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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

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xý Definitive Proxy Statement
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¨¬ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
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LOGO

  



Table of Contents


One Dauch Drive

Detroit, Michigan 48211-1198

www.aam.com



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

May 2, 2013

1, 2014

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM)

Time and Place

 3:00 p.m., local time, on Thursday, May 2, 20131, 2014
 AAM World Headquarters Auditorium, One Dauch Drive, Detroit, Michigan

Items of Business

 

(1)   Elect three members of the Board of Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2016;

2017;

(2)   Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation;

(3)   Ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as AAM’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2013;2014; and

(4)   Attend to other business properly presented at the meeting.

Record Date

 
You may vote if you were an AAM stockholder at the close of business on
March 5, 2013.4, 2014.

Meeting Admission

 Admission may be limited to AAM stockholders as of the record date and holders of valid proxies. Please be prepared to present identification for admittance. Stockholders holding stock in brokerage accounts will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date. Cameras and recording devices will not be permitted.

Proxy Materials

 We have elected to furnish materials for the 20132014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders via the Internet. On March 21, 2013,2014, we mailed a notice of Internet availability (notice) to most stockholders containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials on the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail.
 
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the May 2, 20131, 2014 Stockholder Meeting. The Proxy Statement and 20122013 Annual Report and Form 10-K are available atwww.envisionreports.com/AXL.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

David E. Barnes

General Counsel & Secretary

March 21, 2013

2014











2013

Table of Contents

2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
No.

 2 

 2 

4
 

Nominees for Director

5

Returning Directors

12

20

20

33

35

39

40

41

44

 46 

 55 

 56 

59

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PROXY STATEMENT

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held May 2, 2013

1, 2014

INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM or the Company) is providing proxy materials electronically via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of those materials to each stockholder. On March 21, 2013,2014, we mailed to our stockholders (other than those who previously requested e-mail or paper delivery) a Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials, including our proxy statement and 2012 Annual Report2013 annual report on Form 10-K. The Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials provides instructions on how you may submit your proxy over the Internet or by telephone.

This electronic delivery process is designed to expedite stockholder receipt of proxy materials, lower the cost of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (annual meeting), and conserve natural resources. However, if you would prefer to receive printed proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials. If you have previously elected to receive our proxy materials electronically, you will continue to receive these materials by e-mail unless you elect otherwise. If you received a printed copy of proxy materials by mail and would like to view future proxy materials over the Internet, you can do so by accessing the Internet atwww.envisionreports.com/AXL.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING

Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

You received these proxy materials because you owned shares of AAM common stock on March 5, 20134, 2014 (record date). AAM’s Board of Directors (Board) is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the annual meeting. By use of a proxy, you can vote whether or not you attend the meeting. This proxy statement includes information that we are required to provide to you and is designed to assist you in voting your shares.

Who is entitled to vote?

Holders of AAM common stock on the record date are entitled to one vote per share. You are a holder of record if your shares are held directly in your name with AAM’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trustee or other record holder, you are a street name holder. If you hold shares in more than one account, each notice, proxy and/or voting instruction card you receive that has a unique control number must be voted so that all your shares are voted.

How do I vote?

You may vote by any of the following methods:

In person — attending the annual meeting and casting a ballot.

By mail — using the proxy and/or voting instruction card provided.

By telephone or over the Internet — following the instructions on your notice card, proxy and/or voting instruction card.

In person — attending the annual meeting and casting a ballot.
By mail — using the proxy and/or voting instruction card provided.
By telephone or over the Internet — following the instructions on your notice card, proxy and/or voting instruction card.
If you vote by telephone or over the Internet, have your notice card or proxy and/or voting instruction card available. The control number on your card is necessary to process your vote. A telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned the card by mail. If you hold shares in street name, refer to the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank, trustee or other record holder.

How many shares may vote at the meeting?

As of March 5, 2013,4, 2014, we had 74,839,56775,646,724 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Under AAM’s by-laws, a majority of these shares must be present in person or by proxy to hold the annual meeting and take any action during the meeting.

Can I change my vote?

You may change your vote at any time before the annual meeting by:

revoking it by written notice to AAM’s Secretary at the address on the cover of this proxy statement;

voting in person at the annual meeting; or

delivering a later-dated proxy vote by mail, telephone or over the Internet.


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Table of Contents

What are the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my shares?

The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:

Proposal 1 —FOR the election of the three nominees with terms expiring at the 20162017 annual meeting;

Proposal 2 —FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of AAM’s named executive officers as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, tables and related narrative; and

Proposal 3 —FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2013.2014.

What are my choices when voting?

Proposal 1 — You may vote for or withhold your vote on one or more of the nominees.

Proposal 2 — You may vote for or against the proposal to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, or you may abstain from voting your shares.

Proposal 3 — You may vote for or against the proposal to ratify the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, or you may abstain from voting your shares.

What vote is required to approve each proposal?

Proposal 1 — A plurality of the votes cast to elect a director, which means that nominees with the most affirmative votes will be elected to fill the available seats.

Proposal 2 — An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted in person or by proxy must be cast in favor of the advisory vote to approve the compensation of AAM’s named executive officers.

Proposal 3 — An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted in person or by proxy must be cast in favor of the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Proposals 2 and 3 are advisory votes only and, as discussed in more detail in each proposal, the voting results are not binding on AAM. However, with respect to proposal 2, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote in making future determinations concerning the compensation of our named executive officers. With respect to proposal 3, the Audit Committee will consider whether the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP is in the best interests of the Company if the appointment is not ratified.

Who will count the votes?

Representatives of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., AAM’s transfer agent, will count the votes and serve as our inspector of election. The inspector of election will attend the annual meeting.

What if I “withhold” my vote or “abstain”?

Votes withheld and abstentions will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a majority of shares is present to establish a quorum and hold the annual meeting. Abstentions will not be counted in the tally of votes for or against any proposal. A withheld vote has the same effect as an abstention.

What if I do not vote and do not attend the annual meeting?

If you are a holder of record and you do not vote your shares at the annual meeting or by proxy, your shares will not be voted. If you sign and return your proxy card without specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board.

Under New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules, brokers have discretionary power to vote your shares only on “routine” matters. Brokers do not have discretionary power to vote your shares on “non-routine” matters. If you hold shares in street name, and you do not give your bank, broker, trustee or other holder of record specific voting instructions for your shares, your record holder can only vote your shares on the ratification of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (proposal 3), a “routine” matter.

Without your specific instructions, your record holder cannot vote your shares on the election of directors and the advisory vote on named executive officer compensation. For each of these matters, if you do not instruct your record holder how to vote, the record holder may not vote your shares. Shares not voted will be broker non-votes and will not be counted in determining the outcome of the vote for proposals 1 and 2. Broker non-votes will have no impact on the outcome of these proposals. We urge you to give your record holder voting instructions on each proposal being presented at the annual meeting.

Information not incorporated into this proxy statement.

The information on our website (www.aam.com) is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part


3

Table of this proxy statement nor, by reference or otherwise, incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC.

Contents


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board proposes that the three directors standing for re-election as Class III directors, James A. McCaslin, William P. Miller II directors, Elizabeth A. Chappell, Steven B. Hantler and John F. Smith,Samuel Valenti III, be elected to the Board for terms expiring at the annual meeting in 2016.

2017.

The Board is divided into three classes. Directors serve for staggered three-year terms. The Board believes that the staggered election of directors helps to maintain continuity and ensures that a majority of directors at any given time will have in-depth knowledge of the Company.

The Board unanimously approved the nominations of our Class IIIII directors based on their achievements, special competencies and integrity. Each nominee brings a strong and unique background and set of skills to the Board. Collectively, the Board has high levels of competence and experience in a variety of areas, including manufacturing, engineering, finance, international business, management, restructuring, law, risk management, strategic business development and the global automotive industry. A summary of the principal occupation, professional background and specific qualifications and/or skills that qualify each nominee and returning director to serve on our Board is provided in the following pages of this proxy statement.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees.


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Nominees for Director

Class III — Directors to hold office until the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
JAMES A. McCASLIN
Age 65
Mr. McCaslin retired from Harley Davidson, Inc. in April 2010. Mr. McCaslin joined Harley Davidson in 1992 and held various senior executive leadership positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, from 2001 to 2009. From 1989 to 1992, he held manufacturing and engineering positions with JI Case, a manufacturer of agricultural equipment. Previously, he held executive positions in manufacturing and quality with Chrysler Corporation, Volkswagen of America and General Motors Corporation, where he began his 40-year career in manufacturing. From 2003 to 2006, he served on the Board of Directors of Maytag Corporation. Mr. McCaslin has served on a number of civic boards, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Manufacturing Skill Standards Council and Kettering University. Mr. McCaslin’s extensive operational expertise and experience in multiple manufacturing industries provide the Board with a valued resource in support of AAM's objectives, which include engineering, quality and technology leadership, operational excellence and global geographic and product diversification.
Director since
2011
WILLIAM P. MILLER II CFA
Age 58
Mr. Miller, Chartered Financial Analyst, is Head of Asset Allocation for the Saudi Arabian Investment Company. Since 2003, Mr. Miller has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, serving on the Audit Committee, Finance Committee and Market Regulation Oversight Committee. Since June 2011, Mr. Miller has served on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Mercantile Exchange, where he also serves on the Compensation Committee and the Compliance Committee. From April 2011 to October 2013, he was the Senior Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer of Financial Markets International, Inc., an international law and economics consulting firm. From 2005 to 2011, he was employed by the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, where he served as Deputy Chief Investment Officer. Previously, he was Senior Risk Manager for the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and an Independent Risk Oversight Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for Commonfund Group, an investment management firm for educational institutions. Mr. Miller also served as Director, Trading Operations and Asset Mix Management with General Motors Investment Management Corp. and as a financial analyst with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mr. Miller also served on the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Standing Advisory Group, the Institutional Investor Advisory Board for Golub Capital, a U.S. asset manager with over $7 billion of assets under management, and the Board of Directors of the Dubai International Financial Exchange. Mr. Miller’s expertise in finance, investments, risk management, compliance, international business, audit and accounting provides the Board with valuable guidance in assessing and managing risks and in fulfilling the Board’s financial oversight role.
Director since
2005

5


SAMUEL VALENTI III
Age 68
Mr. Valenti currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Valenti Capital LLC and World Capital Partners, investment firms located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Since 2002, Mr. Valenti has served as Chairman of the Board of TriMas Corporation, a manufacturer of highly engineered precision products for industry. Until 2008, Mr. Valenti had a 40-year career with Masco Corporation, a Fortune 500 manufacturer of home building and home improvement products, serving as Vice President - Investments from 1974 to 1998. From 1988 to 2008, Mr. Valenti was President and a member of the Board of Directors of Masco Capital Corporation. Mr. Valenti is a member of the Business Leaders for Michigan and serves as Chairman of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund. AAM's Board selected Mr. Valenti as a director in consideration of his demonstrated leadership skills, breadth of management experience in diversified manufacturing businesses, and his subject matter expertise in the areas of finance, economics and asset management.
Director since 2013

6


RETURNING DIRECTORS
Class I — Directors to hold office until the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
DAVID C. DAUCH
Age 49
David C. Dauch is President & Chief Executive Officer of AAM, a position he has held since September 2012. Mr. Dauch was appointed Chairman of the Board on August 16, 2013. Since June 2008, he served as AAM's President & Chief Operating Officer and previously served as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining AAM in 1995, Mr. Dauch held several positions at Collins & Aikman Products Company, where he received the President’s Award for leadership and innovation. Mr. Dauch also served on the Collins & Aikman Board of Directors from 2002 to 2007. Presently, he serves on the boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Great Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Michigan and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association. Mr. Dauch also serves on the Miami University Business Advisory Council. Mr. Dauch’s day-to-day leadership as President & Chief Executive Officer provides him with intimate knowledge of and responsibility for developing and implementing the Company’s operating objectives. Mr. Dauch’s leadership of AAM’s global business and operations provides the Board with strategic vision and insight regarding AAM’s strategic plans for the future.
Director since
2009
FOREST J. FARMER
Age 73
Mr. Farmer has served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer & President of The Farmer Group, a holding company for three technology and manufacturing companies, since 1998. Mr. Farmer serves on the Board of Directors of Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc., a global supplier of electronic components, engineering and other services to the automotive, appliance and communications industries. From 1997 to 2011, Mr. Farmer was a member of the Board of Directors of The Lubrizol Corporation, serving on the Compensation Committee. In 1994, he retired from Chrysler Corporation after 26 years of service, which included six years as President of its Acustar automotive parts subsidiary. Through his senior management-level experience, Mr. Farmer brings strong leadership skills, extensive U.S. automotive experience and valuable manufacturing expertise to our Board.
Director since
1999

7


RICHARD C. LAPPIN
Age 69
Mr. Lappin is Executive Chairman of VOKAL Interactive, a maker of mobile applications for business. From 2007 to 2010, he was Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Clear Sky Power, an alternative energy company. Mr. Lappin retired in 2004 as Chairman of the Board of Haynes International, Inc. Previously, Mr. Lappin served as Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group L.P., where he was a member of the Private Equity Group from 1998 to 2002. He also helped monitor the operations of Blackstone Capital Partners portfolio companies and evaluated business strategy options. From 1989 to 1998, Mr. Lappin was President of Farley Industries, which included West Point-Pepperell, Inc., Acme Boot Company, Inc., Tool and Engineering, Inc., Magnus Metals, Inc. and Fruit of the Loom, Inc. He also served as President & Chief Executive Officer of Doehler-Jarvis and Southern Fastening Systems, and he has held senior executive positions with Champion Spark Plug Company and RTE Corporation. Mr. Lappin’s experience as a CEO and his financial expertise provide the Board with an important perspective in the areas of business strategy and organizational development, as well as sound investment criteria, capital structure and liquidity management.
Director since
1999
THOMAS K. WALKER
Age 73
Mr. Walker is Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Lackawanna Acquisition Corporation and is the former President of Amcast Automotive, where from 1995 to 1999 he directed all activities for the $300 million automotive group. Previously, he held senior executive positions with ITT Automotive and Allied-Signal Automotive Catalyst Co. He also served in various manufacturing and engineering leadership positions with Volkswagen of America and with General Motors Corporation, where he began his 51-year career in the automotive industry. Mr. Walker serves on the National Advisory Board for Michigan Technological University. Mr. Walker’s business acumen and extensive leadership experience in the automotive industry provide our Board with expertise related to engineering, manufacturing operations and strategic business development.
Director since
1999

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Class II — Directors to hold office until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

LOGO 

ELIZABETH A. (BETH) CHAPPELL

Age 55

Elizabeth A. (Beth)56

Ms. Chappell has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Economic Club since 2002. Previously, she served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations for Compuware Corporation. From 1995 to 2000, Ms. ChappellMs.Chappell was President and Chief Executive Officer of a consulting firm she founded, The Chappell Group, Inc. For 16 years, Ms. Chappell held executive positions at AT&T. From 1999 to 2009, Ms. Chappell served on the Board of Directors of the Handleman Company. She also serves on a number of civic boards, including Brother Rice High School,the Michigan State University Capital Campaign, Citizens Research Council, Detroit Regional Chamber, Airport Authority-Citizen’s Review Council,the United Way Board and Tocqueville Committee, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation and has served on the Charter One Regional Advisory Board (Midwest) since 2001.. Ms. Chappell is a former board member of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Michigan Economic Growth Authority and Hospice of Michigan. Ms. Chappell’s demonstrated leadership skills, entrepreneurial business experience and service on various Boards of Directorsboards enhance her contributions to the Board on mattersin the areas of significance to AAM’sinvestor relations, marketing and communications, and strategic business development.

 
Director since

2004

LOGO
 

STEVEN B. HANTLER

Age 60

61

Mr. Hantler is Director of Policy Initiatives for The Marcus Family Office. In this capacity, he advises Home Depot co-founder, Bernie Marcus, in the areas of government affairs, legal and regulatory policy, national security, free enterprise and higher education. Previously, he had a 27-year career with Chrysler Corporation, where he held positions as Assistant General Counsel, Manufacturing Group Counsel, and Senior Trial Attorney. Prior to joining Chrysler, Mr. Hantler was engaged in private law practice. Mr. Hantler is a Senior Fellow at the Pacific Research Institute and a member of the Legal Policy Advisory Board of the Washington Legal Foundation. Previously, Mr. Hantler served as Chair of the State Government Leadership Foundation, which educates state leaders on public policy issues, Chair of the Advisory Board of the National Judicial College, and on the Board of Directors of the New York University Law School Center for Labor and Employment. Mr. Hantler’s leadership experience and expertise in law, public relations and government affairs provide the Board with knowledge and insight in these areas of importance to the Board’s oversight of AAM’s global business growth and strategic initiatives.

 
Director since

2011


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LOGO
 

JOHN F. SMITH

Age 62

63

Mr. Smith is principal of Eagle Advisors LLC, a consulting firm in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan that specializes in strategy development and performance improvement. From 2000 to 2010, Mr. Smith served inheld positions of increasing responsibility with General Motors Corporation in sales and marketing, product planning and corporate strategy, most recently as Group Vice President, Corporate Planning and Alliances. During his 42-year career in the automotive industry, Mr. Smith also served as General Manager of Cadillac Motor Car, President of Allison Transmission, and Vice President, Planning at General Motors International Operations in Zurich, Switzerland. In June 2012, Mr. Smith joinedcurrently serves on the Boardboards of Directors ofCEVA Holdings LLC, Plasan Carbon Composites and Enginetics, LLC. Mr. Smith Electric Vehicles (no relation), a manufacturer of all-electric commercial vehicles and the Advisory Board ofalso serves as an advisor to VNG.CO, a developer of compressed natural gas refueling stations. In January 2013, Mr. Smith joined the Advisory Board ofstations, and Palogix International, a provider of in-bound logistics and container management solutions. Mr. Smith also serves on the boardsis a member of several nonprofit organizations, including the National Advisory Board of Boy Scouts of America and the Board of Trustees of St. John’sJohn's Providence Health System in Michigan. He served on the Board of Directors of Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. from June 2012 to December 2013. Mr. Smith’sSmith's extensive experience in manufacturing, finance, business development, international operations, sales and marketing, product development and mergers and acquisitions is aligned with AAM’sAAM's key business objectives, including continued global business growth and diversification.

Director since

2011

Class III — Directors to hold office until the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

LOGO

RICHARD E. DAUCH

Age 70

Richard E. Dauch is Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of the Board of AAM and is also Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board. He served as Chief Executive Officer from 1994 through August 2012 and has been a member of the Board since AAM began operations in March 1994. In October 1997, he was named Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was also President of AAM from March 1994 through December 2000. Prior to March 1994, he spent 12 years at Chrysler Corporation, where he established the just-in-time materials management system and the three-shift manufacturing vehicle assembly process. He is a retired officer from the Chrysler Corporation. Mr. Dauch’s last position at Chrysler, in 1991, was Executive Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing. Mr. Dauch also served as Group Vice President of Volkswagen of America, where he established the manufacturing facilities and organization for the successful launch of the first major automotive transplant in the United States. Mr. Dauch has more than 48 years of experience in the automotive industry. Mr. Dauch currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers (N.A.M.), where he previously served as Chairman. In 2012, Mr. Dauch was inducted into IndustryWeek’s Manufacturing Hall of Fame. He has lectured extensively on the subject of manufacturing and authored two books, Passion for Manufacturing, which was released in 1993, and American Drive, which was released in September 2012. The Board considers Mr. Dauch’s continuing leadership of the Board and the services he provides to AAM in his new role as Executive Chairman to be significant contributors to the achievement of the Company’s strategic goals. Mr. Dauch’s extensive expertise in the global automotive industry and manufacturing operations supports AAM’s business strategy to build value for its key stakeholders.

Director since

1994

LOGO

JAMES A. McCASLIN

Age 64

Mr. McCaslin retired from Harley Davidson, Inc. in April 2010. Mr. McCaslin joined Harley Davidson in 1992 and held various senior executive leadership positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, from 2001 to 2009. From 1989 to 1992, he held manufacturing and engineering positions with JI Case, a manufacturer of agricultural equipment. Previously, he held executive positions in manufacturing and quality with Chrysler Corporation, Volkswagen of America and General Motors Corporation, where he began his 40-year career in manufacturing. From 2003 to 2006, he served on the Board of Directors of Maytag Corporation. Mr. McCaslin has served on a number of civic boards, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Manufacturing Skill Standards Council and Kettering University. Mr. McCaslin’s extensive operational expertise and experience in multiple manufacturing industries in the original equipment and aftermarket product markets provide the Board with a valued resource in geographic and product diversification, one of AAM’s key strategic objectives.

Director since

2011

LOGO

WILLIAM P. MILLER II, CFA

Age 57

Mr. Miller, Chartered Financial Analyst, is the Senior Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer of Financial Markets International, Inc., an international law and economics consulting firm. Since 2003, Mr. Miller has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, serving on the Audit Committee, Finance Committee and Market Regulation Oversight Committee. Since June 2011, Mr. Miller has served on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Mercantile Exchange, serving on the Compensation Committee and the Compliance Committee. Since December 2012, Mr. Miller has served on the Institutional Investor Advisory Board for Golub Capital, a U.S. asset manager with over $7 billion of assets under management. From 2005 to 2011, he was employed by the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, where he served as Deputy Chief Investment Officer. Previously, he served as Senior Risk Manager for the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and as an Independent Risk Oversight Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for Commonfund Group, an investment management firm for educational institutions. Mr. Miller also served as Director, Trading Operations and Asset Mix Management, with General Motors Investment Management Corp. and as a financial analyst with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mr. Miller also was a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Standing Advisory Group and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dubai International Financial Exchange. Mr. Miller’s expertise in finance, investments, risk management, compliance, international business, audit and accounting provides the Board with valuable guidance in assessing and managing risks and in fulfilling the Board’s financial oversight role.

Director since

2005

LOGO

LARRY K. SWITZER

Age 69

Larry K. Switzer retired as Chief Executive Officer of DANKA PLC, London, England, a global independent distributor of office equipment, in 2000. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Switzer was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Fruit of the Loom, Inc. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Alco Standard Corporation and, from 1989 to 1992, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Mr. Switzer has also held senior executive positions at Bendix Corp., White Motor Corp. and Gencorp. As a former chief financial officer, Mr. Switzer serves as a valued resource to the Board in finance, accounting and tax matters and provides significant expertise and perspective in the Board’s oversight of the Company’s capital structure, liquidity management and strategic business development.

Director since

2005

Class I — Directors to hold office until the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

LOGO

DAVID C. DAUCH

Age 48

David C. Dauch is President & Chief Executive Officer of AAM, a position he has held since September 2012. Since June 2008, he served as President & Chief Operating Officer and previously served as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Mr. D.C. Dauch joined AAM in July 1995 and has served in positions of increasing responsibility. Prior to joining AAM, Mr. D.C. Dauch served in several positions at Collins & Aikman Products Company, where he received the President’s Award for leadership and innovation. Mr. D.C. Dauch also served on the Collins & Aikman Board of Directors from 2002 to 2007. Presently, he serves on the Boards of Directors of Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Great Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America and the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Michigan. Mr. D.C. Dauch also serves on the Miami University Business Advisory Council. Mr. D.C. Dauch’s day to day leadership as President & Chief Executive Officer provides him with intimate knowledge of and responsibility for developing and implementing the Company’s operating and strategic objectives. Mr. D.C. Dauch’s leadership of AAM’s global business and operations provides the Board with strategic vision and insight regarding AAM’s strategic plans for the future.

