LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED

AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

This (A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND (B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of March 31, 2009 is made by and among SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY each a party to the Credit Agreement (as defined below) pursuant to Section 2.24 of the Credit Agreement (each a “ New Vehicle Borrower ” and together with the Company, the “ Borrowers ” and each individually a “ Borrower ”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States (“ Bank of America ”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and as Revolving Swing Line Lender, New Vehicle Swing Line Lender, Used Vehicle Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, the Lenders party hereto, and each of the Loan Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement) signatory hereto.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS , the Company, the New Vehicle Borrowers, Bank of America, as Administrative Agent, Revolving Swing Line Lender, New Vehicle Swing Line Lender, Used Vehicle Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and the Lenders parties thereto have entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 17, 2006, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement and Security Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006, that certain Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement and Security Agreement dated as of April 24, 2007 and that certain Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of June 3, 2008 (as hereby amended and as from time to time further amended, modified, supplemented, restated, or amended and restated, the “ Credit Agreement ”; capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given thereto in the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders (a) have made available to the Company (i) the Revolving Credit Facility, including a letter of credit facility and a revolving swing line facility, and (ii) the Used Vehicle Floorplan Facility, including a used vehicle floorplan swing line facility, and (b) have made available to the Borrowers the New Vehicle Floorplan Facility, including a new vehicle floorplan swing line facility; and

WHEREAS , the Company has entered into the Company Guaranty pursuant to which it has guaranteed the payment and performance of the obligations of the New Vehicle Borrowers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS , each of the other Guarantors has entered into a Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to which it has guaranteed (subject to certain limitations set forth therein with respect to the Guarantors that are Silo Subsidiaries) the payment and performance of the obligations of each Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS , the Company and the respective Loan Parties that are parties thereto have entered into the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and other Security Instruments, securing the Obligations under the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS , reference is made to the audit opinion (the “ Audit Opinion ”) of the Company’s independent registered public accountant (the “ Auditor ”) with respect to the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (the “ 2008 Audited Financial Statements ”); and

WHEREAS , the Company has informed the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that the Auditor has informed the Company that, but for the limited, short-term amendment set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Audit Opinion with respect to the 2008 Audited Financial Statements would include a “going concern” qualification (the “ Going Concern Qualification ”); and

WHEREAS , the receipt of such Going Concern Qualification would violate Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement and would constitute a Revolving Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.06 of the Credit Agreement (the “ Specified Default ”); and

WHEREAS , (a) such Specified Default would not be able to be cured with respect to the period prior to May 4, 2009 without the amendment contained herein, and (b) such Specified Default cannot be cured at all with respect to the period on and after May 4, 2009, unless the Required Lenders (in their sole discretion) enter into a subsequent written amendment (separate from this Agreement) eliminating the Specified Default; and

WHEREAS , the Loan Parties have requested that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (i) temporarily amend the Credit Agreement, until May 4, 2009 only, such that the Specified Default shall not be deemed to exist prior to May 4, 2009 but shall be deemed to exist on and after such date, (ii) amend the Credit Agreement in such a manner that, upon giving effect to such amendments, the Credit Agreement as so amended would contain the terms, covenants, conditions and other provisions as contained in the form of Credit Agreement set forth as Exhibit A to this Agreement (the “ Consolidated Form Credit Agreement ”) and (iii) amend certain of the other Loan Documents as set forth herein, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders signatory hereto have agreed to do so to the extent and on the terms and conditions stated herein;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and further valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Conditions . As express conditions to the consummation of this Agreement, the following shall have occurred, all in a form and manner and in substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(a) Receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterparts of this Agreement, duly executed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and Lenders which constitute Required Lenders on or before March 31, 2009; and

 

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(b) Receipt by the Administrative Agent of all fees and expenses as required by the letter agreement (the “ Engagement Letter ”) dated March 20, 2009 between the Company and Banc of America Securities LLC (“ BAS ”) and the letter agreement (the “ Amendment to 2006 Fee Letter ”) dated March 20, 2009 among the Company, its Subsidiaries parties thereto, BAS and Bank of America, N.A.; and

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received and the applicable Loan Parties shall have provided all additional documents and taken all additional actions that the Administrative Agent deems necessary or reasonable to perfect or continue the perfection of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in all Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement); and

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of (i) all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or the execution and delivery of this Agreement to the extent invoiced prior to or on the date hereof, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute such counsel’s reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing of this Agreement (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Company and the Administrative Agent, which the Company and the Administrative Agent both agree to do); and

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable opinion of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and addressing such matters as the Administrative Agent may request; and

(f) The receipt by the Administrative Agent of such other documents, instruments or certificates, the performance by the Loan Parties of such other undertakings and further assurances, and evidence of such other matters, as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent; and

(g) No Default or Event of Default (other than the Specified Default) shall be existing under the Credit Agreement.

2. Acknowledgment of Existing Obligations under the Loan Documents . Each of the Loan Parties hereby confirms, ratifies and acknowledges the enforceability of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and its liability for all Obligations (such term as used herein to include “Obligations” as amended hereby) arising under each of the Loan Documents executed by such Loan Party (including without limitation the continuation of such Loan Party’s payment and performance obligations thereunder and grant of security interest provided therein, in each case upon and after the effectiveness of this Agreement and the amendments contemplated hereby). No Loan Party has any claims, counterclaims, rights of setoff or defenses with respect to the Loan Documents, to any of its Obligations, or to the Administrative Agent’s exercise of any right or remedy available to it under the terms of the Loan Documents, this Agreement or applicable law.

