United Auto Group, Inc. 10-Q 09/30/2006


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,  D.C. 20549
 
Form   10-Q
 
 
 
þ
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006
or
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from           to
 
Commission file number 1-12297
 
United Auto Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
Delaware
 
22-3086739
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2555 Telegraph Road,
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
 
48302-0954
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(248)  648-2500
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ         No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule  12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one)
Large Accelerated Filer  þ         Accelerated Filer  o          Non-accelerated Filer  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule  12b-2 of the Exchange Act).        Yes  o     No  þ
 
As of November 2, 2006, there were 94,467,524 shares of voting common stock outstanding.
 




 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 3
 
 
 4
 
 
 5
 
 
 6
 
 
 7
 
 22
 
 41
 
 41
 
 
42 
Signatures     43 
Certifications      
 

2

 UNITED AUTO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 

   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except
per share amounts)
 
ASSETS
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
19,065
 
$
8,957
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
464,287
   
413,431
 
Inventories, net
   
1,455,910
   
1,219,735
 
Other current assets
   
91,197
   
50,865
 
Assets held for sale
   
137,442
   
189,373
 
    Total current assets
   
2,167,901
   
1,882,361
 
Property and equipment, net
   
562,011
   
423,513
 
Goodwill
   
1,265,486
   
1,015,378
 
Franchise value
   
227,120
   
189,297
 
Other assets
   
116,410
   
83,624
 
    Total assets
 
$
4,338,928
 
$
3,594,173
 
               
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Floor plan notes payable
 
$
896,113
 
$
841,911
 
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade
   
360,548
   
331,009
 
Accounts payable
   
400,414
   
207,426
 
Accrued expenses
   
253,593
   
174,157
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
3,743
   
3,551
 
Liabilities held for sale
   
68,624
   
106,710
 
    Total current liabilities
   
1,983,035
   
1,664,764
 
Long-term debt
   
862,535
   
576,690
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
234,646
   
206,987
 
Total liabilities
   
3,080,216
   
2,448,441
 
               
Commitments and contingent liabilities
             
Stockholders' Equity
             
Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value; 100 shares authorized;
             
    none issued and outstanding
   
-
   
-
 
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 240,000 shares authorized;
             
    94,457 shares issued at September 30, 2006; 93,767 shares issued at December 31, 2005
         
Non-voting Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 7,125 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
         
Class C Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
         
Additional paid-in-capital
   
766,740
   
746,165
 
Retained earnings
   
480,186
   
404,010
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
57,014
   
21,830
 
Treasury stock, at cost; 5,306 shares at September 30, 2006; 4,306 shares at December 31, 2005
    (45,233  )   (26,278 
Total stockholders' equity
   
1,258,712
   
1,145,732
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
4,338,928
 
$
3,594,173
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
 
3

 
   UNITED AUTO GROUP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Revenue:
                         
New vehicle
 
$
1,732,275
 
$
1,577,928
 
$
4,851,791
 
$
4,445,052
 
Used vehicle
   
704,254
   
550,665
   
1,935,739
   
1,626,516
 
Finance and insurance, net
   
68,799
   
62,939
   
195,636
   
175,464
 
Service and parts
   
329,322
   
277,040
   
951,884
   
809,278
 
Fleet and wholesale vehicle
   
245,954
   
206,717
   
726,439
   
606,525
 
Total revenues
   
3,080,604
   
2,675,289
   
8,661,489
   
7,662,835
 
                           
Cost of sales:
                         
New vehicle
   
1,584,517
   
1,443,278
   
4,431,374
   
4,059,563
 
Used vehicle
   
645,135
   
500,925
   
1,766,982
   
1,478,151
 
Service and parts
   
147,231
   
127,017
   
427,464
   
369,563
 
Fleet and wholesale vehicle
   
245,301
   
207,176
   
721,906
   
605,617
 
Total cost of sales
   
2,622,184
   
2,278,396
   
7,347,726
   
6,512,894
 
Gross profit
   
458,420
   
396,893
   
1,313,763
   
1,149,941
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
361,297
   
309,265
   
1,039,317
   
905,171
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
11,722
   
9,772
   
33,373
   
28,791
 
                           
Operating income
   
85,401
   
77,856
   
241,073
   
215,979
 
Floor plan interest expense
   
(16,716
)
 
(11,865
)
 
(49,097
)
 
(37,483
)
Other interest expense
   
(11,111
)
 
(12,222
)
 
(34,559
)
 
(35,735
)
                           
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
   
57,574
   
53,769
   
157,417
   
142,761
 
Income taxes
   
(20,727
)
 
(19,552
)
 
(57,254
)
 
(52,390
)
Minority interests
   
(478
)
 
(486
)
 
(1,536
)
 
(1,250
)
Income from continuing operations
   
36,369
   
33,731
   
98,627
   
89,121
 
                           
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(2,496
)
 
(967
)
 
(3,825
)
 
(269
)
Net income
 
$
33,873
 
$
32,764
 
$
94,802
 
$
88,852
 
                           
Basic earnings per share:
                         
Continuing operations
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.36
 
$
1.06
 
$
0.96
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.03
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.00
)
Net income
   
0.36
   
0.35
   
1.02
   
0.96
 
                           
Shares used in determining basic earnings per share
   
93,754
   
93,080
   
93,257
   
92,780
 
                           
Diluted earnings per share:
                         
Continuing operations
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.36
 
$
1.05
 
$
0.95
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.03
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.00
)
Net income
   
0.36
   
0.35
   
1.01
   
0.95
 
                           
Shares used in determining diluted earnings per share
   
94,288
   
94,248
   
94,085
   
94,010
 
                           
Cash dividends per share
 
$
0.07
 
$
0.06
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.17
 
 
  See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

4

 
UNITED AUTO GROUP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
(Restated)*
 
       
 
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Operating Activities:
 
(In thousands)
 
Net income
 
$
94,802
 
$
88,852
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from continuing operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
33,373
   
28,791
 
Undistributed earnings of equity method investments
   
(5,503
)
 
(2,645
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
3,825
   
269
 
Deferred income taxes
   
16,776
   
16,993
 
Minority interests
   
1,536
   
1,250
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
             
Accounts receivable
   
(25,550
)
 
(12,467
)
Inventories
   
(69,251
)
 
132,158
 
Floor plan notes payable
   
54,202
   
(117,857
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
163,892
   
27,906
 
Other
   
(28,760
)
 
(509
)
Net cash from continuing operating activities
   
239,342
   
162,741
 
               
Investing Activities:
             
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(150,695
)
 
(165,446
)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions
   
62,778
   
71,188
 
Dealership acquisitions, net, including repayment of sellers floorplan notes payable of $114,255 and $35,853, respectively
   
(369,260
)
 
(97,091
)
Net cash from continuing investing activities
   
(457,177
)
 
(191,349
)
               
Financing Activities:
             
Proceeds from borrowings under U.S. Credit Agreement
   
327,000
   
171,000
 
Repayments under U.S. Credit Agreement
   
(553,000
)
 
(110,800
)
Issuance of convertible subordinated debt
   
375,000
   
-
 
Net borrowings (repayments) of other long-term debt
   
74,185
   
(14,609
)
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade
   
29,539
   
(47,914
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
   
(12,630
)
 
-
 
Proceeds from exercises of options including excess tax benefit
   
17,992
   
3,978
 
Repurchase of common stock
   
(18,955
)
 
-
 
Dividends
   
(18,626
)
 
(15,269
)
Net cash from continuing financing activities
   
220,505
   
(13,614
)
Discontinued operations:
             
Net cash from discontinued operating activities
   
(15,428
)
 
4,501
 
Net cash from discontinued investing activities
   
28,115
   
31,771
 
Net cash from discontinued financing activities
   
(5,249
)
 
(12,527
)
Net cash from discontinued operations
   
7,438
   
23,745
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
10,108
   
(18,477
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
8,957
   
23,547
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
19,065
 
$
5,070
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
             
Cash paid for:
             
Interest
 
$
82,073
 
$
78,832
 
Income taxes
   
26,823
   
26,887
 
Seller financed debt / debt assumed in acquisitions
   
64,168
   
5,300
 
               
*  See Note 1
 
See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
 
5

 
 UNITED AUTO GROUP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
   
Common Stock
         
Accumulated
         
   
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
Issued
 
 
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
Treasury
 
Stockholders'
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income
 
Stock
 
Equity
 
                               
   
 (Unaudited)
 
   
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Balances, January 1, 2006
   
93,767,468
 
$
5
 
$
746,165
 
$
404,010
 
$
21,830
 
$
(26,278
)
$
1,145,732
 
Restricted stock
   
222,130
   
-
   
2,583
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,583
 
Exercise of options, including tax benefit of $8,654
   
1,467,748
   
-
   
17,992
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
17,992
 
Repurchase of common stock
   
(1,000,000
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(18,955
)
 
(18,955
)
Dividends
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(18,626
)
 
-
   
-
   
(18,626
)
Fair value of interest rate swap agreements
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,690
   
-
   
1,690
 
Foreign currency translation
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
33,494
   
-
   
33,494
 
Net income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
94,802
   
-
   
-
   
94,802
 
Balances, September 30, 2006
   
94,457,346
 
$
5
 
$
766,740
 
$
480,186
 
$
57,014
 
$
(45,233
)
$
1,258,712
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
 

6

 
UNITED AUTO GROUP, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
1.          Interim Financial Statements
 
      Basis of Presentation
 
      The unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of United Auto Group, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. The information presented as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is unaudited, but includes all adjustments which the management of the Company believes to be necessary for the fair presentation of results for the periods presented. The consolidated condensed financial statements for prior periods have been revised for entities which have been treated as discontinued operations through September 30, 2006. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, which are included as part of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
On June 1, 2006, the Company effected a two-for-one split of its voting common stock in the form of a stock dividend. Shareholders of record as of May 11, 2006 received one additional share for each share owned. All share and per share information herein reflects the stock split.
 
      Statement of Cash Flows
 
      The Company has restated its 2005 consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of floor plan obligations in connection with acquisitions and dispositions as cash transactions to comply with guidance under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” More specifically, with respect to acquisitions, the Company restated the consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of seller floor plan notes payable by its floor plan lenders as additional cost of dealership acquisitions with the corresponding borrowings of floor plan notes payable reflected as floor plan notes payable-non trade. Similarly, with respect to dispositions, the Company restated the consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of the Company’s floor plan notes payable by the purchaser’s floor plan lender as additional transaction proceeds with corresponding repayments of floor plan notes payable reflected as floor plan notes payable trade or non-trade, as appropriate. Previously, all such activity was treated as a non-cash acquisition or disposition of inventory and floor plan notes payable. As a result, the consolidated condensed statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 has been restated. A summary of the significant effects of the restatement follows:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
   
2005
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities as previously reported  
 
$
137,316
 
Discontinued operations  
   
(8,780
)
Recognition of floorplan balances as cash transactions  
   
34,205
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities, as restated  
 
$
162,741
 
 
Net cash from continuing investing activities as previously reported  
 
$
(155,010
)
Discontinued operations  
   
(486
)
Recognition of floorplan balances as cash transactions  
   
(35,853
)
Net cash from continuing investing activities, as restated  
 
$
(191,349
)
 
       
Net cash from continuing financing activities as previously reported  
 
$
(17,818
)
Discontinued operations  
   
2,556
 
Recognition of floorplan balances as cash transactions  
   
1,648
 
Net cash from continuing financing activities, as restated  
 
$
(13,614
)
 
7

 
      Discontinued Operations
 
      The Company accounts for dispositions as discontinued operations when it is evident that the operations and cash flows of a franchise being disposed of will be eliminated from on-going operations and that the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in its operations. In reaching the determination as to whether the cash flows of a dealership will be eliminated from ongoing operations, the Company considers whether it is likely that customers will migrate to similar franchises that it owns in the same geographic market. The Company’s consideration includes an evaluation of the brands sold at other dealerships it operates in the market and their proximity to the dealership being disposed. When the Company disposes of franchises, it typically does not have continuing brand representation in that market. If the franchise being disposed of is located in a complex of Company dealerships, the Company does not treat the disposition as a discontinued operation if the Company believes that the cash flows generated by the disposed franchise will be replaced by expanded operations of the remaining franchises. Combined financial information regarding dealerships accounted for as discontinued operations follows:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2006
 
 2005
 
 2006
 
 2005
 
Revenues  
 
$
128,056
 
$
202,980
 
$
399,976
 
$
746,842
 
Pre-tax loss  
   
(1,579
)
 
(1,298
)
 
(3,962
)
 
(4,594
)
Gain (loss) on disposal  
   
(1,898
)
 
(222
)
 
(1,709
)
 
4,169
 
 

 
 
September 30,  
 
December 31,  
 
 
 
2006  
 
2005  
 
Inventories  
 
$
61,272
 
$
92,750
 
Other assets  
   
76,170
   
96,623
 
Total assets  
 
$
137,442
 
$
189,373
 
Floor plan notes payable  
 
$
53,714
 
$
89,647
 
Other liabilities  
   
14,910
   
17,063
 
Total liabilities  
 
$
68,624
 
$
106,710
 
 
      Estimates
 
      The preparation of 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, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounts requiring the use of significant estimates include accounts receivable, inventories, income taxes, intangible assets and certain reserves.
  
      Intangible Assets
 
      The Company’s principal intangible assets relate to its franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which represent the estimated value of franchises acquired in business combinations, and goodwill, which represents the excess of cost over the fair value of tangible and identified intangible assets acquired in connection with business combinations. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company believes the franchise value of its dealerships has an indefinite useful life based on the following facts:
 
 
• 
Automotive retailing is a mature industry and is based on franchise agreements with the vehicle manufacturers;
 
 
 
• 
There are no known changes or events that would alter the automotive retailing franchise environment;
 
 
 
• 
Certain franchise agreement terms are indefinite;
 
 
 
• 
Franchise agreements that have limited terms have historically been renewed without substantial cost; and
 
 
 
• 
The Company’s history shows that manufacturers have not terminated our franchise agreements.
 
8

 
       The following is a summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and franchise value for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
Franchise
Value
 
 
 
 
 
Balance - January 1, 2006  
 
$
1,015,378
 
$
189,297
 
Additions during period  
   
231,752
   
32,518
 
Foreign currency translation  
   
18,356
   
5,305
 
 
   
Balance - September 30, 2006  
 
$
1,265,486
 
$
227,120
 
 
  As of September 30, 2006, approximately $703,520 of the Company’s goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The Company has established deferred tax liabilities related to temporary differences arising from such tax deductible goodwill.
 
