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EXHIBIT 4.3
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of May 23, 2003
Among
ADVANCED ACCESSORY SYSTEMS, LLC
AAS CAPITAL CORPORATION
and
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN
as Issuers,
and
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,
and
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC,
as Initial Purchasers
10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2011
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1. Definitions............................................................. 1
2. Exchange Offer.......................................................... 5
3. Shelf Registration...................................................... 9
4. Additional Interest..................................................... 10
5. Registration Procedures................................................. 12
6. Registration Expenses................................................... 21
7. Indemnification and Contribution........................................ 22
8. Rules 144 and 144A...................................................... 26
9. Underwritten Registrations.............................................. 26
10. Miscellaneous........................................................... 27
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
May 23, 2003, among ADVANCED ACCESSORY SYSTEMS, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company ("AAS"), AAS CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("AASC" and, together with AAS, the "COMPANIES"), CHAAS Acquisitions, LLC, the
direct holding company of AAS (the "PARENT") and the other subsidiaries of the
Parent that are listed on the signature pages hereto (other than the Companies,
collectively, and together with any entity that in the future executes a
supplemental indenture pursuant to which such entity agrees to guarantee the
Notes (as hereinafter defined), the "GUARANTORS" and, together with the
Companies, the "ISSUERS"), and DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. and CREDIT SUISSE
FIRST BOSTON LLC, as initial purchasers (the "INITIAL PURCHASERS").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement by and among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers, dated as of May
20, 2003 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), which provides for, among other things, the
sale by the Companies to the Initial Purchasers of $150,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of their 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2011 (the "NOTES"),
guaranteed by the Guarantors (the "GUARANTEES"). The Notes and the Guarantees
are collectively referenced to herein as the "SECURITIES". In order to induce
the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have
agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the
benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent holder or holders of the
Securities. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Securities under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
ADDITIONAL INTEREST: See Section 4(a) hereto.
ADVICE: See the last paragraph of Section 5 hereto.
AGREEMENT: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
APPLICABLE PERIOD: See Section 2(b) hereto.
BLACKOUT PERIOD: See Section 3(d) hereto.
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BUSINESS DAY: Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in New York are authorized or required by law to be closed.
COMPANIES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
EFFECTIVENESS DATE: With respect to (i) the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the 150th day after the Issue Date and (ii) any Shelf
Registration Statement, the 150th day after the Filing Date with respect
thereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Effectiveness Date would otherwise fall
on a day that is not a Business Day, then the Effectiveness Date shall be the
next succeeding Business Day.
EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD: See Section 3(a) hereto.
EVENT DATE: See Section 4 hereto.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
EXCHANGE NOTES: See Section 2(a) hereto.
EXCHANGE OFFER: See Section 2(a) hereto.
EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: See Section 2(a) hereto.
FILING DATE: (A) With respect to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the 90th day after the Issue Date; and (B) in any other case (which
may be applicable notwithstanding the consummation of the Exchange Offer), the
90th day after the delivery of a Shelf Notice as required pursuant to Section
2(c) hereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Filing Date would otherwise fall on
a day that is not a Business Day, then the Filing Date shall be the next
succeeding Business Day.
GUARANTEES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
GUARANTORS: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
HOLDER: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable Notes.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2003, by and among the
Issuers and BNY Trust Midwest Company, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Notes
are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance
with the terms thereto.
INFORMATION: See Section 5(n) hereto.
INITIAL PURCHASERS: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
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INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(a) hereto.
INSPECTORS: See Section 5(n) hereto.
ISSUE DATE: May 23, 2003, the date of original issuance of the Notes.
ISSUERS: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(r) hereto.
NOTES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
PARTICIPANT: See Section 7(a) hereto.
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER: See Section 2(b) hereto.
PERSON: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
union, business association, firm or other legal entity.
PRIVATE EXCHANGE: See Section 2(b) hereto.
PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES: See Section 2(b) hereto.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed pursuant to Rule 434 under the
Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, and
all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
RECORDS: See Section 5(n) hereto.
