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| PAG > SEC Filings for PAG > Form 10-Q on 31-Jul-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
31-Jul-2009
Quarterly Report
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in
the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those
discussed in "Forward Looking Statements." We have acquired and initiated a
number of businesses since inception. Our financial statements include the
results of operations of those businesses from the date acquired or when they
commenced operations. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations has been updated to reflect the revision of
our financial statements for entities which have been treated as discontinued
operations through June 30, 2009.
Overview
We are the second largest automotive retailer headquartered in the U.S. as
measured by total revenues. As of June 30, 2009, we owned and operated 160
franchises in the U.S. and 151 franchises outside of the U.S., primarily in the
United Kingdom. We offer a full range of vehicle brands with 95% of our total
retail vehicle revenue in 2009 generated from brands of non-U.S. based
manufacturers and sales relating to premium brands, such as Audi, BMW, Cadillac
and Porsche, representing 65% of our total retail vehicle revenue. Each of our
dealerships offers a wide selection of new and used vehicles for sale. In
addition to selling new and used vehicles, we generate higher-margin revenue at
each of our dealerships through maintenance and repair services and the sale and
placement of higher-margin products, such as third party finance and insurance
products, third-party extended service contracts and replacement and aftermarket
automotive products. We are also diversified geographically, with 64% of our
total revenues in 2009 generated from operations in the U.S. and 36% generated
from our operations outside the U.S. (predominately in the U.K.).
We are also, through smart USA Distributor, LLC ("smart USA"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary, the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo vehicle in the U.S.
and Puerto Rico. The smart fortwo is manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars and is a
Daimler brand. This technologically advanced vehicle achieves 40-plus miles per
gallon on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle as certified by the
State of California Air Resources Board. smart USA has certified a network of
more than 75 smart dealerships, nine of which are owned and operated by us. The
smart fortwo offers five different versions, the pure, passion coupe, passion
cabriolet, BRABUS coupe and BRABUS cabriolet, with base prices ranging from
$11,990 to $20,990. We currently expect to distribute more than 18,000 smart
fortwo vehicles in 2009.
In June 2008, we acquired a 9.0% limited partnership interest in Penske Truck
Leasing Co., L.P. ("PTL"), a leading global transportation services provider,
from subsidiaries of General Electric Capital Corporation (collectively, "GE
Capital") in exchange for $219.0 million. PTL operates and maintains more than
200,000 vehicles and serves customers in North America, South America, Europe
and Asia. Product lines include full-service leasing, contract maintenance,
commercial and consumer truck rental and logistics services, including,
transportation and distribution center management and supply chain management.
The general partner is Penske Truck Leasing Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Penske Corporation, which together with other wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Penske Corporation, owns 41.1% of PTL. The remaining 49.9% of
PTL is owned by GE Capital. We expect to receive annual pro-rata cash
distributions of partnership profits and realize U.S. cash tax savings relating
to this investment.
In June 2009, we announced that we have entered into a non-binding memorandum of
understanding ("MOU") with General Motors regarding the potential acquisition of
certain assets relating to the Saturn automotive brand. Pursuant to the MOU, we
would obtain the rights to the Saturn brand, acquire certain assets including
Saturn parts inventory, and have the right to distribute vehicles and parts
through the Saturn dealership network. We do not intend to enter the
manufacturing business nor does this transaction contemplate us purchasing any
of the existing Saturn retailer network. If consummated, we anticipate offering
existing Saturn retailers with a new sales and service agreement. General Motors
would continue to provide Saturn Aura, Vue and Outlook vehicles, on a contract
basis, for an interim period. Any closing of the transaction is subject to
satisfactory completion of due diligence, regulatory and other approvals.
Outlook
There has been reduced consumer confidence and spending in the markets in which
we operate, which we believe has resulted in reduced customer traffic in our
dealerships, particularly since September 2008. We expect our business to remain
significantly impacted by economic conditions in 2009. Market conditions have
also negatively impacted vehicle manufacturers. In particular, the U.S. based
automotive manufacturers have experienced critical operational and financial
distress, due in part to shrinking market share in the U.S. and the recent
limitation in worldwide credit capacity. In 2008 and early 2009, certain U.S.
based manufacturers received support from the U.S. government in the form of
loans and two manufacturers filed for bankruptcy during the second quarter.