      Stock-Based Compensation
 
      Key employees, outside directors, consultants and advisors of the Company are eligible to receive stock-based compensation pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2002 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan originally allowed for the issuance of 4,200 shares for stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and other awards. As of September 30, 2006, 2,988 shares of common stock were available for grant under the Plan.
 
  The Company elected to adopt SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” as amended and interpreted, effective July 1, 2005. The Company utilized the modified prospective method approach, pursuant to which the Company has recorded compensation expense for all awards granted after July 1, 2005 based on their fair value. The Company’s share-based payments have generally been in the form of “non-vested shares” which are measured at their fair value as if they were vested and issued on the grant date.
 
  Prior to July 1, 2005, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method pursuant to Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” All options granted pursuant to the Plan had a strike price equal to fair market value on the date of grant. As a result, no compensation expense was recorded with respect to option grants. During that time, the Company followed the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” as interpreted and amended.  Had the Company elected to recognize compensation expense for option grants using the fair value method prior to July 1, 2005, the effect on net income and basic and diluted earnings per share would not have been material.
 
      New Accounting Pronouncements
 
      SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3,” requires all direct financial statement effects caused by a voluntary change in accounting principle to be applied retrospectively to prior period financial statements as if the new principle had always been applied, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change in principle. APB Opinion No. 20 and SFAS No. 3 previously required that a voluntary change in accounting principle be recognized as a cumulative effect in the period of change. SFAS No. 154 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2006. See “Statement of Cash Flows” discussion above.
 
  Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position FAS 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred During a Construction Period” (“FSP FAS  13-1”), requires companies to expense real estate rental costs under operating leases during periods of construction and was effective for the Company on January 1, 2006. FSP FAS 13-1 did not require retroactive application and did not have a material effect on consolidated operating results, financial position or cash flows.
    
  FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” requires companies to recognize and measure tax benefits using a “more likely than not” threshold and requires companies to make disclosures about uncertainties in their income tax positions. FIN No. 48 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.  
 
  SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure requirements relating to fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.
 
  SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting For Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” requires companies to recognize the funded status (plan obligations less the fair value of plan assets) of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on their balance sheets, effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.
 
  SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 1N, “Financial Statements — Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”) addresses how a registrant should quantify the effect of an error on the financial statements. SAB 108 will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.

9

 
2.      Inventories
 
      Inventories consisted of the following:
 
 
September 30,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
New vehicles  
 
$
1,025,997
 
$
911,180
 
Used vehicles  
   
350,480
   
241,792
 
Parts, accessories and other  
   
79,433
   
66,763
 
 
   
Total inventories  
 
$
1,455,910
 
$
1,219,735
 
 
The Company receives non-refundable credits from certain vehicle manufacturers which are treated as a reduction of cost of sales when the vehicles are sold. Such credits amounted to $9,228 and $9,502 during the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $25,834 and $24,354 during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
3.      Business Combinations
 
      During each of the periods presented, the Company completed a number of acquisitions. The Company’s financial statements include the results of operations of the acquired dealerships from the dates of acquisition. Purchase price allocations may be subject to final adjustment. A summary of the aggregate purchase price allocations during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 follows:
 
Accounts receivable  
 
$
24,171
 
Inventory  
   
166,924
 
Other current assets  
   
20,268
 
Property and equipment  
   
71,051
 
Goodwill  
   
231,752
 
Franchise value  
   
32,518
 
Other assets  
   
21
 
Current liabilities  
   
(177,445
)
Cash used in dealership acquisitions, including repayment of sellers floorplan notes payable of $114,255 during the nine months ended September 30, 2006  
 
$
369,260
 
 
The following unaudited consolidated pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 give effect to acquisitions consummated during 2006 and 2005 as if they had occurred on January 1, 2005.
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,  
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
 
 
2006  
 
2005  
 
2006  
 
2005  
 
Revenues  
 
$
3,218,911
 
$
3,164,963
 
$
9,319,279
 
$
9,111,028
 
Income from continuing operations  
   
36,565
   
35,994
   
99,907
   
95,795
 
Net income  
   
34,069
   
35,027
   
96,082
   
95,526
 
Income from continuing operations per diluted common share  
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.38
 
$
1.06
 
$
1.02
 
Net income per diluted common share  
 
$
0.36
 
$
0.37
 
$
1.02
 
$
1.02
 
 
4.      Floor Plan Notes  Payable  — Trade and Non-trade
 
      The Company finances the majority of its new and a portion of its used vehicle inventories under revolving floor plan arrangements with various lenders. In the U.S., the floor plan arrangements are due on demand; however, the Company is generally not required to make loan principal repayments prior to the sale of the vehicles that have been financed. The Company typically makes monthly interest payments on the amount financed. Outside of the U.S., substantially all of the floor plan arrangements are payable on demand or have an original maturity of 90 days or less and the Company is generally required to repay floor plan advances at the earlier of the sale of the vehicles that have been financed or the stated maturity. All of the floor plan agreements grant a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company’s dealership subsidiaries. Interest rates under the floor plan arrangements are variable and increase or decrease based on changes in the prime rate, defined LIBOR or Euro Interbank Offer Rate. The Company classifies floor plan notes payable to a party other than the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, as floor plan notes payable — non-trade on its consolidated condensed balance sheets and classifies related cash flows as a financing activity on its consolidated condensed statements of cash flows.

10

 
  5.      Earnings Per Share
 
      Basic earnings per share is computed using net income and weighted average shares of voting common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed using net income and the weighted average shares of voting common stock outstanding, adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock. A reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,  
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
 
 
          2006  
 
2005  
 
          2006  
 
2005  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding  
   
93,754
   
93,080
   
93,257
   
92,780
 
Effect of stock options  
   
276
   
818
   
465
   
790
 
Effect of restricted stock  
   
258
   
350
   
363
   
440
 
 
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding, including effect of dilutive securities  
   
94,288
   
94,248
   
94,085
   
94,010
 
 
In addition, the Company has senior subordinated convertible notes outstanding which, under certain circumstances discussed in Note 6, may be converted to voting common stock. As of September 30, 2006, no voting common shares were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of such securities was not dilutive.
 
6.      Long-Term Debt
 
      Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
U.S. Credit Agreement  
 
$
46,000
 
$
272,000
 
U.K. Credit Agreement  
   
131,068
   
-
 
9.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012  
   
300,000
   
300,000
 
3.5% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2026  
   
375,000
   
-
 
Other  
   
14,210
   
8,241
 
Total long-term debt  
   
866,278
   
580,241
 
Less: current portion  
   
(3,743
)
 
(3,551
)
Net long-term debt  
 
$
862,535
 
$
576,690
 
 
      U.S.  Credit Agreement
 
      The Company is party to a credit agreement with DaimlerChrysler Services Americas LLC and Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, as amended (the “U.S. Credit Agreement”), which provides for up to $600,000 in revolving loans for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures, investments and for other general corporate purposes, and for an additional $50,000 of availability for letters of credit, through September 30, 2009. The revolving loans bear interest between defined LIBOR plus 2.50% and defined LIBOR plus 3.50%.
 
   The U.S. Credit Agreement is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, repay other indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments or acquisitions and engage in mergers or consolidations. The Company is also required to comply with specified financial and other tests and ratios, each as defined in the U.S. Credit Agreement, including: a ratio of current assets to current liabilities, a fixed charge coverage ratio, a ratio of debt to stockholders’ equity, a ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), a ratio of domestic debt to domestic EBITDA, and a measurement of stockholders’ equity. A breach of these requirements would give rise to certain remedies under the agreement, the most severe of which is the termination of the agreement and acceleration of the amounts owed. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the U.S. Credit Agreement.
 
11

 
  The U.S. Credit Agreement also contains typical events of default, including change of control, non-payment of obligations and cross-defaults to the Company’s other material indebtedness. Substantially all of the Company’s domestic assets not pledged as security under floor plan arrangements are subject to security interests granted to lenders under the U.S. Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2006, outstanding borrowings and letters of credit under the U.S. Credit Agreement amounted to $46,000 and $12,400, respectively.
 
      U.K. Credit Agreement
 
  The Company’s subsidiaries in the U.K. (the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank plc ("RBS"), replaced their existing credit agreement on August 31, 2006, with a five year multi-option credit agreement, a new fixed rate credit agreement and a new seasonally adjusted overdraft line of credit (collectively, the "U.K. Credit Agreement") to be used to finance acquisitions, working capital, and general corporate purposes. The U.K. Credit Agreement provides for (1) up to £70,000 in revolving loans through August 31, 2011, which have an original maturity of 90 days or less and bear interest between defined LIBOR plus 0.65% and defined LIBOR plus 1.25%, (2) a £30,000 funded term loan which bears interest between 5.94% and 6.54% and is payable ratably in quarterly intervals commencing on June 30, 2007, through June 30, 2011 and (3) a seasonally adjusted overdraft line of credit for up to £30,000 that bears interest at the Bank of England Base Rate plus 1.00% and matures on August 31, 2011.
 
  The U.K. Credit Agreement is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the U.K. Subsidiaries, and contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the U.K. Subsidiaries to pay dividends, dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, repay other indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments or acquisitions and engage in mergers or consolidations. In addition, the U.K. Subsidiaries are required to comply with specified ratios and tests, each as defined in the U.K. Credit Agreement, including: a ratio of earnings before interest and taxes plus rental payments to interest plus rental payments (as defined), a measurement of maximum capital expenditures, and a debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined). A breach of these requirements would give rise to certain remedies under the agreement, the most severe of which is the termination of the agreement and acceleration of the amounts owed. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the U.K. Credit Agreement.
 
  The U.K. Credit Agreement also contains typical events of default, including change of control and non-payment of obligations and cross-defaults to other material indebtedness of the U.K. Subsidiaries. Substantially all of the U.K. Subsidiaries' assets not pledged as security under floor plan arrangements are subject to security interests granted to lenders under the U.K. Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2006, outstanding revolving loans under the U.K. Credit Agreement amounted to £70,000 ($131,068).
 
      Senior Subordinated Notes
 
      The Company has outstanding $300,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 (the “9.625% Notes”). The 9.625% Notes are unsecured senior subordinated notes and are subordinate to all existing and future senior debt, including debt under the Company’s credit agreements and floor plan indebtedness. The 9.625% Notes are guaranteed by substantially all domestic subsidiaries on a senior subordinated basis. The Company can redeem all or some of the 9.625% Notes at its option beginning in March 2007 at specified redemption prices. Upon a change of control, each holder of 9.625% Notes will be able to require the Company to repurchase all or some of the Notes at a redemption price of 101% of their principal amount. The 9.625% Notes also contain customary negative covenants and events of default. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all negative covenants and there were no events of default.
 
      Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes
 
      On January 31, 2006, the Company issued $375,000 of 3.50% senior subordinated convertible notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes mature on April 1, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or purchased by the Company. The Convertible Notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are guaranteed on an unsecured senior subordinated basis by the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The Convertible Notes also contain customary negative covenants and events of default. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all negative covenants and there were no events of default.
 
  Holders may convert based on a conversion rate of 42.2052 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes (which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $23.69 per share), subject to adjustment, only under the following circumstances: (1) if the closing price of the common stock reaches, or the trading price of the Convertible Notes falls below, specific thresholds, (2) if the Convertible Notes are called for redemption, (3) if specified distributions to holders of common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, (4) if a fundamental change (as defined) occurs, or (5) during the ten trading days prior to, but excluding, the maturity date. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, for each $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, a holder will receive an amount in cash, in lieu of shares of common stock, equal to the lesser of (i) $1,000 or (ii) the conversion value, determined in the manner set forth in the related indenture (the “Indenture”), of the number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate. If the conversion value exceeds $1,000, the Company will also deliver, at its election, cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock with respect to the remaining value deliverable upon conversion. If a holder elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with certain events that constitute a change of control on or before April 6, 2011, the Company will pay, to the extent described in the Indenture, a make-whole premium by increasing the conversion rate applicable to such Convertible Notes.
 
12

 
In addition, the Company will pay contingent interest in cash, commencing with any six-month period beginning on April 1, 2011, if the average trading price of a Convertible Note for the five trading days ending on the third trading day immediately preceding the first day of that six-month period equals 120% or more of the principal amount of the Convertible Note.
 
On or after April 6, 2011, the Company may redeem the Convertible Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable redemption date. Holders of the Convertible Notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their Convertible Note for cash on each of April 1, 2011, April 1, 2016 and April 1, 2021 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable purchase date.
 
7.      Stockholders’ Equity
 
Share Repurchase
 
      In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes discussed above, the Company repurchased 1,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock on January 26, 2006 for $18,955, or $18.955 per share.
 
Comprehensive income
 
  Other comprehensive income includes changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency translation gains and losses that have been excluded from net income and reflected in equity. Total comprehensive income is summarized as follows:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Net income
   
33,873
   
32,764
   
94,802
   
88,852
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                         
Fair value of interest rate swap agreements
   
(554
)
 
1,843
   
1,690
   
2,884
 
Foreign currency translation
   
4,329
   
(5,337
)
 
33,494
   
(32,819
)
Comprehensive Income
 
$
37,648
 
$
29,270
 
$
129,986
 
$
58,917
 
 
  8.      Interest Rate Swaps
 
      The Company is party to an interest rate swap agreement through January 2008 pursuant to which a notional $200,000 of its U.S. floating rate debt was exchanged for fixed rate debt. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge of future interest payments of LIBOR based U.S. floor plan borrowings. As of September 30, 2006, the Company expected approximately $600 associated with the swap to be recognized as a reduction of interest expense over the next twelve months.
 
  9.      Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
 
      From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising in the normal course of business. Such issues may relate to litigation with customers, employment related lawsuits, class action lawsuits, purported class action lawsuits, and actions brought by governmental authorities. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was not party to any legal proceedings, including class action lawsuits to which it is a party, that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 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 the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
 
  The Company is party to a joint venture agreement with respect to one of the Company’s franchises pursuant to which the Company is required to repurchase its partner’s interest in July 2008. The Company expects this payment to be approximately $4.0 million.
 
