Exhibit 10.17
SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS SECURITY
AGREEMENT (this “
Security Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of
February 17, 2006 by SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. , a
Delaware corporation (the “ Company ” and a
“ Grantor ”), EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER PERSON WHO SHALL BECOME
A PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A JOINDER AGREEMENT (each a
“ Guarantor ” and a “ Grantor
”, and collectively with the Company, the “
Grantors ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , a
national banking association, as Administrative Agent (the “
Administrative Agent ”) for each of the Lenders now or
hereafter party to the Credit Agreement (as defined below)
(collectively with the Administrative Agent, and certain other
Persons parties to Related Swap Contracts as more particularly
described in Section 21 hereof, the “ Secured
Parties ”) now or hereafter party to the Credit Agreement
(as defined below). All capitalized terms used but not otherwise
defined herein or pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall
have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit
Agreement (as defined below).
W I T N E S S E T
H :
WHEREAS , the Secured Parties have agreed to provide to
the Company and certain Subsidiaries of the Company (the “
New Vehicle Borrowers ” and collectively with the
Company, the “ Borrowers ”) certain credit
facilities, including, a revolving credit facility with a letter of
credit sublimit and a swing line sublimit, a new vehicle floorplan
facility with a swing line sublimit, and a used vehicle floorplan
facility with a swing line sublimit, pursuant to the terms of that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among
the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party
thereto (as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”);
and
WHEREAS , as collateral security for payment and
performance of the Obligations and the obligations and liabilities
of any Loan Party now existing or hereafter arising under Related
Swap Contracts, each Borrower is willing to grant to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a
security interest in certain of its personal property and assets
pursuant to the terms of this Security Agreement; and
WHEREAS , as collateral security for payment and
performance of the Obligations (other than Obligations in respect
of the New Vehicle Facility) and the obligations and liabilities of
any Loan Party now existing or hereafter arising under Related Swap
Contracts, each of the Persons set forth on Schedule 1
(collectively the “ Silo Subsidiaries ”, and
each individually, a “ Silo Subsidiary ”) is
willing to grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties a security interest in certain of its personal
property and assets pursuant to the terms of this Security
Agreement; and
WHEREAS , each Borrower will materially benefit from the
Loans to be made, and the Letters of Credit to be issued, under the
Credit Agreement and each Borrower is a party (as signatory or by
joinder) to a Guaranty pursuant to which such Borrower guarantees
the Obligations of the other Borrowers; and
WHEREAS , each Silo Subsidiary will materially benefit
from the Loans to be made, and the Letters of Credit to be issued,
under the Credit Agreement and each Silo Subsidiary is a party (as
signatory or by joinder) to a Guaranty pursuant to which such
Guarantor guarantees the Obligations (other than Obligations in
respect of the New Vehicle Facility) of the Borrowers;
and
WHEREAS , as collateral security for payment and
performance by each Guarantor of its Guarantor’s Obligations
(as defined in the Guaranty to which such Guarantor is a party),
and the payment and performance of its obligations and liabilities
(whether now existing or hereafter arising) hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents to which it is now or hereafter becomes
a party, each Guarantor is willing to grant to the Administrative
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in
certain of its personal property and assets pursuant to the terms
of this Security Agreement; and
WHEREAS , the Secured Parties are unwilling to enter
into the Loan Documents unless the Borrowers and the Guarantors
enter into this Security Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE
, in order to induce the Secured
Parties to enter into the Loan Documents and to make Loans and
issue Letters of Credit, and in further consideration of the
premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions
. Terms used in this
Security Agreement, not otherwise expressly defined herein or in
the Credit Agreement, and for which meanings are provided in the
Uniform Commercial Code of the State of North Carolina (the “
UCC ”), shall have such meanings. The term “
Qualifying Control Agreement ” shall have the meaning
set forth on Schedule 2 hereto.
