significant consolidation has taken place
since the automotive retailing industry's inception, the industry today remains
highly fragmented, with the largest 100 dealer groups generating less than 10%
of total sales revenues and controlling less than 8% of all franchised
dealerships.
We believe that further consolidation is likely due to increased capital
requirements of dealerships, the limited number of viable alternative exit
strategies for dealership owners and the desire of certain manufacturers to
strengthen their brand identity by consolidating their franchised dealerships.
We also believe that an opportunity exists for dealership groups with
significant equity capital and experience in identifying, acquiring and
professionally managing dealerships, to acquire additional dealerships for cash,
stock, debt or a combination thereof. Publicly-owned dealer groups, such as
ours, are able to offer prospective sellers tax-advantaged transactions through
the use of publicly traded stock which may, in certain circumstances, make them
more attractive to prospective sellers.
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES. In addition to new and used vehicles, dealerships
offer a wide range of other products and services, including repair and warranty
work, replacement parts, extended warranty coverage, financing and insurance. In
2000, the average dealership's revenue consisted of 60% new vehicle sales, 29%
used vehicle sales and 11% parts and services. Sales of newer used vehicles by
franchised dealers have increased over the past five years, primarily as a
result of the substantial increase in new vehicle prices and the greater
availability of newer used vehicles due to the increased popularity of
short-term leases. Franchised dealers retailed 16.2 million used vehicles in
2000, amounting to only 37% of all used vehicles sold in the U.S. Independent
used vehicle dealers and private transactions accounted for the rest of the
43.9 million used vehicles sold in 2000.
48
MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Set forth below are the names of our executive officers and directors,
together with their ages and positions.
NAME AGE POSITION
---- -------- --------
Thomas R. Gibson............ 59 Chairman, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director
Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, 55 Vice Chairman of the Company
III.......................
Thomas F. Gilman............ 50 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Thomas G. McCollum.......... 45 Vice President -- Finance and Insurance
Phillip R. Johnson.......... 52 Vice President -- Human Resources
Allen T. Levenson........... 38 Vice President -- Marketing and Customer Experience
Timothy C. Collins.......... 45 Director
C.V. "Jim" Nalley........... 58 Director
John M. Roth................ 43 Director
Ian K. Snow................. 32 Director
Set forth below is a brief description of our directors' and executive
officers' business experience.
THOMAS R. GIBSON has served as our interim chief executive officer since
October 2001. He is one of our founders and served as our chairman from 1995 to
October 2001. Mr. Gibson has over 30 years experience in the automotive
retailing industry. Prior to joining us, he served as president and chief
operating officer of Subaru of America. Mr. Gibson was part of Lee Iacocca's
management team at Chrysler from 1980 to 1982, where he served as director of
marketing operations and general manager of import operations. He began his
career in 1967 with the Ford Motor Company and held key marketing and field
management positions in both the Lincoln-Mercury and Ford divisions. Mr. Gibson
serves on the board of directors of IKON Office Solutions, including its Audit,
Executive and Strategies committees. Mr. Gibson is a graduate of DePauw
University and holds a master's in business administration from Harvard
University.
THOMAS F. "MACK" MCLARTY, III has served as our vice chairman since
May 2000. After leaving the White House staff in 1998, Mr. McLarty served as
president and chief executive officer of our Arkansas platform. Mr. McLarty
began his 32-year career in the automotive retailing industry by building
McLarty Leasing Systems, the platform his grandfather founded, into one of
America's largest transportation companies. Mr. McLarty also serves as vice
chairman of Kissinger McLarty Associates, an international consulting firm
formed in 1999 by the merger of Mr. McLarty's and Dr. Henry Kissinger's
consulting operations. Mr. McLarty joined Arkla Gas Company's board of directors
in 1976, and from 1983 to 1992 he was Arkla Inc.'s chairman and chief executive
officer. Between 1992 and 1998, Mr. McLarty served as White House Chief of
Staff, Special Envoy for the Americas and Counselor to President Bill Clinton.
He also was appointed to the National Petroleum Council by President George H.
W. Bush and served on the St. Louis Federal Reserve Board from 1989 until
joining the White House in 1992. Mr. McLarty currently serves on the board of
directors of Axciom Corporation. Mr. McLarty graduated summa cum laude from the
University of Arkansas.
THOMAS F. GILMAN has served as our vice president and chief financial
officer since April 2001. From 1973 to 2000, Mr. Gilman worked for
Chrysler/Daimler Chrysler Corporation. At Chrysler, Mr. Gilman began his finance
career in manufacturing operations at the divisional and plant levels, including
3 years at Chrysler de Mexico. Mr. Gilman's experiences at Chrysler included
participation of the Chrysler Loan Guarantee efforts, the acquisition by
Chrysler of American Motors (Jeep) and the creation of the 1990 Billion Dollar
Cost Reduction Program. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Gilman was
49
responsible for Chrysler Corporation's credit operations, extending financial
assistance to automotive retail dealers and distributors worldwide. In late 1994
to mid-1995, Mr. Gilman was Director of Finance for Chrysler's Asia-Pacific
region. In 1995, Mr. Gilman led the finance organization at Chrysler Financial
Company, L.L.C. where he became chief financial officer of the captive finance
company. In 1998, Mr. Gilman was selected as a member of the
Daimler-Benz/Chrysler Corporation Merger Integration Team and appointed as a
member of the Financial Services Committee of DaimlerChrysler Services, AG,
positions he held until June, 2000. In July of 2000, Mr. Gilman founded CEO
Solutions, LLC, an independent consulting practice, and served as President and
CEO until April 2001. Mr. Gilman currently serves on the board of directors of
Leapsource, Inc. Mr. Gilman graduated from Villanova University with a
bachelor's degree in finance.
THOMAS G. MCCOLLUM has been our vice president of finance and insurance
since April of 2001. Mr. McCollum has over 25 years of experience in finance and
insurance. From 1982 to 2001, Mr. McCollum served as executive vice president
for Aon's Resource Group (formally Pat Ryan & Associates). He joined Aon in 1982
where he employed innovative, customer focused finance and insurance programs to
improve same store results. Mr. McCollum holds a bachelor's degree in business
from Sam Houston University.
PHILLIP R. JOHNSON has been our vice president of human resources since June
of 2000. Mr. Johnson has held top human resources positions in large national
and regional retail companies for the past 22 years. He operated his own Human
Resources consulting practice from 1998 to 2000. From 1994 to 1998 he served as
senior vice president of human resources at Entex Information Services, a
national personal computer systems integrator. Mr. Johnson served as executive
vice president of human resources at Macy's East from 1993 to 1994, and as
senior vice president of human resources at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1991 to 1993.
He has also held senior human resources positions at Marshall Fields and
Gimbels. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor's degree and master's in business
administration from the University of Florida.
ALLEN T. LEVENSON has served as our vice president of customer experience
and chief marketing officer since March 2001. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Levenson
co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer of a
business-to-consumer e-commerce company, Gazelle.com. From 1998 to 1999, he
served as Vice President of Marketing for United Rentals, a market leader and
consolidator in the equipment rental industry. From 1996 to 1998, he served as
vice president of sales and marketing for Petroleum Heat & Power Inc., and he
also served as Vice President of Marketing for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea
Company from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Levenson began his career in 1985 with two
leading strategy consulting firms, McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. He
received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University and a master's in
business administration from the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania.
TIMOTHY C. COLLINS has served as a member of our board of directors since
1996 and has been a member of our compensation committee since 1996.
Mr. Collins founded Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. in 1995 and currently serves as
its Chief Executive Officer. In addition, he is co-head of RHJ Industrial
Partners, an affiliate of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.. From 1991 to 1995,
Mr. Collins managed the New York office of Onex Corporation, a leveraged buy-out
group headquartered in Canada. Previously, Mr. Collins was a vice president at
Lazard Freres & Company and held various positions at Booz, Allen & Hamilton and
Cummins Engine Company. He also currently serves on the board of directors of
Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., Advance Stores Company, Incorporated, The Strong
Schafer Value Fund, Shinsei Bank, Ltd. (formerly The Long-Term Credit Bank of
Japan, Limited), Western Multiplex Corporation, Kraton Polymers L.L.C. and
various other privately held Ripplewood portfolio companies. Mr. Collins
received a master's in business administration from Yale University's School of
Organization and Management and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from DePauw
University.
IAN K. SNOW has served as a member of our board of directors since 1996, and
a member of our compensation committee since 1996. He joined Ripplewood Holdings
L.L.C. in 1995, and he is
50
currently a managing director. Prior to joining Ripplewood in 1995, Mr. Snow was
a financial analyst in the Media Group at Salomon Brothers Inc, where he focused
on strategic advisory and capital raising assignments for clients in the media
industry. He also currently serves on the board of directors of Kraton Polymers
L.L.C., a privately held Ripplewood portfolio company. Mr. Snow received a
bachelor's degree in history from Georgetown University.
JOHN M. ROTH has been a member of our board of directors since our board was
established in 1996 and a member of our compensation committee since 1996.
Mr. Roth joined Freeman Spogli and Co. Inc. in 1988, and became a general
partner in 1993. Mr. Roth was a member of Kidder, Peabody & Company, Inc.'s
mergers and acquisitions group from 1984 to 1988. He is also a member of the
board of directors of Advance Stores Company, Incorporated, AFC
Enterprises, Inc., Galyan's Trading Company, Inc. and a number of privately held
corporations. Mr. Roth holds a bachelor's degree and master's in business
administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
CLARENCE V. "JIM" NALLEY has served as a director since 2000. He has been
the president and chief executive officer of our Atlanta platform since its
acquisition in 1996. Mr. Nalley has over 30 years of automotive retailing
experience. His platform consisted of nine franchises when he joined us. He has
also been the director of Russell Corp., an apparel company, since 1990 and
served as director of First Union Corp., a banking corporation, from 1980-1987.
He formerly served as the President of the Metro Atlanta Chevrolet Dealers
Association and as Chairman of the PACCAR National Distributors Council.
Mr. Nalley holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors currently consists of Messrs. Timothy C. Collins,
Thomas R. Gibson, C.V. Nalley, John M. Roth, and Ian K. Snow, and a sixth
director to be elected by the board of directors prior to this offering. No
later than 90 days after this offering, we will satisfy the requirements for
independent directors contained in the rules governing companies listed on the
New York Stock Exchange by appointing three additional independent directors.
TERMS. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The first class
of directors consists of Thomas R. Gibson and two independent directors to be
elected after this offering, each of whom will serve for a term of one year. The
second class of directors consists of John M. Roth, Ian K. Snow and one
independent director to be elected after this offering, each of whom will serve
for a term of two years. The third class of directors consists of Timothy C.
Collins, C.V. "Jim" Nalley and a third director to be elected by the board of
directors prior to this offering, each of whom will serve for a term of three
years. After these directors have served their initial terms, each director will
be nominated to serve for a term of three years. Directors will hold office
until the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which the term of their
class expires and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
Executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the board
of directors. Under a stockholders agreement entered into by holders of a
majority of our outstanding common stock, stockholders who are parties to the
agreement are required to vote their shares with respect to nominations to our
board of directors in accordance with the terms of the agreement. See
"Description of Capital Stock--Stockholders Agreement".
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUDIT COMMITTEE. We have an audit committee consisting of Messrs. Ian K. Snow
and John M. Roth. The audit committee has responsibility for, among other
things:
- recommending to the board of directors the selection of our independent
auditors,
- reviewing and approving the scope of the independent auditors' audit
activity and extent of non-audit services,
51
- reviewing with management and the independent accountants the adequacy of
our basic accounting systems and the effectiveness of our internal audit
plan and activities,
- reviewing with management and the independent accountants our financial
statements and exercising general oversight of our financial reporting
process and
- reviewing litigation and other legal matters that may affect our financial
condition and monitoring compliance with our business ethics and other
policies.
The current members of our audit committee will be replaced by the three
independent directors we will appoint within 90 days after this offering.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The compensation committee consists of Messrs. Timothy
C. Collins, Ian K. Snow and John M. Roth. This committee has general supervisory
power over, and the power to grant awards under, the 1999 option plan and the
2001 stock option plan. The compensation committee has responsibility for, among
other things, reviewing the recommendations of the chief executive officer as to
the appropriate compensation of our principal executive officers and certain
other key personnel, periodically examining the general compensation structure
and supervising our welfare, pension and compensation plans.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors who are full-time employees of ours or our affiliates, including
Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C., and its two principals, Ripplewood Holdings
L.L.C. and Freeman Spogli, will not receive a retainer or fees for service on
our board of directors or on committees of our board. We expect to compensate
each member of our board of directors who is not a full-time employee of ours or
our affiliates with an annual retainer of $25,000. In addition to their annual
compensation, each director will receive $1,000 for each meeting of the board or
committee ($750 for meetings conducted by telephone), plus expenses, and the
committee chair will receive $1,500. We will pay this compensation in the form
of a combination of cash and our common stock.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION, EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The following table sets forth certain summary information concerning the
compensation provided by us in 2000 to our executive management team.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
COMMON
ANNUAL COMPENSATION STOCK
--------------------- UNDERLYING OTHER ANNUAL
NAME AND POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS COMPENSATION
----------------- -------- --------- --------- --------------- ------------
Brian E. Kendrick, President and Chief
Executive Officer(1).................. 2000 $750,000 $750,000 [] $99,061(2)
Thomas R. Gibson, Chairman.............. 2000 525,000 0 [] 109,192(3)
Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, III, Vice
Chairman.............................. 2000 300,000 0 [] 0
Phillip R. Johnson, Vice President-Human
Resources............................. 2000 133,846 56,000 [] 5,457(4)
Donna M. Colorito, Vice President I.T.
and E-Commerce........................ 2000 94,231 30,000 [] 5,240(5)
------------------------------
(1) Mr. Kendrick served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from
November 1999 until his death on October 4, 2001.
(2) $38,146 represents a tax gross-up of income.
(3) $47,805 represents a tax gross-up of income.
(4) $5,457 represents payments for automobile use.
(5) $5,240 represents payments for automobile use.
52
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Several of our executive officers are entitled to compensation under the
terms of employment agreements with us and under the terms of our Third Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated February 1, 2000, which
we refer to in this section of the prospectus as our "L.L.C. agreement". Both
our L.L.C. agreement and the employment agreements with our current executive
officers described below are included as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this prospectus forms a part, and the following summary of these
agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to these exhibits.
THOMAS R. GIBSON. Mr. Gibson has an employment agreement with us to serve
as chairman of our board of directors for a term that we intend to extend one
year beyond the time of the completion of this offering. During the term of his
agreement, Mr. Gibson will receive an annual salary as follows: (i) for the
period January 1, 2001, through March 16, 2001, a prorated salary based upon the
rate of $525,000 per year and (ii) for the period beginning March 17, 2001, to
the termination of his employment with us, a prorated salary based upon the rate
of $250,000 per year. In April 2001, we paid Mr. Gibson $2,250,000 in cash in
exchange for his carried interest. Mr. Gibson was issued the carried interest
under our L.L.C. agreement.
If we terminate Mr. Gibson's employment without cause or if he leaves for
good reason, we will pay him his base salary for the balance of his employment
term under the contract. During the term of Mr. Gibson's employment and for one
year after the termination of his contract, he is subject to a non-compete
provisions. During the term of Mr. Gibson's employment and for three years after
the termination of his contract, he is subject to a non-solicitation provision.
THOMAS F. "MACK" MCLARTY. Mr. McLarty entered into an employment agreement
with us to provide management and consulting services for a term of three years
beginning February 23, 1999. Under this employment agreement Mr. McLarty
received an annual base salary of $175,000 and was entitled to a discretionary
performance-based bonus. On May 15, 2000, Mr. McLarty's employment contract was
amended upon his appointment to our vice chairmanship. This amended employment
contract increased his annual rate of compensation to $375,000 and provides for
a discretionary performance-based bonus.
If Mr. McLarty terminates his contract for good reason or is terminated by
us without cause, he will receive the present value of the remaining payments
due on his employment agreement. During the term of Mr. McLarty's employment, he
is subject to a non-compete provision. During the term of Mr. McLarty's
employment and through the later of February 23, 2004, or two years after the
termination of his contract, he is subject to a non-solicitation provision.
PHILLIP R. JOHNSON. Mr. Johnson entered into a severance agreement with us
beginning April 3, 2001, providing for one year of base salary, bonus and
benefits continuation if he is terminated. These benefits will not be extended
in the event of death, disability, retirement, voluntary resignation or cause.
Mr. Johnson may trigger severance payments if his office is relocated by more
than 50 miles, his base salary is reduced or his duties are diminished.
Mr. Johnson is restricted by non-solicitation and non-compete restrictions for
one year following termination.
1999 OPTION PLAN
In January 1999, we adopted a non-qualified option plan under which we
issued options granting the right to purchase limited liability company
interests in us. Under our 1999 option plan, we granted options to certain of
our directors, officers, employees and consultants for terms and at exercise
prices and vesting schedules set by the compensation committee of our board of
directors. We issued options for the purchase of a total of [ ]% of the
limited liability company interests in us under our 1999 option plan, which will
equate to a total of [ ]% of our outstanding common stock immediately after
this offering ([ ]% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in
full). The options granted under our 1999 plan that have not vested prior to a
change in
53
control of us will vest and become exercisable upon a change of control. We are
no longer issuing options under our 1999 option plan.
The following table provides certain information regarding options granted
to executive officers during 2000 under our 1999 option plan:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
PERCENT OF POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF TOTAL ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES OPTIONS EXERCISE OR STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO BASE OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------------
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 10% ($) 5% ($)
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------------
Phillip R. Johnson.......... 10.00% 6/5/2010
Donna M. Colorito........... 6.25% 6/12/2010
------------------------------
(1) Amounts represent hypothetical values that could be achieved for the
respective options if exercised at the end of the option term. These values
are based on assumed rates of stock price appreciation of 5% and 10%
compounded annually from the date the respective options were granted to
their expiration date based on the market price of the underlying securities
on the date of the grant. These assumptions are not intended to forecast
future appreciation of our stock price. The potential realizable value
computation does not take into account federal or state income tax
consequences of option exercises or sales of appreciated stock.
The options vest annually with respect to 33.33% of the shares covered by
the options.
2001 STOCK OPTION PLAN
In connection with this offering, we intend to grant certain senior
employees a grant of options under our 2001 stock option plan to purchase a
total of [ ] shares of our common stock. A primary purpose of our 2001 stock
option plan is to attract and retain exceptional officers and other key
employees.
The following is a description of the material terms of the 2001 stock
option plan. You should, however, refer to the exhibits that are a part of the
registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, for a copy of the
stock option plan. See "Where You Can Find More Information".
TYPE OF AWARDS. The 2001 stock option plan provides for grants of
nonqualified stock options.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE STOCK OPTION PLAN; OTHER LIMITATIONS ON
AWARDS. Subject to potential adjustment by the compensation committee of our
board of directors as described below, we may issue options to purchase a
maximum of [ ] shares of our common stock under our 2001 stock option plan.
The plan limits option grants to individual participants to options to purchase
a maximum of [ ] shares in any single fiscal year. Shares underlying options
may be issued from our authorized but unissued common stock or satisfied with
common stock held in our treasury. If any option is forfeited, expires or is
otherwise terminated or canceled, other than by reason of exercise or vesting,
then the shares covered by that option will again become available under the
2001 stock option plan.
Our compensation committee has the authority to adjust the terms and
conditions of, and the criteria included in, any outstanding options in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits intended to be made available
under the plan as a result of any unusual or nonrecurring events (including any
dividend or other distribution, whether in the form of cash, shares of our
common stock, other securities or other property, recapitalization, stock split,
reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase, exchange of shares of our common stock or our other
securities or other similar corporate transaction or event) affecting us, our
affiliates, our financial statements or the financial statements of any of our
affiliates, or any changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting
principles. In such events, the compensation committee may provide for a cash
payment to the option holder in return for the
54
cancelation of the option in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair
market value of our shares of common stock over the aggregate exercise price of
the option.
ELIGIBILITY. Awards may be made to any officer or other key employee of us
or any of our subsidiaries, including any prospective officer or key employee,
selected by the compensation committee.
ADMINISTRATION. The compensation committee administers the 2001 stock
option plan. The compensation committee has the authority to construe, interpret
and implement the 2001 stock option plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules
and regulations relating to the plan. The determination of the compensation
committee on all matters relating to the 2001 stock option plan or any award
agreement is final and binding.
STOCK OPTIONS. The compensation committee may grant to our senior employees
nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock from us (at the
price set forth in the award agreement), subject to such terms and conditions as
the compensation committee may determine. No grantee of an option will have any
of the rights of one of our stockholders with respect to shares subject to their
award until the issuance of the shares.
Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in an option
agreement at the time of grant, the exercise price of each option granted under
the 2001 stock option plan prior to the initial public offering of shares of our
common stock will be the initial public offering price per share of our common
stock and the exercise price of each option granted under the plan after the
initial public offering will be equal to the fair market value of a share of our
common stock on the date of grant.
Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in an option
agreement, options that are granted under the 2001 stock option effective as of
the initial public offering of shares of our common stock will become vested and
exercisable with respect to 41.67% of the shares subject to those options on
each of the first two anniversaries of the date of grant and with respect to
16.66% of the shares subject to those options on the third anniversary of the
date of grant. Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in
an option agreement, options granted after this offering will become vested and
exercisable with respect to one-third of the shares subject to those options on
each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
Except as the compensation committee may otherwise establish in an option
agreement, options granted under the 2001 stock option plan will expire without
any payment upon the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the option's date of
grant and the date the optionee ceases to be employed by us or one of our
subsidiaries.
CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a change in control of us, options that
are outstanding and unexercisable or unvested at the time of the change of
control will vest and become exercisable immediately prior to the change of
control.
NONASSIGNABILITY. Except to the extent otherwise provided in the option
agreement, no option granted to any person under the 2001 stock option plan is
assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and all options are exercisable during the life of the grantee
only by the grantee or the grantee's legal representative.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The 2001 stock option plan is scheduled to
terminate December 31, 2011. Our board of directors may at any time amend,
alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2001 stock option plan and, unless
otherwise expressly provided in an option agreement, the compensation committee
may waive any conditions under, or amend the terms of, any outstanding option.
However, stockholder approval of any of those actions must be obtained if such
approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement
applicable to the 2001 stock option plan. In addition, if such an action would
impair the rights of any option holder with
55
respect to options granted prior to the action, then the action will not be
effective without the consent of the affected option holder.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The following is a description of the material terms of our employee stock
purchase plan, pursuant to which shares of our common stock will be made
available, beginning in 2002, for purchase by our eligible employees.
GENERAL. The purpose of the plan is to promote our success and enhance our
value by providing our eligible employees with the opportunity to purchase our
common stock, in order to increase employee interest in our success and
encourage them to remain in our employ. The plan is intended to qualify as an
employee stock purchase plan under section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The plan authorizes the purchase of up to [ ] shares of our common stock by
eligible employees. However, the number of shares available for purchase under
the plan will be adjusted proportionately to account for stock dividends, stock
splits, reclassifications and other changes affecting such shares. The shares
available for purchase under the plan may, in the discretion of our board of
directors, be authorized but unissued shares of common stock, shares purchased
on the open market or shares from any other proper source.
ADMINISTRATION. The plan will be administered by our board of directors or
a committee appointed by the board of directors. Subject to the terms of the
plan, the administrator has authority to interpret the plan, make, amend and
rescind all rules and regulations for the operation of the plan, take any other
actions and make all other determinations necessary or desirable to administer
and operate the plan.
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE. All our employees are eligible to participate
in the plan, subject to such further eligibility requirements as may be
specified by the administrator consistent with section 423 of the Code. However,
any employee that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the total combined
voting power or value of our stock (or would exceed this ownership limit after
the option grant became effective) is not eligible.
PURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK UNDER THE PLAN. Eligible employees receive
options to purchase our common stock pursuant to the plan. Commencing in 2002,
the options are to be granted to each eligible employee on the first day of each
calendar year in which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, or any
other date specified by the administrator. Options remain outstanding for a
period determined by the administrator not to exceed 27 months. Unless the
administrator determines otherwise, consecutive option periods of equal duration
will be established.
An individual must be employed as an eligible employee by us on the first
trading day of an option period in order to be granted an option for that option
period. In the case of an individual who first becomes an eligible employee
after the first trading day of an option period, the administrator may designate
a subsequent day within the option period upon which the employee will be
granted an option that will have a duration equal to the balance of that option
period.
Each option provides the employee the right to purchase, on the last day of
the option period or on one or more trading days within the option period
designated by the administrator, up to a maximum number of shares of common
stock specified by the administrator. However, no employee may purchase in one
calendar year shares of common stock having an aggregate fair market value in
excess of $25,000. The purchase price for each share of common stock under an
option will be determined by the administrator, in its discretion, prior to the
beginning of the applicable option period. However, the purchase price will
never be less than 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the first
day of the option period or the day of purchase, whichever is lower, and will
never be less than the par value of the common stock. All eligible employees
56
granted options under the plan for an option period will have the same rights
and privileges with respect to such options.
To facilitate payment of the purchase price of options, the administrator,
in its discretion, may permit eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions
to be made on each payday during an option period, in addition to contributions
of cash or cash-equivalents to us, up to a maximum amount determined by the
administrator. We will maintain bookkeeping accounts for all employees who
authorize payroll deduction or make cash contributions. Interest will not be
paid on any employee accounts, unless the administrator determines otherwise.
The administrator will establish rules and procedures regarding elections to
authorize payroll deductions, changes in such elections, timing and manner of
cash contributions, and withdrawals from employee accounts.
Amounts credited to employee accounts on the last trading day of an option
period or on one or more trading days within the option period designated by the
administrator will be applied to the payment of the purchase price of
outstanding options. Options will be exercised on the close of business on the
last trading day of an option period or on one or more trading days within the
option period designated by the administrator, however, options of any
participant who terminates employment for any reason before such date, or who is
no longer an eligible employee on such date, will terminate unexercised. Options
will be exercised only to the extent the purchase price is paid with respect to
whole shares of common stock. Any balance remaining in an employee's account at
the end of an option period will be carried forward automatically for the next
option period. If an employee is not an eligible employee with respect to the
next option period, any remaining balance will be promptly refunded without
interest.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The board of directors may amend the plan at any
time for any reason, except that (1) if the approval of any such amendment by
our stockholders is required by section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, such
amendment will not be effected without such approval and (2) no amendment may be
made that would cause the plan to fail to comply with section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code unless expressly so provided by the board of directors.
The board of directors, in its sole discretion, may terminate the plan at
any time and for any reason. In the event the plan is terminated, all
outstanding options shall immediately terminate and all amounts in an eligible
employee's account under the plan shall be promptly refunded without interest.
57
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain of our directors, beneficial owners and their affiliates, have
engaged in transaction with us. Transactions with one of our directors,
Mr. C.V. Nalley, two of our former directors, Mr. Thomas F. McLarty and
Mr. David McDavid, Sr. and one of our principal shareholders, Mr. Luther Coggin,
are described below. We believe these transactions involve terms comparable to,
or more favorable to us than, terms that would be obtained from an unaffiliated
third party.
We lease the following properties used by the Arkansas platform for
dealership lots and offices from Mr. McLarty, his immediate family members and
his affiliates:
- property leased from NPF Holdings L.L.C., a limited liability company in
which Mr. McLarty has a 58.5% ownership interest for a monthly rental fee
of $61,926;
- property leased from MHC Properties G.P., a partnership in which
Mr. McLarty has an 85.5% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of
$13,801;
- property leased from Prestige Properties, GP, a partnership in which MHC
Properties GP, of which Mr. McLarty owns 85.5%, holds a 68% ownership
interest, for a monthly rental fee of $38,572;
- property leased from Hope Auto Company, corporation in which Mr. McLarty
has an 86% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $118,300; and
- property leased from Summerhill Partnership, L.P., a limited partnership
in which Mr. McLarty has a 49.88% ownership interest, for a monthly rental
fee of $30,000.
We lease the following properties used by the Texas platform for dealership
lots and offices from Mr. McDavid, his immediate family members and his
affiliates:
- properties leased from Mr. McDavid with an aggregate monthly rental fee of
$189,000;
- properties leased from David McDavid Family Properties, a partnership in
which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest,
for aggregate monthly rental fees of $90,000;
- property leased from BroMac Inc., an S-corporation in which Mr. McDavid
and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly
rental fee of $1,500;
- properties leased from Sterling Real Estate Partnership, a partnership in
which Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest,
for aggregate monthly rental fees of $70,000;
- property leased from Texas Coastal Properties, a partnership in which
Mr. McDavid and his immediate family have a 100% ownership interest, for a
monthly rental fee of $4,000;
- property leased from McCreek Partners L.L.C., a limited liability
corporation which is wholly owned by McCreek, Ltd., a partnership in which
Mr. McDavid and his immediate family hold a 100% ownership interest, for a
monthly rental fee of $4,900; and
- property leased from D.Q. Automobiles Inc., a corporation in which
Mr. McDavid has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of
$14,700.
In the near future, we expect to enter into agreements to purchase or lease
certain additional properties from Mr. McDavid or his affiliates for use by the
Texas platform with the following general business terms:
- purchase approximately four acres of land in Plano, Texas for the
construction of a new body shop. Purchase price is the appraised value of
$1,700,000.
- lease approximately four acres of land in Frisco, Texas, and a 100,000
square foot parking structure which Mr. McDavid will build on the land at
his cost, for total rent of $50,000 per month. Mr. McDavid further will
construct a new dealership facility at his expense, at which time we will
increase monthly rent by 1% of the construction cost, representing a 12%
annual capitalization rate.
58
- purchase two acres of land adjacent to our Honda dealership facility in
Houston, Texas for $2,000,000. The existing Honda facility will become the
new home for our Nissan dealership, and we will construct an additional
facility on it for Nissan dealership expansion. The purchase price for the
land is approximately $800,000 more than the appraised value, which will
be offset by the "free rent" in the following transaction.
- lease ten acres of land adjacent to our current Nissan dealership in
Houston, Texas for four years, rent-free. We will renovate the facility
and it will become the new home for our Honda dealership. We estimate fair
market rent over the four-year term (i.e., our savings to offset the
above-market purchase price above) to be $814,000.
We lease property used by the Atlanta platform for dealership lots and
offices from Mr. Nalley, his immediate family and his affiliates:
- properties owned by C.V. Nalley for an aggregate monthly rental fee of
$50,500;
- properties owned by Chevrolet Metro Realty, Inc., a corporation in which
Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for aggregate monthly rental
fees of $45,900;
- property owned by Heavy Duty Trucks Realty, Inc., a corporation in which
Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of
$36,000;
- property owned by Union City Honda Auto Realty, Inc., a corporation in
which Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee
of $45,000; and
- property owned by Marietta Lexus Auto Realty, Inc., a corporation in which
Mr. Nalley has a 100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of
$45,100.
We lease property used by the Jacksonville platform for dealership lots and
offices from Coggin Management Company, a corporation in which Mr. Coggin has a
100% ownership interest, for a monthly rental fee of $10,500.
OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Loomis Advertising, a corporation in which Mr. McDavid and his immediate
family hold a 21% ownership interest, has entered into various agreements to
provide advertising services to the Texas platform for an aggregate value of
$1,467,647 since January 1, 1998. Loomis Advertising also began providing
advertising services to the Jacksonville platform in April 2000, for a monthly
fee of $52,000 and production costs of $247,667 to date.
Mr. Nalley leased his private aircraft to us during part of 2000, and
currently charges us for employees who use the aircraft to fly on business
trips. The total amount paid to Mr. Nalley since January 1, 1998, for use of the
aircraft is $471,600.
Currently, we own a 10% interest in a Land Rover franchise operated under
the St. Louis platform, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. owns a 40% interest in
this franchise and John R. Capps owns the remaining 50% interest. We have
entered into a binding assignment and assumption agreement whereby Mr. Capps has
agreed to sell his 50% interest to us. This agreement is held in escrow at the
Bank of New York pending manufacturer consent to the transaction.
The Jacksonville platform engages in management duties including co-signing
checks and reviewing accounting records for a Holiday Inn Hotel owned by
Mr. Coggin for a monthly fee of $1,500.
On January 1, 2001, we redeemed Mr. Gibson's carried interest for a purchase
price of $2,250,000.
In February 2001, Mr. McLarty purchased a number of used vehicles from us
after fire damage to our Hope, Arkansas dealership. The total purchase price
paid by Mr. McLarty to us was $378,000.
Our 2.7% ownership interest in CarsDirect.com was transferred to the holders
of our membership interests prior to this offering on a pro-rata basis.
59
Mr. Nalley entered into an employment agreement with the Atlanta platform to
serve as its president and chief executive officer from March 1, 2000, to March
1, 2005. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000 and an
annual bonus based upon the performance of the Atlanta platform of up to
$1,000,000. If Mr. Nalley's employment is terminated for reasons other than
voluntary resignation, cause, death or disability, the Atlanta platform will pay
him his base salary for the balance of the employment term and a pro-rata
portion of his annual bonus.
Mr. Coggin entered into an employment agreement with the Jacksonville
platform to serve as its president and chief executive officer from October 30,
1998, to October 30, 2003. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of
$250,000, adjusted in accordance with a cost of living index, and an annual
bonus based upon the performance of the Jacksonville platform of up to $250,000.
If Mr. Coggin's employment is terminated for reasons other than voluntary
resignation, cause, death or disability, the Jacksonville platform will pay him
his base salary for the balance of the employment term and a pro-rata portion of
his annual bonus.
Mr. McDavid entered into an employment agreement with the Texas platform to
serve as its president and chief executive officer from May 1, 1998, to May 1,
2003. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000. Mr. McDavid
also receives an annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by our
board. If Mr. McDavid's employment is terminated for reasons other than
voluntary resignation, cause, death or disability, the Texas platform will pay
him his base salary for the balance of the employment term.
Mr. McLarty entered into an employment agreement with us to provide
management and consulting services for a term of three years beginning
February 23, 1999, to February 23, 2002. See "Management--Executive
Compensation, Employment Agreements.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
Our authorized capital stock consists of [ ] shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, and [ ] shares of preferred stock, par value $.01
per share. After giving effect to the offering, we will have outstanding
[ ] shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock. Upon
completion of the offering, we will have outstanding [ ] shares of common
stock ([ ] shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in full) and no shares of preferred stock.
COMMON STOCK
Subject to the rights of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock, the
holders of the common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared in
the discretion of our board of directors out of funds legally available
therefor. Holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net
assets upon liquidation after payment or provision for all liabilities and any
preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. The
holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase shares of our
stock. Shares of our common stock are not subject to any redemption provisions
and are not convertible into any other of our securities. All outstanding shares
of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the
offering will be upon payment therefor, fully paid and non-assessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
Preferred stock may be issued from time to time by the board of directors in
one or more series. Subject to the provisions of our charter and limitations
prescribed by law, the board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt
resolutions to issue the shares, to fix the number of shares and to change the
number of shares constituting any series and to provide for or change the voting
powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other
special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including
dividend rights (including whether dividends are cumulative), dividend rates,
terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption prices,
conversion rights and liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any
60
series of the preferred stock, in each case without any further action or vote
by the stockholders. One of the effects of undesignated preferred stock may be
to enable the board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an
attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest,
merger or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of our management.
The issuance of shares of the preferred stock pursuant to the board of
directors' authority described above may adversely affect the rights of the
holders of common stock. For example, preferred stock issued by us may rank
prior to the common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both,
may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of
common stock. Accordingly, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may
discourage bids for the common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the
market price of the common stock.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS
LIMITATIONS ON REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders may remove a director only for cause upon the affirmative vote
of holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of
common stock. In general, the board of directors, and not our stockholders, will
have the right to appoint persons to fill vacancies on our board of directors.
OUR STOCKHOLDERS MAY NOT ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Our corporate charter provides that any action required or permitted to be
taken by our stockholders must be taken at a duly called annual or special
stockholders' meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only
by the chairman of our board of directors, either on his or her own initiative
or at the request of stockholders collectively holding at least 50% of the
outstanding common stock.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS UNDER DELAWARE LAW
We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. In general, section 203 prevents an "interested
stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of our
outstanding voting stock) from engaging in a merger, acquisition or other
"business combination" (as defined in section 203) with us for three years
following the date that person becomes an interested stockholder unless:
- before that person became an interested stockholder, our board of
directors approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination;
- upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder
owns at least 85% of the voting stock outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced (excluding stock held by our directors who are also
officers and by employee stock plans that do not provide employees with
the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the
plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or
- following the transaction in which that person became an interested
stockholder, the business combination is approved by our board of
directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock
not owned by the interested stockholder.
Under section 203, these restrictions also do not apply to specified types
of business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder if:
- the proposal follows the announcement or notification of one of certain
extraordinary transactions involving us and a person who was not an
interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an
interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of our directors;
and
61
- the extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of
the directors who were directors before any person became an interested
stockholder in the previous three years or who were recommended for
election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such
directors then in office.
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
We entered into a stockholders agreement with Asbury Automotive Holdings
L.L.C. and certain platform principals, consisting of the former owners of our
platforms and members of their management teams. After the completion of this
offering, Asbury Automotive Holdings will own [ ]% of our common stock ([ ]%
if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), and the
platform principals will collectively own [ ]% of our common stock. Under the
stockholders agreement, the platform principals are required to vote their
shares in accordance with Asbury Automotive Holdings' instructions with respect
to:
- persons nominated by Asbury Automotive Holdings to our board of directors
(and persons nominated against Asbury Automotive Holdings' nominees); and
- any matter to be voted on by the holders of our common stock, whether or
not the matter was initiated by Asbury Automotive Holdings.
The platform principals have the right to cause Asbury Automotive Holdings
to vote for at least one platform principal nominee to the board of directors if
the total number of directors (excluding directors that are our employees) on
the board of directors is six or less and at least two platform principal
nominees if such number of directors is more than six.
The stockholders agreement will terminate on the first to occur of:
- the fifth anniversary of the date of this offering;
- two years after the first date on which Asbury Automotive Holdings' share
of the ownership of our outstanding common stock falls below 20%; and
- the first date on which Asbury Automotive Holdings' share of the ownership
of our outstanding common stock falls below 5%.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS--INDEMNIFICATION
Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal
liability of officers and directors to corporations and their stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of officers' and directors' fiduciary duties of
care. The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation,
officers and directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all
material information reasonably available to them. Absent the limitations
authorized by Delaware law, officers and directors are accountable to
corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for conduct
constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty of care. Delaware
law enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as
injunction or rescission. The charter limits the liability of our officers and
directors to us or our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware
law. Specifically, our officers and directors will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of an officer's or director's fiduciary duty in such
capacity, except for liability (i) for any breach of the officer's or director's
duty of loyalty to us or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions as provided in section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
or (iv) for any transaction from which the officer and director derived an
improper personal benefit.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar of the common stock is EquiServe Trust
Company, N.A.
62
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our common stock as of [ ], 2001, as adjusted to
reflect the sale of shares in this offering by us and by the selling
stockholders, Luther Coggin and Royce Reynolds (without giving effect to the
underwriters' over-allotment option), by our directors, executive officers and
directors and officers as a group and each person known by us to beneficially
own more than 5% of our outstanding voting securities.
SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BEFORE OWNED AFTER
THE OFFERING(1) THE OFFERING(1)
------------------- -------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER NUMBER % SHARES OFFERED NUMBER %
------------------------ -------- -------- -------------- -------- --------
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.(2)........
One Rockefeller Plaza
32 Floor
New York, NY 10020
Freeman Spogli(3)....................
Luther Coggin(4)(5)..................
CURRENT DIRECTORS
Timothy C. Collins(6)(7).............
Ian K. Snow(6)(7)....................
John M. Roth(8)(9)...................
C.V. Nalley(4).......................
Thomas R. Gibson(4)..................
NAMED OFFICERS WHO ARE
NOT DIRECTORS
Thomas F. McLarty, III(4)............
Thomas F. Gilman(4)..................
Phillip R. Johnson(4)................
Allen T. Levenson(4).................
Thomas G. McCollum(4)................
All directors and executive officers
of Asbury as a group (12
persons)...........................
OTHER SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
Royce Reynolds(4)(5).................
------------------------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each beneficial owner listed above has
represented that he, she or it possesses sole voting and sole investment
power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by such person, entity
or group and includes all options currently exercisable or exercisable
within 60 days of [ ], 2001. The percentages of beneficial ownership as to
each person, entity or group assume the exercise or conversion of all
options held by such person, entity or group.
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(2) Represents shares owned by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. Ripplewood
Holdings L.L.C. is the owner of 51% of the membership interests of Asbury
Automotive Holdings and is deemed to be a member of a group that owns the
shares of Asbury Automotive Holdings.
(3) Represents shares owned by Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. FS Equity
Partners III, L.P., FS Equity Partners International L.P. and FS Equity
Partners IV, L.P., investment funds affiliated with Freeman Spogli, are the
owners of 49% of the membership interests of Asbury Automotive Holdings and
are deemed to be members of a group that own the shares of Asbury Automotive
Holdings. The business address of Freeman Spogli & Co., FS Equity
Partners III, FSEquity Partners IV is 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite
1900, Los Angeles, California 90025. The business address of FS Equity
Partners International L.P. is c/o Paget-Brown & Company, Ltd., West Winds
Building, Third Floor, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies.
(4) Address c/o our principal executive offices at 3 Landmark Square,
Suite 500, Stamford, CT 06901.
(5) Mr. Coggin is chief executive officer of the Jacksonville platform and Mr.
Reynolds is president and chief executive officer of the North Carolina
platform.
(6) Does not include [ ] shares of common stock held of record by Asbury
Automotive Holdings L.L.C. an entity in which Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C.
holds a 51% ownership interest. Mr. Collins and Mr. Snow are directors and
executive officers of Ripplewood Holdings. Both Mr. Collins and Mr. Snow
expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of any shares held by Ripplewood
Holdings L.L.C. except to the extent of their pecuniary interests in them.
