Exhibit 10.6 ------------ SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE INVESTORS' RIGHTS AGREEMENT This Second Amendment to the Investors' Rights Agreement (this "Amendment") dated as of September 20, 2001, is by and between Amerigon Incorporated, a California corporation (the "Company"), Big Beaver Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Lender") and Westar Capital II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Westar") and amends the Investors' Rights Agreement dated as of June 8, 1999 among the Company, the Lender and Westar (as previously amended through the date hereof, the "Investors' Rights Agreement"). All terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Investors' Rights Agreement. RECITALS WHEREAS, the Company and the Lender, have entered into a Credit Agreement (the "2001 Credit Agreement"), dated as of September 20, 2001; WHEREAS, the Convertible Promissory Note issued by Company pursuant to the 2001 Credit Agreement is convertible into Common Stock of the Company as provided therein; WHEREAS, in order to induce the Lender to enter into the 2001 Credit Agreement, the Company and the Lender have entered into a certain Bridge Loan Warrant, dated as of September 20, 2001, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to issue to the Lender certain warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company as provided therein; WHEREAS, the Investors' Rights Agreement was previously amended by the parties on March 16, 2000; and WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend and restate the definitions of "Registrable Securities," "Bridge Loan," "Bridge Note," and "Bridge Warrants" in the Investors' Rights Agreement; AGREEMENT NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree to amend the Investors' Rights Agreement as provided herein: 1. Section 1.1(g) of the Investors' Rights Agreement is amended and restated as follows: "The term 'Registrable Securities' means (i) the Common Stock issuable or issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Bridge Notes and the Bridge Warrants, and (iii) any Common Stock of the Company issued (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security which is issued) as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of the shares referenced in (i) and (ii) above, excluding in all cases, however, any Registrable Securities sold by a person in a transaction in which his rights under this Section 1 are not assigned." The following definitions are added after Section 1.1(i) of the Investors' Rights Agreement. "(j) The term 'Bridge Notes' means the promissory note executed and delivered by Company to Big Star Investments LLC ("Big Star") pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of March 16, 2000 (the "2000 Bridge Credit Agreement") and the convertible promissory note executed and delivered by the Company to the Lender pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of September 20, 2001 between Company and the Lender (the "2001 Bridge Credit Agreement"), as such agreements may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time. (k) The term 'Bridge Warrants' means a Bridge Loan Warrant dated March 16, 2000 issued by the Company to Big Star and any additional warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company issued to Big Star pursuant to the 2000 Bridge Credit Agreement and a Bridge Loan Warrant dated September 20, 2001 issued by the Company to the Lender and any additional warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company issued to the Lender pursuant to the 2001 Bridge Credit Agreement." 2. Right of First Offer. The Lender and Westar acknowledge that the Company -------------------- has satisfied its obligations to the Major Investors pursuant to Section 2 of the Investors' Rights Agreement in connection with the issuance of the Bridge Notes and the Bridge Warrants. 3. Miscellaneous. ------------- 3.1 Successors and Assigns. This Amendment and the rights and obligations ---------------------- of the parties hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, their respective successors, assigns and legal representatives. 3.2 Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed ------------- under the laws of the State of California as applied to agreements among California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within California. 3.3 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or more ------------ counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. 3.4 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Amendment -------------------- are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Amendment. 3.5 Expenses. If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce -------- or interpret the terms of this Amendment, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' 2 fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled. 3.6 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Amendment may be amended and ---------------------- the observance of any term of this Amendment may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon each holder of any Registrable Securities then outstanding, each future holder of all such Registrable Securities, and the Company. 3.7 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Amendment are held to ------------ be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Amendment and the balance of the Amendment shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms. 3.8 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Amendment constitutes the ----------------------------------- entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. 3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the day and year first written above. AMERIGON INCORPORATED, a California corporation By: /s/ Richard A. Weisbart --------------------------- Name: Richard A. Weisbart Title: President and Chief Executive Officer BIG BEAVER INVESTMENTS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company By: /s/ Paul Oster --------------------------- Name: Paul Oster Title: Chief Financial Officer WESTAR CAPITAL II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company By: /s/ John Clark --------------------------- Name: John Clark Title: Managing Partner S-1