2. Grant of Security
Interest . Each
Borrower hereby grants as collateral security for the payment,
performance and satisfaction of all of its Obligations and the
obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party now existing or
hereafter arising under Related Swap Contracts, and each Silo
Subsidiary hereby grants as collateral security for the payment,
performance and satisfaction of all of its Guarantor’s
Obligations (as defined in its Guaranty) and the payment and
performance of its obligations and liabilities (whether now
existing or hereafter arising) hereunder or under any of the other
Loan Documents to which it is now or hereafter becomes a party
(such obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers and the Silo
Subsidiaries referred to collectively as the “ Secured
Obligations ”), to the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Secured Parties a continuing first priority security
interest in and to, and collaterally assigns to the Administrative
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, all of the assets of
such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or may have or acquire an
interest or the power to transfer rights therein, whether now owned
or existing or hereafter created, acquired or arising and
wheresoever located, including the following:
(a) All accounts, and including
accounts receivable, contracts, bills, acceptances, choses in
action, and other forms of monetary obligations at any time owing
to such Grantor arising out of property sold, leased, licensed,
assigned or otherwise disposed of or for services rendered or to be
rendered by such Grantor, and all of such Grantor’s rights
with respect to any property represented thereby, whether or not
delivered, property returned by customers and all rights as an
unpaid vendor or lienor,
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including rights of stoppage in
transit and of recovering possession by proceedings including
replevin and reclamation (collectively referred to hereinafter as
“ Accounts ”);
(b) All new and used vehicle
inventory (including all inventory consisting of new or used
automobiles or trucks with a gross vehicle weight of less than
16,000 pounds) in which such Grantor now or at any time hereafter
may have an interest, whether or not the same is in transit or in
the constructive, actual or exclusive occupancy or possession of
such Grantor or is held by such Grantor or by others for such
Grantor’s account (all of the foregoing, collectively
referred to hereinafter as “ Vehicle Inventory
”);
(c) All other inventory, including
all goods manufactured or acquired for sale or lease, and any piece
goods, raw materials, work in process and finished merchandise,
component materials, and all supplies, goods, incidentals, office
supplies, packaging materials and any and all items used or
consumed in the operation of the business of such Grantor or which
may contribute to the finished product or to the sale, promotion
and shipment thereof, in which such Grantor now or at any time
hereafter may have an interest, whether or not the same is in
transit or in the constructive, actual or exclusive occupancy or
possession of such Grantor or is held by such Grantor or by others
for such Grantor’s account, (together with the Vehicle
Inventory, collectively referred to hereinafter as “
Inventory ”);
(d) All goods, including all
machinery, equipment, motor vehicles, parts, supplies, apparatus,
appliances, tools, patterns, molds, dies, blueprints, fittings,
furniture, furnishings, fixtures and articles of tangible personal
property of every description, and all computer programs embedded
in any of the foregoing and all supporting information relating to
such computer programs (collectively referred to hereinafter as
“ Equipment ”);
(e) Any right of such Grantor in
(i) contracts in transit relating to any Vehicle Inventory
(including any Vehicle Inventory that has been sold, leased or
otherwise disposed of by such Grantor), (ii) any written or
oral agreement of any finance company or other Person to provide
financing for, or to pay all or any portion of the purchase price
of any Vehicle Inventory (including any Vehicle Inventory that has
been sold, leased or otherwise disposed of by such Grantor) or
(iii) any amount to be received under such contracts or
agreements (collectively referred to hereinafter as “
Contracts In Transit ”);
(f) All other general intangibles,
including all rights now or hereafter accruing to such Grantor
under contracts, leases, agreements or other instruments, including
all contracts or contract rights to perform or receive services, to
purchase or sell goods (including the Vehicle Inventory) or to hold
or use land or facilities, and to enforce all rights thereunder,
all causes of action, corporate or business records, inventions,
patents and patent rights, rights in mask works, designs, trade
names and trademarks and all goodwill associated therewith, trade
secrets, trade processes, copyrights, licenses, permits,
franchises, customer lists, computer programs and software, all
internet domain names and registration rights thereto, all internet
websites and the content thereof, all payment intangibles, all
claims under guaranties, tax refund claims, all rights and claims
against carriers and shippers, leases, all claims under insurance
policies, all interests in general and limited partnerships,
limited liability companies, and other Persons not constituting
Investment Property (as defined below), all rights to
indemnification and all
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other intangible personal property
and intellectual property of every kind and nature, (together with