(7) Address c/o Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. at One Rockefeller Plaza, 32nd Floor,
New York, NY 10020.
(8) Does not include [ ] shares of common stock held of record by Asbury
Automotive Holdings L.L.C., an entity in which investment funds affiliated
with Freeman Spogli, as described in footnote three, hold approximately a
49% ownership interest. Mr. Roth is a director, member, partner or executive
officer of the general partners of each of these investment funds. Mr. Roth
expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by such
investment funds except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in them.
(9) Address c/o Freeman Spogli & Co. Inc. at 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite
1900, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
64
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there has been no market for our common stock. We
cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our common
stock or the availability of shares or our common stock for sale will have on
the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless,
sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could
adversely affect the market price of our common stock and impair our future
ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities.
Upon completion of this offering, we will have [ ] shares of common stock
outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option,
and [ ] shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full.
We have reserved [ ] shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of
options granted or to be granted under our 1999 Option Plan, 2001 Stock Option
Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan, of which [ ] options are currently
outstanding and up to [ ] additional options are expected to be granted
simultaneously with this offering. All of the [ ] shares sold in this offering
([ ]shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full)
will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act unless the shares are purchased by our "affiliates", as that term
is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. None of the remaining [ ]
outstanding shares of our common stock have been registered under the Securities
Act, which means that they are "restricted securities" under the Securities Act,
and may be resold publicly only upon registration under the Securities Act or in
compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act, including the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
We summarize Rule 144, as it relates to sales of our shares, below.
RULE 144
Under Rule 144, [ ] shares of common stock will be tradable 90 days after
the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms
a part, subject to the restrictions described below. Sales of some of these
shares will be subject to the restrictions included in lock-up agreements
between certain of our stockholders and the underwriters, as described under
"Lock-Up Agreements" below. In general, under Rule 144, beginning 90 days after
the date on which the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part
becomes effective, a person who has owned shares of our common stock for at
least one year would be entitled to sell within any three month period a number
of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
- 1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which
will equal approximately [ ] shares immediately after the completion of
this offering ([ ] shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full); or
- the average weekly trading volume of the common stock on the New York
Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a
notice on Form 144 providing notification of the sale.
Sales under Rule 144 are also governed by manner of sale requirements and
may only be made if current public information about us is available.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Under a stockholders agreement between us and certain of our stockholders
entered into simultaneously with or prior to this offering, we have granted
Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and certain other of our stockholders the
right to require us to register sales of their shares of our common stock under
the Securities Act. These stockholders collectively, own [ ] shares of our
common stock as of the date of this offering, representing [ ]% of our total
common shares outstanding ([ ]% if the underwriters exercise their
over-allotment option in full). Under the stockholders agreement, at any time
following the completion of this offering, Asbury Automotive
65
Holdings or stockholders holding among them a majority of the total number of
shares held by the stockholders, other than Asbury Automotive Holdings, that are
parties to the stockholders agreement, may demand that we file a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the sale of
all or part of their stockholdings within 45 days, subject to our ability to
defer a registration demand for 15 to 45 days under specified circumstances. Our
obligation to register offerings is subject to the following volume
restrictions:
- Any proposed offering must be for at least 1% of the total number of our
shares of common stock then outstanding;
- In the case of the first registration demand, we are not required to
register the sale of more than 50% of the total holdings of any
stockholder, other than Asbury Automotive Holdings; and
- In the case of the first registration demand of the stockholders, other
than Asbury Automotive Holdings, we are not required to register for sale
a number of shares greater than 20% of the total holdings of the
stockholders who are parties to the stockholders agreement.
Under the stockholders agreement, Asbury Automotive Holdings has been
granted five registration demands, and the remaining stockholders have been
granted, collectively, two registration demands. We are not required to register
the sale of any shares during the period that such shares are subject to a
lock-up agreement. In addition, other than in the case of a request made by
Asbury Automotive Holdings, we are not required to register more than one sale
of shares during any one year period in response to a registration demand.
We have also granted Asbury Automotive Holdings and the other stockholders
who are parties to the stockholders agreement "piggy-back" registration rights,
meaning that we have agreed to notify the parties to the stockholders agreement
in the event that we undertake to register a sale of our shares (whether in
response to a registration demand or otherwise) and will permit those
stockholders who request to join in the registered offering.
All registration rights granted under the stockholders agreement are subject
to the right of the managing underwriter of the registered offering to reduce
the number of shares included in the registration statement if the underwriter
determines that the success of the offering would be materially adversely
affected by the size of the registered offering. In general, we are responsible
for paying the expenses of registration (other than underwriting discounts and
commissions on the sale of shares), including the fees and expenses of counsel
to the selling stockholders.
LOCK-UP ARRANGEMENTS
As of the date of this offering, holders of a significant number of shares
of our common stock are subject to lock-up obligations with respect to their
stockholdings.
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS. The following groups of persons,
who collectively hold [ ] shares of our common stock, have entered into lock-up
agreements with the underwriters:
- Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C.;
- our officers and directors; and
- certain platform principals, consisting of those of our platform chief
executive officers, chief operating financial officers and dealership
general managers who received equity in us in connection with our
acquisition of the related platforms.
The lock-up agreements provide that these persons will not offer, sell,
contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, hedge or otherwise dispose of
shares of our common stock or any securities that are convertible into or
exercisable for our common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this
prospectus without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Goldman,
Sachs &
66
Co. has advised us that it has no present intention to release any of the shares
subject to the lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the applicable
lock-up period.
LOCK-UP ARRANGEMENTS WITH ASBURY. The platform principals described above
have entered into lock-up provisions with us that provide that they will not
offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, hedge or otherwise
dispose of shares of our common stock or any securities that are convertible
into or exchangeable for our common stock for a period of two years after the
date of this prospectus without our prior written consent.
SHARES HELD BY RIPPLEWOOD HOLDINGS L.L.C.
After completion of the offering, Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. will continue
to own [ ]% of our outstanding common stock ([ ]% if the underwriters exercise
their over-allotment option in full) through Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C.,
a controlled affiliate of Ripplewood. Ripplewood's ownership of our stock could
negatively affect our stock price:
- Due to the perception of "market overhang", that is that large blocks of
shares are readily available for sale, or
- In the event that Ripplewood disposed of all or a substantial portion of
this common stock at any one-time or from time to time.
In addition, if Ripplewood continues to retain a substantial portion of our
common shares, the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected.
We do not know Ripplewood's future plans as to its holdings of our common
stock, and Ripplewood is not under any obligation to inform us of its intentions
as to our common stock. We can not give you any assurances that Ripplewood's
actions will not negatively affect the price or liquidity of our common stock in
the future. See "Risk Factors--We will be controlled by Ripplewood Holdings
L.L.C., which may have interests different from your interests."
67
UNDERWRITING
Asbury, the selling stockholders and the underwriters for the offering named
below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares
being offered. Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Salomon Smith Barney Inc. are the representatives of the
underwriters. Subject to conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement,
each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares indicated
in the following table.
UNDERWRITERS NUMBER OF SHARES
------------ ----------------
Goldman, Sachs & Co........................................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated...........................................
Salomon Smith Barney Inc...................................
-----------
Total..................................................
===========
If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the
table above, the underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional [ ]
shares from Asbury. They may exercise that option for 30 days. If any shares are
purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase
shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.
The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and
commissions Asbury will pay to the underwriters. The amounts are shown, in the
case of Asbury, assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters'
option to purchase additional shares.
PAID BY THE SELLING
PAID BY ASBURY STOCKHOLDERS
--------------------------- -----------------------
NO EXERCISE FULL EXERCISE
----------- -------------
Per Share................................... $ $ $
Total....................................... $ $ $
Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at
the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any
shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount
of up to $[ ] per share from the initial public offering price. Any such
securities dealers may resell any shares purchased from the underwriters to
certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $[ ] per share from the
initial public offering price. If all the shares are not sold at the initial
offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other
selling terms.
Except with the prior consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., Asbury, its directors
and executive officers, Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and certain of
Asbury's platform principals consisting of those of its platform chief executive
officers, chief operating financial officers and dealership general managers who
received equity in Asbury in connection with its acquisition of the related
platform have agreed with the underwriters not to dispose of or hedge any of
their common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing
through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to an
exception that permits Asbury to issue a number of shares equal to 10% of the
total number of common shares outstanding immediately after this offering in
connection with acquisitions, provided that the recipients of those shares agree
to be bound by the lock-up provisions for the duration of the 180 days. In
addition, these agreements do not apply to any grants under existing employee
benefit plans. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a discussion of
transfer restrictions.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the shares. The
initial public offering price will be negotiated among Asbury and the
representatives. Among the factors to be considered
68
in determining the initial public offering price of the shares, in addition to
prevailing market conditions, will be Asbury's historical performance, estimates
of Asbury's business potential and earnings prospects of Asbury, an assessment
of Asbury's management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to
market valuation of companies in related businesses.
Asbury's common stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "ABG". In order to meet one of the requirements for listing the
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to
sell lots of 100 or more shares to a minimum of 2,000 beneficial holders.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell
shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short
sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by
short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater
number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. "Covered"
short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters'
option to purchase additional shares from Asbury or the selling stockholder in
the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by
either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing
shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the
covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the
price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the
price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option.
"Naked" short sales are any sales in excess of such option. The underwriters
must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market.
A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are
concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock
in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who
purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for
or purchases of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior
to the completion of the offering.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a
particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting
discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold
by or for the account of the underwriter in stabilizing or short covering
transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have
the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the
common stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may
stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the common stock. As
a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that
otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced,
they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may
be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites
maintained by one or more of the representatives and may also be made available
on websites maintained by other underwriters participating in the offering. The
representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for
sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be
allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet
distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
The underwriters do not expect sales to discretionary accounts to exceed
five percent of the total number of shares offered.
Asbury estimates that its share of the total expenses of the offering,
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $[ ],
$[ ] of which is attributable to the estimated expenses of the selling
stockholders which Asbury has agreed to satisfy.
Asbury and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
underwriters identified in the table above against specific liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
69
VALIDITY OF SHARES
The validity of the shares of our common stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, New York, and for the
underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the
registration statement to the extent and for the periods indicated in their
report have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP and Dixon Odom, P.L.L.C., each
of which are independent public accountants, as indicated in their respective
reports with respect thereto, and are included in the prospectus in reliance
upon the authority of these firms as experts in giving these reports.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the
Securities Act with respect to this offering of our common stock. This
prospectus does not contain all the information contained in the registration
statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For
further information with respect to us and our common stock, we refer you to the
registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the
registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to this
prospectus are qualified in all respects, to the extent such documents are
required to be described in this prospectus, by reference to the actual text of
the exhibit. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public
reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains a web site
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at
HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information
and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act and will
file periodic reports and other information, including proxy statements, with
the SEC. These periodic reports and other information will be available for
inspection and copying at the SEC's public reference room and the web site of
the SEC referred to above
70
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
-----------------
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1999 and
2000 and June 30, 2001 (unaudited)...................... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and for the six months
ended June 30, 2000 (unaudited) and 2001 (unaudited).... F-6
Consolidated Statements of Members' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and for the six
months ended June 30, 2001 (unaudited).................. F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and for the six months
ended June 30, 2000 (unaudited) and 2001 (unaudited).... F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-9-F-25
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.
(Hutchinson Automotive Group)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-26
Combined Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1999............ F-27
Combined Statements of Income for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for the period from
January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000................... F-28
Combined Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for the period
from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000.............. F-29
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for the period from
January 1, through June 30, 2000........................ F-30
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-31-F-37
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C.
(Thomason Auto Group)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-38
Combined Statements of Income for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1,
1999 through December 9, 1999........................... F-39
Combined Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from
January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999................ F-40
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1,
1999 through December 9, 1999........................... F-41
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-42-F-47
F-1
PAGE
-----------------
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C.
(McLarty Combined Entities)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-48
Combined Statements of Income for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1,
1999 through November 17, 1999.......................... F-49
Combined Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from
January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999............... F-50
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1,
1999 through November 17, 1999.......................... F-51
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-52-F-56
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C.
(Crown Automotive Group)
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-57
Combined Statements of Income for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1,
1999 through April 6, 1999.............................. F-58
Combined Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from
January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999................... F-59
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1,
1999 through April 6, 1999.............................. F-60
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-61-F-65
Coggin Automotive Corp. and Affiliates
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants........ F-66
Combined Statement of Income for period from January 1,
1998 through October 31, 1998........................... F-67
Combined Statement of Shareholders' Equity for period from
January 1, 1998 through October 31, 1999................ F-68
Combined Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
January 1, 1998 through October 31, 1998................ F-69
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-70-F-74
J.I.W. Enterprises, Inc.
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-75
Combined Statement of Income for the period from
January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1998.............. F-76
Combined Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the period
from January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1999......... F-77
F-2
PAGE
-----------------
Combined Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1998.............. F-78
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-79-F-82
David McDavid Auto Group
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................. F-83
Combined Statement of Income for the period from
January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998.................. F-84
Combined Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the period
from January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1999............. F-85
Combined Statement of Cash Flows for the period from
January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998.................. F-86
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................... F-87-F-90
F-3
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Asbury
Automotive Group L.L.C. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and
the related consolidated statements of income, members' equity and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Asbury Automotive Group
L.L.C. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
March 23, 2001 (except with respect to
matters discussed in Note 17, as to which
the date is September 18, 2001)
F-4
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------- JUNE 30,
1999 2000 2001
---------- ---------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents (including
contracts-in-transit of $52,620, $76,554, and
$81,584)........................................... $97,442 $123,795 $147,941
Current portion of restricted marketable
securities......................................... 1,245 1,304 1,370
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $2,284,
$2,396 and $2,012)................................. 65,455 76,168 89,858
Inventories.......................................... 434,234 554,141 508,331
Prepaid and other current assets..................... 17,684 21,535 18,591
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current assets............................... 616,060 776,943 766,091
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net............................ 141,786 215,149 235,561
GOODWILL, net.......................................... 226,321 364,164 364,002
RESTRICTED MARKETABLE SECURITIES....................... 9,280 7,798 7,340
OTHER ASSETS........................................... 41,159 40,146 51,187
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets....................................... $1,034,606 $1,404,200 $1,424,181
========== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payable............................. $385,263 $499,332 $484,384
Short-term debt...................................... 16,612 16,290 10,000
Current maturities of long-term debt................. 10,841 19,495 15,842
Accounts payable..................................... 29,733 36,823 39,995
Accrued liabilities.................................. 54,927 53,634 57,149
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current liabilities.......................... 497,376 625,574 607,370
LONG-TERM DEBT......................................... 296,807 435,879 470,196
OTHER LIABILITIES...................................... 9,227 20,865 19,187
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MINORITY INTEREST...................................... 33,083 -- --
MEMBERS' EQUITY:
Contributed capital.................................... 195,039 303,245 303,245
Retained earnings...................................... 3,074 18,637 24,183
---------- ---------- ----------
Total members' equity.................................. 198,113 321,882 327,428
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and members' equity.................. $1,034,606 $1,404,200 $1,424,181
========== ========== ==========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-5
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
------------------------------------ -----------------------------
1998 1999 2000 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------- -------------
(UNAUDITED)
REVENUES:
New vehicle..................... $687,850 $1,820,393 $2,439,729 $1,212,693 $1,223,809
Used vehicle.................... 221,828 787,029 1,064,102 531,102 571,482
Parts, service and collision
repair........................ 156,037 341,506 434,478 207,250 239,396
Finance and insurance, net...... 19,149 63,206 89,481 42,823 49,739
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues................ 1,084,864 3,012,134 4,027,790 1,993,868 2,084,426
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle..................... 635,798 1,678,256 2,246,903 1,118,213 1,126,015
Used vehicle.................... 201,068 719,638 970,752 481,062 521,141
Parts, service and collision
repair........................ 92,549 173,072 212,596 101,397 115,177
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total cost of sales........... 929,415 2,570,966 3,430,251 1,700,672 1,762,333
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
GROSS PROFIT...................... 155,449 441,168 597,539 293,196 322,093
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and
administrative................ 127,336 343,443 451,405 217,128 246,286
Depreciation and amortization... 6,303 16,161 24,249 10,614 14,769
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations........ 21,810 81,564 121,885 65,454 61,038
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense..... (7,730) (22,982) (36,968) (17,172) (17,557)
Other interest expense.......... (7,104) (24,703) (42,009) (18,075) (23,446)
Interest income................. 1,108 3,021 5,846 2,717 1,787
Equity investment losses, net... -- (616) (6,066) (6,027) (1,000)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets... 9,307 2,365 (1,533) -- 10
Other income.................... 727 550 1,023 444 849
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total other expense, net...... (3,692) (42,365) (79,707) (38,113) (39,357)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes,
minority interest and
extraordinary loss............ 18,118 39,199 42,178 27,341 21,681
INCOME TAX EXPENSE................ -- 1,779 3,511 2,169 2,746
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY
EARNINGS........................ 14,303 20,520 9,740 9,526 502
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before extraordinary
loss.......................... 3,815 16,900 28,927 15,646 18,433
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY
EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT.......... (734) (752) -- -- (1,433)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.................... $3,081 $16,148 $28,927 $15,646 $17,000
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
PRO FORMA TAX ADJUSTMENT (net of
effect on minority interest).... 10,394 6,036
---------- ----------
Tax affected pro forma net
income...................... $18,533 $10,964
========== ==========
PRO FORMA EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE:
Basic......................... $[ ] $[ ]
========== ==========
Diluted....................... $[ ] $[ ]
========== ==========
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic......................... [ ] [ ]
Diluted....................... [ ] [ ]
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-6
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
RETAINED
CONTRIBUTED EARNINGS
CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
----------- --------- ---------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997............................ $36,552 $405 $36,957
Contributions............................................ 120,387 -- 120,387
Distributions............................................ -- (6,686) (6,686)
Net income............................................... -- 3,081 3,081
Issuance of interests to minority members of subsidiaries
before predecessor cost adjustment..................... 57,495 -- 57,495
Predecessor cost adjustment.............................. (90,705) -- (90,705)
Effect of minority members' share of subsidiary income,
net of distributions................................... 6,851 -- 6,851
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998............................ 130,580 (3,200) 127,380
Contributions............................................ 38,100 -- 38,100
Distributions............................................ -- (9,874) (9,874)
Net income............................................... -- 16,148 16,148
Reclassification of minority member deficits............. 26,359 -- 26,359
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999............................ 195,039 3,074 198,113
Contributions............................................ 20,650 -- 20,650
Contribution of equity interest by minority members...... 87,556 -- 87,556
Distributions............................................ -- (13,364) (13,364)
Net income............................................... -- 28,927 28,927
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2000............................ 303,245 18,637 321,882
Distributions (unaudited)................................ -- (8,954) (8,954)
Equity surrendered in purchase price settlement
(unaudited)............................................ -- (2,500) (2,500)
Net income (unaudited)................................... -- 17,000 17,000
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2001 (unaudited).................... $303,245 $24,183 $327,428
======== ======== ========
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-7
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FOR THE SIX MONTHS
DECEMBER 31, ENDED JUNE 30,
--------------------------------- ----------------------
1998 1999 2000 2000 2001
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $3,081 $16,148 $28,927 $15,646 $17,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization......................... 6,303 16,161 24,249 10,614 14,769
(Gain) loss on sale of assets......................... (9,307) (2,365) 1,533 -- (10)
Minority interest in subsidiary earnings.............. 14,303 20,520 9,740 9,526 502
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt.... 734 752 -- -- 1,433
Loss on equity investments, net....................... -- 616 6,066 6,027 1,000
Other non-cash charges................................ 1,155 753 505 212 1,910
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisitions and divestiture of assets--
Accounts receivable, net.............................. (17,174) 5,007 2,367 (44) (13,673)
Inventories........................................... (30,561) (50,611) (22,911) 3,418 55,330
Floor plan notes payable.............................. 31,190 36,402 38,200 (4,930) (19,525)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 6,024 (1,032) (8,335) (8,855) 6,474
Other................................................. 3,743 6,785 2,303 (5,639) (1,240)
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities............. 9,491 49,136 82,644 25,975 63,970
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (11,356) (22,327) (36,062) (9,447) (27,148)
Proceeds from the sale of assets.......................... 38,350 15,803 6,054 2,173 921
Acquisitions (net of cash and cash equivalents acquired of
$33,427, $27,448, $17,079 and $15,120 in 1998, 1999,
2000 and for the six months ended June 30, 2000,
respectively)........................................... (260,063) (92,149) (179,538) (164,938) (8,139)
Equity investments........................................ -- (7,500) -- -- (1,200)
Proceeds from restricted marketable securities............ -- 1,253 1,423 702 392
Purchases of restricted marketable securities............. (11,778) -- -- -- --
Net receipt (issuance) of finance contracts............... 990 (6,250) (480) 27 (2,593)
Other investing activities................................ (135) (183) -- -- --
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities................. (243,992) (111,353) (208,603) (171,483) (37,767)
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions to members.................................. (6,686) (9,874) (13,364) (4,451) (8,954)
Contributions from members................................ 120,387 38,100 20,650 20,650 --
Repayments of debt........................................ (32,344) (34,565) (14,597) (9,941) (335,755)
Proceeds from borrowings.................................. 201,062 112,930 159,411 138,443 355,182
Payment of debt issuance costs............................ -- -- -- -- (12,530)
Net of cash contributions from (distributions to) minority
members of subsidiaries................................. (2,247) (8,622) 212 (207) --
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities... 280,172 97,969 152,312 144,494 (2,057)
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents......................................... 45,671 35,752 26,353 (1,014) 24,146
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 16,019 61,690 97,442 97,442 123,795
--------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $61,690 $97,442 $123,795 $96,428 $147,941
========= ========= ========= ======== =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for--
Interest................................................ $12,911 $42,758 $77,322 $34,487 $38,900
========= ========= ========= ======== =========
Income taxes............................................ $2,761 $1,364 $3,302 $2,097 $2,068
========= ========= ========= ======== =========
See Note 3 for supplemental non-cash investing activities.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-8
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. ("Asbury" or the "Company") is a national
automotive retailer, operating 85 new and used car dealerships (including 121
franchises) and 23 collision repair centers in 12 metropolitan areas of the
Southeastern, Midwestern, Southwestern and Northwestern United States as of
June 30, 2001. Asbury sells new and used vehicles, light trucks and replacement
parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services and
arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its automotive
customers. Asbury offers, collectively, 34 domestic and foreign brands of new
vehicles. In addition, one dealership sells four brands of commercial motor
trucks.