REGISTRABLE NOTES: Each Note (and the related Guarantees) upon its
original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note (and
the related guarantees) as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereto is applicable upon
original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange
Note (and the related guarantees) upon original issuance thereof and at all
times subsequent thereto, until, in each case, the earliest to occur of (i) a
Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to
which Section 2(c)(iv) hereto is applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement) covering such
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Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note (and the related guarantees) has
been declared effective by the SEC and such Note, Exchange Note or such Private
Exchange Note (and the related guarantees), as the case may be, has been
disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such
Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note or
Exchange Notes (and the related guarantees) that may be resold without
restriction under state and federal securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange
Note or Private Exchange Note (and the related guarantees), as the case may be,
ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or (iv) such Note,
Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note (and the related guarantees), as the case
may be, may be resold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) (as amended or
replaced) under the Securities Act.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Issuers that
covers any of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes (and
the related Guarantees or guarantees, as the case may be) filed with the SEC
under the Securities Act, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements
to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all
exhibits, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
RULE 144: Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
RULE 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
RULE 405: Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
RULE 415: Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
RULE 424: Rule 424 under the Securities Act.
SEC: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor agency thereto.
SECURITIES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
SECURITIES ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
SHELF NOTICE: See Section 2(c) hereto.
SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(b) hereto.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any Registration Statement relating to a
Shelf Registration.
SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(b) hereto.
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
TRUSTEE: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if any)
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes (and
the related guarantees).
UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION OR UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
which securities of one or more of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, all references in this
Agreement to acts, laws, statutes, rules, regulations, releases, forms,
no-action letters and other regulatory requirements (collectively, "REGULATORY
REQUIREMENTS") shall be deemed to refer also to any amendments thereto and all
subsequent Regulatory Requirements adopted as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect therewith; PROVIDED that Rule 144 shall not be
deemed to amend or replace Rule 144A.
2. EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or any
applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers shall file with
the SEC, no later than the Filing Date, a Registration Statement (the "Exchange
Offer Registration Statement") on an appropriate registration form with respect
to a registered offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange any and all of the
Registrable Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of
the Companies (the "Exchange Notes"), guaranteed by the Guarantors, that are
identical in all material respects to the Securities, except that (i) the
Exchange Notes shall contain no restrictive legend thereon and (ii) interest
thereon shall accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Notes
or, if no such interest has been paid, from the Issue Date, and which are
entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is
identical in all material respects to the Indenture (other than such changes to
the Indenture or any such other trust indenture as are necessary to comply with
the TIA) and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA. The
Exchange Offer shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and
regulations under the Exchange Act and other applicable laws. The Issuers shall
use their reasonable best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or before the
Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30 days (or
longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange
Offer is mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to
the 180th day following the Issue Date.
Each Holder (including, without limitation, each Participating
Broker-Dealer) who participates in the Exchange Offer will be required to
represent to the Issuers in writing (which may be contained in the applicable
letter of transmittal) that: (i) any Exchange Notes acquired in exchange for
Registrable Notes tendered are being acquired in the ordinary course of business
of the Person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such recipient is
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such Holder itself; (ii) at the time of the commencement or consummation of the
Exchange Offer neither such Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder,
any other Person receiving Exchange Notes from such Holder has an arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange
Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; (iii) neither the
Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving
Exchange Notes from such Holder is an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 405) of
the Issuers or, if it is an affiliate of the Issuers, it will comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the
extent applicable and will provide information to be included in the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with Section 5 hereto in order to have
their Notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement and benefit from the
provisions regarding Additional Interest in Section 4 hereto; (iv) neither such
Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving
Exchange Notes from such Holder is engaging in or intends to engage in a
distribution of the Exchange Notes; and (v) if such Holder is a Participating
Broker-Dealer, such Holder has acquired the Registrable Notes as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will comply
with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act (including, but not limited
to, the prospectus delivery requirements thereunder).
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply solely with
respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange Notes, Exchange Notes as
to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have no further obligation to register
Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to
which clause 2(c)(iv) hereto applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereto.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of
Distribution," reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall
contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff
of the SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any
broker-dealer that is the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have
been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies
represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by
applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all
Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
including, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the
SEC, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the
means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes in
compliance with the Securities Act.