 

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3. Limited, Short Term Amendment . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, for the period from the date hereof until May 4, 2009 only (such period of the short-term amendment being referred to herein as the “ Limited Amendment Period ”), the Credit Agreement shall be amended such that the Specified Default shall not be deemed to exist during the Limited Amendment Period, so long as, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, the Specified Default (after giving effect to such limited short term amendment) does not cause any cross-default to any Indebtedness of any Loan Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing (unless, subsequent to this Agreement, the Required Lenders (in their sole discretion) enter into a separate written amendment eliminating the Specified Default), the Specified Default shall be deemed to exist and to constitute an Event of Default on and after May 4, 2009, regardless of whether the Company may have obtained an Audit Opinion without a “going concern” qualification prior to, during or after the Limited Amendment Period. The Borrower and the other Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that the Specified Default is material and is not capable of being cured, and that on May 4, 2009, the Specified Default shall commence and shall exist as an Event of Default at all times on and after May 4, 2009. Commencing on May 4, 2009, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the right to exercise any remedies under the Loan Documents, any other agreements or instruments or applicable law, with respect to the Specified Default.

The limited, short-term amendment set forth in this Section 3 (the “ Limited Amendment ”) is limited to the extent specifically set forth above and no other terms, covenants or provisions of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (including without limitation (i) any covenant set forth in Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement or (ii) any Event of Default under Section 8.01(e) thereof) are intended to be amended, waived, supplemented, or otherwise modified or affected by this Section 3 . The Limited Amendment is granted only with respect to the Specified Default, and shall not apply to any auditor’s opinion delivered for any other fiscal year, any other violation of Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement, or any actual or prospective default or violation of any other provision of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Limited Amendment shall not in any manner create a course of dealing or otherwise impair the ability of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to declare a Default or Event of Default under or otherwise enforce the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document with respect to any matter other than those specifically and expressly amended (and only for the limited period set forth in) in the Limited Amendment.

4. Amendments to Loan Documents .

(a) Amendments to Credit Agreement . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended so that, as amended, it shall read as set forth in, and shall have the terms, covenants, conditions and other provisions of, the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement, the terms, covenants, conditions and other provisions of which Consolidated Form Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each amendment to the Credit Agreement reflected in the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement is and shall be effective as if individually specified in this Agreement (the parties further acknowledging that amending the Credit Agreement by reference to the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement provides a convenience to the parties to permit the amended terms to be read in the context of the full Credit

 

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Agreement), and that this Agreement is not a novation of the Credit Agreement or of any credit facility provided thereunder or in respect thereof. The signature pages contained in the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits may be left off (other than Exhibit A-2 and Exhibit L-1 which are attached to the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement and restated as set forth therein). Notwithstanding that the cover page of the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement is dated “as of February 17, 2006”, the changes to the Credit Agreement affected by this Agreement shall be effective as of the satisfaction to the conditions to effectiveness of this Agreement.

(b) Amendments to certain Loan Documents .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Escrow and Security Agreement and the Sonic Financial Pledge Agreement are each amended to provide that “Secured Parties” shall mean the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, any Affiliate of a Lender party to a Related Swap Agreement and any Secured Cash Management Bank (as defined in the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement) and the “Secured Obligations” referenced therein shall include (in addition to those Secured Obligations described in such Loan Document) any obligations of any Loan Party under any Secured Cash Management Agreements (as defined in the Consolidated Form Credit Agreement).

(ii) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Section 9(f)(ii) of the Security Agreement is amended by deleting the references to $500,000 set forth therein and inserting $0 in lieu thereof.

5. Retention of Consultant . The Administrative Agent or its counsel shall hire and retain at the Company’s cost and expense FTI Consulting, Inc. (“ FTI ”) as a consultant to advise the Administrative Agent and its counsel in connection with the Loan Documents and restructuring thereof, with FTI to have a scope of engagement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel. The Company and its officers shall be available as necessary to meet with FTI, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and to provide all information requested by FTI, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable notice.

6. Representations, Warranties, Acknowledgements and Agreements . In order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as follows (other than Sonic Financial which represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that clause (f) below is true with respect to the security interest and pledge granted by Sonic Financial):

(a) The representations and warranties made by each Loan Party in Article V of the Credit Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date and except that, (i) the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement; and (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.07 of the Credit Agreement shall specifically exclude the Specified Default;

 

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(b) The Persons appearing as Guarantors on the signature pages to this Agreement constitute all Persons who are required to be Guarantors pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without limitation all Persons who became Subsidiaries or were otherwise required to become Guarantors after the Closing Date, and each of such Persons has become and remains a party to a Guaranty as a Guarantor;

(c) The Persons appearing as Borrowers on the signature pages to this Agreement constitute all Persons who are required to be Borrowers pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or were otherwise required to become Borrowers, after the Closing Date, and each of such Persons has become and remains a party to the Credit Agreement as a Borrower;

(d) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Loan Parties party hereto and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such parties, except as may be limited by general principles of equity or by the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally;

(e) No Default or Event of Default exists after giving effect to this Agreement; provided that (unless the Specified Default is subsequently eliminated by a separate written amendment signed by the Required Lenders in their sole discretion), the Specified Default shall exist on and after May 4, 2009;

(f) The security interests and pledges that the Loan Parties granted to the Administrative Agent in the Loan Documents to secure the Obligations are valid, binding, and enforceable, remain first and valid (or, in the case of Liens securing Permitted Silo Indebtedness which Liens are permitted by the Loan Documents, second) security interests in the Collateral (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 7.01 of the Credit Agreement that were in existence prior to February 17, 2006) and are hereby reaffirmed;

(g) Neither the Company nor any other Loan Party has any asset or interest in property which does not constitute Collateral with a current value (in excess of any existing lien on such asset or interest) of $100,000, other than certain real estate interests held by certain of the Loan Parties, and certain equipment, each as specified in Schedule 6(g) hereto;

(h) The Specified Default is material. No notice or cure periods apply to the Specified Default;

(i) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has waived any of the Defaults which may occur in the future, or any of its rights to payment of the Loans or any Loan Party’s performance of the Obligations as set forth in any Loan Document, as amended by this Agreement, or otherwise with respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit, Secured Cash Management Arrangement or Related Swap Contract; and nothing herein shall be construed as any such waiver; and

 

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(j) All of the Loan Parties’ agreements, acknowledgments, warranties and representations contained in this Agreement are material to the Administrative Agent’s and each of the Lender’s willingness to enter into this Agreement.

