Form 8-K
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC false 0001144980 0001144980 2020-09-14 2020-09-14

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 14, 2020 (September 14, 2020)

 

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-31262   01-0609375

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2905 Premiere Parkway NW Suite 300

Duluth, GA

  30097
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

770-418-8200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share   ABG   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

The Company expects to disclose certain supplemental information concerning the Company in a preliminary offering memorandum and marketing materials that is being disseminated in connection with the proposed senior notes offering described in Item 8.01 below. The supplemental information included in the preliminary offering memorandum and marketing materials, certain of which has been previously reported, is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference, including, but not limited to, with respect to the following:

 

   

pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company and the Park Place Dealership group after giving effect to the recently completed acquisition of certain assets of Park Place (the “Acquisition”); and

 

   

certain risk factors.

In connection with the offering, the Company is also furnishing herewith the following historical consolidated financial statements of Park Place:

 

   

Park Place’s audited combined and consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 (with independent auditors’ report thereon); and

 

   

Park Place’s unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019.

The foregoing financial statements of Park Place are furnished hereto as Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by this reference.

The information set forth in and incorporated into this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. The filing of this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information herein that is required to be disclosed solely by reason of Regulation FD.

 

Item 8.01.

Other Events.

On September 14, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the offering, subject to market conditions, of up to $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional senior notes, which will consist of senior notes due 2028 (the “Additional 2028 Notes”) and senior notes due 2030 (the “Additional 2030 Notes” and together with the 2028 Notes, the “Additional Notes”) in an offering that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Additional Notes of each series are part of the same issuance of, and will rank equally and form a single series, respectively, with the $280.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.50% senior subordinated notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”), and the $320.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.75% senior subordinated notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes” and, together with the 2028 Notes, the “Existing Notes”), which were issued on February 19, 2020. The Additional Notes of each series will have the same terms as the Existing Notes of each series, including being guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each existing and future restricted subsidiary of the Company that guarantees the Company’s existing senior credit facility.

The Additional Notes of each series are being offered, together with additional borrowings and cash on hand, (i) to repay $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of a 4.00% promissory note due August 2021 and $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of a 4.00% promissory note due February 2022 used to finance the Acquisition, (ii) to repay approximately $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility, (iii) to pay all fees and expenses in connection with this offering and (iv) for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of additional indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility or other indebtedness under our senior credit facility.

A copy of the press release, which was issued in connection with the offering and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

Neither the press release nor this Current Report on Form 8-K constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an


offer to buy the Additional Notes of any series. The Additional Notes of each series and related guarantees are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Additional Notes of each series and the related guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from the Securities Act and applicable state securities or blue sky laws and foreign securities laws.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.
   Description
99.1    Excerpts from Preliminary Offering Memorandum
99.2    Park Place audited combined and consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 (with independent auditors’ report thereon)
99.3    Park Place unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019
99.4    Press release issued by Asbury Automotive Group Inc., on September 14, 2020
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Date: September 14, 2020     By:  

/s/ George A. Villasana

    Name:   George A. Villasana
    Title:  

Senior Vice President, General Counsel &

Secretary

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Certain Information Excerpted from the Company’s Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Disclosed Pursuant to Regulation FD

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the discussions and information included in this offering memorandum may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical in nature and may include statements relating to our goals, plans and projections regarding industry and general economic trends, our expected financial position, the expected terms or timeline of the currently contemplated Acquisition (as defined herein), the anticipated cost savings, run-rate synergies, revenue enhancement strategies, operational improvements and other benefits from the Acquisition, results of operations or market position and our business strategy. Such statements can generally be identified by words such as “may,” “target,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee” and other similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements may also relate to our expectations and assumptions with respect to, among other things:

 

   

the declines in sales and service revenue and ongoing disruptions in our operations, the operations of our vehicle and parts manufacturers and other suppliers, vendors and business partners, and the global economy in general due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

the expected financial and operational performance of Park Place (as defined herein);

 

   

our estimated future capital expenditures, including with respect to the operations of Park Place;

 

   

sales fluctuations to, and changes in our relationships with, key customers, including the customers of Park Place;

 

   

the seasonally adjusted annual rate of new vehicle sales in the United States;

 

   

general economic conditions and its expected impact on our revenue and expenses;

 

   

our expected parts and service revenue due to, among other things, improvements in vehicle technology;

 

   

our ability to limit our exposure to regional economic downturns due to our geographic diversity and brand mix;

 

   

manufacturers’ continued use of incentive programs to drive demand for their product offerings;

 

   

our capital allocation strategy, including as it relates to acquisitions and divestitures, stock repurchases and capital expenditures; and

 

   

the growth of the brands that comprise our portfolio over the long-term and other factors.

 

- 1 -


Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual future results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the degree to which declines in sales and service revenue and ongoing disruptions in our operations, the operations of our vehicle and parts manufacturers and other suppliers, vendors and business partners, and the global economy in general due to the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;

 

   

the ability to successfully integrate the operations of Park Place into our existing operations and the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business and regular business responsibilities to effect such integration;

 

   

the effects of increased expenses or unanticipated liabilities incurred as a result of, or due to activities related to, the Acquisition;

 

   

disruption from the Acquisition, making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers or suppliers of Park Place;

 

   

changes in general economic and business conditions, including changes in employment levels, consumer demand, preferences and confidence levels, the availability and cost of credit in a rising interest rate environment, fuel prices, levels of discretionary personal income and interest rates;

 

   

our ability to generate sufficient cash flows, maintain our liquidity and obtain any necessary additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, stock repurchases, debt maturity payments and other corporate purposes, if necessary or desirable;

 

   

significant disruptions in the production and delivery of vehicles and parts for any reason, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, product recalls, work stoppages or other occurrences that are outside of our control;

 

   

our ability to execute our automotive retailing and service business strategy while operating under restrictions and best practices imposed or encouraged by governmental and other regulatory authorities;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain skilled employees;

 

   

adverse conditions affecting the vehicle manufacturers whose brands we sell, and their ability to design, manufacture, deliver and market their vehicles successfully;

 

   

changes in the mix, and total number, of vehicles we are able to sell;

 

   

our outstanding indebtedness and our continued ability to comply with applicable covenants in our various financing and lease agreements, or to obtain waivers of these covenants as necessary;

 

   

high levels of competition in our industry, which may create pricing and margin pressures on our products and services;

 

   

our relationships with manufacturers of the vehicles we sell and our ability to renew, and enter into new framework and dealer agreements with vehicle manufacturers whose brands we sell, on terms acceptable to us;

 

   

the availability of manufacturer incentive programs and our ability to earn these incentives;

 

   

failure of our management information systems or any security breaches;

 

- 2 -


   

changes in laws and regulations governing the operation of automobile franchises, including trade restrictions, consumer protections, accounting standards, taxation requirements and environmental laws;

 

   

changes in, or the imposition of, new tariffs or trade restrictions on imported vehicles or parts;

 

   

adverse results from litigation or other similar proceedings involving us;

 

   

our ability to consummate planned mergers, acquisitions and dispositions;

 

   

any disruptions in the financial markets, which may impact our ability to access capital;

 

   

our relationships with, and the financial stability of, our lenders and lessors;

 

   

our ability to execute our initiatives and other strategies;

 

   

our ability to leverage gains from our dealership portfolio; and

 

   

in addition to the Acquisition, our ability to successfully integrate businesses we may acquire, or that any business we acquire may not perform as we expected at the time we acquired it.

Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict, and their ultimate impact could be material. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, those described in “Risk Factors” in this offering memorandum. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Certain Terms Used Herein

When used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, or as specifically described below:

 

   

The term “2019 Senior Credit Facility” means the 2019 Senior Credit Agreement providing for the Revolving Credit Facility, the New Vehicle Used Floor Plan Facility and the Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility.

 

   

The term “Acquisition” means the recently completed acquisition of all of the assets of, and lease of the real property related to, 12 new vehicle dealership franchises, two collision centers and an auto auction comprising the Park Place Dealership group (the acquired assets, collectively, “Park Place”) pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), dated as of July 6, 2020, among the Company, certain members of the Park Place dealership group, Park Place Mid-Cities, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, and the identified principal (collectively, the “Sellers”).

 

   

The term “Additional Notes” means the additional notes being offered hereby of each series having substantially identical terms as the 4.50% Senior Notes due 2028” and the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2030, respectively.

 

   

The term “Asset Purchase Agreement” means that certain Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), dated as of July 6, 2020, among the Company, certain members of the Park Place dealership group, Park Place Mid-Cities, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, and the identified principal (collectively, the “Sellers”).

 

- 3 -


   

The term “Combined Company” means Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, after giving pro forma effect to the Acquisition.

 

   

The terms “Company” and “Asbury” refer to Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

   

The term “F&I” means finance and insurance products.

 

   

The term “Lexus Greenville Dealership” means the Lexus of Greenville dealership operating in Greenville, South Carolina.

 

   

The term “Nalley Ford Dealership” means the Nalley Ford dealership operating in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

   

The term “New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility” means the new vehicle floor plan facility under the 2019 Senior Credit Agreement providing for $1.04 billion of aggregate commitments as of the date hereof.

 

   

The term “Park Place” means the acquired assets of the Park Place Dealership group, including the acquisition of all of the assets of, and lease of the real property related to, 12 new vehicle dealership franchises, two collision centers and an auto auction comprising the Park Place Dealership group.

 

   

The term “Seller Notes” means the $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.00% promissory note due August 2021 and $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.00% promissory note due February 2022 used to finance the Acquisition.

 

   

The term “Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility” means the used vehicle floor plan facility under the 2019 Senior Credit Agreement providing for $160.0 million of aggregate commitments as of the date hereof.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COMBINED COMPANY

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements (referred to as the “pro forma financial statements”) presented below are derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company and Park Place, as adjusted to give effect to the Acquisition and reflect the issuance of the Seller Notes which partly funded the purchase price along with its subsequent redemption from the proceeds of the issuance of the Additional Notes. For additional information related to the Acquisition, see the section of this offering memorandum entitled “Offering Memorandum Summary—Recent Developments—The Acquisition.”

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020, assumes that the Acquisition occurred on June 30, 2020.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019, assume that the Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2019.

 

- 4 -


The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the following financial statements, all of which are included elsewhere in this offering memorandum:

 

   

the audited consolidated financial statements of Asbury as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019;

 

   

the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Asbury as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020;

 

   

the audited combined and consolidated financial statements of Park Place as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019; and

 

   

the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements of Park Place as of June 30, 2020 and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Combined Company gives effect to the divestiture of the Lexus Greenville Dealership because it is directly attributable to the Acquisition but does not give effect to the anticipated disposition of the Nalley Ford Dealership. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also does not give effect to the repayment of $162.0 million of borrowings under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility subsequent to June 30, 2020.

The pro forma adjustments reported in these financial statements are based upon available information and certain assumptions that the Company’s management believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Combined Company is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what the results of operations or financial condition would have been had the Acquisition actually occurred on the dates indicated, nor is it meant to be indicative of future results of operations or financial condition for any future period or as of any future date. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Combined Company should be read in conjunction with “Offering Memorandum Summary— Recent Developments—The Acquisition,” “Risk Factors,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Offering Memorandum Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Asbury and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Combined Company,” “Offering Memorandum Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Park Place,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company,” as well as the audited and unaudited historical financial statements and related notes of the Company and Park Place included elsewhere in this offering memorandum.

Assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Combined Company.

 

- 5 -


ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2020

(dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Asbury
Automotive
Group, Inc.
     Park Place      Pro Forma
Adjustments
           Pro Forma
Combined
 

ASSETS

             

CURRENT ASSETS:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 613.2    $ 33.2    $ (523.1     a, j      $ 123.3

Contracts-in-transit, net

     115.1      24.0      (24.0     a        115.1

Accounts receivable, net

     87.7      23.7      (23.7     a        87.7

Inventories, net

     636.4      145.6      (28.9     a, b, j        753.1

Assets held for sale

     28.7      —          —            28.7

Other current assets

     110.6      65.7      (6.7     a, j, k        169.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,591.7      292.2      (606.4        1,277.5  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     922.8      67.8      (43.3     a, c, j        947.3

OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE-ASSETS

     90.2      50.2      156.9     a, d        297.3

GOODWILL

     206.5      0.3      688.2     e, j        895.0

INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS

     113.2      10.7      (22.0     e, j        101.9

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

     10.0      9.6      (9.6     a        10.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,934.4    $ 430.8    $ 163.8      $ 3,529.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

             

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

             

Floor plan notes payable—trade, net

   $ 57.5    $ 41.3    $ (41.3     a      $ 57.5

Floor plan notes payable—non-trade, net

     468.7      44.9      56.3     a, g, j        569.9

Current maturities of long-term debt

     51.4      25.2      (25.2     a, g        51.4

Current maturities of operating leases

     16.4      18.2      (7.5     a, d        27.1

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     299.2      111.7      (46.5     a, g, j, l        364.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     893.2      241.3      (64.2        1,070.3

LONG-TERM DEBT

     1,182.1      26.2      169.8     a, g        1,378.1

OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY

     77.6      31.9      163.9     a, d        273.4

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     24.7      —          —            24.7

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     43.7      3.7      (3.7     a        43.7

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

             

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     713.1      127.7      (102.0     h, j        738.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,934.4    $ 430.8    $ 163.8      $ 3,529.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

- 6 -


ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income

For the Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2020

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.     Park Place                      
     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,

2020
    For the Six
Months Ended
December 31,
2019
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,

2020
    For the Six
Months Ended
December 31,
2019
     Pro Forma
Adjustments
           Pro Forma
Combined
 

REVENUE:

                

New vehicle

   $ 1,583.9   $ 2,026.3   $ 316.3   $ 439.8    $ (40.6     j      $ 4,325.7

Used vehicle

     940.7     1,088.1     248.6     292.9      (31.7     j        2,538.6

Parts and service

     390.8     457.3     114.5     134.2      (11.0     j        1,085.8

Finance and insurance, net

     137.0     164.3     14.0     14.7      (2.3     j        327.7

Other

     —         —         1.8     2.2      —            4.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL REVENUE

     3,052.4     3,736.0     695.2     883.8      (85.6        8,281.8

COST OF SALES:

                

New vehicle

     1,508.9     1,943.0     292.1     408.4      (37.8     j        4,114.6

Used vehicle

     872.9     1,024.4     232.2     275.5      (29.8     j        2,375.2

Parts and service

     155.4     173.9     50.8     58.7      (5.3     j        433.5

Other

     —         —         0.3     0.3      —            0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL COST OF SALES

     2,537.2     3,141.3     575.4     742.9      (72.9        6,923.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

     515.2     594.7     119.8     140.9      (12.7        1,357.9

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Selling, general, and administrative

     346.9     408.1     96.2     101.2      (5.3     d, j        947.1

Depreciation and amortization

     19.2     18.6     5.5     5.8      (8.2     c, j        40.9

Franchise rights impairment

     23.0     7.1     —         —          —            30.1

Other operating (income) expense, net

     8.9     (0.4     (0.3     —          0.5     j        8.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     117.2     161.3     18.4     33.9      0.3        331.1

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

                

Floor plan interest expense

     11.1     17.2     1.4     2.6      (2.9     i, j        29.4

Other interest expense, net

     28.8     27.4     2.0     2.3      7.7     i, j        68.2

Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net

     20.6     —         —         —        $ —            20.6

Gain on divestiture

     (33.7     —         —         —          (25.7     j        (59.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other expenses, net

     26.8     44.6     3.4     4.9      (20.9        58.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     90.4     116.7     15.0     29.0      21.2        272.3

Income tax expense

     21.3     28.1     0.7     0.3      5.3     f        55.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 69.1   $ 88.6   $ 14.3   $ 28.7    $ 15.9      $ 216.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

                

Basic—

                

Net income

   $ 3.60   $ 4.64             $ 11.28
  

 

 

   

 

 

             

 

 

 

Diluted—

                

Net income

   $ 3.58   $ 4.59             $ 11.22
  

 

 

   

 

 

             

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

                

Basic

     19.2     19.1               19.2

Restricted stock

     —         0.1               —    

Performance share units

     0.1     0.1               0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

             

 

 

 

Diluted

     19.3     19.3               19.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

- 7 -


ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Asbury Automotive
Group, Inc.
    Park Place                   
     For the Year Ended
December 31, 2019
    For the Year Ended
December 31, 2019
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
         Pro Forma
Combined
 

REVENUE:

           

New vehicle

   $ 3,863.3   $ 819.8   $ (43.5   j    $ 4,639.6

Used vehicle

     2,131.6     587.5     (31.4   j      2,687.7

Parts and service

     899.4     265.4     (10.8   j      1,154.0

Finance and insurance, net

     316.0     28.9     (2.3   j      342.6

Other

     —         4.3     —            4.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL REVENUE

     7,210.3     1,705.9     (88.0        8,828.2

COST OF SALES:

           

New vehicle

     3,703.8     759.3     (40.3   j      4,422.8

Used vehicle

     1,997.5     551.5     (29.4   j      2,519.6

Parts and service

     340.1     116.7     (5.5   j      451.3

Other

     —         0.6     —            0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL COST OF SALES

     6,041.4     1,428.1     (75.2        7,394.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

     1,168.9     277.8     (12.8        1,433.9

OPERATING EXPENSES:

           

Selling, general, and administrative

     799.8     200.2     (9.2   d, j      990.8

Depreciation and amortization

     36.2     11.7     (8.6   c, j      39.3

Franchise rights impairment

     7.1     —         —            7.1

Other operating (income) expense, net

     0.8     (0.1     0.5   j      1.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     325.0     66.0     4.5        395.5

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

           

Floor plan interest expense

     37.9     6.2     (5.1   i, j      39.0

Other interest expense, net

     54.9     4.7     7.2   i, j      66.8

Gain on divestiture

     (11.7     —         (25.7   j      (37.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other expenses, net

     81.1     10.9     (23.6        68.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     243.9     55.1     28.1        327.1

Income tax expense

     59.5     1.0     7.0   f      67.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   $ 184.4   $ 54.1   $ 21.1      $ 259.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

           

Basic—

           

Net income

   $ 9.65          $ 13.59
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

Diluted—

           

Net income

   $ 9.55          $ 13.45
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

           

Basic

     19.1              19.1

Restricted stock

     0.1              0.1

Performance share units

     0.1              0.1
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

Diluted

     19.3            19.3
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

- 8 -


1.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes pro forma adjustments that are (1) directly attributable to the Acquisition, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the operating results of the combined company.

The acquisition of Park Place is accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the underlying tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition, with any excess purchase price allocated to goodwill. To date, the Company has made a preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Acquisition, and will complete the allocation of such purchase price as further information becomes available. The final purchase price allocation may differ from that reflected in the following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, and these differences may be material.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020, assumes that the Acquisition, the divestiture of Lexus Greenville Dealership and issuance of the Additional Notes (collectively, the “Transactions”) occurred on June 30, 2020.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019, assume that the Transactions occurred on January 1, 2019.

