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Exhibit 4.16

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES 
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

As of December 31, 2021, AutoNation, Inc. had one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended: our common stock.  

The following description of our common stock is based on our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), our Amended and Restated By-Laws (our “By-Laws”), and applicable provisions of law. We have summarized certain portions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws below. The summary is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-Laws, each of which is filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). You should read our Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, and the applicable provisions of the DGCL for additional information.  

As used in this Exhibit, the terms “our,” “us,” “we,” “AutoNation” and the “Company” refer only to AutoNation, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not to any of its subsidiaries.

Authorized Shares

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our authorized common stock consists of 1,500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. 

Voting Rights

Each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. 

Dividends

Subject to the requirements of law and the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors (“Board”). 

Liquidation/Dissolution Rights

Upon any liquidation or dissolution of AutoNation, holders of our common stock are entitled to share pro rata in all remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment or providing for our liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. 

Other Rights 

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive right to purchase, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire any unissued or treasury shares or other securities. Our common stock has no sinking fund, redemption provisions, or conversion or exchange rights.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and the DGCL

Certain provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and the DGCL may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our Board.

Preferred Stock

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board to issue preferred stock in one or more series from time to time. Our Board is authorized to provide that any such series of preferred stock may be (i) entitled to voting powers, full or limited, or may be without voting powers; (ii) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices as our Board may establish; (iii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other series of stock as our Board may establish; (iv) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Company, as our Board may establish; (v) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, of the Company at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments as our Board may establish; and (vi) entitled to such other relative, participating, optional or special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions as our Board may establish. Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our authorized preferred stock consists of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Issuance of preferred stock in the future could discourage bids for the common stock at a premium as well as create a depressive effect on the market price of the common stock. 

Advance Notice of Stockholder Proposals or Nominations

Our By-Laws provide that stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations (i) specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on (a) the date of the giving of timely notice to our Corporate Secretary and (b) the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given to our Corporate Secretary timely written notice, in proper form. In addition to certain other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder generally must have given notice thereof in proper written form to our Corporate Secretary not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our By-Laws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or defer a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

Proxy Access

Our By-Laws permit a stockholder (or a group of up to 20 stockholders) owning three percent (3%) or more of our common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in our proxy statement candidates for up to 20% of our Board (rounded down, but not less than two). To be timely, a notice of a nomination under our proxy access bylaw provisions must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than one-hundred twenty (120) days nor more than one-hundred fifty (150) days prior to the anniversary of the date that the Company first distributed its proxy statement to stockholders for the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders.  The notice must contain certain information specified in our bylaws. 

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our By-Laws, subject to the requirements set forth therein, provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called (i) for any purpose or purposes by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by or at the direction of the Board upon the written request of one or more record holders of shares of our common stock representing not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of our then issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Under our By-Laws, our stockholders are permitted to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

Delaware General Corporation Law

Since we are a Delaware corporation, we are subject to certain anti-takeover provisions of the DGCL. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 of the DGCL prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for three years following the date that the person became an interested 
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stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our Board or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving us and the “interested stockholder” and the sale of more than 10% of our assets. In general, an “interested stockholder” is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. Section 203 makes it more difficult for an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts not approved in advance by our Board and as a result could discourage attempts to acquire us, which could depress the market price of our common stock.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “AN.”

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Exhibit 10.16

FORM OF AUTONATION, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of ____________ (the “Date of Grant”), by and between the Company and __________ (the “Participant”) who accepts the Award of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) made hereby, and agrees to be bound by this Agreement. 

RECITALS

A.The Company has established the AutoNation, Inc. 2017 Employee Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in order to provide valued employees of the Company incentives to create and maintain long-term stockholder value; and

B.The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the grant to the Participant of RSUs on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.Definitions and Schedules. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Plan. In addition, terms in respect of this Award that are not addressed in this Agreement shall be set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto.

2.Award of RSUs Pursuant to Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions, including the restrictions and risk of forfeiture, set forth herein and in the Plan, the Participant is hereby granted under the Plan, as of the Date of Grant, an Award of RSUs, the number of which is set forth for the Participant on the Schedule attached hereto.

3.Number of Shares. The Company will establish a bookkeeping account to reflect the number of shares of Stock that are subject to the Participant’s Award. The Participant shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to the Participant’s Award unless and until the shares have been delivered in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement.

4.Vesting. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5 of this Agreement or in the Plan, the RSUs shall become vested on the applicable vesting date set forth on Schedule 1, subject to the Participant’s continued employment with the Company, its Subsidiaries, or its Affiliates, through such vesting date. 