 Director since
2009

LOGO

FOREST J. FARMER

Age 72

Forest J. Farmer has served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer & President of The Farmer Group, a holding company for three technology and manufacturing corporations, since 1998. Mr. Farmer serves on the Board of Directors of Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc., a global supplier of electronic components, engineering and other services to the automotive, appliance and communications industries. From 1997 to September 2011 Mr. Farmer was a member of the Board of Directors of The Lubrizol Corporation, serving on the Compensation Committee. In 1994, he retired from Chrysler Corporation after 26 years of service, which included six years as President of its Acustar automotive parts subsidiary. Through his senior management-level experience and his prior service on the Board and Compensation Committee of another public company, Mr. Farmer brings strong leadership skills, extensive U.S. automotive and manufacturing experience, and public company experience to our Board.

Director since

1999

LOGO

RICHARD C. LAPPIN

Age 68

Richard C. Lappin is Executive Chairman of VOKAL Interactive, a maker of mobile applications for business. From 2007 to 2010, he served as Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Clear Sky Power, an alternative energy company. Mr. Lappin retired in 2004 as Chairman of the Board of Haynes International, Inc. Previously, Mr. Lappin served as Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group L.P., where he was a member of the Private Equity Group from 1998 to 2002. He also helped monitor the operations of Blackstone Capital Partners portfolio companies and evaluated business strategy options. From 1989 to 1998, Mr. Lappin served as President of Farley Industries, which included West Point-Pepperell, Inc., Acme Boot Company, Inc., Tool and Engineering, Inc., Magnus Metals, Inc. and Fruit of the Loom, Inc. He also served as President & Chief Executive Officer of Doehler-Jarvis and Southern Fastening Systems, and he has held senior executive positions with Champion Spark Plug Company and RTE Corporation. Mr. Lappin’s experience as a CEO and his financial expertise provide the Board with an important perspective in the areas of business strategy and organizational development, as well as sound investment criteria, capital structure and liquidity management.

Director since

1999

LOGO

THOMAS K. WALKER

Age 72

Thomas K. Walker is Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Lackawanna Acquisition Corporation and is the former President of Amcast Automotive, where from 1995 to 1999 he directed all activities for the $300 million automotive group. Previously, he held senior executive positions with ITT Automotive and Allied-Signal Automotive Catalyst Co. He also served in various manufacturing and engineering leadership positions with Volkswagen of America and with General Motors Corporation, where he began his 50-year career in the automotive industry. Mr. Walker serves on the National Advisory Board for Michigan Technological University. Mr. Walker’s business acumen and extensive leadership experience in the automotive industry enable him to provide our Board with expertise related to engineering, manufacturing operations and strategic business development.

Director since

1999


10


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that meet or exceed the requirements of the NYSE listing standards. AAM’s Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website athttp://investor.aam.com.

Director Independence

AAM’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that at least a majority of the members of the Board and each member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee meet the independence criteria of the NYSE listing standards. In addition,Currently, nine of our ten directors are independent from the Company. Only David C. Dauch, who serves as AAM's President & Chief Executive Officer, is not independent due to his employment with AAM.
The Board has established Director Independence Guidelines to assist in determining the independence of our directors for purposes of the NYSE independence standards. The Director Independence Guidelines are included in AAM’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website athttp://investor.aam.com.

The Board annually reviews and determines, on the recommendation of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, whether any director has a material relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. When assessing materiality, the Board considers relevant facts and circumstances of which it is aware. No director qualifies as independent unless the Board determines that the director has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company.

The

As a result of this evaluation, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following nominees and returning directors have no material relationships with AAM and are independent: Elizabeth A. (Beth) Chappell, Forest J. Farmer, Steven B. Hantler, Richard C. Lappin, James A. McCaslin, William P. Miller II, John F. Smith, Larry K. SwitzerSamuel Valenti III and Thomas K. Walker. Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman and David C. Dauch, President & CEO, are not independent due to their employment with AAM. Mr. D.C. Dauch is the son of Mr. R.E. Dauch.

In making these independence determinations, the Board considered Ms. Chappell’s position as President & CEO of the Detroit Economic Club, in light of the sponsorship fees AAM pays to this non-profit organization. The annual fees paid by AAM to the Detroit Economic Club are significantly below the threshold amount established under the NYSE independence standards and our Director Independence Guidelines, which is the greater of two percent of the outside entity’s annual gross revenues or $1 million.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board has the responsibility to determine the appropriateBoard's current leadership structure for the Company, including whether it is best for the Company atincludes a given point in time for the roles of Boardcombined Chairman and CEO to be separate or combined.

Historically,role with a lead independent director. On August 16, 2013, the positions ofBoard appointed President & CEO and Chairman were held by Mr. R.E. Dauch. Mr. R.E.David C. Dauch has been our CEO since he co-founded AAM in 1994 and has served as Chairman since 1997. As a result of the Company’s multi-year CEO succession planningBoard, following the passing of our Co-Founder and leadership development process, as well asformer Executive Chairman, Richard E. Dauch, on August 2, 2013.


Our Board believes that it is in the Board’s ongoing reviewbest interest of its structure,the Company to combine the roles of Chairman and CEO were separated in September 2012.

Effective September 1, 2012,at this time because it provides the Company with unified leadership and direction. The Board appointed David C. Dauch President & CEO. Concurrentbelieves the Company's CEO is best situated to serve as Chairman because he is the director most familiar with this appointment, AAM’s co-founder, Richard E. Dauch, was named Executive Chairman of the Board. Both the President & CEOCompany's business and the Executive Chairman report solely to the Board. As Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. R.E. Dauch will continue to provide leadership to the Board based on his extensive knowledge of the global automotive industry, and his prior experience serving as the Board’s Chairman & CEO. The separation of these roles permits Mr. D.C. Dauchis in a position to focus on leading AAM’s global business and day-to-day operations while providing the Board witheffectively identify strategic vision and insight regarding AAM’s strategic plans for the future.

In addition to the customary procedural duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Chairman has the following responsibilities:

Together with the President & CEO, represent the Company to external groups, including shareholders, customers, creditors, suppliers, local communities and governmental organizations and other key stakeholders;

Promote the Company as a technology and quality leader within the auto industry through public speaking, media appearances and global community affairs;

Develop relationships and maintain liaisons with universities that excel in the Company’s fields of both current and future business lines;

Develop relationships and maintain liaisons with other business leaders to share best practices in long-term planning;

Oversee and evaluate (but not direct) day-to-day operations;

Oversee the long-term strategy and vision of the Company and ensure the Board’s participation in strategic planning;

Discuss and review with the President & CEO issues facing the Company;

Evaluate the performance of the Company in achieving its goals and objectives;

Overseepriorities and lead the developmentdiscussion and implementationexecution of a brand management program that promotesstrategy. While the Company's independent directors bring experience, oversight and expertise from various perspectives outside the Company, as a technologythe CEO's in-depth knowledge of our business enables him to identify areas of focus for the Board and quality leader withineffectively recommend appropriate agendas. The Board believes that the auto industry;combined role of Chairman and

CEO facilitates information flow between management and the Board, provides clear accountability and promotes efficient decision making, all of which are essential to effective governance.

Oversee and review succession planning.

Our Board leadership structure is further enhanced by an Independent Lead Director, aDirector. Effective April 30, 2014, Mr. McCaslin will hold this position, currently held byreplacing Mr. Walker. The Independent Lead Director has the following responsibilities:

Director's responsibilities are to:

Presidepreside at executive sessions of the independent directors, which are held at the end of each scheduled Board meeting;

Callcall special executive sessions of independent directors, as appropriate;

Serveserve on all standing committees required by NYSE listing standards and on the Executive Committee;

Serveserve as Chairchair of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee;

Serveserve as the liasonliaison between the independent directors and AAM’s Executivethe Chairman, and President & CEO;

Informinform the Executive Chairman, and President & CEO of issues arising from executive sessions of the independent directors; and

Withwith Board approval, retain outside advisors and/or consultants who report directly to the full Board on matters of interest to the full Board.

In September 2012, the Board approved the temporary assignment

11


Board Oversight of Risk Management

The Board, directly and through its committees, is responsible for overseeing the management of potential risks affecting the Company. In connection with our company-wideoverall risk management process, the Board regularly reviews information provided by senior management about the Company’s strategic, operational, financial and compliance risks. In addition, the chairs of the Audit, Compensation, Nominating/Corporate Governance, Strategy and Technology Committees regularly report to the Board on the activities of their respective Committees, including matters related to risk.

The Audit Committee oversees management of financial risks and receives an annual reportregular reports from management on the Company’s overall risk management structure and processes. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with corporate governance and management succession planning. The Compensation Committee oversees risks related to AAM’s compensation programs. The Technology Committee oversees risks related to AAM’s product,

process and systems technology. The Strategy Committee oversees riskrisks related to the development and implementation of the Company’s strategic plan. Additional review or reporting of specific risks is conducted as necessaryappropriate or as requested by the Board or a Committee.

committee.

Stockholder Communication with the Board

Stockholders or other interested parties may communicate with the Board through the Secretary of AAM by mail at One Dauch Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48211-1198 or by e-mail at AAMBoardofDirectors@aam.com.

The Board has instructed the Secretary to review all such communications and to exercise his discretion not to forward correspondence to the Board that is inappropriate, such as advertising and business solicitations, routine business matters and personal grievances. However, any director may at any time request the Secretary to forward any communication received by the Secretary on behalf of the Board.

Code of Business Conduct

AAM has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that is designed to assist all AAM associates, executive officers and members of the Board in conducting AAM’s business with the highest standards of ethics and integrity. AAM has also adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our CEO, Executive Chairman, CFO and other Senior Financial Officers (Code of Ethics). The Board annually reviews the Code of Business Conduct and makes updates as appropriate. AAM’s Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics are available on our website athttp://investor.aam.com. A written copy also may be obtained by any stockholder without charge upon request to the AAM Investor Relations Department by mail at One Dauch Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48211-1198 or by email at investorrelations@aam.com.

Related Person Transactions Policy

The Board has adopted a written policy and procedure for the review, approval and ratification of transactions involving AAM and any “related persons”person” as defined in the policy. This policy supplements AAM’s other conflict of interest policies as set forth in AAM’sour Code of Business Conduct. The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the responsibilityis responsible for reviewing, approving and ratifying all related person transactions in accordance with the policy.

policy and the Audit Committee's charter.

For purposes of this policy, a related person transaction includes any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which:

which AAM is or is expected to be a participant;

participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000;$120,000, and

a related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

However, a transaction between AAM and a related person is not subject to this policy if the transaction:

is available to all employees generally;

involves less than $5,000 when aggregated with all similar transactions; or

involves compensation of an executive officer that is approved by the Compensation Committee.

A related person includes directors and executive officers and their immediate family members, stockholders owning more than five percent of the Company’sCompany's outstanding common stock as of the last completed fiscal year, and any entity owned or controlled by any one of these persons.

A

The Audit Committee makes a determination whether a related person's interest in a transaction is material based on a review of the facts and circumstances. In deciding whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, meeting the above criteriaAudit Committee will be permitted only iftake into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, (1) whether the transaction is approvedon terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and (2) the significance of the related person's interest in the transaction.
A member of the Audit Committee may not participate in the review or vote concerning any related person transaction in which the Audit Committee member or his or her immediate family member is involved.
The policy also provides that certain types of transactions are deemed to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee, and is on terms comparable to those available to unrelated third parties. Any related person transaction involving a member of the Audit Committee must be presented to disinterested members of the full Board for review.

In considering a transaction, the Audit Committee and/do not require separate approval or the Board may consider the following factors, as applicable:

the Company’s business reasons for entering into the transaction;

ratification.

the alternatives to entering into a related person transaction;

the potential for the transaction to lead to an actual or apparent conflict of interest and any safeguards imposed to prevent such actual or apparent conflict;

the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction; and

whether the transaction is in the best interests of AAM.

AAM’s directors and executive officers complete annual questionnaires designed to elicit information about potential related person transactions. In addition, our directors and executive officers are required to report any existing or contemplated related person transaction to the Company Secretary, who also serves as AAM’s General Counsel.

During fiscal year 2012, the Company did not engage in any reportable related person transactions. As2013 and as of the date of this proxy statement, nothe Company has not engaged in any reportable related person transaction has been brought to the attentiontransactions.


12


Board and Committee or the Board.

Board Committee Composition

Meetings

Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings, meetings of the committees on which they serve and stockholder meetings. During 2012, all directors attended more than 75 percent of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served. The 2012 annual meeting of stockholders was attended by all but one of our directors.

The Board held four regularly scheduled meetings and two special meetings during 2012. 2013. All nominees and continuing directors attended 100% of the Board and applicable committee meetings during 2013, except one continuing director missed one committee meeting. The 2013 annual meeting of stockholders was attended by eight of the eleven directors on the Board at that time.

The following table shows committee membership as of March 20, 2014, the membershipdate of the Board’s committees during 2012this proxy statement, and the number of committee meetings held during 2012.

2013.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP IN 2012

Name of Director Audit
Committee
 Compensation
Committee
 Nominating/
Corporate
Governance
Committee
 Executive
Committee
 Technology
Committee
 Strategy
Committee

Richard E. Dauch

       Chairman   X

Salvatore J. Bonanno, Sr.

         X  

Elizabeth A. Chappell

   X        

David C. Dauch

       X   X

Forest J. Farmer

   Chairman X X    

Steven B. Hantler

   X        

Richard C. Lappin

     X   X Chairman

James A. McCaslin

         X X

William P. Miller II

 Chairman       X  

John F. Smith(1)

 X         X

Larry K. Switzer

 X X       X

Thomas K. Walker(2)

 X X Chairman X    

Dr. Henry T. Yang

         Chairman  

No. of Meetings in 2012

 4 5 6 2 3 2

AS OF MARCH 20, 2014
Name of Director
Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Nominating/
Corporate
Governance
Committee
Executive
Committee
Technology
Committee
Strategy
Committee
David C. Dauch   Chair X
Elizabeth A. Chappell X    
Forest J. Farmer ChairXX  
Steven B. Hantler X    
Richard C. Lappin  X XChair
James A. McCaslin    XX
William P. Miller IIChair   X 
John F. SmithX   ChairX
Larry K. SwitzerXX   X
Samuel Valenti IIIX    X
Thomas K. WalkerXXChairX  
No. of Meetings in 2013455234


The Board approved changes in committee membership effective April 30, 2014 as shown in the table below.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AS OF APRIL 30, 2014

(1)
Mr.
Name of Director
Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Nominating/
Corporate
Governance
Committee
Executive
Committee
Technology
Committee
Strategy
Committee
David C. DauchChairX
Elizabeth A. ChappellChairX
Forest J. FarmerXX
Steven B. HantlerX
Richard C. LappinXXChair
James A. McCaslinXX
Chair
X
XX
William P. Miller IIChairXX
John F. Smith was appointed to the Technology Committee effective February 6, 2013.XChairX
Larry K. Switzer
Samuel Valenti IIIXX
Thomas K. WalkerXX

(2)Mr.Walker’s service on the Technology Committee ended effective April 26, 2012.


13


Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to:

the quality and integrity of our financial statements;

our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

our independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and

the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors.

The Audit Committee operates under aCommittee's responsibilities are more fully described in its written charter, thatwhich is available on AAM’s website athttp://investor.aam.com.

All members of the Audit Committee are independent and financially literate under NYSE listing standards and independent under our Director Independence Guidelines. The Board has determined that each Audit Committee member is independent, is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is financially literate under applicable NYSE listing standards. The Audit Committee hasalso determined that Mr. Miller and Mr. Smith and Mr. Switzer each qualify as an auditare "audit committee financial expertexperts" as defined by SEC rules.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible forCommittee's responsibilities include the following:

Establishingestablishing and reviewing AAM’s compensation philosophy and programs with respect to ourfor executive officers;

Approvingapproving executive officer compensation with a view to support AAM’s business strategies and objectives;

Approvingapproving corporate goals and objectives for executive officer compensation and evaluating executive officer performance in light of these criteria;

Recommendingrecommending incentive compensation and equity-based plans to the Board;

Overseeingoverseeing management’s risk assessment of the Company’s policies and practices regarding its compensation programs for executive officers and other associates;

Overseeingrecommending non-employee director compensation and benefits to the Board;

overseeing the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for inclusion in our annual proxy statement; and

Producingproducing the Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.

The Compensation Committee operates under aCommittee's responsibilities are more fully described in its written charter, thatwhich is available on our website athttp://investor.aam.com. In February 2013,
All Compensation Committee Charter was amended to comply with recently-adoptedmembers are independent under NYSE listing standards, regardingincluding the independence of thestandards applicable specifically to compensation committee members, and our Director Independence Guidelines. All Compensation Committee and its advisors. In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Compensation Committee is also responsible for recommending non-employee director compensation and benefits for approval by the Board.

Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent, is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is anmembers are “outside director”directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Code and are "non-employee" directors within the meaning of SEC Rule 16b-3.

Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

In 2012,2013, AAM management conducted a risk assessment of the Company’s compensation policies and practices relating to AAM’s compensation programs for executive officers and other associates. The process used by management to conduct the risk assessment was approved by the Compensation Committee. The risk assessment considered, among other things, AAM’s annual and long-term incentive programs and pay mix, performance measures used to calculate payouts, and pay philosophy and governance. Based on this risk assessment and other factors, management concluded that the Company’s compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee agreed with management’s conclusion.

Role of Management in Compensation Decisions

The Compensation Committee is responsible for making compensation decisions relative to executive officers. However, in making its decisions, the Compensation Committee seeks and considers input from senior management. Since management has direct involvement with and in-depth knowledge of the business strategy, goals and performance of the Company, certain executive officers play an important role in the executive compensation decision-making process. Senior management participates in the Compensation Committee’s activities in the following specific respects:

The Executive Chairman and President & CEO provideprovides the Compensation Committee with their evaluationshis evaluation of the performance of the Company’s executive officers, including the other named executive officers (NEOs). The President & CEO and Vice President, Human Resources make compensation recommendations for executive officers, including base salary levels and the amount and mix of incentive awards.

The President & CEO, the Executive Vice President & CFO and the Vice President, Human Resources develop and recommend performance objectives and targets for AAM’s incentive compensation programs.


14

Table of Contents

The Vice President, Human Resources assists the ChairmanChair of the Compensation Committee in developing meeting agendas and manages the preparation and distribution of pre-meeting informational materials on the matters to be considered.

The Executive Chairman, President & CEO, Executive Vice President & CFO and the Vice President, Human Resources regularly attend Compensation Committee meetings. Management generally does not attend the executive session of the Compensation Committee. On occasion, the Compensation Committee may request certain members of management to attend all or a portion of an executive session.

Role of Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee has retained Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (Meridian) as its independent compensation consultant. Meridian provides independent advice and ongoing recommendations on compensation matters related to our executive officers and non-employee directors. Meridian also provides the Compensation Committee with competitive market data, peer group analyses and updates on compensation trends and regulatory developments.

In the course of fulfilling its responsibilities, Meridian may communicate directly with the ChairmanChair of the Compensation Committee. Meridian also meets with management to gather information, prepare materials, and review proposals to be made to the Compensation Committee. Meridian provides no other services to the Company other than advice with respect to director and executive officer compensation and has no other direct or indirect business relationships with the Company of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

The Compensation Committee determined that Meridian is independent of management and that the services provided by Meridian to the Compensation Committee do not give rise to any conflicts of interest. In written correspondence to the Compensation Committee, Meridian provided detailed information addressing each of the six independence factors adopted by the SEC and incorporated into theset forth in NYSE Corporate Governance Listing Standards.listing standards. In this correspondence and in communications with the Compensation Committee, Meridian affirmed its independence and that of its partners, consultants and employees who service AAM’sthe Compensation Committee on executive compensation matters.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s primary responsibilities are to:

Identifyidentify qualified individuals to serve on the Board and committees;

Reviewreview our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and recommend changes as appropriate; and

Overseeoversee and approve the process for succession planning for the CEO and other executive officers.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee operates under aCommittee's responsibilities are more fully described in its written charter, thatwhich is available on our website athttp://investor.aam.com. Each member All members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee isare independent under NYSE listing standards and is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.our Director Independence Guidelines.

Selection Process for Director Nominees. In consultation with the Executive Chairman, and the President & CEO, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee identifies, evaluates and recommends potential candidates for membership on the Board. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee conducts necessary and appropriate inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of the candidates and considers questions of independence and possible conflicts of interest. Based on the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s evaluation, candidates who meet the Board’s criteria may receive further consideration, which may include interviews with the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and other directors. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee then submits its recommendations for nominees to the Board for approval. Pursuant to AAM’s bylaws, the Board may establish the size of the Board by resolution, provided there is a minimum of three members.

Before the Board nominates an incumbent director for re-election by our stockholders, the incumbent director is evaluated by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and/or the Board. This evaluation is based on, among other things, each incumbent director’s meeting attendance record and contributions to the activities of the Board.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers recommendations of potential candidates from members of our Board, our Chairman, President & CEO and our stockholders. In 2013, Mr. D.C. Dauch referred director nominee Samuel Valenti III for consideration by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board for election by the Board as a Class III director. After consideration of Mr. Valenti's qualifications and independence, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee recommended that the Board elect Mr. Valenti as a Class III director with a term expiring on the date of the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders. Upon review, the Board elected Mr. Valenti, effective October 31, 2013, to serve as a Class III director until the 2014 annual meeting.

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Table of Contents

Director Qualifications. AAM’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide the qualifications for Board membership. Candidates for director nominees to the AAM Board are reviewed in consideration of the current composition of the Board, the operating requirements of the Company and the interests of stockholders. Although specific qualifications may vary from time to time, desired qualities and characteristics include:

Highhigh ethical character and shared values with AAM;

Loyaltyloyalty to AAM and concern for its success and welfare;

High-levelhigh-level leadership experience and achievement at a policy-making level in business, or in educational or professional activities;

Knowledgebreadth of knowledge of issues affecting AAM;

Thethe ability to contribute special competencies to Board activities, such as financial, technical, international business or other expertise, or industry knowledge;

Willingnesswillingness to apply sound, independent business judgment;

Awarenessawareness of a director’sdirector's vital role in AAM’sAAM's good corporate citizenship and corporate image; and

Sufficientsufficient time and availability to effectively carry out a director’sdirector's duties.

The Board as a whole should reflect the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and diversity that, when taken together, will enhance the quality of the Board’s deliberations and decisions. Although the Board has no formal policy regarding diversity, the Board believes that diversity is an essential element of Board effectiveness. In this context, diversity is defined broadly to include differences in background, skills, education, experience, gender, race, national origin and culture.

For director candidates recommended by stockholders, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee follows the procedures described below inOther Matters, Stockholder Proposals for 20142015 Annual Meeting. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders using substantially the same criteria as it considersthat are considered in evaluating director candidates recommended by our Board members Executiveor Chairman, or President & CEO.

Succession Planning. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s succession planning process for executive officers and other key executive positions at AAM. In performing this role, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee monitors and approves management’s succession planning process and actions and, with respect to the CEO, makes recommendations to the full Board for approval.

The Board has primary responsibility for CEO succession planning and develops both long-term and contingency plans for CEO succession. In September 2012, the Board implemented its multi-year CEO succession plan with the appointment of Mr. D.C. Dauch as President & CEO. The Company’s co-founder and former CEO, Mr. R.E. Dauch, assumed the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. The Company’s long-term and ongoing succession planning program is designed to support effective senior leadership development and succession in a manner that positions AAM to achieve its strategic, operating and financial performance goals, and enhance stockholder value.

Technology Committee
The Technology Committee oversees and provides advice to AAM regarding AAM’s product, process and systems technology. The Technology Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board and management concerning AAM's strategy relative to technology matters.
Strategy Committee
The Strategy Committee oversees the development and implementation of AAM’s strategic plan and provides advice to the Board and management regarding specific strategic opportunities. The Strategy Committee is responsible for maintaining a cooperative, interactive strategic planning process with management, including the approval of strategic goals and objectives and reviewing and providing advice concerning potential corporate acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
Executive Committee

The Executive Committee exercises the authority of the Board during the intervals between Board meetings and does not meet on a regular basis. Its members are identified in theCommittee Membership in 2012 table.