The pro forma adjustments reported in these financial statements are based upon available information and certain assumptions that the Company’s management believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what the results of operations or financial condition would have been had the Transactions actually occurred on the dates indicated, nor is it meant to be indicative of future results of operations or financial condition for any future period or as of any future date. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Combined Company should be read in conjunction with “Offering Memorandum Summary— Recent Developments—The Acquisition,” “Offering Memorandum Summary—Recent Developments,” “Offering Memorandum Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Asbury and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of the Combined Company,” “Offering Memorandum Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Park Place,” “Risk Factors,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company,” as well as the audited and unaudited historical financial statements and related notes of the Company and the Park Place business included elsewhere in this offering memorandum.

Assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

- 9 -


2.

Sources of Purchase Price

The Company acquired Park Place, including goodwill and franchise rights intangible assets, certain leasehold improvements, and parts and fixed assets, in each case subject to certain adjustments described in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The purchase price was approximately $889.9 million excluding transaction fees and expenses related to the Acquisition. The source of preliminary purchase consideration is as follows:

 

     (dollars in millions)  

Cash

   $ 527.4

Seller Notes

     200.0

New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility

     127.5  

Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility

     35.0  
  

 

 

 

Preliminary Purchase Price

   $ 889.9
  

 

 

 

 

3.

Purchase Price Allocation

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on information currently available. The following table summarizes the allocation of the estimated purchase price based on preliminary estimates of fair value:

 

     (dollars in millions)  

Assets Acquired and Liabilities assumed

  

Inventories

   $ 121.4

Other current assets

     61.1

Property and equipment

     24.7  

Goodwill and intangible assets

     691.5  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     207.1
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

     1,105.8
  

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

     (206.5

Other liabilities

     (9.4
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     (215.9
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $ 889.9
  

 

 

 

The fair value of property, plant and equipment acquired is summarized below:

 

    

Fair value

(dollars in
millions)

     Estimated useful life

Land

   $ —        N/A

Buildings

     —        30-40 years

Leasehold improvements

     13.1      Lesser of remaining lease term or life of asset

Construction in progress

     1.7      N/A

Furniture, fixtures & equipment

     9.9    3-10 years
  

 

 

    
   $ 24.7   
  

 

 

    

 

- 10 -


The final purchase price allocation will be determined once the Company has completed the detailed valuations and necessary calculations related to the Acquisition.

The estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based upon preliminary analysis performed for the preparation of the pro forma financial information and are subject to the final valuations that are in the process of being completed and finalized. These estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period as additional information is obtained. A decrease in the fair value of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed in the Acquisition from the preliminary valuations presented would result in a dollar-for-dollar corresponding increase in the amount of goodwill resulting from the Acquisition. In addition, if the value of the property and equipment and other intangible assets is higher than the amount included in these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, it may result in higher depreciation and amortization expense than is presented herein. Any such increases could be material, and could result in the Company’s actual future financial condition or results of operations differing materially from that presented herein. As a result, the final purchase price allocation may differ materially from the preliminary purchase price allocation.

 

4.

Reclassifications

Upon consummation of the Acquisition, accounting policies were conformed to those of the Company. The Company has identified preliminary adjustments to the presentation of the historical financial statements of Park Place to those of the Company based upon currently available information and assumptions management believes to be reasonable. The following reclassifications were made in order to conform with the corresponding treatment for the Company’s financial reporting:

 

   

Courtesy vehicles, net of $58.3 million, and contract asset receivables of $3.2 million, as of June 30, 2020, were reclassified to other current assets. Contract asset receivables are reflected in receivables, net in the historical financial statements of Park Place.

 

   

Floor plan notes payable-trade, and floor plan notes payable-non-trade, related to courtesy vehicles, of $41.6 million and $17.1 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2020, were reclassified to accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

   

The following amounts of sales and cost of sales are presented in the categories shown below to align with the Company’s presentation:

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
2020
     For the Six Months
Ended December 31,
2019
     For the Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
     (dollars in millions)  

REVENUE:

        

New vehicle

     316.3      439.8      819.8  

Used vehicle

     248.6      292.9      587.5

Parts and service

     114.5      134.2      265.4

Finance and insurance, net

     14.0      14.7      28.9

Other

     1.8      2.2      4.3

COST OF SALES:

        

New vehicle

     292.1      408.4      759.3

Used vehicle

     232.2      275.5      551.5

Parts and service

     50.8      58.7      116.7

Other

     0.3      0.3      0.6

 

- 11 -


   

The following line items were reclassified to selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020, the six months ended December 31, 2019, and the year ended December 31, 2019: variable selling expense, advertising expense, personnel expense, management fee expense, deferred compensation expense, profits interest obligation expense, fixed expense (excluding the amounts reclassified to depreciation and amortization described below), and semi-fixed expense (excluding the amounts reclassified to other interest expense, net described below).

 

   

Interest income on the floor plan offset facility for the six months ended June 30, 2020, the six months ended December 31, 2019, and the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, was reclassified to floor plan interest expense.

 

   

Floor plan interest expense on courtesy vehicles of $1.1 million, $1.3 million, and $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, the six months ended December 31, 2019, and the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, was reclassified from semi-fixed expense to other interest expense, net.

 

   

$5.5 million, $5.8 million, and $11.7 was reclassified from fixed expenses to depreciation and amortization for the six months ended June 30, 2020, the six months ended December 31, 2019, and the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively.

Management of the Company is currently in the process of conducting a more detailed review of accounting policies used in the historical financial statements of Park Place to determine if differences in accounting policies require any further reclassification to conform to the Company’s accounting policies and classifications. As a result, we may identify additional differences between the accounting policies of the two companies that, when conformed, could have a material impact on these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

- 12 -


5.

Pro forma adjustments

The pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflect the following:

 

  a.

The elimination of assets and liabilities not assumed in connection with the Acquisition.

 

  b.

The elimination of inventory not assumed in the Acquisition and recording the preliminary fair value estimate of inventory acquired.

 

  c.

The preliminary estimated fair value of property and equipment acquired and related depreciation expense.

 

  d.

The right-of-use asset and lease liabilities for operating leases entered into and assumed in the Acquisition and related rent expense.

 

  e.

The preliminary estimate of fair value of intangible assets and goodwill arising from the Acquisition less the adjustment to remove Park Place’s historical goodwill and intangible assets.

 

  f.

The income tax effect of the pro forma adjustments reflected in the Condensed and Combined Statements of Income.

 

  g.

Changes in indebtedness assumed to be incurred in connection with the Acquisition include (1) issuance of $250.0 million related to the Additional Notes, (2) drawdowns of $127.5 million under the New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility and $35.0 million under the Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility (3) repayment of $50.0 million under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility and (3) redemption of $200.0 million Seller Notes assumed upon the consummation of the Acquisition.

 

  h.

The equity impact of the elimination of historical equity balances of Park Place.

 

  i.

Changes in interest expense resulting from the $250.0 million issuance of the Additional Notes, and drawdowns from the New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility and Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility including amortization of estimated debt issuance costs, and resulting interest expense not incurred on the indebtedness of Park Place not assumed by the Company in the Transactions. The $200.0 million Seller Notes incurred in connection with the Acquisition is assumed to be redeemed on June 30, 2020 from the proceeds from the issuance of the Additional Notes. See “Offering Memorandum Summary—Recent Developments—The Acquisition” and “Description of Other Indebtedness.”

 

  j.

Adjustments related to the divestiture of the Lexus Greenville dealership.

 

  k.

The recording of the preliminary fair value estimate of courtesy vehicles and contract asset receivables acquired.

 

  l.

The recording of assumed accrued liabilities.

 

- 13 -


Risk Factors

Risks Related to the Business

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic has had and is expected to continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted consumer spending and global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. We expect the COVID-19 global pandemic to have a material adverse impact on our business, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on our business, such as our ability to execute our near-term and long-term business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on uncertain and unpredictable future developments, including the duration and scope of the pandemic.

As a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and in response to government mandates or recommendations, such as “shelter-in-place” and self-quarantines, as well as decisions we have made to protect the health and safety of our employees, consumers and communities, we have modified our business practices, including implementing reduced hours at certain of our dealerships, developing social distancing plans, restricting employee travel, limiting physical participation in meetings, and cancelling events and industry and other conferences. As a result of the government mandates and recommendations, our dealerships, including our parts and services businesses, are not operating at capacity, resulting in a loss of sales and profits. Additionally, the closures of, and/or reduced availability of services from, the department of motor vehicles in various states have and will continue to have an adverse effect on our ability to obtain license plates for our fleet and our customers and perfect liens on sold vehicles, as well as on our customers’ ability to obtain valid driver licenses. All of these factors present challenges to our operations, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are presently considered an essential business, but we may face future operational restrictions or challenges that may limit operations or require us to further restrict access to or close dealerships due to, among other factors, evolving and increasingly stringent governmental restrictions, including public health directives, quarantine policies, social distancing measures or positive diagnoses for COVID-19 among our employees at certain dealership locations.

Any significant reduction in consumer visits to, or spending at, our dealerships caused by COVID-19, would result in a loss of sales and profits and other material adverse effects. Self-quarantine or “shelter-in-place” mandates may reduce customer visits to our dealerships. We also expect consumer fears about contracting the virus to continue, which may further reduce traffic to our dealerships. Consumer spending generally may also be negatively impacted by general macroeconomic conditions and consumer confidence, including the impacts of any recession, resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic. For example, COVID-19 has resulted in employee furloughs and increased unemployment across the United States, thereby reducing consumer demand for our products and services, as well as the number of consumers who would qualify for an extension of credit for a vehicle purchase or a lease, either on favorable terms or at all. All of these factors are expected to negatively impact sales and profitability.

 

- 14 -


Our profitability is, to a great extent, dependent on various aspects of vehicle manufacturers’ operations. As a result of market conditions caused by COVID-19, certain vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers have ceased or slowed production of new vehicles, parts and other supplies. We cannot predict with any certainty how long these production slowdowns in the automotive retail industry will persist and when normalized production will resume at these manufacturers. This disruption in our supply network has negatively impacted, and will continue to impact, our ability to maintain a desirable mix of popular new vehicles and parts that consumers demand at the time and in the volumes desired, all of which would adversely impact our revenues.

The effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the operating results of our business have resulted in a $23.0 million non-cash impairment charge related to our intangible manufacturer franchise rights assets in the first quarter of 2020; these may result in additional impairment charges in the future, which could adversely affect our future operating results. Our principal intangible assets are goodwill and our rights under our franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers. Goodwill and franchise rights are subject to impairment assessments at least annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in a significant decrease in our market capitalization and profitability, heightening the risk of impairment. We may be required to record additional impairment charges if the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, and we cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any additional impairment charge at this time; however, any such impairment charge could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and stockholders’ equity.

In addition, the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on macroeconomic conditions may impact the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. Even after the COVID-19 global pandemic has subsided, we may continue to experience adverse impacts to our business as a result of an economic recession or depression that has occurred or may occur in the future. The continued disruption of global financial markets as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic could have a negative impact on our ability to access capital in the future.

As information regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 global pandemic is rapidly evolving, the extent of its impact on our business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict. At this moment, we cannot reasonably estimate the duration and severity of the COVID-19 global pandemic, or the overall impact it may have on our business. Even after the COVID-19 global pandemic has subsided, we may continue to experience adverse impacts to our business as a result of increased unemployment and any economic recession or depression that has occurred or may occur in the future. Any of these events could amplify the other risks and uncertainties described below and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or stock price.

The Acquisition creates numerous risks and uncertainties which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

After consummation of the Acquisition, we will have significantly more sales, assets and employees than we did prior to the Acquisition. The integration process will require us to expend significant capital and significantly expand the scope of our operations and financial systems. Our management will be required to devote a significant amount of time and attention to the process of integrating the operations of our business with that of Park Place. There is a significant degree of difficulty and management involvement inherent in that process.

 

- 15 -


These difficulties include:

 

   

integrating the operations of Park Place during the pandemic while carrying on the ongoing operations of our business;

 

   

managing a significantly larger company than before consummation of the Acquisition;

 

   

the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying our expectations regarding the (i) integration process, including, among other things, unanticipated delays, costs or inefficiencies, and (ii) retention of key employees;

 

   

the effects of unanticipated liabilities;

 

   

operating a more diversified business;

 

   

integrating two separate business cultures, which may prove to be incompatible;

 

   

attracting and retaining the necessary personnel associated with the business of Park Place;

 

   

creating uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems and controlling the costs associated with such matters; and

 

   

integrating information, purchasing, accounting, finance, sales, billing, payroll and regulatory compliance systems.

As a private company, Park Place was not required to obtain an audit of its internal control over financial reporting or otherwise have such internal control assessed, except to the extent required in connection with audits pursuant to GAAP; however, following the consummation of the Acquisition, the financial systems of Park Place are being integrated into our financial systems and subject to the internal control audit required with respect to the Company as a public company.

If any of these factors limits our ability to integrate Park Place into our operations successfully or on a timely basis, the expectations of future results of operations, including certain run-rate synergies expected to result from the Acquisition, might not be met. As a result, we may not be able to realize the expected benefits that we seek to achieve from the Acquisition, which could also affect our ability to service our debt obligations. In addition, we may be required to spend additional time or money on integration that otherwise would be spent on the development and expansion of our business, including efforts to further expand our product portfolio.

 

- 16 -


We may be unable to realize the anticipated cost savings or operational improvements or may incur additional and/or unexpected costs in order to realize them.

There can be no assurance that we will be able or realize the anticipated cost savings or operational improvements from the Acquisition in the anticipated amounts or within the anticipated timeframes or costs expectations or at all. We are implementing a series of cost savings initiatives at the Combined Company that we expect to result in recurring, annual run-rate cost savings. We expect to incur one-time, non-recurring costs to achieve such synergies.

These or any other cost savings or operational improvements that we realize may differ materially from our estimates. We cannot provide assurances that these anticipated savings will be achieved or that our programs and improvements will be completed as anticipated or at all. In addition, any cost savings that we realize may be offset, in whole or in part, by reductions in revenues or through increases in other expenses.

Failure to realize the expected cost savings and operating synergies related to the Acquisition could result in increased costs and have an adverse effect on the Combined Company’s financial results and prospects.

As part of the Acquisition, we assumed certain liabilities of Park Place. There may be liabilities that we failed or were unable to discover in the course of performing due diligence investigations into Park Place. In addition, as Park Place is integrated, we may learn additional information about Park Place, such as unknown or contingent liabilities or other issues relating to the operations of Park Place. Any such liabilities or issues, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, the sellers will be liable for certain breaches of representations, warranties and covenants but our recovery may be contingent upon the aggregate damages arising out of any such breaches exceeding specified dollar thresholds and is subject to other time-based and monetary-based limitations. Accordingly, we may not be able to enforce certain claims against the sellers with respect to liabilities of Park Place.

The automotive retail industry is sensitive to unfavorable changes in general economic conditions and various other factors that could affect demand for our products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, our ability to implement our strategy and our results of operations.

Our future performance will be impacted by general economic conditions including: changes in employment levels; consumer demand, preferences and confidence levels; the availability and cost of credit; fuel prices; levels of discretionary personal income; and interest rates. We also are subject to economic, competitive, and other conditions prevailing in the various markets in which we operate, even if those conditions are not prominent nationally.

Retail vehicle sales are cyclical and historically have experienced periodic downturns characterized by oversupply and weak demand, which could result in a need for us to lower the prices at which we sell vehicles, which would reduce our revenue per vehicle sold and our margins. Additionally, a shift in consumer’s vehicle preferences driven by pricing, fuel costs or other factors may have a material adverse effect on our revenues, margins and results of operations.

 

- 17 -


Changes in general economic conditions may make it difficult for us to execute our business strategy. In such an event, we may be required to enter into certain transactions in order to generate additional cash, which may include, but not be limited to, selling certain of our dealerships or other assets or increasing borrowings under our existing, or any future, credit facilities. There can be no assurance that, if necessary, we would be able to enter into any such transactions in a timely manner or on reasonable terms, if at all. Furthermore, in the event we were required to sell dealership assets, the sale of any material portion of such assets could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability.

Adverse conditions affecting one or more of the vehicle manufacturers with which we hold franchises or their inability to deliver a desirable mix of vehicles that our consumers demand, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Historically, we have generated most of our revenue through new vehicle sales, and new vehicle sales also tend to lead to sales of higher-margin products and services, such as finance and insurance products and vehicle-related parts and service. As a result, our profitability is dependent to a great extent on various aspects of vehicle manufacturers’ operations, many of which are outside of our control. Our ability to sell new vehicles is dependent on manufacturers’ ability to design and produce, and willingness to allocate and deliver to our dealerships, a desirable mix of popular new vehicles that consumers demand. Popular vehicles may often be difficult to obtain from manufacturers for a number of reasons, including the fact that manufacturers generally allocate their vehicles to dealerships based on sales history and capital expenditures associated with such dealerships. Further, if a manufacturer fails to produce desirable vehicles or develops a reputation for producing undesirable vehicles or produces vehicles that do not comply with applicable laws or government regulations, and we own dealerships which sell that manufacturer’s vehicles, our revenues from those dealerships could be adversely affected as consumers shift their vehicle purchases away from that brand.

Although we seek to limit our dependence on any one vehicle manufacturer, there can be no assurance the brand mix allocated and delivered to our dealerships by the manufacturers will be appropriate or sufficiently diverse, to protect us from a significant decline in the desirability of vehicles manufactured by a particular manufacturer or disruptions in a manufacturer’s ability to produce vehicles. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, manufacturers representing 5% or more of our revenues from new vehicle sales were as follows:

 

Manufacturer (Vehicle Brands):

   % of Total New
Vehicle Revenues
 

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda and Acura)

     22

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Toyota and Lexus)

     19

Ford Motor Company (Ford and Lincoln)

     11

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan and Infiniti)

     8

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz, smart and Sprinter)

     8

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW and Mini)

     6

 

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Similar to automotive retailers, vehicle manufacturers may be affected by the long-term U.S. and international economic climate. In addition, we remain vulnerable to other matters that may impact the manufacturers of the vehicles we sell, many of which are outside of our control, including: (i) changes in their respective financial condition; (ii) changes in their respective marketing efforts; (iii) changes in their respective reputation; (iv) manufacturer and other product defects, including recalls; (v) changes in their respective management; (vi) disruptions in the production and delivery of vehicles and parts due to natural disasters or other reasons; and (vii) issues with respect to labor relations. Our business is highly dependent on consumer demand and brand preferences for our manufacturers products. Manufacturer recall campaigns are a common occurrence that have accelerated in frequency and scope. Manufacturer recall campaigns could adversely affect our new and used vehicle sales or customer residual trade-in valuations, could cause us to temporarily remove vehicles from our inventory, could force us to incur increased costs, and could expose us to litigation and adverse publicity related to the sale of recalled vehicles, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Vehicle manufacturers that produce vehicles outside of the U.S. are subject to additional risks including changes in quotas, tariffs or duties, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, regulations governing imports and the costs related thereto, and foreign governmental regulations.