While we have limited exposure to these manufacturers as a percentage of our
overall revenue, the restructuring of them may lead to significant disruption to
the automotive supply chain and to our dealerships that represent those
manufacturers, and could possibly also impact other automotive manufacturers and
suppliers. We cannot reasonably predict the impact to the automotive retail
environment of any such disruption. We have been notified that our franchise
rights at one of our General Motors dealerships will be terminated in 2010 as
part of General Motors' restructuring under bankruptcy protection. We do not
expect this termination to materially adversely affect our results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In addition, continued weakness in worldwide credit markets has resulted in an
increase in the cost of capital for the captive finance subsidiaries that
provide us financing for our inventory procurement. Interest rates under our
inventory borrowing arrangements are variable and based on changes in the prime
rate, defined LIBOR or the Euro Interbank Offer Rate (the "base rate"), plus a
spread that varies by lender. While the base rate under these arrangements are
generally lower due to government actions designed to spur liquidity and bank
lending activities, certain of our lenders raised the spread charged to us, or
have established minimum lending rates. These increases varied between 50 and
250 basis points. Due to these relative increases, we do not expect to realize
the full benefit of the lower base rates expected in 2009 compared to 2008. The
increases levied by lenders to date would result in $5.8 million of incremental
floorplan interest expense based on average outstanding balances during 2008.
In response to the challenging operating environment, we have undertaken
significant cost saving initiatives. In 2008, we eliminated approximately 1,400
positions, representing approximately 10.0% of our worldwide workforce, and
amended pay plans for certain other employees to better align our workforce for
current business levels and to reduce compensation expense generally. Other cost
curtailment initiatives included a reduction in advertising activities,
suspension of matching contributions to certain of our defined contribution
plans, and the suspension of our quarterly cash dividends to stockholders. We
continue to monitor the business climate, and are taking such further actions as
needed to respond to current business conditions.
Operating Overview
New and used vehicle revenues include sales to retail customers and to leasing
companies providing consumer automobile leasing. We generate finance and
insurance revenues from sales of third-party extended service contracts, sales
of third-party insurance policies, fees for facilitating the sale of third-party
finance and lease contracts and the sale of certain other products. Service and
parts revenues include fees paid for repair, maintenance and collision services,
and the sale of replacement parts and the sale of aftermarket accessories.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, we experienced a year over
year decline on a same store basis of new and used vehicle unit sales, coupled
with a corresponding decrease in finance and insurance revenues. Our same store
service and parts business also experienced a decline during these periods,
although less so than vehicle sales. We expect a continuation of this difficult
operating environment throughout 2009.
Our gross profit tends to vary with the mix of revenues we derive from the sale
of new vehicles, used vehicles, finance and insurance products, service and
parts transactions, and the distribution of the smart fortwo. Our gross profit
varies across product lines, with vehicle sales usually resulting in lower gross
profit margins and our other revenues resulting in higher gross profit margins.
Factors such as customer demand, consumer confidence, unemployment, general
economic conditions, seasonality, weather, credit availability, fuel prices and
manufacturers' advertising and incentives may impact the mix of our revenues,
and therefore influence our gross profit margin. During the three and six months
ended June 30, 2009, we experienced year over year margin declines relating to
our new vehicle sales and service and parts operations, and an increase in used
vehicle sales margins. We expect such margin pressure to continue throughout
2009.
Our selling expenses consist of advertising and compensation for sales
personnel, including commissions and related bonuses. General and administrative
expenses include compensation for administration, finance, legal and general
management personnel, rent, insurance, utilities and other outside services. A
significant portion of our selling expenses are variable, and we believe a
significant portion of our general and administrative expenses are subject to
our control, allowing us to adjust them over time to reflect economic trends.