The Company was formed in June 1996 and is controlled by Ripplewood
Holdings, L.L.C.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements reflect the consolidated accounts of Asbury and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for
investments in which the Company has significant influence. Generally, this
represents common stock ownership or partnership equity of at least 20% but not
more than 50%. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title, signing of the sales contract and approval of financing.
Revenue from the sale of parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts
to the customer or when vehicle service work is performed. Sales discounts and
service coupons are accounted for as a reduction to the sales price at the point
of sale. Manufacturer incentives and rebates, including holdbacks, are not
recognized until earned in accordance with the respective manufacturers
incentive programs.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenues from financing fees and
commissions are recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract revenues, net of estimated chargebacks, are included in
finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of
income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts-in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date
of purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent
F-9
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
receivables from finance companies for the portion of the vehicle purchase price
financed by customers through sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company uses the
"last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO") to account for approximately 65%, 64%, and
61% of its inventories, the specific identification method to account for 31%,
33% and 34% of its inventories, and the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") to
account for 4%, 3% and 5% of its inventories at December 31, 1999 and 2000 and
June 30, 2001, respectively. If the FIFO method had been used to determine cost
for inventories valued using the LIFO method, net income would have been
increased (decreased) by $(221), $2,139 and $2,097 for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and $1,050 and $669 for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 2000 and 2001, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements
are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the
useful life of the related asset. The range of estimated useful lives is as
follows (in years)--
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 5-35
Machinery and equipment..................................... 3-10
Furniture and fixtures...................................... 3-10
Company vehicles............................................ 3-5
Expenditures for major additions or improvements, which extend the useful
lives of assets, are capitalized. Minor replacements, maintenance and repairs,
which do not improve or extend the lives of such assets, are charged to
operations as incurred.
GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the
net tangible and other intangible assets acquired at the date of acquisition.
Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. Amortization
expense charged to operations totaled $1,523, $4,960 and $8,330, for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively, and $2,274 and $5,042 for
the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Accumulated
amortization totaled $6,770, $15,041 and $20,070 as of December 31, 1999 and
2000, and June 30, 2001, respectively. Other intangible assets, included in
other assets on the accompanying balance sheet, relate mostly to value assigned
to non-compete agreements and favorable lease rights and are amortized on a
straight-line basis over the life of the agreements ranging from 3-15 years.
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The recoverability of the Company's long-lived assets, including related
goodwill, other intangibles, and enterprise level goodwill is assessed by
comparing the carrying amounts of such assets to the estimated undiscounted cash
flows relating to those assets. The Company would conclude that an asset was
impaired if the sum of such expected future cash flows is less than the carrying
amount of the related asset. If the Company was to determine that an asset was
impaired,
F-10
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
the impairment loss would be the amount by which the carrying amount of the
related asset exceeds its fair value. Events that would trigger an impairment
assessment of long-lived assets or goodwill include but are not limited to: a
significant decrease in the market value of an asset or the Company, a
significant change in the Company's business or in the extent or manner in which
an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the
business climate that could affect the value of the Company or an asset or, a
history of operating on cash flow losses or a forecast that demonstrates losses
of the Company or an asset. The Company does not believe its long-lived assets
are impaired at June 30, 2001.
EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation issued to employees in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees." The Company, as permitted by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock--Based
Compensation," has chosen to account for equity options at their intrinsic
value. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded for its option
plan.
TAX STATUS
The Company consists primarily of limited liability companies and
partnerships (with the Company as the parent), which are treated as one
partnership for tax purposes. Under this structure, such companies and
partnerships are not subject to income taxes but instead the members of the
Company are taxed on their respective distributive shares of the Company's
taxable income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has
been included in the financial statements for the limited liability companies
and partnerships.
The Company has nine subsidiaries which for income tax purposes are C
corporations under the provisions of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code and,
accordingly, follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes in
accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method,
deferred income taxes are recorded based upon differences between the financial
reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the
enacted tax rates and laws that are assumed to be in effect when the underlying
assets are realized and liabilities are settled. A valuation allowance reduces
deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred
net of earned credits and other discounts. Advertising expense totaled $9,367,
$29,622 and $42,233 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, and
$19,306 and $21,215 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 2001,
respectively. For the years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000, approximately
$4,000 and $5,200 and for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 2001,
approximately $2,630 and $2,061, respectively, was paid to two separate entities
in which two members of the Company had substantial interests.
F-11
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of restricted
marketable securities, floor plan notes payable and long-term debt. The carrying
amounts of its financial instruments approximate their fair values at
December 31, 1999 and 2000 and June 30, 2001 due to their relatively short
duration and variable interest rates.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." Based on the definitions contained therein, the Company has no
components of other comprehensive income for the periods presented.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." Based upon definitions
contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one
segment and has no international operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all
F-12
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign
currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the
fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the
derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective
date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS
No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were
causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS
No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No.133 will not
have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position,
liquidity or cash flows.
On June 30, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
finalized and issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141,
"Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141") and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets" ("SFAS 142").
SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to
be accounted for using the purchase method, eliminating the pooling of interests
method.
SFAS 142, upon effectiveness, eliminates goodwill amortization over its
estimated useful life. However, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual
assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. Additionally,
acquired intangible assets should be separately recognized if the benefit of the
intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if
the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged,
regardless of the acquirer's intent to do so. Intangible assets with definitive
lives will need to be amortized over their useful lives.
The provisions of SFAS 142 apply immediately to all acquisitions completed
at June 30, 2001. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives existing
at June 30, 2001 will continue to be amortized until December 31, 2001.
Effective January 1, 2002 such amortization will cease, as companies are
required to adopt the new rules on such date. By the end of the first quarter of
calendar year 2002, companies must begin to perform an impairment analysis of
intangible assets. Furthermore, companies must complete the first step of the
goodwill transition impairment test by June 30, 2002. Any impairment noted must
be recorded at the date of effectiveness restating first quarter results, if
necessary. Impairment charges, if any, that result from the application of the
above tests would be recorded as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle in the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2002.
The Company will not be able to determine the ultimate impact of SFAS 141
and SFAS 142 on its consolidated financial statements until such time as it
applies their provisions.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition." SAB No.101 was
effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides
clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption
of SAB No.101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue
recognition policies.
F-13
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying unaudited financial statements for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 2000 and 2001 have been prepared on substantially the same basis
as the audited financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, which management believes are necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth therein.
3. ACQUISITIONS
OVERVIEW
The Company has consummated eight major platform acquisitions ("platforms"),
which were effected through its subsidiaries in which the sellers received, in
addition to cash consideration, an interest in the platform subsidiary
established to effect the related acquisition. Minority ownership interests
related to such transactions ranged from 20% to 49%. Such acquisitions were
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting; however, as also
discussed below, certain of these acquisitions were effected through leveraged
buyout transactions. A leverage buy-out is a transaction where in excess of 50%
of the purchase price has been financed. According to EITF 88-16 transactions
meeting the criteria of a leveraged buy-out where the previous control group
receives a greater than 20% interest in the acquired company, the net assets
associated with the previous control group should be stated at historical cost.
In such cases, the historical book value (carryover basis) was used to measure
the portion of assets acquired and liabilities assumed attributed to such
minority members of the subsidiaries. In connection with the Minority Member
Transaction, as discussed below, the minority interests in the subsidiaries were
acquired using the purchase method of accounting. As such, on April 30, 2000 the
impact of carryover basis accounting associated with the interests transferred
into Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C., ("Asbury Oregon"), have been eliminated.
The Company has consummated additional acquisitions through its subsidiaries
and certain of these acquisitions resulted in the issuance of minority
interests.
The operations of the acquired dealerships are included in the consolidated
statements of income commencing on the date acquired.
MINORITY MEMBER TRANSACTION
On April 30, 2000, Asbury, the then parent company, and the minority members
of Asbury's subsidiaries reached an agreement whereby their respective equity
interests were transferred into escrow pending the approval of the vehicle
manufacturers. On August 30, 2000 the vehicle manufacturers approved the
transaction and the respective equity interests were released from escrow and
were transferred into Asbury Oregon in exchange for equity interests in Asbury
Oregon (the "Minority Member Transaction"). The exchange of the minority
members' interests was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting
whereby the values of the related minority interests transferred into Asbury
Oregon were recorded at their estimated fair values, approximately $93,710. The
accompanying consolidated balance sheets include the allocations of the purchase
price to tangible and intangible net assets transferred. This allocation
resulted in recording approximately $23,679 of goodwill. Following the Minority
Member Transaction, the then parent company, Asbury, changed its name to Asbury
Automotive Holdings L.L.C. ("Asbury Holdings")
F-14
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
and Asbury Oregon changed its name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. Subsequent
to the Minority Member Transaction, Asbury Holdings owns approximately 59% of
the member interest of the Company with the remaining member interest being held
by the former minority members of the Company's subsidiaries.
1998
During 1998, the Company acquired five platforms (consisting of 37
dealerships) and an equity interest in an individual dealership for an aggregate
purchase price of $294,077, including the proceeds from $193,900 in borrowings
($20,700 of which was retained in the businesses) and the issuance of minority
interests to certain of the previous controlling shareholders.
The accompanying financial statements include the results of operations of
acquisitions acquired in 1998 from the date of acquisition. The following
unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 1998 acquisitions as if they
occurred on January 1, 1998 (unaudited).
Revenues.................................................... $2,462,717
Income before income taxes and minority interest............ 23,059
1999
During 1999, the Company acquired one platform (consisting of 6
dealerships), and 9 other dealerships as well as the remaining interest of a
dealership partially purchased in 1998 for an aggregate purchase price of
$119,597, including the proceeds from $73,784 in borrowings and the issuance of
minority interests to certain of the previous controlling shareholders.
The accompanying financial statements include the results of operations of
acquisitions acquired in 1998 and 1999 subsequent to the date of the respective
acquisitions. The following unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 1998
and 1999 acquisitions as if they occurred on January 1, 1998 and 1999,
respectively.
1998 1999
---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
Revenues........................................... $3,180,092 $3,455,256
Income before income taxes and minority interest... 23,122 44,208
2000
During 2000, the Company acquired 18 dealerships for an aggregate purchase
price of $197,648, including the proceeds from $140,820 in borrowings and the
issuance of member equity interests to certain of the previous controlling
shareholders.
The accompanying financial statements include the results of operations of
acquisitions acquired in 1999 and 2000 subsequent to the date of the respective
acquisitions. The following
F-15
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 1999 and 2000 acquisitions and
the effect of the Minority Member Transaction as if they occurred on January 1,
1999 and 2000, respectively.
1999 2000
---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
Revenues........................................... $4,274,277 $4,293,554
Income before income taxes and minority interest... 52,287 44,810
The unaudited pro forma selected financial data does not purport to
represent what the Company's results of operations would have actually been had
the transactions in fact occurred as of an earlier date or project the results
for any future period. Pro forma adjustments included in the amounts above
relate primarily to: (a) pro forma amortization expense; (b) adjustments to
compensation expense and management fees to the post acquisition contracted
amounts and; (c) increases in interest expense resulting from the net cash
borrowings used to complete the related acquisitions.
The foregoing acquisitions were all accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting. Except as discussed below, the historical book values of the
assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair value as of the acquisition
dates. Certain of these acquisitions were affected through leveraged buyout
transactions. Prior to the Minority Member Transaction, the accompanying
consolidated financial statements reflected the use of carryover basis (i.e.,
the historical values of the acquired company prior to the acquisition) in order
to measure the portion of assets acquired and liabilities assumed attributed to
certain minority members of the subsidiaries.
In certain of these transactions, just prior to the leveraged buyout of the
related controlling interest, the net book value attributable to the minority
interests was increased to reflect its fair value. This amount along with the
historical carrying amount of the net assets acquired was the basis for
determining the amount of carryover basis used to record the leveraged buyout of
the acquisition.
The following table summarizes the Company's acquisitions:
ACQUISITIONS CONSUMMATED IN:
---------------------------------
1998 1999 2000
--------- --------- ---------
Cash paid for businesses acquired........................... $294,077 $119,597 $197,648
Notes payable issued (included in purchase price)........... 10,188 -- --
Issuance of minority equity interest, including $57,495
reflected as contributed capital in 1998.................. 75,540 27,190 13,050
Less: Predecessor cost adjustment........................... (90,705) (18,828) (9,582)
Goodwill.................................................... (125,933) (87,754) (129,557)
-------- -------- --------
Estimated fair value of net tangible and other intangible
assets acquired........................................... $163,167 $40,205 $71,559
======== ======== ========
The allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed
has been based on preliminary estimates of fair value and may be revised as
additional information concerning valuation of such assets and liabilities
becomes available. As a result of the Minority Member Transaction, $82,783 of
predecessor cost adjustment has been eliminated as part of the purchase
accounting applied.
F-16
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
MINORITY INTERESTS
The use of carryover basis accounting for those acquisitions effected
through leveraged buyout transactions combined with the impact of distributing
to the sellers a portion of the borrowings used to consummate such acquisitions
resulted in minority shareholder deficits in those subsidiaries. In 1998, such
deficits were recorded as a reduction of members' equity. In 1999, the Company
determined that the minority portion of those shareholder deficits were
realizable. Accordingly, these amounts were reclassified to, and offset against,
other minority interest amounts. All minority interests were eliminated as a
result of the Minority Member Transaction.
4. INVESTMENTS IN PARTIALLY OWNED EQUITY AFFILIATES
In the fourth quarter of 1999, the Company made a $7,500 investment in
Greenlight.com ("Greenlight"), a startup Internet company engaged in the retail
sale of new vehicles. The investment was accounted for under the equity method
whereby the Company recorded pre-tax losses of $764 and $6,938 in 1999 and 2000,
respectively, related to its investment in and expenses paid on the behalf of
Greenlight. As of December 31, 2000, the Company's investment was fully
written-off through equity investment losses. In 2001, the Company invested an
additional $1,200 into Greenlight. Following the Company's additional
investment, Greenlight was merged into CarsDirect.com ("CarsDirect") a company
also engaged in the retail sale of new vehicles over the Internet. The Company's
investment in CarsDirect totaled approximately 3% of CarsDirect's total equity
after the merger. The Company accounts for its investment in CarsDirect using
the cost method.
5. DIVESTITURES
During 1998, the Company completed the sale of certain dealership assets for
net cash proceeds of $38,135. The $9,307 gain on the sale of such assets,
reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, is attributed
to the use of carryover basis in valuing the minority interest in the related
assets. In addition, the Company sold $215 of fixed assets for book value in
1998.
During 1999, the Company completed the sale of certain real estate assets
for net cash proceeds of $13,016. The difference of $3,459 between the recorded
book value as of the date of the sale and the net cash proceeds is attributed to
the use of carryover basis in valuing the minority interest in the related
assets. Of that difference, $1,067 relates to the sale of an asset back to one
of the Company's minority members within the purchase price allocation period
and was therefore accounted for as an adjustment to the related purchase price.
In addition, the Company sold other fixed assets for cash proceeds of $2,787,
recognizing a $27 loss.
During 2000, the Company sold three dealerships and certain fixed assets for
net cash proceeds of $6,054 and recorded a net loss on sale of these assets of
$1,533. The loss was comprised of $1,650 of losses from the sale of dealerships
which was offset by $117 of gains from the sale of fixed assets.
The above mentioned gains in both 1998 and 1999, which resulted from the use
of carryover basis to value the minority interest in the related assets, are
also reflected in minority interest in subsidiary income on the respective
consolidated statements of income.
F-17
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
6. INVENTORIES AND RELATED FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE
Inventories consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- JUNE 30,
1999 2000 2001
--------- --------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
New vehicles....................................... $340,857 $444,688 $399,265
Used vehicles...................................... 65,849 74,529 75,100
Parts and accessories.............................. 29,974 38,281 37,992
LIFO reserve....................................... (2,446) (3,357) (4,026)
-------- -------- --------
Total inventories................................ $434,234 $554,141 $508,331
======== ======== ========
The inventory balance is reduced by manufacturers' purchase discounts; such
reduction is not reflected in related floor plan liability.
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchases of specific
vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest
at variable rates based on LIBOR or prime. For the years ended December 31, 1999
and 2000 and the six months ended June 30, 2001, the weighted average interest
rates on floor plan notes payable outstanding was 8.3%, 8.7% and 7.4%,
respectively. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used
vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related
vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle
inventories of the respective subsidiary and are subject to certain financial
and other covenants.
7. NOTES RECEIVABLE--FINANCE CONTRACTS
Notes receivable for finance contracts, included in prepaid and other
current assets and other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets,
have initial terms ranging from 12 to 54 months bearing interest at rates
ranging from 11.0% to 29.9% and are collateralized by the related vehicles.
Notes receivable--finance contracts consists of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- JUNE 30,
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Gross contract amounts due........................... $35,381 $35,108 $37,677
Less--Allowance for credit losses.................... (5,745) (4,760) (4,735)
------- ------- -------
29,636 30,348 32,942
Current maturities, net.............................. (11,512) (15,235) (11,833)
------- ------- -------
Notes receivable, net of current portion............. $18,124 $15,113 $21,109
======= ======= =======
F-18
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Contractual maturities of gross notes receivable--finance contracts at
December 31, 2000 are as follows:
2001........................................................ $16,407
2002........................................................ 10,547
2003........................................................ 5,265
2004........................................................ 2,889
-------
$35,108
=======
8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------- JUNE 30,
1999 2000 2001
--------- --------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Land............................................... $38,886 $60,031 $64,206
Buildings and leasehold improvements............... 72,709 121,809 137,791
Machinery and equipment............................ 18,639 27,966 29,578
Furniture and fixtures............................. 15,428 19,641 21,992
Company vehicles................................... 13,134 16,158 20,619
-------- -------- --------
Total............................................ 158,796 245,605 274,186
Less--Accumulated depreciation..................... (17,010) (30,456) (38,625)
-------- -------- --------
Property and equipment, net...................... $141,786 $215,149 $235,561
======== ======== ========
9. SHORT-TERM DEBT
One of the Company's subsidiaries has $25,000 available through certain
revolving credit facilities, of which $16,612, $13,667 and $10,000 was
outstanding at December 31, 1999 and 2000 and June 30, 2001, respectively. The
credit facilities are secured by the notes receivable of the respective
subsidiary. Such amounts are payable on demand, and accrue interest at variable
rates (the weighted average interest rates were 8.3% and 10.0% for the years
ended December 31, 1999 and 2000, and 8.8% for the six-month period ended
June 30, 2001). In addition, another one of the Company's subsidiaries had
$2,623 outstanding on a revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2000,
representing the full amount available under the facility. Such amount was
repaid in January 2001.
The credit facilities mentioned above are subject to certain financial and
other covenants.