7. Full Force and Effect of Credit Agreement . Except as hereby specifically amended, modified or supplemented, each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Credit Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents are hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects and shall remain in full force and effect according to their respective terms.

8. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or electronic format (including .pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

9. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the Engagement Letter and all the Loan Documents (collectively, the “ Relevant Documents ”), sets forth the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto in relation to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior negotiations and agreements among the parties relating to such subject matter. No promise, condition, representation or warranty, express or implied, not set forth in the Relevant Documents shall bind any party hereto, and no such party has relied on any such promise, condition, representation or warranty. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly stated in the Relevant Documents, no representations, warranties or commitments, express or implied, have been made by any party to the other in relation to the subject matter hereof or thereof. None of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be changed, modified, waived or canceled orally or otherwise, except in writing in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement.

10. Governing Law . This Agreement shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of North Carolina, and shall be further subject to the provisions of Sections 10.14 and 10.15 of the Credit Agreement.

11. Enforceability . Should any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be determined to be illegal or unenforceable as to one or more of the parties hereto, all other provisions nevertheless shall remain effective and binding on the parties hereto.

12. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and each of the Borrowers and Loan Parties and their respective successors, legal representatives, and assignees to the extent such assignees are permitted assignees as provided in Section 10.06 of the Credit Agreement.

13. Expenses . Without limiting the provisions of Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement, the Company and each Borrower agree to pay all reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred before, on or after the date hereof by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement.

 

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14. Waiver of Defenses . As an inducement to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enter into this Agreement, each Loan Party waives and affirmatively agrees not to allege, assert or otherwise pursue any claim, defense, affirmative defense, counterclaim, cause of action, setoff or other right that they may have, as of the date hereof, against the Administrative Agent, any sub-agent thereof, Banc of America Securities LLC, any Lender (including the L/C Issuer), whether known or unknown, including but not limited to any contest of (i) the existence and materiality of the Specified Default, (ii) the enforceability, applicability or validity of any provisions of the Loan Documents, or the enforcement or validity of the terms and provisions set forth herein, (iii) the Administrative Agent’s right (on and after May 4, 2009 with respect to the Specified Default, or at any time with respect to any other Event of Default) to demand immediate payment of the Notes and performance of the Obligations, (iv) the Administrative Agent’s security interest (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in all rents, issues, profits, products and proceeds from the Collateral, (v) the existence, validity, enforceability or perfection of security interests granted to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in the Loan Documents in any of the Collateral, whether tangible or intangible property, or any right or other interest, now or hereafter arising, (vi) the conduct of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, in administering the financial arrangements between any Borrower or any other Loan Party and any Secured Party, or (vii) any legal fees and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender and charged to any Borrower or any other Loan Party under this Agreement or any Loan Document in connection with enforcing the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other Secured Party’s rights hereunder or under any Loan Document.

15. General Release . As an inducement to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the undersigned Loan Parties (collectively, the “ Releasors ”) for: (i) themselves, (ii) any parent, affiliate or subsidiary thereof, (iii) any partnership or joint venture of which any person or entity comprising any of the Releasors (or any parent, affiliate or subsidiary thereof) is a partner, (iv) any person or entity owning the beneficial interest in the trust, any parent, affiliate or subsidiary thereof or any partnership or joint venture of which such person or entity (or any parent, affiliate or subsidiary thereof), is a partner, and (v) the respective partners, officers, directors, shareholders, heirs, legal representatives, legatees, successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons and entities, hereby release and forever discharge the Administrative Agent, any sub-agent, Banc of America Securities LLC, the L/C Issuer, and each Lender, and each of their respective past, present and future shareholders, successors, assigns, officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees, together with the respective heirs, legal representatives, legatees, successors, and assigns of any of the foregoing Persons, of and from all actions, claims, demands, damages, debts, losses, liabilities, indebtedness, causes of action either at law or in equity and obligations of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, direct or indirect, new or existing, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world to the date of this Agreement arising out of or relating to (a) any Loan Document, or (b) any transaction contemplated by, or any action of any Person pursuant to, in connection with or relating to any Loan Document, including without limitation, any claims asserted or which could have been asserted as of the date hereof by the Releasors in connection with any Loan to or Letter of Credit for the account of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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It is acknowledged that Releasors have read the release set forth in this Section (the “ General Release ”) and consulted counsel before executing same; that Releasors have relied upon their own judgment and that of their counsel in executing this General Release and have not relied on or been induced by any representation, statement or act by any other Person referenced to herein which is not referred to in this instrument; that the Releasors enter into this General Release voluntarily, with full knowledge of its significance; and that this General Release is in all respects complete and final. !

If any term or provision of this General Release or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall, to any extent, be held invalid and/or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this General Release, or the application of such term of provisions to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of the General Release shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

[Signature pages follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be made, executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

(A) LIMITED SHORT-TERM AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT UNTIL MAY 4, 2009 AND

(B) AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT TO OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS

Signature Page

SCHEDULE 6(g)

Real estate assets and specified equipment not constituting Collateral.

See attached.

Schedule 6(g)

 

EXHIBIT A

Consolidated Form Credit Agreement

See attached.

