UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

or

¨	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: 1-13107

AutoNation, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		73-1105145
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
200 SW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida		33301
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(954) 769-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   þ   No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer   o
Non-accelerated filer o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨   No  þ

As of October 23, 2012, the registrant had 121,762,984 shares of common stock outstanding.

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AUTONATION, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Page
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011	1
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statements for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	2
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	4
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	43
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	44
	PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	45
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	45
Item 6.	Exhibits	46

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUTONATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share and per share data)

 

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	98.6			$	86.6
Receivables, net	514.2				587.4
Inventory	2,142.1				1,809.2
Other current assets	203.4				193.0
Total Current Assets	2,958.3				2,676.2
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $813.0 million and $756.8 million, respectively	2,007.7				1,950.7
GOODWILL	1,172.2				1,172.2
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET	213.7				217.8
OTHER ASSETS	211.1				181.9
Total Assets	$	6,563.0			$	6,198.8
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Vehicle floorplan payable - trade	$	1,559.4			$	1,362.3
Vehicle floorplan payable - non-trade	641.4				536.5
Accounts payable	218.2				202.4
Current maturities of long-term debt	28.2				12.6
Other current liabilities	386.6				348.8
Total Current Liabilities	2,833.8				2,462.6
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES	1,864.1				1,634.4
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	77.8				62.3
OTHER LIABILITIES	148.8				144.9
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	—				—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 163,562,149 shares issued at September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, including shares held in treasury	1.6				1.6
Additional paid-in capital	24.6				19.6
Retained earnings	2,879.8				2,646.6
Treasury stock, at cost; 41,911,670 and 27,777,625 shares held, respectively	(1,267.5		)		(773.2		)
Total Shareholders’ Equity	1,638.5				1,894.6
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	6,563.0			$	6,198.8

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(In millions, except per share data)

 

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2012				2011				2012				2011
Revenue:
New vehicle	$	2,240.5			$	1,881.6			$	6,430.9			$	5,413.3
Used vehicle	936.4				911.9				2,802.6				2,630.6
Parts and service	596.8				578.0				1,799.2				1,720.0
Finance and insurance, net	147.0				121.9				422.3				349.6
Other	13.1				13.1				40.3				40.4
TOTAL REVENUE	3,933.8				3,506.5				11,495.3				10,153.9
Cost of sales:
New vehicle	2,095.8				1,743.4				6,006.7				5,013.1
Used vehicle	863.7				845.4				2,571.7				2,407.4
Parts and service	345.0				336.1				1,043.8				988.4
Other	6.7				6.4				19.5				20.2
TOTAL COST OF SALES	3,311.2				2,931.3				9,641.7				8,429.1
Gross Profit:
New vehicle	144.7				138.2				424.2				400.2
Used vehicle	72.7				66.5				230.9				223.2
Parts and service	251.8				241.9				755.4				731.6
Finance and insurance	147.0				121.9				422.3				349.6
Other	6.4				6.7				20.8				20.2
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT	622.6				575.2				1,853.6				1,724.8
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	435.8				411.4				1,307.3				1,236.7
Depreciation and amortization	22.9				20.9				64.9				62.7
Franchise rights impairment	—				—				4.2				—
Other expenses (income), net	0.2				(1.2		)		0.6				(3.1		)
OPERATING INCOME	163.7				144.1				476.6				428.5
Non-operating income (expense) items:
Floorplan interest expense	(11.4		)		(9.7		)		(32.9		)		(31.8		)
Other interest expense	(22.2		)		(16.4		)		(65.2		)		(48.6		)
Interest income	—				—				0.2				0.6
Other income (loss), net	2.5				(2.4		)		3.1				(0.2		)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	132.6				115.6				381.8				348.5
Income tax provision	50.7				44.9				147.4				134.2
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	81.9				70.7				234.4				214.3
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(0.3		)		—				(1.2		)		(2.3		)
NET INCOME	$	81.6			$	70.7			$	233.2			$	212.0
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Continuing operations	$	0.68			$	0.49			$	1.88			$	1.46
Discontinued operations	$	—			$	—			$	(0.01	)		$	(0.02	)
Net income	$	0.67			$	0.49			$	1.87			$	1.44
Weighted average common shares outstanding	121.2				144.4				124.4				146.9
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Continuing operations	$	0.66			$	0.48			$	1.85			$	1.43
Discontinued operations	$	—			$	—			$	(0.01	)		$	(0.02	)
Net income	$	0.66			$	0.48			$	1.84			$	1.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding	123.4				147.0				126.4				149.5
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, net of treasury stock	121.7				141.4				121.7				141.4

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In millions, except share data)

 

	Common Stock							Additional Paid-In Capital				Retained Earnings				Treasury Stock				Total
	Shares			Amount
December 31, 2011	163,562,149			$	1.6			$	19.6			$	2,646.6			$	(773.2	)		$	1,894.6
Net income	—			—				—				233.2				—				233.2
Repurchases of common stock	—			—				—				—				(533.2		)		(533.2		)
Stock-based compensation expense	—			—				15.2				—				—				15.2
Shares awarded under stock-based compensation plans, including income tax benefit of $8.0	—			—				(10.2		)		—				38.9				28.7
September 30, 2012	163,562,149			$	1.6			$	24.6			$	2,879.8			$	(1,267.5	)		$	1,638.5

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2012				2011
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	233.2			$	212.0
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations	1.2				2.3
Depreciation and amortization	64.9				62.7
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts	4.2				3.2
Stock-based compensation expense	15.2				15.7
Deferred income tax provision	15.4				15.9
Non-cash impairment charges	0.3				—
Franchise rights impairment	4.2				—
Net gain on asset sales and dispositions	(0.2		)		(3.0		)
Other	(2.6		)		(0.2		)
(Increase) decrease, net of effects from business combinations and divestitures:
Receivables	71.7				57.5
Inventory	(332.9		)		277.6
Other assets	(25.2		)		(10.5		)
Increase (decrease), net of effects from business combinations and divestitures:
Vehicle floorplan payable-trade, net	197.1				(336.7		)
Accounts payable	17.1				5.0
Other liabilities	48.8				9.3
Net cash provided by continuing operations	312.4				310.8
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	(0.7		)		0.3
Net cash provided by operating activities	311.7				311.1
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	(107.8		)		(113.8		)
Property operating lease buy-outs	(16.8		)		(13.8		)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	0.6				3.0
Proceeds from assets held for sale	11.8				9.0
Insurance recoveries on property and equipment	1.0				—
Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				(64.2		)
Proceeds from the sale of restricted investments	0.4				—
Cash received from business divestitures, net of cash relinquished	—				4.9
Other	(3.0		)		0.2
Net cash used in continuing operations	(113.8		)		(174.7		)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	—				—
Net cash used in investing activities	(113.8		)		(174.7		)

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Continued)

 

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2012				2011
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repurchases of common stock	(538.3		)		(335.0		)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	820.0				300.0
Payment of revolving credit facility	(920.0		)		(180.0		)
Proceeds from 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020	350.0				—
Payment of 7% Senior Notes due 2014	(14.7		)		—
Payment of debt issuance costs	(6.0		)		—
Net proceeds from (payments of) vehicle floorplan payable - non-trade	104.9				(28.3		)
Payments of mortgage facilities	(6.0		)		(5.7		)
Payments of capital leases	(4.5		)		(0.5		)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	20.7				66.3
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards	8.0				19.0
Net cash used in continuing operations	(185.9		)		(164.2		)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	—				—
Net cash used in financing activities	(185.9		)		(164.2		)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	12.0				(27.8		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at beginning of period	86.6				95.1
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at end of period	$	98.6			$	67.3

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In millions, except per share data)

 

1.	INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Business and Basis of Presentation

AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the largest automotive retailer in the United States. As of September 30, 2012, we owned and operated 261 new vehicle franchises from 215 stores located in major metropolitan markets, predominantly in the Sunbelt region of the United States. We offer a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services (also referred to as “parts and service”), and automotive finance and insurance products (also referred to as “finance and insurance”), including the arranging of financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. For convenience, the terms “AutoNation,” “Company,” and “we” are used to refer collectively to AutoNation, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise required by the context. Our dealership operations are conducted by our subsidiaries.

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AutoNation, Inc. and its subsidiaries; all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information related to our organization, significant accounting policies, and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state, in all material respects, our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. We periodically evaluate estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements and make changes on a prospective basis when adjustments are necessary. Significant estimates made by AutoNation in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include certain assumptions related to goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, assets held for sale, accruals for chargebacks against revenue recognized from the sale of finance and insurance products, accruals related to self-insurance programs, certain legal proceedings, estimated tax liabilities, estimated losses from disposals of discontinued operations, and certain assumptions related to stock-based compensation.

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements of financial instruments and derivative instruments to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of these arrangements on its financial position. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. We do not expect the adoption of this accounting standard update will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, but it may require certain additional disclosures.

Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment

In July 2012, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that amends the accounting guidance on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The amendments in this accounting standard update are intended to reduce complexity and costs by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired to determine whether it should perform a quantitative impairment test. The amendments also

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

enhance the consistency of impairment testing guidance among long-lived asset categories by permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to calculate the asset’s fair value when testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment, which is equivalent to the impairment testing requirements for other long-lived assets. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for interim and annual impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. We test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually on April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

2.	RECEIVABLES, NET

The components of receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, are as follows:

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Trade receivables	$	96.4			$	94.3
Manufacturer receivables	124.0				138.4
Other	36.3				41.4
	256.7				274.1
Less: Allowances	(3.1		)		(3.0		)
	253.6				271.1
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	260.6				306.1
Income tax refundable (see Note 6)	—				10.2
Receivables, net	$	514.2			$	587.4

Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables primarily represent receivables from financial institutions for the portion of the vehicle sales price financed by our customers.

3.	INVENTORY AND VEHICLE FLOORPLAN PAYABLE

The components of inventory are as follows:

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
New vehicles	$	1,722.5			$	1,397.1
Used vehicles	287.6				286.3
Parts, accessories, and other	132.0				125.8
	$	2,142.1			$	1,809.2

The components of vehicle floorplan payable are as follows:

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Vehicle floorplan payable - trade	$	1,559.4			$	1,362.3
Vehicle floorplan payable - non-trade	641.4				536.5
	$	2,200.8			$	1,898.8

Vehicle floorplan payable-trade reflects amounts borrowed to finance the purchase of specific new vehicle inventories with the corresponding manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries (“trade lenders”). Vehicle floorplan payable - non-trade represents amounts borrowed to finance the purchase of specific new and, to a lesser extent, used vehicle inventories with non-trade lenders, as well as amounts borrowed under our secured used floorplan facilities, which are primarily collateralized by used vehicle inventories and related receivables. Changes in vehicle floorplan payable-trade are reported as operating cash flows and changes in vehicle floorplan payable-non-trade are reported as financing cash flows in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

Our inventory costs are generally reduced by manufacturer holdbacks, incentives, and floorplan assistance, while the related vehicle floorplan payables are reflective of the gross cost of the vehicle. The vehicle floorplan payables, as shown in the above table, will generally also be higher than the inventory cost due to the timing of the sale of a vehicle and payment of the related liability.

Floorplan facilities are due on demand, but in the case of new vehicle inventories, are generally paid within several business days after the related vehicles are sold. Our manufacturer agreements generally require that the manufacturer have the ability to draft against new vehicle floorplan facilities so the lender directly funds the manufacturer for the purchase of new vehicle inventory. Floorplan facilities are primarily collateralized by vehicle inventories and related receivables.

