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EXHIBIT 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER FOR EXCHANGE
9 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
OF
ADVANCED ACCESSORY SYSTEMS, LLC
AND
AAS CAPITAL CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS
DATED ________ __, 1998
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M. , NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON ________ __, 1998, UNLESS EXTENDED.
To: First Union National Bank, as Exchange Agent
230 S. Tryon Street, 9th Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 23288-1179
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Confirm by Telephone:
(704) 374-2080
Confirm by Telecopier:
(704) 383-7316
Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above or
transmission via a facsimile number other than the one listed above will not
constitute a valid delivery. The instructions accompanying this Letter of
Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is
completed.
The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the Prospectus,
dated ________ __, 1998 (the "Prospectus"), of Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC
and AAS Capital Corporation (together, the "Issuers") and this Letter of
Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute the
Issuers' offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange their 9 3/4% Series B Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes") for an equal principal amount of
their 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes" and, together
with the New Notes, the "Notes"). The terms of the New Notes are identical in
all material respects to the Old Notes, except that the New Notes have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer and will not
contain certain provisions providing for the payment of liquidated damages to
the holders of the Old Notes under certain circumstances relating to the
Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus). The term
"Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p. m., New York City time, on ________, 1998,
unless the Exchange Offer is extended as provided in the Prospectus, in which
case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which
the Exchange Offer is extended. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal or an Agent's Message (as defined in the Prospectus) or any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent
prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth under the caption "The Exchange Offer
- -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in the Prospectus. See Instruction 5.
The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in
whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Issuers or any other
person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder. The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect
to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes must
complete this Letter of Transmittal in its entirety.
If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities (other than Old Notes acquired directly from the Issuers), the
undersigned may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities Act and
the undersigned acknowledges, therefore, that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. By so
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acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not
be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
DESCRIPTION OF 9 3/4% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
Principal Amount Tendered
Names(s) and Addresses(es) of Aggregate Principal Amount in Integral
Registered Holders(s) Certificate Represented Multiples of
(Please Fill in, if Blank) Numbers By Certificate(s) $1,000)*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Total
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*Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount Tendered," any
tendering Holder of Old Notes will be deemed to have tendered the entire
aggregate principal amount represented by the column labeled "Aggregate
Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."
If the space provided above is inadequate, list the certificate numbers
and principal amounts on a separate signed schedule and affix such schedule to
this Letter of Transmittal.
The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount. All other
tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
[ ]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE
THE FOLLOWING (SEE INSTRUCTION 5):
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Window Ticket Number (if any):
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
[ ]CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO
AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name:
----------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Address:
---------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
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SPECIAL REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 7, 8 AND 9)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount
not tendered, or New Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for
exchange, are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.
Issue certificate(s) to:
Name
______________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address
____________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code)
__________________________________________________________
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 7, 8 AND 9)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount
not tendered, or New Notes issued in exchange for Old Notes accepted for
exchange, are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned, or to the
undersigned at an address other than that shown above.
Deliver certificate(s) to:
Name
____________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address
___________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code)
__________________________________________________________
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned
hereby tenders to the Issuers the principal amount of Old Notes indicated
above. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the
principal amount of Old Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order
of, the Issuers all right, title and interest in and to the Old Notes tendered
hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the
Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Issuers) with respect to the
tendered Old Notes with full power of substitution (i) to deliver certificates
for such Old Notes to the Issuers and deliver all accompanying evidences of
transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Issuers and (ii) to
present such Old Notes for transfer on the books of the Issuers, all in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted
in this paragraph shall be deemed to be irrevocable and coupled with an
interest.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered
hereby and that the Issuers will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto,
free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not
subject to any adverse claim when the same are acquired by the Issuers. The
undersigned and any beneficial owner of Old Notes tendered hereby further
represent and warrant that (i) the New Notes acquired by the undersigned and
any such beneficial owner of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being
obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New
Notes, (ii) neither the undersigned nor any such beneficial owner has an
arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such New
Notes, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any such beneficial owner nor any such
other person is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of such New
Notes and (iv) neither the undersigned nor any such other person is an
"affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act, of
the Issuers. The undersigned and each beneficial owner acknowledge and agree
that any person who is an affiliate of the Issuers or who tenders in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the New
Notes must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with a resale transaction of the New Notes
acquired by such person and may not rely on the position of the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission set forth in the no-action letters discussed
in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose and Effect
of the Exchange Offer." The undersigned and each beneficial owner will, upon
request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange
Agent or the Issuers to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale,
assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Issuers have given oral
notice (confirmed in writing) or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other
events set forth in the Prospectus or otherwise, any such unaccepted Old Notes
will be returned, without expense, to the undersigned at the address shown
below or at a different address as may be indicated herein under "Special
Delivery Instructions" as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of
Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Issuers upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, subject only to withdrawal of
such tenders on the terms set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders."
Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Registration Instructions,"
please issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for
the Old Notes accepted for exchange and any certificates for Old Notes not
tendered or not exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned. Similarly,
unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please send
the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old
Notes accepted for exchange and any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or
not exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned
at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s). In the event that
both "Special Registration Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions"
are completed, please issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued
in exchange for the Old Notes accepted for exchange in the name(s) of, and
return any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged to, the
person(s) so indicated. The undersigned understands that the Issuers have no
obligation pursuant to the "Special Registration Instructions" and "Special
Delivery Instructions" to transfer any Old Notes from the name of the
registered Holder(s) thereof if the Issuers do not accept for exchange any of
the Old Notes so tendered.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal or an Agent's Message and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date may
tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures. " See Instruction 5.
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PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
OLD NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY
X ________________________________ Date: ___________________________________
X ________________________________ Date: ___________________________________
(Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s) or Authorized Signatory
Area Code and Telephone Number:________________________________________________
The above lines must be signed by the registered holder(s) as his or her
name(s) appear(s) on the Old Notes or by person(s) authorized to become
registered holder(s) by a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder(s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
If the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relate are held of record
by two or more joint holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter of
Transmittal. If this Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or bond powers are
signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact,
officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such person must (i) so indicate and set forth his or
her full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Issuers, submit evidence
satisfactory to the Issuers of such person's authority to so act. See
Instruction 7.
Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Capacity:_______________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code)
Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution:
(If required by Instruction 7)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Authorized Signature)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Title)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person
Date: ____________________, 1998
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INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. Procedures for Tendering. This Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile
hereof, properly completed and duly executed, or an Agent's Message and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date. In addition, either (i) certificates for
tendered Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along with the Letter
of Transmittal or (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a
"Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Old Notes, if such procedure is available,
into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer described below, must be received by the Exchange Agent
prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) the Holder must comply with the
guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
The method of delivery of Old Notes and this Letter of Transmittal and any
other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of
the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be deemed
made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. Instead of delivery by
mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an overnight or hand delivery
service. In the case of physical delivery of Old Notes, if sent by mail, it is
recommended that registered mail, return receipt requested, be used and proper
insurance be obtained. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to
assure delivery to the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date. No Letter of
Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Issuers.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by
the Issuers in their sole discretion, which determination will be final and
binding. The Issuers reserve the absolute right to reject any and all Old
Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes if the Issuers' acceptance of such
Old Notes would, in the opinion of counsel for the Issuers, be unlawful. The
Issuers also reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or
conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes. The Issuers' interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions
in this Letter of Transmittal) shall be final and binding on all parties.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old
Notes must be cured within such time as the Issuers shall determine. Although
the Issuers intend to notify Holders of defects or irregularities with respect
to tenders of Old Notes, neither the Issuers, the Exchange Agent nor any other
person shall be under any duty to give any such notification, nor shall any of
them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old
Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities
have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that
the Issuers determine are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering Holders, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
2. Tender by Holder. Only a Holder of Old Notes may tender such Old
Notes in the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are
registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact the registered holder
promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender on such beneficial
owner's behalf. If such beneficial owner wishes to tender on such beneficial
owner's own behalf, such beneficial owner must, prior to completing and
executing this Letter of Transmittal and delivering such beneficial owner's Old
Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old
Notes in such beneficial owner's name or obtain a properly completed bond power
from the registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take
considerable time.
3. Partial Tenders. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in
integral multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal amount of any
Old Notes is tendered, the tendering Holder should fill in the principal amount
tendered in the fourth column of the box entitled "Description of 9 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007" above. The entire principal amount of any Old
Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is
not tendered, then Old Notes for the principal amount of Old Notes not tendered
and a certificate or certificates representing New Notes issued in exchange for
any Old Notes accepted will be sent to the Holder at his or her registered
address, unless a different address is provided in the appropriate box on this
Letter of Transmittal, promptly after the Old Notes are accepted for exchange.
4. Book-Entry Transfer. Any financial institution that is a participant
in DTC's system may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing DTC to
transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in accordance
with DTC's procedures for transfer. However, although delivery of Old Notes
may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, an Agent's Message must be
transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration
Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied
with. See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus.
5. Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. Holders who wish to tender their
Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who
cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message
or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such
tender must be made through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (b)
prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
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setting forth the name and address of the Holder, the certificate
number(s) of such Old Notes and the principal amount of Old Notes tendered,
stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five
New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, this Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or an Agent's Message together with the
certificate(s) representing the Old Notes, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, and any
other required documents will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the
Exchange Agent; and (c) such properly completed and executed Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or an Agent's Message, as well as the
certificate(s) representing all tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer,
or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent
within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, all
as provided in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer --
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. "Any Holder who wishes to tender his or her
Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must
ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Upon request to
the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be sent to Holders who
wish to tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures
set forth above.
6. Withdrawal of Tenders. To withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the
Exchange Offer, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must
be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the
name of the person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the
"Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the
certificate number or numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes), (iii) be
signed by the Holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter
of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered (including any required
signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to
have the Trustee with respect to the Old Notes register the transfer of such
Old Notes into the name of the persons withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify
the name in which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if different from
that of the Depositor. If certificates for Old Notes have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then, prior to the release of such
certificates, the withdrawing Holder must also submit the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with
signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such Holder is an
Eligible Institution. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal
must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the
withdrawn Old Notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility.