Adverse conditions that materially affect a vehicle manufacturer and its ability to profitably design, market, produce or distribute desirable new vehicles could in turn materially adversely affect our ability to (i) sell vehicles produced by that manufacturer, (ii) obtain or finance our new vehicle inventories, (iii) access or benefit from manufacturer financial assistance programs, (iv) collect in full or on a timely basis any amounts due therefrom, and/or (v) obtain other goods and services provided by the impacted manufacturer. In addition, we depend on manufacturers’ ability to design, produce, and supply parts to us and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our parts and services business. Our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected as a result of any event that has an adverse effect on any vehicle manufacturer.

In addition, if a vehicle manufacturer’s financial condition worsens and it seeks protection from creditors in bankruptcy or similar proceedings, or otherwise under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (i) the manufacturer could seek to terminate or reject all or certain of our franchises, (ii) if the manufacturer is successful in terminating all or certain of our franchises, we may not receive adequate compensation for those franchises, (iii) our cost to obtain financing for our new vehicle inventory may increase or no longer be available from such manufacturer’s captive finance subsidiary, (iv) consumer demand for such manufacturer’s products could be materially adversely affected, especially if costs related to improving such manufacturer’s financial condition are factored into the price of its products, (v) there may be a significant disruption in the availability of consumer credit to purchase or lease that manufacturer’s vehicles or negative changes in the terms of such financing, which may negatively impact our sales, or (vi) there may be a reduction in the value of receivables and inventory associated with that manufacturer, among other things. The occurrence of any one or more of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

 

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Furthermore, the automotive manufacturing supply chain spans the globe. As such, supply chain disruptions resulting from natural disasters, adverse weather and other events may affect the flow of vehicle and parts inventories to us or our manufacturing partners. For example, in early 2020, the outbreak of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China led to quarantines of a significant number of Chinese cities and widespread disruptions to travel and economic activity in that region and other countries. Until such time as the coronavirus is contained, the outbreak may lead to quarantines of additional cities or regions, including cities or regions in the United States, which may lead us to experience disruptions in the (i) supply of vehicle and parts inventories, (ii) ability and willingness of our customers to visit our stores to purchase products or service their vehicles and (iii) overall health of our labor force. At this time, it is unclear what effect, if any, the outbreak and resulting disruptions may have on the automotive manufacturing vehicle and parts supply chain, the health of our labor force and the ability and willingness of our customers to visit our stores to purchase products or service their vehicles. Such disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Our outstanding indebtedness, ability to incur additional debt and the provisions in the agreements governing our debt, and certain other agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

As of June 30, 2020, after giving pro forma effect to the Acquisition, this offering and the use proceeds contemplated hereby, we would have had total debt of $1,429.5 million, which excludes total floor plan notes payable of $627.4 million and debt issuance costs. We have the ability to incur substantial additional debt in the future to finance, among other things, acquisitions, working capital and capital expenditures, subject in each case to the restrictions contained in our debt instruments and other agreements existing at the time such indebtedness is incurred.

Our debt service obligations could have important consequences to us for the foreseeable future, including the following: (i) our ability to obtain additional financing for acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital or other general corporate purposes may be impaired; (ii) a substantial portion of our cash flow from operating activities must be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing the funds available to us for our operations and other corporate purposes; (iii) some of our borrowings are and will continue to be at variable rates of interest, which exposes us to risks of interest rate increases; and (iv) we may be or become substantially more leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a relative competitive disadvantage and make us more vulnerable to changes in market conditions and governmental regulations.

In addition to our ability to incur additional debt in the future, there are operating and financial restrictions and covenants, such as leverage covenants, in certain of our debt and mortgage agreements, including the agreement governing our 2019 Senior Credit Facility and our mortgage agreements and related mortgage guarantees, as well as certain other agreements to which we are a party that may adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to pursue certain business activities. These limit, among other things, our ability to incur certain additional debt, create certain liens or other encumbrances and make certain payments (including dividends and repurchases of our common stock and for investments). Certain of these agreements also require us to maintain compliance with certain financial ratios.

 

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Our failure to comply with any of these covenants in the future could constitute a default under the relevant agreement, which could, depending on the relevant agreement, (i) entitle the creditors under such agreement to terminate our ability to borrow under the relevant agreement and accelerate our obligations to repay outstanding borrowings; (ii) require us to repay those borrowings; (iii) entitle the creditors under such agreement to foreclose on the property securing the relevant indebtedness; or (iv) prevent us from making debt service payments on certain of our other indebtedness, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In many cases, a default under one of our debt, mortgage, or other agreements, could trigger cross-default provisions in one or more of our other debt or mortgage agreements. There can be no assurance that our creditors would agree to an amendment or waiver of our covenants. In the event we obtain an amendment or waiver, we would likely incur additional fees and higher interest expense.

In addition to the financial and other covenants contained in our various debt or mortgage agreements, certain of our lease agreements contain covenants that give our landlords the right to terminate the lease, seek significant cash damages, or evict us from the applicable property, if we fail to comply. Similarly, our failure to comply with any financial or other covenants in any of our framework agreements, would give the relevant manufacturer certain rights, including the right to reject proposed acquisitions, and may give it the right to repurchase its franchises from us. Events that give rise to such rights, and our inability to acquire additional dealerships or the requirement that we sell one or more of our dealerships at any time, could inhibit the growth of our business, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Manufacturers may also have the right to restrict our ability to provide guarantees of our operating companies, pledges of the capital stock of our subsidiaries and liens on our assets, which could materially adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for our business and operations on favorable terms or at desired levels, if at all.

The occurrence of any one of these events may limit our ability to take strategic actions that would otherwise enable us to manage our business, in a manner in which we otherwise would, absent such limitations, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by increases in interest rates.

We generally finance our purchases of new vehicle inventory, have the ability to finance the purchases of used vehicle inventory, and have the availability to borrow funds for working capital under our senior secured credit facilities that charge interest at variable rates. Therefore, our interest expense from variable rate debt will rise with increases in interest rates. In addition, a significant rise in interest rates may also have the effect of depressing demand in the interest rate sensitive aspects of our business, particularly new and used vehicle sales and the related profit margins and F&I revenue per vehicle, because most of our customers finance their vehicle purchases. As a result, rising interest rates may have the effect of simultaneously increasing our capital costs and reducing our revenues. Given our variable interest rate debt and floor plan notes payable outstanding as of June 30, 2020, each one percent increase in market interest rates would increase our total annual interest expense by as much as $9.3 million. When considered in connection with reduced expected sales as and if interest rates increase, any such increase could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our vehicle sales, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by changes in costs or availability of consumer financing.

The majority of vehicles purchased by our customers are financed. Reductions in the availability of credit to consumers have contributed to declines in our vehicle sales in past periods. Reductions in available consumer credit or increased costs of that credit, could result in a decline in our vehicle sales, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Lenders that have historically provided financing to those buyers who, for various reasons, do not have access to traditional financing, including those buyers who have a poor credit history or lack the down payment necessary to purchase a vehicle, are often referred to as subprime lenders. If market conditions cause subprime lenders to tighten credit standards, or if interest rates increase, the ability to obtain financing from subprime lenders for these consumers to purchase vehicles could become limited, resulting in a decline in our vehicle sales, which in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Substantial competition in automobile sales and services may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The automotive retail and service industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location, and selection. Our competition includes: (i) franchised automobile dealerships in our markets that sell the same or similar new and used vehicles; (ii) privately negotiated sales of used vehicles; (iii) other used vehicle retailers, including regional and national vehicle rental companies; (iv) internet-based used vehicle brokers that sell used vehicles to consumers; (v) service center and parts supply chain stores; and (vi) independent service and repair shops.

We do not have any cost advantage over other retailers in purchasing new vehicles from manufacturers. We typically rely on our advertising, merchandising, sales expertise, service reputation, strong local branding and dealership location to sell new vehicles. Because our dealer agreements only grant us a non-exclusive right to sell a manufacturer’s product within a specified market area, our revenues, gross profit and overall profitability may be materially adversely affected if competing dealerships expand their market share. Further, our vehicle manufacturers may decide to award additional franchises in our markets in ways that negatively impact our sales.

The internet has become a significant part of the advertising and sales process in our industry. Customers are using the internet to shop, and compare prices, for new and used vehicles, automotive repair and maintenance services, finance and insurance products and other automotive products. If we are unable to effectively use the internet to attract customers to our own on-line channels and mobile applications, and, in turn, to our stores, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, the growing use of social media by consumers increases the speed and extent that information and opinions can be shared, and negative posts or comments on social media about us or any of our stores, could damage our reputation and brand names, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Additionally, if one or more companies are permitted to circumvent the state franchise laws of several states in the United States thereby permitting them to sell their new vehicles without the requirements of establishing a dealer-network, they may be able to have a competitive advantage over the traditional dealers, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales in those states.

We are dependent upon our relationships with the manufacturers of vehicles that we sell and are subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, these vehicle manufacturers. Any of these restrictions or any changes or deterioration of these relationships could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are dependent on our relationships with the manufacturers of the vehicles we sell, which have the ability to exercise a great deal of control and influence over our day-to-day operations, as a result of the terms of our dealer, framework and related agreements. We may obtain new vehicles from manufacturers, service vehicles, sell new vehicles and display vehicle manufacturers’ trademarks only to the extent permitted under these agreements. The terms of these agreements may conflict with our interests and objectives and may impose limitations on key aspects of our operations, including acquisition strategy and capital spending.

For example, manufacturers can set performance standards with respect to sales volume, sales effectiveness and customer satisfaction, and require us to obtain manufacturer consent before we can acquire dealerships selling a manufacturer’s automobiles. From time to time, we may be precluded under agreements with certain manufacturers from acquiring additional franchises, or subject to other adverse actions, to the extent we are not meeting certain performance criteria at our existing stores (with respect to matters such as sales volume, customer satisfaction and sales effectiveness) until our performance improves in accordance with the agreements, subject to applicable state franchise laws. In addition, many vehicle manufacturers place limits on the total number of franchises that any group of affiliated dealerships may own and certain manufacturers place limits on the number of franchises or share of total brand vehicle sales that may be maintained by an affiliated dealership group on a national, regional or local basis, as well as limits on store ownership in contiguous markets. If we reach any of these limits, we may be prevented from making further acquisitions, or we may be required to dispose of certain dealerships, which could adversely affect our future growth. We cannot provide assurance that manufacturers will approve future acquisitions timely, if at all, which could significantly impair the execution of our acquisition strategy.

In addition, certain manufacturers use a dealership’s manufacturer-determined customer satisfaction index (“CSI”) score as a factor governing participation in incentive programs. To the extent we do not meet minimum score requirements, our future payments may be materially reduced or we may be precluded from receiving certain incentives, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Manufacturers also typically establish facilities and minimum capital requirements for dealerships on a case-by-case basis. In certain circumstances, including as a condition to obtaining consent to a proposed acquisition, a manufacturer may require us to remodel, upgrade or move our facilities, and capitalize the subject dealership at levels we would not otherwise choose to fund, causing us to divert our financial resources away from uses that management believes may be of higher long-term value to us. Delays in obtaining, or failing to obtain, manufacturer consent, would impede our ability to execute acquisitions that we believe would integrate well with our overall strategy and limit our ability to expand our business.

 

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Manufacturers can also establish new franchises or relocate existing franchises, subject to applicable state franchise laws. The establishment or relocation of franchises in our markets could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of our dealerships in the market in which the action is taken.

Manufacturers may also limit our ability to divest one or more of our dealerships in a timely manner or at all. Most of our dealer agreements provide the manufacturer with a right of first refusal to purchase any of the manufacturer’s franchises we seek to sell. Divestitures may also require manufacturer consent and failure to obtain consent would require us to find another potential buyer or wait until the buyer is able to meet the requirements of the manufacturer. A delay in the sale of a dealership could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Manufacturers may terminate or may not renew our dealer and framework agreements, or may compel us to divest our dealerships, for a number of reasons, including default under the agreement, any unapproved change of control (which specific changes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but which include material changes in the composition of our Board of Directors during a specified time period, the acquisition of 5% or more of our voting stock by another vehicle manufacturer or distributor, the acquisition of 20% or more of our voting stock by third parties, and the acquisition of an ownership interest sufficient to direct or influence management and policies), or certain other unapproved events (including certain extraordinary corporate transactions such as a merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets). Triggers of these clauses are often based upon actions by our stockholders and are generally outside of our control. Restrictions on any unapproved changes of ownership or management may adversely impact our value, as they may prevent or deter prospective acquirers from gaining control of us. In addition, actions taken by a manufacturer to exploit its bargaining position in negotiating the terms of renewals of franchise agreements or otherwise, could also have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability.

There can be no assurances that we will be able to renew our dealer and framework agreements on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected to the extent that our rights become compromised or our operations are restricted due to the terms of our dealer or framework agreements or if we lose franchises representing a significant percentage of our revenues due to termination or failure to renew such agreements.

If vehicle manufacturers reduce or discontinue sales incentive, warranty or other promotional programs, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

We benefit from certain sales incentive, warranty, and other promotional programs of vehicle manufacturers that are intended to promote and support their respective new vehicle sales. Key incentive programs include: (i) customer rebates on new vehicles; (ii) dealer incentives on new vehicles; (iii) special financing or leasing terms; (iv) warranties on new and used vehicles; and (v) sponsorship of used vehicle sales by authorized new vehicle dealers.

 

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Vehicle manufacturers often make many changes to their incentive programs. Any reduction or discontinuation of manufacturers’ incentive programs for any reason, including a supply and demand imbalance, may reduce our sales volume which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.

If state laws that protect automotive retailers are repealed, weakened, or superseded by our framework agreements with manufacturers, our dealerships will be more susceptible to termination, non-renewal, or renegotiation of their dealer agreements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Applicable state laws generally provide that an automobile manufacturer may not terminate or refuse to renew a dealer agreement unless it has first provided the dealer with written notice setting forth “good cause” and stating the grounds for termination or non-renewal. Some state laws allow dealers to file protests or petitions or allow them to attempt to comply with the manufacturer’s criteria within a notice period to avoid the termination or non-renewal. Our framework agreements with certain manufacturers contain provisions that, among other things, attempt to limit the protections available to dealers under these laws, and, though unsuccessful to date, manufacturers’ ongoing lobbying efforts may lead to the repeal or revision of these laws. If these laws are repealed in the states in which we operate, manufacturers may be able to terminate our franchises without providing advance notice, an opportunity to cure or a showing of good cause. Without the protection of these state laws, it may also be more difficult for us to renew our dealer agreements upon expiration. Changes in laws that provide manufacturers the ability to terminate our dealer agreements could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, if a manufacturer seeks protection from creditors in bankruptcy, courts have held that the federal bankruptcy laws may supersede the state laws that protect automotive retailers resulting in either the termination, non-renewal or rejection of franchises by such manufacturers, which, in turn, could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A failure of any of our information systems or those of our third-party service providers, or a data security breach with regard to personally identifiable information (“PII”) about our customers or employees, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We depend on the efficient operation of our information systems and those of our third-party service providers. We rely on information systems at our dealerships in all aspects of our sales and service efforts, as well in the preparation of our consolidated financial and operating data. All of our dealerships currently operate on a common dealer management system (“DMS”). Our business could be significantly disrupted if (i) the DMS fails to integrate with other third-party information systems, customer relations management tools or other software, or to the extent any of these systems become unavailable to us or fail to perform as designed for an extended period of time or (ii) our relationship with our DMS provider or any other third-party provider deteriorates. Additionally, any disruption to access and connectivity of our information systems due to natural disasters, power loss or other reasons could disrupt our business operations, impact sales and results of operations, expose us to customer or third-party claims, or result in adverse publicity.

 

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Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, we and our partners receive significant PII about our customers in order to complete the sale or service of a vehicle and related products. We also receive PII from our employees. The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is increasingly demanding, with numerous state and federal regulations, as well as payment card industry and other vendor standards, governing the collection and maintenance of PII from consumers and other individuals. We believe the automotive dealership industry is a particular target of identity thieves, as there are numerous opportunities for a data security breach, including cyber-security breaches, burglary, lost or misplaced data, scams, or misappropriation of data by employees, vendors or unaffiliated third parties. Because of the increasing number and sophistication of cyber-attacks, and despite the security measures we have in place and any additional measures we may implement or adopt in the future, our facilities and systems, and those of our third-party service providers, could be vulnerable to security breaches, computer viruses, lost or misplaced data, programming errors, scams, burglary, human errors, acts of vandalism and/or other events. Alleged or actual data security breaches can increase costs of doing business, negatively affect customer satisfaction and loyalty, expose us to negative publicity, individual claims or consumer class actions, administrative, civil or criminal investigations or actions, and infringe on proprietary information, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Our operations are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations. If we are found to be in purported violation of or subject to liabilities under any of these laws or regulations, or if new laws or regulations are enacted that adversely affect our operations, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, reputation and prospects could suffer.

The automotive retail industry, including our facilities and operations, is subject to a wide range of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, such as those relating to motor vehicle sales, retail installment sales, leasing, finance and insurance, marketing, licensing, consumer protection, consumer privacy, escheatment, anti-money laundering, environmental, vehicle emissions and fuel economy, and health and safety. In addition, with respect to employment practices, we are subject to various laws and regulations, including complex federal, state, and local wage and hour and anti-discrimination laws. The violation of the laws or regulations to which we are subject could result in administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions against us, which may include a cease and desist order against the subject operations or even revocation or suspension of our license to operate the subject business, as well as significant fines and penalties. Violation of certain laws and regulations to which we are subject may also subject us to consumer class action or other lawsuits or governmental investigations and adverse publicity. We currently devote significant resources to comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulation of health, safety, environmental, zoning and land use regulations, and we may need to spend additional time, effort, and money to keep our operations and existing or acquired facilities in compliance therewith.

 

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In addition, there is a risk that our employees could engage in misconduct that violates the laws or regulations to which we are subject. It is not always possible to detect or deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in all cases. If any of our employees were to engage in misconduct or were to be accused of such misconduct, our business and reputation could be adversely affected.

The Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), an independent federal agency funded by the United States Federal Reserve with broad regulatory powers and limited oversight from the United States Congress. Although automotive dealers are generally excluded, the Dodd-Frank Act could lead to additional, indirect regulation of automotive dealers, in particular, their sale and marketing of finance and insurance products, through its regulation of automotive finance companies and other financial institutions. In addition, the CFPB possesses supervisory authority with respect to certain non-bank lenders, including automotive finance companies, participating in automotive financing. The Dodd-Frank Act also provided the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) with new and expanded authority regarding automotive dealers. Since then, the FTC has been gathering information on consumer protection issues through roundtables, public comments and consumer surveys. The FTC may exercise its additional rule-making authority to expand consumer protection regulations relating to the sale, financing and leasing of motor vehicles. In 2014, the FTC implemented an enforcement initiative relating to the advertising practices of automotive dealers. In connection therewith, in May 2016, we signed a consent order with the FTC to settle allegations that in certain instances our advertisements did not adequately disclose information about used vehicles with open safety recalls. Under the consent order, we did not agree to make any payments or admit wrong-doing, but we did agree to make certain disclosures in marketing materials and at the point of sale and comply with certain record-keeping obligations.