Our floorplan facilities utilize LIBOR-based interest rates, which averaged 2.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and 2.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. At September 30, 2012, the aggregate capacity under our used vehicle floorplan facilities with various lenders to finance a portion of our used vehicle inventory was $310.0 million, of which $111.8 million had been borrowed. The remaining borrowing capacity of $198.2 million was limited to $93.0 million based on the eligible used vehicle inventory that could have been pledged as collateral. At September 30, 2012, the aggregate capacity under all of our floorplan facilities to finance vehicles was approximately $3.0 billion, of which $2.2 billion had been borrowed.

4.	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and intangible assets, net, consist of the following:

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Goodwill	$	1,172.2			$	1,172.2
Franchise rights - indefinite-lived	$	208.9			$	212.6
Other intangibles	8.9				8.4
	217.8				221.0
Less: accumulated amortization	(4.1		)		(3.2		)
Other intangible assets, net	$	213.7			$	217.8

Goodwill

We test goodwill of our Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury reporting units for impairment annually on April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its fair value.

Under accounting standards, we chose to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it is necessary to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit under the two-step goodwill impairment test. We completed our qualitative assessment of any potential goodwill impairment as of April 30, 2012. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units were less than their carrying amounts and we were therefore not required to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test for any of our reporting units.

Intangible Assets

Our principal identifiable intangible assets are individual store rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which have indefinite lives and are tested at least annually as of April 30 for impairment. We completed our annual impairment test for our franchise rights as of April 30, 2012, and we recorded $4.2 million ($2.6 million after-tax) of non-cash impairment charges related to rights under a Premium Luxury store’s franchise agreement. This non-cash impairment charge was recorded to reduce the carrying value of the store’s franchise agreement to its estimated fair value.

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

5.	LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
7% Senior Notes due 2014	$	—			$	14.7
6.75% Senior Notes due 2018	395.5				395.0
5.5% Senior Notes due 2020	350.0				—
Term loan facility due 2016	500.0				500.0
Revolving credit facility due 2016	395.0				495.0
Mortgage facility (1)	205.4				211.5
Capital leases	46.4				30.8
	1,892.3				1,647.0
Less: current maturities	(28.2		)		(12.6		)
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	1,864.1			$	1,634.4
(1) The mortgage facility requires monthly principal and interest payments of $1.7 million based on a fixed amortization schedule with a balloon payment of $155.4 million due November 2017.

Senior Unsecured Notes and Credit Agreement

On February 1, 2012, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020. Interest is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year. At any time prior to February 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of these notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more public equity offerings of our common stock at 105.5% of principal. These notes will mature on February 1, 2020.

On April 16, 2012, we redeemed all of our outstanding 7% Senior Notes due 2014 at 100% of principal, for which we paid $15.2 million (which included accrued and unpaid interest).

At September 30, 2012, we had outstanding $395.5 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018, net of debt discount. Interest on the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year. At any time prior to April 15, 2013, we may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of these notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more public equity offerings of our common stock at 106.75% of principal. These notes will mature on April 15, 2018.

Under our credit agreement, we have a $500.0 million term loan facility and a $1.2 billion revolving credit facility. The term loan and revolving credit facilities under the credit agreement mature December 7, 2016. As of September 30, 2012, we had borrowings outstanding of $395.0 million under our revolving credit facility. We have a $200.0 million letter of credit sublimit as part of our revolving credit facility. The amount available to be borrowed under the revolving credit facility is reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the cumulative amount of any outstanding letters of credit, which was $56.5 million at September 30, 2012, leaving an additional borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility of $748.5 million at September 30, 2012. This borrowing capacity was limited under the maximum consolidated leverage ratio contained in our credit agreement to $694.9 million as of September 30, 2012.

Our term loan facility provides for various interest rates generally at LIBOR plus 1.75%. Our revolving credit facility provides for a commitment fee on undrawn amounts of 0.30% and various interest rates on borrowings generally at LIBOR plus 1.75%.

The credit spread charged for both our term loan facility and revolving credit facility is affected by our leverage ratio. For instance, an increase in our leverage ratio from greater than or equal to 2.0x but less than 3.25x to greater than or equal to 3.25x would result in a 25 basis point increase in the credit spread under both our term loan facility and revolving credit facility.

Our senior unsecured notes and borrowings under our credit agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries. Within the meaning of Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10, AutoNation, Inc. (the parent company) has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees of its subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries other than the guarantor subsidiaries are minor.

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Other Debt

At September 30, 2012, we had $205.4 million outstanding under a mortgage facility with an automotive manufacturer’s captive finance subsidiary that matures on November 30, 2017. The mortgage facility utilizes a fixed interest rate of 5.864% and is secured by 10-year mortgages on certain of our store properties. At September 30, 2012, we had capital lease obligations of $46.4 million, which are due at various dates through 2032.

Restrictions and Covenants

Our credit agreement, the indentures for our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 and 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020, our vehicle floorplan facilities, and our mortgage facility contain customary financial and operating covenants that place restrictions on us, including our ability to incur additional indebtedness or prepay existing indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to sell (or otherwise dispose of) assets, and to merge or consolidate with other entities.

Under our credit agreement, we are required to remain in compliance with a maximum leverage ratio and maximum capitalization ratio. The leverage ratio is a contractually defined amount principally reflecting non-vehicle debt divided by a contractually defined measure of earnings with certain adjustments. The capitalization ratio is a contractually defined amount principally reflecting vehicle floorplan payable and non-vehicle debt divided by our total capitalization including vehicle floorplan payable. Under the credit agreement, the maximum capitalization ratio is 65.0% and the maximum leverage ratio is 3.75x. In calculating our leverage and capitalization ratios, we are not required to include letters of credit in the definition of debt (except to the extent of letters of credit in excess of $150.0 million). In addition, in calculating our capitalization ratio, we are permitted to add back to shareholders’ equity all goodwill, franchise rights, and long-lived asset impairment charges subsequent to September 30, 2011 plus $1.52 billion.

The indentures for our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 and 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020 contain certain limited covenants, including limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions. Our mortgage facility contains covenants regarding maximum cash flow leverage and minimum interest coverage.

Our failure to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements could permit acceleration of all of our indebtedness. Our debt agreements have cross-default provisions that trigger a default in the event of an uncured default under other material indebtedness of AutoNation.

Under the terms of our credit agreement, at September 30, 2012, our leverage ratio and capitalization ratio were as follows:

	September 30, 2012
	Requirement		Actual
Leverage ratio	< 3.75x		2.74x
Capitalization ratio	< 65.0%		56.4%

Both the leverage ratio and the capitalization ratio limit our ability to incur additional non-vehicle debt. The capitalization ratio also limits our ability to incur additional vehicle floorplan indebtedness.

In the event of a downgrade in our credit ratings, none of the covenants described above would be impacted. In addition, availability under our credit agreement described above would not be impacted should a downgrade in our senior unsecured debt credit ratings occur.

6.	INCOME TAXES

Income taxes payable included in Other Current Liabilities totaled $0.7 million at September 30, 2012. Income taxes refundable included in Receivables, Net totaled $10.2 million at December 31, 2011.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states. As a matter of course, various taxing authorities, including the IRS, regularly audit us. Currently, no tax years are under examination by the IRS, and tax years from 2007 to 2010 are under examination by certain U.S. state jurisdictions. These audits may result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution may result in our owing additional taxes. We believe that our tax positions comply with applicable tax law and that we have adequately provided for these matters.

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

It is our continuing policy to account for interest and penalties associated with income tax obligations as a component of Income Tax Provision in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7.	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

A summary of shares repurchased under our stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors follows:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2012				2011				2012				2011
Shares repurchased	—				5.7				15.4				10.8
Aggregate purchase price	$	—			$	195.9			$	531.6			$	365.6
Average purchase price per share	$	—			$	34.66			$	34.54			$	33.85

In July 2012, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $250.0 million of shares of our common stock. As of September 30, 2012, $368.2 million remained available under our stock repurchase authorization limit.

A summary of shares of common stock issued in connection with the exercise of stock options follows:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2012				2011				2012				2011
Shares issued	1.1				1.4				1.2				3.8
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	$	20.3			$	26.3			$	22.1			$	66.3
Average exercise price per share	$	18.56			$	18.35			$	18.46			$	17.54

The following table presents a summary of shares of common stock issued in connection with grants of restricted stock and shares surrendered to AutoNation to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or to pay for an option exercise (in actual number of shares):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Shares issued	5,000			—			160,740			163,892
Shares surrendered to AutoNation to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or to pay for an option exercise	43,459			11,688			80,394			42,985

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

8.	EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including outstanding unvested restricted stock awards which contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options.

The computation of weighted average common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share	121.2			144.4			124.4			146.9
Effect of dilutive stock options	2.2			2.6			2.0			2.6
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share	123.4			147.0			126.4			149.5

A summary of anti-dilutive options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Anti-dilutive options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0.9			0.4			0.9			0.4

9.	ACQUISITIONS

We did not purchase any automotive retail franchises during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. We purchased one automotive retail franchise and related assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, for which we paid in cash $64.2 million.

10.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

We are involved, and will continue to be involved, in numerous legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our business, including litigation with customers, employment-related lawsuits, class actions, purported class actions, and actions brought by governmental authorities. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our 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 our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Other Matters

AutoNation, acting through its subsidiaries, is the lessee under many real estate leases that provide for the use by our subsidiaries of their respective store premises. Pursuant to these leases, our subsidiaries generally agree to indemnify the lessor and other related parties from certain liabilities arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental liabilities, or a breach of the lease by the lessee. Additionally, from time to time, we enter into agreements with third parties in connection with the sale of assets or businesses in which we agree to indemnify the purchaser or related parties from certain liabilities or costs arising in connection with the assets or business. Also, in the ordinary course of business in connection with purchases or sales of goods and services, we enter into agreements that may contain indemnification provisions. In the event that an indemnification claim is asserted, our liability would be limited by the terms of the applicable agreement.

From time to time, primarily in connection with dispositions of automotive stores, our subsidiaries assign or sublet to the store purchaser the subsidiaries’ interests in any real property leases associated with such stores. In general, our subsidiaries retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases to the extent that the assignee or sublessee does not perform, whether such performance is required prior to or following the assignment or subletting of the lease.

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(Continued)

Additionally, AutoNation and its subsidiaries generally remain subject to the terms of any guarantees made by us and our subsidiaries in connection with such leases. Although we generally have indemnification rights against the assignee or sublessee in the event of non-performance under these leases, as well as certain defenses, we estimate that lessee rental payment obligations during the remaining terms of these leases with expirations ranging from 2012 to 2034 are approximately $57 million at September 30, 2012. We do not have any material known commitments that we or our subsidiaries will be called on to perform under any such assigned leases or subleases at September 30, 2012. Our exposure under these leases is difficult to estimate and there can be no assurance that any performance of AutoNation or its subsidiaries required under these leases would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and cash flows.

At September 30, 2012, surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash deposits totaled $91.5 million, including $56.5 million of letters of credit. In the ordinary course of business, we are required to post performance and surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of our performance. We do not currently provide cash collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to numerous laws and regulations, including automotive, environmental, health and safety, and other laws and regulations. We do not anticipate that the costs of such compliance will have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, although such outcome is possible given the nature of our operations and the extensive legal and regulatory framework applicable to our business. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, established a new consumer financial protection agency with broad regulatory powers. Although automotive dealers are generally excluded, the Dodd-Frank Act could lead to additional, indirect regulation of automotive dealers through its regulation of automotive finance companies and other financial institutions. In addition, we expect that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, will increase our annual employee health care costs that we fund, with the most significant increases commencing in 2014. Further, we expect that new laws and regulations, particularly at the federal level, in other areas may be enacted, which could also materially adversely impact our business. We do not have any material known environmental commitments or contingencies.