F-19
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following at:
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
--------------------- -----------
1999 2000 2001
--------- --------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
Term notes payable to banks (including the Acquisition Line
of the Credit Facility, both as defined below) bearing
interest at fixed and variable rates (the weighted
average interest rates were 8.9% and 10.1% for the
years-ended December 31, 1999 and 2000 and 10.9% for the
six-month period ending June 30, 2001), maturing at
various dates from 2002 to 2007, secured by the assets of
the related subsidiary companies......................... $217,624 $318,582 $345,191
Mortgage notes payable to banks bearing interest at fixed
and variable rates (the weighted average interest rates
were 8.6% and 9.3% for years-ended December 31, 1999 and
2000 and 8.7% for the six-month period ended June 30,
2001), maturing at various dates from 2001 to 2007. These
obligations are secured by property, plant and equipment
of the related subsidiary companies which had an
approximate net book value of $136,400 at December 31,
2000..................................................... 68,727 114,646 118,033
Non-interest bearing note payable to former shareholders of
one of the Company's subsidiaries, net of unamortized
discount of $2,226, $1,886, and $1,350 as of December 31,
1999 and 2000 and June 30, 2001, respectively, determined
at an effective interest rate of 6.4%, payable in
semiannual installments of approximately $913, due
January 2006, secured by marketable securities........... 9,676 8,453 7,814
Notes payable to financing institutions secured by
rental/loaner vehicles bearing interest at variable rates
(the weighted average interest rates were 8.4% and 8.7%
for the years-ended December 31, 1999 and 2000 and 9.0%
for the six-month period ended June 30, 2001), maturing
at various dates from 2001 to 2004....................... 6,132 7,269 8,911
Capital lease obligations.................................. 3,220 4,058 3,048
Other notes payable........................................ 2,269 2,366 3,041
-------- -------- --------
307,648 455,374 486,038
Less--current portion...................................... (10,841) (19,495) (15,842)
-------- -------- --------
Long-term portion.......................................... $296,807 $435,879 $470,196
======== ======== ========
F-20
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2000, are as
follows:
2001........................................................ $ 19,495
2002........................................................ 35,703
2003........................................................ 57,465
2004........................................................ 102,558
2005........................................................ 116,025
Thereafter.................................................. 124,128
--------
$455,374
========
Prior to the January 17, 2001 Credit Facility (as noted below), the Company
had variable rate notes, primarily based on LIBOR which were subject to normal
lending terms and contained covenants which limited the Company's ability to
incur additional debt and transfer cash outside the related subsidiary (such
restrictions include transferring funds upstream to the Company). In addition,
the various debt agreements required the related subsidiary to maintain certain
financial ratios.
On January 17, 2001, the Company entered into a 3 year financing agreement
(the "Credit Facility") with Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors
Acceptance Corporation and Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C. with total
availability of $1,300,000. The facility provides for $550,000 in acquisition
financing and working capital (the "Acquisition Line") and $750,000 in floor
plan financing (the "Floor Plan Line"). At the date of closing, the Company
utilized $330,599 of the Acquisition Line to repay existing term notes and pay
certain fees and expenses of the closing. In addition, the Company refinanced
substantially all of its existing floor plan debt under the Floor Plan Line. The
borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates based on
LIBOR or prime.
At December 31, 1999 and 2000 and June 30, 2001, the Company held
investments in restricted marketable securities (U.S. Treasury Strips), which
serve as collateral for a non-interest-bearing note payable due to former
shareholders of one of the Company's subsidiaries. These marketable securities
are classified as held to maturity and accordingly stated at cost which
approximates fair market value and mature in 2006. The principal on the
non-interest-bearing note is repaid from the proceeds of the maturity of such
securities.
During 1998, the Company entered into swap agreements with a bank in an
aggregate initial notional principal amount of $31,000 in order to fix a portion
of its interest expense and reduce its exposure to floating interest rates.
These swaps required the subsidiary to pay fixed rates ranging from 4.7% to 5.2%
and receive LIBOR. In December 2000, the Company terminated its swap agreement
resulting in a gain of $375 which was deferred and recorded to income in the
first quarter of 2001 when the related debt was extinguished.
Deferred financing fees aggregated approximately $2,215, $1,711 and $10,620
as of December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000 and June 30, 2001, net of accumulated
amortization of $564, $1,068 and $1,910, respectively, and are included in other
assets.
11. INCOME TAXES
For those subsidiaries subject to income tax, provisions have been made for
deferred taxes based on differences between financial statement and tax basis of
assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates and regulations.
Deferred taxes include $2,414, $325 and $325 included
F-21
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
in current assets, and $4,073, $4,091 and $4,378 included in non-current
liabilities, primarily related to investments in partnerships as of
December 31, 1999 and 2000 and June 30, 2001, respectively.
The pro forma provision for income taxes reflects the income tax expense
that would have been reported if the Company had been a C corporation. The
components of unaudited pro forma income taxes for the year ended December 31,
2000 and the three months ended June 30, 2001 are as follows:
DECEMBER 31, 2000 JUNE 30, 2001
----------------- --------------
Pro forma income taxes:
Current--
Federal.......................................... $15,211 $7,324
State............................................ 2,173 1,046
Less: minority portion........................... (4,263) --
------- ------
Total current.................................. 13,121 8,370
Deferred:
Federal.......................................... 908 360
State............................................ 130 52
Less: minority portion........................... (254) --
------- ------
Total deferred................................. 784 412
------- ------
Total pro forma income taxes......................... $13,905 $8,782
======= ======
The following tabulation reconciles the expected corporate federal income
tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the six months ended
June 30, 2001 to the Company's unaudited pro forma income tax expense as of
these dates:
DECEMBER 31, 2000 JUNE 30, 2001
----------------- --------------
Expected pro forma income tax expense................ 35.0% 35.0%
State income tax, net of federal tax effect.......... 5.0 5.0
Non-deductible goodwill and other intangibles........ 2.9 3.2
Other, net........................................... 0.8 0.2
---- ----
43.7% 43.4%
==== ====
12. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In connection with its acquisitions, the Company paid $6,170 and $1,000
during 1998 and 1999, respectively, to certain of its members for transaction
related services.
In addition to the advertising expenses (Note 2) and operating leases
(Note 13), the Company paid $180, $180 and $105 for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, and $90 and $7 for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 and 2001, to an entity owned by one of its members for the use of
a plane. Such amounts are included in selling, general and administrative
expense on the accompanying consolidated income statements.
In January 2001 the Company sold $378 of inventory to one of its members.
F-22
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
13. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under long-term
operating lease agreements, including leases with its members or entities
controlled by the Company's members. In instances where we have entered leases
in which the rent escalates over time we have straight-lined the rent expense
over the life of the lease. Rent expense amounted to $7,820, $16,943 and $22,616
for the three years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, and $11,019 and
$12,206 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Of
these amounts, $5,805, $10,405, $14,103, $7,017 and $7,192, respectively, were
paid to entities controlled by its members.
Future minimum payments under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases as
of December 31, 2000, are as follows:
RELATED THIRD
PARTIES PARTIES TOTAL
------------ ---------- ---------
2001................................... $ 13,124 $ 9,684 $ 22,808
2002................................... 13,082 9,293 22,375
2003................................... 12,813 9,110 21,923
2004................................... 11,865 8,348 20,213
2005................................... 11,195 7,869 19,064
Thereafter............................. 49,316 33,524 82,840
-------- ------- --------
Total.............................. $111,395 $77,828 $189,223
======== ======= ========
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company.
Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control
and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and
local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the
sellers have indemnified the Company. In the opinion of management of the
Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not
materially affect the financial condition, liquidity or the results of
operations of the Company.
The dealerships operated by the Company hold franchise agreements with a
number of vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the individual franchise
agreements, each dealership is subject to certain rights and restrictions
typical of the industry. The ability of the manufacturers to influence the
operations of the dealerships or the loss of a franchise agreement could have a
negative impact on the Company's operating results.
The Company has guaranteed two loans made by a bank to two management
employees of the Company's subsidiaries which total $2,000.
At December 31, 1999 and 2000, and June 30, 2001, a subsidiary of the
Company guaranteed $500, $1,100, and $2,848, respectively, in consumer
installment loans. These loans were issued by finance companies pursuant to
vehicle sales by the Company. Under the guaranty, upon repossession of the
vehicle collateralizing the loan by the finance company, the Company is liable
for all or a part of the underlying loan balance. Accrued liabilities include
management's estimate of future losses related to this guaranty.
F-23
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
15. EQUITY BASED ARRANGEMENTS
In 1999, the Company adopted an equity option plan for certain management
employees (the "Option Plan") that provides for the grant of equity interests
not to exceed $2,000. The grants are stated at a dollar amount based on the
Company's entity value. The Option Plan also requires that the exercise price of
the grant be equal to the fair market value (as defined) of the grant on the
grant date. Equity interests in the Company purchased by employees pursuant to
the Option Plan are callable by the Company under certain circumstances at their
fair value (as defined) and vest over a period of three years. The following
tables summarize information about option activity and amounts:
MEMBERSHIP
INTEREST
PERCENTAGE
----------
Options outstanding December 31, 1998....................... --
Granted................................................. .029%
Options outstanding December 31, 1999....................... .029
Granted................................................... .004
Cancelled................................................. (.029)
-----
Options outstanding December 31, 2000....................... .004%
=====
As of December 31, 2000, the weighted average remaining contractual life was
9.07 years. The number of options exercisable as of December 31, 2000, was
.001%.
Had the fair value method of accounting been applied to the Company's stock
option plan, the pro forma impact on the Company's net income would have been as
follows for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000:
1999 2000
-------- --------
Net income as reported................................... $16,148 $28,927
Pro forma net income..................................... 16,086 28,752
The fair value of options granted, which is amortized to expense over the
option vesting period in determining the pro forma impact, is estimated on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions:
1999 2000
-------- --------
Expected life of option................................... 5 years 5 years
Risk-free interest rate................................... 6.14% 6.47%
Expected volatility....................................... 55% 55%
Expected dividend yield................................... 0% 0%
In the first quarter of 2001, the Company's Board of Directors authorized
the Option Plan to grant an additional $800 of equity interests.
The Company has an arrangement whereby, under certain circumstances, certain
senior executives will participate in the increase in the value of the Company.
The executives would be
F-24
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998 AND JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
(INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 2001 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000 IS UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
eligible to receive a portion of the remaining distributable cash generated from
a sale or liquidation of the Company or a Board declared distribution in excess
of the capital contributed to the Company plus a compounded 8% rate of return.
No circumstances have occurred which would cause such participation nor does the
Company presently believe any remaining distributable cash is available for such
executives and, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded for the
three years ended 1998, 1999 or 2000 or for the six-month period ended June 30,
2001.
16. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company and several of the subsidiaries have existing 401(k) salary
deferral/savings plans for the benefit of substantially all such employees.
Employees electing to participate in the plans may contribute up to 15% of their
annual compensation limited to the maximum amount that can be deducted for
income tax purposes each year. Vesting varies at each respective subsidiary.
Certain subsidiaries match a portion of the employee's contributions dependent
upon reaching certain operating goals. Expenses related to subsidiary matching
totaled $506, $873 and $1,920 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and
2000, respectively, and aggregated approximately $571 and $1,298 for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 2001, respectively. In 2001, the
Company consolidated substantially all of its existing 401(k) salary
deferral/savings plans into one plan.
17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Subsequent to December 31, 2000, the Company acquired 5 dealerships (9
franchises) for an aggregate purchase price of $45,248. The acquisitions were
funded through the proceeds of borrowings on the acquisition line of the
Company's credit facility and the issuance of an equity interest in the Company
to one of the sellers.
F-25
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheet of the Business
Acquired by Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. (Hutchinson Automotive Group) as of
December 31, 1999, and the related combined statements of income, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000,
and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1999. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Business Acquired by
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. as of December 31, 1999, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the period from January 1, 2000, through
June 30, 2000 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31,
1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
June 15, 2001
F-26
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
(IN THOUSANDS)
AS OF
DECEMBER 31,
1999
------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents (including contracts-in-transit
of $3,770).............................................. $11,373
Accounts receivable....................................... 3,852
Inventories............................................... 28,120
Prepaid and other current assets.......................... 595
-------
Total current assets.................................. 43,940
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net................................. 14,945
GOODWILL, net............................................... 4,010
OTHER ASSETS................................................ 10
-------
Total assets.......................................... $62,905
=======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payable.................................. $22,675
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... 75
Accounts payable.......................................... 1,505
Accrued liabilities....................................... 3,673
-------
Total current liabilities............................. 27,928
OTHER LIABILITIES........................................... 318
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock and additional paid-in-capital............... 24,601
Retained earnings......................................... 10,058
-------
Total shareholders' equity............................ 34,659
-------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............ $62,905
=======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-27
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FOR THE PERIOD
DECEMBER 31, JANUARY 1, 2000
--------------------- THROUGH
1998 1999 JUNE 30, 2000
--------- --------- ---------------
REVENUE:
New vehicles.......................................... $162,411 $197,556 $58,061
Used vehicles......................................... 90,455 112,109 35,903
Parts, service and collision repair................... 22,457 25,744 8,285
Finance and insurance, net............................ 5,165 7,123 1,713
-------- -------- -------
Total revenue..................................... 280,488 342,532 103,962
COST OF SALES:
New vehicles.......................................... 146,335 179,016 52,784
Used vehicles......................................... 81,352 100,648 31,875
Parts, service and collision repair................... 13,078 14,486 4,703
-------- -------- -------
Total cost of sales............................... 240,765 294,150 89,362
-------- -------- -------
GROSS PROFIT............................................ 39,723 48,382 14,600
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative................... 27,895 31,696 10,705
Depreciation and amortization......................... 888 1,018 260
-------- -------- -------
Income from operations............................ 10,940 15,668 3,635
-------- -------- -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense........................... (1,622) (1,675) (635)
Other income, net..................................... 336 225 58
-------- -------- -------
Total other expense, net.......................... (1,286) (1,450) (577)
-------- -------- -------
Net income........................................ $9,654 $14,218 $3,058
======== ======== =======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-28
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK RETAINED
AND ADDITIONAL EARNINGS
PAID-IN-CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
--------------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997.......................... $13,251 $6,877 $20,128
Contributions.......................................... 11,350 -- 11,350
Distributions.......................................... -- (6,894) (6,894)
Net income............................................. -- 9,654 9,654
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998.......................... 24,601 9,637 34,238
Distributions.......................................... -- (13,797) (13,797)
Net income............................................. -- 14,218 14,218
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999.......................... 24,601 10,058 34,659
Distributions.......................................... -- (36,068) (36,068)
Net income............................................. -- 3,058 3,058
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2000.............................. $24,601 $(22,952) $1,649
======= ======== ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-29
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED DECEMBER 31, JANUARY 1, 2000
--------------------- THROUGH JUNE 30,
1998 1999 2000
--------- --------- ----------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income........................................... $9,654 $14,218 $3,058
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization.................... 888 1,018 260
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of
effects from acquisitions and divestiture of assets--
Accounts receivable.............................. (241) (711) 376
Inventories...................................... 251 (1,727) 1,444
Floor plan notes payable......................... (3,002) 6,941 220
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities......... 1,251 463 (357)
Other............................................ 55 (158) (424)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities.... 8,856 20,044 4,577
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures................................. (307) (949) (48)
Proceeds from the sale of assets..................... 16 7 3
Cash and cash equivalents associated with the sale to
Asbury............................................. -- -- (3,822)
Acquisitions......................................... (11,350) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities........ (11,641) (942) (3,867)
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions........................................ (6,894) (13,797) (11,225)
Contributions........................................ 11,350 -- --
Repayments of debt................................... (134) (676) --
Proceeds from borrowings............................. 500 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities................................. 4,822 (14,473) (11,225)
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents................................ 2,037 4,629 (10,515)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period......... 4,707 6,744 11,373
-------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period............... $6,744 $11,373 $858
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest............................... $1,593 $1,665 $605
======== ======== ========
Non-cash distributions (net assets of the business
sold to Asbury on April 14, 2000).................. $ -- $ -- $24,843
======== ======== ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-30
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Jacksonville L.P. ("Asbury Jacksonville") acquired the
operations of Buddy Hutchinson Cars, Inc. ("Toyota") and Buddy Hutchinson
Chevrolet, Inc. ("Chevrolet") on April 14, 2000 and the operations of Buddy
Hutchinson Imports, Inc. ("Imports") on July 1, 2000 for $57,266 including the
issuance of a $5,000 equity interest in Asbury Jacksonville to the majority
shareholder of the selling entities. Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. ("Asbury
Arkansas") acquired the operations of Regency Toyota Inc. ("Regency"), Mark
Escude Nissan, Inc. ("Nissan"), Mark Escude Nissan North, Inc. ("Nissan North"),
Mark Escude Motors, Inc. ("Mitsubishi") and Mark Escude Daewoo, Inc. ("Daewoo")
on April 14, 2000 for $32,976 including the issuance of a $2,500 equity interest
in Asbury Arkansas to the dealer operator of those entities. The companies
mentioned above will from hereafter be referred to as the "Company" or
"Hutchinson Automotive Group." Asbury Jacksonville and Asbury Arkansas are
subsidiaries of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. ("Asbury").
The Company is engaged in the sale of new and used vehicles, light trucks
and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair
services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its
automotive customers.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements reflect the combined accounts of Toyota, Regency,
Nissan, Nissan North and Mitsubishi for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through April 13, 2000, the
accounts of Chevrolet for the period from April 6, 1998 through December 31,
1998, the year ended December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000
through April 13, 2000, the accounts of Daewoo for the period from August 1,
1999 through December 31, 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through
April 13, 2000, and the accounts of Imports for the years ended December 31,
1998 and 1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000.
All intercompany transactions have been eliminated during the period of
common ownership.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract
F-31
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in finance and insurance
revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts-in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date
of purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies
for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through
sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company uses the
"last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO") to account for the new vehicle inventories
of all its dealerships except for the Daewoo and the parts inventories of
Regency and Nissan South, the specific identification method to account for the
used vehicle inventories of all its dealerships, and the "first-in, first-out"
method ("FIFO") to account for the new vehicle inventory of Daewoo and the parts
inventories of all its dealerships, except for Regency and Nissan South. Had the
FIFO method been used to determine the cost of inventories valued using the LIFO
method, net income would have increased (decreased) by ($131), ($62) and $299
for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 and for the period from
January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements
are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the
useful life of the related asset. The range of estimated useful lives is as
follows (in years)--
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 5-35
Machinery and equipment..................................... 5-7
Furniture and fixtures...................................... 5-7
Company vehicles............................................ 3-5
Expenditures for major additions or improvements, which extend the useful
lives of assets, are capitalized. Minor replacements, maintenance and repairs,
which do not improve or extend the lives of such assets, are charged to
operations as incurred.
GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the
net assets acquired at date of acquisition. Goodwill is amortized on a
straight-line basis over 40 years. Amortization expense charged to operations
totaled $83, $106 and $53 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, and
for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, respectively.
Accumulated amortization totaled $240 as of December 31, 1999.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The recoverability of the Company's long-lived assets, including goodwill
and other intangibles, is assessed by comparing the carrying amounts of such
assets to the estimated undiscounted cash
F-32
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
flows relating to those assets. The Company does not believe its long-lived
assets are impaired at December 31, 1999.
TAX STATUS
The Company's shareholders have elected to be taxed as S corporations as
defined by the Internal Revenue Code. The shareholders of the Company are taxed
on their share of the Company's taxable income. Therefore, no provision for
federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred.
Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, and for the
period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, totaled $5,405, $5,499 and
$1,668, respectively.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of floor plan notes
payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of its financial instruments
approximate their fair values at December 31, 1999 due to their relatively short
duration and variable interest rates.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". Based upon
F-33
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it
operates in one segment and has no international operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign
currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the
fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the
derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective
date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS
No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were
causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS
No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No.133 will not
have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position,
liquidity or cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". SAB No. 101 was
effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides
clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption
of SAB No. 101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue
recognition policies.
3. ACQUISITIONS
On April 6, 1998, the Company acquired Chevrolet's operations and the
related land and building for $11,100 in cash and the assumption of floor plan
liability. The allocation of purchase price, including $5,100 allocated to the
real estate, resulted in $3,750 of goodwill.
SUPPLEMENTAL PRO FORMA INFORMATION
The accompanying financial statements include the results of operations of
Chevrolet, acquired in 1998 subsequent to the date of the acquisition. The
following unaudited pro forma financial data reflects the 1998 acquisition as if
it occurred on January 1, 1998. The unaudited pro forma selected financial data
does not purport to represent what the Company's results of operations would
have actually been had the transaction in fact occurred as of an earlier date or
project the results for any future period.
Revenues.................................................... $291,551
Net income.................................................. 9,877
Pro forma adjustments included in the amounts above relate primarily to:
(a) pro forma goodwill amortization expense amortized over an estimated useful
life of 40 years; and
F-34
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(b) adjustments to compensation expense and management fees to the post
acquisition contracted amounts.
4. INVENTORIES AND RELATED FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE
Inventories consist of the following as of December 31, 1999:
New vehicles................................................ $23,839
Used vehicles............................................... 5,428
Parts and accessories....................................... 1,487
LIFO reserve................................................ (2,634)
-------
Total inventories........................................... $28,120
=======
The inventory balance is reduced by manufacturer's purchase discounts, such
reduction is not reflected in related floor plan liability.
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchases of specific
vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest
at variable rates based on prime. During 1999, the weighted average interest on
floor plan notes payable outstanding was 8.25%. Floor plan arrangements permit
borrowings based upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on
notes are due when the related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized
by substantially all vehicle inventories of the Company and are subject to
certain financial and other covenants.
