AutoNation Inc.
Table of Contents

 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2005
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For The Transition Period From                     to                    
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-13107
AUTONATION, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
     
DELAWARE
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)
  73-1105145
(IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
     
110 S.E. 6TH STREET
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
33301
(ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (954) 769-6000
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso No þ
     On November 1, 2005 the registrant had 262,389,015 outstanding shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share.
 
 

 


AUTONATION, INC.
INDEX
         
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    34  
 
       
    35  
 Sec 302 Principal Executive Officer Certification
 Sec 302 Principal Financial Officer Certification
 Sec 906 Principal Executive Officer Certification
 Sec 906 Principal Financial Officer Certification

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share and per share data)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 277.5     $ 107.9  
Receivables, net
    654.0       761.0  
Inventory
    2,203.5       2,580.7  
Other current assets
    175.3       286.1  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Assets
    3,310.3       3,735.7  
 
               
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $458.8 and $406.5, respectively
    1,819.2       1,802.0  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
    2,961.0       2,953.6  
OTHER ASSETS
    174.6       207.6  
 
           
 
               
Total Assets
  $ 8,265.1     $ 8,698.9  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Vehicle floorplan payable
  $ 1,946.7     $ 2,462.3  
Accounts payable
    207.8       177.1  
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt
    13.7       14.9  
Other current liabilities
    550.2       756.7  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Liabilities
    2,718.4       3,411.0  
 
               
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES
    661.4       797.7  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    209.7       156.8  
OTHER LIABILITIES
    76.3       70.3  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 12)
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
           
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,562,137 shares issued for both periods, including shares held in treasury
    2.7       2.7  
Additional paid-in capital
    2,214.1       2,240.0  
Retained earnings
    2,597.2       2,176.0  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    1.5       (1.5 )
Treasury stock, at cost; 12,160,808 and 9,300,007 shares held, respectively
    (216.2 )     (154.1 )
 
           
 
               
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    4,599.3       4,263.1  
 
           
 
               
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 8,265.1     $ 8,698.9  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share data)
                                 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED     NINE MONTHS ENDED  
    SEPTEMBER 30,     SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Revenue:
                               
New vehicle
  $ 3,160.8     $ 3,090.0     $ 8,885.4     $ 8,754.9  
Used vehicle
    1,172.9       1,062.0       3,392.3       3,201.0  
Parts and service
    673.0       617.5       1,974.4       1,836.9  
Finance and insurance, net
    167.9       158.6       475.1       459.6  
Other
    21.8       20.6       65.7       65.2  
 
                       
TOTAL REVENUE
    5,196.4       4,948.7       14,792.9       14,317.6  
 
                       
 
                               
Cost of Sales:
                               
New vehicle
    2,933.8       2,874.9       8,244.9       8,135.4  
Used vehicle
    1,064.5       967.1       3,062.0       2,900.3  
Parts and service
    380.4       349.6       1,115.4       1,032.0  
Other
    10.3       9.5       30.7       28.9  
 
                       
TOTAL COST OF SALES
    4,389.0       4,201.1       12,453.0       12,096.6  
 
                       
Gross Profit:
                               
New vehicle
    227.0       215.1       640.5       619.5  
Used vehicle
    108.4       94.9       330.3       300.7  
Parts and service
    292.6       267.9       859.0       804.9  
Finance and insurance
    167.9       158.6       475.1       459.6  
Other
    11.5       11.1       35.0       36.3  
 
                       
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
    807.4       747.6       2,339.9       2,221.0  
 
                       
 
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    566.8       531.6       1,649.8       1,589.0  
Depreciation and amortization
    19.7       19.9       60.4       57.8  
Other losses, net
    1.2       .9       .6       1.3  
 
                       
 
                               
OPERATING INCOME
    219.7       195.2       629.1       572.9  
 
                               
Floorplan interest expense
    (25.0 )     (20.4 )     (79.1 )     (57.2 )
Other interest expense
    (15.9 )     (18.3 )     (48.9 )     (57.3 )
Other interest expense – senior note repurchases
                (15.1 )      
Interest income
    1.5       .9       4.4       2.3  
Other expense, net
    (.1 )     (2.0 )     (.2 )     (3.4 )
 
                       
 
                               
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    180.2       155.4       490.2       457.3  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    60.1       59.7       175.0       176.3  
 
                       
 
                               
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    120.1       95.7       315.2       281.0  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES
    9.2       (3.3 )     106.0       (9.2 )
 
                       
 
                               
NET INCOME
  $ 129.3     $ 92.4     $ 421.2     $ 271.8  
 
                       
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ .46     $ .36       1.20       1.05  
Discontinued operations
  $ .04     $ (.01 )   $ .40       (.03 )
Net income
  $ .49     $ .35     $ 1.60     $ 1.02  
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    261.6       265.6       263.5       267.4  
 
                               
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ .45     $ .35     $ 1.17     $ 1.03  
Discontinued operations
  $ .03     $ (.01 )   $ .39     $ (.03 )
Net income
  $ .48     $ .34     $ 1.57     $ .99  
 
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    267.2       270.6       269.1       273.2  
 
                               
Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock
    261.4       264.4       261.4       264.4  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions, except share data)
                                                         
                                    Accumulated              
                                    Other              
                    Additional             Compre-              
    Common Stock     Paid-in     Retained     hensive     Treasury        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     (Loss) Gain     Stock     Total  
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2004
    273,562,137     $ 2.7     $ 2,240.0     $ 2,176.0     $ (1.5 )   $ (154.1 )   $ 4,263.1  
Purchases of treasury stock
                                  (187.2 )     (187.2 )
Exercise of stock options
                (25.9 )                 125.1       99.2  
Other comprehensive income
                            3.0             3.0  
Net income
                      421.2                   421.2  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
    273,562,137     $ 2.7     $ 2,214.1     $ 2,597.2     $ 1.5     $ (216.2 )   $ 4,599.3  
 
                                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
                 
    NINE MONTHS ENDED  
    SEPTEMBER 30,  
    2005     2004  
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 421.2     $ 271.8  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
    (106.0 )     9.2  
Depreciation and amortization
    60.4       57.8  
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts
    5.5       3.9  
Premium on bond repurchases
    11.3        
Income taxes
    35.0       28.1  
Other
    (.3     4.2  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from business combinations:
               
Receivables
    107.0       70.3  
Inventory
    348.4       230.3  
Other assets
    51.7       28.0  
Vehicle floorplan payable
    (471.0 )     (310.1 )
IRS settlement prepayment
          (42.6 )
Accounts payable
    30.7       (10.6 )
Other liabilities
    (60.8 )     (28.0 )
 
           
 
    433.1       312.3  
 
           
 
               
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property and equipment, excluding property operating lease buyouts
    (91.9 )     (81.3 )
Property operating lease buyouts
    (10.3 )     (77.7 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    32.3       1.7  
Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (13.4 )     (154.3 )
Cash received from business divestitures, net of cash relinquished
    47.4       4.1  
Proceeds from disposal of assets held for sale
    20.6       30.2  
Net change in restricted cash
    28.7       10.9  
Purchases of restricted investments
    (22.3 )     (16.7 )
Sales of restricted investments
    6.1       21.1  
Other
    (.5 )     (.4 )
 
           
 
    (3.3 )     (262.4 )
 
           
 
               
CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of treasury stock
    (187.2 )     (190.8 )
Payment of mortgage facilities
    (36.8 )     (8.5 )
Proceeds from mortgage facilities
          .2  
Payments of notes payable and long-term debt
    (1.2 )      
Proceeds from the exercises of stock options
    76.7       68.1  
Repurchase of senior unsecured notes
    (112.4 )      
 
           
 
    (260.9 )     (131.0 )
 
           
 
               
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    168.9       (81.1 )
 
               
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
    .7       (.6 )
 
           
 
               
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    169.6       (81.7 )
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    107.9       174.8  
 
           
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 277.5     $ 93.1  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data)
1. Interim Financial Statements
     AutoNation, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, is the largest automotive retailer in the United States. As of September 30, 2005, the Company owned and operated 347 new vehicle franchises from 270 stores primarily located in major metropolitan markets in 17 states, predominantly in the Sunbelt region of the United States. The Company offers a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, vehicle maintenance and repair services, vehicle parts, extended service contracts, vehicle protection products and other aftermarket products. The Company also arranges financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources.
     The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AutoNation, Inc. and its subsidiaries; all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information related to the Company’s organization, significant accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States has been condensed or omitted. These Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state, in all material respects, the financial position and the results of operations of the Company for the periods presented.
     The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates made by the Company in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include allowances for doubtful accounts, assumptions related to intangible and long-lived assets, and for accruals related to self-insurance programs, certain legal proceedings and estimated tax liabilities.
     Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
     During October 2005, Hurricane Wilma impacted the Company’s South Florida operations where the Company has 33 dealerships, representing approximately 20% of its national business. The Company has had a short-term disruption to its South Florida business and is in the process of assessing the damage to its property and equipment, inventory and overall operations of its business.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
2. Stock Options
     The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” in accounting for stock-based employee compensation arrangements whereby compensation cost related to stock options is generally not recognized in determining net income. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans been determined pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have decreased accordingly. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for all outstanding options, and based on their vesting schedules, the Company’s pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share are as follows for the nine months ended September 30:
                 