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The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the
Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable
law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days or such longer period if
extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereto (the "APPLICABLE
PERIOD").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial
Purchasers hold any Notes acquired by them that have the status of an unsold
allotment in the initial distribution, the Issuers upon the request of the
Initial Purchasers shall simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes
issue and deliver to the Initial Purchasers, in exchange (the "PRIVATE
EXCHANGE") for such Notes held by any such Holder, a like principal amount of
notes (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES") of the Issuers, guaranteed by the
Guarantors, that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes
except for the placement of a restrictive legend on such Private Exchange Notes.
The Private Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the
Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of record entitled
to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate
letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
open for not less than 30 days after the date that notice of the Exchange
Offer is mailed to Holders (or longer if required by applicable law);
(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer
with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time
prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on
which the Exchange Offer remains open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and the
Private Exchange, if any, the Issuers shall:
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(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered and
not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the Private
Exchange, if any;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes
so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each
Holder of Securities, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, equal in principal amount to the Securities of such Holder so
accepted for exchange; PROVIDED that, in the case of any Securities held in
global form by a depositary, authentication and delivery to such depositary
of one or more replacement Securities in global form in an equivalent
principal amount thereto for the account of such Holders in accordance with
the Indenture shall satisfy such authentication and delivery requirement.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as
the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC; (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have
occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuers; and
(iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the
Issuers deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA or
is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Notes
shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes and the Securities shall vote and consent together on all
matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange
Notes or the Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate
class on any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect
the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 180 days
of the Issue Date, (iii) the Initial Purchasers or any holder of Private
Exchange Notes so requests in writing to the Companies at any time after the
consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that
participates in the Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes
on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and
federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as
an affiliate of the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so
notifies the Companies within 30 days after such Holder first becomes aware of
such restrictions, in the case of each of clauses (i) to and in-
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cluding (iv) of this sentence, then the Issuers shall promptly deliver to the
Holders and the Trustee written notice thereto (the "Shelf Notice") and shall
file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereto.
3. SHELF REGISTRATION
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section
2(c) hereto, then:
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. The Issuers shall as promptly as
practicable file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to
be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the
Registrable Notes (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). The Issuers shall use
their reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf
Registration on or prior to the applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf
Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting
registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner
or manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more
underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not permit any securities other
than the Registrable Notes and the Guarantees to be included in the Initial
Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below).
The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior
to the Effectiveness Date and, subject to Section 3(d), to keep the Initial
Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until
the date that is two years from the Issue Date or such shorter period
ending when all Registrable Notes cease to be Registrable Notes, or all
Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold
in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf
Registration or, if applicable, a Subsequent Shelf Registration (as may be
extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereto, the
"EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Effectiveness Period
in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the
extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus
delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise
provided herein and shall be subject to reduction to the extent that the
applicable provisions of Rule 144(k) are amended or revised to reduce the
two year holding period set forth therein.
(b) WITHDRAWAL OF STOP ORDERS; SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATIONS. If
the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases
to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period
(other than because of the sale of all of the Notes registered thereunder),
the Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt
withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereto, and in any
event shall within 30 days of such cessation of effectiveness amend such
Shelf Registration Statement in a manner to obtain the withdrawal of the
order
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suspending the effectiveness thereto, or file an additional Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable
Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an
earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "Subsequent Shelf
Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers
shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as
practicable after such filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf
Registration continuously effective for a period equal to the number of
days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during
which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration
was previously continuously effective. As used herein the term "Shelf
Registration" means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf
Registration.
(c) SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. The Issuers shall promptly
supplement and amend the Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for
such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if
reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes (or their counsel) covered by such
Registration Statement with respect to the information included therein
with respect to one or more of such Holders, or by any underwriter of such
Registrable Notes with respect to the information included therein with
respect to such underwriter.