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consist of the following at December 31, 1999:
Land........................................................ $3,127
Buildings and leasehold improvements........................ 12,625
Machinery and equipment..................................... 1,263
Furniture and fixtures...................................... 1,917
Company vehicles............................................ 172
-------
Total..................................................... 19,104
Less--Accumulated depreciation.............................. (4,159)
-------
Property and equipment, net........................... $14,945
=======
F-35
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
6. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following as of December 31, 1999:
Mortgage note payable to a bank bearing interest based on
prime (the weighted average interest rate was 7.80% for
the year ended December 31, 1999) maturing August 13,
2000. The note is secured by the real estate property of
Nissan North which had an approximate et book value of
$927 at December 31, 1999................................. $75
Less--current portion....................................... (75)
---
Long-term portion........................................... $--
===
7. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
At December 31, 1998, the Company had a note payable to the majority
shareholder for $500 which was included in accrued liabilities. Such amount was
repaid in 1999.
8. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under long-term
operating lease agreements. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1998
and 1999 and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000, totaled
to $184, $174 and $57, respectively.
Future minimum payments under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases as
of December 31, 1999, are as follows:
2000........................................................ $94
2001........................................................ 82
2002........................................................ 81
2003........................................................ 77
2004........................................................ 77
Thereafter.................................................. 1,045
------
Total..................................................... $1,456
======
9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company.
Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control
and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and
local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the
Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the
amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially
affect the financial position or the results of operations of the Company.
F-36
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.
(HUTCHINSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
10. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company maintains a 401(k) salary deferral/savings plan for the benefit
of all of its employees over the age of 21 who have completed one year of
service. Employees electing to participate in the plan may contribute a
percentage of annual compensation limited to the maximum amount that can be
deducted for income tax purposes each year. Participants vest in their employer
matching contributions over a seven-year period. The Company matches 25% of the
first 4% of the employee's salary contributed. Expenses related to Company
matching totaled $53, $56 and $17 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1999, and for the period from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000,
respectively.
F-37
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury
Automotive Oregon L.L.C. (Thomason Auto Group) for the period from January 1,
1999, through December 9, 1999, and for the year ended December 31, 1998. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. for the period from
January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, and for the year ended December 31,
1998, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
April 26, 2001
F-38
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1999
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THROUGH
DECEMBER 31,1998 DECEMBER 9, 1999
------------------ -------------------
REVENUES:
New vehicles........................................... $303,520 $86,120
Used vehicles.......................................... 159,242 60,084
Parts, service and collision repair.................... 26,507 8,610
Finance and insurance, net............................. 15,715 4,142
-------- --------
Total revenues....................................... 504,984 158,956
COST OF SALES:
New vehicles........................................... 285,140 80,892
Used vehicles.......................................... 135,369 54,930
Parts, service and collision repair.................... 16,787 4,362
-------- --------
Total cost of sales.................................. 437,296 140,184
GROSS PROFIT............................................. 67,688 18,772
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative.................... 60,266 15,471
Depreciation and amortization.......................... 1,097 371
-------- --------
Income from operations............................... 6,325 2,930
-------- --------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................ (5,271) (800)
Other interest expense................................. (494) (83)
Loss on sale of assets................................. -- (25)
Other income, net...................................... 39 204
-------- --------
Total other expense, net............................. (5,726) (704)
-------- --------
Income before income taxes........................... 599 2,226
INCOME TAX EXPENSE....................................... 267 --
-------- --------
Net income........................................... $332 $2,226
======== ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-39
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK RETAINED
AND ADDITIONAL EARNINGS
PAID-IN CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
--------------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997........................ $1,767 $5,020 $6,787
Distributions........................................ -- (10,260) (10,260)
Net income........................................... -- 332 332
------ -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998........................ 1,767 (4,908) (3,141)
------ -------- --------
Contributions........................................ -- 1,375 1,375
Net income........................................... -- 2,226 2,226
------ -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 9, 1999......................... $1,767 ($1,307) $460
====== ======== ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-40
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD
FROM JANUARY 1,
FOR THE YEAR 1999 THROUGH
ENDED DECEMBER 9,
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
----------------- ---------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $332 $2,226
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization......................... 1,097 371
Loss on sale of assets................................ -- 25
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from divestiture of assets--
Accounts receivable, net.............................. 1,501 192
Due from related parties.............................. (3,570) --
Inventories........................................... (2,038) 3,022
Floor plan notes payable.............................. 1,305 754
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 7,769 (3,339)
Other................................................. (335) (505)
------- -------
Net cash provided by operating activities............. 6,061 2,746
------- -------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (3,234) (158)
Proceeds from the sale of assets.......................... 1,404 --
Cash and cash equivalents associated with the business
acquired by Asbury...................................... (5,818) --
Net issuance of finance contracts......................... (398) --
------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities................. (8,046) (158)
------- -------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions to shareholders............................. (1,626) --
Contributions............................................. -- 1,375
Repayments of debt........................................ (1,580) (291)
Proceeds from borrowings.................................. 537 --
------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities... (2,669) 1,084
------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents......................................... (4,654) 3,672
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 7,937 3,283
------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $3,283 $6,955
======= =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for--
Interest.................................................. $5,781 $883
======= =======
Income taxes.............................................. $197 $ --
======= =======
Non-cash distributions (net assets of the business sold to
Asbury on December 4, 1998)............................... $8,634 $ --
======= =======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-41
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. ("Asbury") acquired its dealership
operations through the December 4, 1998 acquisition of Thomason Auto
Group, Inc. ("TAG"), Dee Thomason Ford, Inc. ("Ford"), Thomason Imports, Inc.
("Imports"), Thomason Nissan ("Nissan"), Thomason Auto Credit Northwest, Inc.
("TACN") and Thomason on Canyon, L.L.C. ("Canyon") and the December 10, 1999,
acquisition of Thomason Toyota, Inc. ("Toyota"). The combined accounts of the
companies mentioned above will from hereafter be referred to collectively as the
"Company" or "Thomason Auto Group".
On December 4, 1998, the operations of TAG, Ford, Imports, Nissan, TACN and
Canyon were acquired by Asbury for $49,075 in cash and the issuance of a
minority interest to the majority shareholder the Company. On December 10, 1999,
Asbury acquired the operations of Toyota for $18,875 in cash and the issuance of
a minority interest to the same shareholder.
The purchase agreements dated December 4, 1998, and December 10, 1999,
between the shareholders of the Company and Asbury included an adjustment to the
purchase price based on the tangible net worth of the respective assets of the
Company on the related closing dates as well as indemnities for certain
pre-closing contingencies which included certain employment practices. On
April 26, 2001, the shareholders of the Company agreed to pay Asbury $2,800 in
cash and forfeited a portion of their interest in Asbury valued at $2,500 as
final settlement of the purchase agreement.
The accompanying combined statement of income for the year ended
December 31, 1998, includes $1,500 of selling, general and administrative
expense related to certain selling practices. Such amount was paid in 1999. The
majority shareholder of the Company contributed $1,375 in 1999 to cover such
costs.
The Company is engaged in the sale of new and used vehicles, light trucks
and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair
services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its
automotive customers.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying financial statements include the results of TAG, Ford,
Imports, Nissan, TACN and Canyon for the period from January 1, 1998 through
December 3, 1998, and the results of Toyota for the year ended December 31, 1998
and for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999.
All intercompany transactions have been eliminated during the period of
common ownership.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers
F-42
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
through various institutions and receives commissions equal to the difference
between the loan rates charged to customers over predetermined financing rates
set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in
finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts-in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date
of purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies
for the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through
sources arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company uses the
"last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO") to account for all new vehicle inventories,
the specific identification method to account for used vehicle inventories, and
the "first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") to account for parts inventories. Had
the FIFO method been used to cost inventories valued using the LIFO method, net
income would have increased by $452 and $66 for the year ended December 31, 1998
and for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements
are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the
useful life of the related asset.
Expenditures for major additions or improvements, which extend the useful
lives of assets, are capitalized. Minor replacements, maintenance and repairs,
which do not improve or extend the lives of such assets, are charged to
operations as incurred.
TAX STATUS
The shareholders of the Company's subsidiaries, with the exception of TACN,
have elected to be treated as S corporations. The shareholders of the S
corporations are taxed on their share of those companies' taxable income.
Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been included in
the financial statements for the S corporations.
TACN is a C corporation under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code and, accordingly, follows the liability method of accounting for income
taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income taxes
are recorded based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax
basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and
laws that will be in effect when the underlying assets are realized and
liabilities are
F-43
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
settled. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets when it is more
likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred.
Advertising expense for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from
January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, totaled $5,304 and $2,483,
respectively, of which $3,155 and $989, respectively, was paid to an entity in
which the majority shareholder had a substantial interest.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". Based upon definitions
contained in SFAS No. 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one
segment and has no international operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment,
F-44
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction
or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign
operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a
foreign currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes
in the fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use
of the derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the
effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2000. SFAS No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues
that were causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying
SFAS No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No.133 will
not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position,
liquidity or cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition". SAB No. 101 was
effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides
clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption
of SAB No. 101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue
recognition policies.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchases of specific
vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest
at variable rates based on prime. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the
weighted average interest rate on floor plan notes payable outstanding was
6.87%. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used vehicle
inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related vehicles
are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle inventories
of the Company and are subject to certain financial and other covenants.
The Company's notes payable are due to financing institutions and are
secured by rental vehicles bearing interest at variable rates (the weighted
average interest rate was 8.5% for the year ended December 31, 1998) and mature
at various dates all in 1999.
4. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under long-term
operating lease agreements, including leases with its majority shareholder or
entities controlled by its majority shareholder. Rent expense for the year ended
December 31, 1998, and for the period from January 1, 1999 through December 9,
1999, totaled $2,683 and $1,078, respectively. Of these amounts, $1,506 and
$887, respectively, were paid to entities controlled by its shareholders.
F-45
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Future minimum payments under long-term, non-cancelable operating leases as
of December 31, 1998, are as follows:
RELATED THIRD
PARTIES PARTIES TOTAL
-------- -------- --------
1999............................................ $876 $186 $1,062
2000............................................ 840 187 1,027
2001............................................ 840 160 1,000
2002............................................ 840 146 986
2003............................................ 840 113 953
Thereafter...................................... 15,540 445 15,985
------- ------ -------
Total......................................... $19,776 $1,237 $21,013
======= ====== =======
5. INCOME TAXES
A schedule of TACN's provision for income tax purposes for the period from
January 1, 1998 though December 3, 1998 is as follows:
Current:
Federal................................................... $196
State..................................................... 41
----
237
Deferred:
Federal................................................... 25
State..................................................... 5
----
30
Total................................................... $267
====
Deferred income tax provision results from temporary differences in the
recognition of income and expense for financial statement reporting and tax
purposes. These temporary differences relate to different revenue recognition
policies for financial statement reporting as compared to tax reporting and are
not material.
A reconciliation of the TACN's actual provision for income taxes with the
provision computed at federal statutory rates for the period from January 1,
1998 through December 3, 1998, is as follows:
Statutory rate.............................................. 34.0%
State income taxes.......................................... 6.6
Other....................................................... 0.9
----
Effective income tax rate................................... 41.5%
====
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the
F-46
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE OREGON L.L.C.
(THOMASON AUTO GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the
control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state
and local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the
Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the
amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially
affect the financial position or the results of operations of the Company.
Prior to the sale of the business, the Company was in the practice of
guaranteeing consumer installment loans on a limited recourse basis.
Substantially all of these loans were issued to one finance company pursuant to
vehicle sales by the Company. Under the guarantee, upon repossession of the
vehicle collateralizing the loans by the finance company, the Company was liable
for all or part of the loan balance. As of December 31, 1998, $27,250 of these
loans were guaranteed collectively by Asbury and the Company, $5,700 of which
was guaranteed by the Company with the remainder guaranteed by Asbury. The
accompanying combined financial statements include a provision for repossession
losses of $6,359 and $619 and are included in selling, general and
administrative expenses, for the year ended December 31, 1998, and the period
from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, respectively.
In December 1999, prior to the sale of Toyota to Asbury, the Company and
Asbury collectively agreed to transfer all remaining recourse liability back to
the finance company initially issuing the paper. The transaction resulted in a
$223 gain in the period from January 1, 1999, through December 9, 1999.
7. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company maintains a 401(k) salary deferral/savings plan for the benefit
of all its employees upon reaching one year of service with the Company.
Employees electing to participate in the plan may contribute up to 15% of their
annual compensation limited to the maximum amount that can be deducted for
income tax purposes each year. Participants vest upon the completion of seven
years of service. The Company matches a portion of the employee's contributions
dependent upon reaching certain operating goals. Expenses related to Company
matching totaled $101 and $25 for the year ended December 31, 1998, and for the
period from January 1, 1999 through December 9, 1999, respectively.
8. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company had $829 and $15,162 of vehicle sales to Asbury and $408 and
$5,516 of vehicle purchases from Asbury for the period from December 4, 1999
through December 31, 1998, and the period from January 1, 1999 through
December 9, 1999, respectively.
The Company paid management fees of $596 during the period from January 1,
1999 through December 9, 1999, to Asbury.
F-47
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury
Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. referred to as "the McLarty Combined Entities" (see
Note 1) for the period from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999, and for
the year ended December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the
McLarty Combined Entities for the period from January 1, 1999 through
November 17, 1999, and for the year ended December 31, 1998 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Little Rock, Arkansas
July 18, 2001
F-48
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1999
DECEMBER 31, THROUGH NOVEMBER 17,
1998 1999
------------ ---------------------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle.......................................... $218,017 $78,076
Used vehicle......................................... 101,614 32,368
Parts, service and collision repair.................. 28,514 6,663
Finance and insurance, net........................... 5,687 1,968
-------- --------
Total revenue.................................... 353,832 119,075
-------- --------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle.......................................... 205,873 71,924
Used vehicle......................................... 91,226 30,028
Parts, service and collision repair.................. 17,026 3,739
-------- --------
Total cost of sales.............................. 314,125 105,691
-------- --------
GROSS PROFIT........................................... 39,707 13,384
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative.................. 29,493 10,072
Depreciation and amortization........................ 530 110
-------- --------
Income from operations........................... 9,684 3,202
-------- --------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense.......................... (2,630) (1,030)
Other interest expense............................... (1,629) (13)
Other income, net.................................... 791 152
-------- --------
Total other expense.............................. (3,468) (891)
-------- --------
NET INCOME............................................. $6,216 $2,311
======== ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-49
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK
AND ADDITIONAL RETAINED
PAID-IN CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
--------------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997............................ $4,477 $3,750 $8,227
Net income............................................... -- 6,216 6,216
Distributions............................................ -- (6,293) (6,293)
------ ------- -------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998............................ 4,477 3,673 8,150
Net income............................................... -- 2,311 2,311
Distributions............................................ -- (2,224) (2,224)
Contributions............................................ 1,989 -- 1,989
------ ------- -------
BALANCE AS OF NOVEMBER 17, 1999............................ $6,466 $3,760 $10,226
====== ======= =======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-50
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE FOR THE PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 1999
DECEMBER 31, THROUGH NOVEMBER 17,
1998 1999
------------ --------------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income............................................... $6,216 $2,311
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities-
Depreciation and amortization........................ 530 110
Gain on sale of assets............................... -- (63)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of
effects from acquisitions and divestiture of
assets-
Accounts receivable, net......................... 635 (734)
Inventories...................................... (6,495) 3,723
Prepaid expenses and other current assets........ (70) (8)
Other assets..................................... 7 308
Floor plan notes payable......................... 4,323 14,099
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities......... (1,018) 1,156
Other long-term liabilities...................... (136) (237)
------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities...... 3,992 20,665
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures..................................... (817) (266)
Proceeds from the sale of assets......................... 40 80
Cash and cash equivalents contributed to Asbury Arkansas
under Exchange Agreement............................... -- (7,023)
Other.................................................... (32) 588
------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities.......... (809) (6,621)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions............................................ (6,603) (2,224)
Contributions............................................ -- 1,989
Repayment of debt........................................ (480) (1,174)
Proceeds from debt....................................... 241 --
Net advances from (repayments to) related parties........ 3,022 (17,791)
------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities.......... (3,820) (19,200)
------- --------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents...... (637) (5,156)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period............. 5,802 5,165
------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period................... $5,165 $9
======= ========
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest................................... $4,270 $1,008
======= ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-51
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The McLarty Combined Entities (the "Company") represents the combined
dealership operations of North Point Ford, Inc., North Point Mazda, Inc.,
Premier Autoplaza, Inc., Hope Auto Company, McLarty Auto Mall, Inc.
(collectively referred to as the "First Dealerships"), and Prestige, Inc.
("Prestige").
On February 23, 1999, pursuant to an exchange agreement (the "Exchange
Agreement") among Asbury Arkansas L.L.C. ("Asbury Arkansas"), the Company and
Asbury Automotive Group, L.L.C. ("AAG"), the operations of the First Dealerships
were transferred to Asbury Arkansas in exchange for cash and a 49% interest in
Asbury Arkansas. Concurrently, AAG contributed $13,995 in cash in exchange for a
51% interest in Asbury Arkansas. On November 18, 1999, the operations of
Prestige were transferred to Asbury Arkansas in consummation of the Exchange
Agreement.
The accompanying 1999 combined statements of income, shareholders' equity
and cash flows reflect the activities of the First Dealerships from January 1,
1999 through February 22, 1999, which represents the date of closing of the
exchange transactions involving the First Dealerships, and the activities of
Prestige from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
The Company operates six automobile dealerships in the central and
southwestern regions of the State of Arkansas. The dealerships are engaged in
the sale of new and used motor vehicles and related products and services,
including vehicle service and parts, finance and insurance products and other
after-market products.
The business combination described above was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting on the financial statements of Asbury Arkansas.
The accompanying financial statements do not include the effect of any
adjustments resulting from the ultimate allocation of the purchase price by
Asbury Arkansas.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF COMBINATION
The financial statements for each of these entities are presented on a
combined basis as they have substantially common ownership. All significant
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in combination.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the
F-52
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in
finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of
purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for
the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources
arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
The majority of the Company's inventories are accounted for using the
"first-in, first-out" method ("FIFO") and are valued using the lower of cost or
market. The Company's parts inventories are stated at replacement cost in
accordance with industry practice. The Company valued certain inventories using
the "last-in, first-out" method ("LIFO"). Approximately 18.6% of the Company's
inventories were valued at LIFO at December 31, 1998. If the FIFO method had
been used to determine the cost of inventories, net income would have been lower
by $149 for the year ended December 31, 1998 and greater by $56 for the period
from January 1, 1999 through November 17, 1999.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are
provided utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of
the assets.
GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the face value of the
net tangible and other intangible assets acquired at the date of acquisition net
of accumulated amortization. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over
40 years.
FINANCE RECEIVABLES AND ADVANCES
The Company has an arrangement with a finance company, whereby the finance
company extends credit to certain of the Company's customers in connection with
vehicle sales. Under the arrangement, the Company originates installment
contracts, which are assigned to the finance company without recourse, along
with security interests in the related vehicles. The finance company advances
the Company a portion of the payments due under the contracts, groups the
contracts into pools and services the contracts. The finance company retains a
servicing fee equal to 20% of contractual payments due on a pool-by-pool basis.
In the event of customer default, the Company has no obligation to repay any
advanced amounts or other fees to the finance company.
TAX STATUS
The entities comprising the Company are Subchapter S Corporations, as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and thus the taxable income or
losses of the Company are included in the individual tax returns of the
stockholders for federal and state income tax purposes. Therefore, no provisions
for taxes have been included in the accompanying combined financial statements.
F-53
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred
or when such advertising initially takes place. The Company's combined
statements of income include advertising expense of $3,711 and $1,444 for the
year ended December 31, 1998 and the period from January 1, 1999 through
November 17, 1999, respectively.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the statements of cash flows.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the
Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international
operations.
MAJOR SUPPLIERS AND DEALERSHIP AGREEMENTS
The Company enters into agreements with the automakers that supply new
vehicles and parts to its dealerships. The Company's overall sales could be
impacted by the automakers' ability or unwillingness to supply the dealerships
with a supply of new vehicles. Dealership agreements generally limit location of
dealerships and retain automaker approval rights over changes in dealership
management and ownership. Each automaker is entitled to terminate the dealership
agreement if the dealership is in material breach of its terms.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative
F-54
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities.
It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or
liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions
are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the
exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an
unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows
of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a
net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an
available-for-sale security or a foreign currency-denominated forecasted
transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (gains
or losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting
designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective date of SFAS No. 133 to all
fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 138,
issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were causing
implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS No. 133. The
Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not have a
material impact on its results of operations, financial position, liquidity or
cash flows.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchase of specific
vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest
at variable rates based on prime. The interest rates related to floor plan notes
payable ranged from 7.75% to 8.75%. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings
based upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are
due when the related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by
substantially all vehicle inventories of the Company and are subject to certain
financial and other covenants.