Technology Committee

The Technology Committee oversees and provides advice to AAM regarding AAM’s product, process and systems technology. Its members are identified in theCommittee Membership in 2012 table.

Strategy Committee

The Strategy Committee oversees the development and implementation


16

Table of AAM’s strategic plan and provides advice to management regarding specific strategic opportunities. Its members are identified in theCommittee Membership in 2012 table.

Contents


COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Effective September 1, 2012, AAM’s Board appointed David C. Dauch as President & Chief Executive Officer, concurrent with the appointment of Richard E. Dauch as Co-Founder & Executive Chairman. Mr. D.C. Dauch most recently served as AAM’s President & Chief Operating Officer since June 2008 and has been a member of the Board since 2009. He has held positions of increasing responsibility since he joined AAM in 1995. Mr. R.E. Dauch has served as CEO since he co-founded the Company in 1994 and as Chairman of the Board since 1997. These actions reflect the Board’s ongoing commitment to succession planning and development of AAM’s leadership team.

On April 26, 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan and authorized up to 5 million shares for issuance as equity-based compensation under the plan. This action by our stockholders enabled the

The Compensation Committee to include equity-based incentives as a component of(Committee) oversees the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program forCompany's executive officers, which we believe strengthens the alignment of interests between our executive officers and our stockholders. Since the expiration of AAM’s previous stock incentive plan in January 2009, the Company has been unable to grant equity-based awards as part of its compensation program. Upon approval of AAM’s 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee increased the stock ownership requirements for executive officers.

Our executive compensation program reflects an externally competitive compensation structure based on a comprehensive market study of executive compensation programs in AAM’sAAM's comparative peer group. In addition to attracting and retaining key executives, the program is designed to drive Company and individual performance while aligning the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders.

Stockholder Outreach
At our 2013 annual meeting, 58% of our stockholders voted in favor of the Company's say on pay proposal. This result was considerably less favorable than the level of support AAM received for its 2012 and 2011 say on pay proposals, which was 95% and 98%, respectively. As a result of this outcome, the Board directed senior management to conduct stockholder outreach to gain an understanding of stockholder concerns about our executive compensation programs. The Board and the Committee believe that direct feedback from our stockholders is valuable in evaluating possible changes to our executive compensation programs in order to further align AAM's compensation programs and practices with the objectives of our stockholders.
Senior management contacted our top 25 institutional stockholders, representing approximately two-thirds of the total shares outstanding, to discuss the outcome of the 2013 vote. Nine of these investors agreed to meet with us. During the fall of 2013, senior management had discussions with these investors, which included eight of AAM's top 15 institutional holders.The dialog with these stockholders was open, positive and constructive. The key areas of concern expressed by these stockholders included the following:
composition of our comparative peer group and the need for clear, descriptive disclosures regarding the criteria used to select companies in our comparative peer group;
the importance of setting the target level of total executive compensation at the 50th percentile;
lack of performance-based equity incentive compensation;
the importance of pay-for-performance alignment of CEO compensation;
the lack of a formal clawback policy; and
compensation of Co-Founder and former Executive Chairman (now deceased).
Throughout the outreach process, management reported the feedback received from our stockholders to the Board and the Committee. In consideration of this feedback and the written comments of proxy advisory firms, the Committee reviewed our compensation program and practices for executive officers, including our named executive officers (NEOs). In conducting this review, the Committee received advice from its independent compensation consultant and input from senior management and the Board. As a result, the Committee made changes to our executive compensation program as described below.
Key Changes to Executive Compensation Program
Approved a new comparative peer group for benchmarking executive compensation. The Committee approved a new comparative peer group, which has greater relevance to AAM in terms of industry, revenues, market capitalization, global complexity and competition. AAM's projected 2014 revenues approximate the median 2014 projected revenues of the new comparative peer group. The program includessize of the comparative peer group was reduced from 38 to 20 companies.
Targeted the 50th percentile for total compensation of executive officers. In determining 2014 compensation, the Committee targeted total compensation at approximately the 50th percentile of our new comparative peer group. As a result, the Committee has moved away from setting annual and long-term incentive pay opportunities between the 50th and 75th percentile of our comparative peer group. This total compensation target is considered to be a generally accepted benchmark of external competitiveness that supports AAM's ability to attract and retain key executives.
Introduced a mixperformance share award vehicle as a component of base salaries and target annual and long-term incentive compensation. Stockholders commented that our long-term incentive (LTI) program should include performance-based equity awards. Historically, our LTI program was comprised of 50% cash-based performance awards and 50% restricted stock units (RSUs) with time-based vesting. The Committee redesigned the LTI program to strengthen pay-for-performance alignment of executive compensation. For 2014, the Committee

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introduced performance share awards that account for 66% of the total LTI award value. The payouts earned under these awards will be measured by EBITDA margin and relative TSR performance over a three-year period and paid only to the extent that pre-established performance targets are achieved. The Committee decided that the remaining 34% of the LTI equity awards should be in the form of RSUs with three-year cliff vesting in order to promote the retention of key executives. This new LTI design, which is 100% equity-based, further aligns the interests of executive officers with those of our stockholders.
Capped annual incentive performance metrics. A 2013 report from a proxy advisory firm noted that a performance metric used in determining annual incentive award payouts -- net income as a percentage of sales (NIPS) -- did not have a stated maximum payout. Although the award opportunity for this metric was practically limited by its direct link to actual Company performance, the Committee considered this comment while setting financial targets for 2014 annual incentive award opportunities. Accordingly, the Committee established a stated maximum payout for the NIPS performance metric. As a result, all performance metrics for annual incentive compensation have stated maximum payouts.
Adopted a clawback policy. The Committee adopted a clawback policy applicable to executive officers effective January 1, 2014. Generally, if the Committee determines that an executive officer engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct that resulted in a material restatement of our financial statements, the Committee may seek to recover performance-based incentive compensation to the extent such compensation is based on the financial performance of the Company and if other criteria are met.
Eliminated discretionary bonuses to the former Executive Chairman and other NEOs. Stockholders expressed concern regarding the 2012 discretionary bonus paid to Mr. R.E. Dauch (now deceased). Mr. R.E. Dauch's 2012 bonus was determined under his prior employment agreement, which provided for the use of discretion in assessing performance and determining the annual bonus payout. Beginning in 2013, under his 2012 employment agreement, Mr. R.E. Dauch's annual incentive was calculated based on the Company's achievement of financial targets set by the Committee in advance of the performance period. These performance metrics were approved by our stockholders under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. No discretionary increases were made to 2013 annual incentive payouts for Mr. R.E. Dauch or any of our other NEOs.
We believe that the above changes to our executive compensation program address the concerns raised by the 2013 advisory vote on executive compensation and by our stockholders. The Company is committed to further engagement with our stockholders regarding executive compensation and related matters. We believe that these discussions are a valuable component of our overall investor relations program. The Committee will continue to consider feedback from our stockholders in determining AAM's executive compensation programs and practices.
2013 Performance
In 2013, our financial performance was highlighted by sales growth that outpaced the industry and profitability that solidly rebounded from our 2012 performance. The performance goals under theour executive compensation incentive programs are established to reward achievement of the Company’sCompany's goals and objectives. In 2012, the Company did not perform as expected against its established goals due to increased costs associated with plant closures, global launch activity, lower capacity utilization and labor inefficiencies. As a result, the 2012The 2013 payouts forof annual and cash-based long-term incentives as compared to incentive payouts for 2012 reflect this pay-for-performance alignment. As discussed in more detail below, improvements in the lower levels of CompanyCompany's performance pursuant to the metrics established by the Compensation Committee.

When setting compensation for 2013 resulted in higher incentive payouts for certain awards as compared to 2012 payments. For example, our achievements related to net operating cash flow and relative TSR resulted in determininghigher incentive payouts for 2013 as compared to 2012. This result supports AAM's compensation policies,objectives of rewarding performance and aligning the Compensation Committee took into account the favorable results of the stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation in April 2012. Our stockholders approved the compensationinterests of our named executive officers with approximately 95% of votes cast in favorthose of our say-on-pay proposal. Accordingly,stockholders.

Leadership Changes - NEOs
On August 2, 2013, Richard E. Dauch, the Compensation Committee has continued to applyCompany's Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, passed away. Effective August 16, 2013, the executive compensation philosophy and objectives described below. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

Named Executive Officers

For purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the tables and narrative disclosures that follow, Named Executive Officers (NEOs) refer to the following individuals:

David C. Dauch,Board appointed President & Chief Executive Officer David C. Dauch as Chairman of the Board. Mr. D.C. Dauch has served as AAM’s President & CEO since September 2012.

John J. Bellanti, AAM's Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, retired from AAM effective January 1, 2014. Upon Mr. Bellanti's retirement, Alberto L. Satine became Senior Vice President, Global Driveline Operations, assuming leadership responsibility for a significant portion of our global operations. Previously, Mr. Satine served as AAM's Group Vice President, Global Sales & Business Development and held numerous positions of increasing responsibility since he joined AAM in May 2001.

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Named Executive Officers
Our NEOs for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013 include the following individuals whose titles shown below are the positions held as of that date (except for Mr. R.E. Dauch):
David C. Dauch, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer;

Michael K. Simonte, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer;

Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman;

John J. Bellanti, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations; and

Alberto L. Satine, Group Vice President, Global Sales & Business Development;
Norman Willemse, Vice President, Metal Formed Products Business Unit.

Unit; and

Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder and former Executive Chairman (deceased).
Although Mr. R.E. Dauch passed away during 2013, he is identified as an NEO based on his 2013 compensation. Our discussion of AAM's executive compensation programs throughout the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) applies generally to our NEOs, except for Mr. R.E. Dauch. His compensation is described separately under Compensation of former Executive Chairman below.

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and reviewing the overall compensation philosophy of the Company. The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation paid to executives should be structured to provide AAM executives with meaningful rewards, while maintaining alignment with stockholder interests, corporate values and management initiatives.

The Compensation Committee believes that AAM’s executive compensation program should consist of a mix of base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation, with limited perquisites and other personal benefits. One of the key objectives of establishing a mix of base salaries, annual incentive and long-term incentive compensation is to have a significant portion of total compensation be performance basedperformance-based and contingent upon the achievement of stated Company performance goals.

In an effort to more closely align the objectives of the philosophy to market competitive practices, the Compensation Committee has established stated target percentile goals (compared to our comparative peer group) for each component of pay as set forth below underMarket Analysis and Benchmarking.

The pay percentile goals are generally used as a guide to help set compensation levels for the NEOs, excluding the Executive Chairman. The Executive Chairman’s compensation is determined under his employment agreement.

The Compensation Committee also considers other factors in setting compensation levels for the NEOs including, among other things,such as Company and individual performance, succession planning and the requirements of the position as determined by the Company from time to time.

Compensation Objectives.The following fundamental objectives are considered in determining compensation programs and pay levels.

Compensation and benefit programs should appropriately reflect the size and financial resources oflevels for our Company in order to maintain long-term viability. These programs should be market-based to be competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives in our peer group.NEOs.


Compensation and benefit programs should attract, motivate and retain experienced executives who are vital to our short-term and long-term success, profitability and growth.growth. AAM makes an effort to remain competitive by targeting competitive pay levels based on the Company’s compensation philosophy with consideration ofcomparative peer group while considering the specificCompany's business environment, including industry conditions and other market influences. The Committee believes our compensation programs should encourage high-achieving, marketable executives to remain motivated and committed to AAM for long and productive careers.


Compensation and benefit programs should reward Company and individual performance.performance. Our programs should strive to deliver competitive compensation for exceptional individual and Company performance as compared to companies in our comparative peer group. As associates progress to higher levels in the Company and assume key leadership positions, a greater portion of their compensation should be linked to Company performance and stockholder returns. Company performance is measured against financial and operational objectives and to stockholder return.returns.


Compensation and benefit programs should foster the long-term focus required for success in the global automotive industry.to deliver value to our stockholders. We believe that long-term incentive compensation will motivate executive officers to deliver long-term value to our stockholders. Executives who are in positions to influence longer-term results should have a greater proportion of their compensation tied to longer-term performance.


ExecutiveTotal compensation opportunities should reflect each executive’s level of responsibility and contribution to AAM. While the overall structure of compensation and benefit programs should be

19


broadly similar across the Company, individual pay levels and benefit packages will reflect differences in job responsibilities, geography and marketplace considerations.

Stock ownership requirements for executive officers should be AAMalign their interests with those of our stockholders. Stock ownership aligns our executive officers’ interests with those of stockholders and reinforces the importance of making sound long-term decisions. AAM’s executive officers are required to maintain a certain level of stock ownership based on their position.

Peer Group and Compensation Benchmarking

The objectivesDetermination of rewarding performance and retention should be balanced. Our compensation programs should continue to ensure that high-achieving, marketable executives remain motivated and committed to AAM. This principle is essential to our effort to encourage our strongest leaders to remain with AAM for long and productive careers.

Compensation and benefit programs should be fair in consideration of each executive’s level of responsibility and contribution to AAM. While the overall structure of compensation and benefit programs should be broadly similar across the Company, individual pay levels and benefit packages will reflect differences in job responsibilities, geography and marketplace considerations.

Market Analysis and Benchmarking

Comparative Peer Group.    AGroup

The Committee uses a comparative peer group for purposes of 38 industrial manufacturing companies drawn from a broad array of industries, including automotive suppliers, was identified by Meridian, the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, for consideration by the Compensation Committee to help assessdetermining competitive pay levels and compensation structure, setting incentive pay opportunities and assessing Company performance relative to provide data for pay decisions.its peers in support of AAM's executive compensation philosophy and objectives. The peer group was selected to be representativeCommittee periodically reviews the composition of a broad industrial sector in which AAM competes for executive talent. The criteria used to assess the market and to select the comparative peer group included:

Operating/Industry Competitors — Companies with guidance from the Committee's independent compensation consultant, Meridian, and makes adjustments to reflect changes in the Company's business as well as industry and market conditions.

Following the results of the 2013 stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation, the Committee directed Meridian to evaluate the existing comparative peer group and recommend changes to to the peer group that would more closely reflect AAM's business profile. Meridian undertook a detailed study to develop a pool of potential peer companies from which weto select the companies to be included in the comparative peer group. In developing the pool, Meridian considered companies in the automotive and related industries with annual revenues between one-third and three times our revenues and those in our competitor peer group as described below. The initial pool was then narrowed by Meridian through the use of a weighted scorecard based on additional criteria, which included:
complexity of global business and operations;
companies that compete for the sale of products and services;

Labor Market Competitors — Companies with which we competeAAM for executive talent;

Competitorsmarket capitalization; and

companies included in the peer groups established by proxy advisory firms for Capital — Companies with which we compete for investment dollars and against which investment performance is evaluated; and

2013.

Revenue Size — Companies with revenues within a broad range.

Based on this analysis, Meridian recommended and the foregoing criteria, the Compensation Committee established the followingapproved a new comparative peer group of 20 companies, which resulted in the following changes:

the size of the peer group was reduced from 38 companies;
23 companies were removed and five were added to be used for pay decisions:

A. O. Smith Corporation

Kennametal Inc.

Ball Corporation

Lear Corporation

BorgWarner Inc.

Meritor Inc.

Brady Corporation

Navistar International

Cameron International Corporation

Owens-Illinois, Inc.

Cummins Inc.

PACCAR Inc.

Dana Corporation

Polaris Industries Inc.

Donaldson Company, Inc.

Rockwell Automation

Dover Corporation

Sauer-Danfoss Inc.

Eaton Corporation

Sonoco Products Company

Federal Signal Corporation

Terex Corporation

Federal-Mogul Corporation

Thomas & Betts Corporation

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.

The Timken Company

Flowserve Corporation

Trinity Industries, Inc.

FMC Technologies

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

Genuine Parts Company

USG Corporation

Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Ingersoll-Rand Company

Visteon Corporation

Joy Global Inc.

Woodward Governor Company

The Compensation Committee reliedimprove alignment with AAM based on the factors described above; and

six of our eight competitor peer group companies were included and two were excluded (namely, Autoliv, a foreign corporation, and Magna International, which has significantly greater revenues than AAM).
We believe the new comparative peer group has greater relevance to AAM in terms of industry, revenues, market data analysis performed by Meridiancapitalization, global complexity and competition. We expect that AAM's new and incremental backlog will drive AAM's sales to exceed the rate of growth expected in October 2010 for setting 2011 and 2012 executive officer compensation. Meridian’s market analysis in 2010

was considered adequate for setting 2012 pay based on Meridian’s guidancethe industry. AAM's projected 2014 revenues are well positioned relative to the median of the comparative peer group's 2014 projected revenues.

The following table shows the companies in our new comparative peer group (used to determine 2014 compensation), the prior comparative peer group (used to determine 2013 compensation), and the companies in our competitor peer group as disclosed in our 2013 annual report to shareholders.

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Company2014 Peer Group2013 Peer GroupCompetitor Peer Group
A. O. Smith CorporationXX 
BorgWarner Inc.XXX
Briggs & StrattonX  
Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc.X  
Dana Holding CorporationXXX
Donaldson Company, Inc.XX 
Federal-Mogul CorporationXX 
Flowserve CorporationXX 
Kennametal Inc.XX 
Lear CorporationXXX
Meritor Inc.XXX
Regal-Beloit CorporationX  
Tenneco Automotive Inc.X X
Terex CorporationXX 
Tower International Inc.X  
Trinity Industries, Inc.XX 
USG CorporationXX 
Valmont Industries, Inc.XX 
Visteon CorporationXXX
Woodward Inc.X  
Ball Corporation X 
Brady Corporation X 
Cameron International Corporation X 
Cummins Inc. X 
Dover Corporation X 
Eaton Corporation X 
Federal Signal Corporation X 
Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. X 
FMC Technologies X 
Genuine Parts Company X 
Harley-Davidson Motor Company X 
Ingersoll-Rand Company X 
Joy Global Inc. X 
Navistar International X 
Owens-Illinois, Inc. X 
PACCAR Inc. X 
Polaris Industries Inc. X 
Rockwell Automation X 
Sauer-Danfoss Inc. X 
Sonoco Products Company X 
Thomas & Betts Corporation X 
The Timken Company X 
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. X 
Woodward Governor Company X 
Autoliv Inc.  X
Magna International Inc.  X
Total Number of Companies20388
Compensation Benchmarking
The Committee that levelstargets approximately the 50th percentile of compensation among our comparative peer group had not changed significantly from 2010 to 2012. The market data was revenue size adjusted using regressed market values.

Our general practice is to setfor total direct compensation at market competitive levels based on the responsibilities, expertise and experience of each NEO as well as individual and Company performance. The total compensation for each NEO (other than the Executive Chairman) and each pay component described below are compared to pay levels of executives holding similar positions at companies in our comparative peer group. TheTotal direct compensation consists of base salary plus target percentile goalsannual and long-term incentive compensation. Total direct compensation for each pay component are as follows:

Pay ComponentTarget Percentile Goal

Base Salary

50th  Percentile

Annual Incentives

Between  50th and 75th Percentiles

Long-Term Incentives

Between 50th and 75th Percentiles

NEO may be above or below the 50th percentile of our comparative peer group due to various factors, including an individual's level of responsibility, demonstrated skills and experience, significance of position, contribution to the Company's performance, time in position and potential for advancement in the context of succession planning. The percentile goalsCommittee generally sets performance objectives for annual incentivesand long-term


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incentive compensation so that targeted total direct compensation levels can be achieved only when performance objectives are met. Consequently, actual pay earned by executives may vary from targeted levels based on the degree to which specific performance objectives are attained.
The Committee has moved away from setting annual and long-term incentives were setincentive pay opportunities between the 50th50th and 75th percentile and the 75th percentile to enable the Company to reward executive performance at a rate above average in order to drive above average performance and to compete for executive talent.

Competitor Peer Group.    The Compensation Committee also considers, from time to time, publicly available information regarding companies inof our competitorcomparative peer group in establishing certain executiveto targeting total direct compensation benchmarks, targetsat approximately the 50th percentile. This target reflects a generally accepted benchmark of external competitiveness and performance levels. As disclosed insupports our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our competitor peer group consists of Autoliv Inc., BorgWarner Inc., Dana Corporation, Lear Corporation, Magna International Inc., Meritor, Inc., Tenneco Automotive Inc.ability to attract and Visteon Corporation.retain key executives.

Tally Sheets

Annually, the Compensation Committee reviews compensation tally sheets for each executive officer, including the NEOs. The tally sheets, which are prepared by management, provide a summary of the current amounts of each component of pay includingand a historical reviewhistory of prior long-term incentive grants. The tally sheets also provide a summaryshow estimates of the potential payoutspayments and benefits uponthat could be realized under various hypothetical termination events.scenarios. The elements and calculations reviewed aretally sheets consist of information that is substantially similar to the information providedshown for each NEO inPotential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below. The Compensation Committee did not change the NEOs’ compensation based on its review of this information.information in 2013.

Components of the AAM Compensation Program

The primary components of AAM’s executive compensation program are base salary, annual incentives, long-term incentives, and benefits and perquisites.

Base Salary.    The Compensation In the fourth quarter of each year, the Committee based its 2012 salary determinationsreviews base salaries for executive officers for the NEOs (other thanfollowing calendar year. In determining 2013 base salaries for executive officers, the Executive Chairman) by reference to the 50th percentileCommittee reviewed benchmarking data comparing pay levels of our executive officers with that of executives holding similar positions at companies in our comparative peer group. The recommendations of Mr. R. E. Dauch and Mr. D.C. Dauch wereCommittee also considered in determining 2012 base salaries for the other NEOs. These recommendations were based on each individual’s experience, time in position, professional development, contribution to the Company, performance and other factors. The Compensation Committee approved 2012 increases for each of ourFor NEOs (otherother than the Executive Chairman) as follows:

   Base Salary 
   2012   2011 

David C. Dauch (effective September 1, 2012)

  $1,000,000    $650,000  

Michael K. Simonte

  $527,900    $515,000  

John J. Bellanti

  $485,700    $473,800  

Norman Willemse

  $310,600    $303,000  

Chairman, President & CEO, Base Salary.the Committee considered the recommendations of Mr. D.C. Dauch in determining NEO base salaries. The Committee approved 2013 base salary increases for the NEOs listed below as follows:

  Base Salary
  2013 2012
David C. Dauch (effective September 1, 2013) $1,100,000
 $1,000,000
Michael K. Simonte $543,800
 $527,900
John J. Bellanti $500,300
 $485,700
Alberto L. Satine $360,000
 $320,000
Norman Willemse $320,000
 $310,600
Effective September 1, 2012, the Board appointed Mr. D.C. Dauch President & CEO. The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. D.C. Dauch on August 27, 2012 in connection with this appointment.2013, Mr. D.C. Dauch’s base salary as President & CEO is $1 million.

was increased to $1,100,000. This increase reflects the additional leadership responsibilities he assumed in August 2013 upon the passing of Mr. R.E. Dauch. In determining Mr. D.C. Dauch’s base salary,making this determination, the Compensation Committee considered CEO base salary benchmarking data provided by Meridian from the comparative peer group established by the Compensation Committee for purposes of setting executiveregarding CEO compensation as shown inMarket Analysis and Benchmarking above. In addition, management provided the Compensation Committee with publicly available CEO pay information for members of the Company’s competitor peer group. Based on Meridian’s analysis, Mr. D.C. Dauch’s base salary is at the 50th percentile of CEO pay among our comparative peer group.

Effective January 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012, The Committee approved Mr. D.C. Dauch’sDauch's base salary (as President & COO) was $810,000. This amount reflected an increase from $650,000 due to the additional responsibilities he assumed on Decembereffective September 1, 2011 in the areas of finance, information technology and investor relations. In determining his 2012 base salary while serving as President & COO, the Compensation Committee also considered his leadership role in connection2013 with the Company’s ongoing succession planning process.

Other NEO Base Salaries.    expectation that this level would remain in effect for fiscal 2014.