    2005     2004  
Net income, as reported
  $ 421.2     $ 271.8  
Pro forma stock-based employee compensation cost, net of taxes
    (8.1 )     (12.7 )
 
           
Pro forma net income
  $ 413.1     $ 259.1  
 
           
 
               
Basic earnings per share, as reported
  $ 1.60     $ 1.02  
Pro forma stock-based employee compensation cost
  $ (.03 )   $ (.05 )
Pro forma basic earnings per share
  $ 1.57     $ .97  
 
               
Diluted earnings per share, as reported
  $ 1.57     $ .99  
Pro forma stock-based employee compensation cost
  $ (.03 )   $ (.05 )
Pro forma diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.54     $ .95  
     In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” a revision of SFAS 123. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Bulletin No. 107 (SAB 107) regarding its interpretation of SFAS 123R. The standard requires companies to expense the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees. In accordance with the revised statement, the Company will be required to recognize the expense attributable to stock options granted or vested subsequent to December 31, 2005. The Company is evaluating the requirements of SFAS 123R and SAB 107. The Company has not yet determined the method of adoption or the effect of adopting SFAS 123R, and it has not determined whether the adoption will result in amounts that are similar to the current pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123 above.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
3. Receivables, Net
     The components of receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, are as follows:
                 
    SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,  
    2005     2004  
Trade receivables
  $ 94.1     $ 98.7  
Manufacturer receivables
    159.7       174.7  
Other
    95.6       80.1  
 
           
 
    349.4       353.5  
Less: Allowances
    (7.9 )     (6.6 )
 
           
 
    341.5       346.9  
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables
    312.5       371.0  
Income taxes refundable
          43.1  
 
           
Receivables, net
  $ 654.0     $ 761.0  
 
           
     Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables represent receivables from financial institutions for the portion of the vehicle sales price financed by the Company’s customers.
4. Inventory and Vehicle Floorplan Payable
     The components of inventory are as follows:
                 
    SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,  
    2005     2004  
 
New vehicles
  $ 1,720.1     $ 2,146.6  
Used vehicles
    332.4       290.5  
Parts, accessories and other
    151.0       143.6  
 
           
 
               
Total inventory
  $ 2,203.5     $ 2,580.7  
 
           
     At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, vehicle floorplan payable totaled $1.9 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. Vehicle floorplan payable reflects amounts payable to finance the purchase of specific vehicle inventories at LIBOR-based rates of interest, substantially all of which are with manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries. Secured floorplan facilities are used to finance primarily new vehicle inventories and the amounts outstanding thereunder are generally due within several business days after the related vehicles are sold. Floorplan facilities are primarily collateralized by new vehicle inventories and related receivables and contain certain financial and operational covenants. At September 30, 2005, the Company was in compliance with such covenants in all material respects. At September 30, 2005, aggregate capacity under the floorplan credit facilities to finance new vehicles was approximately $3.9 billion, of which $1.9 billion was outstanding.
5. Intangible Assets
     Intangible assets, net, consist of the following:
                 
    SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,  
    2005     2004  
 
Goodwill
  $ 2,998.0     $ 2,993.6  
Franchise rights — indefinite-lived
    224.4       220.5  
Other intangibles
    8.6       11.6  
 
           
 
    3,231.0       3,225.7  
Less: Accumulated amortization
    (270.0 )     (272.1 )
 
           
 
               
Intangible assets, net
  $ 2,961.0     $ 2,953.6  
 
           

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
     The Company completed impairment tests as of June 30, 2005 for goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives. The goodwill test includes determining the estimated fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit and comparing it to the carrying value of the net assets allocated to the reporting unit. The Company’s principal identifiable intangible assets are individual store rights under franchise agreements with vehicle manufacturers. The test for intangibles with indefinite lives requires the comparison of estimated fair value to its carrying value by store. No impairment charges resulted from the required impairment tests. Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives will be tested for impairment annually at June 30 or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.
6. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
     Notes payable and long-term debt consist of the following:
                 
    SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,  
    2005     2004  
 
9.0% senior unsecured notes, net of unamortized discount of $2.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively
  $ 343.4     $ 443.2  
Revolving credit facilities
           
Mortgage facilities
    281.3       318.1  
Other debt
    50.4       51.3  
 
           
 
    675.1       812.6  
Less: Current maturities
    (13.7 )     (14.9 )
 
           
 
               
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
  $ 661.4     $ 797.7  
 
           
     The Company has 9.0% senior unsecured notes outstanding due August 1, 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company repurchased $101.1 million (face value) of senior unsecured notes at an average price of 111.1% of face value or $112.4 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the premium paid for this repurchase was $11.3 million plus related deferred financing costs of $3.8 million, which was recognized as Other Interest Expense in the accompanying 2005 Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement. Through September 30, 2005, cumulative repurchases of senior unsecured notes, which began during the fourth quarter of 2004, totaled $104.5 million (face value). There were no repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2005. The senior unsecured notes are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries.
     Through July 14, 2005, the Company had two revolving credit facilities with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $500.0 million. A 364-day revolving credit facility, which was scheduled to expire in August 2005, provided borrowing capacity up to $200.0 million at LIBOR-plus 125 basis points. A five-year facility, which was scheduled to expire in August 2006, provided borrowing capacity up to $300.0 million at LIBOR plus 225 basis points. There were no borrowings on these revolving credit facilities during 2005 and 2004. On July 14, 2005, the Company terminated the credit facilities and entered into a new five-year revolving credit facility with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $600.0 million presently at a rate of interest of LIBOR plus 75 basis points. The interest rate charged for the revolving credit facility is impacted by the Company’s senior unsecured credit ratings. The facility is guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company has negotiated a letter of credit sublimit as part of its revolving credit facility. The amount available to be borrowed under the revolving credit facility is reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the cumulative face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, which totaled $85.2 million at September 30, 2005.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company repaid $36.8 million of the outstanding balance under mortgage facilities with automotive manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries, which includes a prepayment totaling $28.3 million. At September 30, 2005, the Company had $281.3 million outstanding under these mortgage facilities. In October 2005, the Company prepaid $125.7 million, the total outstanding

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
balance under one of the mortgage facilities. The outstanding balances are secured by mortgages on certain of the Company’s store properties.
     The Company’s senior unsecured notes, revolving credit facility and mortgage facilities contain numerous customary financial and operating covenants that place significant restrictions on the Company, including the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or repay existing indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to sell (or otherwise dispose of) assets and merge or consolidate with other entities. The indenture for the Company’s senior unsecured notes places significant restrictions on making certain payments (including dividends and share repurchases) and investments. The revolving credit facility also requires the Company to meet certain financial ratios including financial covenants requiring the maintenance of a maximum consolidated cash flow leverage ratio and a maximum capitalization ratio. In addition, the senior unsecured notes contain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant, and the mortgage facilities contain both maximum cash flow leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio covenants. In the event that the Company were to default in the observance or performance of any of the financial covenants in the revolving credit facility or mortgage facilities and such default were to continue beyond any cure period or waiver, the lender under the respective facility could elect to terminate the facility and declare all outstanding obligations under such facility immediately payable. Under the senior unsecured notes, should the Company be in violation of the financial covenants, it could be limited in incurring certain additional indebtedness. The Company’s revolving credit facility, the indenture for the Company’s senior unsecured notes, vehicle floorplan payable facilities and mortgage facilities have cross-default provisions that trigger a default in the event of an uncured default under other material indebtedness of the Company. At September 30, 2005, the Company was in compliance with the requirements of all such financial covenants.
     In the event of a downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings, none of the covenants described above would be impacted. In addition, availability under the revolving credit facility described above would not be impacted should a downgrade in the senior unsecured debt credit ratings occur. Certain covenants in the senior unsecured note indenture would be eliminated with certain upgrades of our senior unsecured notes to investment grade.
     Within the meaning of Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10, AutoNation, Inc. (the parent company) has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees of its subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries other than the guarantor subsidiaries are minor.
7. Shareholders’ Equity
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company repurchased 9.4 million shares of its common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $187.2 million, leaving approximately $121.2 million available for share repurchases under the current program authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors. Future share repurchases are subject to limitations contained in the indenture for the Company’s senior unsecured notes.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $76.7 million and $68.1 million, respectively.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
8. Income Taxes
     Income taxes provided are based upon the Company’s anticipated annual effective income tax rate.
     In 2005, the Company completed the federal income tax audit for the years 1997 through 2001. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded net income tax benefits in the provision for income taxes totaling $9.4 million and $16.2, respectively, primarily related to the resolution of various income tax matters. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded net income tax benefits in the provision for income taxes totaling $.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for other tax matters. The Company also recognized a $3.0 million and $110.4 million gain included in Discontinued Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, related to the resolution of various income tax matters.
     A federal income tax audit for 2002 through 2004 is being conducted by the IRS. The Company is routinely audited by the states in which it does business and remains under examination by various states. The Company expects additional state and federal tax adjustments in the future as it continues to work through various tax matters. The Company believes that its tax positions comply with applicable tax law, and that it has adequately provided for these matters. Included in Other Current Liabilities at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, are $58.4 million and $181.3 million, respectively, provided by the Company for these matters.
9. Earnings Per Share
     Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the combined weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, which includes, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of dilutive options.
     The computation of weighted-average common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share
    261.6       265.6       263.5       267.4  
Effect of dilutive options
    5.6       5.0       5.6       5.8  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share
    267.2       270.6       269.1       273.2  
 