  The Company leases the majority of its dealership facilities and corporate offices under long-term non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Such leases typically include escalation clauses tied to an inflation index such as the Consumer Price Index and additional option periods that are available to the Company.
 
10.      Consolidating Condensed Financial Information
 
      The terms of the Company’s 9.625% Notes and Convertible Notes require guarantees by substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries on a senior subordinated basis. The following tables include consolidating condensed financial information as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 for United Auto Group, Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiary guarantors, non-wholly owned subsidiaries (which are guarantors of the 9.625% Notes but not the Convertible Notes), and non-guarantor subsidiaries (primarily representing foreign entities). The condensed consolidating financial information includes certain allocations of balance sheet, income statement and cash flow items which are not necessarily indicative of the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of these entities on a stand-alone basis.
 
13

 
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet
September 30, 2006
 
                                     
                 
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
       
                     
UAG
 
UAG Mentor
 
UAG
 
Non-
 
 
Total
     
United Auto
 
Guarantor
 
HBL
 
Connecticut I,
 
Acquisition
 
Central NJ,
 
Guarantor
 
 
Company   Eliminations   Group, Inc.   Subsidiaries   LLC  
LLC
  LLC   LLC   Subsidiaries  
                                                       
 
(In Thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
19,065
 
$
-
 
$
2,566
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
763
 
$
765
 
$
1,209
 
$
13,762
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
464,287
   
(50,171
)
 
50,171
   
244,354
   
9,166
   
6,081
   
2,390
   
1,123
   
201,173
 
Inventories, net
 
1,455,910
   
-
   
-
   
765,634
   
31,678
   
21,930
   
5,421
   
3,154
   
628,093
 
Other current assets
 
91,197
   
-
   
10,083
   
26,885
   
613
   
89
   
36
   
-
   
53,491
 
Assets held for sale
 
137,442
   
-
   
-
   
122,538
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
14,904
 
Total current assets
 
2,167,901
   
(50,171
)
 
62,820
   
1,159,411
   
41,457
   
28,863
   
8,612
   
5,486
   
911,423
 
Property and equipment, net
 
562,011
   
-
   
4,179
   
302,870
   
5,470
   
3,761
   
1,772
   
3,472
   
240,487
 
Intangible assets
 
1,492,606
   
-
   
-
   
948,933
   
68,281
   
20,738
   
3,722
   
-
   
450,932
 
Other assets
 
116,410
   
(1,179,731
)
 
1,194,046
   
48,208
   
3
   
1
   
2
   
-
   
53,881
 
Total assets
$
4,338,928
 
$
(1,229,902
)
$
1,261,045
 
$
2,459,422
 
$
115,211
 
$
53,363
 
$
14,108
 
$
8,958
 
$
1,656,723
 
 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Floor plan notes payable
$
896,113
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
486,641
 
$
10,107
 
$
6,574
 
$
5,162
 
$
-
 
$
387,629
 
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade
 
360,548
   
-
   
-
   
200,267
   
15,062
   
12,581
   
-
   
2,321
   
130,317
 
Accounts payable
 
400,414
   
-
   
1,804
   
107,826
   
5,201
   
2,170
   
583
   
2,712
   
280,118
 
Accrued expenses
 
253,593
   
(50,171
)
 
529
   
(7,120
)
 
35,181
   
16,267
   
2,303
   
1,149
   
255,455
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
3,743
   
-
   
-
   
3,743
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Liabilities held for sale
 
68,624
   
-
   
-
   
53,266
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
15,358
 
Total current liabilities
 
1,983,035
   
(50,171
)
 
2,333
   
844,623
   
65,551
   
37,592
   
8,048
   
6,182
   
1,068,877
 
Long-term debt
 
862,535
   
-
   
-
   
468,621
   
63,151
   
21,361
   
3,842
   
3,059
   
302,501
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
234,646
   
-
   
-
   
219,448
   
10,389
   
217
   
4,069
   
(152
)
 
675
 
Total liabilities
 
3,080,216
   
(50,171
)
 
2,333
   
1,532,692
   
139,091
   
59,170
   
15,959
   
9,089
   
1,372,053
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
1,258,712
   
(1,179,731
)
 
1,258,712
   
926,730
   
(23,880
)
 
(5,807
)
 
(1,851
)
 
(131
)
 
284,670
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
4,338,928
 
$
(1,229,902
)
$
1,261,045
 
$
2,459,422
 
$
115,211
 
$
53,363
 
$
14,108
 
$
8,958
 
$
1,656,723
 

*      Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes

14

 
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet
December 31, 2005

                 
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
   
                     
UAG
 
UAG Mentor
 
UAG
 
Non-
 
Total
 
 
 
United Auto
 
Guarantor
 
HBL
 
Connecticut I,
 
Acquisition
 
Central NJ,
 
Guarantor
 
Company
  Eliminations   Group, Inc.   Subsidiaries   LLC   LLC   LLC   LLC   Subsidiaries
 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 (In Thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8,957
 
$
-
 
$
4,365
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
1,127
 
$
394
 
$
2,540
 
$
531
Accounts receivable, net
 
413,431
   
(42,810
)
 
42,810
   
280,795
   
11,489
   
7,117
   
2,852
   
1,032
   
110,146
Inventories, net
 
1,219,735
   
-
   
-
   
749,409
   
33,029
   
19,941
   
6,272
   
2,184
   
408,900
Other current assets
 
50,865
   
-
   
5,118
   
21,782
   
467
   
42
   
6
   
-
   
23,450
Assets held for sale
 
189,373
   
-
   
-
   
179,126
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
10,247
Total current assets
 
1,882,361
   
(42,810
)
 
52,293
   
1,231,112
   
44,985
   
28,227
   
9,524
   
5,756
   
553,274
Property and equipment, net
 
423,513
   
-
   
4,297
   
249,725
   
5,929
   
2,932
   
1,859
   
3,660
   
155,111
Intangible assets
 
1,204,675
   
-
   
-
   
853,041
   
68,281
   
20,738
   
3,722
   
-
   
258,893
Other assets
 
83,624
   
(1,066,353
)
 
1,093,522
   
11,681
   
83
   
1
   
-
   
-
   
44,690
Total assets
$
3,594,173
 
$
(1,109,163
)
$
1,150,112
 
$
2,345,559
 
$
119,278
 
$
51,898
 
$
15,105
 
$
9,416
 
$
1,011,968
 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Floor plan notes payable
$
841,911
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
532,020
 
$
14,045
 
$
6,725
 
$
6,156
 
$
-
 
$
282,965
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade
 
331,009
   
-
   
-
   
231,081
   
15,154
   
12,000
   
-
   
2,486
   
70,288
Accounts payable
 
207,426
   
-
   
3,874
   
87,902
   
6,941
   
1,393
   
676
   
2,532
   
104,108
Accrued expenses
 
174,157
   
(42,810
)
 
506
   
1,522
   
29,933
   
13,952
   
2,040
   
715
   
168,299
Current portion of long-term debt
 
3,551
   
-
   
-
   
3,551
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
Liabilities held for sale
 
106,710
   
-
   
-
   
96,099
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
10,611
 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
-
Total current liabilities
 
1,664,764
   
(42,810
)
 
4,380
   
952,175
   
66,073
   
34,070
   
8,872
   
5,733
   
636,271
Long-term debt
 
576,690
   
-
   
-
   
334,950
   
63,151
   
21,361
   
3,842
   
3,096
   
150,290
Other long-term liabilities
 
206,987
   
-
   
-
   
191,033
   
10,638
   
548
   
4,059
   
176
   
533
Total liabilities
 
2,448,441
   
(42,810
)
 
4,380
   
1,478,158
   
139,862
   
55,979
   
16,773
   
9,005
   
787,094
Total stockholders' equity
 
1,145,732
   
(1,066,353
)
 
1,145,732
   
867,401
   
(20,584
)
 
(4,081
)
 
(1,668
)
 
411
   
224,874
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
3,594,173
 
$
(1,109,163
)
$
1,150,112
 
$
2,345,559
 
$
119,278
 
$
51,898
 
$
15,105
 
$
9,416
 
$
1,011,968
 
*      Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
 
15

 
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Income
Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
 
 
                         
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
       
 
                                UAG    UAG Mentor   UAG   Non-  
 
  Total         United Auto   Guarantor   HBL   Connecticut I,   Acquisition   Central NJ,   Guarantor  
 
  Company   Eliminations   Group, Inc.   Subsidiaries   LLC   LLC LLC   LLC   Subsidiaries  
                                                         
   
 (In Thousands)
   
Revenues
 
$
3,080,604
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
1,860,630
 
$
65,925
 
$
44,530
 
$
13,790
 
$
9,472
 
$
1,086,257
 
Cost of sales
   
2,622,184
   
-
   
-
   
1,577,034
   
53,294
   
37,390
   
11,872
   
8,178
   
934,416
 
Gross profit
   
458,420
   
-
   
-
   
283,596
   
12,631
   
7,140
   
1,918
   
1,294
   
151,841
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
   
361,297
   
-
   
4,189
   
225,246
   
10,079
   
5,596
   
1,548
   
900
   
113,739
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
11,722
   
-
   
365
   
6,672
   
243
   
154
   
51
   
70
   
4,167
 
Operating income (loss)
   
85,401
   
-
   
(4,554
)
 
51,678
   
2,309
   
1,390
   
319
   
324
   
33,935
 
Floor plan interest expense
   
(16,716
)
 
-
   
-
   
(11,385
)
 
(444
)
 
(274
)
 
(44
)
 
(30
)
 
(4,539
)
Other interest expense
   
(11,111
)
 
-
   
-
   
(6,761
)
 
(1,230
)
 
(416
)
 
235
   
(123
)
 
(2,816
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
   
-
   
(57,754
)
 
57,754
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
                                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
   
57,574
   
(57,754
)
 
53,200
   
33,532
   
635
   
700
   
510
   
171
   
26,580
 
Income taxes
   
(20,727
)
 
23,044
   
(21,227
)
 
(13,138
)
 
(253
)
 
(279
)
 
(203
)
 
(68
)
 
(8,603
)
Minority interests
   
(478
)
 
-
   
-
   
(325
)
 
(38
)
 
(84
)
 
-
   
(31
)
 
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   
36,369
   
(34,710
)
 
31,973
   
20,069
   
344
   
337
   
307
   
72
   
17,977
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(2,496
)
 
-
   
-
   
(1,935
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(561
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
33,873
 
$
(34,710
)
$
31,973
 
$
18,134
 
$
344
 
$
337
 
$
307
 
$
72
 
$
17,416
 
                                                         
* Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
                                 

16

 
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Income
Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

                           
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
       
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UAG 
  UAG Mentor   UAG   Non-  
 
  Total          United Auto   Guarantor   HBL   Connecticut I,   Acquisition   Central NJ,   Guarantor  
 
  Company   Eliminations   Group, Inc.   Subsidiaries   LLC   LLC   LLC   LLC   Subsidiaries  
                                                         
 
 
 (In Thousands)
   
Revenues
 
$
2,675,289
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
1,711,686
 
$
66,568
 
$
38,787
 
$
14,787
 
$
10,167
 
$
833,294
 
Cost of sales
   
2,278,396
   
-
   
-
   
1,455,688
   
53,956
   
32,163
   
13,055
   
8,809
   
714,725
 
Gross profit
   
396,893
   
-
   
-
   
255,998
   
12,612
   
6,624
   
1,732
   
1,358
   
118,569
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
   
309,265
   
-
   
4,001
   
195,201
   
10,003
   
5,352
   
1,479
   
856
   
92,373
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
9,772
   
-
   
313
   
5,731
   
235
   
127
   
51
   
69
   
3,246
 
Operating income (loss)
   
77,856
   
-
   
(4,314
)
 
55,066
   
2,374
   
1,145
   
202
   
433
   
22,950
 
Floor plan interest expense
   
(11,865
)
 
-
   
-
   
(7,767
)
 
(287
)
 
(265
)
 
(47
)
 
(24
)
 
(3,475
)
Other interest expense
   
(12,222
)
 
-
   
-
   
(7,308
)
 
(1,040
)
 
(352
)
 
(288
)
 
(118
)
 
(3,116
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
   
-
   
(50,495
)
 
50,495
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
   
53,769
   
(50,495
)
 
46,181
   
39,991
   
1,047
   
528
   
(133
)
 
291
   
16,359
 
Income taxes
   
(19,552
)
 
19,663
   
(17,983
)
 
(15,468
)
 
(408
)
 
(206
)
 
52
   
(113
)
 
(5,089
)
Minority interests
   
(486
)
 
-
   
-
   
(305
)
 
(64
)
 
(64
)
 
-
   
(53
)
 
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   
33,731
   
(30,832
)
 
28,198
   
24,218
   
575
   
258
   
(81
)
 
125
   
11,270
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(967
)
 
-
   
-
   
(777
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(190
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
32,764
 
$
(30,832
)
$
28,198
 
$
23,441
 
$
575
 
$
258
 
$
(81
)
$
125
 
$
11,080
 
                                                         
* Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
                           
 
17

 
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Income
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
 
                   
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
     
                   
 
 
UAG
 
UAG Mentor
 
UAG
 
Non-
 
   
Total
 
 
 
United Auto
 
Guarantor
 
HBL
 
Connecticut I,
 
Acquisition
 
Central NJ,
 
Guarantor
 
 
 
Company
 
Eliminations
 
Group, Inc.
 