the Contracts-In-Transit, collectively referred to hereinafter as
“ General Intangibles ”);
(g) All deposit accounts, including
demand, time, savings, passbook, or other similar accounts
maintained with any bank by or for the benefit of such Grantor
(collectively referred to hereinafter as “ Deposit
Accounts ”);
(h) All chattel paper, including
tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper, or any hybrid
thereof (collectively referred to hereinafter as “ Chattel
Paper ”);
(i) All investment property,
including all securities, security entitlements, securities
accounts, commodity contracts and commodity accounts of or
maintained for the benefit of such Grantor, but excluding Pledged
Interests subject to any Pledge Agreement and the other property
excluded by the proviso at the end of this Section 2
(collectively referred to hereinafter as “ Investment
Property ”);
(j) All instruments, including all
promissory notes (collectively referred to hereinafter as “
Instruments ”);
(k) All documents, including
manufacturer statements of origin, certificates or origin, and
certificates of title or ownership relating to any Vehicle
Inventory, warehouse receipts, bills of lading and other documents
of title (collectively referred to hereinafter as “
Documents ”);
(l) All rights to payment or
performance under letters of credit including rights to proceeds of
letters of credit (“ Letter-of-Credit Rights ”),
and all guaranties, endorsements, Liens, other Guarantee
obligations or supporting obligations of any Person securing or
supporting the payment, performance, value or liquidation of any of
the foregoing (collectively, with Letter-of-Credit Rights, referred
to hereinafter as “ Supporting Obligations
”);
(m) The commercial tort claims
identified on Schedule 9(i) hereto, as such Schedule may be
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof
(collectively referred to hereinafter as “ Commercial Tort
Claims ”);
(n) All books and records relating
to any of the forgoing (including customer data, credit files,
ledgers, computer programs, printouts, and other computer materials
and records (and all media on which such data, files, programs,
materials and records are or may be stored)); and
(o) All proceeds, products and
replacements of, accessions to, and substitutions for, any of the
foregoing, including without limitation (i) proceeds of
insurance policies insuring any of the foregoing;
All of the property and interests in
property described in subsections (a) through (o) are
herein collectively referred to as the “ Collateral.
” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the grant of a security
interest and collateral assignment under this Section 2
shall not extend to (A) any
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Franchise Agreement, Framework Agreement or
similar manufacturer agreement to the extent that any such
Franchise Agreement, Framework Agreement or similar manufacturer
agreement is not assignable or capable of being encumbered as a
matter of law or by the terms applicable thereto (unless any such
restriction on assignment or encumbrance is ineffective under the
UCC or other applicable law), without the consent of the applicable
party thereto or (B) the “Restricted Eqiuty
Interests” as such term is defined in that certain Escrow and
Security Agreement dated as of even date among the Administrative
Agent, the Company and the other Grantors from time to time party
thereto to the extent that applicable law or terms of the
applicable Franchise Agreement, Framework Agreement or similar
manufacturer agreement would prohibit the pledge or encumbrance
thereof (unless any such restriction on assignment or encumbrance
is ineffective under the UCC or other applicable law), without the
consent of the applicable party thereto .
3. Perfection .
As of the date of execution of this
Security Agreement or Joinder Agreement by each Grantor, as
applicable (with respect to each Grantor, its “ Applicable
Date ”), such Grantor shall have:
(a) furnished the Administrative
Agent with duly authorized financing statements in form, number and
substance suitable for filing, sufficient under applicable law, and
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in order that upon the
filing of the same the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, shall have a duly perfected security interest in
all Collateral in which a security interest can be perfected by the
filing of financing statements;
(b) to the extent the Administrative
Agent may request, made commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
and deliver to the Administrative Agent with properly executed
Qualifying Control Agreements, issuer acknowledgments of the
Administrative Agent’s interest in Letter-of-Credit Rights,
and, to the extent expressly required by the Credit Agreement,
evidence of the placement of a restrictive legend on tangible
chattel paper (and the tangible components of electronic Chattel
Paper), and, to the extent expressly required by the Credit
Agreement, taken appropriate action acceptable to the
Administrative Agent sufficient to establish the Administrative
Agent’s control of electronic Chattel Paper (and the
electronic components of hybrid Chattel Paper), as appropriate,
with respect to Collateral in which either (i) a security
interest can be perfected only by control or such restrictive
legending, or (ii) a security interest perfected by control or
accompanied by such restrictive legending shall have priority as
against a lien creditor, a purchaser of such Collateral from the
applicable Grantor, or a security interest perfected by Persons not
having control or not accompanied by such restrictive legending, in