                       
     At September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company had approximately 31.4 million and 36.0 million stock options outstanding, respectively, of which 7.4 million and 9.6 million, respectively, have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share since they are anti-dilutive. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company granted a total of 2.9 million stock options.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
10. Comprehensive Income
     Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
 
Net income
  $ 129.3     $ 92.4     $ 421.2     $ 271.8  
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
    .7       (2.5 )     3.0       (.5 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 130.0     $ 89.9     $ 424.2     $ 271.3  
 
                       
     The Company has a series of interest rate hedge instruments, consisting of a combination of swaps, and cap and floor options (collars) with a notional value of $800.0 million at September 30, 2005. The hedge instruments are designed to convert certain floating rate vehicle floorplan payable and portions of the Company’s mortgage facilities to fixed rate debt. The Company has $200.0 million in swaps, which started in 2004 and effectively lock in a LIBOR-based rate of 3.0%, and $600.0 million in collars that cap floating rates to a maximum LIBOR-based rate no greater than 2.4%. All of the Company’s hedge instruments mature between February 2006 and July 2006. At September 30, 2005 and 2004, net unrealized gains (losses) related to hedges included in other comprehensive gain (loss) were $1.8 million and $(3.6) million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the income statement impact from interest rate hedges was additional income (expense) of $.3 million and $(.6) million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the income statement impact from interest rate hedges was an additional expense of $.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2005, all of the Company’s derivative contracts were determined to be highly effective, and no ineffective portion was recognized in income.
11. Acquisitions
     The Company acquired two automotive retail franchises and other related assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and five automotive retail franchises and other related assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company paid $6.0 million and $151.2 million, respectively, in cash for indefinite-lived franchise rights and related operating assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company also paid $7.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in deferred purchase price for certain prior year automotive retail acquisitions.
     Purchase price allocations for business combinations for the nine months ended September 30 were as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
 
Property and equipment
    .1       23.9  
Goodwill
    2.5       57.8  
Franchise rights — indefinite-lived
    3.9       60.7  
Other intangibles subject to amortization
          8.8  
Working capital and other
    (.6 )      
 
           
 
    5.9       151.2  
Cash paid in deferred purchase price
    7.5       3.1  
 
           
 
               
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired
  $ 13.4     $ 154.3  
 
           
     The Company’s unaudited pro forma consolidated results of continuing operations, assuming acquisitions had occurred at January 1, 2004, are as follows for the nine months ended September 30:

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
                 
    2005     2004  
Revenue
  $ 14,804.5     $ 14,493.8  
Net income
  $ 421.6     $ 276.2  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.57     $ 1.01  
     The unaudited pro forma results of continuing operations are presented for informational purposes only and may not necessarily reflect the future results of operations of the Company or what the results of operations would have been had the Company owned and operated these businesses as of the beginning of each period presented.
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
     The Company is involved, and will continue to be involved, in numerous legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of its business, including litigation with customers, employment-related lawsuits, class actions, purported class actions and actions brought by governmental authorities.
     Many of the Company’s Texas store subsidiaries have been named in three class action lawsuits brought against the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (“TADA”) and approximately 700 new vehicle stores in Texas that are members of the TADA. The three actions allege that since January 1994, Texas dealers have deceived customers with respect to a vehicle inventory tax and violated federal antitrust and other laws as well. In April 2002, in two actions (which have been consolidated), the state court certified two classes of consumers on whose behalf the action would proceed. In October 2002, the Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s order of class certification in the state action and the Company and other defendants appealed the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court, which, on March 26, 2004, declined to review the class certification. The defendants then petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to reconsider its denial of review of the class certification and that petition was denied on September 10, 2004. In the federal antitrust case, in March 2003, the federal court conditionally certified a class of consumers. The Company and other defendants appealed the ruling to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which on October 5, 2004, reversed the class certification order, and remanded the case back to the federal district court for further proceedings. In February 2005, the Company and the plaintiffs in both the state and federal cases agreed to settlement terms in the respective cases. The settlements are contingent upon court approval. The estimated expense of the proposed settlements is not a material amount and includes the Company’s stores issuing coupons for discounts off future vehicle purchases, refunding cash in certain circumstances, and paying attorneys’ fees and certain costs. Under the terms of the settlements, the Company’s stores would continue to itemize and pass through to the customer the cost of the inventory tax. If the settlements are not approved, the Company would then vigorously assert available defenses in connection with the TADA lawsuits. Further, the Company may have certain rights of indemnification with respect to certain aspects of these lawsuits. However, an adverse resolution of the TADA lawsuits could result in the payment of significant costs and damages and negatively impact the Company’s ability to itemize and pass through to the customer the cost of the tax in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
     In addition to the foregoing cases, the Company is also a party to numerous other legal proceedings that arose in the conduct of its business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
Other Matters
     The Company, acting through its subsidiaries, is the lessee under many real-estate leases that provide for the use by the Company’s subsidiaries of their respective store premises. Pursuant to these leases, the Company’s subsidiaries generally agree to indemnify the lessor and other related parties from certain liabilities arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental liabilities, or a breach of the lease by the lessee. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into agreements with third parties in connection with the sale of assets or businesses in which it agrees to indemnify the purchaser or related parties from certain liabilities or costs arising in connection with the assets or business. Also, in the ordinary course of business in connection with purchases or sales of goods and services, the Company enters into agreements that may contain indemnification provisions. In the event that an indemnification claim is asserted, liability would be limited by the terms of the applicable agreement.
     From time to time, primarily in connection with dispositions of automotive stores, the Company’s subsidiaries assign or sublet to the store purchaser the subsidiaries’ interest in any real property leases associated with such stores. In general, the Company’s subsidiaries retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases to the extent that the assignee or sublessee does not perform, whether such performance is required prior to or following the assignment or subletting of the lease. Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries generally remain subject to the terms of any guarantees made by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with such leases. Although the Company generally has indemnification rights against the assignee or sublessee in the event of non-performance under these leases, as well as certain defenses, and the Company presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to perform any material obligations under any such assigned leases or subleases, the Company estimates that lessee rental payment obligations during the remaining terms of such assigned leases or subleases are currently approximately $75 million at September 30, 2005. The Company and its subsidiaries also may be called on to perform other obligations under these leases, such as environmental remediation of the leased premises or repair of the leased premises upon termination of the lease, although the Company presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to so perform and such obligations cannot be quantified at this time. The Company’s exposure under these leases is difficult to estimate and there can be no assurance that any performance of the Company or its subsidiaries required under these leases would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and cash flows.
     In the ordinary course of business, the Company is required to post performance and surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance, which totaled $118.1 million at September 30, 2005.
     In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to numerous state and federal laws and regulations, including automotive, environmental, health and safety and other laws and regulations. The Company does not anticipate that the costs of compliance with such laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, although such outcome is possible given the nature of the Company’s operations and the extensive legal and regulatory framework applicable to its business. The Company does not have any material known environmental commitments or contingencies.