(d) BLACKOUT PERIOD. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, the Companies, upon notice to the Holders of Registrable
Notes, may suspend the use of the Prospectus included in any Shelf
Registration Statement in the event that and for a period of time (a
"BLACKOUT PERIOD") not to exceed an aggregate of 60 days in any twelve
month period if (1) the Board of Directors of the Parent or the Issuers
determine that the disclosure of an event, occurrence or other item at such
time could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or prospects of the Parent and its subsidiaries or (2)
the disclosure otherwise relates to a material business transaction which
has not been publicly disclosed and the Board of Directors of the Parent or
the Issuers determine, in good faith, that any such disclosure would
jeopardize the success of such transaction or that disclosure of the
transaction is prohibited pursuant to the terms thereto; PROVIDED, that,
upon the termination of such Blackout Period, the Companies promptly shall
notify the Holders of Registrable Notes that such Blackout Period has been
terminated.
4. ADDITIONAL INTEREST
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders
will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations under
Section 2 or Section 3 hereto and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the
extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree to pay,
jointly and severally, as liquidated damages, additional interest
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on the Notes ("Additional Interest") under the circumstances and to the extent
set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor
the Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing
Date applicable thereto or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have
consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required
to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or
prior to the Filing Date applicable thereto, then, commencing on the day
after any such Filing Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90
days immediately following such applicable Filing Date, and such Additional
Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the
beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor
the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective by the SEC on or prior
to the Effectiveness Date applicable thereto or (B) notwithstanding that
the Issuers have consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the
Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf
Registration is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date applicable to such Shelf Registration, then, commencing
on the day after such Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue
on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the
first 90 days immediately following the day after such Effectiveness Date,
and such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per
annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(iii) if (A) the Issuers have not exchanged Exchange Notes for all
Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the 180th day after the Issue Date or (B) if applicable, a
Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration
ceases to be effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other
than during any Blackout Period relating to such Shelf Registration), then
Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a
rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days commencing on the (x) 181st
day after the Issue Date, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above, and
such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per
annum at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not
accrue under more than one of the foregoing clauses (i) - (iii) at any one time
and at no time shall the aggregate amount of additional interest accruing exceed
in the aggregate 1.5% per annum and (2) Additional Interest shall not accrue
under clause (iii)(B) above during the continuation of
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a Blackout Period; PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that (1) upon the filing of the
applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf
Registration as required hereunder (in the case of clause (i) above of this
Section 4), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration Statement as required hereunder
(in the case of clause (ii) of this Section 4), or (3) upon the exchange of the
Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) of this
Section 4), or upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration
Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of (iii)(B) of this
Section 4), Additional Interest on the Notes in respect of which such events
relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereto), as the
case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within two Business Days
after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "EVENT DATE"). Any amounts of
Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section
4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each June 15 and December 15 (to the
holders of record on the June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional
Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was
applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360 day year
comprised of twelve 30 day months and, in the case of a partial month, the
actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360. No
Additional Interest shall accrue with respect to Notes that are not Registrable
Notes.
(c) The parties hereto agree that the Additional Interest provided
for in this Section 4 constitutes the sole damages that will be suffered by
Holders of Registrable Notes by reason of the occurrence of any of the events
described in Section 4(a)(i)-(iii) hereto.
5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Section 2 or 3 hereto, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereto, and pursuant thereto and in connection
with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder each of the
Issuers shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable Filing
Date a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by
Section 2 or 3 hereto, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause each
such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as
provided herein; provided, however, that if (1) such filing is pursuant to
Section 3 hereto or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereto is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who
seeks
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be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer
who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating
thereto from whom any Issuer has received written notice that it will be a
Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, before filing any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto, the Issuers shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement (with respect to a
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereto) or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration
Statement), as the case may be, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such
documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each
case at least five business days prior to such filing). The Issuers shall
not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement,
their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably
object on a timely basis.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to
keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the
Effectiveness Period, the Applicable Period or until consummation of the
Exchange Offer, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be
supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and
as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to it with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with
respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus; provided that,
to the extent relating to a Shelf Registration Statement, none of the
foregoing shall be required during a Blackout Period. Other than during any
Blackout Period with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers
shall be deemed not to have used their reasonable best efforts to keep a
Registration Statement effective if any Issuer voluntarily takes any action
that would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered
thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not
being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during
that period unless such action is required by applicable law or permitted
by this Agreement.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereto, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereto is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period re-
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lating thereto from whom any Issuer has received written notice that it
will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the
selling Holders of Registrable Notes (with respect to a Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereto), or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the
case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly
(but in any event within one business day), and confirm such notice in
writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has
become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement
or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules,
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and
exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is
required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of
the Registrable Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by Participating
Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuers contained
in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by
Section 5(m) hereto cease to be true and correct, (iv) of the receipt by
any Issuer of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement
or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the
happening of any event, the existence of any condition or any information
becoming known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement
or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that
requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to such
Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the
Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi)
of the Issuers' determination that a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) Use their reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of
any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of
any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending
the qualification (or exemption from
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qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be
sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and,
if any such order is issued, to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain
the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest practicable moment.