Our selling, general, and administrative expenses for compensation and
advertising have decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009,
due in part to lower vehicle sales volumes, coupled with the cost saving
initiatives outlined above. Our rent expense is expected to grow as a result of
cost of living indexes outlined in our lease agreements; however, this increase
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 has been offset somewhat by
recent increases in cost of living adjustments below our anticipated adjustment
for certain leases, as well as by concessions granted by certain landlords in
recognition of current market conditions. As outlined in "Outlook" above, we
will continue to monitor the business climate, and take such further actions as
needed to respond to business conditions.
Floor plan interest expense relates to financing incurred in connection with the
acquisition of new and used vehicle inventories that is secured by those
vehicles. Other interest expense consists of interest on all of our
interest-bearing debt, other than interest relating to floor plan financing. The
cost of our variable rate indebtedness is typically based on benchmark lending
rates, which are based in large part upon national inter-bank lending rates set
by local governments. During the latter part of 2008, such benchmark rates were
significantly reduced as a result of government actions designed to spur
liquidity and bank lending activities. As a result, our cost of capital on
variable rate indebtedness has declined during the three and six months ended
June 30, 2009; however, the significance of this decrease is limited somewhat by
the increases in rate spreads being charged by our vehicle finance partners
outlined in "Outlook" above.
Equity in earnings of affiliates represents our share of the earnings relating
to investments in various joint ventures and other non-consolidated investments,
including PTL. It is our expectation that the difficult operating conditions
outlined above will similarly impact these businesses throughout 2009.
The future success of our business will likely be dependent on, among other
things, general economic and industry conditions, our ability to consummate and
integrate acquisitions, our ability to increase sales of higher margin products,
especially service and parts services, our ability to realize returns on our
significant capital investment in new and upgraded dealerships, the success of
our distribution of the smart fortwo, and the return realized from our
investments in various joint ventures and other non-consolidated investments.
See Part II Item 1A "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements."
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires the application of
accounting policies that often involve making estimates and employing judgments.
Such judgments influence the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses
recognized in our financial statements. Management, on an ongoing basis, reviews
these estimates and assumptions. Management may determine that modifications in
assumptions and estimates are required, which may result in a material change in
our results of operations or financial position.
The following are the accounting policies applied in the preparation of our
financial statements that management believes are most dependent upon the use of
estimates and assumptions.
Revenue Recognition
Vehicle, Parts and Service Sales
We record revenue when vehicles are delivered and title has passed to the
customer, when vehicle service or repair work is performed and when parts are
delivered to our customers. Sales promotions that we offer to customers are
accounted for as a reduction of revenues at the time of sale. Rebates and other
incentives offered directly to us by manufacturers are recognized as a reduction
of cost of sales. Reimbursements of qualified advertising expenses are treated
as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses. The amounts
received under various manufacturer rebate and incentive programs are based on
the attainment of program objectives, and such earnings are recognized either
upon the sale of the vehicle for which the award was received, or upon
attainment of the particular program goals if not associated with individual
vehicles. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we earned
$144.9 million and $172.2 million, respectively, of rebates, incentives and
reimbursements from manufacturers, of which $142.1 million and $168.5 million
was recorded as a reduction of cost of sales.
Finance and Insurance Sales
Subsequent to the sale of a vehicle to a customer, we sell our installment sale
contracts to various financial institutions on a non-recourse basis (with
specified exceptions) to mitigate the risk of default. We receive a commission
from the lender equal to either the difference between the interest rate charged
to the customer and the interest rate set by the financing institution or a flat
fee. We also receive commissions for facilitating the sale of various
third-party insurance products to customers, including credit and life insurance
policies and extended service contracts. These commissions are recorded as
revenue at the time the customer enters into the contract.
Intangible Assets
Our principal intangible assets relate to our franchise agreements with vehicle
manufacturers, which represent the estimated value of franchises acquired in
business combinations, and goodwill, which represents the excess of cost over
the fair value of tangible and identified intangible assets acquired in business
combinations. We believe the franchise value of our dealerships have an
indefinite useful life based on the following facts:
• Automotive retailing is a mature industry and is based on franchise
agreements with the vehicle manufacturers;
• There are no known changes or events that would alter the automotive retailing franchise environment;
• Certain franchise agreement terms are indefinite;
• Franchise agreements that have limited terms have historically been renewed by us without substantial cost; and
• Our history shows that manufacturers have not terminated our franchise agreements.