each case in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative
Agent and sufficient under applicable law so that the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall
have a security interest in all such Collateral perfected by
control; and
(c) to the extent the Administrative
Agent may request, made commercially reasonable efforts to deliver
to the Administrative Agent or, if the Administrative Agent shall
specifically consent in each instance, an agent or bailee of the
Administrative Agent who has acknowledged such status in a properly
executed Qualifying Control Agreement possession of all Collateral
with respect to which either a security interest can be perfected
only by possession or a security interest perfected by possession
shall have
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priority as against Persons not
having possession, and including in the case of Instruments,
Documents, and Investment Property in the form of certificated
securities, duly executed endorsements or stock powers in blank, as
the case may be, affixed thereto in form and substance acceptable
to the Administrative Agent and sufficient under applicable law so
that the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured
Parties, shall have a security interest in all such Collateral
perfected by possession;
with the effect that the Liens
conferred in favor of the Administrative Agent shall be and remain
duly perfected and of first priority subject only, to the extent
applicable, to Liens allowed to exist and have priority under
Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement (“
Permitted Liens ”). All financing statements
(including all amendments thereto and continuations thereof),
control agreements, certificates, acknowledgments, stock powers and
other documents, electronic identification, restrictive legends,
and instruments furnished in connection with the creation,
enforcement, protection, perfection or priority of the
Administrative Agent’s security interest in Collateral,
including such items as are described above in this
Section 3 , are sometimes referred to herein as “
Perfection Documents ”. The delivery of possession of
items of or evidencing Collateral, causing other Persons to execute
and deliver Perfection Documents as appropriate, the filing or
recordation of Perfection Documents, the establishment of control
over items of Collateral, and the taking of such other actions as
may be necessary or advisable in the determination of the
Administrative Agent to create, enforce, protect, perfect, or
establish or maintain the priority of, the security interest of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the
Collateral is sometimes referred to herein as “ Perfection
Action ”.
4. Maintenance of Security
Interest; Further Assurances .
(a) Each Grantor will from time to
time at its own expense, deliver specific assignments of Collateral
or such other Perfection Documents, and take such other or
additional Perfection Action, as may be required by the terms of
the Loan Documents or as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request in connection with the administration or enforcement of
this Security Agreement or related to the Collateral or any part
thereof in order to carry out the terms of this Security Agreement,
to perfect, protect, maintain the priority of or enforce the
Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral,
subject only to Permitted Liens, or otherwise to better assure and
confirm unto the Administrative Agent its rights, powers and
remedies for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder. Without
limiting the foregoing, each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes
the Administrative Agent to file (with, or to the extent permitted
by applicable law, without the signature of the Grantor appearing
thereon) financing statements (including amendments thereto and
initial financing statements in lieu of continuation statements) or
other Perfection Documents (including copies thereof) showing such
Grantor as “debtor” at such time or times and in all
filing offices as the Administrative Agent may from time to time
determine to be necessary or advisable to perfect or protect the
rights of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties
hereunder, or otherwise to give effect to the transactions herein
contemplated, any of which Perfection Documents may describe the
Collateral as or including all assets of the Grantor. Each Grantor
hereby irrevocably ratifies and acknowledges the Administrative
Agent’s authority to have effected filings of Perfection
Documents made by the Administrative Agent prior to its Applicable
Date.
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(b) With respect to any and all
Collateral, each Grantor agrees to do and cause to be done all
things necessary to perfect, maintain the priority of and keep in
full force the security interest granted in favor of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties,
including, but not limited to, the prompt payment upon demand
therefor by the Administrative Agent of all fees and expenses
(including documentary stamp, excise or intangibles taxes) incurred
in connection with the preparation, delivery, or filing of any
Perfection Document or the taking of any Perfection Action to
perfect, protect or enforce a security interest in Collateral in
favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties, subject only to Permitted Liens. All amounts not so paid
when due shall constitute additional Secured Obligations and (in
addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such
nonpayment) shall bear interest from the date of demand until paid
in full at the Default Rate.