Continued pressure from the CFPB, FTC, and other federal agencies could lead to significant changes in the manner that dealers are compensated for arranging customer financing, and while it is difficult to predict how any such changes might impact us, any adverse changes could have a material adverse impact on our finance and insurance business and results of operations. Furthermore, we expect that new laws and regulations, particularly at the federal level, in other areas may be enacted, which could also materially adversely impact our business.

Environmental laws and regulations govern, among other things, discharges into the air and water, storage of petroleum substances and chemicals, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, investigation and remediation of contamination. Similar to many of our competitors, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur capital and operating expenditures and other costs to comply with such federal and state statutes. In addition, we may become subject to broad liabilities arising out of contamination at our currently and formerly owned or operated facilities, at locations to which hazardous substances were transported from such facilities, and at such locations related to entities formerly affiliated with us. For such potential liabilities, we believe we are entitled to indemnification from other entities. However, we cannot provide assurance that such entities will view their obligations as we do or will be able or willing to satisfy them. We may have indemnity obligations for liabilities relating to contamination at our currently or formerly owned and/or operated facilities as part of the acquisition or divestiture of certain properties in the ordinary course of business. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or significant additional expenditures required to maintain compliance therewith, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

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A significant judgment against us or the imposition of a significant fine could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and future prospects. We further expect that, from time to time, new laws and regulations, particularly in the environmental area will be enacted, and compliance with such laws, or penalties for failure to comply, could significantly increase our costs. For example, vehicle manufacturers are subject to government-mandated fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards, which continue to change and become more stringent over time. Specifically, vehicle manufacturers are subject to corporate average fuel economy standards (“CAFE”) for passenger cars and light trucks. Failure of a manufacturer to develop passenger vehicles and light trucks that meet CAFE and/or greenhouse gas emission standards could subject the manufacturer to substantial penalties, increase the cost of vehicles sold to us, and adversely affect our ability to market and sell vehicles to meet consumer needs and desires, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

We are subject to risks related to the provision of employee health care benefits, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for health care plans. We record expenses under those plans based on estimates of the costs of expected claims, administrative costs, stop-loss insurance premiums, and expected health care trends. Actual costs under these plans are subject to variability that is dependent upon participant enrollment, demographics and the actual costs of claims made. Negative trends in any of these areas could cause us to incur additional unplanned health care costs, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if enrollment in our health care plans increases significantly, the additional costs that we will incur may be significant enough to materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are, and expect to continue to be, subject to legal and administrative proceedings, which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, reputation and prospects.

We are involved and expect to continue to be involved in numerous legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our business, including litigation with customers, employment-related lawsuits, class actions, purported class actions and actions brought by governmental authorities. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any known matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. However, the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Property loss or other uninsured liabilities could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

We are subject to substantial risk of property loss due to the significant concentration of property at dealership locations, including vehicles and parts. We have historically experienced business interruptions from time to time at several of our dealerships, due to actual or threatened adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, hail storms

 

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or other extraordinary events. Concentration of property at dealership locations also makes the automotive retail business particularly vulnerable to theft, fraud and misappropriation of assets. Illegal or unethical conduct by employees, customers, vendors, and unaffiliated third parties can result in loss of assets, disrupt operations, impact brand reputation, jeopardize manufacturer and other relationships, result in the imposition of fines or penalties, and subject us to governmental investigations or lawsuits. While we maintain insurance to protect against a number of losses, this insurance coverage often contains significant deductibles. In addition, we “self-insure” a portion of our potential liabilities, meaning we do not carry insurance from a third-party for such liabilities, and are wholly responsible for any related losses including for certain potential liabilities that some states prohibit the maintenance of insurance to protect against. In certain instances, our insurance may not fully cover a loss depending on the applicable deductible or the magnitude and nature of the claim. Additionally, changes in the cost or availability of insurance in the future could substantially increase our costs to maintain our current level of coverage or could cause us to reduce our insurance coverage and increase our self-insured risks. To the extent we incur significant additional costs for insurance, suffer losses that are not covered by in-force insurance or suffer losses for which we are self-insured, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely impacted.

A decline in our credit rating or a general disruption in the credit markets could negatively impact our liquidity and ability to conduct our operations.

A deterioration of our credit rating, or a general disruption in the credit markets, could limit our ability to obtain credit on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, uncertain economic conditions or the re-pricing of certain credit risks may make it more difficult for us to obtain one or more types of funding in the amounts, or at rates considered acceptable to us, at any given time. Our inability to access necessary or desirable funding, or to enter into certain related transactions, at times and at costs deemed appropriate by us, could have a negative impact on our liquidity and our ability to conduct our operations. Any of these developments could also reduce the ability or willingness of the financial institutions that have extended credit commitments to us, or that have entered into hedge or similar transactions with us, to fulfill their obligations to us, which also could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to conduct our operations.

We are subject to risks associated with imported product restrictions or limitations, foreign trade and currency valuations.

Our business involves the sale of vehicles, parts or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the United States. As a result, our operations are subject to risks of doing business outside of the United States and importing merchandise, including import duties, exchange rates, trade restrictions, work stoppages, natural or man-made disasters, and general political and socio-economic conditions in other countries. The United States or the countries from which our products are imported may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions or limitations, or adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs. The imposition of new, or adjustments to prevailing, quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions or limitations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Relative weakness of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies in the future may result in an increase in costs to us and in the retail price of such vehicles or parts, which could discourage consumers from purchasing such vehicles and adversely impact our revenues and profitability.

 

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If we are unable to acquire and successfully integrate additional dealerships into our business, our revenue and earnings growth may be adversely affected.

We believe that the automotive retailing industry is a mature industry whose sales are significantly impacted by the prevailing economic climate, both nationally and in local markets. Accordingly, we believe that our future growth depends in part on our ability to manage expansion, control costs in our operations and acquire and effectively integrate acquired dealerships into our organization. When seeking to acquire other dealerships, we often compete with several other national, regional and local dealership groups, and other strategic and financial buyers, some of which may have greater financial resources than us. Competition for attractive acquisition targets may result in fewer acquisition opportunities for us and we may have to forgo acquisition opportunities to the extent we cannot negotiate such acquisitions on acceptable terms.

We also face additional risks commonly encountered with growth through acquisitions. These risks include, but are not limited to: (i) failing to obtain manufacturers’ consents to acquisitions of additional franchises; (ii) incurring significant transaction-related costs for both completed and failed acquisitions; (iii) incurring significantly higher capital expenditures and operating expenses; (iv) failing to integrate the operations and personnel of the acquired dealerships and impairing relationships with employees; (v) incorrectly valuing entities to be acquired or incurring undisclosed liabilities at acquired dealerships; (vi) disrupting our ongoing business and diverting our management resources to newly acquired dealerships; (vii) failing to achieve expected performance levels; and (viii) impairing relationships with manufacturers and customers as a result of changes in management.

We may not adequately anticipate all the demands that our growth will impose on our personnel, procedures and structures, including our financial and reporting control systems, data processing systems, and management structure. Moreover, our failure to retain qualified management personnel at any acquired dealership may increase the risks associated with integrating the acquired dealership. If we cannot adequately anticipate and respond to these demands, we may fail to realize acquisition synergies and our resources will be focused on incorporating new operations into our structure rather than on areas that may be more profitable.

We are a holding company and as a result are dependent on our operating subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash and distribute cash to us to service our indebtedness and fund our ongoing operations.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and fund our ongoing operations depends on our operating subsidiaries’ ability to generate cash in the future and distribute that cash to us. It is possible that our subsidiaries may not generate cash from operations in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness. In addition, many of our subsidiaries are required to comply with the provisions of franchise agreements, dealer agreements, other agreements with manufacturers, mortgages, and credit facility providers. Many of these agreements contain minimum working capital or net worth requirements, and are subject to change at least annually. Although the requirements contained in these agreements did not restrict our subsidiaries from distributing cash to us as of June 30, 2020, unexpected changes to our financial metrics or to the terms of our franchise agreements, dealer agreements or other agreements with manufacturers could require us to alter the manner in which we distribute or use cash. If our operating subsidiaries are unable to generate and distribute sufficient cash to us to service our indebtedness and fund our ongoing operations, our financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

 

- 30 -


Goodwill and manufacturer franchise rights comprise a significant portion of our total assets. We must test our goodwill and manufacturer franchise rights for impairment at least annually, which could result in a material, non-cash write-down of goodwill or manufacturer franchise rights and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and stockholders’ equity.

Our principal intangible assets are goodwill and our rights under our franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including manufacturer franchise rights, are subject to impairment assessments at least annually (or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred), by applying a qualitative or quantitative assessment. A decrease in our market capitalization or profitability increases the risk of goodwill impairment. The fair value of our manufacturer franchise rights is determined by discounting a sub-set of the projected cash flows at a dealership that we attribute to the value of the franchise. Changes to the business mix or declining cash flows in a dealership increase the risk of impairment. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $7.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, in pre-tax non-cash impairment charges associated with manufacturer franchise rights recorded at certain dealerships. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded a $23.0 million non-cash impairment charge related to our intangible manufacturer franchise rights. We may be required to record additional impairment charges if the COVID-19 global pandemic continues. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any additional impairment charge at this time; however, any such impairment charge could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and stockholders’ equity.

Technological advances, including increases in ride sharing applications, electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles in the long-term could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The automotive industry is predicted to experience change over the long-term. Shared vehicle services such as Uber and Lyft provide consumers with increased choice in their personal mobility options. The effect of these and similar mobility options on the retail automotive industry is uncertain, and may include lower levels of new vehicles sales. In addition, technological advances are facilitating the development of driverless vehicles. The eventual timing of widespread availability of driverless vehicles is uncertain due to regulatory requirements, additional technological requirements, and uncertain consumer acceptance of these vehicles. The effect of driverless vehicles on the automotive retail industry is uncertain and could include changes in the level of new and used vehicles sales, the price of new vehicles, and the role of franchised dealers, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The widespread adoption of electric and battery powered vehicles also could have a material adverse effect on the profitability of our parts and service business.

 

- 31 -


This offering memorandum includes certain financial information prepared by Park Place that has not been independently verified by us.

The financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, attributable to Park Place is based on good faith estimates of Asbury management derived entirely from financial information provided by the management of Park Place acquired in the due diligence process prior to our ownership and control thereof. Accordingly, although we believe such information to be accurate, such information cannot be independently verified by our management, nor has such information been audited by our auditors. We cannot assure you that such financial information of Park Place for the year ended December 31, 2019 and as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, would not be materially different if such information was audited by our auditors or independently verified by our management. See “Offering Memorandum Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Park Place.”

The pro forma financial information in this offering memorandum may not be reflective of our operating results and financial condition following the Acquisition.

The pro forma financial information included in this offering memorandum is derived from our and Park Place’s historical audited and unaudited financial statements. We prepared the pro forma information based upon available information and assumptions and estimates that we believe are reasonable. This pro forma information may not necessarily reflect what our results of operations and financial position would have been had the Acquisition occurred during the periods presented or what our results of operations and financial position will be in the future. For example, the financing, integration, restructuring and transaction costs related to the Acquisition could be higher or lower than currently estimated. In addition, our customers may not buy products or services from us following completion of the Acquisition in the expected amounts, and as a result, our revenue could materially decline or any anticipated increases in our revenue could be lower than expected.

 

- 32 -

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

Independent Auditors’ Report

Partners and Members

Park Place Dealerships - Selected Entities

Dallas, Texas

We have audited the accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements of Park Place Dealerships—Selected Entities (the “Company”), which comprise the combined and consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, and the related combined and consolidated statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital and members’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the combined and consolidated financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the combined and consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and for designing, implementing, and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the combined and consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement whether due to fraud or error.

Accountants’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined and consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined and consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the combined and consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the combined and consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the combined and consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined and consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the combined and consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the combined and consolidated balance sheet of Park Place Dealerships—Selected Entities as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations, changes in partners’ capital and members’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

1


LOGO

 

Emphasis of Matters

As discussed in Notes 1 and 16 to the combined and consolidated financial statement, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and the related amendments. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

Fort Worth, Texas

August 26, 2020

 

2


Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements:

Park Place Dealerships – Selected Entities

Combined and Consolidated Balance Sheet

December 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

  

Current assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 41,143,434  

Contracts in transit

     26,843,135  

Receivables, net

     43,095,422  

Inventories

     185,269,967  

Prepaid expenses

     5,713,475  

Courtesy vehicles, net

     63,736,626  
  

 

 

 

Total current assets

     365,802,059  
  

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     71,845,068  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     59,048,825  

Long-term finance commission receivables, less current portion

     3,695,928  

Franchise rights

     10,709,468  

Goodwill

     300,000  

Other assets

     1,108,103  
  

 

 

 
     146,707,392  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 512,509,451  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY

 

Current liabilities:

  

Floor plan notes payable

   $ 135,291,447  

Floor plan notes payable, other

     86,332,150  

Accounts payable

     21,261,096  

Accrued expenses

     25,301,741  

Current portion of allowance for contingent charges

     2,937,911  

Current portion of long-term debt

     1,751,282  

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

     17,985,215  

Current portion of finance lease obligation

     2,483,303  
  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     293,344,145  
  

 

 

 

Allowance for contingent charges, less current portion

     1,492,089  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     37,571,840  

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion

     41,092,037  

Finance lease obligation, less current portion

     1,073,724  

Deferred compensation

     1,908,128  

Profits interest retirement obligation

     2,768,555  
  

 

 

 
     85,906,373  
  

 

 

 

Partners’ capital and members’ equity

     133,258,933  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital and members’ equity

   $ 512,509,451  
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

3


Park Place Dealerships – Selected Entities

Combined and Consolidated Statement of Operations

December 31, 2019

 

Sales

   $ 1,676,943,438  

Cost of sales

     1,428,051,693  
  

 

 

 

Gross profit from sales

     248,891,745  

Financing, insurance, service contract and other income, net

     28,863,960  
  

 

 

 

Gross profit

     277,755,705  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Variable selling

     23,390,168  

Advertising

     6,717,850  

Floor plan interest

     8,240,620  

Personnel

     91,805,097  

Semi-fixed

     42,905,043  

Fixed

     48,835,436  
  

 

 

 
     221,894,214  
  

 

 

 

Income from operations

     55,861,491  
  

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

  

Interest expense, other than floor plan

     (2,052,500

Interest income

     2,054,756  

Management fees

     (717,355

Deferred compensation expense

     (655,024

Profits interest obligation

     433,220  

Other

     82,899  
  

 

 

 
     (854,004
  

 

 

 

Income before state income tax expense

     55,007,487  

State income tax expense

     999,396  
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 54,008,091  
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

4


Park Place Dealerships - Selected Entities

Combined and Consolidated Statement of Changes in Partners’ Capital and Members’ Equity

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

     Partners’ Capital     Members’ Equity     Total  

January 1, 2019

   $ 114,882,041     $ 18,531,499     $ 133,413,540  

Partner and member withdrawals

     (48,590,563     (6,572,135     (55,162,698

Capital contributions

     —         1,000,000       1,000,000  

Net income

     47,304,476       6,703,615       54,008,091  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

   $ 113,595,954     $ 19,662,979     $ 133,258,933  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

5


Park Place Dealerships - Selected Entities

Combined and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

Net income

   $ 54,008,091  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Provision for bad debt

     175,855  

Depreciation and amortization

     18,660,579  

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

     (63,585

Allowance for contingent charges

     1,490,000  

Deferred compensation

     655,024  

Profits interest retirement obligations

     (433,220

Change in assets and liabilities:

  

Contracts in transit

     11,271,231  

Receivables

     1,250,864  

Inventories

     60,159,460  

Prepaid expenses

     (1,096,059

Courtesy vehicles

     (7,905,409

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     17,170,616  

Finance commission receivables

     806,335  

Other assets

     42,695  

Floor plan notes payable

     (33,789,725

Accounts payable

     (4,868,771

Accrued expenses

     2,011,621  

Operating lease liabilities

     (17,170,735
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     102,374,867  
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

  

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     100,508  

Purchase of property and equipment

     (2,446,532
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,346,024
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

  

Change in floor plan notes payable, other, net

     (22,949,949

Partner and member withdrawals

     (55,162,698

Capital contributions

     1,000,000  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (2,843,146

Principal payments on finance lease obligation

     (2,356,562

Payments on deferred compensation

     (589,965
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (82,902,320
  

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     17,126,523  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

     24,016,911  
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, ending

   $ 41,143,434  
  

 

 

 

See supplemental disclosures of cash flow information (Note 12 and 14).

See accompanying notes.

 

6


LOGO

Park Place Dealerships - Selected Entities

Notes to Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and nature of business

The accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements include the combined and consolidated operations of Park Place Motorcars, Ltd., Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd., PPDV, Ltd., Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd., PPP, LP, PPJ, LLC, PPMB Arlington, LLC, PPM Auction, LP, PPMBA Realty, LP, and PP Real Estate, Ltd. (referred to collectively as “Park Place Dealerships - Selected Entities” or the “Company”). The combined and consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the combination and consolidation.

The Company is a franchised dealer of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; Porsche Cars North America, Inc.; Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.; Volvo Cars of North America; Jaguar Cars Limited; and Land Rover North America, Inc. (referred to collectively as “the manufacturers”) under dealer agreements. Through these dealer agreements, the Company markets new vehicles, replacement parts, service, and financing and leasing. In addition, it also retails and wholesales used vehicles. The dealer agreements specify the location of the dealerships and designate the specific market areas in which the dealer may operate; however, there is no guarantee of exclusivity within these market areas. The specified market area for the Company is the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan area.

Combined affiliates:

 

Legal Entity

  

Primary

Operations

  

Manufacturer

Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.

   Dealership    Mercedes Benz USA, LLC

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd.

   Dealership    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

PPDV, Ltd.

   Dealership    Volvo Cars of North America

Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.

   Dealership    Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc

PPP, LP

   Dealership    Porsche Cars North America, Inc

PPJ, LLC

   Dealership    Jaguar Cars Limited; Land Rover North America, Inc.

PPMB Arlington, LLC

   Dealership    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

PPM Auction, LP

   Auction   

Variable interest entity of PPMB Arlington, LLC:

 

Legal Entity

  

Primary Operations

PPMBA Realty, LP

   Real Estate

Variable interest entity of Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd.:

 

Legal Entity

  

Primary Operations

PP Real Estate, Ltd.

   Real Estate

Park Place Auto Auction facilitates used vehicle wholesale purchases and sales and collects auction fees from customers related to each transaction.