Impairment Testing
Franchise value impairment is assessed as of October 1 every year and upon the
occurrence of an indicator of impairment through a comparison of its carrying
amounts and estimated fair values. An indicator of impairment exists if the
carrying value of a franchise exceeds its estimated fair value, and an
impairment loss may be recognized up to that excess. We also evaluate our
franchises in connection with the annual impairment testing to determine whether
events and circumstances continue to support our assessment that the franchise
value has an indefinite life.
Goodwill impairment is assessed at the reporting unit level as of October 1
every year and upon the occurrence of an indicator of impairment. We have
determined that the dealerships in each of our operating segments within the
Retail reportable segment, which are organized by geography, are components that
are aggregated into five reporting units as they (A) have similar economic
characteristics (all are automotive dealerships having similar margins),
(B) offer similar products and services (all sell new and used vehicles,
service, parts and third-party finance and insurance products), (C) have similar
target markets and customers (generally individuals) and (D) have similar
distribution and marketing practices (all distribute products and services
through dealership facilities that market to customers in similar fashions).
Accordingly, our operating segments are also considered our reporting units for
the purpose of goodwill impairment testing relating to our Retail segment. There
is no goodwill recorded relating to our Distribution or PAG Investments
reportable segments. An indicator of goodwill impairment exists if the carrying
amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill, is determined to exceed its
estimated fair value. If an indication of goodwill impairment exists, an
analysis reflecting the allocation of the fair value of the reporting unit to
all assets and liabilities, including previously unrecognized intangible assets,
is performed. The impairment is measured by comparing the implied fair value of
the reporting unit goodwill with its carrying amount, and an impairment loss may
be recognized up to that excess.
The fair values of franchise rights and goodwill are determined using a
discounted cash flow approach, which includes assumptions that include revenue
and profitability growth, franchise profit margins, residual values and our cost
of capital.
Investments
Investments include investments in businesses accounted for under the equity
method. A majority of our investments are in joint ventures that are more fully
described in "Joint Venture Relationships" below. Such joint venture
relationships are accounted for under the equity method, pursuant to which we
record our proportionate share of the joint venture's income each period.
The net book value of our investments was $287.1 million and $297.8 million as
of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Investments for which
there is not a liquid, actively traded market are reviewed periodically by
management for indicators of impairment. If an indicator of impairment is
identified, management estimates the fair value of the investment using a
discounted cash flow approach, which includes assumptions relating to revenue
and profitability growth, profit margins, residual values and our cost of
capital. Declines in investment values that are deemed to be other than
temporary may result in an impairment charge reducing the investments' carrying
value to fair value.
Self-Insurance
We retain risk relating to certain of our general liability insurance, workers'
compensation insurance, auto physical damage insurance, property insurance,
employment practices liability insurance, directors' and officers' insurance and
employee medical benefits in the U.S. As a result, we are likely to be
responsible for a majority of the claims and losses incurred under these
programs. The amount of risk we retain varies by program, and, for certain
exposures, we have pre-determined maximum loss limits for certain individual
claims and/or insurance periods. Losses, if any, above such pre-determined loss
limits are paid by third-party insurance carriers. Our estimate of future losses
is prepared by management using our historical loss experience and
industry-based development factors. Aggregate reserves relating to retained risk
were $22.5 million and $19.2 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008,
respectively. Changes in the reserve estimate during 2009 relate primarily to
the inclusion of additional participants in our self-insured employee medical
benefit plans and reserves for current year activity in our general liability
and workers compensation programs.
Income Taxes
Tax regulations may require items to be included in our tax return at different
times than the items are reflected in our financial statements. Some of these
differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible on our tax
return, and some are temporary differences, such as the timing of depreciation
expense. Temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Deferred tax assets generally represent items that will be used as a tax
deduction or credit in our tax return in future years which we have already
recorded in our financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities generally
represent deductions taken on our tax return that have not yet been recognized
as expense in our financial statements. We establish valuation allowances for
our deferred tax assets if the amount of expected future taxable income is not
likely to allow for the use of the deduction or credit. A valuation allowance of
$3.4 million has been recorded relating to net operating losses and credit
carryforwards in the U.S. based on our determination that it is more likely than
not that they will not be utilized.