The increases in 20122013 base salary shown above for Mr. Simonte, Mr. Bellanti (in lump sum) and Mr. Willemse represent annual merit increases of 2.5%3%, which is consistent with the budgeted amount for the merit program for U.S. salaried associates.
The increase in Mr. Satine's 2013 base salary was 12.5%. Based on Meridian’s market data analysis,the recommendation of the Chairman, President & CEO, the Committee considered Mr. Simonte’s 2012 baseSatine's significant role in strategic matters, the depth of his manufacturing and engineering experience in light of AAM's expanding global operations and his demonstrated leadership capabilities. This salary is betweenadjustment was made in the 50th and 75th percentilecontext of CFO pay among our comparative peer group.AAM's succession planning for a key leadership position previously held by Mr. Simonte’s pay level reflects, among other things, his additionalBellanti, who retired as head of worldwide operations on January 1, 2014. Mr. Satine assumed leadership responsibilities in functional areas outside the finance organization.responsibility for a significant portion of AAM's global operations upon Mr. Bellanti’s and Mr. Willemse’s 2012 base salaries are at the 50th percentileBellanti's retirement.

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Table of pay for their positions among our comparative peer group. Mr. R.E. Dauch’s compensation is discussed below inCompensation of Executive Chairman.

Contents


Annual Incentive Compensation.  Annual incentive compensation at AAM is designed to:

Encourageencourage executives to achieve short-term goalsobjectives to foster achievement of the Company's long-term goals of the Company;

goals;

Rewardreward performance to support strategic initiatives; and

Provideprovide incentive for executive retention.

Annual incentive compensation is measured by our achievement of financial targets established under AAM’s Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers. All executive officers (other than the Executive Chairman) participated in this plan during 2012. 2013.
On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee determines one or more performance factors, and the relative weighting of each factor, in consideration of the Company’s key performance objectives. Under the plan, the performance factors

that may be selected areare: (1) net income as a percentage of sales (NIPS),; (2) after tax return on invested capital (ROIC); and (3) net operating cash flow. ROIC is defined as after-tax return divided by average invested capital. Net operating cash flow is defined as cash provided by or used in operating activities less capital expenditures.expenditures net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment. ROIC is defined as after-tax return divided by average invested capital. Target performance levels, established annually, are intended to be aggressive but achievable based on industry conditions.

Payment of annual cash incentive awards are permitted to the extent the Company both (1) meets or exceeds threshold levels of performance set by the Compensation Committee and (2) reports positive net income for the performance year.
The annual incentive plan permits the Compensation Committee to make discretionary adjustments if it determines that the achievement of performance targets for a plan year do not reflect the true performance of the Company due to unanticipated circumstances specified in the plan. Annual incentive awards may be increased or decreased byAlthough the Compensationplan permits the Committee based onto exercise discretion in adjusting individual award payouts, the recommendationsCommittee made no discretionary increases to 2013 payouts for any of Mr. R.E. Dauch and Mr. D.C. Dauch.

our NEOs.

The following table summarizesbelow shows the 20122013 target annual incentive opportunities for the following NEOs, (other than the Executive Chairman), stated as a percentage of base salary:

 
Target Annual Incentive
Opportunity

David C. Dauch (effective September 1, 2012)

125125%

Michael K. Simonte

8080%

John J. Bellanti

8080%

Alberto L. Satine

60%
Norman Willemse

6060%

President & CEO Annual Incentive Target.    Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. D.C. Dauch’s target annual incentive opportunity is 125% of base salary. His target annual incentive opportunity for the period January 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012 was 90% of base salary. In determining Mr. D.C. Dauch’s target annual incentive opportunity effective September 1, 2012, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the pay levels for CEOs among AAM’s competitor peer group as described inPresident & CEO Base Salaryabove. Based on a market analysis conducted by Meridian, Mr. D.C. Dauch’s target annual incentive opportunity is 6% above the 75th percentile of CEO pay among our comparative peer group.


The Compensation Committee considered this level to be appropriate in consideration of his target long-term incentive opportunity, which is at the 50th percentile of our comparative peer group.

Other NEO Annual Incentive Targets.    The Compensation Committee considers Meridian’s market analysis in determining the2013 annual incentive target opportunities for the other NEOs. The 2012 annual incentive target opportunities for Mr. Simonte, Mr. Bellanti and Mr. Willemse are each between the 50th and 75th percentile for comparable positions among our comparative peer group. Mr. R.E. Dauch’s annual bonus is discussed below inCompensation of Executive Chairman.

2012NEO remains unchanged from 2012.


2013 Annual Incentive Performance

In support of the Company’s 20122013 goals and objectives, the Compensation Committee approved the use of net operating cash flow and NIPS, each with equal weighting, as the performance metrics for determining 20122013 annual cash incentives. Net operating cash flow and NIPSThese performance metrics were selected as performance metrics for the following reasons:

Net operating cash flow is a critical financial metric for AAM at this time due to its impact on liquidity, debt reduction and debt reduction;

stockholder value creation;

Increasing net operating cash flow is key to achieving credit rating upgrades, which will have a favorable impact on the Company’s cost of future financing;

Net income is a key indicator of financial and operational performance; and

Net income and net income growth are highly correlated to cash flow, cash flow growth and stockholder value creation.


In the fourth quarter of 2011,2012, in conjunction with a review of the Board-approved annual budget, the Compensation Committee determined the 2012set 2013 performance targets for both the net operating cash flow and NIPsNIPS performance metrics. The 2012 targets for each performance metric aremetrics as follows:

   Net Operating
Cash Flow
  Net Income as a
Percentage of  Sales
   Performance  Payout  Performance  Payout

Threshold

  $0  50%  1%  30%

Target

  $26 million  100%  3%  100%

Maximum

  $51 million  125%  >3%  >100%

The budgeted


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Net Operating
Cash Flow
 
Net Income as a
Percentage of  Sales
  Performance Payout Performance Payout
Threshold $25 million 50% 1% 30%
Target $75 million 100% 3% 100%
Maximum $100 million 125% >3% >100%
Budgeted net operating cash flow for 2013 was $1$50 million. The target performance level for net operating cash flow was based on the Company outperforming the budget by $25 million; the maximum performance level was based on outperforming the budget by $50 million. No payout would be made with respect to the net operating cash flow metric unless the threshold was attained.

The 2013 annual budget also included $30 million in proceeds from anticipated sale-leaseback transactions.

The target and threshold performance levels for NIPS were determined based on theour performance ofrelative to our competitor peer group. The target performance level for NIPS, or 3%, was set at a level to meet the performance of the top one-thirdone-half of our competitor peer group for the three most recent fiscal years. There isAlthough there was no establishedstated maximum for NIPS. The Compensation Committee approved this approachaward opportunity based on NIPS for 2013, the correlation of net income growth to cash flow growth and stockholder value.

Committee established a maximum payout for such awards beginning in 2014.

The Company’s 20122013 adjusted net operating cash flow performance was a use of $383.1 million, which is lower than the breakeven threshold level. Accordingly, no payout was made for 2012 based on this$32.4 million. For 2013, net operating cash flow included the proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and excluded the impact of debt refinancing costs and other special charges totaling $28.1 million. Accordingly, a payout of 57% was made for 2013 based on the net operating cash flow metric.
The Company’s 20122013 NIPS was 3.1 %,3.79%, excluding the impact of the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance and the costs associated with plant closures and debt refinancing activities.costs and other special charges. Accordingly, the NIPS performance metric resulted in an achievement of 102%117% of target.
Based on the weighting of each performance metric, the 20122013 annual incentive awards resulted in a payout of 51%87% of target. For Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. Simonte, the Compensation Committee approvedNo discretionary increases were made to 2013 annual incentive payouts of 53% and 52% of target, respectively. The Compensation Committee made these discretionary adjustments to the payouts for Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. Simonte in consideration of their leadership and contributions to the Company during 2012. For Mr. D.C. Dauch, the Committee considered AAM’s strong sales growth of 13.4% on a year-over-year basis and new business awards resulting in a new business backlog of $1.25 billion for 2013-2015. For Mr. Simonte, the Committee considered the completion of key financing initiatives that provided additional liquidity to fund AAM’s sales growth, extended the debt maturity profile of AAM’s debt capital structure and allowed AAM to improve the funded status of our global pension plans.any NEO. The annual incentive awards paid to the NEOs are shown in theSummary Compensation Table.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Long-term incentive compensation at AAM is designed to:

Alignalign executive officer and stockholder interests;

Rewardreward achievement of long-term performance goals; and

Provideprovide incentives for executive retention.

The following table summarizes 2012below shows the 2013 target long-term incentive award targetsopportunities for the following NEOs, (other than the Executive Chairman), stated as a percentage of base salary:

Long-Term Incentive
Target

David C. Dauch (effective September 1, 2012)

240

Michael K. Simonte

120

John J. Bellanti

120

Norman Willemse

80

 Target Long-Term Incentive Opportunity
 20132012
David C. Dauch350%240%
Michael K. Simonte200%120%
John J. Bellanti200%120%
Alberto L. Satine120%80%
Norman Willemse100%80%
President & CEO Long-Term Incentive.    Prior to September 1, 2012, Mr. D.C. Dauch’s 2012In determining 2013 long-term incentive target opportunity was 180%. Under his employment agreement, Mr. D.C. Dauch’s target long-term incentive opportunity was increased to 240%. In determining Mr. D.C. Dauch’s target long-term incentive opportunity,opportunities, the Compensation Committee considered among other things, target awards for CEOs in AAM’s competitor peer group.

Upon his appointment as President & CEO on September 1, 2012, Mr. D.C. Dauch received a long-term incentive award consisting of restricted stock units and cash-based performance units. The restricted stock unit award had a grant date value of $250,000 and the performance unit award had a target value of $250,000. The Board approved this one-time award upon execution of Mr. D.C. Dauch’s employment agreement to provide him with a long-term incentive award opportunity that the Compensation Committee considered appropriate for his new position.

The restricted stock unit award is payable in common stock on the third anniversary of the grant date contingent upon continued employment with the Company. The performance unit award is payable in cash, based on the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) performance during the July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015 performance period. The threshold, target and maximum EBITDA performance levels for determining the performance award payout are shown in theEBITDA Performance Measure table below.

Other NEO Long-Term Incentive Targets.    The Compensation Committee considers Meridian’s market analysis, in determining thewhich indicated that long-term incentive target opportunities for the other NEOs. The long-term incentive target opportunities forour NEOs at 2012 for Mr. Simonte, Mr. Bellanti and Mr. Willemse are currentlylevels were below the 50thpercentile for comparable positions amongat companies in our comparative peer group of companies. Mr. R.E. Dauch’s one-timegroup. As a result, the Committee approved 2013 long-term incentive award is discussed below inCompensationtargets shown above with the objective of Executive Chairman.targeting total compensation at approximately the 50

2012th percentile.

2013 Long-Term Incentives

In April 2012, the Company received stockholder approval of the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which authorized the Company to issue equity-based long-term incentives and other types of awards. In May 2012,March 2013, the Company granted the NEOs equity-based and cash-based long-term incentives under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan as described below.

Plan. The Compensation Committee determined the form and mix of awards in consideration of AAM’s compensation objectives, current market practice and share usage under the Company’s 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

usage.


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One-half of the total 20122013 long-term incentive award value for NEOs (other than the Executive Chairman) was in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs) and one-half was in the form of cash-based performance units (PUs) with a notional value of one dollar.dollar and one-half was in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). The RSUs are payable in common stock, contingent upon continued employment through the three-year vesting period. The RSUs were designed to provide opportunities for share ownership and to motivate executive officers to build long-term value for our stockholders.

The PU target award payment for PUs will be determined based on the Company’s EBITDAcumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin performance from AprilJanuary 1, 20122013 through December 31, 2014. The PU2015. These awards were designed to align executive officer performance goals with those of the Company. The Committee selected EBITDA was selected as the performance measure based on the Compensation Committee’sits belief that EBITDA is a key indicator of the Company’s financial and operational performance and is useful in analyzing entity valuation.

The terms of the RSURSUs and PU awardsPUs are described in more detail in theNarrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tablebelow.

The following table illustratesshows the threshold, target and maximum EBITDA margin performance levels used in determining 2013 award payouts for determining 2012 PU award payouts. ThePUs. These EBITDA performance levels shown below were designed to drive a level of performance in the top one-half of our competitor peer group.

The competitor peer group consists of companies listed in the table shown above in Peer Group and Compensation Benchmarking.

Performance Level 
3 Year Cumulative
EBITDA Margin
 
Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity Earned
Threshold 10% 25%
Target 12% 100%
Maximum 15% 200%
2014 Long-Term Incentives
Following the results of our 2013 stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation and feedback received during our stockholder outreach, the Committee redesigned our LTI program for 2014 to strengthen the pay-for-performance alignment of long-term incentive compensation for executive officers. In determining the new program design, the Committee received guidance from Meridian regarding design alternatives and market trends. Meridian evaluated the 2013 LTI program described above, considering our LTI program objectives, pay-for-performance alignment and mix of award vehicles. In consideration of Meridian's recommendations, the Committee approved LTI program design changes for 2014.
A key design change was the introduction of performance shares as a new equity-based award vehicle. Under our 2014 LTI program, performance share awards account for 66% of the total LTI award opportunity for executive officers. This proportion of performance-based equity awards exceeds the current market practice of approximately 50% of total LTI compensation being performance-based. Payouts earned under these awards will be measured by cumulative EBITDA Performance Measuremargin and relative total shareholder return (TSR) performance over a three-year performance period and paid only to the extent that pre-established performance targets are achieved. The Committee determined that the remaining 34% of long-term incentive equity awards should be in the form of RSUs settled in common stock with three-year cliff vesting. The Committee believes these RSUs promote retention of key executives.
Our new LTI program design, which is 100% equity-based, further aligns the interests of executive officers with those of our stockholders by tying a substantial portion of each executive officer's long-term incentive award to Company performance and by promoting increased stock ownership.
Prior Long-Term Incentive Awards under the AAM 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Prior to adoption of the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Company’s LTI program consisted of cash-based performance awards made under the AAM 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2009 AAM LTIP). Payouts of the 2011 cash-based performance awards were determined based on cumulative EBITDA margin and relative TSR for the performance period beginning January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013. The Company’s cumulative EBITDA percentage for the performance period was 13.2%, after adjustments approved by the Committee for certain special charges, including costs associated with plant closures and debt refinancing. The adjusted EBITDA percentage resulted in a payment at 140% of target. The Company’s relative TSR for the performance period ranked above the 75

Performance Level

  33-Month Cumulative
EBITDA
  Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity Earned
 

Threshold

   10  25

Target

   12  100

Maximum

   15  200

th percentile of our competitor peer group and resulted in a payout of 200% of target.


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Based on the 50% weighting of EBITDA and relative TSR performance, total award payments were 170% of target for each NEO. See Summary Compensation Table for the amounts paid in March 2014.
Equity Grant Practices

AAM generally makes equity grants to its executive officers and other executives on an annual basis, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee. Historically, grants have beenGrants are typically made in the first quarter of each year to coincide with the communication to executive officers and other executives of their annual cash incentive awards for the previous year’s performance. This timing increases the impact of the awards by strengthening the link between pay and performance. In 2012, the annual grant of equity awards was delayed until May, which followed stockholder approval of the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. On September 1, 2012, equity awards were granted to Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch in conjunction with the execution of their employment agreements. AAM does not and has never permitted backdating, spring loading or other timing of option grants with the release of material non-public information.

Prior Long-Term Incentive Awards under the AAM 2009 Long-Term Incentive PlanBenefits.

Prior to adoption of the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Company’s long-term incentive program consisted of cash-based performance awards made under the AAM 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2009 AAM LTIP).

Payouts of the 2010 cash-based performance awards were determined based on EBITDA and TSR for the performance period beginning January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012. The Company’s cumulative EBITDA percentage for the performance period was 13.8%, after adjustments approved by the Compensation Committee for certain special charges, including asset impairments, costs associated with plant closures and debt refinancing costs in accordance with the discretion provided to the Compensation Committee in the plan. The adjusted EBITDA percentage resulted in a payment at 159% of target. The Company’s TSR for the performance period ranked above the 35th percentile of our competitor peer group and resulted in a payout of 82% of target. Based on the 50% weighting of EBITDA and TSR performance, total award payments were approximately 120% of target for each NEO (other than the Executive Chairman). SeeSummary Compensation Table for the amounts paid in March 2013.

Other Compensation Components

Benefits. Our NEOs participate in the benefitssame benefit and retirement plans provided toin which our U.S. salaried associates.associates participate. A group of approximately 50 senior executives, including the NEOs, also receive supplemental life, supplemental disability and umbrella liability insurance benefits. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in AAM’s qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans. They are also eligible to participate in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that permits deferrals of a portion of base salary and/or annual cash incentive compensation on a pretax basis. These plans are described in thePension Benefits andNonqualified Deferred Compensation sections below.

Perquisites. AAM provides a limited number of perquisites forto senior executives, including our NEOs. AAM has never owned a corporate aircraft and generally does not provide leased aircraft for personal use. AAM does not pay for country club memberships.

Senior executives are eligible for the use of a Company-provided vehicle with AAM content. The Company also provides a vehicle for use by the spouses of the Executive Chairman and the President & CEO.CEO is entitled to the use of two Company-provided vehicles. From time to time, the Company invites spouses of AAM senior executives to attend Company business events. For attendance that requires a spouse to travel, the Company pays for the spouse’s travel and other related non-business expenses and reimburses the executive for taxes attributable to the income associated with this benefit. Perquisites are further described in the footnotes to theSummary Compensation Table.

Total NEO Compensation. In determining NEO pay levels, the Committee reviews each element of compensation -- base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation -- with the objective of targeting total compensation at approximately the 50th percentile of executives holding similar positions at companies in our comparative peer group.
Based on Meridian's market data analysis, 2013 total compensation for Mr. D.C. Dauch, Mr. Bellanti and Mr. Willemse was at approximately the 50thpercentile of pay among executives holding similar positions at companies in our comparative peer group. Total 2013 compensation for Mr. Simonte and Mr. Satine was between the 50thand 75thpercentile among executives holding similar positions at companies in our comparative peer group. For purposes of this comparison, the scope of responsibilities of both Mr. Simonte and Mr. Satine is broader than those holding similar positions at the companies in the comparative peer group. As a result, the pay levels for Mr. Simonte and Mr. Satine were set above the 50th percentile to reflect the additional leadership responsibilities they have as compared to the benchmarked positions. Mr. Simonte has significant leadership responsibilities over key functional areas beyond his role as CFO and leader of AAM's global finance organization. These functional areas include information technology, legal, and marketing and communications. Mr. Satine's position was benchmarked against the lead sales position among our comparative peer group; however, Mr. Satine has broader responsibilities associated with his leadership of AAM's global strategic business development.
Compensation of former Executive Chairman

Effective September 1, 2012, the Board appointed the co-founder, Mr. R. E. Dauch,The compensation of AAM's Co-Founder and former Executive Chairman of the Board. The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. R.E. Dauch on August 27, 2012 in connection with this appointment, which was concurrent with the appointment of Mr. D. C. Dauch as President & CEO. The key responsibilities assigned to Mr. R.E. Dauch are described above inCorporate Governance, Board Leadership Structure.

Mr. R.E. Dauch’s total compensation package is set forth in his employment agreement. agreement dated August 27, 2012. The terms of his employment agreement, which terminated upon his death on August 2, 2013, are described in the Narrative to Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table below.

Mr. R.E. Dauch’sDauch's total compensation was structured in order to induce him to defer retirement from AAM and assume the leadership responsibilities as Executive Chairman. The Board approved the Executive Chairman’s compensation package in consideration of Mr. R.E. Dauch’sreflected his extensive knowledge and expertise in the global automotive industry and the Board’s expectation that he will carry out these responsibilities in supportexpectations regarding his contribution to the achievement of AAM’s goals and business strategy to build value for AAM stockholders and other key stakeholders.

Mr. R.E Dauch’s employment agreement continues through August 31, 2015, and renews automatically for two additional one-year periods unless either party gives notice of its election not to renew. The terms and conditions of his employment agreement are further described in theNarrative to Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table below.objectives. The components of Mr. R.E. Dauch’shis compensation are described below.

Base Salary. Mr. R.E. Dauch’s annual base salary as CEO was $2 million beginning October 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012. Effective September 1, 2012, Mr. R.E. Dauch’s base salary as Executive Chairmanfor 2013 was set at $2 million, continuingmillion. The amounts paid through August 31, 2015. His base salary will be reduced to $1 million for any renewal period from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2017. Base salary for2, 2013 and in 2012 and 2011 and 2010 isare shown in theSummary Compensation Table.

Annual Cash Bonus.Incentive. For calendar year 2012,2013, Mr. R.E. Dauch was eligible for ana target annual cash bonus asincentive opportunity of two times his annual base salary. His 2013 annual incentive was determined under AAM's Incentive

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Compensation Plan for Executive Officers. Accordingly, his prior employment agreement. Accordingly, the2013 annual cash bonus for 2012 isincentive was based on the Compensation Committee’s assessmentachievement of Companythe pre-established performance as compared to thatmetrics described above in 2013 Annual Incentive Performance. Based on the weighting of our competitor peer group. Heeach performance metric, he was eligible to receive ana 2013 annual bonus paymentincentive of up87% of his target opportunity. The annual incentive paid to three times his annual salary, or $6 million, if AAM outperformed its competitor peer group. In determining Mr. R.E. Dauch’s annual bonus, the CompensationDauch's beneficiary was pro-rated based on time served through August 2, 2013. The Committee may useexercised no discretion in considering other factors, which may differ from year to year.

The Compensation Committee approved Mr. R.E. Dauch’sdetermining his 2013 annual bonus for 2012 in the amount of $4 million. In determining thisincentive award the Compensation Committee considered AAM’s 2012 performance, including strong sales growth of 13.4% on year-over-year basis, new business awards resulting in a new business backlog of $1.25 billion for the years 2013-2015, achievement of market competitive labor cost structures and attainment of key quality performance objectives. The Committee also considered the successful completion of financing initiatives that provided additional liquidity to fund AAM’s sales growth, extended the debt maturity profile of AAM’s debt capital structure and allowed AAM to improve the funded status of our global pension plans. The Company’s 2012 performance was adversely impacted by special charges related to the closure of two U.S. plants, increased costs associated with global launch activity, lower capacity utilization and labor inefficiencies. Based on these and other factors, the Compensation Committee decided that the

payout. amount of his award would be less than the maximum amount permitted under his employment agreement. This 2012 award reflects a $2 million decrease from his 2011 bonus. SeeSee Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table below.

Long-Term Incentives.    Upon his appointment as Executive Chairman on September 1, 2012, Mr. R.E. Dauch received a one-time equity award of RSUs with a grant date value of $6,247,000. The Compensation Committee considered the amount of this award to be appropriate as a long-term incentive based on his service as AAM’s CEO during 2012 and the Company’s desire to provide an inducement sufficient for Mr. R.E. Dauch to enter into the employment agreement as Executive Chairman. Mr. R.E. Dauch is not eligible to receive any additional equity or other long-term incentive awards during the term of his employment agreement.

Under his prior employment agreement, Mr. R.E. Dauch was not entitled to receive, each year, ana long-term incentive award in 2013. Vesting of 150,000 stock options and an equity award of equal value. Accordingly, on May 30, 2012, Mr. R.E. Dauch received 150,000 stock options and 68,227 RSUs under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Mr. R.E. Dauch did not receive anyhis outstanding long-term incentive awards for 2010 and 2011 as a resultwas accelerated upon his death pursuant to the applicable award agreements. The grant date fair value of among other things, AAM not having an equity plan available for issuance of equity-based awards. Thesethese awards are shownwas reported in theGrants of Plan-Based Awards summary compensation table and are further described in thefor 2012. See Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and Options Exercised and Stock Vested table below.