EXHIBIT A TO AMENDMENT NO. 4

 

Published CUSIP Number: 83545FAA2

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of February 17, 2006

among

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.,

CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES,

as New Vehicle Borrowers,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Revolving Swing Line Lender,

New Vehicle Swing Line Lender, Used Vehicle Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent,

and

TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION,

as Documentation Agent

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,

and

JPMORGAN SECURITIES, INC.

as

Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of February 17, 2006, among SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company party hereto pursuant to Section 2.24 (each a “ New Vehicle Borrower ”, and together with the Company, the “ Borrowers ” and each individually a “ Borrower ”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ” and individually, a “ Lender ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Administrative Agent, Revolving Swing Line Lender, New Vehicle Swing Line Lender, Used Vehicle Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The Company has requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility, a revolving new vehicle floorplan facility and a revolving used vehicle floorplan facility, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“ Account Debtor ” means each Person obligated in any way on or in connection with an Account, chattel paper or general intangibles (including a payment intangible).

“ Accounts ” means, collectively, all of the following property of the Company or any Grantor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising, all accounts, as defined in the UCC, including any rights to payment for the sale, lease or license of goods or rendition of services, whether or not they have been earned by performance.

“ Acquisition ” means the acquisition of (i) a controlling equity interest or other controlling ownership interest in another Person (including the purchase of an option, warrant or convertible or similar type security to acquire such a controlling interest at the time it becomes exercisable by the holder thereof), whether by purchase of such equity or other ownership interest or upon the exercise of an option or warrant for, or conversion of securities into, such equity or other ownership interest, (ii) assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a line or lines of business conducted by such Person, or (iii) assets constituting a vehicle dealership.

“ Administrative Agent ” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

 

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“ Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Company and the Lenders.

“ Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

“ Affiliated Dealers ” means those Persons set forth on Schedule 1.01A .

“ Aggregate Commitments ” means, collectively, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments and the Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments.

“ Aggregate Floorplan Facility Commitments ” means, collectively, the Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments and the Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments.

“ Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments ” means the New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments of all the New Vehicle Floorplan Lenders.

“ Aggregate Revolving Commitments ” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Revolving Lenders.

“ Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments ” means the Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments of all the Used Vehicle Floorplan Lenders.

“ Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement.

“ Amendment No. 3 Effective Date ” means June 3, 2008.

“ Amendment No. 4 Effective Date ” means March 31, 2009.

“ Applicable Facility ” means each of the Revolving Credit Facility, the New Vehicle Floorplan Facility and the Used Vehicle Floorplan Facility.

“ Applicable New Vehicle Floorplan Percentage ” means with respect to any New Vehicle Floorplan Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments represented by such Lender’s New Vehicle Floorplan Commitment at such time. If the commitment of each New Vehicle Floorplan Lender to make New Vehicle Floorplan Loans have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.04 or if the Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments have expired, then the Applicable New Vehicle Floorplan Percentage of each New Vehicle Floorplan Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable New Vehicle Floorplan Percentage of such New Vehicle Floorplan Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable New

 

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Vehicle Floorplan Percentage of each New Vehicle Floorplan Lender is set forth opposite the name of such New Vehicle Floorplan Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such New Vehicle Floorplan Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

“ Applicable Percentage ” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time. If the commitment of each Lender under an Applicable Facility to make Loans under such Facility or the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.04 or if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments or the Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments, as applicable, have expired, then for the purposes of determining the Applicable Percentage of any Lender, the Commitment of such Lender under such Facility shall be calculated in accordance with the second sentence of the definition of “Applicable Revolving Percentage”, “Applicable New Vehicle Floorplan Percentage” or “Applicable Used Vehicle Floorplan Percentage”, as the case may be.

“ Applicable Rate ” means (i) before April 1, 2009, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Total Senior Secured Debt to EBITDA Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a) :

Applicable Rate

 

 

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and (ii) on and after April 1, 2009, the following percentages per annum:

Applicable Rate

 

“ Applicable Revolving Percentage ” means with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time. If the commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Revolving Percentage of each Revolving Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Revolving Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Revolving Percentage of each Revolving Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Revolving Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Revolving Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

“ Applicable Used Vehicle Floorplan Percentage ” means with respect to any Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments represented by such Lender’s Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitment at such time. If the commitment of each Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender to make Used Vehicle Floorplan Loans has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.04 or if the Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Used Vehicle Floorplan Percentage of each Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Used Vehicle Floorplan Percentage of such Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Used Vehicle Floorplan Percentage of each Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

“ Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“ Arrangers ” means Banc of America Securities LLC and JPMorgan Securities, Inc., in their capacity as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers.

“ Assignee Group ” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

 

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“ Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“ Attributable Indebtedness ” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

“ Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

“ Autoborrow Agreement ” means an agreement by and between the Company and the Revolving Swing Line Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit Q hereto, providing for the automatic advance of Revolving Swing Line Loans by the Revolving Swing Line Lender under the conditions set forth therein.

“ Automatic Debit Date ” means the fifth day of a calendar month, provided that if such day is not a Business Day, the respective Automatic Debit Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

“ Availability Period ” means:

(a) in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.15 , and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 ,

(b) in the case of the New Vehicle Floorplan Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Aggregate New Vehicle Floorplan Commitments pursuant to Section 2.15 and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each New Vehicle Floorplan Lender to make New Vehicle Floorplan Loans pursuant to Section 8.04 , and

(c) in the case of the Used Vehicle Floorplan Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Aggregate Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitments pursuant to Section 2.15 and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Used Vehicle Floorplan Lender to make Used Vehicle Floorplan Loans pursuant to Section 8.04 .

“ Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

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“ Bank of America Fee Letter ” means the letter agreement, dated January 20, 2006, among the Company, the Administrative Agent and BAS.

“ Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate that would then be applicable to a new Eurodollar Rate Loan with a one month Interest Period (resetting daily). The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

“ Base Rate Committed Loan ” means a Revolver Committed Loan, a New Vehicle Committed Loan or a Used Vehicle Committed Loan, as the context may require, that is a Base Rate Loan.

“ Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

“ Borrower ” and “ Borrowers ” each has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“ Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

“ Borrowing ” means a Revolving Borrowing, a New Vehicle Floorplan Borrowing, or a Used Vehicle Floorplan Borrowing, as the context may require.

“ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

“ Buyer Notes ” means those promissory notes received by the Company or any Subsidiary as partial or full payment consideration for Dispositions of vehicle dealerships or Subsidiaries by the Company or such Subsidiary to the obligors of such promissory notes.”

“ Cash Collateralize ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(g) .

“ Cash Management Arrangement ” means any arrangement or agreement to provide cash management products and services, including treasury products, depository products and services, overdrafts, credit or debit cards, merchant card processing exposure, ACH and other electronic funds transfer products, immediate credit facilities on deposited dealer drafts, check guarantee letters and other cash management arrangements.

 

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“ Cash Management Bank ” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Arrangement, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) became (or becomes) a Lender, was (or is) a party to a Cash Management Arrangement, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Arrangement.

“ Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

“ Change of Control ” means an event or series of events by which:

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) (other than (i) Sonic Financial, O. Bruton Smith or B. Scott Smith; (ii) any spouse or immediate family member of O. Bruton Smith and B. Scott Smith (collectively with O. Bruton Smith and B. Scott Smith, a “Smith Family Member”); or (iii) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners and owners of which are Smith Family Members, (the persons and entities in “i”, “ii”, and “iii” being referred to, collectively and individually, as the “Smith Group”) so long as in the case of clause (ii) and (iii) O. Bruton Smith or B. Scott Smith retains a majority of the voting rights associated with such ownership) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “ option right ”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the equity securities of the Company entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Company on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right);

(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Company cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors);

 

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(c) any Person or two or more Persons (excluding members of the Smith Group so long as O. Bruton Smith or B. Scott Smith retains a majority of the voting rights associated with such equity securities) acting in concert shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of the Company, or control over the equity securities of the Company entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Company on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such Person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of such securities; or

(d) the Company fails to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary other than as a result of the sale of all Equity Interests in a Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Disposition.

“ Closing Date ” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01 .

“ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“ Collateral ” means, collectively, the assets and rights and interests in property of any Person in which the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, is granted a Lien under any Security Instrument as security for all or any portion of the Obligations.

“ Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment, New Vehicle Floorplan Commitment and Used Vehicle Floorplan Commitment of such Lender.

“ Committed Borrowing ” means a Revolving Committed Borrowing, a New Vehicle Committed Borrowing or a Used Vehicle Committed Borrowing, as the context may require.

“ Company ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“ Company Guaranty ” means that certain Company Guaranty Agreement executed by the Company in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , as supplemented, amended, or modified from time to time.

“ Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H .

“ Consolidated Adjusted Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the difference of (i) Consolidated EBITDAR for the four fiscal quarter period ending on such date, minus (ii) an amount equal to $150,000 (representing assumed maintenance capital expenditures) multiplied by the average daily number of physical

 

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dealership locations at which the Subsidiaries operated franchised vehicle dealerships during such period to (b) the sum of (i) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period plus Restricted Payments paid in cash by the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such period.

“ Consolidated Current Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

“ Consolidated Current Liabilities ” means, as of any date of determination, the current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

“ Consolidated EBITDA ” means for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for such period, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations, plus (b) to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations for such period: (i) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to non-floorplan Indebtedness, excluding any Consolidated Real Property Interest Expense, (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to Used Vehicle floorplan Indebtedness, (iii) charges against income for foreign, Federal, state and local income taxes, (iv) depreciation expense, (v) amortization expense, including, without limitation, amortization of other intangible assets and transaction costs, (vi) non-cash charges, and (vii) all extraordinary losses, minus (c) to the extent included in computing Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations for such period, extraordinary gains.

“ Consolidated EBITDAR ” means for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for such period, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations, plus (b) to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations for such period: (i) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to non-floorplan Indebtedness, (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to Used Vehicle floorplan Indebtedness, (iii) charges against income for foreign, Federal, state and local income taxes, (iv) depreciation expense, (v) amortization expense, including, without limitation, amortization of other intangible assets and transaction costs, (vi) non-cash charges, (vii) all extraordinary losses and (viii) Consolidated Rental Expense, minus (c) to the extent included in computing Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations for such period, extraordinary gains.

“ Consolidated Fixed Charges ” means, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to non-floorplan Indebtedness for such period, plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to Used Vehicle floorplan Indebtedness for such period, plus (c) Consolidated Principal Payments for such period, plus (d) Consolidated Rental Expenses for such period, plus (e) Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash by the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such period.

“ Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the difference of (i) Consolidated EBITDAR for the four fiscal quarter period ending on such date minus (ii) an amount equal to $150,000 (representing assumed maintenance capital expenditures) multiplied by the average daily number of physical dealership locations at which the Subsidiaries operated franchised vehicle dealerships during such period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.

 

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“ Consolidated Funded Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all direct obligations arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments, (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (e) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (f) without duplication, all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) above of Persons other than the Company or any Subsidiary, and (g) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Company or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Company or such Subsidiary.

“ Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest (before factory assistance or subsidy), premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the portion of rent expense of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such period under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP.