(c) Each Grantor agrees to maintain
among its books and records appropriate notations or evidence of,
and to make or cause to be made appropriate disclosure upon its
financial statements of, the security interest granted hereunder to
the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties.
(d) Each Grantor agrees that, in the
event any proceeds (other than goods) of Collateral shall be or
become commingled with other property not constituting Collateral,
then such proceeds may, to the extent permitted by law, be
identified by application of the lowest intermediate balance rule
to such commingled property.
5. Receipt of Payment
. In the event an Event
of Default shall occur and be continuing and a Grantor (or any of
its Affiliates, subsidiaries, stockholders, directors, officers,
employees or agents) shall receive any proceeds of Collateral,
including without limitation monies, checks, notes, drafts or any
other items of payment, each Grantor shall hold all such items of
payment in trust for the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Secured Parties, and as the property of the Administrative
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, separate from the
funds and other property of such Grantor, and no later than the
first Business Day following the receipt thereof, at the election
of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall cause such
Collateral to be forwarded to the Administrative Agent for its
custody, possession and disposition on behalf of the Secured
Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and of the other Loan
Documents.
6. Preservation and Protection
of Collateral .
(a) The Administrative Agent shall
be under no duty or liability with respect to the collection,
protection or preservation of the Collateral, or otherwise. Each
Grantor shall be responsible for the safekeeping of its Collateral,
and in no event shall the Administrative Agent have any
responsibility for (i) any loss or damage thereto or
destruction thereof occurring or arising in any manner or fashion
from any cause, (ii) any diminution in the value thereof, or
(iii) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee
or forwarding agency thereof or other Person in any way dealing
with or handling such Collateral.
(b) Each Grantor shall keep and
maintain its tangible personal property Collateral in good
operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
No
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Grantor shall permit any such items
having an aggregate value in excess of $1,000,000 to become a
fixture to real property (unless such Grantor has granted the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a Lien
on such real property having a priority acceptable to the
Administrative Agent or the Grantor has excluded such fixtures from
the Revolving Borrowing Base) or accessions to other personal
property.
(c) Each Grantor agrees (i) to
pay prior to delinquency all taxes, charges and assessments against
the Collateral in which it has any interest, unless being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and
against which adequate reserves have been established in accordance
with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the application of
GAAP in the Audited Financial Statements and evidenced to the
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and provided that all
enforcement proceedings in the nature of levy or foreclosure are
effectively stayed, and (ii) to cause to be terminated and
released all Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on the Collateral.
Upon the failure of any Grantor to so pay or contest such taxes,
charges, or assessments, or cause such Liens to be terminated, the
Administrative Agent at its option may pay or contest any of them
or amounts relating thereto (the Administrative Agent having the
sole right to determine the legality or validity and the amount
necessary to discharge such taxes, charges, Liens or assessments)
but shall not have any obligation to make any such payment or
contest. All sums so disbursed by the Administrative Agent,
including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel (“
Attorney Costs ”), court costs, expenses and other
charges related thereto, shall be payable on demand by the
applicable Grantor to the Administrative Agent and shall be
additional Secured Obligations secured by the Collateral, and any
amounts not so paid on demand (in addition to other rights and
remedies resulting from such nonpayment) shall bear interest from
the date of demand until paid in full at the Default
Rate.
7. Status of Grantors and
Collateral Generally . Each Grantor represents and warrants to, and
covenants with, the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, with respect to itself and the Collateral as to
which it has or acquires any interest, that:
(a) It is at its Applicable Date (or
as to Collateral acquired after its Applicable Date will be upon
the acquisition of the same) and, except as permitted by the Credit
Agreement and subsection (b) of this Section 7 ,
will continue to be, the owner of the Collateral, free and clear of
all Liens, other than the security interest hereunder in favor of
the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and
Permitted Liens, and that it will at its own cost and expense
defend such Collateral and any products and proceeds thereof
against all claims and demands of all Persons (other than holders
of Permitted Liens) to the extent of their claims permitted under
the Credit Agreement at any time claiming the same or any interest
therein adverse to the Secured Parties. Upon the failure of any
Grantor to so defend, the Administrative Agent may do so at its
option but shall not have any obligation to do so. All sums so
disbursed by the Administrative Agent, including reasonable
Attorney Costs, court costs, expenses and other charges related
thereto, shall be payable on demand by the applicable Grantor to
the Administrative Agent and shall be additional Secured
Obligations secured by the Collateral, and any amounts not so paid
on demand (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from
such nonpayment) shall bear interest from the date of demand until
paid in full at the Default Rate.