Benefits and Perquisites. Mr. R.E. Dauch participatesparticipated in the same benefit programs provided forin which other executive officers. In addition, underofficers participate. Under his employment agreement, AAM provides Mr. R.E. Dauchprovided him with the use of two Company vehicles and reimbursesreimbursed him for premiums paid for a $5 million life insurance policy. The Company will also provide postretirement health care benefits upon expiration of his employment agreement. Perquisites provided to the Executive Chairman in 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 are reported in theSummary Compensation Table.

Executive Officer Stock Ownership Requirements & Anti-Hedging Policy

Stock Ownership Requirements.

 A fundamental objective of our compensation program is for executive officers to own AAM stock in order to align their interests with those of our stockholders and to reinforce the importance of making sound long-term decisions. Since January 2009, the Company has been unable to issue equity-based compensation in support of the achievement of stock ownership requirements. Consequently, the Compensation Committee adopted provisional stock ownership requirements based on a fixed number of shares at levels that recognized that executive officers would not receive equity-based compensation until our stockholders approved a new incentive plan under which equity awards could be made.

Upon stockholder approval of AAM’sIn April 2012, Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee decided to increase the stock ownership requirements for executive officers in 2012 and change the measurement from a fixed number of shares to a multiple of base salary. These new stock ownership requirements were based on an analysis of prevalent external market practices provided by Meridian and in 2012 atorder to align the direction of the Compensation Committee. Based on this analysis, the Compensation Committee increased theCompany's stock ownership requirement levelsrequirements with prevalent market practices, the Committee revised the Company's stock ownership requirements, as follows:

Stock Ownership Requirements for Executive Officers

 
Multiple of
Base Salary

Chief Executive Officer

5

Executive Vice President

3

Senior Vice President, Group Vice President and Vice President

2


Executive officers have five years from April 2012 to meet these requirements or, for new executive officers, five years from the date of becoming an executive officer. Once the requirement is met, the executive officer must maintain the required ownership level.appointment. Shares owned directly and any unvested RSUs (payable(settled in stock) are considered in determiningcount toward the requirements;requirement, while unexercised stock options are not considered. One hundred percent of the net shares of equity awards granted by the Companyincluded. These ownership levels must be held untilmaintained as long as the requirement has been met.

person is an executive officer of AAM.

The Compensation Committee annually reviews each executive officer’s stock ownership amounts as comparedlevel according to this policy. Each of our current NEOs has met the established stock ownership requirements. All executive officers are on target to meet these stock ownership requirements established for their respective positions.

his position.

Anti-hedging Policy.and Anti-pledging Policy
All employees and non-employee directors are prohibited from entering into transactions that may result in a financial benefit if our stock price declines, or any hedging transaction involving our stock, including but not limited to the use of financial derivatives, short sales or any similar transactions. Pledging of Company stock is also prohibited.

Severance Benefits and Restrictive Covenants

Other than the Executive ChairmanOn September 27, 2013, Mr. D.C. Dauch's employment agreement was amended and President & CEO, our NEOs are not entitledrestated to provide for certain severance benefits upon termination ofif his employment for any reason. AAM does not provide any NEO with severance benefits solelyis terminated as a result of a change in control. Ourcontrol of the Company (CIC). His employment agreements withagreement also provides for an automatic two-year extension following a CIC. Benefits payable to Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch provide for certain benefits upon termination of employment without cause or upon resignation for good reason.reason remain unchanged from his prior employment agreement. Severance benefits payableprovided under these agreementshis employment agreement are described underPotential Payments uponUpon Termination or Change in Control below.

The Board believes the CIC arrangement with Mr. D.C. Dauch is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The CIC arrangement will enhance stockholder value by encouraging him to consider CIC transactions that may be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, even if the transaction may ultimately result in termination of his employment.
AAM does not provide any other NEO with severance benefits upon termination of employment for any reason, including as a result of a ClC. However, early vesting of certain long-term incentive awards is allowed upon a

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Table of Contents

CIC. The Committee believes this feature reflects competitive market practices, encourages retention of key executives and reduces their concerns that payment of these awards will be jeopardized by a CIC.
Each of the NEOs has agreed to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for a period following termination of employment. For additional information, seePotential Payments uponUpon Termination or Change in Control below.

Executive Compensation Recoupment (Clawback) Policy
During our outreach efforts following the 2013 vote, stockholders expressed a concern that we had not adopted a clawback policy. Based on this feedback, the Committee adopted an executive compensation recoupment (clawback) policy. This policy authorizes the Committee to determine whether to require recoupment of performance-based incentive compensation actually paid or awarded to any executive officer if certain conditions are met. For purposes of this policy, performance-based compensation includes all annual incentives for periods beginning with the 2014 fiscal year and long-term incentives awarded after January 1, 2014, whether paid in cash or equity, to the extent the awards are determined based on the Company's financial performance.
The Committee may require recoupment if the executive officer engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct that caused or contributed to the need for a material restatement of the Company's financial statements filed with the SEC. If the Committee determines that any performance-based compensation paid or awarded to the executive officer would not have been awarded or would have been awarded at a lower amount had it been calculated based on such restated financial statements (adjusted compensation), the Committee may seek to recover for the benefit of the Company the excess of the awarded compensation over the adjusted compensation (excess compensation). In deciding whether to seek recovery of excess compensation from the executive officer, the Committee will consider the factors it deems relevant under the circumstances and whether the assertion of a claim is in the best interests of the Company.
Tax Gross Ups

The Company does not provide tax gross ups to an executive officer upon a change in control.

Tax Deductibility of Compensation

In general, the compensation awarded to the NEOs will be taxable to the executive and will give rise to a corresponding corporate deduction at the time the compensation is paid. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code precludes a public corporation from taking a tax deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the CEO or to any of the other NEOs other than the CFO. One exception applies to performance-based compensation paid pursuant to stockholder-approved employee benefit plans. Performance basedPerformance-based compensation is compensation that is paid only if the individual’s performance meets pre-established objective performance goals based on performance criteria approved by our stockholders.

Although deductibility of compensation is preferred, tax deductibility is not the primary objective of the Company’sour compensation programs. The Compensation Committee may decide to pay compensation or grant awards that are consistent withserve the objectives of our executive compensation program thateven though such compensation or awards may not be deductible by the Company for tax purposes.

Company.

The annual incentives and long-term incentive performance unit awards granted in 20122013 to theour NEOs (other than the Executive Chairman) are intended to comply with the performance-based compensation exemption under Section 162(m). RSUs granted to NEOs in 2012,2013, although not deductible, were considered to be the appropriate vehicle for a portion of the long-term incentive component of our executive compensation program. The 2012 annual bonus for the Executive Chairman was determined in accordance with his employment agreement and is not deductible. Stock options granted to Mr. R.E. Dauch in 2012 are intended to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m).

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Compensation Committee has

We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, and basedwith management. Based on such review and discussions,discussion, we recommended to the Board of Directors that suchthe Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

Forest J. Farmer, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Chappell

Steven B. Hantler

Larry K. Switzer

Thomas K. Walker


28


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table summarizes the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012,2013, December 31, 20112012 and December 31, 2010.

Name and

Principal Position

 Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus(2)
($)
  Stock
Awards(3)
($)
  Options
Awards(3)
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation(4)
($)
  Change in
Pension Value
And
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(5)
($)
  All Other
Compen-
sation(6)
($)
  Total
($)
 
          

David C. Dauch(1)

                  

President & Chief Executive Officer

  2012    873,333    21,500    979,013        1,728,100    565,534    67,695    4,235,175  
  2011    650,004    111,150            7,169,180    397,228    28,778    8,356,340  
  2010    575,004                731,250    97,540    27,006    1,430,800  
          

Michael K. Simonte

                  

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

  2012    527,900    4,617    316,743        935,383    294,245    48,942    2,127,830  
  2011    515,004    37,080            4,255,095    251,101    49,604    5,107,884  
  2010    500,004                500,000    97,430    51,294    1,148,728  
          

Richard E. Dauch(1)

Co-Founder & Executive Chairman

  2012    2,000,000    4,000,000    6,874,007    627,000        4,201,202    141,916    17,844,125  
  2011    2,526,728    6,000,000                2,802,700    149,441    11,478,869  
  2010    2,702,304                    2,692,143    158,981    5,553,428  
          

John J. Bellanti

                  

Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations

  2012    485,700        291,424        802,400    188,187    42,429    1,810,140  
  2011    473,796                2,166,972    446,401    33,823    3,120,992  
  2010    459,996                460,000    357,673    30,312    1,307,981  

Norman Willemse

Vice President, Metal Formed Product

Business Unit

  
 
2012
2011
  
  
  
 
310,600
303,000
  
  
  

 


  

  

  

 

124,249

  

  

  

 


  

  

  
 
376,808
603,180
  
  
  
 
100,562
113,444
  
  
  
 
48,162
41,412
  
  
  
 
960,381
1,061,036
  
  

2011.
Name and
Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards(1)
($)
Options
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation(2)
($)
Change in
Pension Value
And
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(3)
($)
All Other
Compen-
sation(4)
($)
Total
($)
David C. Dauch(5)
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
20131,033,333

1,750,002

3,185,250
245,423
116,389
6,330,397
2012873,333
21,500
979,013

1,728,100
565,534
67,695
4,235,175
2011650,004
111,150


7,169,180
397,228
28,778
8,356,340
Michael K. Simonte
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
2013543,800

543,810


1,429,085
27,943
50,817
2,595,455
2012527,900
4,617
316,743

935,383
294,245
48,942
2,127,830
2011515,004
37,080


4,255,095
251,101
49,604
5,107,884
John J. Bellanti(6)
Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations
2013500,300

485,713

1,678,896

45,240
2,710,149
2012485,700

291,424

802,400
188,187
42,429
1,810,140
2011473,796



2,166,972
446,401
33,823
3,120,992
Alberto L. Satine(6)
Group Vice President
Global Sales & Business Development
2013360,000

216,006

565,800

41,399
1,183,205
Norman Willemse
Vice President, Metal Formed Product Business Unit
2013320,000

160,006

579,120
12,546
50,348
1,122,020
2012310,600

124,249

376,808
100,562
48,162
960,381
2011303,000



603,180
113,444
41,412
1,061,036
Richard E. Dauch(5)
Co-Founder & Former Executive Chairman
(deceased August 2, 2013)
20131,181,818



2,030,000

155,822
3,367,640
20122,000,000
4,000,000
6,874,007
627,000

4,201,202
141,916
17,844,125
20112,526,728
6,000,000



2,802,700
149,441
11,478,869

(1)Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch receive compensation based solely on their roles as executive officers. They receive no compensation for serving as directors.

(2)Reflects discretionary adjustments to the 2012 annual incentive payments for Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. Simonte as described above in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis. For Mr. R.E. Dauch, reflects a 2012 bonus award under his employment agreement as described in theNarrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Award Table.

(3)(1)Reflects the full grant date fair value of equity awards made during fiscal year 20122013 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (without any reduction for risk of forfeiture) as determined based on applying the assumptions used in our financial statements. The grant date fair value of stock awards is calculated using the closing market price of AAM common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of option awards was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. See Note 97 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20122013 regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards.

(4)
(2)Reflects amounts earned under the AAM Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers and the 2009 AAM LTIP with respect to the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2012.2013. The 20122013 amounts are as follows:

   AAM Incentive
Compensation Plan
   AAM LTIP   Total 

David C. Dauch

  $518,500    $1,209,600    $1,728,100  

Michael K. Simonte

  $215,383    $720,000    $935,383  

John J. Bellanti

  $140,000    $662,400    $802,400  

Norman Willemse

  $95,000    $281,808    $376,808  

 
AAM Incentive
Compensation Plan
 AAM LTIP Total
David C. Dauch$1,196,250
 $1,989,000
 $3,185,250
Michael K. Simonte$378,485
 $1,050,600
 $1,429,085
John J. Bellanti(a)
$285,000
 $1,393,896
 $1,678,896
Alberto L. Satine$185,000
 $380,800
 $565,800
Norman Willemse$167,040
 $412,080
 $579,120
Richard E. Dauch$2,030,000
 $
 $2,030,000

(a) For Mr. Bellanti, amount also includes pro-rata payments of the 2012 and 2013 performance unit awards under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The awards were pro-rated through December 31, 2013 due to his retirement on January 1, 2014.

29

Table of Contents


(5)
(3)
Reflects the annualized increase in pension value under the Salaried Retirement Program, the Albion Pension Plan and the Supplemental Executive Retirement Program (SERP). There was a net negative change in pension values for 2013 of ($256,846) for Mr. Bellanti; ($104,383) for Mr. Satine and ($12,731,110) for Mr. R.E. Dauch. See also Pension Benefits Table below. There are no above-market or preferential earnings on compensation deferred under our Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Effective August 1, 2012, the SERP was amended to include an actuarial increase provision for participants who continue to work after age 65. For Mr. R.E. Dauch, the amount shown for 2012 includes the impact of the SERP amendment of approximately $2.8 million. The SERP amendment is further described in the narrative to thePension Benefits Table.

(4) The components of All Other Compensation for 2013 are as follows:
Name
Employer
401(k) Match
Contributions(a)
($)
Retirement
Contributions(b)
($)
Executive
Life
Insurance
Premiums(c)
($)
Company-Provided
Vehicles(d)
($)
Tax Gross Ups for Spousal Travel(e)
($)
Other(f)
($)
Total
($)
David C. Dauch12,569
12,750
7,640
31,632
22,704
29,094
116,389
Michael K. Simonte12,575
12,750
3,681
20,301

1,510
50,817
John J. Bellanti8,750
12,750
7,155
14,188
424
1,973
45,240
Albert L. Satine
12,750
3,171
23,618

1,860
41,399
Norman Willemse12,469
12,750
3,219

424
21,486
50,348
Richard E. Dauch6,906
6,906
110,046
31,364

600
155,822
(a)Includes employer matching contributions under AAM’s 401(k) plan.
(b)Includes employer retirement contributions under AAM’s 401(k) plan.
(c)Includes executive life insurance premiums.
(6)The components of All Other Compensation for 2012 are as follows:

Name 

Employer
401(k) Match
Contributions(a)

$

  

Retirement
Contributions(b)

$

  

Executive
Life
Insurance
Premiums(c)

$

  

Tax
Gross
Ups for
Spousal
Travel(d)

$

  

Other(e)

$

  

Total

$

 

David C. Dauch

  11,938    12,500    4,432    14,303    24,522    67,695  

Michael K. Simonte

  12,250    12,500    3,367        20,825    48,942  

Richard E. Dauch

  9,375    9,375    100,808        22,358    141,916  

John J. Bellanti

  8,500    12,500    6,436        14,993    42,429  

Norman Willemse

  12,146    13,647    2,784    193    19,392    48,162  

(a)Includes employer matching contributions under AAM’s 401(k) plan.

(b)Includes employer retirement contributions under AAM’s 401(k) plan.

(c)Includes executive life insurance premiums.

(d)Includes amounts reimbursed for taxes attributable to the income associated with the cost of spousal travel for participation in Company business meetings and events.

(e)Includes personal use of Company-provided vehicles for Mr. D.C. Dauch, Mr. Simonte, Mr. R.E. Dauch and Mr. Bellanti.vehicles. The aggregate incremental cost of Company-provided vehicles is based on total vehicle cost if business use of the vehicle is less than 30%. For Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch, includes the cost of the personal use of a second Company-provided vehicle for each of them.
(e)Includes amounts reimbursed for taxes attributable to the income associated with the cost of spousal travel for participation in Company business meetings and events.
(f)For Mr. D.C. Dauch, includes the cost of travel for spousal participation in Company business meetings and events. For Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch, also includesevents of $26,091, meals provided during business hours.hours, the cost of an executive physical and personal umbrella liability insurance premiums. For Mr. R.E. Dauch,Simonte and Mr. Satine, includes airline club access fees.the cost of an executive physical and personal umbrella liability insurance premiums. For Mr. Bellanti, includes the cost of travel for spousal participation in Company business meetings and events, the cost of an executive physical and personal umbrella liability insurance premiums. For Mr. Willemse, also includes employer matching contributions under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan,cost of travel for spousal participation in Company business meetings and events, the cost of airfare for personal travel under an international relocation arrangement, employer matching contributions under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the cost of travel for spousal participation in Company business meetings and events.personal umbrella liability insurance premiums. For each NEO, reflectsMr. R.E. Dauch, includes the cost of executive physicals and personal umbrella liability insurance premiums.

(5) Compensation of Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch is based solely on employment as executive officers. They received no compensation for serving as directors.
(6) Mr. Satine was appointed Senior Vice President, Global Driveline Operations effective January 1, 2014 upon the retirement of Mr. Bellanti.

30


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

Annual and long-term incentive awards granted in 20122013 to the NEOs are shown in the following table. The annual and long-term incentive compensation programs are described inCompensation Discussion and Analysis and following the table below.

           Estimated Future Payouts under
Non Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units(2)
#
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(3)
#
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
$/Sh(4)
  Grant Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards(5)
$
 
Name Grant Date  Approval
Date
  Number
of
Units #
  Threshold
$
  Target
$
  Maximum
$(1)
     

David C. Dauch

                                        

Annual Incentive

              406,667    1,016,667                      

Long-Term Incentive

  5/30/2012    4/26/2012    729,000    182,250    729,000    1,458,000    79,326            729,006  

Long-Term Incentive

  9/1/2012    8/27/2012    250,000    62,500    250,000    500,000    22,382            250,007  

Michael K. Simonte

                                        

Annual Incentive

              168,928    422,320                      

Long-Term Incentive

  5/30/2012    4/26/2012    316,740    79,185    316,740    633,480    34,466            316,743  

Richard E. Dauch(6)

                                        

Long-Term Incentive

  5/30/2012    4/26/2012                    68,227    150,000    9.19    1,254,006  

Long-Term Incentive

  9/1/2012    8/27/2012                    559,266            6,247,001  

John J. Bellanti

                                        

Annual Incentive

              155,424    388,560                      

Long-Term Incentive

  5/30/2012    4/26/2012    291,420    72,855    291,420    582,840    31,711            291,424  

Norman Willemse

                                        

Annual Incentive

              74,544    186,360                     

Long-Term Incentive

  5/30/2012    4/26/2012    124,240    31,060    124,240    248,480    13,520            124,249  

NameGrant Date
Approval
Date
Estimated Future Payouts under
Non Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock
or Units(2)
(#)
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
 (#)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
Grant Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards(3)
($)
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
David C. Dauch         
Annual Incentive1/1/201310/24/2012550,000
1,375,000





Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013


137,687


1,750,002
Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013437,500
1,750,000
3,500,000




Michael K. Simonte         
Annual Incentive1/1/201310/24/2012174,016
435,040





Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013


42,786


543,810
Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013135,950
543,800
1,087,600




John J. Bellanti         
Annual Incentive1/1/201310/24/2012155,424
388,560





Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013


38,215


485,713
Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013121,425
485,700
971,400




Alberto L. Satine         
Annual Incentive1/1/201310/24/201286,400
216,000





Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013


16,995


216,006
Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/201354,000
216,000
432,000




Norman Willemse         
Annual Incentive1/1/201310/24/201276,800
192,000





Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/2013


12,589


160,006
Long-Term Incentive3/6/20132/6/201340,000
160,000
320,000




Richard E. Dauch   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Incentive1/1/201310/24/20121,600,000
4,000,000






(1)
Reflects annual incentive awards granted under the AAM Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers. Net operating cash flow and net income as a percentage of sales (NIPS) were selected as performance metrics for 2012 annual incentive awards. The maximum payout for net operating cash flow is 125%. There is no established maximum for NIPS. Also includesreflects the long-term incentive performance unit awards (PUs) granted under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The performance unitsPUs are payable in cash based on the Company’s EBITDA performance. See further discussion of these incentive awards under theNarrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Award Table.

(2)
Reflects RSU awards granted under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The awards are payable in common stock, contingent upon continued employment through the three-year vesting period. See further discussion in theNarrative to the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table. No options were granted in 2013.

(3)Reflects stock option award granted to Mr. R.E. Dauch under his prior employment agreement. See further discussion in theNarrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Award Tableand in the Compensation of Executive Chairman section of theCompensation Discussion and Analysis.

(4)Equal to the closing market price of AAM common stock on the grant date, May 30, 2012.

(5)

Reflects the full grant date fair value of equity awardsRSUs made during fiscal year 20122013 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (without any reduction for risk of forfeiture) as determined based

on applying the assumptions used in our financial statements. The grant date fair value of stock awards is calculated using the closing market price of AAM common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of option awards was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. See Note 97 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20122013 regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards.

(6)Mr. R.E. Dauch received a 2012 bonus payment of $4 million under his prior employment agreement. See further discussion in theNarrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and in theCompensation of Executive Chairman section of theCompensation Discussion and Analysis.


31


Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

President & CEO Employment Agreement

Effective September 1, 2012,

Mr. D.C. Dauch’s employment agreement as President & CEO provides for the following compensation and benefits:

Term

Initial Term: September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2015

Additional one yearone-year extensions unless either party provides 60 days’ written notice of intent not to renew

renew. Automatic two-year extension upon a change in control.

Base Salary

$1 million effective September 1, 2012, subject to annual review and increase by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretiondiscretion. Base salary increased to $1.1 million effective September 1, 2013.

Annual Incentive

Participation in the AAM Annual Incentive Plan for Executive Officers

Initial target

Target opportunity as of September 1, 2012 is 125% of base salary

Long-Term Incentive

Participation in the plans applicable to executive officers

Initial target

Target opportunity as of September 1, 2012 is 240%350% of base salary

One-time award on September 1, 2012 of RSUs with a grant date value of $250,000 and performance units with a target value of $250,000


Other Benefits

Participation in plans applicable to executive officers

Retiree medical, dental and vision coverage equivalent to the benefit levels offered in the Company’s group health care plans for active salaried associates as of September 1, 2012

Mr. D.C. Dauch is also entitled to certain payments and benefits in the event of termination of employment under the scenarios described below in Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.
Former Executive Chairman Employment Agreement

Effective September 1, 2012,

Mr. R.E. Dauch’s employment agreement as the former Executive Chairman, provideswhich terminated upon his death on August 2, 2013, provided for the following compensation and benefits:

Term

Initial Term: September 1, 2012In effect through August 31, 2015

Two additional one-year extensions, unless either party provides 60 days’ written notice of intent not to renew

2, 2013

Base Salary

$2 million per year
2013 Annual Incentive
Participation in the AAM Annual Incentive Plan for Executive Officers
Target opportunity is 200% of base salary. 2013 award pro-rated based on time served through August 31, 2015; $1 million thereafter if agreement is extended

2, 2013.

2012 AnnualLong-Term Incentive

Annual cash bonus in an amount determined by the Compensation Committee based on our financial performance relativeNo grants subsequent to AAM’s competitor peer group:

•     equal to 3 times annual base salary if the Company outperforms our competitor peer group;

•     up to the amount of Mr. R.E. Dauch’s base salary if the Company does not outperform the Company’s competitor peer group

Subject to adjustment based on other factors as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion

2012.

Long-Term Incentive

One-time grant of RSUs with a grant date value of $6,247,000 on September 1, 2012

Other Benefits

Participation in plans applicable to executive officers

Reimbursement of premiums under a $5 million life insurance policy purchased by Mr. R.E. Dauch;

Dauch

Use and maintenance of two Company-provided automobiles

Annual Incentive Awards
UnderIn 2013, annual incentive awards were granted under the employment agreements with Mr. D.C. DauchAAM Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers. Net operating cash flow and Mr. R.E. Dauch, certain payments and benefits will be providedNIPS were selected as performance metrics for these awards. The maximum payout for net operating cash flow is 125%. Although there was no established maximum payout for NIPS in 2013, a stated maximum was established in 2014. See Annual Incentive Compensation in the event of termination of employment under different scenarios as described below inPotential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.CD&A.