“ Consolidated Liquidity Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the sum of Consolidated Current Assets plus the Revolving Facility Liquidity Amount to (b) the sum of (i) Consolidated Current Liabilities plus (ii) Indebtedness (whether or not reflected as Indebtedness under GAAP) under all floorplan financing arrangements (but excluding (x) Total Revolving Outstandings and (y) liabilities arising under the 5.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due May 7, 2009 issued by the Company in an initial aggregate principal amount of $149,500,000, other than such Total Revolving Outstandings and such liabilities under the 5.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes which are scheduled to be due within the two (2) fiscal quarters following such date of determination); provided that, for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Liquidity Ratio as of December 31 2008 and March 31, 2009 only, “Consolidated Current Liabilities” shall exclude indebtedness for money borrowed that would otherwise be considered by GAAP to be Consolidated Current Liabilities solely because such indebtedness may be deemed payable within 12 months due to a default or cross default whether incurred or prospective, provided however that, in any event, the following shall not be excluded from the calculation of “Consolidated Current Liabilities” as of December 31 2008: (x) floorplan indebtedness as of such date and (y) amortization payments and payments at maturity that are (in each case under this clause (y)) scheduled to be made within four (4) quarters from such date;

 

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and provided further that, (as set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above) liabilities under the Revolving Credit Facility and the 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due May 7, 2009 issued by the Company in an initial aggregate principal amount of $149,500,000 are included in the denominator only if such liabilities are scheduled to be due within two (2) quarters from the date of determination. It is acknowledged that there may be no such exclusion of indebtedness from Consolidated Current Liabilities as described in the proviso set forth above if such indebtedness was not reflected as a Consolidated Current Liability.

“ Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations ” means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the net income from continuing operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period.

“ Consolidated Principal Payments ” means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all scheduled payments of principal of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with Indebtedness for money borrowed or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets which payments are made during such period, in each case to the extent treated as principal in accordance with GAAP.

“ Consolidated Real Property Interest Expense ” means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of all interest (before factory assistance or subsidy), premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with Permitted Real Estate Indebtedness.

“ Consolidated Rental Expense ” means, for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent rentals payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to leases of real and personal property (excluding capital lease obligations) determined in accordance with GAAP for such period.

“ Consolidated Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Outstanding Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness under the New Vehicle Floorplan Facility and Permitted Silo Indebtedness) as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended.

“ Consolidated Total Outstanding Indebtedness ” means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

“ Consolidated Total Outstanding Senior Secured Indebtedness ” means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries other than (i) Subordinated Indenture Indebtedness, (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.03(j) and (iii) any Permitted Real Estate Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.03(l) ).

“ Consolidated Total Senior Secured Debt to EBITDA Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Outstanding Senior Secured Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness under the New Vehicle Floorplan Facility and Permitted Silo Indebtedness) as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended.

 

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“ Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“ Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

“ Cornerstone Collateral ” means all right, title and interest of Cornerstone, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to (i) the Retail Contracts, (ii) the security interests in the Cornerstone Financed Vehicles granted by Obligors pursuant to the terms of the Retail Contracts, (iii) proceeds from claims on any physical damage, credit life, credit disability, or other insurance policies covering the Cornerstone Financed Vehicles and/or Obligors, (iv) any recourse or indemnity against any person or entity who sold the Cornerstone Financed Vehicles to such Obligor, and (v) rebates of premiums and other amounts relating to insurance policies, service contracts and any other items financed under the Retail Contracts.

“ Cornerstone ” means Cornerstone Acceptance Corporation, a Florida corporation.

“ Cornerstone Financed Vehicles ” means Vehicles, services and other products sold by Affiliated Dealers to Obligors pursuant to Retail Contracts.

“ Cornerstone’s Addresses ” means those locations specified on Schedule 1.01E .

“ Cost of Acquisition ” means, with respect to any Acquisition, as at the date of entering into any agreement therefor, the sum of the following (without duplication): (i) the value of the Equity Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary to be transferred in connection with such Acquisition, (ii) the amount of any cash and fair market value of other property (excluding property described in clause (i) and the unpaid principal amount of any debt instrument) given as consideration in connection with such Acquisition, (iii) the amount (determined by using the face amount or the amount payable at maturity, whichever is greater) of any Indebtedness incurred, assumed or acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with such Acquisition, (iv) all additional purchase price amounts in the form of earnouts and other contingent obligations that should be recorded on the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP in connection with such Acquisition, (v) all amounts paid in respect of covenants not to compete, consulting agreements that should be recorded on the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, and other affiliated contracts in connection with such Acquisition, and (vi) the aggregate fair market value of all other consideration given by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with such Acquisition, provided that the Cost of Acquisition shall not include the purchase price of floored vehicles acquired in connection with such Acquisition, provided further that, amounts under clause (iv) shall be excluded from the calculation of Cost of Acquisition to the extent that such

 

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amounts as of the date of entering into any agreement with respect to such Acquisition are not reasonably expected to exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate (each such determination for each applicable year of earnouts and other contingent obligations with respect to the applicable Acquisition to be based on the reasonably expected operations and financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the first year after the date of the applicable Acquisition). For purposes of determining the Cost of Acquisition for any transaction, the Equity Interests of the Company shall be valued in accordance with GAAP.

“ Credit Extension ” means each of the following: (a) a Revolving Borrowing, (b) an L/C Credit Extension, (c) a New Vehicle Floorplan Borrowing and (d) a Used Vehicle Floorplan Borrowing.

“ Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

“ Deemed Floored” means, with respect to each New Vehicle, the date a New Vehicle Floorplan Borrowing is deemed to be made by a New Vehicle Floorplan Lender, including the New Vehicle Swing Line Lender, under the New Vehicle Floorplan Facility.

“ Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes a Revolving Event of Default or a Floorplan Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be a Revolving Event of Default or a Floorplan Event of Default.

“ Default Rate ” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided , however , that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.

“ Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Revolving Loans, New Vehicle Floorplan Loans, Used Vehicle Floorplan Loans, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in Revolving Swing Line Loans, New Vehicle Floorplan Swing Line Loans or Used Vehicle Floorplan Swing Line Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

“ Demonstrator ” means a New Vehicle that (i) has not been previously titled (other than to a New Vehicle Borrower in accordance with applicable law), (ii) is the then current model year or last model year, (iii) has an odometer reading of less than 7500 miles and (iv) is designated by the applicable New Vehicle Borrower as such.