5.Termination of Employment. Except as set forth in this Section 5 or as may otherwise be provided in a written employment agreement with the Participant (if applicable), upon the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, any RSUs that have not become vested in accordance with Schedule 1 shall be immediately forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following provisions shall apply to the Award:

(a)Termination of Employment for Cause. Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment for Cause by the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates, this Agreement shall terminate and all rights of the Participant with respect to all RSUs that have not been settled shall immediately terminate. The RSUs shall be forfeited without payment of any consideration, and neither the Participant nor any of the Participant’s successors, heirs, assigns, or personal representatives shall thereafter have any further rights or interests in such RSUs.

(b)Qualifying Termination of Employment.

(i)Death. Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates thereof on account of death, the Participant shall immediately vest in full in the RSUs.

(ii)Disability and Retirement. Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates thereof (i) due to Disability or (ii) by the Participant due to Retirement, the Participant shall continue to vest (as if the Participant’s employment had not been terminated) in the RSUs as set forth on Schedule 1 and the immediately following sentence. The RSUs shall continue to vest only if the Participant fully complies with any non-compete, non-disparagement, confidentiality and other restrictive covenants set forth in any agreement entered into between the Participant and the Company or its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates from time to time (including, but not limited to any Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality Agreement entered into between the Participant and the Company) determined, notwithstanding the time periods set forth therein, as if all such restrictive covenants applied at all times while the Award is outstanding. The Board shall determine whether the Participant has complied with such restrictive covenants. Any portion of the RSUs that does not vest in accordance with the foregoing shall automatically be forfeited.

6.Dividend Equivalents. On each date on which a dividend is paid with respect to shares of Stock, dividend equivalents shall be credited hereunder in respect of the shares subject to the Award. Such dividend equivalents shall be credited as a number of additional RSUs equal to (i) the aggregate amount or value of the dividends paid with respect to that number of shares equal to the number of shares subject to such Award on the record date of such dividend, divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value per share on the payment date for such dividend. Such additional RSUs shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall vest at the same time that the related Award vests, and the shares subject to such additional RSUs shall be distributed only upon the distribution of the underlying shares with respect to which the dividend equivalents were granted.

7.Payment. The Company shall deliver to the Participant either, in its sole and absolute discretion (a) a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of vested shares subject to the RSU Award, including dividend equivalents credited with respect to such shares, or (b) an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of the distribution, in either case, on or as soon as administratively practical following the date of vesting of the applicable portion of the total RSUs pursuant to the terms hereof (and in all events within thirty (30) days of the vesting date).

8.Participant Bound by Terms of Plan. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions thereof.

9.Withholding. The Participant must satisfy any tax or other applicable withholding by having the Company withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable hereunder.

10.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.

11.Severability. The invalidity or enforceability of any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

12.Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications by the Participant with respect to this Award shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered by certified or registered mail (first class postage prepaid), guaranteed overnight delivery or facsimile transmission if such transmission is confirmed by 

delivery by certified or registered mail (first class postage prepaid) or guaranteed overnight delivery, to the following address (or to such other addresses or telecopy numbers which the Company shall designate in writing to the Participant from time to time):

AutoNation, Inc.
200 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 1400
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Attention: Human Resources
Telecopy: (954) 769-xxxx

with a copy to:
AutoNation, Inc.
200 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 1600
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopy: (954) 769-xxxx

13.Binding Effect. This Agreement shall not constitute a binding obligation of the Company or the Participant unless it is accepted by the Participant by _______. Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and to the Participant’s heirs, legatees, distributees and personal representatives. No handmarked or interlineated modifications shall constitute a part of this Agreement.

14.Conflict with Terms of the Plan. This Award is subject to the terms of the Plan, which provisions are hereby incorporated herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement conflicts with any provision of the Plan and cannot reasonably be interpreted to be a clarification of such provision of the Plan or an exercise of the authority granted to the Plan’s administrator pursuant to the Plan, the provision of the Plan shall govern and be controlling.

15.409A. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to the extent subject thereto, comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and shall in all respects be administered and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of any individual penalty tax and late interest charges imposed under Section 409A of the Code, such payment shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or upon the Participant’s death, if  earlier).

16.Integration. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the Participant and the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates relating to the grant of this Award, whether oral or otherwise; provided, however that this Agreement shall not supersede any agreement (including any employment agreement) with the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates or policy of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates relating to confidentiality, no-solicitation, no-hire, non-competition, non-disparagement or recoupment of compensation, including but not limited to the Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality Agreement previously entered into between the Company and the Participant; provided, further, that this Agreement shall not supersede any written employment agreement with the Participant relating to the treatment of this Award upon the Participant’s termination of employment, if applicable.

[Signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first above written.

By:

By:    AUTONATION, INC.

    Name:
    Title:

Schedule 1

Award: 
Vesting:

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