Long-Term Incentive Awards

In 2012,2013, the Company granted long-term incentive awards to NEOs in the form of RSUs and cash-based performance units and, for Mr. R.E. Dauch, stock options, under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan.units. The terms of these awards, as well as the outstanding cash-based performance awards granted to NEOs under the 2009 AAM LTIP are described below.

in Long-Term Incentive Compensation in the CD&A.


32

Table of Contents

2013 Awards Granted Under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The RSUs granted to NEOs under age 57 at the date of grant vest in three years, while RSUs granted to NEOs age 57 and over vest ratably in three approximately equal annual installments. Upon vesting, theall RSUs are payable in common stock. Vesting is accelerated upon termination of employment due to death or disability or upon a change in control. The award is forfeited if employment is terminated for any other reason prior to vesting.

Performance Unit Awards (PUs). The PUs granted to the NEOs (other than the Executive Chairman) on May 30, 2012March 6, 2013 are based upon the attainment of certain EBITDA margin performance targets over a 33-monththree-year performance period beginning AprilJanuary 1, 20122013 through December 31, 2014.2015. PUs have an initial notional value equal to one dollar and will be settled in cash. A pro ratapro-rata portion of the award is payable upon death, disability, retirement, termination without cause or upon a change in control.

The following table illustrates the threshold, target and maximum EBITDA margin performance levels for determining awards under PUs.

EBITDA Performance Measure

Performance Level

  33-Month Cumulative
EBITDA
  Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity Earned
 

Threshold

   10%  25%

Target

   12%  100%

Maximum

   15%  200%

Stock Options.    The nonqualified stock options granted to Mr. R.E. Dauch on May 30, 2012 vest in three approximately equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. Vesting is accelerated upon termination of employment due to death or disability or upon a change in control. The award is forfeited if employment is terminated for any other reason prior to vesting. Vested options expire ten years after the grant date and may be exercised any time before the earliest of: (1) the expiration of the grant, (2) five years following termination of employment due to death, disability or retirement, (3) 90 days following termination of employment without cause, or the participant’s resignation and (4) termination of employment for cause.

President & CEO Long-Term Incentive Award — September 1, 2012.    Upon his appointment as President & CEO on September 1, 2012, Mr. D.C. Dauch received a one-time long-term incentive award in the form of RSUs and performance units. Pursuant to his employment agreement, the RSU award had a grant date value of $250,000 and the performance unit award had a target value of $250,000. The RSU award is payable in common stock on the third anniversary of the grant date contingent upon continued employment with the Company. The performance unit award is payable in cash based on the Company’s EBITDA performance during the July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015 performance period. The threshold, target and maximum EBITDA performance levels for determining the performance award payout are shown in theEBITDA Performance Measure table above.

Executive Chairman Long-Term Incentive Award — September 1, 2012.    Upon his appointment to Executive Chairman on September 1, 2012, Mr. R.E. Dauch received a one-time long-term incentive award in the form of RSUs payable in common stock. Pursuant to his employment agreement, the award had a grant date value of $6,247,000 and vests ratably in three approximately equal annual installments contingent upon continued employment with the Company.

Performance Level
3 Year Cumulative
EBITDA Margin
 
Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity Earned
Threshold10% 25%
Target12% 100%
Maximum15% 200%
2011 Awards granted under the AAM 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Cash-Based Performance Awards. Prior to adoption of the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Company’s long-term incentive program consisted of cash-based performance awards made under the 2009 AAM LTIP. The cash payouts are determined based on EBITDA margin and relative total shareholder return (TSR) performance levels as shown below over a three-year performance period. The 2010 award payouts to the NEOs (other than the Executive Chairman)2011 awards were paid in March 20132014 as shown in theSummary Compensation Table above. The 2011No other awards under the 2009 AAM LTIP remain outstanding.outstanding at December 31, 2013. In calculating these awards, the Compensation Committee has discretion to exclude certain special items from EBITDA, such as special charges or gains, non-recurring operating costs, extraordinary gains or losses, the impact of changes in accounting principles, or other unusual items.

The following tables illustrate the threshold, target and maximum performance levels for determining 2010 and 2011 award payouts for each performance measure.

   EBITDA Performance Measure  TSR Performance Measure 

Performance Level

  3-Year Cumulative
EBITDA
  Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity
Earned
  Company’s TSR
Percentile
Rank
  Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity
Earned
 

Threshold

   8  25  35th  50

Target

   12  100  50th  100

Maximum

   15  200  75th  200

 EBITDA Performance Measure TSR Performance Measure
Performance Level
3-Year
Cumulative
EBITDA Margin
 
Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity
Earned
 
Company’s TSR
Percentile
Rank
 
Percent of
Target Award
Opportunity
Earned
Threshold8% 25% 
35th
 50%
Target12% 100% 
50th
 100%
Maximum15% 200% 
75th
 200%

33


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2012

Name  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable(1)
(#)
   Option
Exercise
Price
($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
Shares
or Units
of  Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
  Market
Value of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested(2)
($)
 

David C. Dauch

   28,000        23.73     1/22/2013     79,326(3)  888,451  
    28,000        38.70     2/2/2014     22,382(4)  250,678  
    12,000        26.65     3/15/2015       
    15,000        15.58     3/15/2016       
    13,000        26.02     3/14/2017       

Michael K. Simonte

   10,000          23.73     1/22/2013     34,466(3)  386,019  
    8,500        38.70     2/2/2014       
    9,000        26.65     3/15/2015       
    10,000        15.58     3/15/2016       
    10,000        26.02     3/14/2017       
    12,500        10.08     6/25/2018       

Richard E. Dauch

   300,000          23.73     1/22/2013     68,227(3)  764,142  
    300,000        38.70     2/2/2014     559,266(4)  6,263,779  
    150,000        26.65     3/15/2015       
    150,000        15.58     3/15/2016       
    150,000        26.02     3/14/2017       
         150,000     9.19     5/30/2022       

John J. Bellanti

   13,000          23.73     1/22/2013     31,711(3)  355,163  
    16,000        38.70     2/2/2014       
    9,000        26.65     3/15/2015       
    6,700        15.58     3/15/2016       
    10,000        26.02     3/14/2017       
    11,000        10.08     6/25/2018       

Norman Willemse

   8,000          23.73     1/22/2013     13,520(3)  151,424  
    7,500        38.70     2/2/2014       
    9,700          10.08     6/25/2018           

2013
Name
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable(1)
(#)
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of
Shares
or Units
of  Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
Market
Value of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested(2)
($)
David C. Dauch28,000
38.70
2/2/2014
79,326(3)
1,622,217
 12,000
26.65
3/15/2015
22,382(4)
457,712
 15,000
15.58
3/15/2016
137,687(5)
2,815,699
 13,000
26.02
3/14/2017

Michael K. Simonte8,500
38.70
2/2/2014
34,466(3)
704,830
 9,000
26.65
3/15/2015
42,786(5)
874,974
 10,000
15.58
3/15/2016

 10,000
26.02
3/14/2017

John J. Bellanti16,000
38.70
2/2/2014
21,247(3)
434,501
 9,000
26.65
3/15/2015
38,215(5)
781,497
 6,700
15.58
3/15/2016

 10,000
26.02
3/14/2017

 11,000
10.08
6/25/2018

Alberto L. Satine9,000
38.70
2/2/2014
13,929(3)
284,848
 8,000
26.65
3/15/2015
16,995(5)
347,548
 8,000
26.02
3/14/2017  
Norman Willemse7,500
38.70
2/2/2014
13,520(3)
276,484
 9,700
10.08
6/25/2018
12,589(5)
257,445
Richard E. Dauch(6)
300,000
38.70
2/2/2014  
 150,000
26.65
3/15/2015  
 150,000
15.58
3/15/2016  
 150,000
26.02
3/14/2017  
 100,500
9.19
8/2/2017  

(1)Reflects stockAll outstanding options granted on May 30, 2012 under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The options vest ratably in three equal annual installments beginning in Mayare vested as of December 31, 2013.

(2)Reflects value of outstanding RSUs using a share price of $11.20,$20.45, the closing price of AAM common stock on December 31, 2012.2013.

(3)Reflects RSUs granted on May 30, 2012 under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. RSUs for Mr. D.C. Dauch, Mr. Simonte, Mr. Satine and Mr. Willemse vest three years from the date of grant. RSUs for Mr. R.E. Dauch and Mr. Bellanti vest ratably in three approximately equal annual installments beginning in May 2013.were forfeited upon retirement on January 1, 2014.

(4)Reflects RSUs granted on September 1, 2012 under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan under the terms ofpursuant to Mr. D.C. Dauch’s and Mr. R.E. Dauch’s employment agreements.agreement. The RSUs for Mr. D.C. Dauch vest three years from the date of grant andgrant.
(5)Reflects RSUs granted on March 6, 2013 under the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. RSUs for Mr. R.E.D.C. Dauch, Mr. Simonte, Mr. Satine and Mr. Willemse vest ratably in three approximately equal annual installments beginning in September 2013.years from the date of grant. RSUs for Mr. Bellanti were forfeited upon his retirement on January 1, 2014.

(6)Upon his death, vesting of Mr. R.E.Dauch's outstanding long-term incentive awards was accelerated under the terms of the applicable award agreements. Unexercised stock options remain exercisable by his beneficiary until the earlier of the option expiration date or five years from the date of death.

34


OPTIONS EXERCISED AND STOCK VESTED

   Option Awards  Stock Awards 
Name Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise(1)
(#)
  Value
Realized  on
Exercise(1)
($)
  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting(2)(3)
(#)
  Value
Realized  on
Vesting(4)
($)
 

David C. Dauch

          4,500    52,245  

Michael K. Simonte

          3,600    41,796  

Richard E. Dauch

  49,500    484,605    19,681    224,363  

John J. Bellanti

          3,600    41,796  

Norman Willemse

          6,000    69,660  

  
Option AwardsStock Awards
Name
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise(1)
(#)
Value
Realized  on
Exercise(1)
($)
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting(2)
(#)
Value
Realized  on
Vesting(3)
($)
David C. Dauch



Michael K. Simonte12,500
119,115


John J. Bellanti

10,464
190,445
Alberto L. Satine16,700
120,046


Norman Willemse



Richard E. Dauch49,500
445,995
627,493
13,078,015

(1)Reflects the number of shares acquired upon exercise of stock options. Value realized upon exercise is based on the difference between the actual salesmarket price of the AAM common stock acquired upon exercise and the exercise price for such stock options.options on the exercise date.

(2)Reflects the lapse of the transfer and forfeiture restrictions under awards of performance accelerated restricted stockRSUs granted in March 2007May 2012 to Mr. D.C. Dauch, Mr. Simonte, Mr. Bellanti and Mr. Willemse. These awardsR.E. Dauch. The first of three approximately equal annual installments vested in March 2012.

(3)ReflectsMay 2013. For Mr. R.E. Dauch, also reflects the lapse of the transfer and forfeiture restrictions under the awardRSUs that were unvested as of restricted stock granted to Mr. R.E. Dauch in January 2009. The award vested in three approximately equal annual installments through January 2012.his death.

(4)
(3)Reflects the number of shares underlying vested performance accelerated restricted stock and restricted stock,RSUs multiplied by the closing market price of AAM common stock on the vesting date. For Mr. R.E. Dauch, the value realized on vesting upon death was $12,228,260.


35


PENSION BENEFITS

The following table shows the value of the benefits accumulated by the NEOs and their years of credited service under AAM’s Salaried Retirement Program (SRP), the Albion Pension Plan and AAM’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Program (SERP). The years of credited service are through December 31, 2012,2013, AAM’s fiscal year-end measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes. The values shown are based on unreduced benefits deferred to the earliest age at which unreduced benefits are payable. The assumptions used to calculate the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits are the same assumptions used in our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, except that the values in the table do not reflect assumptions for future compensation increases or future service credits2013 and assume continued serviceemployment until unreduced retirement age is attained. SeeFor material assumptions, see Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for material assumptions.

Name Plan Name  Number of
Years of
Credited
Service
(#)
   Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)
 

David C. Dauch

 AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees   11.5000     296,563  
  AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program   17.5000     1,326,013  

Michael K. Simonte

 AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees   8.0833     197,858  
  AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program   14.0833     765,129  

Richard E. Dauch(1)

 AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees   17.8333     991,169  
  AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program   23.0000    29,718,734  

John J. Bellanti(2)

 AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees   17.8333     979,008  
  AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program   18.8333     917,081  

Norman Willemse(3)

 Albion Pension Plan   6.3333     260,915  
  AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program   10.9167     282,554  

the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
NamePlan Name
Number of
Years of
Credited
Service
(#)
Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)
Payments During Last Fiscal Year
($)
David C. DauchAAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees
   11.5000(1)
250,031

AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program18.50001,617,968

Michael K. SimonteAAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees
    8.0833(1)
167,221

AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program15.0833823,708

John J. Bellanti(2)
AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees
  17.8333(1)
804,187

AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program19.8333835,056

Alberto Satine(3)
AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees
  10.5833(1)
399,540

AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program12.5833281,112

Norman Willemse(4)
Albion Pension Plan6.3333276,017

AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program11.9167279,998

Richard E. Dauch(5)
AAM Retirement Program for Salaried Employees
  17.8333(1)
544,571
16,163
AAM Supplemental Executive Retirement Program23.583317,434,222
503,028

(1)Benefits under the SRP were frozen effective December 31, 2006 for Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. Simonte. Benefits under the SRP were frozen effective December 31, 2011 for Mr. Bellanti, Mr. Satine and Mr. R.E. DauchDauch.
(2)Mr. Bellanti retired on January 1, 2014 under the SRP and the SERP. The present value of accumulated benefits as of December 31, 2013 was reduced to reflect Mr. Bellanti's actual pension elections.
(3)Mr. Satine was eligible to retire on December 31, 2012 with full benefits2013 under both the Salaried Retirement Program and the SERP.

(2)Mr. Bellanti was eligible to retire on December 31, 2012 under the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP and the SERP. He qualifies for a reduced benefit of approximately 80%54% of the unreduced benefit under the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP and for the basic form of benefit under the SERP.

(3)
(4)Mr. Willemse is not a participant underin the Salaried Retirement Program.SRP. Mr. Willemse was eligible to retire on December 31, 20122013 under both the Albion Pension Plan and the SERP. He qualifies for the current benefit formula under the SERP.

(5)Mr. R.E. Dauch's present value of accumulated benefits as of December 31, 2013 was reduced to the survivorship portion of the benefits payable under the SERP and the SRP. His surviving spouse began receiving benefit payments in September 2013.

We provide pension benefits under our Salaried Retirement Program,the SRP, a broad-based defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all U.S. salaried associates hired prior to January 1, 2007, and our SERP. The purpose of the SERP is to provide total retirement benefits at a competitive level with executives of other major industrial companies. Our Albion Automotive Limited

36

Table of Contents

subsidiary located in Glasgow, Scotland provides pension benefits under the Albion Pension Plan for its salaried associates. Mr. Willemse was a participant in the Albion Pension Plan while an associate of Albion Automotive Limited.

Salaried Retirement Program.Program (SRP). The annual retirement benefit payable to each executive, commencing on retirement at or after age 65, equals the sum of the executive’s contributions plus an additional benefit based on the executive’s average monthly salary (determined as the average of the executive’s base salary in the highest 60 months during his final 10 years of service) and years of credited service. The planSRP also includes a cash benefit structure for participants hired between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2006. None of the NEOs are covered by the cash benefit structure. The amount of compensation that may be taken into account for determining benefits is limited under the Internal Revenue Code.

Benefits under the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP may be paid as a single life annuity or, upon election, in the form of a joint and survivor annuity with a reduction in the amount of the annual benefit.

Effective December 31, 2006, the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP was amended to freeze benefits at current levels for associates who were not eligible to retire by December 1, 2011. Those associatesAssociates who were eligible for early or normal retirement on or before December 31, 2011 continued to accrue benefits through December 31, 2011. Mr. R.E. Dauch and Mr. Bellanti were grandfathered and thus continued to accrue benefits through December 31, 2011. The NEOs did not accrue benefits under the plan in 2012.

2013.

Albion Pension Plan. The annual retirement benefit payable, commencing on retirement at or after age 65, is based on the executive’s average salary (determined as the average of the executive’s base salary in the highest 36 months during the final 10 years of service with Albion Automotive Limited), years of pensionable service and the percentage of participant contributions made to the plan. Benefits under the Albion Pension Plan will be paid as an annuity; however, a participant may elect to receive a portion of the benefit payable in a lump sum.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Program.Program (SERP). Mr. R.E. DauchBellanti and Mr. Bellanti,Satine, who were grandfathered under the Salaried Retirement Program,SRP, are eligible to receive the basic form of pension benefit under ourthe SERP upon retirement. In addition, they are eligible to receive the alternative form of benefit, if greater than the basic benefit, upon retirement at or after age 62. The executive must have at least 10 years of credited service to receive either form of benefit under the SERP.

The total monthly benefit payable under the basic form of SERP is equal to the following amount:

Two percent of the executive’s average monthly salary calculated as of December 31, 2011 (as determined for the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP excluding the limitations as specified under the Internal Revenue Code), multiplied by the executive’s years of credited service; less

The benefit payable to the executive under the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP (without reduction for survivor benefits), plus 2% of the maximum monthly social security benefit payable at age 65 multiplied by the executive’s years of credited service.

The Compensation Committee has discretion to reduce or eliminate the amount payable under the alternative form of benefit. Subject to the Compensation Committee’s discretion, the total monthly benefit payable under the alternative form of SERP is equal to the following amount:

1.5% of the executive’s average monthly salary calculated as of December 31, 2011 (as determined for the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP excluding the limitations as specified under the Internal Revenue Code) and average monthly incentive compensation as of December 31, 2011 (determined as the average of the highest five of the executive’s last 10 annual cash incentive awards, divided by 12) multiplied by the executive’s years of credited service; less

The benefit payable to the executive under the Salaried Retirement ProgramSRP (without reduction for survivor benefits), plus the maximum monthly social security benefit payable at age 65.

SERP benefits payable under the basic and alternative forms are generally paid as a single life annuity. If the executive’s spouse is eligible for survivor benefits under the Salaried Retirement Program,SRP; however, the executive’s monthly SERP benefit will be reduced and paid in the form of a joint and survivor annuity.

Mr. D.C. Dauch, Mr. Simonte and Mr. Willemse, who were not grandfathered under the Salaried Retirement Program,SRP, are eligible to receive a benefit under the current SERP formula, payable six months after retirement in a lump sum. The amount of the benefit will be equal to 12.5% of the executive’s final average compensation (determined as the executive’s average annual base salary and cash incentive for the highest five consecutive years), multiplied by the executive’s years of credited service, less the sum of the actuariallyactuarial equivalent value of the executive’s benefits payable under the Salaried Retirement Program,SRP, Albion Pension Plan and the balance of the executive’s employer retirement contribution account under AAM’s 401(k) plan.

Effective August 1, 2012, the SERP was amended and restated to implement actuarial increases for participants who remain employed after reaching age 65. As a result, participants who work past age 65 will receive an increased annual SERP benefit when they retire to reflect a shorter expected payment period due to delayed retirement. This amendment had an impact on Mr. R.E. Dauch’s SERP benefit for 2012, which is shown in theSummary Compensation Table. The amended and restated SERP also provides that a participant’s entire SERP benefit will be forfeited if the participant’s employment with AAM is terminated for cause (as defined in the plan).


37


NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes the NEOs compensation under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan for the 20122013 fiscal year.

Name  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
($)
   Registrant
contributions in
Last FY(2)
($)
   Aggregate
Earnings
In Last FY(3)
($)
   Aggregate
Withdrawals
Distributions
($)
   Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(4)
($)
 

David C. Dauch

             38,630          301,238  

Michael K. Simonte

                         

Richard E. Dauch

             532,099          5,502,317  

John J. Bellanti

             65,112          567,875  

Norman Willemse

   25,264     513     1,595          27,372  

Name
Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
($)
Registrant
contributions in
Last FY(2)
($)
Aggregate
Earnings
In Last FY(3)
($)
Aggregate
Withdrawals
Distributions(4)
($)
Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(5)
($)
David C. Dauch

50,956

352,194
Michael K. Simonte




John J. Bellanti

93,646

661,521
Alberto L. Satine




Norman Willemse35,100
768
11,069

75,904
Richard E. Dauch

55,056
(5,557,373)

(1)
For Mr. Willemse, reflects $17,083$25,600 of his 20122013 base salary and $8,181$9,500 of his 20112012 annual incentive award paid March 2012.2013. Base salary amounts deferred are included in the salary column for 20122013 in theSummary Compensation Table and the 20112012 annual incentive award deferred is included in the non-equity incentive compensation column for 20112012 in theSummary Compensation Table.

(2)
Reflects the CompanyCompany's 3% match on 2012Mr. Willemse's 2013 base salary deferred by Mr. Willemse. Amountdeferral. This amount is included in the all other compensation column for 20122013 in theSummary Compensation Table.

(3)
Reflects hypothetical accrued earnings during 20122013 on notional investments designed to track the performance of funds similar to those available to participants in the Company’s 401(k) plan. None of the earnings shown in this column are reported as compensation in theSummary Compensation Table.

(4)Upon his death, Mr. R.E. Dauch's beneficiary received a distribution of the plan account balance.
(5)
Of the aggregate balance, the amounts reflect compensation previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each of the NEOs. For Mr. Willemse, the amount includes $17,596$26,368 reported as compensation in theSummary Compensation Table for 2012.2013.

Under AAM’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, a nonqualified, tax-deferred savings plan, certain executives, including our NEOs, may elect to defer payment of 6% to 75% of their base salary and/or their annual incentive award during any plan year. Base salary deferred into the plan receives a 3% Company match. Matching contributions are vested after five years of credited service. The amounts deferred are unfunded and unsecured obligations of AAM.

Amounts deferred or credited into this plan are represented in the executive’s notional account and are “invested” among funds similar to those available under AAM’s 401(k) plan. Forty percent of deferral elections are automatically and irrevocably allocated to the restricted investment benchmark, the PIMCO Total Return Fund. The remaining 60% may be allocated by the executive to any of the investments available under the plan and reallocated on a daily basis among the investments available. Although the executive has no actual or constructive ownership of shares in the investment funds, the return on the executive’s account is determined as if the amounts were notionally invested in these funds.


38

Table of Contents


The table below shows the investment fund options available under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the annual rates of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2012.

Name of Fund Rate of
Return
   Name of Fund Rate of
Return
 

Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio

  .01%    

Vanguard External Market Index

  18.48%  

PIMCO Total Return Fund

  10.36%    

Fidelity Freedom Income K Fund

  6.36%  

PIMCO High Yield Fund

  14.55%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2000 Fund

  6.44%  

Domini Social Equity Fund

  11.75%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2005 Fund

  8.77%  

Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund

  15.96%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2010 Fund

  10.53%  

Touchstone Value Y Fund

  15.38%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2015 Fund

  10.81%  

American Funds Growth Fund of America

  20.92%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2020 Fund

  11.86%  

Fidelity Growth Company Fund

  18.52%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2025 Fund

  13.26%  

Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund

  18.50%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2030 Fund

  13.65%  

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities

  15.12%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2035 Fund

  14.60%  

American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund

  16.52%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2040 Fund

  14.61%  

Royce PA Mutual Fund

  14.58%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2045 Fund

  14.97%  

Fidelity Diversified International Fund

  19.41%    

Fidelity Freedom K 2050 Fund

  15.23%  

Spartan International Index Fund

  18.78%    Fidelity Freedom K 2055 Fund  15.39%  

2013.