 

7


Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Contracts in transit

Contracts in transit represent amounts due for customer contracts sold to financial institutions. These contracts are typically collected within 15 days.

Receivables

Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from other dealerships and auto auctions as a result of vehicle sales; amounts due from third parties for parts sold or services provided; and amounts due from manufacturers for incentives and warranty reimbursements. Receivables also include commissions due on aftermarket products. Receivables resulting from vehicle sales are secured by the related vehicles. Receivables arising from the sale of parts and service which are due under normal trade terms require payment within 30 days from the invoice date.

The carrying amount of receivables is reduced by an allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management reviews each receivable balance that exceeds a set number of days from the invoice date, and, based on historical bad debt experience and management’s evaluation of customer credit worthiness, estimates that portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. No interest is charged on delinquent receivables.

Inventories

All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of new and used vehicles is determined using the specific identification method. The cost of all other inventories is determined using the most recent cost, which approximates first-in, first-out (FIFO).

Courtesy vehicles

The Company purchases new vehicles from the manufacturers in connection with programs whereby the Company utilizes the vehicles, typically for twelve months or less, as loan vehicles for customers’ use while their vehicles are being serviced by the dealership. The Company usually receives a subsidy, or discount, off of the manufacturers’ invoice price and records depreciation on the vehicles. Courtesy vehicles are stated at cost, net of the subsidy, if any, and depreciation, which is computed using the straight-line method. The related liability is included in floor plan notes payable and floor plan notes payable, other.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the length of the related lease, if shorter. The useful lives of property and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation and amortization are as follows:

 

Buildings

  

39.5 years or underlying lease terms

Equipment

  

5 - 10 years

Furniture and fixtures

  

7 years

Computer equipment

  

3 years

Vehicles

  

3 - 5 years

Leasehold improvements

  

Lesser of 10 - 30 years or underlying lease terms

 

8


Franchise rights and goodwill

In connection with business acquisitions, the Company assigned fair values to franchise rights and goodwill. Franchise rights and goodwill have indefinite lives and therefore are not amortized but are reviewed for possible impairment at least annually. Management has determined that franchise rights and goodwill are not impaired at December 31, 2019.

Long-lived assets

The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. There were no indicators of impairment at December 31, 2019.

Other assets

Other assets consisted of deposits on various contracts and other miscellaneous assets.

Factory incentives

The Company receives various incentive payments from the manufacturers. These incentive payments are typically received on new vehicle retail sales. The incentives are reported as reductions of cost of sales in the accompanying combined and consolidated statement of operations.

Factory assistance

The Company receives various assistance from certain manufactures. The Company accounts for the assistance as purchase discounts on the cost of the vehicles. The assistance is first reflected as a reduction in inventory cost on the combined and consolidated balance sheets and then reflected as a reduction to cost of sales in the combined and consolidated statement of operations as the respective vehicles are sold. At December 31, 2019, inventory cost had been reduced by $2,170,913, for assistance received from the manufacturers. Cost of sales has been reduced by $19,321,395, for assistance received from the manufacturers related to vehicles sold for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Floor plan notes payable

The Company classifies borrowings and repayments on floor plan notes payable for inventory purchased from a manufacturer that has a controlling interest in the respective floor plan lender (floor plan notes payable on the combined and consolidated balance sheet) as an operating activity on the combined and consolidated statement of cash flows. Borrowings and repayments on floor plan notes payable for inventory purchased from a manufacturer that does not have a controlling interest in the respective floor plan lender (floor plan notes payable, other on the combined and consolidated balance sheet) have been classified as a net financing activity on the combined and consolidated statement of cash flows.

Revenue recognition

The Company satisfies its performance obligations with customers by transferring a good or service to the customer, as detailed below.

Revenues from vehicle and parts sales and from service operations are recognized at the time the vehicle or parts are delivered to the customer or the service is complete. Revenues from auction transactions are recognized at the time the transaction occurs.

The Company arranges financing for customers through various financial institutions and receives financing fees based on the difference between loan rates charged to customers and predetermined financing rates set by the financial institutions. The Company recognizes income from finance and insurance commissions as the contracts are sold and recognizes an allowance for anticipated losses of finance and insurance commission income resulting from early payoffs of customer loans and repossessions. The provision is based on management’s

 

9


evaluation of industry trends and historical experience. The Company also receives commissions from the sale of non-recourse third-party extended service contracts to customers. Under these contracts, the third-party warranty company is directly liable for all warranties provided. Commission revenue is recorded net of estimated chargebacks. Commission expense related to the sale of warranties is charged to expense upon recognition of revenue.

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

New vehicle

   $ 817,666,024  

Used vehicle

     585,682,918  

Parts, service and body shop

     265,377,321  

Other

     8,217,175  
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,676,943,438  
  

 

 

 

Advertising costs

The Company expenses advertising costs in the periods in which they are incurred.

Presentation of certain taxes

The Company collects various taxes from customers and remits these amounts to applicable taxing authorities. The Company’s accounting policy is to exclude these taxes from sales and costs of sales.

Accounting for income taxes

The Company is not a federal income tax paying entity. Income and losses of the Company are reported by the partners or members in their individual federal tax returns. The Company is, however, liable for margin taxes in accordance with Texas statutes.

While the Company is a combination of Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies, consideration is given to the recognition and measurement of tax positions that meet a “more-likely-than-not” threshold. A tax position is a position taken in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Tax positions include the Company’s status as pass-through entities. The recognition and measurement of tax positions taken for various jurisdictions consider the amounts and probabilities of outcomes that could be realized upon settlement using the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The Company has determined that it did not have any material unrecognized tax benefits or obligations as of December 31, 2019.

Use of estimates

The preparation of combined and consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the combined and consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently issued accounting standards

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”). See Note 14 “Leases” within the accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements.

 

10


Evaluation of subsequent events

The Company has evaluated the effect subsequent events would have on the combined and consolidated financial statements through August 26, 2020, which is the date the combined and consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

2. Receivables

Receivables consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019:

 

Factory

   $ 20,659,240  

Customers

     6,716,368  

Vehicles

     10,503,181  

Finance commissions

     3,804,373  

Employees and others

     17,043  

Related Party receivables

     2,077,091  
  

 

 

 
     43,778,106  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (682,684
  

 

 

 
   $ 43,095,422  
  

 

 

 

3. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019:

 

New vehicles

   $ 127,746,659  

Used vehicles

     46,365,292  

Parts, accessories and other

     11,158,016  
  

 

 

 
   $ 185,269,967  
  

 

 

 

4. Courtesy Vehicles

Courtesy vehicles consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019:

 

Courtesy vehicles at cost

   $ 66,411,276  

Parts, accessories and other

     (2,674,850
  

 

 

 
   $ 63,736,626  
  

 

 

 

Depreciation expense on courtesy vehicles, included as a component of semi-fixed expenses, totaled $6,953,851 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019:

 

Land

   $ 14,839,337  

Buildings

     67,362,877  

Equipment

     19,191,265  

Furniture and fixtures

     18,548,066  

Computer equipment

     16,717,985  

Vehicles

     1,106,464  

Leasehold improvements

     24,509,723  

Construction in progress

     81,172  
  

 

 

 
     165,357,889  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (90,512,821
  

 

 

 
   $ 71,845,068  
  

 

 

 

 

11


Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, included as a component of fixed expenses, totaled $11,704,365 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

6. Finance Commission Receivables

The Company has an agreement with Lexus Financial Services whereby finance commission income on leases is paid throughout the duration of individual customers’ leases. Management has estimated the current and long-term portions of these finance commission receivables. Current and long-term finance commission receivables consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019:

 

Current portion (included in finance commissions receivable in Note 2)

   $ 3,207,793  

Long-term portion

     3,685,928  
  

 

 

 
   $ 6,903,721  
  

 

 

 

7. Floor Plan Notes Payable and Floor Plan Notes Payable, Other

The Company finances its new vehicles, courtesy vehicles, and a portion of its pre-owned vehicle purchases through floor plan notes payable to credit corporations. The Company has floor plan financing agreements for the purchase of new, pre-owned, and courtesy vehicles with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, Chase Bank, and Bank of America, N.A. (collectively the “Floor Plan Lenders”). The agreements are collateralized by all property and equipment, inventories, and all other accounts, contract rights, chattel paper and general intangibles and proceeds of any and all of the foregoing, whether owned now or hereafter acquired by the Company. These agreements may be cancelled with thirty days’ written notice by either party.

The aggregate borrowing limits for the floor plan lines of credit are as follows at December 31, 2019:

 

Floor Plan Lender

   Vehicle Type      Borrowing Limit  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

     New Vehicles      $ 156,425,000  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

     Used Vehicles        58,500,000  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

     Courtesy Vehicles        57,000,000  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

     New Vehicles        76,000,000  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

     Used Vehicles        15,500,000  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

     Courtesy Vehicles        24,840,000  

Chase Bank

     Courtesy Vehicles        5,150,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

     New Vehicles        12,000,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

     Used Vehicles        4,000,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

     Courtesy Vehicles        4,000,000  
     

 

 

 

Total borrowing limit

      $ 413,415,000  
     

 

 

 

Interest rates on floor plan lines of credit are as follows:

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services:

 

Vehicle Type

   Rate Calculation     Rate at
December 31, 2019
 

New Vehicles

     30 day LIBOR + 1.70     3.44

Used Vehicles

     30 day LIBOR + 1.70     3.44

Courtesy Vehicles

     30 day LIBOR + 1.70     3.44

 

12


Toyota Motor Credit Corporation:

 

Vehicle Type

   Rate Calculation   Rate at
December 31, 2019

New Vehicles

   3 month LIBOR + 1.25%   3.16%

Used Vehicles

   3 month LIBOR + 1.25%   3.16%

Courtesy Vehicles

   Fixed   4.00 – 4.75%

Chase Bank:

 

Vehicle Type

   Rate Calculation   Rate at
December 31, 2019

Courtesy Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 2.00%   3.74%

Bank of America:

 

Vehicle Type

   Rate Calculation   Rate at
December 31, 2019

New Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.25%   2.99%

Used Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.25%   2.99%

Courtesy Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.25%   2.99%

Floor plan notes payable and floor plan notes payable, other include notes payable for courtesy vehicles financed with the Floor Plan Lenders. Interest expense on courtesy vehicle notes payable, included as a component of semifixed expenses, totaled $2,686,010 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Included in floor plan notes payable, other are all used vehicles floored with Mercedes-Benz Financial, any Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover new and courtesy vehicles floored with Mercedes-Benz Financial, Lexus courtesy vehicles floored with Chase Bank and any vehicles floored with Bank of America, N.A.

The Floor Plan Lenders allow the Company to deposit funds in a cash management account which earns interest at the floor plan interest rate. These funds, which totaled $31,212,969 at December 31, 2019 are reflected as a reduction in floor plan notes payable and floor plan notes payable, other in the accompanying combined and consolidated and consolidated balance sheet.

8. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following December 31, 2019:

 

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   $ 39,328,695  

Less: debt issuance costs

     (5,573
  

 

 

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

     39,323,122  

Less: current portion, net of current portion of debt issuance costs

     (1,751,282
  

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 37,571,840  
  

 

 

 

Amortization expense on debt issuance costs, included as a component of other expense, totaled $2,363 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

13


Mercedes-Benz Financial Services granted long-term debt payment deferrals for the three-month period from May through July 2020. These payment deferrals are reflected in the aggregate maturities of long-term debt as presented below.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

2020

   $ 1,751,282  

2021

     20,906,309  

2022

     1,729,069  

2023

     2,945,933  

2024

     6,982,871  

Thereafter

     5,013,231  
  

 

 

 

Total maturities of long-term debt

   $ 39,328,695  
  

 

 

 

Real estate term loans and promissory notes

The Company has multiple real estate term loan and promissory note agreements with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had total notes payable outstanding of $39.3 million, which are collateralized by the associated real estate. The term loans and promissory notes were established under various terms, as seen below:

 

Lender

   Debt Type    Rate Type    Interest Rate
at December 31,
2019
  Maturity Date

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   Promissory Note &
Term Loan
   Fixed    4.00% - 5.44%   Various dates 2021-
2025

9. Deferred Compensation

Dealership value participation agreement

The Company has a Dealership Value Participation Agreement with a current member of management which is payable upon certain triggering events including separation of employment for any reason other than cause, death or disability or a change in control event. The terms of the agreement provide for vesting over a period of 7 years of continuous employment. Upon a change in control event, the member of management is deemed to be fully vested. The member of management forfeits the award upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award, which is payable in a cash settlement over a 5-year period from the date of the triggering event, is dependent on the fair value of PPJ, LLC. In the event of the member of management’s separation of employment for any reason other than cause, death, or disability, the settlement payment would be no more than six times the EBITDA of PPJ, LLC. In the event of a change in control, the settlement payment would be equal to a percentage of the net sales proceeds after return of members’ capital contributions, including a 9.00% preferred return, compounded annually on any unpaid capital contributions. As of December 31, 2019, the member of management was 62.50% vested in the agreement. The Company’s accrued liability for the Dealership Value Participation Agreement was $1,710,201 at December 31, 2019. The expense related to this agreement was $583,265 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Profit participation agreements

The Company had a Profit Participation Agreement with a former member of management. On May 15, 2015, a triggering event occurred whereby obligating the Company to make an initial payment equal to 20.00% of the fully vested balance for the former employee in August 2015, and the remaining balance is being paid in equal annual payments through 2019. The amount paid on this agreement was $589,965 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

14


The Company has a Profit Participation Agreement with a current member of management which is payable upon certain triggering events including separation of employment for any reason other than cause, death or disability or a change in control event. The terms of the agreement provide for vesting over a period of 10 years of continuous employment. Upon a change in control event, the member of management is deemed to be fully vested. The member of management forfeits the award upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award, which is payable in a cash settlement over a 5-year period from the date of the triggering event, is dependent on earnings of the Company from the most recently completed calendar year before the triggering event occurs. As of December 31, 2019, the member of management was 40.00% vested in the agreement. The Company’s accrued liability for the Profit Participation Agreement was $197,927 at December 31, 2019. The expense related to this agreement was $71,759 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Capital transaction bonuses

The Company executed a Bonus and Deferred Compensation agreement with three members of management which contain a provision that provides for cash payments to the named members of management upon the occurrence of a Capital Transaction. A Capital Transaction is defined as a sale, exchange or disposition event which results in Company entities ceasing to be entities of the Company, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of a Company entity in a single transaction. The terms of the agreement provide for time based vesting over a period of 5 years of continuous employment. The members of management forfeit the awards upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award is based on the net book value of the Company immediately preceding the event, less tangible net worth and less winding up costs. The award is payable in a lump sum cash settlement 90 days after a Capital Transaction. As of December 31, 2019, the members of management were not vested in the agreements.

Retirement compensation agreements

The Company has Retirement Compensation Agreements with three members of management which are payable upon the member’s death, disability or separation from service for any reason other than cause. The terms of the agreement provide for vesting over a period of 5 years of continuous employment. The members of management forfeit the awards upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award, which is payable in a cash settlement over a 5-year period from the date of a triggering event, is dependent on several factors including earnings or the fair value of the Company. In the event of the member of management’s death, disability or separation from service prior to the tenth anniversary of the agreement, the amount payable is equal to their vested percentage in two times the prior twelve months’ consolidated net income multiplied by 0.35%. In the event of the member of management’s death, disability or separation from service after the tenth anniversary of the agreement, the amount payable is equal the lesser of 0.35% of the Company’s fair market value or six times the prior twelve months’ consolidated net income multiplied by 0.35%. As of December 31, 2019, the members of management were not vested in the agreements.

10. Profits Interest Retirement Obligation

The Company has a profits interest agreement with a limited partner whereby the Company will pay, upon certain triggering events, the limited partner’s vested percentage of the dealership value, which is based on pre-defined terms. The vested percentage increases ratably; however, the maximum percentage would be paid upon the death or disability of the individual. The limited partner was fully vested at December 31, 2019. The limited partner may, at any time, demand payment on the profits interest agreement. The payment due to the limited partner if demanded is determined by a defined calculation based primarily on the previous operating results and tax basis net asset value of the Company. Subsequent to year-end, the Company settled this obligation with the limited partner as discussed in Note 19.

11. Related Party Transactions

The Company has engaged in transactions with affiliates controlled by common related parties. These affiliates are engaged in the various activities associated with the selling, financing, and servicing of automobiles for the retail and wholesale markets. The Company sells to and purchases from these affiliates automobiles, parts and accessories.

 

15


Under a management agreement with a related party, the Company is required to pay a management fee in return for management and consulting services. The fees paid under this management agreement were $717,355 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company exchanges vehicles and parts with affiliates at cost. Related party accounts payable included in the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets represent amounts due to a related partnership for certain operating expenses paid on behalf of the dealership. Other information regarding related party transactions is included in Notes 2, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, and 18.

The following is a summary of transactions with related parties for the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

Purchases from affiliates

   $ 14,878,509  
  

 

 

 

Sales to affiliates

   $ 20,822,455  
  

 

 

 

The following is a summary of balances with related parties as of December 31, 2019:

 

Due from affiliates (included in receivables in the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets)

   $ 2,077,901  
  

 

 

 

Due to affiliates (included in accounts payable in the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets)

   $ 27,453  
  

 

 

 

12. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

Supplemental schedule of cash paid during the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

Interest

   $ 13,259,410  
  

 

 

 

State income taxes

   $ 1,058,732  
  

 

 

 

13. Defined Contribution 401(k) Plan

The Company participates in a defined contribution 401(k) plan. All employees who meet certain age and length of service requirements are eligible to participate in the plan. Matching contributions are made on a discretionary basis by the Company. The plan also allows the Company, at management’s discretion, to make a profit sharing contribution. Retirement expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, totaled $1,683,271.

14. Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance in ASC 842. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms in excess of 12 months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification impacting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted in ASC 842. Accordingly, the Company accounted for its existing operating leases as an operating lease under the new guidance, without reassessing (a) whether the contract contains a lease under ASC 842, (b) whether classification of the operating lease would be different in accordance with ASC 842, or (c) whether the unamortized initial direct costs before transition adjustments (as of December 31, 2018) would have met the definition of initial direct costs in ASC 842 at lease commencement. In addition, the Company opted for the transition relief method specified in Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, which allowed for the effective date of the new leases standard as the date of initial application on transition. As a result of this election the Company (a) did not adjust comparative period financial information for the effects of ASC 842; (b) made the new required lease disclosures for periods after the effective date; and (c) carried forward our ASC 840 disclosures for comparative periods. As a result of the adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset of approximately $76.2 million, which represents the lease liability reduced for deferred rent amounts of $28,546 and a lease liability of approximately $76.3 million, which represents the present value of remaining lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rates based on the remaining lease terms.

 

16


The Company leases a portion of its Park Place Motorcars, Ltd. facilities from an unrelated party under a noncancelable operating lease requiring monthly rental payments of $140,140 through May 2021. The lease has one 10-year and one 5-year renewal options. The lease stipulates annual base rent increases based on changes in CPI, which are included in the future minimum lease payments and variable lease payments adjustment below.