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AUTONATION, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
13. Discontinued Operations
     Discontinued operations are related to stores that were sold or for which the Company has entered into a definitive agreement to sell. Generally, the sale of a store is completed within 60 to 90 days after a definitive agreement is signed. The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for all the periods presented have been adjusted to classify these stores as discontinued operations. Also included in results from discontinued operations is a gain from an income tax adjustment related to items previously reported in discontinued operations. Selected income statement data for the Company’s discontinued operations is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Total revenue
  $ 35.1     $ 161.2     $ 178.7     $ 524.3  
 
                       
Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations
  $ (3.8 )   $ (2.2 )   $ (10.0 )   $ (7.0 )
Pre-tax gain (loss) on disposal from discontinued operations
    2.3       (1.7 )     (3.3 )     (6.2 )
 
                       
 
    (1.5 )     (3.9 )     (13.3 )     (13.2 )
Income tax benefit
    (7.7 )     (.6 )     (8.9 )     (4.0 )
 
                       
 
    6.2       (3.3 )     (4.4 )     (9.2 )
Income tax adjustment (see Note 8)
    3.0             110.4        
 
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
  $ 9.2     $ (3.3 )   $ 106.0   $ (9.2 )
 
                       
     A summary of the total assets and liabilities of discontinued operations included in Other Current Assets and Other Current Liabilities is as follows:
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Inventory
  $ 12.3     $ 81.6  
Other current assets
    18.8       15.2  
 
           
Total current assets
    31.1       96.8  
 
           
 
               
Property and equipment, net
    18.1       39.7  
Goodwill
    6.8       31.7  
Other assets
    .9       1.5  
 
           
 
               
Total non-current assets
    25.8       72.9  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 56.9     $ 169.7  
 
           
 
Vehicle floorplan payable
  $ 10.3     $ 75.6  
Other current liabilities
    3.7       11.8  
 
           
Total liabilities
  $ 14.0     $ 87.4  
 
           

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included under Item 1. In addition, reference should be made to our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
OVERVIEW
     AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the largest automotive retailer in the United States. As of September 30, 2005, we owned and operated 347 new vehicle franchises from 270 stores primarily located in major metropolitan markets in 17 states, predominantly in the Sunbelt region of the United States. Our stores, which we believe include some of the most recognizable and well-known in our key markets, sell 35 different brands of new vehicles. The core brands of vehicles that we sell are manufactured by Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and BMW.
     We operate in a single industry segment, automotive retailing. We offer a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, vehicle maintenance and repair services, vehicle parts, extended service contracts, vehicle protection products and other aftermarket products. We also arrange financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. We believe that the significant scale of our operations and the quality of our managerial talent allow us to achieve efficiencies in our key markets by, among other things, reducing operating expenses, leveraging our market brands and advertising, improving asset management and sharing and implementing best practices across all of our stores.
     The automotive retailing industry historically has been subject to substantial cyclical variation characterized by periods of oversupply of new vehicles and weak consumer demand, although the impact on retailers has been mitigated in recent years by historically low interest rates (which have recently been increasing and are expected to continue increasing) and high manufacturer incentives and discount programs. We believe that many factors affect industry-wide sales of new vehicles and retailers’ gross profit margins, including consumer confidence in the economy, the level of manufacturers’ excess production capacity, manufacturer incentives (and consumers’ reaction to such offers), intense industry competition, interest rates, the prospects of war, other international conflicts or terrorist attacks, severe weather conditions, the level of personal discretionary spending, product quality, affordability and innovation, fuel prices, credit availability, unemployment rates, the number of consumers whose vehicle leases are expiring and the length of consumer loans on existing vehicles.
     During the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, we had net income from continuing operations of $180.2 million and $155.4 million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share of $.45 and $.35, respectively. The Company’s results were positively impacted by revenue growth, gross margin increases, share repurchases and continued leverage of the Company’s cost structure. During the third quarter of 2004, store volumes were impacted by four hurricanes that caused temporary store closings and substantial disruption of our business throughout Florida and the Southeast. We were not significantly affected by hurricanes during the third quarter of 2005. However, in the fourth quarter Hurricane Wilma has impacted our South Florida operations where we have 33 dealerships, representing approximately 20% of our national business. We have had a short-term disruption to our South Florida business and are in the process of assessing the damage to our property and equipment, inventory and overall operations of our business. While we do not expect a long-term effect on our business, there can be no assurance that Hurricane Wilma will not materially impact our business and results of operations during the fourth quarter of 2005. In June 2005, General Motors announced an “employee pricing for everyone” program, which was followed in July 2005 with similar programs introduced by Ford and Chrysler. Although these programs helped drive increases in volume, we focused on expanding gross profit per vehicle retailed through lower and more balanced new vehicle inventories. Industry new vehicles sales were adversely impacted in October 2005 as a result of items such as the end of manufacturer employee pricing programs, higher gas prices and rising interest rates as well as the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. Industry new vehicles sales are difficult to predict and may continue to be adversely affected for the remainder of 2005 by these or other factors.
     Additionally, we recognized a $9.4 million benefit during the three months ended September 30, 2005 related to the resolution of various tax matters. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, we had income from discontinued operations totaling $9.2 million, net of income taxes. We recognized a $3.0 million gain included in discontinued operations primarily related to the resolution of various income tax matters. We also recognized a loss of $6.2 million, net of income taxes, related to stores that were sold or for which we have entered a definitive agreement to sell. Certain amounts reflected in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial

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Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 have been adjusted to classify the results of the stores described above as discontinued operations.
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, we had net income from continuing operations of $490.2 million and $457.3 million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share of $1.17 and $1.03, respectively. During 2005, we recognized a $16.2 million benefit related to the resolution of various tax matters. The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 include $9.1 million or $.03 per share after-tax ($15.1 million pre-tax) of premium and deferred costs recognized as Other Interest Expense related to the repurchase of $101.1 million (face value) of our 9% senior unsecured notes. Additionally, the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were impacted by higher floorplan interest expense primarily resulting from higher short-term interest rates partially offset by lower average new vehicle inventory balances. The net inventory carrying benefit (floorplan interest expense net of floorplan assistance recognized from manufacturers) for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $9.8 million, a decrease of $20.5 million compared to the same period in 2004. We expect to have similar negative trends for the remainder of 2005.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we had income from discontinued operations totaling $106.0 million, net of income taxes, which includes a $110.4 million gain primarily related to the resolution of various income tax matters.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we acquired 9.4 million shares of our common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $187.2 million. The indenture for our senior notes contains restrictions on our ability to make share repurchases. See further discussion under the heading “Financial Condition.” During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, 6.6 million shares of our common stock were issued upon the exercise of stock options resulting in proceeds of $76.7 million.

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Reported Operating Data
     Historical operating results include the results of acquired businesses from the date of acquisition.
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    Variance                             Variance        
                    Favorable/                             Favorable/        
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)   2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance  
 
                                               
Revenue:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 3,160.8     $ 3,090.0     $ 70.8       2.3     $ 8,885.4     $ 8,754.9     $ 130.5       1.5  
Used vehicle
    1,172.9       1,062.0       110.9       10.4       3,392.3       3,201.0       191.3       6.0  
Parts and service
    673.0       617.5       55.5       9.0       1,974.4       1,836.9       137.5       7.5  
Finance and insurance, net
    167.9       158.6       9.3       5.9       475.1       459.6       15.5       3.4  
Other
    21.8       20.6       1.2               65.7       65.2       .5          
 
                                                   
Total revenue
  $ 5,196.4     $ 4,948.7     $ 247.7       5.0     $ 14,792.9     $ 14,317.6     $ 475.3       3.3  
 
                                                   
Gross profit:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 227.0     $ 215.1     $ 11.9       5.5     $ 640.5     $ 619.5     $ 21.0       3.4  
Used vehicle
    108.4       94.9       13.5       14.2       330.3       300.7       29.6       9.8  
Parts and service
    292.6       267.9       24.7       9.2       859.0       804.9       54.1       6.7  
Finance and insurance
    167.9       158.6       9.3       5.9       475.1       459.6       15.5       3.4  
Other
    11.5       11.1       .4               35.0       36.3       (1.3 )        
 
                                                   
Total gross profit
    807.4       747.6       59.8       8.0       2,339.9       2,221.0       118.9       5.4  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    566.8       531.6       (35.2 )     (6.6 )     1,649.8       1,589.0       (60.8 )     (3.8 )
Depreciation and amortization
    19.7       19.9       .2               60.4       57.8       (2.6 )        
Other losses , net
    1.2       .9       (.3 )             .6       1.3       .7          
 
                                                   
Operating income
    219.7       195.2       24.5       12.6       629.1       572.9       56.2       9.8  
Floorplan interest expense
    (25.0 )     (20.4 )     (4.6 )             (79.1 )     (57.2 )     (21.9 )        
Other interest expense
    (15.9 )     (18.3 )     2.4               (48.9 )     (57.3 )     8.4          
Other interest expense — senior note repurchases
                              (15.1 )           (15.1 )        
Interest income
    1.5       .9       .6               4.4       2.3       2.1          
Other expense, net
    (.1 )     (2.0 )     1.9               (.2 )     (3.4 )     3.2          
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ 180.2     $ 155.4     $ 24.8       16.0     $ 490.2     $ 457.3     $ 32.9       7.2  
 
                                                   
Retail vehicle unit sales:
                                                               
New vehicle
    110,288       107,568       2,720       2.5       305,595       305,867       (272 )     (.1 )
Used vehicle
    62,281       58,523       3,758       6.4       182,154       179,570       2,584       1.4  
 
                                                   
 
    172,569       166,091       6,478       3.9       487,749       485,437       2,312       .5  
 