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(b) It shall not (i) sell,
assign, transfer, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of, or
grant any option with respect to, the Collateral, except for
Dispositions permitted under the Credit Agreement, (ii) create
or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the
Collateral except for the security interests created by this
Security Agreement and Permitted Liens, or (iii) take any
other action in connection with any of the Collateral that would
materially impair the value of the interest or rights of such
Grantor in the Collateral taken as a whole or that would materially
impair the interest or rights of the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Secured Parties.
(c) It has full power, legal right
and lawful authority to enter into this Security Agreement (and any
Joinder Agreement applicable to it) and to perform its terms,
including the grant of the security interests in the Collateral
herein provided for.
(d) No authorization, consent,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
Governmental Authority or any other Person which has not been given
or obtained, as the case may be, is required either (i) for
the grant by such Grantor of the security interests granted hereby
or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Security
Agreement (or any Joinder Agreement) by such Grantor, or
(ii) for the perfection of or the exercise by the
Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, of its
rights and remedies hereunder, except for action required by the
Uniform Commercial Code to perfect and exercise remedies with
respect to the security interest conferred hereunder.
(e) No effective financing statement
or other Perfection Document similar in effect, nor any other
Perfection Action, covering all or any part of the Collateral
purported to be granted or taken by or on behalf of such Grantor
(or by or on behalf of any other Person and which remains effective
as against all or any part of the Collateral) has been filed in any
recording office, delivered to another Person for filing (whether
upon the occurrence of a contingency or otherwise), or otherwise
taken, as the case may be, except such as pertain to Permitted
Liens and such as may have been filed for the benefit of, delivered
to, or taken in favor of, the Administrative Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Parties in connection with the security interests
conferred hereunder.
(f) Schedule 7(f) attached
hereto contains true and complete information as to each of the
following: (i) the exact legal name of each Grantor as it
appears in its Organization Documents as of its Applicable Date and
at any time during the five (5) year period ending as of its
Applicable Date (the “ Covered Period ”),
(ii) the jurisdiction of formation and form of organization of
each Grantor, and the identification number of such Grantor in its
jurisdiction of formation (if any), (iii) each address of the
chief executive office of each Grantor as of its Applicable Date
and at any time during the Covered Period, (iv) all trade
names or trade styles used by such Grantor as of its Applicable
Date and at any time during the Covered Period, (v) the
address of each location of such Grantor at which any tangible
personal property Collateral (including Account Records and Account
Documents) is located at its Applicable Date or has been located at
any time during the Covered Period, (vi) with respect to each
location described in clause (v) that is not owned
beneficially and of record by such Grantor, the name and address of
the owner thereof; and (vii) the name of each Person other
than such Grantor and the address of such Person at which any
tangible personal property Collateral
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of such Grantor is held under any
warehouse, consignment, bailment or other arrangement as of its
Applicable Date. No Grantor shall change its name, change its
jurisdiction of formation (whether by reincorporation, merger or
otherwise), change the location of its chief executive office, or
utilize any additional location where tangible personal property
Collateral (including Account Records and Account Documents) may be
located, except in each case upon giving not less than thirty
(30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative
Agent and taking or causing to be taken at such Grantor’s
expense all such Perfection Action, including the delivery of such
Perfection Documents, as may be reasonably requested by the
Administrative Agent to perfect or protect, or maintain the
perfection and priority of, the Lien of the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Secured Parties in Collateral contemplated
hereunder.
(g) No Grantor shall engage in any
consignment transaction in respect of any of the Collateral,
whether as consignee or consignor.