Subsidiaries
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
Subsidiaries
 
                                       
   
(In Thousands)
 
Revenues
 
$
8,661,489
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
5,381,131
 
$
200,571
 
$
132,054
 
$
40,842
 
$
29,199
 
$
2,877,692
 
Cost of sales
   
7,347,726
   
-
   
-
   
4,548,367
   
161,432
   
110,303
   
35,604
   
25,169
   
2,466,851
 
Gross profit
   
1,313,763
   
-
   
-
   
832,764
   
39,139
   
21,751
   
5,238
   
4,030
   
410,841
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
   
1,039,317
   
-
   
11,338
   
660,930
   
30,730
   
17,172
   
4,535
   
2,774
   
311,838
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
33,373
   
-
   
1,063
   
19,519
   
728
   
433
   
160
   
208
   
11,262
 
Operating income (loss)
   
241,073
   
-
   
(12,401
)
 
152,315
   
7,681
   
4,146
   
543
   
1,048
   
87,741
 
Floor plan interest expense
   
(49,097
)
 
-
   
-
   
(34,423
)
 
(1,311
)
 
(807
)
 
(211
)
 
(86
)
 
(12,259
)
Other interest expense
   
(34,559
)
 
-
   
-
   
(21,210
)
 
(3,554
)
 
(1,202
)
 
(357
)
 
(364
)
 
(7,872
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
   
-
   
(173,597
)
 
173,597
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
   
157,417
   
(173,597
)
 
161,196
   
96,682
   
2,816
   
2,137
   
(25
)
 
598
   
67,610
 
Income taxes
   
(57,254
)
 
70,466
   
(65,400
)
 
(38,696
)
 
(1,135
)
 
(870
)
 
28
   
(238
)
 
(21,409
)
Minority interests
   
(1,536
)
 
-
   
-
   
(1,006
)
 
(168
)
 
(253
)
 
-
   
(109
)
 
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   
98,627
   
(103,131
)
 
95,796
   
56,980
   
1,513
   
1,014
   
3
   
251
   
46,201
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(3,825
)
 
-
   
-
   
(3,248
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(577
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
94,802
 
$
(103,131
)
$
95,796
 
$
53,732
 
$
1,513
 
$
1,014
 
$
3
 
$
251
 
$
45,624
 
                                                         
* Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
                                 

18

 
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Income
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

                   
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UAG
 
UAG Mentor
 
UAG
 
Non-
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
United Auto
 
Guarantor
 
HBL
 
Connecticut I,
 
Acquisition
 
Central NJ,
 
Guarantor
 
 
 
Company
 
Eliminations
 
Group, Inc.
 
Subsidiaries
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
Subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                   
   
(In Thousands)
   
Revenues
 
$
7,662,835
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
4,786,955
 
$
191,046
 
$
116,011
 
$
41,659
 
$
26,858
 
$
2,500,306
 
Cost of sales
   
6,512,894
   
-
   
-
   
4,058,953
   
154,195
   
96,435
   
36,331
   
23,426
   
2,143,554
 
Gross profit
   
1,149,941
   
-
   
-
   
728,002
   
36,851
   
19,576
   
5,328
   
3,432
   
356,752
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
   
905,171
   
-
   
10,357
   
572,133
   
29,766
   
15,664
   
4,269
   
2,428
   
270,554
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
28,791
   
-
   
1,105
   
16,619
   
698
   
348
   
150
   
204
   
9,667
 
Operating income (loss)
   
215,979
   
-
   
(11,462
)
 
139,250
   
6,387
   
3,564
   
909
   
800
   
76,531
 
Floor plan interest expense
   
(37,483
)
 
-
   
-
   
(24,466
)
 
(803
)
 
(873
)
 
(164
)
 
(76
)
 
(11,101
)
Other interest expense
   
(35,735
)
 
-
   
-
   
(22,533
)
 
(2,838
)
 
(949
)
 
(845
)
 
(340
)
 
(8,230
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
   
-
   
(173,476
)
 
173,476
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
   
142,761
   
(173,476
)
 
162,014
   
92,251
   
2,746
   
1,742
   
(100
)
 
384
   
57,200
 
Income taxes
   
(52,390
)
 
71,227
   
(66,542
)
 
(37,094
)
 
(1,094
)
 
(702
)
 
42
   
(142
)
 
(18,085
)
Minority interests
   
(1,250
)
 
-
   
-
   
(805
)
 
(165
)
 
(208
)
 
-
   
(72
)
 
-
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   
89,121
   
(102,249
)
 
95,472
   
54,352
   
1,487
   
832
   
(58
)
 
170
   
39,115
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(269
)
 
-
   
-
   
219
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(488
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
88,852
 
$
(102,249
)
$
95,472
 
$
54,571
 
$
1,487
 
$
832
 
$
(58
)
$
170
 
$
38,627
 
                                                         
* Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
                                 
 
19

 
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

               
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
     
                   
UAG
 
UAG Mentor
 
UAG
 
Non-
 
   
Total
 
United Auto
 
Guarantor
 
HBL
 
Connecticut I,
 
Acquisition
 
Central NJ,
 
Guarantor
 
   
Company
 
Group, Inc.
 
Subsidiaries
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
Subsidiaries
 
                                   
   
(In Thousands)
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities
 
$
239,342
 
$
(854
)
$
139,319
 
$
5,178
 
$
2,703
 
$
634
 
$
(314
)
$
92,676
 
Investing Activities:
                                                 
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(150,695
)
 
(945
)
 
(28,059
)
 
(269
)
 
(2,835
)
 
(73
)
 
(20
)
 
(118,494
)
Proceeds from sale - leaseback transactions
   
62,778
   
-
   
26,447
   
-
   
1,573
   
-
   
-
   
34,758
 
Dealership acquisitions, net
   
(369,260
)
 
-
   
(124,379
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(244,881
)
Net cash from continuing investing activities
   
(457,177
)
 
(945
)
 
(125,991
)
 
(269
)
 
(1,262
)
 
(73
)
 
(20
)
 
(328,617
)
                                                   
Financing Activities:
                                                 
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt
   
223,185
   
32,219
   
30,649
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(37
)
 
160,354
 
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade
   
29,539
   
-
   
(57,503
)
 
(92
)
 
581
   
-
   
(165
)
 
86,718
 
Payment of deferred financing costs
   
(12,630
)
 
(12,630
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Proceeds from exercise of options including excess tax benefit
   
17,992
   
17,992
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Repurchase of common stock
   
(18,955
)
 
(18,955
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Distributions from (to) parent
   
-
   
-
   
8,188
   
(4,817
)
 
(2,386
)
 
(190
)
 
(795
)
 
-
 
Dividends
   
(18,626
)
 
(18,626
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Net cash from continuing financing activities
   
220,505
   
-
   
(18,666
)
 
(4,909
)
 
(1,805
)
 
(190
)
 
(997
)
 
247,072
 
Net cash from discontinued operations
   
7,438
   
-
   
5,338
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,100
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
10,108
   
(1,799
)
 
-
   
-
   
(364
)
 
371
   
(1,331
)
 
13,231
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
8,957
   
4,365
   
-
   
-
   
1,127
   
394
   
2,540
   
531
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
19,065
 
$
2,566
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
763
 
$
765
 
$
1,209
 
$
13,762
 
                                                   
* Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
                                 

20

 
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
 
               
Non-Wholly Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries*
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UAG
 
UAG Mentor
 
UAG
 
Non-
 
 
 
Total
 
United Auto
 
Guarantor
 
HBL
 
Connecticut I,
 
Acquisition
 
Central NJ,
 
Guarantor
 
 
 
Company
 
Group, Inc.
 
Subsidiaries
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
LLC
 
Subsidiaries
 
                                   
   
(In Thousands)
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities
 
$
162,741
 
$
(11,879
)
$
128,569
 
$
5,853
 
$
6,449
 
$
667
 
$
1,504
 
$
31,578
 
Investing Activities:
                                                 
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(165,446
)
 
(1,715
)
 
(94,872
)
 
(770
)
 
(5,550
)
 
(169
)
 
(113
)
 
(62,257
)
Proceeds from sale - leaseback transactions
   
71,188
   
-
   
49,347
   
-
   
4,799
   
-
   
-
   
17,042
 
Dealership acquisitions, net
   
(97,091
)
 
-
   
(77,296
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(19,795
)
Net cash from continuing investing activities
   
(191,349
)
 
(1,715
)
 
(122,821
)
 
(770
)
 
(751
)
 
(169
)
 
(113
)
 
(65,010
)
Financing Activities:
                                                 
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt
   
45,591
   
11,291
   
34,822
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
86
   
(608
)
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade
   
(47,914
)
 
-
   
(57,575
)
 
(1,428
)
 
(3,721
)
 
-
   
228
   
14,582
 
Proceeds from exercise of options including excess tax benefit
   
3,978
   
3,978
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Distributions from (to) parent
   
-
   
-
   
(6,926
)
 
(3,655
)
 
(2,774
)
 
(426
)
 
-
   
13,781
 
Dividends
   
(15,269
)
 
(15,269
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Net cash from continuing financing activities
   
(13,614
)
 
-
   
(29,679
)
 
(5,083
)
 
(6,495
)
 
(426
)
 
314
   
27,755
 
Net cash from discontinued operations
   
23,745
   
-
   
20,609
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
3,136
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
(18,477
)
 
(13,594
)
 
(3,322
)
 
-
   
(797
)
 
72
   
1,705
   
(2,541
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
23,547
   
13,638
   
5,698
   
-
   
1,424
   
125
   
-
   
2,662
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
5,070
 
$
44
 
$
2,376
 
$
-
 
$
627
 
$
197
 
$
1,705
 
$
121
 
                                                   
* Guarantors of the 9.625% notes; non-guarantors of the Convertible Notes
                                 

21

 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
      This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. See “Forward Looking Statements.” This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been updated to include the effects of the restatement of our 2005 consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of floor plan obligations in connection with acquisitions and dispositions as cash transactions, and also to include the effects of revising our prior period financial statements for entities which have been treated as discontinued operations through September 30, 2006.
 
Overview
 
We are the second largest automotive retailer in the United States as measured by total revenues. As of September 30, 2006, we owned and operated 170 franchises in the United States and 152 franchises outside of the U.S., primarily in the United Kingdom. We offer a full range of vehicle brands. In addition to selling new and used vehicles, we generate higher-margin revenue at each of our dealerships through maintenance and repair services and the sale and placement of higher-margin products, such as third-party finance and insurance products, third-party extended service contracts and replacement and aftermarket automotive products.
 
On June 1, 2006 we effected a two-for-one split of our voting common stock in the form of a stock dividend. Shareholders of record as of May 11, 2006 received one additional share for each share owned. All share and per share information included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been restated to reflect the stock split.
 
New and used vehicle revenues include sales to retail customers and to leasing companies providing consumer automobile leasing. We generate finance and insurance revenues from sales of third-party extended service contracts, sales of other third-party insurance policies, sales of third-party finance and lease contracts and the sale of certain other products. Service and parts revenues include fees paid for repair, maintenance and collision services, the sale of replacement parts and the sale of aftermarket accessories.
 
We and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (“Sirius”) have agreed to jointly promote Sirius Satellite Radio service. Pursuant to the terms of our arrangement with Sirius, our dealerships in the U.S. endeavor to order a significant percentage of eligible vehicles with a factory installed Sirius radio. We and Sirius have also agreed to jointly market the Sirius service under a best efforts arrangement through January 4, 2009. Our costs relating to such marketing initiatives are expensed as incurred. As compensation for our efforts, we received warrants to purchase ten million shares of Sirius common stock at $2.392 per share in 2004 that are being earned ratably on an annual basis through January 2009. Two million of these warrants were earned in each of 2004 and 2005 and vested in the first quarter of 2005 and 2006, respectively. We exercised the warrants and sold the underlying stock we received upon vesting. The earning of these warrants may be accelerated based on us attaining specified subscription targets. We measure the fair value of the warrants earned ratably on the date they are earned as there are no significant disincentives for non-performance. Since we can reasonably estimate the number of warrants that will be earned pursuant to the ratable schedule, the estimated fair value (based on current fair value) of these warrants is being recognized ratably during each annual period.
 
We also have received twelve million additional warrants to purchase Sirius common stock at $2.392 per share which may be earned upon our sale of certain units pertaining to specified brands through December 31, 2007. We earned 522,400 of these warrants during the year ended December 31, 2005 and 959,200 of these warrants during the first nine months of 2006. We exercised the warrants we earned in 2005 and sold the underlying stock we received upon vesting. Since we cannot reasonably estimate the number of warrants that will be earned subject to the sale of certain units pertaining to specified brands, the fair value of these warrants is being recognized when they are earned.
 
The value of Sirius stock has been and is expected to be subject to significant fluctuations, which may result in variability in the amount we earn under this arrangement. The warrants may be cancelled upon the termination of our arrangement in January 2009. We may not be able to achieve any of the performance targets outlined in the warrants.
 
Our gross profit tends to vary with the mix of revenues we derive from the sale of new vehicles, used vehicles, finance and insurance products, and service and parts transactions. Our gross profit generally varies across product lines, with vehicle sales usually resulting in lower gross profit margins and our other revenues resulting in higher gross profit margins. Factors such as seasonality, weather, cyclicality and manufacturers’ advertising and incentives may impact the mix of our revenues, and therefore influence our gross profit margin.
 
Our selling expenses consist of advertising and compensation for sales personnel, including commissions and related bonuses. General and administrative expenses include compensation for administration, finance, legal and general management personnel, rent, insurance, utilities and other outside services. A significant portion of our selling expenses are variable, and we believe a significant portion of our general and administrative expenses are subject to our control, allowing us to adjust them over time to reflect economic trends.
 
22

 
Floor plan interest expense relates to obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of new and used vehicle inventories. Other interest expense consists of interest charges on all of our interest-bearing debt, other than interest relating to floor plan financing.
 
We have acquired a number of dealerships each year since our inception. Our financial statements include the results of operations of the acquired dealerships from the date of acquisition. We have also disposed of certain dealerships which have been treated as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.”
 
The future success of our business will likely be dependent on, among other things, our ability to consummate and integrate acquisitions, our ability to increase sales of higher-margin products and services, especially service and parts transactions, and our ability to realize returns on our significant capital investment in new and upgraded dealerships. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the application of accounting policies that often involve making estimates and employing judgments. Such judgments influence the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses recognized in our financial statements. Management, on an ongoing basis, reviews these estimates and assumptions. Management may determine that modifications in assumptions and estimates are required, which may result in a material change in our results of operations or financial position.
 
The following are the accounting policies applied in the preparation of our financial statements that management believes are most dependent upon the use of estimates and assumptions.
 
       Revenue Recognition
 
        Vehicle, Parts and Service Sales
 
      We record revenue when vehicles are delivered and title has passed to the customer, when vehicle service or repair work is performed and when parts are delivered to our customers. Sales promotions that we offer to customers are accounted for as a reduction of sales at the time of sale. Rebates and other incentives offered directly to us by manufacturers are recognized as earned.
 