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Issuers in their sole
discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any
Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer and no New Notes will be issued with respect
thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Properly
withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures
described above in Instruction 1, under Procedures for Tendering, at any time
prior to the Expiration Date.
7. Signatures on the Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements;
Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof)
is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the
signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Old
Notes without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the
registered holder or holders of Old Notes tendered and the certificate or
certificates for New Notes issued in exchange therefor is to be issued (or any
untendered principal amount of Old Notes is to be reissued) to the registered
holder or holders and neither the "Special Delivery Instructions" nor the
"Special Registration Instructions" has been completed, then such holder or
holders need not and should not endorse any tendered Old Notes, nor provide a
separate bond power. In any other case, such holder or holders must either
properly endorse the Old Notes tendered or transmit a properly completed
separate bond power with this Letter of Transmittal with the signatures on the
endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Old Notes or
bond powers are signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must so indicate when
signing, and, unless waived by the Issuers, submit evidence satisfactory to the
Issuers of such person's authority to so act with this Letter of Transmittal.
Endorsements on Old Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this
Instruction 7 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution which is a member
of (a) the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, (b) the New York Stock
Exchange Medallion Signature Program or (c) the Stock Exchange Medallion
Program.
Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of
Transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm that is a member of a registered
national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in
the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (an
"Eligible Institution"). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need
not be guaranteed if (a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered herewith and such holder(s) have not
completed the box set forth herein entitled "Special Registration Instructions"
or the box set forth herein entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or (b)
such Old Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.
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8. Special Registration and Delivery Information. Tendering holders
should indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which
New Notes or substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not
accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and
address of the person singing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of
issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or social security
number of the person named must also be indicated.
9. Transfer Taxes. The Issuers will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, certificates representing New Notes or Old Notes for principal amounts
not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of
any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or if a
transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other persons) will be
payable by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such
taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal,
the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering
Holder.
Except as provided in this Instruction 9, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
10. Waiver of Conditions. The Issuers reserve the right, in their sole
discretion, to amend, waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange
Offer in the case of any Old Notes tendered.
11. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Old Notes. Any tendering Holder
whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact
the Exchange Agent by telephone at (__) ___-____ or by facsimile at (___)
___-____.
12. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests
for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this
Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address
specified herein. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange
Offer.
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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the social security
number or employer identification number of the Holder of the Notes. If the
Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner,
consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on which number to
report.
Name of Holder (if joint, list first and circle the name of the person
or entity whose number you enter in Part I below). ___________________
Address (if Holder does not complete, signature below will constitute a
certification that the above address is correct.) ___________________
PAYER'S NAME: ADVANCED ACCESSORY SYSTEMS, LLC and AAS CAPITAL CORPORATION.
SUBSTITUTE Part I-PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX Social Security Number(s)
FORM W-9 AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND ___-OR-___
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY DATING BELOW. If you do not have a Employer Identification Number
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE number, see How to Obtain a "TIN" in
the enclosed Guidelines. Part
PAYER'S REQUEST II-FOR PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP ____________________________
FOR TAXPAYER WITHHOLDING, SEE THE ENCLOSED
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
("TIN") TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
CERTIFICATION-Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification
Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued for me), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not
been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to
backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest
or dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject
to backup withholding.
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS. You must cross out item (2) above if you
have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding
because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return.
However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to
backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that
you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item
(2). (Also see instructions in the enclosed Guidelines for Certification
of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.)
SIGNATURE _______________________________ DATE
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31 PERCENT OF ANY
PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU UNDER THE NOTES. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
(DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)
Certificate Surrendered Old Notes Tendered Old Notes Accepted
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Delivery Prepared By ________________________ Checked By __________________ Date ________________________
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card,
or form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local
office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue
Service and apply for a number.
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments
include the following:
- A Corporation.
- A financial institution.
- An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement plan.
- The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
- A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government,
or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- An international organization or any agency, or instrumentality thereof.
- A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S.
or a possession of the U.S.
- A real estate investment trust.
- A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
- An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a nonexempt trust described in
section 4947(a)(1).
- An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
- A foreign central bank of issue.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to
backup withholding include the following:
- Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section
1441.
- Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S.
and which have at least one nonresident partner.
- Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
money.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Payments made to a nominee.
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include
the following:
- Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals.
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Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or
more and is paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you
have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the
payer.
- Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends
under section 852).
- Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to non-resident aliens.
- Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Payments made to a nominee.
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible
erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM,
AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR
PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends,
that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041(a),
6045, and 6050A.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE. --Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend,
interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers
who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are
required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31% of taxable
interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish
a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. --If you
fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject
to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) FAILURE TO REPORT CERTAIN DIVIDEND AND INTEREST PAYMENTS. --If you fail to
include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or
patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due
to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an
underpayment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing
evidence to the contrary.
(3) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING. --If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(4) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION. --Falsifying certifications or
affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or
imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL
REVENUE SERVICE.