The Company leases a portion of its PPJ, LLC facility from unrelated an unrelated party under a non-cancelable operating lease requiring monthly rental payments ranging from $19,661 to $25,531 through March 2023. The lease has two 5-year renewal options.

 

Lessor Related Party

   Lessee    Monthly
Payment
     Expiration

PPM Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.    $ 93,708      December 2022

PPM Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      23,001      December 2022

Kings Road Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      74,625      December 2025

350 Phelps Realty, LP

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      40,464      December 2022

PPA Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      80,759      December 2025

Kings Road Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      63,891      December 2022

Kings Road Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      18,145      October 2023

PPA Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      21,468      December 2022

PPA Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      18,102      December 2022

Park Place LX Land Co. No. 1, Ltd.

   Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      357,792      December 2022

Park Place LX Land Co. No. 1 Ltd.

   Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      455,728      December 2022

DKK West, Ltd.

   Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      22,396      July 2023

PPJ Land, LLC

   PPJ, LLC      180,439      December 2022

DKK West, Ltd.

   PPJ, LLC      1,749      August 2023

PPJ Land, LLC

   PPM Auction, LP      65,780      December 2022

The Company leases its facilities from various related parties under non-cancellable operating leases. The leases stipulate annual base rent increases based on changes in CPI, which are included in the future minimum lease payments and variable lease payments adjustment below. Monthly payments in effect as of December 31, 2019 and lease expiration dates are outlined below:

The Company also leases a portion of its PPJ, LLC facility from PPJ Land, LLC, a related party, under a month-to-month lease arrangement. Monthly payment under this arrangement was $49,491 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Escalation clauses, lease payments dependent on existing rates/indexes, renewal options, and purchase options are included within the determination of lease payments when appropriate. The Company has elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for all leases that qualify, except for information technology assets that are embedded within service agreements (such as software license arrangements).

When available, the implicit rate is utilized to discount lease payments to present value; however, substantially all of the Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. An incremental borrowing rate was used to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement.

Balance sheet presentation

 

Leases

  

Classification

   December 31, 2019  

Assets:

     

Finance

  

Property and equipment, net

   $ 2,572,229  

Operating

  

Operating lease right-of-use  assets

     59,048,825  
     

 

 

 

Total right-of-use assets

      $ 61,621,054  

 

17


Leases

  

Classification

   December 31, 2019  

Liabilities:

     

Current:

     

Finance

  

Current portion of finance lease obligation

   $ 2,483,303  

Operating

  

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

     17,985,215  

Non-current:

     

Finance

  

Finance lease obligation, less current portion

     1,073,724  

Operating

  

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion

     41,092,037  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 62,634,279  
     

 

 

 

Lease term and discount rate

 

     December 31, 2019  

Weighted average lease term – finance lease

     1.42 years  

Weighted average lease term – operating leases

     3.6 years  

Weighted average discount rate – finance lease

     5.25

Weighted average discount rate – operating leases

     4.50

Lease costs

The following table provides certain information related to the lease costs for finance and operating leases during the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

Finance lease cost:

  

Interest

   $ 254,295  

Depreciation

     1,815,691  

Operating lease cost

     20,292,300  

Variable lease cost

     4,319,757  
   $ 26,682,043  
  

 

 

 

Operating lease cost includes approximately $18,170,000 in payments made to related parties for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Supplemental cash flow information

The following table presents supplemental cash flow information for leases during the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurements of lease liabilities:

  

Operating cash flows from finance lease

   $ 2,069,986  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

     21,701,907  

Financing cash flows from finance lease

     2,356,562  

Undiscounted cash flow

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and total of the remaining years to the finance lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019:

 

     Finance      Operating  

2020

   $ 3,364,886      $ 20,334,171  

2021

     1,402,036        19,259,468  

2022

     —          18,493,193  

2023

     —          2,266,017  

2024

     —          1,837,748  

Thereafter

     —          1,837,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     4,766,922        64,028,345  

 

18


Less: amount representing interest

     (141,688      (4,825,278

Less: amount representing variable payments

     (1,068,207      (125,815
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Present value of future minimum lease payments

     3,557,027        59,077,252  

Less: current obligations under leases

     (2,483,303      (17,985,215
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term lease obligations

   $ 1,073,724      $ 41,092,037  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

15. Contingencies and Uncertainties

The Company sells customer installment contracts to financial institutions and extended warranties without recourse. Some buyers of the contracts and warranties retain portions of the commissions as reserves against early payoffs. These amounts are normally recorded on the combined and consolidated balance sheets as finance commission receivables. The accrual for contingent charges totaled $4,430,000 at December 31, 2019.

The Company maintains a self-insurance program for its employees’ health care costs. The Company is liable for losses on individual claims up to $250,000 per claim and $1,000,000 in aggregate claims for the year. The Company maintains third-party insurance coverage for any losses in excess of such amounts. Self-insurance costs are accrued based on claims reported as of the balance sheet dates as well as an estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. The total accrued liability for self-insurance costs was $2,294,829 as of December 31, 2019.

The Company’s facilities are subject to federal, state, and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net income, financial condition, or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with the applicable federal and state requirements.

The Company purchases substantially all of its new vehicles and parts from the manufacturers at the prevailing prices charged to all franchised dealers. The Company’s sales volume could be adversely impacted by the manufacturers’ inability to supply it with an adequate supply of vehicles and/or parts due to unforeseen circumstances or as a result of an unfavorable allocation of vehicles. As part of the Company’s relationship with the manufacturers, it participates in various programs with regard to vehicle allocation, advertising, and other incentive programs. These programs are generally on a “turn-to-earn” basis, which rewards new vehicle volume, and are subject to change by the manufacturers at any time. In addition, the manufacturers’ franchise agreements contain provisions which generally limit, without consent of the manufacturers, changes in dealership management, ownership, and location; place certain financial restrictions; and provide for termination of the franchise agreement by the manufacturers in certain instances.

The Company is involved in certain legal matters that it considers incidental to its business. In management’s opinion, none of these legal matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or the results of operations.

The Company has available $4,000,000 in draft facility agreements with banks. These lines of credit allow the Company to receive immediate credit for any drafts deposited from the sale of motor vehicles. The Company also has available a $1,500,000 commercial credit card line with a bank.

The Company has entered into a risk retention insurance program for garage liability. As part of the risk retention agreement, the Company pledged a letter of credit in the amount of $300,000, which is the maximum potential liability for claims. Management does not believe the letter of credit will be drawn upon nor will it incur additional liability for claims.

The Company has outstanding guarantees of indebtedness of related parties, through common ownership, of $77,402,694 as of December 31, 2019.

 

19


A detail of the guarantees is as follows:

 

Type of Loan Guarantee

   Guarantee
Extends Through
     Guaranteed By      Amount of
Loan Guarantee
 

Real Estate Loan

     September 2021        Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      $ 18,512,804  

Real Estate Loan

     June 2022        Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.        2,815,063  

Real Estate Loan

     September 2022        Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.        2,143,015  

Real Estate Loan

     January 2023        PPJ, LLC        17,143,944  

Real Estate Loan

     January 2023        PPDV, Ltd.        5,233,162  

Real Estate Loan

     August 2026        PPDV, Ltd.        5,072,613  

Real Estate Loan

     August 2028        Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.        26,482,094  
        

 

 

 
         $ 77,402,695  
        

 

 

 

The real estate loans with affiliates were used to finance the acquisitions of dealership properties and to finance the acquisitions of real estate for potential future expansion of the Company’s dealership operations. The loans are collateralized by the related real estate and substantially all of the assets of the related party.

Non-payment would result in the requirement of the guarantor to perform; however, these loans have multiple guarantors associated with them. Additionally, the value of the collateral on these loans is in excess of the outstanding loan balances at December 31, 2019. Based on the financial condition of the related parties, the sufficiency of the collateral supporting the loans and the multiple guarantors associated with the loans, management believes that the probability that the Company would have to perform upon any of these guarantees is remote.

16. Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company sells to individuals and commercial businesses located primarily in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. Receivables resulting from vehicle sales are secured by the related vehicles. Receivables resulting from all other sales are unsecured open accounts. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of receivables, contracts in transit, and cash deposits in excess of federally insured limits. The concentration of credit risk with respect to contracts in transit is limited primarily to financial institutions. The Company’s bank balances usually exceed federally insured limits.

17. Partnership/Member Agreement

The general partner holds a 0.50% interest in Park Place Motorcars, Ltd., Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd., PPP, LP, and Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd., a 0.10% interest in PPDV, Ltd. and a 0.00% interest in PPM Auction, LP while the limited partners hold the remaining interests. Partnership profits are to be allocated first to the general partner until the cumulative profits allocated equals the cumulative amount of losses allocated for prior years, then to each partner according to their ownership interests. Any Partnership losses are to be allocated first to the partners in the ratio and to the extent of the positive capital accounts of the limited partners, then any remaining losses are to be allocated to the general partner.

The general partner holds a 0.50% interest in PPMBA Realty, LP and PP Real Estate, Ltd. while the limited partners hold the remaining interests. Partnership profits are to be allocated first to the general partner until the cumulative profits allocated equals the cumulative amount of losses allocated for prior years, then to each partner according to their ownership interests. Any Partnership losses are to be allocated first to the partners in the ratio and to the extent of the positive capital accounts of the limited partners, then any remaining losses are to be allocated to the general partner.

The PPJ, LLC and PPMB Arlington, LLC Company Agreements state that all members share all profits, losses and distributions according to their membership interests.

Under a buy/sell agreement with one of the limited partners, the limited partner may, at any time, cause the Company to purchase their 3.00% interest based on the estimated fair value upon exercising the buy/sell option.

 

20


18. Variable Interest Entities

Management analyzes the Company’s variable interests including loans, guarantees, and equity investments, to determine if the Company has any variable interests in variable interest entities. This analysis includes both qualitative and quantitative reviews. Qualitative analysis is based on an evaluation of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including decision making ability, and financial agreements. Quantitative analysis is based on the entity’s forecasted cash flows. Generally accepted accounting principles require a reporting entity to consolidate a variable interest entity when the reporting entity has a variable interest that provides it with a controlling financial interest in the variable interest entity. The entity that consolidates a variable interest entity is referred to as the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. The Company uses qualitative and quantitative analyses to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities.

Accordingly, the Company has determined that PP Real Estate, Ltd. and PPMBA Realty, Ltd. are VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, due primarily to the Company’s guarantee of the VIE’s debt and common ownership interests.

The following table summarizes the balance sheets for consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2019:

 

Assets:

  

Receivables, net

   $ 1,375,872  

Property and equipment, net

     53,552,503  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 54,928,375  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital/Members’ Equity:

  

Accrued expenses

   $ 143,066  

Long-term debt

     39,323,122  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     39,466,188  

Partners’ capital/members’ equity

     15,462,187  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital/members’ equity

   $ 54,928,375  
  

 

 

 

Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel strain of Coronavirus, a pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak is disrupting supply chains and affecting production and sales across a range of industries. The extent of the impact of the outbreak on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, impact on our customers, employees and vendors, and governmental, regulatory, and private sector responses. The financial statements do not reflect any adjustments as a result of the subsequent increase in economic uncertainty.

As a result of the pandemic and a resultant decline in sales, related party lessors granted the Company rent concessions that resulted in no or reduced rental payments for the leases described in Note 14 for the three-month period from April through June 2020. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services granted long-term debt payment deferrals for the three-month period from May through July 2020. These payment deferrals are reflected in the aggregate maturities of long-term debt as presented in Note 8.

On June 1, 2020, the Company settled the profits interest obligation as discussed in Note 11 due to the separation from service of the limited partner. The value of the agreement to the limited partner upon settlement was approximately $6,322,000. Some of the remaining partners and members also purchased the limited partner’s partnership and membership interests in Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd., PPJ, LLC and PPM Auction, LLC for total consideration of approximately $10,678,000. In association with this transaction, the Company settled a profits interest obligation with the general partner of Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd. for a value of approximately $1,580,000.

On July 6, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Asbury Automotive Group, LLC. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company will sell substantially all of the assets of the businesses described in the Asset Purchase Agreement for a purchase price of approximately $735 million (excluding vehicle inventory), reflecting $685 million of goodwill and approximately $50 million for parts, fixed assets and leaseholds in each case subject to certain adjustments described in the Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

21

EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

Park Place Dealerships – Selected Entities

Combined and Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

ASSETS    June 30,2020      June 30,2019  

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 50,760,182      $ 38,693,587  

Contracts in transit

     23,968,397        21,399,072  

Receivables, net

     26,960,424        36,033,860  

Inventories

     145,591,533        243,555,081  

Prepaid expenses

     1,726,124        1,787,052  

Courtesy vehicles, net

     58,327,873        63,218,564  

Current portion of related party notes receivable

     2,512,480        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     309,847,013        404,687,216  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     67,772,557        76,398,183  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     50,159,286        67,876,344  

Long-term finance commission receivables, less current portion

     3,414,144        4,004,955  

Franchise rights

     10,709,468        10,709,468  

Goodwill

     300,000        300,000  

Related party notes receivable, less current portion

     5,024,961        —    

Other assets

     1,178,041        1,008,276  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     138,558,457        160,297,226  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 448,405,470      $ 564,984,442  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY

 

Current liabilities:

     

Floor plan notes payable

   $ 100,434,935      $ 174,312,973  

Floor plan notes payable, other

     61,983,955        103,161,509  

Accounts payable

     23,007,213        17,916,468  

Accrued expenses

     24,164,893        21,139,470  

Current portion of allowance for contingent charges

     3,424,419        2,246,937  

Current portion of deferred compensation

     —          589,965  

Current portion of long-term debt

     25,216,997        2,411,208  

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

     18,244,492        17,583,798  

Current portion of finance lease obligation

     2,331,635        2,419,103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     258,808,539        341,781,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for contingent charges, less current portion

     1,444,492        1,128,063  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     26,245,921        38,352,274  

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion

     31,941,634        50,186,126  

Finance lease obligation, less current portion

     —          2,331,635  

Deferred compensation, less current portion

     2,218,713        1,253,104  

Profits interest retirement obligation

     —          3,066,286  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     61,850,760        96,317,488  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ capital and members’ equity

     127,746,171        126,885,523  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital and members’ equity

   $ 448,405,470      $ 564,984,442  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

F-1


Combined and Consolidated Statements of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

     June 30,2020     June 30, 2019  

Sales

   $ 680,538,318     $ 807,816,928  

Cost of sales

     575,337,145       685,127,819  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit from sales

     105,201,173       122,689,109  

Financing, insurance, service contract and other income, net

     13,991,157       14,117,309  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     119,192,330       136,806,418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Variable selling

     10,300,722       11,130,570  

Advertising

     2,754,972       4,349,917  

Floor plan interest

     2,078,512       4,653,241  

Personnel

     45706198       45312847  

Semi-fixed

     19,304,823       21,310,774  

Fixed

     20,643,200       24,025,716  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100,788,427       110,783,065  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     18,403,903       26,023,353  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

    

Interest expense. other than floor plan

     (931,405     (1,050,077

Interest income

     653,978       1,092,626  

Management fees

     (237,194     (307,239

Deferred compensation expense

     (310,585     —    

Profits interest obligation expense

     (3,553,404     135,489  

Other

     1,029,580       101,688  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (3,349,030 )      (27,513 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before state income tax expense

     15,054,873       25,995,840  

State income tax expense

     739,713       726,008  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 14,315,160     $ 25,269,832  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

F-2


Combined and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital and Members’ Equity

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

     Partners’
Capital
    Members’
Equity
    Total  

January 1, 2020

   $ 113,595,954     $ 19,662,979     $ 133,258,933  

Partners and members withdrawals

     (15,828,222     (2,419,210     (18,247,432

Profits interest retirement

     (1,580,490     —         (1,580,490

Net income

     11,776,283       2,538,877       14,315,160  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

June 30, 2020

   $ 107,963,525     $ 19,782,646     $ 127,746,171  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      
     Partners’
Capital
    Members’
Equity
    Total  

January 1, 2019

   $ 114,882,041     $ 18,531,499     $ 133,413,540  

Partners and members withdrawals

     (26,695,985     (5,101,864     (31,797,849

Net income

     21,266,333       4,003,499       25,269,832  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

June 30, 2019

   $ 109,452,389     $ 17,433,134     $ 126,885,523  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

F-3


Combined and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

     June 30, 2020     June 30, 201  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 14,315,160     $ 25,269,832  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for bad debt

     19,265       71,392  

Depreciation and amortization

     9,187,727       9,497,726  

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

     (26,197     (26,449

Allowance for contingent charges

     438,911       435,000  

Deferred compensation

     310,585       —    

Profits interest retirement obligation

     3,553,404       (135,489

Change in assets and liabilities:

    

Contracts in transit

     2,874,738       16,715,294  

Receivables

     15,860,683       8,357,662  

Inventories

     39,678,434       1,874,346  

Prepaid expenses

     3,987,351       2,830,364  

Courtesy vehicles

     1,752,103       (3,977,697

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     8,889,539       8,343,097  

Finance commission receivables

     536,834       556,535  

Other assets

     (69,938     142,522  

Floor plan notes payable

     (34,856,512     5,231,801  

Accounts payable

     1,746,117       (8,213,399

Accrued expenses

     (1,136,848     (2,150,650

Operating lease obligations

     (8,891,126     (8,478,063
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     58,170,230       56,343,824  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     83,982       38,260  

Purchase of property and equipment

     (1,515,775     (1,221,524
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,431,793     (1,183,264
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Change in floor plan notes payable, other, net

     (24,348,195     (6,120,590

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (976,420     (1,402,594

Principal payments on finance lease obligation

     (1,225,392     (1,162,851

Payments on profits interest retirement obligation

     (2,324,250     —    

Partner and member withdrawals

     (18,247,432     (31,797,849
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (47,121,689     (40,483,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     9,616,748       14,676,676  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

     41,143,434       24,016,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, ending

   $ 50,760,182     $ 38,693,587  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See supplemental disclosures of cash flow information (Note 13 and 15).

See accompanying notes.

 

F-4


Notes to Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and nature of business

The accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements include the combined and consolidated operations of Park Place Motorcars, Ltd., Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd., PPDV,

Ltd., Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd., PPP, LP, PPJ, LLC, PPMB Arlington, LLC, PPM Auction, LP, PPMBA Realty, LP, and PP Real Estate, Ltd. (referred to collectively as “Park Place Dealerships - Selected Entities” or the “Company”). The combined and consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the combination and consolidation.

The Company is a franchised dealer of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; Porsche Cars North America, Inc.; Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.; Volvo Cars of North America; Jaguar Cars Limited; Land Rover North America, Inc., (referred to collectively as “the manufacturers”) under dealer agreements. Through these dealer agreements, the Company markets new vehicles, replacement parts, service, and financing and leasing. In addition, it also retails and wholesales used vehicles. The dealer agreements specify the location of the dealerships and designate the specific market areas in which the dealer may operate; however, there is no guarantee of exclusivity within these market areas. The specified market area for the Company is the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan area.