11.	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Discontinued operations are related to stores that were sold or terminated, that we have entered into an agreement to sell or terminate, or for which we otherwise deem a proposed sales transaction or termination to be probable, with no material changes expected. Generally, the sale of a store is completed within 60 to 90 days after the date of a sale agreement. We account for a store that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale as a discontinued operation if (a) the operations and cash flows of the store have been (or will be) eliminated from our ongoing operations and (b) we will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the store after the disposal transaction.

In evaluating whether a store’s cash flows will be eliminated from our ongoing operations, we consider whether we expect to continue to generate revenues or incur expenses from the sale of similar products or services to customers of the disposed store in the same geographic market. If we believe that a significant portion of the cash flows previously generated by the disposed store will migrate to our other operating stores, we will not treat the disposition as a discontinued operation.

We received no proceeds for assets held for sale in discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. We received $4.9 million in proceeds (net of cash relinquished) during the same period in 2011 related to discontinued operations.

We had assets held for sale in discontinued operations of $51.6 million at September 30, 2012, and $51.7 million at December 31, 2011, primarily related to real estate we have not yet sold associated with stores that have been closed. Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are reported in the “Corporate and other” category of our segment information.

12.	SEGMENT INFORMATION

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, we had three operating and reportable segments: (1) Domestic, (2) Import, and (3) Premium Luxury. As of March 31, 2012, we revised the basis of segmentation for our Import and Premium Luxury segments to reclassify Audi franchises from the Import segment to the Premium Luxury segment. In connection with this change, we have reclassified historical amounts to conform to our current segment presentation. We have five Audi franchises for which we reclassified revenue of $49.5 million and segment income of $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and revenue of $136.9 million and segment income of $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

Our Domestic segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured by Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. Our Import segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. Our Premium Luxury segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus. The franchises in each segment also sell used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, and automotive finance and insurance products.

“Corporate and other” is comprised of our other businesses, including collision centers, a customer lead generation business, and an auction operation, each of which generates revenues, as well as unallocated corporate overhead expenses and retrospective commissions for certain financing and insurance transactions that we arrange under agreements with third parties.

The operating segments identified above are the business activities of the Company for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer. We have determined that our three operating segments also represent our reportable segments.

Reportable segment revenue and segment income are as follows:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2012				2011				2012				2011
Revenue:
Domestic	$	1,285.0			$	1,204.4			$	3,809.2			$	3,445.5
Import	1,523.3				1,268.8				4,365.7				3,692.1
Premium Luxury	1,086.4				998.2				3,202.0				2,905.4
Total segment revenue	3,894.7				3,471.4				11,376.9				10,043.0
Corporate and other	39.1				35.1				118.4				110.9
Total consolidated revenue	$	3,933.8			$	3,506.5			$	11,495.3			$	10,153.9

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2012				2011				2012				2011
Segment income*:
Domestic	$	51.9			$	46.7			$	155.2			$	135.8
Import	69.0				61.1				198.1				178.4
Premium Luxury	62.9				53.4				190.0				170.8
Total segment income	183.8				161.2				543.3				485.0
Corporate and other	(31.5		)		(26.8		)		(99.6		)		(88.3		)
Other interest expense	(22.2		)		(16.4		)		(65.2		)		(48.6		)
Interest income	—				—				0.2				0.6
Other income (loss), net	2.5				(2.4		)		3.1				(0.2		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	132.6			$	115.6			$	381.8			$	348.5

* Segment income for each of our segments is defined as operating income less floorplan interest expense.

13.	BUSINESS AND CREDIT CONCENTRATIONS

We are subject to a concentration of risk in the event of financial distress of or other adverse event related to a major vehicle manufacturer. The core brands of vehicles that we sell are manufactured by Toyota, Ford, Honda, Nissan, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Chrysler. Our business could be materially adversely impacted by a bankruptcy of or other adverse event related to a major vehicle manufacturer or related lender.

We had receivables from manufacturers or distributors of $124.0 million at September 30, 2012, and $138.4 million at December 31, 2011. Additionally, a large portion of our Contracts-in-Transit included in Receivables, Net, in the accompanying

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AUTONATION, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, are due from automotive manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries, which provide financing directly to our new and used vehicle customers. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to non-manufacturer trade receivables are limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets in which our products are sold as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas in the United States. Consequently, at September 30, 2012, we do not consider AutoNation to have any significant non-manufacturer concentrations of credit risk.

14.	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of a financial instrument represents the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and therefore cannot be determined with precision. The assumptions used have a significant effect on the estimated amounts reported.

Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value and also establishes the following three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted market prices in markets that are not active; or model-derived valuations or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities
Level 3	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

The following methods and assumptions were used by us in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

•	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, vehicle floorplan payable, accounts payable, other current liabilities, and variable rate debt: The amounts reported in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value due to their short-term nature or the existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates.

•

Fixed rate debt: Our fixed rate debt primarily consists of amounts outstanding under our senior unsecured notes and mortgages. We estimate the fair value of our senior unsecured notes using quoted prices for the identical liability (Level 1). We estimate the fair value of our mortgages using a present value technique based on our current market interest rates for similar types of financial instruments (Level 2). A summary of the aggregate carrying values and fair values of our fixed rate debt is as follows:

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Carrying value	$	997.3			$	652.0
Fair value	$	1,086.2			$	675.6

Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets held and used are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized or for a business combination. The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period they remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes in the held for sale long-lived asset’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) is reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Under accounting standards, we chose to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of our reporting units under the two-step goodwill impairment

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

test. We completed our qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment as of April 30, 2012, and we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units were less than their carrying amounts. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of goodwill.

Our principal identifiable intangible assets are individual store rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which have indefinite lives and are tested for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. The impairment test for intangibles with indefinite lives requires the comparison of estimated fair value to its carrying value by store. Fair values of rights under franchise agreements are estimated using Level 3 inputs by discounting expected future cash flows of the store. The forecasted cash flows contain inherent uncertainties, including significant estimates and assumptions related to growth rates, margins, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and cost of capital, for which we utilize certain market participant-based assumptions, using third-party industry projections, economic projections, and other marketplace data we believe to be reasonable. The development of the assumptions used in our annual impairment test is coordinated by our financial planning and analysis group, and the assumptions are reviewed by management.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 , we recorded $4.2 million of non-cash impairment charges related to rights under a Premium Luxury store’s franchise agreement. The non-cash impairment charge was recorded to reduce the carrying value of the store’s franchise agreement to its estimated fair value. We recorded no impairment charges related to franchise rights during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of franchise rights.

Long-Lived Assets

The fair value measurement valuation process for our long-lived assets is established by our corporate real estate services group, which reports to the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Fair value measurements, which are based on Level 3 inputs, and changes in fair value measurements are reviewed and assessed each quarter for properties classified as held for sale, or when an indicator of impairment exists for properties classified as held and used, by the corporate real estate services group. Our corporate real estate services group utilizes its knowledge of the automotive industry and historical experience in real estate markets and transactions in establishing the valuation process, which is generally based on a combination of the market and replacement cost approaches.

In a market approach, the corporate real estate services group uses transaction prices for comparable properties that have recently been sold. These transaction prices are adjusted for factors related to a specific property. The corporate real estate services group also evaluates changes in local real estate markets, and/or recent market interest or negotiations related to a specific property. In a replacement cost approach, the cost to replace a specific long-lived asset is considered, which is adjusted for depreciation from physical deterioration, as well as functional and economic obsolescence, if present and measurable.

To validate the fair values determined under the valuation process noted above, our corporate real estate services group also obtains independent third-party appraisals for our properties and/or third-party brokers’ opinions of value, which are generally developed using the same valuation approaches described above, and evaluates any recent negotiations or discussions with third-party real estate brokers related to a specific long-lived asset or market. 

Long-lived Assets Held and Used in Continuing Operations

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 , we fully impaired certain long-lived assets held and used in continuing operations and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $0.3 million.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of long-lived assets held and used in continuing operations.

Long-lived Assets Held for Sale in Continuing Operations

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, no impairment charges were recorded for the carrying value of long-lived assets held for sale in continuing operations.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued)

Long-lived Assets Held for Sale in Discontinued Operations

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, long-lived assets held for sale in discontinued operations with a carrying amount of $3.8 million were written down to their fair value of $3.7 million, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $0.1 million. We recorded no impairment charges during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, long-lived assets held for sale in discontinued operations with a carrying amount of $11.4 million were written down to their fair value of $10.9 million, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $0.5 million. We recorded no impairment charges during the three months ended September 30, 2011.

The 2012 and 2011 non-cash impairment charges related to assets held for sale in discontinued operations were included in Loss from Discontinued Operations in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.

As of September 30, 2012, we had long-lived assets held for sale of $77.4 million in continuing operations and $49.4 million in discontinued operations.

15.	CASH FLOW INFORMATION

We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less as of the date of purchase to be cash equivalents unless the investments are legally or contractually restricted for more than three months. We had non-cash investing activities related to the increase in property acquired under capital leases of $20.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and $24.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The effect of non-cash transactions is excluded from the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

We made interest payments of $85.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and $71.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. We made income tax payments, net of income tax refunds, of $112.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and $95.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, reference should be made to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the largest automotive retailer in the United States. As of September 30, 2012, we owned and operated 261 new vehicle franchises from 215 stores located in major metropolitan markets, predominantly in the Sunbelt region of the United States. Our stores, which we believe include some of the most recognizable and well known in our key markets, sell 32 different brands of new vehicles. The core brands of vehicles that we sell, representing approximately 89% of the new vehicles that we sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, are manufactured by Toyota, Ford, Honda, Nissan, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Chrysler.

We offer a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, and automotive finance and insurance products. We also arrange financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. We believe that the significant scale of our operations and the quality of our managerial talent allow us to achieve efficiencies in our key markets by, among other things, leveraging our market brands and advertising, improving asset management, implementing standardized processes, and increasing productivity across all of our stores.

At September 30, 2012, we had three operating and reportable segments: (1) Domestic, (2) Import, and (3) Premium Luxury. As of March 31, 2012, we revised the basis of segmentation for our Import and Premium Luxury segments to reclassify Audi franchises from the Import segment to the Premium Luxury segment. In connection with this change, we have reclassified historical amounts to conform to our current segment presentation. We have five Audi franchises for which we reclassified revenue of $49.5 million and segment income of $3.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, and revenue of $136.9 million and segment income of $9.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Our Domestic segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured by Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. Our Import segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. Our Premium Luxury segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus. The franchises in each segment also sell used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, and automotive finance and insurance products.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, new vehicle sales accounted for approximately 56% of our total revenue, but approximately 23% of our total gross profit. Used vehicle sales accounted for approximately 24% of our total revenue, and approximately 12% of our total gross profit. Our parts and service and finance and insurance operations, while comprising approximately 19% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, contributed approximately 64% of our total gross profit for the same period.

Results of Operations

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we had net income from continuing operations of $81.9 million or $0.66 per share on a diluted basis, as compared to net income from continuing operations of $70.7 million or $0.48 per share on a diluted basis during the same period in 2011.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we had net income from continuing operations of $234.4 million or $1.85 per share on a diluted basis, as compared to net income from continuing operations of $214.3 million or $1.43 per share on a diluted basis during the same period in 2011.

Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, were adversely impacted by a non-cash franchise rights impairment charge of $4.2 million ($2.6 million after-tax, or approximately $0.02 per share).

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Market Conditions

In the third quarter of 2012, the seasonally adjusted annual rate (“SAAR”) of industry new vehicle sales in the United States was 14.5 million units, an increase of 15% as compared to the new vehicle SAAR of 12.6 million units in the third quarter of 2011.

In the third quarter of 2012, new vehicle industry sales were driven in part by replacement demand. Based on industry data, the average age of cars and trucks in the United States is at a record high of nearly 11 years compared to an average age of 9 years during the period from 2000 to 2007. A robust consumer credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers were also supportive of a strong selling environment. Further, inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers were significantly improved as compared to the third quarter of 2011, as vehicle production by Japanese manufacturers was adversely impacted in the third quarter of 2011 by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

Our 2012 industry new vehicle sales forecast continues to be at the mid-14 million unit level, an improvement as compared to 2011 but still below pre-recession levels. However, demand for new vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2012 could be adversely impacted by economic uncertainty, including concerns over U.S. fiscal policy and the “fiscal cliff.” The rate of industry new vehicle unit sales over the past few years has led to a decline in the number of recent-model-year vehicles in operation, our primary service base. We expect the units in operation in our primary service base to begin increasing in 2013, but it may take several years for this service base to return to pre-recession levels.

Inventory Management

Our new and used vehicle inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on our consolidated balance sheets. We monitor our vehicle inventory levels closely based on current economic conditions.

We have generally not experienced losses on the sale of new vehicle inventory, in part due to incentives provided by manufacturers to promote sales of new vehicles and our inventory management practices. We had 51,656 units in new vehicle inventory at September 30, 2012, 43,906 units at December 31, 2011, and 33,914 units at September 30, 2011. 

In general, used vehicles that are not sold on a retail basis are liquidated at wholesale auctions. We record estimated losses on used vehicle inventory. Our used vehicle inventory balance was net of cumulative write-downs of $1.1 million at September 30, 2012, and $0.9 million at December 31, 2011.

Parts, accessories, and other inventory are carried at the lower of acquisition cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. We estimate the amount of potential obsolete inventory based upon past experience and market trends. Our parts, accessories, and other inventory balance was net of cumulative write-downs of $3.4 million at September 30, 2012, and $2.8 million at December 31, 2011.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, and we base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable. Actual outcomes could differ materially from those estimates in a manner that could have a material effect on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

Goodwill

Goodwill for our Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury reporting units is tested for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

Under accounting standards, we chose to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of our reporting units under the two-step goodwill impairment test. We completed our qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment as of April 30, 2012, and we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units were less than their carrying amounts.

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The fair values of the Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury reporting units were substantially in excess of their carrying values as of April 30, 2011, the date of our most recent quantitative annual impairment test.

Other Intangible Assets

Our principal identifiable intangible assets are individual store rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which have indefinite lives and are tested for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. See Note 14 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on how fair value measurements are derived for our franchise rights. We completed our annual impairment test for our franchise rights as of April 30, 2012, and we recorded $4.2 million ($2.6 million after-tax) of non-cash impairment charges related to rights under a Premium Luxury store’s franchise agreement. This non-cash impairment charge was recorded to reduce the carrying value of the store’s franchise agreement to its estimated fair value. Our franchise rights, which related to 27 franchises and totaled $208.4 million at April 30, 2012, are evaluated for impairment on a franchise-by-franchise basis. If the fair value of each of our franchise rights had been determined to be a hypothetical 10% lower as of the valuation date of April 30, 2012, we would not have had to record any additional impairment charges.

Long-Lived Assets

We estimate the depreciable lives of our property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, and review them for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may be impaired. Such events or changes may include a significant decrease in market value, a significant change in the business climate in a particular market, a current expectation that more-likely-than-not a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life, or a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with historical losses or projected future losses.

When property and equipment is identified as held for sale, we reclassify the held for sale assets to Other Current Assets and cease recording depreciation. We measure each long-lived asset or disposal group at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and recognize a loss for any initial adjustment of the long-lived asset’s or disposal group’s carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell in the period the “held for sale” criteria are met. We periodically evaluate the carrying value of assets held for sale to determine if, based on market conditions, the values of these assets should be adjusted.

As of September 30, 2012, we had long-lived assets held for sale of $77.4 million in continuing operations and $49.4 million in discontinued operations.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $0.3 million associated with assets held and used in continuing operations, and we recorded no impairment charges associated with assets held for sale in continuing operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $0.1 million associated with long-lived assets held for sale in discontinued operations, which is included in Loss from Discontinued Operations in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We recorded no impairment charges during the three months ended September 30, 2012, associated with assets held for sale in discontinued operations.

The fair value measurements for our property and equipment and assets held for sale are based on Level 3 inputs, which considered information from third-party real estate valuation sources, or, in certain cases, pending agreements to sell the related assets. See Note 14 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our fair value measurement valuation process. Although we believe our property and equipment and assets held for sale are appropriately valued, the assumptions and estimates used may change and we may be required to record impairment charges to reduce the value of these assets.

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Reported Operating Data

Historical operating results include the results of acquired businesses from the date of acquisition.

 

($ in millions, except per vehicle data)	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Revenue:
New vehicle	$	2,240.5			$	1,881.6			$	358.9			19.1			$	6,430.9			$	5,413.3			$	1,017.6			18.8
Used vehicle	936.4				911.9				24.5				2.7			2,802.6				2,630.6				172.0				6.5
Parts and service	596.8				578.0				18.8				3.3			1,799.2				1,720.0				79.2				4.6
Finance and insurance, net	147.0				121.9				25.1				20.6			422.3				349.6				72.7				20.8
Other	13.1				13.1				—							40.3				40.4				(0.1		)
Total revenue	$	3,933.8			$	3,506.5			$	427.3			12.2			$	11,495.3			$	10,153.9			$	1,341.4			13.2
Gross profit:
New vehicle	$	144.7			$	138.2			$	6.5			4.7			$	424.2			$	400.2			$	24.0			6.0
Used vehicle	72.7				66.5				6.2				9.3			230.9				223.2				7.7				3.4
Parts and service	251.8				241.9				9.9				4.1			755.4				731.6				23.8				3.3
Finance and insurance	147.0				121.9				25.1				20.6			422.3				349.6				72.7				20.8
Other	6.4				6.7				(0.3		)					20.8				20.2				0.6
Total gross profit	622.6				575.2				47.4				8.2			1,853.6				1,724.8				128.8				7.5
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	435.8				411.4				(24.4		)		(5.9	)		1,307.3				1,236.7				(70.6		)		(5.7	)
Depreciation and amortization	22.9				20.9				(2.0		)					64.9				62.7				(2.2		)
Franchise rights impairment	—				—				—							4.2				—				(4.2		)
Other expenses (income), net	0.2				(1.2		)		(1.4		)					0.6				(3.1		)		(3.7		)
Operating income	163.7				144.1				19.6				13.6			476.6				428.5				48.1				11.2
Non-operating income (expense) items:
Floorplan interest expense	(11.4		)		(9.7		)		(1.7		)					(32.9		)		(31.8		)		(1.1		)
Other interest expense	(22.2		)		(16.4		)		(5.8		)					(65.2		)		(48.6		)		(16.6		)
Interest income	—				—				—							0.2				0.6				(0.4		)
Other income (loss), net	2.5				(2.4		)		4.9							3.1				(0.2		)		3.3
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	132.6			$	115.6			$	17.0			14.7			$	381.8			$	348.5			$	33.3			9.6
Retail vehicle unit sales:
New vehicle	68,350				56,309				12,041				21.4			196,853				163,843				33,010				20.1
Used vehicle	45,643				44,226				1,417				3.2			137,995				129,148				8,847				6.9
	113,993				100,535				13,458				13.4			334,848				292,991				41,857				14.3
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
New vehicle	$	32,780			$	33,416			$	(636	)		(1.9	)		$	32,669			$	33,040			$	(371	)		(1.1	)
Used vehicle	$	17,779			$	17,648			$	131			0.7			$	17,697			$	17,762			$	(65	)		(0.4	)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
New vehicle	$	2,117			$	2,454			$	(337	)		(13.7	)		$	2,155			$	2,443			$	(288	)		(11.8	)
Used vehicle	$	1,588			$	1,524			$	64			4.2			$	1,638			$	1,690			$	(52	)		(3.1	)
Finance and insurance	$	1,290			$	1,213			$	77			6.3			$	1,261			$	1,193			$	68			5.7

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	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2012 (%)		2011 (%)		2012 (%)		2011 (%)
Revenue mix percentages:
New vehicle	57.0		53.7		55.9		53.3
Used vehicle	23.8		26.0		24.4		25.9
Parts and service	15.2		16.5		15.7		16.9
Finance and insurance, net	3.7		3.5		3.7		3.4
Other	0.3		0.3		0.3		0.5
Total	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0
Gross profit mix percentages:
New vehicle	23.2		24.0		22.9		23.2
Used vehicle	11.7		11.6		12.5		12.9
Parts and service	40.4		42.1		40.8		42.4
Finance and insurance	23.6		21.2		22.8		20.3
Other	1.1		1.1		1.0		1.2
Total	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
Gross profit:
New vehicle	6.5		7.3		6.6		7.4
Used vehicle - retail	8.9		8.6		9.3		9.5
Parts and service	42.2		41.9		42.0		42.5
Total	15.8		16.4		16.1		17.0
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	11.1		11.7		11.4		12.2
Operating income	4.2		4.1		4.1		4.2
Operating items as a percentage of total gross profit:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	70.0		71.5		70.5		71.7
Operating income	26.3		25.1		25.7		24.8
					September 30, 2012		September 30, 2011
Days supply:
New vehicle (industry standard of selling days, including fleet)					58 days		45 days
Used vehicle (trailing calendar month days) (1)					29 days		30 days

(1)	As of December 31, 2011, we have revised our method of calculating used vehicle days supply from a dollar day supply to a unit day supply (including wholesale units). We have revised prior periods to conform to our revised method of calculation.

The following table details net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit, consisting of new vehicle floorplan interest expense, net of floorplan assistance earned (amounts received from manufacturers specifically to support store financing of new vehicle inventory). Floorplan assistance is accounted for as a component of new vehicle gross profit.

 

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)	2012				2011				Variance				2012				2011				Variance
Floorplan assistance	$	18.8			$	15.7			$	3.1			$	54.5			$	44.7			$	9.8
Floorplan interest expense (new vehicles)	(10.9		)		(9.1		)		(1.8		)		(31.6		)		(30.0		)		(1.6		)
Net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit	$	7.9			$	6.6			$	1.3			$	22.9			$	14.7			$	8.2

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Same Store Operating Data

We have presented below our operating results on a same store basis to reflect our internal performance. The “Same Store” amounts presented below include the results of our stores for the identical months in each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the store was owned by us.