(e) Subject to Section 3(d), if a Shelf Registration is filed
pursuant to Section 3 and if requested during the Effectiveness Period by
the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold
in connection with an underwritten offering or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing
underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders, any Participating
Broker-Dealer or counsel for any of them reasonably request to be included
therein, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or
such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Companies
have received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, and (iii) supplement or
make amendments to such Registration Statement.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereto, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereto is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes (with respect to a Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 3 hereto) and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer
who so requests (with respect to any such Registration Statement) and to
their respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or
Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereto, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereto is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes (with respect to a Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 3 hereto), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer
(with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be,
their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense
of the Issuers, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including
each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement
thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such Persons
may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of
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this Section 5, the Issuers hereby consent to the use of such Prospectus
and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of
Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may
be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers, if any, in
connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by,
or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant
to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, use their reasonable best efforts to
register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of
Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may
be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their respective
counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption
from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Notes for
offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions
within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating
Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably
request in writing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that where Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered other than
through an underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their counsel
to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), keep
each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective
during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept
effective and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to
enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that no Issuer shall
be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject
it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not
then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in excess of $1,000 in
any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereto,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold,
which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a
form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable
such Registrable Notes to be in such denominations (subject to applicable
requirements contained in the Indenture) and registered in such names as
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.
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(j) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereto, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereto is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of
any event contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereto, as promptly
as practicable (except, in the case of a Shelf Registration, during a
Blackout Period) prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereto) file with the
SEC, at the sole expense of the Issuers, a supplement or post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being sold
thereunder (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereto) or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect
to any such Registration Statement), any such Prospectus will not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(k) Use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable
Notes covered by a Registration Statement or the Exchange Notes, as the
case may be, to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies (unless such
Notes are already so rated), if so requested by the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, or the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with
certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with
The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the
Registrable Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable
Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting
agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities
similar to the Securities, and take all such other actions as are
reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in order
to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such
Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make such representations
and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters with respect to the
business of the Issuers (including any acquired business, properties or
entity, if applicable), and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and
documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters
in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities, and
confirm the same in writing if and when requested; (ii) obtain the written
opinions of counsel to
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the Issuers, and written updates thereto in form, scope and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters,
addressed to the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in
opinions reasonably requested in underwritten offerings; (iii) obtain "cold
comfort" letters and updates thereto in form, scope and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from
the independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if
necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of the
Issuers, or of any business acquired by the Issuers, for which financial
statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each
of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering
matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in
connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the
Securities; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same
shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable
to the sellers and underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7
hereto (or such other provisions and procedures reasonably acceptable to
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or
underwriters or agents, if any). The above shall be done at each closing
under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required
thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereto, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereto is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for
inspection by any Initial Purchaser, any selling Holder of such Registrable
Notes being sold (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 3 hereto), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of
Registrable Notes, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent
retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the
case may be, or underwriter (any such Initial Purchasers, Holders,
Participating Broker-Dealers, underwriters, attorneys, accountants or
agents, collectively, the "INSPECTORS"), upon written request, at the
offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all
pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
instruments of the Issuers and subsidiaries of the Issuers (collectively,
the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise
any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers,
directors and employees of the Issuers and any of their respective
subsidiaries to supply all information ("INFORMATION") reasonably requested
by any such Inspector in connection with such due diligence
responsibilities. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep
the Records and Information confidential and that it will not disclose any
of the Records or Information that any Issuer determines, in good faith, to
be confidential and notifies the Inspectors
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in writing are confidential unless (i) the release of such Records or
Information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court
of competent jurisdiction, (ii) disclosure of such Records or Information
is necessary or advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector, in
connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or
indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising
out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the
Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or
arising hereunder or thereunder, or (iii) the information in such Records
or Information has been made generally available to the public other than
by an Inspector or an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 405) thereto;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that prior notice shall be provided as soon as
practicable to any Issuer of the potential disclosure of any information by
such Inspector pursuant to clause (i) of this sentence and such Inspector
shall allow the Issuers to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of such Records or Information at the Issuers' expense.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereto, as the case may be, to be
qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the
Holders of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes (if any) to such
indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use their reasonable
best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be
required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required
to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a
timely manner.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
make generally available to their securityholders with regard to any
applicable Registration Statement, a consolidated earnings statement
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule
158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act)
no later than 45 days after the end of any fiscal quarter (or 90 days after
the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i)
commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Notes are
sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten
offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering,
commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Parent,
after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements
shall cover said 12-month periods.