(h) No Grantor shall cause, suffer
or permit any of the tangible personal property Collateral
(i) to be evidenced by any document of title (except for
shipping documents as necessary or customary to effect the receipt
of such Collateral or the delivery of such Collateral to such
Grantor or to customers, in each case in the ordinary course of
business, and motor vehicle certificates of title) or (ii) to
be in the possession, custody or control of any warehouseman or
other bailee (except pursuant to Section 6.13 of the
Credit Agreement) unless (x) such location and Person are set
forth on Schedule 7(f) or the Administrative Agent shall
have received not less than thirty (30) days’ prior
written notice of each such transaction, (y) the
Administrative Agent shall have received, upon its request, a duly
executed Qualifying Control Agreement from such warehouseman or
bailee, and (z) the Grantor shall have caused at its expense
to be prepared and executed such additional Perfection Documents
and to be taken such other Perfection Action as the Administrative
Agent may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the transactions
contemplated by this Security Agreement.
(i) No tangible personal property
Collateral is or shall be located at any location that is leased by
such Grantor from any other Person, unless (x) such location
and lessor is set forth on Schedule 6.13 of the Credit
Agreement (as such Schedule may be revised from time to time in
accordance with the Credit Agreement), (y) at the request of
the Administrative Agent, such Grantor uses commercially reasonable
efforts (and provides evidence of such efforts) to cause such
lessor within 90 days of the Applicable Date to acknowledge the
Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties conferred hereunder and waives its statutory and
consensual liens and rights with respect to such Collateral in form
and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and delivered
in writing to the Administrative Agent prior to any Collateral
being located at any such location, and (z) the Grantor shall
have caused at its expense to be prepared and executed such
additional Perfection Documents and to be taken such other
Perfection Action as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or
advisable to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Security Agreement.
8. Inspection .
The Administrative Agent (by any of
its officers, employees and agents), on behalf of the Secured
Parties, shall have the right upon prior notice to an executive
officer of any Grantor, and at any reasonable times during such
Grantor’s usual business hours,
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to inspect the Collateral (including inspecting
Vehicles and conducting random samples of the Net Book Value of the
Used Vehicles), all records related thereto (and to make extracts
or copies from such records), and the premises upon which any of
the Collateral is located, to discuss such Grantor’s affairs
and finances with any Person (other than Persons obligated on any
Accounts (“ Account Debtors ”) except as
expressly otherwise permitted in the Loan Documents) and to verify
with any Person other than (except as expressly otherwise permitted
in the Loan Documents) Account Debtors the amount, quality,
quantity, value and condition of, or any other matter relating to,
the Collateral and, if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, to discuss such Grantor’s affairs and finances
with such Grantor’s Account Debtors and to verify the amount,
quality, value and condition of, or any other matter relating to,
the Collateral with such Account Debtors. Upon or after the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the
Administrative Agent may at any time and from time to time employ
and maintain on such Grantor’s premises a custodian selected
by the Administrative Agent who shall have full authority to do all
acts necessary to protect the Administrative Agent’s (for the
benefit of the Secured Parties) interest. All expenses incurred by
the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, by
reason of the employment of such custodian shall be paid by such
Grantor on demand from time to time and shall be added to the
Secured Obligations secured by the Collateral, and any amounts not
so paid on demand (in addition to other rights and remedies
resulting from such nonpayment) shall bear interest from the date
of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.
9. Specific Collateral
.
(a) Accounts . With respect
to its Accounts whether now existing or hereafter created or
acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants
and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties that:
(i) Such Grantor shall keep accurate
and complete records of its Accounts (“ Account
Records ”) and from time to time, at the Administrative
Agent’s request, the Company shall provide the Administrative
Agent with a schedule of Accounts in excess of $1,000,000 in form
and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent describing all
Accounts created or acquired by all Grantors (“ Schedule
of Accounts ”); provided , however , that
the Company’s failure to execute and deliver any such
Schedule of Accounts shall not affect or limit the Administrative
Agent’s security interest or other rights in and to any
Accounts for the benefit of the Secured Parties. If requested by
the Administrative Agent, each Grantor shall furnish the
Administrative Agent with copies of proof of delivery and other
documents relating to the Accounts so scheduled, including without
limitation repayment histories and present status reports
(collectively, “ Account Documents ”) and such
other matter and information relating to the status of then
existing Accounts as the Administrative Agent shall
request.
(ii) All Account Records and Account
Documents are and shall at all times be located only at such
Grantor’s current chief executive office as set forth on
Schedule 7(f) attached hereto, such other locations as are
specifically identified on Schedule 7(f) attached hereto as
an “ Account Documents location ,” or as to
which the Grantor has complied with Section 7(f)
hereof.