        Finance and Insurance Sales
 
       Subsequent to the sale of the vehicle to a customer, we may arrange financing for customers through various financial institutions and receive a commission from the lender equal to either the difference between the interest rates charged to customers and the interest rates set by the financing institution or a flat fee. We also receive commissions for facilitating the sale of various third-party insurance products to customers, including credit and life insurance policies and extended service contracts. These commissions are recorded as revenue at the time the customer enters into the contract. In the case of finance contracts, a customer may prepay or fail to pay their contract, thereby terminating the contract. Customers may also terminate extended service contracts and other insurance products, which are fully paid at purchase, and become eligible for refunds of unused premiums. In these circumstances, a portion of the commissions we receive may be charged back to us based on the terms of the contracts. The revenue we record relating to commissions is net of an estimate of the amount of chargebacks we will be required to pay. This estimate is based upon our historical experience with similar contracts, including the impact of refinance and default rates on retail finance contracts and cancellation rates on extended service contracts and other insurance products.
 
       Intangible Assets
 
      Our principal intangible assets relate to our franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which represent the estimated value of franchises acquired in business combinations, and goodwill, which represents the excess of cost over the fair value of tangible and identified intangible assets acquired in connection with business combinations. Intangible assets other than goodwill are required to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. We believe the franchise values of our dealerships have an indefinite useful life based on the following facts:
 
 
• 
Automotive retailing is a mature industry and is based on franchise agreements with the vehicle manufacturers;
 
 
 
• 
There are no known changes or events that would alter the automotive retailing franchise environment;
 
 
 
• 
Certain franchise agreement terms are indefinite;
 
 
 
• 
Franchise agreements that have limited terms have historically been renewed without substantial cost; and
 
 
 
• 
Our history shows that manufacturers have not terminated our franchise agreements.
 
23

 
        Impairment Testing
 
      Franchise value impairment is assessed at least annually through a comparison of the carrying amounts of our franchises with their estimated fair values. An indicator of impairment exists if the carrying value of a franchise exceeds its estimated fair value and an impairment loss may be recognized equal to that excess. We also evaluate the remaining useful lives of our franchises in connection with the annual impairment testing to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support indefinite useful lives.
 
  Goodwill impairment is assessed at least annually at the reporting unit level. An indicator of impairment exists if the carrying amount of the reporting unit including goodwill is determined to exceed its estimated fair value. If an impairment exists it is measured by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill and an impairment loss may be recognized equal to that excess.
 
  The fair values of franchise value and goodwill are determined using a discounted cash flow approach, which includes assumptions that include revenue and profitability growth, franchise profit margins, residual values and our cost of capital. If future events and circumstances cause significant changes in the underlying assumptions and result in a reduction of our estimates of fair value, we may incur an impairment charge.
 
       Investments
 
      Investments include marketable securities and investments in businesses accounted for under the equity method. Marketable securities include investments in debt and equity securities. Marketable securities held by us are typically classified as available for sale and are stated at fair value on our balance sheet with unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Declines in investment values that are deemed to be other than temporary would be an indicator of impairment and may result in an impairment charge reducing the investments’ carrying value to fair value. A majority of our investments are in joint venture relationships that are more fully described in “Joint Venture Relationships” below. Such joint venture relationships are accounted for under the equity method, pursuant to which we record our proportionate share of the joint venture’s income each period.
 
       Self-Insurance
 
      We retain risk relating to certain of our general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and employee medical benefits in the United States. As a result, we are likely to be responsible for a majority of the claims and losses incurred under these programs. The amount of risk we retain varies by program, and, for certain exposures, we have pre-determined maximum exposure limits for certain individual claims and/or insurance periods. The majority of losses, if any, above the pre-determined exposure limits are paid by third-party insurance carriers. Our estimate of future losses is prepared by management using historical loss experience and industry-based development factors.
 
       Income Taxes
 
      Tax regulations may require items to be included in our tax return at different times than the items are reflected in our financial statements. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible on our tax return, and some are timing differences, such as the timing of depreciation expense. Timing differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in our tax return in future years which we have already recorded in our financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent deductions taken on our tax return that have not yet been recognized as an expense in our financial statements. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the amount of expected future taxable income will not be sufficient to allow the use of the deduction or credit.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — A Replacement of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 20 and SFAS No. 3,” requires all direct financial statement effects caused by a voluntary change in accounting principle to be applied retrospectively to prior period financial statements as if the new principle had always been applied, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change in principle. APB Opinion No. 20 and SFAS No. 3 previously required that a voluntary change in accounting principle be recognized as a cumulative effect in the period of change. SFAS No. 154 was effective for us on January 1, 2006. See “Cash Flows” discussion below.
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position FAS  13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred During a Construction Period” (“FSP FAS  13-1”), requires companies to expense real estate rental costs under operating leases during periods of construction and was effective for us on January 1, 2006. FSP FAS 13-1 did not require retroactive application and did not have a material effect on consolidated operating results, financial position or cash flows.
 
FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” requires companies to recognize and measure tax benefits using a “more likely than not” threshold and requires companies to make disclosures about uncertainties in their income tax positions. FIN No. 48 will be effective for us on January 1, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.
 
24

 
SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure requirements relating to fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for us on January 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.
 
SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting For Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” requires companies to recognize the funded status (plan obligations less the fair value of plan assets) of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on their balance sheets, effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.
 
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 1N, “Financial Statements — Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”) addresses how a registrant should quantify the effect of an error on the financial statements. SAB 108 will be effective for us for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact of this pronouncement.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following tables present comparative financial data relating to our operating performance in the aggregate and on a “same store” basis. Dealership results are included in same store comparisons when we have consolidated the acquired entity during the entirety of both periods being compared. As an example, if a dealership was acquired on January 15, 2004, the results of the acquired entity would be included in annual same store comparisons beginning with the year ended December 31, 2006 and in quarterly same store comparisons beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
  
         Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 (dollars in millions, except per unit amounts)
 
Total Retail Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Total retail unit sales
   
77,489
   
70,598
   
6,891
   
9.8
%
Total same store retail unit sales
   
68,886
   
70,109
   
(1,223
)
 
(1.7
%)
                           
Total retail sales revenue
 
$
2,834.7
 
$
2,468.6
 
$
366.1
   
14.8
%
Total same store retail sales revenue
 
$
2,494.5
 
$
2,455.9
 
$
38.6
   
1.6
%
                           
Total retail gross profit
 
$
457.8
 
$
397.3
 
$
60.5
   
15.2
%
Total same store retail gross profit
 
$
408.1
 
$
395.5
 
$
12.6
   
3.2
%
                           
Total retail gross margin
   
16.1
%
 
16.1
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Total same store retail gross margin
   
16.4
%
 
16.1
%
 
0.3
%
 
1.9
%
 
  Units
 
      Retail data includes retail new vehicle, retail used vehicle, finance and insurance and service and parts transactions. Retail unit sales of vehicles increased by 6,891 units, or 9.8%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to an 8,114 unit increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a 1,223 unit, or 1.7%, decrease in same store retail unit sales. The decrease in same store retail unit sales in 2006 is due primarily to a decrease in new retail unit sales of our domestic and premium brands, offset by an increase in retail unit sales of our volume foreign brands and used vehicle unit sales.
 
      Revenues
 
      Retail sales revenue increased $366.1 million, or 14.8%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $327.5 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $38.6 million, or 1.6%, increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due to (1) a $627, or 1.9%, increase in average new vehicle revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $29.5 million, (2) a $1,635, or 6.4%, increase in average used vehicle revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $35.0 million, (3) an $18, or 2.0%, increase in average finance and insurance revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $1.3 million, and (4) a $15.9 million, or 5.7%, increase in service and parts revenues, offset by a 1.7% decrease in retail unit sales which decreased revenue by $43.1 million.
 
      Gross Profit
 
      Retail gross profit increased $60.5 million, or 15.2%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $47.9 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $12.6 million, or 3.2%, increase in same store retail gross profit. The same store retail gross profit increase is due to (1) a $43, or 1.6%, increase in average gross profit per new vehicle retailed, which increased retail gross profit by $2.0 million, (2) a $102, or 4.4%, increase in average gross profit per used vehicle retailed, which increased retail gross profit by $2.2 million, (3) an $18, or 2.0%, increase in average finance and insurance revenue per unit, which increased retail gross profit by $1.3 million, and (4) an $11.8 million, or 7.9%, increase in service and parts gross profit, offset by the 1.7% decrease in retail unit sales which decreased retail gross profit by $4.7 million.
 

25

 
New Vehicle Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
New retail unit sales
   
52,234
   
49,076
   
3,158
   
6.4
%
Same store new retail unit sales
   
47,054
   
48,777
   
(1,723
)
 
(3.5
%)
                           
New retail sales revenue
 
$
1,732.3
 
$
1,577.9
 
$
154.4
   
9.8
%
Same store new retail sales revenue
 
$
1,545.2
 
$
1,571.2
 
$
(26.0
)
 
(1.7
%)
                           
New retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
33,164
 
$
32,153
 
$
1,011
   
3.1
%
Same store new retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
32,839
 
$
32,212
 
$
627
   
1.9
%
                           
Gross profit - new
 
$
147.8
 
$
134.6
 
$
13.2
   
9.8
%
Same store gross profit - new
 
$
131.4
 
$
134.1
 
$
(2.7
)
 
(2.0
%)
                           
Average gross profit per new vehicle retailed
 
$
2,829
 
$
2,744
 
$
85
   
3.1
%
Same store average gross profit per new vehicle retailed
 
$
2,792
 
$
2,749
 
$
43
   
1.6
%
                           
Gross margin % - new
   
8.5
%
 
8.5
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Same store gross margin % - new
   
8.5
%
 
8.5
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
 
  Units
 
      Retail unit sales of new vehicles increased 3,158 units, or 6.4%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a 4,881 unit increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a 1,723 unit, or 3.5%, decrease in same store retail unit sales. The decrease in same store retail unit sales in 2006 is due primarily to a decrease in retail unit sales of our domestic and premium brands, offset by an increase in retail unit sales of our volume foreign brands.
 
      Revenues
 
      New vehicle retail sales revenue increased $154.4 million, or 9.8%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $180.4 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a $26.0 million, or 1.7%, decrease in same store revenues. The same store revenue decrease is due to the 3.5% decrease in retail unit sales, which decreased revenue by $55.5 million, offset by a $627, or 1.9%, increase in comparative average selling prices per unit, which increased revenue by $29.5 million.
 
      Gross Profit
 
      Retail gross profit from new vehicle sales increased $13.2 million, or 9.8%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $15.9 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a $2.7 million, or 2.0%, decrease in same store gross profit. The same store decrease is due to the 3.5% decrease in new retail unit sales, which decreased gross profit by $4.7 million, offset by a $43, or 1.6%, increase in average gross profit per new vehicle retailed, which increased gross profit by $2.0 million.
 

26


Used Vehicle Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Used retail unit sales
   
25,255
   
21,522
   
3,733
   
17.3
%
Same store used retail unit sales
   
21,832
   
21,332
   
500
   
2.3
%
                           
Used retail sales revenue
 
$
704.3
 
$
550.7
 
$
153.6
   
27.9
%
Same store used retail sales revenue
 
$
594.8
 
$
546.2
 
$
48.6
   
8.9
%
                           
Used retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
27,886
 
$
25,586
 
$
2,300
   
9.0
%
Same store used retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
27,242
 
$
25,607
 
$
1,635
   
6.4
%
                           
Gross profit - used
 
$
59.1
 
$
49.7
 
$
9.4
   
18.9
%
Same store gross profit - used
 
$
52.8
 
$
49.4
 
$
3.4
   
6.9
%
                           
Average gross profit per used vehicle retailed
 
$
2,341
 
$
2,311
 
$
30
   
1.3
%
Same store average gross profit per used vehicle retailed
 
$
2,419
 
$
2,317
 
$
102
   
4.4
%
                           
Gross margin % - used
   
8.4
%
 
9.0
%
 
(0.6
%)
 
(6.7
%)
Same store gross margin % - used
   
8.9
%
 
9.0
%
 
(0.1
%)
 
(1.1
%)
 
  Units
 
      Retail unit sales of used vehicles increased 3,733 units, or 17.3%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a 3,233 unit increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a 500 unit, or 2.3%, increase in same store retail unit sales. The increase in same store retail unit sales in 2006 is due primarily to an increase in retail unit sales of our premium and volume foreign brands, offset by a decrease in retail unit sales of our domestic brands.
 
       Revenues
 
      Used vehicle retail sales revenue increased $153.6 million, or 27.9%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $105.0 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $48.6 million, or 8.9%, increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due primarily to the 2.3% increase in retail unit sales, which increased revenue by $13.6 million, coupled with a $1,635, or 6.4%, increase in comparative average selling prices per vehicle, which increased revenue by $35.0 million.
 
       Gross Profit
 
      Retail gross profit from used vehicle sales increased $9.4 million, or 18.9%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $6.0 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $3.4 million, or 6.9%, increase in same store gross profit. The increase in same store gross profit is due primarily to the 2.3% increase in used retail unit sales, which increased gross profit by $1.2 million, coupled with a $102, or 4.4%, increase in average gross profit per used vehicle retailed, which increased retail gross profit by $2.2 million.
 

27


Finance and Insurance Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Total retail unit sales
   
77,489
   
70,598
   
6,891
   
9.8
%
Total same store retail unit sales
   
68,886
   
70,109
   
(1,223
)
 
(1.7
%)
                           
Finance and insurance revenue
 
$
68.8
 
$
62.9
 
$
5.9
   
9.4
%
Same store finance and insurance revenue
 
$
62.6
 
$
62.5
 
$
0.1
   
0.2
%
                           
Finance and insurance revenue per unit
 
$
888
 
$
892
 
$
(4
)
 
(0.4
%)
Same store finance and insurance revenue per unit
 
$
909
 
$
891
 
$
18
   
2.0
%
 
Finance and insurance revenue increased $5.9 million, or 9.4%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $5.8 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $0.1 million, or 0.2%, increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due to an $18, or 2.0%, increase in comparative average finance and insurance revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $1.3 million, offset by the 1.7% decrease in retail unit sales, which decreased revenue by $1.2 million. The $18 increase in comparative average finance and insurance revenue per unit is due to a $46 per unit increase in finance and insurance revenues offset in part by a $28 reduction in average finance and insurance revenue per unit from our Sirius Satellite Radio promotion agreement.
 