                                                   
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 28,660     $ 28,726     $ (66 )     (.2 )   $ 29,076     $ 28,623     $ 453       1.6  
Used vehicle
  $ 15,038     $ 14,567     $ 471       3.2     $ 15,063     $ 14,529     $ 534       3.7  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 2,058     $ 2,000     $ 58       2.9     $ 2,096     $ 2,025     $ 71       3.5  
Used vehicle
  $ 1,766     $ 1,630     $ 136       8.3     $ 1,802     $ 1,665     $ 137       8.2  
Finance and insurance
  $ 973     $ 955     $ 18       1.9     $ 974     $ 947     $ 27       2.9  

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Table of Contents

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
    % 2005   % 2004   % 2005   % 2004
Revenue mix percentages:
                               
New vehicle
    60.8       62.4       60.1       61.1  
Used vehicle
    22.6       21.5       22.9       22.4  
Parts and services
    13.0       12.5       13.3       12.8  
Finance and insurance, net
    3.2       3.2       3.2       3.2  
Other
    .4       .4       .5       .5  
 
                       
Total
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
 
                       
 
                               
Gross profit mix percentages:
                               
New vehicle
    28.1       28.8       27.4       27.9  
Used vehicle
    13.4       12.7       14.1       13.5  
Parts and service
    36.2       35.8       36.7       36.2  
Finance and insurance
    20.8       21.2       20.3       20.7  
Other
    1.5       1.5       1.5       1.7  
 
                       
 
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
                               
Gross profit:
                               
New vehicle
    7.2       7.0       7.2       7.1  
Used vehicle
    11.7       11.2       12.0       11.5  
Parts and service
    43.5       43.4       43.5       43.8  
Total
    15.5       15.1       15.8       15.5  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    10.9       10.7       11.2       11.1  
Operating income
    4.2       3.9       4.3       4.0  
 
                               
Other operating items as a percentage of total gross profit:
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    70.2       71.1       70.5       71.5  
Operating income
    27.2       26.1       26.9       25.8  
                 
    September 30,  
    2005     2004  
Days supply:
               
New vehicle (industry standard of selling days, including fleet)
  43 days   53 days
Used vehicle (trailing 30 days)
  42 days   44 days
     The following table details net inventory carrying costs consisting of floorplan assistance earned, a component of new vehicle gross profit, and floorplan interest expense.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     Variance     2005     2004     Variance  
Floorplan assistance
  $ 30.5     $ 31.8     $ (1.3 )   $ 88.9     $ 87.5     $ 1.4  
Floorplan interest expense
    (25.0 )     (20.4 )     (4.6 )     (79.1 )     (57.2 )     (21.9 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net inventory carrying benefit
  $ 5.5     $ 11.4     $ (5.9 )   $ 9.8     $ 30.3     $ (20.5 )
 
                                   

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Same Store Operating Data
     We have presented below our operating results on a same store basis to reflect our internal performance. Same store operating results include the results of stores for identical months in both years included in the comparison, starting with the first month of ownership or operation.
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    Variance                             Variance        
($ in millions, except per                   Favorable/                             Favorable/        
vehicle data)   2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     %Variance     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance  
 
                                               
Revenue:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 3,141.7     $ 3,090.0     $ 51.7       1.7     $ 8,778.2     $ 8,750.9     $ 27.3       .3  
Used vehicle
    1,164.5       1,061.2       103.3       9.7       3,348.0       3,196.9       151.1       4.7  
Parts and service
    669.0       617.5       51.5       8.3       1,953.1       1,835.7       117.4       6.4  
Finance and insurance, net
    167.3       158.6       8.7       5.5       471.6       459.8       11.8       2.6  
Other
    7.5       8.0       (.5 )             23.8       24.1       (.3 )        
 
                                               
Total revenue
  $ 5,150.0     $ 4,935.3     $ 214.7       4.4     $ 14,574.7     $ 14,267.4     $ 307.3       2.2  
 
                                               
 
Gross profit:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 225.5     $ 215.0     $ 10.5       4.9     $ 632.0     $ 619.4     $ 12.6       2.0  
Used vehicle
    107.2       93.8       13.4       14.3       325.5       298.4       27.1       9.1  
Parts and service
    290.6       267.9       22.7       8.5       848.5       804.4       44.1       5.5  
Finance and insurance
    167.3       158.6       8.7       5.5       471.6       459.8       11.8       2.6  
Other
    6.8       6.7       .1               19.7       20.5       (.8 )        
 
                                               
Total gross profit
  $ 797.4     $ 742.0     $ 55.4       7.5     $ 2,297.3     $ 2,202.5     $ 94.8       4.3  
 
                                               
 
Retail vehicle unit sales:
                                                               
New vehicle
    109,766       107,568       2,198       2.0       302,812       305,701       (2,889 )     (.9 )
Used vehicle
    62,012       58,523       3,489       6.0       180,802       179,454       1,348       .8  
 
                                               
Total
    171,778       166,091       5,687       3.4       483,614       485,155       (1,541 )     (.3 )
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 28,622     $ 28,726     $ (104 )     (.4 )   $ 28,989     $ 28,626     $ 363       1.3  
Used vehicle
  $ 15,023     $ 14,569     $ 454       3.1     $ 15,011     $ 14,532     $ 479       3.3  
 
                                                               
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
                                                               
New vehicle
  $ 2,054     $ 1,999     $ 55       2.8     $ 2,087     $ 2,026     $ 61       3.0  
Used vehicle
  $ 1,767     $ 1,628     $ 139       8.5     $ 1,800     $ 1,664     $ 136       8.2  
Finance and insurance
  $ 974     $ 955     $ 19       2.0     $ 975     $ 948     $ 27       2.8  
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,_  
    % 2005     % 2004     % 2005     %2004_  
Revenue mix percentages:
                               
New vehicle
    61.0       62.6       60.2       61.3  
Used vehicle
    22.6       21.5       23.0       22.4  
Parts and service
    13.0       12.5       13.4       12.9  
Finance and insurance, net
    3.2       3.2       3.2       3.2  
Other
    .2       .2       .2       .2  
 
                       
Total
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
 
                       
Gross profit mix percentages:
                               
New vehicle
    28.3       29.0       27.5       28.1  
Used vehicle
    13.4       12.6       14.2       13.5  
Parts and service
    36.4       36.1       36.9       36.5  
Finance and insurance
    21.0       21.4       20.5       20.9  
Other
    .9       .9       .9       1.0  
 
                       
Total
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
 
                       
 
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
                               
Gross profit:
                               
New vehicle
    7.2       7.0       7.2       7.1  
Used vehicle
    11.8       11.2       12.0       11.5  
Parts and service
    43.4       43.4       43.4       43.8  
Total
    15.5       15.0       15.8       15.4  

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New Vehicle
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    Variance                           Variance        
($ in millions,                   Favorable/                           Favorable/        
except per vehicle data)   2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance  
 
                                               
Reported:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 3,160.8     $ 3,090.0     $ 70.8       2.3     $ 8,885.4     $ 8,754.9     $ 130.5       1.5  
Gross profit
  $ 227.0     $ 215.1     $ 11.9       5.5     $ 640.5     $ 619.5     $ 21.0       3.4  
Retail vehicle unit sales
    110,288       107,568       2,720       2.5       305,595       305,867       (272 )     (.1 )
Revenue per vehicle retailed
  $ 28,660     $ 28,726     $ (66 )     (.2 )   $ 29,076     $ 28,623     $ 453       1.6  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed
  $ 2,058     $ 2,000     $ 58       2.9     $ 2,096     2,025     $ 71       3.5  
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue
    7.2 %     7.0 %                     7.2 %     7.1 %                
Days supply (industry standard of selling days, including fleet)
  43 days   53 days                                                
Same Store:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 3,141.7     $ 3,090.0     $ 51.7       1.7     8,778.2     $ 8,750.9     $ 27.3       .3  
Gross profit
  $ 225.5     $ 215.0     $ 10.5       4.9     $ 632.0     $ 619.4     $ 12.6       2.0  
Retail vehicle unit sales
    109,766       107,568       2,198       2.0       302,812       305,701       (2,889 )     (.9 )
Revenue per vehicle retailed
  $ 28,622     $ 28,726     $ (104 )     (.4 )   $ 28,989     $ 28,626     $ 363       1.3  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed
  $ 2,054     $ 1,999     $ 55       2.8     $ 2,087     $ 2,026     $ 61       3.0  
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue
    7.2 %     7.0 %                     7.2 %     7.1 %                
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2005     2004     Variance     2005     2004     Variance  
Floorplan assistance
  $ 30.5     $ 31.8     $ (1.3 )   $ 88.9     $ 87.5     $ 1.4  
Floorplan interest expense
    (25.0 )     (20.4 )     (4.6 )     (79.1 )     (57.2 )     (21.9 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net inventory carrying benefit
  $ 5.5     $ 11.4     $ (5.9 )   $ 9.8     $ 30.3     $ (20.5 )
 