(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
if so requested by the Trustee, obtain an opinion of counsel to the
Issuers, in a form customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to
the Trustee for the benefit of all
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Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the related guarantee and the related
indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers,
enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their respective terms,
subject to customary exceptions and qualifications. If the Exchange Offer
or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the
Registrable Notes by Holders to the Companies (or to such other Person as
directed by the Companies), in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuers shall mark, or
cause to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes
are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable
Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.
(r) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in
connection with any filings required to be made with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(s) Use their reasonable best efforts to take all other steps
necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Notes and/or
Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuers may exclude from
such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller so long as such seller
fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such
request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees
to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in
order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such seller
not materially misleading.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding
by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by
such Holder of the investment quality of the securities covered thereby and that
such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future
financial requirements of the Companies, or (ii) in the event that such
reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities
Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference
to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement
filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be
required.
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Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold
by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual
receipt of any notice from any Issuer (i) of the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi) hereto or
(ii) of the commencement of a Blackout Period, such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered by such Registration
Statement (other than any Exchange Offer Registration Statement in the case of a
Blackout Period) or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until (x) in the case of the
immediately preceding clause (i), such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by
Section 5(j) hereto, or until it is advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the
Issuers that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto or (y) in the case of
the immediately preceding clause (ii) the earlier of (A) 60 days of after the
commencement of such Blackout Period and (B) receipt of notice from the
Companies that such Blackout Period has ended. In the event that any Issuer
shall give any such notice, each of the Applicable Period and the Effectiveness
Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and
including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when
the requirements of the immediately preceding clause (x) or (y), as the case may
be, shall have been met.
6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers (other than any underwriting discounts or
commissions) shall be borne by the Issuers, whether or not the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration Statement is filed or becomes
effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation,
(i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees
with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection with an
underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state
securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under the laws of such
jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the
case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereto, in the
case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a Participating
Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company
and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration
Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be,
(iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses,
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(iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and, in the case of a
Shelf Registration, reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for
all of the sellers of Registrable Notes (exclusive of any counsel retained
pursuant to Section 7 hereto), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent
certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(m)(iii) hereto (including,
without limitation, the expenses of any "cold comfort" letters required by or
incident to such performance), (vi) Securities Act liability insurance, if the
Issuers desire such insurance, (vii) fees and expenses of all other Persons
retained by the Issuers, (viii) internal expenses of the Issuers (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the
Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (ix) the expense of any annual
audit, (x) any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
securities to be registered on any securities exchange, and the obtaining of a
rating of the securities, in each case, if applicable, and (xi) the expenses
relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration
Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures and any other documents
necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
7. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
(a) Each of the Issuers agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, and each
Person, if any, who controls such Person or its affiliates within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a "PARTICIPANT")
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which any Participant may
become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as any such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out
of or are based upon:
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement made by any
Issuer contained in any application or any other document or any amendment
or supplement thereto executed by any Issuer based upon written information
furnished by or on behalf of any Issuer filed in any jurisdiction in order
to qualify the Notes under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws thereto or
filed with the SEC or any securities association or securities exchange
(each, an "APPLICATION");
(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if any of the Issuers
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any
preliminary prospectus; or
(iii) the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if any of the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or any Application or
any other document or any amendment or sup-
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plement thereto, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading;
and will reimburse, as incurred, the Participant for any reasonable legal or
other expenses incurred by the Participant in connection with investigating,
defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, (i) the
Issuers will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if any of the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or Application or any
amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with
information relating to any Participant furnished to the Issuers by such
Participant specifically for use therein, and (ii) the Issuers shall not be
liable to any Participant under the indemnity agreement in this subsection (a)
with respect to a preliminary prospectus (or Prospectus before amendment or
supplement) to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such
Participant results from the fact that such Participant sold Notes to a Person
as to whom it shall be established that there was not sent or given, at or prior
to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Prospectus (or the
Prospectus as then amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished
such Participant with copies of such amendment or supplement thereto sufficient
to allow for a timely distribution prior to the confirmation of the sale to such
Participant), in any case where such delivery is required by applicable law and
the loss, claim, damage or liability of such Participant results from an untrue
statement or omission of a material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus
which was corrected in the Prospectus (or in the Prospectus as then amended or
supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished such Participant with copies of
such amendment or supplement thereto sufficient to allow for a timely
distribution prior to the confirmation of the sale to such Participant). The
indemnity provided for in this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability
that the Issuers may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Issuers
shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any settlement of any claim or
action effected without their prior written consent, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
(b) Each Participant, severally and not jointly, agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, their directors and managers, as
applicable, their officers and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Issuers or any
such director, manager, officer or controlling person may become subject under
the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any Application, Registration Statement or Prospectus, any
amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or (ii) the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to
make the state-
<Page>
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ments therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information concerning such Participant, furnished to the Issuers by the
Participant, specifically for use therein; and subject to the limitation set
forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, as incurred, any legal
or other expenses incurred by the Issuers or any such director, manager, officer
or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending against or
appearing as a third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action in respect thereto. The indemnity provided for in
this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability that the Participants may
otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Participants shall not be liable
under this Section 7 for any settlement of any claim or action effected without
their consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Issuers shall not,
without the prior written consent of such Participant, effect any settlement or
compromise of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
Participant is or could have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought
hereunder by any Participant, unless such settlement (A) includes an
unconditional written release of the Participants from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any
statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on
behalf of any Participant.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action for which such indemnified
party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 7, such indemnified
party will, if a claim in respect thereto is to be made against the indemnifying
party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof in writing; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i)
will not relieve it from any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless
and to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying
party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event,
relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party
other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b)
above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it
notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying
party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may
wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified
party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the
indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel
with a conflict of interest, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both
the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall
have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses
available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or
additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the
indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable
time after receipt by the indemnifying party of notice of the institution of
such action, then, in each such case, the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such indem-
<Page>
-25-
nified party or parties and such indemnified party or parties shall have the
right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such
indemnified party or parties. After notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval
by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this
Section 7 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of
investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed
separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding
sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with such action the
indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one
separate counsel (in addition to one local counsel in any jurisdiction) in any
one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances,
designated by Participants who sold a majority in interest of the Registrable
Notes and Exchange Notes sold by all such Participants in the case of paragraph
(a) of this Section 7 or the Issuers in the case of paragraph (b) of this
Section 7, representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) or
paragraph (b), as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions) or
(ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel
for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party. All fees and
expenses reimbursed pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall be reimbursed as they
are incurred following receipt of supporting documentation. After such notice
from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party, the indemnifying party
will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action
effected by such indemnified party without the prior written consent of the
indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless
such indemnified party waived in writing its rights under this Section 7, in
which case the indemnified party may effect such a settlement without such
consent.