Combined affiliates:

 

Legal Entity

  

Primary Operations

  

Manufacturer

Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.

   Dealership    Mercedes Benz USA, LLC

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd.

   Dealership    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

PPDV, Ltd.

   Dealership    Volvo Cars of North America

Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.

   Dealership    Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc

PPP, LP

   Dealership    Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

PPJ, LLC

   Dealership    Jaguar Cars Limited; Land Rover North America, Inc.

PPMB Arlington, LLC

   Dealership    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

PPM Auction, LP

   Auction   

Variable interest entity of PPMB Arlington, LLC:

 

Legal Entity

  

Primary Operations

PPMBA Realty, LP

   Real Estate

 

F-5


Variable interest entity of Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd.:

 

Legal Entity

  

Primary Operations

PP Real Estate, Ltd.

   Real Estate

Park Place Auto Auction facilitates used vehicle wholesale purchases and sales and collects auction fees from customers related to each transaction.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that have remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Contracts in transit

Contracts in transit represent amounts due for customer contracts sold to financial institutions. These contracts are typically collected within 15 days.

Receivables

Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from other dealerships and auto auctions as a result of vehicle sales; amounts due from third parties for parts sold or services provided; and amounts due from manufacturers for incentives and warranty reimbursements. Receivables also include commissions due on aftermarket products. Receivables resulting from vehicle sales are secured by the related vehicles. Receivables arising from the sale of parts and service which are due under normal trade terms require payment within 30 days from the invoice date.

The carrying amount of receivables is reduced by an allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management reviews each receivable balance that exceeds a set number of days from the invoice date, and, based on historical bad debt experience and management’s evaluation of customer credit worthiness, estimates that portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. No interest is charged on delinquent receivables.

Inventories

All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of new and used vehicles is determined using the specific identification method. The cost of all other inventories is determined using the most recent cost, which approximates first-in, first-out (FIFO).

Courtesy vehicles

The Company purchases new vehicles from the manufacturers in connection with programs whereby the Company utilizes the vehicles, typically for twelve months or less, as loan vehicles for customers’ use while their vehicles are being serviced by the dealership. The Company usually receives a subsidy, or discount, off of the manufacturers’ invoice price and records depreciation on the vehicles. Courtesy vehicles are stated at cost, net of the subsidy, if any, and depreciation, which is computed using the straight-line method. The related liability is included in floor plan notes payable and floor plan notes payable, other.

 

F-6


Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the length of the related lease, if shorter. The useful lives of property and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation and amortization are as follows:

 

Buildings

   39.5 years or underlying lease terms

Equipment

   5 - 10 years

Furniture and fixtures

   7 years

Computer equipment

   3 years

Vehicles

   3 - 5 years

Leasehold improvements

   Lesser of 10 - 30 years or underlying lease terms

Franchise rights and goodwill

In connection with business acquisitions, the Company assigned fair values to franchise rights and goodwill. Franchise rights and goodwill have indefinite lives and therefore are not amortized but are reviewed for possible impairment at least annually. Management has determined that franchise rights and goodwill are not impaired at June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Long-lived assets

The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. There were no indicators of impairment at June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Other assets

Other assets consisted of deposits on various contracts and other miscellaneous assets.

Factory incentives

The Company receives various incentive payments from the manufacturers. These incentive payments are typically received on new vehicle retail sales. The incentives are reported as reductions of cost of sales in the accompanying combined and consolidated statements of operations.

Factory assistance

The Company receives various assistance from certain manufactures. The Company accounts for the assistance as purchase discounts on the cost of the vehicles. The assistance is first reflected as a reduction in inventory cost on the combined and consolidated balance sheets and then reflected as a reduction to cost of sales in the combined and consolidated statements of operations as the respective vehicles are sold. At June 30, 2020 and 2019, inventory cost had been reduced by $972,353 and $2,452,031, respectively, for assistance received from the manufacturers. Cost of sales has been reduced by $7,004,926 and $8,608,650, for assistance received from the manufacturers related to vehicles sold for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

F-7


Floor plan notes payable

The Company classifies borrowings and repayments on floor plan notes payable for inventory purchased from a manufacturer that has a controlling interest in the respective floor plan lender (floor plan notes payable on the combined and consolidated balance sheets) as an operating activity on the combined and consolidated statements of cash flows. Borrowings and repayments on floor plan notes payable for inventory purchased from a manufacturer that does not have a controlling interest in the respective floor plan lender (floor plan notes payable, other on the combined and consolidated balance sheets) have been classified as a net financing activity on the combined and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Revenue recognition

The Company satisfies its performance obligations with customers by transferring a good or service to the customer, as detailed below.

Revenues from vehicle and parts sales and from service operations are recognized at the time the vehicle or parts are delivered to the customer or the service is complete. Revenues from auction transactions are recognized at the time the transaction occurs.

The Company arranges financing for customers through various financial institutions and receives financing fees based on the difference between loan rates charged to customers and predetermined financing rates set by the financial institutions. The Company recognizes income from finance and insurance commissions as the contracts are sold and recognizes an allowance for anticipated losses of finance and insurance commission income resulting from early payoffs of customer loans and repossessions. The provision is based on management’s evaluation of industry trends and historical experience. The Company also receives commissions from the sale of non-recourse third-party extended service contracts to customers. Under these contracts, the third-party warranty company is directly liable for all warranties provided. Commission revenue is recorded net of estimated chargebacks. Commission expense related to the sale of warranties is charged to expense upon recognition of revenue.

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the six months ended:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

New vehicle

   $ 315,381,157      $ 379,029,600  

Used vehicle

     247,885,480        293,633,345  

Parts, service and body shop

     114,533,951        131,220,922  

Other

     2,737,730        3,933,061  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 680,538,318      $ 807,816,928  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advertising costs

The Company expenses advertising costs in the periods in which they are incurred.

 

F-8


Presentation of certain taxes

The Company collects various taxes from customers and remits these amounts to applicable taxing authorities. The Company’s accounting policy is to exclude these taxes from sales and costs of sales.

Accounting for income taxes

The Company is not a federal income tax paying entity. Income and losses of the Company are reported by the partners or members in their individual federal tax returns. The Company is, however, liable for margin taxes in accordance with Texas statutes.

While the Company is a combination of Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies, consideration is given to the recognition and measurement of tax positions that meet a “more-likely-than-not” threshold. A tax position is a position taken in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Tax positions include the Company’s status as pass-through entities. The recognition and measurement of tax positions taken for various jurisdictions consider the amounts and probabilities of outcomes that could be realized upon settlement using the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The Company has determined that it did not have any material unrecognized tax benefits or obligations as of June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Use of estimates

The preparation of combined and consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the combined and consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently issued accounting standards

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”). See Note 15 “Leases” within the accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements.

Evaluation of subsequent events

The Company has evaluated the effect subsequent events would have on the combined and consolidated financial statements through August 26, 2020, which is the date the combined and consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

 

F-9


2. Receivables

Receivables consisted of the following as of:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Factory

   $  12,805,666      $  14,782,635  

Customers

     4,528,478        6,724,184  

Vehicles

     5,693,603        9,749,623  

Finance commissions

     3,450,742        3,760,295  

Employees and other

     23,471        50,219  

Related party receivables

     1,114,710        1,421,609  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     27,616,670        36,488,565  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (656,246      (454,705
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  26,960,424      $  36,033,860  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following as of:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

New vehicles

   $ 97,990,173      $  181,691,887  

Used vehicles

     37,468,380        51,518,503  

Parts, accessories and other

     10,132,980        10,344,691  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  145,591,533      $  243,555,081  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

4. Courtesy Vehicles

Courtesy vehicles consisted of the following as of:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Courtesy vehicles at cost

   $  61,421,923      $  65,931,064  

Accumulated depreciation

     (3,094,050      (2,712,500
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  58,327,873      $  63,218,564  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expense on courtesy vehicles, included as a component of semi-fixed expenses, totaled $3,656,650 and $3,544,201 the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following as of:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Land

   $ 14,839,337      $ 14,839,337  

Buildings

     67,362,877        67,362,877  

Equipment

     19,235,000        18,624,764  

Furniture and fixtures

     18,605,872        18,386,707  

Computer equipment

     16,837,214        16,452,056  

Vehicles

     1,087,130        1,115,466  

Leasehold improvements

     24,521,545        23,907,866  

Construction in progress

     1,272,216        545,024  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     163,761,191        161,234,097  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (95,988,634      (84,835,914
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 67,772,557      $ 76,398,183  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-10


Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, included as a component of fixed expenses, totaled $5,530,501 and $5,951,354 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

6. Finance Commission Receivables

The Company has an agreement with Lexus Financial Services whereby finance commission income on leases is paid throughout the duration of individual customers’ leases. Management has estimated the current and long-term portions of these finance commission receivables. Current and long-term finance commission receivables consisted of the following as of:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Current portion (included in finance commissions receivable in Note 2)

   $  2,952,743      $  3,327,264  

Long-term portion

     3,414,144        4,004,955  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  6,366,887      $  7,332,219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. Related Party Notes Receivable

In connection with the buy-out of a limited partner and member, the Company entered into Promissory Notes with some of the remaining partners and members, dated June 1, 2020, each payable in three equal annual installments, including accrued interest of 4.25% at each payment date.

The aggregate maturities of related party notes receivable as of June 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

2021

   $  2,512,480  

2022

     2,512,480  

2023

     2,512,481  
  

 

 

 

Total maturities of related party notes receivable

   $  7,537,441  
  

 

 

 

8. Floor Plan Notes Payable and Floor Plan Notes Payable, Other

The Company finances its new vehicles, courtesy vehicles, and a portion of its pre-owned vehicle purchases through floor plan notes payable to credit corporations. The Company has floor plan financing agreements for the purchase of new, pre-owned, and courtesy vehicles with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, Chase Bank, and Bank of America, N.A (collectively the “Floor Plan Lenders”). The agreements are collateralized by all property and equipment, inventories, and all other accounts, contract rights, chattel paper and general intangibles and proceeds of any and all of the foregoing, whether owned now or hereafter acquired by the Company. These agreements may be cancelled with thirty days’ written notice by either party.

 

F-11


The aggregate borrowing limits for the floor plan lines of credit are as follows at June 30, 2020:

 

Floor Plan Lender

  

Vehicle Type

   Borrowing Limit  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   New Vehicles    $ 161,425,000  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   Used Vehicles      58,500,000  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   Courtesy Vehicles      51,500,000  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

   New Vehicles      76,000,000  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

   Used Vehicles      15,500,000  

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

   Courtesy Vehicles      25,070,000  

Chase Bank

   Courtesy Vehicles      7,750,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

   New Vehicles      12,000,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

   Used Vehicles      4,000,000  

Bank of America, N.A.

   Courtesy Vehicles      4,000,000  
     

 

 

 

Total borrowing limit

      $  415,745,000  
     

 

 

 

Interest rates on floor plan lines of credit are as follows:

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services:

 

Vehicle Type

  

Rate Calculation

   Rate at June 30,
2020
    Rate at June 30,
2019
 

New Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.70%      2.24     3.90

Used Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.70%      2.24     3.90

Courtesy Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.70%      2.24     3.90

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation:

 

Vehicle Type

  

Rate Calculation

   Rate at June 30,
2020
    Rate at June 30,
2019
 

New Vehicles

   3 month LIBOR + 1.25%      1.59     3.57

Used Vehicles

   3 month LIBOR + 1.25%      1.59     3.57

Courtesy Vehicles

   Fixed      2.50 - 4.75     3.50 - 4.75

Chase Bank:

 

Vehicle Type

  

Rate Calculation

   Rate at June 30,
2020
    Rate at June 30,
2019
 

Courtesy Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 2.00%      2.54 %      4.20

Bank of America:

 

Vehicle Type

  

Rate Calculation

   Rate at June 30,
2020
    Rate at June 30,
2019
 

New Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.25%      1.79     3.45

Used Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.25%      1.79     3.45

Courtesy Vehicles

   30 day LIBOR + 1.25%      1.79     3.45

 

F-12


Floor plan notes payable and floor plan notes payable, other include notes payable for courtesy vehicles financed with the Floor Plan Lenders. Interest expense on courtesy vehicle notes payable, included as a component of semi- fixed expenses, totaled $1,063,485, and $1,395,141 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Included in floor plan notes payable, other are all used vehicles floored with Mercedes-Benz Financial, any Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover new and courtesy vehicles floored with Mercedes-Benz Financial, Lexus courtesy vehicles floored with Chase Bank and any vehicles floored with Bank of America, N.A.

The Floor Plan Lenders allow the Company to deposit funds in a cash management account which earns interest at the floor plan interest rate. These funds, which totaled $40,072,038 and $32,000,000 at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are reflected as a reduction in floor plan notes payable and floor plan notes payable, other in the accompanying combined and consolidated and consolidated balance sheets.

9. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   $ 38,352,274      $ 40,763,482  

Related party promissory notes

     13,115,640        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     51,467,914        40,763,482  

Less: debt issuance costs

     (4,996      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt, including current portion

     51,462,918        40,763,482  

Less: current portion, net of current portion of debt issuance costs

     (25,216,997      (2,411,208
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 26,245,921      $  38,352,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization expense on debt issuance costs, included as a component of other expense, totaled $576 and $2,171 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services granted long-term debt payment deferrals for the three-month period from May through July 2020. These payment deferrals are reflected in the aggregate maturities of long-term debt as presented below.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt as of June 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

2020 (remaining 6 months)

   $ 774,859  

2021

     25,278,190  

2022

     6,100,949  

2023

     7,317,813  

2024

     6,982,872  

2025

     5,013,231  
  

 

 

 

Total maturities of long-term debt

   $  51,467,914  
  

 

 

 

 

F-13


Real estate term loans and promissory notes

The Company has multiple real estate term loan and promissory note agreements with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company had total notes payable outstanding of $51.5 million and $40.7 million, respectively, which are collateralized by the associated real estate. The term loans and promissory notes were established under various terms, as seen below:

 

Lender

   Debt Type    Rate Type    Interest Rate at
June 30, 2020
and 2019
  Maturity Date

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services

   Promissory Note
& Term Loan
   Fixed    4.00% - 5.44%   Various dates
2021-2025

Related party promissory notes

In connection with the buy-out of a limited partner and settlement of the associated profits interest obligation, the Company entered into three Promissory Notes dated June 1, 2020, each payable in three equal annual installments, including accrued interest of 4.25% at each payment date. Concurrently with this transaction, the Company settled an additional profits interest obligation with a general partner, a portion of which will be paid to the general partner through a promissory note with terms identical to those of the limited partner’s notes.

10. Deferred Compensation

Dealership value participation agreement

The Company has a Dealership Value Participation Agreement with a current member of management which is payable upon certain triggering events including separation of employment for any reason other than cause, death or disability or a change in control event. The terms of the agreement provide for vesting over a period of 7 years of continuous employment. Upon a change in control event, the member of management is deemed to be fully vested. The member of management forfeits the award upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award, which is payable in a cash settlement over a 5-year period from the date of the triggering event, is dependent on the fair value of PPJ, LLC. In the event of the member of management’s separation of employment for any reason other than cause, death, or disability, the settlement payment would be no more than six times the EBITDA of PPJ, LLC. In the event of a change in control, the settlement payment would be equal to a percentage of the net sales proceeds after return of members’ capital contributions, including a 9.00% preferred return, compounded annually on any unpaid capital contributions. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the member of management was 62.50% and 50.00% vested in the agreement, respectively. The Company’s accrued liability for the Dealership Value Participation Agreement was $1,710,201 and $1,126,936 at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was no expense related to this agreement for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Profit participation agreements

The Company had a Profit Participation Agreement with a former member of management. On May 15, 2015, a triggering event occurred whereby obligating the Company to make an initial payment equal to 20.00% of the fully vested balance for the former employee in August 2015, and the remaining balance is being paid in equal annual payments through 2019. The Company’s accrued liability for the Profit Participation Agreement was $589,965 at June 30, 2019. No payments were made during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019; however, the accrued liability was paid in full during 2019.

 

F-14


The Company has a Profit Participation Agreement with a current member of management which is payable upon certain triggering events including separation of employment for any reason other than cause, death or disability or a change in control event. The terms of the agreement provide for vesting over a period of 10 years of continuous employment. Upon a change in control event, the member of management is deemed to be fully vested. The member of management forfeits the award upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award, which is payable in a cash settlement over a 5-year period from the date of the triggering event, is dependent on earnings of the Company from the most recently completed calendar year before the triggering event occurs. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019 the member of management was 40.00% and 30.00% vested in the agreement, respectively. The Company’s accrued liability for the Profit Participation Agreement was $197,927 and $126,168 at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was no expense related to this agreement for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Capital transaction bonuses

The Company executed Bonus and Deferred Compensation agreements with three members of management which contain a provision that provides for cash payments to the named members of management upon the occurrence of a Capital Transaction. A Capital Transaction is defined as a sale, exchange or disposition event which results in Company entities ceasing to be entities of the Company, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of a Company entity in a single transaction. The terms of the agreement provide for time based vesting over a period of 5 years of continuous employment. The members of management forfeit the awards upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award is based on the net book value of the Company immediately preceding the event, less tangible net worth and less winding up costs. The award is payable in a lump sum cash settlement 90 days after a Capital Transaction. As of June 30, 2020, the members of management were 50% vested in the agreements, however, no accrual has been included in the combined and consolidated financial statements as the triggering event is not probable through the date in which the combined and consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

Retirement compensation agreements

The Company has Retirement Compensation Agreements with three members of management which are payable upon the member’s death, disability or separation from service for any reason other than cause. The terms of the agreement provide for vesting over a period of 5 years of continuous employment. The members of management forfeit the awards upon termination of employment from the Company for cause. The value of the award, which is payable in a cash settlement over a 5-year period from the date of a triggering event, is dependent on several factors including earnings or the fair value of the Company. In the event of the member of management’s death, disability or separation from service prior to the tenth anniversary of the agreement, the amount payable is equal to their vested percentage in two times the prior twelve months’ consolidated net income multiplied by 0.35%. In the event of the member of management’s death, disability or separation from service after the tenth anniversary of the agreement, the amount payable is equal the lesser of 0.35% of the Company’s fair market value or six times the prior twelve months’ consolidated net income multiplied by 0.35%. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019 the members of management were 50%, and 0% vested in the agreement, respectively. An accrual and expense of $310,585 is included in the combined and consolidated financial statements at June 30, 2020.

 

F-15


11. Profits Interest Retirement Obligation

The Company has a profits interest agreement with one limited partner whereby the Company will pay, upon certain triggering events, the limited partner’s vested percentage of the dealership value, which is based on pre-defined terms. The vested percentage increases ratably; however, the maximum percentage would be paid upon the death or disability of the individual. The limited partner was fully vested at June 30, 2020 and 2019. The limited partner may, at any time, demand payment on the profits interest agreement. The payment due to the limited partner if demanded is determined by a defined calculation based primarily on the previous operating results and tax basis net asset value of the Company.