                                   
     Reported new vehicle performance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 benefited from the impact of acquisitions and divestitures when compared to same store performance.
     Same store new vehicle revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2005 increased compared to the same period in 2004 primarily as a result of a same store volume increase partially offset by a slight decrease in revenue per unit. During the third quarter of 2004, same store volume was impacted by four hurricanes that caused temporary store closings and substantial disruption of our business throughout Florida and the Southeast. We were not significantly impacted by hurricanes during the third quarter of 2005. In June 2005, General Motors announced an “employee pricing for everyone” program, which was followed in July 2005 with similar programs introduced by Ford and Chrysler. Although these programs helped drive increases in volume, we focused on expanding gross profit per vehicle retailed through lower and more balanced new vehicle inventories. Same store revenue per vehicle retailed and gross profit per vehicle retailed for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased as a result of an increase in sales of more expensive cars, and our focus on pricing and profitability and management of inventory levels.
     Industry new vehicles sales were adversely impacted in October 2005 as a result of items such as the end of manufacturer employee pricing programs, higher gas prices and rising interest rates as well as the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. Industry new vehicles sales are difficult to predict and may continue to be adversely affected for the remainder of 2005 by these or other factors.
     At September 30, 2005, our new vehicle inventories were at $1.7 billion or 43 days supply compared to new vehicle inventories of $2.1 billion or 53 days supply at September 30, 2004. The decrease is due to our continued focus on managing inventory and increased sales resulting from consumer employee pricing programs. The net inventory carrying benefit (floorplan interest expense net of floorplan assistance recognized from manufacturers) for full-year 2004 was approximately $35 million. The net inventory benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $9.8 million, a decrease of $20.5 million compared to the same period in 2004, primarily as a result of increased floorplan interest expense due to higher short-term interest rates. We expect to have similar negative trends for the remainder of 2005.

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Used Vehicle
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    Variance                             Variance        
($ in millions,                   Favorable/                             Favorable/        
except per vehicle data)   2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance  
Reported:
                                                               
Retail revenue
  $ 936.6     $ 852.5     $ 84.1       9.9     $ 2,743.8     $ 2,609.0     $ 134.8       5.2  
Wholesale revenue
    236.3       209.5       26.8       12.8       648.5       592.0       56.5       9.5  
 
                                                   
Total revenue
  $ 1,172.9     $ 1,062.0     $ 110.9       10.4     $ 3,392.3     $ 3,201.0     $ 191.3       6.0  
 
                                                   
 
                                                               
Retail gross profit
  $ 110.0     $ 95.4     $ 14.6       15.3     $ 328.2     $ 298.9     $ 29.3       9.8  
Wholesale gross profit
    (1.6 )     (.5 )     (1.1 )             2.1       1.8       .3          
 
                                                   
Total gross profit
  $ 108.4     $ 94.9     $ 13.5       14.2     $ 330.3     $ 300.7     $ 29.6       9.8  
 
                                                   
 
                                                               
Retail vehicle unit sales
    62,281       58,523       3,758       6.4       182,154       179,570       2,584       1.4  
Revenue per vehicle retailed
  $ 15,038     $ 14,567     $ 471       3.2     $ 15,063     $ 14,529     $ 534       3.7  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed
  $ 1,766     $ 1,630     $ 136       8.3     $ 1,802     $ 1,665     $ 137       8.2  
Gross profit as a percentage of retail revenue
    11.7 %     11.2 %                     12.0 %     11.5 %                
Days supply (trailing 30 days)
  42 days   44 days                                                
 
                                                               
Same Store:
                                                               
Retail revenue
  $ 931.6     $ 852.6     $ 79.0       9.3     $ 2,714.1     $ 2,607.8     $ 106.3       4.1  
Wholesale revenue
    232.9       208.6       24.3       11.6       633.9       589.1       44.8       7.6  
 
                                                   
Total revenue
  $ 1,164.5     $ 1,061.2     $ 103.3       9.7     $ 3,348.0     $ 3,196.9     $ 151.1       4.7  
 
                                                   
Retail gross profit
  $ 109.6     $ 95.3     $ 14.3       15.0     $ 325.4     $ 298.7     $ 26.7       8.9  
Wholesale gross profit
    (2.4 )     (1.5 )     (.9 )             .1       (.3 )     .4          
 
                                                   
Gross profit
  $ 107.2     $ 93.8     $ 13.4       14.3     $ 325.5     $ 298.4     $ 27.1       9.1  
 
                                                   
 
                                                               
Retail vehicle unit sales
    62,012       58,523       3,489       6.0       180,802       179,454       1,348       .8  
Revenue per vehicle retailed
  $ 15,023     $ 14,569     $ 454       3.1     $ 15,011     $ 14,532     $ 479       3.3  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed
  $ 1,767     $ 1,628     $ 139       8.5     $ 1,800     $ 1,664     $ 136       8.2  
Gross profit as a percentage of retail revenue
    11.8 %     11.2 %                     12.0 %     11.5 %                
     Reported used vehicle performance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 benefited from the impact of acquisitions and divestitures when compared to same store performance.
     Same store used vehicle revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased compared to the same period in 2004 as a result of an increase in same store volume and average revenue per unit. Volume was positively impacted by increased store traffic resulting from new vehicle employee pricing programs offered by vehicle manufacturers. During the third quarter of 2004, same store volume was impacted by four hurricanes that caused temporary store closings and substantial disruption of our business throughout Florida and the Southeast. We were not significantly impacted by hurricanes during the third quarter of 2005. The increase in same store average revenue per unit is the result of strengthened used vehicle market prices and the availability of quality used vehicles from trade-ins brought in by the new vehicle manufacturer programs. Same store gross profit and same store gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased as a result of better inventory management focused on stocking more profitable core models.
     Used vehicle inventories were at $332.4 million or 42 days supply at September 30, 2005 compared to $319.4 million or 44 days supply at September 30, 2004.

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Parts and Service
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    Variance                             Variance        
                    Favorable/                             Favorable/        
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)   2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance  
Reported:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 673.0     $ 617.5     $ 55.5       9.0     $ 1,974.4     $ 1,836.9     $ 137.5       7.5  
Gross profit
  $ 292.6     $ 267.9     $ 24.7       9.2     $ 859.0     $ 804.9     $ 54.1       6.7  
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue
    43.5 %     43.4 %                     43.5 %     43.8 %                
Same Store:
                                                               
Revenue
  $ 669.0     $ 617.5     $ 51.5       8.3     $ 1,953.1     $ 1,835.7     $ 117.4       6.4  
Gross profit
  $ 290.6     $ 267.9     $ 22.7       8.5     $ 848.5     $ 804.4     $ 44.1       5.5  
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue
    43.4 %     43.4 %                     43.4 %     43.8 %                
     Parts and service revenue is primarily derived from vehicle repairs paid directly by customers or via reimbursement from manufacturers and others under warranty programs.
     Reported parts and service revenue and gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 benefited from the impact of acquisitions and divestitures when compared to same store performance.
     Same store parts and service revenue and gross profit increased for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to increases in customer-paid and warranty work for parts and service as well as our parts wholesale business. Prior year results were also impacted by the effect of four hurricanes on our stores in Florida and the Southeast. We were not significantly impacted by hurricanes during the third quarter of 2005. In spite of one less service day in the current year compared to last year, same store parts and service revenue and gross profit increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The improvements are attributable in part to our service drive process, maintenance menu and service marketing program, as well as our pricing models and training programs.

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Finance and Insurance
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    Variance                             Variance        
                    Favorable/                             Favorable/        
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)   2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     % Variance  
Reported:
                                                               
Revenue and gross profit
  $ 167.9     $ 158.6     $ 9.3       5.9     $ 475.1     $ 459.6     $ 15.5       3.4  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed
  $ 973     $ 955     $ 18       1.9     $ 974       947     $ 27       2.9  
Same Store:
                                                               
Revenue and gross profit
  $ 167.3     $ 158.6     $ 8.7       5.5     $ 471.6     $ 459.8     $ 11.8       2.6  
Gross profit per vehicle retailed
  $ 974     $ 955     $ 19       2.0     $ 975     $ 948     $ 27       2.8  
     Reported finance and insurance revenue and gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 benefited from the impact of acquisitions and divestitures when compared to same store performance.
     Same store finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 as a result of increased new and used vehicle sales and increased retrospective commissions received on extended service contracts. Improvements were also driven by our continued emphasis on training of store associates. Prior year results were also impacted by the effect of four hurricanes on our stores in Florida and the Southeast. We were not significantly impacted by hurricanes during the third quarter of 2005. Substantially higher short-term interest rates for consumers in the future may negatively impact finance and insurance revenue and gross profit.