(d) In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for
in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable to, or insufficient
to hold harmless, an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in
order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by
the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on
the other from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by
the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or
parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof). The relative benefits received by the Issuers on the one hand and such
Participant on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the
total proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) of the Notes
received by the Issuers bear to the total gain (if any) excluding expenses
received by such Participant in connection with
<Page>
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the sale of the Notes. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand, or the
Participants on the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or
alleged statement or omission, and any other equitable considerations
appropriate in the circumstances. The parties agree that it would not be
equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per
capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this
paragraph (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (d), no
Participant shall be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the
aggregate exceed the total gain (if any) received by such Participant in
connection with the sale of the Notes, less the aggregate amount of any damages
that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the untrue
or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to state a
material fact, and no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of
this paragraph (d), each person, if any, who controls a Participant within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as the Participants, and each director of any
Issuer, each officer of any Issuer and each person, if any, who controls any
Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers.
8. RULES 144 AND 144A
Each of the Issuers covenants and agrees that it will file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and,
if at any time such Issuer is not required to file such reports, such Issuer
will, upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes,
make available such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A.
Each of the Issuers further covenants and agrees, for so long as any Registrable
Notes remain outstanding that it will take such further action as any Holder of
Registrable Notes may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time
to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Notes without registration
under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act and Rule 144A.
9. UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggre-
<Page>
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gate principal amount of such Registrable Notes included in such offering and
shall be reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Issuers have not, as of the
date hereof, and the Issuers shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter
into any agreement with respect to any of their securities that is inconsistent
with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with
the rights granted to the holders of the Issuers' other issued and outstanding
securities under any such agreements. The Issuers will not enter into any
agreement with respect to any of their securities which will grant to any Person
piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.
(b) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE NOTES. Except in compliance
with Section 10(c), the Issuers shall not, directly or indirectly, take any
action with respect to the Registrable Notes as a class that would adversely
affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable Notes to include such
Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement may
not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures
from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior
written consent of (I) the Companies, and (II)(A) the Holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes
and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating
Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all
Participating Broker-Dealers; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Section 7 and this Section
10(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written
consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any
person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration
Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereto with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders of Registrable Notes whose securities are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement may be given by Holders of at least a
<Page>
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majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold
pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) NOTICES. All notices and other communications (including,
without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the
registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial
Purchasers as follows:
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
31 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Facsimile No.: (646) 324-7467
Attention: Corporate Finance
with a copy to:
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
Facsimile No.: (212) 269-5420
Attention: John A. Tripodoro, Esq.
(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in
Section 10(d)(i);
(iii) if to the Issuers, at the address as follows:
c/o Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC
12900 Hall Road, Suite 200
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313
Facsimile No.: (586) 997-6839
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
<Page>
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with a copy to:
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Facsimile No.: (212) 593-5955
Attention: Michael R. Littenberg, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after
being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other
disposition of Registrable Notes in violation of the terms of the Purchase
Agreement or the Indenture.
(f) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereto.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF
ANY OTHER LAW.
(i) SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
<Page>
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achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) SECURITIES HELD BY THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AFFILIATES. Whenever
the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Notes is required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuers or their
affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall
not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
Holders of such required percentage.
(k) THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Holders of Registrable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries of this
Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(l) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand
and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives,
parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in
interest with respect to the subject matter hereto and thereto are merged herein
and replaced hereby.
<Page>
S-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
ADVANCED ACCESSORY SYSTEMS, LLC
By: /s/ Barry Steele
----------------------------------
Name: Barry Steele
Title: Secretary
AAS CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Barry Steele
----------------------------------
Name: Barry Steele
Title: Chairman
CHAAS ACQUISITIONS, LLC
By: /s/ Barry Steele
----------------------------------
Name: Barry Steele
Title:
AAS ACQUISITIONS, LLC
By: /s/ Marcel Fournier
----------------------------------
Name: Marcel Fournier
Title: President
VALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC
By: /s/ Barry Steele
----------------------------------
Name: Barry Steele
Title: Secretary
<Page>
S-2
VALTEK LLC
By: /s/ Barry Steele
----------------------------------
Name: Barry Steele
Title: Secretary
SPORTRACK, LLC
By: /s/ Barry Steele
----------------------------------
Name: Barry Steele
Title: Secretary
<Page>
S-3
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC
By: Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
By: /s/ Edwin E. Roland
------------------------------
Name: Edwin E. Roland
Title: Director
By: /s/ David Flannery
------------------------------
Name: David Flannery
Title: Managing Director