Service and Parts Data
         
2006 vs. 2005
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Service and parts revenue
 
$
329.3
 
$
277.0
 
$
52.3
   
18.9
%
Same store service and parts revenue
 
$
291.9
 
$
276.0
 
$
15.9
   
5.7
%
                           
Gross profit
 
$
182.1
 
$
150.0
 
$
32.1
   
21.4
%
Same store gross profit
 
$
161.3
 
$
149.5
 
$
11.8
   
7.9
%
                           
Gross margin
   
55.3
%
 
54.2
%
 
1.1
%
 
2.0
%
Same store gross margin
   
55.3
%
 
54.2
%
 
1.1
%
 
2.0
%
 
      Revenues
 
      Service and parts revenue increased $52.3 million, or 18.9%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $36.4 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $15.9 million, or 5.7%, increase in same store revenues. We believe that our service and parts business is being positively impacted by the growth in total retail unit sales at our dealerships in recent years and capacity increases in our service and parts operations resulting from our facility improvement and expansion programs.
 
      Gross Profit
 
      Service and parts gross profit increased $32.1 million, or 21.4%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $20.3 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with an $11.8 million, or 7.9%, increase in same store gross profit. The same store gross profit increase is due to the $15.9 million, or 5.7%, increase in same store revenues, which increased gross profit by $8.8 million, and a 110 basis point increase in gross margin, which increased gross profit by $3.0 million.
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased $52.0 million, or 16.8%, from $309.3 million to $361.3 million. The aggregate increase is primarily due to a $39.6 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $12.4 million, or 4.0%, increase in same store SG&A. The increase in same store SG&A is due in large part to a net increase in variable selling expenses, including increases in variable compensation, resulting from of the 3.2% increase in same store retail gross profit over the prior year, coupled with increased rent and other costs relating to our facility improvement and expansion programs. SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of total revenue from 11.6% to 11.7% and increased as a percentage of gross profit from 77.9% to 78.8%.
 
28

 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization increased $1.9 million, or 20.0%, from $9.8 million to $11.7 million. The increase is due to a $1.0 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $0.9 million, or 9.9%, increase in same store depreciation and amortization. The same store increase is due in large part to our facility improvement and expansion program.
 
Floor Plan Interest Expense
 
Floor plan interest expense increased $4.8 million, or 40.9%, from $11.9 million to $16.7 million. The increase is due to a $1.5 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $3.3 million, or 28.5%, increase in same store floor plan interest expense. The same store increase is due primarily to a net increase in our weighted average borrowing rate during 2006 compared to 2005.
 
Other Interest Expense
 
Other interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 9.1%, from $12.2 million to $11.1 million. The decrease is due primarily to a decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate during 2006 versus 2005 offset by an increase in our average total outstanding indebtedness in 2006 versus 2005. The decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate is due primarily to the issuance of $375.0 million of 3.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes on January 31, 2006 which was used to repay higher-rate debt under our credit agreements, partially offset by an increase in the interest on our variable rate indebtedness.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes increased $1.1 million, or 6.0%, from $19.6 million to $20.7 million. The increase from 2005 to 2006 is due primarily to an increase in pre-tax income versus the prior year, offset in part by a reduction in our overall effective income tax rate.
 
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 (dollars in millions, except per unit amounts)
 
Total Retail Data
         
2006 vs. 2005
   
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Total retail unit sales
   
215,704
   
199,053
   
16,651
   
8.4
%
Total same store retail unit sales
   
193,021
   
194,330
   
(1,309
)
 
(0.7
%)
                           
Total retail sales revenue
 
$
7,935.1
 
$
7,056.3
 
$
878.8
   
12.5
%
Total same store retail sales revenue
 
$
7,113.8
 
$
6,939.9
 
$
173.9
   
2.5
%
                           
Total retail gross profit
 
$
1,309.2
 
$
1,149.0
 
$
160.2
   
13.9
%
Total same store retail gross profit
 
$
1,180.1
 
$
1,130.8
 
$
49.3
   
4.4
%
                           
Total retail gross margin
   
16.5
%
 
16.3
%
 
0.2
%
 
1.2
%
Total same store retail gross margin
   
16.6
%
 
16.3
%
 
0.3
%
 
1.8
%
 
      Units
 
      Retail data includes retail new vehicle, retail used vehicle, finance and insurance and service and parts transactions. Retail unit sales of vehicles increased by 16,651 units, or 8.4%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a 17,960 unit increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a 1,309 unit, or 0.7%, decrease in same store retail unit sales. The decrease in same store retail unit sales in 2006 is due primarily to a decrease in retail unit sales of our domestic brands, offset by an increase in retail unit sales of our premium and volume foreign brands.
 
      Revenues
 
      Retail sales revenue increased $878.8 million, or 12.5%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $704.9 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $173.9 million, or 2.5%, increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due to (1) a $566, or 1.7%, increase in average new vehicle revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $74.2 million, (2) a $1,382, or 5.3%, increase in average used vehicle revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $84.2 million, (3) a $43, or 4.9%, increase in average finance and insurance revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $8.4 million, and (4) a $56.1 million, or 7.0%, increase in service and parts revenues, offset by the 0.7% decrease in retail unit sales which decreased revenue by $49.0 million.
 
      Gross Profit
 
      Retail gross profit increased $160.2 million, or 13.9%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $110.9 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $49.3 million, or 4.4%, increase in same store retail gross profit. The same store retail gross profit increase is due to (1) a $35, or 1.2%, increase in average gross profit per new vehicle retailed, which increased retail gross profit by $4.6 million, (2) a $68, or 2.9%, increase in average gross profit per used vehicle retailed, which increased retail gross profit by $4.1 million, (3) a $43, or 4.9%, increase in average finance and insurance revenue per unit, which increased retail gross profit by $8.4 million, and (4) a $37.2 million, or 8.6%, increase in service and parts gross profit, offset by the 0.7% decrease in retail unit sales which decreased retail gross profit by $5.0 million.
 
29


New Vehicle Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
New retail unit sales
   
145,697
   
136,415
   
9,282
   
6.8
%
Same store new retail unit sales
   
131,165
   
133,414
   
(2,249
)
 
(1.7
%)
                           
New retail sales revenue
 
$
4,851.8
 
$
4,445.1
 
$
406.7
   
9.1
%
Same store new retail sales revenue
 
$
4,375.5
 
$
4,375.0
 
$
0.5
   
0.0
%
                           
New retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
33,301
 
$
32,585
 
$
716
   
2.2
%
Same store new retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
33,359
 
$
32,793
 
$
566
   
1.7
%
                           
Gross profit - new
 
$
420.4
 
$
385.5
 
$
34.9
   
9.1
%
Same store gross profit - new
 
$
378.5
 
$
380.2
 
$
(1.7
)
 
(0.4
%)
                           
Average gross profit per new vehicle retailed
 
$
2,885
 
$
2,826
 
$
59
   
2.1
%
Same store average gross profit per new vehicle retailed
 
$
2,885
 
$
2,850
 
$
35
   
1.2
%
                           
Gross margin % - new
   
8.7
%
 
8.7
%
 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Same store gross margin % - new
   
8.6
%
 
8.7
%
 
(0.1
%)
 
(1.1
%)
 
      Units
 
      Retail unit sales of new vehicles increased 9,282 units, or 6.8%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to an 11,531 unit increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a 2,249 unit, or 1.7%, decrease in same store retail unit sales. The decrease in same store retail unit sales in 2006 is due primarily to a decrease in retail unit sales of our domestic and premium brands, offset by an increase in retail unit sales of our volume foreign brands.
 
      Revenues
 
      New vehicle retail sales revenue increased $406.7 million, or 9.1%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due primarily to a $406.2 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $0.5 million increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due primarily to a $566, or 1.7%, increase in comparative average selling prices per vehicle, which increased revenue by $74.2 million, offset by the 1.7% decrease in retail unit sales, which decreased revenue by $73.7 million.
 
      Gross Profit
 
      Retail gross profit from new vehicle sales increased $34.9 million, or 9.1%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $36.6 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, offset by a $1.7 million, or 0.4%, decrease in same store gross profit. The same store decrease is due to the 1.7% decrease in new retail unit sales, which decreased gross profit by $6.3 million, offset by a $35, or 1.2%, increase in average gross profit per new vehicle retailed, which increased gross profit by $4.6 million.
 

30

 
Used Vehicle Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Used retail unit sales
   
70,007
   
62,638
   
7,369
   
11.8
%
Same store used retail unit sales
   
61,856
   
60,916
   
940
   
1.5
%
                           
Used retail sales revenue
 
$
1,935.7
 
$
1,626.5
 
$
309.2
   
19.0
%
Same store used retail sales revenue
 
$
1,704.1
 
$
1,594.0
 
$
110.1
   
6.9
%
                           
Used retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
27,651
 
$
25,967
 
$
1,684
   
6.5
%
Same store used retail sales revenue per unit
 
$
27,550
 
$
26,168
 
$
1,382
   
5.3
%
                           
Gross profit - used
 
$
168.8
 
$
148.4
 
$
20.4
   
13.7
%
Same store gross profit - used
 
$
151.6
 
$
145.1
 
$
6.5
   
4.5
%
                           
Average gross profit per used vehicle retailed
 
$
2,411
 
$
2,369
 
$
42
   
1.8
%
Same store average gross profit per used vehicle retailed
 
$
2,451
 
$
2,383
 
$
68
   
2.9
%
                           
Gross margin % - used
   
8.7
%
 
9.1
%
 
(0.4
%)
 
(4.4
%)
Same store gross margin % - used
   
8.9
%
 
9.1
%
 
(0.2
%)
 
(2.2
%)
 
      Units
 
      Retail unit sales of used vehicles increased 7,369 units, or 11.8%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a 6,429 unit increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a 940 unit, or 1.5%, increase in same store retail unit sales. The increase in same store retail unit sales in 2006 is due primarily to an increase in retail unit sales of our premium brands, offset by a decrease in retail unit sales of our domestic and volume foreign brands.
 
       Revenues
 
      Used vehicle retail sales revenue increased $309.2 million, or 19.0%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $199.1 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $110.1 million, or 6.9%, increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due primarily to the 1.5% increase in retail unit sales, which increased revenue by $25.9 million, coupled with a $1,382, or 5.3%, increase in comparative average selling prices per vehicle, which increased revenue by $84.2 million.
 
       Gross Profit
 
      Retail gross profit from used vehicle sales increased $20.4 million, or 13.7%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $13.9 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $6.5 million, or 4.5%, increase in same store gross profit. The increase in same store gross profit is due primarily to the 1.5% increase in used retail unit sales, which increased gross profit by $2.4 million, coupled with a $68, or 2.9%, increase in average gross profit per used vehicle retailed, which increased retail gross profit by $4.1 million.
 
31


Finance and Insurance Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Total retail unit sales
   
215,704
   
199,053
   
16,651
   
8.4
%
Total same store retail unit sales
   
193,021
   
194,330
   
(1,309
)
 
(0.7
%)
                           
Finance and insurance revenue
 
$
195.6
 
$
175.5
 
$
20.1
   
11.5
%
Same store finance and insurance revenue
 
$
179.4
 
$
172.1
 
$
7.3
   
4.2
%
                           
Finance and insurance revenue per unit
 
$
907
 
$
882
 
$
25
   
2.8
%
Same store finance and insurance revenue per unit
 
$
929
 
$
886
 
$
43
   
4.9
%
 
Finance and insurance revenue increased $20.1 million, or 11.5%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $12.8 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $7.3 million, or 4.2%, increase in same store revenues. The same store revenue increase is due to a $43, or 4.9%, increase in comparative average finance and insurance revenue per unit, which increased revenue by $8.4 million, offset by a 0.7% decrease in retail unit sales, which decreased revenue by $1.1 million. The $43 increase in comparative average finance and insurance revenue per unit is due to a $55 per unit increase in finance and insurance revenues offset in part by a $12 reduction in average finance and insurance revenue per unit from our Sirius Satellite Radio promotion agreement.
 
Service and Parts Data
 
 
 
 
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Service and parts revenue
 
$
951.9
 
$
809.3
 
$
142.6
   
17.6
%
Same store service and parts revenue
 
$
854.8
 
$
798.7
 
$
56.1
   
7.0
%
                           
Gross profit
 
$
524.4
 
$
439.7
 
$
84.7
   
19.3
%
Same store gross profit
 
$
470.6
 
$
433.4
 
$
37.2
   
8.6
%
                           
Gross margin
   
55.1
%
 
54.3
%
 
0.8
%
 
1.5
%
Same store gross margin
   
55.1
%
 
54.3
%
 
0.8
%
 
1.5
%
 
      Revenues
 
      Service and parts revenue increased $142.6 million, or 17.6%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to an $86.5 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $56.1 million, or 7.0%, increase in same store revenues. We believe that our service and parts business is being positively impacted by the growth in total retail unit sales at our dealerships in recent years and capacity increases in our service and parts operations resulting from our facility improvement and expansion programs.
 
      Gross Profit
 
      Service and parts gross profit increased $84.7 million, or 19.3%, from 2005 to 2006. The increase is due to a $47.5 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $37.2 million, or 8.6%, increase in same store gross profit. The same store gross profit increase is due to the $56.1 million, or 7.0%, increase in same store revenues, which increased gross profit by $30.9 million, and an 80 basis point increase in gross margin, which increased gross profit by $6.3 million.
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased $134.1 million, or 14.8%, from $905.2 million to $1,039.3 million. The aggregate increase is primarily due to a $90.8 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $43.3 million, or 4.9%, increase in same store SG&A. The increase in same store SG&A is due in large part to a net increase in variable selling expenses, including increases in variable compensation as a result of the 4.4% increase in same store retail gross profit over the prior year, coupled with increased rent and other costs relating to our facility improvement and expansion programs. SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of total revenue from 11.8% to 12.0% and increased as a percentage of gross profit from 78.7% to 79.1%.
 
32

 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization increased $4.6 million, or 15.9%, from $28.8 million to $33.4 million. The increase is due to a $2.0 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with a $2.6 million, or 9.4%, increase in same store depreciation and amortization. The same store increase is due in large part to our facility improvement and expansion program.
 
Floor Plan Interest Expense
 
Floor plan interest expense increased $11.6 million, or 31.0%, from $37.5 million to $49.1 million. The increase is due to a $3.5 million increase from net dealership acquisitions during the period, coupled with an $8.1 million, or 22.0%, increase in same store floor plan interest expense. The same store increase is due primarily to a net increase in our weighted average borrowing rate during 2006 compared to 2005.
 