Name of Fund
Rate of
Return
Name of Fund
Rate of
Return
Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio0.01 %Vanguard External Market Index38.37%
PIMCO Total Return Fund(1.92)%Fidelity Freedom Income K Fund4.60%
PIMCO High Yield Fund5.77 %Fidelity Freedom K 2000 Fund4.56%
Domini Social Equity Fund33.30 %Fidelity Freedom K 2005 Fund8.15%
Spartan 500 Index Fund32.35 %Fidelity Freedom K 2010 Fund11.20%
Touchstone Value Y Fund31.29 %Fidelity Freedom K 2015 Fund11.96%
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund39.20 %Fidelity Freedom K 2020 Fund13.35%
Fidelity Growth Company Fund37.61 %Fidelity Freedom K 2025 Fund16.65%
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund34.45 %Fidelity Freedom K 2030 Fund18.21%
Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities36.86 %Fidelity Freedom K 2035 Fund20.86%
American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund40.06 %Fidelity Freedom K 2040 Fund21.25%
Royce PA Mutual Fund35.25 %Fidelity Freedom K 2045 Fund21.84%
Fidelity Diversified International Fund25.19 %Fidelity Freedom K 2050 Fund22.08%
Spartan International Index Fund21.80 %Fidelity Freedom K 2055 Fund22.78%
Distributions can be received (1) upon retirement in a lump sum or in annual payments over a period of five or ten years, (2) in a lump sum upon death, disability, termination of employment, change in control or (3) if elected by the executive, during employment at a specified date after a minimum deferral period. The minimum deferral period is at least three years following the end of the plan year to which the deferral election relates, and distributions during employment consist of employee deferrals and related earnings or losses (not Company contributions and related earnings or losses).


39


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The following tables show the estimated potential payments and benefits that each of the NEOs would receive upon termination of employment under various circumstances that would trigger payments under applicable employment agreements and the Company’s plans and programs, assuming the termination event occurred on December 31, 2012.2013. Although the calculations are intended to provide reasonable estimates of the potential payments, they are based on numerous assumptions as described in the footnotes, and may not represent the actual amountamounts the NEOs would receive upon each termination event.

President & CEO and Executive Chairman Employment Agreements

Agreement

Under our employment agreementsagreement with Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch, the Company may terminate each executive’shis employment with or without cause, or upon disability. With respect to each executive, causeCause means:

a material breach of his obligations under the agreement;

the willful and continued failure or refusal to satisfactorily perform his duties;

a conviction of or pleading guilty (or no contest) to a felony or to another crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or which reflects negatively upon the Company or impairs its operations;

engaging in any misconduct, negligence, act of dishonesty (including any violation of federal securities laws) or violence that is materially injurious to the Company;

a material breach of a restrictive covenant (i.e., non-competition, non-solicitation) or Company policy;

refusal to follow the directions of the Board; or

any other willful misconduct that is materially injurious to theAAM's financial condition or business reputation.

In addition, each executivehe may resign for good reason, which means:

a material decrease in compensation or a failure by the Company to pay material compensation;

a material diminution of responsibilities, positions or titles (other than solely as a result of the Company ceasing to be a publicly-traded company);

relocation outside the Detroit-metropolitan area; or

a material breach by the Company.

Upon termination for cause or upon resignation without good reason, each executive wouldMr. D.C. Dauch is entitled to receive only accrued and unpaid compensation. Participation in the Company’s benefit plans would cease upon termination.

If his employment is terminated without cause, or upon his resignation for good reason, each executive wouldMr. D.C. Dauch is entitled to receive accrued and unpaid compensation and continued payment of base salary for two years following termination. Mr. D.C. Dauch wouldHe is also entitled to receive $50,000 of outplacement services and health care benefits for two years.

If Mr. R.E. Dauch’sD.C. Dauch's employment is terminated for any reason other than forwithout cause or uponfor good reason within two years of a change in control, he will be entitled to payment of his death, the Company will continue to reimburse premiums paid on a $5 million executive life insurance policybase salary, annual incentive and medical benefits for two years.

years, as well as any accrued and unpaid compensation and benefits and outplacement services. The annual incentive payment will be determined based on the higher of (1) his average annual bonus for the three fiscal years preceding termination of employment agreementsor the change in control, or (2) his target bonus for the year of the termination of employment or of the change in control.

Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch containDauch's employment agreement contains the following restrictive covenants that extend for two years following termination of employment or the expiration of thehis employment agreement:

(1) non-disclosure and confidentiality, which prohibit unauthorized use or disclosureconfidentiality; (2) non-competition; and (3) non-solicitation of AAM’s confidential information;

non-competition, which prohibits each of them from directly or indirectly engaging in any business that competes with AAM; and

non-solicitation, which prohibits solicitation of ourAAM employees and customers.

If his employment with AAM terminates due to disability or death, Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. R.E. Dauch will be entitled to accrued benefits under applicable benefit plans and programs (such as our Deferred Compensation Plan, Salaried Retirement Plan and SERP). Should Mr. D.C. Dauch or Mr. R.E. Dauch die during the term of his employment agreement, his estate and/or spouse would be entitled to accrued benefits under applicable benefit plans and programs.

Non-Competition Agreements

Mr. Simonte, Mr. Bellanti, Mr. Willemse and Mr. WillemseSatine each have each entered into a non-competition agreement that prohibits each of them, while employed by AAM and for one year following termination of employment, each executive from:

directly or indirectly engaging in any business that competes with AAM;

soliciting or inducing our employees to leave AAM, or offering employment to our employees or otherwise interfering with our relationship with our employees, agents or consultants; and

using, exploiting or disclosing our confidential information to any third party without our prior written consent.


40


Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

David C. Dauch

The following table shows estimatedtables below reflect potential payments to Mr. D.C. Daucheach NEO upon resignation for good reason, termination without cause, disability, retirement and a change in control as of December 31, 2012.2013. Upon termination for cause or upon resignation without good reason, Mr. D.C. Daucheach NEO would receive only accrued and unpaid compensation. These amountsThe assumptions used to determine retirement benefits for eligible NEOs are not shownthe same as those used in our audited consolidated financial statements for the table below.fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our 2013 annual report on Form 10-K. Mr. D.C. Dauch wasand Mr. Simonte were not eligible to retire as of December 31, 2012.

    For Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
   Without
Cause
Termination
($)
   Disability
Retirement(1)
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
 

Compensation:

                    

Severance(2)

   2,000,000     2,000,000            

Annual Incentive(3)

   540,000     540,000     540,000       

Long Term Incentives:

                    

RSUs(4)

             1,139,129     1,139,129  

2010 Performance Awards(5)

        1,209,600     1,209,600       

2011 Performance Awards(6)

        780,000     780,000       

2012 Performance Unit Awards(7)

        240,485     240,485     240,485  

Special Incentive Program(8)

   1,750,000     1,750,000     1,750,000       

Other Benefits:

                    

Deferred Compensation(9)

   301,238     301,238     301,238     301,238  

Health care(10)

   26,676     26,676     322,562       

Disability(11)

             7,756,067       

Life Insurance(12)

             139,920       

Outplacement Services(13)

   50,000     50,000            

Total

   4,667,914     6,897,999     14,179,001     1,680,852  

2013. The footnotes following the tables provide additional detail regarding the potential payments and benefits shown for each termination scenario.
David C. DauchFor Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
Without
Cause
Termination
($)
Disability
Retirement
(1)
($)
Retirement
($)
Change in
Control
($)
Compensation:     
Severance(2)
2,200,000
2,200,000


2,200,000
Annual Incentive(3)
1,196,250
1,196,250
1,196,250

2,750,000
Long Term Incentives:     
RSUs(4)


4,895,628

4,895,628
2011 Performance Awards(5)

1,989,000
1,989,000


2012 Performance Unit Awards(6)

588,909
588,909

588,909
2013 Performance Unit Awards(6)

583,333
583,333

583,333
    2010 Special Incentive Program(7)
875,000
875,000
875,000


Other Benefits:     
Retirement Plans




SERP




Welfare Benefit




Deferred Compensation(8)
352,194
352,194
352,194

352,194
Health care(9)
29,819
29,819
316,971

29,819
Disability(10)


7,787,266


Life Insurance(11)


143,981


Outplacement Services(12)
50,000
50,000


50,000
Total4,703,263
7,864,505
18,728,532

11,449,883

Michael K. SimonteFor Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
Without
Cause
Termination
($)
Disability
Retirement
(1)
($)
Retirement
($)
Change in
Control
($)
Compensation:     
Severance




Annual Incentive(13)


378,485


Long Term Incentives:     
RSUs(4)


1,579,804

1,579,804
2011 Performance Awards(5)

1,050,600
1,050,600


2012 Performance Unit Awards(6)

201,562
201,562

201,562
2013 Performance Unit Awards(6)

181,267
181,267

181,267
    2010 Special Incentive Program(7)
500,000
500,000
500,000


Other Benefits:     
Retirement Plans




SERP




Welfare Benefit




Deferred Compensation




Health care(14)


312,521


Disability(10)


4,158,162


Life Insurance(11)


71,264


Outplacement Services




Total500,000
1,933,429
8,433,665

1,962,633

41



John J. BellantiFor Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
Without
Cause
Termination
($)
Disability
Retirement
($)
Retirement(15)
($)
Change in
Control
($)
Compensation:
Severance




Annual Incentive


285,000

Long Term Incentives:
RSUs




2011 Performance Awards


966,552

2012 Performance Unit Awards


212,232

2013 Performance Unit Awards


215,112

    2010 Special Incentive Program




Other Benefits:
Retirement Plans


804,187

SERP


835,056

Welfare Benefit


195,617

Deferred Compensation(8)



661,521

Health care




Disability




Life Insurance




Outplacement Services




Total


4,175,277

Alberto L. SatineFor Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
Without
Cause
Termination
($)
Disability
Retirement
($)
Retirement
($)
Change in
Control
($)
Compensation:     
Severance




Annual Incentive(13)


185,000
185,000

Long Term Incentives:     
RSUs(4)


632,396

632,396
2011 Performance Awards(5)

380,800
380,800
380,800

2012 Performance Unit Awards(6)

81,455
81,455
81,455
81,455
2013 Performance Unit Awards(6)
 72,000
72,000
72,000
72,000
    2010 Special Incentive Program




Other Benefits:     
Retirement Plans(16)


690,218
357,635

SERP(17)



281,112

Welfare Benefit(18)
  13,678

 
Deferred Compensation




Health care




Disability




Life Insurance




Outplacement Services




Total
534,255
2,055,547
1,358,002
785,851

42



Norman WillemseFor Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
Without
Cause
Termination
($)
Disability
Retirement
($)
Retirement
($)
Change in
Control
($)
Compensation:     
Severance




Annual Incentive(13)


167,040
167,040

Long Term Incentives:     
RSUs(4)


533,929

533,929
2011 Performance Awards(5)

412,080
412,080
412,080

2012 Performance Unit Awards(6)

79,062
79,062
79,062
79,062
2013 Performance Unit Awards(6)

53,333
53,333
53,333
53,333
    2010 Special Incentive Program




Other Benefits:     
Retirement Plans(19)


261,558
261,558

SERP(17)


279,998
279,998

Welfare Benefit(18)


13,236


Deferred Compensation(8)
75,904
75,904
75,904
75,904
75,904
Health care




Disability




Life Insurance




Outplacement Services




Total75,904
620,379
1,876,140
1,328,975
742,228

Notes to Termination Tables

(1)
Assumes total and permanent disability on December 31, 2012.2013. Because Mr. D.C. Dauch hasand Mr. Simonte have more than 10 years of service, he isboth are eligible to retire due to total and permanent disability and receive pension and postretireepost-retiree health care benefits. Amount assumesAs a result, their amounts assume continued employment (on leave) until retirement.

(2)
Upon resignation for good reason, termination without cause or resignation for good reason,upon a change in control, Mr. D.C. Dauch is entitled to receive two years’ base salary, payable semimonthly.

  (3)Under AAM’s Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers, the award payout is pro-rated through the date of disability.
(3)
Under Mr. D.C. Dauch’sDauch's employment agreement, he is entitled to accrued and unpaid compensation upon termination without cause or resignation for good reason. TheIn the event of disability, AAM’s Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers provides a pro-rated award payout through the date of disability. Accordingly, the amount reflects the 2012his 2013 award paid in March 2013.2014 under these termination events. He is also entitled to payment of an annual bonus for two years if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within two years of a change in control. The annual bonus will be determined based on the higher of (a) his average annual bonus for the three fiscal years preceding termination of employment or the change in control, or (b) his target bonus for the year of the termination of his employment or of the change in control. In the event of a change in control, the amount reflects his target bonus for two years.

(4)
Outstanding RSUs vest upon termination of employment due to death, disability or upon a change in control. The value reflects the number of RSUs multiplied by the closing price of AAM common stock on December 31, 2012.2013.

(5)
The 20102011 performance award payable in the event of disability or termination without cause would be based on actual performance through December 31, 2012.2013. Reflects award earned through December 31, 20122013 and paid in March 2013.2014.

(6)
The 2011 performance award payable in the event of a disability or termination without cause would be based on actual performance2012 and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012, two-thirds of the performance period would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

  (7)

The 20122013 performance unit awards payable in the event of a disability, termination without cause or upon a change in control would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of

employment as compared to the performance periods for each award. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 25% of the performance periods would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

  (8)Under the special incentive program, in the event of disability, resignation for good reason or termination without cause, Mr. D.C. Dauch is entitled to program amounts earned and not previously paid. Reflects the remaining two annual installments of $875,000.

  (9)Assumes amount is payable in a lump sum upon occurrence of termination event.

(10)Under Mr. D.C. Dauch’s employment agreement, he is entitled to two years of health care benefits (including his spouse) if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason. Under the disability scenario, reflects health care benefits until retirement.

(11)Reflects benefits equal to 100% of base salary for year one and 60% of base salary until retirement.

(12)Under the disability scenario, reflects basic and supplemental life insurance benefits until retirement at age 65.

(13)Under Mr. D.C. Dauch’s employment agreement, he is entitled to receive $50,000 of outplacement services if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason.

Michael K. Simonte

The following table shows estimated potential payments to Mr. Simonte upon resignation for good reason, termination without cause, disability and a change in control as of December 31, 2012. Upon termination for cause or upon resignation without good reason, Mr. Simonte would receive only accrued and unpaid compensation. These amounts are not shown in the table below. Mr. Simonte was not eligible to retire as of December 31, 2012.

    For Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
   Without
Cause
Termination
($)
   Disability
Retirement(1)
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
 

Compensation:

                    

Annual Incentive(2)

             220,000       

Long Term Incentives:

                    

RSUs(3)

             386,019     386,019  

2010 Performance Awards(4)

        720,000     720,000       

2011 Performance Awards(5)

        412,000     412,000       

2012 Performance Unit Award(6)

        86,384     86,384     86,384  

Special Incentive Program(7)

   1,000,000     1,000,000     1,000,000       

Other Benefits:

                    

Health care(8)

             318,431       

Disability(9)

             4,428,641       

Life Insurance(10)

             73,864       

Total

   1,000,000     2,218,384     7,645,339     472,403  

  (1)Assumes total and permanent disability on December 31, 2012. Because Mr. Simonte has more than 10 years of service, he is eligible to retire due to total and permanent disability and receive pension and postretiree health care benefits. Amount assumes continued employment (on leave) until retirement.

  (2)Under AAM’s Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers, the award payout is pro-rated through the date of disability. The amount reflects the 2012 award paid in March 2013.

  (3)Outstanding RSUs vest upon termination of employment due to death, disability or upon a change in control. The value reflects the number of RSUs multiplied by the closing price of AAM stock on December 31, 2012.

  (4)The 2010 performance award payable in the event of disability or termination without cause would be based on actual performance through December 31, 2012. Reflects award earned through December 31, 2012 and paid in March 2013.

  (5)The 2011 performance award payable in the event of a disability or termination without cause would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012, two-thirds of the performance period would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

  (6)The 2012 performance unit award payable in the event of a disability, termination without cause or upon a change in control would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012,2013, approximately 27%two-thirds and one-third of the performance period for the 2012 and 2013 awards, respectively, would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

(7)
Under thea special incentive program adopted in March 2010, upon resignation for good reason, termination without cause or in the event of disability, resignationMr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. Simonte would be entitled to program amounts earned and unpaid. Amounts reflect the final annual installments payable in October 2014.
(8)
Reflects account balance in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2013. Assumes amount is payable in a lump sum upon occurrence of the termination event.

43


(9)Under Mr. D.C. Dauch’s employment agreement, he is entitled to two years of health care benefits (including his spouse) if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason. He is also entitled to this benefit if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason or termination without cause, Mr. Simonte is entitled to award amounts earned and not previously paid. Reflectswithin two years of a change in control. In the remaining two annual installmentsevent of $500,000.

  (8)Underdisability, the disability scenario,amount reflects health care benefits until retirement.

  (9)
(10)Reflects benefits equal to 100% of base salary for year one and 66 2/60% and 66-2/3% of base salary until retirement.retirement for Mr. D.C. Dauch and Mr. Simonte, respectively, based on participant elections.

(10)
(11)Under the disability scenario, reflects basic and supplemental life insurance benefits until retirement at age 65.retirement.

Richard E. Dauch

The following table shows estimated potential payments to Mr. R.E. Dauch upon resignation for good reason, termination without cause, disability, retirement and a change in control as of December 31, 2012. Upon termination for cause or upon resignation without good reason, Mr. R.E. Dauch would receive only accrued and unpaid compensation. These amounts are not shown in the table below. Mr. R.E. Dauch was eligible to retire on December 31, 2012. The assumptions used to determine retirement benefits are the same assumptions used in our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. See Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    For Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
   Without
Cause
Termination
($)
   Disability
Retirement(1)
($)
   Retirement
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
 

Compensation:

                         

Severance(2)

   4,000,000     4,000,000                 

Bonus(3)

   4,000,000     4,000,000     4,000,000     4,000,000       

Retirement Plans:

                         

Defined Benefit

                         

Retirement Program(4)

             991,169     991,169       

SERP(5)

             29,718,734     29,718,734       

Welfare Benefit(6)

             1,391,904     1,391,904       

Equity:

                         

Stock Options(7)

             301,500          301,500  

RSUs(8)

             7,027,921          7,027,921  

Other Benefits:

                         

Deferred Compensation(9)

   5,502,317     5,502,317     5,502,317     5,502,317     5,502,317  

Life Insurance(10)

   47,780     47,780     47,780     47,780       

Total

   13,550,097     13,550,097     48,981,325     41,651,904     12,831,738  

  (1)Assumes retirement due
(12)Under Mr. D.C. Dauch’s employment agreement, he is entitled to total and permanent disability on December 31, 2012.

  (2)Uponreceive $50,000 of outplacement services upon termination of employment without cause or resignation for good reason, Mr. R.E. Dauchreason. He is also entitled to receivethis benefit if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason within two years’ base salary payable semimonthly.

  (3)Reflects Mr. R.E. Dauch’s cash bonus earned in 2012 and paid in March 2013.

  (4)Reflects a present valueyears of a joint and survivor annuity benefit payable monthly.

  (5)The present value calculated assuming a joint and survivor annuity benefit payable monthly.

  (6)Reflects benefits for Mr. R.E. Dauch and his spouse assuming retirement or disability on December 31, 2012.

  (7)Outstanding stock option awards vest upon termination of employment due to death, disability or upon a change in control. The value reflects the difference between the exercise price of the unvested options and the closing price of AAM stock on December 31, 2012.

  (8)Outstanding RSUs vest upon termination of employment due to death, disability or upon a change in control. The value reflects the number of RSUs multiplied by the closing price of AAM stock on December 31, 2012.

  (9)Assumes amount is payable in a lump sum upon occurrence of termination event.

(10)Represents reimbursement of two years’ premiums paid by Mr. R.E. Dauch for a $5 million executive life insurance policy.

John J. Bellanti

The following table shows estimated potential payments to Mr. Bellanti upon resignation for good reason, termination without cause, disability, retirement and a change in control as of December 31, 2012. Upon termination for cause or upon resignation without good reason, Mr. Bellanti would receive only accrued and unpaid compensation. These amounts are not shown in the table below. Mr. Bellanti was eligible to retire on December 31, 2012. The assumptions used to determine retirement benefits are the same assumptions used in our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. See Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    For Good
Reason
Resignation
($)
   Without
Cause
Termination
($)
   Disability
Retirement(1)
($)
   Retirement
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
 

Compensation:

                         

Annual Incentive(2)

             140,000     140,000       

Retirement Plans:

                         

Defined Benefit

                         

Retirement Program(3)

             1,211,666     966,672       

SERP(4)

             644,007     917,081       

Welfare Benefit(5)

             219,800     219,800       

Equity:

                         

RSUs(6)

             355,163          355,163  

2010 Performance Awards(7)

        662,400     662,400     662,400       

2011 Performance Awards(8)

        379,040     379,040     379,040       

2012 Performance Unit Award(9)

        79,478     79,478     79,478     79,478  

Special Incentive Program(10)

   300,000     300,000     300,000            

Other Benefits:

                         

Deferred Compensation(11)

   567,875     567,875     567,875     567,875     567,875  

Total

   867,875     1,988,793     4,559,429     3,932,346     1,002,516  

  (1)Assumes retirement due to total and permanent disability on December 31, 2012.

  (2)(13)Under AAM’sAAM's Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers, the award payout is pro-rated through the date of disability or retirement. The amount reflects the 20122013 award paid in March 2013.2014.

  (3)
(14)Under the disability scenario, reflects health care benefits until retirement.
(15)Upon his retirement on January 1, 2014, Mr. Bellanti was entitled to receive his 2013 annual incentive and certain long-term incentive awards. The annual and long-term incentive amounts reflect payments made to Mr. Bellanti under these awards in March 2014. Upon his retirement, he forfeited unvested RSUs and the remaining annual installment payment under the 2010 special incentive program. The pension and SERP amounts reflect Mr. Bellanti's actual pension elections.
(16)Reflects a joint and survivor annuity benefit payable monthly.

  (4)The
(17)Reflects the present value of the SERP calculated assuming a lump sum benefit for Mr. Satine and a joint and survivor annuity benefit payable monthly for Mr. Willemse under the disability and retirement scenarios.

  (5)
(18)Reflects welfare benefits for Mr. Bellanti and his spouse assuming retirement on December 31, 2012 under theour retiree welfare benefit plan.

  (6)Outstanding RSUs vest upon termination of employment due to death, disability or upon a change in control. The value reflects the number of RSUs multiplied by the closing price of AAM stock on December 31, 2012.

  (7)The 2010 performance award in the event of disability, retirement or termination without cause would be based on actual performance through December 31, 3012. Reflects award earned through December 31, 2012 and paid in March 2013.

  (8)The 2011 performance award payable in the event of disability, retirement or termination without cause would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012, two-thirds of the performance period would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

  (9)The 2012 performance unit award payable in the event of disability, retirement, termination without cause or upon a change in control would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 27% of the performance period would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

(10)Under the special incentive program, in the event of disability, resignation for good reason or termination without cause, Mr. Bellanti is entitled to program amounts earned and not previously paid. Reflects the remaining two annual installments of $150,000.

(11)Assumes amount is payable in a lump sum upon occurrence of termination event.

Norman Willemse

The following table shows estimated potential payments to Mr. Willemse upon termination without cause, disability, retirement and a change in control as of December 31, 2012. Upon termination for cause or upon resignation without good reason, Mr. Willemse would receive only accrued and unpaid compensation. These amounts are not shown in the table below. Mr. Willemse was eligible to retire on December 31, 2012. The assumptions used to determine retirement benefits are the same assumptions used in our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. See Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    Without
Cause
Termination
($)
   Disability
Retirement(1)
($)
   Retirement
($)
   Change in
Control
($)
 

Compensation:

                    

Annual Incentive(2)

        95,000     95,000       

Retirement Plans:

                    

Defined Benefit

                    

Retirement Program(3)

        250,789     250,789       

SERP(4)

        282,554     282,554       

Welfare Benefit(5)

        12,740            

Long Term Incentives:

                    

RSUs(6)

        151,424          151,424  

2010 Performance Awards(7)

   281,808     281,808     281,808       

2011 Performance Awards(8)

   161,600     161,600     161,600       

2012 Performance Unit Award(9)

   33,884     33,884     33,884     33,884  

Other Benefits:

                    

Deferred Compensation(10)

   27,372     27,372     27,372     27,372  

Total

   504,664     1,297,171     1,133,007     212,680  

  (1)Assumes total and permanent disability on December 31, 2012.