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(iii) The Accounts are genuine, are
in all respects what they purport to be, are not evidenced by an
instrument or document or, if evidenced by an instrument or
document, are only evidenced by one original instrument or
document.
(iv) The Accounts cover bona fide
sales and deliveries of Inventory or sales, leases, licenses or
other dispositions of property usually dealt in by such Grantor, or
the rendition by such Grantor of services, to an Account Debtor in
the ordinary course of business.
(v) The amounts of the face value of
any Account shown or reflected on any Schedule of Accounts, invoice
statement, or certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent,
are actually owing to the applicable Grantor and are not contingent
for any reason; and there are no setoffs, discounts, allowances,
claims, counterclaims or disputes of any kind or description in an
amount greater than $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all the
Grantors, or greater than $250,000 per Account, existing or
asserted with respect thereto and such Grantor has not made any
agreement with any Account Debtor thereunder for any deduction
therefrom, except as may be stated in the Schedule of Accounts and
reflected in the calculation of the face value of each respective
invoice related thereto.
(vi) Except for conditions generally
applicable to such Grantor’s industry and markets, there are
no facts, events, or occurrences known to such Grantor pertaining
particularly to any Accounts which are reasonably expected to
materially impair in any way the validity, collectibility or
enforcement of Accounts that would reasonably be likely, in the
aggregate, to be of material economic value, or in the aggregate
materially reduce the amount payable thereunder from the amount of
the invoice face value shown on any Schedule of Accounts, or on any
certificate, contract, invoice or statement delivered to the
Administrative Agent with respect thereto.
(vii) The property or services
giving rise thereto are not, and were not at the time of the sale
or performance thereof, subject to any Lien, claim, encumbrance or
security interest, except those of the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of Secured Parties and Permitted Liens.
(viii) In the event any amounts due
and owing in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate, are in dispute
between any Account Debtor and a Grantor (which shall include
without limitation any dispute in which an offset claim or
counterclaim may result), such Grantor shall provide the
Administrative Agent with written notice thereof as soon as
practicable, explaining in detail the reason for the dispute, all
claims related thereto and the amount in controversy.
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(b) Inventory . With
respect to its Inventory whether now existing or hereafter created
or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents,
warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Parties that:
(i) Such Grantor shall (A) keep
accurate and complete records itemizing and describing
(1) with respect to its Vehicle Inventory, each new and used
vehicle, including the year, make, model, cost, price, location and
Vehicle Identification Number, (2) with respect to all
Inventory, the kind, type, location and quantity of such Inventory,
its cost therefor and the selling price of Inventory held for sale,
and the daily withdrawals therefrom and additions thereto, and
(B) furnish to the Administrative Agent from time to time, at
the Administrative Agent’s request, a current schedule of
Inventory (including Vehicle Inventory) based upon its most recent
physical inventory and its daily inventory records. Each Grantor
shall conduct a physical inventory no less frequently than
annually, and shall furnish to the Administrative Agent such other
documents and reports thereof as the Administrative Agent shall
reasonably request with respect to the Inventory.
(ii) All Inventory (other than
Vehicle Inventory) is and shall at all times be located only at
such Grantor’s locations as set forth on Schedule 7(f)
attached hereto, or at such other locations as to which such
Grantor has complied with Section 7(f) hereof. No
Grantor shall, other than in the ordinary course of business in
connection with its sale, lease, license or other permitted
Disposition, remove any Inventory from such locations.
(iii) All Vehicle Inventory is and
shall (except as set forth in Section 6.13 of the Credit
Agreement) at all times be located only at such Grantor’s
locations as set forth on Schedule 6.13 of the Credit
Agreement (as such Schedule may be revised from time to time in
accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement). No Grantor
shall, other than in the ordinary course of business in connection
with its sale, lease, license or other permitted Disposition, or as
set forth in Section 6.13 of the Credit Agreement, remove any
Vehicle Inventory from such locations.
(iv) If any Account Debtor returns
any Inventory to a Grantor after shipment thereof, and such return
generates a credit in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate on any
Accounts of such Account Debtor, such Grantor shall notify the
Administrative Agent in writing of the same as soon as
practicable.
(c) Equipment . With
respect to its Equipment whether now existing