Other Interest Expense
 
Other interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 3.3%, from $35.7 million to $34.6 million. The decrease is due primarily to a decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate during 2006 versus 2005 offset by an increase in our average total outstanding indebtedness in 2006 versus 2005. The decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate is due primarily to the issuance of $375.0 million of 3.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes on January 31, 2006 which was used to repay higher-rate debt under our credit agreements, partially offset by an increase in the interest on our variable rate indebtedness.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes increased $4.9 million, or 9.3%, from $52.4 million to $57.3 million. The increase from 2005 to 2006 is due primarily to an increase in pre-tax income versus the prior year, offset in part by a reduction in our overall effective income tax rate.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our cash requirements are primarily for working capital, inventory financing, the acquisition of new dealerships, the improvement and expansion of existing facilities, the construction of new facilities and dividends. Historically, these cash requirements have been met through cash flow from operations, borrowings under our credit agreements and floor plan arrangements, the issuance of debt securities, sale-leaseback transactions or the issuance of equity securities. As of September 30, 2006, we had working capital of $184.9 million, including $19.1 million of cash, available to fund our operations and capital commitments. In addition, we had $554.0 million and £43.2 million ($80.9 million) available for borrowing under our U.S. credit agreement and our U.K. credit agreement, respectively, each of which is discussed below.
 
We paid dividends of five and one half cents per share on March 1, 2005, June 1, 2005 and September 1, 2005, six cents per share on December 1, 2005 and March 1, 2006, and seven cents per share on June 1, 2006 and September 1, 2006. We have declared a cash dividend on our common stock of seven cents per share payable on December 1, 2006 to shareholders of record on November 10, 2006. Future quarterly or other cash dividends will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, restrictions on any then existing indebtedness and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.
 
We have grown primarily through the acquisition of automotive dealerships. We believe that cash flow from operations and our existing capital resources, including the liquidity provided by our credit agreements and floor plan financing arrangements, will be sufficient to fund our operations and commitments for at least the next twelve months. To the extent we pursue additional significant acquisitions or refinance existing debt, we may need to raise additional capital either through the public or private issuance of equity or debt securities or through additional bank borrowings. We may not have sufficient availability under our credit agreements to finance significant additional acquisitions or refinance existing debt. In certain circumstances, a public equity offering could require the prior approval of certain automobile manufacturers. In connection with any potential significant acquisitions or refinancings, we may be unable to access the capital markets or increase our borrowing capabilities on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
 
33

 
      Inventory Financing
 
      We finance substantially all of our new and a portion of our used vehicle inventories under revolving floor plan arrangements with various lenders. In the U.S., the floor plan arrangements are due on demand; however, we are generally not required to make loan principal repayments prior to the sale of the vehicles that have been financed. We typically make monthly interest payments on the amount financed. Outside of the U.S., substantially all of our floor plan arrangements are payable on demand or have an original maturity of 90 days or less, and we are generally required to repay floor plan advances at the earlier of the sale of the vehicles that have been financed or the stated maturity. All of the floor plan agreements grant a security interest in substantially all of the assets of our dealership subsidiaries. Interest rates under the floor plan arrangements are variable and increase or decrease based on changes in the prime rate, defined LIBOR or Euro Interbank Offer Rate. We receive non-refundable credits from certain of our vehicle manufacturers, which are treated as a reduction of cost of sales as vehicles are sold.
 
      U.S. Credit Agreement
 
      Our credit agreement with DaimlerChrysler Services Americas LLC and Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, as amended, provides for up to $600.0 million in revolving loans for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures, investments and for other general corporate purposes, and for an additional $50.0 million of availability for letters of credit, through September 30, 2009. The revolving loans bear interest between defined LIBOR plus 2.50% and defined LIBOR plus 3.50%.
 
  The U.S. credit agreement is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by our domestic subsidiaries and contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, repay other indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments or acquisitions and engage in mergers or consolidations. We are also required to comply with specified financial and other tests and ratios, each as defined in the U.S. credit agreement, including: a ratio of current assets to current liabilities, a fixed charge coverage ratio, a ratio of debt to stockholders’ equity, a ratio of debt to earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, (“EBITDA”), a ratio of domestic debt to domestic EBITDA, and a measurement of stockholders’ equity. A breach of these requirements would give rise to certain remedies under the agreement, the most severe of which is the termination of the agreement and acceleration of the amounts owed. As of September 30, 2006 we were in compliance with all covenants under the U.S. credit agreement, and we believe we will remain in compliance with such covenants for the foreseeable future. In making such determination, we have considered our current margin of compliance with the covenants and our expected future results of operations, working capital requirements, acquisitions, capital expenditures and investments. See “Forward Looking Statements.”
 
  The U.S. credit agreement also contains typical events of default, including change of control, non-payment of obligations and cross-defaults to our other material indebtedness. Substantially all of our domestic assets not pledged as security under floor plan arrangements are subject to security interests granted to lenders under the U.S. credit agreement. As of September 30, 2006, outstanding borrowings and letters of credit under the U.S. credit agreement amounted to $46.0 million and $12.4 million, respectively.
 
       U.K. Credit Agreement
 
  Our subsidiaries in the U.K. (the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank plc ("RBS"), replaced their existing credit agreement on August 31, 2006, with a five year multi-option credit agreement, a new fixed rate credit agreement and a new seasonally adjusted overdraft line of credit (collectively, the "U.K. Credit Agreement") to be used to finance acquisitions, working capital, and general corporate purposes. The U.K. Credit Agreement provides for (1) up to £70,000 in revolving loans through August 31, 2011, which have an original maturity of 90 days or less and bear interest between defined LIBOR plus 0.65% and defined LIBOR plus 1.25%, (2) a £30,000 funded term loan which bears interest between 5.94% and 6.54% and is payable ratably in quarterly intervals commencing on June 30, 2007, through June 30, 2011 and (3) a seasonally adjusted overdraft line of credit for up to £30,000 that bears interest at the Bank of England Base Rate plus 1.00% and matures on August 31, 2011.
 
  The U.K. Credit Agreement is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by our U.K. Subsidiaries, and contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of our U.K. Subsidiaries to pay dividends, dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, repay other indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments or acquisitions and engage in mergers or consolidations. In addition, our U.K. Subsidiaries are required to comply with specified ratios and tests, each as defined in the U.K. Credit Agreement, including: a ratio of earnings before interest and taxes plus rental payments to interest plus rental payments (as defined), a measurement of maximum capital expenditures, and a debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined). A breach of these requirements would give rise to certain remedies under the agreement, the most severe of which is the termination of the agreement and acceleration of the amounts owed. As of September 30, 2006, we were in compliance with all covenants under the U.K. Credit Agreement, and we believe that we will remain in compliance with such covenants for the foreseeable future. In making such determination, we considered the current margin of compliance with the covenants and the Company’s expected future results of operations, working capital requirements, acquisitions, capital expenditures and investments in the U.K.
 
  The U.K. Credit Agreement also contains typical events of default, including change of control and non-payment of obligations and cross-defaults to other material indebtedness of the U.K. Subsidiaries. Substantially all of our U.K. Subsidiaries' assets not pledged as security under floor plan arrangements are subject to security interests granted to lenders under the U.K. Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2006, outstanding revolving loans under the U.K. Credit Agreement amounted to £70.0 million ($131.1million).

34

 
      Senior Subordinated Notes
 
      We have outstanding $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.625% senior subordinated notes due 2012, referred to as the 9.625% Notes. The 9.625% Notes are unsecured senior subordinated notes and are subordinate to all existing and future senior debt, including debt under our credit agreements and obligations under our floor plan arrangements. The 9.625% Notes are guaranteed by substantially all domestic subsidiaries on a senior subordinated basis. We can redeem all or some of the 9.625% Notes at our option beginning in March 2007 at specified redemption prices. Upon a change of control, each holder of 9.625% Notes will be able to require us to repurchase all or some of the 9.625% Notes at a redemption price of 101% of their principal amount. The 9.625% Notes also contain customary negative covenants and events of default. As of September 30, 2006, we were in compliance with all negative covenants and there were no events of default.
 
      Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes
 
      On January 31, 2006, we issued $375.0 million of 3.50% senior subordinated convertible notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”).The Convertible Notes mature on April 1, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or purchased by us. The Convertible Notes are our unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are guaranteed on an unsecured senior subordinated basis by our wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The Convertible Notes also contain customary negative covenants and events of default. As of September 30, 2006 we were in compliance with all negative covenants and there were no events of default.
 
Holders may convert based on a conversion rate of 42.2052 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes (which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $23.69 per share), subject to adjustment, only under the following circumstances: (1) if the closing price of our common stock reaches, or the trading price of the Convertible Notes falls below, specific thresholds, (2) if the Convertible Notes are called for redemption, (3) if specified distributions to holders of our common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, (4) if a fundamental change (as defined) occurs, or (5) during the ten trading days prior to, but excluding, the maturity date. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, for each $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, a holder will receive an amount in cash, in lieu of shares of our common stock, equal to the lesser of (i) $1,000 or (ii) the conversion value, determined in the manner set forth in the related indenture, of the number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate. If the conversion value exceeds $1,000, we will also deliver, at our election, cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock with respect to the remaining value deliverable upon conversion. If a holder elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with certain events that constitute a change of control on or before April 6, 2011, we will pay, to the extent described in the related indenture, a make-whole premium by increasing the conversion rate applicable to such Convertible Notes.
 
In addition, we will pay contingent interest in cash, commencing with any six-month period beginning on April 1, 2011, if the average trading price of a Convertible Note for the five trading days ending on the third trading day immediately preceding the first day of that six-month period equals 120% or more of the principal amount of the Convertible Note.
 
On or after April 6, 2011, we may redeem the Convertible Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable redemption date. Holders of the Convertible Notes may require us to purchase all or a portion of their Convertible Notes for cash on each of April 1, 2011, April 1, 2016 and April 1, 2021 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable purchase date.
 
        Share Repurchase
 
      In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes discussed above, we repurchased 1,000,000 shares of our outstanding common stock on January 26, 2006 for $18.96 million, or $18.955 per share.
 
      Interest Rate Swaps
 
      We are party to an interest rate swap agreement through January 2008 pursuant to which a notional $200.0 million of our U.S. floating rate debt was exchanged for fixed rate debt. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge of future interest payments of LIBOR-based U.S. floor plan borrowings. As of September 30, 2006, we expected approximately $0.6 million associated with the swap to be recognized as a reduction of interest expense over the next twelve months.
 
      Other Financing Arrangements
 
      We expect to enter into sale-leaseback transactions to finance certain property acquisitions and capital expenditures, pursuant to which we sell property and/or leasehold improvements to a third-party and agree to lease those assets back for a certain period of time. Such sales generate proceeds which vary from period to period.
 
      Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
      We are not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
35

 
Cash Flows
 
We have restated our 2005 consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of floor plan obligations in connection with acquisitions and dispositions as cash transactions to comply with guidance under SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” More specifically, with respect to acquisitions, we restated our consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of seller floor plan notes payable obligations by our floor plan lenders as additional cost of dealership acquisitions with the corresponding borrowings of floor plan notes payable reflected as floor plan notes payable-non-trade. Similarly, with respect to dispositions, we restated our consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect the repayment of our floor plan notes payable by the purchaser’s floor plan lender as additional transaction proceeds with corresponding repayments of floor plan notes payable reflected as floor plan notes payable trade or non-trade, as appropriate. Previously, all such activity was treated as a non-cash acquisition or disposition of inventory and floor plan notes payable. As a result, the consolidated condensed statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 has been restated. A summary of the significant effects of the restatement follows:
  
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2005
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities as previously reported  
 
$
137,316
 
Discontinued operations  
   
(8,780
)
Recognition of floorplan balances as cash transactions  
   
34,205
 
Net cash from continuing operating activities, as restated  
 
$
162,741
 
 
Net cash from continuing investing activities as previously reported  
 
$
(155,010
)
Discontinued operations  
   
(486
)
Recognition of floorplan balances as cash transactions  
   
(35,853
)
Net cash from continuing investing activities, as restated  
 
$
(191,349
)
 
       
Net cash from continuing financing activities as previously reported  
 
$
(17,818
)
Discontinued operations  
   
2,556
 
Recognition of floorplan balances as cash transactions  
   
1,648
 
Net cash from continuing financing activities, as restated  
 
$
(13,614
)
 
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $10.1 million and decreased by $18.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The major components of these changes are discussed below.
 
     Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities
 
      Cash provided by continuing operating activities was $239.3 million and $162.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash flows from operating activities include net income adjusted for non-cash items and the effects of changes in working capital.
 
We finance substantially all of our new and a portion of our used vehicle inventories under revolving floor plan arrangements with various lenders. We report all cash flows arising in connection with floor plan arrangements with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle as an operating activity and all cash flows arising in connection with floor plan arrangements with a party other than the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles as a financing activity.
 
We believe that changes in aggregate floor plan liabilities are linked to changes in vehicle inventory and, therefore, are an integral part of understanding changes in our working capital and operating cash flow. Consequently, we have provided below a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities as reported in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows to cash flows from operating activities on the basis that all changes in vehicle floor plan were classified as an operating activity:
 
36

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash from operating activities as reported  
 
$
239,342
   
162,741
 
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade as reported  
   
29,539
   
(47,914
)
Net cash from operating activities including all floor plan notes payable  
 
$
268,881
   
114,827
 
 
     Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities
 
      Cash used in continuing investing activities was $457.2 million and $191.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of cash used for capital expenditures, proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and net expenditures for dealership acquisitions. Capital expenditures were $150.7 million and $165.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Capital expenditures relate primarily to improvements to our existing dealership facilities and the construction of new facilities. Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions were $62.8 million and $71.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was $369.3 million and $97.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and included cash used to repay sellers’ floor plan liabilities in such business acquisitions of $114.3 million and $35.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
      Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities
 
      Cash provided by continuing financing activities was $220.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Cash used in continuing financing activities was $13.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Cash flows from financing activities include net borrowings or repayments of long-term debt, net borrowings or repayments of floor plan notes payable non-trade, payments of deferred financing costs, proceeds from the issuance of common stock, including proceeds from the exercise of stock options, repurchases of common stock and dividends. We had net borrowings of long-term debt of $223.2 million and $45.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We had net borrowings of floor plan notes payable non-trade of $29.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and net repayments of floor plan notes payable non-trade of $47.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we paid $12.6 million of deferred financing costs relating to various financings. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we received proceeds of $18.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, from the issuance of common stock, including tax benefits. In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we repurchased 1,000,000 shares of our outstanding common stock for $19.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we paid $18.6 million and $15.3 million, respectively, of cash dividends to our stockholders.
 