 

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“ Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

“ Dollar ” and “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

“ Dual Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary which (i) operates at least one Specified Franchise, (ii) is obligated pursuant to Permitted Silo Indebtedness as permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (ii) operates at least one other franchise which is not a Specified Franchise and (iii) is a New Vehicle Borrower with respect to vehicles at its franchises that are not Specified Franchises, which such Subsidiaries and applicable Specified Franchises as of the Closing Date are set forth on Schedule 1.01D . The Company may designate other Subsidiaries as Dual Subsidiaries from time to time in accordance with Section 7.19 .

“ Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Revolving Swing Line Lender, the New Vehicle Swing Line Lender and the Used Vehicle Swing Line Lender, and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

“ Eligible Accounts ” means the Accounts, other than contracts-in-transit, of the Company and the Grantors arising from the sale, lease or license of goods or rendition of services in the ordinary course of business of the Company and the Grantors, which the Administrative Agent, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, determines to be Eligible Accounts. Without limiting the discretion of the Administrative Agent to establish other criteria of ineligibility, Eligible Accounts shall not (unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent) include any Account:

(a) with respect to which more than 90 days have elapsed since the date of the original invoice therefor or which is more than 60 days past due;

(b) with respect to which any of the representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in the Loan Documents are incorrect or have been breached;

(c) with respect to which Account (or any other Account due from such Account Debtor), in whole or in part, a check, promissory note, draft, trade acceptance or other instrument for the payment of money has been received, presented for payment and returned uncollected for any reason;

 

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(d) which represents a progress billing (as hereinafter defined) or as to which the Company or any Grantor has extended the time for payment without the consent of the Administrative Agent; for the purposes hereof, “progress billing” means any invoice for goods sold or leased or services rendered under a contract or agreement pursuant to which the Account Debtor’s obligation to pay such invoice is conditioned upon the Company’s or the applicable Subsidiary’s completion of any further performance under the contract or agreement;

(e) with respect to which any one or more of the following events has occurred to the Account Debtor on such Account: death or judicial declaration of incompetency of an Account Debtor who is an individual; the filing by or against the Account Debtor of a request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as a bankrupt, winding-up, or other relief under Debtor Relief Laws; the making of any general assignment by the Account Debtor for the benefit of creditors; the appointment of a receiver or trustee for the Account Debtor or for any of the assets of the Account Debtor, including, without limitation, the appointment of or taking possession by a “custodian,” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code of the United States; the institution by or against the Account Debtor of any other type of insolvency proceeding (under Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise) or of any formal or informal proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of, settlement of claims against, or winding up of affairs of, the Account Debtor; the sale, assignment, or transfer of all or any material part of the assets of the Account Debtor; the nonpayment generally by the Account Debtor of its debts as they become due; or the cessation of the business of the Account Debtor as a going concern;

(f) owed by an Account Debtor if twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the aggregate Dollar amount of outstanding Accounts owed at such time by such Account Debtor is classified as ineligible under clause (a)  above;

(g) owed by an Account Debtor which: (1) does not maintain its chief executive office in the United States or Canada; (2) is not organized under the laws of the United States, Canada or any state or province thereof; (3) is not, if a natural person, a citizen of the United States or Canada residing therein; or (4) is a Governmental Authority of any foreign country or sovereign state, or of any state, province, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof;

(h) owed by an Account Debtor which is an Affiliate, officer, director or employee of the Company or any Grantor;

(i) except as provided in clause (k) below, with respect to which either the perfection, enforceability, or validity of the Administrative Agent’s Liens in such Account, or the Administrative Agent’s right or ability to obtain direct payment to the Administrative Agent of the proceeds of such Account, is governed by any federal, state, or local statutory requirements other than those of the UCC;

 

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(j) owed by an Account Debtor to which the Company or any Grantor is indebted in any way, or which is subject to any right of setoff or recoupment by the Account Debtor (including, without limitation, all Accounts that are subject to any agreement encumbering or limiting in any manner the Company’s or any Grantor access to such Accounts), unless the Account Debtor has entered into an agreement acceptable to the Administrative Agent to waive setoff rights; or if the Account Debtor thereon has disputed liability or made any claim with respect to any other Account due from such Account Debtor, but in each such case only to the extent of such indebtedness, setoff, recoupment, dispute, or claim;

(k) owed by any Governmental Authority, unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Administrative Agent’s Liens therein, have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction with respect to such Account;

(l) owed by any Governmental Authority and as to which the Administrative Agent determines that its Lien therein is not or cannot be perfected;

(m) which represents a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale and return, sale on approval, consignment, or other repurchase or return basis;

(n) which is evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument or by chattel paper;

(o) with respect to which the Account Debtor is located in any state requiring the filing of a Notice of Business Activities Report or similar report in order to permit the Company or any Grantor to seek judicial enforcement in such state of payment of such Account, unless the Company or any Grantor has qualified to do business in such state or has filed a Notice of Business Activities Report or equivalent report for the then current year;

(p) which arises out of a sale not made in the ordinary course of the Company’s or the applicable Grantor’s business or out of finance or similar charges;

(q) with respect to which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped and delivered to and accepted by the Account Debtor or the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by the Company or the applicable Grantor’s and, if applicable, accepted by the Account Debtor, or the Account Debtor revokes its acceptance of such goods or services;

(r) owed by an Account Debtor which is obligated to the Company or the applicable Grantor’s respecting Accounts the aggregate unpaid balance of which exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate unpaid balance of all Accounts owed to the Company or the applicable Grantor at such time by all of the Company’s or the applicable Grantor’s Account Debtors, but only to the extent of such excess;

(t) which is not subject to the Administrative Agent’s Liens, which are perfected as to such Accounts, or which are subject to any other Lien whatsoever;

 

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(s) in which the payment thereof has been extended, the Account Debtor has made a partial payment, or such Account arises from a sale on a cash-on-delivery basis; or

(t) which includes a billing for interest, fees or late charges, provided that ineligibility shall be limited to the extent of such billing.