	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Revenue:
New vehicle	$	2,238.5			$	1,881.6			$	356.9			19.0			$	6,390.0			$	5,413.3			$	976.7			18.0
Used vehicle	932.6				911.9				20.7				2.3			2,776.6				2,630.6				146.0				5.6
Parts and service	595.3				578.0				17.3				3.0			1,789.4				1,720.0				69.4				4.0
Finance and insurance, net	146.7				121.9				24.8				20.3			419.9				349.6				70.3				20.1
Other	13.0				13.1				(0.1		)					40.0				40.4				(0.4		)
Total revenue	$	3,926.1			$	3,506.5			$	419.6			12.0			$	11,415.9			$	10,153.9			$	1,262.0			12.4
Gross profit:
New vehicle	$	144.6			$	138.2			$	6.4			4.6			$	421.5			$	400.2			$	21.3			5.3
Used vehicle	72.4				66.5				5.9				8.9			229.3				223.2				6.1				2.7
Parts and service	251.2				241.9				9.3				3.8			751.1				731.6				19.5				2.7
Finance and insurance	146.7				121.9				24.8				20.3			419.9				349.6				70.3				20.1
Other	6.3				6.7				(0.4		)					20.6				20.2				0.4
Total gross profit	$	621.2			$	575.2			$	46.0			8.0			$	1,842.4			$	1,724.8			$	117.6			6.8
Retail vehicle unit sales:
New vehicle	68,251				56,309				11,942				21.2			195,406				163,843				31,563				19.3
Used vehicle	45,434				44,226				1,208				2.7			136,958				129,148				7,810				6.0
	113,685				100,535				13,150				13.1			332,364				292,991				39,373				13.4
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
New vehicle	$	32,798			$	33,416			$	(618	)		(1.8	)		$	32,701			$	33,040			$	(339	)		(1.0	)
Used vehicle	$	17,808			$	17,648			$	160			0.9			$	17,710			$	17,762			$	(52	)		(0.3	)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
New vehicle	$	2,119			$	2,454			$	(335	)		(13.7	)		$	2,157			$	2,443			$	(286	)		(11.7	)
Used vehicle	$	1,589			$	1,524			$	65			4.3			$	1,639			$	1,690			$	(51	)		(3.0	)
Finance and insurance	$	1,290			$	1,213			$	77			6.3			$	1,263			$	1,193			$	70			5.9

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	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2012 (%)		2011 (%)		2012 (%)		2011 (%)
Revenue mix percentages:
New vehicle	57.0		53.7		56.0		53.3
Used vehicle	23.8		26.0		24.3		25.9
Parts and service	15.2		16.5		15.7		16.9
Finance and insurance, net	3.7		3.5		3.7		3.4
Other	0.3		0.3		0.3		0.5
Total	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0
Gross profit mix percentages:
New vehicle	23.3		24.0		22.9		23.2
Used vehicle	11.7		11.6		12.4		12.9
Parts and service	40.4		42.1		40.8		42.4
Finance and insurance	23.6		21.2		22.8		20.3
Other	1.0		1.1		1.1		1.2
Total	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
Gross profit:
New vehicle	6.5		7.3		6.6		7.4
Used vehicle - retail	8.9		8.6		9.3		9.5
Parts and service	42.2		41.9		42.0		42.5
Total	15.8		16.4		16.1		17.0

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New Vehicle

	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Reported:
Revenue	$	2,240.5			$	1,881.6			$	358.9			19.1			$	6,430.9			$	5,413.3			$	1,017.6			18.8
Gross profit	$	144.7			$	138.2			$	6.5			4.7			$	424.2			$	400.2			$	24.0			6.0
Retail vehicle unit sales	68,350				56,309				12,041				21.4			196,853				163,843				33,010				20.1
Revenue per vehicle retailed	$	32,780			$	33,416			$	(636	)		(1.9	)		$	32,669			$	33,040			$	(371	)		(1.1	)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed	$	2,117			$	2,454			$	(337	)		(13.7	)		$	2,155			$	2,443			$	(288	)		(11.8	)
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue	6.5		%		7.3		%									6.6		%		7.4		%
Days supply (industry standard of selling days, including fleet)	58 days				45 days
	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Same Store:
Revenue	$	2,238.5			$	1,881.6			$	356.9			19.0			$	6,390.0			$	5,413.3			$	976.7			18.0
Gross profit	$	144.6			$	138.2			$	6.4			4.6			$	421.5			$	400.2			$	21.3			5.3
Retail vehicle unit sales	68,251				56,309				11,942				21.2			195,406				163,843				31,563				19.3
Revenue per vehicle retailed	$	32,798			$	33,416			$	(618	)		(1.8	)		$	32,701			$	33,040			$	(339	)		(1.0	)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed	$	2,119			$	2,454			$	(335	)		(13.7	)		$	2,157			$	2,443			$	(286	)		(11.7	)
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue	6.5		%		7.3		%									6.6		%		7.4		%

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Same store new vehicle revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, as a result of an increase in same store unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in same store unit volume was primarily due to significantly improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers. Vehicle production by these manufacturers was adversely impacted in the third quarter of 2011 by the significant production and supply chain disruptions caused by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011. Same store unit volume also benefited from replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted same store unit volume.

Same store revenue per new vehicle retailed during the three months ended September 30, 2012, was adversely impacted by a shift in mix away from premium luxury and domestic vehicles to import vehicles, which have relatively lower average selling prices, primarily as a result of the improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers as compared to the prior year. Same store revenue per new vehicle retailed was also adversely impacted by a decrease in the average selling price for import vehicles as the prior year benefited from the supply and demand imbalances resulting from the Japan supply constraints.

Same store gross profit per new vehicle retailed decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to the prior year benefiting from the tight supply of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Same store new vehicle revenue increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, as a result of an increase in same store unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in same store unit volume was primarily due to significantly improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers, as well as replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted same store unit volume.

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Same store revenue per new vehicle retailed during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was adversely impacted by a shift in mix away from premium luxury and domestic vehicles to import vehicles, which have relatively lower average selling prices, primarily as a result of the improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers as compared to the prior year. Same store revenue per new vehicle retailed was also adversely impacted by a decrease in the average selling price for import vehicles as the prior year benefited from the supply and demand imbalances resulting from the Japan supply constraints.

Same store gross profit per new vehicle retailed decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to the prior year benefiting from the tight supply of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers and by certain performance-based manufacturer incentives related to premium luxury vehicles previously sold. These incentives were $5.0 million higher during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

New Vehicle Inventories

Our new vehicle inventories were $1.7 billion or 58 days supply at September 30, 2012, as compared to new vehicle inventories of $1.4 billion or 50 days supply at December 31, 2011 and $1.2 billion or 45 days supply at September 30, 2011. We had 51,656 units in new vehicle inventory at September 30, 2012, 43,906 units at December 31, 2011, and 33,914 units at September 30, 2011.

The following table details net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit, consisting of new vehicle floorplan interest expense, net of floorplan assistance earned (amounts received from manufacturers specifically to support store financing of new vehicle inventory). Floorplan assistance is accounted for as a component of new vehicle gross profit.

 

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)	2012				2011				Variance				2012				2011				Variance
Floorplan assistance	$	18.8			$	15.7			$	3.1			$	54.5			$	44.7			$	9.8
Floorplan interest expense (new vehicles)	(10.9		)		(9.1		)		(1.8		)		(31.6		)		(30.0		)		(1.6		)
Net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit	$	7.9			$	6.6			$	1.3			$	22.9			$	14.7			$	8.2

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

The net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011 primarily due to an increase in floorplan assistance, partially offset by an increase in floorplan interest expense. Floorplan assistance increased due to higher new vehicle sales. Floorplan interest expense increased due to higher average vehicle floorplan payable balances, partially offset by lower negotiated floorplan interest rates.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

The net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011 primarily due to an increase in floorplan assistance, partially offset by an increase in floorplan interest expense. Floorplan assistance increased due to higher new vehicle sales and an increase in the floorplan assistance rate per unit. Floorplan interest expense increased due to higher average vehicle floorplan payable balances, partially offset by lower negotiated floorplan interest rates.

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Used Vehicle

	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Reported:
Retail revenue	$	811.5			$	780.5			$	31.0			4.0			$	2,442.1			$	2,293.9			$	148.2			6.5
Wholesale revenue	124.9				131.4				(6.5		)		(4.9	)		360.5				336.7				23.8				7.1
Total revenue	$	936.4			$	911.9			$	24.5			2.7			$	2,802.6			$	2,630.6			$	172.0			6.5
Retail gross profit	$	72.5			$	67.4			$	5.1			7.6			$	226.1			$	218.3			$	7.8			3.6
Wholesale gross profit	0.2				(0.9		)		1.1							4.8				4.9				(0.1		)
Total gross profit	$	72.7			$	66.5			$	6.2			9.3			$	230.9			$	223.2			$	7.7			3.4
Retail vehicle unit sales	45,643				44,226				1,417				3.2			137,995				129,148				8,847				6.9
Revenue per vehicle retailed	$	17,779			$	17,648			$	131			0.7			$	17,697			$	17,762			$	(65	)		(0.4	)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed	$	1,588			$	1,524			$	64			4.2			$	1,638			$	1,690			$	(52	)		(3.1	)
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue	8.9		%		8.6		%									9.3		%		9.5		%
Days supply (trailing calendar days) (1)	29 days				30 days
(1) As of December 31, 2011, we have revised our method of calculating used vehicle days supply from a dollar day supply to a unit day supply (including wholesale units). We have revised prior periods to conform to our revised method of calculation.
	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Same Store:
Retail revenue	$	809.1			$	780.5			$	28.6			3.7			$	2,425.5			$	2,293.9			$	131.6			5.7
Wholesale revenue	123.5				131.4				(7.9		)		(6.0	)		351.1				336.7				14.4				4.3
Total revenue	$	932.6			$	911.9			$	20.7			2.3			$	2,776.6			$	2,630.6			$	146.0			5.6
Retail gross profit	$	72.2			$	67.4			$	4.8			7.1			$	224.5			$	218.3			$	6.2			2.8
Wholesale gross profit	0.2				(0.9		)		1.1							4.8				4.9				(0.1		)
Total gross profit	$	72.4			$	66.5			$	5.9			8.9			$	229.3			$	223.2			$	6.1			2.7
Retail vehicle unit sales	45,434				44,226				1,208				2.7			136,958				129,148				7,810				6.0
Revenue per vehicle retailed	$	17,808			$	17,648			$	160			0.9			$	17,710			$	17,762			$	(52	)		(0.3	)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed	$	1,589			$	1,524			$	65			4.3			$	1,639			$	1,690			$	(51	)		(3.0	)
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue	8.9		%		8.6		%									9.3		%		9.5		%

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Same store retail used vehicle revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in same store unit volume and an increase in revenue per used vehicle retailed. The increase in used vehicle sales volume was driven in part by an increase in sales of certified pre-owned vehicles, as well as an increase in trade-in volume.

Same store revenue per used vehicle retailed increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, benefited from a shift toward premium luxury vehicles, which have relatively higher average selling prices. This benefit was partially offset by a decrease in the average selling prices for used premium luxury and import vehicles as the prior year benefited from the supply and demand imbalances resulting from the Japan supply constraints. Additionally, wholesale values of used vehicles have decreased as compared to the prior year.

Same store gross profit per used vehicle retailed increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011. Same store gross profit per used vehicle retailed benefited from improved results in our Import segment, as well as from a shift toward premium luxury vehicles, which have a relatively higher average gross profit per vehicle retailed.

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First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Same store retail used vehicle revenue increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in same store unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue per used vehicle retailed. The increase in used vehicle sales volume was driven in part by an increase in sales of certified pre-owned vehicles, as well as an increase in trade-in volume.

