Asbury Automotive Group Announces Private Offering of Senior Notes Due 2029 and Senior Notes Due 2032

Rhea-AI Summary

Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE: ABG) plans to offer up to $1.5 billion in Senior Notes, including 2029 and 2032 Notes. The offering's proceeds will primarily fund the acquisition of Larry H. Miller Dealerships and Total Care Auto, aimed at enhancing Asbury's business capabilities. Additionally, this will reduce their bridge commitments of $2.35 billion. The Notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons under specific regulations, exempt from the Securities Act requirements.

Positive

• Proceeds from the offering will fund the LHM Acquisition enhancing business growth.
• Offering will reduce $2.35 billion bridge commitments, improving financial flexibility.

Negative

• Potential dilution of shareholder value due to the large debt offering.

DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG) (“Asbury”) announced today that it intends to offer up to $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, which will consist of Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) and Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and together with the 2029 Notes, the “Notes”), subject to market conditions. The offering will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Asbury intends to use the proceeds of the offering of Notes, together with the proceeds of the concurrent offering of common stock, additional borrowings and cash on hand, to fund, if consummated, the acquisition (the “LHM Acquisition”) of all of the equity interests of, and the real property related to, the businesses of the Larry H. Miller Dealerships and Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar (collectively, the “LHM Business”), including the payment of fees and expenses related to the foregoing, and to use the balance of the proceeds, if any, for general corporate purposes, including other dealership acquisitions or capital investments. The offering of the Notes will correspondingly reduce the $2.35 billion of bridge commitments provided under the previously announced commitment letter entered into by Asbury in connection with the LHM Acquisition.

The Notes of each series will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each existing and future restricted subsidiary of Asbury that guarantees Asbury’s existing senior credit facility, subject to certain exceptions, including the entities comprising Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar.

The Notes of each series and related guarantees will be offered only to persons who are reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, and to non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States under Regulation S of the Securities Act. The Notes of each series have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes of any series in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This notice is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Act.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including with respect to our ability to consummate this offering. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical in nature and may include statements relating to the amount of the notes to be offered and our use of proceeds thereof, our goals, plans and projections regarding industry and general economic trends, our expected financial position, the expected terms or timeline of the currently contemplated LHM Acquisition, the anticipated cost savings, run-rate synergies, revenue enhancement strategies, operational improvements and other benefits from the LHM Acquisition, results of operations or market position and our business strategy. Such statements can generally be identified by words such as “may,” “target,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee” and other similar words or phrases. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release is as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Asbury qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. and you should not place undue reliance on Asbury’s forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211101005880/en/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angela Hong

Head of Corporate Communications

(404) 786-1654

pr@asburyauto.com

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Karen Reid

VP & Treasurer

(770) 418-8211

ir@asburyauto.com

Source: Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Asbury's offering of Senior Notes (ABG)?

Asbury intends to use the proceeds from the offering to fund the LHM Acquisition and for general corporate purposes.

How much is Asbury Automotive Group planning to raise through the Senior Notes offering?

Asbury is planning to offer up to $1.5 billion in Senior Notes.

What will the proceeds from Asbury's Senior Notes offering be used for?

The proceeds will primarily fund the acquisition of Larry H. Miller Dealerships and Total Care Auto.

What are the terms of Asbury's Senior Notes offering (ABG)?

The offering consists of Senior Notes due 2029 and Senior Notes due 2032, targeted at institutional buyers.

How will the Senior Notes offering impact shareholders of Asbury Automotive Group?

The offering could lead to potential dilution of shareholder value due to increased debt.