Long-term debt consists of various notes payable to banks and corporations,
bearing interest at both fixed and variable rates and secured by certain of the
Company's assets. Interest rates ranged from 7.75% to 8.75%.
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable
operating lease agreements, including leases with related parties. Rent expense
for each of the periods presented in the accompanying combined statements of
income is shown below:
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH
DECEMBER 31,1998 NOVEMBER 17, 1999
------------------ -----------------------
Related parties...................... $1,302 $529
Third parties........................ 678 127
------ ----
Total............................ $1,980 $656
====== ====
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company.
Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control
and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and
local requirements.
F-55
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE ARKANSAS L.L.C.
(MCLARTY COMBINED ENTITIES)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management of the Company,
the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not
materially affect the financial position or the results of operations of the
Company.
5. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company had amounts payable to related parties that consisted primarily
of advances made to the Company by certain shareholders and officers. These
balances accrued interest at rates corresponding to interest rates charged by
certain floor plan institutions (8.75% at December 31, 1998). During 1998, the
Company paid interest on amounts owed to these stockholders and officers
totaling $1,521.
The Company paid management fees to an entity that is owned by certain
Company shareholders totaling approximately $310 during the year ended
December 31, 1998 and approximately $52 during the period from January 1, 1999
through November 17, 1999.
The entities included in the Company had various levels of ownership
interest in the Sunlight Mesa Insurance Company ("Mesa"), which aggregate to
100%. Mesa operates as a reinsurer of credit life, accident and health insurance
and has no direct policies in force. As Mesa's results of operations and
financial position were not material, they have not been combined into the
accompanying financial statements. Instead, the Company has recorded their
interest in Mesa using the cost method of accounting for investments. Commission
income recorded by the Company on insurance contracts related to policies
reinsured with Mesa was approximately $260 during 1998. The Company's investment
in Mesa was not contributed to Asbury Arkansas as a part of the business
combination discussed in Note 1.
6. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company maintains 401(k) plans (the "Plans") at each of the dealerships,
which cover substantially all employees. The Company makes matching
contributions to the Plans of up to 2% of participating employees' salaries. The
Company's combined statements of income include contributions of $81 and $16 for
the year ended December 31, 1998 and the period from January 1, 1999 through
November 17, 1999, respectively.
F-56
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Business Acquired by Asbury
Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. (Crown Automotive Group) for the period from
January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999, and for the year ended December 31, 1998.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the
Business Acquired by Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. for the period from
January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999, and for the year ended December 31, 1998,
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
July 18, 2001
F-57
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE FOR THE PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 1999
DECEMBER 31, THROUGH APRIL 6,
1998 1999
------------ -------------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle............................................... $170,808 $14,424
Used vehicle.............................................. 129,447 13,148
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 44,614 4,815
Finance and insurance, net................................ 9,626 555
-------- -------
Total revenue......................................... 354,495 32,942
-------- -------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 157,675 13,413
Used vehicle.............................................. 125,053 12,341
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 22,536 2,556
-------- -------
Total cost of sales................................... 305,264 28,310
-------- -------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 49,231 4,632
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 42,010 3,579
Depreciation and amortization............................. 374 18
-------- -------
Income from operations................................ 6,847 1,035
-------- -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (1,848) (93)
Other interest expense.................................... -- (48)
Other income, net......................................... 871 687
-------- -------
Net income............................................ $5,870 $1,581
======== =======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-58
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK RETAINED
AND ADDITIONAL EARNINGS
PAID-IN CAPITAL (DEFICIT) TOTAL
--------------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997.......................... $10,573 $6,460 $17,033
Contributions.......................................... 489 -- 489
Distributions.......................................... (7,638) (13,043) (20,681)
Net income............................................. -- 5,870 5,870
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998.......................... 3,424 (713) 2,711
------- -------- --------
Distributions.......................................... -- (340) (340)
Net income............................................. -- 1,581 1,581
------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF APRIL 6, 1999.............................. $3,424 $528 $3,952
======= ======== ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-59
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE FOR THE PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 1999
DECEMBER 31, THROUGH APRIL 6,
1998 1999
------------ -------------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $5,870 $1,581
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--
Depreciation and amortization......................... 374 18
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisitions and divestiture of assets--
Accounts receivable, net.............................. (493) (1,450)
Inventories........................................... (665) (743)
Prepaid and other..................................... (759) 3
Floor plan notes payable.............................. 1,722 (428)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 2,910 2,074
-------- -------
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 8,959 1,055
-------- -------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (1,240) (15)
Net issuance of notes receivable.......................... 5,388 --
Cash and cash equivalents associated with the sale to
Asbury.................................................. (8,394) --
-------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities............. (4,246) (15)
-------- -------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Contributions............................................. 489 --
Repayments of notes payable............................... (5,071) --
Distributions............................................. (12,008) (340)
-------- -------
Net cash used in financing activities............. (16,590) (340)
-------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents..................................... (11,877) 700
-------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 13,942 2,065
-------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $2,065 $2,765
======== =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest.................................... $1,847 $76
======== =======
Non-cash distributions (net assets of the business sold to
Asbury on December 11, 1998)............................ $8,673 $ --
======== =======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-60
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. ("Asbury") acquired its dealership
operations through the December 11, 1998, acquisition of the non-Honda/Acura
operations of CAC Automotive, Inc. ("CAC"), CAR Automotive, Inc. ("CAR"), CFC
Finance, Inc. ("CFC"), and CAM Automotive, Inc. ("CAM") and the April 7, 1999,
acquisition of the Honda/Acura dealerships of the above-mentioned entities. The
combined accounts of the entities mentioned above will from hereafter be
referred to collectively as "the Company" or "Crown Automotive Group." These
combined statements do not include the real estate entities in which the Company
conducts its dealership operations. As a result, rent expense is included in the
accompanying combined statements of income as discussed in Note 3.
On December 11, 1998, the non-Honda/Acura operations of CAC, CAR, CFC, CAM
and the real estate assets of Asbury North Carolina Real Estate Holdings L.L.C.
were acquired by Asbury for $80,828 in cash and the issuance of a 49% equity
interest to certain of the former shareholders of the Company.
On April 7, 1999, the Honda/Acura dealerships operations were acquired by
Asbury for $10,073 in cash and the issuance of a 49% equity interest to the same
shareholders.
The Company is engaged in the sale of new and used vehicles, light trucks
and replacement parts, provides vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and repair
services and arranges vehicle finance, insurance and service contracts for its
automotive customers located in Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, North
Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying combined financial statements reflect the combined accounts
of the non-Honda/Acura operations of CAC, CAR, CFC and CAM for the period from
January 1, 1998 through December 10, 1998 and the combined accounts of the
Honda/Acura operations for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period
from January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999.
All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated during the
period of common ownership.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the
F-61
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in
finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of
purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for
the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources
arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
New and used vehicle inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market
utilizing the "last-in, first-out" (LIFO) method. Parts inventories are valued
at the lower of cost or market utilizing the "first-in, first-out" (FIFO)
method. If the FIFO method had been used to determine cost for inventories
valued using the LIFO method, net income would have increased by $2,153 and $10
for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1, 1999
through April 6, 1999 respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are
provided for utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life
of the asset.
TAX STATUS
The Company's shareholders have elected to be taxed as S corporations as
defined by the Internal Revenue Code. The shareholders of the Company are taxed
on their share of the Company's taxable income. Therefore, no provision for
federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred
or when such advertising initially takes place. Advertising costs aggregated
approximately $2,467 and $250 for the year ended December 31, 1998, and for the
period from January 1, 1999, through April 6, 1999, respectively.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
F-62
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statements of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the
Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international
operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign
currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the
fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the
derivative and the resulting designation. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective
date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS
No. 138, issued in June 2000, addressed a limited number of issues that were
causing implementation difficulties for numerous entities applying SFAS
No. 133. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not
have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position,
liquidity or cash flows.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition." SAB No.101 was
effective for years beginning after December 31, 1999, and provides
clarification related to recognizing revenue in certain circumstances. Adoption
of SAB No.101 did not have a material impact on the Company's revenue
recognition policies.
F-63
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
3. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Asbury acquired the real estate used in the dealership operations of the
entities included in these financial statements in the December 10, 1998
acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, the real estate was owned by the majority
shareholder of the Company or owned through entities in which the majority
shareholder of the Company held a controlling interest. Rent expense included in
the accompanying statements of income paid to those real estate entities totaled
$4,750 and $497 for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from
January 1, 1999 through April 6, 1999, respectively. The related real estate had
a fair market value of $56,200 at the date of acquisition by Asbury.
4. OPERATING LEASES
The Company held various lease agreements for land expiring through 2005.
In addition to the related party real estate leases mentioned above, the
Company is party to various equipment operating leases with remaining terms in
excess of one year. Expense related to these leases approximated $455 and $45
for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from January 1, 1999
through April 6, 1999, respectively.
The leases, which contain rental escalation clauses based on the consumer
price index, require the following minimum payments as of December 31, 1998:
RELATED PARTY THIRD PARTIES
------------- -------------
1999............................................... $3,827 $110
2000............................................... 3,903 110
2001............................................... 3,982 110
2002............................................... 4,061 110
2003............................................... 4,143 110
Thereafter......................................... 8,535 64
------- ----
$28,451 $614
======= ====
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company.
Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control
and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and
local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the
Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the
amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially
affect the financial condition, liquidity or the results of operations of the
Company.
Included in other income, net is $683 of income from the settlement of a
class action lawsuit with a certain vehicle manufacturer.
F-64
BUSINESS ACQUIRED BY ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA L.L.C.
(CROWN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
6. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company participates in a retirement program administered by the
National Automobile Dealers and Associates Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). The
Plan is a multi-employer defined contribution 401(k) plan. Each regular
full-time employee who is at least 21 years of age, but not over 56, and who has
been continuously employed by the Company for one year or more is eligible to
participate in the Plan. The Plan requires that the Company match the employees'
voluntary contributions to the extent of 2% of the compensation of participants.
Contributions to the Plan made by the Company amounted to approximately $115 and
$26 for the year ended December 31, 1998, and for the period from January 1,
1999 through April 6, 1999, respectively.
F-65
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Coggin Automotive Corp and Affiliates:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of Coggin Automotive Corp and Affiliates for
the period from January 1, 1998 through October 30, 1998. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations of Coggin Automotive Corp
and Affiliates, and their cash flows for the period from January 1, 1998 through
October 30, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Jacksonville, Florida
January 29, 1999
F-66
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD
FROM
JANUARY 1, 1998
THROUGH
OCTOBER 30, 1998
----------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle............................................... $115,542
Used vehicle.............................................. 67,299
Parts, services and collision repair...................... 22,725
Finance and insurance, net................................ 5,803
--------
Total revenue........................................... 211,369
--------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 104,632
Used vehicle.............................................. 60,164
Parts, services and collision repair...................... 10,347
--------
Total cost of sales..................................... 175,143
--------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 36,226
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 26,577
Depreciation and amortization............................. 1,035
--------
Income from operations.................................. 8,614
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (1,289)
Interest expense.......................................... (686)
Interest income........................................... 252
Gain on sale of assets.................................... 1,909
Other..................................................... 513
--------
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.................... 9,313
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.................................. 1,686
--------
NET INCOME.................................................. $7,627
========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-67
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
COMBINED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK
AND ADDITIONAL RETAINED
PAID-IN CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
--------------- -------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997........................... $14,397 $5,308 $19,705
Net income.............................................. -- 7,627 7,627
Distributions........................................... (24,172) (253) (24,425)
Contributions........................................... 10,287 -- 10,287
-------- ------- --------
BALANCE AS OF OCTOBER 30, 1998............................ $512 $12,682 $13,194
======== ======= ========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-68
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1998
THROUGH OCTOBER 30,
1998
-------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $7,627
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization........................... 1,035
Gain on sale of assets.................................. (1,909)
Other noncash........................................... 556
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable................................... 740
Inventories........................................... (910)
Floor plan notes payable.............................. 6,314
Accounts payable and accrued expenses................. 3,284
Other................................................. (425)
--------
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 16,312
--------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (3,037)
Net proceeds from sale of assets.......................... 100
Sale of notes receivable--finance contracts............... 2,238
Net issuance of finance contracts......................... 1,152
--------
Net cash provided by investing activities......... 453
--------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on notes payable....................... $(6,495)
Partner contributions..................................... 10,287
Partner distributions..................................... (22,060)
--------
Net cash used in financing activities............. (18,268)
--------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents......... (1,503)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 16,436
--------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $ 14,933
========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest.................................................. $2,000
========
Income taxes.............................................. $90
========
Distribution of notes receivable............................ $2,365
========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-69
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The combined financial statements of Coggin Automotive Corp and Affiliates
(the "Company") include the accounts of the following limited partnerships:
CP-GMC Motors, Ltd., CH Motors, Ltd., CN Motors, Ltd., CFP Motors, Ltd., Avenue
Motors, Ltd., d.b.a. Coggin Nissan of the Avenues and C&O Properties, Ltd. The
combined financial statements also include CA Funding 1, Ltd., CLC Inc., Coggin
Management Company, Inc., Bayway Financial Services, Inc., ANL
Associates, Inc., CA Funding 2, Ltd., CA Funding, Inc., CF Motor Corp., and
COPROP Corporation.
The combined financial statements of the Company also include investments in
Landcom Co., Ltd.; Coggin Andrews Partnership, d.b.a. Coggin Andrews Honda; and
CA Motors, Ltd., d.b.a. Coggin Acura. These investments are accounted for under
the equity method, as the Company did not own a controlling partnership interest
in these entities.
The combined financial statements of the Company include 100% of C&O
Properties, Ltd., which was owned 37% by the majority stockholder of the
Company. This 37% was not treated as a minority interest as the Company had
effective control of C&O Properties, Ltd.
The Company is engaged in the sale and servicing of new automobiles and the
retailing and wholesaling of replacement parts and used vehicles. The Company
operates from locations in North, Central and South Florida.
On October 31, 1998, Asbury Automotive Jacksonville, L.P. ("Asbury
Jacksonville"), a 51% owned subsidiary of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.
("AAG"), purchased substantially all of the operating assets and assumed certain
liabilities of the Company. The total purchase price was approximately $40,761.
Asbury Jacksonville issued a 49% equity interest in Asbury Jacksonville to the
former shareholders of the Company (the "Minority Members"). In addition, Asbury
Jacksonville granted the Minority Members a put option. This option gives the
Minority Members the right to require Asbury Jacksonville to purchase all of the
minority interest of the largest minority shareholder upon termination of
employment or at any time requested by this shareholder after the third
anniversary of the acquisition date and all the minority interest of the other
Minority Members upon termination of employment and the passage of three years
from the acquisition date.
All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated
in combination.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract
F-70
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in finance and insurance
revenue in the accompanying combined statements of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of
purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for
the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources
arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of new
vehicles is determined on a "last-in, first-out" ("LIFO") method. The cost of
used vehicles is determined using the specific identification method. The cost
of parts, accessories, and other inventories is determined on a "first-in,
first-out" ("FIFO") method. The effect of utilizing the LIFO method had an
immaterial effect on the accompanying combined statement of income for the
period from January 1, 1998 through October 30, 1998.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are
calculated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the
related assets.
TAX STATUS
Except as discussed in Note 4, the Company's shareholders have elected to be
taxed as partnerships and S corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue
Code. The shareholders of the Company are taxed on their share of the Company's
taxable income. Therefore, no provision or federal or state income taxes has
been included in the financial statements for the partnerships and S
corporations.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred
or when such advertising initially takes place. Advertising costs totaled $3,056
for the period from January 1, 1998 through October 30, 1998.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets
and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the statement of cash flows.
F-71
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base. Bayway Financial Services, L.P. extends credit to its customers based on
an evaluation of the customer's financial condition and credit history.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the
Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international
operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign
currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the
fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the
derivative and the resulting designation. The Company has determined that the
adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not have a material impact on its results of
operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows.
3. SALE OF ASSETS
On July 1, 1998, the Company sold its 1% general and 49% limited partnership
interest in Coggin Acura for a promissory note of approximately $2,365. The
Company recognized a gain of approximately $1,909, which was included in the
accompanying combined statement of income for the period from January 1, 1998
through October 30, 1998.
4. INCOME TAXES
Corporations that elect S corporation status after December 31, 1986 may be
subject to a corporate-level tax on the net unrealized built-in gain at the date
of conversion that is realized during the ten-year period after conversion.
Prior to December 31, 1997, the Company recorded a liability for the tax effect
of the excess of the fair value of the investments in partnerships, primarily
hotel investments, over the aggregate adjusted tax bases in the amount of
$1,413.
F-72
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The Company is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
for the period from June 1, 1992 through December 31, 1993. As the result of a
reorganization that occurred in June 1993, the assets of various C corporations
were transferred to limited partnerships. Shortly thereafter, the C corporations
were liquidated into their common parent corporation, and the parent corporation
elected S corporation status. The IRS has asserted that the S corporation
election triggered recapture of the LIFO reserve related to the inventory
transferred to the limited partnerships. In connection with the acquisition by
Asbury Jacksonville as of October 30, 1998, the Company recorded a tax liability
of approximately $1,686 for the net recognized built-in gain, pursuant to
Section 1374 of the Internal Revenue Code.
5. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases certain land, facilities, and computer equipment under
operating leases with various expiration dates through 2008. Rental expense
under such agreements totaled $175 for the period from January 1, 1998 through
October 30, 1998.
Minimum future lease payments under these operating leases are as follows:
1998........................................................ $214
1999........................................................ 214
2000........................................................ 214
2001........................................................ 208
2002........................................................ 217
Thereafter.................................................. 768
------
$1,835
======
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company.
Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control
and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and
local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management of the Company,
the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not
materially affect the financial condition, liquidity or the results of
operations of the Company.
The dealerships operated by the Company hold franchise agreements with a
number of automotive manufacturers. In accordance with the individual franchise
agreements, each dealership is subject to certain rights and restrictions
typical of the industry. The ability of the manufacturers to influence the
operations of the dealerships or the loss of a franchise agreement could have a
negative impact on the Company's operating results.
As discussed in Note 1, Asbury Jacksonville granted the selling shareholders
of the Company a put option that gives them the right to require Asbury
Jacksonville to purchase their minority interests upon certain circumstances.
F-73
COGGIN AUTOMOTIVE CORP AND AFFILIATES
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Asbury Jacksonville signed a letter of intent to acquire the remaining 50%
interest for approximately $7,000 in a dealership which is 50%-owned by AAG and
the shareholders of the Company.
7. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company participates in a salary deferral 401(k) plan (the "Plan"),
which is administered by the National Automobile Dealers Association. All
full-time employees of the Company who are more than 21 years of age and have
more than one year of service are eligible to participate in the Plan. The
Company matches employee contributions up to 2% of an employee's annual
compensation, with the matching portion vesting over a period of seven years.
The Company's expense under the Plan totaled $207 for the period from
January 1, 1998 through October 30, 1998.
F-74
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To J.I.W. Enterprises, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of J.I.W. Enterprises, Inc. for the period
from January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1998. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of J.I.W.
Enterprises, Inc. for the period from January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1998
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey
April 14, 1999
F-75
J.I.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1998
THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
-------------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle............................................... $107,655
Used vehicle.............................................. 48,334
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 25,202
Finance and insurance, net................................ 2,978
--------
Total revenue........................................... 184,169
--------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 100,296
Used vehicle.............................................. 43,986
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 15,771
--------
Total cost of sales..................................... 160,053
--------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 24,116
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 18,384
Depreciation and amortization............................. 402
--------
Income from operations.................................. 5,330
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Floor plan interest expense............................... (1,352)
Interest income........................................... 46
--------
Net income.............................................. $4,024
========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-76
J.I.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON
STOCK AND
ADDITIONAL RETAINED
PAID-IN EARNINGS TOTAL
CAPITAL (DEFICIT) EQUITY
---------- --------- --------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997............................. $5,722 $371 $6,093
Distributions............................................. -- (4,597) (4,597)
Net income................................................ -- 4,024 4,024
------ ------ ------
BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 1998............................ $5,722 $(202) $5,520
====== ====== ======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-77
J.I.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1998
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17,
1998
---------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $4,024
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities--...............................
Depreciation and amortization........................... 402
Change in operating assets and liabilities--
Accounts receivable, net.............................. (1,994)
Inventories........................................... 4,238
Prepaid expenses...................................... (193)
Other assets.......................................... 204
Floor plan notes payable.............................. (2,635)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses................. 973
-------
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 5,019
-------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (333)
-------
Net cash used in investing activities............. (333)
-------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distributions............................................. (4,597)
Net advances from minority partner........................ 795
Net cash used in financing activities............. (3,802)
-------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents......... 884
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 5,085
-------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $ 5,969
=======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest.................................... $1,357
=======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-78
J.J.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements reflect the combined operations of J.I.W.