Same store revenue per used vehicle retailed during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was adversely impacted by a decrease in the average selling prices for used premium luxury and import vehicles as the prior year benefited from the supply and demand imbalances resulting from the Japan supply constraints. Additionally, wholesale values of used vehicles have decreased as compared to the prior year. Decreases in same store revenue per used vehicle retailed were partially offset by a shift toward premium luxury vehicles, which have relatively higher average selling prices.

Same store gross profit per used vehicle retailed decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, due in part to compressed margins on certified pre-owned vehicles.

Used Vehicle Inventories

Used vehicle inventories were $287.6 million or 29 days supply at September 30, 2012, compared to $286.3 million or 31 days supply at December 31, 2011, and $305.4 million or 30 days supply at September 30, 2011.

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Parts and Service

	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance		2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Reported:
Revenue	$	596.8			$	578.0			$	18.8			3.3		$	1,799.2			$	1,720.0			$	79.2			4.6
Gross Profit	$	251.8			$	241.9			$	9.9			4.1		$	755.4			$	731.6			$	23.8			3.3
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue	42.2		%		41.9		%								42.0		%		42.5		%
Same Store:
Revenue	$	595.3			$	578.0			$	17.3			3.0		$	1,789.4			$	1,720.0			$	69.4			4.0
Gross Profit	$	251.2			$	241.9			$	9.3			3.8		$	751.1			$	731.6			$	19.5			2.7
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue	42.2		%		41.9		%								42.0		%		42.5		%

Parts and service revenue is primarily derived from vehicle repairs paid directly by customers or via reimbursement from manufacturers and others under warranty programs, as well as from wholesale parts sales.

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, same store parts and service gross profit increased as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to increases in gross profit associated with the preparation of vehicles for sale of $6.7 million, warranty of $1.4 million, and customer-pay service of $1.3 million.

Gross profit associated with the preparation of vehicles for sale benefited from higher new and used vehicle sales volume. Warranty gross profit benefited from improved performance in our Premium Luxury segment as our premium luxury service base has begun to increase due to higher industry premium luxury new vehicle unit sales in recent years. Customer-pay service gross profit benefited from improved market conditions and better marketing of products and services in the service department.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, same store parts and service gross profit increased as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to increases in gross profit associated with the preparation of vehicles for sale of $20.4 million and customer-pay service of $6.1 million, partially offset by a decline in gross profit associated with warranty of $5.9 million.

Gross profit associated with the preparation of vehicles for sale benefited from higher new and used vehicle sales volume. Customer-pay service gross profit benefited from improved market conditions and better marketing of products and services in the service department. Warranty gross profit was adversely impacted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, by fewer vehicles in operation as a result of lower vehicle sales in recent years and, to a lesser extent, improved quality of vehicles manufactured in recent years.

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased as compared to the prior year period due to our customer retention strategy, which includes driving sales of lower margin maintenance services to build customer loyalty, as well as expanding our parts wholesale and collision operations.

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Finance and Insurance

	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance		2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Reported:
Revenue and gross profit	$	147.0			$	121.9			$	25.1			20.6		$	422.3			$	349.6			$	72.7			20.8
Gross profit per vehicle retailed	$	1,290			$	1,213			$	77			6.3		$	1,261			$	1,193			$	68			5.7
Same Store:
Revenue and gross profit	$	146.7			$	121.9			$	24.8			20.3		$	419.9			$	349.6			$	70.3			20.1
Gross profit per vehicle retailed	$	1,290			$	1,213			$	77			6.3		$	1,263			$	1,193			$	70			5.9

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, due to an increase in new and used unit sales and an increase in same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit per vehicle retailed. Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit during the three months ended September 30, 2012, were also impacted by a favorable adjustment of $1.3 million ($0.8 million after-tax) associated with certain product maintenance contracts.

Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit per vehicle retailed benefited from an increase in margin on product contracts sold, an increase in product penetration, more customers financing vehicles through our stores, and an increase in amounts financed per transaction. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in revenue and gross profit per transaction associated with arranging customer financing.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, due to an increase in new and used unit sales and an increase in same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit per vehicle retailed. Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, were also impacted by a favorable adjustment of $5.1 million ($3.2 million after-tax) associated with certain product maintenance contracts. This benefit was partially offset by a decrease in retrospective commissions.

Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit per vehicle retailed benefited from an increase in margin on product contracts sold, an increase in product penetration, more customers financing vehicles through our stores, and an increase in amounts financed per transaction.

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Segment Results

In the following table, total segment income of the operating segments is reconciled to consolidated operating income.

	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance		2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Revenue:
Domestic	$	1,285.0			$	1,204.4			$	80.6			6.7		$	3,809.2			$	3,445.5			$	363.7			10.6
Import	1,523.3				1,268.8				254.5				20.1		4,365.7				3,692.1				673.6				18.2
Premium Luxury	1,086.4				998.2				88.2				8.8		3,202.0				2,905.4				296.6				10.2
Total segment revenue	3,894.7				3,471.4				423.3				12.2		11,376.9				10,043.0				1,333.9				13.3
Corporate and other	39.1				35.1				4.0				11.4		118.4				110.9				7.5				6.8
Total consolidated revenue	$	3,933.8			$	3,506.5			$	427.3			12.2		$	11,495.3			$	10,153.9			$	1,341.4			13.2
*Segment income:
Domestic	$	51.9			$	46.7			$	5.2			11.1		$	155.2			$	135.8			$	19.4			14.3
Import	69.0				61.1				7.9				12.9		198.1				178.4				19.7				11.0
Premium Luxury	62.9				53.4				9.5				17.8		190.0				170.8				19.2				11.2
Total segment income	183.8				161.2				22.6				14.0		543.3				485.0				58.3				12.0
Corporate and other	(31.5		)		(26.8		)		(4.7		)				(99.6		)		(88.3		)		(11.3		)
Floorplan interest expense	11.4				9.7				(1.7		)				32.9				31.8				(1.1		)
Operating income	$	163.7			$	144.1			$	19.6			13.6		$	476.6			$	428.5			$	48.1			11.2
* Segment income for each of our segments is defined as operating income less floorplan interest expense.
Retail new vehicle unit sales:
Domestic	21,579				19,789				1,790				9.0		64,085				56,276				7,809				13.9
Import	35,578				26,404				9,174				34.7		100,331				79,000				21,331				27.0
Premium Luxury	11,193				10,116				1,077				10.6		32,437				28,567				3,870				13.5
	68,350				56,309				12,041				21.4		196,853				163,843				33,010				20.1

As of March 31, 2012, we revised the basis of segmentation for our Import and Premium Luxury segments to reclassify Audi franchises from the Import segment to the Premium Luxury segment. In connection with this change, we have reclassified historical amounts to conform to our current segment presentation. We have five Audi franchises for which we reclassified revenue of $49.5 million and segment income of $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and revenue of $136.9 million and segment income of $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

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Domestic

The Domestic segment operating results included the following:

 

	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance		2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Revenue	$	1,285.0			$	1,204.4			$	80.6			6.7		$	3,809.2			$	3,445.5			$	363.7			10.6
Segment income	$	51.9			$	46.7			$	5.2			11.1		$	155.2			$	135.8			$	19.4			14.3
Retail new vehicle unit sales	21,579				19,789				1,790				9.0		64,085				56,276				7,809				13.9

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Domestic revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume and an increase in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in new vehicle unit volume was due in part to replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted new vehicle unit volume. New vehicle revenue and unit sales increased for all three domestic manufacturers as compared to the third quarter of 2011.

Domestic segment income increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit, which benefited from an increase in new vehicle unit volume. Domestic segment income also benefited from an increase in new vehicle gross profit. Increases in Domestic segment income were partially offset by an increase in variable expenses.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Domestic revenue increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume and an increase in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in new vehicle unit volume was due in part to replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted new vehicle unit volume. New vehicle revenue and unit sales increased for all three domestic manufacturers as compared to the prior year.

Domestic segment income increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit, which benefited from an increase in new and used vehicle unit volume. Domestic segment income also benefited from an increase in new vehicle gross profit. Increases in Domestic segment income were partially offset by an increase in variable expenses.

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Import

The Import segment operating results included the following:

 

	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance		2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Revenue	$	1,523.3			$	1,268.8			$	254.5			20.1		$	4,365.7			$	3,692.1			$	673.6			18.2
Segment income	$	69.0			$	61.1			$	7.9			12.9		$	198.1			$	178.4			$	19.7			11.0
Retail new vehicle unit sales	35,578				26,404				9,174				34.7		100,331				79,000				21,331				27.0

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Import revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in new vehicle unit volume was primarily due to significantly improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers, as well as to replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted new vehicle unit volume.

Import segment income increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit and parts and service gross profit, both of which benefited from higher new and used vehicle sales volume. The increase in Import segment income was partially offset by an increase in variable expenses.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Import revenue increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in new vehicle unit volume was primarily due to significantly improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by Japanese manufacturers, as well as to replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted new vehicle unit volume.

Import segment income increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit and parts and service gross profit, both of which benefited from higher new and used vehicle sales volume. Import segment income also benefited from an increase in new vehicle gross profit. Increases in Import segment income were partially offset by an increase in variable expenses.

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Premium Luxury

The Premium Luxury segment operating results included the following:

 

	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance		2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Revenue	$	1,086.4			$	998.2			$	88.2			8.8		$	3,202.0			$	2,905.4			$	296.6			10.2
Segment income	$	62.9			$	53.4			$	9.5			17.8		$	190.0			$	170.8			$	19.2			11.2
Retail new vehicle unit sales	11,193				10,116				1,077				10.6		32,437				28,567				3,870				13.5

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Premium Luxury revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume and an increase in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in new vehicle unit volume was due in part to significantly improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by a Japanese manufacturer, as well as replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted new unit volume.

Premium Luxury segment income increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit and parts and service gross profit, both of which benefited from higher new and used vehicle sales volume. Premium Luxury segment income also benefited from an increase in new vehicle gross profit. Increases in Premium Luxury segment income were partially offset by an increase in variable expenses.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Premium Luxury revenue increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in new vehicle unit volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue per new vehicle retailed. The increase in new vehicle unit volume was due in part to significantly improved inventory levels of vehicles produced by a Japanese manufacturer, as well as replacement demand and improved market conditions, including increased consumer borrowing and improved consumer confidence as compared to the prior year. An improved credit environment and an increase in new product offerings from automotive manufacturers also favorably impacted new vehicle unit volume.

Premium Luxury segment income increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in finance and insurance revenue and gross profit and parts and service gross profit, both of which benefited from higher new and used vehicle sales volume. Premium Luxury segment income also benefited from an increase in new vehicle gross profit. Increases in Premium Luxury segment income were partially offset by an increase in variable expenses. The prior year period was also more favorably impacted by a higher amount of certain performance-based manufacturer incentives as noted above in the “New Vehicle” section.

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Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Our Selling, General, and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”) consist primarily of compensation, including store and corporate salaries, commissions, and incentive-based compensation, as well as advertising (net of reimbursement-based manufacturer advertising rebates), and store and corporate overhead expenses, which include occupancy costs, legal, accounting, and professional services, and general corporate expenses. The following table presents the major components of our SG&A.