  (2)Under AAM’s Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers, the award payout is pro-rated through the date of disability or retirement. The amount reflects the 2012 award paid in March 2013.

  (3)(19)Reflects Mr. Willemse’sWillemse's benefits in the Albion Pension Plan as of December 31, 2012.

  (4)The present value calculated assuming a lump sum benefit under the disability and retirement scenarios.

  (5)Reflects benefits for Mr. Willemse and his spouse assuming retirement on December 31, 2012 under our retiree welfare benefit plan.

  (6)Outstanding RSUs vest upon termination of employment due to death, disability or upon a change in control. The value reflects the number of RSUs multiplied by the closing price of AAM stock on December 31, 2012.

  (7)The 2010 performance award in the event of disability, retirement or termination without cause would be based on actual performance through December 31, 3012. Reflects award earned through December 31, 2012 and paid in March 2013.

  (8)The 2011 performance award payable in the event of a disability, retirement or termination without cause would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012, two-thirds of the performance period would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

  (9)The 2012 performance unit award payable in the event of disability, retirement, termination without cause or upon a change in control would be based on actual performance and the pro-rata portion of employment as compared to the performance period. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 27% of the performance period would have lapsed. Reflects pro-rata award assuming target is achieved. The actual payout may range from 0% to 200%.

(10)Assumes amount is payable in a lump sum upon occurrence of termination event.


44


PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


AAM is seeking a non-binding advisory vote from our stockholders to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) and narrative and tabular disclosures in this proxy statement. In the CD&A, we have providedprovide a detailed description of our compensation programs, including our compensation philosophy and objectives, the individual elements of executive pay, and how the programs are administered. We encourage you to review the CD&A, together with the other narrative and tabular disclosures, in considering your advisory vote on our named executive officers’ compensation.

Our executive officer compensation program is designed to reward performance that supports the achievement of the Company’sour business objectives and creates long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee considers the following fundamental objectives, among others, in determining our compensation programs:

Compensation and benefit programs should attract, motivate and retain experienced executives who are vital to our short-term and long-term success, profitability and growth.

growth;

Compensation and benefit programs should reward Company and individual performance; and

Compensation and benefit programs should foster the long-term focus required for successto deliver value to our stockholders.
At our 2013 annual meeting, 58% of our stockholders voted in favor of the global automotive industry.

Executive officers should be AAM stockholders.

Company's say on pay proposal. This result was considerably less favorable than the level of support we received in prior years. As a result of this outcome, the Board directed senior management to conduct stockholder outreach to gain an understanding of stockholder concerns about our executive compensation program. The objectives of rewarding performanceBoard and retention should be balanced.

Features ofthe Compensation Committee believe that the feedback we received from our stockholders was valuable in evaluating and implementing changes to our executive compensation program. We believe that the changes we made to AAM's executive compensation program and practices includeaddress the following:

primary concerns raised by the 2013 advisory vote.

PayoutsKey changes to our executive compensation program

As described in more detail in the CD&A, we made the following changes to our compensation program:
Approved a new comparative peer group for benchmarking executive compensation;
Targeted the 50th percentile for total compensation of annual andexecutive officers;
Introduced a performance share award vehicle for long-term incentive awards are based on AAM’scompensation;
Re-designed the long-term incentive program to include 100% equity-based award vehicles;
Set a maximum payout for annual incentive pay opportunities for a key performance as measured againstmetric, which resulted in all performance metrics having stated maximum payouts;
Adopted a mixclawback policy; and
Eliminated discretionary increases in bonuses for all NEOs.
We believe these changes strengthen the alignment of pre-established financial metricsAAM's executive compensation program and total shareholder return.

Executive officers are required to complypractices with stock ownership requirements, which were increased bythe objectives of our stockholders. The Board and the Compensation Committee in 2012.

are committed to further engagement with our stockholders regarding executive compensation matters.

AAM prohibits hedging or pledging of Company stock.

There are no golden parachute agreements and no excise tax gross-ups upon a change of control.

For the reasons stated above, and more fully discussed in the CD&A, the Board unanimously recommends a vote for the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers.

Although the vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the voting results when making future compensation decisions.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers.


45

2012

2013 COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

Total 20122013 compensation of our non-employee directors is shown below.

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(1)
($)
   Stock Awards
($)(2)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
   Total 

Salvatore J. Bonanno, Sr.

   75,000     80,003     76,000          231,003  

Elizabeth A. Chappell

   75,500     80,003     76,000     400     231,903  

Forest J. Farmer

   102,000     80,003     76,000     600     258,603  

Steven B. Hantler

   75,500     80,003          400     155,903  

Richard C. Lappin

   91,500     80,003     76,000     1,900     249,403  

James A. McCaslin

   79,000     80,003     76,000          235,003  

William P. Miller II

   87,000     80,003     76,000          243,003  

John F. Smith

   79,500     80,003               159,503  

Larry K. Switzer

   91,000     80,003     76,000     1,400     248,403  

Thomas K. Walker

   146,333     80,003     76,000     400     302,736  

Dr. Henry T. Yang

   78,000     80,003     76,000     8,200     242,203  

Name
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(1)
($)
Stock Awards(2)
($)
All Other
Compensation(3)
($)
Total
($)
Salvatore J. Bonanno, Sr.(4)
43,667


43,667
Elizabeth A. Chappell93,667
100,013

193,680
Forest J. Farmer114,667
100,013

214,680
Steven B. Hantler95,667
100,013

195,680
Richard C. Lappin113,667
100,013

213,680
James A. McCaslin99,667
100,013

199,680
William P. Miller II103,667
100,013

203,680
John F. Smith108,667
100,013

208,680
Larry K. Switzer111,667
100,013
1,500
213,180
Samuel Valenti III(5)




Thomas K. Walker147,667
100,013

247,680
Dr. Henry T. Yang(4)
42,667


42,667
(1)For Mr. Walker, reflects $33,333an additional $10,000 paid for histemporary services he provided in January 2013 as Non-Executive Chairman. Mr. Walker served in this temporary role from September 21, 2012 through January 31, 2013 during the absence of the Executive Chairman for a medical procedure. Upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board approved additional compensation for Mr. Walker at the rate of $10,000 per month. This amount was determined based on a market analysis provided by Meridian of non-executive chairman pay at companies in our comparative peer group and a broader general industry group.chairman.

(2)Reflects the full grant date fair value of equity awards granted on May 15, 20122, 2013 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (without any reduction for risk of forfeiture) as determined based on applying the assumptions used in our financial statements. The grant date fair value of equity awards is calculated using the closing market price of AAM common stock on the grant date of $9.16.$13.74. See Note 97 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20122013 regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards.

(3)Reflects amounts earned under the 2011 deferred compensation unit (DCUs) award. In April 2011, annual DCU awards of $80,000 were made to each non-employee director concurrent with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. These awards vested April 2012 and resulted in a payout of 95% of target, or $76,000, based on AAM’s total shareholder return.

(4)(3)The Company reimburses non-employee directors for their travel and related out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending Board, Committeecommittee and stockholder meetings. From time to time, the Company invites spouses of non-employee directors to attend Company events associated with these meetings. The Company pays for spousal travel and certain other expenses and reimburses non-employee directors for taxes attributable to the income associated with this benefit. Amounts reflect reimbursement of taxes on this income.

(4)Mr. Bonanno and Dr. Yang served on the Board through May 2, 2013.
(5)Mr. Valenti joined the Board effective October 31, 2013 and received no compensation during 2013.


As of December 31, 2012,2013, each non-employee director had the following number of outstanding options and RSUs, including RSUs deferred:

Name

  Option Awards    
Outstanding    
(#)
   Restricted Stock
Units Outstanding
(#)
 

Salvatore J. Bonanno, Sr.

        8,734  

Elizabeth A. Chappell

   5,000     19,834  

Forest J. Farmer

   7,500     13,334  

Steven B. Hantler

        8,734  

Richard C. Lappin

   7,500     14,384  

James A. McCaslin

        8,734  

William P. Miller II

   7,500     23,084  

John F. Smith

        8,734  

Larry K. Switzer

   7,500     23,084  

Thomas K. Walker

   7,500     16,584  

Dr. Henry T. Yang

   7,500     19,834  

Name
Option Awards    
Outstanding    
(#)
Restricted Stock
Units Outstanding
(#)
Elizabeth A. Chappell5,00027,113
Forest J. Farmer20,613
Steven B. Hantler16,013
Richard C. Lappin21,663
James A. McCaslin16,013
William P. Miller II7,50030,363
John F. Smith16,013
Larry K. Switzer7,50030,363
Samuel Valenti III
Thomas K. Walker23,863

46


Narrative Description of Non-Employee Director Compensation

2012

2013 Annual Retainer and Meeting Attendance Fees

Annual retainer

  $60,000  

Board meeting attendance fee

   1,500  

Committee meeting attendance fee:

  

Committee chairman

   3,000  

Other committee members

   2,000  

Annual retainer$80,000
Board meeting attendance fee1,500
Committee meeting attendance fee: 
Committee chairman3,000
Other committee members2,000
Lead director annual retainer20,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).Each non-employee director is entitled to receive an annual award of RSUs equal to a grant date value of $80,000$100,000 on the date of the annual stockholder meeting. The awards are payable in stock and vest in one year, unless vesting is accelerated upon death, disability or a change in control.

Deferral.Non-employee directors may elect to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their retainer and meeting fees and receive tax-deferred earnings (or losses) on the deferrals under AAM’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The rate of return on deferred amounts is based on the performance of selected benchmark funds identified in the plan, which is described inNonqualified Deferred Compensation above. Non-employee directors may also elect to defer settlement of RSUs until after termination of service from the Board.

Stock Ownership Guidelines.Upon stockholder approval of AAM’s 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the The Compensation Committee decided to increase thehas adopted non-employee director stock ownership guidelines for non-employee directors in 2012 and change the measurement from a fixed number of shares to a multiple of the annual retainer. These new stock ownership guidelines were based on an analysis of prevalent external market practices provided by Meridian in 2012 at the direction of the Compensation Committee. Based on this analysis, the Compensation Committee increased the stock ownership guidelines from 4,000 sharesequal to a multiple of three times the annual retainer. Non-employee directors are expected to meet the guidelines within three years from April 2012 or, for new directors, within three years from the date of election to the Board. Current stock ownership of our non-employee directors is shown in theSecurity Ownership section below. Non-employee directors are also subject to our anti-hedging and anti-pledging restrictions.

2013 Non-Employee Director Compensation.The Board


47

Table of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved an increase in the annual retainer and the value of annual

equity awards. Effective January 1, 2013, the annual retainer was increased to $80,000. The Board also approved an additional annual retainer of $20,000 for the lead director as compensation for the responsibilities and duties associated with that position. The value of the annual equity award for non-employee directors was increased to $100,000 effective on the date of the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. These adjustments were made based on of a 2012 market study of non-employee director compensation performed by Meridian of companies in our comparative peer group.

Contents


SECURITY OWNERSHIP

The following tables show the number of shares of AAM common stock beneficially owned as of March 5, 20134, 2014 (unless otherwise noted) by:

each person known to us who beneficially owns more than 5 percent5% of AAM common stock;

each of our non-employee directors and nominees;

our named executive officers (unless otherwise noted); and
our named executive officers; and

all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group.

A beneficial owner of stock is a person who has voting power (the power to control voting decisions) or investment power (the power to cause the sale of the stock). All individuals listed in the tables have sole voting and investment power over the shares (unless otherwise noted).

The beneficial ownership calculation includes 74,839,56775,646,724 shares of AAM common stock outstanding on March 5, 2013.

4, 2014.

MORE THAN 5% BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following persons have filed reports withtable below shows the SEC for the period ending December 31, 2012, stating that they beneficially ownname, address and share ownership of each person or organization known by us to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent5% of AAM’s common stock.

Name and Address

  Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
   Percent of
Shares
Outstanding
 

Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC(1)

   5,283,416     7.06  

2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor Dallas, TX 75201

    

The Vanguard Group(2)

   3,786,844     5.05  

100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355

    

Name and Address
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
Percent of
Shares
Outstanding
Sandra J. Dauch(1)
7,285,2329.64
1430 Caxambas Court, Marco Island, FL 34145  
JANA Partners LLC(2)
6,663,6988.80
767 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor New York, NY 10153  
Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC(3)
4,982,0556.59
2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor Dallas, TX 75201  
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and Columbia Management
Investment Advisers LLC(4)
4,883,3686.46
145 Ameriprise Financial Center Minneapolis, MN 55474  

(1)Based on the Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2014 by Sandra J. Dauch, reporting sole voting power over 7,243,522 shares, shared voting power over 41,710 shares, sole investment power over 7,243,522 shares and shared investment power over 41,710 shares.
(2)Based on the Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2014 by JANA Partners, LLC, reporting sole voting power over 6,663,698 shares and sole investment power over 6,663,698 shares.
(3)Based on the Schedule 13G filed on February 12, 2014 by Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, reporting shared voting power over 2,508,3002,368,600 shares, sole voting power over 2,775,1162,613,455 shares, and sole investment power over 5,283,4164,982,055 shares.

(2)
(4)Based on the Schedule 13G filed jointly on February 13, 2014 by The Vanguard Group,Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC, reporting soleshared voting power over 109,452 shares, sole investment power over 3,679,992204,753 shares and shared investment power over 106,8524,883,368 shares.


48


DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)
Percent of
Shares
Outstanding
Directors  
Elizabeth A. Chappell33,113
*
Forest J. Farmer42,081
*
Steven B. Hantler21,013
*
Richard C. Lappin30,463
*
James A. McCaslin20,013
*
William P. Miller II43,863
*
John F. Smith21,013
*
Larry K. Switzer38,863
*
Samuel Valenti III
Thomas K. Walker34,863
*
Named Executive Officers(3)
  
David C. Dauch(4)
91,131
*
Michael K. Simonte34,001
*
John J. Bellanti(5)
70,245
*
Alberto L. Satine22,739
*
Norman Willemse25,291
*
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (27 persons)734,959
1.0

(*)

   Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)
   Percent of
Shares
Outstanding
 

Directors

    

Salvatore J. Bonanno, Sr.

   25,000     *  

Elizabeth A. Chappell

   17,100     *  

Forest J. Farmer

   33,568     *  

Steven B. Hantler

   5,000     *  

Richard C. Lappin

   21,950     *  

James A. McCaslin

   4,000     *  

William P. Miller II

   27,850     *  

John F. Smith

   5,000     *  

Larry K. Switzer

   22,850     *  

Thomas K. Walker

   26,350     *  

Dr. Henry T. Yang

   19,600     *  

Named Executive Officers

    

David C. Dauch(3)

   119,131     *  

Michael K. Simonte

   101,951     *  

Richard E. Dauch(4)

   6,691,957     8.9  

John J. Bellanti(5)

   79,279     *  

Norman Willemse

   32,791     *  

Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (28 persons)

   7,615,039     10.0  

Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of AAM common stock.
(*)Less than 1 percent of the outstanding shares of AAM common stock.

(1)
Includes vested RSUs awarded to non-employee directors that have been deferred. For the number of RSUs held by each non-employee director, see table to the20122013 Compensation of Non-Employee Directors.

(2)Includes the following number of shares of common stock which may be acquired upon exercise of options that were exercisable or would become exercisable within 60 days: 5,000 for Ms. Chappell; 7,500 for Mr. Farmer,Miller and Mr. Lappin, Mr. Miller, Mr. Switzer, Mr. Walker and Dr. Yang; 68,000Switzer; 40,000 for Mr. D.C. Dauch; 50,00029,000 for Mr. Simonte; 750,00036,700 for Mr. R.E. Dauch; 52,700Bellanti; 16,000 for Mr. BellantiSatine; and 17,2009,700 for Mr. Willemse.

(3)Does not include Mr. R.E. Dauch, who passed away on August 2, 2013.
(4)Includes 548 shares held in trusts for the benefit of Mr. D.C. Dauch’s children.

(4)Includes 5,830,247 shares held in family trusts and 111,710 held in a tax-exempt charitable foundation. Mr. R.E. Dauch shares voting and investment power over 545,410 shares held by a family trust and the charitable foundation.

(5)Includes 10,000 shares held by Mr. Bellanti’sBellanti's spouse.

.

49


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Based solely on our review of these reports, and written representations from such reporting persons, we believe that the Section 16(a) filing requirements for such reporting persons were met during 2012.

2013.


50


PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2012

2014

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of AAM has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to examine the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2013.2014. Although ratification is not required by our bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to our stockholders as a matter of good corporate practice. If the appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider whether the appointment is appropriate and will use its discretion in determining whether the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will attend the 20132014 annual meeting and be available to make a statement or respond to appropriate questions.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2013.

2014.


AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Company’s financial reporting process by monitoring, among other matters, the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the independence and performance of Deloitte & Touche LLP (D&T), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of the Company’s internal auditors. Management has primary responsibility for preparing the consolidated financial statements and for the reporting processes, including the design and maintenance of the Company’s system of internal controls. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the Company’s consolidated financial statements and opining upon the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The Audit Committee is solely responsible for the compensation, appointment and oversight of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management, D&T and the internal auditors, separately and together, with and without management present, regarding the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012,2013, and the Company’s internal controls.controls over financial reporting. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firmD&T the matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing StandardsStandard No. 61,16, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended, applicable rules of the SEC, and other relevant professional and regulatory standards, which include, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Further, the Audit Committee discussed with the internal auditors the Company’s plans for and scope of internal audits, identification of audit risks and results of audit activities.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with D&T the auditor’s independence from the Company and members of the Company’s management. As part of that review, D&T submitted to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding D&T’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence from the Company.independence. Further, the Audit Committee discussed with D&T the firm’s independence and considered whether D&T’s performance of non-audit services to the Company was compatible with maintaining D&T’s independence. The Audit Committee concluded that D&T is independent from the Company and its management.

Based uponon the considerations described above and subject to the limitations uponof the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20122013 be included in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report2013 annual report on Form 10-K.

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Directors*

William P. Miller II, Chairman

John F. Smith

Larry K. Switzer

Thomas K. Walker
*

Samuel Valenti III, whose service on the Audit Committee began in February 2014, did not participate in the preparation of this report.


51


Policy for Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee’s policy is to approve in advance all audit and permitted non-audit services (including scope, fee structure and the potential effect of the service on the auditor’s independence) to be performed for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. The Chairman of the Audit Committee may pre-approve permissible non-audit services that arise between Audit Committee meetings, provided the fees do not exceed a limit established by the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee is informed of the decision to pre-approve the service at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee received regular updates on the amount of fees and scope of audit, non-audit and tax services provided by D&T during 2012. During fiscal 2012, all2013. All services provided by D&T as noted in the table belowduring fiscal 2013 were authorized and approved by the Audit Committee in compliance with applicable pre-approval policies and procedures described herein.

procedures.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees

The aggregate amountfollowing table shows the fees for professional services rendered by D&T for the audit of the Company's financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and fees billed for other services rendered by D&T, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates during the previous two fiscal years is as follows:

   December 31, 
   2012   2011 

Audit Fees(1)

  $1,357,550    $1,181,000  

Audit Related Fees(2)

          

Tax Fees(3)

   80,539     238,000  

All Other Fees

          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $1,438,089    $1,419,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

those periods.
 December 31,
 20132012
Audit Fees(1)
$1,615,877
$1,357,550
Audit Related Fees(2)


Tax Fees(3)
151,000
80,539
All Other Fees(4)
90,000

Total$1,856,877
$1,438,089

(1)IncludesAudit fees include fees for the audit of annual consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting, reviews of quarterly consolidated financial statements, statutory audits, consents and comfort letters, reviews of documents filed with the SEC and other services related to SEC matters. Audit fees also include fees incurred in connection with an audit of internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(2)Audit-related fees are for services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. This category includesalso refers to fees related to internal control, financial accounting and reporting standards.for the audit of employee benefit plans.

(3)Fees for tax services in 20122013 and 20112012 consisted of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.

(4)Other fees in 2013 are for advisory services provided to a foreign subsidiary in connection with a government grant application.

52


OTHER MATTERS

Expenses of Solicitation

The Board is soliciting your proxy, and the expense of soliciting proxies will be borne by AAM. Proxy materials were distributed by mail by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. In addition, AAM will reimburse brokers, banks and other holders of record for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to stockholders.

We have retained Georgeson Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $11,000 plus reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. Georgeson may be contacted at (866) 391-6921.(888) 607-6511. In addition, our officers and certain other employees may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, fax or e-mail. They will receive no special compensation for these services.

Stockholder Proposals for 20142015 Annual Meeting

Under SEC rules, stockholder proposals for the 20142015 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by the Secretary of AAM at One Dauch Drive, Detroit, MI 48211-1198, on or before November 21, 201320, 2014 in order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s 20132015 proxy materials. In addition, AAM’s bylaws require stockholders intending to present any matter for consideration at the 20142015 annual meeting of stockholders, other than through inclusion in our proxy materials, to notify AAM’s Secretary in writing at the above address on or before February 21, 2014,20, 2015, but no earlier than February 1, 2014.

January 31, 2015.

Obtaining a copy of 20122013 Form 10-K

AAM will furnish to stockholders without charge a copy of our Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.2013. Requests should be directed to American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., Investor Relations Department, One Dauch Drive, Detroit, MI 48211-1198, or by e-mail to investorrelations@aam.com. The 20122013 Annual Report on Form 10-K is available on our website athttp://investor.aam.com.

LOGO


53

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Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 1, 2014.

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Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 2, 2013.

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Vote by Internet

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•     Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone

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Proposals —
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2, and FOR Proposal 3.
1Election of Directors:ForWithhold   ForWithhold ForWithhold+
 
 
01 - James A. McCaslin
 
o
 
o
 
02 - William P. Miller II
 
o
 
o
 
03 - Samuel Valenti III
 
o
 
o
    ForAgainstAbstain   ForAgainstAbstain
2Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
 
o
 
o
 
o
3Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014.
 
o
 
o
 
o
     In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to the extent permitted by law to vote on any and all other matters as may properly come before the meeting, including the authority to vote to adjourn the meeting.
 A Proposals —The Board of Directors recommends a voteFOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1,FOR Proposal 2, andFOR Proposal 3.
1. Election of Directors: For Withhold    For Withhold  For Withhold +
 

 

01 - Elizabeth A. Chappell

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

 

02 - Steven B. Hantler

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

 

03 - John F. Smith

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

 
    For Against Abstain    For Against Abstain
2. Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. ¨ ¨ ¨ 3. Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2013. ¨ ¨ ¨
     In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to the extent permitted by law to vote on any and all other matters as may properly come before the meeting, including the authority to vote to adjourn the meeting.

 B Non-Voting Items

Non-Voting Items
Change of Address — Please print new address below.
Meeting Attendance Meeting Attendance
    Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.¨¬




CAuthorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed.

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

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01RYHA
qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNETOR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q


Proxy — American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.


PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON May 2, 2013

1, 2014

SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard E.

David C. Dauch and David E. Barnes, or either of them, with full power of substitution, are authorized to vote all of your shares as if you were present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. to be held in the Auditorium at AAM’s World Headquarters Complex, One Dauch Drive, Detroit, Michigan, at 3:00 p.m. on May 2, 20131, 2014 or at any adjournments of the meeting.

This proxy will be voted as you specify on the reverse side. If you do not make a choice, this proxy will be voted for the director nominees in Proposal 1, for the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers in Proposal 2 and for ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal 3.

Voting over the Internet or by telephone reduces costs to AAM. If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail this card.

(Items to be voted appear on reverse side.)