Exhibit 5.1
[Jones Day Letterhead]
May 13, 2011
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
2905 Premiere Parkway, NW, Suite 300
Duluth, Georgia 30097
| | Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. |
| | | Relating to the Exchange Offer |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to which this opinion has been filed as an exhibit (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) of up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 of the Company (the “Exchange Notes”) for an equal principal amount of 8.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 of the Company outstanding on the date hereof (the “Outstanding Notes”). The Outstanding Notes have been, and the Exchange Notes will be, issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, the companies listed onAnnex A hereto (each, a “Covered Guarantor” and, collectively, the “Covered Guarantors”), the companies listed onAnnex B hereto (each, an “Other Guarantor” and, collectively the “Other Guarantors”, such Other Guarantors and the Covered Guarantors collectively referred to as the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Outstanding Notes are, and the Exchange Notes will be, guaranteed (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantee”) on a joint and several basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors.
In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of such opinions.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
| | 1. | The Exchange Notes, when they are executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture and issued and delivered in exchange |
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
May 13, 2011
Page 2
| | for the Outstanding Notes in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company. |
| | 2. | The Subsidiary Guarantee of the Exchange Notes (each, an “Exchange Guarantee” and collectively, the “Exchange Guarantees”) of each Covered Guarantor, when it is issued and delivered in exchange for the Subsidiary Guarantee of the Outstanding Notes (collectively, the “Outstanding Guarantees”) of that Covered Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of that Covered Guarantor. |
| | 3. | The Exchange Guarantee of each Other Guarantor, when it is issued and delivered in exchange for the Outstanding Guarantee of that Other Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of that Other Guarantor. |
The opinions set forth above are subject to the following limitations, qualifications and assumptions:
For purposes of the opinions expressed herein, we have assumed that the Trustee has authorized, executed and delivered the Indenture and that the Indenture is the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Trustee.
The opinions expressed herein are limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or other similar laws, and related regulations and judicial doctrines from time to time in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and (ii) general equitable principles and public policy considerations, whether such principles and considerations are considered in a proceeding at law or in equity.
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, including applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting such laws, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion or view as to the effect of any other law of the State of Delaware or the laws of any other jurisdiction on the opinions expressed herein.
We are not admitted or qualified to practice law in the states of Florida, North Carolina or Oregon. Therefore, in rendering the opinion expressed in Paragraph 3 above, we have relied solely upon the opinions of (i) Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A., a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the State of Florida, (ii) Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP, a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 5.3 to the Registration Statement, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the North Carolina, and (iii) Stoel Rives LLP, a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 5.4 to the Registration Statement, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the State of Oregon.
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
May 13, 2011
Page 3
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Jones Day under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
Jones Day
Annex A
Covered Guarantors
| | |
Entity | | Jurisdiction of
Incorporation |
AF Motors L.L.C. | | Delaware |
ANL L.P. | | Delaware |
Arkansas Automotive Services, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury AR Niss L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta AC L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta AU L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta BM L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Chevrolet L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Hon L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Inf L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Infiniti L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Jaguar L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Lex L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Nis L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta Toy L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Atlanta VL L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Arkansas Dealership Holdings L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Arkansas L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Atlanta L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Atlanta II L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Brandon, L.P. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Central Florida, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Deland, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Fresno L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Group L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Jacksonville GP L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Jacksonville, L.P. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Management L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Mississippi L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive North Carolina Dealership Holdings L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive North Carolina L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive North Carolina Management L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive North Carolina Real Estate Holdings L.L.C. | | Delaware |
| | |
Entity | | Jurisdiction of
Incorporation |
Asbury Automotive Oregon L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Southern California L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive St. Louis, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive St. Louis II, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Tampa GP L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Tampa, L.P. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Texas L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Automotive Texas Real Estate Holdings L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Deland Imports 2, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Fresno Imports L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Jax AC, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Jax Holdings, L.P. | | Delaware |
Asbury Jax Hon, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Jax K, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Jax Management L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Jax VW, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury MS Chev, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury MS Gray-Daniels L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury No Cal Niss L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Sacramento Imports L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury So Cal DC L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury So Cal Hon L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury So Cal Niss L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury St. Louis Cadillac L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury St. Louis FSKR, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury St. Louis Lex L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury St. Louis LR L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury St. Louis M, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Tampa Management L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Asbury Texas D FSKR L.L.C | | Delaware |
Asbury Texas H FSKR L.L.C | | Delaware |
Asbury-Deland Imports L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Atlanta Real Estate Holdings L.L.C. | | Delaware |
BFP Motors L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Bayway Financial Services, L.P. | | Delaware |
| | |
Entity | | Jurisdiction of
Incorporation |
Camco Finance II L.L.C. | | Delaware |
CK Chevrolet LLC | | Delaware |
CK Motors LLC | | Delaware |
Coggin Cars L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Coggin Chevrolet L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Coggin Management, L.P. | | Delaware |
Crown CHH L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown CHO L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown CHV L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown FDO L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown FFO Holdings L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown FFO L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GAC L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GBM L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GCA L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GDO L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GHO L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GNI L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GPG L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown GVO L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown Motorcar Company L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown PBM L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown RIA L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown RIB L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown SJC L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Crown SNI L.L.C. | | Delaware |
CSA Imports L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Escude-NN L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Escude-NS L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Escude-T L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Florida Automotive Services, L.L.C (f/k/a Asbury Automotive Florida, L.L.C.). | | Delaware |
Southern Atlantic Automotive Services, L.L.C. f/k/a Georgia Automotive Services, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
HFP Motors L.L.C. | | Delaware |
JC Dealer Systems LLC (f/k/a Dealer Profit Systems L.L.C.) | | Delaware |
KP Motors L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Austin-Acra, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Frisco-Hon, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
| | |
Entity | | Jurisdiction of
Incorporation |
McDavid Grande, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Houston-Hon, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Houston-Niss, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Irving-Hon, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Outfitters, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
McDavid Plano-Acra, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Mid-Atlantic Automotive Services, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Mississippi Automotive Services, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Missouri Automotive Services, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
NP FLM L.L.C. | | Delaware |
NP MZD L.L.C. | | Delaware |
NP VKW L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Plano Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. | | Delaware |
Premier NSN L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Premier Pon L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Prestige Bay L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Prestige Toy L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Tampa Hund, L.P. | | Delaware |
Tampa Kia, L.P. | | Delaware |
Tampa LM, L.P. | | Delaware |
Tampa Mit, L.P. | | Delaware |
Texas Automotive Services, L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Thomason Dam L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Thomason Frd L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Thomason Hund L.L.C. | | Delaware |
Thomason Pontiac-GMC L.L.C. | | Delaware |
WMZ Motors, L.P. | | Delaware |
WTY Motors, L.P. | | Delaware |
Annex B
| | |
Entity | | Jurisdiction of Organization |
Avenues Motors, Ltd. | | Florida |
C&O Properties, Ltd. | | Florida |
CFP Motors, Ltd. | | Florida |
CH Motors, Ltd. | | Florida |
CHO Partnership, Ltd. | | Florida |
CN Motors, Ltd. | | Florida |
Coggin Automotive Corp. | | Florida |
CP-GMC Motors, Ltd. | | Florida |
Crown Acura/Nissan, LLC | | North Carolina |
Crown Honda, LLC | | North Carolina |
Precision Computer Services, Inc. | | Florida |
Precision Enterprises Tampa, Inc. | | Florida |
Precision Infiniti, Inc. | | Florida |
Precision Motorcars, Inc. | | Florida |
Precision Nissan, Inc. | | Florida |
Thomason Auto Credit Northwest, Inc. | | Oregon |