	Three Months Ended September 30,															Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)	2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance			2012				2011				Variance Favorable / (Unfavorable)				% Variance
Reported:
Compensation	$	290.3			$	265.0			$	(25.3	)		(9.5	)		$	869.2			$	804.4			$	(64.8	)		(8.1	)
Advertising	33.3				34.3				1.0				2.9			99.7				97.2				(2.5		)		(2.6	)
Store and corporate overhead	112.2				112.1				(0.1		)		(0.1	)		338.4				335.1				(3.3		)		(1.0	)
Total	$	435.8			$	411.4			$	(24.4	)		(5.9	)		$	1,307.3			$	1,236.7			$	(70.6	)		(5.7	)
SG&A as a % of total gross profit:
Compensation	46.6				46.1				(50		)		bps			46.9				46.6				(30		)		bps
Advertising	5.3				6.0				70				bps			5.4				5.6				20				bps
Store and corporate overhead	18.1				19.4				130				bps			18.2				19.5				130				bps
Total	70.0				71.5				150				bps			70.5				71.7				120				bps

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

SG&A expenses increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to a performance-driven increase in compensation expense. As a percentage of total gross profit, SG&A expenses decreased to 70.0% during the three months ended September 30, 2012, from 71.5% in the same period in 2011, resulting from our continued effective management of our cost structure and improved gross profit.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

SG&A expenses increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, due to a performance-driven increase in compensation expense, an increase in gross advertising expenditures, which was partially offset by an increase in advertising reimbursements from manufacturers, and an increase in store and corporate overhead expenses. As a percentage of total gross profit, SG&A expenses decreased to 70.5% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from 71.7% in the same period in 2011, resulting from our continued effective management of our cost structure and improved gross profit. Gross profit in the prior year period was favorably impacted by certain performance-based manufacturer incentives related to premium luxury vehicles previously sold. These incentives were $5.0 million higher during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Non-Operating Income (Expense)

Floorplan Interest Expense

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Floorplan interest expense was $11.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $9.7 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in floorplan interest expense of $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, is primarily the result of higher average vehicle floorplan balances, partially offset by lower negotiated floorplan interest rates.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Floorplan interest expense was $32.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in floorplan interest expense of $1.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, is primarily the result of higher average vehicle floorplan balances, partially offset by lower negotiated floorplan interest rates.

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Other Interest Expense

Other interest expense was incurred primarily on borrowings under our term loan facility, revolving credit facility, mortgage facility, and outstanding senior unsecured notes.

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Other interest expense was $22.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $16.4 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in other interest expense of $5.8 million was primarily due to a $4.8 million increase resulting from the February 2012 issuance of our 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020 and a $1.6 million increase resulting from higher levels of debt outstanding during the year associated with our revolving credit facility and capital leases. These increases were partially offset by decreases in interest expense of $0.7 million resulting from lower interest rates on our term loan facility, and $0.3 million resulting from the redemption of our 7% Senior Notes due 2014.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Other interest expense was $65.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $48.6 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in other interest expense of $16.6 million was primarily due to a $12.8 million increase resulting from the February 2012 issuance of our 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020 and a $5.2 million increase resulting from higher levels of debt outstanding during the year associated with our revolving credit facility and capital leases. These increases were partially offset by decreases in interest expense of $2.0 million resulting from lower interest rates on our term loan facility, $0.4 million resulting from the redemption of our 7% Senior Notes due 2014, and $0.3 million resulting from lower levels of debt outstanding during the period associated with our mortgage facility.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided based upon our anticipated underlying annual blended federal and state income tax rates adjusted, as necessary, for any other tax matters occurring during the period. As we operate in various states, our effective tax rate is also dependent upon our geographic revenue mix.

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

Our effective income tax rate was 38.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and 38.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

Our effective income tax rate was 38.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and 38.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations are related to stores that were sold or terminated, that we have entered into an agreement to sell or terminate, or for which we otherwise deem a proposed sales transaction or termination to be probable, with no material changes expected. We account for a store that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale as a discontinued operation if (a) the operations and cash flows of the store have been (or will be) eliminated from our ongoing operations and (b) we will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the store after the disposal transaction.

In evaluating whether a store’s cash flows will be eliminated from our ongoing operations, we consider whether we expect to continue to generate revenues or incur expenses from the sale of similar products or services to customers of the disposed store in the same geographic market. If we believe that a significant portion of the cash flows previously generated by the disposed store will migrate to our other operating stores, we will not treat the disposition as a discontinued operation.

Third Quarter 2012 compared to Third Quarter 2011

We had a loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, totaling $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, and no income or loss during the three months ended September 30, 2011. Results from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, were primarily related to carrying costs for real estate we have not yet sold associated with stores that have been closed and other adjustments related to disposed operations.

First Nine Months 2012 compared to First Nine Months 2011

We had a loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, totaling $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and $2.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was primarily related to carrying costs for real

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estate we have not yet sold associated with stores that have been closed, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was primarily related to expected losses on real estate to be sold, as well as to carrying costs for real estate we have not yet sold associated with stores that have been closed.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We manage our liquidity to ensure access to sufficient funding at acceptable costs to fund our ongoing operating requirements and future capital expenditures while continuing to meet our financial obligations. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, funds generated through future operations, and amounts available under our revolving credit facility and secured used vehicle floorplan facilities will be sufficient to fund our working capital requirements, service our debt, pay our tax obligations and commitments and contingencies, and meet any seasonal operating requirements for the foreseeable future.

Available Liquidity Resources

We had the following sources of liquidity available:

(In millions)	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	98.6			$	86.6
Revolving Credit Facility	$	694.9		(1)	$	648.5		(2)
Secured Used Vehicle Floorplan Facilities (3)	$	93.0			$	75.4

 

(1)	As limited by the applicable maximum leverage ratio contained in our credit agreement. See “Long-Term Debt – Credit Agreement” for additional information.

(2)	Based on aggregate borrowings outstanding of $495.0 million and outstanding letters of credit of $56.5 million at December 31, 2011. See “Long-Term Debt – Credit Agreement” for additional information.

(3)	Based on the eligible used vehicle inventory that could have been pledged as collateral. See “Long-Term Debt – Vehicle Floorplan Payable” for additional information.

In the ordinary course of business, we are required to post performance and surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of our performance. At September 30, 2012, surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash deposits totaled $91.5 million, including $56.5 million of letters of credit. We do not currently provide cash collateral for outstanding letters of credit.

In February 2012, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement with the SEC that enables us to offer for sale, from time to time and as the capital markets permit, an unspecified amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, units, and guarantees of debt securities.

Capital Allocation

We use our capital resources to make capital investments in our business, to complete dealership acquisitions, and to repurchase our common stock and/or debt. A key component of our long-term strategy is to maximize the return on investment generated by the use of cash flow that our business generates, while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Our capital allocation decisions will be based on factors such as the expected rate of return on our investment, the market price of our common stock versus our view of its intrinsic value, the market price of our debt, the potential impact on our capital structure, our ability to complete dealership acquisitions that meet our market and brand criteria and return on investment threshold, and limitations set forth in our debt agreements.

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Share Repurchases

A summary of shares repurchased under our stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors follows:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
(In millions, except per share data)	2012				2011				2012				2011
Shares repurchased	—				5.7				15.4				10.8
Aggregate purchase price	$	—			$	195.9			$	531.6			$	365.6
Average purchase price per share	$	—			$	34.66			$	34.54			$	33.85

The decision to repurchase shares at any given point in time is based on factors such as the market price of our common stock versus our view of its intrinsic value, the potential impact on our capital structure (including compliance with our 3.75x maximum leverage ratio and other financial covenants in our debt agreements as well as our available liquidity), and the expected return on competing uses of capital such as dealership acquisitions, capital investments in our current businesses, or repurchases of our debt.

In July 2012, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $250.0 million of shares of our common stock. As of September 30, 2012, $368.2 million remained available under our stock repurchase authorization limit.

Senior Note Repurchases and Debt Prepayment

We may from time to time repurchase our outstanding senior unsecured notes in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. Additionally, we may in the future prepay our term loan facility or other debt. The decision to repurchase senior unsecured notes or to prepay our term loan facility or other debt is based on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors.

Capital Expenditures

The following table sets forth information regarding our capital expenditures:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
(In millions)	2012				2011				2012				2011
Purchases of property and equipment, including operating lease buy-outs (1)	$	45.8			$	50.0			$	122.8			$	113.6

(1)	Includes accrued construction in progress and excludes property acquired under capital leases.

Excluding land purchased for future sites and lease buy-outs, and net of related asset sales, we anticipate that our capital expenditures, including accrued construction in progress, will be approximately $155 million in 2012, primarily related to our store facilities.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following table sets forth information regarding cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and cash received from business divestitures, net of cash relinquished:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
(In millions)	2012				2011				2012				2011
Cash received from (used in) business acquisitions, net	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(64.2	)
Cash received from (used in) business divestitures, net	$	—			$	3.7			$	—			$	4.9

Cash Dividends

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock during our two most recent fiscal years. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

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Long-Term Debt

The following table sets forth our non-vehicle long-term debt as of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011.

(In millions)	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
7% Senior Notes due 2014	$	—			$	14.7
6.75% Senior Notes due 2018	395.5				395.0
5.5% Senior Notes due 2020	350.0				—
Term loan facility due 2016	500.0				500.0
Revolving credit facility due 2016	395.0				495.0
Mortgage facility (1)	205.4				211.5
Capital leases	46.4				30.8
	1,892.3				1,647.0
Less: current maturities	(28.2		)		(12.6		)
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	1,864.1			$	1,634.4

(1)	The mortgage facility requires monthly principal and interest payments of $1.7 million based on a fixed amortization schedule with a balloon payment of $155.4 million due November 2017.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On February 1, 2012, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020. Interest is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year. At any time prior to February 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of these notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more public equity offerings of our common stock at 105.5% of principal. These notes will mature on February 1, 2020.

On April 16, 2012, we redeemed all of our outstanding 7% Senior Notes due 2014 at 100% of principal, for which we paid $15.2 million (which included accrued and unpaid interest).

At September 30, 2012, we had outstanding $395.5 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018, net of debt discount. Interest on the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year. At any time prior to April 15, 2013, we may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of these notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more public equity offerings of our common stock at 106.75% of principal. These notes will mature on April 15, 2018.

Our senior unsecured notes are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries.

Credit Agreement

Under our credit agreement, we have a $500.0 million term loan facility and a $1.2 billion revolving credit facility. The term loan and revolving credit facilities under the credit agreement mature on December 7, 2016.

As of September 30, 2012, we had borrowings outstanding of $395.0 million under the revolving credit facility. We have a $200.0 million letter of credit sublimit as part of our revolving credit facility. The amount available to be borrowed under the revolving credit facility is reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the cumulative amount of any outstanding letters of credit, which was $56.5 million at September 30, 2012, leaving an additional borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility of $748.5 million at September 30, 2012. This borrowing capacity was limited under the maximum consolidated leverage ratio contained in our credit agreement to $694.9 million as of September 30, 2012.

Funds borrowed under our credit agreement may be used to repay indebtedness, finance acquisitions and for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases, and other general corporate purposes.

Our term loan facility provides for various interest rates generally at LIBOR plus 1.75%. Our revolving credit facility provides for a commitment fee on undrawn amounts of 0.30% and various interest rates on borrowings generally at LIBOR plus 1.75%.

The credit spread charged for both our term loan facility and revolving credit facility is affected by our leverage ratio. For instance, an increase in our leverage ratio from greater than or equal to 2.0x but less than 3.25x to greater than or equal to 3.25x would result in a 25 basis point increase in the credit spread under both our term loan facility and revolving credit facility.

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Borrowings under the credit agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries.

