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) March 3, 2003
AUTONATION, INC.
(Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
DELAWARE 1-13107 73-1105145
(State Or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
Of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
110 S.E. 6th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (954) 769-6000
____________________________________________________
(Former Name Or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)
ITEM 5. Other Events.
On March 3, 2003, AutoNation, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that it has reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to the tax treatment of certain transactions entered into by the Company in 1997 and 1999. The Company will owe the IRS net aggregate payments of approximately $470 million, including interest. An initial net payment of approximately $350 million will be due in March 2004, and three subsequent payments of approximately $40 million each will be due in March 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. A copy of the press release is attached as an exhibit hereto.
ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
99.1
Press Release of AutoNation, Inc., dated March 3, 2003.
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SIGNATURES
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.
AUTONATION, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Jonathan P. Ferrando
Jonathan P. Ferrando
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Dated: March 3, 2003
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press Release of AutoNation, Inc., dated March 3, 2003.
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