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Operating Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
     During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $35.2 million and $60.8 million or 6.6% and 3.8%, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. As a percent of total gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses improved to 70.2% and 70.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, an improvement of 90 and 100 basis points, respectively. Improvements are due to our continued efforts to leverage our cost structure, particularly in the areas of compensation and other selling, general and administrative expenses. Additionally, we continue to centralize certain key store-level accounting and administrative activities in certain of our operating regions, which we expect will reduce our operating costs and improve our operating efficiency over time.
Non—Operating Income (Expense)
Floorplan Interest Expense
     Floorplan interest expense was $25.0 million and $20.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Floorplan interest expense was $79.1 million and $57.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase is primarily the result of higher short-term interest rates partially offset by lower average new vehicle inventory levels.
Other Interest Expense
     Other interest expense was incurred primarily on borrowings under mortgage facilities and outstanding senior unsecured notes. Other interest expense was $15.9 million and $18.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $48.9 million and $57.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The decreases are primarily due to the repurchase of a portion of our senior unsecured notes. In October 2005, we prepaid $125.7 million, the total outstanding balance under one of the mortgage facilities, from available cash in order to reduce future interest expense.
Other Interest Expense — Senior Note Repurchases
     During 2005, we repurchased $101.1 million (face value) of our 9.0% senior unsecured notes at an average price of 111.1% of face value or $112.4 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the premium paid for this repurchase was $11.3 million plus related deferred costs of $3.8 million, which was recognized as Other Interest Expense in the accompanying 2005 Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement. There were no repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2005.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
     The effective income tax rate was 33.4% and 38.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and 35.7% and 38.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Income taxes are provided based upon our anticipated underlying annual blended federal and state income tax rates, adjusted, as necessary, for any other tax matters occurring during the period. As we operate in various states, our effective tax rate is also dependent upon our geographic revenue mix.
     In 2005, we completed the federal income tax audit for the years 1997 through 2001. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, we recorded net income tax benefits in our provision for income taxes totaling $9.4 million, and $16.2 million, respectively, primarily related to the resolution of various income tax matters. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, we recorded net income tax benefits in our provision for income taxes totaling $.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for other tax matters. We also recognized a $3.0 million and $110.4 million gains included in Discontinued Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, related to the resolution of various income tax matters.
     A federal income tax audit for 2002 through 2004 is being conducted by the IRS. We are routinely audited by the states in which we do business and remain under examination by various states. We expect additional state and federal tax adjustments in the future as we continue to work through various tax matters. Once we resolve our open tax matters, we expect our effective tax rate to be approximately 39.8%.

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Financial Condition
     At September 30, 2005, we had $277.5 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. Through July 14, 2005, we had two revolving credit facilities with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $500.0 million. There were no borrowings on these revolving credit facilities during 2005 and 2004. On July 14, 2005, we terminated these credit facilities and entered into a new five-year revolving credit facility with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $600.0 million with investment-grade terms, including lower credit spreads compared to the facilities it replaced. The facility is guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries. We have negotiated a letter of credit sublimit as part of our multi-year revolving credit facility. The amount available to be borrowed under the revolving credit facility is reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the cumulative face amount of any outstanding letters of credit which totaled $85.2 million at September 30, 2005.
     In the ordinary course of business, we are required to post performance and surety bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of our performance. At September 30, 2005, surety bonds, letters of credit and cash deposits totaled $118.1 million, including $85.2 million of letters of credit. We do not currently provide cash collateral for outstanding letters of credit.
     We also have 9.0% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we repurchased $101.1 million (face value) of senior unsecured notes at an average price of 111.1% of face value or $112.4 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the premium paid for this repurchase was $11.3 million plus related deferred financing costs of $3.8 million, which was recognized as Other Interest Expense in the accompanying 2005 Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement. Through September 30, 2005, cumulative repurchases of senior unsecured notes, which began during the fourth quarter of 2004, totaled $104.5 million (face value). There were no repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2005. The senior unsecured notes are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries.
     We maintain corporate credit ratings from nationally-recognized rating agencies. The Company, our revolving credit facility and senior unsecured notes carry investment grade ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. Although Moody’s credit ratings are currently non-investment grade, it raised the ratings outlook in 2004 to positive from stable and affirmed its positive outlook during 2005 for the Company and the senior unsecured notes. The senior unsecured notes have provisions linked to credit ratings of our senior unsecured notes. Certain covenants in the senior unsecured note indenture would be eliminated with certain upgrades of our senior unsecured notes to investment grade. The interest rate for the revolving credit facility is impacted by our senior unsecured credit ratings. In the event of a downgrade in our credit ratings, we would continue to have access to the revolving credit facility, although at higher rates of interest.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we repaid $36.8 million of the outstanding balance under mortgage facilities with automotive manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries, which includes a prepayment totaling $28.3 million. At September 30, 2005, we had $281.3 million outstanding under our mortgage facilities. In October 2005, we prepaid $125.7 million, the total outstanding balance under one of the mortgage facilities. The facilities bear interest at LIBOR-based interest rates and are secured by mortgages on certain of our stores properties.

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     We finance our new vehicle inventories through secured floorplan facilities, primarily with automotive manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries as well as independent financial institutions. As of September 30, 2005, aggregate capacity under the floorplan credit facilities to finance new vehicles was approximately $3.9 billion of which $1.9 billion was outstanding at September 30, 2005. We finance our used vehicle inventory primarily through cash flow from operations.
     We sell and receive commissions on the following types of vehicle protection and other products: extended service contracts, guaranteed auto protection, credit insurance, lease “wear and tear” insurance, and theft protection products. The products we offer include products that are sold and administered by independent third parties, including the vehicle manufacturers’ captive finance subsidiaries. Pursuant to our arrangements with these third-party finance and vehicle protection product providers, we primarily sell the products on a straight commission basis, however, we may sell the product, recognize commission and participate in future underwriting profit pursuant to retrospective commission arrangements. Through 2002, we assumed some of the underwriting risk through reinsurance agreements with our insurance subsidiaries. Since January 1, 2003, we have not reinsured any new extended warranties or credit insurance products. We maintain restricted cash in trust accounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of certain reinsurance agreements to secure the payments of outstanding losses and loss adjustment expenses related to our captive insurance subsidiaries.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we repurchased 9.4 million shares of our common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $187.2 million, leaving $121.2 million available for share repurchases under our current Board authorization. While we expect to continue repurchasing shares, the decision to make additional share repurchases will be based on such factors as the market price of our common stock, the potential impact on our capital structure and the expected return on competing uses of capital such as strategic store acquisitions and capital investments in our current businesses. Future share repurchases are also subject to limitations contained in the indenture for our senior unsecured notes.
     As a matter of course, we are regularly audited by various tax authorities. From time to time, these audits result in proposed assessments. Other tax accruals totaled $58.4 million and $181.3 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, and relate to various tax matters where the ultimate resolution may result in us owing additional tax payments. We believe that our tax positions comply with applicable tax law and that we have adequately provided for these matters. We completed the federal income tax audit for the years 1997 through 2001 and a federal income tax audit for 2002 through 2004 is being conducted by the IRS. We remain under examination by various states. We expect additional state and federal tax adjustments in the future as we continue to work through various tax matters. Once we resolve our open tax matters, we expect our base effective tax rate to be approximately 39.8%. See Note 8, Income Taxes, of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of income taxes.
Cash Flows
     Cash and cash equivalents increased (decreased) by $169.6 million and $(81.7) million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The major components of these changes are discussed below.
Cash Flows — Operating Activities
     Cash provided by operating activities was $433.1 million and $312.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
     Cash flows from operating activities include net income adjusted for non-cash items and the effects of changes in working capital including changes in vehicle floorplan payable which directly relates to new vehicle inventory.
Cash Flows — Investing Activities
     Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of cash used in capital additions, activity from business acquisitions, property dispositions, purchases and sales of investments and other transactions as further described below.