      Commitments
 
      We are party to a joint venture agreement with respect to one of the Company’s franchises pursuant to which we are required to repurchase our partner’s interest in July 2008. We expect this payment to be approximately $4.0 million.
 
Related Party Transactions
 
      Stockholders Agreement
 
      Roger S. Penske, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Penske Corporation, and through entities affiliated with Penske Corporation, our largest stockholder owning approximately 40% of our outstanding common stock. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc. (collectively, “Mitsui”) own approximately 16% of our outstanding common stock. Mitsui, Penske Corporation and certain other affiliates of Penske Corporation are parties to a stockholders agreement pursuant to which the Penske affiliated companies agreed to vote their shares for one director who is a representative of Mitsui. In turn, Mitsui agreed to vote their shares for up to fourteen directors voted for by the Penske affiliated companies. This agreement terminates in March 2014, upon the mutual consent of the parties, or when either party no longer owns any of our common stock.
 
      Other Related Party Interests
 
      Roger S. Penske is also a managing member of Penske Capital Partners and Transportation Resource Partners, organizations that undertake investments in transportation-related industries. Richard J. Peters, one of our directors, is a director of Penske Corporation and a managing director of Transportation Resource Partners. Eustace W. Mita and Lucio A. Noto (two of our directors) are investors in Transportation Resource Partners. One of our directors, Hiroshi Ishikawa, serves as our Executive Vice President — International Business Development and serves in a similar capacity for Penske Corporation. Robert H. Kurnick, Jr., our Vice Chairman, is also the President and a director of Penske Corporation and Paul F. Walters, our Executive Vice President — Human Resources serves in a similar human resources capacity for Penske Corporation.
 
37

 
      Other Transactions
 
      We are currently a tenant under a number of non-cancelable lease agreements with Automotive Group Realty, LLC and its subsidiaries (together “AGR”), which are subsidiaries of Penske Corporation. From time to time, we may sell AGR real property and improvements that are subsequently leased by AGR to us. In addition, we may purchase real property or improvements from AGR which, in some instances, occur via the purchase of the equity interest of a corporate entity. Each of these transactions is valued at a price that is independently confirmed by a third party appraiser. We sometimes pay to and/or receive fees from Penske Corporation and its affiliates for services rendered in the normal course of business, or to reimburse payments made to third parties on each others’ behalf. These transactions and those relating to AGR mentioned above, are reviewed periodically by our Audit Committee and reflect the provider’s cost or an amount mutually agreed upon by both parties, which we believe represent terms at least as favorable as those that could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party negotiated on an arm’s length basis.
 
We and Penske Corporation have entered into a joint insurance agreement which provides that, with respect to our joint insurance policies (which includes our property policy), available coverage with respect to a loss shall be paid to each party as stipulated in the policies. In the event of losses by us and Penske Corporation in excess of the limit of any policy during a policy period, the total policy proceeds shall be allocated based on the ratio of premiums paid.
 
       We have entered into joint ventures with certain related parties as more fully discussed below.
 
Joint Venture Relationships
 
From time to time, we enter into joint venture relationships in the ordinary course of business, through which we acquire dealerships together with other investors. We may provide these dealerships with working capital and other debt financing at costs that are based on our incremental borrowing rate. As of September 30, 2006, our joint venture relationships were as follows:
Location
 
Dealerships
 
 
Ownership
Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fairfield, Connecticut
 
 
Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche
 
 
91.70%
(A)(B)
Edison, New Jersey
 
 
Ferrari, Maserati
 
 
70.00%
(B)
Tysons Corner, Virginia
 
 
Mercedes-Benz, Maybach,
 
 
90.00%
(B)(C)
 
 
 
Aston Martin, Audi, Porsche
 
 
 
 
Las Vegas, Nevada
 
 
Ferrari, Maserati
 
 
50.00%
(D)
Mentor, Ohio
 
 
Honda
 
 
75.00%
(B)
Munich, Germany
 
 
BMW, MINI
 
 
50.00%
(D)
Frankfurt, Germany
 
 
Lexus, Toyota
 
 
50.00%
(D)
Achen, Germany
 
 
Audi, Volkswagen, Lexus, Toyota
 
 
50.00%
(D)
Mexico
 
 
Toyota
 
 
48.70%
(D)
Mexico
 
 
Toyota
 
 
45.00%
(D)
____________________
 
  
(A)
 
An entity controlled by one of our directors, Lucio A. Noto (the “Investor”), owns an 8.3% interest in this joint venture, which entitles the Investor to 20% of the operating profits of the dealerships owned by the joint venture. In addition, the Investor has an option to purchase up to a 20% interest in the joint venture for specified amounts.
 
 
(B)
 
Entity is consolidated in our financial statements.
 
 
(C)
 
Roger S. Penske, Jr. owns a 10% interest in this joint venture.
 
 
(D)
 
Entity is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
 
38

 
Cyclicality
 
Unit sales of motor vehicles, particularly new vehicles, historically have been cyclical, fluctuating with general economic cycles. During economic downturns, the automotive retailing industry tends to experience periods of decline and recession similar to those experienced by the general economy. We believe that the industry is influenced by general economic conditions and particularly by consumer confidence, the level of personal discretionary spending, fuel prices, interest rates and credit availability.
 
Seasonality
 
Our business is modestly seasonal overall. Our U.S. operations generally experience higher volumes of vehicle sales in the second and third quarters of each year due in part to consumer buying trends and the introduction of new vehicle models. Also, demand for cars and light trucks is generally lower during the winter months than in other seasons, particularly in regions of the United States where dealerships may be subject to severe winters. The greatest U.S. seasonality exists at the dealerships we operate in northeastern and upper mid-western states, for which the second and third quarters are the strongest with respect to vehicle-related sales. Our U.K. operations generally experience higher volumes of vehicle sales in the first and third quarters of each year, due primarily to vehicle registration practices in the U.K. The service and parts business at all dealerships experiences relatively modest seasonal fluctuations.
 
Effects of Inflation
 
We believe that inflation rates over the last few years have not had a significant impact on revenues or profitability. We do not expect inflation to have any near-term material effects on the sale of our products and services, however, we cannot be sure there will be no such effect in the future.
 
We finance substantially all of our inventory through various revolving floor plan arrangements with interest rates that vary based on the prime rate, LIBOR or Euro Interbank Offer Rate. Such rates have historically increased during periods of increasing inflation.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “forecast,” “continue” or variations of such terms, or the use of these terms in the negative. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our current plans, forecasts, estimates, beliefs or expectations, including, without limitation, statements with respect to:
 
 
• 
our future financial performance;
 
 
 
• 
future acquisitions;
 
 
 
• 
future capital expenditures;
 
 
 
• 
our ability to obtain cost savings and synergies;
 
 
 
• 
our ability to respond to economic cycles;
 
 
 
• 
trends in the automotive retail industry and in the general economy in the various countries in which we operate dealerships;
 
 
 
• 
our ability to access the remaining availability under our credit agreements;
 
 
 
• 
our liquidity;
 
 
 
• 
interest rates;
 
 
 
 
• 
trends affecting our future financial condition or results of operations; and
 
 
 
• 
our business strategy.
 
 
39

 
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are not assurances of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results due to a variety of factors, including the factors identified in our filings with the SEC. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include the following:
 
 
• 
the ability of automobile manufacturers to exercise significant control over our operations, since we depend on them in order to operate our business;
 
 
 
• 
because we depend on the success and popularity of the brands we sell, adverse conditions affecting one or more automobile manufacturers may negatively impact our revenues and profitability;
 
 
 
• 
we may not be able to satisfy our capital requirements for making acquisitions, dealership renovation projects or financing the purchase of our inventory;
 
 
 
• 
our failure to meet a manufacturer’s consumer satisfaction requirements may adversely affect our ability to acquire new dealerships, our ability to obtain incentive payments from manufacturers and our profitability;
 
 
 
• 
automobile manufacturers may impose limits on our ability to issue additional equity and on the ownership of our common stock by third parties, which may hamper our ability to meet our financing needs;
 
 
 
• 
our business and the automotive retail industry in general are susceptible to adverse economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, consumer confidence, fuel prices and credit availability;
 
 
 
• 
substantial competition in automotive sales and services may adversely affect our profitability;
 
 
 
• 
if we lose key personnel, especially our Chief Executive Officer, or are unable to attract additional qualified personnel, our business could be adversely affected;
 
 
 
• 
our quarterly operating results may fluctuate due to seasonality in the automotive retail business and other factors;
 
 
 
• 
because most customers finance the cost of purchasing a vehicle, higher interest rates may adversely affect our vehicle sales;
 
 
 
• 
our business may be adversely affected by import product restrictions and foreign trade risks that may impair our ability to sell foreign vehicles profitably;
 
 
 
• 
our automobile dealerships are subject to substantial regulations which may adversely affect our profitability;
 
 
 
• 
if state dealer laws in the United States are repealed or weakened, our automotive dealerships may be subject to increased competition and may be more susceptible to termination, non-renewal or renegotiation of their franchise agreements;
     
 
• 
our U.K. dealerships are not afforded the same legal franchise protections as those in the U.S. so we could be subject to additional competition from other local dealerships in the U.K.;
 
 
 
• 
our automotive dealerships are subject to environmental regulations that may result in claims and liabilities;
 
 
 
• 
our dealership operations may be affected by severe weather or other periodic business interruptions;
 
 
 
• 
our principal stockholders have substantial influence over us and may make decisions with which other stockholders may disagree;
 
 
 
• 
some of our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest with respect to certain related party transactions and other business interests;
  
 
 
 
• 
our level of indebtedness may limit our ability to obtain financing for acquisitions and may require that a significant portion of our cash flow be used for debt service;
 
 
 
• 
we may be involved in legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our business;
 
 
 
• 
our operations outside of the United States subject our profitability to fluctuations relating to changes in foreign currency valuations;
 
 
 
• 
we are a holding company and, as a result, rely on the receipt of payments from our subsidiaries in order to meet our cash needs and service our indebtedness;
 
 
 
• 
the price of our common stock is subject to substantial fluctuation, which may be unrelated to our performance; and
 
 
 
• 
shares eligible for future sale, or issuable under the terms of our convertible notes, may cause the market price of our common stock to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.
 
40

 
      We urge you to carefully consider these risk factors in evaluating all forward-looking statements regarding our business. Readers of this report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws and SEC rules and regulations, we have no intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Item  3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
      Interest Rates. We are exposed to market risk from changes in the interest rates on a significant portion of our outstanding indebtedness. Outstanding balances under our credit agreements bear interest at variable rates based on a margin over defined benchmarks. Based on the amount outstanding as of September 30, 2006, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $1.6 million change to our annual interest expense. Similarly, amounts outstanding under floor plan financing arrangements bear interest at a variable rate based on a margin over defined benchmarks. We continually evaluate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and follow established policies and procedures to implement strategies designed to manage the amount of variable rate indebtedness outstanding at any point in time in an effort to mitigate the effect of interest rate fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows. We are currently party to a swap agreement pursuant to which a notional $200.0 million of our floating rate floor plan debt was exchanged for fixed rate debt through January 2008. Based on an average of the aggregate amounts outstanding under our floor plan financing arrangements subject to variable interest payments during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $10.7 million change to our annual interest expense.
 
Interest rate fluctuations affect the fair market value of our swaps and fixed rate debt, including the 9.625% Notes, the Convertible Notes and certain seller financed promissory notes, but, with respect to such fixed rate debt instruments, do not impact our earnings or cash flows.
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates. As of September 30, 2006, we had dealership operations in the U.K. and Germany. In each of these markets, the local currency is the functional currency. Due to our intent to remain permanently invested in these foreign markets, we do not hedge against foreign currency fluctuations. In the event we change our intent with respect to the investment in any of our international operations, we would expect to implement strategies designed to manage those risks in an effort to mitigate the effect of foreign currency fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows. A ten percent change in average exchange rates versus the U.S. Dollar would have resulted in an approximate $265.3 million change to our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006.
 
In common with other automotive retailers, we purchase certain of our new vehicle and parts inventories from foreign manufacturers. Although we purchase the majority of our inventories in the local functional currency, our business is subject to certain risks, including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions and foreign exchange rate volatility which may influence such manufacturers’ ability to provide their products at competitive prices in the local jurisdictions. Our future results could be materially and adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors.
  
Item  4.
Controls and Procedures
 
      Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive and financial officers, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules  13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of September 30, 2006. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure.
 
Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2006. In addition, we maintain internal controls designed to provide us with the information required for accounting and financial reporting purposes. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our third quarter of 2006 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
41

PART  II  — OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item  6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.1
 
Multi-Option Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between Sytner Group Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2006).
 
4.2
 
Fixed Rate Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between Sytner Group Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2006).
 
4.3
 
Seasonally Adjusted Overdraft Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between Sytner Group Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to our Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2006).
 
4.4
 
Extension Notice dated September 25, 2006, among us, DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas, LLC and Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2006).
 
    12    
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
31
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certifications
 
32
 
Section 1350 Certifications
 
 
 

42

S IGNATURES
 
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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
     
 
UNITED AUTO GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 8, 2006 By:  
/s/ Roger S. Penske
 
Roger S. Penske
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 8, 2006 By:  
/s/ James R. Davidson
 
James R. Davidson
 
Executive Vice President  — Finance
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 

 
43


 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
Exhibits
 
 
Number:
 
Description
 
 
 
4.1
 
Multi-Option Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between Sytner Group Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2006). 
4.2
 
Fixed Rate Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between Sytner Group Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2006). 
4.3
 
Seasonally Adjusted Overdraft Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between Sytner Group Limited and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to our Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2006). 
4.4
 
Extension Notice dated September 25, 2006, among us, DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas, LLC and Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2006). 
12
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 
31
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certifications 
32
 
Section 1350 Certifications