On June 1, 2020, the Company settled the profits interest obligation as discussed above due to the separation from service of the limited partner. The value of the agreement to the limited partner upon settlement was $6,321,959, which was paid in one cash installment of $1,859,400 and execution of promissory notes as discussed in Note 8 totaling $4,462,559. Some of the remaining partners and members also purchased the limited partner’s partnership and membership interests in Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd., PPJ, LLC and PPM Auction, LLC for total consideration of $10,678,043, which was paid in one cash installment of $3,140,602 and execution of promissory notes as discussed in Note 8 totaling $7,537,441 and recorded as amounts due from partners and members, included in related party notes receivables in Note 7.

In association with this transaction, the Company settled a profits interest obligation with the general partner of Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd. for a value of $1,580,490. This transaction was treated as a distribution of profits and paid in one cash installment of $464,850 and execution of a promissory note as discussed in Note 8 totaling $1,115,640.

12. Related Party Transactions

The Company has engaged in transactions with affiliates controlled by common related parties. These affiliates are engaged in the various activities associated with the selling, financing, and servicing of automobiles for the retail and wholesale markets. The Company sells to and purchases from these affiliates automobiles, parts and accessories.

Under a management agreement with a related party, the Company is required to pay a management fee in return for management and consulting services. The fees paid under this management agreement were $237,194 and $307,239 for the six months June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company exchanges vehicles and parts with affiliates at cost. Related party accounts payable included in the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets represent amounts due to a related partnership for certain operating expenses paid on behalf of the dealership. Other information regarding related party transactions is included in Notes 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, and 19.

 

F-16


The following is a summary of transactions with related parties for the six months ended:

 

     June 30,2020      June 30,2019  

Purchases from affiliates

   $  4,116,953      $  6,637,343  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales to affiliates

   $ 6,992,032      $ 8,856,941  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following is a summary of balances with related parties as of:

 

     June 30,2020      June 30,2019  

Due from affiliates (included in receivables in the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets)

   $  1,114,710      $  1,421,609  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Due to affiliates (included in accounts payable in the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets)

   $ 5,256,121      $ 30,293  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

13. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

     June 30,2020      June 30,2019  

Supplemental schedule of cash paid during the six months: Interest

   $  4,440,690      $  6,842,726  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

State income taxes

   $ —        $ 1,058,732  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

14. Defined Contribution 401(k) Plan

The Company participates in a defined contribution 401(k) plan. All employees who meet certain age and length of service requirements are eligible to participate in the plan. Matching contributions are made on a discretionary basis by the Company. The plan also allows the Company, at management’s discretion, to make a profit sharing contribution. Retirement expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled $1,030,212 and $1,032,918, respectively.

15. Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance in ASC 842. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms in excess of 12 months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification impacting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted in ASC 842. Accordingly, the Company accounted for its existing operating leases as an operating lease under the new guidance, without reassessing (a) whether the contract contains a lease under ASC 842, (b) whether classification of the operating lease would be different in accordance with ASC 842, or (c) whether the unamortized initial direct costs before transition adjustments (as of December 31, 2018) would have met the definition of initial direct costs in ASC 842 at lease commencement. In addition, the Company opted for the transition relief method specified in Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, which allowed for the effective date of the new leases standard as the date of initial application on transition. As a result of this election the Company (a) did not adjust comparative period financial information for the effects of ASC 842;

 

F-17


(b) made the new required lease disclosures for periods after the effective date; and (c) carried forward our ASC 840 disclosures for comparative periods. As a result of the adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset of approximately $76.2 million and a lease liability of approximately $76.3 million, which represents the present value of remaining lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rates based on the remaining lease terms.

The Company leases a portion of its Park Place Motorcars, Ltd. facilities from an unrelated party under a non- cancelable operating lease requiring monthly rental payments of $140,140 through May 2021. The lease has one 10-year and one 5-year renewal options. The lease stipulates annual base rent increases based on changes in CPI, which are included in the future minimum lease payments and variable lease payments adjustment below.

The Company leases a portion of its PPJ, LLC facility from unrelated an unrelated party under a non-cancelable operating lease requiring monthly rental payments ranging from $19,661 to $25,531 through March 2023. The lease has two 5-year renewal options.

The Company leases its facilities from various related parties under non-cancellable operating leases. The leases stipulate annual base rent increases based on changes in CPI, which are included in the future minimum lease payments and variable lease payments adjustment below. Monthly payments in effect as of January 1, 2020 and lease expiration dates are outlined below:

 

Lessor Related Party

  

Lessee

   Monthly
Payment
     Expiration

PPM Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.    $ 93,708      December 2022

PPM Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      23,001      December 2022

Kings Road Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      74,625      December 2025

350 Phelps Realty, LP

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      40,464      December 2022

PPA Realty, Ltd.

   Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      80,759      December 2025

Kings Road Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      63,891      December 2022

Kings Road Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      18,145      October 2023

PPA Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      21,468      December 2022

PPA Realty, Ltd.

   PPDV, Ltd.      18,102      December 2022

Park Place LX Land Co. No. 1, Ltd.

   Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      357,792      December 2022

Park Place LX Land Co. No. 1 Ltd.

   Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      455,728      December 2022

DKK West, Ltd.

   Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      22,396      July 2023

PPJ Land, LLC

   PPJ, LLC      180,439      December 2022

DKK West, Ltd.

   PPJ, LLC      1,749      August 2023

PPJ Land, LLC

   PPM Auction, LP      65,780      December 2022

The Company also leases a portion of its PPJ, LLC facility from PPJ Land, LLC, a related party, under a month-to- month lease arrangement. Monthly payment under this arrangement was $49,491 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

F-18


As a result of the pandemic and a resultant decline in sales, related party lessors granted the Company rent concessions that resulted in no or reduced rental payments for the leases described above for the three-month period from April through June 2020. These rent concessions were treated as variable lease payments and reduce total rent expense paid to related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Escalation clauses, lease payments dependent on existing rates/indexes, renewal options, and purchase options are included within the determination of lease payments when appropriate. The Company has elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for all leases that qualify, except for information technology assets that are embedded within service agreements (such as software license arrangements).

When available, the implicit rate is utilized to discount lease payments to present value; however, substantially all of the Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. An incremental borrowing rate was used to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement.

Balance sheet presentation

 

Leases

  

Classification

   June 30, 2020  

Assets:

     

Finance

   Property and equipment, net    $ 1,664,384  

Operating

   Operating lease right-of-use assets      50,159,286  
     

 

 

 

Total right-of-use assets

      $ 51,823,670  
     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Current:

     

Finance

   Current portion of finance lease obligation    $ 2,331,635  

Operating

   Current portion of operating lease liabilities      18,244,492  

Non-current:

     

Operating

   Operating lease liabilities, less current portion      31,941,634  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 52,517,761  
     

 

 

 

Leases

  

Classification

   June 30, 2019  

Assets:

     

Finance

   Property and equipment, net    $ 3,480,074  

Operating

   Operating lease right-of-use assets      67,876,344  
     

 

 

 

Total right-of-use assets

      $ 71,356,418  
     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Current:

     

Finance

   Current portion of finance lease obligation    $ 2,419,103  

Operating

   Current portion of operating lease liabilities      17,583,798  

Non-current:

     

Finance

   Finance lease obligation, less current portion      2,331,635  

Operating

   Operating lease liabilities, less current portion      50,186,126  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $  72,520,662  
     

 

 

 

 

F-19


Lease term and discount rate

 

     June 30,2020     June 30,2019  

Weighted average lease term – finance lease

     0.9 years       1.9 years  

Weighted average lease term – operating lease

     3.0 years       4.0 years  

Weighted average discount rate – finance lease

     5.25     5.25

Weighted average discount rate – operating lease

     4.50     4.50

Lease costs

The following table provides certain information related to the lease costs for finance and operating leases during the six months ended:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Finance lease cost - interest

   $ 80,037      $ 142,577  

Finance lease cost - depreciation

     907,846        907,846  

Operating lease cost

     10,174,298        10,150,768  

Variable lease cost

     (1,595,234      2,055,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 9,566,947      $  13,256,411  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating lease cost includes approximately $5,500,000 and $9,000,000 in payments made to related parties for the six-months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Supplemental cash flow information

The following table presents supplemental cash flow information for leases during the six months ended:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurements of lease liabilities:

     

Operating cash flows from finance lease

   $ 987,883      $ 1,050,423  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

     7,082,420        10,855,461  

Financing cash flows from finance lease

     1,225,391        1,162,851  

Undiscounted cash flow

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and total of the remaining years to the finance lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

     Finance      Operating  

2020 (remaining 6 months)

   $  1,720,430      $  10,321,267  

2021

     1,433,691        19,687,818  

2022

     —          18,914,564  

2023

            2,687,388  

2024

     —          2,259,119  

Thereafter

     —          2,259,119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     3,154,121        56,129,275  

 

F-20


Less: amount representing interest

     (61,651      (3,578,518

Less: amount representing variable payments

     (760,835      (2,364,631
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Present value of future minimum lease payments

     2,331,635        50,186,126  

Less: current obligations under leases

     (2,331,635      (18,244,492
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term lease obligations

   $ —        $ 31,941,634  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

16. Contingencies and Uncertainties

The Company sells customer installment contracts to financial institutions and extended warranties without recourse. Some buyers of the contracts and warranties retain portions of the commissions as reserves against early payoffs. These amounts are normally recorded on the combined and consolidated balance sheets as finance commission receivables. The accrual for contingent charges at June 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled $4,868,911 and $3,375,000, respectively.

The Company maintains a self-insurance program for its employees’ health care costs. The Company is liable for losses on individual claims up to $250,000 per claim and $1,000,000 in aggregate claims for the year. The Company maintains third-party insurance coverage for any losses in excess of such amounts. Self-insurance costs are accrued based on claims reported as of the balance sheet dates as well as an estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. The total accrued liability for self-insurance costs was $3,762,338 and $2,794,396 as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company’s facilities are subject to federal, state, and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor does the Company expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon the capital expenditures, net income, financial condition, or competitive position of the Company. Management believes that its current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with the applicable federal and state requirements.

The Company purchases substantially all of its new vehicles and parts from the manufacturers at the prevailing prices charged to all franchised dealers. The Company’s sales volume could be adversely impacted by the manufacturers’ inability to supply it with an adequate supply of vehicles and/or parts due to unforeseen circumstances or as a result of an unfavorable allocation of vehicles. As part of the Company’s relationship with the manufacturers, it participates in various programs with regard to vehicle allocation, advertising, and other incentive programs. These programs are generally on a “turn-to-earn” basis, which rewards new vehicle volume, and are subject to change by the manufacturers at any time. In addition, the manufacturers’ franchise agreements contain provisions which generally limit, without consent of the manufacturers, changes in dealership management, ownership, and location; place certain financial restrictions; and provide for termination of the franchise agreement by the manufacturers in certain instances.

The Company is involved in certain legal matters that it considers incidental to its business. In management’s opinion, none of these legal matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or the results of operations.

The Company has available $4,000,000 in draft facility agreements with banks. These lines of credit allow the Company to receive immediate credit for any drafts deposited from the sale of motor vehicles. The Company also has available a $1,500,000 commercial credit card line with a bank.

 

F-21


The Company has entered into a risk retention insurance program for garage liability. As part of the risk retention agreement, the Company pledged a letter of credit in the amount of $300,000, which is the maximum potential liability for claims. Management does not believe the letter of credit will be drawn upon nor will it incur additional liability for claims.

The Company has outstanding guarantees of indebtedness of related parties, through common ownership, of $75,413,136 as of June 30, 2020.

A detail of the guarantees is as follows:

 

Type of Loan Guarantee

  

Guarantee Extends
Through

  

Guaranteed By

   Amount of
Loan
Guarantee
 

Real Estate Loan

   September 2021    Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.    $  17,898,054  

Real Estate Loan

   June 2022    Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      2,761,664  

Real Estate Loan

   September 2022    Park Place Motorcars, Ltd.      2,064,348  

Real Estate Loan

   January 2023    PPJ, LLC      16,816,132  

Real Estate Loan

   January 2023    PPDV, Ltd.      5,157,806  

Real Estate Loan

   August 2026    PPDV, Ltd.      4,858,437  

Real Estate Loan

   August 2028    Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd.      25,856,695  
        

 

 

 
         $  75,413,136  
        

 

 

 

The real estate loans with affiliates were used to finance the acquisitions of dealership properties and to finance the acquisitions of real estate for potential future expansion of the Company’s dealership operations. The loans are collateralized by the related real estate and substantially all of the assets of the related party.

Non-payment would result in the requirement of the guarantor to perform; however, these loans have multiple guarantors associated with them. Additionally, the value of the collateral on these loans is in excess of the outstanding loan balances at June 30, 2020. Based on the financial condition of the related parties, the sufficiency of the collateral supporting the loans and the multiple guarantors associated with the loans, management believes that the probability that the Company would have to perform upon any of these guarantees is remote.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel strain of Coronavirus, a pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak is disrupting supply chains and affecting production and sales across a range of industries. The extent of the impact of the outbreak on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, impact on our customers, employees and vendors, and governmental, regulatory, and private sector responses. The financial statements do not reflect any adjustments as a result of the increase in economic uncertainty.

 

F-22


17. Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company sells to individuals and commercial businesses located primarily in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. Receivables resulting from vehicle sales are secured by the related vehicles. Receivables resulting from all other sales are unsecured open accounts. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of receivables, contracts in transit, and cash deposits in excess of federally insured limits. The concentration of credit risk with respect to contracts in transit is limited primarily to financial institutions. The Company’s bank balances usually exceed federally insured limits.

18. Partnership/Member Agreement

The general partner holds a 0.50% interest in Park Place Motorcars, Ltd., Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Ltd., PPP, LP, and Park Place LX of Texas, Ltd., a 0.10% interest in PPDV, Ltd. and a 0.00% interest in PPM Auction, LP while the limited partners hold the remaining interests. Partnership profits are to be allocated first to the general partner until the cumulative profits allocated equals the cumulative amount of losses allocated for prior years, then to each partner according to their ownership interests. Any Partnership losses are to be allocated first to the partners in the ratio and to the extent of the positive capital accounts of the limited partners, then any remaining losses are to be allocated to the general partner.

The general partner holds a 0.50% interest in PPMBA Realty, LP and PP Real Estate, Ltd. while the limited partners hold the remaining interests. Partnership profits are to be allocated first to the general partner until the cumulative profits allocated equals the cumulative amount of losses allocated for prior years, then to each partner according to their ownership interests. Any Partnership losses are to be allocated first to the partners in the ratio and to the extent of the positive capital accounts of the limited partners, then any remaining losses are to be allocated to the general partner.

The PPJ, LLC and PPMB Arlington, LLC Company Agreements state that all members share all profits, losses and distributions according to their membership interests.

Under a buy/sell agreement with one of the limited partners, the limited partner may, at any time, cause the Company to purchase their 3.00% interest based on the estimated fair value upon exercising the buy/sell option.

19. Variable Interest Entities

Management analyzes the Company’s variable interests including loans, guarantees, and equity investments, to determine if the Company has any variable interests in variable interest entities. This analysis includes both qualitative and quantitative reviews. Qualitative analysis is based on an evaluation of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including decision making ability, and financial agreements. Quantitative analysis is based on the entity’s forecasted cash flows. Generally accepted accounting principles require a reporting entity to consolidate a variable interest entity when the reporting entity has a variable interest that provides it with a controlling financial interest in the variable interest entity. The entity that consolidates a variable interest entity is referred to as the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. The Company uses qualitative and quantitative analyses to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities.

 

F-23


Accordingly, the Company has determined that PP Real Estate, Ltd. and PPMBA Realty, Ltd. are VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, due primarily to the Company’s guarantee of the VIE’s debt and common ownership interests.

The following table summarizes the balance sheets for consolidated VIEs as of:

 

     June 30, 2020      June 30, 2019  

Assets:

     

Receivables, net

   $ 1,114,710      $ 919,095  

Property and equipment, net

     52,629,788        54,475,219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 53,744,498      $ 55,394,314  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital:

     

Accrued expenses

   $ 423,917      $ 137,029  

Long-term debt

     38,347,278        40,763,482  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     38,771,195        40,900,511  

Partners’ capital

     14,973,303        14,493,803  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $  53,744,498      $  55,394,314  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

20. Subsequent Event

On July 6, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Asbury Automotive Group, LLC. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company will sell substantially all of the assets of the businesses described in the Asset Purchase Agreement for a purchase price of approximately $735 million (excluding vehicle inventory), reflecting $685 million of goodwill and approximately $50 million for parts, fixed assets and leaseholds in each case subject to certain adjustments described in the Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

F-24

EX-99.4

Exhibit 99.4

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ANNOUNCES PRIVATE OFFERING OF ADDITIONAL SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028 AND ADDITIONAL SENIOR NOTES DUE 2030

Duluth, Georgia – September 14, 2020. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG) (“Asbury”) announced today that it intends to offer up to $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional senior notes, which will consist of senior notes due 2028 (the “Additional 2028 Notes”) and senior notes due 2030 (the “Additional 2030 Notes” and together with the Additional 2028 Notes, the “Additional Notes”). The offering will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Additional Notes of each series are part of the same issuance of, and will rank equally and form a single series, respectively, with the $280.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of Asbury’s 4.50% senior notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”), and the $320.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of Asbury’s 4.75% senior notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes” and, together with the 2028 Notes, the “Existing Notes”), which were issued on February 19, 2020. The Additional Notes of each series will have the same terms as the Existing Notes of each series, including being guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each existing and future restricted subsidiary of Asbury that guarantees Asbury’s existing senior credit facility.

The Additional Notes of each series are being offered (i) to repay $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of a 4.00% promissory note due August 2021 and $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of a 4.00% promissory note due February 2022 used to finance the recently completed acquisition of certain assets of the Park Place Dealership group pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2020 (collectively, the “Acquisition”), (ii) to repay approximately $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility, (iii) to pay all fees and expenses in connection with this offering and (iv) for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of additional indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility or other indebtedness under our senior credit facility.

The Additional Notes of each series and related guarantees will be offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, and to non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States under Regulation S of the Securities Act. The Additional Notes of each series have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Additional Notes of any series in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This notice is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the federal securities laws. These “forward-looking statements” are not statements of historical facts, and may include, among other things, statements relating to our goals, plans and projections regarding industry and general economic trends, our expected financial position, the expected terms or timeline of the offering of the Additional 2028 Notes and the Additional 2030 Notes, the anticipated use of proceeds from the offering of the Additional 2028 Notes and the Additional 2030 Notes, the anticipated cost savings, synergies, revenue enhancement strategies and other expected benefits from the Acquisition, results of operations or market position and our business strategy. Such statements can generally be identified by words such as “may,” “target,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee” and other similar words or phrases. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release is as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this


information to reflect future events or circumstances. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 2, 2020, and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, filed on May 11, 2020 and July 31, 2020, respectively, all of which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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