Enterprises, Inc., Courtesy Toyota of Brandon, Inc., Gulf Auto Holdings, Inc.
and Courtesy Imports of Tampa, Inc. (collectively the "Company"). The Company is
engaged in the sale and servicing of new automobiles and the retailing and
wholesaling of replacement parts and used vehicles. The Company operates from
two locations in the greater Tampa, Florida metropolitan area.
The Company's dealership operations were sold to Asbury Automotive Tampa
L.P. ("Asbury Tampa") on September 18, 1998 for $37,257, including transaction
costs, and the issuance of a 49% interest in Asbury Tampa to the shareholders of
the Company.
All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in
combination.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in
finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statement of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of
purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for
the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources
arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market utilizing the
"last-in, first-out" (LIFO) method. If the "first-in, first-out" (FIFO) method
had been used to determine the cost of inventories valued using the LIFO method,
net income would have been increased by approximately $82 for the period from
January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1998.
F-79
J.J.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are
provided for utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life
of the asset.
TAX STATUS
The Company's shareholders have elected to be taxed as S corporations as
defined by the Internal Revenue Code. The shareholders of the Company are taxed
on their share of the Company's taxable income. Therefore, no provision for
federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred or when such
advertising initially takes place. Advertising costs aggregated approximately
$2,158 for the period from January 1, 1998 through September 17, 1998.
USE OF ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets
and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the period presented. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying combined statement of cash flows.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base. However, they are concentrated in the Company's market area in west
central Florida.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the
Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international
operations.
F-80
J.J.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign
currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the
fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the
derivative and the resulting designation. The Company has determined that the
adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not have a material impact on its results of
operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchase of specific
vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest
at variable rates based on prime. In 1998, the interest rates related to floor
plan notes payable were based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
plus 130 basis points. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new
and used vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the
related vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all
vehicle inventories of the Company and are subject to certain financial and
other covenants.
4. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases certain land and buildings from its majority shareholder.
Rental expense under these leases for the period from January 1, 1998 through
September 17, 1998 was $1,156. Annual minimal non-cancelable lease payments
under these leases amount to $1,510 through September 16, 2008.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the Company.
Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control
and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and
local requirements.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims, the
Company has indemnified Asbury. In the opinion of management of the Company, the
amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially
affect the financial position, liquidity or the results of operations of the
Company.
F-81
J.J.W. ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
6. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company maintains a 401(k) plan covering substantially all of its
employees. Individuals, eighteen years of age and older, are eligible to
participate in the plan upon attaining one year of service with the Company. The
Company matches a portion of the employee's contributions dependent on reaching
specified operating goals. Expenses related to the Company's matching
contribution were $27 for the period from January 1, 1998 through September 17,
1998.
F-82
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To David McDavid Auto Group:
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of David McDavid Auto Group for the period
from January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of David
McDavid Auto Group for the period from January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Roseland, New Jersey
March 19, 1999
F-83
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 1998
THROUGH
APRIL 30, 1998
-------------------
REVENUE:
New vehicle............................................... $78,558
Used vehicle.............................................. 21,577
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 18,951
Finance and insurance, net................................ 3,750
--------
Total revenue........................................... 122,836
--------
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle............................................... 74,616
Used vehicle.............................................. 19,837
Parts, service and collision repair....................... 11,292
--------
Total cost of sales..................................... 105,745
--------
GROSS PROFIT................................................ 17,091
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative....................... 14,253
Depreciation and amortization............................. 257
--------
Income from operations.................................. 2,581
OTHER EXPENSE:
Floor plan interest expense............................... (1,286)
Other interest expense.................................... (107)
--------
Net income.............................................. $1,188
========
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-84
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
COMBINED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
COMMON STOCK
AND
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN RETAINED
CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL EQUITY
------------------ -------- ------------
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997........................ $2,040 $12,355 $14,395
Distributions........................................ -- (1,560) (1,560)
Net income........................................... -- 1,188 1,188
------ ------- -------
BALANCE AS OF APRIL 30, 1998........................... $2,040 $11,983 $14,023
====== ======= =======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-85
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE PERIOD
FROM
JANUARY 1, 1998
THROUGH
APRIL 30, 1998
---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income................................................ $1,188
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in
operating activities-
Depreciation and amortization........................... 257
Changes in operating assets and liabilities-
Accounts receivable..................................... (898)
Inventories............................................. (708)
Prepaid expense and other assets........................ (441)
Floor plan payable...................................... (1,998)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities................ (1,177)
-------
Net cash used in operating activities................. (3,777)
-------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (45)
-------
Net cash used in investing activities................. (45)
-------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on capital lease obligation...................... (46)
Repayment of long-term borrowings......................... (315)
Proceeds from long-term debt.............................. 10,552
Distributions............................................. (1,560)
-------
Net cash provided by financing activities............. 8,631
-------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents............. 4,809
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 14,665
-------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $19,474
=======
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION--
Cash paid for interest.................................... $1,027
=======
See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
F-86
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements reflect the combined operations of the following
entities: David McDavid Pontiac, Inc., David McDavid Luxury Imports, Inc., David
McDavid Nissan, Inc., D.Q. Automobiles, Inc., Autovest, Inc., Texas Auto
Outfitters, Inc., David McDavid Wireless Communications, Inc.,
McAdvertising, Inc., and Papa Grande Mgmt. Co., (collectively the "Company").
The Company is engaged in the sale and servicing of new automobiles and the
retailing and wholesaling of replacement parts and used vehicles throughout the
Dallas, Houston and Austin, Texas metropolitan areas.
The Company was sold to Asbury Automotive Texas L.L.C. ("Asbury Texas") on
April 30, 1998 for $90,331 (including transaction costs) and the issuance of a
25.8% interest in Asbury Texas to the shareholders of the Company.
All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in
combination.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery,
passage of title and signing of the sales contract. Revenue from the sale of
parts and services is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or when
vehicle service work is performed.
The Company receives commissions from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance and vehicle service contracts to customers. In addition, the Company
arranges financing for customers through various institutions and receives
commissions equal to the difference between the loan rates charged to customers
over predetermined financing rates set by the financing institution.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for financing fees,
insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by customers. The revenue from financing fees and
commissions is recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles and a reserve
for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and
the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
vehicle service contract revenue, net of estimated chargebacks, is included in
finance and insurance revenue in the accompanying combined statement of income.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include contracts in-transit and highly liquid
investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at date of
purchase. Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for
the portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources
arranged by the Company.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market utilizing the
"first-in, first-out" (FIFO) method.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided for
utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset.
F-87
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
TAX STATUS
Except for Autovest, Inc., the Company's shareholders have elected to be
taxed as S corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. The
shareholders of the Company are taxed on their share of the Company's taxable
income. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been
included in the financial statements. Autovest, Inc. is a C corporation; federal
income taxes related to this entity are not material to the combined results of
operations.
ADVERTISING
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred or when such
advertising initially takes place. Advertising costs totaled $1,097 for the
period from January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
The net change in floor plan financing of inventories, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying combined statement of cash flows.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of floor plan notes
payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of its financial instruments
approximate their fair values due to their relatively short duration and
variable interest rates.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
maintains cash balances in financial institutions with strong credit ratings. At
times, amounts invested with financial institutions may be in excess of FDIC
insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to contracts-in-transit and
accounts receivable are limited primarily to automakers and financial
institutions. Credit risk arising from receivables from commercial customers is
minimal due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer
base.
SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information". Based upon definitions contained in SFAS No. 131, the
Company has determined that it operates in one segment and has no international
operations.
F-88
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," was issued. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as
derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at
fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security or a foreign
currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the
fair value of a derivative (gains or losses) depends on the intended use of the
derivative and the resulting designation. The Company has determined that the
adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not have a material impact on its results of
operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Floor plan notes payable reflect amounts payable for purchase of specific
vehicle inventories and are due to various floor plan lenders bearing interest
at variable rates based on prime. In 1998, the interest rates related to floor
plan notes payable were based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
plus 2.25%. Floor plan arrangements permit borrowings based upon new and used
vehicle inventory levels. Vehicle payments on notes are due when the related
vehicles are sold. The notes are collateralized by substantially all vehicle
inventories of the Company and are subject to certain financial and other
covenants.
Long-term debt outstanding during 1998 consists of various notes payable to
banks and corporations, bearing interest at both fixed and variable rates and
secured by certain of the Company's assets. Interest rates were based on LIBOR
plus 2.50% or the prime rate, ranging from 7.5% to 10.0%.
4. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company leases certain land and buildings from its majority shareholder.
Annual minimum non-cancelable lease payments under these leases amount to
approximately $4,808 through May 1, 2013. Rent expense for the period from
January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998 was $1,608.
From January 1, 1998 through April 30, 1998, approximately $645 of
commission income was derived from the sale of credit life and disability
insurance policies and warranty contracts from insurance companies which are
owned by the majority shareholder. In addition, from January 1, 1998 through
April 30, 1998, commission income of approximately $520 was derived from a
finance company in which the Company has a small ownership interest. Included in
finance and insurance, net is approximately $378 of investment earnings from
such finance company.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Substantially all of the Company's facilities are subject to federal, state
and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment.
Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such
compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net
earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position of the
F-89
DAVID MCDAVID AUTO GROUP
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the
control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state
and local requirements.
The Company has guaranteed 30% of loans made by a bank in an aggregate
amount of $2 million, the proceeds of which were used by two management
employees who had no ownership interest in the Company to acquire a 3.6%
interest in Asbury Texas.
The Company has been named in a class action lawsuit alleging that more than
600 automobile dealerships, including the Company, have improperly charged
consumers a vehicle inventory tax in addition to the purchase price of the
vehicle. The Texas Automotive Dealers Association has assumed defense of the
case. There is no allegation as to the amount of damages and no determination
has been made as to the potential liability. In the opinion of management, the
amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially
affect the financial position, liquidity or results of operations of the
Company.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the
ordinary course of its business and with respect to certain of these claims the
Company has indemnified Asbury Texas. In the opinion of management of the
Company, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not
materially affect the financial position, liquidity or the results of operations
of the Company.
F-90
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No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information
or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on
any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to
sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in
jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
--------
Prospectus Summary................... 1
The Offering......................... 3
Summary Historical And Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Data........ 4
Risk Factors......................... 5
Forward-Looking Statements........... 14
Use Of Proceeds...................... 15
Dividend Policy...................... 15
Dilution............................. 15
Capitalization....................... 17
Selected Consolidated Financial
Data............................... 18
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Information........................ 20
Management's Discussion And Analysis
Of Financial Condition And Results
Of Operations...................... 27
Business............................. 34
Management........................... 49
Related Party Transactions........... 58
Description Of Capital Stock......... 60
Principal And Selling Stockholders... 63
Shares Eligible For Future Sale...... 65
Underwriting......................... 68
Validity Of Shares................... 70
Experts.............................. 70
Where You Can Find More Information.. 70
Index to Financial Statements........ F-1
------------------------
Through and including [ ], 2001 (the 25th day after the date of this
prospectus) all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or
not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus.
This is in addition to a dealer's obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting
as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
[ ] Shares
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE
GROUP, INC.
Common Stock
------------------
[LOGO]
------------------------
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
Representatives of the Underwriters
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting
compensation expected to be incurred) in connection with this offering. All such
amounts (except the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee) are estimated.
SEC registration fee........................................ $ 37,500
NYSE listing fee............................................ 125,000
NASD filing fee............................................. 15,500
Blue Sky fees and expenses.................................. 15,000
Printing and engraving costs................................ 100,000
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 500,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................ 1,000,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar fees and expenses.............. 25,000
Miscellaneous............................................... 32,000
----------
Total....................................................... $1,850,000
==========
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides
that we may indemnify our directors and officers as well as other employees and
individuals against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, finds and
amounts paid in settlement in connection with various actions, suits or
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative other than
an action by or in the right of the corporation, a derivative action if they
acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their
conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative
actions, except that we may only extend indemnification to expenses, including
attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such
actions, and the statute requires that we obtain court approval before we may
satisfy any such indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has
been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not
exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation's
by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that each person who was or is
made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such
person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of us or is
or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or
not the basis of such proceeding is the alleged action of such person in an
official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other
capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, will be
indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or
II-1
may hereafter be amended against all expense, liability and loss reasonably
incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith (including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and
excise taxes or penalties). Our certificate of incorporation also provides that
we will pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of
its final disposition, subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware. Such rights are not exclusive of any other right which
any person may have or thereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the
certificate, by-law agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors
or otherwise. No repeal or modification of such provision will in any way
diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or
agent of us thereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to
any such repeal or modification. Our certificate of incorporation also
specifically authorizes us to maintain insurance and to grant similar
indemnification rights to our employees or agents.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation
to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the
corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability for:
- any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders;
- acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions; or
- any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors will be
personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except, if required by the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware as amended from time to time, for liability:
- for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders;
- for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
which concerns unlawful payments of dividends, stock purchases or
redemptions; or
- for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. Neither the amendment nor repeal of such provision will eliminate
or reduce the effect of such provision in respect of any matter occurring,
or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for such provision, would
accrue or arise prior to such amendment or repeal.
Reference is made to Article X of the Articles of Incorporation of Asbury
concerning indemnification and limitation of liability of directors, officers,
employees and agents.
At present there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director
or officer of Asbury as to which indemnification is being sought nor is Asbury
aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification
by Asbury by any officer or director.
Asbury has also purchased and maintains insurance policies covering the
directors and officers identified in the prospectus which forms a part of this
registration statement with respect to certain liabilities, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise.
Section Eight of the Underwriting Agreement, to be filed as Exhibit 1.1,
provides that the Underwriters named therein will indemnify us and hold us
harmless and each of our directors, officers or controlling persons from and
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
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Securities Act. Section Eight of the Underwriting Agreement also provides that
such Underwriters will contribute to certain liabilities of such persons under
the Securities Act.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
The following sets forth information, as of the date hereof, regarding all
sales of unregistered securities of the Registrant during the past three years.
All such shares were issued in reliance upon an exemption or exemptions from
registration under the Securities Act by reason of Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act,
as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering or transactions
pursuant to compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as
provided under Rule 701. In connection with the transactions for which an
exemption is claimed pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, the
securities were sold to a limited number of persons, such persons were provided
access to all relevant information regarding the Registrant and represented to
the Registrant that they were either "sophisticated" investors or were
represented by persons with knowledge and experience in financial and business
matters who were capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective
investment, and such persons represented to the Registrant that the shares were
purchased for investment purposes only and with no view toward distribution. In
connection with the issuances of securities for which an exemption is claimed
pursuant to Rule 701, the securities have been offered and issued by the
Registrant to executive officers and employees and consultants for compensating
purposes pursuant to written plans or arrangements.
From January 1, 1999, to July 11, 2001, we issued to 27 of our employees,
pursuant to our 1999 Option Plan, options to purchase membership interests which
represent the right to purchase an aggregate of [ ] shares of our common
stock, based upon the presently expected exchange ratio of shares for membership
interests. The following table sets forth the date of each issuance, the number
of optionee's granted options on that date and the number of shares eligible to
be purchased based on the foregoing assumptions:
DATE OF ISSUANCE NUMBER OF OPTIONEES NUMBER OF SHARES
------------------------------------------------ ------------------- ----------------
January 1, 1999................................. 1
April 1, 1999................................... 1
April 26, 1999.................................. 1
August 2, 1999.................................. 1
September 27, 1999.............................. 1
November 1, 1999................................ 1
December 1, 1999................................ 1
April 1, 2000................................... 1
April 3, 2000................................... 2
May 22, 2000.................................... 1
June 5, 2000.................................... 1
June 12, 2000................................... 2
November 27, 2000............................... 1
January 8, 2001................................. 1
March 26, 2001.................................. 1
May 25, 2001.................................... 1
July 11, 2001................................... 9
On February 1, 2000, in connection with his employment agreement, we issued
a carried interest to Brian E. Kendrick of up to 1.15%. A carried interest
provides the holder with a contractual right to receive a percentage of our
earnings, either in cash or in our common stock, after such time as a preferred
return of approximately $424 million is achieved and distributed to those
holding ownership interests, as directed by the board of directors. Prior to
this offering no distributions had been made to Mr. Kendrick.
II-3
On February 1, 2000, in connection with a reorganization, which we refer to
as the "Minority Membership Transaction", Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. issued
membership interests to Asbury Automotive Holdings L.L.C. and platform dealers
and managers in exchange for their respective membership or partnership
interests in their platform groups. Those already holding membership interests
in Asbury Automotive Oregon retained those interests. To determine the number of
Asbury Automotive Oregon membership interests that each party would be entitled
to in the Minority Membership Transaction, the platforms were valued using the
market multiple approach. Concurrently with the Minority Membership Transaction,
Asbury Automotive Oregon changed its name to Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and
the former Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. changed its name to Asbury Automotive
Holdings L.L.C.
On September 1, 2000, Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. acquired Mark Escude
Nissan, Inc., Mark Escude Nissan North, Inc., Mark Escude Motors, Inc., Mark
Escude Daewoo, Inc. and Regency Toyota, Inc. for a purchase price that included
issuing membership interests to Mark Escude Nissan, Inc. equal to .6581% of all
membership interests then outstanding.
On September 1, 2000, Asbury Automotive Jacksonville, L.P. acquired Buddy
Hutchinson Cars, Inc., Buddy Hutchinson Imports, Inc., Buddy Hutchinson
Chevrolet, Inc., MFH Realty, Inc., B&N Realty, Inc., MFH Improvements, Inc., BH
of Jacksonville, Inc., Hutchinson Realty, Inc. and Hutchinson Corporation for a
purchase price that included issuing membership interests to Buddy Hutchinson
Chevrolet, Inc. equal to 1.3161% of all membership interests then outstanding.
On September 1, 2000, Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. acquired
Purvis Brothers Ford for a purchase price that included issuing membership
interests to Childs & Associates Inc. equal to .4935% of all membership
interests then outstanding.
On September 1, 2000, in connection with a capital contribution of $75,000,
Jeff King received membership interests equal to .0197% of all membership
interests then outstanding.
On April 30, 2001, in connection with an incentive program, we issued a
carried interest to Thomas F. Gilman of .40%. Prior to this offering no
distributions have been made to Mr. Gilman.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Exhibits
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1 Form of Certificate of Incorporation of Asbury Automotive
Group, Inc.
3.3 Form of By-laws of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
5.1 Form of Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore*
10.1 1999 Option Plan*
10.2 Form of 2001 Stock Option Plan
10.3 Form of Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.4 Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement of Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C.*
10.5 Employment Agreement of Thomas R. Gibson
10.6 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Thomas F.
McLarty*
10.7 Severance Pay Agreement of Phillip R. Johnson*
10.10 Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2001, between
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. and Ford Motor Credit
Company, Chrysler Financial Company, L.L.C., and General
Motors Acceptance Corporation.+*
II-4
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
10.11 Form of Stockholders Agreement between Asbury Automotive
Holdings and Stockholders named therein*
10.12 Chrysler Dodge Dealer Agreement
10.13 Ford Dealer Agreement
10.14 General Motors Dealer Agreement
10.15 Honda Dealer Agreement
10.16 Mercedes Dealer Agreement
10.17 Nissan Dealer Agreement
10.18 Toyota Dealer Agreement
10.19 Employment Agreement of C.V. Nalley
10.20 Employment Agreement of David McDavid, Sr.
10.21 Employment Agreement of Luther Coggin
21.1 List of subsidiaries of the registrant
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.3 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.4 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.5 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.6 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.7 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.8 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.9 Consent of Dixon Odom, P.L.L.C.
23.10 Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore (contained in Exhibit 5)
24.1 Power of Attorney*
------------------------
* Previously filed.
+ Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions
of this document and has been filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
The financial statement schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable
or the requested information is shown in the consolidated financial statements
of Asbury Automotive Group or related notes thereto.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
(1) The undersigned will provide to the Underwriters at the closing
specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and
registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt
delivery to each purchaser.
(2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
II-5
(3) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14 or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
II-6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, the State of
New York, on the 12th day of October, 2001.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP L.L.C.**
By: /s/ THOMAS R. GIBSON______________
Name: Thomas R. Gibson
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* Chairman and Chief October 12, 2001
------------------------------------------- Executive Officer
Thomas R. Gibson
* Vice President and Chief October 12, 2001
------------------------------------------- Financial Officer
Thomas F. Gilman
* Controller October 12, 2001
-------------------------------------------
Michael C. Paul
* Director October 12, 2001
-------------------------------------------
Timothy C. Collins
* Director October 12, 2001
-------------------------------------------
Ian K. Snow
* Director October 12, 2001
-------------------------------------------
John M. Roth
II-7
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* Director October 12, 2001
-------------------------------------------
C.V. Nalley
* By:
/s/ THOMAS F. GILMAN
-------------------------------------------
Thomas F. Gilman
Attorney-in-Fact for each of
the persons indicated
------------------------
** Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company,
which on or prior to the effective date of this registration statement will be
converted into a Delaware corporation, named Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
through the contribution by its members of all of their ownership interests in
the limited liability company to Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Thus, Asbury
Automotive Group L.L.C. will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asbury
Automotive Group, Inc.
II-8