Classification of Franchises in Continuing and Discontinued Operations
We classify the results of our operations in our consolidated financial
statements based on general accounting principles for discontinued operations,
which requires judgment in determining whether a franchise will be reported
within continuing or discontinued operations. Such judgments include whether a
franchise will be divested, the period required to complete the divestiture, and
the likelihood of changes to the divestiture plans. If we determine that a
franchise should be reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued
operations, or from discontinued operations to continuing operations, our
consolidated financial statements for prior periods are revised to reflect such
reclassification.
New Accounting Pronouncement
A new accounting pronouncement amending the consolidation guidance relating to
variable interest entities ("VIE") will be effective for us on January 1, 2010.
The new guidance replaces the current quantitative model for determining the
primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity with a qualitative approach
that considers which entity has the power to direct activities that most
significantly impact the variable interest entity's performance and whether the
entity has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that
could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. The new
guidance also requires: an additional reconsideration event for determining
whether an entity is a VIE when holders of an at risk equity investment lose
voting or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact
the entities economic performance; ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise
is the primary beneficiary of a VIE; separate presentation of the assets and
liabilities of the VIE on the balance sheet; and additional disclosures about an
entity's involvement with a VIE. The adoption of the accounting pronouncement
will not impact our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
The following tables present comparative financial data relating to our
operating performance in the aggregate and on a "same store" basis. Dealership
results are only included in same store comparisons when we have consolidated
the acquired entity during the entirety of both periods being compared. As an
example, if a dealership was acquired on January 15, 2007, the results of the
acquired entity would be included in annual same store comparisons beginning
with the year ended December 31, 2009 and in quarterly same store comparisons
beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
(dollars in millions, except per unit amounts)
New Vehicle Data
2009 vs. 2008
2009 2008 Change % Change
New retail unit sales 33,126 50,072 (16,946 ) (33.8 %)
Same store new retail unit sales 31,547 49,224 (17,677 ) (35.9 %)
New retail sales revenue $ 1,091.4 $ 1,726.6 $ (635.2 ) (36.8 %)
Same store new retail sales revenue $ 1032.0 $ 1,701.0 $ (669.0 ) (39.3 %)
New retail sales revenue per unit $ 32,946 $ 34,483 $ (1,537 ) (4.5 %)
Same store new retail sales revenue
per unit $ 32,713 $ 34,556 $ (1,843 ) (5.3 %)
Gross profit - new $ 86.1 $ 144.5 $ (58.4 ) (40.4 %)
Same store gross profit - new $ 81.3 $ 142.2 $ (60.9 ) (42.8 %)
Average gross profit per new
vehicle retailed $ 2,599 $ 2,885 $ (286 ) (9.9 %)
Same store average gross profit per
new vehicle retailed $ 2,577 $ 2,890 $ (313 ) (10.8 %)
Gross margin % - new 7.9 % 8.4 % (0.5 %) (6.0 %)
Same store gross margin % - new 7.9 % 8.4 % (0.5 %) (6.0 %)
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Units
Retail unit sales of new vehicles decreased 16,946 units, or 33.8%, from 2008 to
2009. The decrease is due a 17,677 unit, or 35.9%, decrease in same store retail
unit sales during the period, offset by a 731 unit increase from net dealership
acquisitions. The same store decrease was due primarily to unit sales decreases
in our volume foreign brand stores in the U.S. and premium brand stores in the
U.S. and U.K. During the second quarter, unit sales in the U.S. market declined
32% and registrations in the U.K. market declined 21%. The decline in our unit
sales is associated with overall weak demand for new vehicles and the associated
decline in consumer traffic in our showrooms.
Revenues
New vehicle retail sales revenue decreased $635.2 million, or 36.8%, from 2008
to 2009. The decrease is due to a $669.0 million, or 39.3%, decrease in same
store revenues, offset by a $33.8 million increase from net dealership
acquisitions. The same store revenue decrease is due primarily to the 35.9%
decrease in retail unit sales, which reduced revenue by $610.9 million, coupled
. . .
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