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     Capital expenditures, excluding property lease buyouts, were $91.9 million and $81.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We project that 2005 full-year capital expenditures will be approximately $130 million, excluding acquisition-related spending and opportunistic lease buy-outs.
     Property operating lease buy-outs were $10.3 million and $77.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We continue to analyze certain higher cost operating leases and evaluate alternatives in order to lower effective financing costs.
     Total cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was $13.4 million and $154.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We acquired two automotive retail franchises and other related assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and five automotive retail franchises and other related assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Cash used in business acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 includes $7.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in deferred purchase price for certain prior year automotive retail acquisitions. We expect that future acquisitions will primarily target single stores or store groups located in our key existing markets.
Cash Flows — Financing Activities
     Cash flows from financing activities primarily include treasury stock purchases and stock option exercises.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, we repurchased 9.4 million and 11.6 million shares of our common stock, respectively, for an aggregate price of $187.2 million and $190.8 million, respectively, under our Board-approved share repurchase programs. We are projecting 2005 combined spending on acquisitions and share repurchases of $300 million, depending upon market conditions.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, proceeds to the Company from the exercise of stock options were $76.7 million and $68.1 million, respectively.
     During 2005, we repurchased $101.1 million (face value) of our 9.0% senior unsecured notes at an average price of 111.1% of face value or $112.4 million.
     During 2005, we repaid $36.8 million of amounts outstanding under our mortgage facilities, including a prepayment totaling $28.3 million.
Liquidity
     In July 2005, we terminated our existing credit facilities with aggregate borrowing capacity of $500.0 million, and entered into a new five-year revolving credit facility with an aggregate borrowing capacity of $600.0 million. We believe that our funds generated through future operations and availability of borrowings under our secured floorplan facilities (for new vehicles) and revolving credit facility will be sufficient to service our debt and fund our working capital requirements, pay our tax obligations, commitments and contingencies and meet any seasonal operating requirements for the foreseeable future. We intend to finance capital expenditures, business acquisitions, debt retirements and share repurchases through cash flow from operations, our revolving credit facility and other financings. We do not foresee any difficulty in continuing to comply with covenants of our various financing facilities. At September 30, 2005, we have available capacity under our revolving credit facility and available cash totaling approximately $792 million, net of outstanding letters of credit.
     We will continue to evaluate the best use of our operating cash flow among capital expenditures, share repurchases, acquisitions and debt reduction, including possible additional repurchases of our senior unsecured notes and/or prepayments of our mortgage facilities. In October 2005, we prepaid $125.7 million, the total outstanding balance under one of the mortgage facilities, from available cash in order to reduce future interest expense. We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock during our three most recent fiscal years. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The indenture for our senior unsecured notes restricts our ability to declare cash dividends.

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Seasonality
     Our operations generally experience higher volumes of vehicle sales and service in the second and third quarters of each year due in part to consumer buying trends and the introduction of new vehicle models. Also, demand for vehicles and light trucks is generally lower during the winter months than in other seasons, particularly in regions of the United States where stores may be subject to adverse winter conditions. Accordingly, we expect our revenue and operating results to be generally lower in the first and fourth quarters as compared to the second and third quarters. However, revenue may be impacted significantly from quarter to quarter by actual or threatened severe weather events, and by other factors unrelated to season, such as changing economic conditions and automotive manufacturer incentive programs.
New Accounting Pronouncements
     See Note 2, Stock Options, of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
     Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock, may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the matters discussed below. Certain statements and information set forth herein in this Form 10-Q, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or our authorized executive officers on our behalf, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend for our forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we set forth this statement and these risk factors in order to comply with such safe harbor provisions. It should be noted that our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q or when made and we undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations, plans, intentions and projections reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that our shareholders and prospective investors should consider include, but are not limited to, the following:
  The automotive retailing industry is cyclical and is sensitive to changing economic conditions and various other factors. Our business and results of operations are dependent in large part on new vehicle sales levels in the United States and in our particular geographic markets and the level of gross profit margins that we can achieve on our sales of new vehicles, all of which are very difficult to predict. Sales of certain new vehicles, particularly larger trucks and sports utility vehicles, also may be impacted adversely by further significant increases in fuel prices, which have risen dramatically in recent months.
  We are subject to restrictions imposed by, and significant influence from, vehicle manufacturers that may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects, including our ability to acquire additional stores.
  Our stores are dependent on the programs, financial condition and operations of vehicle manufacturers with whom we hold franchises. Any event that has a material adverse effect on these manufacturers or their financial condition, credit ratings, management or designing, marketing, production or distribution capabilities (such as, among other events, increases in interest rates, poor product mix or unappealing vehicle design and disruption in the vehicle manufacturers’ supply chain) may adversely affect our store operations and, in turn, materially affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.

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  We are subject to numerous legal and administrative proceedings, which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.
  Our operations, including, without limitation, our sales of finance and insurance and vehicle protection products, are subject to extensive governmental laws, regulation and scrutiny. If we are found to be in violation of any of these laws or regulations, or if new laws or regulations are enacted that adversely affect our operations, our business, operating results and prospects could suffer.
  Our ability to grow our business may be limited by our ability to acquire automotive stores in key markets on favorable terms or at all.
  We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our vehicle floorplan payable, revolving credit facility and mortgage facilities that could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
  Our revolving credit facility and the indenture relating to our senior unsecured notes contain certain restrictions on our ability to conduct our business.
  We must test our intangibles for impairment at least annually, which may result in a material, non-cash write-down of goodwill or franchise rights and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and shareholders’ equity.
     Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and to our subsequent filings with the SEC for additional discussion of the foregoing risk factors.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
     Our primary market risk exposure is changing interest rates. Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of a combination of fixed and floating rate debt. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, fixed rate debt, primarily consisting of amounts outstanding under our 9.0% senior unsecured notes, totaled $393.8 million and $494.5 million, respectively, and had a fair value of $424.4 million and $561.5 million, respectively. Interest rate derivatives may be used to adjust interest rate exposures when appropriate, based upon market conditions.
Interest Rate Risk
     At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had variable rate vehicle floorplan payable totaling $1.9 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. Based on these amounts at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $19.0 million and $25.0 million, respectively, change to our annual floorplan interest expense. Our exposure to changes in interest rates with respect to vehicle floorplan payable is partially mitigated by manufacturers’ floorplan assistance, which in some cases is based on variable interest rates. Net of floorplan assistance, at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $15.7 million and $20.4 million, respectively, change to our net inventory carrying costs.
     At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had other variable rate debt outstanding totaling $281.3 million and $318.1 million, respectively, consisting of mortgage facilities. Based on the amounts outstanding at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $2.8 million and $3.2 million change to interest expense, respectively.
Hedging Risk
     We reflect the current fair value of all derivatives on our balance sheet. The related gains or losses on these transactions are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of a derivative contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the items being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in income. All of our interest rate hedges are designated as cash flow hedges. We have a series of interest rate hedge instruments with a notional value of $800.0 million, consisting of a combination of swaps, and cap and floor options (collars). The instruments are designed to convert certain floating rate vehicle floorplan payable and mortgage notes to fixed rate debt. We have $200.0 million in swaps, which started in 2004 and effectively lock in a LIBOR-based rate of 3.0%, and $600.0 million in collars that cap floating rates to a maximum LIBOR-based rate no greater than 2.4%. All of our hedges mature between February 2006 and July 2006. At September 30, 2005 and 2004, net unrealized gains (losses) related to hedges included in other comprehensive gain (loss) were $1.8 million and $(3.6) million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the income statement impact from interest rate hedges was additional (income) expense of $.3 million and $(.6) million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the income statement impact from interest rate hedges was an additional expense of $.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2005, all of our derivative contracts were determined to be highly effective, and no ineffective portion was recognized in income.
     Reference is made to our quantitative disclosures about market risk in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
     We evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report in timely alerting them as to material information relating to AutoNation (including our consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in this Quarterly Report.
     We continue to centralize certain key store-level accounting and administrative activities, which we expect will streamline our internal control over financial reporting. The initial or “core” phase consists of implementing a standard data processing platform in the store and centralizing to a shared services center certain key accounting processes. We have substantially implemented the core phase in 76 of our 270 stores as of September 30, 2005. In the final or “extended” phase, substantially all remaining store accounting functions are centralized. As of September 30, 2005, we have implemented the extended phase at 22 of our 270 stores.
     There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter identified in connection with the evaluation referred to above that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
     The table below sets forth information with respect to shares of common stock repurchased by us during the three months ended September 30, 2005. See Note 7 of our Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our stock repurchase programs.
                                 
                    Total Number of     Maximum Dollar Value of  
    Total Number     Average     Shares Purchased as     Shares That May Yet Be  
    Of Shares     Price Paid     Part of Publicly     Purchased Under the  
Period   Purchased     per Share     Announced Programs     Programs (in millions)(1)(2)  
July 1, 2005 to July 31, 2005
        $             159.9  
 
                               
August 1, 2005 to August 31, 2005
    600,000     $ 20.84       600,000       147.4  
 
                               
September 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005
    1,270,000     $ 20.60       1,270,000       121.2  
 
                           
 
                               
Total
    1,870,000               1,870,000          
 
                           
 
(1)         Future share repurchases are subject to limitations contained in the indenture for the Company’s senior unsecured notes.
 
(2)         Shares are repurchased under our stock repurchase program approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in October 2004, which authorized the Company to repurchase up to $250.0 million of shares. This program does not have an expiration date.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits:
     
4.5
  Five Year Credit Agreement dated July 14, 2005 relating to a $600 million unsecured bank line of credit (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2005).
 
   
10.15
  Employment Agreement dated July 27, 2005 between AutoNation, Inc. and Michael E. Maroone, President and Chief Operating Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2005).
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
   
32.2
  Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

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SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant, AutoNation, Inc., has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
             
    AUTONATION, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ J. Alexander McAllister    
 
           
 
      J. Alexander McAllister    
 
      Vice President and Corporate Controller    
 
      (DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICER AND    
 
      PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER)    
Date: November 4, 2005
           

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