The Company, by including an Account in any computation of the Revolving Borrowing Base, shall be deemed to represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such Account is not of the type described in any of (a) through (t) above, and if any Account at any time ceases to be an Eligible Account, then such Account shall promptly be excluded by the Company from the calculation of Eligible Accounts.

“ Eligible Equipment ” means Equipment of the Company or a Grantor which the Administrative Agent, in the exercise of its reasonable commercial discretion, determines to be Eligible Equipment. Without limiting the discretion of the Administrative Agent to establish other criteria of ineligibility, Eligible Equipment shall not (unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent) include any Equipment:

(a) that is not legally owned by the Company or a Grantor;

(b) that is not subject to the Administrative Agent’s Liens, which are perfected as to such Equipment, or that are subject to any other Lien whatsoever (other than the Equipment described on Schedule 1.01C ), and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) in no event shall “Eligible Equipment” include any Permitted Real Estate Indebtedness Collateral;

(c) that is not in good working condition for its intended use or for sale;

(d) that is located outside the United States or at a location other than a place of business of the Company or a Grantor; or

(e) that is located in a facility leased by the Company or the applicable Grantor, if the lessor has not delivered to the Administrative Agent, if requested by the Administrative Agent, a Landlord Waiver in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

The Company, by including Equipment in any computation of the Revolving Borrowing Base, shall be deemed to represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent that such Equipment is not of the type described in any of (a) through (e) above, and if any Equipment at any time ceases to be Eligible Equipment, then such Equipment shall promptly be excluded by the Company from the calculation of Eligible Equipment.

“ Eligible Inventory ” means Inventory consisting of parts and accessories which the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion, determines to be Eligible Inventory. Without limiting the discretion of the Administrative Agent to establish other criteria of ineligibility, Eligible Inventory shall not (unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent) include any Inventory:

(a) that is not owned by the Company or a Grantor;

 

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(b) that is not subject to the Administrative Agent’s Liens, which are perfected as to such Inventory, or that are subject to any other Lien whatsoever, and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) in no event shall “Eligible Inventory” include any Permitted Real Estate Indebtedness Collateral;

(c) that does not consist of finished goods;

(d) that consists of raw materials, work-in-process, chemicals, samples, prototypes, supplies, or packing and shipping materials;

(e) that is not in good condition, is unmerchantable, or does not meet all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority, having regulatory authority over such goods, their use or sale;

(f) that is not currently either usable or salable, at prices approximating at least cost, in the normal course of the Company’s or the applicable Grantor business, or that is slow moving or stale;

(g) that is obsolete or returned or repossessed or used goods taken in trade;

(h) that is located outside the United States of America or Canada (or that is in-transit from vendors or suppliers);

(i) that is located in a public warehouse or in possession of a bailee or in a facility leased by the Company or the applicable Grantor, if the warehouseman, or the bailee, or the lessor has not delivered to the Administrative Agent, if requested by the Administrative Agent, a subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(j) that contains or bears any IP Rights licensed to the Company or the applicable Grantor by any Person, if the Administrative Agent is not satisfied that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement and Section 9.10 without infringing the rights of the licensor of such IP Rights or violating any contract with such licensor, and, as to which the Company or the applicable Grantor has not delivered to the Administrative Agent a consent or sublicense agreement from such licensor in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent if requested; or

(k) that is Inventory placed on consignment.

The Company, by including Inventory in any computation of the Revolving Borrowing Base, shall be deemed to represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such Inventory is not of the type described in any of (a) through (k) above, and if any Inventory at any time ceases to be Eligible Inventory, such Inventory shall promptly be excluded by the Company from the calculation of Eligible Inventory.

 

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“ Eligible Used Vehicle Inventory ” means Inventory of any Grantor consisting of Used Vehicles (excluding Used Vehicles of any Specified BMW Franchise) that (a) in the case of all such Used Vehicles, are subject to a perfected, first priority Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Instruments, free from any other Lien other than those acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its discretion, (b) are properly titled in such Grantor’s name or the certificates of title for such Used Vehicles are endorsed in blank by the prior owners and such Grantor physically holds such certificates of title (or such Grantor has, in accordance with its standard policies and procedures, initiated the process by which the requirements of this clause (b) will be satisfied) and (c) are held for sale and located at such Grantor’s dealership facilities (except as set forth in Section 6.13 ), and with respect to such leased facilities, the Administrative Agent has received a Landlord Waiver if requested by the Administrative Agent.

“ Environmental Laws ” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

“ Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

“ Equipment ” means all of the Company’s and the Grantor’s now owned and hereafter acquired machinery, equipment, furniture, furnishings, trade fixtures, and other tangible personal property (except Inventory), including computer equipment, embedded software, construction in progress, parts and accessories, motor vehicles (which are not Inventory) with respect to which a certificate of title has been issued, dies, tools, jigs, molds and office equipment, as well as all of such types of property leased by the Company or any Grantor and all of the Company’s and Grantors’ rights and interests with respect thereto under such leases (including, without limitation, options to purchase); together with all present and future additions and accessions thereto, replacements therefor, component and auxiliary parts and supplies used or to be used in connection therewith, and all substitutes for any of the foregoing, and all manuals, drawings, instructions, warranties and rights with respect thereto; wherever any of the foregoing is located.

“ Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of