Exhibit 99
MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
337 Magna Drive
Aurora, ON, Canada L4G 7K1
Tel: (905 726-2462
Fax: (905) 726-7164
RiskMetrics recommends Magna shareholders vote for proposed transaction
AURORA, ON, June 14, 2010 - Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.A, NYSE: MGA)
today announced that RiskMetrics Group, an independent proxy advisor, has
recommended to its institutional clients that they vote in favour of a
proposed transaction that would eliminate Magna's dual class share structure.
he Magna shareholder vote is scheduled to take place at a special meeting on
June 28, 2010.
In its report, RiskMetrics wrote:
"In our view, the potential benefits of the one-share-one-vote structure
would include, among others, the following:
- the elimination of all or part of the seemingly long existing trading
discount of the Class A shares and the unlocking of shareholder value
as the market has already implied;
- enhanced accountability of directors as they will be elected or
removed by public shareholders instead of the current controlling
shareholder;
- greater access to capital as investors previously unwilling or unable
to invest in Magna will become interested, resulting in lower cost of
capital; and
- removal of the controlling impediment to potential takeover interest.
While we acknowledge legitimate corporate governance concerns regarding
the Magna transaction, we believe the potential downside risk of missing this
unexpected opportunity to get rid of the multiple voting shares even at such a
high price, and the potential benefits aforementioned would outweigh the
corporate governance concerns and thus be acceptable to shareholders concerned
with future long-term growth and value..."
"Whether the expansion of trading multiple may be sustainable over the
long run remains to be seen, however we believe that voting down the Magna
proposal would probably eliminate any multiple expansion to date and reduce
shareholder value significantly."
Vincent J. Galifi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Magna, said: "We welcome RiskMetrics' recommendation and encourage all of our
shareholders to read the proxy circular in its entirety and vote their shares
at the special meeting."
Magna's Management Information Circular/Proxy Statement dated May 31, 2010 has
been mailed to shareholders and is available on Magna's website at
www.magna.com/magna/en/investors/ and at www.sedar.com.
About Magna
We are the most diversified global automotive supplier. We design, develop
and manufacture technologically advanced systems, assemblies, modules and
components, and engineer and assemble complete vehicles, primarily for sale to
original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") of cars and light trucks. Our
capabilities include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of
automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; body and
chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior systems;
powertrain systems; roof systems; hybrid and electric vehicles/systems as
well as complete vehicle engineering and assembly.
We have approximately 74,000 employees in 240 manufacturing operations and 76
product development, engineering and sales centres in 25 countries.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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This Press Release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking state-
ments" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including, but
not limited to, statements relating to the results and the potential benefits
expected to be achieved from a one-share-one-vote structure. The forward-
looking information in this Press Release is presented for the purpose of
providing information about current expectations with respect to the trans-
actions contemplated by the Arrangement and such information may not be
appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements may also include
statements regarding our
future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumptions underlying
any of the foregoing, and other statements that are not recitations of
historical fact. We use words such as "may", "would", "could", "should",
"will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan",
"forecast", "outlook", "project", "estimate" and similar expressions
suggesting future outcomes or events to identify forward-looking statements.
Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently
available to us, and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in
light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we
believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual
results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions
is subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond our control, and the effects of which can be difficult to
predict, including, without limitation, risks, assumptions and uncertainties
related to the consummation of the Arrangement, including, shareholder
approval, Court approval, the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to
complete the transactions contemplated by the Arrangement, and the
termination of the transaction agreements; future growth prospects for
electric vehicles; the market value and trading price of the Class A
Subordinate Voting Shares; and other factors set out in our Management
Information Circular/Proxy Statement dated May 31, 2010, Annual
Information Form filed with securities commissions in Canada and our
Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission, and subsequent filings. In evaluating any forward-
looking statements in this Press Release, we caution readers not to place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Readers should
specifically consider the various factors which could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from those indicated by our
forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable
securities laws, we do not intend, nor do we undertake any obligation,
to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this
Press Release to reflect subsequent information, events, results or
circumstances or otherwise.
For further information: Vincent J. Galifi, Executive Vice-President
and Chief Financial Officer at (905) 726-7100