Vehicle Floorplan Payable

Vehicle floorplan payable-trade totaled $1.6 billion at September 30, 2012, and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2011. Vehicle floorplan payable-trade reflects amounts borrowed to finance the purchase of specific new vehicle inventories with manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries.

Vehicle floorplan payable-non-trade totaled $641.4 million at September 30, 2012, and $536.5 million at December 31, 2011, and represents amounts borrowed to finance the purchase of specific new and, to a lesser extent, used vehicle inventories with non-trade lenders, as well as amounts borrowed under our secured used vehicle floorplan facilities, which are primarily collateralized by used vehicle inventories and related receivables.

At September 30, 2012, the aggregate capacity under our used vehicle floorplan facilities was $310.0 million. As of that date, $111.8 million had been borrowed under those facilities, and the remaining borrowing capacity of $198.2 million was limited to $93.0 million based on the eligible used vehicle inventory that could have been pledged as collateral.

At December 31, 2011, the aggregate capacity under our used vehicle floorplan facilities was $260.0 million. As of that date, $112.7 million had been borrowed under those facilities, and the remaining borrowing capacity of $147.3 million was limited to $75.4 million based on the eligible used vehicle inventory that could have been pledged as collateral.

All the floorplan facilities utilize LIBOR-based interest rates. Floorplan facilities are due on demand, but in the case of new vehicle inventories, are generally paid within several business days after the related vehicles are sold. Our manufacturer agreements generally require that the manufacturer have the ability to draft against the new vehicle floorplan facilities so the lender directly funds the manufacturer for the purchase of new vehicle inventory. Floorplan facilities are primarily collateralized by vehicle inventories and related receivables.

Other Debt

At September 30, 2012, we had $205.4 million outstanding under a mortgage facility with an automotive manufacturer’s captive finance subsidiary that matures on November 30, 2017. The mortgage facility utilizes a fixed interest rate of 5.864% and is secured by 10-year mortgages on certain of our store properties. At September 30, 2012, we had capital lease obligations of $46.4 million, which are due at various dates through 2032.

Restrictions and Covenants

Our credit agreement, the indentures for our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 and 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020, our vehicle floorplan facilities, and our mortgage facility contain customary financial and operating covenants that place restrictions on us, including our ability to incur additional indebtedness or prepay existing indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to sell (or otherwise dispose of) assets, and to merge or consolidate with other entities.

Under our credit agreement, we are required to remain in compliance with a maximum leverage ratio and maximum capitalization ratio. The leverage ratio is a contractually defined amount principally reflecting non-vehicle debt divided by a contractually defined measure of earnings with certain adjustments. The capitalization ratio is a contractually defined amount principally reflecting vehicle floorplan payable and non-vehicle debt divided by our total capitalization including vehicle floorplan payable. Under the credit agreement, the maximum capitalization ratio is 65.0% and the maximum leverage ratio is 3.75x. In calculating our leverage and capitalization ratios, we are not required to include letters of credit in the definition of debt (except to the extent of letters of credit in excess of $150.0 million). In addition, in calculating our capitalization ratio, we are permitted to add back to shareholders’ equity all goodwill, franchise rights, and long-lived asset impairment charges subsequent to September 30, 2011 plus $1.52 billion. The specific terms of these covenants can be found in our credit agreement, which we filed with our Current Report on Form 8-K on December 8, 2011.

The indentures for our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 and 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020 contain certain limited covenants, including limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions, but do not contain a restricted payments covenant or a debt incurrence restriction. Our mortgage facility contains covenants regarding maximum cash flow leverage and minimum interest coverage.

Our failure to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements could permit acceleration of all of our indebtedness. Our debt agreements have cross-default provisions that trigger a default in the event of an uncured default under other material indebtedness of AutoNation.

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As of September 30, 2012, we were in compliance with the requirements of the financial covenants under our debt agreements. Under the terms of our credit agreement, at September 30, 2012, our leverage ratio and capitalization ratio were as follows:

	September 30, 2012
	Requirement		Actual
Leverage ratio	< 3.75x		2.74x
Capitalization ratio	< 65.0%		56.4%

Both the leverage ratio and the capitalization ratio limit our ability to incur additional non-vehicle debt. The capitalization ratio also limits our ability to incur additional vehicle floorplan indebtedness.

In the event of a downgrade in our credit ratings, none of the covenants described above would be impacted. In addition, availability under the credit agreement described above would not be impacted should a downgrade in our senior unsecured debt credit ratings occur.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the changes in our cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
(In millions)	2012				2011
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	311.7			$	311.1
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(113.8	)		$	(174.7	)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(185.9	)		$	(164.2	)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our primary sources of operating cash flows are collections from contracts-in-transit and customers following the sale of vehicles and proceeds from vehicle floorplan payable-trade. Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are repayments of vehicle floorplan payable-trade, personnel related expenditures, and payments related to taxes and leased properties.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to an increase in earnings, partially offset by an increase in working capital requirements.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of cash used in capital additions, activity from business acquisitions, business divestitures, property dispositions, and other transactions.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to a decrease in activity from business acquisitions.

We will make facility and infrastructure upgrades and improvements from time to time as we identify projects that are required to maintain our current business or that we expect to provide us with acceptable rates of return. Excluding land purchased for future sites and lease buy-outs, and net of related asset sales, we project that 2012 capital expenditures, including accrued construction in progress, will be approximately $155 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash flows from financing activities primarily include repurchases of common stock, debt activity, changes in vehicle floorplan payable-non-trade, and stock option exercises.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we repurchased 15.4 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $531.6 million (average purchase price per share of $34.54). In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, 45,144 shares were surrendered to AutoNation to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock.

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 10.8 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $365.6 million (average purchase price per share of $33.85), including repurchases for which settlement occurred subsequent to September 30, 2011. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, 42,985 shares were surrendered to AutoNation to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we borrowed $820.0 million and repaid $920.0 million under our revolving credit facility, for net repayments of $100.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we borrowed $300.0 million and repaid $180.0 million under our revolving credit facility, for net borrowings of $120.0 million.

On February 1, 2012, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020. See “Long-Term Debt - Senior Unsecured Notes” above for additional information regarding our 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020. Cash flows from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 reflect cash payments of $6.0 million for debt issuance costs that will be amortized to expense over the term of the related debt.

Cash flows from financing activities include changes in vehicle floorplan payable - non-trade totaling net proceeds of $104.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and net payments of $28.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, cash flows from financing activities were also impacted by a decrease in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a decrease in the related tax benefit from stock-based awards as compared to the same period in 2011.

Seasonality

Our operations generally experience higher volumes of vehicle sales and service 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 vehicles and light trucks is generally lower during the winter months than in other seasons, particularly in regions of the United States where stores may be subject to adverse winter conditions. Accordingly, we expect our revenue and operating results to be generally lower in the first and fourth quarters as compared to the second and third quarters. However, revenue may be impacted significantly from quarter to quarter by actual or threatened severe weather events and by other factors unrelated to weather conditions, such as changing economic conditions and automotive manufacturer incentive programs.

Forward-Looking Statements

Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the matters discussed below. Certain statements and information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including without limitation statements regarding our expectations for the automotive retail industry and the Company, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or by our authorized executive officers on our behalf, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “goal,” “plan,” “believe,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. The risks, uncertainties, and other factors that our stockholders and prospective investors should consider include, but are not limited to, the following:

•	The automotive retail industry is sensitive to changing economic conditions and various other factors. Our business and results of operations are substantially dependent on new vehicle sales levels in the United States and in our particular geographic markets and the level of gross profit margins that we can achieve on our sales of new vehicles, all of which are very difficult to predict.

•	Our results of operations and financial condition have been and could continue to be adversely affected by the unfavorable economic conditions in the United States and/or Europe.

•	Our debt agreements contain certain financial ratios and other restrictions on our ability to conduct our business, and our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and operations and prevent us from fulfilling our debt service obligations.

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•	We are dependent upon the success and continued financial viability of the vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises.

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

•	Our new vehicle sales are impacted by the consumer incentive and marketing programs of vehicle manufacturers.

•	Natural disasters and adverse weather events can disrupt our business.

•	We are subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, vehicle manufacturers that may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, including our ability to acquire additional stores.

•	We are subject to numerous legal and administrative proceedings, which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and prospects.

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

•	We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our vehicle floorplan payables, revolving credit facility, and term loan facility that could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

•	Our largest stockholders, as a result of their ownership stakes in us, have the ability to exert substantial influence over actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders or Board of Directors. In addition, future share repurchases and fluctuations in the levels of ownership of our largest stockholders could impact the volume of trading, liquidity, and market price of our common stock.

•	A failure of our information systems or any security breach or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Please refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for additional discussion of the foregoing risks. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Our primary market risk exposure is changing LIBOR-based interest rates. Interest rate derivatives may be used to hedge a portion of our variable rate debt when appropriate based on market conditions.

We had $2.2 billion of variable rate vehicle floorplan payable at September 30, 2012, and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2011. Based on these amounts, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate change of $22.0 million at September 30, 2012, and $19.0 million at December 31, 2011, to our annual floorplan interest expense. Our exposure to changes in interest rates with respect to total vehicle floorplan payable is partially mitigated by manufacturers’ floorplan assistance, which in some cases is based on variable interest rates.

We had $0.9 billion of other variable rate debt outstanding at September 30, 2012, and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2011. Based on the amounts outstanding, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate change to annual interest expense of $9.0 million at September 30, 2012, and $10.0 million at December 31, 2011.

Our fixed rate debt, primarily consisting of amounts outstanding under our senior unsecured notes and mortgages, totaled $1.0 billion and had a fair value of $1.1 billion as of September 30, 2012, and totaled $652.0 million and had a fair value of $675.6 million as of December 31, 2011.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

We continue to centralize certain key store-level accounting and administrative activities, which we expect will streamline our internal control over financial reporting. The initial or “core” phase consisted of implementing a standard data processing platform in the store and centralizing to a shared services center certain key accounting processes (non-inventory accounts payable, bank account reconciliations, and certain accounts receivable). We have implemented the core phase in substantially all of our stores.

We are also transferring certain additional accounting responsibilities to our shared services center (the “extended” phase), which includes accounting for vehicle sales, lien payoffs, receipt of vehicles, floorplan transactions, and manufacturer payables, as well as certain other reconciliation processes. We have substantially implemented the extended phase in 208 of our 215 stores as of September 30, 2012.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The table below sets forth information with respect to shares of common stock repurchased by AutoNation, Inc. during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)			Avg. Price Paid Per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs			Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased  Under The Programs (in millions)(1)
July 1, 2012 - July 31, 2012	43,459			$	40.60			—			$	368.2
August 1, 2012 - August 31, 2012	—			$	—			—			$	368.2
September 1, 2012 - September 30, 2012	—			$	—			—			$	368.2
Total	43,459							—

 

(1)

Our Board of Directors from time to time authorizes the repurchase of shares of our common stock up to a certain monetary limit. As of June 30, 2012, $118.2 million remained available under our share repurchase authorization limit. On July 18, 2012, our Board authorized the repurchase of an additional $250.0 million in shares of our common stock. During the third quarter of 2012, no stock repurchases were made pursuant to our Board’s authorization. As of September 30, 2012, $368.2 million remained available under our stock repurchase authorization limit. The Board’s authorization has no expiration date. During the third quarter of 2012, 43,459 shares were surrendered to AutoNation to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or to pay for an option exercise.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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SIGNATURE

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

 

		AUTONATION, INC.
Date:	October 25, 2012	By:	/s/ Michael J. Stephan
			Michael J. Stephan Vice President – Corporate Controller
			(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

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